Wedding Wednesday- Eco-Friendly Wedding Guest Wear

In your early 20's, it still feels weird to go to friends' weddings. 

By your mid-20's, it is an established part of your summer routine. Most of us even get into those binds where we are invited to more than one in a weekend. 

By the end of your 20's, you are a pro, and you could probably fill your Saturdays watching people get hitched. 

Wedding Guesting is an art all its own, and it can become a big part of life (and your budget). We may spend most wedding talk on issues of planning, but most of us will go to more weddings as a guest than a participant (unless we are a real badass), so it might be worth it to figure out how to do it well (find that drunken shenanigan line- yes to dancing, no to anything you wouldn't want a professional photographer present for), how to do it with style, and even how to do it in an eco-friendly way. 

I love going to a wedding- how many events do you get to go to where you just get to be excited for someone else, eat cake, and get dressed up? I just like when good things happen to people, and weddings are usually (but not always) really good things. The weddings in our life have picked up from year to year, though this year we are in a lull, and we had to miss a few people we really love due to travel and pregnancy-related limitations (before this year, we always tried to make it, and I think we were only thwarted once due to a nasty case of viral exanthems- sorry Kate!). I would like to believe we have gotten pretty good at guesting, at least as good as we can while still being super awkward dorks. These are the key responsibilities as I see them: 

1. Have a Good Time- Someone spent a bunch of money trying to make this party a good time. So get on board whatever ship they are sailing. Dance even if the dj is not the greatest (or prioritizes taking selfies). Participate in the activity, even if it is dorky. Make small talk even if you truly are the worst at it. You are a collaborator in the good time, so get in there and have fun like it is your job. 

2. Get a Good Gift- A gift's value can come from a lot of things, but gifting is my love language, so I take it very seriously. MORE HERE. 

3. Don't Look a Hot Mess- Don't be the guest they are trying to crop out of pictures. This is a wedding; no camo shorts, nipples, or super fashion moments are needed (these are all things I have seen while a guest). The bride and groom probably indicated to you the level of formality and the general style of the wedding (often the colors too) in the invite. Don't try to dress like a bridesmaid, but you can try to get in the spirit of the event with your clothes. 

But here is the problem. If you are going to be a professional wedding guest, that adds up to a lot of travel, a lot of gifting, and a lot of merriment. It also means you are dressing up A LOT. 

You can green your gifting by seeking out the green items on their registry, giving them honeymoon money, or by doing simple substitutions by using the Made in America and Eco-Friendly Wedding Registry, 

It turns out you can turn your many fashion moments into productive and eco-friendly purchases as well. Let's go through it by formality. Not that I actually understand the different formality levels, because they are impossible, and we are a generation of ragamuffins. I'll split by gender too, but obviously you should ride the line or do whatever makes sense for you. Just gathering resources.

Formal (white tie) and Semi-Formal (black tie)

For Guys-  Rent a Tuxedo! If you think you have enough black tie events in your future, buying one might make sense. Even mainstream stores like Men's Wearhouse have their USA- made selections obviously marked. I saw a few on Nordstrom as well, but they are so expensive! How many times would you have to rent before it is cheaper to buy? Sharing/ renting makes sense to me for your average guy.

For Ladies- I have always hated that men can rent a tux and women are supposed to shell out so much money for a dress. It's not that way anymore! I am all about Rent the Runway, where you can rent formal dresses I know I could never afford. It gives you the chance to switch up your look, and it is more environmentally-friendly than all of us having some formal dresses just collecting dust in our closets. You can get dresses at every level of formality (starting as low as 30 bucks), but it makes the most sense when you are headed to a black tie wedding, because, really, when are you reusing that gown?

If your answer is "all the time, B," you are in luck. Certain designers of more formal dresses- Nicole Miller, Zac Posen, Jason Wu, Jennifer Kroll - have already pledged to make (at least some of) their dresses in the United States. Nordstrom has 46 options for made in America formal dresses. You can even try Amazon (just read the description before you buy. They love "or imported" in the descriptions). Anthropologie sells one line of Made in America dresses that would work for bridesmaids or guests. I tried to aim on the simple side, because you can always switch up the style around it, but that is my best tip- go classic in a simple color, and you might get more years of life out of the dress. 

