happy new year

For a lot of us, ringing in a New Year can be a great place to start on creating new habits, which is why I thought this post would be a great one to end 2018 with. I’ve compiled a list of blog posts from this year (and previous years) which should help anyone wanting to start their 2019 off sustainably…

WHAT I WORE: Beret (Gift) // Faux Fur Dalmatian Coat (Jumble Sale) // Jeans (Pull & Bear – old) // Roll-neck Jumper (Hand-me-down) // Dr Martens (Jumble Sale) // Tote Bag (Eat Mielies)

The list (or directory of posts) below, can be used whether you’re new to sustainable living or whether you’ve been working hard on becoming more eco-conscious for years now. Sometimes it’s good to give ourselves a refresh by revisiting certain topics and issues; sometimes we need reminding that we can’t do everything at all at once (I see it as a collective issue – not one single person or action, will save the world) and sometimes, we need reassuring it’s okay to not know where to start.

You may have already read a lot of these posts or this might be your first visit but if there’s one thing you should know, it’s that I aim to be as open and honest as possible, and sometimes that’s all we need reminding of, even if you think you know it all. I do not live plastic-free, I use planes to travel and I would rather have a dishwasher than have to scrub dirty plates by hand. I am not perfect and I don’t think anybody should aim for that all in one go. It’s impossible and even if you think you’ve seen somebody living the ideal life sustainability-wise, you don’t know the ins-and-outs of their situation and what has helped them get there.

A topic I’d like to delve further into and try to understand for myself personally is the toll on our mental health when it comes to sustainability. I want this list to free up some of your time and some of your headspace, in order to help ease the load and make the weight of the fast-warming world, seem a little lighter.

Plus – I’m making it fun with a new outfit shoot because I still want us to embrace looking cool whilst learning to save the planet.

FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO LEARN THE BASICS…

→ What’s the Difference Between Ethical and Sustainable Fashion? 

The lines between the term ‘ethical’ and the term ‘sustainable’ can often become blurred when it comes to fashion. This post helps easily break down and define the two terms.

◈ Is Ethical Fashion Expensive?

Everybody has their own opinion when it comes to answering this question but this post might help you understand why I don’t like to hear ethical fashion being labelled as inaccessible.

★ What is Greenwashing and How Do You Avoid It? 

Ever wondered whether a brand is genuinely ethical or as sustainable as they say they are? Learn more about what ‘greenwashing’ is and whether your favourite brand uses it to their advantage.

☞ What to Do with Old Clothes

It turns out donating your old clothes to a local charity shop isn’t always the most sustainable option. Learn more about other ways to help your old clothes find new homes!

→ 5 Facts & Figures You Need to Know

This post is a really basic round-up of information that you might not be aware of, whether it be about textile recycling or how much more a t-shirt would cost if it was produced ethically.

FOR WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO START SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY…

◈ My Honest Ethical Wardrobe Priorities

In this post, you’ll learn how I prioritise my wardrobe when it comes to shopping ethically. What do I spend my money on and where do I spend it? From dresses to underwear, I explain my thought process and help you understand what I try to focus on.

★ How to Know If You’ll End up Wearing Something You Buy

When it comes to conscious consumerism, you’ll be told to ask questions an awful lot. This post breaks down some of those questions in order to help you decide whether you really need what you’re buying.

☞ Finding Your Style Second-Hand

One of the most sustainable ways to shop is to shop second-hand as you’re using what’s already available without having to fund the production of new garments. I answer a variety of questions here but one of the topics covered is finding your style second-hand as you may find it tricky at first.

FOR WHEN YOU’RE OVERWHELMED…

→ How I Avoid Becoming Overwhelmed by Sustainable Activism 

As I mentioned previously, I’m interested in the crossover of mental health and sustainability. Here, I discussed how to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the scope of it all – whether it’s fashion related or not – because, in my opinion, it’s inevitable at some point in your sustainable journey.

◈ Calling out Hypocrisy Won’t Get Us Anywhere

If you’ve ever seen somebody publicly sharing the fact they’ve made a small sustainable act, you’ve probably also seen somebody piping up and accusing them of hypocrisy. It’s tiring and it won’t get us anywhere, and this post explains why.

★ It’s Taken Me Over 3 Years to Become a Conscious Consumer

If it’s almost impossible to be perfect then it’s even more impossible to become perfect overnight. In fact, my sustainable journey has taken over three years (and it’s still going). There’s always going to be room for improvement but it’s also important to make note of how far you’ve come. Explore my ethical fashion journey, by giving this one a read!

