Simply adorable fashion.

Make Amend is a new fashion label by emerging designer Cassandra Pons that captures the charm of yesteryear with a fun modern edge. She creates fashion and accessories from recycled materials, using handmade and redesigning techniques. All items are one of a kind and unique for you.

Make Amend is an ethical fashion label as all garments and accessories are hand crafted by this young designer. Recycled materials are used always, breathing new life into vintage fabrics and garments. “This is my way of making a difference in the world, minimising waste and opening people’s eyes to a fashion with a conscience” says Miss Pons. 

Make Amend began as a hobby for Cassandra, who has been artsy and creative for as long as she can remember. It was in high school though that her passion for fashion took off. She was passionate about her studies of Home Economics and Art, and also about wanting to express herself through fashion. There are limited boutiques in Townsville, (Australia) and Cassandra felt frustrated at the lack of unique fashion available. She began redesigning clothes for her own wardrobe, but it wasn’t until other people started requesting her designs that she thought about taking fashion seriously.

Cassandra worked hard to establish her label, and has now taken the plunge making it a full-time business at age 18. Make Amend is stocked at a local artist/designer hub Artisans on Flinders where Cassandra works from her studio and sells her designs. She has been in contact with stockists for her label, and also sells online. She plans to use her label to educate people about making informed decisions about fashion. 

Visit the Make Amend store/studio at 345 Flinders St, Townsville or give us a bell on 0413596680.

If you want to take a closer look and order from Make Amend you can check out some of her fashion statements on her Etsy.com site!

xx, Kami

Looking to contact Cassandra directly?

Email Me cassandra.maree@hotmail.com            

Website www.makeamend.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/makeamend.cas

Etsy Store  www.etsy.com/shop/MakeAmend

Instagram:@makeamend                               

Twitter: @makeamend

Meet the Bark wallet, simple yet beautiful and all natural. Designed and Made in California, two UC Berkeley students have set out to start a designer to consumer line of goods called the minimal duck. Both avid animal lovers, the two have vowed to never use animal products in anything they design. In a search to find a good alternative and that does not look like leather. They found Cork. Cork is naturally water resistant, can actually be cleaned up with warm water and soap, and also is as durable as leather. It can withstand approximately 50,000 rubs! The tree that the cork is harvested from continues to live and reproduce cork once harvested. This happens over and over again during the life span of the tree. It takes in 10 times more Co2 than a regular tree. We need more Cork Trees!!

The duo known as AMCW, has come up with multiple uses of the material in their first Kickstarter project. They have designed a beautifully, simple, card wallet that holds up to 10 cards. This constraint was designed by the team in order to keep the wallets thin profile and reduce the temptation of hording everything in your wallet. Have you seen a guy’s wallet…I feel like I need an extra purse for the guys wallet! 

AMCW has also come up with 2 iPhone accessories, accommodating both the iPhone 4/4s and the iPhone 5. The first one is an elegant iPhone backing that adds to the beauty of the phone but also adds a unique feel and grip to the phone. An IPhone gets handled too many times to count, so it’s nice to have something on the back that you can wash when it gets dirty as well.

The Bark Team has also come up with an iPhone pouch/wallet. This was designed to be the only thing you take with you when you go for a night out. It holds your phone and two cards while providing 360-degree protection. Sounds like I definitely need one of these for a night out on the town.

This project is currently live on Kickstarter. Check them out and show your support. The project will only be funded if they meet their goal, only 10 days left.  Please spread the message with your friends, Facebook and Twitter Fans!!

Link to Help Bark through KickStarter -  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bark/bark-a-minimal-wallet-made-from-cork

    Link to youtube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pltWrfL42Tc

Recipe of the Week: Hearty Lentil, Chickpea & Squash Stew

Every time I tell someone I am a vegan I get a multitude of questions, the main ones being “Do you only eat salads?”…“Are you getting enough protein?” or my absolute favorite, “How do you ever get FULL?” No, I don’t only eat salads. Yes, I am getting plenty of protein and I get full by eating hearty, delicious stews like the Lentil, Chickpea & Squash Stew (which has 19 grams of protein in 1.5 cups!) Although I tweaked it a lot, the recipe is from “Slow Cook It” a Weight Watchers cookbook.

