“How’s my ethical granddaughter?” My grandparents are legends. They’ve been a big part of my life since the day I was born, frequent attendees at all school shows, and constant supporters of whatever I do. But they find my current day job very intriguing and foreign. How do you explain that you write about eco-living...
I used to read so much my eyes would hurt. Quite literally, I was given +1 reading glasses as a kid, not because I had a sight impairment, but because I would read so much my eyes would become strained. I’d take a book with me everywhere, I’d be the first in the door on...
One of the reasons why I love my husband Tim is his choice of fashion. When he turns up wearing a checked shirt, fitted chinos, rustic loafers, and a styled neck scarf other men would turn their noses up at, I count my lucky stars I didn’t marry a man who arrives at dinner out,...
Auckland, New Zealand: When I first met Cameron Sims, founder of Plant Culture, I was surrounded by ‘cool people’ with baggy pants and Nike shoes. I approached him because he was the only one with a cool linen-looking shirt; my type of person. Little did I know, he was the founder of a sustainability-focused hemp...
A few weeks ago, I built up the courage, emptied my bank account, and flew across the ditch to attend Australia’s first Circular Fashion Conference. I spent a few weeks in Melbourne and Sydney beforehand, meeting eco-fashion designers, bloggers, friends, and generally building up an ethical fashion whirlwind around me. When people knew about my...
If a year ago, someone told me that I would be self-employed as an ethical blogger and Instagram influencer, I’d politely tell them to shut the front door. Yet, I find myself sitting in my home office (which looks like a bunting explosion), four minutes walk from the beach, writing about what I love most...
The fact that I can buy nectarines all year round, or enjoy an authentic Italian dining experience just half an hour from my suburban New Zealand home, is all due to globalisation. Globalisation is the integration and interaction of cultures, resources, societies, companies, groups, and people. See that t-shirt you’re wearing made by a woman...
Every 31st of December, we bring in a new year with wine and joyous cries, music festivals and skinny dips, friends and family, and a collective sigh of relief and reflection. I’ve spent my last two New Year’s celebrations working at a music festival, Northern Bass, liaising with artists back stage to make sure they are...
Let’s go to the beach! I’m literally writing this whilst sitting in my swimsuit (ethically made of course) by the beach, with the sun in my eyes, sand in my toes, and waves crashing slowly. Bliss. It’s summertime in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s looking like a hot one. You’re going to need some summer...
Fist pump the air, Christmas is almost here! The only time of year many of us actually partake in encouraging an imaginary old man climbs down our chimneys with gifts, plaster twinkling lights on every possible surface, and eat copious amounts of food without having to stick do diets or explain ourselves. Gift buying can...
I’ve always been conflicted about ethical fashion versus second hand shopping. Second-hand shopping uses up what already exists without additional impact. But at the end of the day you’re relying on other people to shop for fast fashion. Ethical fashion supports a sustainable practice of business. Yet, no matter how brilliant the company is in...
I know what you’re thinking: cue the theme song… the Grinch is here. I promise I’m not! I love the smell of Christmas trees and candy canes, watching people salivate over elaborate feasts, and hearing cackles of laugher over Christmas crackers. Gift giving is my very favourite part- when done right by the planet. Being...