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!
Is your Earth Day T-shirt Actually Earth Friendly?
Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22nd this year and I’m always pleased to see people wearing Earth Day shirts promoting environmental responsibility. But ironically, most of these graphic tees are not Earth friendly. Most t-shirts are made with cotton. In fact the cotton plant produces a fiber that is used in most clothing. I first learned about issues in the cotton industry in the 2015 groundbreaking documentary The True Cost. Due to fast fashion and increased consumption, the majority of cotton is now genetically modified to increase production. Genetically modified (GM) cotton uses large amounts of water and chemicals with dangerous consequences. Large amounts of cotton are grown in…
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…
Spotlighting Sustainability: 337Brand
My tagline is “Made ethically, worn practically” for a reason. I’m always on the search for new sustainable brands, but I especially like brands who create clothes that are comfortable, casual, and practical; pieces that I can wear lounging around the house or as a basic layer for work. 337Brand is just that. This sustainable leisurewear brand makes effortless-style basics with an edge. One thing I love about this brand is that they don’t include seasonal collections in their apparel line. Instead every piece is timeless and designed to be worn 24/7. 337 Brand uses the slogan “Kindness is Sexy” and the hashtag #JOINGREENMOVES to invite others to join them…
Cozy and Sustainable Coats for Winter
Winter is here and it’s time to break out the coats out for the season. Luckily there are lots of great ethical options for outerwear. Companies are starting to use recycled down and other sustainable materials for coats, and many of these coats are B Corporation or Fair Trade certified. My go-to sustainable coats are a wool pea coat purchased from Amour Vert (currently on sale) and a Sherpa coat from Whimsy & Row (pictured below). I’ve included these styles and more in a short list of my favorite sustainable winter outerwear from some amazing companies who are working to inspire change in the industry. Amour Vert Amour Vert transforms…
2020: The Year of More or The Year of Less?
More or less? Which word do you find yourself using in your new year’s resolutions? While I was making goals for 2020 I realized that every goal I wanted to achieve contained the words more or less. I’ll show you what I mean: Goals for 2020: Write more blog posts. Spend more time with friends and family. Spend less time worrying about the small things that may be out of my control. Buy less altogether, but buy more green products. Travel more. Spend less time at work and doing work at home (teaching can be all consuming!) Spend less time on social media and read more. Learn more about fair…
Minimizing Stress for the Holidays and Adding a New Family Member
Many words come to mind when I think of the holidays. Merriment. Joy. Family. Food. Presents. I doubt I am alone when I also think of another word: stress. I come from a divorced household which doesn’t make the holidays difficult necessarily, but it does make the holidays…different. Instead of picturing my family gathered around the table I plan out how I’m going to attempt to split up my time evenly between two houses. In contrast my husband’s parents have been together for 40 years, so it’s hard for him to relate. Now my brothers and I all live in separate states and I have in-laws to visit as well.…
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…
