9 Sustainable Travel Essentials

9 Sustainable Travel Essentials | Fairly Southern

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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The Best Travel Pants: Athleta Headlands Hybrid Tight Review

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

The Best Travel Pants: Athleta Headlands Hybrid Tight Review | Fairly Southern

When I learned recently that Athleta is now a Certified B Corporation, I freaked. out. I had actually never shopped at Athleta before and only vaguely knew what they were all about, but I was over the moon excited to finally have an ethical big box store at our local mall!

A couple of weeks before my trip to Belize, I realized that my wardrobe was a bit lacking in outdoorsy gear. I needed some athletic tops, and I also wanted to find some cute, quick-dry athletic pants that I could wear out into the jungle but also feel good about wearing to dinner later in the day.

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Why Couples Need to Stop Having Children

Why Couples Need to Stop Having Children | Fairly Southern

The CDC recently announced that the U.S. fertility rate has dropped, with women having on average 1.8 children each. This number is low enough for negative population growth. Many news outlets and opinion articles have portrayed this information in a negative light, to which I strongly object.

For example, CNN reports that the executive director of the American Public Health Association is “concerned” about these new statistics. A Medium subheading discusses who is to “blame” for the declining fertility rate before then going on to call out other news outlets for sensationalist headlines (for example, Insider’s “The U.S. Is in the Danger Zone for a ‘Demographic Time Bomb’”). This negative language assumes (incorrectly, in my opinion) that a drop in the U.S. fertility rate is a bad thing.

Here is why the declining U.S. fertility rate is a good thing, and why those of us who are of childbearing age should personally strive to continue to keep the birth rate low.

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Southern Traditions: Monograms

A guest post by Alexandra Davis

Southern Traditions: Monograms | Fairly Southern

Confession: Even though I was born in New Jersey, I identify more as a Southerner than a Northerner. This might be because I’ve lived in the South for more than half my life. But it may also be because of the many Southern traditions I’ve come to know and love. There is something so sweet about the Southern lifestyle, from sweet tea, pecan pie, and big front porches to genteel manners, accents, and stories.

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Small Joys: Volume 15

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

1. For the Love Podcast Episode 6: Glennon Doyle. I’ve been listening to Jen Hatmaker’s podcast for a while now, but for some reason episode 6 had never downloaded to my phone (probably because I didn’t have enough available space at the time…a recurring problem for this photo/podcast hoarder). I just now downloaded and listened to it. Y’all already know that I’m a huge fan of Glennon AND Jen, so naturally I adored this podcast episode. So many nuggets of true wisdom about life, love, and creating good in the world. Definitely worth your time to listen!

For the Love Podcast wtih Jen Hatmaker | Fairly Southern
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Books I Read in 2018

2018 Book Recap | Fairly Southern

Hooray! It’s my annual recap of the books I read last year! This has become one of my favorite posts to write.

I read 34 books in 2018. That is 6 more books than I read in 2017, not that I was counting or being competitive with myself or anything. That would be so unlike me.

For the most part, I listen to audiobooks rather than reading physical books. It just works better with my busy schedule! I can listen to audiobooks while driving and cleaning, whereas I rarely carve out time to actually sit down on the couch and hold a book in my hands. The one exception is vacations–I love to read actual book on vacation!

While most of the books were ones I chose myself, some of them were selected by my book club. I really like being “forced” to read books that I otherwise probably wouldn’t pick up. I have discovered quite a few favorites that way! And, even if I don’t love the book, at least I feel like I broadened my horizons.

Without further ado, here are the books I read in 2018, along with my opinions on each. They are in alphabetical order, and the ones that are *starred are ones that I highly recommend adding to your own reading list! There are many good books on this list that did not get a star. I tried to reserve stars only for books that I enthusiastically recommend.

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Get the Look: Holiday Glam Clean Beauty Makeover (& a Giveaway!!)

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!

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