The Little Boy Who Loves Pink Nailpolish

This story is amazing, even a Mother’s beautiful love and acceptance of her son isn’t safe from right-wingers.
The clothing store J. Crew released an ad this week (below) that featured the company’s president and creative director Jenna Lyons painting the toenails of her son Beckett. The text read: “Saturday with Jenna: Lucky for me, I ended up with a boy whose favorite color is pink. Toenail painting is way more fun in neon.”

Image via hollybaby-com

Needless to say, the wingnuts went ballistic and attacked J. Crew for allegedly distorting gender roles – which presumably will turn kids gay or transgender. Erin Brown of the right-wing Media Research Center called the ad “blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children.”
FOX commentator Dr. Keith Albow chimed with this “brilliant” nugget of advice:
“Yeah, well, it may be fun and games now, Jenna, but at least put some money aside for psychotherapy for the kid-and maybe a little for others who’ll be affected by your ‘innocent’ pleasure.”
Dr. Jack Drescher, a respected New York City psychiatrist, disputed claims that toenail painting will influence a child’s sexuality. He says that sexual orientation comes from deep inside a person, not from superficial outside influences like toenail polish.  Who didn’t play with gender roles as a kid?  This is a part of growing up, this is more normal than normal.
“I can say with 100 percent certainty that a mother painting her children’s toe nails pink does not cause transgenderism or homosexuality or anything else that people who are social conservatives would worry about,” Dr. Drescher told ABC News.
Clearly, anti-gay forces are gearing up to exploit this situation and sexualize this innocent ad for political gain. In their zeal to recreate their mythical version of 1950′s America, they will no doubt savage J. Crew and flood the company with e-mails demanding that they dump the ad.
Let’s not let the voices of religious extremism and cultural rigidity be the only ones heard by J. Crew. Please sign this petition today thanking J. Crew for the company’s willingness to publish this fine ad. Let this company know that their real customer-base is not closed-minded bigots, but forward-thinking progressives who don’t agree with self-righteous scolds like Dr. Keith Albow.

Juicy Contest: Win This Gorgeous Nixxi Dress

Talking about #winning. The Empress Dress is that perfect a-line, sweetheart neckline, halter strap girlie girl dress that suits  every figure, from the sexy stringbean to the gorgeously zaftig. It’s in eco linen, and available in numerous colors, and you can alter the wrap so it can tie anywhere on the dress.  It’s one of those pieces that are so easy to wear, day or night, it’s that total spring-with-a-cardigan to summer-with-flip-flops go-to dress.

Nixxi Empress Dress, $160 @nixxi.ca (available in grey, sky blue, black, white, and feather)

Nixxi is a Canadian company designed by Jada-lee Watson. The line is produced ethically in Vancouver, BC – the local production house employs fair wages and a comfortable working environment for employees. Their fabrics come from fibers grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers or from fast-growing renewable crops. Nixxi is all about making fashionable pieces that are made well so they can live in your closet for years. There’s a lot less waste that way, and a lot less to add to your clothing swap piles.

HOW TO ENTER: Make sure to be a member of GirlieGirl Army (only registered subscribers are eligible to win, so if you aren’t yet a member, sign up and then enter.) Then, leave a comment below and a winner will be chosen by the designer at random on May 1, 2011. Bon chance!

The Little Boy Who Loves Pink Nailpolish

This story is amazing, even a Mother’s beautiful love and acceptance of her son isn’t safe from right-wingers.
The clothing store J. Crew released an ad this week (below) that featured the company’s president and creative director Jenna Lyons painting the toenails of her son Beckett. The text read: “Saturday with Jenna: Lucky for me, I ended up with a boy whose favorite color is pink. Toenail painting is way more fun in neon.”