Informal (Suit and Cocktail Dress)

For Guys- Most men (but not all, so self-assess don't sweat it if this isn't you) should probably own at least two suits: a grey or black one and a navy one. The nice thing for dudes is they can buy one or two really well-made suits, and then wear them forever. It's kind of this blog's dream for all people, regardless of their gender. Most suits aren't cheap, but a good one can last you so long that you really get your money's worth. 

I know Men's Wearhouse carries a brand Joseph Abboud that are sewn in the United States, so you can go pretty basic and still buy something ethical with minimal negative impact. Their dress pants are even on sale, so it can have minimal pocket impact as well. Nordstrom has a whole section of Made in America suits as well, though I cannot imagine ever being rich enough to spend that kind of money. 

I don't have much advice on men's fashion, but I do HIGHLY recommend the American List on the Continuous Lean. They have a massive list of American-made fashion and gear for men. We have had great luck with everything they have recommended. 

For Ladies- First, a lot of the answers for a great cocktail dress are the same- check out Rent the Runway, you might be surprised by their 1127 options. I think I will do this next time, because the dresses look so beautiful and at least at this moment, my body is always in flux, so purchasing something doesn't make a ton of sense. 

Lots of cocktail dresses are made domestically, so if you do want to buy, you can support slow fashion, the American worker, and shrinking the fossil fuel consumption that plagues uneccessary imports. Nordstrom has 400+ made in America options. Amazon has hundreds as well. You can also find beautiful cocktail dresses made by American designers like Nanette Lepore or (my favorite) Eva Franco. (you can also shop for both of their stuff on Anthropologie). You could also browse Modcloth's Made in America pages.  Lastly, try Shabby Apple- this American brand sells gorgeous dresses that would work perfectly for weddings and cocktail events. 

Casual (everything else)

For Guys- My husband would probably still wear a suit, but for most guys, a few button ups and some trusted dress pants are all you need to survive those less formal weddings. Use what you already have and invest in pieces that will last you. My advice? Look for some button ups on The American List from A Continuous Lean. It may cost more at first, but get something classic and it should last you longer. For neckties, I recommend used or something from The General Knot Co or The Hillside.

For Ladies- If you are in a sundress situation, your first good bet is to check your own closet or favorite consignment store. There are plenty of sundresses out in the world, so you are likely to find something great without looking far. If  you are feeling like you need something special, try checking out Shabby Apple, Modcloth, or Nordstrom. Try a new consignment store, borrow from friends, Thred Up, or even Rent the Runway. You can get something amazing for 30 bucks, for goodness sakes! 

Prioritize getting things used, and if not used, made in America. Stop buying things that are ok, and only shell out for dresses you love enough to keep wearing! Bonus points if you can dress it up or down to get more use out of it. I also think doing separates might get you more bang for your buck- you can use different combinations on those wedding-saturated summers. You have so many options, there is no reason to spend money on a dress that was unethically-made and wastes fossil fuels.

A few other Green Habits for weddings-

Turn down the plastic straw or stirrer. You can't stop the train from rolling, but you can get off. They will last a teensy bit longer.

Give an eco-friendly gift. Check the registry, but a few switches might make the whole thing way more environmentally-kind. Consider who you are shopping for, but this may be a good choice. Or buying a "giftless" gift, like movie tickets or a gift card for a museum, might be the perfect gift. Get your card from a foundation like the Arbor Day Foundation. Wrap it in something recycled.

Recycle your program. 

Good luck, guesties! If you need some inspiration for gifts, be sure to check out The Made in America and Eco-Friendly Wedding Registry. If you want more general shopping inspiration, try The Giant List of Shopping Lists. 

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Throwback Thursday- Don't Buy Moleskine Notebooks, Instead Try

from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/32/e3/89/32e389acdfbf1835e506d3511b899738.jpg

Oh Moleskine notebooks, accessory for doushey guys all the way back to Ernest Hemmingway. When I was in grad school, I could not avoid some haughty Stanford guy writing notes in his little notebook. Hipsters only love this kind of thing, because they aren't really paying any more attention than anybody else.

Of course, at the time, I thought they were pretty cool.

You could totally imagine something brilliant being scribbled in, and they seemed to promise a kind of tough but lasting American thought. They seem like the kind of notebook you put your notes and ideas into if your thoughts are worth keeping forever, and I kept a tiny one in my purse all the time in case I had a brilliant dissertation-related thought.

I still keep notebooks, but I will happily skip the Moleskine.

