Archive for the ‘ Sustainable & Cruelty Free ’ Category

Hydro Flask The Chic Way to Quench Your Thirst

Hydro Flask

It’s no secret that I’m a huge water drinker… but as much as I love water, I’m not a fan of it warm or hot unless it’s in coffee or tea.

In fact, warm water gives me the gags, so I was always on the hunt for a good on-the-go water bottle to keep my agua fria.

At first I toted around the typical destructive single use plastic bottles of water but, the combination of wanting to be more sustainable and the fact that these plastic bottles usually contain some form of BPA, which is REALLY bad for you (especially if you leave them in the car where they heat up from the sun) I embarked on a quest for the perfect reusable water bottle.

After trying a gazillion different brands which ranged from tasting like metal to giving me horrible rashes around my mouth I finally found the QUEEN of all water bottles, the chic way to quench your thirst, Hydro Flask.

Hydro Flask uses the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel which ensures pure taste and no flavor transfer , is BPA and Phthalate free, recyclable and backed by a lifetime warranty.  The company believes strongly that great flasks and great causes go hand-in-hand.  Because of this, through its charitable arm 5% back, consumers can allocate a portion of the net profit of their purchase to a charity they choose.

I LOVE my Hydro Flask water bottle — it keeps my water cold for up to 24 hours, I mean so cold it could’ve come off of a glacier even hours after filling it up. It’s fun to drink out of (Sounds weird, but true) and it’s pretty much indestructible.

Plus, I’m no longer buying those pathetic disposable plastic water bottles and contributing to plastic waste.

I always like to be hands free- especially on set so when I discovered this gorgeous macramé Hydro Flask carrier I knew I needed it in my life. I’ll put a link for where to buy at the end of the post but if you are feeling crafty Llamas and Lufas has a great tutorial on how to make one.  Click Here.

Macrame Bottle Carrier

Hydro Flask Holder

Macrame Hydro Flask Tote

Love the Label Skirt

Chloe Sunglasses

What I’m Wearing: Love the Label Briar Smocked Maxi Skirt| Chloe Sandals | Chloe Sunglasses| Macrame Boho Crossbody Bottle Tote | Wide Mouth Hydro Flask|

CLICK to SHOP HYDRO Flasks and Accessories:

 

TENCEL The New Way You Should Be Buying Jeans

Tencel

Ah jeans, the never ending hunt for the perfect pair.

Sure, you want them to fit well in all the right places and land a decent price point but have you considered what jeans are the best choice for the environment?

The fashion industry is one of the biggest offers to damaging our lovely Mother Earth.  Both the consumption and production of garments creates environmental issues including pollution, landfill waste, and excessive water usage, with denim ranking as one of the top offenders.

Yes denim can be a dirty business.

I’m not saying you have to stop wearing jeans, I mean come on they are a timeless wardrobe staple. But, there is a way you can shop SMARTER by opting for jeans made from TENCEL.

What is TENCEL?

TENCEL™ is a brand name for a set of fibers called lyocell and modal. Its fibers are among the best environmentally friendly fibers around and a green alternative for your closet staples because it’s made from trees. Yep, trees! Plus it’s super soft, extra comfy, maintains breathability and allows for easy movement. And since the fabric naturally absorbs and then releases excess moisture, it even helps ward off nasty bacteria — making your skin feels fresher throughout the day.

This sustainable material is biodegradable because it’s manufactured in a way that allows it to eventually return to nature, reducing the amount of textile waste that gets tossed in a landfill.

TENCEL/Lyocell is made by dissolving wood pulp and mixing it with a wet solvent. The mixture is dried by a spinning process and is then formed into thread. Once the thread is treated, it can be spun into yarn or cloth. The fibers are certified as compostable and biodegradable. As a result, they will eventually revert back to nature.

By combining these sustainable fibers with upcycled cotton to create denim and using significantly less water throughout the dyeing stage, it’s fair to say that TENCEL jeans are the super product of a process that’s eco-friendly from start to finish.

Click to SHOP TENCEL/Lyocell Denim:

Why Buy Recycled Polyester Clothing?

recycled Polyester

You may have noticed new labels popping up at some of your favorite clothing brands. Things like “Made from Recycled Polyester” or “Made from rPET”. But what exactly does that mean?

It’s all part of the 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment which was signed back in 2007 at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. 90 companies, representing 12.5% of the global fashion market, signed and committed to focus on four key areas of circular fashion: design, collection, reuse and recycling.

The purpose of the commitment is to transition from the unsustainable linear textile system to a circular textile system.

With clothing being manufactured, bought, used, and discarded, the fashion industry has been one of the biggest offenders to pollution.

But the Fashion Industry is waking up! From Fast Fashion and Fitness to Luxury Brands the fashion industry is making some super GREEN changes.

H&M has the Conscious Collection, Zara has the Join Life Collection. Luxury brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and more are utilizing recycled materials. Fitness brand Nike has the Move To Zero Movement where apparel labeled “Sustainable Materials” is made with at least 50% recycled content and shoes with the same label are made with at least 20% recycled content.

The new circular textile system aims to collect all used fibres, repurpose, reuse, and recycle them. The goal is to transform the textile industry from a producer of greenhouse gas emissions accounting for more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined to a sustainable and ethical business.

When it comes to textiles polyester is the bad boy. It’s the single biggest polluter yet nearly HALF of the world’s clothing is made from polyester. With so much polyester being produced it’s a no-brainer that we need to try to lessen it’s footprint on the planet.

