About

Fashion with compassion 

I am an active woman who enjoys and teaches dance. I love fashion and style. I’m in my 60s and think it’s important for women to keep up with fitness and fashion no matter what age we are.

Shopping ethically: caring about the working conditions of people in the garment industry, compassion for animals, concerned about our environment is MUCH more important than looking fashionable. Thanks to ethical companies, we can do both: look good while doing good!

I am vegan because of my love for all animals and my desire to live healthy as well as caring about this planet God made for us. I follow Genesis 1:29, He designed us, He knows what’s best for us!

VEGAN
♥ for animals
♥ for health
♥ for the environment
It’s a WIN WIN WIN situation!!

Let’s make the world a better place with compassion.

God is good – all the time!!

animal rights activist

animal rights activist – Toronto

Go Vegan

Here’s to your health and happiness! Life is for living! 

For the love of animals – go vegan

63 Responses to About

  1. Nancy Dynes says:

    Hi, Carmen!
    I got a message through WordPress that you’d requested to view my WordPress blog. The reason it’s not visible is that I haven’t finished setting it up. About the time I was planning to make the switch, life threw us a curveball. I’m still on my blog at mytatteredtreasures.blogspot.com, so you can find me there. I haven’t a posted a project in a very long time. I had to take a break when my husband fell and had shoulder surgery. Almost right after he fully recovered I fell and shattered MY shoulder—Murphy’s law I guess. I had surgical repair at the beginning of the pandemic and am about to undergo my second (and hopefully last) surgery on June 16th. The great news is I’m super hopeful I’ll be able to return to my crafting and art by early autumn! I would be honored for you to visit my blog. The posts go back a few years.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Eamon Mallon says:

    You’re in your 60’s? You look so well and so young.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Travel Happy says:

    Hi Carmen, I have just started following your blog. It’s most inspiring! And you don’t look your age at all. I’m looking forward to know your secret as I go through your blog.
    – Amor

    Liked by 1 person

  4. stacilys says:

    Carmen, I so wish that Brazil was more open to veganism. Like provide foods and stuff that support that type of a lifestyle.
    I can’t believe that you’re 63. You certainly don’t look it.
    🙂
    So nice to meet you.
    🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Carmen says:

    My name is Carmen also and I am a “fifty-something” Just found your blod…can I subscribe by e-mail?

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Jill Fraser says:

    Very nice blog, Carmen. I would love to chat sometime.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. YES!!! I love that you are celebrating us women over the age of 50 with style and grace. YES!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Bill Willson says:

    Hi Carmen,
    I have a grand daughter -in-law who is vegan, and I have to confess that I’ve thought about becoming one several times, but that is as far as it gets. I’ve eaten meat for over 79 years and I’m almost afraid to change.

    I didn’t read every one of these comments but I liked the positive atmosphere of your site. I did see where something was said about your age? Sixty-three??.You don’t look a day over thirty-three. I guess that’s a plus for vegan-ism. Maybe I’ll have to study up on it a bit more.

    Keep on trying to change the world for the better, but don’t get angry with those who prefer not to change.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Hi Carmen!

    I LOVE your blog! I would love to interview you for a Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE Magazine article I’m writing. My e-mail is taylormurphy44@yahoo.com if you’d be interested!

    Warm Wishes,
    Taylor

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Andy chen says:

    Hi Carmen! We met on the airplane ride from Newark. Glad you are having fun in Seattle!

    Liked by 1 person

    • carmen says:

      Hi Andy! I had a wonderful time in Seattle, the weather was great. You really must go to the underground tour and also ride the Great Wheel. It was a pleasure to meet you. I’m back in Ontario and it’s freezing! Brrrrr!!

      Thank you for dropping by!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

  13. edwardsmtl says:

    I was going over the list of people following my blog and found your site. LOVE your blog! Started following you too. You are inspiring! Thanks for following me too!

