Hi friends!! I’ve missed being in this space the last week, but I’ve enjoyed the extra time off with my family – and I’ve been brainstorming and writing new content for 2017. I’m excited to be back with regular blog posts starting on Monday.
>> A few nights ago Kevin and I watched Minimalism on Netflix. It’s a documentary that follows the guys who do The Minimalists podcast and blog. It is really interesting, have you seen it? It was great to see some of my favorite minimalists on there, including Joshua Becker (Becoming Minimalist) and Courtney Carver (Project 333). If you haven’t watched it, I recommend it. It’s kind of topical, but it’s a great introduction to the realm of consuming less in our lives. My big takeaway is considering how much media/news/technology I am consuming.
>> A disturbing new article out of the Washington Post takes a crack at some garment factories in the US who are skirting labor laws by underpaying their workers, and contends that cheap prices still come at a cost.
Federal labor investigators and employers draw a direct connection between the meager pay for workers — as low as $4 per hour, according to a government report released last month — and the bargain prices paid by consumers. Over the last two decades, consumer prices in real terms have risen more than 50 percent in the U.S., according to government data, but clothing costs less today than it did 20 years ago.
It’s a reminder that if it seems like too good of a deal, it probably is, even if it’s made in the US. Companies are selling clothing at rock-bottom prices because you and I are buying it. Do you really want that shirt if somebody was paid $4 an hour to make it, while trying to survive living in the US? If you aren’t already, consider staying away from the retailers mentioned in this article.
>> Leah over at Style-Wise put together a great list of Old Navy alternatives. I used to shop Old Navy hard core until about 2.5 years ago. I get why we all love it – their offerings are stylish and it’s cheap enough to buy new clothes for the whole family, all the time. But as we’re learning, those “cheap” prices are costing someone else. It’s been more than two years since I’ve shopped at Old Navy, and I encourage you to consider these alternatives.
>> A great way to inspire simplicity in your kids is with what they read and what you read to them. 10 books to consider.
>> I’m always looking for a good boost to my tresses, and I’m thinking about trying the Powder Puff Volumizing Powder as recommended by Bridget over at Tales of Me and the Husband.
I hope you have a great New Year’s Eve and I’ll catch you on the other side! xo
Thanks for the documentary recommendation! I am adding it to my to do list over this long weekend.
Let me know what you think Page!
Watching the documentary right now! Thanks again for a great recommendation. Happy new year to you and your loved ones!
Hi Niloopa – what did you think?
Happy New Year to you too! :)
Hi Andrea, I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks and I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy it. I want to reduce the “stuff” of life, and your blog has helped me begin to frame that and what it looks like to me. Thank you. The Washington Post article was alarming to me. For several years I’ve looked for the tag “Made in USA”, and there have been times I couldn’t *believe* my good luck in the price of that “Made in USA” item. I did not realize those labor conditions existed in our domestic fashion industry and it was a real wake-up call for me. My husband and I rung in our NYE watching the “Minimalism” documentary – thank you for the suggestion. Overall I found it average, but it gave me a few things to think about, particularly how social media has the same effect as advertising and bringing items into your life because of utility. It also made me think more about what my habits are imprinting on my children, and what I really want them to be saying and remembering about me in 20 years. Wishing you and yours a healthy and fulfilling 2017.
Hi Lindsey! I love your reflections on the documentary, they are so good. You’re right, I often forget to think about what kind of impression I’m leaving on my kids when it comes to stuff or digital consumption. I have fallen into the same boat with “Made in USA” items, but deep down I wonder if I almost didn’t want to acknowledge that there could be a problem here. I’m grateful for this article bringing things to light. I’m so glad to have you here Lindsey! I look forward to hearing from you more. Cheers to less “stuff” in 2017! ;)
I’m fairly new to your blog and just wondered if you’ve ever done a home tour? I’d love to see how your minimalism carries over to how you live.
Hi Kristen!
I haven’t done a home tour…. yet. Mostly that’s because we’ve been renting since we moved to Portland two years ago, and I have been feeling very transient, and not loving the spaces where we’ve lived. However, we are expecting to close on a town home later this month, and I hope to possibly share some home tours in the spring! I’m so glad you asked. We aren’t minimalists by a long stretch, but we have paired down soooo much in the last few years, and it feels amazing!
I’m so guilty of shopping at GAP/Banana/Old Navy almost exclusively. I have a banana rewards card and the store credit builds up so quickly! I realize that I shop Old Navy more for my kids than for me. What are your feelings on ethical fashion for kids clothing? I do frequent consignment sales and love hand-me-downs, but it’s so easy, convenient, and affordable to get the rest at Old Navy.
Hi Michelle, that used to be me too! I even had the card. I found that I definitely bought way more because “it was so cheap” and I wonder if I saved much money! Yes, shopping ethically for kids is hard! Especially if you have a lot of kids, or any kids that are particularly hard on clothes! You’re not the first person to ask me about this, so I think I’m going to put together a blog post on this topic in the near future. So far what has worked for me is shopping lots of second hand (but that takes time), I’ve even bought kid stuff off Poshmark. But the biggest change is just overall buying my kids fewer clothes, but a better quality so they last longer, and were hopefully made in better conditions. For example I stopped buying the cheap Target leggings (that always got holes anyway) and started buying just 2-3 really nice pairs (over time) from Hanna Andersson. I love the quality that Hanna puts out and often their items are made in Peru. But sometimes I do fill in wardrobe gaps for my from Target. I just try not to do it very often.
Yes to Hanna Andersson! I don’t have kids, but we get some of her stuff in at the shop and donors tell me it can go through several kids without significant wear. Seems like the right move if you can network with other parents.
Yes! It really is! I have a few parents I pass to, and a few that pass to me, it’s wonderful! Hannas do hold up beautifully. :)