There are a few brands whose infrequent emails I don't mind ;) finding in my inbox...especially when a new collection arrives. Gotta love a brand like Free Label who includes the following in just such an announcement email:

As excited as we are to launch the Budding Collection, we want to remind you that part of participating in slow fashion means being mindful of new additions to your wardrobe. Our hope is that the pieces you purchase become closet staples that you love for years to come. If you’re debating getting something today, ask yourself these questions below.

1. Where will I wear it?
2. What do I already own that I can wear it with?
3. Do I already own something similar?
4. Will I still wear it a year from now?
5. Does it fit with my personal style?
6. Is it high quality and will it last a long time?

We hope this helps you make an informed decision. Remember, we want you to feel excitement and joy when you see that garment in your closet. We want you to WEAR these clothes.

Bravo, Free Label!

Photos via Free Label.

These pieces by Wol Hide make me so happy in so many ways.

::  they are made from organic cotton grown in Texas, processed + dyed (with low impact dyes + plant based alternatives) in North Carolina, and sewn in the Pennsylvania

::  I can imagine these pieces adapting seamlessly to so many situations from lounging (with bare feet or socks) to casual (with Mohinders, Birks or Veja sneakers) to dressy (with flats or heels)

::  of course they have me thinking of pieces already in my closet that I could wear in the same ways (which is an even more sustainable choice)

​Love,
Jane

All lovely photos via links.

The other day, my partner noticed a hole in the crotch of his favorite jeans. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered to be not merely a hole...it was more like a series of gaping craters in a field of barely holding together fabric. He's been adhering to an everyday-pants philosophy over the past year, and these pants have served in that capacity exceptionally well. 

These are not just any pair of favorite jeans. They are Outerknown's S.E.A. jeans...made from organic cotton in a fair-trade certified factory...and they come with a lifetime guarantee. 

Outerknown is really leading the way with these jeans. They are showing that the fashion industry can care about the land, the farmer, the garment workers and the garment's post-wearable use as well. I believe that Outerknown has its sights set on circular fabrics/garments (making jeans from worn jeans). The industry is not quite there yet, but this brand is willing to act with that future in mind. 

So, these jeans are in the mail + replacement jeans are on the way. Freaking incredible!

Love,
Jane

P.S. The next day, he took out his pair of black Outerknown S.E.A. jeans...to be his next everyday pants...and after wearing them for the day, found another huge hole. Weirdest timing. So now there are actually two pairs of pants in the mail. (This is no reflection of the quality of these sturdy jeans. They were purchased in 2018 + have both been well-worn + loved.)

The warm days are coming with a little bit more frequency lately, and these warm neutrals are holding my attention. I'm dreaming of bare legs or bare arms soaking in the afternoon sunshine. Can't wait.  :)

All lovely photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Cynthia Bennett designs + sews all of the clothing for Devon's Drawer in her Los Angeles studio. She uses natural fibers + makes each piece to order which minimizes waste... "no pile of unsold clothing at the end of the season". Pieces are made with longevity of wear in mind + free patch kits are offered if needed. Children's sizes also available.

All lovely photos via Devon's Drawer. This + lots of other fair brands can be found on our ethical brands page whenever needed. The most fair clothing is what's already in your own drawer.  :)

These lovely pieces from Bianca Cooper are thoughtfully made from organic cotton grown in Texas + milled in North Carolina. They are designed in Oakland + are sewn in a woman-owned factory that pays fair wages in San Fransisco. 

I love the bracelet length sleeves on this sweatshirt for staying out of the way while getting all the things done...and I think it would be perfect over a jumpsuit. Beautiful through + through!

This + so many other fair brands can be found on our ethical brands page when you need it!

All lovely photos via Bianca Cooper.

The temperatures are dipping, and I'm experiencing just how cold it's going to be during these colder months where I work. I have only worn my work uniform to work for months + months...and I like it.  :)

I've been adding my wool Ibex jacket on colder days lately. It's a good layer to take on + off as needed throughout the day. I think a sweatshirt or two will be nice to have as well. It is very nice to know exactly what I'm going to wear every day. Once I'm dressed, I don't think about my outfit at all. It just works.

A few of the ways I've thought through my choices:

• Jeans. Jeans register as neutral. I don't get tired of wearing them, and I don't think others notice that I'm wearing the same thing day after day. If I had different clothing requirements, I'd think of what would register as a neutral in that setting...or maybe I'd just have fun with a (very) few fun silhouettes.  :)
• My tops are black, navy, white + caramel. Same concept. Also a little variety.
• I thought through what worked for everything I do at my job. Sometimes it's dirty + sometimes it's customer facing. These clothes work in all the situations.

