$200 Fall Fashion Giveaway!

What would you say to winning $200 to spend on the hottest eco-friendly fashions? Our friends at Jute & Jackfruit are kindly offering not one, but two chances to win $100 worth of merchandise - one contest through their blog, another on Facebook - and, yes, you can enter both! Click here for more details on how to win.

The contest ends on September 31, 2010, so hurry and enter! Then get ready to fill your closet with the latest in fall eco-fashion.

Earth to... yeah, you know

Earth to you! April 22 is Earth Day's 40th birthday, people! So go out there and do something awesome for the environment, m'kay? Plant a tree, or a seed, or recycle a whole bunch of stuff, or donate your old stuff somewhere, or buy some organic what-not... you get the picture. In the past, I've listed some detailed green-er suggestions, but I think we've all heard enough of the "turn the faucet off when you're brushing your teeth" mumbo jumbo. We know going eco is truly a lifestyle, though all of those smart little habits certainly add up. So don't stop! Do one green thing greener, and we'll all help the green movement keep... ah, moving. :)

Oh, I've got some news. It's happened in a blink, but I started a new job this week (and at an environmental agency, natch). It's full-time, so that means I've got less blogging and writing time in general, but now I can pay some big bills and start my run-away-to-Paris-fund (oh, wouldn't it be nice? Le sigh). I still have grandiose evil plans to one day work as a full-time writer (novelist, fingers crossed), so this is but a stepping stone to achieving a bigger goal. One day, perhaps, I will have achieved Carrie Bradshaw-ness, then, and only then, will I rest!

Shoessss....

Um. Anyway.

So... photos! These were taken a few weeks ago following Boston's Down to Earth Sustainable Living Expo (lovingly called "d2e"). I reported on it for Green Cotton, but these are just my personal pics taken in the Boston Commons on what turned out to be a very green day, indeed.

Oh, and by the way, I happened to be wearing an organic/eco-friendly dress... this is made from organic cotton and bamboo!

Roberta Oaks "Rudi" dress, Jute & Jackfruit
Apt. 9 lace tights, Kohl's
Pewter PVC ballet flats, Old Navy
Olive sunglasses, Loft

Go forth and be green! Peace.

Favorite things: Spring

It's that time again... time for warmth, flowers and all things green! April is one of my favorite months (though this year, March wasn't too shabby either), and this one is going to be especially fabulous. Here are a few things I'm currently enjoying or looking forward to...

Gorgeous May Glamour girls! (See Whit, LC, Lo, above, and Lea, below.)

Which also means... the return of Glee! The City! And the end of The Hills! Oh, my!

Glee returns on April 13th. The City and The Hills are back on the 27th. That same day, the author who arguably inspired said girlie reality shows debuts a new young adult novel-- the origin story of fierce fashionista Carrie Bradshaw!

Click here to read an exclusive excerpt!

I cannot wait to read this. I'll temper the wait time by listening to the latest Zooey Deschanel/M. Ward offering, She & Him Vol. 2.

Also in the retro-sixties spirit... Boho magazine's Parisian-inspired spring fashion issue. Love the nod to Brigitte Bardot!

I'm also loving Zara's spring/summer '10 look book. I would live in these muted, utilitarian-but-girlie clothes. Everything is so flippin' cute!

One last thing to love about April? Earth Day! Yes, it should be Earth Day every day, and here I talk about going green as a lifestyle... it's in my job description! But this year is notable because it's the official Earth Day's 40th Anniversary! Do you do anything special to observe Earth Day? Share your thoughts/tips/stories here!

In just a few days, I'll be heading to Boston's Down 2 Earth to cover an amazing all-green expo! I'm reporting for Jute & Jackfruit. Stay tuned for pics and interviews!

How are you celebrating spring's arrival so far?

Girls Night Out

Happy Saturday! I'm excited for a gorgeous summer weekend, and got to kick it off early at Shecky's Girls Night Out. I was invited to the event as a fashion blogger, so I was pretty stoked (I've been to Shecky's before to work with Jute & Jackfruit). It was fun to roam around as a shopper and take pictures.

