Sustainable Shopping: Sale Roundup, Black Friday 2017

It’s that time of year again in the U.S.A.! If you’re planning to go shopping for presents (or for yourself) this holiday weekend, join me in supporting brands and boutiques that care about the communities around them and the earth! I’ve put together a list of some ecofriendly and/or ethically run stores that are having sales:

Beauty:

• Rituel de Fille: Twenty percent off all full-size items with code SHADOW20 from 11/24 through 11/27.

Clothing:

• American Deadstock: Get 50 percent off everything and free shipping using code FIFTY.
• Amour Vert: Twenty percent off everything using code GREENFRIDAY.
• Arkins: Twenty percent off sitewide beginning on 11/24.
• Beacon’s Closet: Twenty percent off using code BLACKFRIDAY. This sale is online only, and the code is only valid on 11/24.
• Chromat: From 11/24 through 11/27, use code GIVE20 to get an additional 20 percent off all sale items. Additionally, 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to empowering organizations like the ACLU.
• Deadwood: Thirty percent off all items online using code BLKFRIDAY, starting 11/24.
• Ecoalf: On 11/24, Ecoalf will place a number of items from previous seasons on super sale, and a percentage of every purchase on 11/24 will be donated to sea conservation efforts.
• Faircloth Supply: Thirty percent off everything using code BLKFRIDAY17, from 11/23 through 11/27.
• Groceries Apparel: Save 15 percent off purchases of $150 or more, save 22 percent on purchases of $225 or more, and save 30 percent on purchases of $300 or more.
• Hackwith Design House: Starting today (11/23), get 30 percent off sitewide using code THANKSGIVING17.
• Hazel and Rose: From 11/23 until 11/27, you get 25 percent off sitewide using code MANYTHANKS. (I also love Hazel and Rose’s blog post discussing their feelings about Black Friday.)
• Nau: Get 30 percent off fall and winter styles using code SAVE30, from now until 11/26.
• Nudie Jeans: Get 25 percent off select seasonal items (no code needed).
• Outerknown: Get 20 percent off current styles (no code needed) and get up to 75 percent off in their warehouse sale.
• Miakoda: From now through 11/27, use code ETHICALSHOPPING for 30 percent off your order.
• Poppy and Pima: Get 30 percent off sitewide on orders over $7 with code GETYOURGIFTON, from 11/23 through 11/27.
• Reformation: Get 30 percent off everything from 11/23 through 11/27, online and in store, no code needed.
• Tradlands: From now until 11/27, use code BF15 for 15 percent off all orders over $100, use code BF20 for 20 percent off all orders over $200, get free worldwide shipping for orders over $200, and get a free $10 gift card with a purchase over $50.
• Upstate: Get 25 percent off using code TURDUCKEN, now through 11/27.
• Zero Waste Daniel: Get 25 percent off everything on 11/27. They are also debuting online their collab with Coyuchi! (The collab seems to be exempt from the sale.)

Home Goods:

• Boll and Branch: Twenty-five percent off all orders over $150 with code BLACKFRIDAY.
• Coyuchi: Twenty percent off select styles, plus free shipping; click through the link on their home page.
• Package Free: Twenty-five percent off the entire store today (11/27) only with code CYBERMONDAY at checkout, plus free shipping with orders over $100!

Underthings:

• Brook There: From 11/23 through 11/27, get 40 (!!!) percent off clothing and lingerie sets using code THANKFUL.
• Hanna Broer: From now through 11/24, use the code Pre-Holiday-2017 to save 20 percent off all orders over $120, or, if you shop through her Etsy store, you’ll automatically get 20 percent off when you check out with $120 or more worth of her products.
• Pact: Get 30 to 60 percent off sitewide (no code needed).
• Sock Dreams: Get twenty percent off sitewide from 11/25 through 11/27 using code GIVESOCKS2017. Use their search filters to find ecofriendly and US made socks (not everything in their store fits those categories).

