I think I have finally found the makeup that I would be happy to add to my zero-waste mornings...as desired.  :) Elate Clean Cosmetics address every detail ::
-reusable green certified, fair-trade bamboo compacts that magnetically hold the cakes of color...choose from larger palettes that can hold everything in one compact or individual compacts
-cakes of eyeshadow, blush, pressed powder + highlighter come in seed paper envelopes + recyclable metal 
-mascara container is recyclable...break the bamboo outer layer off + compost...recycle the plastic inner portion
-cosmetics are about 90% organic...they will chose fair-trade over organic when both can not be had
-cosmetics are vegan, cruelty free, toxin free, gluten free + made in Canada 
-while the price point is not cheap, it is less than a lot of similar products
-the products are shipped in paper mailers

Most of this information is available on the website, but I asked a few questions about the recycle-ability of packaging and received a prompt + thorough response. I'm excited about sharing this one + hope it's inspiring! Zero-waste options are growing!! So exciting!!  

All photos via Elate Clean Cosmetics.

Love,
Jane

This weekend I came across The New Blak again. It's a brand made predominately from biodegradable bamboo + organic cotton by Amanda + her team in Louisville, Kentucky. Sustainability is even considered in the shipping materials (no plastic!). The pieces are available in a range of sizes + this photo alone makes me want to support whatever they are doing! Gorgeous, inspiring, sustainable + comfortable too!

Love,
​Jane

Just a bit of window shopping for spring...and oh, there are some achingly beautiful creations out there! These female makers are hitting all the right notes. Cue the soundtrack + bring on the sunshine!

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
​Jane

A well-thought out collection of clothes makes it possible to live with less. The same can be said for workout clothing. Of course the way to really do with less is to wear the same clothes for everyday + working out. In my case, however, I like to have a few things that I can get really sweaty in + wash frequently. With a little variety, I have just what I need for anything from sweltering, summer morning walks to frigid, winter evening yoga classes. My collection consists of a tank, a tee, leggings, shorts, + a layer. I thought I'd share a few dreamy options for small, fair, natural fiber workout collections. (A little background on why I'm avoiding plastic fibers.)

Semi-local mini workout collection (above) : these pieces have origins closer to home ::
tank :: Richer Poorer : organic cotton : made in Los Angeles, California
tee :: Pansy : Texas grown + North Carolina milled organic cotton : rubber/cotton elastic made in South Carolina : sewn in San Leandro, California 15 minutes from the designer's home : completely compostable
leggings :: LVR : organic cotton : made in Los Angeles, California
shorts :: Conscious Clothing : hemp + organic cotton : made in Rockford, Michigan
​sweatshirt :: Jungmaven : hemp + organic cotton : made in USA

In the UK try :: Know the Origins :: From
In Canada try :: Free Label
In Europe try :: Base Range
In Australia try :: Shift to Nature

I'm not a super athletic person, so bear with my attempts to clothe one.  :) If specialty clothing is necessary, substituting accordingly. I imagine that these pieces could provide useful for lots of activities...from snowboarding (base layer), to beach volleyball...hiking...yoga... 

Outdoor sports mini workout collection::
tank :: United by Blue : organic cotton : made in USA
tee :: Patagonia : organic cotton : fair-trade certified : (there are some organic + fair-trade tanks as well)
​leggings :: Tasc Performance : organic cotton + bamboo : made in a Tasc-devoted factory in India with 90% renewable energy : closed loop fabric manufacturing + dying : responsibly sourced fibers
shorts :: Prana : organic cotton : fair-trade certified
long-sleeved top :: Tasc Performance : merino wool + bamboo : made in a Tasc-devoted factory in India with 90% renewable energy : closed loop fabric manufacturing + dying : responsibly sourced fibers

A big company like Prana deserves credit for an accomplishment like this. All of the cotton used in their spring collection is 100% organic! I'd love if they would use less polyester (recycled or not), but this is a big deal.

