The long, cold, colorless winter is upon us here in the northeast, and once the holidays are over we’ll settle in for several months of dreariness (can you tell I just love the winter!). Being cold is not one of my favorite things and yet finding warm, cozy clothes and accessories that are also fun and stylish can be a wee bit of a challenge, to say the least…especially once January comes around and the stores start to think about spring!

So, I scour the stores and internet looking for things to bring light and joy to any woman’s wardrobe, and I am, of course, more than happy to share my special finds.

Here are 5 items that I feel are pretty, refreshing or just downright adorable for you or as a holiday gift…

Warmth & Style All In One! I don’t wear many turtlenecks these days (a softening jawline and all that…) so I’ve taken to adding beautiful scarves to my wardrobe. There are lots of them out there but this one just caught my eye because the color is stunning and will look good on many women. (Coral scarf featured at right. Click here for shopping info) and this one looks cozy and again the burgundy color will look good on many women (Burgundy scarf featured at right. Click here for shopping info).

Give Your ‘Functional’ Accessories a Lift! Add some cheer to your outfit with a handbag in a gorgeous color. In addition to being pretty to look at (coming in red, green, black and silver), practical and timeless, it is also vegan and cruelty-free (Click here for shopping info).

And, as an extra bonus you can use the coupon code ‘Ginger’ through the end of the year and receive $200 discount on any handbag in their collection. I have a Jill Milan bag, and it’s totally elegant.

Big, Bold & Beautiful! Cocktail rings are all the rage right now, and they are fabulous! I have to admit it is one accessory I don’t wear (most look way too oversized on me), but if I did, this is one that I think is elegant, and unusual (Click here for shopping info).

Those of you who have been shopping with me at Jewelry by Karel know how much pizzazz a cocktail ring can add to an outfit, and she has a great selection at great prices. Whether you spend a little (you can find very fun, inexpensive ones on www.etsy.com) or a lot is up to you. It’s a fun way to add a little razzle-dazzle to your holidays.

Pretty PJ’s! I am constantly on the prowl for pretty, feminine, cozy sleepwear. So much of it out there is either dowdy, purely functional or skimpy (for me that means too short) and I’d freeze! I found a fun selection at Soma (Click here for shopping info).

Soothing Comfort All Winter! Historically, winter is a time to hibernate a bit, reflect and relax (yeah, right, you say!). Well, any little bit helps, for sure. That’s why I created this delicious essential oil blend of lavender, geranium and ylang ylang.

Use it as a massage oil or countless other ways (I include a list of suggestions for how to use it with each purchase). (Click here for shopping info).

Yes, the winter is long, but please don’t become just another body dressed in gray or black trudging through the winter months…biding your time until spring. Bring light, joy and delight to your wardrobe now! These are just a few ways to do that.

Feel free to share any juicy, sparkly, fun items you’ve found during your holiday shopping sprees. Let’s help each other celebrate beauty throughout the next few months.

Do you really think about what you wear to bed or are you so ready to crawl under the covers by the time you get undressed that you throw on the nearest soft thing and jump into bed? I have found that sleepwear tends to be one of those wardrobe concerns that doesn’t really register until you take a good, long look at what you are wearing for those eight (seven? six?) hours a day.

Maybe it’s perfect and you chose it with intention, or maybe it’s the nearest thing that is frayed and faded but serves the purpose, so to speak. After a long day, we might not be too picky about what we put on after a long day and our bed is calling sweetly. As long as it’s cozy on it goes.

So, let’s think about it now. What do you sleep in (provided you sleep in anything)? Do you give it much thought or do you throw on whatever is handy and clean? Believe me, I totally understand that nowhere is comfort more important than when you are sleeping. Would you agree? If you’ve ever been annoyed in the night by sleepwear that is binding, scratchy, stiff or aggravating in some way then you know what I mean.

It’s also true that very few people see you in your nightwear, so some of you might say who cares. But as you know, it’s first and foremost about how you feel in what you wear. Not only that but it’s another way of honoring yourself and celebrating your own natural beauty.

Will we all agree on what is beautiful and comfortable to sleep in? I doubt it. Just one peek in the stores and you’ll see that the choices are quite extensive.