Moleskine, it turns out, is not about quality and American intellectual masculinity (why did I think they were cool? Poor 23 year old Barbara), These notebooks are about as special and lovingly made as any Composition Book. This brand is all about surface and self-perception. Shorter version of this? All of these notebooks are imported from China, just like every piece of junk at Walmart those same guys would turn their noses up at. They are just another piece of junk- their low quality is not a fluke or a sign of their heavy use.

Any prestige is totally fake, and we can put our American brains down on much more ethical and American paper.

So, Moleskine, I am done with you. I will buy notebooks that are actually made in America. Even better, I can find ones that use recycled materials and safe inks too. Check out my favorites:

Decomposition Book on Amazon

1. Decomposition Books- I am absolutely committed to these notebooks, made in the US out of recycled paper and soy ink. I love them so much that they made my list of top ten finds for 2015. They come in great designs and a bunch of sizes. I carry a little one in my bag now, and I have no interest in buying anything else when an option this good exists. Be sure to check to see if you local bookstores have them; I have seen them out a couple times now, which I am psyched about.

TOPS Second Nature on Amazon

2 TOPS Second Nature Notesbooks- Recycled, Made in the USA, and shockingly affordable. Coming in around the price of your regular basic notebook, this might be the perfect notebook to send to school with your kids or to scribble notes into.

Rustico from Amazon

3. Rustico- If you are really missing that leather-bound, Moleskine feeling (and who can blame you), Rustico makes leather-bound and closeable notebooks here in the US that remind me of a Moleskine, but nicer. They also look rugged enough for Indiana Jones, and I like the ties on the front. Great choice!

Night Owl Paper Goods from Amazon

4. Night Owl Paper Goods- Made in Alabama, these cute little pocket notebooks (out of recycled paper) look great and might help you shake off your Hemmingway desires. If you are a recovering academic like I am (or a kindergartener, either way), these may do the trick for shaking off some pretension.

from Field Notes

5. Field Notes- These books give you lots of options for paper and have a similar association with America and creativity. Luckily, they are also made in the United States.  I love them too, because I know people use Moleskines as small art journals, and I think these Field Notes books would serve that same purpose perfectly.


More Options (there are so many! Good day to write this blog)- Vela, Northbooks, and DIY Indispensables- All of these look like they could be the perfect fit for someone, so if you haven't seen what you like, check these.

Want more shopping inspiration? Awesome! Let's use this time between Memorial Day and 4th of July to take better care of the companies that still work, sell, and manufacture in America. Shop American! We can take better care of our workforce, minimize the waste of international travel, and send the message to companies that it is worth their money to move manufacturing back to the States. Check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists for more ideas!

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Don't Buy American Eagle, Instead Try...

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

from ebay

Tonight, we headed to our local mall for some dinner, dessert, and letting our kid play in the pretty awesome play area. When dessert fell through (damn you, Dairy Queen), we just walked through the mall, and it struck me that basically any of the stores there would qualify for this blog. If we want to minimize our environmental impact or support American businesses that employ lots of Americans (not just a handful of underpaid high school and college students), we may all need to step away from the mall.

One of the most egregious of these is American Eagle (but we could say almost all the same things about stinky Abercrombie and Fitch, inexplicable Aeropostale, and the Gap) Despite "American" being in the name, American Eagle Outfitters sells only a tiny hand full of American products (mostly their scents, 4 t-shirts, Burt's Bees products, and a few Woolrich blankets online only). This is better than nothing, and it makes me sad to write this because the company is based out of Pittsburgh, but if you are trying to shop for ethical clothes, this isn't the place to start.

Also notable- the sheer number of t-shirts with American imagery on them- all of which were made elsewhere.

The first store was in Michigan, and the company was once headquartered in Tennessee. It's still not particularly large (especially compared to some of the things we have looked at here), but makes over 150 million dollars a year. They also have recently signed a "franchisee" agreement with one of the huge clothing distributors in the Middle East, so this "All-American" brand has stores all over the world. The company also makes the vast majority of their clothes oversees and have run into trouble for how they treat their labor.

American Eagle's strength is that it is marketed primarily to teens and young college students (specifically ones that wish they hung out at the beach a lot? Beach days aren't that common in Pittsburgh). I'll be honest with you, the teenage years horrify the (low key) environmentalist in me. They  are growing so fast that you don't want to spend a lot of money, but you also might have more trouble steering them away from trendy clothes or shopping in consignment stores. Striking that balance can feel incredibly tough if not impossible.

