ethical fashion

Gift guide for the couch potato

December 14, 2015 by Angela

the root collective ballet flat, neutral zig zag throw pillow, hm conscious v-neck blouse, mint rose follain lip balm, aztec blanket in gray, sprig homestead tea tin candle, ethica black leggings, kaight alpaca throw, leif shimmer border scarf

Last week I saw an ad on Pinterest (ugh, ya know?) for a cozy fashion gift guide that in essence meant couch potato. Of course it was some big brand and definitely not anyone who promotes shopping small or sustainable fashion, so instead of giving them my click I decided to make my own. I think this is the most fun I’ve ever had creating a gift guide. And I’ve created a lot of gift guides over the years. While working from home has had its major ups and downs lately, one major plus is getting to stay cozy inside whenever I want. I personally need a bit more structure when I work from home, so being locked inside has been a big struggle, but what I really appreciate is that when I’m not feeling at 100%, I don’t have to fake my way through a workday or anything. I still have to get stuff done, but I can do it from underneath a pile of cozy blankets (and my two kitties). Do I sound crazy yet?

100 places to shop small for gifts online

November 20, 2015 by Angela

Shopping season is here! I love it. I love it so much that as a kid I used to pretend I ran a gift shop and could find gifts for my family whenever I wanted. (Yeeeah.) But nowadays I’m at odds with myself because as much as I love shopping, I want to make conscious decisions with my purchases. Everything makes an impact, and I want to be sure that impact is on the positive side. Well, living consciously doesn’t mean avoiding gift giving or sale shopping completely. It just means rethinking how you do it. I don’t think I’ll ever stop decorating for Christmas or handpicking (or making) meaningful gifts for my friends and family. It’s a gesture that’s as nice to give as it is to get, and there’s definitely value (the non-$$$ kind) in that! So I rounded up a huge list of 100 of my personal favorite online destinations for gift giving this season (and all year). [Read more…] about 100 places to shop small for gifts online

Latest Obsession: Scout & Catalogue

June 15, 2015 by Angela

Happy Monday. I’ve been enamored with the Scout & Catalogue Etsy shop for years now (she opened shop in 2009). Finally, at the beginning of this year, I snagged these marbled notebooks off of my want list and officially made my first purchase. They’re gorgeous, of course, and the subject of many Instagrams for the company I work for. But after finding Bre (S&C) on Instagram @scout_catalogue, and seeing her new line of bohemian-beach influenced accessories, it was time to finally feature Scout & Catalogue here on IFM. Look at this pastel colorscape that served as inspiration! (Also, I was a little sad that Bre had been in LA and also at the Echo Park craft fair & I had totally missed saying hi!) Anyway, ever since I learned that this brand works with a manufacturer in Portland, I had a few questions, and I was happy to learn that the factory S&C works with supports responsible production, wages, & local sourcing. So Scout & Catalogue has expanded quite a bit in the past year or two and in addition to Etsy, offers an independent online shop full of dyed textile fashion, accessories, & goods.

^^ My favorite color palettes collide. SIGH!!

^^ Possibly my next purchase, a pastel canvas purse.

Inspired by a little beach town in Mexico, it exemplifies a soft pastel rainbow, also known as — the colors of my dreams.

I am also quite smitten with the tote version.

^^ Obviously, because I have a thing with throw pillows right now.

Scout & Catalogue is a brand that I’ve absolutely loved to see grow over the past few years, expand from Etsy, and even work with other makers across cities. They’re Vancouver based + always up for honing in on technique and sharing with all of us. Check ’em out here.

Fashion revolution day 2015

April 24, 2015 by Angela

Over the past week I’ve written or edited over ten posts without my laptop. Over the past year of freelancing, I’ve typed more words than I could ever count on here. Of course, while working away the other night, I spilt just a little bit of coffee in the exact wrong place (that area on a MacBook between the monitor and keyboard—be verrrry careful), and it lit up brightly, a rainbow screen of death, before shutting off entirely. I got it repaired thankfully, but didn’t have it for a week. I had to pay a fortune to bring it back to life and it was quite the setback. So that’s part of the reason for my extra slow blogging as of late. But I’m grateful I was able to get it working again and that I had a backup computer to use for the interim, despite my troubles clicking away on an old keyboard. It’s the little things.

Beklina sustainable fashion online sale

February 12, 2015 by Angela

I don’t currently happen to be at the level to feasibly support this cool online destination for USA made designer fashion, Beklina, that I’ve been eyeing lately per se (read: I’m broke), but if you happen to have a little disposable income (a tax return, perhaps?) that you’d probably spend impulsively one way or another, they are as guilt free as it gets and they are having having a sale! This sale on sale is 30% off the Beklina final sale section using code now30great, and includes clothing, accessories, and home goods too. A few favorites, in no particular order…

While California-based Beklina has been around since 2006, I hadn’t hard of them until I saw this stunning(sold out) rug going around Pinterest. Lucky I clicked through! They’re all about nature, design, and the freshest ways artists combine the two. Oh, if I still needed long sleeved articles of clothing in my life, I’d be irresponsibly erasing my progress on my credit card bill with that Edith A. Miller moto jacket. I think it’s the most amazing moto I have ever seen. Well, enjoy!

Edith A. Miller Moto Thermal Jacket / Lina Rennel Wool Throw / Ace & Jig Trouser / Lizzie Fortunato Citrus Safari Clutch (all images: Beklina)

Mid-winter essentials

January 6, 2015 by Angela

Two things: One—I know it’s a stretch to say it’s mid-winter. But December always feels like winter though it’s really not, and California does winter differently anyway. Two—It may or may not be 80 degrees in Los Angeles as I type this. After a chilly few days it suddenly got warm and my apartment didn’t get the memo. I’m currently cozied up in a warm blanket and long sleeve, hoping that opening the door will heat my livingroom up a bit!

Herringbone Scarf, Check Tunic, Handmade Grey Preppy Shoes, Pin Dot Socks, Notebooks, Lip Balms

So yes, my essentials this time of year may be a little different than they’d be in the Pacific Northwest. I don’t need rainboots or a wool coat, but a thick dress and circle scarf is appropriate for most climates, I think. Investing in a good pair of close-toed shoes would be a smart move, especially those of us who wear flats + sandals whenever possible. I also added in a notebook, because who can survive January without one? I have this set from Scout & Catalogue and it’s the perfect size for tossing in any of my bags. Resolutions, goals, plans… So much to jot down. A couple of lip balms from Spirit Beauty Lounge (while my favorite Etsy shop is on vacation), and tall, but not too thick, socks make for a cozy day in or out around town.

This roundup (and all of my roundups) features exclusively indie + ethically created + handmade products. Click the links above to explore the different shops and designers!

What goes with you everywhere in January?