            An amazing cooking tool for busy, 21^st century multi-taskers is the slow cooker (a.k.a. the Crock-Pot); I highly encourage vegans and non-vegans alike to take advantage of it. By slow cooking, you are allowing more time for the flavors to come through, thus creating a more mouth watering, tasteful meal! The other plus is that you can simply fill it with your favorite ingredients (or follow this recipe) and go about your day, even leaving the crock pot cooking while you are at work or out for a long day is completely fine—when you come home, a delicious dinner will be hot and ready to serve.

The Lentil, Chickpea & Squash Stew is a pretty heavy, “winter-y” meal. Although Spring is fast approaching, here in Chicago, it is still pretty chilly! And what better way to warm up than with a piping hot stew—the other plus, it is super simple to make!

What you will need:

1.5 cups dried lentils (rinsed, drained)

1 (15.5 oz) can chickpeas (rinsed, drained)

3 tablespoons minced, peeled, fresh garlic

5 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups Butternut Squash (cubed, 1 inch chunks)

3 cups vegetable broth

1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes (regular, Italian style, whatever you like)

3 cups baby spinach

1 bag frozen veggie medley (anything from broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, green beans, peas, corn—again, whatever you like)

Everything can be found from Trader Joe’s (or any grocery store)

SPICES*

Paprika – Ground –  Ginger – Garlic –  Salt – Oregano – Salt – Pepper

*As you can see, I don’t include measurements with the spices. Spices are CRUCIAL to this stew (and to any dish) but feel free to add as much as you want, and be a taste tester! Throughout the process, take a quick taste and see what spice you think would add to the already existing flavors. These are just the ones I added- but feel free to add some more! I think some basil and cilantro could also be delicious. The Ginger and Garlic Salt are the most important spices for this dish.

Directions:

1. Add lentils, chickpeas, ginger, garlic and paprika into the crock pot. Turn crock pot on low and let sit for about 5 minutes
2. Add squash on top of mixture (do not mix squash, let sit on top) and add the vegetable broth into the crock pot.
3. Cover the pot and cook until the lentils and squash are tender. 4 hours on high OR 8 hours on low. (Take out veggie mix from freezer to thaw)
4. 20 minutes before cooking time is up, stir in the tomatoes, spinach and any extra spices you want. The spinach will wilt, don’t worry! Cover pot and cook on high another 10 minutes.

5. Add the veggie mix (thawed!) cover and cook on high another 20 minutes.

(The veggie mix I used had carrots, corn, peas and green beans. My favorite in the mix? The corn! It really complimented the squash.)

 When serving, squeeze a little fresh lemon in the stew.

 There you have it! A delicious, filling and savory vegan stew!

 Happy Vegan Cooking!

 Dana

I was flattered and excited to be invited to check out Deer Lake Lodge in Montgomery  Texas just outside of Houston.  I was not sure what I was in for but I trusted my friend and Vegan inspiration  April Ree. I don’t believe she would lead me to a place that I wouldn’t fall in love.  She was right all along!  Deer Lake Lodge is out in the middle of the woods, secluded and magical.   It was already the lap of luxury that had me excited.

View of Lodging from Pool View

I knew I was in for a Healthy Detox with the comfort of a Spa but I was really blown away.  The staff was amazing with customers and always wanted to make sure I was tended to well, comfortable and enjoyed everything Deer Lake Lodge has to offer.  When I first arrived  I was greeted and walked to my room that overlooked the pool and gorgeous, lush beauty all around.

Quaint Cottages

When I found out the room was made from retired metal crates and for insulation inside the crates they are  stuffed with Old Jeans!  All of the rooms were personally designed with the visions of those that created Deer Lake Lodge.  I was really taken aback with the great designs and I hadn’t even started my detox!  They even have these quaint little cottages for couples that want a little more privacy. They include enclosed patios, a sitting area and beautiful had picked touches all over the cottage.

Making new friends is only one of the fun parts of my journey!

Deer Lake Lodge really wants everyone to feel super comfortable because as most know going through a detox process is not always the most pleasant ride.  It was great to bond with others that were going through the detox too! I met amazing people that I had many things in common with.

Take a dip in the pool or hot tub!

 It was pretty cold out but that didn’t stop anyone from making sure the hot tub and pool were heated well!

Check out the fireplace and comfy seating!

In the evening there was music by the outdoor fireplace and it was magical watching the stars, enjoying the warmth of new friends and the fire.

Lots of room to hang with people and enjoy the view and music!

