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25 Sustainable Gift Ideas for Fashion Lovers

published on November 23, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

Happy Thanksgiving week! We have one more mega list of sustainable gift ideas before we reveal our ultimate guide to shopping small in 2020! If you are anything like us you love expressing yourself through fashion but want to do so in a way that doesn’t have negative social and environmental consequences, and bonus, would love to support independent designers in the process. The pieces and shops below are ones we feel that, if you have the means, are definitely worth investing in for gift giving or simply building a sustainable closet. Take a peek!

Fuzzy organic unisex sweater from Object Apparel, made with plant dyes!

Valet Studio hair clip from Garmentory

Lace up sneaker in pink from Thousand Fell

Harper Loose Flare Rose Bowl Blue

Cutest organic shift tunic by California Cloth Foundry from Made Trade

HUDSON FARMERS MARKET TOTE – MUSTARD

Baby and mama sets from ARQ

Anchal Project organic chore jacket from Made Trade

Organic poppy pullover sweatshirt from Object Apparel, silk screen printed with water based dye.

Devon Crop – Botanical Tie Dye

I have this Sustainable Shit Only fanny pack from Grant Blvd — yes pls.

Lou Cord jumpsuit from Outerknown

Reclaimed Mad Sustainable turtleneck from Grant Blvd

Botanical hoodie by California Cloth Foundry (since sold out) at Made Trade

Made by Minga Carmen knotted crossbody bag

Do The Sustainable Thing Tee by Grant Blvd

High on Nature Tee from backbeat.co

Organic cotton undies and sleepwear from Brook There

Guadalupe bag by Magda Made

Socks that Save LGBTQ Lives

Symbology wrap dress made of modal via Made Trade

Lana Tote in Natural from MAAARI

Organic cotton cami and matching skirt from Little Tienda.

No Thanks womens t-shirt from Femfetti via Bonfemmes

All SO good, right?! For even more sustainable fashion gift ideas, check out these accessories.

25 Sustainable Gift Ideas for Zero Waste Enthusiasts

published on November 16, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

Hope you are enjoying our sustainable gift ideas this holiday season so far! Don’t forget to read our self care gift guide and our ideas for sustainable home gifts! Today’s guide is full of zero waste gift ideas, whether for the seasoned zero waster or newbie. Doesn’t a zero waste stocking seem like a ton of fun to fill? Just sayin.

The Etsy shop inOILS, out of Portland, OR, offers zero waste bars of soap in small and travel sizes, and you can even just order the “shreds” (which are surprisingly beautiful!).

As a lover of glitter I was pretty bummed to find out that it is NOT a sustainable product… but then I learned about eco friendly glitter, YAY! Problem solved. This biodegradable glitter is from Package Free Shop.

Eco Collective has these breath mints made from plants that would make a cute addition to any zero waste care package.

Sustainable AND colorful is always a win in our books. How about some eco-friendly bath bombs by Earths Thanks?

IMO, all scrunchies should be of the zero waste variety. They’re so small and the world has fabric scraps aplenty! Love the print on this oversized scrunchie from LunAndMo, who uses secondhand fabric.

If your recipient is already well into the zero waste lifestyle, surprise them with an Alum stone, which is a deodorant CRYSTAL made of mineral salt. It’s a pretty neat (and very unique) idea. Learn more here.

Hate that we gotta stuff protective masks into our loved ones’ stocking, but love that we can support small biz in the process. These are Ikat Linen Face Masks by LEIF.

If your zero waste living friends are super committed, they probably don’t buy a lot of formal tabletop or entertaining wares. But if they love artisan textiles, they’ll appreciate having a well-crafted set of hand-dyed placemats from Arles Studios, or other goodies for those special occasions, at the ready.

Bestseller starter set from Humankind including deodorant, mouth wash, floss, and hand sanitizer containers that they’ll compost, and order refills when needed.

These zero waste face masks from Lykke Wullf come in a 6 pack so you can spread the protective joy.

Am I recommending eco friendly toilet paper as a holiday gift this year? Why yes, yes I am. If you have a pal who is just getting into a low waste / zero waste lifestyle, I’m certain that they’d love to have this subscription! You can order the first couple months as a test or as big a supply as you’d like! They also sell bamboo paper towels.

This copper scrub pad from Housework would make a cute lil’ stocking stuffer too, yeah?

100% believe that reusable bags can be like, really fun. No plain canvas here! This is a leopardo Tote Bag from Korissa.

Love these Found Paper Mache Bowls from LEIF for the seasoned zero waster. They’d look lovely in a minimalist home, and will be an absolute surprise!

Paper lovers rejoice because Package Free Shop offers cards made from 100% recycled paper and plastic free packaging!

