(James’ project to celebrate his 100th day of school. He came up with the idea all by himself.)
This was a good week. I felt a little sick Monday and Tuesday, but soon recovered, and I’ve been working on a few behind-the-scenes details for my online store. I’m getting really excited about that, and I hope to share more with you as it develops. This weekend, I’m looking forward to warmer weather and a few family activities. Here are some things that caught my eye this week.
A video depicting “One Size Fits All” clothing, on different body types.
Another video depicting standards of beauty through the centuries.
And while we’re on the subject, this “plus-size” model is the first to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for 2015.
But this “plus-size” model only appears in an ad within the magazine.
A lovely boutique featuring ethical clothing by well-known designers, as well as the store’s own designs.
And Seamly.co’s founder has some inspiring words, despite a recent struggle.
Have a wonderful weekend!
(Lila and Gilead, both by Marilynne Robinson.)
I recently finished Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize winner, Gilead, and its prequel, Lila. Gilead has been on my reading list for a while now, and it’s a really beautiful, contemplative book that I found very slow at times. The novel is written in narrative form without much dialogue at all, and features the letters of John Ames, an elderly pastor nearing the end of his life, writing to his very young son, the product of an unexpected late-in-life marriage. Ames’ life experiences shape the course of the book, and his faith plays a dominant role, almost like another character. I wouldn’t call this a religious novel, but it is definitely an interesting glimpse into the beliefs of the main character. His love for his wife and son is palpable, and I marked many beautiful passages to save for another time. John Ames is a remarkable character, on par with Atticus Finch, and reading his private thoughts is a transforming experience.
Lila, which was released last fall, recounts the story of Ames’ wife, and was a much quicker read for me. Her life before meeting John Ames was truly heartbreaking, and when I read the book in a waiting room or during the boys’ gymnastics class, I found myself stopping often to blink away tears. Lila’s struggles and the rawness of her existence on the edge of society really stand out in contrast to Ames’ quiet, restrained life, though both characters have known their share of pain, which bonds them to each other in the end.
Robinson’s books aren’t sensational or even plot-driven, but they are extremely insightful and reflective of basic human emotions. There’s a third novel in this series, Home, written between Gilead and Lila, though it focuses on a secondary character who appears in Gilead. I’m taking a quick break to read The Girl on the Train, a totally different book, and then I plan to start Home.
Have you read any of Marilynne Robinson’s books? What are you reading now?
(Pink hydrangeas on my dresser.)
Somehow it’s February, and I can’t believe it! The days are passing so quickly, and warmer weather is just around the corner. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been working on a new project, and while it’s still far from completion, I feel confident talking about it now. I’m in the planning stages of opening an online store that will feature ethically curated clothing and accessories!
My love for fair trade and ethically-made clothing is obvious, and while I also love supporting these brands and shopping for new pieces, it’s not really practical or necessary for me to buy things all the time. I try to limit my spending, and when I do buy new clothing, I always seek out ethical pieces. When I shop for gifts, I look for ethical options, and I enjoy giving fair trade presents to people who might not know about the concept yet. What better way to share ethical fashion than by providing it myself?
Over the holidays, I ran across an article about a local fashion shoot that featured several Austin-based ethical stores. The owners of the stores wanted to show that they are working together toward the same goals, and Austin is truly emerging as a leader in fair trade and ethical clothing and accessories. Since I technically live just outside Austin, I realized that my area of town could really use an alternative option to mainstream clothing stores, and the wheels in my head started spinning.
Opening a brick-and-mortar store requires an enormous financial investment, as well as hours and hours of blood, sweat, and tears. As much as I love the idea of running an actual store, that’s not in the cards for me at this point in my life. I’m a busy wife and mom, and while my boys are getting older, they are still quite young and require my undivided attention for large parts of each day. Still, it’s a long-term goal I hope to focus on at some later date.
In the meantime, an online store is a very feasible option, and since I’m pretty schooled when it comes to ethical fashion, this seems like a natural fit for me. I’m starting very small and getting all of my ducks in a row, but my goal is to open by late spring or early summer. I have a name in mind that I’ll announce at a later date, and I’m working with Kory Woodard again to design my store logo. Things are moving along at a steady pace, and I’m really excited about this project. My new store won’t take over the content of my blog at all, and I plan to keep the two quite separate. But I’ll be sure to keep you updated and let you know as soon as the store is ready to open!
