The strawberries are rolling in from our garden!

I've been letting my girls choose (at least part of) my reading list this summer + I'm getting to read some good books that I wouldn't have chosen otherwise...and we're getting to have some good conversations too.  :) My first two books were Ready to Fall by Marcella Pixley + Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (along with something substantial to blow my nose on).

"It wasn't lack of space for stuff, it was out of respect for the stuff we say is important enough to have in our lives."
​
"I think I use recycled materials, because it doesn't make sense not to do it."

"Because this should always be our response to life- a celebration."

A connection between female-run indie fashion labels + moves toward sustainability?

hedonic adaptation

600 square feet + a place for everything (including lots of fun!)

​"just need permission from themselves"

Have a glorious weekend, friends!!

Love,
Jane

He who is contented is rich.
​~Lao Tzu

Patagonia needs no introduction as a fair brand. They have been pushing the clothing industry toward practices that consider the earth + those who depend on it for years. This new collection is made from 80% lyocell (from wood) + 20% recycled cotton. It is made in an accredited Fair Labor Association participating supplier factory in China. The shapes are basic + versatile. Add a few fair-trade, organic cotton tees + tanks along with a pair of tencel lyocell (again...wood derived) Allbirds trainers...and a small fair wardrobe is born.

Of course the tops with the pants are obvious combinations. It's the same color combinations that intrigue me the most...the grey tank + grey pants = jumpsuit combo...or the olive top + olive dress = new dress combo. The purple tee knotted over the dress could also be cute. I imagine that this collection would travel for weeks quite well + would pack like a dream!

All photos via Patagonia + Allbirds.

Love,
​Jane

I have to admit that for all my writing about mending, patching, refashioning, and repairing...I don't see many things through to the very end. The thing is that it takes quite a lot of wear + repair + reuse to actually use something all the way up. This feels like an almost crazy thing to realize.

This week I said good-bye to my beloved babouche slippers. I bought them on our first return (we used to live there) trip to California...twelve years ago. Over the past few years, a tear in the side of one slipper grew so big that I could stick my entire hand through it...many of the sequins left nothing but tufts of thread to hint at the original design...and the insoles sat crumpled under my arches. But still, I wore them every day.

I loved these slippers + twelve years is a good, long term of service. As I cut the slippers apart (I'll compost the leather), I was moved to thank the cow from which the leather came...and the craftspeople who stitched the design to the leather and formed the pieces into something that fit my feet so well. It reminded me of Native Americans who connected the lives of animals to the provision of their shoes or coats or meals + took this connection very seriously. I actually felt more connected to the elements + makers of these slippers in their destruction than I did purchasing them or wearing them day after day. It was a strange sort of realization.

I know that even now, the discolored leather that I cut away could be scrubbed + made into something new...perhaps baby shoes. The worn, plastic soles could be attached to different slippers. The remaining sequins could be removed + reused. What is now deemed disposable is not truly useless. We live in a strange world...where...at the moment...we feel that there is a never-ending abundance of resources. Our connection to those resources can get lost.

But our connection is not lost. Our skin comes in contact with materials that the earth has produced + human hands have formed. We put nourishment into our bodies multiple times every day that sun + soil produced + human hands passed along to our plates. Awareness is all that is required...and then gratitude can flow.

Love,
Jane

P.S. I know that the use of animal products is a topic that can elicit strong feelings. For the most part, I try to avoid it here. I apologize for any insensitivity in the posting of this. I have posted (however ineloquently) about my personal feelings on this issue once before + respect others' commitments to abstain from animal products. 

Leggings hold an important role in my + my girls' wardrobes. In the colder months, there is nothing more comfy than leggings. For working out, they are a necessity. Our favorite exercises are yoga + walking + cycling + rowing + strength training. Leggings work for all of it (lengths varying with the seasons). I've been on a mission to find the best leggings for years now. For a while I was devoted to Anthropologie's organic cotton/made in the USA Pure + Good leggings. By the time I needed to replace them, they were made out of polyester + imported (with no mention of fair labor). Then I found Outdoor Voices' made in the USA athletic wear + believed that I'd never have to look any further. I bought a pair of shorts, but when I went back for leggings their clothing was no longer made in the USA + made no mention of fair labor (+ now I'm not into polyester fibers either).

So the search continued.

Here are a few of the leggings that we have tried lately...along with a little overview of each brand + our thoughts too:

Pact ::
production: fairly made overseas 
fiber: 92% India grown, organic, fair-trade, GOTS cotton + 8% elastane
use: worn by Julia + I at home + for exercise for a few years (this year, exercise only for me)
performance: need to be replaced about once per year, because of thinning + holes between the legs/knees...I do repair the holes as often as possible...and do wear them quite a lot 
pros: low cost, fair-trade labor + cotton, organic cotton, perform well for exercise, opaque, long + capri length options
cons: lower waist (I repeatedly need to pull them up during yoga), slight sheen, could be more durable between legs, a bit long + baggy at the ankles (accordion fold up works), too short for tall/slim Jo
overall: Julia + I like these for working out, but I would love for them to have a higher waist. They are thinner than Pansy + therefore not as warm (as winter loungewear). 

