veganism

Vegankit and I Think You Should Read the Book The Midnight Fox, by Betsy Byars

A commenter by the name of Avia sent me a link to this site… vegankit.com

First of all I so appreciate people sending me links and vegan shoes they have found and even commenting. I read so many blogs that I never comment on, so it takes a special feeling of connection to get motivated to actually hit reply and it inspires me that you reach out to me, a stranger somewhere in the world wide web. So thank you, thank you thank you.
So this site, vegankit, is beautifully designed. With a ton of great info.

Also a ton of sad info. Which I hate to see, but always have to watch. For example, a video of cows waiting in the chute before they are slaughtered. I find this just…sad. Inhumane. Terrifying.

I feel it is like a nightmare, where you dream you’re about to die, and you know that’s what it would actually be like.

There is a picture of pigs on a truck. This is one of the most horrible sights I’ve seen in life. Lately I’ve just been feeling such a connection to pigs. I don’t know why. That probably sounds crazy., but I can just tell how intelligent they are. The pics is of their noses pressed up through the holes in the truck. Just sad.

pigndog

A pig as pigs should be!!

Are people really so cruel that they could slaughter a pig or a cow. I find it disturbing, and it reminds me that the world is not always a happy place, no matter how hard I read self help books and think positive thoughts, and try to be grateful, and stay cheerful, hopeful and in a great mood.

: (

On the bright side, they truly have an excellent list of vegan shoe sources. Go there and learn many great things. There are some vegan stores listed that I really must check out myself and feature on this blog. Along with info on why one would choose not to buy leather in the first place.

My only criticism of this site is who in the hell made it? I need to put a face to a name. Where’s the story of the beautiful people who made this labor of love.

Speaking of happiness, do any of you read the blog The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin? She’s great, and I can’t wait to get her second book Happier at Home, hopefully today.

She loves to read, and every month she recommends 3 books, and 1 is a children’s literature book, which is one of her passionate loves. She recommended this children’s book called The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars last month, and I totally loved it.

It’s a book about this boy whose parents send him to a relative’s farm while they’re on vacation for the summer, and at first the boy thinks it’s going to be so boring. But then he sees this fox on a long boring day in the woods. And unbeknownst to himself even, he is a true animal lover. He becomes obsessed with observing this beautiful, magical, incredible fox, that is until the fox steals a chicken for his fox cub, and the relatives who own the farm, get up in arms and decide to hunt down the fox.

Wow. The reason I mention this book is I feel this book can only be truly experienced and admired for what it is by a true animal lover. And if you’re reading this blog that’s probably you.

There’s this indescribable feeling that only animal lovers feel I think, where something like a close encounter with a fox is truly magical, fascinating, like a queen among men. I feel it with regular dogs on the street. My friend used to make fun of me for pointing out every dog on the street like it was something incredible. Well, only an animal lover understands why a dog is something incredible.

This book describes an experience I know I’ve had, of not only being transfixed by the beauty of something ANIMAL, but also of being unable to help an animal, when it’s life is being threatened by people who do not feel respect and kinship with animals. People who don’t think it’s a big deal to hunt, etc.

The book is a truly gripping and horrifying thriller for people like me, and I suspect you, even though it’s a kid’s book. And I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s great. And it’s also funny and beautifully written. I highly recommend this book!!!

Let me know if you check it out!

 

My Top Ten Vegan Shoe Essentials…that you can always find online.

I’m a blogging kick today and my last post about people with cool style got me thinking.

What are the top 10 vegan shoes that are always available to buy online (unlike most shoes which have a short run and then sell out forever) that every COOL non leather loving person might want to pick up.

Here is what I came up with. I own most all of these shoes, and these are the shoes I wear all the time. They ARE how I live a non leather lifestyle in a leather loving, steak eating : ( world.

Here goes nothing!

1. Vans. There are many vans that are vegan, but not all. See my post about it: “Are Vans vegan? Yes, Some Are“. Vans are the perfect shoe for kicking around but still looking cool.

http://ilovecomfortshoes.net/static/products/vans-kids-classic-slip-on-shoes-29810.jpg

Why not go for a classic.

