I spent Labor Day weekend in a cabin in the woods. My only connection to the online world was via a phone line, so absolutely zero blogging got done. Instead, I spent a lot of time climbing around in the Cascades.

Off the beaten track, near Deception Falls, Washington.

The boot trend definitely worked in my favor on this trip – those rocks were not easy to climb, and the water is very, very cold!

What did you do over the holiday weekend (or, if it wasn’t, just…the weekend)?

The End of Summer? No! The Beginning of Awesome!

For the past week I’ve been listening to Cee-Lo Green’s fantastic send-off, F@#* You, and little else. At the same time I’ve been reading a lot of the hand-wringing in the press about bloggers and whatever are we going to do about them, along with our responses both here and on our blogs. And the two have combined in my head to form a single determination – bloggers need more swagger. I don’t mean anger, of the you-don’t-respect-us variety, or apologetics, of the we-are-as-legitimate-as-other-media variety. I mean swagger, the kind of swagger that comes from doing something well and knowing you’re good at it. So whatever other themes might knit together this week’s links, they all share that important characteristic – swagger. Step up to the plate, knock it out of the park.

Join us at IFB’s Evolving Influence Fashion Blogger Conference @ NYFW

Links à la Mode: September 2nd

• A la Modest – The Mystery and the Magnificent Monki
• All Tumbled Down – Fancy Style File
• Any Second Now – My Fashionable Heritage
• A Pretty Penny – Fashion Fitness and Floggers
• Awakened Aesthetic – To Covet: Cold Comfort
• Beautifully Invisible – The Corset: The Sexiest of Sexy Shapewear
• Beyond Fabric – Size and Fit: Shirts
• Bright Lights, Big Style – Losing Style in Fashion
• Chic Steals – Long-awaited Interview Outfit
• Fashion Cents – When to Alter Your Clothing
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: How Blogging Changed My Life
• My Closet in Sketches – Outfit Sketch
• Oranges and Apples – Thinking About Aging
• Ramblings With Rin – Before Meets After
• The Coveted – Design Your Own Shoes With Jeff Silverman
• The Demoiselles – Millenials: We Are the Revolution
• The Fashionista Lab – The Emmys: Red Carpet Recap
• The Lingerie Addict – Is Expensive Lingerie Worth the Cost?
• The Pursuers – Cheer Up, Margot
• The Sunday Best – Let Them Eat Bread
• What She Should Have Worn – Copy Cats

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Halloween is coming.

Yes, already.

I love Halloween.  I love its origins, I love the insane amount of candy, I love the costumes, and I especially love that it allows otherwise-uncomfortable people the freedom to be something else.

Little Leather Eye Mask: $40

Etsy is a labyrinth, especially when your search term is “Halloween.”  The results are worth your patience, though.  This mask was handmade in Bucks County, PA, and costs less than anything of quality in a party store.

Vintage Playing Cards – double set: $7.50

I don’t plan on having a large party this year, so I won’t need numbered table cards, but if I did, these would be my choice.  They’re beautifully vintage, and I’d snap them up mid-party so I could reuse them.  (So tacky.  So don’t care.)

Masquerade – Tatted Sequin Lace Mask: $425

This one of a kind mask is TotusMel‘s inspiration.  The best tatting artist I’ve ever seen on Etsy (hands down), TotusMel really outdid herself with this piece.  If you’ve got the cash, and plans to attend a masquerade ball or two, this mask is a must.  I’d love to see it paired with a feather headdress, corsets and lace, or even a sexy burlesque-style getup.

Flapper Fringe Dress: $105

The fit of this dress is surprisingly inclusive (see the size chart), but I’d most love to see it on someone with an hourglass figure.  It’s so rare that a flapper dress fits a busty, hippy girl well (see the elastic at the waist) and the cut of each layer makes this costume sexy, not skanky.

Steampunk Rose Handmade Leather Mask: $65

I was supposed to attend a steampunk-themed wedding last weekend.  (The boyfriend’s jaw issues made that an impossibility.)  If I’d gone, this is what I would have wanted to wear.

