Whenever I do a photoshoot, if possible, I am bringing my own clothing. This is because my own clothing consists of mostly vintage and secondhand pieces that are made from natural materials. Before a photoshoot, I go through my closet and choose from what I already own. I reimagine pieces, for example, my top is actually a scarf!
Secondhand style is the best style! It is thrilling to me that as I have grown as a model, that I am able to incorporate more of my passions into the shoot, style my own shoots & use them to promote the things I stand behind.
I was given this cashmere scarf as a gift from my auntie probably almost a decade ago, I thrifted this vintage suede skirt from a thrift shop here in Saskatoon, & I handpicked all the plants used in my hair from a ditch and dried them myself. & yes, that is a tumbleweed in my hair!
Photography: @amythorpphotography
Hair: @klaymurry
It’s Secondhand September!
I’m very excited to be the Secondhand September ambassador and advocate for @wastefreeplanet this year! Secondhand September is a challenge to only buy secondhand during the month of September (+ beyond)! The Secondhand September challenge is about exploring secondhand options instead of purchasing new as the default.
Check out @wastefreeplanet‘s post to get more details about Secondhand September and the hashtags to use if you’re participating!
I really support the Secondhand September challenge, as purchasing items secondhand is ensuring that additional resources are not being used to produce a new item, as it has already been created. There are already so many things created in this world that we should rarely have to purchase anything new. Giving an item a second life is so important!
My cashmere hat, cotton sweater, & wool cardigan (with the cutest wooden buttons) are all thrifted secondhand pieces! However, Secondhand September isn’t just about clothing. My film camera is also secondhand! Get out to your nearest thrift shop, secondhand store, vintage store and/or consignment store the next time you need to purchase something and try to look for it secondhand instead!
This photo was taken at Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan from the beach. I have been lucky enough to have been able to visit this beautiful location since I was a baby. Whenever I am there, I am able to immerse myself in nature and explore so many wonderful things. In all my years going to visit, I’ve never seen a pelican in the area before. I was so excited that I was able to witness this pelican glide into the water and catch fish. I want future generations to be able to have this experience and feel the excitement I felt when I saw that pelican, and seeing other wildlife, in a healthy environment.
Environmental Defence Canada has created the One Earth, One Vote campaign where they ask you to vote for the environment in the upcoming election this October.
This campaign asks that the representing government must implement a strong climate action plan, ensure social justice, respect and promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples, restore nature, prevent wildlife extinction and ensure a livable planet for the future generations.
Our livelihood and health directly depends on the health of the environment and I stand behind all the requests in this campaign. If you are interested in only voting for a government that will uphold environmental protection, economic justice and human rights, check out @envirodefence
#OneEarthOneVote #PeerOEOV #Ad
I am currently on holiday at one of my favourite places in Saskatchewan. I have been spending a lot of time reading, hiking, picking up litter and taking lots of photographs. However today instead of picking litter, I picked wild rosehips!
After I picked them, I washed them and put them in a reused glass jar and froze them. It’s best to pick rosehips after the first frost, however since I’ll be leaving before that happens I put them into the freezer, which when thawed makes them easier to work with. I plan on making my own rosehip facial oil!
Sustainable Harvesting: make sure to never harvest all the rosehips from a single plant. I usually harvest less than half of the total amount of rosehips from each plant. If you are on private land, always obtain permission to harvest rosehips.
I still remember the first time I tried on my cousins eyeglasses and looked out the window. I sat there in awe of the fact that I could see the individual needles on the tree, I never knew it was possible to see so much detail from further away. Shortly after, I got a pair of my own glasses with my own unique prescription. I was introduced to a world that I had long forgotten, I could see things clearly again.
Now I have to wear glasses or contacts every single day and I still go for regular comprehensive eye exams. It is so important to visit an optometrist as often as you can as they can see if your eyesight has changed and look for eye diseases. I want to make sure I am taking the best care of my eyesight so I can live my life to the fullest.
There are even sustainable options available for glasses when you upgrade, such as bamboo frames, recycled ocean plastic frames, refurbished retro frames, recycled material frames, would-be-waste material frames, to name a few! Ask your optometrist for your prescription!
Learn more about eye health at thinkaboutyoureyes.ca & find an optometrist near you!
#ThinkAboutYourEyes #PeerCHEC #Ad
A whole lotta empties 🧴
I just dropped off empty containers, pumps & mascara wands at Green Tree Beauty. I try to only buy products that have reusable containers so I can save them for my own DIY projects or storage, however sometimes I have more than I need. @greentreebeauty is where I go for all my makeup & skincare needs. They carry some pretty incredible brands and products & they also are pretty damn sustainable too.
