Last night I watched a Netflix series - all about Fast Fashion. It really made me think - about all the clothing waste - and the environmentally harmful process.
In 1980's, the average American bought 12 new items of clothing in a year. Today, we buy an average 80 new things. And, so many of those things are worn only a few times, and many end up in the landfill. The average American throws away 80 pounds of clothes a year.
Even oif you think you do a good thing by donating them - many of them end up as trash. In NY city, one Salvation Army creates 18 tons of unwanted clothes in 3 days.
Brands used to create clothing for 4 seasons a year (spring, summer, fall, and winter). Today, fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M have 52 seasons a year (or really weeks). With new clothing coming into the store 4 times per week.
Most of our clothes - are made cheaply - and of synthetic fabrics, which are made from 324 billion barrels of oil each year. If you think about it, that faux-leather jacket - it is actually made from oil.
All of this fashion is taking a toll on the environment. Our natural resources are being used - increasing the carbon emissions in the process. To create fabrics like viscose, forests are being cut down, leaving barren land - causing soil erosion - and in turn increasing carbon in the atmosphere. Factories that are creating fabrics are emitting harmful pollutants into the air and water. Then, these items get to the store to be bought and then "thrown away". All of that to wear something a few times...
We all talk about wearing clothes more - mixing and matching - and "shopping our closet" - and it really can make a difference. If everyone would wear one piece of clothing 9 months longer - it could reduce the carbon footprint by 30%.
This has given me something to think about... and, I almost feel guilty sharing "my daily finds and deals". I think it is okay to shop - I love shopping, but it has made me consider - what I buy - how much I buy - how much will I wear it - what is it made of - where was it made...
So with those thoughts to ponder - I will share my picks of the week.
MOST POPULAR ITEMS
This striped tank - from a favorite brand - and something that is classic and will last.
It is hard to believe it is Memorial Day. There are a lot of great Memorial Day sales happening. It also important to remember that this day is not just for sales and a day off of work, but to remember and honor those that have served and died serving our country. Thank you to all those men and women.
Since a lot of us will be heading back to the office soon, I have a feeling we may be doing some shopping to buy some new things to wear.
I personally would be okay if I never returned to the office - and I hope I can prolong working from home as long as possible. I mentioned in another post that working from home has been amazing! I am more productive and feel so much healthier. I read that 60% of workers have said during this pandemic they have felt just as productive or more productive while working from home. And, they are less stressed. Working from home is also helping the environment in the process. During this pandemic the carbon emissions have dropped by 17% - which is unprecedented; however, as things have started top open up - our emissions are going up again.
Since I have been home, I have been mastering the process of coloring my own hair. It is something I have always wanted to do - and this "stay at home" order gave me the motivation to give it a try. I have to say it is a learning process - especially trying to figure out which way to move my hand to apply the color to the roots - when looking at the back of my head in the mirror. I am amazed at how well it has turned out - and I picked a color that I think actually is better than what my stylist had been using. Most of all - I have to say I am loving the cost savings. I am saving about $70 per month, which is a lot of money!
Since we are all doing a lot of cooking at home, I thought I would share my 10 kitchen essentials. I use pretty much most of these on a daily basis.
I have learned that good, healthy cooking is pretty easy. It typically starts with a base - like onions and garlic - to which you add spices and herbs, vegetables, and meat. For me made from scratch food tastes so much better than any pre-packaged meals. Growing up, I never ate any processed foods. I don't think I ever had a microwaved dinner. And, still today, I only eat homemade food. Also, I would suggest not using any "seasoning packets" - you can easily create your own spice mixes or grind the spices from seeds or dried peppers.
The more I cook, I have realized that I love Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Indian-inspired foods - like stir fry, hummus, mole and re-fried beans, and curry. I love Italian-inspired foods - but not necessarily straight-forward Italian, like spaghetti.
BEST STIR FRY
Last night, we had beef stir fry. It was grated ginger, garlic, scallions, some vegetables - carrots and broccoli - and beef (and you could use chicken or shrimp). The sauce was soy sauce, dry sherry (real alcohol - not vinegar) - a little sesame oil, corn starch, and a little white sugar. At the end sprinkle with some sesame seeds. That is it. It is really simple.
10 KITCHEN ESSENTIALS
This classic chef's knife. There is not a day that goes by that I do not use this knife. I use it to chop pretty much everything. I have been doing a lot of chopped salads - and it is great for chopping the kale and lettuces.
I have owned this microplane grater for years. It is great for grating ginger, garlic, lemon/lime zest - which we used in many of our recipes.
I could not live without this paring knife. I use it for peeling apples, ginger, and rough cutting vegetables.
My covered sauce pan. I use this to make my favorite oatmeal each morning - or homemade caramel sauce - or my favorite rice.
