fairdare
  • blog
  • Fairdare
  • ethical brands
  • zero-waste
  • zero-waste meals
  • about

test

7/28/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
One test is better than a thousand expert assumptions.
~via
0 Comments

whole

7/21/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
We live in one world
+ each act of ours 
affects the whole.
~Corita Kent
0 Comments

summer weeding

7/20/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
I'm a little late to it this year, but there is still lots of time for it to have its effect. This morning, I took a little time to go through my closet pulling out what I can + will actually wear for the next few weeks. 

Summer is in full effect. It's Hot...with a capital H...and that is not going to change for weeks. This means that there are pieces of clothing that I am not going to reach for for weeks. 

There are a few reasons that I find it helpful to curate my closet in this way:
  • Having all of the clothing in my closet be wearable right now makes me feel more at ease. Even though there are fewer pieces, I feel like I have things to wear rather than seeing so many things that I can't wear. 
  • When I do this curation, I have the opportunity to assess "enough". I can see that I have enough tops to mix + match with my bottoms. I can think through how many times I would wear those two dresses, if I wore one once a week. This usually stops me from feeling like I need to shop.
  • I can put away something that doesn't have a match during this season. Now I don't feel like I need something to make those pants useful. I can just rest in enough elsewhere + get them out again in the autumn.
  • My closet feels more spacious. I can put some pieces in a box on the top shelf + enjoy the breeziness of what remains.
  • It feels more exciting to reconnect with pieces I haven't seen in a while, when I get them out later.

On second thought, this is the perfect time for me to do a closet weeding. It's been hot for a few weeks, and I actually know what I'm wearing now. What I plan to wear is usually a bit different than what I actually choose to wear.

The way I like to do this weeding is to pull everything out + put pieces into categories (tops, tees, tanks, jeans, pants, dresses, shorts, etc.). I pull out the pieces that I'm wearing right now + put them back into the closet. I can think through how I'm feeling enough-wise as I go. An adjustment can be made to add one more tee, because it helps with laundry. I might let a couple of last year's tees go, because they are too sheer or short. I can put a couple away, because I wear them more often under a sweater in cooler months.

I always find it so interesting that "less" makes me feel more satisfied...settled...content! Magic!

Love,
​Jane
1 Comment

non-toxic clothing

7/19/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
When Delta Airlines flight attendants started to lose their hair, have irregular periods, get rashes + experiencing brain fog, they suspected their new uniforms might have something to do with it. Chemicals used to enhance the performance nature of clothing (increasing the vibrancy of colors, enhancing the flame retardant nature + decreasing wrinkles for example) are being linked to such symptoms.

Unsurprisingly, the fashion industry is slow to hold itself accountable for testing chemicals used on clothing or for being transparent about which chemicals have been used on clothing it is selling.

Stories like this often carry accompanying messages that lament the inability to do much about the problem. Luckily for us, we know that we have some options like:​
  • Avoiding synthetic fibers :: They are far more likely to involve toxic chemicals. Looking for natural fibers is certainly a good starting point, however even natural fibers can be subjected to pesticides and toxic dyes. So an even better option is..
Picture
  • Looking for organic fibers :: GOTS certification is nice. Organic fibers are not necessarily pesticide free, however. There are some substances that are allowed within organic practices.
Picture
  • Looking for natural + plant dyes :: This can mean different things, because an inorganic mordant may be used to set even these dyes. 
  • Looking at small brands :: The smaller the brand, the more transparency can be offered about the conditions in which the fabrics were grown and the dyes + chemicals to which the fabrics have been subjected. Read about their processes + ask questions.
Picture
  • Choosing linen or hemp :: Both of these fabrics require less chemicals (+ water) to grow. They are often more durable + long lasting as well.
Picture
  • Choosing undyed fibers :: These can look amazing + might also provide a great opportunity for some natural dyeing experiments. Color-grown cotton + wool are incredible options too.
Picture
  • Shopping for our own fabrics :: Buying fabric that has a beautiful, transparent story attached is possible! Real treasures result!
  • Wearing the natural fibers already in our own closets :: Not only do synthetic fibers involve more chemicals, they shed plastic microfibers with every wash. Moving away from synthetics is a positive move. Many of us already have enough in our closets to not need to do much (if any) replacing were we to let go of the synthetic fibers already in our closets. Maybe just consider it?  ;) ​
  • Giving feedback :: Letting brands know what we love about their choices + what we would love to see them improve upon is extremely important! We know that better is possible. Let's work together toward positive change!
Love,
​Jane
0 Comments

gifting

7/14/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
When we take a digital detox,
we're gifting our mind
the opportunity
to make its own discoveries.
~​Anna Carlile
0 Comments

what is creativity for?

7/13/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
There's something interesting about listening to podcasts about creativity + AI while making intentionally imperfect, human stitches one after another.

If the conventional (capitalistic) concept of creativity is primarily to serve novelty + commodification, does this change our view of the threat to creativity in the age of AI?

What if we could untangle the demand for novelty from our concept of creativity?

Would we use our creativity to "say" more? Would we create more beauty? Would we solve more of our real problems?

