Living simply makes room for love + compassion. 
We can work to change public policy, electing leaders who are honest + progressive.
We can show respect for love.
To save our planet we can stop thoughtless waste.
We can share resources.
All these gestures show a respect + a gratitude for life.
When we value the delaying of gratification
​+ take responsibility for our actions,
we simplify our emotional universe.
Living simply makes loving simple.
The choice to live simply necessarily enhances our capacity to love.
It is the way we learn to practice compassion,
daily affirming our connection to a world community.
​~bell hooks

Another favorite zero-waste switch is cleaning supplies. We're still using the same bottle + rags years later. I resisted switching from paper towels to cloth rags + from chemical cleaners to vinegar + baking soda. But now, I love that I don't feel like I'm inhaling toxic fumes when I clean. Nothing gets dumped "away" + everything comes out sparkly clean. Vinegar + baking soda are cheap too. I've never understood the effects of advertising more clearly than in the case of cleaning supplies. Swaying consumers away from these simple, effective solutions was pure evil genius.

Favorite zero-waste switch number three is ​staying out of the middle aisles at the grocery store. Pursuing zero-waste has really changed the way we eat for the better. We eat mostly whole foods that we can find without packaging...vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, spices, tea, dairy, + eggs. Not only are we avoiding packaging...but most junk food too. I still find it quite intriguing that the relationship between healthy eating + zero-waste is so closely linked.

In writing this, I noticed that there were some fears that I had to overcome regarding each of these switches. I feared that I would smell if I wore deodorant without antiperspirant. I feared that my washing machine would be filthy if I washed cleaning rags in it + that vinegar + baking soda would not work. I didn't really know how we'd get full or how expensive it would be to stay out of the middle aisles. I didn't know if composting would work or if it would attract rats to our yard. After letting our reusable plastic water bottles go because BPA was found to be harmful, I resisted the cost of the stainless steel alternative + feared I'd have a hard time cleaning them.

It's also interesting to notice that all but the last switch don't really costs much money to try out (+ the water bottle is an extremely good investment).  :)  So...maybe it's worth giving one of these switches a go (if you haven't already)...just to see how it goes. It's possible that you might find that the benefits aren't limited to the decrease in waste. They just might exceed your expectations, like they did mine! The new year is a great time to make a commitment to send less to the landfill!  :)

Love,
Jane

Phew! After reading a recent collection of articles concerning garment workers, I went through our list of ethical brands again with a slightly different perspective. I finally made it through the list + feel quite encouraged by this collection of ethical makers! It took me a while to get through the list, because: 
a. there are SO many more ethical brands out there now than when I first began! (yay!)
b. there is so much good stuff being made by these brands that I was easily distracted!

Unfortunately, there were a few disappointments like:
-BackBeatCo moved some of their production to India
-Richer Poorer stopped using organic cotton + USA production
-Dusen Dusen moved production overseas
-Lacausa is making some of their clothing overseas

I really hate to call brands out like this, but thought I'd let you know in case one of these is a favorite of yours + you'd like to reach out to let them know what is important to you, your feelings +/or hopes.

On the other hand, there are brands realizing that their customers support ethical choices + moving toward making their offerings even more ethical! (happy, happy dance!!)
​-Christy Dawn is working toward making regenerative cotton dresses in collaboration with cotton farmers in India
-Mate the Label shifted to making all of their product from organic cotton this year. They use cotton thread rather than polyester (making their garments completely biodegradable) + are working toward getting away from using even compostable product bags 
-Imogene + Willie is now making all of their knits in-house in Nashville
-Industry of all Nations now offers repairs + re-dyeing
-Hackwith Design House seems to have moved to using all natural fibers
-Ecoalf is using pineapple "leather" in their footwear

Fantastically exciting, right!!? And those are just the advancements I noticed this go around. Many other brands continue their commitments to caring well for farmers, garment workers, the environment + customer!

There were a few brands that were removed from the list + a bunch that were updated. I tried to make note of the many brands manufacture within a few miles of their headquarters which means that it is much easier to keep an eye on production + to see to the well-being of the garment workers that make their clothing (exposing the reason for the prevalence of California based brands).

