I just felt like saying that.

So, anyway, I am sorta kinda back from my summer leave of absence, but not really, since it is still summer. I have, though, found the time to peruse some of my favorite sites and here are some of the findiest finds:

When it said “retro finds” on this web site, I was thinking 50’s and 60’s but apparently now that means 70’s and 80’s. My how time flies…I may be in my 30’s now, but I still think I’d look damn cute in this romper - just like the one I wore on that trip to Kauai when I was 10 (minus the rainbow stripes and unicorn buttons!)

I’m not a big fan of jersey dresses but this one by Ella Moss looks so comfy, how can one resist? Here’s another Ella Moss with a great v-neck and nice shoulder details you don’t usually find on jersey dresses. Plus, the fuschia color is pretty rockin’.

I like Philip Lim’s dresses but so many are silk! This one doesn’t look silk. Instead, it looks like a dress a girl could have all kinds of fun in. Big yellow flowers are the best! You don’t even have to walk up to people and say hi – the flowers pretty much do it for you.

Let yourself know how much you love you by getting yourself this flirty little heart top! You deserve it. Yes, you do.

And, something I never ever ever ever ever ever ever thought I’d say…check out these cute Keds!

I knew I forgot something when I took a little hiatus from some of my extra-curricular activities (pick one: poop scooping, chimpanzee saving, volunteering, playing, rock climbing, softball, tidepooling, blogging, brushing really hairy cats, vacuuming, housesitting, etc.) and that was saying I was taking a littl hiatus.

So, forgive me, I suck! I have collected many pretty veggie things along the way though and will be back soon with some new tidbits. Though I hear in many parts of the country the most comfortable and in fashion outfit these days is nuthin’ but the birthday suit.

One of the reasons I have never been a big fan of golf, other than boredom factor that makes it an extreme sport, is because the outfits suck! For the two weeks I played on my high school golf team, I winced at the bermuda shorts and polos that the women wore. These were not cut for the ladies, but looked more like hand-me-downs from their hubbies. I resolved to cute-ify golf by wearing tennis skirts and t-shirts I had silkscreened featuring little deer with their antlers impaled by golf balls. This was nice, but not practical for April in Seattle. In fact, I froze my ass off, caught a cold after the 2nd practice, and ended my golf career post-haste.

Now, I am thinking I might try golf again, thanks to Shi-Golf. These clothes are too cute to not want to show off on the golf course-or anywhere else for that matter. I love the relaxed 40’s inspired vibe that combined with classic prep, brings golf to whole new level. I’d wear most of this collection pretty much anywhere. Finally! Sports clothes with class!

For those of you who don’t know about Housing Works Thrift Shops in NYC, now you do! These upscale thrift stores, spread across the city, resell many of their items via online auction auctions. You just bid, hope you win and stop by a pick your little prize up! A great idea that thrift stores in other locales should consider. Plus the price you paid for that gorgeous new outfit, all goes to help a great community and social cause.

I remember sitting in my “writing for public relations” class at Boston University and chatting with the girl next to me who mentioned her dad founded Earth Day. I had no idea what she was talking about but it sounded cool. This was a long time ago, mind you, and it seems for a bevy of reasons that Earth Day has snowballed in recognition. I wonder if it’s because she took over the PR for it? Anyhow, enough musing…

Now I know most of you have pretty “green” lives and have been living more green that the average greenie for some time now so on this day I think it is best to celebrate yourself and how great you are by prettying up - inside and out!

Inside: You are what you eat, and if you don’t have a copy of Veganomicon yet, you should. Not only are there some glorious recipes in this book, they are the kind that don’t use all that processed soy crap, so eating from Veganomicon will have your body thanking you for taking that bit of extra care.

Inside/Outside: I haven’t read it, but I hear that the new book Gorgeously Green has a great chapter on vegan and cruelty-free body products that also focuses on their safety ratings. It’s great someone finally put these two together so that those of us not killing bunnies, aren’t killing ourselves doing it!

Outside: Lastly, I think a way to make sure you’ve got your outside fully covered in all the pretty veggie things you can muster, as well as support our earth and all the cool peeps on it, is to spend some time on Etsy today. Sparkle yourself up from head to toe. Don’t forget the fingers and ears too.

Happy Earth Day to the prettiest, veggiest lady out there!!

