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…
Is this an America we can be Proud of?
I find myself asking this question a lot. When I think about the current state of our country, I instantly hear Childish Gambino’s “This is America” in my head. The incredibly catchy, yet haunting mix of choir and trap music plays like an anthem for the current disarray in our country. If you haven’t seen the “This is America” music video, with it’s many metaphors about race and gun violence in America, I highly recommend it. Warning: there are images some may find disturbing. Although Donald Glover released the song under his musical moniker, Childish Gambino, in 2018, it’s just as timely now. Going into the the 2020 election, our…
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…
Planting Seeds of Change with Earth Day Books
One of the most rewarding ways to celebrate Earth Day is by educating others. As the effects of climate change become more evident each day, more and more authors and illustrators have come to action and created beautiful books to teach the youth about the importance of protecting our planet. We know it’s future generations that will be most affected. Enjoy this list of 14 picture books that are as diverse as our planet. Many of these I use in my own classroom. I have included websites to order these books, but I encourage you to contact your local bookstores first. During this uncertain time it’s so important for us…
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…
