How to Have an Eco-Friendly Tailgate

How to Have an Eco-Friendly Tailgate - sustainable tailgating tips! | Fairly Southern

It’s that time of year again: Tailgating season!! I’m really not a football person, but I love a good tailgate. And I love a sustainable tailgate even more!

It can be easy to produce a lot of unnecessary waste at your tailgate without even meaning to. Anytime you need portable, convenient food and food serving items, you can get carried away with lots of trash and plastic. But that need not be the case!

Here are some easy tips to keep your tailgate sustainable so that you can still have fun without trashing the earth!

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Small Joys: Volume 20

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. My first drag show. It was so much fun! I love seeing people being unapologetically themselves, and I think drag queens epitomize that. Dressing up in ways that are considered unconventional by society, and doing it proudly and publicly…I love it! Also, some of these ladies were so talented. Like, cartwheels-in-stilettos talented. Unreal.

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Reclaimed Clothes Box Review: The Sustainable Stitch Fix Alternative!

This post is not sponsored. I received a Reclaimed Clothes Box in exchange for my honest opinions.

Reclaimed Clothes Box: The Sustainable Stitch Fix Alternative! | Fairly Southern

Can y’all believe I have not tried a subscription clothes box before now? Not a single Stitch Fix or Trunk Club or Wantable box has graced my doorstep! I think I must have been unconsciously holding out for the best, which I have now officially found: Reclaimed Clothes Box! (And I have a discount code! Keep reading!)

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Non-Toxic Skincare and Makeup Routine for Oily Skin

Non-toxic and clean skincare and makeup routine for oily skin | Fairly Southern

Y’all, I am so excited to share my skincare and makeup routine with you today! But first, a quick story that illustrates just how well this routine is working for my (very) oily skin:

I recently attended a Barre3 class with some friends and somehow didn’t realize going into it how much sweating this class would involve. I had put on a full face of makeup that morning and had planned to continue on with errands and social engagements afterward without needing a shower. Ha!

After the class, one of the other attendees came up to me and asked, “How does your makeup still look so perfect after all of that? Mine would have completely sweated off!”

Due to my extremely oily skin, my entire skincare and makeup routine is focused on controlling oil and shine as much as possible. A little bit of sweat didn’t stand a chance. I still had beautiful makeup after an hour-long sweat session!

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17 Must-Read Southern Novels

17 Must-Read Southern Novels | Fairly Southern

I know I am biased, but I think there is something especially romantic and beautiful about novels set in the South! Beyond descriptions of white sand beaches and trees dripping with Spanish moss, the South has a lot of content to offer when it comes to deeper lessons on relationships, family, racism, tradition, and general life wisdom. Whether you need a good beach read or are looking to curl up inside with a good book, here are 17 Southern-based novels that you need to check out! All of these are books I personally love or come highly recommended by friends.

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Sustainable and Ethically Made Swimwear Shopping Guide for Women, Men, and Kids

Last updated August 11, 2019

When I first made my commitment to buy ethically made and/or sustainable clothing, swimwear wasn’t something I was worried about. I already had plenty of swimsuits and wasn’t in need of new ones. However, as time has passed and some of the suits no longer fit or have gotten worn out, I have had to purchase some new suits.

Below is a list of the brands I have discovered, including the ones I have personally purchased!

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Small Joys: Volume 19

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. Surviving the creepy stalker van. I had to drive a big transit van for a work event the first weekend of June. It had a driver’s seat, a passenger seat, and then the entire back was gutted to hold equipment. The sides had no windows, and it definitely looked like a creepy van that someone would use to kidnap children. Also, it was HUGE. I felt like I was driving a bus…I had to reach down for the steering wheel, and it seemed like my feet could barely touch the gas and brake pedals. I drove it up and down several mountains and parked it in busy parking lots and NO ONE DIED. I consider this one of my greatest victories in life.

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Finally Finding Fair Trade Home Goods…with Amani ya Juu!

This post is sponsored by Amani ya Juu. All opinions are my own and reflect my honest thoughts on the products.

Napkin set by Amani ya Juu - fair trade home goods made by artisans in Africa | Fairly Southern

I’ve done a great job over the past several years of going ethical with my wardrobe. I pretty much exclusively buy fair trade or eco-friendly clothing items. But extending fair trade purchasing into other areas of my life has been more of a struggle. The next fair trade frontier on my radar? Home goods!

For some reason, my mind doesn’t automatically turn to fair trade when I’m in need of a home good item. When I say home goods, I really mean anything that I use at home, from decor to more practical items like dishes. When I need a set of oven mitts, I don’t think twice about running out to Bed Bath & Beyond and buying the first pair I see on the shelf. This is so different from how I shop for clothing, which is much more selective and thoughtful! Part of the problem is that I have no idea where to even begin shopping for fair trade home goods. And I’m ready for that to change.

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wirl Review: Personal Styling Services in Raleigh/Durham

This post is not sponsored. I received personal styling services from wirl in exchange for my honest opinions.

wirl Review: Personal Styling Services in Raleigh/Durham, NC with Tracy Vazquez | Fairly Southern

Have you ever found yourself completely overwhelmed when shopping for clothes and wishing Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear would pop out from behind a rack and help you pick out items that will most flatter you? Or have you ever wished you could have Marie Kondo come in your closet and help you sort through your clothes to figure out what you should keep and what you should give away? 

Y’all, these types of services aren’t just for TV anymore….they are accessible to normal people like you and me! I recently got to try one out and am so excited to report back to you on the experience!

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