Cozy Neutral Tones for Dressember

Sustainable, Wool Heart Handwarmers | Mulxiply (c/o Bonjoy Box)

Made in Nepal by an artisan group, you just heat these babies up in the microwave and they warm up your fingers in the winter or belly when you have cramps! This is a perfect way to decrease waste while supporting artisans.

Long Haired Alpaca Pullover | A Different Fur (out of business)

Artisan-made in Peru

Alpaca Scarf, Kyla Scarf | c/o Callina 

Artisan-made in Peru. Dyed using sustainable coloring

Convertible Maxi Dress | Seamly (c/o Fashion Revolution)

Made from waste fabric, polyester, made in the USA

Wool Crochet Handwarmers | Anthropologie

Handmade by an artisan group in Nepal. Although, being sold by Anthropologie, I doubt the artisans earned a living wage. I have seen the prices they pay to artisan groups/NGOs working with artisans when they purchase in high volume. But, I suppose this is better than not supporting artisans.)

 Black Suede Ankle Boots | hand-me-down 

Why waste and create more pollution, when you can pass something along?

2 PomPom Beanie | Free People

(not ethical; not sure why they are called "free people")

***

As we are coming to the end of this year and Dressember (which I joined late), I want to thank everyone who participated and made a donation to help bring an end to human trafficking! Click here if you are still interested in making any donation amount.

As the year comes to an end, I also want to thank you all for being alive and for caring about people and the planet through consumption. This sacrifice of managing money, subduing shopping urges, going against the hobby of shopping and taking time to investigate products, the people who make them and the environmental impacts of these processes is something I truly respect. It does take time. It does make a difference not only for the environment but for traditions of hand-made products (being the volunteer director of an eco artisan group, I see this first hand). If we do nothing, nothing changes. We each have our own calling in life, which may be different, however, conscious consumption on any scale is something we can all participate in.

MOREOVER, and not fully related... goodness gracious, I began this blog in 2012... way before "beyoutiful" was a thing. Back then, people would ask me how to pronounce my blog's name. Now every sister and her mother has "beYou" written on something, lol. Over the years, this blog has gone from an online diary of random fashion and advocacy things I was involved in, to a travel blog, to a way to receive free clothes, to an ethical fashion and faith blog. I also made a sacrifice to keep this blog running, saying no to joining my college rowing team to compete nationally(not fun). In the end, this blog greatly informed my choice to study international trade and how it impacts developing countries in graduate school which I was fully funded to do. Then God used that to bring me where I am in life, reaching out to girls and women to help them see how beautiful and loved they are in Christ. WOWWWW! So much! >.<

Thanks to those who have come along for the long-term blog ride: Jas (who you may have seen loads on my blog as a model and photographer), Erin (her blog is now on IG) and Safra of Tea n' Honey !

To all those reading this, may God grant you peace, safety and hope this coming year. May we all become people focused on loving God and one another, instead of criticising and picking fights. May we all become more humble in our words and actions. May the Lord Jesus touch each of our hearts to know Him and be fulfilled, using our talents to bring glory to the lord. That is the purpose of life. :)

Amen!


God bless,
 Christine

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"Christ in Christmas" Thoughts in a Winter Wonderland (Ethically Styled)

Ethical Alpaca Sweater, Ines Alpaca Pullover | Callina
Hand-knit by artisans with locally sourced alpaca wool in Peru

Eco High Low Brown Maxi Skirt | Raven and Lily
Hand-made by a women's coop using recycled polyester threads

Chunky Knit Beanie | Free People (not ethical)

Eco Travel Pouch with Tassel | Teixchel
Hand-woven by an artisan association with ecothreads in Guatemala

Stud Earrings, Rose Druzy Earrings | Rachel Keppler Designs
Hand crafted by my high school friend

***


I hope you all had a very joyous Christmas with family and food, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ! I absolutely love Christmas, mostly because one of my favorite points in the year is going to midnight mass at the church I grew attending. Midnight mass is so full with people who make the extra effort to make their way to church at midnight. I love this. Also, the church is decorated so wonderfully. However, it is the full choir, orchestra and bell choir that make me excited every time I think about midnight mass! It created an ambiance so spectacular and truly makes the mass a loud, joyous celebration for Jesus.
Hark! The herald angels sing. Glory to the new born King!
  I love that everyone can join and worship, and since the choir is so loud and amazing, even if you sing badly, no one will hear it. I did get tired towards the end, because it was after my 5 hour family holiday party. So the next morning I slept in until our family went to noon mass. hehe.

Reflecting on Christmas and what it has become, I do feel sad when I hear and see how watered down Christmas has become. (You know, focusing on gifts or saying that it is about family... when it is about Jesus.) Christmas is a day to remember the story of how Jesus was born through a miracle to a virgin, Mary and how this little baby boy is one with God and through Jesus and God's mercy, Jesus then grows on to show us who is God and how we can have freedom and everlasting life after we die. It is so incredible and fills me with light. I pray that even if I can be quite annoying and impatient at times, that I may be a light to everyone I meet, like Jesus is the light of the world.

