We discovered recently our dog Byron has some damage to his kidneys. It's unclear if it's from an infection and will heal, or if it's a precursor to kidney disease. Either way, it got me thinking that I can't handle not having a doggie friend around. Plus, Byron could use a bud. So I was led to another dog to take home, a rescue pup. All the signs were bringing me to him- a sticker on a car with his name on it while hiking after meeting him, and drawing the Empress tarot card (the all knowing Mother). We decided yes, let's bring him home.
But when we took him home, him and Byron weren't getting along like they had when they met before. Immediately I could tell the tension was too much, especially with our small children potentially getting in the middle. I sat with the dog outside my house, pet his small head, we gazed into each other's eyes, I saw his old soul. I felt like I could see my old dog, Liam, that passed in 2018, in his eyes. I could feel the adventures we'd been on together in my twenties in this dog. It was like a bit of Liam's soul, my spirit guide, was in him. With many tears I drove him back to his foster home. This dog was meant for me 10 years ago, but the timing just wasn't right now. I knew a spirit guide dog was meant for someone else that could give him all the devotion he needed, not a busy family where he could potentially be last in line. With a bit of a broken heart, I let him go. Now, I interpret the Empress card as stepping into your season as the Mother, and this means putting innocent souls that need our care first.
Our spirit guides are all around us. Sometimes they stay for a while, sometimes the visit is just a passing meeting. I'm grateful I got to remember the love of my first dog, and see he's not just still 'out there'. He's HERE. With me always. I designed this piece with the mushrooms to remember our ancestors and our spirit guides. Mushrooms offer insight into the visionary world of Spirits. When you put this on I hope you remember that death is another version of life. They are both dreams within the same consciousness. Blessed be, sister. xx Hayley
- INGREDIENTS: 92% forest fiber from acacia, eucalyptus, poplar, pine, spruce, beech, birch, and maple trees grown on tree farms in Eastern Europe, 8% spandex for stretch.
- FIT: The perfect harmony of support and comfort, you'll never want to wear a bra again! Double layered and luxurious feeling. Madison is wearing size M and is 5'10", 34" bust, 29" waist, 40" hip.
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WE CARE DEEPLY: Otter brown with light blue mushrooms printed with water based ink. Cut, sewn, dyed, and printed in downtown Los Angeles by small family owned shops where creators are paid more than minimum wage.
Q - Why is it so expensive?
A - Clothes can only be made cheaply if people and/or the planet are being exploited. In 2022, the reality is we are extracting limited resources from the planet to make limitless things. The more plastic clothing made in slave like conditions overseas we support with our hard earned dollars, the more we tell brands that YES, we are down with limitless consumption. When we pay workers a living wage and consider that the planet cannot survive at the pace we are overproducing, clothing can't be inexpensive. We need so much less than we're told we need, therefore do not need to buy dozens of $6 items. It's always better to save up for ethical pieces. (This message is to those with some disposable income, not to those living in poverty.)
We pay a premium for high quality fabrics and labor. While an average top may cost $2.50 for Shein to make, we pay anywhere from $30-$50. That means on a $78 dollar top, profit may be $30-40, which must cover operating expenses (website fees, shipping, advertising, freight charges), taxes, and payroll to our fairly paid employees. Our end of the day profit is closer to $3-6. If we did this for the money, we'd be in the wrong industry. We do this to make an amazing heirloom piece you'll treasure for years.
Q - When are sold out items restocked?
A - We don't make the same thing twice, and this is why: our creations are art! An artist would not repaint the same piece over and over. And for you, our beloved customer, this means your piece is very unique and bespoke. No one else will have it. This is how we used to make clothes long ago-- items just for you that are meant for you and not mass produced to maximize profits.
Q - Where is it made and who makes it?
A - We only work with small family owned shops employing 8-10 people paying well above minimum wage in Los Angeles, CA.
Q - Is it sustainable and organic?
A - Anyone who claims true sustainability while producing a product is greenwashing, intentional or not. We are responsible. To be truly sustainable we should all be wearing undyed, unisex, 100% recycled fabric scraps, government issued uniforms for 5-10 years at a time. While we are not that, we are much, much better than most of the alternatives out there. Our fabric is 99% closed loop, low plastic, made with fair wages, GOTS certified dyed, water based inked, made in the USA, and we donate money to a new charity every month. We will never stop seeking more ways to be make a cleaner and more beautiful piece of clothing!
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