Kudos to the Human Society International for this fashionably trendy think-ink campaign!

                          

P.S. If you find yourself in a bind with a little ball of fur and are far from adept in animal assistance, contact the Wild Baby Rescue Center in Blairstown, NJ – or check out their helpful hints for dealing with wildlife.

[$4 by animal outfitter on cafepress.com]

                          

Vegan Style – And For Under $25

Among many things, April is the month of our Earth’s Birthday, making it subject to a lot of fun and inspiring activities. Being the stunning socialite you are, I bet you’ve got your itinerary down and a sustainable soiree or two on the agenda. And you’ve pre-picked the perfect party outfit, right? Oh. Not quite? Well, I’m a firm believer in multi-tasking, so while saving the earth this spring, why not save a little dough on some celebration savvy style. So what to wear to get a little festive? When in doubt, keep it casual and animal conscious, of course.

• Spring is usually synonymous with an abundance of outdoor things, so spare yourself a sprain by making sure to sport the right stemware. Girls, try the World Peace Vegan Flip Flop from VeganChic.com ($24.99). Not only 100% vegan, but absolutely ethereal with its peace sign printed foot-bed and peaced-out pin detail.

• Guys, check out Urban Outfitter’s Faux Leather Plimsoll. This exclusive to UO item comes in bold blacks, natural navys, earth tone tans and a few other hues. Cooler than canvas and much more animal-lovin’ than leather, for $24.00 these sneaks are a definite steal. And hey, they’re local!

• Next, nothing makes a fashion or social statement like a comfortably candid statement tee. BustedTees.com’s Stop Animal Testing ($20.00) is printed on fine jersey cotton, made right here in the U.S., and is available in both male and female sizing. The quirky quip and witty word play proves that just because you care about a serious cause, it doesn’t mean you have to be so, well, serious. Some organizations can resort to scare-tactics and in-your-face offensiveness to get the word out, when really it’s just not necessary. Instead, have a little fun with your animal-friendly flamboyance.

• Ladies, if you’ve been keeping up with the media mag trends this season, it’s likely you’ve been lavished with pages upon pages of prints. But animal prints aren’t the only way to channel your wild child side this season. Support the protection of endangered species with a WWF top from Forever 21, a fave mall-day destination. My pick? A pretty zebra printed one for only $15.80. Scope out the mini panda pal in the corner as reassurance that a portion of the proceeds go directly to the World Wildlife Federation.

• Finally, there’s nothing more in fashion than a stylish smile. Keep yours caffeinated with Crazy Rumors Perk Lip Balm ($3.95) from AlternativeOutfitters.com. I know it’s taxing being a confident, conscious and cost-effective shopper, so choose a lip latte flavor like coffee bean to pump some energy back into your pout. Made from jojoba oil, shea butter, soy wax and vitamin E, they’re 100% vegan and all natural.

I’d say you’re pretty much set for any spring flings that get penciled in your planner – or maybe it’s more like added to your iphone calendar app. Either way, don’t forget April is also Go Orange for Animals Month.

                          

Bringing short hair and saving the sandy Gulf back in style.

                          

List Of Things To Do Before I Dye

1. The Obvious Tip: Pick a color that compliments your skin tone.
2. The Most Overlooked Tip: Choose a tone that will also match your wardrobe. If you mainly stick to neutrals, then you’re on the fairly safe side. But if you incorporate a lot of bright yellows, blaring oranges, and super warm tones, you probably don’t want to go with a fire engine red do. It’s just a bit much.
3. When doing box comparison, don’t just compare price tags. Look at the ingredients, the label, and the name behind it to choose a reputable vegan brand. You can go ahead and Google to your hairs’ content, or just trust my quick picks. Naturtint Permanent is exceptional for looking perfectly natural. Or you can indulge your wild side with Manic Panic N.Y.C. Both are 100% vegan.
4. Don’t forget the importance of aftercare. Invest in a top-grade color-stay vegan conditioner like ABBA Pure Color Protect.
5. After you’ve dyed and dried, brush out gently with synthetic bristles. This a fairly simple one, since vegan hair brushes are the most commonly manufactured kind. Just be sure to stay away from “natural bristle” brushes – because “natural” is really just a naughty euphemism for animal hair.

                          

Ever heard of Vivienne Pickle? How about Jennifer Artur? She’s the make-up savvy rocker turned fashion entrepreneur who invented the bubbly line of boisterous hair accessories. With a touch of Victorian elegance and new wave New Jersey cheekiness, each piece is handmade. Adorned with cameos, skulls, flowers, beads, baubles, and charms alike, no real feathers, wings, or pretty petals were plucked from any plant or wildlfe for the hair clip’s creation. You can find a great selection at New Hope, PA eco-conscious boutique A Beatiful Life.

So what’s the dilemma? Well, I find myself in quite the pickle when trying to pick just one.

[$46 dress at abeautifullife.com]

                          

Jean Nate by Revlon
Surprisingly, it’s vegan. And not just for grandmas.

[$17.99 at perfumeemporium.com]

                          

[$16.25 at howcool.com]

*Special thanks to Jack & Andrea of Panico Salon & Spa. Way to nail it!

                          

[$16 at urbandecay.com]

                          

One can’t even attempt to replicate it without starting off with a mess of  fried-out blonde bombshell locks. While bleach is most unnatural, and far from eco-friendly, Manic Panic offers an awesome “Lightning” bleach kit that they swear contains no animal ingredients and is tested on celebs instead of animals. To finish off your new do, nothing says “riot grrrl” better than baby barrettes. Ultra girly bows are sweet, but why not get a little catty – and go a little faux – with leopard print ones from Pin-Up Girl Clothing. The next step requires even more application and an unsteady hand. No one rocked those red lips and smokey eyes quite like Court. And it’s doubtful anyone ever will, but if you’re up for giving it a go, try Urban Decay’s vegan lipstick in Revolution Red and their Smoke Out eye pencil. Lastly, the Millie Dress from Rebe Designs merge both of  her signature styles – babydoll and vintage, but unlike many vintage finds, no real silk was used. So, you can rest assured there’ll be no silkworm labor suits here.

Either way, whether she’s keeping it kinderwhore, going glam, or edging towards animal-friendly, Courtney’s still a solid style icon in my mind – and now my blog.