Shecky's is pretty much a big fashion bazaar that takes place in cities across the U.S. Local and independent designers showcase their wares, and prices are slashed for the lucky shoppers. Boston's event takes place in the Cyclorama. As expected, the place was packed!

Jute & Jackfruit couldn't be there this time around, but I did happen upon another eco-fashion line, this one out of NYC: Eco-Soul. The pieces looked cool and I plan to investigate more in the future...

View from below: the ceiling of the Cyclorama (just for fun, in black and white):

Since it was crowded, it was tough to get an outfit photo inside. But I tried!

Dress: Wal-Mart (My 4th of July dress!)
Layering tank: Target, maybe?
Leggings: Forever 21
Boots: Payless
Fedora, scarf: Gap
Bracelet: Gift from mumise
Necklace: Borrowed from mumsie!
Purse: NY & Co.
Red bag: Shecky's Goodie Bag :)

More on the famous Goodie bag later! You might be wondering why in the name of all things summertime I was so layered up. In August! Weather-wise, it was a tempermental week (which is really the norm for New England anyway. At this point I shouldn't let it surprise me). That day, in particular, it was rainy and cold in my area all day. When I went into town that evening, the sun came out and heated up the rain-soaked ground... making all my layers seem rather superfluous. I think this will be a good look in February, though. :P

A few outdoor shots:
The sidewalks are brick like this everywhere in the Back Bay. I think it's my favorite Boston neighborhood. The little sunflower garden growing amidst all the brick was a lovely surprise. :)

So what's in a Shecky's Goodie bag, you might ask? All kinds of fun stuff!

The Goodie bag alone is worth the price of admission (though this blogger got in for free!). I was especially excited about the full-size "Yes to Carrots" hair mask and various vegan snacks: mini Larabars, Riceworks chips and more! Mmm...

I did make one little indulgent purchase at Shecky's: this vintage-y lace babydoll dress (it doesn't have a label, so I'm calling it vintage!):

A closeup of the pretty details. And once again, that's my mother's necklace. :)

I can't wait to style this! It's a little too warm out to wear now, but as soon as it cools down again, I'll pop this atop leggings and knee-high boots.

Shecky's should be back in Boston sometime this winter, and I hope to host another ticket giveaway. If you don't live in the area, be sure to check their website for Girls Night Out events near you!

Shecky's Girls Night Out: Exclusive Giveaway!

Attention New England fashionistas: Ip & Audrey is proud to announce its first-ever giveaway, courtesy of Shecky's Girls Night Out!

Never been to Shecky's? Girls Night Out is a fashionably fabulous event where ladies can shop for one-of-a-kind finds from indie designers and boutiques from across the U.S., and for a sweet discount-- up to 75% off! You can also sample exclusive beauty treatments, games, and delicious cocktails and food pairings. Best of all, you'll walk away with a famous Shecky's goodie bag full of $100 worth of amazing products! Boston's August event is all about fall fashion; get ready to bid summer goodbye and embrace autumn in style.

The details:

Date: Wed.-Fri., Aug. 12th-14th, 2009
Time: 5pm-10pm
Place: Boston Center for the Arts - Cyclorama
539 Tremont St. (Clarendon & Berkeley Sts.) Tickets are $25-30 in advance, $35-40.

Or... if you're local, and at least 21, your admission can be FREE! It's simple; all you have to do is leave me a comment. :) Thanks to Shecky's, Ip & Audrey has a pair of tickets for two lucky winners (that's four tickets in all)! If you've won, I will send you an email confirmation. Enter for a fun night out on the town and a fabulous Goodie bag!

This contest will run until Sunday at midnight. By Monday you'll know if you've won!

I was happy to work with Jute & Jackfruit at the last Shecky's event in Boston this past winter. I hope my fellow NE fashion lovers and bloggers are able to make it next week!