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A Tour of Colorful Cartagena, Colombia with Zuahaza

published on October 6, 2022 by Angela Hamilton

I’m so excited to share this little photo tour of Cartagena, Colombia with you today! The gals at Zuahaza just released their latest collection of handmade pillow covers, throw blankets, and baskets, which were all inspired by this beautiful coastal city. Today, Tatiana and the team at Zuahaza are sharing a few details about the collection and the city that inspired it! Once you look through all the photos and a preview of the new line, scroll to the end for Tatiana’s personal reccs for food, hotels, shops, and neighborhoods to explore in Cartagena.

Cartagena is a Caribbean city along the northern coast of Colombia known for its preservation of cultural heritage. A place where people enjoy walking the colorful streets, drinking juices made from fresh fruits, and dancing to the cumbia rhythms of this Afro-Colombian gem.

This collection was inspired by and is dedicated to Cartagena’s culture and people. To the Afro-Colombians who are authors of Cartagena’s contagious rhythms and flavors. To the ancestors and descendents of the land who to this day tend to its natural beauty. To the modern citizen who values Colombian history, handmade craft, and heirlooms.

With each collection, Zuahaza highlights a different part of Colombian culture. This time, they’ve introduced a crocodile green to their palette, and a beautiful navy blue as a nod to the Port of Cartagena and the Caribbean Coast of Colombia.

Zero waste has been a major priority for Zuahaza, and they’ve developed their pillow sizes according to which would create the least waste on their looms. This time extra “scraps” were used to create their smallest sized lumbar pillow!

Cartagena has a population of nearly a million people. It’s a city known for its color, history, colonial architecture, flora, and markets.

Baru Small Throw

Manglar Euro Pillow, Zenu Pillow, and Bolivar Lumbar Pillow.

See all of their woven pillows in the Cartagena collection here!

Palenque Fruit Bowl, Morenas Oval Baskets, Gabo Basket Tray

See more posts by eco club x Zuahaza here, and shop the full collection at zuahaza.com!

Where to shop, eat, stay, and explore in Caragena, Colombia

Shops

Centro Comercial La Serrezuela Not just any mall! This mall has so many more Colombian shops than regular malls in Colombia. They have a lovely food court showcasing local chefs and typical Caribbean food and the vibe is great.
St Dom. Higher end store with incredible Colombian designers. Clothes, accessories and some home goods.
Bahué A concept store with Colombian designer products.

Restaurants

Cafe San Antonio at Casa Jaguar (also has an incredible small cafe offering great breakfast and lunch) Here is where we took our lifestyle photos!
Restaurante Gobernador at Bastion Hotel. Great all you can eat breakfast buffet
Carmen. Elevated seafood

Hotels

Bantú
Casa Jaguar
Bastion Hotel (incredible rooftop pool!)

Neighborhoods & Locations

Cartagena’s old city is a charm. In this neighborhood you can find different streets, plazas and parks and they all have their own vibe.

Santo Domingo Square There is always music and something happening here.
Plaza de los Coches Super cute plaza with colorful houses.
Monumento Torre del Reloj. One of my favorite spots for pics. There are always fruit carts parked around here too if people want to drink coconut water or mango biche.
La Muralla (literally the fortress wall) The historic city is surrounded by an old rock wall fortress from the colonial times. There is a walkway on top and you can see some of the most beautiful views!
Calle Don Sancho Love this street to take photos of some of the most lovely houses and flowers.
Las Bóvedas Here there is a craft and market with fruits and veggies.

Neutral bedroom ideas with Zuahaza

published on October 5, 2022 by Angela Hamilton

I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since we last collaborated with Zuahaza, makers of artisan Colombian textiles and home decor. We met them early on in both of our social media journeys and become fast Insta friends. I’d been blogging about sustainable living and ethical shopping for a few years; Tatiana and Veelie had been cooking up a brand that honored traditional Colombian craftsmanship while offering modern home goods worldwide.

I loved that they always told the stories of not only their makers, but the towns they lived in and the vibrant communities they connected with. Soon we collaborated on photo shoots, like this summer picnic + bedroom decor guide. We even hooked up for an IG live featuring a naturally dyed cotton and silk tutorial, which totally sparked my love of natural dyeing.

Both of our teams finally caught up the other week, just as we were launching wallflower shop and they were gearing up for their latest collection to go live! It’s called the Cartagena collection and it’s named after a beautiful travel destination on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Cartagena was founded back in the 16th century, and their original architecture and streets full of color inspired the blankets, pillows, and decor you see here!

