Hey earth muffins! Back in November I wrote a Rothy’s Loafers review, sharing my opinions on shoes I purchased for work. At the same time I ordered from Rothy’s, I also decided to order some flats from Allbirds as well. I’d seen a ton of advertisements about Allbirds’ sustainable running shoes, but they also have other types of shoes as well. Just in case I didn’t end up liking my Rothy’s shoes (which definitely was not the case!), I wanted to have another option to wear to the office. Now that I’ve worn them throughout the past few months, here is my Allbirds Flats review!
What I Love About my Allbird Flats
First of all, I love that this company is truly sustainable. The shoes themselves are made from eucalyptus tree fiber, which is not a synthetic material. Most shoes are made from plastic synthetics which obviously isn’t great for the planet. The company is built off of good sustainability practices – they even have a 7 topic “sustainability” section on their website! You can see their attention to being eco-friendly when you receive your shoes in the mail. The box is perfectly sized for your pair of shoes and everything that is used as packaging can be recycled!
Hey earth muffins! If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that a month or so ago I started a new job. With this position I was required to head back into the office after a year of remote work… Which left me realizing that I had absolutely no shoes to wear! 😬 I wanted to stick with my sustainability morals; so, I ended up purchasing a pair of loafers from the brand Rothy’s. This company has been on my radar, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try out a pair of their shoes. Here is my Rothy’s loafers review – let’s jump right into it!
What I LOVE About My Rothy’s Loafers
First off, a huge plus is that this brand is extremely sustainable! They create the shoe material from recycled plastic water bottles. The foam in the insoles is algae-based – which is a renewable resource. The shoes are made in a process that minimizes waste. AND the brand is starting a recycling program this year to reduce their shoes from going to the landfill. It is quite impressive all the things Rothy’s is doing to stay true to its sustainablility values! Even when they ship your shoes, the box is perfectly sized to fit your pair without having any extra packaging or padding. I love to see brands that care so much!
Hey earth muffins! On my journey towards living a low waste lifestyle, I was introduced to the sustainable fashion movement. It is pretty exciting that more people are opting out of fast fashion to explore other, more eco-friendly, options. I absolutely love sustainable fashion, so I wanted to share a post of all the ways you too can participate in the movement. Before we jump into examples of sustainable fashion, I thought it would be best to briefly explain the term “sustainable fashion“… Let’s jump right into it!
What Exactly is Sustainable Fashion?
According to the Internet, “sustainable fashion is a movement and process of fostering change to fashion products and the fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice.” One of its main goals is to encourage the use of eco-friendly (possibly biodegradable) fabrics that have less of an impact on the environment. It isn’t just about the actual clothing though. The movement cares about the whole production process, who produces it, and the life span of the piece before it reaches the landfill. You don’t just have to buy from sustainable fashion brands to participate in the movement! There are many other great ways that I love to embrace it as well.
Hey earth muffins! When I started my journey towards being more sustainable, I vowed to refuse all fast fashion and opt for secondhand options instead. So far, this has been super successful – I don’t even miss fast fashion at all! 😊 Today I wanted to talk about some fast fashion “faux pas” that our society needs to change. In order to embrace more sustainable fashion, we need to shift our mindsets into new ideas about what we wear and how we take care of our clothes. Let’s jump right into the post!
Once something rips, it is done for. ➡️ Let’s get into the habit of mending our clothes!
The first fast fashion faux pas I want to discuss is the idea that your clothes are “unworthy” once they show some wear. This is stupid for multiple reasons. The quality of most clothing has decreased over the past decade or so. Therefore, they aren’t going to look exactly how they were when you purchased it for long… But that doesn’t mean you need to toss them into the donation bin. Take care of your clothes and mend everything that is easy to fix: sew up small holes, replace buttons, hem pant legs, etc. Why throw away your favorite pieces of clothing just because they aren’t “perfect” anymore?
Once you wear an outfit somewhere, you can’t wear it again. ➡️ Let’s join Lizzie McGuire as outfit repeaters!
Obviously, it isn’t a fast fashion faux pas to wear the same shirts and pants occasionally; however, it seems like once you wear certain things (such as a formal dress to a dressy event) you aren’t “supposed” to wear it again. I hear people talking about how they must go shopping for a new outfit for each event. If you want to do this, then I suggest getting secondhand clothing instead. Or, just use what you already have in your closet! It is so much more sustainable and eco-friendly to not over consume and continue to wear the same outfits again and again. Be a proud outfit repeater!
