Christy Dawn x Madewell Collection

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I’m almost too excited to type a blog post, but attention everyone: two of my favorite brands teamed up for a collection. Two brands that are passionate about sustainability + fair trade practices. This is not a drill! Madewell and Christy Dawn have a joint collection! They sent me the dawn midi dress to check out and share with you all.

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The Dawn Midi Dress

My favorite thing about Christy Dawn is that their dresses are elegant. I’m usually rocking a Canadian tuxedo (denim on denim for lyfe) so it’s nice switching it up and wearing a dress that makes me want to prance around in flower fields and write poetry. Christy’s simple designs and quality materials make for a really dreamy collection.

Madewell is making strides to be more sustainable and also use fair-trade practices. It’s great to see two big names in the apparel industry working together. I recommend checking them both out and supporting brands that care about people and the planet. See more photos from the photo shoot with @Cherthismoment below:


Fauxgerty: Conscious and Sustainable Fashion

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On this blog I evaluate each line of clothing that I try on three principles, The Triple P’s: people, profit, and planet. I have a background in environmental science and currently work in the sustainable apparel industry, so I love diving deeper into ethical + sustainable supply chains and finding ways to support responsible businesses. I’m especially inspired by brands created by women, that embody both environmentalism and women empowerment.

Today I’m excited to be share my take on Fauxgerty, a sustainable brand designed by a fellow St. Louisan Chrissy Fogerty. I tried one of their popular dresses, The Fiona in black.

This dress felt like a quality material and is made from mostly tencel (a sustainable eucalyptus fiber), organic cotton and some spandex. It has a v-neck and a side-zipper to gather the waist. I’m a fan and wore it to a friends bridal shower with a few compliments! :) As a petite person, I love the length of the dress and it falls slightly above my ankles. I don’t drown in it and it’s got a nice movability to it. The material is thick enough not to be transparent, but light enough that you won’t feel overly hot. It can be dressed up or dressed down depending on what you pair it with and looks great styled with a hat! I paired it with brown sandals and a gold vintage necklace.

I was happy to see that the size range is 00 - 24 and that size-accessibility is also about of Fauxgerty’s mission as well.

“I want to create a brand as mindful about what we put on our bodies as what we put in them.”

– Chrissy Fogerty, Founder & Designer

The Triple P’s

People : There’s a story behind who makes each piece of clothing, which helps consumers stay connected to the supply chain and know their clothes aren’t being made with exploitative practices. Their sewers in Alabama are paid 71% over minimum wage and offered a good benefits in a safe facility. It’s sad this isn’t the norm everywhere, but I commend them for making significant efforts to help this become the norm!

Profit : Their prices are on the more accessible end compared to other clothing lines with maxi-dresses that I’ve reviewed. I would say they’re comparable to a Madewell or Everlane type brand with prices and luckily you can very easily find a selection of sale items. Most of the dresses I saw fell somewhere in between $125-175. Given their manufacturing processes, this doesn’t seem too steep and feels justifiable.

Planet : They incorporate eco-friendly fabrics into their pieces including certified organic cotton, leather alternatives and deadstock vintage fabrics. I’m particularly a fan of the use of deadstock (rescued leftover fabric that usually goes to a landfill) to repurpose discarded fabrics. They also make each design in limited runs, to reduce the waste from unsold clothing. I’d love to follow them on their journey and learn more about the ways they reduce carbon and water waste, but I have faith they’ll continue to innovate.

All in all, I’m really thrilled to see how this brand grows and am thankful that they’re making an effort to change the way we do fashion. Check them out here and follow along on my instagram to get more updates


Should you leave someone you love? : Heart to Heart Advice

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Thank you everyone who submitted questions for my new advice column on life, love and wellness. While I may not have all the answers, I have some and thank you for trusting me to explore these topics with you. First up is a question from a young woman in a long term relationship that’s grappling with a difficult choice.

“How do you know when it’s time to leave someone you love, that loves you and treats you well”

This is a tricky situation. You love someone, they love you, they’re respectful and kind, but you still have doubts. There’s no glaring red-flags or toxicity, but you’re feeling unfulfilled. To start, having doubts can be normal and relationships flow in and out of passion. It’s not unusual to question things, especially if you’ve been in a relationship routine with this person for a while. Some of those passionate feelings might develop into something more familial.

