This arctic blast has me thinking about "warm". Merino wool is one of the materials that is truly up to the task. What an amazing symbiotic connection wool offers sheep + shearer...each benefits from the other.

My search for a wooly layer that needn't look perpetually sporty brought me to Duckworth. It can be hard to find a 100% wool piece of clothing, so this top (pictured) is ticking a lot of boxes for me. The merino wool comes from sheep on the Helle Ranch in Dillon, Montana (pictured above). The spinning, knitting + dying happens in the Carolinas and the sewing is done in the USA...making this top completely American grown + made. They call this carefully orchestrated connection "sheep to shelf".

Wool socks are my footwear of choice during these cold months. There is nothing to kick off before pulling my feet up under a cozy blanket...or before sliding into some waterproof wellies. Wool socks with a more heavy duty sole keep my feet as warm as slippers. Darn Tough makes wool (blend) socks in Vermont + guarantees them for life! What a long-lasting connection this fosters between the hands that make these socks + the feet that wear them.

Of course another great way to keep cozy is to knit a woolen layer or two. It can be a lovely adventure searching for local wool, to meet the farmer/spinner/dyer + to hear the stories the materials hold. Connection grows deeper with each slow rhythmic stitch.

Keep warm + connected, friends...wooly + otherwise!

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Thought I'd share a little correspondence I had this week. I really like the fact that Feelgoodz made flip flops with natural, sustainably sourced rubber + fair-trade labor. Last summer, I purchased some of their leather + rubber sandals...but received a pair of their vegan "leather" sandals instead. When I let them know about the mistake, they said to keep or donate the mistake pair...no need to mail them back. I decided to wear them, because I liked the fit + they needed to get worn. I'm not so happy about their end of life, however. Vegan "leather" is plastic.

As I began to look ahead at the year to come + at my simple wardrobe as a whole, I wondered if Feelgoodz would offer new leather styles. Their website currently shows only vegan options, so I sent this email of encouragement:

Hello- I just wanted to let you know that I am hoping you will bring your leather sandals back this year! I love the fair-trade values your company adheres too. The leather + rubber elements complement that so well for me, because they are natural + biodegradable! Thank you for being a rare, fair footwear option!

This was the response I received:

Thanks for contacting Feelgoodz! We will not be selling leather anytime soon. We have decided to stay with our Vegan Leather option because it is what is best for the environment. We will be dropping some new colors/styles this Spring so keep your eyes peeled!

And this was my response in return:

Thank you so much for your response. I know that some people feel that vegan "leather" is better for the environment. I just don't personally understand it. The oil derived material is plastic that will be around forever. It will contribute to ocean plastics + will break down into that plastic soup that ends up in the guts of sea life + eventually us. It would be better environmentally to simply stick with the natural rubber flip flops.

I know that all of the readers here do not agree with me about the use of leather, and I very much respect the values that inform this conviction. My point in sharing this is not that we need to agree...or even to share an update on a brand. It is that we have voices + the responsibility to share them. I believe that my emails have a better chance of making a difference than my silence (+ simply opting out of buying vegan "leather").

Whatever your opinion, let those companies know.

Love,
Jane

"The only way for us to address a specific product that is problematic, is to not create it in the first place."

This video clearly shows why we need initiatives like the one being undertaken by big companies such as Unilever + Nestle. Many of us in this community have found ways to avoid these company's products, and we are happy to be free from the necessity of their influence in our personal shopping. We have already made the connection between our habits, our health + the environment.

The reason we need these companies to change their packaging is that this option educates so many who have not considered these connections and/or have not felt that the options are available for them to even begin contemplating such choices. A shift in "the way things are done" in the industry is huge! It was honestly beyond my belief in what could truly happen...especially so soon! 

So even though I am not really drawn to the products offered by these companies, I see that this could change the way people view consumption + waste. The masses could experience the connection between their daily habits + climate change...how we are all connected + how we each have a role to play. Each of us will have the opportunity to choose how we want to support these offerings. Maybe we will indulge in a little Häagen-Dazs ice cream or maybe we will let a few friends know about the alternatives being offered along with an explanation of how they'll work + why they are so worth a little extra effort. I will be purchasing a few items, because dollars speak (+ Häagen-Dazs is delicious!). We need this to work!

It may not feel to some like what this movement is all about, but ultimately it is! Our goal is not to have a few jars of a year's worth of waste in a few homes around the world. Our goal is zero-waste cities around the world. Billions of humans with an awareness of the waste they create + aware of their power to influence those who can quit creating the waste in the first place!