Would things made with our hands take on a different sort of value? Would our view of material things change? Would we consume differently? Would we be more discerning about what does not need to be made?

It might just be about the questions + what we do with them.

​Love,
Jane
0 Comments

a spot to gather peace

7/6/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It's entirely possible I've written a post just like this before, because I've long been thinking about having a spot dedicated to cultivating peace within. I imagine having a spot to go...a spot that visually confronts me...a spot for my innermost being to surface. 

We've tried the spot I have in mind as a place for yoga (we seem to prefer rolling back the rug in a more open space under the ceiling fan) + as a spot to sew (I seem to lug my machine out into the kitchen anyway). Maybe now is the time to claim this spot as a spot for quiet realignment.

For now, I've stacked two dismantled kitchen cupboard shelves on the floor. I'd like to make a low table to hold things that turn our minds toward divine mystery. There is a bowl to collect quotes + notes that can spark thought when a little inspiration is helpful. A candle offers a physical sign of sacred turning. A cushion invites presence. A leaning shelf could keep some of our favorite reads within reach, and a few plants are thriving here already.

All that's needed now is my own presence + intention.

Click each lovely photo for links. Unlinked photos, mine.

Love,
Jane
0 Comments

altered

7/5/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
As a lover of less, I'm pretty picky about which pieces of clothing come home with me. As the person that I've always been, I'm pretty picky about silhouettes + proportions.  :) Since I sew, I often view clothing with an eye toward what I can adjust to make it a little bit more what I'd like to wear. Today, I took the time to address a couple of pieces that have been awaiting their adjustments.  

The piece with the cream sleeves :: This piece seems to be a big + tall shirt that I thrifted + intend to wear as a dress with or without jeans underneath. Rather than rolling the sleeves again + again to an overly bunchy extent, I pictured cropping the sleeves to a bracelet length. I wanted to preserve the cuff, so I cut the sleeve off and then reapplied the cuff to replicate the same detail on my "new" sleeve.

As usual, this type of endeavor renews my respect for the time + skill that goes into garment making! While I know that I can make these adjustments, I also know that it takes dedicated time, effort + attention.

The golden, floral piece :: This Doen piece is one of my favorites. I've had it for years, and it was quite large on me. I thought about selling it + purchasing a smaller size on a resale site, but that seemed like a hassle too. It can be pretty intimidating cutting into such a beautiful piece, but I finally worked up the nerve to take in the sides. Rather than reworking the sleeves as I did on the previously mentioned piece, I decided to add a couple of tucks to shorten the sleeves. The very lightweight fabric means that the sleeves stay flowy even with the tucks. I'm so happy with the way it turned out + love wearing it so much more now.

The white gown :: This gown came to me with fluttery, lace-edged sleeves that I knew I wanted to remove. Once the sleeves were removed, I realized I could edge the sleeve opening with the lace. I used the sleeve fabric to bind the edge. The result is better than I imagined + feels less wasteful too.

I very much enjoy finding garments that feel just right from the moment I lay eyes on them, but I also get excited to find these gems that I can make my own. Spending this kind of time + attention on a garment usually increases my feelings of connection with it. Taking the time to get the length of a sleeve how I prefer it or the room in the hips just right makes me more likely to want to wear it over + over...and less likely to trade it for a newer model. And that's what the fairdare is all about!  :)

Love, 
Jane
0 Comments

depend

7/4/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
We don't belong
to an institution, to a party, to our state...
but to each other.
We must practice + study + sing + dream + celebrate
belonging to each other as though our lives depend on it.
~Ross Gay
0 Comments

a summer uniform

7/3/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
I move into every season with an open mind toward what I will wear in the months ahead. It must say something about my personality that I do not really want to create rules for myself. I am ok with moving through the whole process of deciding what I want to wear + coming to a version of the same conclusion season after season. I embrace these now familiar discoveries with a sense of surprise each + every time.

There's no sense in drawing it out. I have embraced a sort of uniform yet again this summer. When I'm not at work, I'm most likely wearing a black tank top (made in a fair-trade certified factory) with a pair of shorts. These shorts are the same ones I've worn for the last few summers, though I did sell one pair + replaced them with a black pair. 

Why am I choosing to wear the same thing over + over this summer?
  • It's enough. No need to use more resources.
  • Less clothing to purchase, maintain + keep clean.
  • It's my favorite outfit, so it's what I want to wear.  :)

Do I only wear this uniform when I'm not at work?
  • No, but I do wear it probably 90% of the time.
  • When I'm at home, I might wear a pair of pajama pants or linen pants that I've made with my tank.
  • Sometimes I might wear a dress or army pants with my tank when I go out. 

What are you loving to wear this summer? Are you into uniforms? I'd love to hear!  :)

Love,
Jane
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
    substack
    Picture
    Picture


    categories

    All
    Fair Brands
    Fairdare
    Garden
    Made
    Reads
    Simple Budget
    Simple Holidays
    Simple Home
    Simple Wardrobe
    Simply Said
    Sustainable Self
    Wanderings
    Yum
    Zero Waste

    archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    all images by jane unless otherwise noted. copyright 2024.
Proudly powered by Weebly