How was your Christmas? What is your favorite part of Christmas?


Merry Christmas Season,
Christine

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Organic Cotton + Scholarship Yoga Apparel

Eco Ethical Workout Apparel

Organic Cotton Yogawear, Ambar Strap Back Tank | c/o Satva

All natural, organic cotton, donation participation in their India GiveBack Program
 Organic Cotton Activewear, Esha Capri | c/o Satva
All natural, organic cotton, donation participation in their India GiveBack Program

Running Sneakers (size E wide!) | New Balance

Not ethically produced

WOW! I found this in my drafts and realized that I never published it. Well, as some people, in some places say, "better late than never."

Okay, so I would never consider myself a gym rat nor an exercise addict (no, that was the old me). Now, I work out for the adrenaline rush, because when I don't I feel gross, and because I know that it is a great way to control stress (thank you, grad school). As an ethical fashion blogger, I make my casual fashion purchasing decisions ethically, however, I haven't yet ventured into exercise apparel. When I received an email from the ecofashion exercise apparel and yogawear brand Satva, asking to review a few pieces, of course I said yes! I especially find their scholarship program (India GiveBack Program) cool because it provides education scholarships to children of farmers who harvest the cotton used in this apparel! These photos are old so they don't sell this style anymore, but I actually have a pair of their new leggings (which I did a post on) and I prefer because the cut hugs better and the cotton is softer to the touch (so soft I use them to sleep). haha.

What are your favorite ethically made active wear brands?

Product Review

Organic Cotton Yogawear, Ambar Strap Back Tank | c/o Satva

5/5 stars for this top! The organic cotton knit is a breathable medium weight which hugs your body just enough so that any upside-down workouts will not have your belly showing. It's comfortable enough to sleep in. I also love that there are two removable cup inserts which means (yes, ladies) no bra! Not to mention the rad back design, and if you are a sweater, like me, these will be very helful for back ventilation. ;)

 Organic Cotton Activewear, Esha Capri | c/o Satva

3/5 starts for these capris. Although I aboslutely love the cut outs and how it hugs my large calves and thighs, the hip-waist cut is too straight to properly support my bottom.  I took these for a run and had to keep tugging the waistband for them to stay up. I would recommend the bottoms for people with small bottoms (AKA the less shapey ladies) and for those who do exercise which involves less rapid movement.

Wishing you a blessed and beautiful July,

Christine

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Fair Trade Fashion Show Fundraiser

Happy July everyone! Although I'm in Guatemala, I am excited to share with you all an awesome event coming up in the Southern California region! The ethical fashion boutique Bead & Reel is putting on the third annual Fair Trade Fashion Show Fundraiser in Los Angeles, California. This fashion show uses fair trade and sustainable fashion as a platform to raise awareness about the realities of human trafficking (slavery happening today). It is also a way to educate us consumers on fair trade fashions that are modern and follow current trends. A lot of people think that fair trade products are soaps and ugly scarves that look like they are from the 90s, however, just look around my blog and you will see that it is no longer true! My style ranges from classic cuts to comfy casual wear!

Three years ago, when I was interning at Sudara Goods, Bead & Reel held their first fashion show fundraiser. Unfortunately I could not make it, but if I was there this year, I would so be there! Let me know if you go and let me know how it goes! Thank you for making an impact with your purchase and your time, because investigating ethical fashion isn't always easy. YOU ROCK!


Jesus love to you always,

Christine

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On a Cloudy Day

Infinity Scarf with Randa || Teixchel 

Handmade from nontoxic thread by Guatemalan artisans

Quetzal Backpack || c/o Kakaw Designs

Handmade by Guatemalan artisans

Back in the U.S. and enjoying a bit of early summer here with the fields of yellow flowers in every rural, free patch of land and allergies flying everywhere giving me the sniffles and sneezies. It's great to be back home for a while with family and visiting friends. It's also graduation season, including my own, so that's super exciting! 

As I'm here of course I brought some Guatemala with me. I'd like to introduce Teixchel on my bloggie, a weaving association in Guatemala where they make scarves, purses, curtains and pillows from nontoxic threads. Definitely check them out on IG too - @teixcheltejidos . They are a small start up which just began their online presence. I actually started working with them in the beginning of this year because I fell in love with their passion for tradition and taking care of their environment! :)

Well, that's all for now, have an amazing week!

Think positive, praise God,

Christine

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Photo Credit: Safra from Tea n' Hunny

SOLO Polarized Sunglasses

Malawi Solo Sunglasses

Short post today! (I actually took these photos a few months ago and finally am posting.) So folks, after my last pair of sunnies got scratched to the point where I don't wear them, I went on a search for a new pair - ethically sourced of course. To my delight, a while back, I happened upon "37 entrepreneurs to watch for in 2017." As I was reading I found some really cool up and coming brands and then spotted SOLO eyewear. I found the shape I liked and after realizing that they are good quality and polarized on top of using recycled material I ordered my pair. I actually really love them! They are strong and because they are polarized my eyes aren't screaming because of the strong sun. The price point is acceptable, considering the quality and that you are also helping fund eyecare and eyewear across the world.