    Liked by 1 person

    • carmen says:

      Hi Terri! I have added a widget to my sidebar titled “VEGAN RECIPES” which links to your site. Thank you so much for spreading the good word!! Wonderful blog, helpful and informative! 🙂

      ❤️carmen

      Like

  14. His love in your selfless heart radiantly shines in your smile, in all you share and do. Your happiness is contagious my sister…you are a genuine example of what the blessing of lasting love can do to one’s life and how when shared with others it plants seeds which blossom within them also. I am sixty two, also, thanks for the joy your words add to an already wonderful day, and thank you for your visit! Hugs and blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. brugesvegan says:

    Glad you found our blog! always nice to meet fellow vegan bloggers!
    greets from the chocolate country 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Painting for Joy says:

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m so happy you did! Love your blog! You look fab!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Anami Blog says:

    First I saw your blog name, then an image which I did not know was of you, so I started to scroll down to see a woman posing over 50 – and I had to realize it was actually you. My point with all that blabla is that you look absolutely amazing!
    Happy blogging,
    Anami 🙂
    http://www.anamiblog.com

    Liked by 1 person

  18. tamerabeardsley says:

    My dear you are an inspiration … on so many levels!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Hi Carmen
    I stumbled upon your blog today and love the content. I’m a new blogger (started because of the animals), also over 50 and a new empty nester. Figuring out my next life.
    Joyce

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Thank you Joyce! Glad you found me and I’m glad we share some commonalities, especially, compassion!!

      I’m excited to hear that you have begun your journey of compassion – you’ll be healthier, help animals and our planet. Every step of this journey is a step in the right direction.

      With compassion!
      ❤️carmen

      Like

  20. Lisa Manary says:

    Hi Carmen,
    It was fun dancing and chatting with you today!
    Lisa

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Hi Lisa!

      So glad you found my blog! I enjoyed teaching dance at the Valentine’s Party yesterday and seeing you again! Nice that our paths cross now and then.

      Thanks for stopping by!! Have a happy weekend!
      ♥ carmen

      Like

  21. Violet says:

    Hi Carmen! I just read your personal story on Celeste’s blog about how you became a vegan. Thanks for sharing your experience and I have to say, you are absolutely gorgeous and so vibrant!! A true role model for veganism! 🙂 I would love to look and live like you when I’m in my 60s for sure!! I am slowly working my way towards a plant-based diet, and would like to ask you a question regarding it. How do you make sure you have enough iron in your body? I have now limited my intake of meat weekly and have cut out red meat for 7 months now, but just found out today from my doctor that I am deficient in iron! 😦 Can you please share with me how you supplement the iron for your body? Thanks so much in advance! 🙂

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Hello Violet!! What a lovely name!!

      I’ve heard that anemia is not exclusive to vegetarians, anyone can have an iron deficiency, it could have been preexisting. Sometimes there are other causes, such as blood loss.

      Spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts are excellent. Lentils and black beans, brown rice and oatmeal are also good, as are dried apricots. However, absorption of iron is important, so eat iron-rich foods with foods that contain vitamin C (for example, broccoli with tomatoes). Add blackstrap molasses to smoothies.

      For more information about iron deficiency, and other health issues, I recommend checking out Dr. McDougall’s site. He’s a great resource for plant-based nutrition.

      http://www.drmcdougall.com/med_anemia.html

      Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
      Remember, meat is not heart-healthy and causes many illnesses.
      Here’s to your good health and happy heart!!
      ♥ carmen

      Like

      • Great tips, Mom! It’s best to find a vegan or vegan-friendly doctor. Most doctors aren’t trained in nutrition, let alone plant-based nutrition! They don’t even know meat is a carcinogen!

        Other resources I’d recommend are Dr. T. Colin Campbell (author of The China Study and The China Study Cookbook), and Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine.

        So glad you’ve embarked on a journey toward a plant-based diet, Violet! It was the best decision I ever made and I bet you’ll love it too!

        Like

      • Violet says:

        Thank you so much for all of your wonderful tips for me to get started, Carmen! 🙂 xx, Violet

        Liked by 1 person

  22. I have nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award! Participation is optional, and if you want further information visit me! http://watchhatchfly.com/2013/12/18/dragons-loyalty-award-2013/
    Cheers!

    Like

  23. Eillen says:

    Dear friend,

    This is eillen, we extremely love your blog wanna see if possible for cooperation. (This is a business inquiry letter about your blog), is it convenient for you to reply me via e-mail? Then we could talk further.

    Please write down your blog link at the same time, then I will know it’s you.

    Awaiting for your quick reply.

    Thanks
    Best Regards

    Eillen

    Like

  24. I can’t seem to find your email address. I wanted to ask you to check out my web site and see if there is something we could do together. Thank you.

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Hi Pauline! I had a look at your website, very stylish collection of tops!! I love that your garments are made in the USA!!!

      I sent you my email address.