Secondhand fashion can’t be “cool”. ➡️ Secondhand fashion is the coolest!
I think there has been a big shift in this faux pas over the past few years with the rise of thrifting platforms such as Depop and ThredUp. However, many people still believe that secondhand shopping is “gross” and “uncool”. You can obviously argue that fast fashion is the most uncool form of fashion out there for the planet – the statistics don’t lie! I also think that you can make thrifted pieces totally in style – check out this guide on how to make secondhand fashion trendy!
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Final Thoughts on Fast Fashion Faux Pas
Overall, I think there are many fast fashion faux pas that must be changed in our society to ensure a more eco-friendly future for the clothing industry. Take the time to mend your clothes when they become a little worn. Become a proud outfit repeater! And learn how to make your secondhand fashion finds as “cool” and “trendy” as the crappy fast fashion pieces on the market. Slow fashion is a remarkable thing, and I highly recommend everyone do their best to reduce their impact on Mother Earth by shifting their mindsets around these faux pas. What do you do to take care of your clothes? Comment below!
Hey earth muffins! When the summer sun starts shining extra bright, it is important to bust out your sunglasses to protect your eyes. 😎 I personally wear them any time I am outside during these warmer months or driving somewhere in my car. This summer, don’t just head to a local store to purchase a pair of cheaply made sunglasses… Instead, invest in a pair that is eco-friendly that will last you many years! In this post, I want to share a company that creates awesome eyewear that is both sustainable and fashionable for the summer months. Genusee sent me a pair of sunglasses to try out, and I am so excited to share this Genusee sunglasses review with you all!
What I Love About the Sustainability of Genusee Sunglasses!
First off, I obviously love this brand because it is sustainable (or I wouldn’t be sharing it with you all!). The company is based in Flint, Michigan, which is infamously known for the Flint Water Crisis. During the height of this crisis, the city of Flint used more than 20 million water bottles a day! This is a great example on how all plastics aren’t “bad” – just imagine how many plastic water bottles were used out of necessity. Instead of producing eyewear using new materials, Genusee prioritizes the use of pre-exisiting materials in their supply chain. This means each pair of sunglasses are upcycled from 15 plastic water bottles from the crisis; that is just incredible! Not only are the glasses made of recycled materials, their suppliers are all located in (or near) Flint as well. This supports local businesses in Michigan as well as reduces carbon emissions during transportation.
Genusee also has a circular economy for their eyewear. Once you are finished using your sunglasses, they actually buy them back from you – and give you a credit towards purchasing your next pair! 😊 After receiving your glasses, they evaluate the quality of them and decide between three things: recycling the material back into the supply chain, refurbishing them and reselling at a value, or donating to people in need. This Buy-Back Program is everything you would want for a closed loop system. I am so excited to know that my glasses will be responsibly put back into rotation instead of sitting in a landfill for thousands of years! 🌎 ❤️
What is Great About My Sunglasses
When picking out my glasses, it was hard for me to pick what color I wanted… Because there are so many great options to choose from! I like that the frames of the sunglasses are all the same shape (called the Roeper frames), but there is still a lot of variation. A color of the frame (such as Black) has many different colored lens to choose from. From vibrant mirror lens to Water Warrier Green frames, there is something for everyone in terms of color! After pondering what color to get, I settled on Classic Black frames with brown lens… Boring, I know, but I love a nice pair of neutral sunglasses!
I also love how these sunglasses fit. They aren’t super large and oversized like some can be, and I think the frames would look good on many different face shapes. Similar to other eyewear brands, Genusee has the option to virtually try on glasses before you purchase them. Definitely take advantage of this feature! It is helpful to see how the frames will look (hint hint: they are going to look super cute!). Plus, it can help you decide between colors as well.
Other Things I Admire About this Brand
Their sunglasses are amazing, but the company also does some pretty awesome things for Flint, Michigan as well. Like I mentioned above, the Flint Water Crisis was devastating. Genusee works with the MADE Institute in Flint to employ returning citizens/displaced workers. While there are 5 colleges in Flint, over 88% of the city’s population does not have a college degree. Genusee knows that sunglasses can be manufactured with a basic understanding of the machines used; so, they strive to creating living wage jobs to help support more Flint workers. On top of this, 1% of their profits are donated to the Community Fund of Greater Flint. These donations help the Flint Promise & Child Health and Development Fund to combat the effects of exposure to lead in drinking water. Definitely another reason to support this brand!