I really feel that the detox that Deer Lake Lodge offers is amazing.  I lost 5 lbs in a couple of days, felt super light and tummy tight! With all of the great classes they had to offer (including yoga) my mind didn’t have time to wonder “is this really working!”

View of the treatment rooms and community sitting area!

My Spa treatments were wonderful. I honestly believe I had the best facial I have EVER had!

April Ree – Check out her recipes on Deer Lake Lodges Website!

Yes, I am Vegan and the options I had for soup and the Raw Food classes were right up my alley.  The Raw Food Health classes are led by April Ree who is sweet like Cherry Vegan Pie!  The staff was accommodating to my every need whether it be questions or concerns or extra towels!  I can’t wait to go back soon.  Don’t forget to check out their latest specials on their website and check them out at the Sustainable Living Fest in the center of Houston on March 16, 2013!

All of the staff is hands on, experienced and loves pampering those that come to Deer Lake Lodge!

OM-VEDA naturals are 100% Natural, Organic, Vegan friendly products that are Handmade in the USA. They are a family owned and operated business, and have over 15 years experience in environmental health and public health. They believe in doing their part to protect the Earth and reduce their impact on the environment. Their lines of products are free from chemicals, artificial colors and preservatives.

Their Mission:  to provide a natural, healthier life for everyone and anyone.

Their Promise:  to bring its customers products that inspires them to live a better life by being better to themselves.

I have tried many of their products.  The soap I tried is OM-VEDA Naturals Liquid Soap in Lavender and Peppermint (LOVE LOVE LOVE). This liquid soap is free of artificial colors, fragrances, preservatives, animal products or their by-products. OM-VEDA does not do animal testing. This soap can be use for washing hands or body, as a shampoo for oily hair and for general purpose cleaning. I used it as liquid hand soap in the bathroom and loved the fragrance and that it did not leave my hands feeling dry and tight. Liquid castile soaps are fantastic for all over hair and body cleansing, especially for my bubble geeks- you know who you are!

The Sweet Rain Moisturizing Shower Gel is a sweet crisp clean fragrance. It has olive, aloe and jojoba oils which explain why my skin was left feeling clean and not stripped of its oils. I love CLEAN and FRESH scents! Especially when they are NATURAL!

The Bar Soaps are LOVELY, beautifully crafted and uses minimal packaging a + if you are “eco conscious”. 10 options for all skin conditions and types and very reasonably priced. See http://www.omvedanaturals.com for more pricing and info.

I am a HUGE fan of olive oil based cleansers as you all now from reading Your Skin Condition- MUCH better alternative than sulfate based cleansers for hair and body. There are 3 options- Sweet Orange, Peppermint and Lavender- Try Peppermint in the morning as a “pick me up” and Lavender in the evening for much needed stress relief. Peppermint is also used to treat scalp irritations and has been shown to improve scalp condition.

The last product I tried was the All Natural Pet Shampoo. This eco-friendly natural liquid soap is mild, hypoallergenic and free of petroleum or animal by-products. Because there are no chemical detergents, synthetic fragrances, colors or antimicrobial preservatives it lessens the likely-hood of sensitivity reactions. The dogs felt clean, smelled clean and they did not itch after their bath. The natural essential oil blend also helps repel fleas and ticks.

Om Veda Naturals also makes AURA healthy homes cleaning solutions. It is a unique, proprietary blend of plant-derived ingredients that are all natural, fragrance free, non-combustible, non-hazardous, non-fuming, nontoxic, and biodegradable. AURA cleaning products replaces all harmful toxic cleaners.  AURA does not contain Animal products, artificial ingredients, Petroleum products, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, Solvents/Sulfates, and Synthetic Chemicals.

I went through my home cleaning every nook and cranny testing these products against my usual store cleaners. The difference was amazing! The products are truly worth it – I actually enjoyed cleaning! The wonderfully unique scent of Lavender Sweet Orange made it a true joy with its subtle scent that lasts throughout the home. I and my guy love the fragrance of our home sweet home! There’s a sense of bringing balance into our home through the scent. The Natural cleaning products were very effective and cut my cleaning time in half. The products are truly worth it!  The wonderfully unique scent of Lavender Sweet Orange made it a true joy with its subtle scent that lasts throughout the home. I enjoy finishing off my cleaning with the sheet spray – what a wonderful scent

VFB wants to grow and we need your help!  If you are interested in the following please send an email to kami@veganfashionblog.com.  These positions are on an intern bases with no pay.  If you are review products for us then we could possibly barter for your services. If you bring in advertisers you will get a commission for those too. Comments are welcome!

