Native Foods Blog

The Vegan Bag Hag: 5 Bags to Put a Little Spring in Your Schlep

by Holladay Allen

Native Foods Cafe

Shoe, bags, glasses and make-up are all you really need to fashion yourself fancy.  Seriously.  I still rock patched-up, grungy black pants from high school… I love em so I keep patchin’ em up and I can just throw a semi-decent blousy shirt on and some heels and a tre chic handbag and people are like.. Whoa!  You got all dressed up… You look nice… blah to the blah.  I mean, I like compliments as much as the next person, but if they really analyzed my outfit, they’d find they are solely speaking of my accessories.  Thank the baby Buddha for accessories!  So while I want to strongly encourage all of you fashion freaks to check out second-hand stores and vintagey trenches to discover your new favorite handbag, I also will show you some fabulous new buys to whet your palate.  Try this on for size: for every new item you purchase in the name of adorning your temple of flesh, buy a second-hand item.  We really need to cut back on the mass production of  textiles and all the other crap that is starting to choke Mother Earth out of her own lungs.  Check out local artisits and craft fairs for handmade accessories.  Etsy is a great place to start…. And if you live in Los Angeles, come check out the  Unique LA Fest http://uniquela.com/ next weekend and enjoy hundreds upon hundreds of handmade goodies from local artists.

 

From least expensive to the mac daddy:

 

The Big Black Sackcloth from Etsy for $35.00.  I love this bag for many different reasons... the most important being... it's huge!!!  And cool.  And simple.  And affordable.

 

The Hansel from Basel Bag on Beklina $44.00.  Very hip long and narrow design.  Get your stripes on for Spring.  It is also available in polka dots.  And check out Beklina on the regular... they always have something cool as they feature independent designers that use eco-friendly materials.

 

The Twenty8Twelve Sackman Bag $57.50 from The Atticus Shop.  Sadly, they are closing.  But this bag is on sale!  Perfect black canvas duffle purse bag for the nonchalant anti-designer handbagger.

The Elm from Matt and Nat in Yellow  $220.00 just may be the quintessential Spring bag.  Perfect color, nice size, partly made out of recycled bottles.  Oh I love you Matt and Nat... though I think you are actually just one person.

 

The Plush Stripes Tote from Anthropologie for $628.00.  This bag is expensive.... but it is GORGEOUS.  Handmade in Italy by some lady named Maria La Rosa.  This lady knows how to stitch up a bag, and if I had $628 dollars to spend on a bag right this second... I would be this bag's hag.... forever.... or at least until the next bag came along.

 

The Winter Grab Bag

by Holladay Allen    

Native Foods Cafe

 

Here are eight fantastic bags for Winter... something for everyone, and cruelty-free to boot.  

A great bag is the best companion.

 

Dote on this Tote in Navy… also available in Gray

http://www.lulus.com/products/dote-on-this-navy-blue-tote/30167.html

 

 

Urban Expressions Double Zip Braided Satchel

  http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=19622968&parentid=W_ACC_BAGS&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=9&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=W_ACC_BAGS&popId=WOMENS&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=

 

 

Black Weekender Bag

http://www.vionnetboutique.com/product_info.php?products_id=2496&name=Deux%20Lux%20Black%20Decker%20Weekender%20Bag

 

 

Shopping At The Bit Bag

 
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Shopping+at+the+Bit+Bag

 

 

Rugged Aviator Bag

http://www.freepeople.com/accessories-bags/rugged-aviator-bag/

 

 

 Nico Black Denim

http://www.mattandnat.com/product/nico-black-2261/

 

 

The Carrier: Brown Waxed Canvas

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62691438/the-carrier-in-waxed-canvas?ref=sr_gallery_32&ga_search_query=vegan+leather&ga_search_type=category&category=bags_and_purses&ga_page=1&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title&filter%5B0%5D=handmade&filter%5B1%5D=bags_and_purses

 

 

Don’t Be a Jerk Tote 

http://www.foodfightgrocery.com/miscellany-1/totes/don-t-be-a-jerk-tote

 

 

 

 

 

A Shoe for Every Mood!

By Holladay Allen

Native Foods Tribe Member

Got the shoes blues?  Sick of staring at your closet trying to complement that perfect outfit with the same old shoes?  Well maybe we can be of some help!  Below are six awesome pairs of shoes, totally vegan of course, to carry you into fall.  Enjoy!

Every lady needs a solid black heel.  This is a closet staple.  Bamboo Footwear makes and beautiful version with a whole lotta lift and nice rounded design.