2. Converse. Another casual vegan shoe for kicking around that with a bit of sleuthing I determined to be almost certainly vegan. See “Once and for all, are converse vegan?“. Why converse? They are the ultimate classic shoe. They always look cool. I prefer off white.

3. Doc Martens. The vegan ones. They’re on the brain! I’d get the black classic 8 eye boots or whatever they’re called. Reusing a picture:

 If only doc martens did floral vegan versions…I would buy in a heartbeat.
alas.
4. Loafers. I wear my vegan loafers all the time! They are …sadly unavailable from modcloth where I picked them up. They are so comfortable and I wear them as sneakers. If you are so inclined, check out my post on vegan pennyloafers: “At last, vegan pennyloafers and the history of preppy style according to me“.
For an alternative, what do you think about the idea of buying vintage bass loafers which are leather on ebay? I personally do not feel I would do this as I am trying to make a statement by not wearing leather, but I think it is ok to buy vintage leather shoes as your money is not supporting any business perpetuating animal cruelty.
Fifth Floor Flat
5. Hunter rain boots. I wrote about them in my post “Hunter Rain boots: Ironically, Vegan“. Lol much? So many people in new york seem to have these and for good reason. In the winter, these are now the boots I wear in heavy snow. They are rainproof so they never get soggy, and they make you feel invincible in knee high puddles. PLus they give off a cool Kate Middleton/Prince William/Prince Charles/Nancy Mitford/English countryside vibe. Perfect for anglophiles such as myself. And of course, they’re totally vegan.
6. What about some saddle shoes. I love mine, although sometimes they make me feel a bit silly. Only wear when you are feeling uber stylish. I’m proud of the post I wrote on saddle shoes “Vegan saddle shoes and some awesome saddle shoe style inspiration“. Have you seen Moonrise Kingdom? I thought it was incredible–Anderson’s best yet, and that’s coming from a huge Wes Anderson fan whose favorite movie of all time is Bottle Rocket. Well as you know, Suzy, the main character, wears saddle shoes, or Sunday school shoes as they refer to them in the flick. So now you know why these are cool.
you can always buy them at payless. Just google vegan saddle shoes. They’re less than $20.
7. You should get some high heels for looking hot. I would recommend looking at 3 places.
Modcloth–look for heels around $50 or under and then read the materials.
Urban outfitters–same deal. Read the materials.
Forever 21 shoes. These are all vegan (with 1 exception i saw once).
I found these vegan babies just now at forever 21.
They’re only $24. 80 and like almost everything at forever 21, vegan. So get a cool pair of heels so you can be that person who can hang out in sneakers or can rock a pair of heels–as is so annoyingly stated on every guy’s online dating profile. I’m on okcupid! and annoyed by it.
As you might guess…..
8.  You’ve got to get some sandals for the summer. Oh how I wish they made saltwaters in vegan form. Or those cool swedish hasbeens. I’m weird but I would get Jelly’s! I think these shoes are really cool, and so fun to wear. I wrote about them here: “A patriotic shoe for vegans: Jelly Sandals“. I called them patriotic since they are so obviously vegan, being made entirely of rubber. I love mine.

Check my post for a link to the topshop ones I got, or simply google jellies.

9. Let’s put one on here for the guys, in case any of you reading this are guys or have significant others who would look super SEXY in pink and teal shoes from none other than honestly the coolest vegan brand around Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather. I wish I had a boyfriend that I could buy these shoes for. I mean, of course I want the pink and blue for myself but I think they would look so cool on a guy. Check out my latest post on the good guys “The MYsteries of Spring Cleaning and Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather: their offerings and vision” .

Good Guys don’t wear Leather SS12

Image of APONI Pink

and check out their tumblr which i love.

and 10. Ok guys, I have to go. But what do you think 10 should be? Any suggestions?

Hope you have enjoyed this! Let me know what you think.

With fond affection,

V