Angela Hamilton

12 Handmade Raffia Shoes I’m Obsessing Over Right Now

published on June 5, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Summer is upon us—the atmospheric river that wiped out power across Seattle early this week is just about dried up, anyway—and my feet are ready for something more warm weather friendly. I wear sneakers 99% of the time, as I walk just about everywhere I go, so I don’t have many options (except my approximately eight year old flip-flops that are best suited for lounging beside me on the beach). Enter, Etsy! Etsy always has unique finds, whether it’s beach kaftans or sun hats, but they make it near impossible to comb through all of the results. Luckily, I’ve learned how to shop Etsy efficiently over the years, so I’m here to help you find what you need. Today it’s the perfect summer sandals and flats, including trendy raffia sandals, that you can get in your size (and for some, even customize). Here are the pairs I’m considering at the moment…

Find the sources for all of these shoes below!

Hot pink mules with fringe by 1000souls, a Moroccan footwear brand with tons of different styles

You can get these custom slip ons in just about any color you can dream up, but I do love the natural tan.

Handmade Moroccan shoes made of natural raffia in orange and pink color block – but if you aren’t into this lively combo, there are lots more to choose from designer chokranmaroc

Turquoise and purple color block mule raffia sandals made in Morocco

One more from this color block raffia collection, this natural and lime green pair! Everything chokranmaroc sells is so well priced for handmade pieces. Free shipping on everything as well!

Although a little different than the styles featured above, the raffia detailing on these suede slides by Artell Shoes Store in Ukraine is beautiful, not to mention on-trend

Raffia summer slides in natural, love the beachy vibes

They also offer these Handmade raffia slides in black

And yes, more raffia, but look at these handmade loafers in pink!

I am all about the barbiecore mood in these bow sandals in pink

These woven color block summer sandals in pink and red are also giving Barbie, don’t you think?

As much as I love pink, I do love the natural fiber on its own, and it’s especially chic in loafer form! Which pair is your fave?

Where To Buy Recycled Outdoor Rugs

updated on August 16, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Welp, it’s the first 78 degree day of the year in Seattle and I’m clearing my balcony of all the debris (and spider webs) that gathered over the last 7 months of underuse. Balcony season is here! We’ve shared many a sustainable rug guide here on eco club, from where to buy ethically made rugs to these beautiful Etsy rugs, but this is our first time looking specifically at the outdoor variety. Recycled outdoor rugs are actually much easier to come by than their indoor-only counterparts, mostly because recycled plastic makes a great material for textiles that need to withstand the elements versus traditional cotton or wool. That said, during my research I found so many labeled recycled indoor/outdoor rugs, and honestly I figured that probably meant they’d look a little funky (and not comfy) inside. But to my surprise the rug I ended up going with for my balcony could totally work inside, it’s soft and beautiful! Can you guess which recycled plastic outdoor rug I went with in the end?

From top to bottom, left to right: Poolside Geo Blue Indoor/Outdoor Rug, Nassau Multicolor Hand Hooked Floral Area Rug, Zanzibar Ticking Handwoven Indoor/Outdoor Rug, Horseshoes Flatweave Outdoor Rug, Loomy Chromatic, Thera Green Rug, Folly Multi Handwoven Indoor/Outdoor Rug (on sale!), Seed Stitch Stripe Watermelon Handwoven Rug, Framed Arrows Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Where to buy recycled outdoor rugs…

Bole Road Textiles Stripe & Step Indoor/Outdoor Rug

West Elm

Most West Elm outdoor rugs are made from recycled polyester (be sure to scroll down and click the “details” tab to confirm), like the blue geo and framed arrows ones above. A lot of them are West Elm’s in-house brands, but you can find collabs with designers like Marimekko, and Bole Road Textiles featuring recycled indoor/outdoor rugs that are also Certified Fair Trade and sustainably sourced.

Recycled outdoor rugs from Dash & Albert

Dash & Albert

Annie Selkie brand Dash & Albert features a large collection of recycled plastic outdoor rugs (again, find the details tab to confirm) in playful vibrant hues just made for summer hangs. Like West Elm and most of the rugs featured in this guide, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use—they’re just deemed durable enough for decorating your outdoor space.