Cumbia Large Throw

One of their goals with the new collection was to showcase the naturally gorgeous fibers like organic cotton and fique, while adding a pop of color as a nod to the colorful streets of Cartagena.

Magdalena Pillow Cover

Baru Small Throw

La Popa Oversized Throw Pillow

My idea of the perfect neutral bedroom definitely has subtle colorful accents like the throws here. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bright bedroom, but I naturally lean toward dusty pinks and greens, and pastel colors in my own life, so seeing them against creamy organic cotton offered such an elevated look to me!

Morenas Storage Baskets

The Cartagena collection is officially live on zuahaza.com, and you should pre-order before October 15th to be given priority for shipping in time for the holidays. Since each of these incredible pieces are made to order, you’ll want yours in quickly to offer time to spin, dye, and weave the yarns!

I’m excited to share that we’ll be collaborating with Zuahaza again on some original fall content for you all, which we’re shooting next week. Until then, we’ll be back with a little Cartagena travel guide tomorrow!

Wolf & Badger Fall Dresses

published on September 22, 2022 by Angela Hamilton

Where do you shop sustainably? Wolf and Badger is one of the few marketplaces for independent designers (featuring mostly fashion but home goods too) that I truly love to spend time on. So many ethical shopping websites have a very limited selection and it feels impossible to cater to many budgets, sizes, and styles at once. (And I get it, Jenn and I recently launched our shop *more on that later!*, and there’s truly so much to consider when sourcing!) Lately I’ve been seeing Wolf & Bdager dresses pop up left and right, and finally had to round them up because… Well, the colors of fall are just too pretty not to post about!

Bertie Midi Dress by Molby the Label, Lavender dress with puff sleeve by Azzalia, Rae Mini Dress from Karmic Witch, Nutmeg Zoya Dress by Taeve Africa, Romana Dress by So English, Ochre Leaf dress by Haris Cotton, Fuchsia Flower by Haris Cotton , Liana Floral Dress by Aroop Shop, Olive Maxi Dress by Giyi

Fall is a time of transition and is truly one of the most vibrant times of year. So while I totally do love to lean into darker tones and neutrals later in the season, in the beginning I’m feeling so inspired by warm contrasting hues you’d see on the trees.

To get the most from Wolf & Badger, and many marketplaces like them, you want to take advantage of their filters. They sell thousands of items (literally 9k dresses), so you want to narrow it down a bit or you’ll get super overwhelmed. One of the filters is “sustainability status” which I highly recommend using. Even though I think any item worth investing in should check all the boxes, that’s just not the case for most. I make sure to at least check “Mother Earth” because it seems to filter out the items made with less sustainable fabrics like polyester. (Too many times I’ve found socially responsible brands remain environmentally wasteful!) So of course, check your filters, and read descriptions carefully to ensure a product aligns with your own values.

One last note for those keeping mother nature in mind. Wolf & Badger is not in the US and many (if not most) of their items will ship from overseas. Obviously, that’s not ideal for your carbon footprint. I still think it’s worth shopping occasionally because of the talented designers you can discover and support, but that’s for you to decide! You could probably cut down on your impact by purchasing things all at once instead of individually, and from the same brands.

Let me know if you liked this quick roundup from one marketplace we’re loving lately. This is not sponsored (I have no contacts at Wolf & Badger, but hope they like this little tribute!), but I have used my affiliate link throughout.

The Realities of a Microplastic World

published on August 25, 2022 by Mindy Chung
updated on August 26, 2022

I don’t know if anyone else has seen that papaya seed cleanse on TikTok, but the sudden realization that the majority of us have some sort of parasite in our bodies gives me the willies. No one wants to think about creepy crawlies just swimming around in our gut, let alone worms. But what I think many people don’t realize is that the scary invader du jour isn’t a living critter, it’s something else entirely—microplastics in humans.

What are microplastics, and are they found in humans?

They’re exactly what they sound like—small particles of plastic that are created from the breakdown of larger bodies of plastic. For something to officially qualify as a microplastic it has to be less than 5 millimeters long. And while it seems like something that small wouldn’t be able to cause any real harm to us as humans, their size means that they can infiltrate our bodies, raising concerns about the potential for damage to our cells.