My sister once told me that it’s unreasonable to wait until you no longer love someone to leave, because often times the love doesn’t go away. Maybe it changes into something else, but it’s usually still there somehow.

You can love someone, but still need to grow in a different direction. When you feel that little feeling in your soul tugging you in a different direction, it’s wise to listen to it. Give yourself enough time to journal, meditate, process and make a pros and cons list. Truly listen to yourself and what you need.

The truth is, love is not enough or the sole reason to be with someone. I love certain family members, but that doesn’t mean I want to live with them or even spend lots of time with them. You can love someone from a distance or still have love for people no longer in your life.

Personally, when i’ve had similar thoughts I would avoid taking time to sit with myself and truly think about it — probably because I knew deep down exactly what I needed to do. I stayed busy and did everything BUT think about how I really felt about someone to avoid difficult conversations, but that only keeps you stagnant and stuck.

I believe when you’re meant to be with someone, you’ll end up with them. Even if that means you take space now to get in touch with what you want. You’ll find your way back to each other if it’s right.

I can’t tell you if you should leave, but it might be a good idea to get honest with yourself and your partner. Have you communicated some of your dissatisfaction or need for growth to your partner? If not, you could start there and open the door to those conversations so your partner isn’t in completely in the dark. Then start doing some soul searching and focusing on loving yourself. What do you need? Do you want to take time to be alone focusing on other things, are you craving new adventures with new people, or are you just unhappy and in need of change?

Be real with yourself and allow yourself the space to figure it out. Be honest that you don’t know and take it one step at a time.

love + light,

Leah T

If you’d like to submit an anonymous question to Heart to Heart, click here

You Are Here, Still Rising: An Excerpt From My Journal

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3/15/19

One day you will learn that you will meet people who don’t understand you on your journey. Resist the urge to convince them to value you. It’s okay to close a chapter or run away from anything that makes you feel like less of yourself, it doesn’t make you a failure or unloveable.

Just because someone doesn’t see the light in you, doesn’t mean you don’t get to, too.

Remember it’s okay to make mistakes and free yourself from shame anytime you’re able to. The tears you cry and the grief you carry, softens you. This pain can be your power. You want people to grow and be good people, but know where they end and you begin. Their faults are not your obligations to correct and yours aren’t theres. Know these feelings, all feelings, are only temporary.

Be proud of yourself, you are strong. You are still here, still rising, mending, striving and you didn’t give up on life.

You are here. Exactly where you need to be. Don’t get lost in the chaos and clutter. Steer clear. xo

I wrote this in my journal in March and felt really compelled to share it after re-reading it all these months later for whoever may need this. Remember you are still here, still rising, mending, striving. That’s so beautiful.

Journaling has been a really helpful part of my life since I began last year. It helps me get in touch with myself and have a safe space to reflect, decompress and let my thoughts flow candidly. Thank you for reading and love + light to you.

Leah T

My Thoughts on Wellness: An interview with Pretty Mushroom

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I had the pleasure of chatting with Pretty Mushroom about self care and wellness. Read an excerpt from our talk below and see the full interview here

Here at Pretty Mushroom, we have been interested in topics surrounding self-care/wellness. The term self-care specifically is starting to become an overused buzzword in marketing and news outlets. Separating out what self-care means for you personally means ignoring a lot of marketing jargon and messaging. We all have to remember that self- care doesn't have to be expensive or exclusive. Given that, we are introducing an interview series where we ask people what self-care and wellness mean to them. Here, we interview Leah Thomas, @GreenGirlLeah, wellness and environmental justice writer living in Santa Barbara, CA. She works full-time at a sustainable apparel company and, in her free time, writes on her blog. 

How do you define self-care? 

Self-care has grown in meaning for me over the years. Currently, self-care means doing things that nurture and nourish my soul. I have anxiety and I’ve stopped hoping one day I’d wake up without it or be “cured”, with self-acceptance I’ve found ways to manage it with a self-care routine that includes working out regularly, creating time to be creative and learn new things (like guitar and woodworking), finding community, strengthening supportive friendships and trying to create an imperfect, healthy-ish, lifestyle with good food and products. My goals have shifted, I don’t want to be cured of things about myself that I don’t like or things I can’t control, I just want to practice self-care so I can manage it and so the symptoms don’t impact my day as much.

