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14 Sustainable Puffer Jackets

published on January 19, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

I’m not sure about where you are, but we’ve had more extreme weather than normal this winter here in the PNW (hi, ice storm!). And so marks the longest coat-wearing streak of my life (and still going). Given my need to stay warm and to stay dry, I’m narrowing my search to the puffer. They’re pretty much all an investment, but we’re no stranger to expensive outdoor apparel in Seattle. If I am to spend the $$$, though, I want it to be high quality and sustainably made. I’ll probably never decide on one, but here’s the best ones I’ve come across so far.

14 sustainable puffer jackets for the cold and rain

Girlfriend Collective’s Crystal Packable Puffer is made from recycled plastic bottles. (xxs-6xl)

Bernardo Blush Belted Puffer Jacket is made of recycled polyester. I have a recycled rain jacket from this brand and am really happy with the quality and more affordable price point than many other sustainable coats (wait for a Nordstrom sale or try the Rack!). (xs-xxl)

I also love this Lite Quilted Coat from them! So many pretty colors and on sale. (xs-xxl)

Floral Explosion Bomber Jacket by State of Georgia is made from regenerated nylon derived from ocean waste. (xs-xxl)

Backcountry Raglan ALLIED Down Parka is made with 100% recycled polyester and Allied Feather Certified Down. Also in black! (xs-xl)

PE Nation’s Represent Jacket is a convertible crop puffer jacket made with 100% recycled nylon. Looks amazing as a vest too! (xxs-xxxl)

Their Direction Jacket is also recycled, this time with polyester, and is reversible! (xxs-xxl)

Frank and Oak The Lykke Puffer Coat in Purple (on major sale!) (xs-xl)

Quince Responsible Down Puffer Jacket comes in stone, blue, red, and black. This may not be the most sustainable puffer jacket on the list (a mix of different materials, some recycled; check product listing) but it is on the more affordable end as far as susty jackets go! (xs-xxl)

Cuyana’s stunning Balloon Sleeve Light Puffer is made with 100% recycled polyester. (xs-xl)

Pow Recycled Insulated Jacket from Passenger is 100% recycled right down to the insulation. (xs-xxl)

Patagonia Women’s Downdrift Jacket is fair trade and even features recycled down. (xs-xxl)

Patagonia also has a parka version for all the sustainable snow bunnies out there. BTW, we all know Patagonia is known for expensive outdoor gear. They are a sustainable company that makes products to last (they even share repair DIY videos to help you keep your clothing out of landfills as long as possible), and the price point really reflects that. Don’t forget to peruse their Worn Wear pre-owned site before buying new, which features secondhand Patagonia gear, in case there’s something for you there. (xxs-xxl)

All of Norden’s garments, like the Sky Blue Puffer Jacket, are made with recycled and repurposed materials. (xs-xxl)

I’d love to hear where you shop for sustainable puffer jackets. Let me know and I’ll add to this list! Hopefully we can edit our article soon to add more size-inclusive companies. So few of the ones I found went above a xxl.

From Yarn Lampshades to Indian Block Print, What’s Inspiring Us on January 13, 2023

published on January 13, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Every time I scroll through our Insta, I get inspired by the makers we discover everyday. Often it’s something I see a lot of in the creative corners of IG like ceramic mugs or macrame and weaving, that catches my eye because it can be done in endless innovative ways, all original and spectacular in their own right. I mean, I used to obsess over crochet scarves, and now it’s yarn lampshades using this key material that I can’t get enough of (seriously, ask Pinterest). We see artists from around the world thanks to social media, some of them founders of brands featuring collections dedicated to their craft, others that produce on commission or just for the love of it all. These little wow moments of discovery are some of my favorite (and the primary reason I haven’t abandoned the platform altogether), so I’m experimenting a bit and sharing them here on the blog… Our Saves folder is too beautiful to be private any longer.

So happy to have stumbled upon Angela Chvarak‘s mood-boosting ceramic mugs. I could stock my whole kitchen with these rainbow ceramics! (@angelachvarakstudio)

I’m having a moment with the craft of yarn lampshades and DutchWoolDesign, out of The Netherlands, is one of the top artists. This is a large yarn wrapped lampshade in some of my favorite colors.

