Another Dream Come True (and it's just a pair of used boots!)

I have looked far and wide --- I have scoured Ebay & Etsy for years trying to find hiking boots that would fit this one weird idea(l) in my head.... this idea of tall & cute knee high military style canvas boots that had good shoe soles for gripping the ground while walking in these mountains.
I finally have come to my hiking boot climax after all this time!
The title of these boots (pictured) from Etsy says it all... i mean really, it ALL! Like every keyword i have ever used trying to find something just like this:::::

"Vintage Denim and Leather Boots Canvas Hemp Buckle Combat Retro Knee High Riding Boots Safari Hiking Boots size 6"

I am gonna confess my enthusiastic girlie-ness for shit like this, when I find a sweet pair of boots I need badly and happen to also be hot to trot (freakin' sexy with leather straps), i am totally taken back in time to my mom's shopping bonanzas where she would have us model our score for my dad when we got home from the Lakeside Mall. He was not thrilled ($$$), but we felt awesomely adorable & prepared for all the events city life may throw our way (catholic church on sundays, school functions such as bingo night, seeing my boyfriend on the Westbank, going out to eat at Impastato's with my parents).

Confession #2 : I will wear (now as an adult) high heel cowgirl boots when hiking in the woods, and walking miles along the road. Why? Cause I like them, they are so pretty I can't take them off even when it's an inappropriate terrain.
These old canvas boots I found are gonna save me from this reckless fashion love/consumer zombie/ hurtin' shins fate.

BTW- these are used/vintage boots I got, I haven't bought brand new shoes in over 5 years. I try to stick to an eco friendly plan when buying footwear cause usually the thrift stores, ebay and etsy are full of amazing footies for alot cheaper. And much more interesting looking. Don't ya think?
Xoxo

Things I Do (think & find) While It's Snowing

See me there in the pic above... I know it's hard to tell because my alpaca wool gloves are so hairy and thick, but I am shooting my middle finger up at the snowing sky. Fu@k this winter! Me and Snow, I don't know if we can be friends anymore... they are being a little clingy since like December, coming over too much, always hanging around my house like a stalker, ruining my plans, just plain smothering me. They scare away the animals too, and that's just messed up. Basically the snow is an emotionally abusive co-dependent self absorbed freak, only good for magically fertilizing the earth with rich nutrients.

I was thinking this morning as I woke up to more snow, that a great horror film (yet to be made) would be an Alfred Hitchcock style suspense thriller called "SNOW"... the plot would be simple: Snow keeps on comin' down, at first they predict 10 feet, but it dumps 100's of feet burying everything alive - people would live their last days under tunnels of white they can never dig out of.

um.... anyway... so while it is snowing I found these two things that are aestheically nice and nothing I need. Only want.

Organic Cotton PANTIE & BRA SET! yeah, it's hawtness - and normally yellow bothers me but right now yellow is looking like fun in the hot sun. :) You can click the link or the pic to see more organic cotton goodness.
Vintage OWLS! I have a thing for owls. Ever since one came and lived in my wood stove a few years ago I have been loving owls, especially the screech owl. I had named him Scratchy and when he died, i clipped his wings to keep and buried the rest of his body in front the cabin.

PS- those black owls pictured are at my friend's vintage store on Etsy, called SOUGHT. Remember when I wrote about a woman named "Sandy" who wanted to F' the president... that's her. I don't think she wants to F' him anymore, but i'm not sure.

Xoxoxoxo

Mini Skirts, Bones and Bugs!

Guess what!? I actually listed some things on my new etsy store - which so far are various bones of a cow and some upcycled stone wash mini's I made (how trashy rock star are they!?!) I also stayed up real late last night putting together a little video of my insect pictures, which unfortunately youtube ganked the audio off of it and it's a silent film now. If you prefer looking at bugs while listening to Stevie Nicks (like i do) then go HERE to watch it instead. :)
Xoxoooo

Used Boots: Cheaper and Eco

Some people might find it repulsive, nasty or creepy to wear a strangers shoes instead of buying brand new slave made footwear - but ya'll need to get over it! Buying used shoes from your local thrift store, Ebay, or Etsy has pros that far exceed the cons. They've already finished out gassing their "new" smell (which translates into no toxic VOC stink), they are cheaper, someone broke them in for you and your feet won't hurt, you are not supporting the manufacturing of more junk to crowd landfills with, little children won't be forced to make them in dark unhealthy factories again, and best of all it's usually WAY cheaper!

I am a huge fans of eco made shoes (like Terra Plana) that are on the market right now but I can safely say they are light years out of my price range - therefore the best planetary support I can give while maintaining my obsession for a sweet pair of boots is buying second hand.

Here's a sample platter of what the used boot world has to serve up:

VINTAGE REPEATS: "These vintage ankle boots were made by "Two Lips". I believe they are a size 7. They have red leather uppers with a lacy cutout pattern. Silver trim accents the elaborate cutouts. The boots have 4" zippers in the backs and 3 1/2" stiletto heels...

MY FAVORITE VINTAGE: "Chocolate Brown Granny Boots Made in Italy, size 7 1/2."