Every low waste newbie needs a No Tox Life dishwashing block for their zero waste kitchen!

Help them stock up on colorful bamboo toothbrushes from Good Intent… These are more durable than other bamboo toothbrushes because their non-toxic paint tips prevent decay (since the bamboo interacts with water so often). Also, each color represents a different cause, with 5% of the purchase donated to whichever you choose!

Another gorgeous take on the sustainable market bag from Mano Made.

Haven’t purchased dryer sheets since I ordered these Wool dryer balls by coliandme from Etsy–a great zero waste swap for those just starting out!

Produce bags, but make it fun… colorful drawstring reusable bags from DarlingSavage.

Zero waste shampoo bars from Eco Roots are good gifts for those already living a pretty low-waste lifestyle, that might want to up their commitment in 2021.

So I’m obsessed with Axiology’s Lip to Lid Balmies, which come in singles or trios, in lots of shades, all in an amazing zero waste package. There are very few beauty products I’ll shell out the big bucks for and this is truly one of them! It’s an all-over highlighter that I personally use for lips, eyes, and cheeks. Because they’re not in the lipstick tube, the crayons appear super small, but that’s actually what a “full size” stick looks like, just without all that plastic wrapped around it! I keep it in the little paper box and smile inside every time I slide the lid off. If you’re looking for a beauty gift for a sustainable-living friend (or not, still good!) this one is 100% #ecoclubapproved.

Do you dry brush? It’s another skincare/beauty ritual you can maintain while going zero waste. These are Japanese Body Scrub Brushes from member Territory.

For a similar effect to the scrub brushes, there’s this gently exfoliating Sisal Wash Cloth from LEIF, made from one of the strongest natural renewable materials (kind of like jute!).

Do you have any zero waste gift ideas to add to this collection? If you’re not so sure about the practicality of zero waste gifting during a pandemic (I get it), read our take here!

Take A Peek At Zuahaza’s New Ethical Home Decor Collection Inspired By Colombian Fruits

published on November 12, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

Today is a good day around here, because we get to share a BIG new project one of our sustainable directory members has had in the works for months! Eco club member Zuahaza, who you might be familiar with by now (start here, if not!) just released their second ethical home decor collection, called Tyba, meaning “color of fruit” in the Guane language. Below, Tatiana and the Zuahaza team share the story behind some of these vibrant fruits, plus the people and region that inspired this new collection. The products themselves are extra special, too, because this is Zuahaza’s first foray into tabletop decor such as woven placemats and table runners (yes, please!).

From Zuahaza: The Guane people lived in the central Andean region of Colombia. The Guane were experts in harvesting, spinning, and naturally dyeing organic cotton to make fabrics. Our Tyba Collection is an homage to the Guane, and furthermore our Colombian diversity. The colors, flavors and uses of each fruit have symbolized and shaped our Colombian identity. Each pattern and color in the collection was inspired by one of these fruits. Elaborate textures together with a timeless natural palette are unique accent pieces for your home.

The Feijoa is a small green fruit that tastes like pineapple, mint and apple altogether. The Feijoa pillows, throws and table linens play with seaglass mint and a soft grey-green to create calming color combinations. They are perfect accompanying accents for any season of the year.

Guacamaya Tall, Small and Medium Baskets

Large Guayaba Pink Throw

The Guanabana or soursop, is a large and spiky fruit on the outside but white and creamy on the inside. This incredible fruit was our inspiration for our off-white cream colored neutral pillows and table linens. Our extra soft pillow weave is made with a hand-spun and industrially spun organic cotton combination, resulting in a sophisticated monochrome texture. Our Guanabana products can be used as an accent to go to with bolder pieces or by themselves for an all neutral-tone room.

The Guayaba or Guava is a tropical fruit that is widely used for juices and as a natural sweetener in Colombian dishes. Our Guayaba pillows, throws and table linens showcase a beautiful bright salmon pink and an apricot orange with textured weave patterns to enhance the softness and delicacy of our organic cotton.

Diamond Feijoa Green Table Runner

Diamond Feijoa Green Placemat

The Naidi, commonly known as açai, grows in the pacific tropical rainforest of Colombia. It is a super fruit said to contain many nutrients and antioxidants. Our deep indigos and soft blues are full of depth and rich texture.

Curiti Fique Area Rug

The Lulo fruit has a lovely combination of bright oranges and smooth shades of green on the inside. A famous fruit in Colombia, the lulo was the main inspiration for our green and orange throws. Showcasing dense weaves to enhance the feel of the organic cotton, our lulo color combination is full of character yet quiet enough to blend with any style.

See the full Tyba collection, ranging from home decor to tabletop goods, at zuahaza.com/shop. Looking for more ethical home decor inspiration? Find that right here!