Sometimes I get so busy doing nothing, that it’s all I can do to keep up! It’s a tough life these days.

Which is why I was thinking it might be nice to treat myself to something a little luxurious and a little unexpected. My first “me treat” was this hideous Loretta Lynn-inspired layer dress from the Seattle Goodwill. I have a weird thing for ballgowns. I am not sure if this is a gown or a costume, but I am going to go with gown and damnit, I will find a place to wear it if it kills me! Plus, for $6.95, even ugly things are a steal!

Then I wrote this whole big thing about all the other great things I got at the Goodwill, and all these other great finds I tackled online and MY COMPUTER CRASHED. So here we are. I am too mad to start over so I will just say “me treat” #2 from the Goodwill was a gorgeous 80’s Diane Von Furstenburg dress (shoulder pads intact!) for another bank breaking $6.95.

The other great things I found online centered around “green” designer Deborah Lindquist who makes everything from fun flirty clothes to…dog sweaters…and wedding dresses?! For reals!

Most of her clothes are made of organic cotton, peace silk and hemp; some pieces are made of recycled cashmere so know how you feel about that.  For those of us in the PacNorthwest, where stores don’t seem to carry her clothes, we can all order this same dress online and come up with a secret PVT handshake for when we see eachother on the steet.

One of my favorite artists, Caia Koopman, has some great new goodies available – not for your walls, but for your purse and person!

Check out her card, wallet, vanity and yes, even tampon, cases-as well as jewelry-available through the Classic Hardware website. Not only are her designs gorgeous, girly and attention-grabbing, Caia is also a big supporter of great charities like Keep A Breast (boobies!) and Born Free USA’s National Bird Day.

Let’s give her some support in return, and get ourselves prettied up in the process!

delia’s has some cute new Spring shoes just coming available. If you live on the west coast and therefore, not near a delia’s, ordering online is easy with these folks. The shoes are generally true to size and tend to last longer than you’d expect for such itty-bitty prices. Let’s get this shoe started!:

What girl couldn’t use a pair of orange metallic wedges? I have never had a pair, therefore, could definitely use.

I swear that my grandma Nanny has had this same pair of shoes since I was a shorty. She’s always been a woman ahead of her time.

Sneakers that go well with Spring dresses are an absolute – I am digging these in kelly green.

More from the flat side: a funky little t-strap sandal, a sandal I am not quite sure what I think of (this is one of those shoes you have to see on a foot before judgement is passed),  and…seriously in love with… this little pair of turquoise and purple t-strap lassies. Oooh, these linen flats with metallic detailing are super-sophisticated, yet fun.

And JUST in time for the season – iridescent peep-toe pumps. And I thought the frosted look went out with the seventies. If only I weren’t proven wrong so often.

Why yes, I am, thank you. I am still totally feeling Lucky. Found some more great things in the April issue so, here goes:

Flirty, fun, and colorful dresses and tops by A Common Thread. I especially like the stripe dress in cobalt blue. A Common Thread is available at a few different places so give it a google to fnd online or even in your area. Tasty!

You can never have too many elephants, right Nickel?

United Bamboo has some of the smartest, girliest tops and skirts I’ve seen in a while. Can’t find online but here’s a list of stores across the U.S. Yay! One in Seattle even. I know what I’m doing tomorrow!

Physicians Formula is now marketing a line of makeup called “Organic Wear” that claims to be the first ECOCERT certified organic line in the U.S. Since you can get Physicians Formula pretty much anywhere, I say…Target, perhaps?

Or, there’s Organic Pharmacy makeup – which is billed as “hyper-organic”. Anything with the word “hyper” in it has got to be good.

WHAT? Genuine non-leather shoes handmade in Italy? Have I died and gone to a little vegan heaven? Say it is so!!! And then pinch me! Harder! Whew…

So, there’s a little April Lucky Magazine roundup for you. I am going to go for a walk and dream on all the non-leather shoes I would like to import. Crazy Italians.

I am loving the guys down at Alchemy Goods, who transform old bike tubes, banners and car parts into tough, yet lovely, bags, wallets, biz card holders and more. I also like that they’ve got pretty veggie things that are just as useful for guys as for the ladies. Obviously, I come at this whole thing from a woman’s point of view, but every once in a while, it’s nice to run across something that a generous gal might want to pick up for the guy in her life.

Sigh…. So thoughtful.