So... I am so extremely proud of myself because I have been running and it is so invigorating. The other day I ran 3 miles and have been running 2.5miles in the morning then walking at night. So Lovely. I plan on reaching 5 miles by the end of the summer. I am also running with my friend Amanda. Let me just say... our goal is to be able to run 5 miles to the ice cream parlor in our town and then walk back. Great goal, huh? We also plan on running some 5Ks this summer. I think we are even going on a road trip to attend a 5K to raise money to help rescue victims of human trafficking. Honestly, my goal is to be able to run in just a sports bra and some shorts. Although, I don't think I'd actually do that. If I was a guy I could run without a top...
Moreover, I am just laughing at myself thinking about the following. For all of my lovely continuous readers, you are aware of my past problems when it comes to the male species...hahaha. Childfacationania was my problem, I posted that video below. Do you remember this post? Haha, #10... oh #10. Although, I am kinda getting over that. I suppose progression was bound to occur at some point along this timeline of my life. <3 Moving onward!
For entertainment from problems of the past, here is a wonderful video I filmed with my BFF, Jas, back in February 2013.
Do laugh.
Do let me know what you think!
Also, I am currently listening to this song...as I browse the Free People website. haha. How many of you know what I mean?
So excited for this week because I am doing a 3 for 1 look! Do I hear eco fashion? Oh yea. Do I hear sustainable fashion? Ooooh yeaa. Do I hear ethical, eco friendly fashion? Heck yea, girly! Why does this matter? When the process that makes our fashion creates less waste and less toxic pollution we are helping keep our planet healthier- and our air and the fishies in the seas too! Learn more about toxic clothes from this post on Listen Girlfriends.
Centered around a sea blue organic cotton pencil skirt from Ecolissa, I have created three looks essential for the young ambitious summer college woman. Yippie! I am attending two conferences this summer and in light of that, I was compelled to create a conference look. Then, I thought about how I never over pack(major skills) when I go to conferences because I make each piece versatile. This brought forth the second look, which is super cute to go out after the conference during the free dinner (or shopping or window shopping) time allotted. And the last one I made as a challenge for myself! I used the organic cotton pencil skirt to create a super casual look- I started off inspired by the 90s, then who knows what happened...hahaha. The outcome is cute, I think. ^_^
Let me know what you think in the comment section below! <3
I don't have much to share today. I am happy that my summer started, but my summer internship is beginning soon. I like doing research internships, but I miss being a kid with no responsibilities. Who is with me on that one? Moreover, I am currently, continuously at awe at the beauty of life and people, and relationships, and families. <3 Once again I see the blessings I have been given, especially the relationship I have with my brothers. It's tough to keep a good relationship with siblings, but I think I have the best siblings I could have ever asked for! When I want to get super upset, which I do sometimes, I always remember that they are so beautifully created, and that family comes first! Amen!
As for my life... I went to an human trafficking awareness task force training and it was AMAZING! It was SUCH a blessing because it helped clear questions I had and set a more clear path as to where I should be taking my next step to help end trafficking. I am working with someone to approach people with prestige in my city so that we can help pass the TVPJA bill (Trafficking Victims Protection & Justice Act.) Why? Because... Currently, in New York State, it is only a misdemeanor to sex traffic a child! Also, children who are trafficked are treated as criminals, in some cases.
EXCUSE ME NEW YORK?
We need to increase punishments so that we can decrease the supply of children being sold for sex! Want to do something so that the children of New York State have less of a chance of being sold for sex? Click here to go to the TVPJA website to see how you can write a letter (make sure to get it in the mail box) or make a phone call to help change this!
May the Lord guide your day today,
Christine
P.S. Shout out to my girl Amanda, best wishes finding your "you" Bible verse!
First of all, can anyone shout out last day of classes? I can! Although, now that my school year is over, I am filling every minute of my day with activities... so I am really as busy as I was last week during finals week. On the plus side, I am happy to bring you this video and editorial I have been waiting to put together since right before finals!
I was first introduced to ethical fair trade fashion through Listen Girlfriends' current blog series on Critical Fashion. Let's just say I'm currently obsessed with her blog because it teaches me about where my fashion comes from! The editor Nadia, who I interviewed for Bloggers Against Social Injustice, does an A-MA-ZING job teaching about ethical fashion, and uncovering the problems in the fashion industry while offering suggestions to change these problems. Feeling a bit like hugging a tree with my organic clothing and eco fashion, but hey, the trees need some love, right? :p
I am so excited because I have my first piece of ethical (fair trade, offering fair salaries and regulations) and sustainable (eco-friendly) fashion! As I mentioned before, I am transitioning into ethical, sustainable fashion. My first piece is the EZ Skirt from Indigenous. They wanted to send me something for my Truman Interview because I was looking for ethical interview attire. I was able to select this EZ Skirt for the summertime! Great birthday gift too, which was this week! When I first got it in the mail, I wasn't sure what it meant to me that this skirt was ethical and sustainable.
I realized that my fashion is MY STORY, and now, a part of my story are the stories of those that worked to make this skirt, from the organic cotton farmers, to the women's group that hand made this skirt. It is important that I take a stand to have fashion that does not uphold slave labor or unsafe worker standards, because I am a sister to all those other people in the world. What if it was my sister that died in one of the two factory fires in Bangladesh? 112 deaths the first fire, and 8 deaths the second fire.. and Nike garments were found, by the way!
I would like to encourage you to be conscious about not only the style, but the ethics of your clothing. If you are going to make an online purchase, go to the bottom of their site and check their:
California Transparency Act / CA Notice
Corporate Social Responsibility
Supply Chain Transparency
Accountability Standards
GarmentInformation
Ethical Practices
and from there, see if they state that they ensure absence of slavery, child labor, fair wages, labor compliance, third party inspections/certification. Based on my experience, if they don't have that link, they probably ignore problems in the industry, don't care, or do nothing to combat slavery within their company. You can even contact the retailer about the background of the specific item you want to buy, I just did that last week! If they care about their workers, and not just money, they will let you know.
So stay lovely, enjoy summer, for all you on vacation, exercise, and do something for someone to show that
you love them...weather it is big or small. I am so excited about having time to go for nice joggs outside and create events to connect with the community!