Maybe I’m alone in this (although I doubt it) but what I sleep in is very important to me both in terms of my physical comfort and my esthetic delight. I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself in beauty (your personal definition of beauty) as much as possible and what could be sweeter than to envelop yourself in something beautiful while you rejuvenate through sleep?

I love nightgowns. I want beautiful, elegant, soft, pretty nightgowns. Not babydolls and not long sleeved flannel gowns. I’m sure there are people who love both of those but I prefer flowing, sleeveless, knee length or long (depending on the season) nightgowns. You wouldn’t think they would be so hard to find but it seems that everyone is wearing pajamas. But, here’s the important part, I don’t give up. I don’t settle for something I don’t love wearing. I keep looking and wear what I have in the meantime.

What about you? Are your jammies beautiful? Or, are you stuck in a sleepwear rut? Are you happy (both physically and esthetically) with what you have? In fact, have you recently taken a good long look at what you do wear to bed? Do you love it? If not, don’t despair, let’s look at some options to open up new possibilities.

Four things to consider when you are selecting your sleepwear:

1. Comfort: Obviously, you don’t want anything binding or stiff. It’s also important to be wary of elastics or details that might be uncomfortable. For instance, I bought a beautiful nightgown that had adjustable straps in the back. It seemed like a great idea when I bought it but the clip that made it adjustable kept hitting my shoulder blade and I’d wake up with a dent in my back! Not exactly cozy. I also once bought a nightgown that had lace around the neckline. I didn’t realize until after the first night that the lace was stiff and scratchy. That was the last time I wore that nightgown!

2. Fabric: This is definitely a personal preference. Cotton is one of the most popular because it’s a natural fiber and breathes. It’s soft and comfortable and cool in the summer (or if you experience hot flashes any time of the year). Plus, it’s machine washable. There are also special moisture-wicking fabrics that work well for those who get too hot when they sleep. Flannel has the added advantage of breathing and keeping you warm but obviously isn’t a good choice in the summer (unless you sleep in heavy duty air conditioning). I like the manmade fibers in the winter because they are warm and soft. So, there is something for everyone.

3. Personality: Do you feel like yourself when you wear your pj’s or like an imposter? When I put on a babydoll nightgown I don’t feel even remotely sexy (although judging by most lingerie stores, you’d think this was the most alluring choice). Instead, I feel like I’m about 12 years old – not exactly the pretty look or feel I’m going for. And, boy shorts with a little t-shirt don’t do it for me either. Both of those are perfectly acceptable choices for sleeping, and many women wear them. They just don’t resonate with me. It’s important that you choose a style that you love and makes you feel authentically you.

4. Care Instructions: While this is not usually a big problem with sleepwear, it is important to check to be sure the garment is not so delicate or poorly made that one wash will do it in.

Here are a few fun options I found on-line:

Are you, like me, a nightgown kind of gal? Here are some new ones I’m eyeing: This one is elegant and looks soft and cozy and, yay, it’s not a pastel. Click here for more information.

How fun is this one for someone who wants something that makes a bit more of a statement! Click here for more information.

And, in the summer when it’s hot (we don’t have air conditioning in our house), cotton is great because it doesn’t stick to you. How cute is this one (click here for more information):

What if you prefer pajamas? Sometimes I walk through the lingerie department and feel like I’m in the men’s pajama section. Some women really look totally fabulous in these and look amazing. If that’s true, go for it. Here’s a great pair which a lot of choices in fabric colors and patterns (click here for more information):

If you like something a little more feminine and frilly, try this one in a pretty color. It looks so soft and yummy (click here for more information):

And, I just couldn’t resist showing you this one (click here for more information):

So, whether you want to feel down-to-earth, cozy, sexy, sweet or a little exotic, and no matter what your budget, there’s something out there for everyone. The important thing is that you love what you wear even when it’s in the middle of the night – your dreams will be sweeter!

As you may be aware, I write a monthly article for One Green Planet — a blog that brings together a range of distinct voices, unified by a commitment to spreading good ideas that benefit people, animals and the planet.

