Art in Design

One interior designer who I think has a great eye for art is Atlanta based Suzanne Kasler. I've always admired her work but have surprisingly never profiled her on the blog. Her style is definitely traditional but never stuffy and I think sometimes that might be due to the modern abstract art that either she chooses or her clients collect. Either way, I love it and all the interesting details in her interiors...even the all the pink!

6 of the Best Vegan Ankle Boots

My pick of the best vegan and ethically made ankle boots in classic black and brown for every budget and occasion.

Why only black and brown in today’s pick of the most glam vegan ankle boots on the web? Well, let’s get serious for a minute and realise that a pair of neutral coloured ankle boots are a wardrobe staple and investment you need to make. They will become the mother of your beloved shoe family (i.e. always there for you). Need a pair of shoes to go with jeans, work pants, a cute dress and stockings? The ankle boot is there for you and any outfit you put together!

I’ve scouted around for the best eco ankle boots that will be incredibly useful in your ethical wardrobe. And let’s face it, ethical dressing is all about purchasing items that last as long as possible not just for this season!

Charmone – Darjeeling Black
Okay, if these boots don’t prove that leather free is just as stylish as Louboutin and Jimmy Choo, I don’t know what will. The price tag doesn’t require you to have a doctor on standby either! Made in Brazil with microfiber suede and faux leather piping. Also available in Moss Green.
Neon Collective £120
Charmone US $249
Moo Shoes US $239

Olsenhaus - Groove Black
These black Pollock-esque ‘Italian Ultra Suede’ (100% vegan) boots are so New York and so ready to be snapped by The Sartorialist. Made in Mexico in factories owner Elizabeth Olsen personally visits every 3 months. Also available in Red.
Olsenhaus US $215
Neon Collective in red

Olsenhaus - Luck
A sophisticated pair of faux black suede boots that can be dressed up or down.
Olsenhaus US $225
Moo Shoes US $215

Olsenhaus - Truth
Sleek black patent boots that are crying out to be worn with luxe black or bright coloured stockings and a decadent little eco dress!
Neon Collective £139

Beyond Skin - Kimberley
Don’t you love the juxtaposition of these brown funky boots (faux suede) with the soft and floaty dress? Again, proof that ankle boots will go with practically every item in your wardrobe.
Beyond Skin or The Natural Store for Size 4 UK / 6 US £60 were £105

Sui Generis / Beyond Skin - Nadia (First Image)
These amazing stiletto boots are perfectly placed with the lavish red curtain as if they had just finished dancing to Nancy Sinatra (you know I had to reference that song once in this post!). These luxury vegan shoes are handmade to order in England.
Beyond Skin £405.38

Stay tuned for the best colourful and graphic eco ankle boots to be featured on Green Lashes and Fashion soon!

Art Smart: March Ugallery Picks

I've had such a wonderful response to my previous Ugallery posts that I've decided to make it a monthly feature. The student artists deserve our support and especially need it in these tough times. There are a lot of new beautiful works that I love and I hope you enjoy them too!

Cherry Blossoms Part II, 2008, acrylic on canvas, Colette Wirz, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, $650

Movement, 2008, oil on canvas, Emma Ehrenthal, The University of the Arts, $600

When I Collide, 2009, oil on masonite board, Lana Williams, University of Oklahoma, $600

Silent Night, 2008, photography, Rachel Ridgley, Columbus College of Art and Design, $200

Untitled #10, 2009, acrylic on canvas, David Nackashi, University of North Florida, $500

Diagram 04: Sketch Composite, 2007, mixed media - collage on paper, Stephen Proski, Kansas City Art Institute, $100

Land of the Form, 2008, oil on canvas, Leonardo Orozco, Long Beach City College, $600

Persistence, 2008, photography, Cameron Justice, New York University, $80

First Order Fresnel, 2007, photography, Melissa Buchmann, University of Arizona, $90

Top Artwork: Monet Study, 2008, oil on canvas, Lana Williams, University of Oklahoma, $125

Designer to Watch: Katie Fine

Katie Fine caught my attention when two of her celebrity design projects were featured in Glamour and she definitely looks like a young LA designer to watch. Her website just went up this weekend and I can't wait to see what she does next!

Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse 2009 Update

As I mentioned recently, this year's Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse is a tribute to Albert Hadley and last week the participating designers were announced. Mario Buatta and Charlotte Moss will serve as honorary chairs and in addition, Ms. Moss and team will design a three-room Master Suite. Some of the other designers include Bunny Williams, Christopher Coleman, Jamie Drake, Joe Nye, Juan Montoya and Gloria Vanderbilt. Yes, I said Gloria Vanderbilt. I didn't realize she dabbled in design beyond jeans but a little research turned up an interesting post by An Aesthete's Lament about her decorating ability. Should be a very interesting showhouse this year!

In other news, I heard that the owners of the Charlotte Moss Townhouse will be leasing the space to designer Monique Lhuillier so it seems that Ms. Moss is in need of some new office space. With all the empty offices and store fronts in the city right now, I'm sure she won't have any trouble.

