Justin's idea blog 2: February 2015

3:05 PM

h and m

3:03 PM

H&M launches their Conscious Denim line today:

The new 40-piece line includes jackets, jumpsuits, scarves, beanies, and a darn cute pencil skirt, all ranging from $20 to $50. There are pieces for men, women and even kids.

This denim line is all about going eco by reducing both energy and water use. In an interview with Yahoo Style, H&M’s Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Erik Karlsson says, “I think that the business society in general is beginning to realize the crucial need for sustainable business models, not just for the sake of future generations but for the long-term survival of these very businesses. To my knowledge it’s the first time a global fashion company introduces a denim collection that not only uses more sustainable materials but also more conscious processes.”

H&M is about more than just saving energy and improving water usage. In fact, it defines a 9-part sustainability plan:

Conscious denim - the new eco-friendlier denim line.
Cotton - by 2020, all cotton pieces will be either organic, recycled, or follow the Better Cotton Initiative.
Water - H&M recognizes how much water impacts their business, from growing cotton to customers washing their clothes. The brand has a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund concerning water stewardship. For more, here's a short video about their water policies.
Sustainable materials - using nontraditional materials, like organic hemp or recycled plastic.
Wages - with the goal of paying fair living wages to 850,000+ workers by 2018.
Working Conditions - H&M checks working conditions in a few expected ways, like unannounced site visits and audits. They also work with UNICEF on the issue of child labour.
Animal Welfare - although their animal welfare standards are a little vague (and somehow the full Animal Welfare Policy itself has gone missing...?) it's at least safe to say H&M doesn't test it's own cosmetic products on animals.
Garment recycling - if at any point you don't want your old H&M clothes, you can take them back to a store to be recycled.
Overall business concept - This is what H&M has to say about how sustainability influences their business practices, you decide for yourself if it's adequate: "An important element of our strong offering is that H&M should be the more sustainable choice. Considerable resources are devoted to increasing sustainability." (Head to this page if you'd like to read more, although you won't find much.)

Want to know more? Check out H&M's Sustainability Report

Are you headed out to see the new Conscious Denim line? I'd love to hear your review, leave a message in the comments!

thanksgiving

3:03 PM

A friend posted on Facebook that her company (a national retail chain) will be open on Thanksgiving evening. My first thought was "ugh." It was a deep inner sigh of upsetness.

For me, having a giant retail store open on Thanskgiving means that, if I just can't manage to be around my family for a few hours, I can go get a good deal on that perfume I've been thinking about.

But for my friend, working on Thanksgiving means being forced to miss the family dinner. It means not seeing her three year old cousin fall asleep in the bowl of green beans. She'll always remember this as the first (and hopefully only) year she couldn't spend with the people she loves because America had to go shopping.

Thanksgiving is NOT about 60% off. It's not about towels. It's not about the XBox One vs the PlayStation 4. It isn't about door busting or waiting in line or buying perfume.

Thanksgiving is about people, not stuff.

According to the great philosopher Charlie Brown, "We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving.'" I couldn't agree more.

Thanksgiving is about family. It's about friends. It's about the friends who have become family. It's about laughing because some of us like egg nog and others can't stand the stuff. It's about turkey, tofurkey, nachos, or whatever you choose to come together around.

Thanksgiving is for getting away from our phones and back to talking to the real people sitting just across the table. It's for new families to create traditions, and for old families to relive the ones they've perfected over time. It's for Aunt Martha and Uncle Bob to have too much mulled wine and tell the story (again) about how your parents met. It's for kids to see that their mom and dad really do have time for them. It's for college students to take a deep breath. It's for overworked small business owners to finally get a night off. It's time for you and I to honestly and sincerely appreciate each other.

So I'd like to ask you to do something important. On Thanksgiving, let's not go to the big box stores. Let's make a pact that, no matter how unbeatable the deal, our friends and family are more important. Let's spend time with people we love and make memories that will last a lifetime. Let's tag the big box stores in our selfies and tell them why we're NOT going shopping on this one day.

