Happy Fair Trade Month! Understanding the Movement
There are so many reasons to love October. The leaves are changing, apples are ripe for picking, pumpkin spice- everything is in stores, and the thrill of Halloween (my personal favorite holiday) lingers all month long. October is also Fair Trade Month, an annual observation of the importance of the fair trade movement to our global economy, and a time to encourage others to buy fair trade. But what is fair trade anyway? Here is a breakdown of the term and some frequently asked questions. What is fair trade? Fair trade is a term for a trading partnership that seeks greater equity in international trade by paying fair prices to…
Sustain your Comfort Through the Lockdown: Eco-friendly Leisurewear
We’ve been in lockdown for a while, and let’s face it: we may be here a while. Our idea of day to day norms has drastically changed. I’ve sat through so many FaceTime calls, Google Hangouts, and House Parties that I’ve started to forget what people look like from the shoulders down. But I’ve got to imagine that sweat pants are the new norm, because mine are getting a lot of wear. Just because your sweatpants take zero effort to wear, does not mean they were effortless to make. Keep in mind that all clothing is labor intensive, and people deserve to be paid fair wages for their labor! Here…
Colorfully Curated Gifts for Her, Under $50
When I’m thinking about gifts for someone close, I often think about their favorite color(s). My mom loves red and purple, my sister in law also loves red, and my friend Jessica’s favorite color is blue. So whether you are looking for a gift for a birthday, shower, Mother’s Day, or just to remind a friend you’re thinking of them, I’m sure you can find something in this colorfully curated gallery that brings someone to mind. All items are fair trade and/or sustainably made. Enjoy!
20 for 2020: Women Who Inspire Those to Go Green and Shop Ethically Part 2.
When I started my blog post about inspirational women in sustainability I had every intent of keeping it short, say maybe, 10 women. 15 max. However, there where too many badass women to name. In fact, it was hard keeping it to a list of 20! Here is part 2 of the 20 for 2020 inspirational women in sustainability series. 11. and 12. Lauren Conrad & Hannah Skvarla Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla inspire those to empower artisans by shopping fair trade home decor. The two co-founders formed the idea for their fair trade company The Little Market when on a trip to Uganda and Tanzania. While in Africa they…
20 for 2020: Women Who Inspire Those to Go Green & Shop Ethically, Part 1.
March is one of my favorite months of the year for many reasons; I love college basketball, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of spring is in March. Mainly I love March because it’s Women’s History Month: a time where we can pause to observe and celebrate the vital role of women in American history and appreciate the struggle women went through and continue to experience to get equal rights. Unfortunately, the Coronavius pandemic has largely overshadowed Women’s History Month this year. It is a dark and uncertain time for all. I know for many simply reading the news produces much anxiety. Let’s all take a moment to step…
Trades of Hope Cyber Monday!
While I chose to skip Black Friday sales this year, there is something about Cyber Monday I find hard to resist. There’s no crowds or lines- just me in my pajamas browsing my favorite sites. It’s especially rewarding when you know your purchase helps women living in poverty and/or previous sex trafficking victims have dignified jobs and provide for their families. The Fair trade company Trades of Hope is offering some of my favorite pieces for up to 70% off through December 3rd. Here are some of my favorite pieces: To view all Cyber Monday sales and shop my Trades of Hope store click here!
FALLing for Ethical Boots
Forget diamonds– shoes are a woman’s best friend. Why do we love shoes so much? My theory is that it’s because shoes are versatile and body type doesn’t matter when it comes to rocking a pair of shoes. As I’ve learned more about ethics of the garment industry I’ve especially focused on what I put on my feet. Over the years shoe companies have become exposed and known for bad labor and environmental practices. In the 90s Nike and other sports shoe brands were exposed for their use of child labor and sweatshops. However, it’s not just sneakers that are made unethically. When it comes to boots, many consumers are…
My First Foray Into Fair Trade Fashion
How that’s for an alliteration? Fair Trade was a term I was vaguely familiar with for years after stepping foot in a Ten Thousand Villages store in Cambridge, Massachussetts. I recognized it as goods made by artisans in other countries and were made using traditional craftsmanship of those countries. It wasn’t until I created my wedding registry in 2016 at The Little Market that I discovered the full extent of fair trade decor and how buying fair trade certified products supports artisans in other countries by providing them with fair wages and safe working conditions. My enthusiasm for fair trade grew and I started working with a fair trade jewelry…
Trades of Hope Savanna Collection
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” -John Hemingway Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed about Africa, especially the animals of the African savanna. I preferred playing with figurines of cheetahs and giraffes over dolls, and my bedroom had an African safari theme. As an adult my childhood dreams of traveling to Africa came true and I was able to visit Ethiopia and Ghana. I also fell in love with the people, the traditions, the beautiful designs they incorporate into their clothing and crafts. As a first grade teacher I teach about the savanna habitat every year, and I love sharing my…
Patriotic Finds You Can Wear Past July 4th
If I’m going to be completely honest, I had every intention of writing a post for Fourth of July, but my husband and I planned a hiking and camping trip for the long weekend and time escaped me. At the weekend’s conclusion, with the work already half done I found myself sitting in front of the computer wondering how I could salvage the blog post. I found inspiration in my husband’s over-the-top patriotic shirt- a muscle tee with an American flag covering his whole torso and an American eagle busting through the middle of the flag. The kind of shirt that certainly inspires an “America- fuck yea” or two. Admittedly…