Rokit - Vintage Shop in London

Vintage Shopping - Another way to build the ultimate eco friendly wardrobe.

I thought I should incorporate a few posts about my green life in amongst the regular postings on organic beauty and ethical fashion. My ‘greeniphany’ happened about 18 months ago and I have enjoyed the cross over to a more ethical lifestyle where I now take time to consider where my clothes come from and what ingredients I am putting on my skin. There have been challenges along the way (so long H&M and cheap European flights) but mostly there have been exciting discoveries, which is what prompted me to start Green Lashes and Fashion. I would love this site to be a resource for green girls who want to find the very best eco products.

Today I’ve been out and about in East London poking around Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market and Columbia Rd Flower Market (quite small but very cute, quaint shops behind the flower stalls). I made sure I visited vintage mecca, Rokit too as I had heard it was the place to buy vintage in London.

I must be honest, in the past I haven’t spent much time in vintage stores and was never too keen on wearing other people's clothes (it must be an only child thing). However, once I stepped into Rokit, I immediately saw the error of my ways. The store was filled with urban trendsetters, the rails lined with spectacular fashion and the price tags so low I had to keep double checking them. My inner stylist came out and I began reaching for clothes I would normally shun. Bubblegum pink coat? ‘Sure, why not?’ Orange polo top? ‘Yeah, it’s tight but do it while you’re still in your twenties’ I thought to myself. Okay, maybe I was in a slight vintage stupor!

Vintage Purchases – 3 items for £26
Pink Coat - £10
Orange Top - £4 (I know!)
Navy Sheer Shirt - £12

I seem to have channeled a ‘Samantha from Bewitched, 60’s vibe’ with the pink and orange colours.

Green Glee (how I was green today)
I refused the store paper bag in favour of my reusable bag which I had stashed in my handbag. Felt quite chuffed that I was proving you can get by without paper or plastic. Also walked away (some might say pulled away) from a divine aubergine cardigan at Spitalfields with sweet little buttons on the bracelet sleeves. It was £10 but because it was not made ethically and the fabric wasn’t organic or recycled, I said no. I had to be strong but I said no.

Mean Green (how I was not so green)
I don’t think this one is too bad but toay I got a tea to go in a paper cup. I read somewhere that Julia Roberts takes her own thermos to coffee houses to get her drinks (or maybe it was her own tupperware to the supermarket deli section). Either way, I wanted to be like Julia but instead I sheepishly drank from my paper cup. I should say I carried the cup all the way home because I couldn’t see anywhere for it be recycled! I don’t know if carrying it all the way home (along with my friend’s plastic dessert dish) was admirable or tragic?

I will definitely be stopping by Rokit more regularly, which won’t be difficult as they have several London locations at Brick Lane, Covent Garden and Camden. Rokit also have an online shopping site.

Spring Ahead

I've been out shopping for clients lately and I've been noticing that everyone is ready for spring! One of my favorite window displays is at Bunny Williams and John Rosselli's shop Treillage on Lexington Avenue at 73rd Street with it's table set with blue and white porcelain and vases of flowers and potted hyacinths. It's an absolutely beautiful arrangement that would be very easy to replicate at home.

I have a very old set of dishes that are a knock-off version of the Royal Copenhagen Blue Fluted pattern but I am looking forward to checking out the flea markets and thrift stores for vintage pieces to add to my collection. There is something very cheerful about blue and white porcelain, especially for spring.

The reason I was out shopping was to look for faux foliage for two of my clients. We want to add some greenery to their homes but they work long hours and are afraid they might not be able to take care of a live tree. Treillage has a fabulous Sweet Bay Ball Tree that is perfect for those who don't possess a green thumb. It looks absolutely real and I can guarantee that no one would ever suspect that it was faux. It comes in two sizes including the 3.5' version shown above.

I was thinking that the taller 5' size Sweet Bay Ball Tree might be a good option to hide the window air conditioner at the bachelorette pad project. The trees obviously cost more than one you could find in the flower district but they last for years and you don't need to water them, although you probably should dust them regularly!

Another idea that I had for the bachelorette pad was to display two topiaries on the front entry table. The wall behind the table doesn't have an outlet so I can't use a lamp and it might be nice to add a little more greenery to the apartment. Right next to Treillage is Lexington Gardens who create beautiful faux topiaries out of preserved boxwood in square and traditional round shapes and various sizes. I think I would prefer a different planter so I am going to try to look for a pair of vintage urns. I killed my real boxwood topiaries quickly so these might also be a good option for me!

I mentioned previously that we picked out some blue and white porcelain at Pearl River and here is some of it displayed above the kitchen cabinets. We need to buy a few more pieces but what's there already brightens up the kitchen. I also found a new painter who for double the original estimate will not only paint the kitchen but also the bathroom and will build a radiator cover for the bathroom. He comes highly recommended so I am excited for him to get to work!

Even Williams-Sonoma Home has spring fever! They has a lovely display of their Blue Willow porcelain and flowering branches. I am longing to see the trees in park in bloom but that is going to have to wait since it's snowing again today! Just another reason to bring the outdoors in!