Every Day Should Be Earth Day

April 22, 2017

When I was 8 there was a terrible storm, one of the strong oak trees in my neighbor’s front yard fell on their house. When I found out the tree had to be cut down I was staunchly against it. So I wrote a petition to not cut down the tree. As a stubborn 8 year old I was out to save the trees with this tree being my first. I remember going around the neighborhood and trying to convince my neighbors not to cut down the tree and to sign my petition. Although in retrospect I understand that this tree was probably a liability and could have endangered my neighbor's family (hindsight is 20/20). Unsurprisingly only a teenager signed my petition and probably my mom.
I chuckle now about how environmentally conscious I was as a child, and how not much has changed. I still want to join Captain Planet and the Planateers and save the planet from ecological disasters. Nevertheless, Earth Day means different things to different people. For me Earth day is every day and I try to be grateful and conscious. Don't forget this is a gradual process, every small effort makes a difference. I feel like there is this notion that becoming more environmentally conscious has to be quick and rapid and I want to tell you it doesn't have to be. I want to also admit that I am pervious to consuming and am not always as conscious as I should be. I don't bring recyclable cups to Starbucks even though I should, I'm not even close to a zero waste life, plus a number of things I'm sure. However, I have made a lot of strides with consuming clothing/things in a more sustainable way and I have so much more room to grow in other areas. I want to encourage you to start small and that all the small things truly make an impact.
Being that its Earth Day I figured it was the perfect time to share my thoughts on how sustainable fashion can happen, some of my favorite resale looks, and since its 2017- 17 tips on how you can get on board to protect our Earth.

1. Shop resale! My mantra is resale is rad. I’ve learned that often the best clothes are not the ones you find in stores. They are waiting for you in other peoples closet looking for another home. Over the past year I have been getting rid of old, too trendy pieces that aren’t very me. I’ve been adding pieces that I think I can wear until I turn 30 (and hopefully after). Some of my favorite resale retailers are eBayPoshmark, Vinted, Vestiare Collective, the Real Real, ThredUp, and Schoola. I also just bought a J. Crew dress from a Facebook Group, so there's that...
2. Shop at your locals farmer's market. Find a farmers' market near you at localharvest.org.
3. Wash your clothes cold, and in full loads like a dishwasher. Cold water uses 90% less energy than hot water!
4. Hang dry some of your laundry. Personally I always hang dry jeans!
5. Buy a concentrated plant based laundry detergent, with third party labels, leaping bunny certified, and without a scent.
6. Carry your lunch in polypropylene #5 containers (#6 and #7 have toxic chemicals). Glass is also a great option and stainless steel as well.
7. Consider how you take your coffee. I have a Nespresso Vertuoline coffee/espresso maker and my favorite part is that the pods are recyclable. Nespresso even sends you their own recyclable bags to ship your pods to their recycling plant with a prepaid label!
8. Recycle your clothes with ThredUp or donate them to a cause via Schoola. I donate gently used clothes to Schoola supporting the Malala Fund. You can also donate gently used kids and women's clothing to a school in need or your own school!
9. Stop buying bottled water from the grocery store and use a different container! I have a weakness to Sparkling Ice's so I hope to get a Soda Stream eventually. Regularly I use this Starbucks You Are Here glass water bottle.
10. Recycle clothes to H&M's donation bins, read more here (you get a 20% off discount). I know, I know H&M is notorious for creating waste alongside a list of social issues but they really are making pledges and strides in addition to being transparent about their brand. If I need basics like plain t-shirts I go ahead and pick up a shirt from the Conscious Collection. Aside from that collection I don't really shop at H&M.
11. Buy earth friendly and girl power supporting brands like Alba Botanica. They sell literally everything beauty face, hair, body, and sun. Their products are vegetarian, have no harsh sulfates, no parabens, no artificial colors, and no animal testing. I love their shampoo and conditioner (everything is wonderful though).
12. Sign environmental, human rights, and sustainable food petitions on Change.org!
13. Save the bees! Support Cheerios #BringBacktheBees and Burt's Bees campaigns!
14. Add An Inconvenient Truth and the Lorax to your watch list. We have to protect the Earth!
15. Shut off lights when you aren't using them, there is nothing chic about wasting electricity (I wish my roommates would listen).
16. Use recyclable bags when shopping!
17. Use freecycle or Craigslist or Goodwill to get rid of old furniture and unwanted things. Since I'm moving this summer I have so much furniture I need to get rid of. I am mainly using Craigslist and am cleaning out my apartment at good speed!
There you go folks, 17 of my tips on how you can get on board and save our Earth. I hope today we all can cherish the Earth a little bit more and work together to support our Planet. What are some tips you have to protect the Earth? Happy Earth Day!

