One of my very favorite recycled leather handbag designers (Ashley Watson) is now doing jewelry (Watson Jewelry). And just like her handbags, I love everything. But if I HAD to choose a favorite, it would be this agate bracelet:

Ashley handcrafts everything in Vancouver using vintage materials whenever possible. But I especially love her inspired-but-not-literal interpretation of antique jewelry; she keeps it totally modern for today’s woman.

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I’m swooning over this tote made from vintage English mailbags at Lamb’s Ear Shoes:

Love the zippers and the nice, worn-in look. This tote will last forever…it’s already been around for a while

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I’m slowly getting my vintage “feet” wet; it doesn’t hurt that there are so many amazing vintage stores here in Austin. I will admit I still haven’t bought anything yet, besides my woven tote, but I know where to go when I’m ready to buy: Feathers Boutique locally, and Market Publique online. Besides the fact that I consider Pamela a friend, Market Publique is super-easy to browse & shop from for a newbie like me. And I am IN LOVE with the new vintage jewelry collaboration with Dirty Librarian Charms.

My favorite piece. I need it.

But every piece is worth looking at – seriously. I’m having a hard time keeping my credit card in my wallet…

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Remember when the “trend” in jewelry was circles; floating circles, linked circles, delicate circles? Well count yourself old-fashioned if you’re still wearing your circle necklace, it’s all about the triangle now. I couldn’t tell you how or who started with triangle jewelry, but I won’t complain, I kind of like it. And I really love that it’s seemed to have taken hold most strongly among independent jewelry designers and artists who are using recycled/vintage items.

Here are a few of my favorites (there are SO MANY I’m going to have to separate them in to several posts…stay tuned!!) from etsy.com:

by scoutholiday (this one might be my favorite)

by GATHERJEWELRY:

by littleobywolfbrother:

by ozetta:

by Garnett Jewlery:

Next week I’ll show you more of my favorites…but in the mean time, do you have any favorites? please share!

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I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t do much vintage shopping, but I’d like to. Or at least I THINK I’d like to! With the abundance of amazing vintage shops here in Austin and more I’m finding everyday online, there’s no reason not to do more vintage shopping; I think the secret is knowing what you’re looking for. Most of the time, I have no idea what I’m looking for (I browse a lot), but recently, I was on a quest for a woven bucket tote like I had in the 80′s and wore to pieces. I remembered seeing one featured in a magazine recently, so I thought they’d be easy to find, but they weren’t until I added “vintage” to my search terms!

Anyway, I checked a couple of my favorite vintage places online like Market Publique and Nickie Frye and Bluebird Vintage, and came up empty. Then I remembered I was following another vintage seller on twitter, Santoki, and quickly popped over to check out her shop, and guess what I found?? THE PERFECT BAG – for $24 (BONUS!!! She’s in Austin, so I met her somewhere quick to pick it up):

(that’s my outfit featuring the bag on June 11th – I’ve been carrying it ever since, even though one of the straps snapped off. I just had to tie it back on…easy peasy )

And now she has a couple more woven tote bags, I’m insanely tempted by the first, but can’t afford it right now…

There’s just something about carrying a tote made of earthy-fiber during the Summer; it feels less fussy and “hot” than leather. And I love that I never have to worry about it getting ruined or caught in the rain. It also holds EVERYTHING.

Anyway, although I don’t do it as much as I’d like, I consider buying vintage/used, the ONLY way to be truly eco-friendly when buying clothes & accessories. It’s not always possible or desirable, but it’s the only way to make sure no additional resources are being used up in production. And of course, it’s better if you buy locally to save energy costs required for shipping…but like I always say, just do the best you can

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I just got the head’s up on new vintage boutique, Chic and you shall find, via Refinery29, and I’ve already found a few “must-have” pieces! How timely, considering I recently decided that I’d like to explore more vintage shopping, both online & off, after meeting Pamela from Market Publique (she is SOOO cute) and learning about some very cool vintage boutiques here in Austin.

This “robe” is very interesting – you can do a lot with it! Obviously, in warmer weather, it would be lovely layered over a tank dress with super-high platform sandals, or now, you could wear it with skinny jeans and a cardigan. So many outfits, and only $48…

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One of Green Grechen’s lovely sponsors (I couldn’t do it without them), LA Vintage, has re-designed their site and is now offering 20% off to anyone who signs up for their e-mail newsletter through Facebook (they also run other periodic promotions, and it’s a great way to see new vintage items they’ve added). I also particularly love LA Vintage for their plus-size vintage fashions; they have such a nice selection!

Here are just some of the fun items they have on the site right now (I wish I could pull off that floral maxi-caftan in the middle!):

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Over at my other site, grechenscodes.com, I’ve put together a Black Friday/Cyber Monday discounts & giveaways event full of great discounts from independent online boutiques & designers to help you save money & support indie design at the same time! Please check over there for the full list of coupons & giveaways, but I’ll also be posting the eco-fashion deals here, so you won’t miss out

Here’s a teaser of some codes valid now, check back during the week for more!!

Fashion Philanthropy – use code “grechenTGIF” for 50% off your order of $200 or more non-sale items through 11/30. These Cheeky Monkey earrings would make a great gift:

Green with Glamour – use code GRECHEN33 for 33% off regularly-priced items through 12/1. I don’t know who wouldn’t want a robe…especially a super-soft organic cotton robe…

The Vintage Clothing Boutique – use code grechen30 for 30% off your order. Expires 11/30. How about a floor length blue vintage dress to stand out from the crowd at your obligatory holiday parties??

Giveaways will be posted on Thursday…you won’t want to miss your chance to enter to win these:
A Soiree bag & Clutch of your choice from Crystalyn Kae
A $250 Gift Certificate to Envi!!

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There’s vintage, and then there’s vintage CHANEL. I can’t say I’ve ever really been a big Chanel fan, but the classic quilted flap bag is growing on me. I could definitely see myself owning one someday, and I think it would be vintage. Vintage Chanel just has personality and a history a brand new bag wouldn’t have – I’d love to know I was carrying a bag that someone else had treasured. And a few years ago, I did become somewhat obsessed with Chanel jewelry – I’d love to fina a pair of vintage logo earrings, or a necklace.

Shopbop has teamed up with What Comes Around Goes Around Vintage to offer periodic Chanel pieces for sale online – including bags & jewelry. They’re totally out of my reach for the forseeable future, but it never hurts to look, right?

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I’m become more and more interested in vintage clothing lately, I love the idea of pre-loved clothing, the history of the pieces, and the thrill of the hunt. I haven’t actually done it yet for lack of time, but perhaps when I move to Austin, TX, I’ll explore some of the wonderful vintage shops there. Anyway, one of the things that does hold me back from vintage shopping is the fear of not being able to find anything in my size. I know that’s not necessarily accurate, but whenever I do browse some of my favorite online vintage boutiques, the pieces I love are WAY too small according to the measurements (I’m generally a size 12, but my hips are HUGE ) and since I don’t have any experience with vintage shopping, the task seems daunting.

To make it easier, though, LA Vintage has just added a “Plus Size” section filled with lovely dresses, tops & skirts:

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