One of the most common requests I get from readers is for tips on how to shop for consignment clothing. Y’all know I love shopping consignment! It’s a great way to get the look you want for less, all while being good to the earth!
Read MoreDisclaimer: I received a pair of Oka-B sandals in exchange for a review. This review contains my unbiased, independent opinions.
I used to always choose fashion over comfort when it came to my shoes. Now, I won’t settle for one or the other! I want super comfortable shoes that still look cute and are practical (i.e. can be worn for multiple occasions). And, it helps if they are made ethically and sustainably, too!
I had heard about Oka-B shoes and had contemplated ordering a pair for about a year or so. Then, Oka-B reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try some. The brand seemed like it could check all of my criteria boxes, so I jumped at the opportunity! I chose the Quinn Sandal.
Read MoreThis post is part of my Why Series here on the blog. I often write about fair trade, eco-friendly, socially conscious living, but I am not always able to fully address in each of my blog posts WHY I choose to live this way. This series goes into greater detail about my why!
Personally, I’ve never thought of myself as a big spender or stuff accumulator. However, after reading Jen Hatmaker’s book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess several years ago, I began to turn a critical eye to what I was purchasing. Clothes, beauty products, home decor: It’s all stuff. I began to realize that perhaps I was buying more stuff than I realized, even if it didn’t necessarily seem like a ton in comparison to other Americans in my demographic. I began to consciously scale back my shopping habit.
Read MoreA guest post by Mick Schulte
As a mother of four with a set of twins in the mix, focusing on the sustainability of products in our home is a fairly recent development for me. To be completely honest, when I had my kids, I didn’t think much about the impact of their lives on the world’s resources. I was more focused on diving into the major life experience of motherhood. I dreamed of cute family pictures with all of us in perfect outfits, looking coordinated, but not matchy matchy, and living the happily-ever-after life most people think of when they’re just starting out.
Then I had my kids and realized happily-ever-after is complicated.
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Friends, we are about to leap into a BIG week for sustainability and social justice. Monday, April 22 is Earth Day, and April 22-28 is Fashion Revolution Week!
There are lots of ways to honor both of these occasions. Here are a few ideas for both Earth Day and Fashion Revolution Week:
Read MoreA guest post by Stephanie Capps
I am not a water conservationist. I don’t know the latest stats on rivers and watersheds. I can’t tell you much about where my water actually comes from or where it goes. I am just a regular person living a fairly normal life. But, I can say with certainty one thing: WE WASTE WATER.
Read MoreThis post was written for my church’s series on fasting. Each week of Lent, the church focuses on a different item for fasting (food, clothes, waste, etc.). During the week focused on clothing, church members are encouraged to fast from clothing in some shape or fashion. Examples include wearing only two outfits the entire week, cleaning out unused clothing and donating it, or fasting from buying new clothes for the duration of Lent. I personally encourage fasting from buying fast, exploitative fashion, not just during Lent, but as a lifelong goal. Read on to find out more!
We tend to envision fasting as a practice of recentering our hearts around God rather than some other object (in this case, clothing). We often treat clothing as an idol, coping mechanism, and giver of self-worth, when God should be those things instead. Working on our personal relationship with clothing and God is an important thing to do this week, but in this reflection I want to focus on a different aspect of fasting: A change in our hearts that results in social action.
I’m not going to lie: This reflection discusses difficult things, like the role we personally play in human trafficking. But if there’s any group willing to dig deep and not turn away from hard topics, it’s my church family. So let’s jump in!
Let’s face it: Junk mail doesn’t spark joy for anyone.
Decluttering has become a major cultural movement as Marie Kondo’s tidying methods have swept the nation and more and more people are embracing minimalism. You may have already purged your junk closet and organized your clothes, but there’s one part of your home you may be overlooking: Your mailbox.
Read MoreThis post is part of my Why Series here on the blog. I often write about fair trade, eco-friendly, socially conscious living, but I am not always able to fully address in each of my blog posts WHY I choose to live this way. This series goes into greater detail about my why!
Organic vegetables, organic clothing, organic baby formula, organic toys…the label “organic” seems to be everywhere these days. The merit of organic products is a hotly debated topic, especially since buying organic tends to come with a higher price tag. Today, I’m explaining what “organic” means and sharing why I personally choose to shop for organic products when possible.
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Y’all know that I always think it’s important to live sustainably, and times when I’m traveling are no exception! In fact, I would argue that it is especially important to be eco-minded when traveling since traveling tends to be inherently environmentally unfriendly. You typically burn more fossil fuels than normal when you travel long distance by car or plane. And, you’re likely using more water, since your hotel towels and sheets are probably washed way more frequently than you would wash your own towels and sheets at home. It’s great to be able to offset some of these environment ills with some sustainable packing!
I tend to travel at least a couple of times a year and just got back from a fantastic vacation in Belize. I have discovered some great products that help me be a bit more earth-friendly while traveling. Here are some of my favorite sustainable travel essentials:
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