The good news is that it isn't impossible. You can still sidestep clothing stores like American Eagle and do better for the environment.

1. Get it Used- Yes, I know that I just said that someone who shops at American Eagle may not be wildly excited about used clothes. That doesn't mean you can't find something! Check what consignment shops are available around you and start browsing. You can probably save a whole lot of money and at nicer places find things that would still feel cool now. You can at least fill some wardrobe blanks this way.

from American Apparel

2. American Apparel- Unlike most of its "American" store counterparts, American Apparel actually makes and sells its clothes in America (specifically Los Angeles). Some of it's stuff isn't all that appropriate (not just for teens, basically for anyone who isn't into high cut, boob-baring adult onesies), but they do have perfect basics like t-shirts to try! They have a denim line just like American Eagle, but theirs is worlds ahead ethically.

The last time I bought a piece of clothing with an American flag on it was from them- it was also Made in America and to raise funds for immigrants in America, So yeah, I will spend my money here.

3. Modcloth- This online store has a great selection, some more cutesy that others, but Modcloth also has a Made in America filter that highlights new Made in America clothing every single day. I used to love American Eagle's dresses (they really were cut well), now I get most of my dresses from this site. One of my favorite clothing options anywhere.

There are plenty of clothing companies out there still made in America- for boys, you can check The American List and look out for sales. Even when shopping for someone in a seemingly endless transitional phase, you can still get some of your shopping done in a way that

Want more shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists.

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Throwback Thursday- Minimizing and Tackling the Toys

This weekend, it’s time to tackle the ever-feared toy stash. We have had a child for a year and change- where did all this stuff come from? The Bub has so many toys that I don’t know that he could use them all if he wanted to, but so many of them are sweet gifts from loved ones, so it is hard to retire them. 

At the same time, I have enough friends and family with kids to know that the toy stashes grow exponentially, so my goal is to thin it out twice a year, because if it reaches past his toy box and his room, the collection is too much. Not to mention, there are plenty of kids out there in the world who don’t have oodles of toys, so we can donate some of ours and let them actually get good use. So the goal? Toys only live in this toy box and this bedroom. I want everything pared down so there isn’t immediate risk of spillover.

So this is my method.

Step One- Make one giant pile of toys. I have learned something about myself. Very often, things survive rounds and rounds of cleaning for no other reason than they are in their spot. It is easier to keep your spot if no one EVER uses you, so piles and stacks have lasted far too long because they made sense contextually. It’s kind of the difference between cleaning and moving. If you have a condensation point, the best first step I can think of is to remove all that stuff from their usual context. It makes a fresh start so much easier.

Step Two- I am going to split the toys into things played with and things grown out of or ignored. Still played with means he does more than throw it out of his toy box every once in a while. Yes, I recognize some things might be too soon developmentally, we will factor that in later.  If I can’t remember the last time he really used it, it makes the pile. Everything that is still in pretty active use goes in the keep pile, EXCEPT for doubles and triples, which may get pared down (really, how many stuffed octopuses and “Corduroy” books does one baby need?).

Step Three- Pull out the emotional keeps. Gifts from family members make most of the cut here, though I don’t know if that can always be the case. But for now, if it makes us too sad to say goodbye, it can be a sentimental keep. We are only having one bin a kid for this, so this will get to be a more and more exclusive club.

I kept SO many of my own toys for sentiment’s sake (because I am the most sentimental person ever), and as I have been cleaning out my space at my Dad’s house, it made me so sad to see perfectly good stuffed animals and toys that time has eaten through. Someone else could have played with those, and I hope some of them are getting played with as we speak. I will feel sad and sentimental about all of my bubby’s toys, because the time goes so fast, but keeping the stuff won’t keep him young, so I want a limit to keep the archives from getting out of control.

Step Four- What is he not quite ready for? There are some toys, just like clothes, that are meant for a bub further along. Those are going to go into the toyboxes upstairs in his room, where he spends less time but has pulled a number of favorites out of.

Step Five- What’s left? Time to get honest. If I can’t justify keeping it with a GOOD reason (and keeping it for the next baby can only be a good reason so many times), it’s time to make the donate pile. My goal is to shave off at least a quarter, better a third, of the toys to share with other kids who might need them.

