Staying Vegan and Chic Down Under

Hi everyone, I’m Amanda from amoderngirlslife.blogspot.com and veganera.com. I am absolutely delighted to be invited as a guest blogger for Chic Vegan as I LOVE the site and love receiving the regular e-updates.  I’m 25 and live in sunny (well not so much lately) Noosa, Queensland, Australia.

As Chic Vegan is all about being vegan AND chic, I thought I’d share with you how we do this in the land down under.  Living in Australia as a vegan has its challenges.  For example, I was called Un-Australian on Australia Day because I was not eating a sausage and drinking a beer.  This is the mentality of the majority of Australians.  I’m not even joking – Aussies are bogans.  Ok, maybe that’s a little harsh but it seems like Australia is a little behind the rest of the world when it comes to leading a compassionate lifestyle or even an environmentally friendly one.  The papers are still riddled with ‘Is Climate Change Real or a Hoax?’ type of articles and many continue to ignore the signs all around us.  Unfortunately, it seems as though it will take an almost certain natural disaster that will wipe out or inflict damage directly to us before many people see the light.  No offence Australia.

Being vegan here is still considered a little crazy and there is that misconception that you must give up ev-er-y-th-ing if you are to lead a compassionate lifestyle.

BUT as Mandi has shown, you can clearly be both vegan and fabulous.  While people argue with me on a regular basis with ridiculous scenarios such as, “But if there was a cow lying dead on the side of the road, would it be ok to use it’s skin for leather then?” I am LOVING flaunting my vegan wares whenever I leave the house and proving that you do not need to dress yourself in a sack to avoid animal products.

Here are my favorite recent purchases:

Vivien Westwood for Melissa shoes. These shoes are made in Brazil out of recycled plastic and are so cute and so comfy.  Available at www.melissaplasticdreams.com

Tigerlily woven bag. www.tigerlilyswimwear.com.au

Vegan Era tees – This is my partner and I’s latest project.  They are 100% organic bamboo and cotton tees made in fair-trade conditions, by carbon-neutral companies and printed with low-impact, water-based dyes.  We are also working with an organization in Papua New Guinea to assist them in relocating over 3000 people from a very low-lying island that is quickly disappearing due to climate change.  The sales of these tees will help them to set up a new home on the mainland.  (I had to mention them!) veganera.com

Vegan shampoo and conditioner – Pureology was created in California in 2001.  It is the first range of 100% vegan formulas and zero sulfate shampoos for colour-treated hair.  I believe its fairly new to Australia.

Spa Ritual nail polish – SpaRitual are dedicated to creating eco-friendly products with vegan ingredients from around the world. www.sparitual.com

Gorgeous satin purse from Vietnam – my girlfriend brought this back for me and I love it!

I also have a weakness for vintage dresses and scarves, but I’ll save those for another time.   🙂   Thanks for reading!  Until next time….

Be love – Be peace – Be vegan.  x