Author: Fairly Southern

Ethically Made Blue Light Glasses: Warby Parker Review

This post is NOT sponsored and is my unbiased, independent review.

Try on ethically made blue light glasses from Warby Parker at home! | Fairly Southern

Anyone else heard people talk about blue light glasses recently and feel truly un-curious? That was me up until recently! I don’t have any problems with my eyes–not even a little eyestrain after staring at a computer screen all day–so I really didn’t see the point in being interested. That is, until I learned about the negative effects of blue light.

I’ve had more time on my hands the past few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve been seeing people post about blue light glasses for a couple of years now, but I was finally bored enough one day that I decided to get curious after seeing an influencer post about a new pair.

What I learned prompted me to get to work searching for a pair. I was able to find several ethical/sustainable brands and even did a home try-on of several pairs! I’ve got all the details and photos below.

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Clean Sunscreen Guide

Clean Sunscreen Guide | Fairly Southern

Protecting my skin from the sun has always been important to me. I learned from a young age that a major sunburn is NOT something you want to deal with! As I enter my 30s (why hello, wrinkles and sunspots!) and have watched my husband have pre-cancerous spots removed, the importance of good sunscreen has only become more apparent.

Several years ago when I began transitioning to clean beauty products, I knew I wanted to find a clean, non-toxic sunscreen that was healthier for me and the environment. I’ve found some great ones!

Here’s some more information on why it’s important to choose non-toxic sunscreen, as well as my personal recommendations for good products!

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

Last updated May 9, 2020. Originally posted July 14, 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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Instagram Bingo: Sustainability, Traveling the South, Fair Trade, & More!

Has anyone else really enjoyed the various Instagram bingo templates floating around these days? It’s a fun game to play, especially right now while everyone is stuck inside during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have created several bingo templates related to things important to us here at Fairly Southern: sustainability, fair trade, and the south! Check out the templates below. They are also saved on my Highlights on Instagram. Save them to your phone, then upload them to your Instagram or Facebook stories with boxes checked off! Tag me @fairlysouthern – I’d love to see your bingo results!

Sustainability Instagram Bingo Template | Fairly Southern
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Small Joys: Volume 26

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

Wow. I did not expect to be writing my next Small Joys post to y’all in the midst of a pandemic! This has been a challenging season in a lot of ways, but one of the silver linings for me has been a renewed sense of gratitude. With all of the busy-ness and stress stripped away, I have had a chance to breathe and look around and notice all of the truly good things around me. Here are all of the little things bringing me joy lately:

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Eco-Friendly Laundry & Dishwasher Pods Delivered to Your Door: Dropps Review

This post is not sponsored. I received a Dropps Citrus Clean Household Bundle in exchange for my personal review of the products.

Dropps Review: Eco-Friendly, Zero Waste, Non-Toxic Laundry & Dishwasher Pods Delivered to Your Door | Fairly Southern

Today, I’m very excited to introduce you to Dropps, a brand of eco-friendly laundry detergent and dishwasher pods that I have absolutely fallen in love with! And I’ve got a discount code (fairly15) so you can try them out yourself for 15% off!

What is Dropps?

Dropps is an eco-responsible brand offering laundry detergent and dishwasher pods that are delivered right to your front door with free, carbon neutral shipping!

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6 Positive Ways to Use Your Stimulus Check

6 Positive Ways to Use Your Coronavirus Stimulus Check | Fairly Southern

Soon, those of us in the United States who qualify will receive a stimulus check from the federal government. If you are signed up for direct deposit, deposits will be initiated on April 9; paper checks should mail out in May. As we eagerly wait for our money to arrive, I have some ideas on ways we can really use this stimulus money for GOOD.

If you have lost your job or taken a really hard hit financially during this trying economic time, you may need to use your stimulus check for essentials like rent, bills, and food. I don’t want you to feel ignored by this blog post. I see you and hear you! The absolute best thing you can do with your stimulus money if you’re in a tight spot financially is to take care of your needs. That is making a positive difference in your life!

The ideas in this blog post can be utilized by those of us who are still able to financially meet essential needs right now, even if our bottom lines have taken a little bit of a hit. For us, the stimulus check provides extra money beyond what we truly need. It would be really easy to cash that check and blow it quickly on electronics or clothes or expensive food or random Amazon purchases that we don’t really need and that may not really help those who are most in need right now. I want to challenge us to be a bit more purposeful in how we spend our stimulus money so that we can really make a positive difference. Here are some ideas!

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Navigating Sustainability During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Navigating Sustainability During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Fairly Southern

Whew, y’all. With the current worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, life has been hectic and rapidly changing lately! For those of you in less impacted areas or who work in “essential” job functions, your day-to-day lives may look about the same as they always do. For those of us in more impacted areas with stay-at-home orders that impact our normal daily routines, life has changed significantly. And for those who have lost jobs, are working to care for COVID-19 patients, or have become ill with the novel coronavirus, life has been altered dramatically and drastically.

My own daily routine has been disrupted pretty significantly under a mandatory stay-at-home order, though I am quite grateful to still have a job that I am now (mostly) able to do from home.

Being at home more has given me free time, including more time to just think and be. One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is sustainability as it relates to the current coronavirus pandemic. It’s something that has given me some feelings of guilt, and I want to share what’s been on my heart as a way to process and also connect with others who may be feeling the same way!

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My Favorite Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

My Favorite Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products | Fairly Southern

It’s spring cleaning time, and with most people sheltering at home due to COVID-19, I have a feeling a lot of you are digging into some deep cleaning projects!

Over the years, I have found more sustainable options to replace my conventional cleaning products. The cleaners I used to use were full of chemicals that were bad for me, my pets, and the earth. And all the paper towel waste? Not good! I have gradually transitioned to a more eco-friendly cleaning routine.

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