      ♥ carmen

      Like

  25. the vegan style revivalist says:

    Hi Carmen, I ‘found’ your blog via Celeste. I’m loving that at 61 you’re looking and feeling beautiful! I also love that you enjoy fashion as this, at times, is no easy feat when one comes up against unconsciously made pieces, and many of which are aimed for women in their early 20’s!

    Most of all it looks like you’re having fun. Isn’t that what fashion is all about.

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Glad you found me! Thanks for commenting! I agree–fashion is fun, it’s like playing dress-ups! I love it as a hobby and an artistic expression. Being vegan keeps me healthy and compassion gives me joy in my heart!

      Hope to keep in touch through blogging!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

  26. gpicone says:

    Wow! You look fantastic! Keep up the good work! 🙂

    Like

  27. I notice that I’ve left a lot of notes for you here Carmen. Anyway, here’s another one. When I met with Jean, she told me the story of how you became vegan and it really moved me. I’m wondering if you would be willing to share this story on my blog. No pressure, just let me know if you’re interested. Celeste 🙂

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Hey, Celeste! Jean told me that you met when you were in Seattle! I would be honoured to share my story, hopefully there’s not a deadline 😉 Thank you for asking. Jean and I are going to NYC next week and if I don’t get it written before I leave, I may send it from NYC.

      Hope to meet you on our next trip to California!

      Happy weekend!!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

      • Hi Carmen! I’m so excited that you’re willing to write your story for my blog. That’s wonderful!! There is absolutely no deadline. I’m fine if it’s not until you get back from NYC. And it would be great to meet up with you the next time you come to California. I know all the best vegan restaurants! Just let me know if you get out this way. Have a great weekend and have fun in New York. Celeste 🙂

        Like

  28. Hey girl – you deserve it! And I appreciate that you thought of me too:)

    Like

  29. Hey Carmen! I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster Award – congratulations! I love your blog and believe that you deserve this honor. To find out more about the award, check out my post, ‘Who Lies the Best?’ Yea, I had a little fun with the title of the award – haha!

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Hey Celeste! Delighted that you thought of me for the Liebster Award! Guess I’m too slow, I was about to nominate you and Jean after receiving Greg’s but I see you have both been nominated too!! Well, you certainly deserve it!!!

      Thank you!!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

  30. Greg says:

    Hey, I nominated you for a Liebster Award! Please visit my blog at animalsdeservetolive.com to read about it under the post titled Wow!.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. newlyVEG says:

    Hey Carmen!
    Thanks for stopping by our blog (:
    It’s great to check out your page as well! You look great! I mean GREAT (:
    you remind me so much of my mom who is also vegan like us and fit and healthy and looking young beyond her fifties! Keep it up (:
    And here’s my curiosity….: do you expand your Veganism into fashion as well? I mean avoiding animal-made clothes (from leather, wool, fur, etc)? If so, we would be really interested to read something on this (: ..or if you have already written any post about it, please give us a link (:
    Happy Blogging!
    All the Best,
    Sia from NewlyVeg

    Liked by 1 person

    • carmen says:

      Hey Sia!

      Happy to hear your mom is a vegan too!

      Most of my shoes and boots are synthetic. My daughter is a vegan and has a great post! http://sunshineandslaughter.com/2013/03/29/leather-free-shoes/
      You can check it out. She expresses how I feel. I do not buy leather shoes anymore. I want to support vegan shoe manufacturers.

      I have never bought fur. I do have some fake fur which is definitely fake – 100% polyester. Knowing the difference between leather and non-leather is easy for me. I can smell it. Fur and fake is just as easy for me. I know of the deception of foreign imports that use dog, cat and rabbit fur but I can spot it immediately.

      I know some would disagree with me and believe even fake fur (meaning 100% polyester) is not good either. I like the idea of promoting fashion with compassion. You can buy shoes that look like leather, we don’t necessarily have to buy only canvas shoes. So in the same way, we can buy fuzzy fibers that feel soft but are truly synthetic.

      What needs to happen is truthful labeling, if a garment says faux fur beware and be sure it’s not from animals. But if it says 100% acrylic or polyester, then it’s supposed to be that.

      An excerpt from Wikipedia …

      “In late 2006, HSUS broke the story of its investigation into the sale of coats trimmed with real fur but labeled “faux” or fake. Laboratory testing found that the fur came from purpose-bred raccoon dogs in China that were sometimes beaten to death and skinned alive … The investigation reportedly prompted several retailers including Macy’s and J.C. Penney to pull the garments from the sale floor. Legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress to require that all fur jackets be properly labeled, and to ban raccoon dog fur.”