What is Polyester?

Polyester is a type of plastic made from petroleum.  It was developed in the 40s, created from the reaction of chemical components. Back then, it was a groundbreaking fabric that matched the need for efficiently made and cheap materials. Durable, stretchy, easy to take care of  it became wildly popular in the 70s. We use it like crazy in our everyday lives.  Just look down at the leggings you are probably wearing, they are polyester.

Recycled polyester, also known as rPET, is obtained by melting down existing plastic and re-spinning it into new polyester fiber. It gives a second life to a material that’s not biodegradable and would otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean.

Recycled polyester not only contributes to the reduction of petroleum extraction, but it also consumes less energy than the regular method.  Which allows for a much longer life-cycle of the garment. Since the recycling process can be repeated instead of disposing of unwanted garments, it lessens the environmental impact that comes with garment waste.

Totally avoiding polyester is nearly impossible so keeping an eye out for these new labels and making a conscious effort to purchase pieces made with recycled Polyester you are helping to keep the circularity of fashion going!

It doesn’t stop there. This bad boy of fashion may have cleaned up his act a bit but he still carries some baggage. Remember to wash your polyester pieces (even recycled ones) in bags like the Guppy Friend to limit the amount of micro plastics slipping out into our oceans!

Zara Join Life

Zara recycled Polyester

rPET

Recycled Polyester

Sustainable fashion

Recycled Polyester

What I’m Wearing: Blouse and Skirt from Zara Join Life Collection | Anthropologie Coat | Dior Saddlebag | Hue Tights| Inc Boots|

New Season Trend That Looks Even Better Secondhand

New Season Trend That Looks Even Better Secondhand

Fashion’s renewed love affair with upholstery dressing continues into F/W in the form of tapestry coats and jackets.

This granny-esc fabric ruled the runways at top designers like Celine, Loewe, Acne Studios, and Gucci.

The key to tapestry-inspired dressing is to ease into it. You don’t want to look like you stole your g-ma’s sofa, drapes and rug to get dressed. Since these pieces tend to skew a little extra, you don’t want to wear them all at once. Think of each as a hero item that can help elevate an otherwise classic look.  It should be THE statement piece to your look.

The best part about this straight from the runway new season trend? It looks even better with secondhand pieces.

Designers often look to vintage pieces and styles from yester-year to get inspiration for their collections so why not rock an original!

According to The Business of Fashion‘s State of Fashion Report 2020, sustainability is one of the 10 biggest themes in fashion this year.

Shopping secondhand is by far one of the most cost-efficient ways to make your wardrobe more sustainable. Plus it’s a sure-fire way to ensure you are rockin’ something totally unique.

When you pick up something in a vintage store, you know you’ll never see another soul in the same item. There’s also nothing better than the thrill of coming across a gem hidden in a heaving rack of clothing.

New Season Trend That Looks Even Better Secondhand

New Season Trend That Looks Even Better Secondhand

New Season Trend That Looks Even Better Secondhand

Vintage Tapestry Coat

What I’m Wearing: Vintage Tapestry Jacket | Free People Boots | Marc Jacobs Saddlebag | Unique Vintage Blouse| Plaid Midi Skirt | Vintage Belt

Click to SHOP Vintage Tapestry Jackets:

Tapestry Coat trend

Turn Your Shower Into A Spa

DIY Shower Spray

Luxury Spas have a certain identifiable instantly recognizable “relaxing” smell.

You know the one I’m talking about.  It’s that calming, fresh scent that lingers throughout the air in spas to help you feel all chilled out and smiley.

Have you ever wanted to take that chilled out vibe home with you?  I have an easy DIY to create a Shower Spray that will instantly turn your shower into a SPA and help you start each day in that “spa” state of mind.

Essential Oil shower sprays work really well because the steam from the shower helps diffuse the oils and disperse them throughout the air. The aroma then helps the nervous system transmit signals to the brain, which prompts changes in things like hormone levels, pain and mood. It’s a brain/scent sensory connection that helps to alleviate stress and lift your mood.

The best thing about aromatherapy shower sprays is that you can make different scents for different seasons or occasions. For this shower spray I chose three oils that are commonly used in spas to help boost mood, decrease stress and soothe the mind.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil- Calming, clears your mind and promotes clear breathing and opens airwaves

Basil Essential Oil- reduces feeling of tension, creates a calm relaxed environment

Peppermint Essential Oil- promotes a feeling of energy and alertness while boosting mood.

Turn Your Shower Into A Spa

What You Need:

Turn Your Shower Into a Spa

DIY Shower Spray

Add 2 oz. of Distilled Water to the spray bottle.

DIY Shower Spray

Then add 1oz. of Vodka- Since oil and water don’t mix, vodka is there to help disperse the oil. It also helps the scent last longer in the air.

DIY Shower Spray

Now add 15 drops of Eucalyptus oil, 10 drops of Basil Oil and 10 drops of Peppermint oil.

DIY Shower Essential Oil Spray

Put the top on, give it a good shake and then keep it in your shower.  Spritz in the shower before you get in and it will instantly feel like a mini spa getaway.

(Make sure you are spritzing the shower NOT your skin.  Do NOT spray this on your skin- it is for the air).

Click to SHOP Shower Spray Supplies:

DIY Shower Spray