This reel by @seventhrowvintage stopped me in my tracks, so I had to learn more about the incredible bags by Vanhu Vamwe. Here’s the circular bag featured above. The brand works with artisans in a macrame community in Zimbabwe, and they also have a more colorful collection that’s just as dreamy! (@vanhuvamwe)

Romanian artist Livia Falcaru was commissioned by Science Moms for this cheeky reusable bag illustration. #wordstoliveby (@liviafalcaru)

My goodness this green + pink bow top by slow fashion brand HERA, who designs and produces clothing ethically in Ecuador, is giving me summer feels in January. (@_hera_studio)

If it’s not already obvious, I’m feeling so inspired by textile art and weaving lately! This work from Melbourne based Tammy Kanat caught my eye, though it was produced in 2020. I’m also mesmerized by another floral piece from 2020 shown here. I don’t think I’ll ever get over all the wonderful things people can do with yarn. (@tammykanat)

We’ve just listed some new Indian blockprint and scalloped napkin sets in the wallflower shop and as always I’m so blown away by this incredible craft.

I almost can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’ve been blogging for almost 15 years now. I’ve seen weekly roundups or “Friday Favorites” posts in every form on every topic, and I go back and forth on whether they’ve simply been done to death. But there’s something I’ve always loved about sharing something just because it brings the writer/curator joy, so that others may find joy in it too. And that’s actually what led so many of us DIY/craft/creative bloggers to create websites in the first place! So I’ll be sharing our favorite slow made and small batch finds every couple weeks going forward, and I’d love to hear what you think. Is it inspiring to you, or too old school to get behind? Lemme know!

My Light & Bright Dining Nook

published on January 10, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Late last summer, my boyfriend and I moved to a new apartment here in Seattle. It’s almost twice as big as our last space, and I’ve been slowly pulling it together ever since. (More on that later.) Luckily, around the same time, I heard from Ohh Happy Home, an affordable Australian fair trade rug brand that we’d posted about in our ethically made rugs guide (among others). They wanted us to see what their washable rugs were like IRL, especially because they now ship to the US! Given my prior space only had room for one rug, I was pretty excited to check another off the list. The rug arrived folded nicely in a large cotton bag and ready to roll on out. I wasn’t sure if it should go in my bedroom, office, or the sunny dining nook just waiting to be embellished:

My initial idea was to throw the rug down here and then try it out in the other two spaces (I figured a round rug might be more fitting here?), but I fell in love with this look. As for the rug, it’s not only pretty but absolutely the softest rug my tootsies have ever walked across. Therefore it needed to be in this high-traffic area, from which I admittedly work more than eat. This Berber style pink and toffee dots rug is 100% cotton, chemical-free, and Goodweave accredited. It’s also machine washable (what?)! On their website, you can see it styled beautifully in a nursery/kids room. Which this colorway is perfect for (besides a pastel-lover’s dining nook, obviously). You can find this rug in other colors and styles too. This one is 4’11” X 6’11”, which is almost the exact size of my nook. Now that I had a rug to anchor the whole design, I got to styling my quiet little corner!

First, I decided on a simple table and two identical benches to give it the dining nook feel. I spent some time looking into custom benches and cushions, and tried to find sustainable sources, but as expected there wasn’t anything in my small budget. I looked on Craigslist, Marketplace etc but given the small size of the room didn’t score like I hoped. So, I just bought these not-so-eco furniture items new online. Thankfully they worked out well and I know I’ll get a lot of use out of them.

I brought these West Elm curtains and velvet pillow from the living room of our last place. I’ve had them for several years now. The like their new home!

The pillows are a mix of Zuahaza designs (read more about them here), with one super old Etsy purchase mixed in. The “throw” blanket on the right is actually a Zuahaza scarf, which is so cozy no matter how you use it. The pink woven throw blanket is one featured in our shop. It’s lightweight and super cozy.

You can find the blockprint napkins from the tabletop in the shop as well.

The centerpiece here are the very last flowers I bought before blooms officially went out of season here in Seattle. Sigh!

Lastly, the beautiful woven wall art you see above is by another member, Will + Atlas! I’ve had it for years now (and three apartments) and always find a special new space for it everywhere I go.