Pansy :: 
production: made in California
fiber: 90% USA grown, organic cotton + 10% spandex
use: worn for loungewear + day to day activity...not worn for exercise
performance: I chose not to exercise in these leggings, because they are thicker + not quite as stretchy as Pact. I forgot to change into Pact leggings before going to yoga one evening, and that was all it took for the crotch gusset seam to rip right along the stitching for about 5 inches.
pros: organic cotton, traceable materials + labor, warm, completely matte, opaque, high-waist, durable seams, well-made
cons: not great for work outs that need a lot of flexibility, expensive
overall: I love the fit of these leggings. They are high-waisted (with elastic at the waist that keeps them in place) + the length is that perfect 7/8 length (my favorite). They are cozy, which I love in the winter. The fabric feels substantial + never transparent. I was able to find mine on sale/half-off toward the end of the summer (they are on sale now). Pansy seems like the most ethical choice to me, but I cannot wear them for yoga.

Tasc Performance ::
production: made in a factory exclusively sewing for Tasc, in India, 90% powered by renewable energy including onsite solar panels
fiber: 52% organic cotton + 43% viscose made from organic bamboo + 5% lycra
use: I wear them to exercise.
performance: fabric is stretchy + feels cooler on the skin than my cotton leggings, haven't owned them long enough to speak too much about durability
pros: mostly natural fibers, cooling, long + ankle + capri length options
cons: had a hard time finding the right fit
overall: My first choice was the Crosstown 7/8 legging (high-waist + ankle length), but they just did not work for me fit-wise (strangely tight at the ankle + loose at the waist). Next I tried the Nola (not so high waist- but I can pull them up). I sized down + that worked for me. The fabric is cool for working out.

Girlfriend Collective :: (including Jo's words)
production: SA8000 certified factory in Vietnam
fiber: 79% post-consumer plastic bottles +21% spandex
use: "the gym, yoga + being lazy"
performance: have had one pair for about a year + they are "holding up just like the day I got them"
pros: "comfortable, don't make me hot, opaque, don't smell", high-waist, perform well + stay put during yoga, nice fabric weight (not too thin), matte, well-made, lots of colors + fits to choose from, great size range, long enough for tall/slim Jo, a number of rise + length options
cons: made from plastic fibers which will not biodegrade, but will break free with every wash + find their way into our waterways + drinking water
overall: "They are my best girlfriends". I (Jane) would love to try these too, especially because of the high-waist + ankle length option. The plastic fibers are a deal breaker for me though.

Please let us know, if you have a favorite pair of fair leggings! We're all ears!

Photos via links.

Love,
Jane + Jo + Julia

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.
~Hans Hofmann

Responsible disposal is a big part of zero-waste. Keeping things in use for as long as possible...or from doing harm to the environment...often requires creativity. Ace & Jig is a brand that tries to make use of every last scrap of their beautiful textiles. They have sold gorgeous, scrappy scarves + garlands, offered patches for repairs at swap events, and done collaborations that put scraps to work as patches on vintage jeans. The bundles above are about to be made into quilt squares that will become part of a collection of community-made quilts! 

I've found some ways to make the most of a few of my own discards lately...or at least get them into the right places...so I thought I'd share.

Julia + I needed new glasses this year. We both still liked the glasses we were wearing, but couldn't do without them in order to just get replacement lenses put into them. We went ahead + ordered new glasses, and are keeping our old ones as backup. Next time we need new glasses, we may just get replacement lenses put into the backup glasses + let the cycle repeat between these two pairs. That would be a great way to reuse + avoid waste!

Julia had an even older (too small) pair of glasses that we needed to let go. I wrote about one way we had passed on our old glasses a few years ago...but I recently learned that we can also donate them at the optical booth in Target (no postage needed). Lens Crafters, Pearl Vision, + Sears Optical also collect used glasses. The glasses are then passed on to One Sight which strives to provide vision care + glasses to those in need around the world.

Jo graduated last weekend!! She had to buy this lovely, polyester gown + hat...and as soon as the ceremony was finished...Jo was finished with them. I looked online for a place that might collect graduation gowns for reuse. I found one...but it is no more. Each school wants their own color + sheen...so it is probably tough to amass enough to outfit + match a school's/student's need.

Jo has a friend who will graduate in December + is about the same height, so she is passing this gown + hat on to her. Passing this garb on to someone a year behind at the same school...who can then save the money...may be the best way to keep it out of the landfill. Chances are the same color + sheen will be used at the school again next year.

Rechargeable batteries are so much better these days than they used to be. They hold a charge for longer periods of time + can be recharged many more times. I've made the transition where I can, but still have a few batteries that get used up from time to time.

I've been collecting those batteries + trying to keep them out of the landfill for years. Our battery store will take them, but they charge by the pound...and batteries are heavy. They told me to just dump them in the trash, but I'd like to do my best to make sure that they cannot leak into the ground. Our hazardous waste disposal center does not take batteries. The last time I was in Ikea, I noticed that they are now collecting spent batteries as well as spent lightbulbs, paper, + plastic bags for responsible disposal. Thank you, Ikea!

