Consigning

People who know me KNOW that I love a good bargain. I like variety, too. Well, the only way I can have variety in my wardrobe is by buying things at a cheaper price. I also don't care too much about brands/where my clothes come from in terms of being designer. Consignment shops combine these things along with being eco-friendly, so it's a win-win!

Anything that minimizes my impact is something worth looking into. I think if more people bought used clothing, there would be less waste overall.

There are lots of great consignment shops, but one of my favorites is actually in my home town of Bel Air, MD! I try to come here every time I am around to shop, but also to sell my clothes. You can either get a higher store credit or smaller amount for straight cash. I usually opt for the store credit because they have such a great selection of items (mixed in with some new clothing, jewelry, and local items).

With my size fluctuating with increased workouts (and more muscular junk in the trunk- yay!), I don't want to buy new clothes all the time. Jeans are a major issue, so I don't always get new jeans. In fact, I think used jeans are more comfortable because they've already been stretched a bit.

I already had $25 store credit and got another $25 for selling 4 items. So, I got 4 pairs of jeans yesterday for $6. That's right, SIX DOLLARS.

From left to right: AG patterned skinny jeans, Madewell dark wash skinny jeans, maroon jeans (Maurices), and medium wash (A.N.A.).

I am happy. And I prevented more waste from happening! Score!

Plastic and nylon pants!!!!

I love wearing things made out of recycled water bottles. The science behind wearable plastics fascinates me. It's a wonderful way to reuse some of this would-be-trash. Here are some great legging alternatives to companies that overcharge people for these products (I'm looking at YOU, Lululemon).

Girlfriend Collective uses fishing nets to create a soft, compression legging. I was lucky enough to snag a pair of these leggings when they only cost $20! Unfortunately, that promotion didn't last long and they are a little too snug for my bum now (thanks to muscle gain from Pure Barre!). They are really body positive and feature a nice variety of sizes, so there really is something out there for everyone.

Teeki is another brand I love. Their patterns are beautiful and unique, and the lightweight (yet opaque!) fabric is ideal for sweaty workouts when you are stretching in all sorts of positions-- think hot yoga. Very appropriate for the hippie at heart!

Yoga Democracy is one of my favorite legging brands because they feel like a second skin. They make the famous Frida Kahlo leggings I am obsessed with and would wear everyday if I could. I can't say no to one of my favorite artists known for her use of vibrant color! All their leggings and sports bras are made out of recycled water bottles, but some of their leggings have a nice sheen to them without sacrificing the comfort. I especially like wearing these in the summer since they are more lightweight.

my favorite leggings of all time

Athleta. By far one of my favorite brands on the planet. A certified B corporation, they offer an impressive variety of athletic and athleisure clothing for everyday wear. The quality of their products is so high that you can return things AT ANY TIME. They are like the women's version of what
LL Bean used to be. Many products are made out of recycled materials and ideal for travel as well since they never wrinkle. SCORE! The added bonus is that their ads feature a diversity not only in race/ethnic backgrounds, but also in size. AND IN AGE! They are body positive and about empowering ALL women. They have my <3.

Organic undies feel so, so good

Pact Organic. My most favorite underwear and loungewear brand in the universe. Based out of Boulder, CO, this company knows what is up. A dear friend told me about them several years ago, and after receiving organic cotton socks as a gift for Christmas, I knew that this brand was going to be life-changing.



My new dress...it even has pockets!

Most of their products are 100% (or almost 100%) cotton. They are fair trade certified because they emphasize good working conditions for the laborers making their products, ensuring they are not forced into labor and being paid fairly.

AND THEIR STUFF IS REALLY AFFORDABLE!!!!!!

Plus, there are lots of sales going on right now for the holidays.

Even better, though, is that you can reuse their box for donation purposes. For the time being, they are providing customers with a free FedEx shipping label to print out for your own clothing donation. All you do is enter your zip code and it generates it for you, based off which charity closest to you has a high need for donations.



Donation season.

EASY PEASY.

You will never want to wear other underwear after trying organic cotton undies. Srsly. They are so comfortable and never contain synthetic dyes, which can cause some not-so-fun reactions for people with skin allergies.

(Yes, you can find this at Whole Foods).

Shop at Pact!

I'm just trying to make good decisions

Some could call me a hippie. A dreamer. A traveler with serious wanderlust.

Where should I go to next?

Hippie vibes. 

I've always had a love for a more natural way of life, whether it be toiletries I use, ingredients I cook with, or fabrics I wear.

With the current political climate, I find myself asking the question, "Why would I want to support this very corporation getting such a large tax break and treating their workers less than minimum wage?"

I also started to think about the origin of the products I use on a regular basis. Where it came from, who made it, why did it cost $____, and the type of packaging it came in. Over the past six years, I have come to realize that my priorities have changed. I need to think about each purchase I make and how it impacts the economy and environment. If more people make good choices, good things can happen on a larger scale.

The packaging struggle is real.

So, I did some research. On ethical brands, brands that emphasize repairing goods instead of replacing them, brands that pay their workers a good living wage, provide them with basic needs, recycle materials to create new products, and minimize their package.

Walmart scares me too, Bernie. 

Talking to a friend this summer, I felt encouraged to share my research with those interested in making positive lifestyle changes without having to make big sacrifices. It has been much easier to do this than I thought it would be, and I like to think that many others can follow suit.

Let's go all-in.