Mindy Chung

9 Handmade Female Art & Decor Finds That Beautifully & Hilariously Celebrate Womanhood

updated on May 30, 2023 by Mindy Chung

I know that art has always had a subjective element to it—that’s why some contemporary pieces will have one person on their knees and another just scratching their head. And as long as art has been made, there’s always been some tortured artist-type painting naked ladies while patting themselves on the back for getting the left titty *just* right.

To a degree, women have always tried to reclaim the narrative in artistic circles; drawing focus to nature landscapes or depicting scenes where the woman is shown in a position of power, and less as an object. That’s why I love the female-focused art that’s surged in the last decade or so—art that’s about representations of real female figures with curves, and bellies, and stretch marks.

That’s why I’ve rounded up these unique female art and home décor items for you to consider including in your next round of redecorating or upcoming holiday gifting. From vases to candles, these pieces, all offered by small businesses, will fit perfectly as a centerpiece in any home that wants to scream, “women.”

I absolutely adore this Pottery Lodge boob planter. The listing has a variety of color options and boobs that aren’t perky enough to poke an eye out.

This ring holder by Redwood Stoneworks definitely caters to aesthetic more than practicality (how many rings can you really fit with only one finger?) But with the option of adding a ring dish with the hand, this plaster beauty would be perfect “F the Patriarchy” statement at anyone’s front entrance or mantle.

I don’t know who first thought to make candle molds of the female form, but I love the fact that Pretty Honest Candles offers a range of shapes and sizes named after Greek goddesses. Ancient art of the female form has always been addressed as “Venus” and every one of the melting muses in this shop definitely live up to that name.

I know this one may be a bit tongue-in-cheek (pun ABSOLUTELY intended) but when I saw the words “jiggly” and “butt” associated with this candle from Nervous Art Store, I knew someone out there would appreciate this amazing piece of art.

Okay, I know there seems to be a booty-ful reoccurring theme of butts here, but this incense burner is just too good. Jenny Dawn of Stony Point Pottery also does a range of other pieces, i.e. mugs with boobs, but the concept of an incense burner shaped like a butt was just too hilarious for me not to spread the love (and quirky gift idea).

This wire-art hanging by Switzerland-based mirusartworks can be both a wall-piece and a jewelry holder, and really radiates bad b*tch energy.

These female-centered art prints by Constanza Illustrates are refreshingly unique and bold—making them ideal as a stand out piece for that space right above your couch, or in your bedroom.

Gravel and Gold has this excellent lavender shower curtain of minimalistically rendered tatas. They also offer the same print on a range of goods like pillowcases, laundry baskets, and even face masks to make sure you can maximize the cohesivity of your female-inspired living space.

Okay, who here suddenly can’t get enough of metal and wire art? This portrait of a woman with plants from Black Ivy Craft is the perfect modern wall art. And you can choose from gold or black!

Which female-inspired products would you put on display?

12 Sustainable Activewear Companies for a Guilt-Free Gym Fit

updated on April 4, 2024 by Mindy Chung

Who ever thought that squat-proof leggings would become a real consideration when picking your next gym outfit? I know we’re all wary of the infamous see-through black legging phenomenon, but it’s really blown past that hallmark with the explosive interest in athleisure in the last decade.

And sure—if all you’re going to do in your activewear is grocery shop for your weekly meal prep? Functionality and opacity don’t matter as much as comfort. But as someone who’s always leery of blasting the color of my underwear to the whole gym whenever I bend over, I have a few stipulations for my workout gear. So here’s a few fantastic, eco-friendly, and sustainable activewear companies to consider when it’s time to retire barely-there leggings.

Boody

Boody uses organic regenerative bamboo in its clothing for its breathability and softness, making it ideal for activewear. (And while bamboo viscose may not top the list of sustainable fabrics, grown organically it is a big step up from conventional cotton and synthetics.) As a company, they’re also dedicated to giving back to non-profit organizations like Goodbye Malaria. Offered in XS-XL; hopefully they’ll add more extended sizing for workout clothes like they did with their undies.