Image via hollybaby-com

Needless to say, the wingnuts went ballistic and attacked J. Crew for allegedly distorting gender roles – which presumably will turn kids gay or transgender. Erin Brown of the right-wing Media Research Center called the ad “blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children.”
FOX commentator Dr. Keith Albow chimed with this “brilliant” nugget of advice:
“Yeah, well, it may be fun and games now, Jenna, but at least put some money aside for psychotherapy for the kid-and maybe a little for others who’ll be affected by your ‘innocent’ pleasure.”
Dr. Jack Drescher, a respected New York City psychiatrist, disputed claims that toenail painting will influence a child’s sexuality. He says that sexual orientation comes from deep inside a person, not from superficial outside influences like toenail polish.  Who didn’t play with gender roles as a kid?  This is a part of growing up, this is more normal than normal.
“I can say with 100 percent certainty that a mother painting her children’s toe nails pink does not cause transgenderism or homosexuality or anything else that people who are social conservatives would worry about,” Dr. Drescher told ABC News.
Clearly, anti-gay forces are gearing up to exploit this situation and sexualize this innocent ad for political gain. In their zeal to recreate their mythical version of 1950′s America, they will no doubt savage J. Crew and flood the company with e-mails demanding that they dump the ad.
Let’s not let the voices of religious extremism and cultural rigidity be the only ones heard by J. Crew. Please sign this petition today thanking J. Crew for the company’s willingness to publish this fine ad. Let this company know that their real customer-base is not closed-minded bigots, but forward-thinking progressives who don’t agree with self-righteous scolds like Dr. Keith Albow.

Juicy Contest: Win This Gorgeous Nixxi Dress

Talking about #winning. The Empress Dress is that perfect a-line, sweetheart neckline, halter strap girlie girl dress that suits  every figure, from the sexy stringbean to the gorgeously zaftig. It’s in eco linen, and available in numerous colors, and you can alter the wrap so it can tie anywhere on the dress.  It’s one of those pieces that are so easy to wear, day or night, it’s that total spring-with-a-cardigan to summer-with-flip-flops go-to dress.

Nixxi Empress Dress, $160 @nixxi.ca (available in grey, sky blue, black, white, and feather)

Nixxi is a Canadian company designed by Jada-lee Watson. The line is produced ethically in Vancouver, BC – the local production house employs fair wages and a comfortable working environment for employees. Their fabrics come from fibers grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers or from fast-growing renewable crops. Nixxi is all about making fashionable pieces that are made well so they can live in your closet for years. There’s a lot less waste that way, and a lot less to add to your clothing swap piles.

HOW TO ENTER: Make sure to be a member of GirlieGirl Army (only registered subscribers are eligible to win, so if you aren’t yet a member, sign up and then enter.) Then, leave a comment below and a winner will be chosen by the designer at random on May 1, 2011. Bon chance!

Win ANY Item From This Fabulous Eco-Boutique! Plus 15% Off Purchases!

Because you are always looking for a way to ethically fill your wardrobe, we are super psyched to be introducing you to Future:Standard, a spanking new online ethical clothing boutique that we are spending way too many late night hours surfing.

Future:Standard was started by Jessica Althoff as a way for her to find clothing that was gorgeous, green and in line with her values, luckily – she decided to share it with all of us!  Everything on the site is made with respect to the earth and the people producing it.  The shop carries items made in the US, organics and other sustainable materials, made using sustainable practices and those using socially responsible methods and fair trade practices.  It’s easy to say you carry eco-clothes, but this site goes a step further than just carrying organic and sustainable clothing, they ensure everything  is made in a socially responsible manner (we are talking factory visits,) with concern for those that are making it.
Anyone who thinks eco-friendly clothing is too expensive is clearly unaware of all the external costs that the alternative has. When you purchase a $6 tee, you aren’t taking into account the external costs like pesticides, unsafe working conditions and unfair wages.  Ethical clothing companies actual charge the true cost and that is what the customer is paying for.  It makes you feel very good about paying a fair price.  To get around this, take care of your clothes, buy high quality, fix things if you can, line dry and of course – wait for a sale!
Why we love it?
It’s a beautifully edited and curated collection of the eco-chicest items we’ve found in an online shop. The site is clean and easily navigated, and there is always a juicy sale section. This is a site any fashionista, earth-loving or not, would be proud to shop on. Plus, the prices are much lower than most of the green clothing sites we shop. Negs? It could use some vegan bags and shoes!
Why the name Future:Standard? Because Jessica is looking forward to the day when clothing does not need to be described as green and ethical, that it is assumed that everything is made this way and that all of this is the standard, so, Future:Standard.
What we love off the site?
This ruffled maxi dress screams summer cocktails. We love the versatility of this cozy dress.