Fab Habitat colorful eco friendly rug, photo by @megmanion

Fab Habitat

Fab Habitat is a brand I found while searching for recycled outdoor rugs, and they’re behind the pretty floral one featured above. You can find Good Weave certified eco friendly rugs on their site, many of which are pet friendly and stain resistant because of the recycled PET. This brand was founded with the mission of providing a sustainable rug option to the US, so even the products that don’t featured recycled plastic bottles use natural fibers or other sustainable materials.

Loomy

Loomy offers high end, ethically produced artisan rugs made from various materials such as wool and banana silk (like in this gorgeous pastel rug) but they also feature a few indoor/outdoor options that are made from 100% recycled PET, like the chromatic rug. Their rugs are made to order so make sure you buy with enough time before summer kicks off!

Revival

Revival has a huge selection of rugs, from washable to vintage to those suitable for outdoor use. I’m not sure if they are all made from sustainable materials, so once again, be sure to look for those made with recycled plastic if you want it to be outdoor friendly, recycled, and durable. They have outdoor rugs made from 100% recycled P.E.T. (polyethylene terephthalate, i.e. polyester), so search for that if you’re on the hunt for recycled outdoor rugs!

My new rug! I fell in love with the Horseshoes Flatweave Outdoor Rug (above) during my search. The 5×8′ size (the one I ordered) is made from up to 500 plastic water bottles! Wild. It has color variations of rose quartz, powder blue, and goldenrod yellow. Hoping to get the rest of my patio cleaned up soon to share a better photo. As mentioned above, I wasn’t so sure about whether indoor/outdoor rugs would actually look good and feel cozy enough for indoor use, but this one totally does. It’s very soft and well made. When I first received it, I was tempted to keep it inside so I could enjoy it year round!

World Market floor mats are a nice option if you just need something super affordable (under $50) to cover a large area outside.

World Market

For perhaps the most affordable outdoor rug options, try World Market. I know they are far from leaders in sustainably produced products, but in this category they do offer a lot of recycled options, from area rugs to floor mats. I’ll say it one more time—make sure to read the full description of the rugs you’re looking at to ensure they are indeed recycled!

Don’t forget secondhand!

Lastly, whenever you are eyeing a product online it’s worth sitting on it for a bit and searching places like Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist etc., to see if someone is selling that same product locally. I’ve seen tons of West Elm and World Market rugs pop up in my city’s listings, sometimes in new condition. In the end I opted for something different, but you never know when a neighbor actually owns the one you want, and is giving it away for cheap or free!

Isn’t it wild that water bottles can become yarn? Find more of our favorite places to shop for ethically made rugs in this guide.

Sustainable Dresses for the Conscious Maximalist

published on April 7, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Have I mentioned how happy I am that spring has finally hit Seattle? Any time the sun comes out, I’m out the door. One perk of working from home is that I can sit by the window and wait for any break in the rain so I can run outside and make the most of two or five or ten minutes when it’s dry or sunny. I’ll take what I can get! So you won’t be surprised to know I’ve been virtual window-shopping for all of the pretty spring dresses, and as a conscious maximalist I want them to be bold colors, floral prints, and fun patterns. Find my latest favorite maximalist dresses of the ethical and sustainable variety below!

Organic cotton snap down shirt dress with graphic tulip detail and wrap belt, by MaQety (xs-5x)

Poet Dress in Meadow by Variety Hour (xs-2x)

Note: This dress and the style below has since sold out. Click here to shop all available Variety Hour dresses!

If a linen dress in a solid color could ever be considered maximalist, it would have to be this green ruched dress by Vakada store on Etsy. I personally love the green best, but there are 20 colors to choose from! (xs-xxl)

Hedi Swallow slip dress from Loud Bodies (xxs-10x)

Wren Maximalist Dress by Bel Kazan (xs-xl)

Not a dress but absolutely deserving of a shoutout, the Cora boatneck jumpsuit from Mixed (xs-3x)

The Clementine Dress in Renaissance Floral by Dynasty George (xs-2x)

Osei Duro’s Letsa Wrap Dress (xs-3xl) is also no longer available, but they have lots of other dreamy maximalist dresses to choose from, including:

Letsa Wrap Dress by Osei Duro (size xs-4x) is just so stunning with its abstract pattern and color.

It’s a splurge for sure, but I love the spring colors of the maximalist Eva Dress from abacaxi (xs-3x)

Think a mini dress can’t be maximalist? The mirrorwork and beaded detailing on this ribbed tank dress takes it to a whole new level. Also by abacaxi, xs-xl, part of their mirrorwork collection.