TALA

Based in the UK, TALA was actually the first company that showed me how transparency and sustainability should look in a clothing brand: upcycled materials and responsible production. And while they do offer a larger range now of casual wear, I’ll always salivate juuust a little for their sustainable leggings.

Summersalt

This women-led eco-friendly brand offers swimsuits, lounge and sustainable activewear, and utilizes either sustainable or recycled materials in its business model from the clothes they offer to the packaging it comes in. They are mid-range priced, and currently come in sizes up to 2X/womens 22.

PACT

Even if you’re fairly new to the sustainable fashion world, you’ve probably heard of Pact. Pact is a reasonably priced, organic cotton-focused brand. Sure, their designs are simple, but isn’t that kind of what you want when it comes to activewear? They boast a range of basics and athleisure wear all manufactured at a Fair Trade Certified factory, and eco-conscious shipping practices like packaging made from 100% post-consumer and biodegradable materials. Plus, they’ve got mens, kids, baby, and even maternity so you can outfit the whole fam. XS-2X.

Allbirds

What started as an eco-friendly sneaker brand (remember those wool commercials?) has spawned a whole line of sustainably-made activewear. Allbirds is perfect for any level of activity from yoga to HIIT, and with their popularity growing, you can probably find a brick-and-mortar store near you. I can see their run tank quickly becoming a staple. Materials include tencel, recycled nylon, hemp, and more. XS-3XL.

Free Label

Free Label (based in Vancouver, Canada) is more casual and loungewear than workout per se, but it’s worth mentioning due to their supima cotton tees, reversible sports bras, and bamboo pants you can wear to both yoga and a dinner out. They offer sizes from XS-4X, with a selection of bras designed for bigger busts.

Threads 4 Thought

We all know Threads 4 Thought, right? T4T places an emphasis on accountability with their transparent operation reports and continual pledge to better their sustainability practices. (Which we’re all about keeping them accountable for.) They source eco-friendly fabrics like Lenzing Modal which is derived from regenerated beech trees, and boast an affordably-priced XS-3XL size range.

Day/Won

Day/Won boasts an eco-conscious, manufactured on-demand, operation out of upstate New York that focuses on utilizing recycled materials and promoting size-inclusivity with their no-exception XS-5XL (0-32) activewear line. Their brand is an excellent choice for anyone who favors louder prints, and more performance-tailored fits.

Girlfriend is Mindy Kaling approved.

Girlfriend Collective

I want to take a moment to bow down to this absolutely ICONIC brand. Not only does Girlfriend have a fully transparent supply chain and FAQ on how they source and manufacture their main source of recycled material (plastic water bottles from Taiwan), they’re also the only sustainable activewear brand I’ve found that’s size-inclusive enough to offer XS to 6XL. 👏(If you know of others, do tell.) Also, everyone I know that’s tried Girlfriend has absolutely sworn off any other leggings, ever.

LA Relaxed

LA Relaxed is a more affordable loungewear brand (and you can score 20% off by signing up for their newsletter) offering soft basics like tees, joggers, leggings, and sleepwear. Choose from organic cotton, modal, linen, or tencel.

Oko Living

Looking for the perfect yoga mat to pair with your sustainable activewear? Oko Living’s eco-friendly yoga mats are 100% natural, herbal dyed, and ethically hand loomed in India by women artisans who are paid fair wages and guaranteed safe working conditions.

Pangaia

Plant Based clothing company Pangaia leads the way in materials science with their innovative fabrics. They also have accessories such as another workout must: a reusable stainless steel water bottles are made from fully recyclable materials. Each bottle sold in partnership with Ocean Bottle funds the collection of approximately 1,000 plastic bottles by collectors in coastal communities.

Let us know what other sustainable activewear brands you swear by, and check out our guide to sustainable loungewear here.