Once you finish the product that you originally purchased from @greentreebeauty, you can bring back the empty containers (make sure they are very clean). They have an Earth Loyalty Program and will give you 10% off your purchase for bringing in the empties. They will also ensure that the empties are reused, recycled or repurposed appropriately.
@greentreebeauty sends old mascara wands to wildlife rehabilitation centres which are used to clean the feathers and fur of rescued animals. I make sure to always save all my mascara wands, give them a really good wash & bring them in so they can be donated to help animals!
Sometimes you may not know if a certain product will work for you, therefore you might want a sample. @greentreebeauty gives out samples in little containers and accepts them right back to reuse! Just make sure they are cleaned and they will be reused for more samples! 🔄
Lastly, @greentreebeauty accepts pumps that are brought back and diverts empty product containers from the landfill. They keep a supply of sanitized second-hand pumps on hand so if you accidentally break yours, you can pop in for a replacement!
This is in no way a sponsored post, I just truly love @greentreebeauty & really admire what they are doing. I am so proud to support them 💞
I attended another summer wedding on the weekend & my entire outfit was composed of natural materials, completely biodegradable! No synthetic microfibres here!
The vintage skirt is from @rackandruin and is made from wool. I try my hardest to buy all my clothing secondhand and ensure it’s made from natural materials, however sometimes when I have a key piece that I want to build my entire outfit around (the skirt) finding items to go with it can be difficult.
Usually in these situations I go to @aritzia. First: we have a store in Saskatoon so I can avoid shipping. However, if shipping is required, Aritzia has 100% plastic free shipping. Second: Aritzia has a ‘Corporate Responsibility’, therefore they are committed to upholding human rights and reducing environmental impacts - these values set them apart from fast fashion brands. They also support organizations that help women & girls to succeed in work and their personal lives! Check out the ‘Corporate Responsibilty’ section on their website.
Also, Aritzia charges a higher price point & offers high quality items, therefore it teaches people that we should have to save up for & invest in clothing, take good care of it, & it should last for decades. Lastly, while Aritzia still carries products made from synthetics, they have been bringing in more options made from sustainable materials. This Aritzia top is made from TENCEL lyocell, which is a wood-based fibre made through an environmentally friendly process. The Aritzia bag is also made from natural materials and it is not lined with a synthetic liner!
Sometimes you might not be able to source all your clothing secondhand. However, it is important to give yourself the time to try to find something secondhand first. If you have to purchase new items, make sure they are from companies that are trying their best to be as ethical & sustainable as possible. Let’s show companies that we support & value sustainability & only purchase items made from natural materials.
Most importantly: buy secondhand when possible, only purchase clothing/accessories made from natural materials, support companies that are actually trying & purchase clothing that you truly love 💚
Vita Beauty Bar is a new salon & spa in Saskatoon and I am so excited to support them and I will tell you why:
@vitabeautybar was founded and is owned by a woman and the founding members are all women. Supporting women-owned businesses is so incredibly important! When we support women-owned businesses, we help them to create jobs, give back, contribute to economic and social transformation, inspire other young girls and help them to become empowered leaders in their community. Equality!!! Vita Beauty Bar is also a Green Circle Salon, therefore they are able to divert up to 95% of what would normally be thrown out into secure recycling. When you ask for a drink, it comes in a reusable cup. The hair that is chopped off during your haircut goes to soak up oil spills in the ocean… this is the stuff that I support. They are also able to recycle:
hair aluminum foils, food aluminum foils, color tubes, food cans, beverage cans, empty aerosol cans, excess hair color, lightener, peroxide, all plastic containers, lids, styrofoam, cardboard, magazines, flyers, paper products, waxing strips, nail files, gloves, cotton pads, q-tips, popsicle sticks, toe separators, pedi flip flops, saran wrap, glass, old salon tools, electronics, mannequin heads, plastic grocery bags, & more. In a regular salon spa, most of these items would end up in the garbage.
I am sure you’ve seen that I have been getting some laser hair removal appointments at Vita Beauty Bar, however they offer so much more than just that! This month they have some amazing promotions on some of their great services:
-buy $500 get $500 free on all laser hair removal
-add toner or conditioning treatment to any haircut or style for $20
-all nail services with Ruthanne for $60
-20% off all colours for new guests
-10% off myofascial massage
-free brazilian with purchase of full leg laser hair removal
-full body for $500 laser hair removal
Which are you most excited for? The myofascial massage sounds so lovely!
