GREEN WITH ENVY

The color of money.

Green machine.

The Grinch. 

Kermit.

I've always had a thing for the color green.  All shades, but specifically hunter or forest green.  When I was in high school,  I had a favorite forest green sweater I wore all the time. {I wish I had it now}.  My eyes are green, so I'm not sure if that's how it started?  Maybe I thought it made my eyes look MORE green {I wish they were}.

This season, hunter / forest green is one of the big trend colors {along with burgundy / oxblood}... which just makes me really happy.

blouse // jeans // boots // earrings // tote // scarf

I really want those green jeans...

And that big green scarf...

And I think big green earrings are gorgeous.  Julianne Moore wears emerald earrings all the time for red carpet events.  I love it when red heads wear green.

*Disclaimer: I am not saying you should wear all of these pieces at once.  I know you didn't think I was, but I felt I needed to state it anyway. Just in case.

GUEST POST - COURTNEY BOWDEN of BOWDENISMS

Today, the lovely and witty Courtney Bowden has a special guest post to share with L+R readers.  You can find out more about her, and her adorable family, on her blog - Bowdenisms... as soon as you're done reading this post.

FashionABLE by Courtney Bowden

I’m not a huge cause marketing person. It’s not that I’m not charitable, or I don’t believe in the idea of others benefiting from my consumerism…It’s mostly that I don’t always trust the system. Buy a pink kitchen mixer, ten cents goes to a breast cancer foundation. Purchase a happy meal, a penny goes to kids in need. I suppose something is better than nothing, but sometimes it just seems like everyone would be better off if we skipped the happy meal, and donated all 399 of those pennies (or whatever the going rate for a bag of nuggets and a chintzy toy might be…) directly to the cause in question. Or if manufacturers of this moment’s “pink product” donated more than a paltry ten percent of their immense products. And moreover, if it didn’t all seem like a marketing gimmick to get us to buy more, more MORE, while they throw just enough cash at the trendy plight du jour to make us feel proud of our excess.

I don’t mean to be cynical, or negative. But I do think it’s our job as consumers to look beyond the cute charitable quote at the bottom of our shopping bags, and understand the true mission of these companies and partnerships. Sometimes it’s a big show with little substance behind it, sometimes it’s good intentions with an imperfect result, and once in a while it’s the real deal.

Folks- allow me to introduce you to the realest of deals:

FashionABLE.

I met the founder of this organization at Influence, where he introduced his company, his heart, and invited the group of conference attendees to join their mission. It's a scarves, you guys. Of course I'm in. But truly, it's bigger than that. Yes, the colors and patterns are cool (like, really cool...I had to hold myself back from buying the whole table full of them) but it's the cause that sold me. FashionABLE is committed to ending prostitution in Africa, and aims to provide a sustainable industry to Ethiopian women.

In Ethiopia, prostitution is often linked with deep levels of generational poverty and financial hopelessness. Lacking meaningful resources and a sense of hope, many women resort to prostitution as a means of supporting themselves and their families. These women are often desperate to leave the sex industry but remain trapped by a lack of opportunity and rehabilitative support. 

“Women At Risk” is an organization we have partnered with to rehabilitate former sex workers. This work requires not only getting these women off the streets, but also providing them counseling and helping them find alternate means of income – this is why we created fashionABLE. Our ultimate goal is to help these women become healthy and productive members of society.

Headquarters for scarf production are in Addis Ababa, the capital city. Scarves are made by women in the program, as well as other Ethiopian sources that include women and men, to help meet demand. While being supported by those sources, fashionABLE is continually funding the training of more women in order to employ as many women as demand will allow. All the while, we are meeting the mission that your purchase of a fashionABLE scarf continues to create sustainable business for more women in Africa.

Find out more here. 

Each style is named after a FashionABLE woman, and the hangtag shares her story of what she's ABLE to do because of this opportunity. I'm not exactly known for being the most sensitive of souls, but these notes just got me.  Read all their stories here.

I bought the Saba in rust grey, though I was THIS CLOSE to getting it in denim, or picking up the Etanesh in grey and lime stripe (it's sold out now. I learned a lesson). 