Is Palm Oil Bad For You? And Can It Be Sustainable?

updated on May 30, 2023 by Mindy Chung

With the surging interest in alternative oils in the last few years (hello oil pulling) there’s one that many people still don’t seem to know about. For the most part, that’s by no fault of their own. Palm oil is such a divisive additive that companies have gone as far as implementing alternative names like Etyl palmitate that, let’s be real, most of us are likely to gloss over. So let me, someone who stumbled upon the horrible reality of palm oil one day many moons ago, open this discussion about its benefits, or lack thereof, for the average consumer:

Like any fat-based ingredient, palm oil has its baser benefits. It’s rich in antioxidants, and an excellent source of Vitamin E. In a bid to be as unbiased as possible, I acknowledge that palm oil does have positive features, although most of those are for the businesses that utilize it (it’s as effective in baked goods, for example, than any other vegetable oil, but cheap). And that’s why it’s exploded in popularity as a component in products ranging from shampoo to 95% of your favorite Trader Joe’s snacks. (I’m sorry, it had to be said. As someone who worked there for almost three years, I always felt discomfited by the company’s liberal usage of palm oil in literally EVERYTHING.)

Is Palm Oil Bad For You?

If you’re wondering whether or not palm oil is bad for your health, the most apparent negative attribute is that it is, simply, an oil. That means it’s not only high in saturated fats but can cause health conditions such as elevated cholesterol if consumed in excess over a long period of time…. which is kind of inevitable when it’s in most of the packaged foods we eat.

And while those are two very real worries, if I’m being honest, they’re minute concerns of mine compared to its larger impact. On a macro level, palm oil has far more troublesome implications for us as consumers. Globally, environmentally… We should consider how palm harvesting has expedited deforestation, its implications for our economy, and how it’s personally affecting our wallets.

Can Palm Oil Be Sustainable?

If you’ve been making strides in adopting green living, and know of palm oil and its pervasive presence in U.S. goods, you may have concluded that while you may not be able to avoid it, you could at least choose products sourced ethically—at an upcharge, no doubt. And while that’s an admirable effort, with how the palm oil industry functions, there is no way to guarantee the oil in your favorite ice cream isn’t harming the environment. In fact, studies show that sustainable-certified palm oil farms are actually being decimated faster than their non-certified counterparts. No doubt because our collective zeal for living organically has somehow ironically come back to haunt us e.g. Fiji Water.

As someone who’s grown more economically conscientious over the last few years, palm oil is like the boogeyman: its presence is never far, and it’s exhausting trying to avoid the ingredient entirely. I know how destructive it’s been for the environment, its role in global warming, and how it’s ravaged the orangutan population—and yet it feels like I’m yelling fire in an empty room.

There are so many other real-world problems today that addressing the inescapable presence of palm oil in our consumable goods seems to have fallen to the wayside. And I get it; tackling single use packaging and plastic straws just feels more manageable, and the sense of gratification is far more instantaneous.

At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if palm oil is good or bad for you is yourself. There are so many facets to consider—accessibility, cultural utilization, personal preference, and health considerations—that while the answer may seem obvious to me, it may not be that simple for you. (I mean, it’s near impossible to avoid in packaged foods; if you’re shopping on a budget then boycotting may not even be an option.) Far be it for me to police what you can buy; gatekeeping is a permeating issue within the green community that I’d really rather not be a part of. In all honesty, all I’d like is to spread awareness so that everyone can come to their own educated conclusions.

Do you have a strong stance on palm oil? For those who avoid, share your tips! For those who are just now learning about this ingredient—what should I explore next?

10 CBD Brands To Know About

updated on May 30, 2023 by Mindy Chung

Last month we came out with a blog debating the sustainability of the CBD industry. And as heavily hinted/promised, this month we have a list of 10 #ecoclubapproved CBD companies that emphasize sustainability within their business models! Each brand has its own set of priorities when it comes to sustainability (and as with all things small business, no single bran can do it *all*), but today we’re focusing on sustainable packaging, Black female owned brands, and those with an emphasis on local sourcing. Let’s get into it.

cbd brands with sustainable packaging

I’m going to be 100% with y’all—finding companies that were dedicated to and implementing sustainable packaging was unexpectedly difficult. Which is why I applaud these brands all the more for taking that extra step to reduce their impact on Mother Nature.

