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Can We All Just Treat Ourselves To These Sustainable Pajamas?

published on September 14, 2021 by Angela Hamilton

Seattle summer is on its way out and no one’s really ready to say goodbye. (Fall is my favorite, but I’m always cautiously excited knowing that the colors and crisp will soon turn to drizzle and gloom.) Loungewear options exploded during the pandemic, and I have a solid collection of sustainable joggers. But Covid winter round 2? I think we all deserve a little upgrade. I’ve been seeing so many sustainable pajamas lately whether it’s linen or bamboo or recycled materials. It seems like the perfect treat-yourself gift to ring in fall, and definitely a great eco friendly gift idea for loved ones needing a pick-me-up during the forthcoming grey days.

Raahi Living Printed Pajama Set

LUNYA Linen Silk Crop Pant Set

MATE The Label Lavender Lounge Sets

LA Relaxed Striped PJ Set

Lavender Linen Pajama Set by mantaikotai

Palm Tree Linen Sustainable Pajamas Set by TheNewDayOutfit

Genderless Loungewear from by kvp

Rust Terracotta Linen Button Up PJs by SoGoodLinen

The Standard Stitch Classic PJ Jogger Set from Made Trade

Linen Pajamas with Bowties from StokrotkaShop

Summer Peach Kimono Sustainable Pajamas by GrandAnatolianBazaar

WRAY Swirl Lounge Set

TAMGA Designs Zahara Lounge Set

Thought Clothing Tabbie Eco Vero Printed Sustainable Pajamas

70s Athletic Inspired Lightweight Sweats by Big Bud Press

Do you own a pair of eco friendly pajamas? Let us know which brands you love!

Sustainable Houseplant Supplies to Green Your Indoor Jungle

published on September 10, 2021 by Tatyana Thomas
updated on September 7, 2021

Hi! My name is Tatyana (or Tat for short). This is my first plant post, and I am excited to bring you fun plant content! I have about 60+ houseplant in my loft, and my collection continues to grow!

Am I the only one who just can’t stop buying plants? It has gotten to the point that I come home multiple times a week with a new plant child… And all of these new babies need homes, so my next outing is usually the thrift shop to find unique planters. Then, it’s looking online for sustainable houseplant supplies to keep everything fresh and thriving. Here are a few of my top reccs!

From top to bottom, left to right: Blush Ceramic Watering Can from Eco Vibe, Grow with Noot, Den Sustainable Plant Food, Pot of Gold Hanging Planter from Holistic Habitat, Den Sustainable Cactus Soil Mix, Bloomscape Eco Pot Round Pots, Bloom Plant Nutrient, Eucalyptus Hydroponic Planter from Earth Hero, Paper Bag Planter from Uashmama, Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants, Shell on Earth, TECTLE Plant Based Pot, Propagation Gift Set, Whitewash Planters from Bloomist, Peat Free People Tote Bag

Some of my other interests are roller skating, decorating, and thrifting. Like I said, my favorite things to thrift are planters… On any given day, you can find the most unique, and coolest planters, at your local thrift store. There are also tons of eco-friendly accessories that you will love, and your plants will love even more out there. From fertilizer to totes to the cutest plant stands the picks above are sure to make your at-home jungle even more impressive.

Lastly, I know that it’s important to look into the sustainability of your houseplants themselves! Check out this post to learn more about the most eco friendly plants.

What is your must-have plant accessory? Have you tried sustainable houseplant supplies?

12 Sustainable Activewear Companies for a Guilt-Free Gym Fit

published on September 6, 2021 by Mindy Chung

Who ever thought that squat-proof leggings would become a real consideration when picking your next gym outfit? I know we’re all wary of the infamous see-through black legging phenomenon, but it’s really blown past that hallmark with the explosive interest in athleisure in the last decade.

And sure—if all you’re going to do in your activewear is grocery shop for your weekly meal prep? Functionality and opacity don’t matter as much as comfort. But as someone who’s always leery of blasting the color of my underwear to the whole gym whenever I bend over, I have a few stipulations for my workout gear. So here’s a few fantastic, eco-friendly, and sustainable activewear companies to consider when it’s time to retire barely-there leggings.

Boody

Boody uses organic regenerative bamboo in its clothing for its breathability and softness, making it ideal for activewear. (And while bamboo viscose may not top the list of sustainable fabrics, grown organically it is a big step up from conventional cotton and synthetics.) As a company, they’re also dedicated to giving back to non-profit organizations like Goodbye Malaria. Offered in XS-XL; hopefully they’ll add more extended sizing for workout clothes like they did with their undies.