Many of my readers have indicated that they are interested in my vegan lifestyle and the options available to anyone interested in exploring cruelty-free fashion choices.

My latest article, “5 Reasons to Use Vegan Makeup Brushes,” has been published and can be of interest to Vegans and non-Vegans, alike. After all, every woman needs good quality makeup brushes.

Please visit

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/5-reasons-to-use-vegan-makeup-brushes/

to read my latest article.

I invite you to leave a comment on the site or share the article with your social networks as well.

It’s that time of year again…the holidays!  Whether you love them or wish you could sleep through the next 6 weeks doesn’t change the fact that they are fast approaching.

Forget the parties, forget the dress up, fancy stuff – there’s already a lot of talk out there about that.  I’d like to talk about how to dress for a cozy gathering of family or friends that is holiday-driven but still casual and fun.  How do you find your holiday glam when your spirit says bah-humbug?

Finding that sweet spot where you look like yourself, feel comfortable and also make it feel special is part of what celebrating is all about.  So many times I hear from women that they get their children all gussied up or they put their heart and soul into the delicious food they’ll prepare but when the time comes to peek in their closets and get dressed, they sigh a long deep sigh of resignation…there’s nothing there that makes them feel as special as they want to.  Then, in a last ditch effort to feel the holiday spirit they grab the same old red sweater with jeans (or the equivalent) and run out the door.

Does that sound even a teensy weensy bit familiar?

I’ve been speaking with a lot of women this past week about their wardrobes and the common theme is “ease.”  Ahhhh, doesn’t the idea of a personal style that allows for ease and grace just make you feel so good? Okay…okay, I know, reality then sets in as you slam your closet door on a wardrobe that seems to contain very little that resembles ease.

I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds good to me – a little more ease and flow is good for everyone.  And, bringing that concept into your wardrobe is just one way to make the holidays a bit more joyful and fun, don’t you think?

What would that look like…for you?

Sure, creating a full wardrobe that makes your heart sing is a fabulous concept and one that is definitely worth focusing on.  But right here and now when the holidays are right around the corner and you just want to feel good now, let’s look at some possibilities.

Here are 3 different options for a lovely, relaxed holiday gathering.  Of course, it’s important to put your own signature on whatever you wear but maybe this will inspire you.

1. Want cozy and feminine? How about a beautiful sweater dress.  And (here’s a great idea), how about if it is in a color other than black!  Try this Cowl Neck Dress (#1 pictured at the right): Click here for more informatiom. Although I absolutely do not recommend those shoes with the dress – even on her long, thin legs they look heavy and clunky!  If you really want to feel cozy, how about black tights and sleek knee high boots?  Add a touch of glam with some fun, sparkly earrings like these Amethyst Purple earrings (#2 pictured at the right): Click here for more information.

2. How about comfy and chic? Yes, it took me a while to embrace (again!) the whole concept of leggings but I have and I love it.  I wear ones that resemble very skinny, stretchy pants so they have a little more body to them than regular leggings and don’t feel so thin and exposed.  And, I always wear something long enough.  Try your favorite pair of leggings with fabulous boots and this sweater over a long sleeve top (that comes down at least crotch length).  Belt the underneath top with one of these fabulous belts (there are some really fun options for belts out there so choose one that speaks to your personality) and let the vest hang loosely (#3 pictured at the right). Click here for more information.

Belts:

The first belt is SO different and totally fun (obviously not for everyone but it’s sparkly and festive) (#4 pictured at the right): Click here for more information.

Stretchy belts are super comfortable and this one, although it has sparkle, is actually somewhat understated.  This adds some glam without being over the top (#5 pictured at the right):  Click here for more information.

This belt is much more casual and is different from the typical belt style we see out there (#6 pictured at the right): Click here for more information.

Don’t like belts?  Try letting the top flow loosely under the vest and wear a long necklace like this one (#7 pictured at the right): Click here for more information.

3.  Cozy, Casual Comfort. If jeans are your thing, step it up by wearing a dark wash jean that fits you beautifully (stretch is the key component) accompanied by your favorite sweater and add a fun faux fur scarf in a delicious color like black currant (#7 pictured at the right): Click here for more information or this fabulous red scrunchy scarf (#8 pictured at the right): Click here for more information. Talk about cozy and festive!

