Eco-Chick · The modern girl's guide to living green & fabulous.

Naya Shoes Challenge, Day 5: Nouveau Victorian

Between the gorgeous vintage photos I have of my great-grandmother and her sisters, to the totally captivating characters (and costumes!) on Downton Abby on PBS, I know I’m not the only one having a Victorian moment. The tailoring, the long skirts, and the lacy undergarments; what’s not to love?

I dressed up my Naya Lark booties here with a long skirt I’ve had for almost a decade, and a Pilcro and the Letterpress t-shirt. The black and white hearts sweater comes from a the adorable London shop, Appletree Boutique and the woven belt is a vintage find.

The sisters of Downton Abbey.

Jane’s Flower Oil: Handmixed Loveliness for What Ails You from the Owner of Grace Heaven Salon

Jane Webb runs the supergreen hair salon Grace Heaven in the East Village of Manhattan (or by appointment in LA), and I see her regularly to keep my crazy-curly tresses red and glowing. She uses only the most natural and toxin-free colors and hair products, and she’s extremely serious about that – her salon is a no greenwashing zone.

Jane has twice now gifted me with some of her unbelievable handcrafted oils. I took the first batch with me on my around-the-world travels, and it steadied and centered me when I was feeling (sometimes literally) adrift. I use the newest version on my whole body after my once-a-week super scrubdown, while my body is still warm and damp, and I use just a bit on my hair almost every day, to keep it in check and to tame my frizzies and ends. It is my very favorite beauty product of them all (well, that and my mascara!).

Jane says of her most recent blend:

Every batch is different and I choose the scents based on what resonates for me at the time. Lately I have been loving sandalwood recently and I like ambrette, neroli, rose, frankincense, lavender, sage, jasmine, helichrysum, geranium. I am always trying different purveyors and like any crop it depends on season, growing conditions, how it is extracted; these are all super critical issues.

I don’t always use [an oil] because it smells good. Sometimes the benefits of a certain element are so important that it must be included. I am not trying to be a perfumer but it comes with the territory and you never know what the end result is until you combine everything. What will top out, what will be laying in the background.

But once you become accustomed to the lushness, the true luxury of essential oils you will never be enchanted by a man made chemical based perfume again. What I love about it is the subtle but powerful way that it works on the emotions and the body. It is the life blood of a plant- truly the healing medicine of the planet.

Jane makes small batches of 15-20 bottles at a time, and she can tailor the oil to deal with certain issues. If you are interested in this incredibly healing (and wonderfully moisturizing) oil, Jane can be reached through her shop Grace Heaven salon, which is on 3rd between A and B, or at 212.253.5490.

Naya Shoes Challenge: Day Four, Black and Blue

For Day Four of the Naya “Renew Your Soles” Challenge, I paired navy blue with black, which is one of my favorite combos. I dressed up a short faux-suede navy skirt I’ve had for years with some sheer blue tights with a star pattern on them, and offset the look with a black lace top by Only Hearts NYC (which has been made in the city since 1978).

Naya Shoes Challenge, Day 3: White in Winter? Yes!

I’ve always been a fashion rule-breaker, and my favorite dictum to eschew has always been ‘no white after Labor Day.’ In the last 3-4 years especially, I’ve noticed more and more people ignoring it, and none too soon – I don’t know that there can be anything better than big chunky white knit sweater (or vest by Cartonnier, as here) on a cold, sunny day. I’ve paired it with a Feral Childe dress, made right here in NYC, and a pair of tall bamboo socks by French company g=9.8, and light-as-air bamboo earrings by Feisty Elle.

I love these earrings by Feisty Elle, which are earthy and modern at the same time.

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Kelly Lane’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection: Ethical Fashion in Clouds and Canoes

Plain fabrics and neutral colors are just not my thing; even as a kid, my grandma let me pick out the fabrics that she would sew my dresses from, and I always went for textiles with gold and yellow flowers, bold stripes, or whimsical animal shapes. Not much has changed; prints and colors are my style hallmarks, especially quirky, interesting prints.

Kelly Lane calls her designs “clothing with color” and she creates her own print designs, so naturally I’m a fan. Her dresses and shrugs are made from sustainable fabrics, and are very wearable, but definitely not cookie-cutter. Recently, one of her pieces sold out on Modcloth (where a number of her Fall/Winter 2011 styles are available and well-reviewed), proving that she’s popular beyond the eco set.

When I asked her about her Spring/Summer 2012 collection, Kelly told me:

“This season’s collection features my very own dreamy “Cloud” print inspired by many summer nights laying in cabin bunk beds listening to taps while peering out at the sky through a screened-in window. I also couldn’t resist creating a “Canoe” print, whose original unit I made with a wood block carving. The silhouettes are designed for movement, and as always encompass our playful, yet sophisticated styles.”