Brands respond to voices! Many brands extended their size range this year thanks to a number of women voicing their case for such. Bravo to speaking up + to the brands that listened + took action! Speak up!  :) I think this has been the most exclamation point heavy post I've written...but this is what this whole thing is all about + it deserves celebration! Wish we could all jump up + down together!  :)

Lovely images via links.

Love, 
Jane

expand your sense of the possible.
~John Perry Barlow

A photo of a set of wooden handled brushes will get a lot more clicks than a photo of a forest under the #zerowaste tag on social media. One could say that one is the how + one is the why. Another could say that one costs the other...or that one is necessary + one is unnecessary.

I want to say that's ok. It's human nature for whatever reason. I'm all for anyone giving zero-waste habits a go...for any reason. Each straw skipped helps + any zero-waste habit can snowball into more action + awareness. But I would like to caution against zero-waste involving a shopping list...because more often than not it will simply remain a way of consuming rather than a way of thinking.

This problem is demonstrated by the cashier checking me + my toilet paper out at the grocery store telling me that she is trying that internet toilet paper that she can't remember the name of. I supply the name + hope she realizes the irony of this whole situation. She could just walk down the aisle of the store she works in to buy paper-wrapped, recycled, toilet paper rather than having a huge box shipped across the country just for her. Ugh. 

Zero-waste isn't a collection of pretty wood handled brushes or tote bag full of stuff to lug around. It's a way of thinking that inspires a thoughtful way of life.

Love,
Jane

I did not play sports growing up. I am terrible at anything involving round, bouncy things. I don't like to sweat. But...I've been consistently exercising for the past few years. I'm still not buff or fit...but I am stronger than I was + I have learned a few things about making a lasting habit from the realization that I've kept this habit going.

-knowing myself + making manageable commitments ::
---three days per week :: Though I'd like to say that I exercise every day, I know that it's better to say that I exercise three times per week than...well...less. I decided that three times per week would be floor. I'd like to make a fourth day's walk outdoors more consistent this year.

---no more than two days between workouts :: This allows for being sick + bad weather + holidays. It keeps up the momentum + muscle.

---setting reasonable expectations :: When we started I told myself that I would not berate myself for being weak or slow. I was a beginner + I would celebrate the fact that I got moving that day. I did + I do...and I'm stronger + faster than I was. If I overdid every time I went, I might resist going or hurt myself + need to recover. Consistency is the goal.

-having partners helps a lot :: Knowing that my girls are depending on me to keep my promises, provides so much motivation to get out the door. We can laugh at how tired we are together afterward + high five the fact that we did it.

-being flexible :: Yes, increasing bodily flexibility is key...stretch. But mental flexibility is also helpful. If I can't do down dogs, because of an excessively runny nose or our teacher cancels class...I don't skip...I walk, ride bikes, row, do weights, etc. instead.

-location :: I still think that walking outside is a great way to get exercise + we do that often. It's a cheap way to exercise + offers time in nature...which I think is essential. But I have to admit that a temperature controlled space is great. When our city announced that they were building a more-cost-effective, city-run fitness center within two miles of our home, I committed to joining. I heard recently that the closer one's gym is to one's home, the more likely one is to go. I know it's helpful for us.

-choosing the best time :: I like working out in the morning, so that it's not hanging over my head all day...and I can't have the excuse of being too tired by the end of the day. On the other hand, one of my girls feels she has more energy in the evenings.

-scheduling ahead :: Every time the girls' work + school schedules change, we address when we'll go to the gym. Set times that we can depend on throughout the week help us keep to our commitment. We don't have to scramble to figure it out day by day, and we keep those times clear of other commitments.

Last week, I had a terrible cold, and I knew that my girls didn't want to miss another gym day. I decided that I'd just do what I could + not feel bad about setting the level lower on the bike or just walking instead. I felt so happy afterward + realized that I don't even dislike going to the gym anymore. I mean...I actually sort of like it. :)

Love,
Jane

Often, by the time a book I put on hold arrives at my library, I've forgotten how I came across it. All About Love by Bell Hooks stands out as the book Brene Brown referenced in the piece I mentioned yesterday. It does not disappoint.