Lost in Reverie Dress by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Sustainable Maxi Dress in Hot Pink by Khara Kapas from Ikkivi (xxs-5x + custom)

Penelope colorblock dress by Tamara Malas is a full button down with pleats. This dress also comes in a sherbet/rose combination that is just so dreamy too!

Little Things Studio offers this beautiful scalloped dress in an orange and peach colorblock. Custom sizing available!

Do you own any maximalist dresses? Find more susty favorites in this post!

Back to Basics: 10 Natural, Women Owned, Palm-Oil Free Bar Soap Brands

published on March 24, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

When I originally set out to write a post on biodegradable soap, I didn’t intend on palm oil being the subject. Honestly, I just love a good, effective natural skincare product all wrapped in some pretty, sustainable packaging. That’s it. It’s a light, afternoon kind of blog read, and palm oil is, well, not. Unfortunately, just like when I first started boycotting pantry ingredients and other foods containing palm oil, the more soap brands I came across, the more palm oil I found. This time under the name sodium palmate, which acts as an emulsifier. So, while there are lots and lots of other small soap companies you could support, I wanted to make sure this list featured not only natural, and women owned soap brands, but palm oil free bar soap exclusively.

(If you’re not familiar with the devastating effects the palm oil industry is having on our environment and the people and organisms within it, we’ve posted the basics here, how to quit it here, an AP investigation here.This very dated article is also a good start if you’re new to the issue and its effects on threatened and endangered animals.)

I know that a lot of other common body care ingredients can have detrimental effects on our planet, but I think avoiding palm oil is really the best place you could start, especially if you’re new to natural beauty. And it just so happened that the biodegradable soap brands I’ve listed below are all women-owned, making soaps in small batches that are free of lots of other questionable ingredients you’ll find in more conventional products. And the packaging on these beauties? Yup, 10000% eco club approved:

TERRA-TORY is an NY based all-natural soap company touting 100% Natural 0% Bullsh*t Skincare. This is a very rare company that is both palm and coconut oil free… Learn more on their website.

Vegan + eco friendly soap from Smithmade Essentials are fun & fragrant artisan soaps handmade in small batches in New Haven, CT. On their site you can find the full details about each ingredient used.

No Tox Life has their own line of body cleansing bars wrapped in recycled paper for shipping. Be sure to grab their famous dish wash block and deodorant while you’re there!

BHAVANANYC makes all-natural, vegan sea salt soap bars using luxe natural ingredients like activated charcoal and Rose Kaolin Clay.

Bell Mountain Naturals are makers of natural small batch soaps that are super cute, and always palm free. You might be familiar with their gem design!

UK vegan soap-on-a-rope brand KLEEN cures their all-natural soaps for a minimum of 6 weeks and uses only skin-friendly, eco-friendly ingredients that are free of palm oil, parabens, and toxins. Not to mention, their packaging and branding is totally gift-worthy.

Another handmade soap brand, Unearth Malee specializes in palm oil free Thai-inspired soaps, lotions, lip balms, and even solid dish soap! To further raise awareness of the devastating effects of palm oil, the brand donates a portion of sales to help save the endangered orangutan. Learn more in founder Marie’s Etsy shop!

Naked & Thriving is a sister and brother founded skincare brand that offers products free of over 2500 potentially harmful ingredients, environmentally-friendly (free of palm oil of course), and with many organic ingredients for a truly natural clean. They have a full line of skincare, from cleansing bars to oils to

Founded in 2019, Rustic Glory Soap Co offers both scented and unscented palm oil free soap bars infused with nourishing essential oils and botanicals. And they are just the prettiest bars to place on your bathroom counters!

Latina woman owned soap brand Nopalera harnesses the power of Native Mexican Prickly pear cactus along with healing plant oils for nourishing soaps, moisturizers and creams.

The brands above also feature sustainable packaging, making truly biodegradable soap for us all to enjoy… sans palm oil.

On the hunt for more zero waste body and skincare products? Check out these brands!

We are always looking for beautiful, natural, quality skincare and body brands to add to our lists. If you know of another palm oil free bar soap brand, let us know below!

