What to do when recycling just doesn’t cut it anymore. Illustration by Mary Long. A plethora of articles have been published over the last few years, explaining how all of our recycling efforts are essentially pointless. That’s a grim piece of information, especially for those who make a conscious effort to buy products specifically based on their recyclable packaging, and then make that effort to properly recycle (drying off and removing food completely, recycling based on local guidelines, etc.) on a regular basis. First, let’s look at why our recycling isn’t getting recycled. “Orego ..read more

  (Ethical and Sustainable) Chunky Flip Flops — SS20. The Row Ginza Leather Platform Flip Flops | Shop READ THIS POST ON OUR NEW WEBSITE, FOR LIVING. The chunky flip flop is everywhere: we’re truly reliving the style icons of the 90’s and 2000’s this summer. The pair in question can be found at The Row, the all-encompassing brand by the Olsen twins. It makes perfect sense that the icons of said generations are offering up this highly sought-after silhouette. Considering this pair is widely sold out, and also considering the price tag on a one-season-wear pair of shoes, we’ve pulled toget ..read more

  Finds under $30. READ THIS POST ON OUR NEW WEBSITE, FOR LIVING. We recognize the importance of clean skincare’s accessibility to all. On a local level, shopping for natural skincare at your health food store or Whole Foods is a great gateway for finding affordable, natural products. There are so many excellent options online, as well. We’ve rounded up ten of our favorites under $30. The following products are all toxin-free and beneficial for your skin. 01. Gentle Matter Daily Cleanser by Klur — $22 This refreshing, non-foaming gel, gently cleanses and conforms to even the most sensiti ..read more

  Ethical alternatives for one-stop online shopping. Use Code SAMPGA for 20% off at Public Goods. Today, we’re sharing our favorite websites for essentials that offer ethical alternatives to Amazon. It may seem daunting to completely weed out purchases from Amazon: it’s become essential to so many with near-instantaneous access to everything under the sun. The most comprehensive product inventory comes from Thrive Market who offers non-toxic, eco-friendly, and affordable products. Public Goods is second on the docket, offering healthy, sustainable and accessible products. Their packaging ..read more

  Essentials for a cozy love day in — As we get older, holidays start to feel a bit less significant and become more of what we make them vs. what society tells us they’re supposed to be like. Valentine’s Day is no exception, and the day (or night) doesn’t have to be a grandeur showcase of your love if you don’t want it to be. During pandemic days, there’s less pressure than ever to do something extravagant, but at the same time we’ve found that marking the time with holidays gives us something to look forward to as all of the days blend together and feel essentially the same. (!) It’s b ..read more

  (Ethical and Sustainable) Chunky Boots — FW20. Much like the chunky black flip flop of the Summer, we see the chunky black boot emerge for Winter wear via Bottega Veneta. I personally enjoy this 90’s-inspired trend quite a bit and have been on the lookout for the perfect pair. In this article, you’ll find a lineup of sustainable boot options in the $200-$500 price range. COS — Chunky Leather Ankle Chelsea Boots | $285 | Shop While COS is not the most sustainable option available, they're making moves to use 100% recycled, repurposed and sustainable materials by 2030. You can read more ..read more

  Set the mood at home with timeless, consciously-crafted lamps. Cantilever Table Light by Gantri, which I’ve got in my own space. As we head into the new year and make some refreshing changes to our spaces, setting the mood with lighting offers a simple and effective way to make updates. We’ll be featuring lighting options from two conscious furniture brands, Burrow and Gantri, who both offer an array of table, wall, pendant and floor lighting. Gantri’s lighting is crafted from plant polymers like sustainably-farmed corn and sugarcane, and Burrow crafts furniture from sustainably-sourc ..read more

  Best weekend trips to take throughout Oregon and Washington. Inspired interiors, hazy coastlines and crisp, clean sheets. We could all use a few days to decompress: here is our best lineup of beautiful Pacific Northwest destinations featuring impressive architecture and rooms worth cozying up in for a weekend away. Some of the below listings are found on Airbnb: if you’re new to the platform, head here to get up to $65 off your first booking. 01. The Jennings Hotel: 5 and a Half Hours East of Portland, OR Since 1910, The Jennings Building has been a landmark on Main Street in Joseph ..read more

  Decisions That Will Help You Feel Good. Lately, I’ve been exploring new avenues for self-care: this looks like keeping promises to myself, showing up for myself in simple ways and completing tasks that I ultimately know to be beneficial even if they’re time-consuming— and especially when they’re not. Anyone else put tasks off for six months and then come to find out they only take ten minutes to complete? Some of these decisions may seem like no-brainers, but over the last year I’ve found them to be instrumental in checking in with myself and quite simply: feeling good. 01. Self Check ..read more

  Organic, Renewable and ethically made intimates. We’ve pulled together a list of size-inclusive, sustainably and ethically made intimates to fit all budgets and bodies. We’ve attempted to source almost all organic options, and will note when specific brands are not organic. Organic Basics | Sizing: XS-XL Organic Basics puts sustainable thinking at the center of everything — that means they only choose fabrics that care for the environment and they only partner with factories that care about their impact, too. The brand designs everything to last: that means investing in quality fabric ..read more