Positions VeganFashionBlog.com is Currently Looking For:

Contributing Writers 

1) People that want to contribute about their thoughts on fashion and veganism. Lots of great photos!

2) People that want to promote their vegan friendly product! You get to write your own post and send a couple of samples for Leyla and I to review!

Social Media

1) Someone that is interested in creating more of a  Facebook presence on our page, creating a LinkIn Page and Posting on Twitter.

Advertising

1) Looking for Vegan friendly companies or products that would like to advertise on VFB’s website. Pricing is negotiable and we are open to bartering!

We are looking to have more of a presence in 2013 and with your help we feel we can really succeed in our mission to express great Vegan products, photography and people!

Kami xx

Sweet, simple, vegan and sustainable, Threads 4 Thought (T4T) is an up-and-coming apparel company worth keeping on your radar. Bloomingdale’s, People Style Watch, and InStyle are just a few of the retailers and magazines that have recently featured T4T as an Eco-chic company of note.

T4T featured in People Style Watch!

Co-founders Eric and Leigh Fleet have built a lifestyle brand centered on the principles of sustainability, advocacy for peace, and charitable giving. Ten percent of proceeds from the brand’s “Shop the Cause” line even go towards supporting two highly reputable charities, the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

In addition to its dedication to creating sustainable clothing, many of the T4T’s items are naturally vegan-friendly (yay!). Organic cotton treated with low-impact dyes, modal, recycled polyester, and rayon feature prominently in the brand’s vegan apparel offerings. For example, the “Palisades Poncho,” shown here in black, is 60% organic cotton, 40% modal and features a hood and button-front closure. This poncho, which pairs perfectly with your favorite cords or jeans, is a super versatile layering piece!

“Palisades Poncho” in black, front view

Another sweet, versatile, and vegan option is the “Kylie Thermal” (shown below in grey; 31% cotton, 6% organic cotton, 44% polyester, 6% recycled polyester, 13% rayon). Dress it down with jeans and flats or dress it up with decadent earrings and heels – either way, it’s sure to flatter your figure while keeping you cozy and comfortable. The style is also available in a lightweight version (60% organic cotton, 40% modal blend) that layers perfectly under heavy winter coats.

“Kylie Thermal” in grey, front view

T4T also features a variety of affordable priced tees, such as the “Sasha Scoop Neck” (shown here in bouquet) and priced at only $12! These tees are perfect for everyday wear – throw on with tights for yoga, with jeans for a day of running errands, or with a pretty skirt for a low-key date night.

“Sasha Scoop Neck” in bouquet, front view, 60% organic cotton, 40% recycled polyester

Another great vegan option is T4T’s figure-flattering “Prairie Dress.” It’s charming, gathered waist and scoop neck will define your figure while revealing just the right amount of décolletage to be sweet and sexy all at once.

“Prairie Dress” in opal, front view

When you shop T4T’s “Shop the Cause” line, which offers graphic tees in figure-skimming fits, 10% of proceeds from certain items go towards funding the NRDC and IRC, as mentioned above. My personal favorite is the heartbreakingly sweet “Girl 2 Girl Heart Tee” (60% organic cotton, 40% recycled polyester); it’s v-neck and relaxed fit counter-balance one another, resulting in a comfy, flattering fit, at once demure yet provocative.

“Girl 2 Girl Heart Tee” in smoke, front view

T4T also offers a variety of very cool pieces for men. Worth checking out are the “Y Neck Thermal Henley Hoodie” (50% organic cotton, 50% recycled polyester) and the “Twill Military Coat” (100% organic cotton). Both pieces are perfect for fall, and the Henley can be worn throughout winter as a layering piece. Did I mention they’re vegan? And use sustainable cotton? It doesn’t get any better than that.

“Twill Military Coat” in forest, front view

“Y Neck Thermal Henley Hoodie” in black, front view

Shop Threads 4 Thought’s full range of products online at Threads for Thought  - free shipping and handling both ways are available for online shoppers! Or use the handy store locator function to find a retailer near you. Either way, you’re sure to fall in love with the new Eco-chic additions to your wardrobe.