a sustainable and ethical (life)style blog

Category: Style

Black-owned ethical brands to support this Black History Month (and every month)!

I believe that conscious consumerism can be even more impactful when we approach it with an anti-racist and intersectional feminist lens. Shopping BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color – more context here) and woman-owned brands helps supports these communities in a world where wealth and power are mostly centralized in the hands of white men, while supporting more ethical practices.

This Black History Month, I’ve curated a list of ethical and sustainable Black-owned brands that you can support any time of year! Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference 🙂

Dear Reformation, stop commoditizing my culture // On cultural appropriation in “ethical” fashion

In their first drop of 2019, Reformation kicked off the year with a new style they’ve dubbed the “May dress.” According to the website, the dress is “a tight fitting, mini length dress with a mock neck collar, frog closures and short sleeves.”

According to Chinese people, that’s a qipao (also known as a cheongsam)—a traditional dress most often worn for formal occasions.

As one might expect, when Ref posted a photo of the dress on a white model on Instagram, the comments section blew up in outrage. And as one might, sadly, expect, Reformation hasn’t issued any statement in response, or pulled the dress off their website; in fact, the dress is on their front page.

I KNITTED THIS SWEATER IN ONE WEEK

Yup, you read that right. One whole sweater, in seven days, with my two hands.

You might be wondering if I have knitting machine hands or something, but the secret is simple: Big yarn and big needles. Not only are extremely chunky knits the very definition of cute and cozy, they also knit up super quickly.

I reached out to Wool and the Gang to try one of their chunky sweaters, and they sent me their Eden Jumper kit.

How I got to model for my favorite brand, Girlfriend Collective

Thanks to everyone who’s been sending me screenshots of the Girlfriend Collective website, with MY FACE on it! I truly appreciate the love!

For those of you who don’t know, I was lucky enough to hang out with the team that makes my favorite leggings ever, along with some fellow Girlfriend fans. Here’s how it all happened.

This startup proves there’s a more ethical and sustainable way to do tech // ft. Nimble

When I think about shopping more consciously, I’ll admit that my electronics and tech don’t top my shopping list. I’ve happily given up my fast fashion addiction to embrace slow fashion, but taking a more conscious approach to the gadgets that power my life, my career, and this blog is mostly uncharted territory for me.

This is partly because I find shopping for clothes fun and do it on a regular basis, but rarely buy new electronics. It’s also because, compared to the overwhelming selection consumers have when it comes to fashion, there are narrower options when it comes to the electronics we buy.

I recently learned about Nimble, a company that takes a more thoughtful and conscious approach to consumer electronics and tech, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to share their story with you.

The best ethical and sustainable Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of 2018

The annual celebration of consumerism is upon us again! But while Black Friday and Cyber Monday have a reputation as horrific displays of mass consumerism, they are also an opportunity for many of us to buy ethical and sustainable goods that may otherwise be out of our price range.

Best of all, most of these brands are online…so you can skip the crowds and lines and shop from your bed!

I’ll be listing Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for ethical and sustainable brands here. Bookmark this page and check back throughout the weekend for updated sales.

6 ethical brands making fine jewelry affordable (+ gift ideas!)

It’s only recently that I’ve tried to invest in longer lasting jewelry pieces as my tastes have changed to embrace more timeless styles and higher quality jewelry. Fine jewelry is, however, expensive. Luckily, there are fine jewelry brands that prioritize affordable pricing and ethical standards!

With the holidays coming up, I thought it’d be the perfect time to whip up this roundup of ethical fine jewelry brands that won’t break the bank* (plus a few gift ideas for fun!).

Cat in the Wild | Choose your own adventure at Denny Creek, WA

Okay…so I did this hike twice. In one week. Can you tell I really like this trail?

I can already tell that Denny Creek is going to be a favorite of mine that I’ll revisit again, for its ridiculously sweet payoff to effort ratio and proximity to Seattle (only an hour’s drive).

Cozy and conscious fall essentials with Les Lunes

My friends know that when it comes to fashion or comfort, I will always choose the latter, hands down.

Is it too much to ask for cute clothes that are also soft, comfortable, and warm? I don’t think so!

I’m happy to partner with Les Lunes, an ethical and sustainable brand that doesn’t think so either! Les Lunes combines luxurious comfort and softness with fashion-forward designs for the perfect fall wardrobe, and they do it all with care for the environment and the people who make their clothes.

Fall 2018 Eco & Ethical Edit | What I’m wearing, reading, and doing this fall

I’m kicking off my first Eco & Ethical Edit, featuring my current favorites in sustainable and ethical fashion and lifestyle!

The Eco & Ethical Edit is like my version of monthly favorites, except this series will run on a seasonal basis because, well, slow fashion is slower. I find that my favorite clothes, makeup, and other interests refresh as the weather and mood of life change with the seasons.

I’ll also be sharing some other faves of mine, like books or shows or DIY projects I’m loving—because I’m a Real Human Being with more interests than fashion and makeup, and I hope that this series will help you get to know both the ethical lifestyle space, and me, a bit better.

This fall, recycled fashion is in, dainty jewelry is the new red lipstick, and POC storytellers are taking center stage. Get cozy and tuck into my fall faves!