Guided Meditations to Transition into Fall

by Caroline | Sep 22, 2020 | Self Care, Yoga

My daily meditations fell off a cliff when the pandemic happened. In a time where meditaiton was most needed I was looking for comfort and grounding in other things like food and Netflix binges, but now that a new season is upon us it’s a perfect time to start a new daily meditation routine.

Autumn carries two equal but opposing energies that we can learn to cultivate in multiple areas of our lives. On one hand Autumn is all about letting go of what we no longer need. Trees shed their leaves, and we too can release old beliefs, habits, and choices that no longer serve us. While on the other hand it‘s also a time to gather and harvest what is essential. The fall harvest brings with it some of the most delicious food that will help our bodies tune–in to a more grounded state. One theme predominates this season, and that is slowing down. We turn down the tempo from summer‘s endless forward moving energy and high spirited fun, to ease up on the gas, and find routine and “groundedness.”

I’ve found some great guided meditaitons to help you transition into fall. They are all taken from my favorite app Insight timer, but I’m hoping to create some Fall Meditations of my very own soon. Until then, these are worth checking out.

Guided Meditations for Fall

Fall Equinox Meditation 17:18 min

Letting Go With Fall 31:20 min

Autumn/Fall Practice And Visualization 13:33 min

One Autumn Night 4 hrs

Yoga Nidra: Transitioning into Autumn 3 hrs

Moving from Summer into Autumn 29:36 min

Autumn Colors 5:51 min

An Autumn Walk 4:00 min

Autumn Natural Breathing Space 5:00 min

Autumn Affirmations- Theta Thoughts 9 hrs

Falling into Autumn- A Seasonal Relaxation 21:51 min

Reflections on Autumn 15:54 min

Tuning Into The Seasons 15:58 min

Check out the entire Autumn Self-Care Guide

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Fall Fashion From My Favorite Sustainable Brands

by Caroline | Sep 21, 2020 | Shop Posts, Sustainability

For as long as I can remember as women we have been trained to want…no NEED new clothes every time the season changes. It’s lead to a rather problematic fast fashion industry that churns out new styles nearly weekly to meet the consumer appetite. So to buy new or not to buy new? I deal with this struggle daily, but I’m learning there’s no need to feel guilty every time you buy something new. Here at Bloom & Spark it’s my mission to explore little ways I can be most sustainably minded while still living my life…and buying cute new clothes occasionally.

I’ve found that the simple habit of shifting WHERE I purchase my clothes can reduce some of the negative impact that certain fast fashion brands have on the environment. Focusing on brands that have a sustainable supply chain with ethical, and eco conscious practices is one simple way I can be more eco friendly in my day to day life.

So I’ve looked at some of my most beloved sustainable clothing brands to pull my favorite FALL FASHION items! I do the searching so you don’t have to. I hope this can be a simple place where you can find a few beautiful pieces for fall, without spending hours researching the sustainability practices behind the brands. I’ve done all that for you!

As always, some of these items contain affiliate links which allow me to make a small commission from products I share here, but you don’t pay any extra (this helps tremendously, as most of these posts are thoroughly researched for many hours and I have a large golden retriever to feed). It’s just a way for brands to say “thanks!” when bloggers share their products. I only share products I use myself, plan to use, or brands that are aligned with my values. To learn how this works see my affiliate disclaimer .

Fall Fashion…but make it sustainable

“Mom” Jeans or “Mother Earth” Jeans?

Pre-covid I tried on these “momjeans” from Madewell and I heard a chorus of angels singing. Seriously, I’ve never worn jeans that still felt comfortable to bend and sit in. My husband was none too impressed with the momjean look so I decided against them at the time…but I’ve thought about these jeans ever since. Now that we’re all mostly working from home it’s important to find daily work “uniforms” that are both comfy, but also not sweats. I am definitely ordering myself a pair of these so I feel like I’ve actually gotten dressed, husband be damned. These similar pairs here and here are from H&M’s Conscious line.

Merlot & Mustard

I’m really feeling these colors this fall, what can I say. A great fall staple is this turtleneck body suit from Everlane in “dark spice” yes that’s the color and it’s stunning! This gorgeous mustard crewneck from Everlane is made with organic cotton *throws confetti.* I’ve never worn a sweater knotted in the back like this one from Amour Vert but it’s just what “fall vibes” are made of (also their packaging is compostable…I know right?). Take a look at all my favorites:

Stay Warm

I could make some quip about global warming *sheads a tear*, but instead I’m just gonna leave these gorgeous (and eco-friendly) coats here. Another winner from Everlane (can they do any wrong?) with their ReNew Teddy Bomber is made of 100% recycled polyester. I’m also really feeling this double breasted blazer from H&M’s conscious line.

