![Woman carrying many shopping bags from too much shopping.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-972995_a4860992-f5ff-41bc-88a4-cf686329086c_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1615234405)
How Fast Fashion is Failing Its Consumers
Have you heard of fast fashion? No, it’s not your granny’s name for that super cute miniskirt you wore back in college. Its a term used to describe the design, manufacturing, and marketing of rapidly produced clothing. The replication of trendy styles, made with low-quality materials, was designed to bring inexpensive new styles to the public.
![A cork tote sits in a sink ready to be washed](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2021-02-22_at_11.03.13_AM_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1614021576)
How to Care for Cork
Quality cork fabric or "leather" is highly durable and naturally resistant to dirt, dust, stains and water making your cork accessories (or floors, furnishings and walls) a breeze to maintain.
![Contents of a purse laid out](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/FullSizeRender-1_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1613434098)
How to Organize your Purse.....and Everything Else!
Gone are the days when your purse was just a cute accessory to hold your keys and credit cards. Now, women on the go practically live out of their handbags! Raise your hand if, most days, your purse pulls double duty as a lunch tote, laptop sleeve, and gym bag! Carrying around that kind of weight can weigh you down (see what I did there?) so let’s lighten the load with some easy purse organization tips!
![A fabricator stands next to a machine that is cutting patterns pieces out of cork leather](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screen_Shot_2020-05-22_at_11.19.26_AM_{height}x{width}.png?v=1612902801)
Cork Fashion: 7 Things you Should Know
Unique, sustainable, soft, durable, washable, hypoallergenic, lightweight, water, fade, moisture, mildew and dust resistant. (Shew, say that five times fast.)
But what are we talking about? Only my fav eco-friendly "fabric": Cork!
![Beautiful blond woman leaning against a grey stucco wall, laughing, wearing a pink t-shirt and pink pencil skirt accessorized with a cork clutch](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screen_Shot_2020-02-14_at_2.34.03_PM_{height}x{width}.png?v=1612209246)
Six Ways to Wear a Clutch Purse
A sexy little clutch purse is a fashion must for any woman’s wardrobe. These slim, minimalist purses allow you to carry all the essentials without weighing you down. Plus, they're quite popular for non-stop days that require an accessory that takes you from business sleek to evening chic!
![Accessories designer and style curator, Paula Parisotto, stands against an old table in her office, smiling.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2482_copy_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1610669989)
Choosing your Word of the Year. Mine Chose Me.
In December, I blogged about spending a week at our lake home at the beginning of each fresh, new year to reflect on the previous year and make loosely plotted plans for the current year. Loosely plotted because some of my most epic opportunities have come from going off-road, and while the trip may have been bumpy at times (Hello ALL of 2020! And BTW what the $%#& 2021!!), I have never regretted where those roads took me!![A man, dressed in a tucked brown patterned polo shirts, khaki shorts and cork belt stands outdoors, lovingly holding a little black dog.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/05BnYh8o_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1610414804)
The Best Belt He'll Ever Own
Belts are pretty much a staple in every man’s wardrobe, and unless he’s a heavyweight boxing champ hosting his championship belt for all to see, his belt needs are probably pretty simple. It simply has to hold those pants up and not cost a fortune. Savvier shoppers might wonder if it will go with the shoes they already own, but chances are the most important considerations in purchasing a new belt are overlooked:
![New Year Word not Resolutions](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_E2550_2_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1608667368)
New Year Word not Resolutions
Each year I take a week off at the beginning of January to reflect on the previous year and make plans for the current year. I like to think of my annual plans as a loosely plotted road map for the upcoming year. I say loosely plotted because some of my most epic opportunities have come from going off-road, and while the trip may have been bumpy at times (Hello ALL of 2020!), I have never regretted where those roads took me!![Two professional ladies leaned against a wall sporting their on the go professional, sustainable, quality US made purses](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/20180608_DHRUMILDESAI_PaulaParisottoCampaign_2175_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1607560203)
Best Purses for On-the-Go Women
Best is a bold statement; after all, it can mean different things to different people, right? But I feel pretty confident after 20 years as an exec schlepping my stuff to an office, and my 50 plus (ahem) years as a woman, that I can speak with some authority on the subject! Not to mention my years serving women as their personal stylist, I have some ideas about what works well for women on the go!
![Yellow and blue hung on a rack ready to be purchased.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screen_Shot_2020-12-09_at_4.26.38_PM_{height}x{width}.png?v=1607560073)
What's a Fashion Trend and Who Sets them?
Fashion trends......you've heard of them but what do you really know about them? Like, who starts them and how do they trickle down to us? Welp, I'm here to help! Here's your lesson, in brief:![Santa Barbara California Personal stylist and cork accessories designer, Paula Parisotto, standing inside her closet, in front of hundreds of shoes, smiling.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/Attachment-1-2_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1601500132)
Six Fashion Brands that Create Comfort
Fashion is known for pushing boundaries, letting imagination take the reigns when it comes to design. Looks can range from minimalism that would make Steve Jobs heart pitter-patter, to creations that have you doubling back with a WTF on your face. Let’s be honest, some fashion is just painful to look at...men’s jumpsuits and Bjork’s swan dress for example come to mind...but also can be painful to wear. High-heeled sneakers anyone? Ugh...and Ouch![A tape measure, thread and scissors lay on a table ready to sew cork purses.](http://paulaparisotto.com/cdn/shop/articles/fabric-scissors-needle-needles-scissors-461035_{height}x{width}.jpg?v=1601500315)