(forgive me...this is my best "fashion blogger" pose. I'm looking off  into the distance contemplating buying more scarves.)

I'm already planning my next order (hello, Christmas presents!) but I'd love to invite you to be involved as well.  If each blogger at Influence sells 10 scarves, we will be able to employ 20 more women out of the sex industry.

I would be humbled and honored if you would help make Bowdenisms a piece of the greater story God is writing in Africa. To join me, please click on the photo below to have your purchase count towards my goal of 10 scarves...leading to 20 lives changed. 

BOOT WEEKEND: DAY THREE

Hey there, hi there.  I hope you all had a great weekend, and are having a cozy Sunday evening.  Stay safe in this crazy weather!
Final day of boot weekend is about current trends...

Tapestry
Animal print
Studded
Color blocked / boots with straps a different color / multi-colored boots... I think you get it.
+
Clog boots

I actually sort of love the tapestry boots.  What do you think?  And #10 - the cognac and black... be still my heart.  If you're thinking #5 looks familiar, it's the Sam Adelman "Petty" boot again... the boot I also want in taupe from day one of Boot Weekend {I say "also" because I really want this leopard pair, too!}.  Sigh... we can't have everything we want, right?  Case in point - #8... Chloe recently re-released this 2008 "Susan" ankle boot, but at around $1,345 {choke} I think #9 from Zara is a great option for those of you that like this trend!

Last, but certainly not least - clog boots.  You know I love clogs, so combining boots + clogs is a marriage of two of my favorite things.  And actually, the first few pairs {13 + 15} are color blocked, too!  Two trends in one.  If anyone knows of a more wallet friendly option than the ones below, please pass it along!

1. Rag & Bone $495 // 2. Matiko $159.95 // 3. Topshop $140 // 4. Madewell $398 // 5. Sam Edelman $160 

6. Matt Bernson $320 // 7. Modern Vice "Jett" // 8. Chloe $1,345 // 9. Zara $189 // 10. Samantha Pleet $525 

11. Rag & Bone $525 // 12. Dolce Vita $129 // 13. Matt Bernson $248 // 14. Iglu - Free People $348  

15. Loeffler Randall $375 // 16. Swedish Hasbeens $334 // 17.  No. 6 Store $370 // 18. Lotta from Stockholm

BOOT WEEKEND: DAY TWO

Happy Saturday!  

I'm going to start day two of boot weekend talking about the one thing I am constantly on the hunt for, but have yet to find - vintage boots.  I absolutely love vintage boots, but it's virtually impossible to find them in my size {yes, whining again}.  You see, vintage shoes typically run smaller.  A size 10 back then is smaller than a size 10 now, so I basically need to find 11's... which they just didn't make much of.  Jealousy definitely rears its ugly head when I see gals rocking vintage boots.  But I hold out hope!

Weekend wear {my version}... I'll start with biker boots.  I have # 7 below, and love them.  The Mr. also gifted me this pair of Frye Harness boots about five years ago, and while I love them AND asked for them, I don't find myself wearing them often because they're so heavy and clunky {sorry, honey!}.  I think this Frye pair below {# 8} look soft. They also have a back zip so, unlike mine, I'd imagine it isn't a workout just to get them on {I literally have to stomp my way into mine}.  I sound so ungrateful, don't I?  I promise I'm not!  

You know the boots you throw on Sunday morning to grab brunch when you can't force yourself into anything that comes close to having a heel.  Comfy boots.  For me... you know I'm a big fan - it's always my Minnetonkas {# 12 - 14} because they have soft soles, and I feel like I'm still wearing my slippers.  I also think # 10 + 11 look like great options.  Just pull them on and go.  

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9. // 10. // 11. // 12. - 14. 

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'

Boots. One of my absolute favorite things in the world.  In fact, I'm going to dedicate multiple days to this topic.  I mean... there literally was no way to fit all I wanted to talk about in one post.  I tried.  It's going to be like Shark Week, only Boot Week, but actually just Boot Weekend.  So, look for posts Saturday + Sunday! 