What makes these items “sustainable”

We all know that ultimately the most sustainable clothes are the ones already in existance. Repairing and rewearing items that you already own, or purchasing through consignment and thrift stores are the best ways to do that. However, for making new purchases I look into the companies practices to see how they make the clothes, and how far the clothes have to travel to get to you. I will break down some of the ways these items are sustainable with a few examples:

The ReNew Teddy Bomber from Everlane is made from 100% recycled polyester. Only the buttons and trim are not made from recycled materials because those pieces can’t currently be sourced in recycled materials. Everlane is one of the most transparent brands which for me speaks volumes to their ethics and values. They break down the true cost of this (and every) item from the materials and hardware, to the labor and transport. They also share honestly about the factory where it is made and workers who put it together.

This sweater from Everlane is made from organic cotton and is certified organic from seed to shirt. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification takes over a year to account for every step of production from the processing of certified organic fiber into yarn, to the dyehouses, mills, factories, and printers. Since it’s from Everlane we also know exactly where it comes from.

Truthfully H&M is not the first place I go when I think of “sustainable clothing.” However I applaud their efforts to move toward a more sustainable model and when I see companies doing that I want to support it. You can read about their sustainable initiatives here. These jeans from H&M’s Conscious collection are made from partly recycles materials. How much you ask? Well, it’s not detailed on the website, which is an area I think they could use a bit more transparency. But at this price point I am happy to support these more accessible brands that are moving in the right directions.

Amour Vert lays out their sustainability practices on their website which you can see here. Three ways they are sustainable include 1) making their pieces in limited quantities to reduce waste 2) producing a majority of their pieces in California which reduces it’s carbon footprint for those of us purchasing in the U.S. and 3) using renewable and recycled materials such as recycled wool, sustainably grown hemp, and TENCEL made from sustainably farmed eucalyptus trees. *BONUS* their packaging is all compostable!

See All of My Sustainable Fall Favorites

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Eco Friendly Fashion Finds from Asos that Won’t Break the Bank

by Caroline | Aug 16, 2020 | Shop Posts, Sustainability

Lately I’ve been making a conscious commitment to be more eco friendly in my fashion selections. If you’ve read my other posts on fast fashion then you know how horrendous our current consumer habits are for the planet. While I know that the most eco friendly thing we can do is to shop second hand and buy less overall, most of us (myself included) still want to buy new things from time to time, so I want to bring you some of my favorite eco friendly fashion finds so you can begin to make more conscious purchases.

Remember it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being mindful. I don’t think it’s realistic to stop buying clothes all together, and the economy depends on our spending so I want to make sure that my dollars are going to brands that are making efforts towards sustainability.

I’ve recently been going through the Asos website and I found what is called their “Responsible Edit” which lets you browse items that are either made from recycled materials or sustainable produced materials. How awesome is that!?

So I’ve put together a round up of my favorite summer items that are all made with sustainable or recycled materials.

Eco Friendly Fashion Finds That Are Actually Affordable

4 Things That Make These Pieces Eco Friendly

Recycled Plastic

This pleated maxi skirt is made with recycled polyester. Plastic bottles and textile waste are processed into plastic chips and melted into new fibers. This saves water and energy and reduces greenhouse-gas emissions.

Shop the look

Renewable Resources

Lightweight, soft Lenzing™ EcoVero™ comes from renewable sources. It’s made from wood pulp from responsibly managed forests, showing a fully transparent supply chain. The process saves water and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50%

Shop the look

Organic Cotton

This skirt is made with organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown with less water and no pesticides. It’s a win-win, improving the environment for both wildlife and cotton farmers

Shop the look

Better Cotton Initiative

Asos partners with the Better Cotton Initiative to improve cotton farming globally. This makes it better for farmers and the environment. BCI provides farming-practice training and promotes things like water efficiency and reducing the most harmful chemicals.

Shop the look

Note: This post probably contains affiliate links. This allows me to make a small commission from products you purchase through the links you see above, but you don’t pay any extra. It’s just a way for brands to say “thanks!” when bloggers share their products. But I only share products I use myself, plan to use, or brands that are aligned with my values. To learn how this works see my affiliate disclaimer.