Need help tying a scarf?  Watch my scarf tying video to learn to tie it in a fun new way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYxVGkwB3TM

Whatever your look, be sure you choose it with intention and are not scrambling at the last minute to find something “acceptable” to wear.  This is a great opportunity to be you in a comfortable setting with people you love – so with a little advanced planning you can relax, enjoy, have fun and look great!

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a busier or more diversified vegan than Susan Daffron! Want to know how to write a book (hopefully a vegan one!), then Susan is the expert for you. Or, perhaps you want to know more about adopting a dog or cat from a shelter, Susan can help you there, too. On May 30 at 8 pm (eastern), I will talk to Susan about all her many talents and sharing lots of valuable information with you.

Susan Daffron aka The Book Consultant (http://www.TheBookConsultant.com) is the president of Logical Expressions, Inc. a book and software publishing company based in Sandpoint, Idaho. She is the award-winning author of 12 books (10 of which she published) and a contributor to 4 other books. The first book she published was Vegan Success: Scrumptious Healthy Vegan Recipes for Busy People (http://www.VeganSuccess.com).

Susan is also the President and Founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals (http://www.NAPRP.com), an association that offers tools and information to help people working in humane organizations save more companion animal lives.

Susan spends most of her time writing, laying out books in InDesign, or taking her five dogs out for romps in the forest. She also teaches people how to write and publish profitable client-attracting books and puts on the Self-Publishers Online conference (http://www.SelfPublishersOnlineConference.com) every May.

Please join me and my Co-Host, Marion, on Monday, May 30 at 8 pm for “Vegan and the Living Is Easy” www.blogtalkradio.com/gingerburr or call in at (347) 857-1293.

This is an animal lover’s nightmare. You spend countless hours scouring the stores for a fashionable coat that does not have real fur on it and finally, yay, you find one!

Then, you see something like the report I just saw on “Inside Edition,” and your heart sinks. Reporters went undercover to see if faux fur being sold in stores (Loehmann’s and Burlington Coat Factory) were truly faux.

Sadly, in each case, they found evidence of deception (not on the part of the stores but by the designers who purposefully sold miss-marked merchandise). Both rabbit and raccoon dog fur were found on garments that were labeled as faux.

So, buyer beware! Sadly, we have to be investigators in our own right, as much as possible, when we shop for winter coats. The offending label at Burlington Coat Factory was Ed Hardy (they have since removed all Ed Hardy coats).

To read (or watch) the entire report, go here: http://www.insideedition.com/news/5410/inside-edition-investigates-is-that-fake-fur-on-your-coat-really-fake.aspx

At the end of the story, you will find the link to learn how to tell real from faux.

Thank you for caring and being willing to take a stand for animals to wear their OWN fur!

I have to believe that most people buy fur because they are unaware of the pain, suffering and unfathomable abuse that goes into obtaining fur from a living being.  To think otherwise would just make me so sad and despairing.  I have to wonder how else anyone could wear it?

I must be clear that in actuality, wearing fur is the same as wearing leather.  The one difference is that the issue of fur has been newsworthy for decades!  Knowing where fur comes from and the horrors of how it is procured is not new news!  While we don’t often see paint drenched fur coats on the street any more (thankfully, since that is really not the way to raise awareness), we all know that the wearing of fur is (surprisingly!) a divisive issue and that there is a very good reason why so many people are passionate about not wearing it.

I am keenly aware that I have absolutely no chance of changing someone’s mind about fur who doesn’t really care (Nina Garcia and Michael Kors head the list!), but for those of you who are still reading, I know you must truly want to understand so I will keep writing.

The truth is that whether you’re wearing a full-length fur coat, fur trim on your cuffs, or fur-lined gloves, although the volume might be different, the essence is the same.  The fur comes from the same place…and it’s not pretty!