Love,
​Jane

This is one of the most exciting things I've read in a while! Proctor + Gamble, Nestle, Pepsi + Unilever are going to try out reusable packaging on some of their popular products. "The products will cost roughly the same as the version in single-use containers, but users will also have to pay a deposit of $1-$10 per container." It sounds like there are some things to work out, but these giant companies are trying it. They are listening. Friends, we have gotten their attention! I've never so looked forward to not be part of "niche" group anymore. A giant thank you goes to Terracycle + The Story of Stuff whose fingerprints are all over this. We had a lot to do with it too...because, we show that people are willing to put the effort into reusables. We are evidence that consumers want less waste! Thank you, friends, for every one of your zero-waste efforts! This calls for celebration!

Love,
​Jane

This month I've been taking a sort of zero-waste inventory of our bathroom. I like to take a look at things as a whole periodically in order to gauge my progress.

A great way to eliminate waste created by an item altogether is to consider the necessity of the item. If we don't need it, we don't even have to search for a zero-waste alternative! (Pass the product on to a friend who will use it, or donate it to a shelter.) I love how the quest to decrease waste pushes us to become more + more simple + natural.

For those products that we do choose to continue using, we look for ::
-multi-functional products (like the soap we use as body soap, shaving cream, make-up remover, stain remover + facial soap)
-reusable rather than disposable versions (such as a safety razor)
-items that can be composted at the end of their functional lifespan rather than added to the landfill (such as a bamboo toothbrush)
-items we can make at home from natural ingredients that we can find unpackaged or packaged in recyclable packaging (such as our toothpowder + lip balm)
-items packaged in reusable (such as my facial moisturizer) or recyclable packaging (toilet paper)

Here is a little update of the choices we are currently making in our bathroom (by no means perfect or recommended...just honesty) ::

bamboo toothbrushes (a) :: compostable, recyclable/compostable packaging, landfill bristles
tooth powder (a) :: made by me from two paper + glass packaged ingredients 
unpackaged soap (b) :: no packaging, available locally 
shampoo bar (b) :: recyclable paper packaging (update here)
conditioner bar (b) :: recyclable paper packaging
lotion bar (b) :: no packaging, available locally
facial moisturizer (c) :: reusable glass + metal packaging, available locally
comb (d) :: fair-trade, compostable
deodorant (e) :: no packaging, long-lasting
compostable floss (f) :: compostable, reusable glass + metal, refills
​lip balm (g) :: made by me from local + natural ingredients in recyclable packaging
toilet paper (h) :: recycled, recyclable paper packaging, available locally
​hairbands, bobby pins, clip (i) :: long-lasting, clip is 20 years old
safety razor (j) :: metal, paper packaging, long-lasting, cost-effective, recyclable blades
nail clippers (k) :: long-lasting, 30 years old
​period panties + no applicator tampons (l) :: organic cotton, fair, reusable, less waste
(a menstrual cup is a wonderful option for those who can use them)
towels + bath mat (n) :: fair-trade, organic cotton
scissors + hair clippers (o) :: long-lasting, no cost haircuts for all  :)

I also have 2 bamboo brushes (m), an eyelash curler, some face powder, blush + eyeshadow that I don't routinely use. I have put them aside for occasional use at this point, which means that all of the above are long-lasting. Jo keeps the tweezers in her room + I "borrow" them as needed.  :) I've also kept the hairdryer, but haven't used it in years.

I put together a pinterest page for my own reference + as a place to collect options I might like to try when something here runs out. Feel free to check it out for links + further explanations of my choices.  :)

Love,
Jane 

P.S. I'm careful in this space to use language that communicates that I'm sharing my own choices + journey. I try to do the best I can with the choices + priorities I have. I make a concerted effort not to sound like I'm giving advice. Please feel free to make the choices that make the most sense to you + your priorities...and to share your journey as well.  :)

A quieter look in my closet was one goal of my recent closet reshuffle...limits was another. Four designated drawers create limits. For example, I have one drawer for my tees. I could easily fold all of my tees + tanks to fit here...summer + winter. I haven't decided if I want to do that, but it would work. I'm sticking with 5 summer tees/tanks total + 5 long-sleeved layering tees for colder months. In addition I have a few layering tanks that I wear under things year round. It's enough + it keeps replacement manageable.

In the drawer for layers, I have 3 sweaters + 2 sweatshirts. Nothing more will fit, so if I want another piece one will have to go. I really like what I have, so that will motivate me to avoid falling in love with a piece that I don't need.  :)

Limits...they're a good thing.

Love,
Jane

There are so many ways to dress "fair". When we take the fairdare, we commit to doing our best to wear what we have, mend + repair, refashion, thrift, make or buy fair. Those last three choices are what I'd like to explore with a fair/make series. Some of us love to sew + some of us prefer to purchase ready made garments. Searching for these fair garments on resale sites is a great way to use what already exists + to pay a little less. 