(Elias Maxi Dress available in more gorgeous colors by bleuFEATHER $102 @shopfuturestandard.com)

This brass and gold multi strand multi length necklace is Hand made using fair trade practices. Gorge. And check out the nips on that mannequin!

(Eight Chain Necklace, $66 by Lena Bernard @shopfuturestandard.com)

Threads for Thought uses sustainable fabrics to create comfortable, beautiful and socially conscious clothing. Then they donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, which we love.  These cozy message tees make us smiley.
(Earth Lover Tank, $28 @shopfuturestandard.com)

No pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, harsh bleaches, or gnarly stuff near your ‘gine when you wear PACT panties. Love! PACT partners with environmental and social justice nonprofits to promote and support causes that make a positive difference in the world, from reforestation and marine preservation to youth literacy and sustainable development in Haiti. We think the PACT story is almost as great as the wonderfully cozy underwear.
(Night Lights Thong, $18 @shopfuturestandard.com)

Here’s a contest you won’t hear about anywhere else:Win your favorite item – any item!! – from the shop!
Make sure you are a subscriber (if not, sign up stat) and leave a creative comment HERE about how you’ll wear the item and why you love it and Jessica Althoff will choose her favorite comment on  and we will let you know via email.
PLUS: GirlieGirlArmy.com subscribers can get 15% off everything in this ethical shop! Use code GIRLIEGIRLARMY in the “company” field at checkout, your discount will be reflected on your credit card statement.

Win ANY Item From This Fabulous Eco-Boutique! Plus 15% Off Purchases!

Because you are always looking for a way to ethically fill your wardrobe, we are super psyched to be introducing you to Future:Standard, a spanking new online ethical clothing boutique that we are spending way too many late night hours surfing.

Future:Standard was started by Jessica Althoff as a way for her to find clothing that was gorgeous, green and in line with her values, luckily – she decided to share it with all of us!  Everything on the site is made with respect to the earth and the people producing it.  The shop carries items made in the US, organics and other sustainable materials, made using sustainable practices and those using socially responsible methods and fair trade practices.  It’s easy to say you carry eco-clothes, but this site goes a step further than just carrying organic and sustainable clothing, they ensure everything  is made in a socially responsible manner (we are talking factory visits,) with concern for those that are making it.
Anyone who thinks eco-friendly clothing is too expensive is clearly unaware of all the external costs that the alternative has. When you purchase a $6 tee, you aren’t taking into account the external costs like pesticides, unsafe working conditions and unfair wages.  Ethical clothing companies actual charge the true cost and that is what the customer is paying for.  It makes you feel very good about paying a fair price.  To get around this, take care of your clothes, buy high quality, fix things if you can, line dry and of course – wait for a sale!
Why we love it?
It’s a beautifully edited and curated collection of the eco-chicest items we’ve found in an online shop. The site is clean and easily navigated, and there is always a juicy sale section. This is a site any fashionista, earth-loving or not, would be proud to shop on. Plus, the prices are much lower than most of the green clothing sites we shop. Negs? It could use some vegan bags and shoes!
Why the name Future:Standard? Because Jessica is looking forward to the day when clothing does not need to be described as green and ethical, that it is assumed that everything is made this way and that all of this is the standard, so, Future:Standard.
What we love off the site?
This ruffled maxi dress screams summer cocktails. We love the versatility of this cozy dress.