TALA

Based in the UK, TALA was actually the first company that showed me how transparency and sustainability should look in a clothing brand: upcycled materials and responsible production. And while they do offer a larger range now of casual wear, I’ll always salivate juuust a little for their sustainable leggings.

Summersalt

This women-led eco-friendly brand offers swimsuits, lounge and sustainable activewear, and utilizes either sustainable or recycled materials in its business model from the clothes they offer to the packaging it comes in. They are mid-range priced, and currently come in sizes up to 2X/womens 22.

PACT

Even if you’re fairly new to the sustainable fashion world, you’ve probably heard of Pact. Pact is a reasonably priced, organic cotton-focused brand. Sure, their designs are simple, but isn’t that kind of what you want when it comes to activewear? They boast a range of basics and athleisure wear all manufactured at a Fair Trade Certified factory, and eco-conscious shipping practices like packaging made from 100% post-consumer and biodegradable materials. Plus, they’ve got mens, kids, baby, and even maternity so you can outfit the whole fam. XS-2X.

Allbirds

What started as an eco-friendly sneaker brand (remember those wool commercials?) has spawned a whole line of sustainably-made activewear. Allbirds is perfect for any level of activity from yoga to HIIT, and with their popularity growing, you can probably find a brick-and-mortar store near you. I can see their run tank quickly becoming a staple. Materials include tencel, recycled nylon, hemp, and more. XS-3XL.

Free Label

Free Label (based in Vancouver, Canada) is more casual and loungewear than workout per se, but it’s worth mentioning due to their supima cotton tees, reversible sports bras, and bamboo pants you can wear to both yoga and a dinner out. They offer sizes from XS-4X, with a selection of bras designed for bigger busts.

Threads 4 Thought

We all know Threads 4 Thought, right? T4T places an emphasis on accountability with their transparent operation reports and continual pledge to better their sustainability practices. (Which we’re all about keeping them accountable for.) They source eco-friendly fabrics like Lenzing Modal which is derived from regenerated beech trees, and boast an affordably-priced XS-3XL size range.

Day/Won

Day/Won boasts an eco-conscious, manufactured on-demand, operation out of upstate New York that focuses on utilizing recycled materials and promoting size-inclusivity with their no-exception XS-5XL (0-32) activewear line. Their brand is an excellent choice for anyone who favors louder prints, and more performance-tailored fits.

Girlfriend is Mindy Kaling approved.

Girlfriend Collective

I want to take a moment to bow down to this absolutely ICONIC brand. Not only does Girlfriend have a fully transparent supply chain and FAQ on how they source and manufacture their main source of recycled material (plastic water bottles from Taiwan), they’re also the only sustainable activewear brand I’ve found that’s size-inclusive enough to offer XS to 6XL. 👏(If you know of others, do tell.) Also, everyone I know that’s tried Girlfriend has absolutely sworn off any other leggings, ever.

LA Relaxed

LA Relaxed is a more affordable loungewear brand (and you can score 20% off by signing up for their newsletter) offering soft basics like tees, joggers, leggings, and sleepwear. Choose from organic cotton, modal, linen, or tencel.

Oko Living

Looking for the perfect yoga mat to pair with your sustainable activewear? Oko Living’s eco-friendly yoga mats are 100% natural, herbal dyed, and ethically hand loomed in India by women artisans who are paid fair wages and guaranteed safe working conditions.

Pangaia

Plant Based clothing company Pangaia leads the way in materials science with their innovative fabrics. They also have accessories such as another workout must: a reusable stainless steel water bottles are made from fully recyclable materials. Each bottle sold in partnership with Ocean Bottle funds the collection of approximately 1,000 plastic bottles by collectors in coastal communities.

Let us know what other sustainable activewear brands you swear by, and check out our guide to sustainable loungewear here.

12 Etsy Shops with Beautiful Wedding Dresses

published on September 3, 2021 by Angela Hamilton
updated on September 4, 2021

I’m not married, but I know much more than I’ll ever need to about planning a wedding. I was a copywriter in the industry for years, interviewing couples on their wedding planning experience. I saw where they saved and where they splurged. Where they got creative and where they left things up to the professionals. What they went over budget for, and where they drew the line. Many couples designed their wedding to show off their style and creativity. Yet, as a conscious consumer that cringes at the thought of excess waste or unethical practices, I’d all but jump for joy the rare time someone credited Etsy for their wedding look.

