Under paid labour and summer whites

One of my favourite blogger friends posted this the other day and I couldn't agree with her more. It expresses everything I think about global brands exploiting desperate people in poorer countries and I hope we as consumers show some sympathy for the people literally killing themselves so our tee-shirts cost five dollars less.

I know the whole issue isn't as simple as that but you know what? It kinda is. These people are asking for their monthly salaries to be a hundred dollars and their work conditions to be a bit more humane. Is that too much? And to be honest our buying habits will make these clothes producing juggernauts sit up and take notice if we choose to buy less and less of their inhumane-ly produced, over-priced must-haves!

To people who say style blogs are frivolous and one should do better things with their time I have something to say. Yes, I know that this blog isn't helping solve issues of world hunger and poverty and believe me I wish I could do something to help. But I do think in a sea of blogs that claim that the latest Phillip Lim is a must have and one's minimalistic wardrobe is incomplete without Wang, sitting in a little virtual corner with people who wear vintage and thrifted items makes the world a fun place.

I know I have a long way to go before my materialistic tendencies are fully curbed but being part of a bunch of women who have their own style identity makes me happy. So yes, I do believe sharing one's point of view is important even if the topic of discussion is frivolous according to some. And I can't wait to share more and interact with these positive women who keep re-inforcing the joys of thrifted treasures and DIY delights.

Okay mini-rant-type monologue over and on to clothes that haven't contributed to the exploitation of people. To me nothing says spring summer like white linens & cottons with splashes of colour and heaps of jewellery. Hope everyone's had a wonderful start to the week.

P.S. Please ignore the unsightly scabs on my knee, tumbling off the bike and wearing shorts don't go hand in hand in the unblemished knee department.












Shorts: Tailored in Thailand, Shirt and Bag: Thrifted, Jewellery: India

Mini and Sweater weather's back

Its that time of the year again, when going tightless is fun but sweaters can still be worn, one looks forward to the summer but can still wear layers. Sandals and wool look great together if you ask me...

It's the time when hours can be spend frolicking outdoors by the water and everything looks magical in the sunshine. Sunny weekends are the best!

What I wore and the news that saddened me this week

Camouflage shorts: DIYed old pants, Flannel & Sweater: Thrifted, Sandals: Whittner, Jewelery: Gifted/ India, Bag: Oxfam

After the heat in Asia I think I love this un-decidedness of the weather here, its sometimes warm enough for the beach, then the weather decides to cool down enough to wear sweaters and denim jackets. PERFECT. I can layer all the plaid and denim and wool I want but still get to wear my shorts without tights and we spotted a mini-snow leopard kitty enroute to my usual picture taking spot! Somedays I tell ya make me happy :D

I know that I mostly put up photos of my outfits here but I want this little space on the www to my little corner where I can talk about anything affecting me. Right now I cannot get Malala Yousufzai out of my mind, a fourteen year old girl who has been shot in the head and neck because she dared to claim her right to an education and speak up against girls not being allowed to go to school by the Taliban. Seriously how bad can the world get, this girl is FOURTEEN! Aargh! One shouldn't have to fight for one's basic fundamental rights at this age, one shouldn't have to be this brave, one sure as as hell shouldn't be gunned down by this barbaric mindset. I have no words to describe how strongly I feel against such atrocities and how much distaste I have for people who claim that western cultural influences are ruining eastern women. I hope and pray that she comes out of this terrible ordeal with her health and spirit intact and the Taliban never have another chance to do this to her or anyone else again.

I was debating whether to put the pictures of my outfit with this post, because you know it touches on something so tragic but then I thought isn't this what feminism is about? Exercising our right to choose who we want to be? How we want to portray ourselves? I choose to be whoever I feel like being and I thank my lucky stars that I was born to the parents I was and then feel tremendous sadness. Because in this day and age it is just the circumstances of my birth which I had no control over, that determine that I am sitting at home and writing this post and this brave little girl is fighting for her life.