My Eco-Friendly Fashion Picks

 Happy Sunday, fashion lovers! Although I am on a self-imposed shopping restriction (gotta make those financial goals happen somehow), I am still getting a semi-high by shopping for you guys. So selfless; I know.

 Here are my 5 picks for today of some great finds from eco-friendly designers and sites. Enjoy!

1. Samantha Pleet

Samantha Pleet is a 29 year old designer from BROOKLYN (woot!), who graduated from Pratt and uses organic materials in her clothing line. Her showroom is on Mercer St. in New York. Some of her designs were recently featured on the Bravo channel's "Fashion Hunters".

Samantha Pleet website


 Samantha Pleet Spring 2012 Collection

2. SA VA

SA VA offers a wide range of eco-friendly and fair trade clothing. What I like about this company is that while not all of their clothes are 100% natural, they do use only use fair trade textiles and often sustainable or organic fabrics-as well as locally made. You can click on any any of those categories on the website to sort your search results by fair trade, sustainable, all natural, etc.

SA VA website



Red Cori Dress-->100% Silk


Angie Dress-->100% Cotton
3. Mohop

Mohop makes American-crafted sandals that feature sustainably harvested cherrywood from Pennsylvania, black soles derived from natural rubber and rice husks, and padded footbeds made from faux leather. The best part is you can lace any ribbon through the elastic loops to create your own one-of-a-kind, custom-fit pair! You can also purchase laces, ties and accessories from their site as well. LOVE this idea!

Go to Mohop NOW!










 4. Jules Elin

The juleselin knitwear line (designed by Julia Burnbaum) features a versatile collection of jackets, sweaters, and dresses created from organic cotton and recycled fabrications. As a line that emerged from the designer's need to have a jacket that would be comfortable for wearing both inside and outside, the line has grown to include a range of coats and sweaters, each inspired and named after someone very close to Julia.

Jules Elin website

  $328
The Elin coat comes in 3 colors: eggplant, deep teal, and black. The site shows 6 different ways the coat can be worn. Here are a couple:








 5. BTC Elements, The Eco-friendly Boutique

BTC Elements website

BTC offers products from designers that are "all eco-friendly, made in the USA".

 $118

The Scout pant by Raw Earth and Wild Sky comes in 5 colors: coffee, camouflage, black, charcoal, and white. Handmade in Los Angeles, the pant is 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex.


$120

The Disco dress, made by SUST, comes in ivy, Potent purple (above), and black. The dress is 100% hemp and made in Northern California.


 $28.00, now $14-->SALE!!!

These lacy leggings by BGreen are 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex. BGreen is a third generation family owned and operated business.

  $136, now $68-->SALE!!

Glamor Tie Back One Piece by Kelly Barry is made of 65% bamboo, 27% organic cotton, and 8% spandex. It is made in California.


Well, before I whip out my Visa, I'm out conscious people. Hope you enjoyed!

Love & Happiness,
Nikki

Fashion with a conscience??

Good day, beautiful souls!!

Today obviously held great significance because of the date: 11.11.11, even for those who said it meant nothing! The amount of energy surrounding the elevens collectively caused a spiritual/conscious shift.

Stay with me for a second. I am by no means a numerologist, but I do pay attention to numbers-dates, time, etc., and I believe in their significance.

For instance, using today's date, the number 1 represents the Creator-God; creating new beginnings. Repeated, it becomes 11 which is a master number, or spiritual messenger that brings revelation from a higher plane. The power of 11 is even more intensified this year because on November 11, 2011 (11.11.11) the number repeats three times. Because it occurs so rarely on the calendar, this triune number has the ability to open the portal of awareness. As the collective consciousness of individuals becomes more familiar with it (i.e. the entire 11-11-11 blitz in the media), the  energy awakens and speaks to our souls.

So with that being said, I have been led on my own journey to become more aware of not only what goes in my body via my vegan diet, but also what goes on it (see my last blog post), and what I allow around me environmentally. That could be what I read, speak, or just the company I keep.

Since I am such a lover of all things fashion and beauty, I'm continuing on my search for more socially and environmentally conscious designs. I have to admit, I doubted that "conscious fashion" and "appealing to Nikki" could coexist, but I was happily surprised by what I found on Big City Vegan's site! They sell "cruelty free" products such as bags, shoes, jewelry, gifts, tees, and accessories.