“Each year more than 9 million wild animals are trapped worldwide and then clubbed, strangled and stomped for their pelts. Caught painfully in steel-jaw leghold traps, wire snares and conibear traps, many fur bearers try to free themselves by chewing off their own feet only to die later from shock and blood loss. This act of self-mutilation illustrates how incredible the pain caused by steel-jaw traps really is for wolves, beavers, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and red and gray foxes. And for every “target” animal caught in one of these painful devices, two to ten times as many “non-target” animals are killed: hawks, owls, deer, and domestic cats and dogs.” (www.friendsofanimals.org)

And, that’s just the animals that are trapped.  Fur farms are equally as dreadful.  “There are no regulations protecting animals on fur ranches. Cages are typically kept in open sheds that provide little protection from wind, cold, or heat. In the winter, animals often have to endure sub-zero temperatures. Summers are particularly hard on minks because they lack the ability to cool their bodies without bathing in water.”  (www.friendsofanimals.org)

And, who wants a fur coat that has unsightly marks in it, I mean really!  All sarcasm aside, the animals are killed in gruesome ways just so nothing mars that beautiful fur and compromises its market value.  As a result, they are subjected to anal electrocution (fox), decompression chambers (doesn’t it feel hard to breathe just thinking of that!), or they can have their necks broken like most mink. http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/fur.htm

I absolutely cannot, in good conscience, wear something from a living being that endured that much misery.

Here’s the thing.  An animal’s fur is gorgeous so it makes sense that we’d admire it.  I look at Mickey’s tail (he’s my big orange kitty) and think, wow, how amazing is that plume of fur he walks around with every day, and Gracie, my little gray kitty, had fur that was bunny soft.  Would it ever, in a million years, occur to me to wear it?  Perish the thought!  And, I give the same respect to other living furry beings.

I can only hope that awareness will grow and people will look more and more for alternatives. I have to admit that I choose not to wear faux fur because, these days, it looks so real, and I don’t want someone to think I am wearing the real thing.  That’s my choice.  But, if you want the look you can have it without the bloodshed?

There are some amazing faux look-alikes.  Just check out www.fabulousfurs.com. Donna Salyers, President and founder of Fabulous-Furs, explains how it all began . . .“Inspiration for Fabulous-Furs came nearly two decades ago when I was on my way to purchase a mink coat. On my car radio, Paul Harvey described kittens being skinned to become “mink” teddy bears. Instead of buying a coat that day, I was inspired to create a luxurious alternative. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Fabulous-Furs would evolve into fine ready-to-wear, attracting a clientele of high-profile, internationally recognized celebrities. As a real-life Cinderella, it’s fabulous to see our guilt-free products in movies, on TV and Broadway. It’s gratifying to know that our products, in providing a luxurious alternative to real animal fur, bring joy to people all over the world, and at the same time, make unnecessary the destruction of countless animals.”

Or, here’s a pretty faux fur jacket from Nordstrom:

I really thought that fur was becoming more “unfashionable” to wear until I saw the article in Vogue, and my heart sank.  The fact is that it is not prestigious, elegant or in any way necessary to wear fur.  We can live without it so why not let the animals keep it as it was meant to be.

Bugs are not cuddly or cute (well, at least to most people they aren’t).  In fact, they are often scary or creepy looking.  Think about it.  When was the last time you cooed over a spider or hugged a beetle?  So, when I tell people that, as a vegan, I do not wear silk or use lipstick with carmine in it they shake their heads.  What’s the big deal?

Like most people I grew up with a fly swatter in the house and my first apartment after college had cockroaches which we regularly exterminated.  So, who would think that today I would get all riled up about what happens to bugs!

To be honest, I never really thought about bugs as living beings in terms of their capacity for suffering.  Bugs were bugs and they didn’t take up much space in my head (or heart).  The more I have learned, however, the more respect I have for who they are and what they do – and, most importantly, for their right to live free from our interference and abuse.

Let’s look briefly at three of the most commonly farmed insects.

Silkworms
Silk worms create their cocoons out of raw silk – actually, one long continuous thread (from 1000 to 3000 feet long).  When ready, the silk worm will eat its way out of the cocoon but, guess what…that action breaks the threads rendering the silk useless (for our use).  So, what do we do (in most cases)?  We throw the unbroken cocoons (with the silk worm still alive) into boiling water.  This kills the silkworm and leaves the thread intact.