Another thing that I do appreciate about Prana (when I've ordered it for Mr. Tribe) is the fact that it comes just like the picture above shows...no plastic bag. Those "little" things add up! Just think of all those plastic bags saved! Ugh! (What is the point of them anyway?)

It takes a little work to find the Prana pieces that are made with both fair-trade certified labor + natural fibers...but pieces are searchable under the "fabric" tab. Here are a few of the pieces that I can appreciate...both men's + women's.

This is progress, friends! (Now to get removed from that mailing list...again.)

Love,
​Jane

I am currently a stay-at-home mama, so my wardrobe is a little different than it would be, if I was going to work five days per week. I wanted to think about what a small, fair work wardrobe might look like for me...so I gave it a try. I think that these pieces could actually work just as well for my life now...but would be enough for a work-away-from- home/weekend life as well. I am so in love with this little wardrobe! It's not even for me (in reality), but it seriously made me so happy just thinking about it + knowing that it is possible to have such variety from such a small number of pieces!

Here are some of the ways that I would happily wear these pieces:
-that linen jacket with either of the pants or over the dress...so cute...and that jacket is secondhand!
-the black jacket would look cool over the dress + could swing from casual to quite dressy depending on shoes + whether the v-neckline was worn to the front or to the back
-the black jacket with a black tee + the white jeans...an all black pant suit...or either of the pants with the white top + the black jacket...so many different looks
-the navy dress could be worn alone as a dress...or could be worn buttoned up over pants...or it could be worn as a duster over the dress or either of the pants + tee...roll-up the sleeves or not...unbutton the sides or not
-the navy top could be worn with the dress or either of the pants + the black jacket could be worn over top too
-either of the pants could be worn with the tee or button down
-the button down could be tied or worn open over the dress
-a tee could be worn over or under the dress
-and then...switch out the shoes with any of these combinations + that can change the style in a instant too!

I think it would take quite a long time for me to tire of these 12 pieces!

A few things that I kept in mind as I gathered the pieces:
-each piece needs to work with most of the others
-comfort is a value of mine whether I'm at work or not
-basic colors are not boring...and I do not tire of them as easily as more "exciting" colors
-layers can add interest + work for different seasons + levels of heat/air-conditioning
-shoes can change the entire feel of basic pieces...choose them wisely 
-vary the price points...thrift as much as possible (I would look for each of the new pieces second-hand before buying them new)
-use what is already in the closet- most of us already have a couple of tees, a pair of black pants, a button-down, etc...this is just inspiration

A little can go a very long way, if chosen well!

Love,
Jane

All of the photos of these gorgeous pieces via links.

It's the middle of the season + it's all getting a little old...the cold...the layers...the clouds...and the repetition in my wardrobe. I look to pinterest for a little inspiration. I anticipate new collections from my favorite fair brands. I complile dream lists + dream outfits. The thing is that I've made it this far, so I probably already have enough. 

How do I get a little satisfaction? How do I get some real heartfelt contentment?

Contentment doesn't usually just show up for me. There is often work to be done to turn my mind toward contentment. This month, I've been doing a little exercise every day of choosing one of the things that I already own to write about...just a few sentences about this item's attributes + how grateful I am to have been provided for through its form + function...the makers that have blessed me + been blessed through it...and the origins of its materials. I've spent time thinking a little more deeply about my favorite blanket that keeps me warm on the couch + as an extra layer in bed each night. I received it as a (requested) birthday gift...it's kept me warm in 4 homes, 3 states, + 2 countries in the (at least) 12 years that I've had it. Socks, yoga mat, pillowcases, + various pieces of clothing have been my focus. There are a lot of beautiful gifts already in my life.