(Elias Maxi Dress available in more gorgeous colors by bleuFEATHER $102 @shopfuturestandard.com)

This brass and gold multi strand multi length necklace is Hand made using fair trade practices. Gorge. And check out the nips on that mannequin!

(Eight Chain Necklace, $66 by Lena Bernard @shopfuturestandard.com)

Threads for Thought uses sustainable fabrics to create comfortable, beautiful and socially conscious clothing. Then they donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, which we love.  These cozy message tees make us smiley.
(Earth Lover Tank, $28 @shopfuturestandard.com)

No pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, harsh bleaches, or gnarly stuff near your ‘gine when you wear PACT panties. Love! PACT partners with environmental and social justice nonprofits to promote and support causes that make a positive difference in the world, from reforestation and marine preservation to youth literacy and sustainable development in Haiti. We think the PACT story is almost as great as the wonderfully cozy underwear.
(Night Lights Thong, $18 @shopfuturestandard.com)

Here’s a contest you won’t hear about anywhere else:Win your favorite item – any item!! – from the shop!
Make sure you are a subscriber (if not, sign up stat) and leave a creative comment HERE about how you’ll wear the item and why you love it and Jessica Althoff will choose her favorite comment on  and we will let you know via email.
PLUS: GirlieGirlArmy.com subscribers can get 15% off everything in this ethical shop! Use code GIRLIEGIRLARMY in the “company” field at checkout, your discount will be reflected on your credit card statement.

Junk Your Junk Mail

You haven’t wanted the Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog since the internet was invented, so why do you still get bombarded with them Monthly? Americans receive 100 billion pieces of unsolicited mail, resulting in tons of waste, consumer privacy issues and environmental degradation.

To help save thousands of trees this Earth Day, Catalog Choice—a non-profit mail preference service—is calling on individuals to stop unwanted mail at the source. Since every day is earth day at GirlieGirl Army, we aren’t going to hit you up with some ridonkulous “what to consume on earth day” email including things like grass-fed beef and eco-fur (how dumb do marketing companies think we are?!)  We know how nice it is to sometimes get a kick in the tuchus to push just a little harder to be just a little better (whatever that means to you.)
So, today’s arm-chair activism task is, stop getting junk mail.
If we all commit to this for one day we would:
·         save over 1,400 trees and avoid over 200,000 pounds of solid waste annually.
·         reduce paper, resulting in saved treed, water and electricity.
·         help businesses cull uninterested parties from their lists.

Junk Your Junk Mail

You haven’t wanted the Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog since the internet was invented, so why do you still get bombarded with them Monthly? Americans receive 100 billion pieces of unsolicited mail, resulting in tons of waste, consumer privacy issues and environmental degradation.

To help save thousands of trees this Earth Day, Catalog Choice—a non-profit mail preference service—is calling on individuals to stop unwanted mail at the source. Since every day is earth day at GirlieGirl Army, we aren’t going to hit you up with some ridonkulous “what to consume on earth day” email including things like grass-fed beef and eco-fur (how dumb do marketing companies think we are?!)  We know how nice it is to sometimes get a kick in the tuchus to push just a little harder to be just a little better (whatever that means to you.)
So, today’s arm-chair activism task is, stop getting junk mail.
If we all commit to this for one day we would:
·         save over 1,400 trees and avoid over 200,000 pounds of solid waste annually.
·         reduce paper, resulting in saved treed, water and electricity.
·         help businesses cull uninterested parties from their lists.

Eat Pure: What To Do And Eat In Seattle

Ready to get your gourmet feasting on in all the major cities.. sans animal flesh and emissions ? Eat Pure…A Monthly Taste hooks you up with Sarah-Mai Miller’s adventures. Sarah is the foodie behind Eat Pure, a veg food + travel blog. She shares her culinary adventures with us monthly, and this Month is Seattle, WA.

