Maria Olson Goins's Blog, page 16

i ♥ Edun- NY Fashion Week R29 Styling Shoot

[image error]Since I've started hosting giveaways on LivLuna, I've decided to start entering other sites' giveaways as well, in part because I hope to win, and also to support their contests. For the record, I've never won anything in my life- raffes, lottery, sweepstakes, etc. So imagine my shock when I get an email from Julia at Refinery 29 (mega cool fashion site) that i've won their eco fashion Edun giveaway, which includes a styling session with a fashion blogger at the Edun showroom, and backstage t...

Backpack your way to Fashion Designerdom: Real Role Models

[image error]I was first introduced to this gorgeous and cool friend duo, bloggers & then aspiring eco fashion designers Kristin and Shannon a year ago when they were travelling in Nicaragua.I was so envious - of the fact that they were not just travelling, they were working together as a best friend team! How lucky are they to partner with a friend who shares the same vision for their company and to obviously get along so well that they can not only work but travel together!I want one of those!

As a s...

where are the real, green angels VS?

[image error]The news about Victoria's Secretsourcing cotton that is picked by unpaid and abused foster children in Burkino Fasowas hardly shocking, but nonetheless depressing. Especially because the cotton is question is organic, fair trade cotton- isn't that what I'm all about- eco fashion? Companies going green? But green is about sustainability and fair labor conditions and workers who are paid fair wages and live in dignity, not children slaving away for free picking cotton by hand while models are m...

Journal your Dreams from Principal to Vamp Inventor: Real Role Models

[image error] At 37, Tanya John quit her job as an acclaimed, young, successful and transformative principal at a Bronx High School to pursue her dream of becoming an inventor and entrepreneur. She has invented the Vamp, a clutch that is perfect for going out when you don't feel like shlepping your big purse- it holds all the essentials, looks chic, and is your go to dance partner.


Tanya also helped expand a mobile phone storage business called Pure Loyalty that allows inner city NY kids to store their elec...

vintage letterpress wedding invites

[image error]As some LivLunatics know, I tied the knot on the beach in Mexico on 11 11 11, and now I'm finally getting around to sharing some of the tips and advice that I learned in the stressful process of planning a wedding (whilst bootstrapping a startup).

I'm a stationery nerd and always have been. Since I was a little girl, my favorite stores have always been stationary and book stores- I love to smell, touch and feel the paper, journals, pens, cards etc, and though I didn't grow up dreaming of a whi...

DIY: pretty envelope liners

[image error]For my wedding invitations, I was obsessed with the idea of creating pretty paper envelope liners. I loved myvintage letterpress wedding invites (see this post), but I wanted to add a personal touch of color and creativity. If you're on a budget and want to make your special occasion invites stand out and look magical, this is a great, cost effective way of adding something totally handmade and unique!It was so much fun for me to take the time and do this myself- working on a paper crafts pro...

My Top 8 Spring Vegan Shoe & Bag Picks

[image error]LivLunatics, I'd like to formally introduce you to our friends at Compassion Couture- Jill and Tracey, two lovely vegan sisters who started a site that sells vegan and eco friendly shoes and accessories. I TRY to eat mostly vegan (tho I'm a pescetarian) and I've cut my leather consumption down a lot, but I love shoes and bags... so I checked out their new spring styles, as well as their sale, and want to share my Top picks for cruelty free and sustainable- yet stylish- shoes and bags:

Compassi...

destination wedding favors

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Planning a destination wedding is easier in some ways, and in others, it's trickier. I ended up shlepping everything I wanted and needed with me down to Mexico in suitcases. And figuring out exactly what those decor items were going to be took months of research and planning, and stress. And I knew that I wanted something thoughtful, yet practical for the wedding favors, but food related items were out of the question, because people were travelling. So I thought why not give something small...