Eight Fall Fair Trade Favorites

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The change of seasons always seems like a signal to shop. I try to resist the urge, only indulging in items that I know I truly need or have been coveting for quite some time. Last night I stopped by Nordstrom Rack. Before I knew it, I filled my feeble arms (they were seriously sore afterwards) with all kinds of sweaters and maxi dresses. I walked out with a new sweatshirt, the softest long sleeve, a flannel, and a maxi dress.

I love browsing Nordstrom Rack because they stock a bunch of designer brands and some of them are really conscious about sourcing, production, waste, and the like. I did spot a bunch of Eileen Fisher, but I really can’t afford it unless it’s used. Thankfully Seattle (and NYC) is home to an Eileen Renew store (think thrift shop, but only Eileen Fisher and obsessively quality checked). All that is to say, when I purchase anything whether it’s a pair of socks, a cup of coffee, or a new pair of shoes, I try to steer clear of fast fashion and towards brands that lead the industry in terms of production standards, workers’ benefits, and waste disposal. Continue reading

Sarah’s Fall Uniform

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Hello, hello, here we are again, in the throws of autumn, spiraling towards winter hibernation.  From time to time, I like to share my seasonal uniform.  I tend to wear basically the same thing every day.  In the spring, I rocked this duster daily, in the summer I lived in my bull’s cap and this vintage bathing suit I found at a thrift store, and this fall it’s all about my new poncho.  Whether I’m walking dogs, taking photos, or curled up in my office chair working from home, I’m living inside this beautiful poncho.  Who wouldn’t want to wear a blanket all the damn time?!

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I have always admired ponchos, but I never found the right one for me that is until about a month ago, when I was supposed to be shopping for a dress for the final ceremony at yoga teacher training.  I’m hot, exhausted, and stopping in every single store I see looking for a dress. Nothing special, just a dress, preferably plain and flowy, but nothing looked right then I see this poncho peeking out of a dark corner of a store full of yak’s wool and knitted mittens.  Not exactly a dress store, but I shuffled out of my shoes and went inside anyway.  As I’m sifting through the rack and telling myself the last thing I should buy on this eighty degree day is a yak’s wool poncho, I see the perfect one.  I pull it over my head, do a little twirl and that’s it, I’m sold.  After a few rounds of bargaining, I paid the agreed upon price of $12.50 and I’m the newest owner of the most perfect poncho in Nepal.  I skip all the way back to the hotel with the poncho tucked safely in my bag.  I won’t wear a new dress for the ceremony, but I will wear a new poncho every single day of autumn.

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I only ever own one or two pairs of jeans at a time. It takes a lot of water to produce a pair. These are my current blue jeans, I’m not disappointed, but I’m also not impressed. You can probably tell that I wear these jeans every day too.  I bought them a couple years ago to replace my old favorites.  Besides the jeans and the poncho, I’m usually wearing some type of basic tank top or simple t-shirt.  Every outfit needs a sensible pair of shoes (I can hear Katie laughing in agreement..) and these Merrells are my most favorite for fall.  I just realized I bought them three years ago and they are honestly in the same condition (maybe a little dirtier) as the day I walked out of the store. (Update as of 07/31/17 – I’m buying a new pair of boots today!)  These Merrell boots hiked up a volcano in Costa Rica, ran across deserts in Utah and crossed the Thorong La Pass in Nepal – so sensible they are.  Hope your fall uniform keeps you as cozy and comfortable as this get up.

Sarah’s Spring Uniform

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Today I wanted to share my official spring uniform.  Sorry gents, this post is for the ladies, unless you wanna peep at my accessories and such.  I’m the kind of gal that finds an outfit she loves and then sticks to it religiously.  I like to call it my uniform.  Seriously, you’ll find me in this outfit for the next month.  I’ll switch up the shoes depending on the activity and the t-shirt obviously, but that’s pretty much it.  For instance, I photographed this yesterday, but I’m wearing the same jeans and sweater only with a tank top and my trail shoes this time.  I know this style post isn’t groundbreaking, but I’ve been wanting to do one for awhile.  It’s kind of tricky since I have to set my camera up on a tripod for the shots so it will be fun to see how these posts progress and improve over time, until then, here’s bar zero.

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