Shoes and Other Accessories:

• Edge of Ember: Save 30 percent sitewide with code BLACK30.
• Kayu: Save up to 75 percent through their sale section.
• Oliberté: Save 30 percent sitewide starting now.
• Proud Mary: Today (11/27) only, use code CYBERMONDAY to get 15 percent off sitewide plus free shipping.
• Soko: Take 25 percent sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY25.

I’m trying to buy less and buy more thoughtfully this year, so I’m exercising a lot of willpower right now in the face of all of these great sales from these great companies. If you buy anything good, let me know! 😉

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way to write about any organizations or businesses that I have mentioned. This post expresses my honest opinions.

Fringe! Part 2

I can’t get enough of the fringed denim hem. The trend seems to have lasted a couple of seasons, and I’m hoping it’ll last a few more, because not only is it fun to wear, it’s also fun to DIY.

I’ve been trying to clean out my closet, and in the process I rediscovered a pair of wide-leg jeans that had been sitting in the corner, forgotten, for several years. I stopped wearing them because (1) the length was unflattering—the jeans’ hem fell slightly below my ankles and looked goofy on my short frame—and (2) skinny jeans were “in.”

But fashion is fickle and cyclical. Currently, the runways have been full of culottes and flared hems, so I decided it was time to revitalize my elderly wide-legs. I got out my scissors, chopped off the old hem so that the jeans were now above-ankle length, and then got out my seam ripper and put on a mindless TV show. A couple of hours later, I had made myself a second pair of fringed jeans (click here to see my first pair!). Not only that, I had also made myself a pair of culottes! Two style boxes checked in one. 😀

During a trip back home to New York, I took my new fringe-y culottes out on the town.

Sometimes I like to pretend I live in fancy apartment buildings in Manhattan.

Outfit details: Round black sunglasses (thrifted); vintage swirly silver clip-on earrings (thrifted); black slip dress (very old fast-fashion purchase); black crossbody hangbag (old gift); fringed denim culottes (DIYed from old jeans); black jelly sandals (older fast-fashion purchase)

They were comfy and fun to swish around in. With this super easy DIY, I had added a new, stylish piece to my wardrobe for free. Hurrah!

If you decide to revitalize your jeans in the same way, let me know! (I used this tutorial from Honestly WTF as a starting-off point, but for the fringed culottes I only created about 0.5 to 0.75 inches worth of fringe.)

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Taking That Next Step

M. and I celebrated our four-year anniversary recently, after delaying the celebrations for about two months. (Two months?! Yeah, I’m impressed by how long we delayed it too. It was poor timing on our actual anniversary because I was inundated with freelance work, and then more stressful things kept popping up!) To celebrate, we went to a Spanish tapas place and ate way too much food. Of course, I had to put together a special outfit to mark the occasion:

My “classy lady with a bit of sass” pose.

Outfit details: Round black sunnies (thrifted); wooden bead earrings (DIY); fishnet top (thrifted from Buffalo Exchange); black organic cotton bra (a Brook There original, made in the US!); vintage black patent Dofan handbag (from Beacon’s Closet); navy-blue pencil skirt (thrifted from Crossroads Trading); wooden watch; rhinestone bracelet (thrifted from Monarch Thrift Shop); black pumps.

Four years is a ridiculously long amount of time to me. Before M., I’d never had a relationship last longer than six months. I find it very difficult to trust myself and others, and I don’t have an easy time letting go and relaxing. Our relationship has been an exercise in both of those things. Somehow, in the midst of all my worries about the future (both founded and unfounded) and my fear of being hurt, I’ve still managed to stick with this person and grow alongside him. There are plenty of ups and downs: I am a much flightier person than I would like to admit (see: trust issues), and there are plenty of painful misunderstandings between us. We still have many things we need to improve on. But M.’s commitment to keep working through everything together is what makes it comfortable for my hand to find its way back into his in the end. And I’m glad we continue to have the chance to learn from one another.