That’s about it for my new dining nook! Several months later, it’s still one of the few spaces that feels complete in this new place. Next up I’ll be working on an art wall for the living room, and I’m hoping to carve out a corner devoted to my morning routine of journaling, reading, and meditation.

After reviewing and loving the rug, Ohh Happy Home is now a member of our sustainable shop directory. If you are in the US and shop from them, you can use ECOCLUBFREE for free shipping!

PS Find more ethically made rugs we love here.

Okay So There Are Microplastics in Our Food… What Should We Do?

published on December 13, 2022 by Mindy Chung
updated on February 3, 2023

When Barbie Girl by Aqua became a 1997 anthem, we didn’t really know what we were saying by joyously chanting “life in plastic… it’s fantastic!”. Here we are 25 years later, bearing the brunt of microplastic pollution as it filters its way into every aspect of our daily lives. Avoiding bottles that don’t say they’re BPA-free isn’t enough anymore; there are microplastics in food from our vegetables to our milk and even our tap water.

Now, I’m not trying to be an alarmist—this isn’t about scaring you with the pollution BoogeyMan. Rather, talking about microplastics is about arming you with the right kind of knowledge so that you can grow as a consumer and make smarter choices for yourself. Because oftentimes many of us can only afford the cheap option; buying sustainable and green can feel like a luxury reserved for the rich.

But while not every green or eco-friendly good may be universally accessible, being able to work within the confines of your socio-economic bubble is still a step in the right direction. So let’s start by approaching the most unavoidable and crucial element of your daily life… food.

How do microplastics get in our food?

I previously touched on microplastics in this post, but while that was a macro approach to the issue, this is more of a micro approach. The journey our food takes from the farm, or the ocean, to our tables is long and full of human manufacturing. Taking away the plastic waste created to package our food, the truth is that microplastics are so miniscule that they can penetrate the cells of fruits and vegetables. (So if you run into any smug vegetarians or vegans, remind them that we’re all in the same boat here.) When it comes to our meat—fish, beef, poultry—these animals often consume microplastics mistaking them for food. And you know what they say—you are what you eat.

Obviously, this wasn’t always an issue. Plastic was invented in the late 19^th century, and only really began to be mass produced in the 1960’s. Yet, because it can take centuries for even one water bottle to fully biodegrade, we’re consuming plastics from decades ago in today’s food chain. That’s why using BPA-free bottles is kind of moot. The microplastics you’re consuming probably came from an age before that kind of production regulation. And while trying to live a microplastic-free existence is basically impossible, there are definitive sources of the pollutant that outweigh others.

Can we avoid it? Some tips…

This first tip may seem like a no-brainer, but even I’m a slave of convenience sometimes; avoid drinking bottled water. Turns out that it’s the largest source of dietary microplastic! This is a fantastic time to invest in a glass or metal bottle, and maybe gift one to a loved one for the holidays.

Speaking of water, don’t drink tap. While I can’t vouch for other countries, if you live in the US you should definitely be filtering your water. While pollutants range from state to state, I think it’s safe to say that taking the extra step to purify your water can’t hurt.

Also try to avoid single use plastics in general, but especially in food packaging like the wrappers on meat and pasta. Don’t microwave in plastic when possible and try to transition to glass or metal containers when possible. While grocery items like cheese and milk do often have non-plastic options, it’s important to note these are usually more expensive alternatives to their plastic-packaged counterparts.

Avoid highly processed foods when possible as well. Besides the fact that all those artificial fillers are bad for you in general, the theory is that low-nutrition food can pair with the effects of microplastics to increase the likelihood of developing chronic health problems.

Overall, there’s simultaneously a million things and not a one that you can do to tackle your microplastic consumption. Real change comes from legislation, and with so much of the planet peppered with microplastics it’s doubtful a meaningful solution is just beyond the horizon. But you can advocate for that legislation, and when it does come up, make sure to vote.

Despite this grim assessment, you can still make changes to your own life and how you live it so that you’re doing your best to create a wholesome and healthy experience for yourself. Like everything in life, some things we can control, and others… Not so much.