Floramye
First up is eco club directory member, Floramye. They were instrumental in the creation of my original blog on CBD, and base their brand mission on practicing sustainability with all their products. Floramye stresses the importance of ethical and sustainable packaging; utilizing recyclable Italian glass with wood lids, and excluding any paper products while minimizing the use of plastic.

Daughter of the Land
Founded in 2017, every aspect of member Daughter of the Land focuses on sustainability, from their organic and fair-trade food grade ingredients, to their biodegradable and fully recyclable packaging. All of Daughter of the Land’s CBD products are packaged in compostable, recyclable, or reusable containers.

Plant People
While Plant People does source its ingredients globally, they are exceptionally transparent about where each component comes from. They also avoid plastic and dyes in their packaging, using 100% recycled and 100% biodegradable cellulose tissue in their shipping cushioning.

Black female-owned cbd brands

There is something especially beautiful about the Black community reclaiming an industry they have been disproportionately victimized in. These bad-ass boss babes have all shown up in different ways, but are still creating equally important impacts for their community and the environment.

Frigg
Created by the former CMO of Papa & Barkley (another CBD company), Frigg is a female-founded company. The company stresses transparency in all aspects of its business; their site provides easy access to their product philosophy, sustainable practices, and ingredients used, with blurbs about each of their benefits.

Buena Botanicals
Family-owned and founded by twin sisters, Buena Botanicals products are organic, hand-harvested, eco-responsible, and ethically grown in full sun and organic soil at a cooperative out of Colorado.

Undefined Beauty
Sh(EO) Dorian Morris founded Undefined Beauty with the intention of democratizing wellness. Undefined Beauty is sustainably sourced, cruelty-free, and accessibly priced; an element that’s hard to come by with niche commodities like CBD.

locally sourced cbd

9 times out of 10, it’s easier for US businesses to cut costs by outsourcing production to overseas factories where workers are under paid and subject to unsafe conditions. That’s why these companies—with their dedication to eco-friendly and U.S. sourced hemp—are truly changing what it means to be a sustainability-minded business.

Charlotte’s Web
Anyone who knows anything about the medicinal properties of cannabis and cannabis by-products has probably heard of Charlotte’s Web. What originally started out as a family venture to help one special needs child, has developed into a full-blown business that now grows its hemp on certified organic U.S. family farms.

Hollingsworth Hemp
This Washington-based CBD company truly emphasizes its family-owned and operated beginnings. All Hollingsworth Hemp CBD hemp is grown on their family farm in small batches and “Grandma Dorothy Approved”.

Verma Farms
Inspired by the Hawaiian islands, Verma Farms products are organic and made with pesticide free, unadulterated American-grown hemp. (P.S. they have a pet CBD line for any of you with fur children!)

Dazey CBD
Dazey CBD may be the paradigm of what locally sourced CBD should look like. As they put it on their website, “happy cows may come from California, but happy hemp comes from Oregon.” Dazey grows their CBD hemp open-air, and has the drone footage to prove it.

Hopefully, this list has given you all a few ideas if you’ve been curious about CBD brands. There’s many reasons to try and seek out sustainable brands, but first and foremost is the unavoidable reality that CBD is a consumable good. If you’re opting for a holistic health product, you probably don’t want to skimp on quality.

Let us know down below what you look for when choosing a CBD brand!

How to Tell if Your CBD is Sustainable

updated on May 30, 2023 by Mindy Chung

Woe to every person who finds out how utterly unsustainable almond farming (and in turn, almond milk) is. Sometimes it feels like even when you try to do something good for the environment—like switching to dairy alternatives—capitalism says “no, no, no” and wags a smug finger in your face. And while I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, today we’re going to focus our lens on a hot-button topic—the CBD industry.

