How to Find a Red Carpet Dress

Dandelion Daydreamer (Etsy) - see details below

We all need a little 'wow' dress for those special occasions that pop up throughout the year. So how does an ethical girl find such a dress? Firstly, try vintage. You get the 'no-one-else-will-be-wearing-this-dress' guarantee with a vintage purchase and you'll probably save oodles!

Look online at places like Etsy for glam vintage dresses or visit the online sites of popular vintage stores such as Rokit in London. If online isn't your thang, try stopping by your local vintage or second-hand shop. Keep your style icon in mind as you scour the rails and try to find a dress that they would wear. Whether it is classic or kooky, vintage stores are bound to have something to suit your style.

If you are looking to buy a new dress, just be sure to stick to the 'where & what' philosophy. Find out where the dress was made and what fabric the dress is made from. I always want my new pieces to be made fair trade and with friendly fabrics such as organic, natural fibres. No synthentics or animal by-products.

Have fun shopping!

Blue Vintage Dress - Dandelion Daydreamer (Etsy) $188

Mini Grape and Rosemary Focacce Recipe

I've just made these small focaccia breads today and they're officially my new favourite things to bake! They're easy, pretty, tasty and fill you up with a little baker's pride. These small yet plump packages look rather stunning when studded with purple grapes (which were picked from outside the vines on our verandah). The sweetness is combined with a savouriness from the sea salt and rosemary and makes for a stellar combination. These would be ideal for picnics, snacks or with salads and soups.

Bread
To make the bread, I based it on a recipe by Delia which used -
2 1/3 cups plain white flour (I used organic)
1/2 t salt (Maldon sea salt)
2 t yeast
1 1/2 T extra virgin olive oil

Topping
2 t rosemary, chopped finely
1 t sea salt
3 T olive oil

To make

• Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl and then add the yeast, approximately one cup of warm water and 1 1/2 T of olive oil
• Knead for 10 minutes and then let it rest for 1 1/2 hours (covered)
  
• Knead for 2-3 minutes and then shape into small circles
• Using your fingers, make indentations in the bread and then fill with seedless grapes and sprinkle with sea salt and olive oil
• Allow the bread to rest (covered) for 30 minutes
• Drizzle the bread with some water and then bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 190°C.

t: teaspoon
T: tablespoon

Enjoy!

No Post Today

Sending my positive thoughts and best wishes to the people affected by the Christchurch earthquake. I hope you and your city can heal through the love and support the rest of the country and world are sending your way.

image credit: unknown

How To Eat Healthily When Travelling

I adore good, home-cooking and using vegan and SLO ingredients (seasonal, local and organic). Ever since I left the UK just before Christmas and have been travelling and living out of a suitcase (parted from my much-loved Le Creuset pots), I have really struggled to find the food I like. Plus, it can be so expensive eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

One recipe I used for many dinners as I was travelling was this couscous dish. It's easy, tasty and economical. Using a tiffin box I had packed with me, I simply poured some couscous into it and added boiling water from a hotel or motel kettle/jug and placed a lid over it for five minutes. Once the couscous had heated through, I seasoned it with a little natural sea salt and pepper and then I added marinated artichokes and peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach. The final flourish was a generous spritz of lemon juice. This is crucial because it gives a lovely zing to the meal. Delish!

Hopefully, you can give this idea a try when you're next travelling and remember to bring your own cutlery! This way you can eat well but still save a bit of money and excess packaging and plastic.

Outfit Idea - Dress Me Vintage

Continuing on with my love of all things country this week, I've put together an outfit that would be ideal for picnicking, festivals and fairs. All the pieces are vintage for top green points and the whole look comes in at US $150! Proof that vintage shopping is worth it.

Outfit details and where to buy -
White Boho Blouse - Kitten Paws Vintage ($21)
1970s Straw Purse - The Dust Peddler ($18)
Silver Butterfly Pendant - Rabugi ($40)
Lavender Canvas Wedges - Marie's Vintage ($32)
Leopard Print Skirt - Ramona West ($39)

Image Credits: individual Etsy sellers as listed above

Meet My New 'Neigh'bour

I had to share this photo of my new neighbour. I opened my bedroom curtains the other day and was so surprised to find a horse there, perfectly framed by the flowers and greenery. I'm loving this country life! Horses outside my bedroom, passing sheep and cows when I go out walking. It's all very Little House on the Prairie and so different for me. I'm used to the constant sirens and noise of London but I think I could get used to the quiet of the country.

Natural Ways to Flavour Water

I love these ideas for perking up plain water from Donna Hay, particularly the suggestion of sliced green apples and mint leaves. New Zealand is pretty hot at the moment so I can't wait to give some of these drinks a try soon! You can read more at Donna Hay

image: Donna Hay

Vintage Fashion Find of the Day

It's a parade of pretty dresses at the moment with awards season in full swing. Here's a sweet vintage dress I found while perusing Etsy. It's circa 1960s and would look spiffy during the day or stunning for the evening.
Available at Oldage (Etsy) - US $58 (extra small)

image: Oldage

New Year, New Zealand

Cape Palliser - North Island

February is here and I haven't wished the readers of this blog a happy New Year yet! I hope your 2011 has been overflowing with great things so far and continues to do so.

I arrived in New Zealand on New Year's Day. I did fly here but judging by the lack of posts, you may have thought I'd sailed here! We flew via San Francisco and stayed a few nights. San Francisco was freezing but fun and all a bit of a blur as we were recovering from jet lag and the big house move. I think I saw the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf and some cute shopping areas such as Chestnut Street.

We arrived in Auckland and then began our road trip towards Wellington. The scenery was everything you imagine New Zealand to be. Blue skies, warm weather, sheep and vast open spaces! When we hit Wellington we found it to be stunning but it still had that urban feel. We decided to rent on the outskirts for awhile until we decide where to buy / work / find the place of our dreams!

I have lots to catch you up on and to share over the coming weeks like the shop in Wellington selling great second-hand jeans for $4 (I'm talking Abercrombie and Fitch), the place to buy organic, package free food and the best dark chocolate (organic, fair trade and lecithin-free). I also have to show you how I survived travelling on the 'tiffin box diet' to avoid plastic and fast food and I also have to show you how we are setting up house from scratch, the ethical way.

It definitely feels like the start of a new life in New Zealand. I'm excited to share some of the journey here on Green Lashes and Fashion.

BTW, here's a book I found on the shelf of the place we are renting. Hope it's a sign of things to come!

Tara x