conscious living

Arts District + Mary Young dress

March 2, 2016 by Angela

my move into conscious clothing has been difficult the last year. my clothes have always come from thrift shops, but thrifting in LA isn’t like the PNW (you have to really commit to going far outside the city to snag deals without the markups), and after taking a pause from selling on Etsy, i’ve been less inspired by vintage, just because i don’t see it everyday and it’s quite difficult to find the most wearable pieces. as i move toward slow fashion, i still want to be creative with my style. i think being conscious and sustainable must always be balanced with creative expression and my biggest thing right now is that it IS possible, and hey, maybe even on a budget too. [Read more…] about Arts District + Mary Young dress

Queen Bee Trading Co skincare from Etsy

January 25, 2016 by Angela

over the past few years i’ve transitioned to using mostly natural skincare and beauty products, and while it was a struggle to find product with minimal ingredients at first, i’m so grateful for the amazing brands that have become staples in my routine! one of my favorite places to experiment with new products is etsy (for just about anything). although you need to always read your labels and check your sources when you buy from anywhere, at least you can know that etsy is a place that many small businesses and ethical companies thrive. one of my all time favorite shops is queen bee trading co from here in the US.
[Read more…] about Queen Bee Trading Co skincare from Etsy

slow fashion & sustainable sourcing with the sweet wild

October 9, 2015 by Angela

One of the first things I did when I got to Washington was go buy a new hook and yarn, because I’m finally in a region where I just might need a scarf. I love crocheting but ever since facing the fact that being a winter accessory maker in Los Angeles isn’t quite the dream, I haven’t picked up a hook in weeks. Another reason for that is that I’m trying to be a more conscious crafter, and I’ve learned that if yarn is cheap – it probably isn’t sustainable. Coming across Julie’s shop, The Sweet Wild, on Instagram (and finding out that she’s in Washington, too), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to talk to a pro about sourcing sustainable materials, and supporting the slow fashion movement. She was kind enough to tell me all about her business and process for today’s post. Check it out… [Read more…] about slow fashion & sustainable sourcing with the sweet wild

3 rules for curating conscious home decor

September 11, 2015 by Angela

When I first moved I had one word on my mind: want. I wanted more home decor, a chair for my reading nook, a shelf to display my books—I had practical wants and not so practical wants. Being super picky, I didn’t end up purchasing a lot of those initial things, and over time I realized I wanted to be more intentional about how my home is set up. Being intentional is always a compromise because it means I can’t have everything at once—it’s a slow, steady process of curation. Through this process, I also learned that a lot of my wants fade over time. They’re really just that impulse brought on by an image on Pinterest or an online sale.

Sustainable fashion feature on AWEAR

June 29, 2015 by Angela

Morning! Last week I was featured on AWEAR, a project created to encourage us to think about the stories behind our clothes: who made them, where, and how, and with what. The founder, Kestrel, completed a year-long challenge in 2009 where she committed to only purchasing conscious clothing. AWEAR was created with that idea on a larger scale: people are invited to join in, share their stores, how they’re making conscious choices, and get inspired by others. Style is a creative endeavor. Even more so when you need to be innovative about where you shop. I was happy to be a part of it!

I bought this floral dress from Wasteland in Studio City, CA. I’ve been dreaming up a tropical vacation ever since (sans layered tank). I’ve never been to Hawaii but if I ever go, I will be on the beach in this dress.

But to keep it casual I’ve been thinking of ways to layer for different looks. Check out the full feature with my thoughts on recycled fashion and sustainable shopping here… and be sure to follow the AWEAR Instagram for everyone else in the community and their stories.

Dress: Wasteland / Tank: Thrifted / Necklace: Sumi’s (gift) / Bag: Crossroads Trading Co. / Shoes: Boutique in Huntington Beach, CA