Check it out:

Click here to go to Big City Vegan!




Mrs. Roper Wedge by olsenHaus $238.50
HOT right?

Women's Justice Platform Boots by olsenHaus $187

Matt & Nat XX Satchel bag $123.75

 Big Buddha Beverly Satchel $90.20

 Urban Expressions Chloe Flower wristlet $29.95

 HAVE to represent for BK!!!

Women's cap sleeve tee $24.99 by Brooklyn Vegan

 

Brooklyn Vegan necklace heart charm $20.95


Hope you like some of my newest finds, but more importantly, be well and live your life on purpose. Stay awake and aware.

Love and Happiness,

Nikki

Naturally Hott!

During my ongoing, almost neurotic quest to be "green", I've often thought about the products that I use on my skin, hair, and face. For about 2 years now, I have been removing hair care products from my regimen that include silicones, sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), and other harmful chemicals.
I've also transitioned to natural soaps and moisturizers for skin care, but occasionally get sucked in by an enticing body wash.

However, I have had to come to the realization that these chemicals also hide in our toothpaste, mouthwash, and ladies...our MAKEUP!!

"Published reports suggest that daily makeup wearers absorb up to five pounds of harmful chemicals a year." Whoa.

So of course the first thing I think is "just buy organic/natural makeup from now on".

Well, I did some research and discovered that:

"The FDA does not define or regulate the term“organic,” as it applies to cosmetics, body
care, or personal care products. The USDA regulates the term “organic” as it applies to agricultural products through its National Organic Program (NOP). If a cosmetic, body care product, or personal
care product contains or is made up of agricultural ingredients, and can meet the USDA/NOP organic production, handling, processing and labeling standards, it may be eligible to be certified under the NOP regulations." Go here to the USDA site for complete organic regulatory info for cosmetics and personal care products.

The bottom line is: READ THE LABEL!

Ecocert is a French organization accredited by the USDA to perform certification activities under the National Organic Program. They also verify the conformity of organic products to regulations in Europe and Japan and carry out inspections and certifications in more than 80 countries.

In Germany, the trade federation BDIH has been enforcing comprehensive guidelines for certified natural cosmetics since 1996.

Here are their seals:

 
Now that we are up to speed on the legalities, here is the fun stuff; the fruits of my labor. I researched tons of cosmetic companies and also read consumer reviews for "organic", "natural",  "chemical free" and/or "mineral based" makeup for all ethnicities and skin tones. Again, do your research before purchasing so that you can ensure that it's best for you in case of allergies or sensitivities.

Ada Cosmetics
http://www.adacosmetics.com/
On their website, Ada states they are the first mineral makeup uniquely dedicated to women of color. However, they have a pretty good variety of colors and hues that would match most skin tones. There is a list of all of their product ingredients on the site. NO NANO PARTICLES & NO BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE ARE USED IN ANY ADA COSMETIC PRODUCTS.

  Ada Lip Gloss pot--Saada, $7.45
 Ada mineral powders--Ocean Deep, $7.45
 
 
Foundations cover a broad skin tone range from fair to medium/dark and run about $24.95, as do their cream concealers for $16.95

   
Cream Concealers
 
 
 
 

 
Lip Glazes, $12.45
 
 
 
Saffron Rouge
http://www.saffronrouge.com/makeup
 
Saffron Rouge is an amazing website that is also very visually pleasing and fun to shop. They state they are the first beauty retailer in the world to focus exclusively on organics.


"Offering over 1,000 of the world’s finest organic beauty & aromatherapy products, Saffron Rouge is North America's #1 online destination for organic skin care, cosmetics and aromatherapy. In order for a product to be sold at Saffron Rouge, it must meet the following criteria:

1.It must have at least one of the organic body care certifications, or provide sufficient evidence to Saffron Rouge that they are using certified organic content as much as possible.
2.Saffron Rouge considers products that contain even one Black List™ ingredient not acceptable for sale.
This way we can guarantee that all the products available at Saffron Rouge are free of toxic synthetic ingredients, synthetic colors, fragrances and preservatives, and are never tested on animals."