Now that that bit of sentimentality is over, I’d like to announce that. . . M. and I moved in together last month! This step feels both gigantic and small at the same time. We’d talked about this possibility in the past, but with all of our uncertainties about life, we weren’t sure that it was a good idea. Then, suddenly, three months ago, it sort of clicked in our heads that it didn’t make sense to keep living apart. Yes, we still have a lot of looming question marks, but we also know each other so well. We’ve always made a point of trying to communicate as much as possible (although that is not always easy). We already spend half of the week with one another. Rent is expensive. And in the worst case scenario, we know we’re both mature enough to be reasonable with each other. So, now we are roomies and partners! I’m really enjoying it so far. It’s wonderful to come home to the person you love, and to be next to that same person every morning. And it’s very nice to be able to split household duties. 😁 There are a few living-quarters issues to iron out, as there almost always is in any roommate situation, but I think we’re doing okay. I’m pretty determined to make our household as eco-friendly as possible, so we’ll see how that goes. M. is very open to composting, but I sense some hesitation about my idea to get up early every Sunday morning and jog to the farmer’s market . . . *Brandishes riding crop* I will not allow any lazy Sundays in this apartment! 😈😉

Having to fit two apartments’ worth of stuff into one has also taught me a huge lesson in economy and minimalism. Even though I’ve been moved in for about a month now, I’m still not fully unpacked because there isn’t enough space for me to arrange all of my stuff. I’ll need to start downsizing, truly, truly downsizing. It’ll be a good thing. As much as I love “stuff,” having so many possessions can also be anxiety inducing, especially when I’m trying to find something and I have no idea where it could be. I’ve been trying to be more minimalist for years, but I don’t take any real steps unless I have no other choice. And now I’m in a situation again where I have no choice! So look forward to some posts about how I try to either repurpose or donate some of my overflowing stash of stuff!

Alright, that’s enough from me for today. Thanks, as always, for reading. And cheers to taking that next step. 🙂

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

My Summer Shopping Plan

It’s summer! Which means it’s time to lounge on the beach, plan some getaways, and get really sweaty. (I sweat so, so much in warm weather. . . .) Summer is also when lots of sales start popping up. The thing is, I’m on a mission to be a more environmentally friendly and ethical consumer. And that means buying less, and buying smarter. But I also like a good sale. What am I to do?

Well, here is my shopping plan:

1. Make a list of things that I need. Then make a list of things that I have been wanting for over a year. Make it clear to myself what is “necessary” and what is a “want.”
2. If there is a sale that might satisfy something in one of those categories, I will take a look at the sale.
3. If I find the right item, I will put it in my shopping cart and consider it. The first question I will ask myself is: Was this item made in an ethical manner, with eco-friendly materials? If not, will buying this item at least help me be more environmentally conscientious in my daily life? If the answer is “no” to both questions, then the item won’t be bought!
4. If I can answer “yes” to at least one of the above, then I will consider which category the item falls into. If it falls into the “need” category, I will ask myself: Do I really need it? Or can I live without it? Might it be possible to substitute something I already own for it?
5. If it falls into the “want” category, I will ask myself: Will I enjoy this item if I buy it? Or will it fall into a forgotten corner of my closet or apartment after the novelty fades away? Is it possible for me to make this item myself?
6. If I still believe the item in my shopping cart is a worthwhile purchase, I’ll buy it!

I’m hoping that my shopping plan will reduce any unnecessary spending on my own part. I also hope that the above shopping plan also helps me reduce the number of new items on my want list (because, frankly, whenever I look at a sale I always add something new to my “want” list).

Anyone else have a shopping plan that helps you reduce spending and shop in a more ethical manner?

By the way, if you’re curious what sales I’m looking at right now, here’s the roster:

• Bambeco: 60 percent off sitewide (with some exclusions) using code FIREWORKS17
  • About the brand: Ecofriendly home goods. Not every item has a detailed description of its materials and manufacturing policies, but on each product page you can post questions to the company about their products.
• Beacon’s Closet: No sale, but I love looking at what’s new in the online shop.
  • About the brand: A well-curated resale store, stocking lots of vintage and designer goods for affordable prices.
• Brook There: 40 percent off using code SUMMER40
  • About the brand: Silk and organic cotton lingerie made in the USA.
• Hanna Broer: No sale, but I’ve been coveting some more of their items after I bought a bralette and undies from them last year!
  • About the brand: Organic-cotton underwear and recycled-polyester swimsuits made in Vermont. I love that their models are a variety of sizes and ethnicities; diversity is important!!
• Hazel & Rose: 30 percent off through Tuesday using code HBDUSA
  • About the brand: A boutique that stocks eco-friendly and ethically manufactured beauty products and clothing from a variety of brands.
• Pact: 40 percent off sitewide! (Click “apply offer” in the little green banner that pops up on the top of the homepage.)
  • About the brand: Underwear and cotton basics made with organic and fair trade cotton! I have their boyshorts and they’re extremely comfortable. M. has their boxers, and they are very flattering. 😉
• People Tree: Large sale section!
  • About the brand: UK-based clothing brand; modern styles for men and women, typically made with organic cotton and fair-trade practices.
• Tradlands: 10% off of select items! Click the link on their front page.
  • About the brand: Shirts made especially for women; made in the USA, some items are made with organic cotton.
• Zero Waste Daniel: There isn’t a sale, but I’ve been wanting something from this brand for a while now.
  • About the brand: They make basics out of 100 percent scrap materials discarded by Brooklyn factories!

Time to start browsing. . . 😀 I hope you all have a safe and happy week!

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Leopard Print and Flowers

M. and I attended a wedding a few weeks ago. I was hoping to sew a new dress for the occasion, but with my gigantic workload, I failed to put one together in time. So, as usual, a thrift store was my savior. I popped over to one of my favorite thrift stores in the city, Monarch Thrift Shop, and came out with a leopard print number that fit all of my requirements: (1) has pockets!, (2) is flattering, and (3) is machine washable.

Because I am an overachiever and like to try to DIY everything, I crocheted myself a flower necklace to pair with the dress. I used this pattern, but I definitely made a mistake because, as you can see, my flowers do not look like the ones in the pattern photo:

Full-length bathroom mirrors are a blogger’s best friend.

While I was at Monarch Thrift Shop, I managed to find some vintage Givenchy clip-ons there for $4.00! I also wore those to the wedding.

Unfortunately, the clip-ons turned out to be too loose in the hinges; one of them fell off while I was dancing during the wedding reception. I managed to find the one that fell, but I definitely don’t think I should wear these anymore if I’m going to be moving around a lot.

Outfit details: Red crocheted flower choker (DIY); maroon wrap top (made in the US); leopard-print dress (thrifted); vintage red-leather heels (thrifted); vintage gold Givenchy clip-ons (thrifted); black leather handbag (a gift from my Mom).

Hopefully I’ll be able to write posts of more substance and with more frequency soon. Just two more weeks until I am done with this hellish workload!

❤ S. (a.k.a. MisplacedPen)

P.S. I post a lot more regularly on Instagram @misplacedpen. Follow me, if you’d like. ❤

Time-Traveling

Hello, hello. Welcome to my denim uniform:

I’m visiting from the seventies. I was all ready to go out for a night on the town when some force pulled me into this weird future. I met the 2017 version of myself, who told me that I’m not actually going to go out and have fun tonight because we have a gigantic freelance project to do. She was very mean and gave me a lecture about the importance of hard work. Then she shoved a giant stack of papers in my hands, said “good luck,” and ran out the door.

I’m glad I was wearing sunglasses, so I could maintain my cool-girl look while tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought of doing work on a Saturday night.

In all seriousness, I actually do have a lot of work to do. It’s all my fault, really. I wanted to have some extra pocket money (especially since I have a major and expensive dental procedure coming up) so I took on a gig editing a two-hundred-page manuscript. Of course, as soon as I started working on it, I realized how much I hate not having free time. Especially since I’m the type of person who overexhausts herself on everything. Walk up to me on any given day and ask me what I’ve been up to, and I’ll tell you how I’ve been working on five different personal projects in the past three hours. (This may sound like a “humble brag,” but I am actually telling you about a huge flaw of mine, because I never actually finish any of my personal projects on account of my having so many things in my queue.)