There’s a lot of stigma surrounding mental wellness, but honestly, if someone had another chronic health condition no one would question their need to make lifestyle changes that support their physical health. I’ve adopted a similar outlook, one without shame, about taking time for myself unapologetically.  

How do you start your day? If it differs from day to day, describe your ideal morning. 

My days differ and I’m still working on a morning routine, but an ideal day for me would include yoga, a warm shower, tea, and a positive podcast (likely Oprah) to start the day.

What measures do you take when you feel off-balance/stressed? 

When I feel stressed, I practice positive self-talk and self-soothing practices. I used to let my stress fester, but the body always keeps score and it’ll surface sometime later. When I feel off-balance, I acknowledge it and say to myself “Okay, I’m feeling this” and recognize the feelings that are present without shame or judgment. I remind myself that all feelings will pass and also ask what I need. If that means watching Netflix when I get home and not being social I’ll do it or if that means maybe I need to go on a run or to a yoga class, I’ll do that. 

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☆ I'm Launching An Advice Column ☆

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I’ve always been a fan of advice columns and it’s been my dream to start one. I’m excited to launch a new section of my website called Heart to Heart: An advice column on love, life and wellness on July 1st. To start, I’ll need questions to answer! You can submit anonymously via this link or by email at greengirlleah@gmail.com

I’m taking questions on wellness, love + dating, sustainable living, career and any other dilemma you might be facing. I’ll answer all questions without judgement and complete anonymity.

My experience: Well i’m no therapist, but I’ve attended a few therapy sessions! In all seriousness though, in my experience as a wellness blogger I’ve learned a few things and I feel confident that I can answer your question with empathy, compassion and zero judgement. I’m not an expert but I’ve been trained in peaceful conflict resolution and have a lot of funny, and not so funny, life experiences that have taught me a lot. Sometimes we all need a listening ear and I’d like to be that for you! I’m looking forward to this new section of the site and can’t wait to listen to you all!

All questions welcome, please no trolls…, but don’t be shy. No question is ever dumb.

Love + Light

Leah T

Christy Dawn: Ethical, Sustainable and Elegant Dresses

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Christy Dawn makes some of the most majestic dresses I’ve ever seen. They’re simple, but elegant and most importantly—made sustainably. I’ve never felt so beautiful in a dress, maybe prom, but my Christy Dawn Petite Elsa Dress is a close tie.

I’m an advocate for sustainable fashion because of the intense environmental impact of the fashion industry. I want to spotlight brands here that are taking strides to be more ethical and sustainable. Christy Dawn is one of those brands that I’m really happy to tell you about.

The fashion industry is responsible for over 20% of the world’s industrial water pollution. This is largely caused by the toxic chemicals used to transform raw materials into textiles. Christy Dawn uses deadstock fabric, collected and recycled from fashion mills and other designers, as an innovative solution to decrease their environmental footprint during manufacturing. Using deadstock means limited fabrics and colorways and less waste that ends up in landfills. You can feel special knowing you have a one of a kind dress made in L.A.

“No matter how a piece of clothing looks, it cannot be considered beautiful if, in producing it, the environment is destroyed or people are exploited. When deciding on where we spend our money, we all have an obligation to consider how a product is made and the impact its process has on the planet and its people” ~Christy Dawn

Let’s get into the dress. I decided to take it on a vacation to Joshua Tree (one of my favorite places) and it made me feel powerful, elegant, and soft all at the same time. Firstly, I’m 5’3 so I get really excited when brands have a petite line. The amount of petite dresses in Christy’s collection is increasing and the fit worked well enough for me to wear boots underneath. I love showing off my boots so this was an extra plus on the design team’s part. Maxi dresses for petite gals can be a challenge with getting the proportions right, but this fit was great.

The Elsa dress is a wrap dress, that surprisingly didn’t unravel and blow all over the place in the desert, with a plunge neckline and A-line skirt. It pairs really well with a set of heels, boots, and a pair of earrings. You can find the Dawn Dress in several patterns on the website.

