1// BEYONCE. Morgan's favorite dinner party question to ask is, "If you could achieve the level of success of Beyonce and Jay-Z, would you do it?" It's so interesting to hear people's answers and the reasoning behind it! This weekend we will be glued to the new Beyonce documentary, Homecoming on Netflix!
“My body went through more than I knew it could. I was supposed to do Coachella the year prior, but I got pregnant unexpectedly. And it ended up being twins, which was even more of a surprise. In the womb, one of my babies’ hearts paused a few times, so I had to get an emergency C-section. …I had to rebuild my body from cut muscles. It took me a while to feel confident… [Coachella was] my first time back home on the stage after giving birth; I’m creating my own homecoming, and it’s hard. There were days that I thought I’d never be the same. I’d never be the same physically, my strength and endurance would never be the same. In the beginning, it was so many muscle spasms and just, internally, my body was not connected. My mind was not there. My mind wanted to be with my children. What people don’t see is the sacrifice. I would dance, and go off to the trailer, and breastfeed the babies, and the days I could, I would bring the children.” -Beyonce in Homecoming, talking about her postpartum recovery and performing at Coachella.
2// EARTH DAY. There is no denying that we are screwing up our Earth and we need to do something to change our habits or we are going to extinct ourselves and this beautiful planet. (And that would SUCK.) This topic can be overwhelming and polarizing, but we want to make it a little easier and accessible to all. Because it's about being a good human in the world. That's our thing. And it can be your thing, too! (It should be ALL of our thing!)
Where to start:
a. Buy a good reusable water bottle and commit to not using plastic water bottles. Get the reusable bottle you really want and you'll be happy every time you fill it up. We have used Hydroflask for years and we love the Yeti tumblers for coffee on the go.
b. Stop accepting paper and plastic bags when you shop! Carry your own! We are excited to announce that after we run out of our last box of paper gift bags, we will be discontinuing disposable bag use. (Don't worry, we will be offering a cool reusable bag in its place!)
c. Think about where you clothing comes from and where it goes when you're done. We aren't shaming you! Every year there are 15 MILLION TONS of textile waste that go into landfills. That's a giant truck load of clothing going to a landfill every second of every day, all year. Try to invest in quality pieces you know will serve you for a long time. Try to avoid disposable fashion.
d. And when it's time to get rid of something, think about how you're doing that. Certainly don't throw it in the trash! Yes, you can give to a thrift store. And you can also connect with a clothing pantry where clothes are given free of charge to people who need it.
Hemp cleans oxygen, water and nourishes the land. It's a natural fiber that’s cultivated with low impact on the environment. It requires no irrigation, uses no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO seeds. It’s one of the most durable natural fibers on the planet.
Hemp is the oldest textile, hemp material dates back as far as 8,000 B.C.E. America was founded on it, both Presidents Washington and Jefferson grew it, the Declaration of Independence was written on it and Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag with it.
And we are proud to be one of 15 stores in the country partnering with Jungmaven from 4/18-4/22 offering 25% off all Jungmaven products!
Because everyone should experience a hemp tee and know their conscientious purchase is making a positive impact in the world. (And don't forget, if you are replacing something old, worn or just not loved anymore, bring it to us and we will get it to the clothing pantry to have another life!)
4// THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF STILL LIFES. Did you know that the old still lives of Dutch Masters, Renaissance realists and the like were often highly political, criticized society and the Church and often made radical statements on sex and death, too?? And you thought they were just pretty paintings of dripping fruit on the breakfast table...
5// LISTEN NOW! Our friend Craig Stilley and his band A Slim Shadow just released their new record, In/Out of Time. If this record were an element, it would be water. The beautiful poppy songs are wide and open and make you feel things. It's great music for driving with the windows down, maybe somewhere along the coast. It makes me feel like The Doves made me feel back in 2003. And that's a really good feeling.