FOR WHEN YOU’RE READY TO DIVE A BIT DEEPER…

☞ You Can’t Call Yourself a Feminist if You’re Supporting Fast Fashion

Or can you? It’s a big topic of conversation. This post was inspired by a book that raised this question and got me thinking about whether my socio-political views were at peace with one another. It’s a good one if you want to question what you think you already know.

→ Why Having Fewer Clothes Doesn’t Mean Your Wardrobe is Sustainable

When I was living with fewer clothes for a couple of months, I realised that sustainable fashion isn’t all to do with having less or the production of what you by. It also has a lot to do with how we care for our clothes and when we pass them on.

◈ Can You Stay on Top of Trends as a Conscious Consumer?

Swapping fast-fashion for second-hand clothes and ethically-focused brands has meant ditching trends and being completely out-of-the-loop of what’s going on trend-wise. Before you read, why not have a think about what your answer would be…

★ Is Not Shopping a Radical Act?

A post which arose after the frenzy of Black Friday, discussing whether not shopping is as difficult as it may seem, or whether it’s actually about questioning who we are and what we stand for, style wise.

FOR WHEN SUSTAINABLE FASHION SEEMS BORING…

☞ No Animals or People Harmed in the Making of This Outfit

Experimenting with style is even more satisfying when you can do it sustainably and this post is all about that, in the form of an outfit shoot that explores why ethical fashion can be more fun than it looks.

→ How Suits Are Bringing out My True Colours

In 2018, I came into possession of this insanely beautiful vintage suit and it gave me a new boost of confidence – it might inspire you, too!

◈ How to Use Instagram for Sustainable Inspiration

Instagram doesn’t have to be all about crippling self-doubt and comparing your lives to others. You can use it many other inspiring ways by following the right people. In this post, I suggest several accounts which will definitely make ethical fashion seem less boring.

I hope you find at least one post here that might spark a new brainwave or inspire you to make a change. Don’t forget, my whole blog from day one right up until now, is available for you to browse. Go back and explore my old (and quite horrendous) shopping habits or spend time catching up on what I’ve been wearing lately.

I’m also over on Instagram a lot more in recent times. I’ve been doing mini features on my “Learn” highlight which seem to be going down a treat! I love being able to create an open dialogue with my audience about sustainable issues and Instagram is one of the best places to do it!

Whilst I have you, there’s still time to head on over to the UK Blog Awards and hit the heart ❤️ button on Tolly Dolly Posh Fashion in the Green & Eco category. I’d love to have my blog recognised with an award after six years of hard work and it would be an amazing way to start 2019!

Happy holidays, planet lovers!

2017 was a weird but wonderful and I’m here to send it off. For those of you who have perhaps only recently discovered my blog or just want a quick refresher, I’m here to highlight some of my favourite posts from the past year, as well as get to know what your favourite blog posts were too! As always, thank you so much for sticking with me, following me and leaving thoughtful and considered comments. Here’s to another… 🥂

→ 5 Things to Expect When You Become an Ethical Blogger

One of the biggest changes on my blog this year was starting to publish solely ethically focused fashion posts. This change hasn’t been easy so I compiled a list of things to expect if you decide to make a similar transition. The list covers a change in income, attracting the right audience and realising you can’t do everything!

☼ Why Having Fewer Clothes Doesn’t Mean Your Wardrobe Is Sustainable

This post received an interesting and thought-provoking response. It took a bit of work and research to compile but I’m glad I discussed this way of looking at things. Although of course, I highly recommend taking a proper read of it, in conclusion, I decided your wardrobe can only really be sustainable if you value what you put into it as much as what you take out. 

★ My Style: Recycled & DIY Denim*

This post has to be one of my best outfit and fashion shoots, yet! There’s not much to say about this one but if you want to know the sorts of styles I was wearing and channelling this year, then this is a great example. I can’t wait to bring this outfit back out in the spring.

▷ My Honest Ethical Wardrobe Priorities

Want to know what I honestly buy ethically? This post explains all, including the reasons as to why shoes and underwear are so low down on my list. I’d love to know what your ethical priorities are, no matter where you are on your ethical journey. Why not leave a comment whilst you’re there?

✤ How Teens Can Grow out of Clothes Sustainably

Parents seemed to enjoy this post as their children are always growing out and in need of new clothes, causing a great dilemma when it comes to ethical and sustainable morals. As someone who has first-hand experience in this, I shared some advice and tips on how to do it all as sustainably as you can, including shopping for your future self and sizing-up.

→ The Answers to Your Many Questions

Published not too long ago, I answered some queries my readers had in my ethical fashion survey. The format of this post and almost agony-aunt style of answering was useful to some of you and if there is a demand for more just like this, then I’ll be sure to provide for you in 2018! Just make sure to get those questions sent in.