My first trip to Seattle was a short one, a mere 2 1/2 days. But I managed to make the most of my time and eat at some truly incredible places. And as luck would have it, the sun was shining the entire time. As soon as I landed, I headed straight to Pike Place Market. It’s such a lovely open air market with fruits, vegetables and flowers galore.

Gorgeous bouquets of flowers…

Oranges, apples, pears, avocados, yams…

Lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers and beets…

Garlic, leeks, tomatoes, peppers…and on and on and on, truly the most amazing market I’ve seen.

There are also several restaurants inside of Pike Place. My husband and I stopped at The Athenian Inn for a quick lunch. As soon as we walked in, it was strangely familiar to me. Then I noticed the red plaques on the counter…this is where Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks filmed part of Sleepless in Seattle, one of my favorite cheesy, oh so sappy movies.

We started with the Roasted Garlic Hummus with fresh vegetables and pita.

And I ordered a vegan version of the Greek salad , perfect fuel for walking around a new city.

On a side note, a short walk from Pike Place is a sweet little boutique called Watson Kennedy. The entire store is arranged by color, a perfect marriage of aesthetics and functionality. They sell vintage letterpress blocks, fleur de sel, local artwork and Savon de Marseille, among so many other unique and charming indulgences.

That evening, we had dinner outside at Japonessa. They have several kinds of vegetable nigiri, including Sweet Roasted Red Pepper and beautifully presented Avocado Cucumber.

I also ordered the Spicy Tomato Tofu. The sauce is spicy, filled with tomatoes and onions and just plain delicious. I did ask them to make sure there was no fish sauce in the dish, just to be on the safe side. Fish and eel sauces commonly sneak into many vegetable and tofu dishes.

The next morning, I rode a bus about 45 minutes from my hotel just to taste the legendary all vegan/ organic donut shop, Mighty-O Donuts.

The space is really charming and they have so many flavor options.

I decided on the Chocolate Raspberry + the Vanilla Strawberry with a soy latte. Is there anything better than that? The answer is no.

These donuts were full of flavor, fluffy yet substantial and completely worth the trip.

For lunch I took a recommendation from a friend and headed to Cyber Dogs.

They have several kinds of veggie hot dogs with various toppings. They offer both vegetarian and vegan options. I went with the El Bandito, complete with chili, homemade vegan cheese sauce, avocado, salsa and fresh green onions. Everything about this hot dog was incredible – the flavors, the texture, the combination’s. Above all, the cheese sauce was out of this world. If you’re ever in Seattle, it’s a must try.

Later that day, we stopped in Table 219 for a mid afternoon snack. The weather was beautiful and the restaurant had their enormous doors open. On the menu that day was an Heirloom Tomato special with olive oil, sea salt and basil. It had such a beautiful presentation and great flavor.

For our last dinner in the city, it had to be Plum Bistro. I’d heard so much about this restaurant and couldn’t wait to partake.

We started with the Avocado Roll – brown rice & nori roll with avocado, carrots, asparagus, lettuce, vegan cheese, chipotle mayo & sesame seeds. A lovely way to start, much more complexity and depth than any other Avocado Roll I’ve encountered.

We also shared a Romaine salad filled with crispy tempeh, freshly baked croutons, lemon, red onion and vegan caesar dressing. I absolutely cannot resist a vegan creamy dressing.

And you can’t visit Plum Bistro without experiencing their Spicy Cajun Mac ‘N’ Yease. Spicy, creamy and extremely comforting. Vegan awesomeness.

My time in Seattle was short lived, but a huge foodie success. The city completely lived up to my expectations. I’m still dreaming about those donuts. A walkable city, with amazing scenery and vegan Mac and Cheese. I’m sold.

