Style & Home

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My kitchen style icon has long been Lucy of the I Love Lucy show. Whether setting Sunday dinner on fire or cooking up mischief with her best friend, Ethel, Lucy always looked head-to-toe glamorous in her waist-hugging apron, chic hair scarf, and Copacabana-ready heels. Modern eco-minded Lucys (and 21st-century Rickys) can look fabulous while whipping up seitan piccata and truffled potatoes too, with the help of these earth-friendly kitchen accoutrements that are as functional as they are fashionable.

From the farmers' market to the office to an evening out on the town, VT editors are on the go. That's why footwear that's as practical as it is fashionable (and leather-free to boot!) is a must-have. Here's what we'll be sporting this fall.

Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.

Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.

Whenever friends or family pick me up at the airport, meet me at the train station, or welcome me home after an overseas adventure, the first thing out of their mouths isn’t “Yay! You’re home!” or “How was Kathmandu?” but “Where’s the rest of your stuff?” Whether packing for a weekend in the mountains or a month-long jungle trek, I always tote the same little black carry-on bag that’s about the size of the average woman’s handbag. Inside, there’s just enough room for undies, a swimsuit, two pairs of sunglasses (I always lose one pair, and they can be tricky to replace on the road), reading material, a little black dress, leggings and a t-shirt, and that most indispensible item of all: the scarf.

There’s a lot to love about urban living: Easy access to arts and culture, a diverse bar-and-restaurant scene, and very few opportunities for boredom to take root. There’s no denying the downsides, though; pollution, noise, and crowds can drain the life-force out of you after a while. To combat the daily grind and rejuvenate this summer, I’ll be searching for rural respite in the great outdoors, where the antidote to stressful city life includes long hikes, swimming, yoga, and cozy nights camping beneath the stars.

Sure, I swoon over summer basil just like everyone else, but the herb that has my heart and soul is lemon verbena. Each year, I buy more lemon verbena plants than the last, squeezing them into window boxes between the geraniums and tucking them next to tomato plants in my small container garden. And each year, I pick, pluck, and trim the stems several times throughout the summer to dry for herbal tea through the winter because I simply can’t get enough of the soothing, floral, lemony flavor.

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With summer in the air, it’s the perfect time to try adding a warm shimmer to your complexion. Whether you’re primping for a romantic night out on the town or just another workday in an air-conditioned office, Alicia Silverstone’s Irresistible Glow Facial Highlighter (part of a new collection created by Silverstone for Juice Beauty) is hands down summer’s secret beauty weapon. It’s organic, 100 percent vegan, and eco-fabulous to boot!

Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.

Check out Vegetarian Times Editors's author page.