October 2014 archive
Saree for Partying
This is the saree I wore to a friend’s Guyanese wedding this summer. Totally overwhelmed by all the choices of beautiful sarees available, I had a family friend who is originally from India help me find this one. It was custom tailored for me so instead of one long piece of fabric, it had a gathered skirt and a loop to hold one end over my shoulder. This helped us first-time saree wearers have a hope of walking and dancing in all that fabric!
I love the color combination of orchid purple, magenta pink and metallic gold in this party saree. Hopefully I’ll get an occasion to use it again because it was so fun and elegant to wear.
The pup tried it on too but he wasn’t enthused. He’s really not a fan of wearing any type of clothing, though.
Seeing our sorority sisters in shades of green, blue, pink and purple sarees was a colorfully fun experience. I’m so grateful that the bride encouraged her friends try on a piece of her culture to help celebrate the wedding! What have you worn to a wedding that was a new experience for you?
Make the 10 Day Promise: Distraction Free Driving
I’m honored to share with you a powerful movement started by a friend. After her aunt was tragically killed in a collision involving a distracted driver, Kristin and a supportive group of family and friends began a mission called 10 Day Promise. It’s a pledge to spend ten days driving totally distraction free. Ten days doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a start-the chance to practice the truly focused, distraction free, both-hands-on-the-wheel driving we all know we should be doing. We think we’re perfectly responsible drivers, but we can all be more conscious of distractions that come up while driving.
You know the thoughts that come up while driving: I’ll just peek at my navigation map because I don’t want to miss my turn! I’ll rummage through my purse to find something-I only need one hand to drive. It won’t hurt if I look at this one text for just a few seconds! The good news is that we can all pledge to practice ignoring those impulses and re-train ourselves into more responsible driving behaviors. It starts with ten days.
Truly non-distracted driving is something we all need a little practice on. So the 10 Day Promise kicked off on October 10, but you can join anytime and take the pledge for ten days of distraction free driving. The good habits formed in those ten days can continue on long after the promise period has concluded.
At the kickoff, we created shirts with hand prints to represent keeping both hands on the wheel at 10 and 2 (or 9 and 3, depending on what you were taught in driver’s ed). There were also little treat bags to keep in our cars to remind us to avoid tempting distractions on the road and instead be tempted by chocolate and banana chips when we reach our destinations.
Consider making the 10 Day Promise yourself and share the message so we can all stay safer on the roads.
Merino Wool Sportswear
After the success of my Organic Apparel post, I found out about a start up company that aims to make a full line of sportswear made from 100% Merino Wool. That’s right, wool. Sustanable, organic, fire-resistant, water-repellent, moisture wicking, body temperature-regulating wool. Sounds like everything you’d ever want in active wear, right? (Fellow Irish dancers take note! These would be perfect to wear around those always-chilly feis venues!).
Grunard Apparel is currently crowd funding pre-orders for their first product, a classic hoodie, and they have plans for an extended line of men’s and women’s gear down the road. I’m hoping for fitted racer-back tanks and leggings in the near future! During the backing period, which runs until October 26, you can pre-order the revolutionary hoodie for half off. You know how I love a good deal…
For more details on the product, the crowd funding page really lays it all out nicely. And make sure to watch their creative and funny video. You gotta love when companies know how to have a sense of humor.
What do you think of wearing wool performance wear? Would you try it?
That Farm Life
We’re going a little bit country again in today’s post, as I visit a farm that produces food locally and sustainably. It’s harvest time, and farms around the country are bringing in crops. There are a few weeks left of the local farmer’s markets here this season, so there is still time to enjoy fresh produce and locally raised meats and other goods.
It’s important to me that the animals who make my food are treated well, and you can totally see how happy the animals here are! They have pasture, the best food, and humans who care about their quality of life. Just look at these content goats.
What I’ve learned from visiting small family farms like this one is how hard farmers work to make food for us. It’s a monumental task to feed and care for all these animals and crops! It’s a job that really never ends-it means being constantly on call, working every single day, no weekends, no vacations!
Cabbage like that didn’t grow itself! (Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a Cabbage Patch Kid? It’s fun! Enriching life moment for any child of the 80s.)
So thank you, farmers, for growing our food. We can all thank a farmer by patronizing farmer’s markets and shopping locally. Wondering if there is a farmer’s market or other source of local produce near you? Chances are, there is! Even many colleges and universities have them. Local Harvest can help you locate your nearest farms and farmer’s markets with just a few clicks.
Outfit details: Dress (Similar) Charlotte Russe Necklace Forever 21
Top image: magnet available from Ephemera