  This shoe can take you from the office to the Academy Awards, or the movies with your special someone and your favorite pair of skinny jeans.

http://www.lulus.com/products/bamboo-colada-01-black-faux-suede-go-gaga-platform-pump/25526.html

 

I love the ladies rockin’ the men’s shoes these days, especially the Oxfords.  Bamboo makes another great shoe with this Grey Boyfriend Oxford.  Simple and stylish with clean detailing. They go great with shorts, pantsuits, skirts, you name it!

http://www.lulus.com/products/bamboo-vabene-03-grey-boyfriend-oxford-in-vegan-leather/24821.html

 

Saucony revamps its classic design in a vegan hemp version.  Yay!  These are a great looking pair of sneakers available in several colors.  Perfect for running errands, running after the kids, or just plain running!

http://www.mooshoes.com/products2.cfm/ID/611/name/Jazz-Grey-from-Women/a/518

 

Boots are a great way to march right into fall.  Ha!  They go great with skirts, tights, denim, leggings, whatever your fancy.  These are reminiscent of those flannel shirt days when it smelled like teen spirit.  Is grunge making a comeback? 

http://www.lulus.com/products/wanted-prague-gray-girly-construction-boot-in-vegan-leather/21433.html

 

Moccasins and fall weather go hand in hand.  Manimal handcrafts each pair of moccasins per order.  They are super rad and comfortable.  I own the Vegan Ribcage flat in Sand and I have traipsed around the country in it, walking many a miles, and they are still in great shape.  Best part is, you can toss them in the wash to clean.  Oh, and Kristen, the owner, is happy to answer any questions and accommodate custom orders!

http://www.save-the-manimals.com/

 

Feeling angsty!  Ready to put it all on black and head out for a night out on the town.  Iron Fist Clothing makes a line of fantastic pumps that cater to your inner demon.  And they are all vegan too!  My personal favorite is the Wolfbeater.  Show you teeth and say AHHHHHH!!!!

http://www.shop.ironfistclothing.com/Platforms-at-Iron-Fist-CID279.aspx

THE STORY OF COSMETICS-a great documentoonary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfq000AF1i8

 

 

I'm not sure what you call a documentary in the form of a cartoon but "documentoonary" sounds like it may be a word in a Cajun dictionary, but this spicy documentary comes from Annie Leonard author of The Story of Stuff, another great documentoonary.

 

This ties in great with Native Holladay's blog on vegan cosmetics as this is about what's in the common stuff we put on. Cause what we put on, goes in and goes out and so it goes. We've been hearing about lead in lipstick that is an approved ingredients but how much of that shampoo you are using is really herbal, or was it what was being smoked by the folks that were printing the labels! Learn about Pinkwashing where the women's health issue is being promoted on labels with ingredients that promote cancer, absolutely wild. If you want to be wild women, run with the wolves, not the skin whiteners.

 

Watch this quick clip and pass it on, plan a viewing party at your casa and in the meantime gain a personal relationship with your deodorant.

 

Eat Peace,

Chef Tanya

Native Foods Café Founder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfq000AF1i8

The Native Bag Swag

 

Vegan Handbags

 

By Holladay Allen
Native Foods Tribe Member

 

I was frantically fumbling through my handbag the other day searching for my inhaler.  Just the idea of accidentally leaving this cylindrical tube of vaporized chemicals at home was enough to mentally induce an asthma attack.  My battle with asthma for the past 19 years is another whole blog in itself as I am extremely leery of pharmaceuticals and the “big business” they seem to have created with those individuals, doctors, who are supposed to be looking out for our best interests.  Any who… so as I am digging through my bag pulling out the smaller patterned cosmetic bags which compartmentalize and organize my handbag, my male co-worker walks in and says, “I just don’t get it.  Why do girls carry around a giant bag full of smaller bags?  What is in all those bags?  Do you really need all that stuff with you at all times?”  Why yes I think I do.?  I mean, first of all, there is my make-up bag.

 

  Then my sort of first-aid bag with my inhaler, some vitamins, skin salve, band-aid, a travel toothbrush and sewing kit.  Next is my bag of lip balms (there are just too many textures and flavors to go with the same one all the time!), a change purse, my wallet, a snack bag (you never want to be caught somewhere starving!  It can ruin your day), Vinnie’s tampon case (Wink-wink to everyone who carries one of these gems around), and finally an old-fashioned metal pencil case filled with sharpies and “Don’t leave your dog in a HOT car” fliers from PETA.  These are just the little bags!  Then I have my Ipod, phone, black book (don’t worry, I am going digital on this one), etc.  Roll your eyes and shake your head all you want, but if you got trapped on an elevator for 12 hours or stranded on a freeway in the middle of the desert, you would probably want to be there with me.  I’d have just about everything we would need.

That being said, the bigger the handbag the better.  But every girl needs a good clutch for those black tie affairs as well.  So low and behold… our latest bag swag for you guys, or in other words, our top 6 favorite cruelty-free handbags at the moment (cause, you know, we are going with the flow, constantly evolving, falling in love with new bags and fashion all the time):

 

Not only does Cri de Couer make a few very lovely handbags, but they also offer some beautifully designed shoes.  I IMPLORE you to check out their website.  The Charlie Messenger Bag is HANDS DOWN my favorite bag at the moment (and for the past month!).  I love the Chocolate color.   Oh, and I heard from the sweetest little bird that if you use the discount code GIRLIEGIRLARMY at checkout, you receive 20% off!  Holy Cannoli!  (Girly Girl Army is a fantastic vegan blog straight outta NYC).

http://cridecoeur.myshopify.com/products/charlie-foldover-messenger-bag

 

Next up is the classic Ms. Betty handbag from Susan Nichole. 

