Sitting here…..

Just thinking about all the thoughts in my mind that I need to harness and put down into words!

Some things to update…..my hair is now brown again.  I don’t know why on earth I ever decide to dye it blonde as inevitably the novelty wears off in 2 weeks.  I just get bored with it being so plain old brown and boring.  But anyway, now I’m back to being brown and it doesn’t feel boring at all!

Today I bought some new shirts.  This is the first purchase of new clothes I have made in a very long time.  I can’t remember the exact date but I did complete the challenge I set.  No new clothes for spring or summer.  Unfortunately, this whole ethical fashion challenge has kind of backfired.  Instead of feeling empowered and enthused about trying to support green, ethical fashion, I find myself feeling completely deprived, longing for something brand new, I don’t care where the clothing comes from and how it was made- oh my gosh just let me feel fashionable again. I am sick of feeling/ looking quirky.  I just want some new classic clothes so I can feel halfway normal again.  Oh it’s so funny that the complete opposite has happened to what I expected.  My heart is just bleeding to spend money.  My capitalistic, consumer-driven desire is on fire.

In other news…call me crazy but I want a dog.  Yes, I know.  What has happened to me.  It’s like I’ve become possessed or something.  But I do miss having a dog around.  I don’t actually miss Jasper as he caused us so much stress and tension but surely not all dogs are like Jasper, right?  Some people seem to really love and adore their doggies, and these dogs add to their owners lives, not suck the life out of their owners like Jasper did!  Sooo…..we’ll see what happens.  Obviously any decision we make in this regard will not be made lightly.

Allright, that’s enough from me.  I am taking my crazy self off to bed to prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.  You heard me, I am a teacher who plans in bed.  Ha.

Green Fashion Update

Thought I’d better update on how this little challenge is going!  So far no new clothes have been purchased & I’ve found a few funky second hand or upcycled garments, either online or at the charity shops.  I must say that in general I’ve been enjoying the challenge & I haven’t been tempted to purchase new clothes (even when Christina took me to DFO!!!!).

However, I have bought a few things on the shoes, underwear & swimwear front.  I suppose that has given me my fix!!!!!  I debated about whether or not to buy each item but in the end it has been rather hard to find ethical/fair trade/ enviro conscious goods in these areas & some of these things you would definitely prefer new, not used!

Clothing Challenge

Well I’ve been tossing this idea around in my mind for the past few days & I have now decided that I am going to go for it.  

The challenge is to not buy any new clothes for the rest of the year.  That means no new clothes for spring or summer.

I really have my wonderful husband to thank for my new found inspiration.  He is studying a subject on environmental issues/ ecological sustainability & how this interacts with design.  Seeing as he will be designing & producing objects in the future, it’s really important to think about the way in which he will contribute to the environmental problems our world faces.  He has really got me thinking about how many THINGS we have in modern society, & all the energy and resources that go into making these things which we then inevitably throw away.  Now I know you are probably thinking about how the other day I was posting on how much I loved my new gadget- a yoghurt maker, & now I’ve completely turned around & am preaching about how we don’t need to be so selfish with our material possessions!  But, I have been thinking that it’s not the objects themselves which are the problem- it’s more our attitude & if we think more seriously about each purchase that we make, then we will probably make wiser purchasing desicions.

So- clothing is one area where I wish to make better choices.  To be honest, I have not been inspired by fashion for a long time.  Everything looks the same, it’s often poor quality & made in China in sweatshops.  When I think about all the energy & resources that go into making fabric, then all the energy & resources that go into turning that fabric into clothing, then all the energy & resources that go into transporting the clothing all around the globe, then how they sit in shops (which also chew through energy & resources what with the lighting & electricity & advertising on tv & in print).  Then I buy the piece of clothing & probably only wear it for one season, then I give it to the Salvos- which is obviously better than throwing it away, but I still think I can do more to limit the ecological footprint of my clothing purchases.

So- no new clothes for me.  I will only be buying second hand clothes (& I’m lucky that there are some great vintage/ designer recycled clothing boutiques in Adelaide) or upcycled clothing (see www.heidi&seek.com.au), or handmade clothing (not mass produced).  I hope to post some photos of my purchases so you may be inspired too!

Oh & I should mention that underwear does not fall into this category!