25 Eco Friendly Gifts for a Well Curated Home

published on November 9, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

Hiya friends! We’re kicking November off feeling soooo hopeful, aren’t you? If you caught our sustainable self care gift guide, you might already be in the gift giving spirit! Our lil’ team was busy collecting extra special sustainable and small batch products for this year’s gift guides all last month, and we’re so thrilled to finally share them. Today’s eco friendly gifts are all about the eco friendly home! And in true eco club fashion, everything is really creative, unconventional, and guaranteed to become a conversation piece in the recipient’s home. (Totally get minimalism in sustainable living, but we just love design and color and craft so very much!) Check it out below and let us know which sustainable gift ideas are on your shopping list!

Zeenat Handmade napkins via Made Trade

Just the most stunning ceramic vessels by Shop Elliot

These Natural Terrazzo Beeswax Wraps by member wintering au are the prettiest reusable food wraps we’ve ever seen!

Waffle Linen Wash Cloth from LEIF

Slowdown Studio Throw Blanket from Koskela

Half Moon Incense Holder from Pampa

Handcrafted Capiz Shade Chime from Connected Goods

"Endless Summer Frida" Flower Print

Ceramic Cylinder in Peachycotta with Stand from EcoVibe Home

Nipomo Tierra Collection Throw Blanket via Made Trade

Essential oil and oil burner by Bio Scents

Daisy coasters by Mindflowers

Lady Onyx Coaster Set

Hat Mirror by 5esenciastudio

Colorful Cotton Shower Curtain from Bole Road Textiles

Set of Three Colorblock Terracotta Planters with Saucers from Holistic Habitat

Cupboard Goods Cozy Colors mug collection

Intentional Wall Calendar by Wilde House Paper

Naidi Blue Pillow with Tassels by Zuahaza

Cozy Vibes Candle by Abode

How about a plant-dyed reusable market bag by eloise et moi in their favorite hue?!

Lilac Funfetti Platter by beau rush ceramics

Guacamaya Tall, Small and Medium Baskets by Zuahaza

Fique Palm Print by Magda Made from Made Trade

Kay, I know, a blogger gift guide is really just a wishlist by whoever is curating the post, but can ya blame us? So many gorgeous sustainable gift ideas this year!

Where are you shopping for holiday gift ideas this year? Leave a comment with your favorite shop!

25 Sustainable Self Care Gift Ideas For Your Stressed Out Pals

published on October 30, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

Hi, friends! We’ve been working on a collection of gift guides for the holidays which we’re SUPER excited about because it means we get to give a shout out to all of the sustainable brands we’ve seen over the year! We save so, so many independent designers on Instagram and even though we can’t connect with every single one on a personal level, we’re always looking for ways to share their work. Ever since my first sustainable living blog back in 2014 (and actually, way before that when I used to blog about Etsy and DIY!), I’ve been determined to prove ~ to whoever is listening ~ that shopping ethically is not only possible but attainable for people like you and me.

Navajo Made Shimá Earth Gift Box by Orenda Tribe, $40

I cannot tell you how exciting it is that sharing content like these ethical gift guides gets easier & easier every year, as more consumers choose to shop consciously, allowing more businesses to thrive sustainably. Of course, there’s so much more to it but we are making a difference, all of us.

Wellness Candle Collection by Seventh & Oak, $28 each

Back to the gift guides. Self care has been trending for a few years now but I think we’re all seeing it differently having endured 2020. Self care products can be totally trendy, and yeah, a little gimmicky, but they can also serve as important reminders to slow down and honestly just consider what’s going on in our own bodies and minds for a moment. I also just love the ripple effect that sustainable self care gifts have. You feel good purchasing from a brand you support, the recipient feels good getting something that benefits their wellbeing, and of course the brand benefits from the sale, especially during a time like this. And on it goes.

Bath Soak Gift Set by member Daughter of the Land, $36

We’ll share more sustainable gift ideas next month but with the election next week it felt like a pretty damn good time to indulge in a little extra care… even if that just means getting inspired by a new-to-you product!

Rituals Wellness Journal by Wilde House Paper, $28

I love Wilde House. Their stationery and journals are made with recycled and eco friendly paper, and they have beautiful handcrafted details such as this hand-torn cover and beach speckle print. This journal has spaces for your intentions & meditations, and lots of space for free writes.

Soap Minis + Bar Soaps by Pep Soap Co, starting at $3 each. Create a sampler set or opt for the Everyday Me Time Gift Set ($24) which comes with an organic bath pouf. All eco club approved soap and skincare products are free of palm oil.

Foxy Drops by member Au Naturel ($30) or Groove Juice, which contains CBD, are breath mints and vitamin supplements in one! I love taking it with me while traveling or stashing in my purse.

