Canadians love salt. A recent study revealed that some fast food items sold in Canada were substantially saltier than the same items sold in other countries (Weeks, 2012). And since making the comparison is essential to our identity as Canadians, yes, we’re saltier than Americans. But our love affair for salt doesn’t end with fast … Continue reading
Category Archives: Fashion
Swap before you shop
This past weekend, on a rainy Saturday in December I lugged a big trash bag full of jackets, dresses and jeans over to a friend’s apartment. I was on my way to a clothing swap to meet up with six of my most stylish friends and arrived to find the kitchen table and couch covered in fashionable … Continue reading
How Many Lives does this T-shirt Cost?
In the wake of Black Friday, as consumers gave thanks for the mega deals, a tragedy in the developing world provided a stark reminder of the impacts of our consumption and drive for profit. On Saturday night, November 26, 2012, at least 112 workers were killed in a Bangladesh garment factory. Some broke windows, jumping from … Continue reading
Charitable Waste
For us Canadians and many others around the world, the change in season brings about a change in wardrobe as sandals and shorts are replaced by snowboots and marshmallow-esque (fake) fur-lined parkas. And while the majority of my summer clothes are merely relegated to the back of the drawer for the next few months, there’s never … Continue reading
Beauty and the Bike
I bike everywhere in the city. I strap on my helmet and birkenstocks and head for the streets. But sometimes I like to look a little more ‘put together’ than usual. In the post Bike Love I talked about the wide range of biking benefits. There’s the obvious fact that bikes don’t release greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading
Front yard boutique
As I rolled out of bed this morning, I opened my window to find quite a surprise – there had been an explosion of fashion on my front lawn! While I talked about some of the environmental pitfalls of the fashion industry in an earlier post, there’s no denying that a new outfit can make … Continue reading
Crimes of fashion
When I was in school completing my thesis research there were many days when I barely left the house, let alone the desk in my bedroom. One of my good friends who saw me regularly throughout my year long slum would ask, “So is this the outfit you’re wearing for the week?” I was known … Continue reading