Currently Craving: The Over-The-Knee Boot

Get The Look: Gala Gonzalez

Photo: Fashion Blogger Gala Gonzalez of Amlul.com

Currently Craving: The Bags of Summer

A roundup of the best (vegan) bags to carry you through Summer. Whether you're in the market for a new handbag or just in the mood for some major eye candy, this one's for you.

Currently Craving: Bling fit for a queen

Designer Spotlight: Arden Wohl x Cri de Coeur

Julie Dicterow and Gina Ferraraccio, the designers and activists behind the popular vegan label Cri de Coeur, have teamed with New York designer/ artist Arden Wohl to create a new collection of vegan shoes for Spring/ Summer 2014. The inspiration? Late 19th century Symbolism. A movement championed by artists like Gustav Klimt, Edvard Munch, and Émile Bernard, Symbolism is the idea that art should represent absolute truths, such as an emotion or idea, which can only be described indirectly. For Cri de Coeur and Arden Wohl, this absolute truth is ethical consumerism, for which they seek to attract "a new ideal not by persuasion, but through artistic expression."

GET THE LOOK: Magdalena Frackowiak and Edita Vilkeviciute for W, September '13

Inspiration: A Case for Casual

Currently Craving: 3 Ways to Keep Your Head Warm This Winter

(Tommy Ton for Style.com)

Because one way is simply not enough. 

Currently Craving: Minimalist Chic

These days, I really admire the simplicity of minimalism. It has a quiet confidence that speaks louder than any trend or label. For me, there is no joy like buying a well-crafted, timeless piece with clean lines and quality to last a lifetime. 

Featured above: 

1. Étoile Isabel Marant Diego Oversized Jacket, similar here and here. 

2. 18K White Gold Fairmined Bar Pendant, $575, Brilliant Earth.

3. 18K White Gold Luna Ring, $850, Brilliant Earth.

4. La Garçonne Moderne Portrait Top, $295, La Garçonne.

5. Stripe Wrap Skirt, $118, J. Crew.

6. Bra, $85-180, VPL. 

7. Black Flat Waist Bag, $145, Hipsters for Sisters.

8. Stella McCartney Ankle Boots, $486, Bergdorf Goodman.

I'm also excited to share with you a company I just learned about called Brilliant Earth. They specialize in beautiful, ethically-sourced diamonds and engagement rings. Take a look at their website, if you're in the mood for some serious eye candy. 

Camel Coated

There is nothing sleeker nor sexier than being draped in a camel-colored coat.  Camel seems to be the magic color that looks good on just about everybody.  In a coat: it's classic, timeless, and gives you the kind of glow only seen in the halos of Renaissance-era angels. 

Gift Guide for Her

A few no-fail gifts for the vegan or animal-conscious, fashion lover in your life. 

Gifts! gifts! and more gifts! Shopping for loved ones can be hard and by hard, I mean trying to avoid the inevitable, 'you go shopping with the intention of buying other people gifts, yet just end up buying more stuff for yourself' syndrome. My theory is that you're more likely to come out successful if you go in with some sort of plan of what you'd like to get those on your list. Before I go christmas shopping, I like to make a list of everyone I need to get gifts for, what I'd like to get them, and the stores I'd most likely find those gifts at...at least this way, you're more focused, less stressed, and there's a bit more hope for you coming home with something to put under the tree this year. And if this sounds like a post about what I'm planning to give other people this year, I've deceived you. It's actually, quite ironically, a list of all of my favorite and most desired items on my wish list this year. Yep, and now I've gone full circle. All the way back to buying gifts for myself.

Currently Craving: Color Me Red

For most of my life, lipstick was about as interesting to me as the score of any major league football game. Not one to take much of a fancy to football, I could also care less about the subtleties behind the statement-making power of a bold, red lip or the confidence it instilled upon the person behind it. Of course, I always appreciated it on other women whom I saw sporting the hue, yet never actually considered wearing the color myself until recently. For me, red lipstick seemed to be a lot of trouble for something that at a moment's notice may just as well decide to turn on you, leaving you with the unforgivable, red gooey residue plastered across the forefront of your teeth, which might as well be a billboard advertising your cosmetic "newb-ness."

Coat Craze: The Art of Keeping Cozy

Necking in November: Tis' the Season for Turtlenecks

Currently Craving: That Leopard Fanny Pack

Worth the Wait: Black Vegan Leather Skirt

[Images: lacooletchic]

I know, I know, I'm a little late to jump on the bandwagon here, but the truth is, I've been craving a cool, black, vegan leather skirt for quite some time now. I just haven't been able to find the right one. I love the look of these sleek, high-waisted skirts above--a basic, black, vegan leather skirt can pretty much be considered a wardrobe staple, as it can be dressed up or down and goes great with nearly anything. So, you can see why I was in no hurry to buy one that I wasn't quite sure I'd love till death do us part. 

Well, good news! The wait is finally over! A whole new, slew of adorable vegan leather skirts miraculously popped up on the market this week and just in time for fall. Yippee! I decided upon this one, and can't wait to get it in the mail so I can start experimenting with all the varieties of what I can pair it with. For now, I'm thinking basic tees, sweaters and crop tops... 

Similar ones here, here, and here. 

Want-it-Wednesday: Hats, Hats, and More Hats

(Vogue.com)

Currently Craving: The Plaid Skirt

Ever since this red plaid mini caught my eye on Instagram the other day, I have not been able to get it out of my head! I absolutely adore this look on fashion blogger Aimee Song of Song of Style. Her skillful mix of prints and addition of a black biker jacket toughen up the school-girl plaid, while the delicate, heeled ankle boots add a touch of femininity. In my eyes, this look is perfection--the perfect mix of sophisticated-chic and cool-girl punk.

Get the look: 

Tildon Wrap Mini Kilt, $62, nordstrom.com

Alexander McQueen Plaid Zip Skirt (Wool) , $630, shopbop.com

Checked Mini Skirt, $79.90, zara.com

MAD ABOUT PLAID

[Images: style.com, lacooletchic, thefashioneaters]

Yep, I'm simply mad about plaid.

Currently Craving: The Perfect Ankle Boots for Fall

Right now, I'm currently craving a pair of classic, black ankle booties for the chillier months of Fall and Winter. Personally, I like low-heeled versions best because I find they are easier to wear and can be dressed up or down to fit nearly any occasion (not to mention, your feet will thank you too!) 

Here are some of my favorite vegan finds: 

Pink and Pepper Vegan Duster Boot, Piperlime.com, $59

Ankle Boots with Metal Studs, HM.com, $49.95

Cri de Coeur Rogue Moto Boot, cridecoeur.com, $180