 The purple color is super rad.  And it’s got the kiss lock closure that which completes that vintage look.

http://susannichole.com/store/ms-betty-in-purple-p-505.html

 

 

Crystalyn Kae has long been one of my favorite vegan handbag designers.  Back in the day, I owned one of her exquisite teal green hobos… but alas, it washed away in Hurricane Wilma, with the rest of my parents’ house.  Thank goodness I can reorder it in several different colors.

http://www.crystalynkae.com/hobo-bags-large-hobo-bags-topstitched-c-197_212/

 

Oh Stella!  You know how to get a girl all hot and bothered.  The Falabella Tote does just that.  I love the linen version.  The hard edge of the chain metal accents intertwined with the soft vintage look of the faded canvas creates the perfect meeting place for both worlds.

http://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/shopStella/Bags/P-Canvas-Falabella-Tote.aspx

 

This little beaded clutch by Ecote for Urban Outfitters is the perfect bohemian glam for you favorite little black dress.  Subtle colored sequins give the glitz without the gaudy.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=&itemCount=80&startValue=81&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=18379859x&parentid=W_ACC_BAGS&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=98&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=W_ACC_BAGS&popId=WOMENS&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=

The Multi-Color Cielo Duffle will give you a reason to finally plan that weekend getaway to Mexico.  The colors and soft texture of this natural born traveler will inspire some sort of a fun-in-the-sun excursion, if only to your next door neighbor’s pool:

http://www.vionnetboutique.com/product_info.php?products_id=2089

Hey! By the way, Vionnet Boutique is a cruelty-free shop located on the swanky Robertson Blvd in Los Angeles.  Stop in and check them out of you are in the area.

 

Oh, and for the little bags inside the big bag, my favorite ones are made by Yak Pak.  They make the best little cotton zippered bags with a constantly changing lineup of designs.  Yay for little bags!

http://www.yakpak.com/common/pagedetail.aspx?PageCode=1453

 

 

Shoetastic!

My One Shoe Love

by Holladay Allen
Native Foods Cafe Tribe Member

 

Shoes are a necessity in this concrete jungle we have constructed over the years.  For some, comfort is king, while others would rather suffer from a disfigured foot than bid farewell to their beloved stilettos.  I can empathize.  I was 16 years old standing in a small boutique in Lisbon, Portugal on a school-organized trip, when I fell in love with my first pair of Prada shoes.  They were 4 inches tall, with sand color platforms and fuchsia satin straps.  They are still with me to this day.  Unfortunately, I don’t think the health inspector would appreciate me serving up delicious vegan fare at Native Foods Cafe in my Stella McCartney peep toes (despite their undeniable magnificence), so when I am at work, comfort and durability take precedence over style.  Zappos.com and Mooshoes.com offer many styles of comfortable and durable work shoes (Zappos has a large vegetarian section and Mooshoes is entirely vegan).

 
 
Stella Shoes

 

 

For those seeking to hold stake in the forefront of fashion without sacrificing their belief system, there are some fantastic options out there.  For the budget conscious consumer, there are a variety of brands that offer great looking synthetic styles for under a hundred bucks: Chinese Laundry, Steve Madden, and Aldo are good examples. Olsen Haus, which combines edgy design with classic form, is a completely vegan footwear line in the mid price range.  They are also involved with a lot of environmental and animal rights groups which makes them SUPERRAD in my book! 

Olsen Haus Shoes

 

 

 Mink Shoes is another completely vegan footwear company out of Beverly Hills that offers a colorful line of uniquely designed shoes that are each named after a different animal.

 
Mink Shoes Coyote 

 

The ultimate in vegan shoe design by far is Stella McCartney.  Her line runs the gamut of simple and classic to strange and avant-garde.  A couple of years ago in her Fall 2008 Collection, she released a line of shoes that were positively breathtaking.  They reminded me of tiny sculptures that would adorn the feet of the gothic lovelies in a Tim Burton movie.  Besides her beautiful and innovative designs, what I like most about her shoes is that on the bottom of each sole are inscribed the words “Suitable for Vegetarians.”  Until the houses of Balenciaga and Louboutin launch their vegan lines (after which I will shed many tears of joy and cash in my 401K), Stella reigns supreme.

 

 

  

Stella Shoes Rock

 

And of course, always check labels and ask questions!  Be in the know.  You are the conscious consumer.

 

www.zappos.com

www.mooshoes.com

www.alternativeoutfitters.com

www.olsenhaus.com

www.stellamccartney.com