I decided I would go work in a coffee shop today, and to cheer myself up I put together a fun outfit. Lo and behold, working in a coffee shop by yourself can be frustrating, because every time you need to go pee you need to pack up and bring all of your stuff with you (I don’t want to risk losing my laptop…). So I decided to try working at home. Now I’m sitting in the kitchen distracting myself by writing a blog post. Sigh.

This is the brooch I wore on my denim jacket today:

Right now I feel like that person hanging from the rope.

Psst, I got the brooch at a thrift store in Hyde Park. For $3. I love thrift stores. They’re a great place to source unique fashion, and you’re helping keep these items out of the landfill (although not all thrift stores are alike in terms of how they handle unwanted donations, so do your research!).

I actually stopped in a thrift store on my way from the coffee shop (yet another example of how I have procrastinated today) and managed to snap some grainy full-length photos of my outfit:

My usual photographer (M.) is out of town this weekend, hence all of the selfies.

Outfit details: Denim jacket (thrifted); maroon wrap top (US-made); black bralet; air balloon brooch (thrifted); fringe-hem jeans (DIY); western-style brown belt; coral-striped socks; bright red kitten heels (thrifted, possibly vintage, perhaps from the 80s?)

My favorite part of this outfit is my shoes and socks combo:

Look at that wonderful Waldo witchiness. Plus that fringe!! (You might recognize that fringe from this post. 😀 )

All right, I think it’s time for me to go. I hope you all enjoy your Saturday nights! Wish me luck with mine. . .

❤ S. (a.k.a. aMisplacedPen)

I’m on Instagram!

I’ve joined the black hole that is Instagram (psst, I’m @misplacedpen). There’s no denying it, social media is addictive, and I may be addicted. From the first few days of using it, my takeaways are that:

1. I love how easy it is for me to see snapshots of what sustainable-fashion and zero-waste bloggers are doing to treat the earth better, and
2. I hate how easy it is to lose two hours admiring what said bloggers are doing to treat the earth better. (Not to mention the time spent admiring new offers from sustainable brands. . .)

I’ve been uploading my own snapshots too, including my outfit from this past weekend:

Hello hello, that’s me, laughing at how addicted to Instagram I’ve become in the space of a week.

This outfit was also my entry into Beacon’s Closet’s #beaconsturns20 giveaway! (Follow the link for details on how you can enter; the giveaway runs through the end of May and the basic requirements are that you have an item bought from Beacon’s and you have an Instagram account.) Beacon’s is a well-curated vintage & resale store (as I’ve probably mentioned many times before. . . . Can you tell I like them?), and they have an online shop! I spend way too much of my free time checking out their online offerings.

Anyways, if you’re curious what else I’m up to outside of this blog, find me (@misplacedpen) on Instagram and say hi! Maybe even follow me. 😉 I have a couple of detailed shots of my accessories up on there, and a nice photo of my roommate’s cat. Mreow.

I’ve also updated this blog with an Instagram button to the right that you can click on to be directly linked to my profile (if you open up any one of my blog pages or posts, you’ll see a right-hand sidebar full of things to click on). I’m currently extremely overwhelmed with work and life, so I haven’t had the time to figure out how to import the photos from my Instagram feed into this website. I’ll get to it soon, fingers crossed!

Outfit details: Fishnet top (from Buffalo Exchange), denim jacket (thrifted from Village Discount Outlet), silver sports bra (brand is US-made Beyond Yoga, but was bought at Beacon’s), seafoam green high-waisted shorts (made in the US), gold leather bag (from Beacon’s), fishnet tights, navy studded loafers, vintage doorknocker earrings (from Vintage Underground)

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way to write about any organizations or businesses that I have mentioned. This post expresses my honest opinions.

Mushrooms and Fishnets

I’ve been wearing a lot of black lately. Am I mourning my transition into the mid- to late-twenties? the state of the world? tragedies in my personal life? Am I trying to maintain a stereotypical New-Yorker image because I want to play up a part of my identity that I fear I am losing? Am I becoming my mother, who went through an all-black-clothing phase that lasted for at least a decade of my life? 😮

Either way, all-black outfits have begun to feel a lot more natural for me. Besides any psychological purpose that they may serve for me, starting off with a mostly black clothing base allows me to amp up my accessory game. I feel like I have a lot more leeway to play around and showcase unique patterns and shapes in what I wear to accessorize.