Alright, so let's talk boots.  If you read L+R, you know I have size issues with shoes.  Last year I ordered four pairs of black boots before ending up with the pair below - Dolce Vita "Jax."  Dolce Vita has two lines: Dolce Vita & DV by Dolce Vita.  The DV line is less expensive.  I tried the DV version of this boot {DV "Jamison"} but they didn't fit, so I bit the bullet and tried the more expensive pair... and I am so glad I did.  It was the happiest day when I held my breath, put them on, and they actually fit!  I think at that point I would have paid twice what I did {but thankfully didn't have to}.  The taupe pair was only slightly easier to find {they're Report "Marks"}.  I wore these two pairs almost every day last winter.  You might still be able to find both, but I also know you could find new versions this year.  

This year I would love to add a cognac pair to the mix {like #3}.  My current pair of cognac boots are also Dolce Vita, and I love them, but they've just about had it.  I also need want a flat taupe pair {like #4}.  And then don't you think I need them in wine / oxblood AND taupe with fringe?  Fringe makes everything better.  I adore this finge Sam Edelman pair in all the colors available.

What do I actually need?  I've realized ALL of my boots are suede {well, almost all}.  I need a leather pair to kick around in.  A pair I won't mind getting a little wet if it's raining.  I would love for them to have a little of a heel, but not too much that I won't want to wear them on a Sunday to run around {like #7 or 8}.  I love the wedge on #9, but they're probably a little high?  Which also might be the issue with #10, but I wanted to show them to you because I think they're a great version of the classic chelsea boot.  Maybe a lower chelsea boot is what I need... Oh, the big decisions in life.

Happy Friday!  I'm excited for the weekend.  The Mr. and I haven't gotten to spend much time together this week {work, work} so I'm looking forward to some quality time with my hubby.  We decided to be low key, so we're planning to head to dinner one night and maybe a movie the next.  THEN my Mom is coming down Sunday to work on the Etsy store. Yay!  I have to teach her how to edit pictures and add new items to the shop.  So... in the coming weeks, look for household items to start making their way to L+R Vintage.

Have a lovely weekend, friends! 

1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7. // 8. // 9. // 10.

**For all you locals, Rowe Boutique (in the Short North) has #3, the cognac suede booties.  And they always carry Dolce Vita, among my other favorite brands!

LENNON + MAISY

I'm obsessed with the new ABC show Nashville, and I had been thinking the oldest daughter {of main character - Rayna James} looked familiar.  During last night's episode of Nashville the two daughters sang in a talent show, and as soon as they began - it hit me.  Lennon + Maisy!

I started a post about Lennon + Maisy Stella months ago, but it's been in my drafts.  Have you seen these girls on YouTube?  SO good.  Just SO good.  Just in case you haven't...

click here to view the video on YouTube if you're having problems viewing it within this post...

and here...

direct link here.

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP

Hello there, friends.  Short and sweet post today.  I have been spending my free time taking pictures for the Etsy shop - while Bailey keeps me company.  I'm biased, but he is just the best... and the cutest.

SOCIETY 6: KRIS TATE

I used to think Society 6 was the name of Urban Outfitters Print Shop.  I was wrong.  Society 6 is an "International artist community representing more than 70 countries worldwide."  Where my confusion came in?  Urban has a collaboration with Society 6; they basically sort the thousands of prints to bring you a curated selection of their favorites - available on the Urban website.  You can browse all of them on the Society 6 website, or if you have a hard time making decisions - visit UO Print Shop since they've narrowed it down / done the work for you.  Once you've found a design, you can order an art print, an iphone case, a t-shirt, a tote, etc.  My iPhone case is a Society 6 print, and I love it.

Whew!  Now that I'm done rambling...  One of my favorite artists on the Society 6 page right now is Kris Tate.  {I came across her images when I was trying to find a buffalo or stag print for above our bed.}  I love the way she mixes nature and wild animals with neon and graphic patterns.  The juxtaposition is really unique.