Now, I’m not saying that the cultivation of CBD products is inherently bad but, as it is with any other product, there are red flags and green flags to look out for when it comes to how your favorite feel-good goodie is made. I reached out to eco club directory member, CBD brand Floramye, for their take and managed to come up with a crash-course rundown of all things CBD and sustainability. Time to edumacate yourselves, folks.

how CBD is grown

At some point in the farming industry, quantity over quality became king. As companies focused more on profit margins than sustainability, they continued to experiment with different ways to extend the harvest period and output of their goods (don’t even get me started with corn). Within the CBD industry, that practice most commonly manifests as greenhouse-grown hemp.

Greenhouse-grown hemp uses an exponentially higher amount of energy and water than its ground-grown counterparts. In fact, the sustainability of hemp grown in the ground may surprise you. The plant itself is durable, and its deep roots draw water from below the topsoil—which in turn preserves the mineral balance of the land it’s grown on. Hemp has a fairly quick turnaround rate of growth—meaning it already has a higher rate of yield than crops like pumpkins—and takes up less land since the timeline from growth to harvest is relatively short.

Organically, sustainably-grown hemp is vital to ecosystem preservation, as well as the prevention of negative over-farming byproducts like soil erosion, waste run-off, and excessive resource consumption. Organic farming practices are also invaluable because hemp is a bioaccumulator (that just means it soaks up everything, good and bad); shopping for organically grown CBD helps you to avoid the possibility of ingesting pesticides used in non-organic practices.

how CBD is processed

If you’ve ever made a cursory investigation into CBD and its benefits, you may have run into the terms “isolate” and “full spectrum.” While the differentiation of benefits is another conversation in and of itself, all you need to know today is that full spectrum CBD is less processed than its isolate counterparts. Goodies that contain isolate CBD run the risk of being processed with harmful substances like pentane, which is a chemical solvent.

In a similar, but not identical vein, I am all about cruelty-free practices. Any company you’re considering buying from should be transparent about where they get their CBD hemp from, whether it’s been tested on animals, and whether their CBD is lab-tested for potency and purity (hint: it should be).

how it’s packaged

When it comes to packaging, I feel like we’re all fairly familiar with the drill—aim for sustainable, recycled/recyclable materials (compostable is even better), and avoid plastic as much as possible. Containers made out of materials like glass are not the most ideal, but can be repurposed at the very least.

As is with anything you buy, just use your best judgement. We can’t always honor our desires to practice a sustainable lifestyle because all the options are unsustainable sometimes. But every opportunity taken to be more eco-friendly is better than none.

And with that, my newly-educated friends, I think it’s time to wrap up this lesson on CBD. Just as much as there are “bad” CBD companies, there are good. The information, and accessibility to knowledge of growth practices for any company you’re interested in, should always be readily available. And if you aren’t sure about something, just ask!

If this blog has piqued your interest in the CBD industry, keep an eye out—we may or may not be coming out with a list of sustainable CBD brands you should know. *wink*

16 Powerful Herbs To Try In Your Next DIY Tea Blend

updated on May 30, 2023 by Mindy Chung

It’s time to spill the tea sis—literally. If you’re anything like me, Tiktok has opened a whole new realm of self-care and holistic practices you would never have thought of in a million years… including making your own tea from scratch with a DIY tea blend. I know Teavana stores (RIP) originally cornered that market so, for someone who’s used to buying the idiot-proof boxes of Sleepy Time tea from my local grocery store, the idea of mixing my own blends never really crossed my mind.

But no more! Here’s a list of some basic herbs to help you get your own par-tea started today. (I’ll see myself out.) Here you’ll find herbs to create a DIY tea blend for everything from increasing focus to catching more Zzzs and more. Happy mixing!

best teas for a mood boost

If you’ve been struggling to maintain your mood at work, herbs like saffron have been shown to raise dopamine levels and combat depression, as well as lessening PMS symptoms.