Travel, Luxe Linens, and Wearable Art: What’s Inspiring Us on February 8th, 2024

published on February 8, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Do you ever have those days where you feel yourself slowly becoming inspired and excited, but you’re not really sure where it will go? This is how the end of winter is for me. Usually still a bit down from the dreary weather, but knowing that spring is on its way and with that an uptick of creative projects to pursue. So, after an almost two months long break from blogging here, I finally feel like it’s almost the right time to get moving again. Since I still haven’t organized my thoughts or drafted any of the posts that lay dormant on my calendar, I thought I’d start off with a few inspiring things we’ve saved on our Instagram, Pinterests, and Etsy favorites over the past few weeks.

This outdoor shower situation in one of my favorite color combos, pink and green, at a vacation property called Verde from Dreamers Welcome in Puerto Rico. Photo by Jane Rockett.

I’ve had my eye on this print called The Fragrance of Springtime by Joyce Lay Hoon Ho of Arty Guava for months. Can you smell it yet? Available at Artfully Walls.

Partyware is slowly but surely becoming more green! I love these reusable bamboo plates to use in place of paper or plastic plates at a birthday party. I love these colors too, and they’re commercially compostable. Rumor has it they are dishwasher safe as well!

More warm-toned artwork in pink and orange. (Orange is really growing on me lately!) Art collection by HAND AND PALM. And the message is too relatable, especially in winter!

Saved the Last Palmas and Cassis Sets by Indian designer Shwetanga from Kiska many months ago and am still just as obsessed as the first time I saw them. The colors! The pattern! The texture!

Eco club member Sophie Williamson Design’s joyful maximalist tablecloth for the ultimate luxe winter-to-spring table.

And in honor of brighter days, these check colorblock seed beed earrings in pink and orange by Boosiko on Etsy. What a fun use of the checkerboard trend.

Is it spring yet?!

Sustainable Holiday Decor from Wallflower

published on December 5, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season thus far. The Black Friday and Thanksgiving sale madness is over, and I’m grateful to everyone who supported small business this season! I sort of dropped the ball on sharing my favorites on Instagram (this time of year isn’t just overwhelming IRL, but on social media too), but if you stopped by the blog last week you saw our annual guide to 100+ websites to shop small, and this mega gift guide to sustainable gifts for men, women, kids, home and more. Well I have one more gift guide for you today, this from our very own boutique, wallflower, run by yours truly (Angela and Jenn). But it’s not so much about the gifts as what you’ll wrap them in and what you’ll display! Here’s our guide to eco friendly Christmas decor and gift wrap essentials from wallflower:

eco friendly christmas decor + holiday gift wrap from wallflower shop

This is our second holiday season as shop owners, and this year our holiday shop is filled to the brim with all of the whimsical pieces we could get our hands on. It’s filled with lots of decor and gifting supplies for thoughtful holiday presents! We also have lots of holiday greeting cards. Our most eco friendly Christmas decor and gifting treasures include this box of Season’s Greetings cards and mismatched holiday gift tags and wrap. They come in a compostable cello wrap and recycled boxes. The tags and wrap also have a subtle holiday design so they could totally be reused for other occasions throughout the year.

These handwoven peppermint candy bowls are made of natural fibers and dyes from fair trade brand KAZI.

These vintage car ornaments are handmade by Finest Imaginary. Love a Palm Springs Christmas!

Last year’s photo of my vintage pink depression glass coupe (which is in just about every photo shoot I’ve done in the last six years) and this luxe little scrap of ribbon was a hit on Pinterest. I think one of 2023’s biggest holiday trends is bows on bows on bows, and using bows as a wine tag (think a different color for each guest at your party) is a creative way to channel it. Plus, you can reuse them (assuming there’s no spills) for the Christmas tree bow trend or your gift wrap. Loooove an easy trend that you can use with what’s on hand!

This year we have lots of handwoven ornaments by KAZI in the shop too. They make some of the cutest eco friendly Christmas decor and gifts. These are also perfect for display in a nursery, we think!

Our wrapping paper sheets from Wanderlust Paper Co are also perfect not only for the holidays but any occasion afterward. These are responsibly printed on sustainable paper (as is all of our holiday wrapping paper). We’ve sourced a lot of our gift wrap and greeting cards from UK artists in the past couple years and it’s really exciting to bring these vendors to a US boutique. They all follow sustainable business practices like biodegradable sleeves (what is our obsession with plastic greeting card sleeves in the US???) and packing tape, recyclable gift wrap, etc.

This Moroccan-inspired pink and green wrapping paper is another design we have that works beautifully during the holidays and beyond. Shop our entire holiday collection right here!