As we all know, plastics aren’t readily biodegradable like paper or wood. They take decades, if not centuries, to break down into harmless molecules. And as terrifying as it may be, scientists have recently found microplastics in people’s lungs and blood. The implications of this discovery are pretty grim—having a foreign object floating around your circulatory system, and lodging in different body parts, can cause irritation which can then lead to inflammation. While there’s no hard evidence yet for how this inflammation can affect us in the long term, there has been extensive research into the toxins present in plastic that overlaps with research into the link between lung disease, asthma, and cancer and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Unfortunately, our bodies can’t just rid themselves of these minuscule menaces; in fact, because of their size, our current water treatment facilities are unable to remove all traces of microplastics. That means they can filter into our water supplies, and already have made their way into our oceans and aquatic life.

Now, many of us know that the reason we don’t eat copious amounts of fish is because too much fish = heavy metal toxicity. And while that’s a very real and dangerous repercussion of eating too much salmon, microplastics have begun to emerge as a competing pollutant that threatens animals and the environment alike. While this may be the final straw that has some of you swearing off fish, that may not be enough to stop microplastics from filtering into your daily life.

where are microplastics found?

Microplastics can be found in consumer goods like cosmetics and synthetic clothing. For example—the microbeads in face washes and toothpastes are a kind of microplastic. (While the US passed The Microbead-Free Waters Act in 2015, it’s only one of a handful of countries that’s taken any sort of action to slow and stop the use of microbeads in consumer goods.) Sustainable clothing brands like Girlfriend have begun selling microfiber filters in an attempt to capture them before they leak from your washing machine to water streams.

The truth is that there isn’t enough research into the long-term effects of microplastics on the environment, and human life, to officially announce that they’re bad for us. But common sense dictates that you understand if a foreign object finds its way into your body, it’ll eventually wreak havoc because it’s not supposed to be there. Especially when they’re infiltrating the water we drink, the fish we eat, and the cosmetics we use.

Studies take years, even decades, to come up with irrefutable proof of danger to human life. So, while we wait for scientists to hash out how exactly microplastics are affecting our health, we can educate ourselves on their presence, and become mindful consumers that are aware of this stealthy pollutant, and how it affects everything from our oceans to our insides.

How Mushrooms are Dominating the Sustainability Movement

published on August 1, 2022 by Mindy Chung
updated on July 31, 2022

If you read my last blog, you know that mushrooms are currently the “it girl” when it comes to popular supplements for holistic health. Sold in a range of products—teas, coffees, and pills—they can help boost your immunity, boost mental clarity, and even help lower your cholesterol. Mushrooms are a wellspring of benefits, and it’s about time they get their time in the spotlight.

And while these perks alone make them a fantastic addition to anyone’s diet, mushrooms have a surprising versatility that allows them to go far beyond just supplements.

Mushrooms and sustainability

The benefits of mushrooms aren’t limited to just vitamins and minerals. In fact, as more innovators have looked at alternative materials for a sustainable world, mushrooms have become an adaptable source for production in packaging, fashion, and even construction.

So, as a fangirl of our fungi friends, I thought it only right to elaborate on some of the amazingly unique ways we’ve utilized mushrooms in the modern era.

Vegan Leather

While there are some mind-boggling alternatives to leather on the market now, (hello, cactus?!) mushrooms have proven to be a worthy competitor because of their short turnaround rates and minimal space needs. Although they’re currently only being produced on a smaller scale, mushroom leather has already been used in retail by big names like Stella McCartney and Adidas for womenswear and footwear respectively.

(For our eco-conscious fashionistas, our blog on innovative fabrics is a great place to get some ideas for materials to look out for when shopping for a more sustainable wardrobe.)

Fun(gi) Packaging

There’s been a big uptick in consumer demand for biodegradable and recycled packaging in the last decade or so. Smaller companies, who have more control over what materials they use and are impacted more heavily by their buyers’ preferences, have been able to match this demand and incorporate sustainable sourcing into their business model. But it’s been hard for larger corporations to phase out single-use plastic because of the sheer volume of demand.

While one might shrug and just assume the mega-brands of the world will never change, Ikea has shown that using mycelium packaging is possible. They’ve started to replace Styrofoam with fungi, and have even pledged to phase out plastic packaging by 2028. They’ve proven that size doesn’t matter when it comes to switching to sustainable practices. However, I’m sure for most companies, profit is what rules those decisions.