I finished this plan, and I would say about a quarter (??) of his toys went up on Buy Nothing (have you joined one yet? DO IT. It will change your life) and some will head to Goodwill. Another quarter went into storage, and all of the toys are contained again! Woot! 

I have had and seen a few other great ideas for toys and how to approach toy collections more ethically (and minimally).

-        Buy or get things used- don’t just donate toys, go in the store and find toys to use. I am not sure anyone ever needs to buy a new matchbox car or Lamaze toy, because we see them everywhere. A quick trip to the laundry machine or wash gets them ready to go again. Thinking of toys as borrowed rather than long term possessions might help the pile up.

-        Sparkbox! My dad got this as The Bub’s gift for Christmas, and I think it is GENIUS. You subscribe to the box and then borrow toys at the correct developmental level, and send them back when they are out of use (like Netflix for toys). If your kid gets super-attached, you can buy the toy for a discounted price. I love this idea so much, and I will let you know how it goes.

-        Do a reverse advent calendar- Rather than just giving your children toys at Christmas time, why not make it a season of giving by having them contribute to a box like this one? They could actually give up toys during the Christmas season! I love this idea and I think we will try it next year.

More ideas?

Do you have a method for keeping toys in check? How much do you keep for sentimental reasons?  How do you teach your child generosity, gratefulness, and that material possessions aren’t everything? Is it even possible? 

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Is "Made in America" Better for the Environment?

Leading up to 4th of July, I have been pushing for us all to buy more Made in America goods. In our house, we tried to buy them exclusively, so I know it can be a huge challenge to try for a month! On average, every 2 out of 10 items Americans buy are actually made here anymore. How depressing is that! At the same time, you might be surprised that with a little research (or just poking through my Epic List of Shopping Lists), you can find most (not all, but definitely most) of the things you want to buy Made in America. 

Companies want to make it seem impossible so that you don't think you can hold them to a higher standard, but this is a lie. You can be a successful brand made here, and that is why I spent June calling out brands from Converse to Martha Stewart to Melissa and Doug for sending all of their labor elsewhere. Lucky for us,  we have other options, so we can stop giving these supposed "American" companies our money. 

Why do it? Lots of amazing websites from Made in the USA Forever to Made in the USA.com to USA Love List spell it out for you.

- It funds more jobs for more Americans

- It keeps money in the American economy

- It help keeps local economies afloat and local factories open

- It (usually) guarantees a certain level of quality and longevity in what you buy

- It denies money to companies who mistreat workers in international factories

While all of these things are well-worth getting excited about, I want to be clear on why buying American, or even more so buying local, directly effects your impact on the environment. Every "green" shopping list that doesn't factor where things are made is making a huge mistake. Buying American can have a HUGE and important impact on everything from the Redwood Forests to the Gulf Stream Waters. Let me bullet point it for you- 

- It takes WAY less fuel to transport something made in Nebraska than something made in China. The fuel costs of importing so many goods (60+% of what we buy) halfway across the world is staggering, and even if the financial cost has been subsidized, the environmental cost is massive. Just think, your lame plastic junk has traveled way further than you. Buying locally or American guarantees you a much smaller carbon footprint. 

- It creates less waste. If you buy something built to last, you will need fewer, and therefore you create less waste and save money in the long run! You can buy a perfectly ok Made in China blender that will last you two years or a Vitamix that will last you ten or more. In the end, you will spend more money replacing things, and you make a hell of a lot more garbage in the process.

- It guarantees much higher environmental standards. In 2005, the Chinese Ministry of Health estimated 200 million workers were exposed to toxic chemicals daily at work. That year, almost 400,000 workers died from "occupational illnesses." And it hasn't gotten much better. 

- It creates safer products. The pollution and toxicity of these products are well proven, and not the kind of thing you want in your house. Do you really want your child playing with toys with lead in them? And then once those plastic goods are "used up," they go into our landfills, our soils, and our water. They shouldn't even exist, so why are you buying them? 

- It minimizes packaging. So much waste is created in the shipping of these products, and this includes the large number of things needed to get them here. Boo.

These make up a small number of the reasons that the shorter your goods travel, the better for the Earth. If you are an American, you have more positive environmental impact by buying regular American towels (like these ones from 1888 Mills) than "organic" ones from China. 