I reached out for an interview but never received a response, either to my follow up, so the following information is from their website. According to their website, 10% of profits go to funding eye exams, eyeglasses and cataract surgery in, to date, 32 countries. They also use repurposed plastic and bamboo for their frames. They are polarized, which I love because it definitely is less stress on my eyes in a sunny place like Guatemala. haha. One coinkidink is that their sunglass cases and cords are made with a weaving group right in Panajachel, Guatemala!

Happy Monday,

Christine

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Elle Evans Sustainable Swimwear

Reversible Sustainable Swimwear in Palm Print

10% discount with the code BEYOUTIFUL 

Expires: February 18, 2017

Hey everyone! So, I haven't ever done a photoshoot of me on this blog in swimwear because I never found it appropriate or felt confident enough to do it. However, over the past three years I have been looking across the internet for CUTE sustainable swimwear that is tasteful and comfortable and high quality. Finally I found my perfect fit! This reversible two piece, is made out of recycled bottles! It is also printed with with water based, non toxic dyes and each order is made to the order.  I found that totally cool. Then I saw the price point, which is over $100 (but I used my discount above) for the set and was like, yieks! However, I thought... okay Christine. I buy swimwear once in a blue moon. Make this piece work for years and instead of buying one in the next six years, appreciate this for what it is. Also, that it's reversible makes it versatile four ways. :) I made a skirt out of mesh I bought from my local fabric store because the bottoms are a bit cheeky for me. As for comfort of this, IT IS SO SOFT TO THE TOUCH, and to think it was made out of recycled bottles. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Definitely an investment piece, but worth it for me!

Interview with Tanya Evans, Sales Director at Elle Evans Swimwear

1. What made you begin Elle Evans Swimwear?

I've always loved sewing and fashion and that combined with my love of the sea meant swimwear was always my passion. 

2. What about the fashion industry brought you to begin a sustainable swimwear line?

but after working in the industry for several years I was shocked at the amount of waste even a small company creates. Everything from the wasted fabric scraps to the amount of interdepartmental paper used! When I started my own label I made the decision to be as sustainable as possible. 

3. What critiques do you see in the ethical fashion industry?

I think it's very easy to say "this type of fabric is ethical" or "that company is unethical" but it's not always that black and white. I think the best thing we as consumers can do is look for company's that are open and transparent in their processes and make our choices from there. When in doubt, ask!

4. How is purchasing from your company making a difference in the environment? Socially? 

The fabric we use ECONYL® is made using waste such as old dredged up fishing nets and used carpets that are then regenerated into a beautiful nylon fabric. The creation of ECONYL® products are actually “waste positive”, this means the amount of waste removed from the earth is greater than the amount of waste resulting from production.  Aside from the fabric our products are designed with a longer lifecycle in mind and are built to last!

5. Where is the material produced?

ECONYL® recovers waste from all over the world; Canada, USA, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Thailand. Their fabric is produced in Slovenia.

6. Where is the apparel sewn and how did you find them? Do they also follow sustainable practices?

Our swimwear is all made in-house in Melbourne, that way we an ensure the best working conditions, fair wages and sustainable practices! 

7. Every company has issues and is always looking to improve. What does the future of Elle Evens Swimwear hold in regards to increasing environmental and social responsibility and business expansion?

We are still such a young company and there is so much we'd love to be able to do in terms of our environmental and social impact. Personally I'd love to be able to put more energy into consumer education, especially for younger shoppers, I think learning about the impact of buying that $10 T-shirt before your at the age where your buying your own clothes will help define this next generation as Eco-conscious shoppers.  

8. Where do you see yourself and your company in 5 years? 10 years?

Obviously is love to see our company grow, however I never intended this to be a large company and there are some fundamental principals we won't abandon that will restrict our growth, such as manufacturing locally. In 5 to 10 year I hope to see our company (and companies like ours) become more mainstream, my hope is that as shoppers become more concerned with environment they'll seek out sustainable products more and more. 

9. What is the inspiration for the cuts and prints and who is your target customer?

My inspiration usually comes from nature, I always end up designing a collection when I'm on holiday! Usually the print comes to me first, and the 'theme' of the collection follows. This collection my muse was a young Brooke Shields in blue lagoon. Her white cotton outfit that becomes more ragged and that she drapes and knots around her as she grows up became the inspiration for the knotted features, the white mesh fabrics and the fact that many pieces in this collection are reversible or can be worn various ways!

To me our target market is anyone who wants fashion forward swimwear but cares about what effect that swimwear might have on the environment! I like to think that we cater for all body types, and ages too with the addition of our TEENSY and TINY collections!

Ready to swim and take in the sun,

Christine

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