All of these jumpsuits are lovely, fair choices. I love to support creative makers like those in the left column (lots more here). A secondhand or vintage find attests to a quality of fabric + craftsmanship (+ makes me feel so lucky!). I also like to exercise my own creativity, so it can be fun to consider talented pattern makers' designs like those in the right column (more indie pattern designers here). I love the ease of all-in-one dressing, so let's take a look at a few fair options for jumpsuits.

Some of these jumpsuits would make cozy choices for the cold months still ahead here in the northern hemisphere. I love the versatility of sleeveless jumpsuits. Cool + breezy in summer months...they can also be perfectly cozy with a layer underneath +/or over top. 

Chosen with care, a jumpsuit can be worn casually or dressed up with a change of footwear +/or layer. Worn with heels or pretty flats + a velvet jacket...one of these could scew quite formal. Worn with sandals or trainers + a tee underneath...it could be just right for more casual occasions.

Linen can work for colder months with the addition of tights underneath, as necessary. I love the overalls on the right made up in denim with classic buckles too.

The zipper at the front of this Ilana Kohn jumpsuit makes it supremely functional + inspirational. The sturdy denim would withstand lots of wear + look fantastic fading + patched too.

Swingy, breezy, beautiful. Again...layer under or over...dressy or casual...ultimate comfort in any case.

I like how these two jumpsuits highlight how different fabrics (here in corduroy + knit), different closures, sleeve lengths, width of pants, application of drawstring, shape of pockets can completely change the look + function of a jumpsuit.

Again, check resale sites for second-hand versions. Jumpsuits are great basics in a simple wardrobe. ​So many style options. So many options to keep them fair.  :)

All linked photos via links (unlinked photos mine).

Love,
Jane

​

I hope that in the year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes then you are making new things,
trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself,
​changing yourself, changing your world.
You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly,
you're doing something.
​~Neil Gaiman

Marie Kondo is, of course, the author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Her Netflix show caught my attention, so I checked it out. The kindness, gentleness + positivity are lovely. I like that lots of new things are not brought into the process. There were moments when I found myself looking forward to a bit more of a transformation, but it's not a decorating show. It's a decluttering show. That is a refreshing difference to note.

A few moments that I loved:
-"The process helps you consider how you want to live."
-"We don't need a lot of things to be happy."
​-"Is this something you would like to take into your life going forward?"
-"I don't ever want my son to glorify anything materialistic."

A few things I noticed:
​-When our homes are bigger than our needs, our things expand to fill the spaces.
-If we consider only what we want + not if we need it...our stuff can get out of control...which makes our lives feel out of control. (Clothing seemed to prove this again + again.)
-Some people seemed to end up still feeling weighed down with a lot of stuff to maintain + organize. A strategically asked question or two may have offered further liberation.
​-If we don't have time for our stuff, maybe less would be helpful.
​-Sometimes the concept of sparking joy is confusing or hard to connect with. I often think that I wouldn't keep enough, if it all had to spark joy...but that would be wasteful + would spark shopping.

The process Marie Kondo offers is simple. Take everything in a category out. Go through each item one by one + decide if it sparks joy. Keep the things that spark joy. I appreciate that people receive the space to come to their own conclusions about how much to keep. Their process may continue. We hear some of their brilliant discoveries in quotes like the ones above...but not much time is spent with the discoveries. In some cases, I found myself wanting to offer a couple more things to consider.  :)

A few points I find missing:
-Necessity :: What do you need? We do need some things, so we could start there. What do you need to cook in the kitchen + for how many? What do you need to wear to school or work...for what weather? Let's make sure that the necessities (which may or may not spark joy) don't get discarded unnecessarily. 

-Enough :: How many whatever-the-category is enough? Of course it is not imperative for everyone to live with only what they need. Lots of things may "spark joy", however, and that may still leave one with an overwhelming amount of stuff. If we cover need first, we won't have to fear not having enough.
​
-Limits :: Deciding that X number of sweaters is enough or that a specific space will be allotted to sweaters might be helpful. When I exceed this space, I know I have too many sweaters + something needs to give...either sweaters or my shopping habits.

-Shopping habits :: We need to address our motives + shopping habits going forward, so that we don't end up right back where we started.

-Others :: Are we holding the things we have stacked in our basements + garages back from someone who could be using them?

-Ease :: Would less be easier?

-Tending :: This is not a one time event. Hopefully the big clean-out is a singular event, but we need to revisit our clutter, our collections, our influences and our shopping habits periodically.

Have you watched the show or read the book? What do you think?

Love,
Jane