Buying goods made in America and being an environmentally-conscientious shopper look shockingly similar, even if you could care less about the climate, pollution in the water, or our finite supply of fossil fuels. Let me prove it: 

Ok, I am an environmentalist, this is how I prioritize my shopping:

In general, I buy less to minimize the stuff weighing down my house or bound for the landfill. 

When I need it, I buy used to keep perfectly useful items out of the garbage and in good use. 

When I can't find it used, I buy local and made in America to minimize shipping distances and to guarantee a certain environmental standard in the companies I shop from. Bonus- since American stuff is generally made so well, I get to use less in the long run. 

Now, if I shop All-American (like Paul Bunyan and Ron Swanson), this is how I prioritize my shopping:

I buy local and Made in America to support small companies, to put my money back into the United States economy, to make more jobs, and to generally keep making America awesome. 

When I can't afford everything made in America (because good quality means higher prices), I can buy less or buy things used. Can't afford a Made in America grill? Keep your money out of China and shop for a used one at garage sales or on Ebay. 

To make this lifestyle work, you can split your purchases into two categories- Objects you care enough about to buy American and objects you don't care enough about to pay those prices, so you cut the price SIGNIFICANTLY by shopping consignment. Meaning, more money in your budget to buy American goods! 

So, these are basically the same, just a different order. Surprise! We are on the same team.

The truth of the matter is once you start shopping like a steward, whether that be of the environment, the American laborer, or the economy, your priorities change and the process looks different. And that's awesome, because instead of constantly building up your own pile of little negative effects on the world (inequality, pollution, WASTE, etc), you are doing good you don't even anticipate or care about! What a better ripple effect to be a part of! 

In the end, I don't care why you buy American, but I am so glad if you do. Even if you can't take these steps for every purchase you make, you are doing something really great, and I hope you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

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Don't Buy American Greetings, Instead Try...

This blog series "Don't Buy... Instead Try..." intends to point out some of the most egregiously unethical, wasteful, and environmentally ridiculous companies out there. Instead of dwelling on their considerable awfulness, the series will focus on the other options you have for purchasing.

Every purchase we make is a vote for the kind of world we want. 
Every single purchase is political.
 Every single purchase has ethical ramifications, and 
every single purchase should be approached with a spirit of stewardship. 

We can change the world by refusing to fund extreme greed, the mistreatment of other human beings, and the trashing of the environment. We need to stay aware of the many choices available to us. Will we get it right every time? No. But if we all make little changes, we can send companies a new message, that consumers will show up if they do the right thing. 

from Wikipedia

Card shopping. In general, I find it heartwarming that people have a tool to articulate things they wouldn't have words for themselves. Plus, it sometimes means you get mail, which is basically my favorite thing ever. My mom and my aunt are both extremely thoughtful card shoppers, and my mom will browse the whole section before she picks the card she wants. It's pretty cute.

In terms of environmental-friendliness or All-American shopping, they can be a trickier deal. When you look through cards at a store, you may not be likely to look on the back to see where it is made or to see if the paper is recycled, but trust me, it's worth it. The cards most jacked up to get your attention, with noise or pop ups or extra doodads, are probably made in China. Bummer. Also, did you know button batteries in cards are baby death machines? They are the things nightmares are made of, but I digress.

If you don't want to switch everything you buy, practice some bougie environmentalism or light consumer patriotism when you buy your greeting cards. It's easy because,

1. You are already reading the card. Just turn it over and read the back.
2. You can find good options in most card sections.
3. It's easy to spot the cruddier companies. Look for a red rose.

American Greetings is one of the major card companies in the United States, second only to Hallmark in sales. And they claim to be the largest in the world. It makes sense. You can find them everywhere.The offices are based in Ohio, but the rest of the story isn't as simple.

Ironically, despite their name, the company is not made in America at all. They must mean American Greetings from China. This company, that also makes gift bags and wrapping paper, has moved all of it's manufacturing to keep prices cheap.

So many questions. Cheap, but at what cost? How many trees really need to come down for you to send your cousin a birthday card? How far is too far for shipments of greeting cards to travel? Why call your company American Greetings if you aren't American at all?

On their website, the company describes their "mission" as to make the world a more civil place. Nice, who can disagree with that? Except, they don't mention one word on how the people who make their cards are treated. Or how they treat the environment. When looking at all of those little actions that make up who they are, it becomes clear that they aren't following their own mission, it's just a bunch of empty feelgoodery nonsense. This exact machinery of capitalism, where we say we want people to be kinder to each other while knowingly stomping on others, is a huge part of why incivility and competition has taken over our culture, and I am ready to see a change.