We get one day to make it about each other. Please, stand with me on this.

bags from polyvore

3:00 PM

Tired of seeing the same old bags everywhere? Fear not - here's a list of 12 bags your friends don't have.

1) Vroom Beaded Clutch (Big Box version) by Sarah's Bag - $1100

Ah, the good old days when my brother and I would play with Hot Wheels on the steps of my childhood home. Fast forward a couple of decades and this highly unexpected clutch takes my breath away! Graphically stunning with a beautiful beaded texture, the highlight of this little beauty is the toy car clasp. Although this bag is way outside my pay grade, the mission of Sarah's Bag makes the price tag worth it (note - there are several less expensive versions). Sarah Beydoun is a Beirut-born designer who employs incarcerated women in the middle east. Expect to see a lot more of Sarah's Bag here.

2) Round Phone Dial Clutch by Betsey Johnson - $88
A basic black clutch goes with everything, but can get... well... boring. Spice things up with this eclectic Betsey Johnson creation. Besides, if your date gets dull you can use it to phone a friend!

3) Fifi Doll Face Clutch by Lulu Guinness - $487
One side her eyes are open, the other side her eyes are closed, and the clasp looks like bright red lips. It's brilliant. And since I found it on a UK website, chances are you won't be seeing it nearby.

4) J'aime La Vie by Claire V. - $210
Show the world your zest for life with this colorful Jaime La Vie ("I love life") clutch from the always gorgeous Claire V. I also love the chambray lining.

5) Flavia Wilted Daisy Clutch by Edie Parker - $1495
I've seen daisies, but wilted daisies? I would never have thought this would work, and it's fantastic. Everything is unexpected - the flowers, the structure, there's even a mirror along the inside wall! If you're investing in this one, make your purchase from Kirna Zabete to support a very cool woman-owened business (I don't get a cut, I just like to support great entrepreneurs).

6) Yeezy Stronger Clutch by Necessary Clothing - $20
Fans of Kanye West and Daft Punk will recognize this immediately. I listen to "Stronger" when I run, it makes me feel empowered. Take that empowerment to a whole new level with the Yeezy Stronger Clutch. $20 for a bag full of confidence? I'll take it.

7) Moi? by Marks & Spencer - $40
Another UK gem, the Moi? clutch is a fun low-priced option. Surprisingly, this clutch has two slip pockets and a zip pocket on the inside.

*Update: Uh oh! I've been told the Moi? is sold out. Not to worry, they have a fun "Yes & No" bag at the same price point.

8) Mixed Feelings Clutch by Nasty Gal x Nila Anthony - $24 on sale
On one side, "It's not that complicated" on a white background. On the other, "It's complicated" on a black background. Because, as Nasty Gal says, "Life's too short for predictability."

9) Love Clutch by Les Pettits Joueurs via The Real Real - $375
It's hard to tell from this picture, but "LOVE" is spelled out with... you'll never guess... legos! And the yellow leather is just luscious. This is a much more expensive bag, but since it's The Real Real you get a great discount and absolute assurance that you're purchasing a real product.

10) Place Your Bets Emanuelle by Kate Spade - $328
You knew I had to throw in a Kate! This clutch has a card face on the front and a traditional back-of-card design on the back, a three-section interior and of course gorgeous Kate Spade lining. If you need this for a specific event, consider renting it for as low as $50 for 4 days via Rent the Runway.

11) Play On Player Game Over Clutch by Go Jane - $20 on sale
It's big, it's bold, it's nerdy in the best way. You'll love the bright red interior with two slip pockets and a zipper pocket. Bring this to game night for extra points.

12) Blue Glitter Eye Clutch Handbag with Teardrop by Luna On The Moon - $114
This fabulous Etsy find is the most unique of the bunch! This London-based designer hand makes her bags, so the chances of someone else carrying your bag is slim to none.

Your turn! What are some unique bags you've discovered? I'd love to see picture, tag me on Instagram @hellohandbag or post a link in the comments below!

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