Strive with Heart

Thoughts on Sustainable Fashion

Thoughts on Sustainable Fashion

I have been thinking about sustainable fashion and what it means to me. It was a couple of years ago when I first saw “The True Cost” on Netflix. It was a documentary film that focuses on fast fashion – from how it is produced and its environmental, social, and psychological impact.  Before then, I had little idea that the fashion industry is one of the major polluting industries in the world. Extensive environmental damage is taking place in countries where garments are produced: the soil is poisoned with pesticides used to grow genetically modified cotton crops and the…

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Philly: Brunch, Garden, and Stroll @Philadelphia Rail Park

Philly: Brunch, Garden, and Stroll @Philadelphia Rail Park

My oh my, July is almost over and we have one month of Summer 2018 remaining.  I do hope that summer (or the mid-year) is going wonderfully for you.  Things are humming along nicely in our small corner of the city.  My husband was away for an entire week and when he came home yesterday, we went to Café La Maude for a late brunch.  We’ve often walked by this restaurant on our way to another good brunch place – Honey Sit and Eat – and it was often busy with a line of people waiting to be seated.…

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Minted’s Inspiring Office Space

Minted’s Inspiring Office Space

Lonny just came out with a feature on Minted’s new office headquarters in San Francisco. For those not familiar, Minted is an online marketplace of independent artists and designers whose work gets voted on by the public. The winning entries are produced and sold by Minted as stationery, wall art, and home décor. As one would imagine, the company’s new space is amazing! The décor is fresh, beautiful, and inspires creativity. I’m already a big fan of the Minted products and now even more so after seeing a glimpse of their new space. For more, visit Lonny.com.

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Tory Burch Ella Tote and Purse to Go Organizer

Tory Burch Ella Tote and Purse to Go Organizer

I have owned the black nylon Tory Burch Ella tote for a couple of years now and it has been my go-to work bag since.  It’s light, capacious, low-maintenance, and stylish.  I pretty much toss everything in it – files and folders, planner, books, cosmetic bag, sunglasses, wallet, keys, scarf, umbrella, and the occasional breakfast or lunch bag.  It holds everything and despite almost daily use, it still looks brand new!  On the downside, except for a zipped pocket and a couple of open pockets on each side, it’s a big wide open space that offers little organization or security.   Enter…

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Favorite Travel Shoes: Ugg Jasper

Favorite Travel Shoes: Ugg Jasper

As I was waiting for my connecting flight from Atlanta to Savannah on my most recent trip, I glanced down and realized that lately, I have been quite attached to my Ugg Jasper.  Its weather resistant leather upper has comfortably brought me from the chilly weather of the Northeast Coast to the milder temperature of South Carolina and Georgia and back.  Taking them off and on when going through security is fast and easy.  It also transitions well from super casual to a bit more dressy because it pairs so well with leggings, jeans, and dresses. For me, it…

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Autumn

Autumn

October is simply flying by! All throughout this month, I have admired autumn window boxes and planters in my travels around the city. I gathered some ideas (see below) and went to our local garden center this weekend for some fall plantings, pumpkins, and gourds. Source Unknown Source Unknown But as creative and beautiful flower boxes can be, this photo of a tree-lined street strewn with golden autumn leaves by Cory J. Popp in his “Fall in Philadelphia” collection is breathtaking.

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Anthropologie

Anthropologie

I love Anthropologie. Do I need to say more? Well, okay. I will not pass up a chance to stop at an Anthropologie store. I love their clothes, accessories, and house & home items. Today, someone asked if I am getting excited about our upcoming trip. With a smile, I replied that I have to get past the “hurdle” of packing first. When I came home, a copy of Anthropologie’s current catalog was waiting for me. The Story of August. Welcome to the time between. Where summer’s bittersweet end meets a yearning for fall. …  Then turn to the…

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Travel Outfit

Travel Outfit

As if I needed another reminder, I’ve noticed that some of the trees are starting to turn to various shades of orange and yellow. Summer 2015 is coming to a close but before it does, we are planning one more family summer escape before the arrival of the back-to-school season. This time, we are flying to the West Coast and although it would not be my first visit, there is always something new to see and to be excited about. As I always do before a trip, I plan my wardrobe for each day. I’m constantly trying to think…

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Philly: Terrain at Styers

Philly: Terrain at Styers

We were out shopping this weekend for an outdoor planter to replace one that we bought from Terrain at Styers a few years ago. The planter will stay outdoors all year round and will have to be durable to withstand the cold and frost of winter and the heat of summer. I was hopeful to find an exact match to the planter that needed replacing but knew – with inventory tending to change each year to keep the selection fresh – that it would be unlikely.     Nevertheless, it’s always a treat to go to Terrain. A visit…

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