So boo, no more American Greetings, and when you can, you can find good independent options all over the place. But even if all you do is read the backs of the cards in Target and only buy ones Made in America, you are still doing more good than someone who doesn't care at all. Let's all stop buying imported cards- it makes no sense, and it isn't worth it. Plus....

SO MANY GOOD OPTIONS EXIST! HUZZAH!!!

1. St Jude Fundraiser Cards- St Jude's Ranch is a place for children and their families to recover. To raise money for this very important space, they recycle donated cards (gluing old card fronts on new cardstock) and sell them to make money. Can you think of a better way to buy cards? Even better, you can donate all the cards you have kept to them! Check out their website here.

2. Arbor Day Give a Tree Cards- I absolutely love this idea. You can buy greeting cards (I think made on all-recycled paper? I read that before but can't find it now), and for every card you buy, they plant a tree. So you could buy your Christmas cards in bulk and celebrate the season by helping plant trees! It is such a cool idea, because these cards can cut down on waste and help make the Earth that much cleaner and healthier.

3. Make the Card Yourself- We bought a bulk pack of recycled kraft paper cards, and I have used them for everything from little notes, thank you cards, even our son's first birthday invitations. We bought a pack of alphabet stamps, and we will use the same stuff over and over again. No trees are coming down for our cards, and hopefully we are making a lot less waste. Plus, it is pretty fun to come up with ideas and work on them together.

from Alisa Bobzien

4. Etsy Cards- Etsy has so many cards, funnier and sillier and sometimes more touching than anything you can find in stores. You can search for a card perfectly personalized to the receiver. They have 400,000 choices of cards on that site, so there isn't a chance I can cover them all here. I bought my hubby this gem for Father's Day and this one just because. Five more great sources for Made in America and recycled greeting cards on Etsy- Le Sentiments, Alluring Prints, Bubby and Bean, Creature Comforts NYC, and Live Beautifully Paper.

5. Maggie's Quill- These Maggie's Quill cards are not just hilarious, but they are made in the US and out of recycled paper! You have so many good choices for cards, there is really no reason to buy something Made in Elsewhere or with fresh paper. Recycled paper is best!

More Options- Green Field Paper Company, Crane and Co, Night Owl Paper Goods, Pumpernickel...

And if all else fails, most (but not all! Nothing with batteries or extra doodads) Hallmark cards are still made in the US. This company did move some manufacturing away, so please check the back. Every card will tell you where it was made somewhere on there. If you are going to rush shop a card in a pinch, I think you are better off starting with Hallmark cards than many of the other cheap brands at places like Walmart or Walgreens.

Want more shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Shopping Lists.

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Don't Buy Bath and Bodyworks, Instead Try...

from candlescoop

Ah, the Bath and Bodyworks gift basket. Nothing says "I don't know you that well" or "I didn't put much thought into this" like a Bath and Bodyworks gift basket.

In all seriousness, can you remember being in a mall without the smell of heavily-scented lotions and candles? In general, the company doesn't market themselves as especially American (though they did have a Made in America's Heartland line, which you could clearly read on the bottle was made in Mexico), but their consistent presence in American shopping spaces make them seem inevitable.

from centsable shoppin

They must have a hell of a business model, because they only opened their first store in 1997 and twenty years later, you can't avoid them. I feel like they are the roaches of even the failing shopping malls; everything else has closed, but the Bath and Bodyworks is still kicking, probably staffed by a handful of high school girls.

The company was founded in New Albany, Ohio and their offices are still based there. The company does have some great things going for them, and their office (not their stores) earned some green titles over the years.But the biggest problem with Bath and Bodyworks is a huge issue with all body products-

They aren't required to be specific about where they are produced or where their packaging is produced, and the safety regulations are pretty surprisingly low.

For this reason, even when browsing the store, it isn't always clear where things are made. Lots of "distributed by" and not much "Made in." This is a BAD SIGN!

After doing this research for a year, I can say when companies are doing something right, they aren't sketchy or cagey about it. They want the credit and the added value. If they won't tell you, it's not good news. You can on occasion find a "Made in Mexico" on a bottle, and I read online some of their products are made in China.