What Could Be Better
This Genusee sunglasses review would not be complete if I didn’t talk about price. When I review sustainable products, I always remind my fellow earth muffins that eco-friendly products are often on the pricier side. These sunglasses are no different. Each pair will cost you around $100. This is much higher than those cheap-o glasses you can find at Walmart (that break after two uses though)… But it is actually in line or cheaper than other high-end sunglasses! So, I would suggest supporting this circular economy instead of buying your next pair of Ray-Ban shades!
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Final Thoughts on this Genusee Sunglasses Review!
Overall, Genusee is a brand I would highly recommend checking out. Their circular economy is honestly what every company should strive for. I have never been more proud to share this company with you all! The sunglasses are amazing quality and come in colors for any taste. Plus, this brand actually cares about Flint and is doing its part to help those impacted by the Flint Water Crisis. While the price can be considered high, just compare it to a Ray-Ban and realize that these sunglasses are SO much better in terms of sustainability and social impact. The Genusee goal is simple: to do good for people and the planet using design and collaboration to be the change we want to see. Are you going to support this awesome company this summer? What sunglasses are you currently rocking?
Hey earth muffins! This year, my boyfriend and I got into the show Ink Master. This competition follows tattoo artists as they compete to win the title of the season’s “Ink Master”. I’ve always thought that small, minimalist tattoos are super cute; but, as someone who absolutely hates needles, I’ll definitely never get a real tattoo. 😬 There are companies out there who make long lasting temporary tattoos (like Inkbox)… However, these create a lot of waste. When I found out Tatteco makes sustainable temporary tattoos, I knew I just had to try them out. I hope you enjoy my Tatteco review!
What I Love About Tatteco Temporary Tattoos
For starters, they value sustainability! 🎉 If you remember putting on temporary tattoos as a kid, they would come with a layer of plastic over the design that you remove to apply the tattoo. To avoid this single use plastic, Tatteco uses paperboard instead. As the paperboard is 100% recyclable, it is a much more eco-friendly solution. Plus, the tattoos are made with non-toxic ink, which is another awesome bonus! In terms of sustainable shipping, the tattoos came with minimal packaging as well. Instead of a bubble mailer or box, they were shipped in an envelope in an adorable recyclable postcard. So awesome to see the sustainability value carried throughout the brand!
I also have to mention the numerous design options in this Tatteco review. There are so many to choose from! Even if you aren’t into tattoos, I bet you will be able to find something you like. From lettering to book/film inspired to your favorite celebrity’s ink, it is hard to decide on just a few to try out! After combing through the website for an hour or so, I decided on a mixed set of dinosaurs, some cute earths, two stars, and the words “Carpe Diem”. Each set comes with 3 to 4 tattoos of the same design, which allows for multiple wears!
What I Like About My Tatteco Tattoos
Like all temporary tattoos, I found that they are simple to apply. Once you decide where you want it, peel off the top paperboard piece. Place the tattoo on your body and press a damp cloth on the back of the paperboard for about 30 seconds. Make sure to evenly apply this damp cloth – wouldn’t want a part of the design to not transfer to your skin! Slowly peel away the paperboard to reveal your tattoo. Ta-da! Quick, easy, and needle free.
These tattoos also last quite a bit of time! The website says they will stay on for 3-5 days, but I have found that they last much longer if you put them in a place that isn’t rubbed by clothes or scrubbed frequently (like your hands). Plus, they don’t feel sticky to the touch after being put on. I remember temporary tattoos as a kid always being itchy and feeling gross when you touched them… These feel like they are actually part of your skin for a few days! If you are thinking about getting a real tattoo, I would suggest getting a temporary one to test out if you like the design/placement. Definitely fills my need for a “tattoo” without getting stabbed numerous times! 😅
Final Tatteco Review Thoughts!
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While there aren’t any cons to these tattoos (in my opinion), I wanted to close out this Tatteco review by mentioning the price. For a set of 3 tattoos, it will cost you $4.99. For 4 tattoos, it is a dollar higher. Honestly, I think this is a great price for an eco-friendly temporary tattoo! However, I am sure you can find crappy, plastic temporary tattoos at other stores for less. So, I figured it was important to mention the price tag in this post. However, I think the price tag is totally worth it. The brand actually cares about sustainability and acts on that value in their tattoos and packaging. They are easy to apply, last a long time, and there are SO many designs to choose from. I will definitely be supporting Tatteco again! Have you ventured into the temporary tattoo space yet?