Da Vinci Skull Study on Book Page: $8.50

This is a good “entry way” piece that can be used year after year without too much expense.   Get a gaudy, baroque frame on the cheap (garage sales are good for this) and you’ll have spent less than $15 on a good decoration.  (And then you can look all worldly by explaining that the image is “Da Vinci’s skull study.”  How classy are you?)

White Leather Mask: $74.  Brown Leather Mask: $50.

More animalistic than the above masks, I can see these making up a more refined version of the “sexy kitty/fox/bunny” Halloween costume.  No felt headband required.

It’s Lindsay! Owner of Broke & Beautiful and Co-Founder of The Demoiselles. Pleased to meet you! Once you guys actually remember who I am, I’ll take away this italicized part. Until then, deal with it!

I love learning about independent designers – there’s something magical about a passion so strong that it propels a person to create their own line of clothing. And, let me tell you, stumbling upon a clearly passionate designer with a strong aesthetic and seeing “Local Made; Fair Trade; Hand Made; Organic; All Natural; Made in the U.S.A.; and Recycled” on the tag…

… I cannot put into words the sounds, facial expression, or overall joy that it brings me. I constantly seek fashion that embraces ethical, socially-conscious practices without sacrificing… well, the fashion aspect. I may catch some grief for this, but most ethically produced clothing bores the hell out of me. It really does. I don’t want shapeless, muted-tone tunics, damnit – I want style!

Enter Philadelphia-based designer Sarah Van Aken – dreamer and designer behind the label, SA VA. Van Aken believes in a philosophy she dubs Ethiquette. “Every SA VA garment carries a label that lets the buyer know which practices were engaged in for the production of the piece.  This way our customers can make apparel choices, both in the store and online, that make them feel good about purchasing attractive items that are ethically made,” says Van Aken. Not only does this reflect the respect the designer has for the Earth, but it shows the respect she has for her customers.

From the SA VA website:

Our customers are smart and savvy. They have their own individual take on fashion and on the world.  This is why we believe in our unique relationship that we have with the SA VA woman. At SA VA, we are passionate about our customers, our environment, and our community.  We have made a conscious effort to produce stylish clothes that women will love and feel good about wearing.

Now, tell me you wouldn’t feel good about wearing these beautiful pieces:

Betty Top $74.25 (was $99)

I love the cut of this top – it’s so simple and sweet, but the pattern and the jade/gold color combination brings it to a level of elegance that is so, so attractive and modern. I love the idea of the frilly neckline peeking out from beneath the blazer of a sleek pantsuit.

Erika Dress $189

Shhh, don’t say it. Sure, on a plastic mannequin, it looks boxy and plain, and comes dangerously close to the “muted tone tunic” rant from earlier. Can I encourage you to imagine… a belt with a turquoise rock buckle? A rich, brown, leather corset? A stunning statement necklace? All against your own, individual, beautiful skin tone. This dress is a literal wool canvas for you to display gorgeous accessories. It would work with patterned stockings, thick black tights – even vividly colored tights – and just about any piece of jewelry you own (maybe consider this gorgeous piece from SA VA’s jewelry collection).

Selma Skirt $144

I am dying over the gentle architecture of this skirt. The peach color makes it so sweet, but the meticulous layering makes it strong – a confident, feminine woman who knows what she wants will wear this skirt. It’s 100% cotton, fully machine washable – handmade, fair trade. Simply stunning.

Addison Jacket $99

Anyone who knows me knows that I love a drapey cardigan. The longer, the better, and this one is long. I like to take one side and throw it over my shoulder, shawl-style, and this would definitely create some strong, beautiful angles.

Elizabeth Dress $284

Okay, I am the last person on Earth who would have an interest in this whole tie-dye trend, but I can’t deny the allure of this smokey southern belle maxi dress. Were this a simple, spaghetti strap dress with the same print, I might vomit… But the conservative, almost prarie-reminiscent cut combined with the dark, swirling print kind of tickles me. In a good way.

