a sustainable and ethical (life)style blog

Category: Style

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!

Cat in the Wild | Falling for the PNW at Lake Ingalls, WA

This is the first of many “Cat in the Wild” entries to come! I hope this series inspires you to get outside, especially if, like me, you’re intimidated or hesitant to leave the comfort of the city for the trail.

I think it was really this hike, Lake Ingalls, that sparked this desire within me to get outside, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

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.

10 ethical and sustainable boots for fall and winter 2018

Every time autumn rolls around, I’m more than happy to trade my tired old flip flops for a pair of sleek black ankle booties.

These boots are all ethically made, designed to last, and made for walking… and, of course, jumping into huge piles of crunchy leaves.