On top of that, they also offer free samples, free shipping on purchases over $100, and the ability to earn points and rewards for shopping and writing product reviews.

 
Lipstick by Living Nature, $25.50
Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara, $28.90
Satin Matte Eyeshadow by Alima Pure Satin, $8.99

NVEY ECO Organic Cake Eyeliner, $20.36 (15% off!)



Some other organic cosmetic lines that received good reviews were:

Physicians Formula Organic Wear
Origins
Lavera, which also carries vegan skin and haircare products
 
Well ladies, I hope this gets you started on your road to a well rounded beauty routine that includes eco-friendliness and well being while being a HOT badass!!!
 
Love and Happiness,
Nikki

You're a What?

No, not that! (Whatever your dirty minds were thinking)

I'm referring to the reaction I usually get when I tell people I'm vegan. Honestly, I think the surprise goes deeper than the disbelief that I can survive without the consumption of animals and animal products.

If you haven't noticed....I'm African American. Yep...I KNOW, RIGHT?

My people don't take kindly to meat not being included in some way, shape or form on their plates during mealtime. Even though I'm American, I am of Caribbean descent. Which means chowing down on the hoof of any given animal was commonplace growing up. So when I ditched that lifestyle for something more peaceful to me, my family thought it was odd, intriguing...or maybe even just a phase. That was about 15 or 20 years ago. (Although, I must admit during my pregnancy with my second son, now 12, I craved Wendy's spicy chicken sandwiches like a fiend....and gave in. Sorry.)

Earlier this year, I decided to extend my vegetarian living to veganism. Now I've just become a freak of nature to most folks. My friends literally call me "the freak". Eh, so what? What I thought was going to be an uphill battle parting from eggs and cheese was surprisingly easy. Instead of upping my intake of soy products-which is what I thought I would do to compensate-I just eat more vegetables and legumes.

It's amazing how your body can go from craving chicken to craving carrots and red beans. I can truly drink almond milk all day if you let me.

My thoughts now are to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday; my first as an official vegan. I am the queen of baking and loved, loved, LOVED my sweet potato pie, cheesecake, and carrot cake-which of course all contain dairy of some sort. I am on the hunt for some good substitute recipes.

One of my favorite easy vegan desserts to zap a sweet tooth is a banana/strawberry smoothie:

2 frozen bananas
1/2 cup strawberries
cinnamon
nutmeg
1 cup of almond milk (or soy, rice, coconut if you prefer)
3-4 ice cubes
dash of stevia or 1/4 tsp of agave nectar
blend ingredients and enjoy!

I like my smoothies really thick, so you may have adjust the quantities to your taste. Soooo good!


At http://www.vegancoach.com/, Patty Knutson put me on to using a surprising mixture of flaxseed and water to make "eggs" for baking! There's a recipe for chocolate chip cookies on her site that she swears by that includes the flax. I've never been a fan of chocolate chip cookies, but my son will tackle a grown man for some. I might test it out on him. He's a die hard carnivore and I have been trying to "trick" him into at least a vegetarian lifestyle...sometimes it works, sometimes not. That's another blog for another day, though.

What Patty did have on her site that made me smile widely was a recipe for a cherry torte that reminded me somewhat of my beloved cherry cheesecake. Here it is:

Vegan Cherry Torte




I adapted this recipe from Mom's famous Cherry Torte, my FAVORITE dessert growing up. Now it's been magically transformed into a vegan dessert that's ready for you to devour! OMG!




This recipe originally called for 1 package of Dream Whip Whipped Topping, made according to package directions. But it was recently brought to my attention that Dream Whip is no longer vegan (it contains casein and whey). For a vegan version of Dream Whip, use Soyatoo Whipping Cream. Please note this is found in a small aseptic-type box (like the one on the right) that you whip up with a mixer, not the stuff in the spray can.