​Minimalist health.
A very good use of my time.
Sustainable.
Identity crisis.
Don't buy it if you don't need it.
A simple wardrobe.
Use what you have.  :)

Yesterday we wished we could send our rain to Australia. Today snowflakes are falling outside our windows. Wherever you find yourself this weekend, take good care of the world.

lots of love, 
Jane

Love is the only sane + satisfactory answer to
the problem of human existence.
~Erich Fromm
(via this read that I loved)

Overalls are made to layer...nothing new there. The various stylings of this pair of overalls from Ali Golden caught my eye though. My default thought on wearing overalls veers toward pairing them with fitted tees + tanks. Layering a cardigan overtop is cozy + looks great...but can present a little issue throughout the day...on + off.  ;) I had almost decided that jumpsuits + overalls just don't work for me as well in the winter. Then I saw these outfits...all using the same pair of overalls.

I enjoyed seeing a few layering options that I don't usually consider...looking so good here. Monochrome layering...layering a sweater or button-down underneath...and a bunch of footwear options that change up the look too.

I love finding a little bit of inspiration to increase the versatility of what's already in my closet. So...I'm reconsidering wearing my overalls in winter (+ always love them for spring, summer + autumn).  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
​Jane

the beautiful in-house production space of Conscious Clothing

A recent series in the New York Times (see * below) offers insight into the lives of garment workers + young shoppers around the world. The two groups are so closely linked, yet many shoppers have never really thought about where their clothing comes from.

We most often compare ourselves to those in our perceived tribes. This might be an instagram tribe, a style tribe or a tribe of proximity (school or mommy group or coworkers...). We learn thinking, behaviors + new norms from the groups with which we spend our time. Even much of the so-called ethical fashion community online ends up creating desire rather than contentedness.

When we compare the ways that we are able think about + consume clothing...to the ways garment workers have to think about more basic needs...it creates perspective. 

"Seamstresses are the key element in the fashion chain, we are the ones who put the clothes together," said [a seamstress from Brazil]. "You basically have to kill yourself in front of a sewing machine in order to provide for your family." (via)

These articles reveal some heartbreaking testimonies from garment factories around the world...including in the United States + China. They even raise questions about origins that may be presented as ethical:
-How do we know that a made in the USA label = fair wages?
-How do we trust the wording on a brand's website about the origins of their clothing?
-Does a brand really know the conditions under which their garments are made?

So, what can we do? Again, the principles of the fairdare serve us well. We can reconsider "need". We can wear what we have...mend + repair...refashion...swap...shop secondhand... and make our own clothing (with attention to fibers + commitment to longtime wear). When it comes to purchasing "fair" clothing, we can look for:
-a small brand with the designer making his or her own pieces 
-a brand that makes ALL of their clothing in-house with commitment to makers' well-being
-a brand making their product close to home + making frequent visits to the factory
-a brand using traceable materials + a commitment to every part of the supply chain
​-an item of clothing that is fair-trade certified

Both brand + consumer need to prioritize farmers' + garment workers' well-being higher than getting the cheapest product possible. As consumers, we can read the fine print on the brands' "about" pages with a critical + educated eye. Education comes from reading articles like the ones linked here. They contain so much information + have caused me to be even more critical in a few areas. I'm in the process of making a few changes to the ethical brands page. We can vote with our dollars. We can let brands know when we'd like them to do better + also when they are doing things that we love. Articles like these are also incredibly helpful in reigniting resolve + encouraging action. Remembering that there are garment workers with concerns for having enough food, the education of their children, the health of their parents, and being forced into labor puts my own closet concerns in perspective.​

 All lovely photos via link.

Love,
​Jane

* check to see if your library offers online access to newspapers (ours does)...this is helpful for newspapers like The New York Times with limited allowed articles per month