Here's what I'm wearing to work five days a week:

• sweatshirt :: organic cotton, made in the USA, Mate the Label
• jeans :: cotton + hemp, made in a fair-trade certified factory, Madewell (I'm adding one pair this autumn in order to have two pairs)
• tees :: cotton + modal, designed + made in California, It is well LA
• socks :: organic cotton, made in a GOTS certified factory, Pact
• trainers :: mostly plant-based materials + recycled plastic bottles, made in Brazil, Veja
• jacket :: 100% wool, "fair" workplace in Vietnam, Ibex

I've had most of these pieces for a while + will continue to enjoy wearing them over + over for a long time. Glorious "enough".  :)

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

I've been looking for a bed frame for years. When we moved back to the states from overseas, we bought the cheapest mattress we could find. It came with boxsprings which we put on the floor. We slept that way for almost a decade.

Our backs were begging for an upgrade, so we finally bought an Avocado mattress which we love. We bought the most basic model + would not change a thing. Avocado mattresses are organic, non-toxic + made in Los Angeles. Ours is the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on. We put our new mattress on our old boxsprings. (It's important not to just put a mattress on the ground where no air can circulate, because mold will grow.)

Another few years passed as I tried to choose a bed frame. I try to make these big choices well...so not only was I prioritizing style, but also fairness to those who made it + to the planet. We needed a sturdy frame that would hold us + our heavy mattress. I wanted a minimal looking frame with a low profile. I was looking for a bed frame that would be the last we ever buy + that can be a daunting thing.  :)

A few of the choices I kept coming back to include:

• KD Frames Nomad platform bed :: This is the most economical choice. It is made to be very sturdy from wood grown in "responsibly managed Virginia forests". The frames are built in Athens, Georgia.

• Thuma :: These bed frames seem well-designed + well-built. They use Japanese joinery so that they can be easily assembled + disassembled for simpler moving. As someone who has moved numerous times, this is an extremely attractive quality. The reviews report that these bed frames are sturdy + do not make noise. They are made from spent rubberwood trees, shipped with minimal packaging (no styrofoam), and Thuma visits the factories often.

• Helix Natural Wood Frame :: This frame is made from Apallachian wood in the USA. It requires no tools or hardware for assembly. We actually tried this one, but sadly used their sleep trial to return it. I wanted to add this option to the list, because it has some great qualities, but unfortunately ours made some noise. It is made from three different kinds of wood + that was evident in its appearance. Our pillows fell down the space it left between the wall + the platform was too large for our mattress.


• Modernica Case Study Bed :: This frame is designed + built in-house in California. George Nelson originally designed the Case Study collection in the 1940s. This design has stood the test of time. We finally purchased this bed frame (without the headboard) + are very happy with it. It is very sturdy, doesn't squeak, wasn't too hard to put together + we love the way it looks. ​

Some things are worth the wait. 

Love,
​Jane

That autumn light is here. The tips of some trees are turning ever so slightly from green to gold. Our evening walk was illuminated only by street lights last night. Coming home feels ever so good these days. 

A little autumn home dreaming ::

• Shades of white are my usual bedding choice...but I'm considering adding a little color in the bedroom these days...maybe a pillow sham or two?

• This tile collection made me gasp. Four of them would fit perfectly over our tiny bathroom sink.

• It was a joy to hear the maker of this little broom talk about making it. It's functional art.

• This handmade bell recently came home with us + makes a lovely addition to a newly empty wall.

• Rosanna Morris makes the most lovely woodcut prints. I can't wait to experience them through this postcard set that will make warm additions to our walls + can be passed on to friends too. Zero-waste.​

• We've been painting the trim (very slowly) around the house. This coat rack by the front door just might be my pick for complementing the fresh paint.​

Dreaming, for me, is not really about adding new things or buying things.

• It might create sparks for craft projects of my own (a patchwork pillow sham or air dry clay wall hanging).
• It might be a way to connect with + support a local artist.
• It might offer me the opportunity to think differently about my space.
• It might prompt me to curate the things I have with an eye toward the colors of the season ahead. 
• It might remind me to gather acorns, leaves or branches on our walks.
• It might be a way to single out + appreciate a particular good thing that I already have. 

May all of our dreaming lead us toward creativity + contentment, friends! :)

Love,
Jane

Each of Mira Blackman's Backyard collection pieces is cut + sewn from organic cotton in California. Mira then dyes them with low impact dyes in her backyard. A variety of comfortable, one-of-a-kind pieces are offered including intimates, socks, tanks, tees, sweatshirts + pants (some in solid colors). There are adorable pieces for little ones as well.