The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » in defense of animals http://www.thediscerningbrute.com fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:51:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Fresh Friday Finds http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/12/12/fresh-friday-finds-21/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/12/12/fresh-friday-finds-21/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:09:27 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=754 Fresh Friday Finds
1. If you thought they couldn't possibly be any more disgusting, the parting Bush Administration has denied dwindling, drowning and starving Polar Bears protection under the Endangered Species Act. Human generated global-warming, mostly caused by meat & dairy production, is the #1 culprit. Read the full article here. “This rule makes a mockery of the [...]]]> Fresh Friday Finds
1. If you thought they couldn't possibly be any more disgusting, the parting Bush Administration has denied dwindling, drowning and starving Polar Bears protection under the Endangered Species Act. Human generated global-warming, mostly caused by meat & dairy production, is the #1 culprit. Read the full article here.http://www.motherjones.com/blue_marble_blog/792px-Polar_Bear_2004-11-15.jpg

“This rule makes a mockery of the Endangered Species Act, our nation’s most important wildlife protection law,” said Defenders of Wildlife executive vice president, Jamie Rappaport Clark. “The polar bear doesn’t have time for political maneuvers. Its habitat is melting away, its food is becoming scarce and the science is clear that the cause is global warming - yet the rule this administration released today affirms that little will be done to save the species from sure extinction.

2. If you wear glasses or sunglasses, and you don't know about Fabulous Fanny's, you are missing out! Get the most amazing selection of thrift & vintage frames and shades. Buying thrift is the greenest way to shop! It's one of the East Village's best kept secrets, and one of my personal favs. 3. Farm Sanctuary strikes again! Daniela Sea, Joshua Katcher, Alison Becker With an awesome party, of course! With Miss Guy on the turn table, more amazing vegan food than your eyes and tummy can handle, and the most inspiring crowd of activists and celebs from Danilea Sea and Alison Becker to Jennifer Coolidge, Corey Feldman & Inder Bedhi of Matt&Nat - this Winter Wonderland fundraiser was not to be missed - but if you did miss it, make sure to make it to next one! Farmsanctuary.org 4. Our friend Karl at PARTYBOTS has designed some awesome, 100% post-consumer recycled, originally designed notebooks! These are sweet and under $6 each! Cheap gifts for everyone this holiday! Bunny Bot Journal - Sketch Book - Handmade - Left and Right Handed Reversible, 100 Percent Post Consumer Recycled PaperBox Bot Robot Journal - Sketch Book - Handmade - Left and Right Handed Reversible, 100 Percent Post Consumer Recycled PaperTrack Robot Journal - Sketch Book - Handmade - Left and Right Handed Reversible, 100 Percent Post Consumer Recycled Paper 5. This holiday, you may be feeling philanthropic. However, be very aware of organizations Giftlike Heifer International - whose promises of alleviating malnutrition and poverty through providing animals, actually has disasterous results. Like the little fact that over 90% of the Africans who are given dairy cows are lactose intolerant. Our friends at WFAS school us on this, and tell us how we can really help: "While this might sound good on paper, the water and land needs of livestock in areas that are often short on both quickly outweigh the benefits -- instead it increases human dependence on an unsustainable food-system that depletes the environment and does not fulfill all of a community’s real nutritional or long-term survival needs" Read the full article. 6. Organic Cotton from Alternative Apparel is so much better than conventional cotton from the notoriously homophobic Urban Outfitters. 7. December 20th is National "Adopt, Don't Shop" day. The Saturday before Christmas is the biggest puppy-buying day of the year. This year, In Defense of Animals is teaming up with activists in dozens of cities around the country to educate the public about the horrors of pet factories (puppy mills) and encourage people to adopt a homeless animal from a shelter or rescue group instead of buying one from a pet store. Enzo and I say you should adopt! 8. In case you missed it on Ecorazzi, Chloé Jo Berman, and yours truly were interviewed about ethical fashion. Read the interview! 9. Elephants should not be in zoos. For example, the Los Angeles zoo has killed 13 elephants. Help close down this horrible slave-trade, and save Billy from the same fate that his previous 13 fellow elephants experienced. These intelligent, emotionally complex and gorgeous beings belong in their native habitat, not in captivity. You can view video of Billy and the Los Angeles Zoo here. You can donate to IDA's campaign to Free Billy here. 10. The sleek Pool Collection from Matt&Nat has arrived! Get it while it's hot,  then take a dip in the pool. 100% vegan, recycled lining, and cool as hell. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/12/12/fresh-friday-finds-21/feed/ 3 Fresh Friday Finds http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/10/10/fresh-friday-finds-17/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/10/10/fresh-friday-finds-17/#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:08:30 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.wordpress.com/?p=533 Fresh Friday Finds
1. John Patrick Organic Spring 2009 John Patrick has done it again! As one of my favorite designers, his dreamy, bucolic, utopian vision came to life at the Desmond Tutu center in Chelsea last month. This American Gothic reminds us that our land-base in primary, and taking care of it (like using organic cotton, fair-labor, [...]]]> Fresh Friday Finds
1. John Patrick Organic Spring 2009 John Patrick has done it again! As one of my favorite designers, his dreamy, bucolic, utopian vision came to life at the Desmond Tutu center in Chelsea last month. This American Gothic reminds us that our land-base in primary, and taking care of it (like using organic cotton, fair-labor, sustainable practices - developing sustainable cottage industries, and growing your own organic cotton in the jungles of Peru) is crucial. Click here to view the complete collection for men and women. 2. Vegetable-Based Leather is my bag, baby! Vegetable-based 'leather'  made by Amazonian natives from sustainable plant matter, and recycled canvas from cargo trucks. Need I say more? The bags and accessories from Paz Apparel are hot, and I love this oversized "Uptown Handbag". Thanks to reader, Ari for the tip-off! Also from Paz: 3. sea shepherd flag One of DB's favorite organizations, Sea Shepherd, will be featured in Animal Planet's 7-episode special series "Whale Wars". On Friday, November 7th Animal Planet will premiere Whale Wars at 9 PM ET/PT in the US, and internationally in early 2009. For additional information, photos and a sneak peak at the series go to: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/ 4. Peter Singer is the Godfather... I got the honor of meeting Peter Singer, father of the modern animal rights movement and author of "Animal Liberation" at a party for Karen Dawn's (Dawnwatch) birthday and book reading. It's not often you get to meet the person who set the new course for your life. I recommend reading both books! When Purchasing Books, I also strongly recommend supporting local independent bookstores. Use Indiebound.org as opposed to the not-at-all-ethically-fabulous Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Do it!!! Buy Thanking the Monkey now from Amazon

