a sustainable and ethical (life)style blog

Category: Eco/Ethical Fashion Education

Can wool be cruelty-free? (Spoiler alert: Yes it can!) / ft. Myssyfarmi

Wool is one of nature’s superstar fibers. It’s warm, moisture-wicking, odor resistant, anti-microbial, and when produced under the right circumstances, deliciously soft and cozy. It’s also one of the most biodegradable materials, decomposing within six months in ideal conditions.

But for those of us concerned with animal welfare, choosing to buy wool involves significant ethical considerations. Personally, wool is one of my favorite fibers to wear, and as someone trying to be a more ethical knitter and consumer, the welfare of the sheep from where my wool is sourced is top of mind for me.

That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with Myssyfarmi, a small-scale wool goods farm in Finland, to talk about this issue close to my heart!

Hey conscious consumer! It’s not up to just you to save the world.

Hey fellow conscious consumer! I have to tell you something.

The weight of the world is not on your shoulders, and conscious consumerism isn’t gonna save the world.

I know, this probably sounds hypocritical coming from someone who blogs mostly about conscious consumerism. Although I do believe that thinking critically about the things we buy and what kind of practices we support with our dollars is important, I’m worried that there’s too much emphasis on individual actions within the conscious consumerism movement.

The future of fashion is gonna be dope & other lessons from the Garment Worker Center banquet

Obviously, I think about ethical fashion a lot, but it’s something else to actually see the faces and hear the voices of the women working in fast fashion sweatshops, fighting for change.

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the Garment Worker Center banquet in Los Angeles. The Garment Worker Center organizes low-wage garment workers in LA, empowering them to fight back against abusive employers.

The banquet was incredibly illuminating about the struggles of garment workers in LA, but it was ultimately a celebration of the community that had gathered to fight for garment worker rights and the garment workers themselves, who are so brave and strong for standing up to their oppressors.

After a powerful and moving night, I, of course, had some major THOUGHTS that I wanted to write up and share with you. Here ya go.

Should you buy gold-plated, gold vermeil, gold-filled, or solid gold jewelry? / A guide to buying better gold jewelry

I’ve never been the type of gal to invest in the little things, like accessories and jewelry—mostly because I didn’t have the money, but also because I didn’t realize how much the little things matter.

I’ve come to realize that a pair of minimal earrings or a dainty necklace can do wonders to make me feel more put together. And as I’ve started buying fewer, better things, I’ve stopped buying cheap fast fashion jewelry that tarnishes quickly in favor of investing in timeless pieces of jewelry that will last me a lifetime.

Summer silks with GRANA / A conscious guide to silk

Silk is one of my favorite warm weather fabrics. It keeps you cool in the summer heat, feels soft and smooth against the skin, and can look luxe and satiny or soft and subdued depending on how it was finished.

But how ethical and sustainable is silk? How can you buy and wear silk in a conscious way?

Great questions, dear reader! Read on to discover how silk can fit into your conscious closet.

Cupro: The magical sustainable fabric you’ve never heard of

Being into sustainable and ethical fashion has made me into a bit of a textile geek. After all, there are so many cool sustainable fabrics! Who knew you could make fabric out of recycled water bottles and fishing nets?

So when I found out about Cupro fairly recently, I was surprised that I didn’t already know about it. Girlfriend Collective sent me a couple of their new Cupro tees, and I immediately fell in love with the miraculously soft and eco-friendly fabric…so much so that I had to learn more about Cupro and share what I’ve learned about this magical fabric with you all!

Why we need more POC in sustainable and ethical fashion! ft. Proclaim

Hi friends and lovely readers! Today, I’m talking about something that’s been weighing on my mind since I started this blog: sustainable and ethical fashion’s diversity problem.

The sustainable and ethical fashion community is so wonderful and full of awesome, creative, and thoughtful folks, but it’s also not that diverse. And while I think this space is generally more progressive and cognizant of social issues than the rest of the fashion industry, sustainable and ethical fashion that doesn’t include people of color isn’t as revolutionary as it could be.

I’m also excited to introduce you to a brand that’s addressing fashion’s diversity problem head-on: Proclaim! But first, let’s talk about why we need more POC in sustainable and ethical fashion.

Shop for Good Sunday

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and you know what that means—the onslaught of Black Friday and after-Thanksgiving sales vying for your attention and money.

While I can’t begrudge anyone for the sheer determination and willpower it takes to wait in line in the cold for hours, right after chowing down a hearty Thanksgiving dinner, to fight other shoppers for flat-screen TVs, the mass consumerism of Black Friday and the holiday season is…pretty much the antithesis of what this blog is all about.

However, there is a way to shop more consciously next weekend!

A conscious guide to cashmere / Grana Mongolian cashmere review

As the days grow shorter and colder, there’s nothing cozier than snuggling into a cashmere sweater. But where does this fuzzy winter magic come from? How can you buy it responsibly? And how can you care for it so your cashmere continues to bring you warmth and joy for years to come?

Today’s post is all about cashmere! I’m thrilled to partner with Grana in this post, featuring their Mongolian cashmere.

Psst, there’s a discount at the end for you!

The joy of creation: Why I love making my own clothes and think you should, too!

My idea of a perfect afternoon is sitting in bed with a kitty in my lap and knitting needles in my hands, creating something that’ll bring warmth to myself or someone I love. I call this the joy of creation: that simple happiness I get from making something with my own two hands.

Of course, my favorite things to make are clothes. Whether I’m knitting, crocheting, or sewing, I completely geek out over learning new techniques and daydream up my own designs. Recently, I’ve realized how making my own clothes—something I’ve been doing for over a decade—ties neatly into my slow fashion journey.