I have worked toward learning what I like to wear. So when I look at my pinterest board, I notice that I have a couple of pairs of pants shaped like the ones in most of the pictures...and I have a cozy sweater or two...and I have a pair of boots. It may seem strange to start this post with the images above...but I find it fitting. These are a few things that I find beautiful, useful, and good. They are all from amazing fair brands that support a variety of good causes...women, vintage, organic fibers, fair wages, local makers, natural dyes. When I look at them, I think of my vintage army pants that I wear often, my cozy organic cotton sweatshirt, flats that I will wear again as soon as my ankles can handle it, + the possibility of a little creative project. I already have so many good things...how will I wear them today?

​​This is not to say that a little something new thrown into the mix at this time of year couldn't be helpful. The point is to bring that one little thing into a wardrobe already full of recognized goodness...not to go looking for a total overhaul. ​In the past, I've made a pair of bright "January pants" out of fabric in my stash...or cast off a madder-dyed scarf...as a jolt to the pieces already in my winter arsenal. This year I have a tiny list of things that I thought maybe I could find thrifting. I have come up empty handed so far...but that experience has taught me that I like what I already have better than anything that I have found.  :)

I want to live in contentment. It's not always easy, but it's always worth the effort!

Love,
Jane

All lovely photos via links.

I've been loving the casual warmth of sweatshirts lately. While sweatshirts can't quite compete with the warmth of wool or cashmere, they can be a bit more affordable... + easier to care for too. ​I'm excited to say that there are a bunch of fair options for sweatshirts!! From organic cotton to hemp to natural dyes...the materials offer environmentally friendly choice as well. Click around + get a little bit warm + fuzzy reading about all the good these brands are doing!

All lovely photos via links. As usual this post will be easy to find at the bottom of the ethical brands page, if you are not in the market for a new sweatshirt just yet.

Love,
Jane

Somewhere along the line, it was decided that really great denim had to be really expensive. These companies are proving that notion wrong. All of these jeans cost around $100 (not cheap, but probably appropriately priced) and not only are they sewn fairly, they are each offering a little bit more in the way of fair fabric! 

Industry Standard :: fabric milled + sewn in USA
Taylor Stitch :: cone mills denim sourced in the USA, made in California
​Patagonia :: fair-trade certified sewing, 98% organic cotton

As always, the fairest denim of them all is already in our closets or maybe at a thrift store nearby. I have been lucky enough to find my last two pairs of jeans at thrift stores. But these are good choices too! (That last Taylor Stitch pair even has an elastic waist.)  ;)

Update :: 3-29-18 Taylor Stitch is no longer making women's clothing, but look for a used pair.

All beautiful photos via links.

Love,
​Jane

​P.S. More fair jeans here.

Black Crane is my most anticipated collection each season. Momo Suzuki + Alexander Yamaguchi create simple...yet interesting...often origami-like shapes that are just so wearable. Their clothing is made in the USA. This Fall/Winter Collection conjures thoughts of turmeric, indigo, and earth. The shapes I've chosen along with the beautiful model give a nod toward India as well. I am in love.

This season I am most drawn to these shapes:
-The easy, long tunics with generous slits at the sides.
-The full, flowy pants with loose elastic at the ankle.

I dream of layering the tunic over leggings, sarouelles, cropped jeans or pants, or even over my jumpsuit. The side slits would allow for comfortable movement and sitting. Ever since I saw a sneak peek of this combination, I've felt that the tunic could serve the function of a dress in my wardrobe. It would be easy to dress up or down for various occasions.

The pants look amazingly comfortable + about as far away from the feel of constricting jeans as possible. :) I like that the ankle elastic is loose, because when pants have elastic at the ankle, they usually get knee bubbles with sitting. This elastic also lends itself to defining a whole new shape, which I get excited about. I feel like I could recreate this shape quite easily, provided that I could find the right fabric. I'm guessing that these pants would work as well with a fitted t-shirt or denim jacket as they would with an oversized pullover or cardigan.

The first shipment of Black Crane's Fall/Winter '17 Collection is available now, + there are lots of pieces to love.

All lovely photos via Black Crane.

Love,
Jane