Greener Building Blocks

“Mycotecture” is a way of turning mushrooms into renewable, natural building bricks that are twice as strong as concrete. They’re fire-resistant and lightweight, and can reduce the waste created from growing edible mushrooms by using the leftovers after harvest to build these bricks. While there’s been promising results in early research, fungi bricks still have a lot of testing to pass before they can be used in residential and commercial building.

Meat Alternatives

I think we’ve all seen those scallops made from oyster mushrooms. Or the shiitakes used as burger patties. Mushrooms have always been a solid choice for vegetarian alternatives because of their meatier texture and umami flavor, but what I don’t think some people realize is that there are brands now that make “official” mushroom meat products.

Eat Meati was founded in Colorado in 2016 and sells vegan steaks and cutlets made from mycelium. It’s kind of unbelievable how realistic their products look but unfortunately, for most vegans and vegetarians, buying their products is a bit difficult at this stage in the company’s growth. While they distribute to store in Colorado and Arizona, the only way to buy online is to sign up for notifications and cross your fingers that you’re one of the few folks they send a small batch to each month.

Have you heard all the buzz about mushrooms and sustainability? Which gives you the most hope for a more environmentally friendly future?

How To Quit Palm Oil

published on July 26, 2022 by Angela Hamilton
updated on July 27, 2022

As the most commonly produced vegetable oil, it is incredibly difficult to avoid palm oil. We’ve shared a bit about whether we think palm oil can be sustainable or not (and thankfully more resources have emerged since then, which we’ll include in a post soon), but our verdict still stands: in most cases, no. Like basically everything when it comes to trying to be more eco friendly, this is a complex issue steeped in corporate greed, power struggles, social and environmental injustices, politics and more. So it’s incredibly difficult to determine where your palm oil comes from and what it took to get to you. Bottom line is, over the past five years or so of making a real effort to avoid the use palm oil, I’ve learned one thing: avoiding it is much easier than finding it sustainably.

image from one of our most popular blog posts on palm-free soap brands

how to avoid the use of palm oil

learn the names of palm oil

Palm oil is an incredibly versatile ingredient which is one reasons it’s so widely produced. It can show up in foods to household to personal care products. The oil is formulated in the way that serves the product best, so it comes with different chemical names. I’ve added a list of names in the graphic below, and I recommend visiting wwf.org to learn more.

check the ingredients in your pantry + freezer

If you’ve ever tried to avoid consuming a common allergen like soy or gluten, you know what it’s like to read every ingredient listed on every product you come across. It’s tedious in the beginning, but you quickly get used to it and it’s honestly a good practice for improving your overall wellness. The most surprising aspect is noticing that like gluten and soy, palm oil seems to be in everything. A quick audit of your current pantry will familiarize you with some of the most common offenders: peanut butter, processed baked goods, candy, frozen meals and desserts, chocolate items, and more. Knowledge is power!

check the ingredients in your vanity

Palm oil is a common ingredient in cosmetics and bodycare products, but it is trickier to spot than when in food. This is because it’s usually listed as whatever form its in–see graphic below. To make matters worse, sometimes these names can be used to refer to vegetable oils or oil blends other than palm oil, so you can’t always tell without contacting the company. I know this is frustrating, so when you’re just getting started, I’d suggest focusing on learning the names, checking the products you use regularly, and just becoming aware of this industry’s connection to the use of palm oil. Baby steps!

shop the perimeters

You may have heard the advice to “shop the perimeters” from health food blogs. It basically means to choose fresh food whenever possible, avoiding the middle aisles that are comprised primarily of processed snacks and fake foods. If this is new for you (as it was to me having grown up on a 100% processed American diet), I want to emphasize awareness again. Reflect on which snacks you gravitate toward the most, and check whether they have palm oil. Committing to reducing my use of palm oil immediately meant ditching two of my processed faves: Oreo’s and Reese’s. Five years ago, these were my favorites! But these products are linked to deforestation and other negative effects of palm oil production in big ways (see here and here) so I felt icky supporting them. And I truly don’t miss them… I got better at baking and make tastier treats anyways.

chat with friends!

No, I don’t mean preach to friends (unless you hand me a drink). The #1 thing that helped me quit palm oil and really strengthened my interest in sustainability in general was meeting a friend who had also done her research and realized that it was something she wanted to actively avoid. (I’ve since met, like, one more person.) Like any other common interest, it’s nice to have those aha moments with a friend. So find people you can go on the journey with, whether it’s a friend you suspect would love to hear about what you’ve learned, or seeking out a group with the same passions you have.