Category Archives: Fair to Self

10 Easy & Delicious Vegetarian Recipes for World Vegetarian Day

10 Easy & Delicious Vegetarian Recipes | Fairly Southern

We are just two days away from World Vegetarian Day on October 1, so it seems like the perfect opportunity to share some of my favorite, tried-and-true vegetarian recipes!

I’ve been cooking exclusively vegetarian for several years now. There are so many reasons why I decided to make the switch: it’s better for the environment, it’s better for your health, it’s kinder to animals (living conditions for livestock tend to be pretty deplorable), and it saves a lot of money!

All of these recipes are relatively healthy and easy. I work full-time outside the home and don’t have tons of time to spend cooking. I try to balance convenience, health, flavor, and cost when making my grocery list and deciding what to cook. These are also all recipes that have gotten a stamp of approval from my (previously) meat-loving husband!

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Small Joys: Volume 21

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. My sister and BFF’s bachelorette party! I actually just got back from their joint bachelorette weekend in Wilmington. We had the best time! It was a much needed girls getaway with yoga, a spa night, cocktails, and beach time. So looking forward to their upcoming weddings!

2. Decorating. I was recently inspired to try to add some navy and indigo to our currently all-gray living room. They are some of my favorite colors! So far I’ve only added some blue books to our shelves, but I am already loving the new pop of color. Thrift stores books have made it inexpensive and eco-friendly! Next up on my list is a navy or indigo love seat (been keeping an eye out on Facebook Marketplace and at consignment stores) and navy/indigo throw pillows (I have my eye on these in Indigo from West Elm).

Gray, navy, and indigo home decor - Small Joys | Fairly Southern
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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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Why It’s Important to Buy Less Stuff

This 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!

Why It's Important to Buy Less Stuff | Fairly Southern

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.

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Small Joys: Volume 17

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. Spring is finally here! I’ve enjoyed spending some time outside on warmer days with Ru pup, and I got to spend a fun afternoon with my mom exploring beautiful Pullen Park in Raleigh!

Pullen Park, Raleigh NC | Fairly Southern
Spring at Pullen Park, Raleigh NC | Fairly Southern

2. A completed shower renovation. Back in December, we began renovations on our master bathroom shower to correct some issues that were causing mold. Our shower is finally complete, and I am thrilled to be able to use it again and not have to clean it every few days!

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Get the Look: Holiday Glam Clean Beauty Makeover

This makeover post gives all the details you need to create a glam holiday look at home using clean beauty products! But the best news? One lucky reader will win their own professional makeover at Trellis Beauty! Read through to the end of the post to enter. 

Get the Look: Holiday Glam Makeover with Clean Beauty Products! | Fairly Southern

If you’re like me, you’ve got your everyday makeup routine down pat. I can throw on some foundation and mascara like a champ. But when it comes time to take it up a notch for a special occasion, I’m a little lost. Highlighter? Winged eyeliner? Contouring? I don’t have a clue about this stuff…but I want to! Read More

Why I Use Clean Beauty Products

This 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!

Why I Use Clean Beauty Products | Fairly Southern

Over the past couple of years, I have transitioned my shower and skincare routine to include more and more “clean” beauty products. This means that I am choosing products that are made from natural, non-toxic ingredients rather than harmful chemicals. Here is why I have decided to make clean beauty a priority:

1. Most conventional beauty products contain harmful, toxic ingredients.

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Why I Haven’t Bought New Clothes This Fall

Sometimes, ethical and sustainable fashion means NOT buying new clothes.

I haven’t shared many outfit posts on the blog lately because I haven’t been shopping much! I purchased quite a few cold weather tops and sweaters last year, so I honestly haven’t needed to do much shopping as the weather has changed this year. But I have to confess: I have felt anxious about not having any great new ethical fashion finds to post here on Fairly Southern.

Rust Colored Sweater for Fall - Why I Haven't Bought New Clothes This Fall | Fairly Southern

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