That "Made in the USA" label...

I've always been conscious about what kind of products I buy. While my friends joke that I shop all the time, in reality I really don't shop more than the next girl. I just buy more expensive things because I am a nutcase for well produced, crafted items. Does it really matter to have supima cotton or sterling silver hardware or handsewn back pockets or sequins hand sewn by Oompa Loompas? YES.

The big reason I spend more on clothing than the next gal is I am very adamant about not buying goods produced in Chinese/Eastern Asia factories. In my opinion, you can't bitch about how America doesn't produce anything and that there's no manufacturing jobs here when you send all your hard-earned cash to China. They didn't rise as the world's economic power within the last 20 years by accident.

I am disheartened to realize some of my favorite brands now produce in the far east. Botkier used to be made in New York City, and now their bags are made in Indonesia. The shoes I bought are for sure made in Italy, so that's something. (As is my Marc Jacobs Collection bag, made in Italy.) Hayden-Hartnett is no longer made in Brooklyn--- now produced in China. Coach and Kate Spade are also made in China.

I did discover that Jenny Yuen is made in the USA still. Believe it or not, there's a selection of Louis Vuitton bags made in the USA too... Though most people desire that "Made in France" label. AG Adriano Goldschmied, American Apparel, LA Made, Park Vogel and Splendid are made in Los Angeles, CA. Since my style is pretty casual... these brands are pretty much all I wear!

I'm still pressed to find great shoes made in the USA. That's the problem though... lately, I've been making a point to only buy shoes made in Italy. Italians really make the best shoes and even American brands produce their shoes there for the higher quality. My Tory Burch, Botkier, Hollywould, Rocco P, and J. Crew boots were all produced in Italy. I'd love to add some Spanish made shoes to my collection, say some Pedro Garcia... Or eventually some French-made Christian Louboutins... Realistically, for a somewhat reasonable pair of shoes (*note under $500, retail) Brazilian shoes are supposed to be great quality. One brand that's made in Brazil that I like is Pour la Victoire. There's also what I live in, Havianas. Some people think it's pointless to spend $20 on rubber flip flops, but Havianas' patented rubber is one of the miracles of man. They are the most comfortable shoes ever... I work in them all summer!

I need to research American produced skin care and cosmetics, if anyone has any American made brands they like or produce please drop me an email.