This is especially important because I have a huge weakness for unique socks—in the last year of my journey to become a more ethical consumer, my only failing so far has been in the sock department. I had bought a pair of amazing (but not explicitly ethically-sourced. . . ) mushroom-patterned socks a couple of months ago. Not only are they patterned with spore-releasing shrooms, but they also glow under UV light! When I bought them, I was super excited to wear them, but then they sat in my sock drawer for days, then weeks, then months. I kept pulling them out, ready to wear them, then worrying that they would clash too much with the rest of my outfit and putting them away again. I started feeling guilty about having paid for a thing that didn’t quite fit into my shopping ethics and then not using the item at all.

A few weeks ago, as I was assembling an all-black outfit for a dinner with M., I realized that the mushroom socks would add just enough flair to my look to prevent it from being too monotone. The result is the below ensemble:
It’s been a while since I’ve worn an outfit that I would describe as “fun,” and for me, this outfit was fun (M. called it “spunky”). I had a great night out, and I feel a little more confident about wearing my mushroom socks!

But, after having so many mixed feelings about the purchase of these socks, I think I’m ready to reduce my sock habit. I’ve already made so many changes to my other consumption habits; why can’t I change my sock shopping too? Maybe I’ll even stop buying socks I don’t need . . . Sigh. I think it’s time I start decluttering my closet and donating or repurposing items that have been languishing in there for ages.

Outfit details: Silver-chain tassel earrings (DIY), sheer black silk top with balloon sleeves (from Crossroads Trading), silver bralette (made in U.S.A. by Beyond Yoga, but bought “with tags” from Beacon’s Closet), high-waisted black shorts with gold toggle clasp (from Crossroads Trading), gold leather satchel (from Beacon’s Closet), black fishnets, mushroom socks, maroon leather sneaker-mules (from Beacon’s Closet).

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way to write about any organizations or businesses that I have mentioned. This post expresses my honest opinions.

Five Ways to Show Mother Earth Some Love

In recent years, our planet has received a whole lot of hate. Even with all of the scientific research that tells us we are in the middle of a climate crisis, giant corporations continue to drill for air-polluting fossil fuels, mills continue to dump toxic chemicals into sources of drinking water, and the meat industry continues to factory farm.

Well, Saturday is Earth Day, and I think we need to show this green planet some love. So this Earth Day, I’m going to:

1. Eat a vegetarian meal.

As I’ve mentioned before, research shows that reducing meat consumption can help lower greenhouse gas emissions. I’ve been sticking to my “part-time vegetarian” diet, and I’m not going to stop anytime soon!

2. Compost.

When organic materials (like garden trimmings and food waste) end up in landfills, they create loads of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that is often considered a bigger culprit than carbon dioxide when it comes to global warming. One way to keep organic matter out of landfills is to compost. Composting is a process that takes food waste and other organic material and converts it into a rich soil that can be literally given back to the Earth. A few weeks ago, I signed up for a zero emissions composting service in Chicago called WasteNot. They provide you with a (lidded) bucket for your organic materials. You fill up the bucket with food scraps, pieces of your greasy pizza box, etc., and it gets picked up every week or every other week (depending on which payment plan you opt for). Ever since I’ve had the bucket, I’ve really paid attention to how many organic materials I toss into the landfill, from the paper towels I use to clean a dirty table to the trimmings off of the bok choy I cooked for dinner. Thinking about how much organic material I’ve thrown away over the course of my life scares and shames me because I know how much all of that has contributed to the current state of our planet. I hope composting will be a free (or government-supported), nationwide service one day. For now, I’m happy to pay for the services myself and return some nutrients to the earth!

