Even in tough economic times, surveys say that we still manage to squeeze into our budget some small indulgences – chocolate, ice cream, lipstick and … thank God, shoes.  One can debate whether or not shoes may be considered more of a necessity, (my vote), but what’s important right now is knowing that there’s no shortage of chic styles for all of us animal and planet loving kittens this season, and some are already on sale.  These personal faves stand out for overall quality and style.

(above)
Neuara vegan, flex over the knee boot in dark brown; (now $148)

(above)
LuLu’s Lollipop vegan suede over the knee flat boot in rust; ($73)

(above) NYC-based designer and vegan vixen Gina Ferraraccio of cri de coeur (crimes of the heart) never ceases to amaze.  Her Hearts of Darkness line kicks premium butt and ab fab booties on sale are totally on trend.  Try to not stop traffic in her Erin Leopard wedge boot…made in Los Angeles; recycled ultrasuede upper; reclaimed wood sole;  4″ wedge heel with 1″ hidden platform; ($390).  Are you an Amazon shopper?  Find many cri de coeur styles on sale!

(above) Also high on the pure vegan designer shoe scale is Sweden’s olsen haus.  I’m a sucker for blue suede shoes ($330 and $320); find these and many other cool olsen haus styles, including ankle boots, on Amazon.

(above) When all you really want is to slip into something warm and comfy, you don’t have to throw your personal style to the dogs.  Case in point: the Pestoe Cable Knit…Flats + certified organic cotton fleece lining; ($110) @ simpleshoes.com

Stuck in the Tundra?  Strap on the muckalucks!

Try these on for size – Timberland Earthkeepers @ onlineshoes.com ($149.95).

Savings Alert:  (at right) order today and receive 20% off by using code SAVE20 at checkout.

And that’s a wrap for today, mi amigas.  As always, feel free to jump in with your eco fashionable booty call faves.

Kick around and have a fun, low carbon impact weekend.

This mini-workstation is designed by BuzziSpace, a design collaboration that specializes in using recycled, flexible and acoustic products.  Though many people today live and work in open floor plan lofts and offices, there still remains the need for a little privacy now and again – a cubby to make a quick phone call or work in peaceful solitude insulated from the surrounding turmoil.

Designer Alain Gilles’ solution – the BuzziBooth – a felty phone booth made of sound-insulating, recycled plastic (rPET) felt that dampens outside sounds.  Referred to by the designers as, “micro-architecture for maxi spaces.”

• Mudslides imminent – they have no trees. Devastated Haiti Braces for Hurricane Tomas – cnn
• Old school scientific method…New Snub-Nosed Monkey Discovered, Eaten – natgeo
• With newfound prosperity comes pollution…China Says Car Sales Boom is Ruining Air Quality – yahoo! news
• Moving away from the ‘dark side’? Analysis: For Dow Chemical, Solar Shingles a New Path – reuters
• Are more ‘space snack’ comets out there? Probe Sweeps Past ‘Space Peanut’ – bbc
• No Facebook or texting, just a loin cloth and a dream…Neanderthals Were More Promiscuous Than Modern Humans, Fossils Suggest – sciencedaily
• Quest for Oil Gets More Remote, Riskier – msnbc