I encourage you to peruse the entirety of SA VA’s collection – it all looks so comfortable, it has the perfect mix of traditional styles with modern styling that makes the line compelling, yet very, very wearable.

On August 20, my boyfriend went into surgery to have his wisdom teeth removed.

Today is August 30, and he’s going back to the oral surgeon for the fourth time to see if his body’s ready to heal, or if his lower jaw is still having a party to which everyone is invited.

Our fridge is filled with mashed potatoes, yogurt, vanilla pudding, and Ensure.  Our medicine cabinet: vicodin, ibuprofen, cephalexin, percoset.  Boyfriend is exhausted.  I’m exhausted.  At one point, we actually discussed the mechanics of not having a lower jaw, just because it seemed comforting.

Throughout this process, I’ve come to discover two important things about my life:

1. Baths really do make everything better.  One day, Boyfriend took six of them just to get some sleep.  (Side note: he finished the Erba Organics Milk and Oat Bath.  “Can we get more?  It’s soothing, and smells really good.”  Take that, Boyfriend.  I knew you’d love it.)
2. During this…event…my outfits have been both the most amazing and/or ridiculous ever, due to the insane Seattle weather.

Seriously, this weather is insane.  First there’s summer heat, then random cold-ass rain, and hey look a gigantic windstorm of doom. My muddled mind and exhausted body cannot keep up.  I’ve paired cropped yoga pants with men’s extra large dress shirts, wool slacks with baggy tees, and once spent the day in a jersey bubble dress, a pair of sneakers and a Converse hoodie because I could not be bothered to put on pants.

I need more comfy clothes.

Rogan Asada Boatneck Sleeveless Sweater

Because Seattle’s weather is so temperamental, I’m big into layering.  This neckline is interesting enough to wear alone, but the sleeves aren’t so voluminous you can’t put a cardigan over them.

Vicarious by Nature Sexy Back Tee

I know, right?! I don’t even have to say anything.

Prairie Underground Petal Lapel Blazer

For sudden prescription-filling trips, this blazer would have been a lot better than my hoodie.  (It’s also available in gray for those taking this neutral trend to extremes.)

Vicarious by Nature Crash Dress

Short, ribbed, long-sleeved amazingness.  Tights and wedges, jeans and boots – or, um, just tennis shoes when I’m in a hurry.  (Or unlaced boots!  That would be so amazing…)

Prairie Underground Romp Around the Clock Romper

You’re damned right it’s a romper.  This whole week would have been a million times easier if I could have tossed this on and run out the door.

What do you wear when life just sucks?

Shortly after I posted images from Vicarious by Nature‘s Spring ’10 lookbook, I was directed to their newly posted Fall ’10 selection.

It’s flawless.

There’s a certain beauty to this season’s trends: the muted colors are a welcome break from all that summer neon, and our senses are instead drawn to rich textures and odd angles.  Unlike the past year, Fall 2010 isn’t about color! color! color! – it’s about something much more subtle.

VbN is known for utilizing unique shapes in their lines, and its Fall ’10 line is no exception.  This model pulls off a wide shoulder and slim legs while retaining femininity.  (Be honest: how many “fashionistas” have you seen looking like football players?  Answer: too many.)

Speaking of femininity, I love this pairing.  The angled raw edge and short length make it more interesting than the typical mini-dress.

There’s that shaping again – and a splash of bold color.  (This is a reimagined version of their Fall ’09 jacket, which I’m still craving.)

This year, VbN is showcasing a number of scarves, both attached and separate.  I love the added length – great for short waists and flat boots.

Designers take note: there are ways to achieve draping without making the model look like a hot homeless mess. VbN succeeds.

It’s all in the details, guys.

A sexy take on the sweater dress.  I love it (but off the runway, ladies, you’ll want to add a slip).

You can see Vicarious by Nature’s Fall 2010 line, as well as find locations to purchase their organic, sustainable garments, at VicariousByNature.com.  (Images copyright Vicarious by Nature, 2010.)

