Scoring Cute, Cheap Vegan Shoes

The Topic: Uncovering vegan shoes that are chic and budget-friendly with Editorial Assistant Hilary Pollack

The Dish: SHOES. Oh my gawd. Shoes. A source of obsession for people of all kinds, but a continued source of frustration for vegans, footwear can make or break an outfit, a stroll, or a hike. Forrest Gump's mama said that there's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes, so make the best impression possible by picking a pair that is fashionable, sturdy, and cruelty-free. While designer vegan shoes can go for several hundred bucks a pop, fear not—there are thriftier ways to get your kicks. 

1. Vintage

Want a one-of-a-kind look without a three-digit price tag? Vintage shoes come (very literally) in all shapes and sizes, and can give you a unique bang for a decent buck. Thrift stores offer the luck of the draw, but for shoes, I prefer eBay, which has a thorough search function that makes it easy to find styles in your size. Type in "vintage vegan shoes," and you'll find everything from knee-high riding boots to sparkly 1960s pumps to gladiator sandals, all for less than 50 bucks. To ensure the best fit, measure your trustiest pair with a ruler and compare to a seller's measurements. Some people may have difficulty getting past the idea of "pre-worn" shoes, but I'm not one of them. There is nothing to fear—the risk of contracting fungus from used shoes is actually very low, and a swish of anti-fungal spray can add peace of mind. 

2. Etsy
We only find more and more reasons to love Etsy every day, and its shoe selection is just another brick in the (awesome) wall. A combination of new and designer shoes offers a one-two punch of more than 1,300 different options, which span every material and aesthetic imaginable. I'm crushing on these size 6-1/2 1980's studded Victorian velvet boots, but unfortunately I clock in at an 8-1/2. No problem, though—I've got these cute navy pumps on my side.  


3. "Accidentally Vegan" 

Not all non-leather shoes think of themselves as vegan, but that doesn't mean they won't help you look good without wearing animal products. Payless Shoe Source ,Target, and Forever 21 have many faux-leather, faux-suede, and faux-shearling flats, boots, and heels to choose from—and check out the handbags and wallets while you're at it. Online shops Lulu's and Modcloth straddle the line by using the "v" word to describe their synthetic leather shoes, and are both majorly on-trend. These cutout cage booties from Lulu's are a steal at $37, or peep these kitten-tapestry platform boots from Modcloth (!!!)—an amazing way to pay homage to your feline friends with every step. 

4. Google Shopping

You know how when you search on Google (this little website that you might have heard of), the vertical menu on the left helps you refine your search to focus on images, maps, videos, news, shopping, or more? Type in "vegan shoes" and any other defining characteristics of your desired kicks, click "shopping," and voila! I typed in "vegan platform boots" (I LIKE BOOTS, okay?) and found more than 3,300 results, and you can even sort by price to find a look that matches both your wardrobe and your wallet. 

5. Vegan Online Stores

You may be wondering why I've listed vegan online stores last, since they seem like one of the most obvious ways of finding cruelty-free accessories from compassionate designers. They are! But I'm here to help you think outside the (shoe)box, and look for less obvious ways to score reasonably priced, leather-free shoes. That said, MooShoes, VeganChic, and Alternative Outfitters are definitely ahead of the pack, with sales galore and shoes that look cool, not corny.

The Final Word: While many of us wish that we could afford Cri de Coeur, Beyond Skin, and Olsenhaus kicks on the regs, we've got to eat (yay!) and pay bills (boo!) too. Shoe shopping on a budget is totally possible with a keen eye and a list of vegan-friendly sites that won't leave you frowning in fugly clogs. To get the most out of your favorite kicks, consider getting them resoled or repaired if they are merely marred but not ready to kick the bucket. Recycle, reduce, and reuse includes shoes! Now get out there and strut your stuff. 

Veg Freebies

The Topic: Fantastic Freebies

The Dish: Finding a great deal is a daily pursuit of mine, but sometimes I want more. I want free. While my luck generally doesn't lead me to winning many contests, giveaways, or raffles, someone has to win. Why not me? Better yet, why not you? With the ever-growing presence of veganism online, there's always a site or blog willing to gift great prizes (including our weekly VegNews giveaway). My newest discovery is Ecobunga, a site which bills itself as "your guide to green deals and giveaways." While not exclusively vegan, many of the featured deals are veg-friendly, and marked as such. Right now, potential freebies include everything from kamut pasta to a fancy bicycle to vegan chocolates. Oh, and there's a $50 Whole Foods gift card I wouldn't mind winning.