LINE LOVE... RAQUEL ALLEGRA

Raquel Allegra is a Los Angeles based designer.  I love how unstructured and easy her pieces are.   It took most of my 20s {and many unworn items in my closet} for me to learn I won't even wear something if it isn't comfortable.  If it's so comfy I feel like I'm wearing my pajamas, I'm more likely to purchase it.  And I definitely think these items fit the bill.  I'm really loving the black dress, third image from the top.  So chic and effortless... and you know - comfortable.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  We finally tried the famous food truck - Ray Ray's Hog Pit {oh-so yummy!}, went to the Ohio State game {what a win we pulled out!}, and had a lazy Sunday cooking {he made his famous chili + I made oatmeal cookies}, and watching the Browns game.  It was a good one.

THESE THINGS // THIS WEEK {NO. 9}

Happy Friday, folks.  Have a wonderful weekend!

These are the things I am loving this week.

I heart this sweater from She Inside.  In fact, most of the sweaters I am loving are from She Inside.  

Have any of you ever ordered from them?  I'm a little nervous to do so... 

I also adore this sweater from Vince, that I found via blissful blog.  I just wish it wasn't so darn expensive.

I saw this pillow on sale at Target, but decided to wait. 

Now I'm kicking myself, because when I went back for it - it was sold out.

It would be amazing to stumble upon a find like this cabinet at a flea market or antique store...

My favorite style pin on Pinterest this week.  I would wear a version of this every day if I could. 

I don't typically buy colored shoes, but these green suede boots would work as a neutral.  

I might need them in my life.  

I wish I was eating this pumpkin breakfast sandwich right now.

How cool is this hoodie with leather sleeves.  I'm coveting it big time.  

I have to be able to DIY this, right?!

This flask is all sorts of fabulous. And it's on sale right now at Urban!

I have a bit of a lipgloss addiction.  There is a strong possibility I have a leather pouch in my bag {packed so full I almost can't zip it shut} filled with just lipsticks and glosses.  This set has a $79 value, with $25 price tag!  What a perfect gift.  {hint, hint... Mr. Martin}  

And I leave you with this.  Because, well... it's adorable and I love cats.

ON THE HUNT: A NEW SCENT

I desperately need a new perfume.  There is an antique tea cup filled with samples on my dresser... and I can't say that any of them are winners.  I prefer scents that are musky, spicy and woody {I don't really like florals}.  I've been coveting a bottle of Jo Malone {on the left}, but the price is a bit hard for me to rationalize.  So... I've been on the hunt for something similar.  The closest two I've found {and like} are Tokyomilk and West Third Brand - Tonic.  Any other suggestions?

TATTOOED LADY

{Infragilis et tenera - unbreakable and tender}

When I was 18, I wanted a tattoo... so I got my belly button pierced instead.  I think it was my first week of college?  And my parents were not very happy when I called them.  My rationale was that it wasn't permanent, and it might squelch my desire for a tattoo.  Don't worry - the belly button ring is long gone, but the desire for a tattoo is not.  I want one badly, but I'm scared I'll regret it.  Basically, I'm a chicken.  I think some girls can pull them off, but I'm just not sure I'm one of them.  

My good friend {Cynthia} has big, beautiful tattoos - and they look bad ass.  I mean, she's basically a rockstar.  And they all have meaning.  Every one of them.  And I love that.  My personal favorite is one on her arm that simply says, "So it goes."  I think it's my favorite because it's the most like something I could actually see myself getting... 

I think the top tattoo pictured is absolutely gorgeous.  And that colorful one of the wreath and bird that says, "Free Indeed"... so pretty.  I appreciate them oh-so much, but I would get something smaller like the tiny birds, the feather, or words.  I'm thinking crossed arrows like my blog logo would be meaningful to me.  I've heard - according to the Native Americans, crossed arrows represent friendship. And that an arrow pointing right means protection, and pointing left wards off evil.  I don't know if that's true, but it's pretty cool if it is.  

I think anything I would have gotten at 18, I would certainly regret.  But at the ripe old age of 33, I'm thinking if I still want one...   What do you guys think?