August Newsletter

Image: Sheep inc.

We’re still living that work from home life so comfort is key this month. From our favourite trainers, to the books we can’t put down and second hand homewares, this is the August Newsletter.

Lockdown might be over but we’re still in a relaxed, working from home kinda mood. Comfy but stylish trainers are a must, as is a beautiful woolen jumper for those weirdly cold rainy days we keep experiencing. In our down time we’re swotting up on intersectional feminism and doing a little redecorating with the help of Barnardo’s second hand homewares.

We’re Redecorating

In the UK alone we spend around £7.9 billion on homewares, thats around 404 million items purchased. However 14.5 million Brits then go on to stick these items in the bin where they head off to landfill. So Barnardos are encouraging us to give up ‘fast homewares’ and instead think of second hand when we feel the itch to upgrade our space. From 1st-8th August, they are hosting a virtual homewares pop up, curated by @littlebigbell. You can bid on great pieces donated for the cause and help Barnardos raise some much needed funds.

Barnardos Homeware Pop Up 1-8th August

We’re Supporting Small Businesses

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the fashion industry ( if you haven’t yet, take a listen to our latest podcast episode where we discuss the issue with Livia Van Heerde.) Jewellery brand Anuka has long supported fairmined gold but have now gone one step further. The new rainbow collection has been created to benefit Fairmined, an assurance label certifying gold from responsible locations. 30% of sales from the Rainbow collection will go to help Fairmined support affected families in Columbia where the majority of female led households have no savings or access to financial services. The collection signifies hope and unity through the crisis.

Rainbow Necklace, £65, Anuka Jewellery

We’re Going Plastic Free

At The Vendeur we are big fans of a beautiful bar of soap. Whether it washes your hands, face, hair or your dog, we’re all in. They are the perfect way to try eliminate plastic from your bathroom. And lets face it they also look incredibly elegant.

Lemongrass & Detox Charcoal Soap, £12, Fysha at Reve en Vert

We’re Running Around

We’re at our most comfortable in a great pair of trainers but the more eye catching the better. Timberland have created a limited edition collection using Liberty floral printed fabrics. Incorporating their usual eco friendly fabrics into the mix, the result is the Delphiville trainer below as well as a revamp of the iconic boot. Or go gold in Allkind’s chic vegan leather Lucy’s. For a retro edge, we love Saye’s Modelo 89 style in garnet. 

Timberland are offering customers the chance to shop the new range a day early, click here to reserve your spot.

Modelo 89’ Garnet, £125, Saye

We’re Shopping Ethically

Our favourite sustainable pop up The Maiyet Collective have launched their very first digital marketplace. Having previously run pop up markets and sustainable living events in London and Bicester Village, the collective are coming to a screen near you! Expect to find new brands including Ethical Kind, Mehrotra and Cleverstein London. Of course we hope to see the physical pop ups again soon but in the meantime you can take advantage of TMC’s enviable edit online. 

We’re Swotting Up

The recent black lives matter movement has highlighted a widening gap in the conversation about feminism. Intersectional feminism is the practise of recognising the unique intersectionalities of each other’s lives and how privilege can define us. It’s not enough anymore to be a feminist with your own needs in mind, you represent all women, everywhere. We’re diving into feminist literature this month, revisiting some old favourites and discovering new ones. There is a huge wealth of black feminist writing out there and here are just a few to get you started.

Bad Feminist, £10.30, Roxane Gay at Amazon

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