Happy Summer Everyone!

I hope you're all having as great a time as I am; it's especially great because of all the awesome stuff I have to show you.

...like totally awesome stuff.

Being a conscious consumer I am a huge (HUGE) fan of small businesses because of the low carbon footprint (a.k.a. a leaner, more tightly-run business that doesn't leave as much of a mess behind as bigger companies do). Therefore, my newly acquired items pack a double punch because they are eco-friendly and fairly traded.

 YAHTZEE!

There is a store in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, where my lake house is, called Stay Tuned. My family and I always referred to it as "the hippie store" because of it's eclectic mix of products. It's a funky little place with tons of old records, jewelry, clothing, and other items that easily fall under the term "earthy-crunchy". 

Now if there's one unnecessary and misguiding phrase I'm trying to get rid of it's that. However, sometimes backpacks made of recycled rice sacks by Nepalese women don't allow one to easily escape such a title...but that's okay, I'm over it.

And, what kind of eco-activist would I be if I didn't have the quintessential "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" button pinned proudly on my hemp bag? 

A REALLY, REALLY BAD ONE. 

But anyway, like I said, this socially/environmentally conscious store pleasantly surprised me when I learned the owner goes to Indonesia and Nepal, where he buys his products from the women, twice a year to collect them as well as visit them. This inspiring man has done a world of good in Southeast Asia by starting humanitarian organizations, such as this fair trade agreement, on top of schools and other projects that benefit the struggling citizens.

After he told me about the bags, he conveniently mentioned the baskets full of these headbands, made by the women in Bali, by using scraps of fabric, so that there is...get this... 

NO WASTE. 

I don't know if anyone else finds that as exciting as I do, but I almost passed out. 

 So, the moral of the story, is that although many sustainable products can be found right around the corner, I personally believe that some of the best are the ones lying just off the beaten path, and are well worth looking for. 

Peace, Love, and Sustainable Rice Bags! <3

 

Check It!

When I talk to people about being eco-friendly and wearing materials that are environmentally safe, I am almost always asked: "So, how do I know if it's eco-friendly?".

That is a great question.

To be honest, I have no idea...

...kiiiiddddinnngg.

Okay, I do have an idea. A very simple one. 

It's called a "Clothing Label" (weird, I know, who would call it that?) and looks a little something like that picture above.

Reading the label before you buy something will not only help you discern whether or not it's an eco-friendly garment, it will also make you look really neurotic and weird  cool and sophisticated by being so intelligent as to interpret those mind-boggling labels with lot's of numbers and funny shapes.

Soon you'll be well-versed in textiles and fabrics:

"Polyester?! Mais, non!"

"Modal! Oh la la, c'est chic est tres comfortable"

....except, you most likely won't be speaking french, unless you can speak it, then by all means...

When you're on a hunt for eco-friendly labels while shopping, scouring the store with wild, crazy eyes, foaming at the mouth, panting like a dog--or is that just me? yah? okay-- reading countless labels seems tedious, but all you have to do is keep an eye out for two simple things:

1) Material

2) Where it was made; as in, "Made in..." 

Check out this little number above. Just by looking at the top you can tell that it's eco-friendly. Tags that say "Made in U.S.A." (if that is where you are located) can signify that there was less of a carbon footprint made because the garment wasn't transported miles across the globe. Also, it helps the economy by supplying jobs for those working within it, making the country less dependent on outside sources for production and labor!

Now did I say simple, or did I say simple?

...I really did say it though.

Most of the time, if a company is advocating environmental awareness they will promote this by notifying the buyer that their garment is "Eco-friendly" or "Organic" (maybe even "Recycled" if you're getting crafty) by printing it on their tags.

If not, it is your job to check yo tagz! 

It's good to keep an eye out for these Clothing Certification Labels, which are labels for eco-friendly certified clothing. They may be associated with these reliable and legitimate organizations:

                        

             -One Percent For the Planet 

This amazing company created an alliance of businesses who come together through One Percent to build up a legion of enterprises who are committed to bettering the planet.

 

-Made-By

This Dutch organization was founded as a way to promote total transparency in the supply chain in the fashion industry. They are committed to making sustainability and social awareness in the industry a "common practice". 

 

Have fun!

Peace, Love, and Sustainable Tagz<3