Carmine (Cochineal) Beetles
It comes as a surprise to many to learn that the carmine (or cochineal) beetle is one of the primary sources of the red dyes in cosmetics (it is also used in food and by the pharmaceutical industry to color pills).  Since the fact that it comes from a beetle is left off the label, most people don’t give it much thought.  These beetles (like the silkworm) are harvested or farmed and then boiled alive before being dried to produce the sought-after dye.  You can learn more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cochineal

Bees
Bees are the most well-known farmed insect.  This is a huge topic – way too big for this article.  You can read more here: http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/fs-veganbeeornottobeeJan08.shtml

As you can imagine, so many people do not want to acknowledge what we do to cuddly animals in the name of fashion, so it comes as no surprise that it’s a lot harder to garner sympathy for creepy, crawly bugs.  My purpose here is to raise awareness on a topic that most people have never even considered.  I cannot help but encourage you to bring as much awareness and compassion as possible to the clothing and personal care choices you make.  I promise it’s easy to do and getting easier every day.  In fact, as I write this I am on my way to support a woman who has designed absolutely gorgeous, warm, cruelty-free winter coats.  I couldn’t have said that just a year ago!

Want to know more about being a vegan?  Listen to my new Vegan radio show:

Join me, Ginger Burr, a long-time self-described health nut and image consultant, and Marion Davis, a former serious meat eater and self-esteem guru as we explore the ins and outs of being a vegan on our talk radio show “Vegan and the Living Is Easy,” — every other Monday evening at 8 pm (eastern)  http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/VeganRadioDiva.shtml.  The next show is scheduled for Monday, February 22.

As of last month, I have a new appreciation of what it means to honor one’s personal style.  Why?  A friend and I went to see the Iris Apfel exhibit at the Peabody-Essex Museum.  Over the top doesn’t begin to describe her style.  Not even close!  If you ever worry that your outfit is bordering on flamboyant, just take a peek at her style and you will relax.  At 88, she has just now become a celebrated fashionista!

Iris Apfel is clearly no shrinking violet.  She has been known to wear bracelets the size of bowling balls – oh, sorry, they are bowling balls!  And, given the size and weight of the necklaces she wears, she must have neck and shoulder muscles that rival a professional athlete’s!  Thigh high boots were her trademark – often in outrageous fabrics and colors.  All in all, her outfits were more costumes than typical daily uniforms.

One look at her style, and it’s no surprise that she’s a big believer in self-expression.  I honor that belief myself and applaud her for bringing it to the forefront and walking her talk.  It is also impressive to note that she is not a walking mannequin.  She creates her own personal style and mixes and matches her outfits herself.  She loves exploring unusual sources for special “finds, ” and is known to pair haute couture with flea market treasures on a regular basis.

(One word of caution: Many of her outfits resembled a walking animal mortuary.  Sadly, she clearly has zero consciousness about animal exploitation and suffering as one outfit outdid the other when it came to exotic animal skins and fur.  Truly horrific!  The only saving grace is that she is nearly 90 now and many of these outfits date back decades.  We can only hope that she has more awareness and compassion now when she dresses.  I can tell you from personal experience that self-expression can run the gamut from quietly elegant to outrageous and flamboyant (and be cruelty free at the same time!))

The point here is that when you are deeply and thoroughly in touch with who you are your clothing becomes an extension of this.  While you do not have to wear 1970’s used flashcube bulbs as your earrings or ten necklaces at one time to make a statement, you can still use your wardrobe to express your own personal beauty and uniqueness. As Iris herself would say “Never take yourself or an outfit too seriously. ” And, my personal favorite, “Never fret about your age.”

And, let me add one a word of wisdom of my own — don’t ever let anyone impose their impression of who you are on you.  Personal exploration is great, coercion is not.  Stand out in your own delightful way. Own it!

The exhibit “Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel ” will be at the Peabody-Essex Museum (www.pem.org) through February 7.

Don’t know where to begin?  Check out my personal style home study program “Who Taught You How To Dress?” – www.whotaughtyouhowtodress.com

Learn more here: http://www.friendsofanimals.org/programs/fur/index.html