The Look for Less: Affordable Serena & Lily Living Room Lookalikes From Wayfair

by Caroline | Aug 8, 2020 | Mindful Home

Serena & Lily on the left at $1298.00, Wayfair on the right at $239.99.

Shop Serena & Lily

Shop Wayfair

Sustainable & Ethical Loungewear to Help You Quarantine in Style

by Caroline | May 5, 2020 | Shop Posts, Sustainability

Hey friends, in these uncertain times I’ve been craving extra sources of comfort from certain foods (I am a cookie queen, no judgement please) to my daily self care and especially what I’m wearing. If you’re like me you’ve probably been scouring the internet for a new pair of comfy joggers, or a cute matching pajama set. It’s safe to say that loungewear is having a moment. So I’ve compiled some of my favorite sustainable and ethical loungewear to help you quarantine in style.

I’m really trying to be more intentional with how I spend money these days. Not soley from a financially responsible point of view, but from an ethically, socially, and sustainably conscious point of view.

If I’m spending my precious dollars I want it to go towards companies I wish to see survive the economic meltdown. Remember, we vote with our dollars, so now more than ever it’s important to put our money where our values are.

One of the best ways we can be spending our stimulus checks (aside from paying bills and feeding your family or course) is by putting it into brands that uphold strong values of sustainability and ethical treatment of workers and the planet. Lucky for you I’ve done the hours of research so you don’t have to. I’ve searched through brands that maintain high standards of conservation and and fair treatment of everyone across the supply chain, for the cutest sustainable and ethical loungewear I could find.

Here are some of my favorite sustainable and ethical loungewear picks for quarantining in style, from brands that are doing good for the planet and humanity:

Tops

One of my all time favorite purchases is the Athleta Wrap Sweater. I bought it last winter and it was basically my uniform. It is the softest material I’ve ever felt! For a cute twist on a basic sweatshirt the Yoga Tie Back top from Athleta will definitely elevate your style while still being comfy. If you know me well, you know that blue and white stripes are sort of my thing. If I were a cartoon character that only got one outfit to wear for the rest of my life, it would be this hoodie from Boden. I love Boden because they are dedicated to sustianability from the macro, like using sustainably sourced cotton in their garments, to the micro, by repurposing rainwater to flush all the toilets in their warehouse (I mean, that’s dedication)! The People Tree Laurel Top is made from 100% organic cotton. People Tree is committed to multiple sustainability and fair trade values, that I completely support.

Bottoms

For bottoms I’m all about the jogger, and they MUST be super soft. The cotton in the Cuyana Pima Tapered Pant and their Wide Leg Pant is grown, spun, and made into finished garments all in Peru, reducing it’s carbon footprint. These Natural Skin Sleep Pants are made from organic cotton and are suuuuper soft! Athleta is a certified B Corp which means they use their business as a source for good. They are extremely transparent on their website about how they are maintaining high sustainability standards. Their Farallon Jogger is on its way to me as I type this!

Pajamas

I’ve never been a fan of nightgowns. I feel like I have to be a little girl or an old lady to pull it off, but this nightgown from Natural Skin...woah. I might be changing my ways. Even if you never wear this to sleep in, it’s such a sweet and comfy around the house dress that makes you feel like you made an effort (but really you didn’t). The Matching Sleep Sets from Pact are perfect for the warmer months. I don’t know what it is about matching pajamas but I feel like a sophisticated lady when I wear them (but I guess I would feel sophisticated in anything other than my college teeshirt and pajama pants with holes my dog chewed). BTW Pact has super affordable products that are made from organic cotton, are fair trade certified, and maintain a Sustainable and Ethical Style Guarantee.

Guided Meditations for Fall

Fall Fashion…but make it sustainable

“Mom” Jeans or “Mother Earth” Jeans?

Merlot & Mustard

Stay Warm

What makes these items “sustainable”

See All of My Sustainable Fall Favorites

See more sustainability posts!

Eco Friendly Fashion Finds That Are Actually Affordable

4 Things That Make These Pieces Eco Friendly

Recycled Plastic

Renewable Resources

Organic Cotton

Better Cotton Initiative

Here is the Serena & Lily inspiration room

Rugs

Table Lamps

Floor Lamps

Throw Pillows

Coffee Tables

Rattan Accent Chairs

White Couch

Marble & Gold Side Table

Here are some of my favorite sustainable and ethical loungewear picks for quarantining in style, from brands that are doing good for the planet and humanity:

Tops

Bottoms

Pajamas

See all my Sustainable Loungewear picks!

Read next…

Why Should We Care About The Sustainable Fashion Movement

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