What is Lotus Silk? Spotlight on a Rare Natural Silk

published on December 1, 2022 by Angela Hamilton
updated on February 3, 2023

Have you heard of lotus silk? I’ll admit I hadn’t until I chatted with Angelica of Terrai, a new sustainable lifestyle goods company who works with South-East Asian artisans to transform natural materials into coveted products like the silk scrunchies below. Turns out, it’s a pretty incredible vegan silk made from the stems of lotus flowers, which are used throughout Cambodia where their product is made. They take the discarded stems of those flowers and turn them into beautiful goods in a pretty spectacular process.

Below, Terrai shows us how it’s done.

what is lotus silk?

The clip below from Business Insider shows us how this fiber is made, and what makes it so expensive. In traditional silk, insects are doing most of the work. But with lotus silk, each strand must be extracted from the plant by hand. It is truly a delicate process.

Lotus silk is a rare fabric considered to be the most sustainable fabric in the world as its production requires no electricity, petrol or chemicals to produce. Natural textiles are a lost practice within Cambodia, and Terrai is proud to bring them at the forefront thanks to this collection. The full range of Terrai scrunchies use fabrics from lotus, banana microfiber and kapok blends, and are handcrafted, no-dye and 100% biodegradable.

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We take the discarded stems and extract the thin fibers from them, which are then rolled together to form the thread. The thread then needs to be processed while they are still wet otherwise they will break, it’s an incredibly delicate process! Once dry, the threads are hand-spooled and put into the loom for weaving. The preparation of a loom takes approximately one week. When the room is ready, the threads are processed into fabric. Then we turn them into our beautiful vegan silk scrunchies!

Thanks to Angelica + the Terrai team for sharing the magic of lotus silk!

Terrai was created as a love letter to Asia, where co-founders, Angelica Almås and Alexander Weiss grew up. The inaugural collection, The Khmer Collection, is a line of minimal homeware sourced from the Kingdom of Cambodia. The co-founders collaborated together with unique Khmer artisans to create a contemporary yet intentional collection of ceramics, textile and woodware. The aesthetic fuses modern design with traditional techniques, offering a collection of laidback yet refined pieces.

Learn about Terrai + more sustainable brands in our directory.

18 Sustainable Stocking Stuffers To Gift This Season

published on November 28, 2022 by Jennifer Andrew

I love finding small thoughtful gifts for friends and family year round, so choosing stocking stuffers is definitely one of my favorite holiday rituals! And choosing sustainable stocking stuffers makes the process even more special. Much of my sustainability journey has been finding alternatives for personal items (beauty products, clothing, etc), but it’s also been about shopping sustainably for loved ones. You’ve probably heard that when you shop small, a small business owner does a little happy dance (it’s true!!). But that joyful feeling goes both ways. Shopping small during gifting season makes the experience so much less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Here are some eco-friendly stocking stuffer ideas for everyone on your list (including a few from our own shop)!

where to buy sustainable stocking stuffers

column 1: tiered pom pom tassel by member tribe / lip-to-lid zero waste balmies by member axiology / lavender oversized silk scrunchie by charlie paisley / double dipped pink & lavender mug by sunflower studio pdx / sprinkles reusable dishcloths by hali hali design / high rise briefs in limited edition colors from member knickey (see our full review here)

column 2: mini rainbow notebook by moglea / moisturizing botanical bar by nopalera / bamboo charcoal makeup remover pads by clean circle / pastel pinwheel coaster set by eco club member KAZI / dark chocolate gift set by jcoco chocolate

column 3: clean lilac nail polish by BKIND / desert agave candle by TERRA (with plantable dust cover!) / duo-tone satin bow by member ks garner / seed salutations by modern sprout / heaven place mini puzzle from puzzle weekend / handmade natural scrunchies by member terrai

PS Wondering how to become a member of our sustainable directory? Membership is currently free to join, and this is a free resource we provide to our community of conscious consumers. We’re not paid to place these products in our gift guides, we only do because we love them (and the rest of the brands featured)! We review submissions every week and choose the brands that align with our ethical + sustainable shopping values and contain products we know our readers will love. Open to brands around the world, as long as they ship to USA. Click here to submit your brand!