5. Autumn is in the Air And so are these seasonal smells from DB friend, A Scent of Scandal! Check out: OLD SCHOOL  - granny smith, ROUGH PATCH - pumpkin, & TURNING TRICKS - candy corn. 6. Do Rabbits Scream? Find out more about Armani on peta.org. The answer is yes, and this new undercover video of rabbit fur farms in France and China is enough to make anyone give fur the cold shoulder. PETAs Armani campaign is in full swing. Get involved! 7. Shoes that will make you swoon A little bird told me that Elizabeth Olsen (Olsen Haus), whose vegan shoe line is blowing up and selling out all over the place right now, will be making vegan shoes for men that are as equally badass as her womens' shoes. And to get a taste of how she rolls, take a look at these: (All I can say is that I am looking forward to dancing in some blue suede-like mens' shoes.) More to come, stay tuned. 8. Home In Defense of Animals is taking on Zappos' hairy sales, exposing outdated primate nicotine experiments,planning for Fur Free Friday, and standing up to Puppy Mills. Check out their campaigns and get involved! thimble, a monkey orphaned by Spindel's experiments . . . . . 9. Pick an Apple! Get out of town before the season is over. If you haven't been to the Hudson Valley in New York State for an autumn adventure, you don't know what you're missing! Click Here! or Here!

10. Party for the Pigs

Support Farm Sanctuary's Party for the Pigs: A benefit for the survivors of the Midwest flood disaster

In June of this year, Farm Sanctuary mobilized in Iowa to take part in one of the most ambitious farm animal rescues ever undertaken, after thousands of pigs were left to die in the Midwest flood disaster. During both land and water rescue operations, 69 pigs were rescued, including many pregnant sows who were once confined to gestation crates on factory farms. Now, these pigs, many of whom are still suffering from serious health problems, are at Farm Sanctuary receiving urgent care and undergoing rehabilitation.

On October 18, Farm Sanctuary will honor these survivors of the Midwest floods and raise critically needed funds for their care.

Please, help the pigs by attending the event or making a donation today!

PARTY FOR THE PIGS

Saturday, October 18, 6-9 p.m. Equality Center 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C.

FEATURING

Hosts Persia White and Nellie McKay

A special performance by Singer/songwriter and Broadway actress Nellie McKay

And… Vegan hors d'oeuvres, a wine and beer bar, and a silent auction

Cocktail attire requested

RSVP now or call 607-583-2225 ext 221 to reserve your space. General admission tickets cost $50.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/10/10/fresh-friday-finds-17/feed/ 0