Four Ferns 100 Piece Puzzle by Lemonade Puzzles, $30

If you have a friend that struggles to disconnect, wind-down, or relax, a puzzle is actually a really incredible self care gift. I always feel the need to do something with my hands, which too often leads to me working while “unwinding” with TV at the end of the day. I also find that with the difficult ones, I truly do just focus on the puzzle which allows my mind to switch from its usual cycle of anxiety & plan making.

These Salves & Balms, ($12 each) by The Orange Clove are so perfect with their personalized options like “knitter’s salve” or “plant mom hand salve”.

If you can score a bath soak bundle ($29) from Homebody before they sell out, you’ve got one for you and one for a friend!

Seersucker Pajama Top by member Back Beat Co, $125

I think we can all attest to the need for comfortable loungewear at this point, yeah?

CBD Bath Bliss Set by member Floramye, $70

Choco Soap Bars by Nana x Livy, $12

Morning Bliss Essential Oil Roll-On by fern + petal $14

Maya Angelou Three Tea Blend by Bon Temps, $46

Detoxifying Bath Bomb Pack by Bare Skin Bar, $24

CHILLAX Bedtime Tea Blend by WOMY, $24

Have a zero waste loving friend? They’ll be super into these soap seconds/ends from Wild Lather! $14

Self Care Zine Trio from fruitsuper, $36

Raw manuka honey by Activist

Gold + Ivy fall trio of candles… don’t they all sound so good!?

The Evening Sampler from Sweet Reason, which includes drinks infused with Hemp CBD, adaptogens, and herbs.

Treat your pal to a duo of vegan nail polish from Bess & Color, $16 each.

Choose from plant based lattes and elixirs from Wylde One $35, to address every need from increasing energy to calming to boosting immunity.

Cozy up with a luxe, chunky knit blanket by August Sage from member Made Trade $395.

Saipua’s handmade bar soaps are just TOO pretty and TOO luxurious not to gift! $18

Does anyone else want to fill themselves a stocking right about now? Let us know how you’re supporting small during the holidays this year! And, be sure to past these self care gift ideas onto your wellness-loving friends.

Take care xx

This Won’t Change After The Election

published on October 28, 2020 by Angela Hamilton

How are you feeling, friends? With less than a week out until election day, we wanted to check in. Here in Seattle, we’ve got our ballots in (and can track them!)… now we wait. I’ve been thinking about how BIG everything that is happening in the US right now (and around the world too) is, so many of us waiting on so many outcomes and decisions. But let’s set that aside for the moment, and think of what will not change come election day, or the day after, or when the clock strikes midnight on NYE and it is finally 2021.

a note to our community

You are making a difference. The last four years we have constantly been made to think that what we do does not make a difference. This is not true. People in power wouldn’t be working so hard to make it seem otherwise, if what we were doing did not make a difference.

You matter. Regardless of who is in office, you matter. You have always mattered and you will continue to matter. Your feelings are valid. Your fears and concerns, valid.

When I first really started on my sustainable and ethical living journey–I say really because when I look back I see that I’ve always done it to the best of my knowledge, I’ve only learned more, and gained more resources, and therefore updated my habits as I did–I’d often think about how silly it was that I was doing these things so minuscule in comparison to what actually needs to happen on a global scale. In regard to the environment, conscious consumerism, etc. Eventually I realized that doesn’t even matter. What matters is that I live in alignment with what I know to be true or right, in tandem with my deepest self. To ignore that would be to ignore who I am.

We have work to do. I think my biggest lesson over the last four years is that the work is never done, and that the cliche “life is a journey” is a really freaking loaded one. I turned 30 this year. It’s taken me until now to even begin to understand that nothing in life is “done”–whether we think we’ve failed or succeeded. Whether it’s our health and wellness, healing, fighting for what we feel is right, the work is never done… and that’s okay. What would we be doing here, if not things we thought mattered?!

We must remain hopeful. Back in 2016 (I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s resurfacing again), a lot of articles and talks on the importance of hope made their rounds. Studies have even shown that hope fights depression, can improve overall health, and in times of crisis or tragedy, hope actually keeps people going. This is because hope is motivation.

“Hope is a motivation to persevere toward a goal or end state, even if we’re skeptical that a positive outcome is likely.”

This article (quoted above) sums it up well. Thinking of everyone I admire (hi, RBG!), I can’t imagine them not having hope. Who would work their entire life toward a better future that they won’t even be here to see, if not for hope?

There is so much we can’t control. But these are our truths, and we have hope. We also hope you will take time for a little extra self care over the next month. Please share how you’re doing with us on Instagram! Sending lots of love and positivity!

xx Angela + eco club