The lack of safety concerns is also concerning- when you get prego, they start to warn you about skin and hair products (salicylic acid especially) because it isn't yet tested fully how much the chemicals in products like these make it into your bloodstream. If companies are mass producing unhealthy products, it may have more negative consequences than you would expect.

I should also point out that this is a store selling plastic wrapped in plastic, so you are getting whatever chemicals might leech out as well. If you think I am overreacting to them, you can also look at their "home decor" collection, which is mostly candles. Their candles are made of paraffin wax. Paraffin is another petrochemical- it's bad for the environment and probably not great for your lungs (the EPA has identified 7 major toxins in it). You also can't reuse the container because that black ashy stuff is toxic as well. Is it the worst thing on the planet? No, probably not, but with soy and beeswax options out there, it is also a super easy (and pretty cost-effective) switch. Which brings us back to Bath and Bodyworks- if they could do the right thing, why don't they? And if they are selling all these plastics and paraffins made in (unnamed) Elsewhere, why would we give them our money?

Take a look at these other options. You might be surprised that they aren't all that much more expensive, and it could be a simple way to give healthier, more conscientious, and more thoughtful gifts!

Instead Try these Body Products...

1. Get it Local- It is so nice to buy these things in person, and you can find lotions and other smelly goodies at lots of local grocery stores or farmer's market. Not quite as ubiquitous as beer, but local body stuff is absolutely not too far away, so that is my advice of where to start.

2. Benedetta- Benedetta's body products are made from all "fresh" products from sustainable farms. The company was established in 1996 and all of their products are botanical. The store is in San Francisco, but you can check out their catalog online. They are proud of their small batch method, and you can read a lot about their practices on their site.

from firebird

3. Firebird Bath Body- Firebird Bath Body based out of Baltimore has 21,000 positive, glowing reviews on Etsy. 21,000. They have so many choices for lip balm, lotions, and soaps and everyone loves the smell. I get that it is a leap to buy body products online over in person, but the reviews here might make it a little less scary.

4. Noodle and Boo- I love Noodle and Boo for baby stuff, but they also sell lotions and washes for mommas. I would guess based on their baby stuff that it sells amazing. They have organic ingredients and are made in the US. I am excited to try this myself, and you can get it on amazon and lots of baby shops.

from Simply Rustic

5. Simply Rustic- Simply Rustic's body lotions and potions store is an Etsy store that headed out to have its own internet store. Made from 100% natural and fair trade ingredients. They even have a recycling program! Most of their stuff is body scrubs and butters, and they look amazing.

Other Options- Avishi Organics, Herban Lifestyle, American Bather, Mrs. Meyer's, Artisan Bath and Body, Ollie and Max Soap Co, Love Lee Soaps, Homemade Betty, Love Your Body Essentials, Empire Squid, Black Kettle Soap Co, Etiquettes

Instead Try these Made in the USA Candles...

Eco-candle from Amazon

1. Eco-Candle- We have one of these Eco-candles, made from soy beans from the Midwest, and it really is very nice. It's a big difference from candles like the ones sold at Bath and Bodyworks. They are a little on the expensive side, and they may seem small at first, but they burn a long time and smell great.

Our Own Candle Company on Amazon

2. Our Own Candle Company- If you want something at the exact same price point, Our Own Candle Company makes candles out of a soy paraffin mix, and they cost about ten bucks a piece. We have one of these too.

Candlove on Amazon

3. Candlove- These Candlove soy candles are made in Tennessee, and you can get them in tons of great scents (I have always been a vanilla girl, but they have plenty of great sounding smells). Soy and cotton, so the burn is clean, and one candle still lasts a very long time (soy candles can have a rep for going faster, but it's not true).

from Silver Dollar Candle Co

4. Silver Dollar Candle Co- An Etsy store that has over 60 choices (so you are bound to find something you like), and they are also a Tennessee-based shop (who knew Tennessee had all the candle-makers?).

from Etta Arlene

5. Etta Arlene- Probably in my top ten Etsy stores, Pittsburgh-based Etta Arlene sells soy candles that are both hilarious and aromatic. They smell so good! If you are gifting candles, this may be the way to go.

More Choices- Nika's Home, Scents by Darrson, MMTrinkets, Besem Natural Scents, Silver Dollar Candle Co, The Dancing Wick Candle Co, Hello You Candles, Frostbeard, The Candle Crate, Wax and Wane Candles, and the Enthusiastic Candle Co

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