Rhodiola, also known as golden root, is believed to alleviate some symptoms of depression by balancing the brain’s neurotransmitters.

St John’s wort has been tested numerous times and shown promising results in lessening the symptoms of depression and mood disorders. HOWEVER, it has several documented interactions to certain medications, so definitely be mindful before incorporating it into your diet!

Gotu Kola has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine to relieve multiple conditions. In this instance, you can use the herb to help alleviate anxiety and improve mental clarity.

best teas for focus

It’s a tale as old as time—you make yourself a coffee, pop open your laptop, and settle down to work… only to realize you’d like to be doing anything but.

Although I’ll never admit to just how heavily my college-aged-self depended on it, guarana is a key ingredient in most energy drinks for a reason. The caffeine not only makes your brain go choo-choo like Tomas the Tank Engine, it also helps you maintain focus. Double whammy all around.

Maca is a popular enough supplement that even Trader Joe’s stocked it for a hot minute. Research shows that the maca root may improve learning, memory performance, and endurance (mental AND physical).

Ginko Bilboa is a stalwart proponent of Eastern medicine. Its touted benefits include increased brain functions resulting in better memory, focus, and attention span.

Probably the most unassuming herb on this list, rosemary has surprising benefits beyond making a pizza slap. Studies have shown that with regular ingestion, it can improve memory and sleep quality, and possibly combat burnout.

best teas for stress relief

I think we can all agree—whether you have your own business, or just clock in to your 9-5, everyone deals with stress in their day-to-day life.

There’s a reason lavender is such a dominating proponent of stress-relieving products. Although no concrete reason is given for its effect, it seems that the act of smelling the herb helps to bypass other signals (i.e. anxiety, stress) in the brain.

Ashwagandha is a part of a sub classification of herbs known as adaptogens; basically, they help your body adapt more efficiently to dealing with stress. It’s said to help normalize cortisol levels (the stress hormone), and in turn help ease related symptoms.

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is another adaptogenic herb. Chock full of antioxidants, Tulsi can be utilized to address a number of health concerns like boosting immunity, which tends to suffer when under prolonged bouts of stress.

Passionflower is a common additive in stress-targeted teas. Passionflower is believed to relieve anxiety and stress, as well as improve sleep by boosting your level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which calms brain activity.

best teas for sleep

NOTHING makes me saltier than settling in for the night… only to realize my brain is running faster than I did in high school P.E. Cue chamomile—the reigning go-to for those of us afflicted with insomnia and racing thoughts. Its properties are widely believed to help reduce anxiety and induce sleep so fluff your pillow, and say hello to the Sandman.

Next up is California poppy—just knowing poppies were used to make opiates should be enough of a testament to their abilities to put you out like a light. Although the California poppy is a different variety from the potent Opium poppy, it has a shared effect of improving anxiety and inducing sleep.

Valerian root has a long history as a sedative in herbal medicine. Like Passionflower it has been proven to increase GABA levels in the brain. Time to PTFO!

A cousin to mint, Lemon balm has known properties for reducing stress and anxiety, and as a result, is also known for helping ease the symptoms of sleeping disorders.

Have you ever made your own DIY tea blend? Let us know what herbs you’re most excited to start mixing in your own kitchen!

Mindy Chung

Boody

TALA

Summersalt

PACT

Allbirds

Free Label

Threads 4 Thought

Day/Won

Girlfriend Collective

LA Relaxed

Oko Living

Pangaia

Is Palm Oil Bad For You?

Can Palm Oil Be Sustainable?

cbd brands with sustainable packaging

Black female-owned cbd brands

locally sourced cbd

how CBD is grown

how CBD is processed

how it’s packaged

best teas for a mood boost

best teas for focus

best teas for stress relief

best teas for sleep

photo by Charity Hestead Kubena