It’s Lindsay! Owner of Broke & Beautiful and Co-Founder of The Demoiselles. Pleased to meet you! Once you guys actually remember who I am, I’ll take away this italicized part. Until then, deal with it!

We are huge, huge fans of sites that support emerging, independent designers – Smashing Darling, Artful Wears, and of course, Etsy leading the pack. They each have their own flavor and style. We’re certainly not going to poo-poo any new sites that want to join the pack, however – which is why, with open and squishy arms, we welcome the launch of Project Artisan.

Literally, we welcome them. They launched last Thursday. Yeah, new. We squee’d our fair share when reading about this project and are so looking forward to wasting several hours of should-be-being-responsible time perusing the good from independent designers like…

…Coquette Swimwear (Holy F*ck, guys). Wow. What an incredible motivator to tone up my [aforementioned squishy] arms. Each piece looks like it sells for around $60 which, considering it’s from an independent designer and “The Coquette brand prides itself on using materials that are sourced in the USA and are all American made,” I’m going to venture to say it’s well worth it.

…Lorraine Pennington. Two friends reunite after 20 years to create a beautiful, handmade jewelry line that blurs the line between rugged and timelessly elegant. They find inspiration in simple shapes, and everything has the touch of meticulous design – all the way down to the [gorgeous] jewelry stands. The most beautiful of their pieces are under $200.

…Plum Vintage Jewelry. Alright, maybe they’re not an “independent/emerging designer”, but you can’t really get more eco-friendly than recycling, right? Betsy Hindman collects the most gorgeous vintage jewelry from several eras and presents them for us to drool savagely over for prices that are absolutely miraculous. Doubt my tone? This cuff, above – $75.

Yes, yes, sure, sure – emerging designers, indie produced aesthetics – rah, rah, rah. The only thing better than that? A supplier of emerging designers that not only supports ethically produced goods, but actively seeks out socially conscious designers.

Project Artisan is a high fashion, socially conscious, international e-commerce site connecting established and emerging designers to customers who appreciate products designed with attention to craftsmanship and sustainability: a deeper sense of luxury in a world of disposable fashion.

Oh yes, we like. What’s that? What’s that you say, wonderful Project Artisan?

The Project Artisan customer is a socially-conscious person; a person who understand the benefit of investing in a unique product; a person who cares about what she or he buys, where it came from and under what conditions it was made. The Project Artisan customer wants to be part of a movement that involves a more soulful shopping experience.

CONSUMERISM SERENDIPITY, I SAY! WHAT A COINCIDENCE! You’ve landed on the right planet.

Visit Project Artisan!

It’s Lindsay! Owner of Broke & Beautiful and Co-Founder of The Demoiselles. Pleased to meet you! Once you guys actually remember who I am, I’ll take away this italicized part. Until then, deal with it!

While Urban Decay may proudly boast the “no testing on animals” sticker on their proverbial, cosmetic bumper, they’ve now attempted to add a “Vegan & Proud!” sticker to one of their palettes – aptly named, well, The Vegan Palette.

Their signature above-and-beyond packaging actually continues to impress, as their “we love animals”-esque designs are printed with soy-based ink on recycled packaging. It definitely doesn’t fail to impress – this is definitely a collectors’ item.

The six eyeshadows included in the palette come with names like Gunmetal, Smog, and Minx – only one of which makes any sense to me when discussing cruelty-free, eco-focused colors. Their neutral options, Half Baked and Twice Baked may be a bit more appropriate. But maybe I’m splitting hairs here. Urban Decay insists that they are just as vibrant and vivid as their other shadows, and from the look of the palette, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Unfortunately (for Urban Decay as well as the consumer), their generosity with this package has put them at a bit of a fault; by including the highly popular Eyeshadow Primer Potion and 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, they have reduced the “vegan-ness” of this palette to only 60% when looking at the whole set.