      With love and compassion,
      ❤ carmen

      Like

      • newlyVEG says:

        Thanks for your reply! We were really curious to know that, because many people tend to think that being vegan is all about diet, and not compassion. And clothing is such a big part of Veganism.. We’ve recently read about wool, which always seemed less evil than leather and fur production…and were terribly disturbed by facts ): and it’s great to know that more and more people get aware of all the aspects of being Vegan.
        Cheers,
        S & H

        Like

  32. carmen says:

    Hallelujah!! He is risen! What a wonderful note to wake up to this morning! So glad you found me and are following me. I’m following you too and will check out your blog as soon as we return from the Resurrection Celebration this morning!!

    Oh, happy day!!
    ❤ carmen

    Like

  33. Maryanne says:

    61? When I read “fashionable over 50” I thought 51! You have to tell me your beauty secret! 🙂
    I’m a Christian and a vegetarian too. And I’ll be 50 later this year — so I’m gonna follow you! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Hi Carmen! Thanks so much for following my blog – I appreciate it. Anyway, I wanted to check out your blog and say, “Hi.” I have to tell you, reading your blog couldn’t have been more timely for me. I’m 46, and am currently working from home. When I worked at an office I used to be the most fashionable woman there, but since I started working from home I’ve relaxed my standards (a lot!). This is a shame, because my figure has improved since going vegan and it would be nice to show it off. Anyway, I’ve been telling myself that I need to dress nice despite the fact that my dog is the only one besides me who will see me. I need to do it for me! If I look good, I feel better about myself and that’s important. Anyway, you and your blog provided that last push to get me to the mall. Now I’m sitting at my home computer wearing a bright orange top, white capri’s and some fun earrings. It may not be the height of fashion, but it’s a lot better than yoga pants! I look forward to keeping in touch!

    Liked by 1 person

    • carmen says:

      A pleasure to meet you, Celeste! I’m enjoying your blog and will try your tasty-looking recipes!

      I am picturing you with your bright orange top and white capris, very Californian and perfect for Orange County! Fashion jewellery is so much fun and you can buy many nice pieces without going broke. It’s true that if you’re home it’s easy to be lazy and get into a habit of looking frumpy. If you dress pretty, you’ll feel pretty. In fact, I have a draft about that.

      Keep up the good work! I’ll be stopping by regularly to see what you’re wearing – I mean writing – and hope you’ll visit me, too!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

  35. Glory says:

    Hello Carmen!

    It’s Glory from the Cambridge Vegan Raw Food Potluck on Monday. Finally got a chance to respond on your blog.

    It was so nice meeting you, hopefully we’ll get to see more of each other at the potlucks. As you already know, I have been a vegan girl for almost 18 years now, and this lifestyle keeps blessing me over and over again.

    In love and Light
    Glory

    Liked by 1 person

    • Carmen says:

      Hello Glory!

      Your pics turned out great–you are beautiful and very photogenic!! Your loving heart shines through!!

      I will post your story with your pics soon. I think it’s a great testimony to show people that a vegan life-style (especially raw vegan) is a healthy, happy choice. Hopefully, we can influence more people and the world will be a more loving and peaceful place.

      Love and blessings!!!

      ❤ carmen

      Like

  36. elmer says:

    Hello Carmen! You dont look your age. Beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    • carmen says:

      Thank you, Josep-Maria. There was a reason that my blog was neglected over the summer last year, as you know now, my dad passed away.

      You have been very kind with taking time to comment on my blog and you have truly encouraged me more than you know. You inspired me to continue. I always look forward to your comments which I appreciate very much!!

      Family and friends (even the friends we have never met) are a blessing!!! 🙂
      Death is a sad part of life.

      ❤ carmen

      One year ago today …

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Hi Carmen –

    You look amazing!! Can’t wait to check out more of your posts and thanks for stopping by mine!

    ~Sherry~

    Like

    • carmen says:

      Thank you Sherry!

      Nice to make friends in the blogging community. Love your photos and stories!!

      Hard to believe you had a self-esteem problem – you were a sweet little girl (very cute pics!) and have grown into a beautiful woman with a beaming smile!!

      Keep on smiling!!

      Love,
      carmen ❤

      Like

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