Taking a little extra care to keep things out of the landfill can create beauty...or opportunity...or generosity...or protection that we would not have experienced otherwise! It's exciting to see more + more mainstream options for reuse + responsible disposal! And I always welcome the opportunity to use a little creativity! 

Love,
​Jane

I was reading along and came to a sentence that read something like...Let off all of the striving for a minute + notice the work that is being done inside of you. 

It isn't hard for me to readily name the things I am striving for...the issues that occupy my mind. I write about lots of them here...zero-waste + food + simplicity + buying fair. I've been thinking about systems lately...a system for food (nutrient rich, zero-waste, whole foods, organic, local, seasonal)...a system for clothing (a suggestive list with a little built in flexibility)...a system for stuff (responsible replacements only). I think about this a lot...and the enormity of it all (compassion, responsibility, budget, choices, unexpected...) often feels like urgently navigating a giant, never-ending maze while wearing an unwieldy backpack. 

So that urging to notice the work that is being done on the inside...that felt important + valuable. Because after all...isn't that really what all of my striving is for?! It is the internal flame that directs + urges me on. That can be surprisingly easy to forget.

I stopped reading right there + started writing in my journal:
I feel like I'm working + striving to be better in the areas of zero-waste + food + simplicity + buying fair- but I sometimes lose sight of the goal + choose the right now/comfortable/easy instead. I want systems (which is not all bad) to help me do better. But...I also need to embrace what is happening in me!

- I want less!
- I recognize enough.
- Compassion is consistently on my mind + part of my actions.
- I want to keep up with the latest fashions less.
- I want new stuff less. 
- Patience is easier.
- We love whole foods (which are often the zero-waste ones) best!
- We feel best when we eat them.
- We are stronger.
- We recognize + enjoy simple pleasures so much.

Yay! So exciting! That really was the whole point- right? Yes! (Oh, I hope this doesn't come across as prideful. I'm hoping to inspire a little introspection out there...and a recognition of the exciting transformations that others can celebrate as well!)

"The law [like my systems] always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for...but we couldn't deliver...is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us." Romans 8

Please...let's be gentle with ourselves on this journey. Our outward efforts are meaningful + encouraging + necessary, but it's the slow internal changes that will lend strength + resiliency + longevity to the journey. 

Thank you for joining me on the journey! My hope is that you have experienced some inward change as well + that you take the time to truly savor it!  :)

Much love,
​Jane

Botanica Workshop :: recycled nylon, made in Los Angeles

Lacausa :: made in Los Angeles

Reifhaus :: made in Portland, Oregon

Hackwith Design House :: made in St. Paul, Minnesota

Pansy :: organic USA cotton, made in California

The Ones Who :: made in the USA

Girlfriend Collective :: recycled plastic, SA8000 certified labor

Haight :: made in Brazil

Esby :: made from recycled plastic bottles in the USA

Outerknown :: recycled plastic, Fair Labor Association certified

Patagonia :: recycled polyester + nylon, fair-trade certified

Patagonia :: recycled polyester, fair-trade certified

Patagonia (kids) :: recycled polyester + nylon, fair-trade certified

Nu Swim :: recycled polymide, made in the USA

Shaina Mote :: made in the USA

Thief + Bandit :: innovative fabric, made in Halifax, Nova Scotia (little ones too)

Matteau Swim :: made in Australia

Baserange :: made in Portugal

Also ::
-Azura Bay :: made in California + fair-trade in India, recycled fibers
​-Beklina :: made in California
​-Beth Richards :: made in Canada
-Bikini Empire :: made in Canada
-Galamar :: made in Los Angeles, recycled fibers
​-Jessica Rey :: made in Los Angeles, recycled fibers
-Koru :: fair labor, recycled fibers
-Manakai :: made in the USA, recycled fibers
-Mara Hoffman :: recycled fibers, "responsible manufacturing"
-Rachel Comey :: made in the USA
-Reformation :: recycled fibers, made in Los Angeles
-Reswim Club :: made with remnant fabric in Adelaide, South Australia
-Riz :: board shorts made in England + Portugal, recycled fibers + recyclable (!)
-Swoon :: reversible bikinis, made in the USA
-Vitamin A :: made in Los Angeles, sustainable fibers
​-Lots of Australian options

I came across a wonderfully fair swimsuit the other day + it sparked the idea for this post! Personally, I don't wear a swimsuit too often...so the one I've had for a few years still works (I think...maybe I should try it on).  :) That swimsuit in the closet is the most ethical one...but if a new one is on your list...here are a few fair brands to check out. 

Stretchy synthetic fabrics might be just the thing for swimwear...but I am intrigued by the idea of a little organic cotton Pansy working in this category. It might be best for beachwear...and not in-the-water wear... but ah, minimalism!  :) I'm also intrigued by the idea of using a Girlfriend Collective sports bra as swimwear with either a pair of their short gym shorts or a bottom from a different brand. This multi-use concept is making me all kinds of excited!  :)

This post will be linked on the ethical brands page for easy access. All beautiful photos via links. 

Hope sunny days are in your present + are plentiful in your future!

Love,
Jane

The sign of a beautiful person is that they always see beauty in others. ~uknown