DEWBERRY VINTAGE: "Grey Slouchy Boots, Soft gray suede and leather boots with spiked heel. Leather at toe and detail leather band across calf. Wonderful condition with little to no wear on soles. Size: 8 Narrow"
FIRE GYPSY VINTAGE: "Vintage 1960s 0r 1970s Super Retro Boots are Cowgirl Western styled with Boho flare. They have Feather Accents -Size 6, Length of shaft: 12, Length of sole: 9.5 inches, Calf diameter: 14.5."

PUNK VOUGE: "These are an amazing, unique pair of Doc Marten Boots. They are black, with the British flag on the toe. They have 8 holes. They are a size 10 in womens 9 in men. Boots have minor scuffs. "

XOXO

Etsy's Top 5 Eco Panties For Valentines!

This Valentines is leaps and bounds ahead of last year if you are searching for retro, chic, sassy and also eco minded undies to impress that special someone. For years the UK's Enamore lingerie has reigned queen of the eco skivvies, and although though she is not dethroned from her pioneering beauty, there is certainly alot of sexy & adorable competition in the USA now! These cuties below are all from Etsy and are handmade with love by independent artists - making their work fair and affordable.Designer HOPELESS: "The Sally Shorts are inspired by Audrey Hepburn's character 'Holly Golightly' in the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. They are a very simple and comfortable design, with a cute white bow at the front.They are made out of organic bamboo jersey which is silky soft and similar in touch to cashmere. " $35

Designer BOBELLY: "Yup, they feel as good as they look. these are made from a bamboo and organic cotton blend, with a tiny bit of spandex. that makes for very, very stretchy, soft fabric. I haven't used elastic in any of my panties; you can barely tell there's something on, yet they stay put all day (I don't even remember the last time I had a wedgie). Just a bit sheer...who says comfy can't be sexy?" $15

Designer DEVIL MAY WEAR: "Who loves bloomers? Or rather who doesn't! Burning man? Burlesque? Lounging around the house [my favorite]? How about under that adorable mini! These are in our most popular bikini cut undies in a soy/organic cotton /spandex blend." $25

Designer BROOK THERE: "Made of a charcoal gray organic cotton, and trimmed with pink lace and ivory elastic, this bra and panties set is both sweet and sustainable." $40

Designer UNDER THE ROOT: "'Like the Petals of a Lily' -The Bloomers have a galore of gatherings, holding your waistline and thighlines with Black Satin Elastics. The bustle left around your tush is just enough for desirable sweetness. Hugging your hipline in softy! Made of organic cotton jersey knit & black satin elastic." $35

If you are looking for more organic lingerie from designers like Enamore, Clare Bare, On The Inside, Ecoland and more go HERE!

Lucious Upcycle Fashion

Upcycle is about as eco friendly as you can get. I get completely excited when I discover cool upcycle fashion like this be-dazzle dress pictured here, because not only is recreating from the old an artistic endeavour but the results are so unique. It takes a little imagination to take a not cool funked out sweater that would best be suited for dinner on the AARP cruise ship, and turn into a magically sexy tube dress! (Note to AARP members- you would look hot in the dress too!)
Upcycle may not be the choice for those with chemical sensitivities since the fabrics are not natural, and neither are their dyes or prior cleaning care... but for the earth friendly peeps who don't get woozy around synthetics, this is all you!
Check out Etsy for a fun selection of upcycled fashion. Also at The Oko Box take a look at the upcycled denim skirts and sexy upcycled vintage lingerie!

Re-Wear: Eco Friendly Shoe Shopping

Reduce, Reuse, Re-wear! When it comes to having eco friendly shoes I have a nearly 100% thrifted collection. As badly as I would love to brag that I have a snazzy pair of earth huggin' Terra Plana heals, I don't - and it is because it totally rides out of my budget radar. You can find awesome shoes at local thrift stores & the flea market usually for under $5 ... which is far more within reach. The boots pictured here were under $2 and from a charity run thrift. If you super love unique used shoes & don't like the smelly thrift atmosphere for a little higher price ($15 and up) you can search out your dream boots and heals on Etsy or Ebay. But BEWARE! Don't pay too high a price for an old shoe, because many times the soles are beginning to dry rot...or in my case the other day melt off. When I walked downtown in my white thrifted granny heals something started to flap. I looked down to see the entire sole of my left shoe flapping like a wing underfoot! I just about laughed my ass off when the sole popped off entirely and I turned around to see it was 3 feet behind me...laughing even harder when I came upon the sole from the RIGHT shoe which had apparently fell off earlier without me noticing! I trotted the rest of the way home wearing two soleless old shoes and a big silly smile.
Aren't these black pirate boots sexy ?! Yay! I hope the soles stay on ;)

Hand Soap, Literally

I don't know if this Hand Soap creeps me out, makes me want to laugh, or if I should buy this as a Mothers Day Gift for my Mom?!!?? Leave it to the plethora of personalities and indie humor at Etsy to have something this bizarre and funny available. The little hands are made of goats milk, vegetable glycerin, and light lavender scent, and for just $17.00 you can get 10 hands to gift "to a friend with dirty paws". Yes, but is it just me or does it feel like all those little hands are reaching out to you from some Freddy Kruger's Nightmare On Elm Street type pool of dispair? This visually rivals with the baby doll arm coat rack that hangs on the wall and the freaky doll hands take your coat & hat for you. (not mine, thank you - I'll just hold on to them.)

Get some Hand Soap to freak out your guests, friends or mom at Foliage on Esty.