Eat Pure: What To Do And Eat In Seattle

Ready to get your gourmet feasting on in all the major cities.. sans animal flesh and emissions ? Eat Pure…A Monthly Taste hooks you up with Sarah-Mai Miller’s adventures. Sarah is the foodie behind Eat Pure, a veg food + travel blog. She shares her culinary adventures with us monthly, and this Month is Seattle, WA.

My first trip to Seattle was a short one, a mere 2 1/2 days. But I managed to make the most of my time and eat at some truly incredible places. And as luck would have it, the sun was shining the entire time. As soon as I landed, I headed straight to Pike Place Market. It’s such a lovely open air market with fruits, vegetables and flowers galore.

Gorgeous bouquets of flowers…

Oranges, apples, pears, avocados, yams…

Lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers and beets…

Garlic, leeks, tomatoes, peppers…and on and on and on, truly the most amazing market I’ve seen.

There are also several restaurants inside of Pike Place. My husband and I stopped at The Athenian Inn for a quick lunch. As soon as we walked in, it was strangely familiar to me. Then I noticed the red plaques on the counter…this is where Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks filmed part of Sleepless in Seattle, one of my favorite cheesy, oh so sappy movies.

We started with the Roasted Garlic Hummus with fresh vegetables and pita.

And I ordered a vegan version of the Greek salad , perfect fuel for walking around a new city.

On a side note, a short walk from Pike Place is a sweet little boutique called Watson Kennedy. The entire store is arranged by color, a perfect marriage of aesthetics and functionality. They sell vintage letterpress blocks, fleur de sel, local artwork and Savon de Marseille, among so many other unique and charming indulgences.

That evening, we had dinner outside at Japonessa. They have several kinds of vegetable nigiri, including Sweet Roasted Red Pepper and beautifully presented Avocado Cucumber.

I also ordered the Spicy Tomato Tofu. The sauce is spicy, filled with tomatoes and onions and just plain delicious. I did ask them to make sure there was no fish sauce in the dish, just to be on the safe side. Fish and eel sauces commonly sneak into many vegetable and tofu dishes.

The next morning, I rode a bus about 45 minutes from my hotel just to taste the legendary all vegan/ organic donut shop, Mighty-O Donuts.

The space is really charming and they have so many flavor options.

I decided on the Chocolate Raspberry + the Vanilla Strawberry with a soy latte. Is there anything better than that? The answer is no.

These donuts were full of flavor, fluffy yet substantial and completely worth the trip.

For lunch I took a recommendation from a friend and headed to Cyber Dogs.

They have several kinds of veggie hot dogs with various toppings. They offer both vegetarian and vegan options. I went with the El Bandito, complete with chili, homemade vegan cheese sauce, avocado, salsa and fresh green onions. Everything about this hot dog was incredible – the flavors, the texture, the combination’s. Above all, the cheese sauce was out of this world. If you’re ever in Seattle, it’s a must try.

Later that day, we stopped in Table 219 for a mid afternoon snack. The weather was beautiful and the restaurant had their enormous doors open. On the menu that day was an Heirloom Tomato special with olive oil, sea salt and basil. It had such a beautiful presentation and great flavor.

For our last dinner in the city, it had to be Plum Bistro. I’d heard so much about this restaurant and couldn’t wait to partake.

We started with the Avocado Roll – brown rice & nori roll with avocado, carrots, asparagus, lettuce, vegan cheese, chipotle mayo & sesame seeds. A lovely way to start, much more complexity and depth than any other Avocado Roll I’ve encountered.

We also shared a Romaine salad filled with crispy tempeh, freshly baked croutons, lemon, red onion and vegan caesar dressing. I absolutely cannot resist a vegan creamy dressing.

And you can’t visit Plum Bistro without experiencing their Spicy Cajun Mac ‘N’ Yease. Spicy, creamy and extremely comforting. Vegan awesomeness.

My time in Seattle was short lived, but a huge foodie success. The city completely lived up to my expectations. I’m still dreaming about those donuts. A walkable city, with amazing scenery and vegan Mac and Cheese. I’m sold.