If you cannot find it locally, you will find it at VeganEssentials.com


*CRUST*


2 sticks non-dairy butter (preferably non-hydrogenated too)(1 cup)


1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour


1/2 cup whole-wheat flour


2 Tablespoons Sucanat, or other granulated sugar


*FILLING:


1 package Dream Whip -or- 2 packages Soyatoo Soy Whip, made according to package directions


1 (8 oz.) package dairy-free cream cheese


1 cup organic powdered sugar


1 teaspoon vanilla extract


1 can prepared cherry






1. Crust: Combine ingredients in a bowl. Pat into 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 F for 20 min.
2. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla.
3. Prepare whipped topping according to package directions. Fold into cream cheese mixture.
4. Spread cream cheese/whipped cream combo over cooled crust. Cover with cherries. Refrigerate overnight, or at least several hours. Cut into squares and serve.
Serves: 16


Variations:
Try it with blueberry or other fruit filling


Sprinkle dairy-free chocolate chips over the just-from-the-oven warm crust -- OMG!!!



---------------------credited to and borrowed from---> http://www.vegancoach.com/vegan-dessert.html



I can NOT wait to try that recipe and post a review on her site. Vegancoach.com is fabulous...not only for desserts, but it's a great resource if you are vegan or thinking about transitioning and don't have a clue about recipes, cooking, or meal plans for vegans. Check it out!

I'll keep you guys posted on my vegan dessert finds for the holidays. Now if I could just figure out how to make the family Christmas rum cake recipe vegan, I'd be a happy camper....

Love and Happiness,

Nikki

Soul Sisters

It's Sunday, and you guys know that is my power creativity day. Well, now you know. Sheesh.

Anyway, I was doing some meditation and a powerful, almost melancholy jazz-influenced song just flowed from me. I thought it sounded almost like Etta James, but wasn't sure. After I recorded it, I played it back for one of my besties who knows his ish when it comes to jazz music.

He immediately said "Dinah Washington". I drew a blank. Who was she? I had never heard of her, so I did some research. I found this info on WAER's website-50 greatest jazz vocalist of the century Jazzy Women:

Ruth Lee Jones got her start in Chicago as a gospel singer, but began performing in nightclubs in her teens. When she sang with Lionel Hampton, she took the name under which she became a star. She got the nickname "Queen of the Blues" for her many blues and R & B hits, but also made jazz albums with both small and large groups, and attained much success in mainstream pop as well. Her large, dramatic voice and musical versatility influenced such later jazz singers as Nancy Wilson and Diane Schuur.



So, I was intrigued and went to YouTube to give her a listen. I was impressed, but didn't think I sounded like her. It did send me on a quest to listen to other artists who I thought my sound was influenced by. Hands down, Nina Simone and Carmen Mcrae are two of my faves. I love Etta James, and Billie Holiday as well, yet something about the former two grab me.

Here are songs from each of them that I hope will add a few more smiles and soul to your Sunday.

Enjoy!


Sinnerman

 Nina Simone


Just A Little Lovin'  

 Carmen Mcrae


Love & Happiness,
Nikki

11-1-11

Happy November!!!!

I don't know about you guys, but I am both thrilled and appalled that this year has thugged its way through the way it has. Time truly waits for no one, so I am definitely taking advantage at how quickly things are manifesting these days. For me, it just means there's a more narrow time frame between conception to the physical plane.

I woke up this morning in a bit of pain (I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia a few years back...look it up if you're interested...I try not to dwell on it too much), and decided I was going to take care of ME today. I'm always the caregiver, mother, friend, sister, aunt, employee, etc that so many of us take pleasure in being on a daily basis. However, I was given the "spiritual" ok to just...be.

After I got my son off to school and handled my pain issues, I was drawn to meditate and burn incense. Now, this is a regular practice for me. I usually just sit in stillness and deep breathe myself into peace, serenity, and revelation. Today was different. I felt the need to listen to ancient Egyptian meditation music. The Egyptian goddess Isis permeated my meditation. I knew very little of her, but the message was clear: PAY ATTENTION.

Afterwards, I researched her and...wow! Very powerful stuff. She loved her man Osiris like no other. She loved her people like no other. She was beautiful, smart, cunning, determined. A "complete female". It is said that she was born "on the first day between the first years of creation..." as stated here: Goddess Isis site .

Maybe on this first day of November, I received a blessing of confirmation to continue to pursue completeness with the same passion that Isis (or Aset, as is closer to the original Egyptian name) did. She was one baaaaad mamma jamma! Plus, her wings are fabulous; talk about a show stopper.

No delaying, no hesitation, no doubting of self. Your heart knows who you are.Time marches on....






Love & Happiness,
Nikki