In addition to manufacturing sustainably, Christy values her workers and even highlights them on the product pages. There’s a story behind every dress and Christy Dawn is transparent about the ethical process and support of their workers. They pay a premium for some of the most talented seamstresses in L.A. and pay a living wage and offer health benefits and paid vacations. Knowing the dresses are made in a supportive environment makes me adore the brand even more. Okay, i’m a fan as you can see.

So, how does Christy Dawn stack up with the triple p’s (people, profit, planet)? They treat their people well and ethically, the products are on the higher end side $$, but they’re making tremendous efforts to minimize their environmental impact and pay a living wage. I give them an A with the triple p’s and would recommend looking at the line for special occasions.

What are you waiting for, grab yourself a dress and make this world a beautiful and better place! Check out more pictures from my trip to Joshua Tree below and follow them on instagram @ChristyDawn

How To Declutter While Helping The Environment

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This piece is brought to you by guest writer, Alice Robertson reached out to share her tips on cleaning your house while also being mindful of the environment. So sit tight and learn more about decluttering your house just in time for spring cleaning!

By: Alice Robertson 

Getting rid of the extra stuff you have is a great way to clean up and breathe more easily in your own house. If you’ve ever had the urge to purge, be careful about what you do with your clutter. Some household items, such as clothing and textiles, can adversely impact the environment by creating greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s how you can declutter without hurting the earth.

Start with the big stuff

1. Work with your local recycling center on big-ticket items

Your big-ticket items, such as your microwave, larger appliances, bed, and tools don’t have to go straight to the dump. Instead, you can contact a recycling center to help you out. Recyclingis usually handled by a mix of local government and private businesses. Finding your local recycling center isn’t hard with a little online searching. They can take your old items, whether that means picking them up or having you drop them off.

2. Recycle your bed

According to the Seattle Times, mattresses are bulky and occupy a large portionof landfills. You can find nonprofits and other green companiesthat are dedicated to taking your mattress off your hands and turn it into a variety of other things. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, look for one that’s been made with fewer toxic chemicals and petroleum products. Maintain your mattress with care to make it last as long as possible.

Digitize in a green way

1. Give electronics a new home

Don’t throw your old cell phone away! There are nonprofits and charitiesyou can donate to that will give your items to people in developing countries to help reduce the global digital divide. You can also donate old laptops and other computer parts to be reused for electronic purposes.

2. Scan your photos and documents

 You don’t have to worry about losing precious photos, because if you scan them and upload them to a cloud server, you can look at them whenever you want. Plus, they never lose their quality that way. You can also scan important documents, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and even driver’s licenses. 

Clean green

1. Use lightweight cleaning appliances

After you’ve cleaned the house, keep it up. An easy way to do this is by investing in a good vacuum. Using lightweight household appliances, like vacuums, is a good way to literally lighten your chore load, because they’re accessible to everyone in the house and they store in convenient, small places. 

2. Clean with nontoxic items

We know that some household cleaners aren’t gentleon the environment. Wet wipes can be dangerous for marine life and don’t disintegrate. Antibacterial soap isn’t always necessary and can even hurt your immune system. Aerosol cans contain ozone-destructive gases. Instead, turn to natural cleaners. You can use vinegar and lemon juice as part of your all-purpose cleaning regimen. Baking soda is also great for neutralizing bad odors and cleansing grease and grime. Castile soap is also a good all-purpose cleaner.

Keep the clutter down

1. Stop clutter before it starts

Once you’ve made a dent in your decluttering, it’s important to not fall into sloppy habits again. Stop shopping as frequently, or make a rule to only buy what’s on your list. If it wasn’t on your list when you got to the store, then you don’t need it. 

2. Re-gift

There are some items you may have never even touched and don’t know what to do with. You might be given something you know you’ll never use. Now’s the perfect time to give that gift to someone who will actually use it. Take it to weddings, white elephant parties, or a friend’s birthday party.

Decluttering is great for your mental health. Tidying up your house will help you focus more on the important relationships in your life. You won’t have as much of a to-do list, and you’ll be helping the environment. As long as you keep the house clean and the clutter down, you’re well on your way to a tidier way of living.