#climate action

not just gardens on rooftops but things like putting solar panels on buildings instead of on new land, bee/bird baths in local parks and gardens, not building over old growth forests or historical breeding grounds, using sustainable and recycled materials like these:

installing low flow and energy efficient appliances, solar panels over parking lots to create shade and maximize space efficiency (yes car dependency is awful and massive parking lots shouldnt exist, but this can apply to smaller ones still and car dependency is a wide issue in NA which wont be fixed overnight and this is an idea in the meantime)

incorporating native species of grass, bushes, flowers and trees in landscaping for buildings, local parks and gardens, adding under/over passes to places with lots of roads for animals or even green bridges,

building techniques that create energy efficiency, things like good insulation and changing orientation for the most natural heating and light (https://fontanarchitecture.com/sustainable-house-design-21-ideas/ this article goes into it better than i can since im not an architect or engineer)

planting lots of trees around streets and sidewalks to reduce the urban heat effect, using long lasting materials in buildings, making recycle/green bin sheds to stop wildlife foraging through trash for food,

green corridors in cities (short from Sam Bentleys amazing channel, on how its being used in colombia: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nNzndT_yKzs) use less glass/reflective materials on buildings to reduce bird collisions, or putting patterns/ external screens on these surfaces, at home you can add stickers on your windows or use frosted/one way glass, reducing artificial nighttime lights for local insects, only using light when/where needed and using dim, warm lighting and energy efficient lights like LEDs,

Just like all of you, I get overwhelmed, stressed out, and mega doom-y sometimes too.  

Being unable to breathe and having a brutal headache from wildfire smoke while strangers rage at me about an enshittified Esprit sweatshirt is making me feel pretty hopeless about humanity’s ability to manage climate change and support one another. Seriously people on Threads will fight anyone who says that maybe they don't actually "need" a crappy sweatshirt that is exploiting our human tendency to find comfort via nostalgia during difficult times.

But...I still believe in us. And in the six years I've been doing Clotheshorse, I have heard every excuse and justification for fast fashion and AI "art." And definitely lots of strangers have told me that I'm a stupid, joyless loser because I don't think any of us actually *need* a SHEIN haul.

You know what helps me cope with despair and internet creeps? Making weird graphics using vintage books. A few hours with my scanner, Photoshop and a really good iced coffee is definitely my idea of a relaxing time! Another source of absolute inspiration for me is vintage craft books and magazines.   I have a whole routine every time I'm a thrift store: First, I check out kid's books.  Then I go to the cookbook section (in search of old cake decorating books). Then the "nature" section for cat books (obviously).  And lastly, the craft section for weird (and awesome) books. After all of that, I look at home goods, etc. 

Here at Clotheshorse World HQ (aka my office) we have some important policies:

❤️ Fuck AI generated slop

❤️ Doomerism is boring

❤️ Fake fruit is magic

❤️ Cat dinner is served at 6pm sharp

❤️ Pink and red are the best color combination

❤️ Hearts are the best shape

So here's my roundup of some of my favorite pink and red posts from the past few years.

When I first started working on Clotheshorse, I knew what I wanted it to look like/feel like: vintage imagery, cute details, and lot of pink, red, and artificial fruit. But I was also like, “UM...but will anyone take me seriously if Clotheshorse actually looks the way I want it to look?”

My life is full of anecdotes that involve men telling me that there was no way I could be smart AND like cute things. Like, a guy told me “There’s no way you read any of the books in your living room if you also have a Hello Kitty alarm clock.” REALLY DUDE?! Don’t challenge me to a literary criticism competition because I will defeat you!!!

But the fact is, many of us also internalize that line of thinking, regardless of our gender. Some of us naturally prefer a more tone-downed, minimalist aesthetic. But others (myself included) have felt that in order to be taken seriously, we have to express ourselves via neutral color palettes and a lot less ruffles and bows.

Reclaiming pink and cuteness is a pretty radical act in a society that pushes navy and neutrals as the “respectable” alternative. In a culture that considers anything “feminine” to be lesser. And years ago, one of the main reasons the Clotheshorse blog fell apart is because the team working on it felt that it should move into a more neutral aesthetic. That felt like a step backward for me and for all of the people who had found themselves being seen by what I was doing with Clotheshorse.

Six years ago, the first episode of Clotheshorse was released! It was recorded approximately two feet from my bed on a very hot day in Philadelphia.  One very unglamorous thing about having an independent podcast? You can’t record anywhere near an air conditioner or a fan because it messes up the audio. So any time you listen to an episode that was released during the summer, know that I was sweating my ass off while I worked on it. Literally! Having a podcast has helped me discover just how much sweat my butt can generate.

But that’s not all I have learned along the way! From the technical stuff (Photoshop, editing audio) to the emotional stuff (setting boundaries, stopping my people pleasing habit) to actual hard knowledge about government regulations, private equity, clothing manufacturing, and more.  Seriously I don’t know how my brain made space for everything I have learned!  

It’s had its ups and downs along the way. The downs include death threats from vegans. Stalkers harassing me, my family, and my friends. A whole traumatic experience with Remake.  But the ups have faaaaaaarrrrrrrrr outweighed any of the bad stuff:  The Clotheshorse Jamboree.  The live shows last fall.  And most importantly, all of the amazing friends and collaborators I have met over the last six years, thanks to our shared passion for a better world!

I am so proud of the work I have done so far.  It hasn’t always been perfect because I have been learning alongside all of you, but both my heart and mind have grown exponentially over the past six years.

Lots of stuff coming your way this week in honor of six years: a new episode of the podcast (delayed by epic storms, a tornado, power outages, and a wasp flying up my dress and stinging me multiple times). New iron on transfers, stickers, and postcards.  Some collections of my all-time favorite posts.  And an AMA at some point.

Thanks for being here!!!