47 comments

  1. I really should consider doing more environmentally friendly things. These were some interesting tips...some i was unaware of. Thanks for sharing!
    www.comfycozyup.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. So beautiful flowers sweetie
    kisses
    Maggie Dallospedale
    Indiansavage.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post dear!
    I love your blog. ☺

    How about follow each other?
    IvaFashionDiary

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are such good tips, thanks for sharing! :) I really don't shop second-hand as much as I should, but as the boys get bigger I'll have more time to spend in the opshops thrifting again :)


    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should Mica, kids clothes are in such abundance especially because children grow out of them so fast! Thank you!

      Delete
  5. Great post just as your all blog. I think that you are an awesome blogger, and I wish you luck in future! Kisses :* If you want, look my blog and follow me if you like it. <3
    CALLOFBEAUTY
    zrinka_skiljo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you lovely! Your compliments are so sweet.

      Delete
  6. Very beautiful flowers
    new beauty review on my blog ---> MyBeautyBox - Let’s Go To Coachella <---
    have an happy day, kisses

    ReplyDelete
  7. I also have some nasty memories related to the storm.A few years ago during the storm began to raining hail.This was my first contact with the hail so intrigued I leaned out and the ball hurricane struck me in the head! Today also laugh it out: D Well and the same A day in the tree that grew up opposite my house struck a lightning :(
    These flowers are beautiful :)
    Regards
    body-and-hair-girl.blogspot.com


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a great story, thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. Oh very great post darling
    Thanks for share with us
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are great tips, and so beautiful flowers.

    Nina's Style Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nina, I'm so passionate about being environmentally conscious.

      Delete
  10. Beautiful photos! I agree that everyday should be Earth day... we have only one Earth! =)


    - Cielo
    Mermaid in Heels

    ReplyDelete
  11. Aw, what a cute little story! I give it to you for creating a petition at such a young age and being so adamant about getting some support, haha, that really is adorable. I love your suggestions for helping to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. I never really thought about how using cold water uses less energy than hot, but it makes sense when you stop to think of it. Thanks so much for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you're having a great start to your week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jalisa, its one of my favorite stories to tell about my childhood. I think so too just like with washing dishes. Hope you're doing well girl!

      Delete
  12. Oh you were such an insightful 8 year old! Great tips! We all have to be more conscious of these things.

    www.jeannieinabottleblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awh thanks Jeanne, I know I was so silly. Agreed!

      Delete
  13. Aww these are beautiful pictures and your tips really make sense. Good on you girl!

    www.busyandfab.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are all great tips, thanks for sharing them. Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's so important to keep the environment + our planet in mind every day, not just Earth Day. Love this post, lady!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the Lorax! And I'm all about hanging clothes to dry. I need to better about remembering my bags for the grocery store though. And I should try reading a book rather than watching TV more often. Little things count right?!

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do too, I have such a hard time bringing reusable bags, but I try to leave them in the car. Agreed! I try to unplug all my chargers and just be more conscious.

      Delete
  17. Absolutely wonderful! I really like this post and photos!
    www.recklessdiary.ru

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is such a great post, I already do a fair few things on this list but there's always room for improvement :)

    Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
    My Instagram | Instagram

    ReplyDelete
  19. These are great tips (didn't know most of them) and the story about the petition is so cute! Incredibly relevant post, well done :)
    LA VEINE

    ReplyDelete
  20. Really interesting post dear! Your photos are wonderful and beautiful so much!
    Like it a lot! Great!

    Visit my blog, HERE

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks great!

    Xx,

    || FLOORTJELOVES ||

    www.floortjeloves.com
    www.bloglovin.com/blogs/floortjeloves-12198253

    ReplyDelete
  22. great list, agree with you! and great picts!!

    marisa - summer in march

    ReplyDelete
  23. Those tulips are so pretty! These are all such great tips Sonia! I didn't know that about H&M, that's a good idea. I love shopping resale too and I always bring reusable bags to the store. Loved your "save the tree" story too :)

    ReplyDelete

© Je M'appelle Chanel. Design by Soulmuse.