Perfect Holiday Gifts from AHAlife {Sustainable Sale Alert}

AHAlife is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to discover new brands and new designers that are creating thoughtful, long-lasting, handmade, and/or eco-friendly products. And with the holidays roaming around the corner, I feel like they will also become my go-to when it comes to giving (and getting!).

Bonus: for three more days, they are having a major holiday pre-sale of 20% off your total purchase using the following codes:

20BACK on $100 / 50BACK on $250  / 100BACK on $500 / 200BACK on $1,000

To get you started, here are a few of my favorite items to give and a few I daydream that I may get, all at a variety of price points, from $18 handmade slingshots for kiddos (or grown-up kiddos) to state of the art, American-made, electricity-free espresso-makers for the gourmand in your life at $199:

For more fair holiday gifting inspiration, follow me on Pinterest! 

Sustainable Sale Alert: Cambridge Satchel Company on Gilt

Welsh-born mother of two Julie Deane sat in her kitchen trying to work out how to pay school fees, and the end result is now the seventh-fastest growing company in England. I love love love her handmade satchels, but I love the story even more.

And right now, you can scoop up one of her beautiful Cambridge Satchel Company bags for more than 50% off on Gilt. The neon one is only $99. Just thought you should know. :)

Looking for more ethical bag inspiration? There's a Pinterest Board for that. 

Required Reading: Why "My Fair Vanity"?, R29 & Ecocult explain the cost of an organic t-shirt, and more

Image is from Ode to the Classic White Tee. See full post for brand and purchase info.



H&M says it wants to begin guaranteeing a living wage to the workers in its factories-- what they mean by "living wage" and how they propose to do it is unclear, but I'm happy to hear they are thinking about it...? (NYT)

Alden Wicker of Ecocult explains the high cost of an organic t-shirt on Refinery29. (R29)

Stephanie Clifford of the NYT examines the ‘Made in U.S.A.’ Premium . Take away: "it is the shoppers who will make this movement [towards American-made goods] succeed or fail." (NYT)

Luke Leitch discusses why "ethical fashion only works when it appeals to our vanity as much as our conscience."  This is an older article, but it goes a long way towards explaining the rationale behind the name of my blog,  its content, and why it's challengin but certainly not impossible to be fashion-conscious and eco-conscious. (Telegraph)

If you haven't finished up your holiday shopping, shop sustainably and stylishly for everyone on your list using one of the 175+ gift ideas for Mom, Dad, Tots, and more in My Fair Gift Guide. 

Required Reading is a series in which I share what I've been reading, something that inspires me, or maybe a little something I've learned that has helped me in my quest to lead a life that is kind to the earth and the people on it. See more here.