Hey earth muffins! For today’s post, I thought it would be interesting to discuss something I don’t particularly care about: trendy fashion brands. Many popular, fast fashion clothing companies are not eco-friendly. Personally, I shop for my clothes secondhand; you can find amazing thrifted pieces if you know what to look for! I thought it would be interesting to take 7 different “trendy” brands and compare their fashion sustainability scores. These scores are from Good on You (one of my favorite sustainability apps!) and Remake. Let’s jump right into it!
I’ll admit it – I was a sucker for Forever 21 back in the day. I could buy a lot with little money… Which ironically I can now do at the thrift store. 😅 Their Good on You ranking is the lowest on the scale: “We Avoid”. This is due to the fact that they don’t share their environmental policies. While they minimize animal cruelty by not using furs, the labor practices are also not transparent. Remake also mentions that they often rip off designers as well. Definitely not a brand I am looking to support any time soon!
Ah, the infamous H&M greenwashing. I feel like this brand has been getting a ton of heat recently about their “conscious” line and who they have selected as brand ambassadors. I’ve called out H&M before in my “What is Greenwashing” post; but, at least they are trying to make some changes as a fast fashion company. The company uses some eco-friendly materials, discloses many of their labor policies, and has an animal welfare policy that is aligned with Five Freedoms. I’m curious to see how this brand continues to up its fashion sustainability scores in the future!
I feel like in many of the YouTube videos I watch, Urban is mentioned at some point. While I commend them for using reusable bags instead of plastic, they still have a ways to go. It ranks poorly in all the Planet, People, and Animal categories. This makes their sustainability score pretty low overall. I definitely wish a more eco-friendly company would be considered as “trendy” as Urban!
Many influencers also seem to be obsessed with Princess Polly, but their ratings are not good. Just like Forever 21, the company doesn’t do a good job sharing their environmental or labor policies. While Remake mentions that they do have some ethical manufacturing goals, they are all focused on the future with little to no steps on how to get there. Plus, they charge a higher price to hurt the planet; it’s a no from me!
While the vibe of PacSun reminds me of surfing and the great outdoors, it doesn’t seem like this company actually cares about Mother Earth. Good on You gives them a 1 out of 5 in the Planet category; there is absolutely no transparency when it comes to their environmental policies. I think I’ll take my sunshine elsewhere…
While the Madewell Eco Denim collection scores an incredible 63/100 points on the Remake sustainability scale, the overall brands gets a 29. 😖Yikes. Sounds like we definitely need those tips for identifying greenwashing! Good on You gives them a 2/5 for each of their categories, so it looks like there can (and should) be a lot of improvement!
You think I could forget about Nike? No way! While they use some recycled materials and have a Manufacturing Map to share where your products are made, it still scores a 38/100 on Remake. There are still some gaps in terms of transparency and sustainability, which makes its fashion sustainability scores low. With such an iconic brand, it is a shame they don’t use all of their money to reduce their impact on Mother Earth!
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Fashion Sustainability Scores: Final Thoughts!
In our final tally, it looks like we have 2 brands in the “We Avoid” rank, 3 in “Not Good Enough”, and 2 in “It’s a Start”. While I am happy that a couple brands are starting to making changes, it is eye-opening that not one “trendy” popular brand could pass the “It’s a Start” ranking. When I was thinking about what brands to pick for this post, I tried to create a list of companies that others are talking about. I know I definitely missed a bunch of “trendy” brands (like Lululemon, etc.)… So, I might just have to do another post like this in the future! This might find some gem companies that are truly trying to lower their impact… But I personally wouldn’t put my money on it. 😕 I’ve said it before; and, I’ll say it again – SHOP SECONDHAND!
Hey earth muffins! It is super exciting that spring is finally here! 🌷 Warm weather and sunshine means busting out my capris and spring accessories for the changing season. When the cold, sweater weather goes away, I like to start wearing jewelry I haven’t been wearing for a few months. Scrolling through Instagram, I recently came across a brand called WorldFinds. Their pieces are gorgeous and perfect for spring! I was recently gifted a few of their items, so I wanted to share my spring jewelry haul and WorldFinds review with you all today. Plus, I have a discount code to save you money!