This cookbook - it is all the basics. It really helps to explain the basis of foods - and how to build on them to modify recipes - and make some tasty meals.
It's the weekend. I had a busy work week as usual. I am ready to relax - and to not be stuck at my computer on chats and calls.
I have to say though that I am loving working from home. It is so nice to be able to make my lunch - have a clean bathroom - a clean office - and the comforts of home. I actually wouldn't mind if I ever went back to an office. I actually feel more productive at home - and enjoy working more - now that I am not commuting - and sitting in an office building all day. I feel healthier - and have been happier.
I would hope that businesses would look at how they are still able to get work done (and possibly more work) with people telecommuting - and there is less pollution to the environment - and less stress on employees that don't have long commutes each day. I love that I don't have to get up as early - and that I can stay up as late as I want - and still be ready to work (and more awake) at the beginning of the day! I actually am able to be ready to work earlier in the day. It's a win-win for my employer!
Those are my thoughts on working from home... now, on to my daily finds...
Happy Thursday! I hope you have had a great week so far.
I have debated writing this, but since I have struggled with this brand new - yet troublesome - Apple iMac for months - I wanted to share my experience in hopes to save others from the headache of buying an iMac.
I should preface this by saying I have worked on Apple (Mac) computers for over 20 years. I am very familiar with how they should run. This new machine definitely does not live up to my expectations - and honestly, it runs worse than my 2014 iMac (and even my 2013 MacBook Air). And, according to Apple, there is no problem with this machine - it performs as it should.
I would also like to include - these issues are not related to my Internet speed or connection.
5 REASONS TO NOT BUY A NEW APPLE IMAC
#1 Unresponsive
The spinning wheel has become a constant companion with this machine. It seems to come around anytime I want to do anything. And, I mean anything - from opening System Preferences - to an application - to a file. It doesn't matter the size of the file - or what I try to open - how little or how much I have open - it is just spins.
#2 Little power
It has very little power. I have to limit what I can open and run at the same time.
#3 Slow
It runs extremely slow with pretty much anything I want to do. It takes forever to shut down, which I have to do often. I usually end-up force quitting the machine because I can only wait for so many minutes before I loose my patience while the machine thinks about if it wants to shut down.
#4 Restart
You pretty much have to shut this machine down every day and start from scratch - just to speed things up - and function at any manageable speed.
#5 Lack of support
I have been calls with Apple (one of them was a very long call) - with no resolve. I have taken the machine to the store a couple of times, where they have run tests, and totally erased my machine and started from scratch. I have erased the machine a few times myself. It is a headache to set up a machine each time - especially with no resolve.
Lastly,...
I have realized through this horrible experience that Apple will drive you crazy trying to fix the machine - even if it just might be a "lemon". They will not do what is right by just giving you a new machine. Their best (and only) solution is to try to fix it - even if they can't find the problem - and it is a huge inconvenience to you.
I am so sorry I bought this machine. It has not been a good experience.
I am sharing what I have been buying at Amazon and Ulta. These days I really have only been buying necessities. I know that our state is starting to open up this week, but I am not too sure how much I will be going out - and doing - so buying spring clothes, and even summer things has not been a priority. There are a lot of great deals - and I have been tempted to buy some clothes that I know I would wear when this lifts. I keep sharing deals - for all of you - that are shopping the great deals.
As far as great deals, I am sharing those two tone beige and black espadrilles above that look just like the Chanel ones (that cost over $700) - and those that I found are only $48, and they also come in a white and black combination.
White is always classic - and can be styled many different ways for spring. I love my black jeans - and typically pair it with white - and I love the idea of mixing an all white look with white jeans, white tee, and white cardigan - and even white mules.
I hope you had a great week. Today I am sharing the most popular items of the week, along with some denim jacket style inspiration.
This spring outfit on Pinterest has been one of the most re-pinned outfits. Denim jackets never seem to go out of style - and are a classic and versatile piece to have in your closet. A denim jacket can be styled with a dress, shorts, skirt, or jeans. It goes with pretty much anything.
We are half way through the week - and I hope you are having a great week so far. Today, I thought I would share my 3 step mascara routine. It has helped me get longer and thicker lashes, for not a lot of cost. And, I definitely can notice a difference.
Also, there are some great summer sales happening. Here are just a few of my picks.
I hope you are relaxing and enjoying the beautiful weather and weekend.
It has been so long since I put an outfit collage together. I have had this idea of a denim-on-denim look with a matching denim shirt and denim jeans for weeks. When I found those leopard mules that are on sale for 55% off - I thought I have to style this classic spring/summer outfit.
As far as the classic denim shirt, I actually own that exact denim shirt in the collage - and I have had it for years. I actually bought it back in 2013 when I was headed to NYC for my summer class at Parsons. That shirt has been so popular and classic - they are still making it 7 years later.