One last item to note: these eyeshadows, while 100% vegan, do contain parabens. Be sure to test on your skin first before using near your eyes, if you have sensitive skin.

The Vegan Palette is available for purchase at UrbanDecay.com for $34.

I seem to be racking up quite a list of places that are, in my opinion, unethical to shop at.  They’re namely big box stores – Target, Wal-Mart* – and trendy chains – Urban Outfitters, American Apparel.  The biggest complaint I get is this:

So if I can’t shop there…where the hell do I shop?

If you’re in an area with a dearth of indie designers, or can’t seem to make the commitment to online shopping, or just need to keep it simple and shop at a big box store for your clothing addiction, go to TJ Maxx or Marshalls.

What happens if these fall fashions don’t get sold?  TJX will donate them!

TJX, the company that owns TJ Maxx and Marshalls, recently sent me to Boston as a representative for Broke & Beautiful. I’d expected to act as a bit of a rogue blogger, a spy: I was going to go in, sit down, and bombard them with questions about fashion ethics.  I was going to get myself the inside scoop.  I was going to figure out what underhanded stuff they had to do to offer those ridiculous prices.

But it seems that TJX is on the up and up.  They even go above and beyond the call of retail duty.

• TJ Maxx and Marshalls donate their unsold clothes to Goodwill.
• For over 25 years, TJ Maxx has worked with Save the Children to provide literacy, nutrition and physical fitness programs to children in the poorest rural communities in the US.  So far they’ve donated $14 million.
• Marshalls has been running its Shop ‘Til It Stops program for 15 years to help prevent domestic violence. For two weeks during the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness month, Marshalls Shop ‘Til it Stops program donates $1 for every shoe sold (up to $150,000) to organizations that work toward the prevention of domestic violence, as well as provide support for those affected. Since the programs inception, more than $1 million has been donated to this important cause.
• TJ Maxx also partners with Autism Speaks and Joslin Diabetes Center, and Marshalls partners with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Thank you, TJX, for doing it right.

For more on TJ Maxx and Marshalls, including a fall fashion preview, check out Broke & Beautiful.com.

*This Wal-Mart article is not mine, but if you didn’t already know Wal-Mart is a piece of crap, you don’t have the internet and may be hallucinating this entire experience.

Remember my open letter to Target about its support of anti-gay legislation?  Well, it appears that the CEO has apologized to Target employees, and a number of pro-equality media outlets have given consumers their blessing to shop at Target once more.

I say “appears” because I haven’t actually seen this apology.  I’ve read a few very brief quotes and a promise or two, but nothing substantial.  Check out how little the Huffington Post printed about it:

“Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel wrote employees to say the discount retailer was “genuinely sorry” over the way a $150,000 contribution to MN Forward donation played out. Steinhafel said Target would set up a review process for future political donations.”

I’d like to point out that not only is this apology not available to anyone but those employees that received it, but that there was no apology issued to consumers. To the public.  To you.

There were also no reparations made for the $150,000.00 already donated to anti-gay rights candidate Tom Emmer.  After Target sat down to discuss corrective measures with the Human Rights Campaign – and even wrote up a few tentative agreements – they backed out.  (In response, HRC will donate $150,000.00 of its own money to a pro-equality candidate in Minnesota.  Want to help?  Donate to the HRC by clicking here.)

So let’s keep this boycott going.  Keep your letters coming in to Target – all it takes is one click to make your voice heard – and remember that Target hasn’t apologized to you – only its employees.  Remember that Target hasn’t changed their donation policies – only said they’d create a “review process.”

It’s simple: Target has done what they believe is the smallest amount of damage control needed to bring you back into its stores.

Tell Target that it’s not enough.

—

Sidenotes:

1. That’s my local Target. I just found out about this, and am jealous of those who were there.
2. Seattle may be liberal, but you’d be surprised at how many people have no idea this is going on.  Forward this information on. It’s important.
3. Yes, that’s armpit hair.  You won’t die just from looking at it.  (Those YouTube comments are just ridiculous, aren’t they?)