12 etsy shops with beautiful wedding dresses

Bridaltreasureshu sources beautiful vintage bridal gowns and accessories like veils and vintage headpieces.

Etsy has been one of my favorite websites since 2008 and a lot of DIY brides use their site for decor. I always wondered why I didn’t see more buying wedding dresses there. It’s a way to tap into real, independent designers, and create custom designs, after all. But I think there are two major setbacks to buying a wedding dress on Etsy: 1) it’s hard to search and 2) it eliminates the long dreamed-of “try on” for many.

PNW-based AngeBelleDresses custom makes according to your exact measurements and design.

While shopping Etsy wedding dresses is an online only experience, I wanted to at least prove that, it can still be a great way to make your wedding more sustainable, whether that’s vintage or made-to-order. I agree that browsing Etsy can be difficult–a search for wedding dresses provides almost 500k listings–but there truly are so many talented designers and curators on the platform, it’s worth a second look!

BigRockBridal creates beautifully simple modern wedding dresses in Texas. This crepe dress is another personal fave.

SaldanaVintage sells both ready to wear and custom boho wedding dresses.

Hookedonhoney sources and sells incredible statement evening gowns and vintage wedding dresses.

MashaOsoianuDesign offers hand crochet and knit wedding dresses and other formal accessories.

For a simple boho look, Fairtale offers this bamboo slip wedding dress as well as lots of lacy, beachy boho gowns.

LostinParisBridal‘s Etsy wedding dresses are ethically handmade in Australia of vintage laces, such as the bridal gown above made from vintage quaker lace. Also, look at this incredible floral gown!

DameandMaiden‘s custom Made in USA wedding dresses are available for all body sizes and she even offers alterations!

WeAreReclamation Etsy wedding dresses (and boho maternity dresses) are made in Victoria, BC (Photo by Maria Peña) with reclaimed and vintage materials.

Ukraine-based CathyTelle offers beautiful custom luxury wedding dresses. The detail!

A small Northern California bridal studio, WearYourLoveXO custom makes each dress with an emphasis on sustainability and providing ethically made wedding dresses at an affordable price point.

My tip for finding the best Etsy wedding dresses? Use ALL of the filters. With a category so large, it’s best to give them all of the information you already have. Add your budget, timeline, where you want it to be from (if you’re okay with international or not), etc. Also, narrow it down to the lowest category you can, so you are indeed only viewing wedding dresses.

Let us know about your Etsy finds in the comments below!

South Elevation: Why I Started My Own Sustainable Fashion Brand

published on August 27, 2021 by Angela Hamilton

The following piece is a guest post by Judith Henriquez, founder of forthcoming sustainable fashion brand South Elevation—launching this fall. The brand specializes in contemporary plus-size fashion for women while being kind to the environment. Read on to hear Judith’s entrepreneurial journey to launch a sustainable fashion brand. xx Angela

Four years ago, if someone had told me that I’d be starting my own fashion brand I would’ve laughed in disbelief. I always dreamed of having my own business but never in a million years did I think it would be fashion related. My background is in a completely different field and given my socioeconomic status starting any type of business at that time was a far-fetched dream. That is, until I started listening to a podcast called The Passionate Few. Interview after interview I kept hearing the same thing “find a need and fill it”. One day I ended up signing for an online webinar on how to start a fashion brand and now we are here.

#1 Lack of Plus Size Clothing Options

The first reason or need I identified in my life was lack of clothing options. You’re probably thinking that all women have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, but this isn’t the case for everyone. The options for plus size women are few and non-existent in many retail stores. It’s almost as if we don’t have careers to dress up for or special moments in life that we want to look nice for. Fashion is not only a way to express oneself, it’s also a necessity.

#2 Need For More Sustainable Fashion Brands

Once I started learning about the process that goes into making a garment, sustainability came into the equation. Not only was the final product important but also the process; the more I learned about the making of a garment the more obvious it became that sustainability was a must. Now, let’s not forget that I am also a consumer, so when shopping for myself the lack of sustainably made garments was very apparent. I’d like to remind everyone that just like any other consumer plus size women care about the environment too. We want options, we want colors, and we also want to know that the planet and its people were treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.

#3 Pursue a Lifelong Dream

The third reason why I decided to start my own sustainable fashion brand was to pursue a childhood dream. As mentioned previously, I always dreamed of having my own business. As an immigrant, it’s almost an obligation that we put on ourselves to be successful in whatever we pursue. Not only for ourselves but for our families, we feel pressure to make our parents’ sacrifice worth it.