What is WorldFinds?
I am excited to be working with this brand because they value three things: people, the planet, and purpose. Their jewelry creates work for 700 artisans in India; each purchase provides food and education for the artisan’s family as they earn a living wage in safe working conditions. WorldFinds is also eco-friendly, which is perfect for us earth muffins! Jewelry is created from a material called “Kantha”, which is repurposed, recycled fabric from furniture factories and saris. I personally love that each piece of jewelry is different because of this – every single piece will be unique and just for you! 😊 Lastly, I love that this brand empowers women. It is woman-owned and empowers its artisans through fair trade. I think this company has amazing values and acts on their beliefs. If you are interested in buying from their website, make sure to use the code “earthmuffin25” to get 25% your order! 🎉
My Package of WorldFinds Spring Jewelry!
Before jumping into the haul, this WorldFinds review wouldn’t be complete without talking about the packaging. First off, it came in a cardboard box which I was able to recycle. The pieces are wrapped up in adorable tissue paper and each one comes in a reusable jewelry bag. Instead of stuffing the remaining space with something like packing peanuts, the box was filled with brown paper. I have set the cute tissue paper and this brown paper aside and will use it for wrapping gifts for family and friends. Yay for reusing packing materials!
Each jewelry piece was attached to its tag with a piece of brown string instead of plastic – such a great swap! I love to see companies finding alternatives to plastic, so this made me quite happy. The tags describe how to take care of your jewelry and also include a picture of the artisan that made your pieces. It gives a nice personal touch to your fair trade jewelry!
The first item I was gifted is their classic Kantha necklace. This necklace is a strand of colorful beads with a cute little tassel on the chain extender. I love how it is such a statement piece! Once the pandemic is over, I can see myself wearing this to work with a monochromatic top and a black pencil skirt.
I also love that this necklace is versatile. Because it has a chain extender, you can wear it at any length. If you aren’t feeling a necklace, you can also style this as a bracelet or anklet. I personally love to wear anklets when I’m wearing my Birkenstocks; so you will definitely see me rocking this gorgeous piece all spring and summer!
I love a good bracelet, and this one is special because it reminds me to dream! WorldFinds has two bracelet collections that I absolutely love. This Dream one is part of the Kantha Connection collection, where each of the 12 bracelets is a different color to channel different energies. From “Growth” to “Creativity”, these bracelets remind you of these things. I personally chose the Dream bracelet to remind myself to think big, perserve, and accomplish amazing things whenever I wear it. The Cause Connection collection allows you to support 12 different charities by buying a bracelet to “Restore” or “Teach”. 15% of the bracelet sales are donated to the charity each bracelet is assigned, which is a great way to give back and get a gorgeous spring piece of jewelry.
This bracelet is super cute! The beads are on a stretchy cord which allows you to easily take it on or off. I personally love that it is on a stretchy cord because I have a small wrist. It is sometimes a struggle for me to find a bracelet that doesn’t dangle and annoy me. 😅 I’m also a huge fan of the colors on my Kantha beads, which I had to mention in this WorldFinds review. I have quite a few navy pieces in my closet, so I will get a lot of use from this bracelet!
The last piece in this WorldFinds review are these adorable mini hoops. My relationship with earrings has evolved over the years. In high school, I used to wear a ton of different types, but when I went off to college I exclusively wore diamond studs or no earrings at all. I mentioned this back in 2019 in my low waste jewelry collection post. I am hoping to ease myself back into wearing more styles this spring and summer; so, I thought these hoops would be the perfect place to start! I think they are such a perfect size for my ear. I’ve found that some hoops only look good with a certain hairstyle, but I can definitely wear these will my hair up or down. The Kantha colors are super vibrant and perfect for spring… I might just have to wear these to Easter dinner this year!
Overall Thoughts on this WorldFinds Review
I think this company has great, affordable pieces that support both artisans and the planet. How could you not check out their website?! Plus, if you use the code “earthmuffin25” you will receive 25% off your order – such a steal for fair trade products! I will for sure be wearing these pieces all spring long. The necklace will most likely be worn as an anklet until I actually go back to the office to work. My ears will (finally) see earrings that aren’t just studs, and I hope to remind myself to dream whenever I wear my new bracelet. I am such a supporter of reusing and repurposing, so I love these Kantha pieces! 😍 Will you be purchasing anything from WorldFinds?