What was your favourite blog post this year? What would you like to see more of?

Happy New Year! 🎉 See you in 2018, folks!

First of all, Happy New Year! This is officially my first blog post of 2016… which also means the first blog post for my 4th year of blogging… crazy! I still can’t quite believe 2015 is over, I think it genuinely was the most fast paced year of all time, I mean seriously, where did it go?

~ MMXVI ~

2015 was an odd year for me… a lot happened but it’s as if I didn’t really have the right sort of grip on it all. Like it just sort of blurred past me and then I was like, oh wait, that happened, didn’t it? (That probably makes no sense at all, but this is just going to be one of those updatey type posts so bear with people, bear with!) And that’s why I want 2016 to be different… I want to be able to actually grasp onto opportunities and realise exactly what’s happening.

I want to really just go for it, because quite frankly, I need to. Even if I start with small things, I think it might actually work this year. I’ve already taken a pretty big step in telling myself that after April, I will most definitely be dying my hair a washed out navy blue… the April part is rather specific as I’m going to be maid of honour at my sister’s wedding and I’m not quite sure I’m brave enough to walk down the aisle (um… sort of) with my new-do. But it will happen people! I will dye my hair and it will in some way help me to step up to bigger things. I can feel it.

WHAT I WORE: Faux Fur Coat (Jumble Sale) // Maison Scotch Blouse (Jumble Sale) // Good Morning Sweatshirt (Wildfox Kids)* // Ripped Flares (New Look Teens)* // Nike TR Fit 5.0 Trainers (JD Sports)* // Personalisable Necklace (Primark) // Sunglasses (SCOUT)

In terms of real goals… I’m not sure. I used to do real step by step goals but now it’s just sort of a general aim to get things going. I have a few plans for my blog example, including a new interview feature that I’ve been working on for a really long time and just the overall idea of extending my content to more intellectual and in-depth topics.

I started to do this towards the end of last year, but things got hectic with #MooiEnLiefbyTDP (oh yeah, I launched a collection last year, didn’t I?) and I ended up putting too much pressure on myself… hence my drop in blog posts. After running a site like this for so long, I suppose you set yourself up for expectations when really, the only expectations are in your head. I’m doing this for me after all, right? The added bonus is all of the opportunities and amazing readers on top.

  LOCATION: Sirolo, IT  🇮🇹

I’m forever grateful for what blogging has given me and I don’t regret a single bit of it. I hope 2016 brings even more to TDP, in whatever direction it takes. I’m thinking I might refresh things again too, so it might not be just my hair getting a change. If I do change things up, it won’t be anything too drastic… it’s just with my age, I’m always changing and I feel like I’ve already grown out of my 2014 update (two years is a long time for a teen, just sayin’)… so who knows. We’ll see!

As for you, I hope you stick around and that you all have an even better year than the last. You’re all awesome and I absolutely love being able to chat and converse about things we all love and enjoy. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet in person this year? There are endless possibilities waiting for us… I guess it’s just about going out and grabbing them.

Good luck you crafty jack rabbits… 100 brownie points if you can point out that reference. 100 brownie points if you can’t either, because you’re all equally awesome.

Hey you! I really hope your holiday has been going well and you’re excited to ring in the New Year this evening! Last year I rounded up some of my favourite blog posts, so today, I thought I’d do the same for 2015! You can check out last year’s round-up here, but for now… let’s take a look at the year of two-thousand-and-fifteen…

Please do let me know which blog posts have been your faves of 2015! I’d love to know in the comments 🙂 Happy New Year if we don’t speak again, I hope 2016 is filled with thousands of lovely memories once again! See you on the other side…

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

I just wanted to write a little post to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m not going to be blogging very much (in fact, not really at all as I’ve scheduled posts), between now and the New Year because my family are over and I want to enjoy it. I have scheduled and written a few posts to go up on each Sunday between now and then, so you won’t have to miss me too much!

Then when it’s the New Year, I’ll pop up my resolutions and goals for 2015, and we’ll be back baby! I’m so excited to sit by the fire with a hot chocolate and tear open festive wrapping paper with all the people I love. We’re even putting carrots down for Father Christmas for the first time since I found out he wasn’t real… the joys of having a 1 year old nephew! I hope you have a lovely time too, no matter how little or many presents are under the tree. And for those of you who don’t celebrate Christmas, have a wonderful time during the holidays and celebrate ringing in the New Year! I can’t wait to share my stories with you in 2015… flipping heck, I’ll be 15! Half way to 30, and only a few more years until I can drive my own car. Yikes!

So, from me to you,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!