#4 Empower & Educate Women

Lastly, another important reason why this journey began was to empower women. I was born in a town where a woman’s future was and still is for many, getting married and having kids. Now, there’s nothing wrong with this, but many would like to pursue other paths and that means facing financial obstacles and experiencing a lack of opportunities. My long-term goal is to empower women by providing access to education and entrepreneurship. At the moment, we try to empower women by sharing encouraging content on our social platforms. We also set aside a part of our budget to donate to a nonprofit that aims to end human trafficking. Human tracking victims are predominantly women and girls, so this is our small way of contributing.

It’s amazing what can happen in four years but looking back at it, it makes perfect sense. As someone once said, “necessity is the mother of invention”: we either settle or take action. If you’re a small business owner I want to encourage you to look beyond the product. See how you can contribute to a better tomorrow because a small business CAN have a big impact.

Thanks to Judith of South Elevation for sharing! Follow along at @south_elevation for more on the brand and their upcoming launch.

Is Palm Oil Bad For You? And Can It Be Sustainable?

published on August 23, 2021 by Mindy Chung
updated on November 2, 2021

With the surging interest in alternative oils in the last few years (hello oil pulling) there’s one that many people still don’t seem to know about. For the most part, that’s by no fault of their own. Palm oil is such a divisive additive that companies have gone as far as implementing alternative names like Etyl palmitate that, let’s be real, most of us are likely to gloss over. So let me, someone who stumbled upon the horrible reality of palm oil one day many moons ago, open this discussion about its benefits, or lack thereof, for the average consumer:

Like any fat-based ingredient, palm oil has its baser benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, and an excellent source of Vitamin E. In a bid to be as unbiased as possible, I acknowledge that palm oil does have positive features, although most of those are for the businesses that utilize it (it’s as effective in baked goods, for example, than any other vegetable oil, but cheap). And that’s why it’s exploded in popularity as a component in products ranging from shampoo to 95% of your favorite Trader Joe’s snacks. (I’m sorry, it had to be said. As someone who worked there for almost three years, I always felt discomfited by the company’s liberal usage of palm oil in literally EVERYTHING.)

Is Palm Oil Bad For You?

If you’re wondering whether or not palm oil is bad for your health, the most apparent negative attribute is that it is, simply, an oil. That means it’s not only high in saturated fats but can cause health conditions such as elevated cholesterol if consumed in excess over a long period of time…. which is kind of inevitable when it’s in most of the packaged foods we eat.

And while those are two very real worries, if I’m being honest, they’re minute concerns of mine compared to its larger impact. On a macro level, palm oil has far more troublesome implications for us as consumers. Globally, environmentally… We should consider how palm harvesting has expedited deforestation, its implications for our economy, and how it’s personally affecting our wallets.

Can Palm Oil Be Sustainable?

If you’ve been making strides in adopting green living, and know of palm oil and its pervasive presence in U.S. goods, you may have concluded that while you may not be able to avoid it, you could at least choose products sourced ethically—at an upcharge, no doubt. And while that’s an admirable effort, with how the palm oil industry functions, there is no way to guarantee the oil in your favorite ice cream isn’t harming the environment. In fact, studies show that sustainable-certified palm oil farms are actually being decimated faster than their non-certified counterparts. No doubt because our collective zeal for living organically has somehow ironically come back to haunt us e.g. Fiji Water.

As someone who’s grown more economically conscientious over the last few years, palm oil is like the boogeyman: its presence is never far, and it’s exhausting trying to avoid the ingredient entirely. I know how destructive it’s been for the environment, its role in global warming, and how it’s ravaged the orangutan population—and yet it feels like I’m yelling fire in an empty room.

There are so many other real-world problems today that addressing the inescapable presence of palm oil in our consumable goods seems to have fallen to the wayside. And I get it; tackling single use packaging and plastic straws just feels more manageable, and the sense of gratification is far more instantaneous.

At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if palm oil is good or bad for you is yourself. There are so many facets to consider—accessibility, cultural utilization, personal preference, and health considerations—that while the answer may seem obvious to me, it may not be that simple for you. (I mean, it’s near impossible to avoid in packaged foods; if you’re shopping on a budget then boycotting may not even be an option.) Far be it for me to police what you can buy; gatekeeping is a permeating issue within the green community that I’d really rather not be a part of. In all honesty, all I’d like is to spread awareness so that everyone can come to their own educated conclusions.

Do you have a strong stance on palm oil? For those who avoid, share your tips! For those who are just now learning about this ingredient—what should I explore next?