3. Bring my own takeout container.

Sometimes I just don’t want to cook. But takeout can get really wasteful. Not only are you given loads of plastic utensils, your food also comes in a plastic or cardboard container that often isn’t recyclable or compostable (many cardboard food containers aren’t compostable because they have a thin coating of plastic on the interior, and most recycling facilities don’t accept number 6 plastic, which is what styrofoam takeout containers are made of). So I’m trying to bring a small glass container with me whenever I go out to eat. If I have leftovers, I don’t need to ask for a takeout box. I can just pack it in my reusable container and feel good that I haven’t added more plastic to the landfills.

4. Participate in local efforts to clean up the environment.

On Saturday afternoon, I’ll be joining the Chicago chapter of the Sierra Club for one of their annual beach clean ups. I’m excited to help clear away debris from the shoreline, because the less manmade debris that lands in the ocean, the healthier the marine ecosystem will be.

5. Shop smarter.

Nowadays, manufacturing is concerned with quantity more than quality. The idea is that the cheaper an item is, the more people will buy it, and it doesn’t matter if that item falls apart and ends up in a landfill a few weeks later. This model is clearly not sustainable. One way to avoid contributing to this trend of quantity over quality is to buy less, and buy items that are built to last. Another way is to buy secondhand. Much of my furniture is vintage or secondhand. Much of my clothing is too. Buying secondhand saves items from entering the landfill, and, because the items being sold secondhand have clearly lasted long enough to be sold again, there is some assurance of quality over time.

(Pst, Buffalo Exchange, a consignment store that has chains all over the United States, is having a $1 sale on Earth Day! So head over to your local shop and buy some gently used, fashionable clothing. The proceeds will go to the Humane Society and you get to keep some pounds of clothing out of the trash.)

Your turn: let me know what you’re doing to show the Earth some love! 🙂 🌏

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way to write about any organizations or businesses that I have mentioned. This post expresses my honest opinions.

An Oasis

Recently, my younger brother and his girlfriend came to Chicago for a short trip. I was tasked with planning an entire day of sightseeing. I had a lot of thoughts about where we would dine and drink, but when it came to activities between said eating and drinking, I was stumped. Then I remembered the Garfield Park Conservatory. I had never been there, so this was a chance for myself to explore as well.

And what a wonderfully green place the conservatory is!

Located in East Garfield Park, the conservatory is essentially a gigantic greenhouse. A gigantic greenhouse with impeccably landscaped rooms and so many different plants! Though it isn’t as large and grand as New York’s various botanical gardens, its price can’t be beat because a visit to the conservatory is free! My brother, his girlfriend, M., and I had fun exploring the various landscapes and marveling at the gigantic palm tree in the first room.

A tip: Dress lightly, or wear layers that can be easily removed. Many of the rooms are temperature-controlled to keep the plants happy, and those temperatures tend toward the warmer end of the thermostat.

For example, the cactus room was very, very dry and very hot.

I was baring a little midriff that day, a style choice that turned out to be surprisingly practical.

Time to get serious. Plants are serious business.

While I was impressively sweaty by the end of our exploration through the maze of rooms, my abdomen had a little window for the breeze to sweep by and wick away some of my perspiration. 😉

The shirt I’m wearing is the result of a DIY project—I took an old black button-up that was both too long and too outdated looking (there was strange pleating and ruching going on), and chopped off the bottom half. I then bound the new hem with black bias tape to keep it from unraveling. Easy-peasy!

I also painted eyes on the tips of the shirt collar, using silver fabric paint. Because I like people to know I’m watching them. With my collar eyes.

This is the best image I have of the collar eyes. (It was selfie time for M. and I, don’t judge. :P)

Outfit details: Gold vintage clip-on earrings, black cropped shirt (DIY), acid wash high-waisted shorts (made in the U.S.A.), gold leather satchel (thrifted from Beacon’s Closet), speckled knee-patch tights, knee-high black boots (gifted).

After dealing with the persistent stressors of my work life and of current events, I was glad to briefly escape to this beautiful attraction. Being surrounded by so much flora is extremely soothing, and reminds me that I need to do some more outdoor exploration!

❤ S. (a.k.a. AMisplacedPen)