As for other current giveaways, here's a few I've come across:

• Dreaming of owning your own fancy Matt & Nat handbag? Ecouterre is giving away one! If you don't care about cruelty-free fashion, feel free to win it and send it to me.
• Vegan Backpacker, a blog dedicated to traveling the world and exploring vegan food, is ready to gift some pretty cute Secret Society of Vegan tees.
• Vegan Etsy, the one-stop online source for handcrafted vegan goods, has compiled an awesome grab bag of Etsy goodies for one lucky winner.
• Here at VN, we have a huge hemp goodie basket ready to go, full of everything from the most delicious granola bars to comfy clothing.

The Final Word: Twitter is another great resource for keeping tabs on veg giveaways, as most bloggers and sites will publicize their promos in their tweets. Even if you have no interest in tweeting your own personal thoughts, it's worth it to keep up with what's happening in veganism—and for scoring free stuff.

Mother's Day Gifts

The Topic: Money-Saving Gifts for Mom

The Dish: Mother's Day is almost a week away, meaning there's no time like the present to pick out the perfect gift to show you care—seriously, there's no time! I've rounded up a few ideas to get you started, whether your budget is $2 or $200.

• What do many moms want more than anything on their special day? My guess: you! If you can't afford to fly in for a face-to-face visit, make some time for a video chat (Skype is free and fantastic). She'll get to see your glowing face, and you can spend some quality time catching up. Word of warning: Video chats are even harder to end than phone calls. Schedule post-chat events accordingly.
• If you can make it home, there's always the classic gift of your chef-ly talents. Preparing a meal from scratch is always sweet, and plenty of delicious recipes are easy on the wallet, too. VegWeb has an amazing Mother's Day page full of ideas. I recommend the Best Ever French Toast.
• Cater to Mom's sweet tooth with the ridiculously decadent Sweet & Sara Marshmallow Variety Sampler. These aren't just vegan marshmallows—they're a party in your mouth. A gourmet treat, the sampler is also a steal at $6.25, and right now S&S is offering a 10-percent discount with the code "spring." You can also buy slightly imperfect sweets—but still highly tasty—at an even deeper discount.
• Vegan Etsy is a wonderful, time-sucking marketplace that's damn near guaranteed to have something Mom would like. With more than 2,000 vintage and handmade gifts, you can sort by price and keywords, making it a cinch to find the best buy. Whether it's these cute heart-shaped turquoise earrings ($5.25) or a Sailor Jerry-inspired soy wax candle ($6), you can score a one-of-a-kind bargain.
• If you want to splurge on your saintly mother but can't ignore your bargain-hunting nature, Vaute Couture is having an amazing sale right now. Its eco-friendly, high-quality, vegan winter coats are selling for 35–70 percent off the original prices. Sure, it's almost summer, but how impressed will Mom be that you're planning ahead? How grown up! And seriously, these coats are gorgeous and will last many winters, reminding her of your stylish and thoughtful self every time she wears it.
• Shameless promotion here, but did you know the VN store sells tons of delicious treats—including vegan peanut butter cups and candy bars—as well as our favorite veg books and merch? Oh, and shipping is always free, which is a big money-saver.
• I love Lush and all of its handmade, cruelty-free cosmetics. There are always new, fun products, and it has a laundry list of animal- and planet-friendly initiatives to its name. The latest offering includes the abolishment of paper gift-wrap in favor of its new Knot-Wrap. Using scarves made from either recycled materials or vintage fabric, all Lush stores will offer Knot-Wraps to secure purchases for pretty presentation. Reusable as everything from a jaunty ascot to a grocery bag, these scarves are pretty and functional, and can easily conceal the perfect Mother's Day gifts.

The Final Word: Guess what? I have one adorable Knot-Wrap filled with seven brand-new Lush products to give away, including Mint Julips Lip Scrub and Creme Anglaise Hand and Body Cream. Valued at more than $100, it's the ideal Mother's Day gift package, and one lucky commenter will win the whole shebang, because the cheapest gift is the one you get for free. Just leave a comment and let me know: What are your plans for Mother's Day? Let me know by noon on Monday for your chance to win. Go!