Great news, our Manifesto Greeting Cards are back in stock! Thanks so much for your patience through the delay, we were in the process of minimizing the packaging for the cards which caused for the pause in stock. We are happy to report that the Cards are now back and better than ever! We've replaced the original insert and bio-degradable plastic packaging with brown craft butcher paper and a sticker--all bio-degradable and recycled materials that slim down the impact. Snag some and spread the love :)

Made from 100% Alpaca and handknit with love, we are proud to debut our latest design collaboration with emiLime Handcrafted! Check it out here.

We are so excited to announce that the Holstee Tees are back, and with a women's line to join! Made with love from Hemp and Organic Cotton, the Holstee Original and Holstee Dress are how we do sustainable fashion. Comfortable and stylish, the Tees feature our favorite pocket and pack into themselves. Check it out:

The Black Wallet, a special edition of the Upcycled Wallet, launches today! We have partnered with the good people at PETA to design a wallet that is a stylish vegan alternative to black leather, with the minimalist feel that we love. If you are looking for the perfect "gift that gives back" for the holiday season, this is it: 10% of the profits from this wallet will go toward education and awareness for animal rights, on top of the 10% that will be lent to entrepreneurs through Kiva. The wallet comes packaged in a letterpressed envelope with a letterpressed card of the Holstee Manifesto- all made from a natural, beautiful, and handmade mix of 50% elephant poo & 50% recycled paper.  Check it out here. 

We are fervent admirers of Patagonia and their consistent role as an industry pillar for the environment, mindful consumerism, and corporate responsibility. Their latest Common Threads Initiative, and this video put together to promote it, just blew our minds. As a brand that seeks to design with a conscience and produce with a positive impact, this initiative articulates everything that Holstee seeks to be and the lifestyle we seek to contribute towards.

The Common Threads Initative recognizes the need for a dramatic shift in the way in which we consume, realizing the responsibility to protect the world around us through the decisions that we make:

Our Common Threads Initiative aims to close the loop on the product life cycle - to make old clothes into new and keep them from ever reaching a landfill or incinerator. Reduce what you buy. Repair what you can. Reuse what you no longer need. Recycle what's worn out. Reimagine a sustainable world. -Patagonia

Adapting this way of thinking and living is not only better for the world around us, it is better for us. Dr. Andrew Weil recently wrote an article that was featured in Newsweek entitled "Spontaneous Happiness: Our Nature Defecit Disorder." In the article he notes the finding that the more stuff we have, the less likely we are to be happy. Instead, happiness is found in what cannot be bought--relationships and nature--and all of the benefits to be found as a result of cultivating the place of each within our lives.

At Holstee, we want the products that we offer in our shop to not be things that you buy on impulse. If you don't need it, don't buy it. We do not want to exist to add more stuff to the world. We want the products that we design to contribute to the values we want to incorporate into our lives. This means first and foremost that everything we make is produced in such a way as to respect the environment and create a positive impact. It also means that we want each purchase to be made as mindfully as the product was produced. Together we can make this world a better place, reduce our footprint, and live fuller lives based on more than the "stuff" we acquire. 

While we do love October for its Pumpkin Ale, Haunted Houses, and colorful leaves, we also love October for being Fair Trade Month. It stands as a great reminder to take the time to think about what it means to be conscious consumers in our everyday lives and how our seemingly simple decisions at the check-out counter have the potential to make an impact. One of our strongest values at Holstee is that everything we make and sell is produced fairly. Buying Fair Trade goods means placing value in ethical production: protecting the planet, improving livelihoods, ensuring fair working conditions, and empowering sustainable business worldwide. Check out Fair Trade USA's Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Fair Trade Month and join the celebration of making each purchase matter. Happy Fair Trade Month!

I recently got introduced to Julie Sygiel. Together with her former classmate at Brown University, Eunice Png, she co-founded Sexy Period - Protective Underwear to prevent period leaks!

What underwear do you tend to wear during your period? Well, my $40 embroidered Victoria's Secret Panties definitely remain in the closet, that's for sure! But thanks to Julie and Eunice and their beautifully designed undies: they make rock outs in see-through white dresses and advanced yoga positions a confident option 365 days a year. The Sexy Period Girls spent two years designing the soft and breathable patent-pending fabric. It consists of 3 layers—2 absorbent layers (closest to your body) and 1 leak resistant layer (furthest from your body). The absorbent layers capture and wick liquid keeping you dry and comfortable, while the leak resistant layer traps spills and protects you from embarrassing period leaks. But Sexy Period Panties are not designed to stop major waterfalls, so always wear Sexy Period panties as a good looking period BACKUP! 

Interested in learning more? Check out their website and shop for Sexy Period Panties here!

Last week I received this beautiful Organic Cotton Dress by One Mango Tree and it is perfect! The dress is made of 100% Organic Cotton Jersey and I love everything about it. The beautiful simple cut is super comfy and exactly how I would design a dress myself. The fabric feels light and soft on your skin and over the last week I have worn it out to party, to the park and the length makes it even wearable for biking. One Mango Tree is a truly family run business and works with artisans in Uganda. I love that each dress has a little tag, which shows you the name of the artisan, that made yours. We are so proud to work with One Mango Tree and Holstee truly supports their mission: economic empowerment to provide the foundation necessary for achieving peace and sustainable development! Meet the beautiful ladies from One Mango Tree and watch the video to learn more about their work! 

So I've been looking for a smart, good looking solution to carry my water around. Something that will help me reduce the plasitc used in my life and save me money in the long term. Well, I'm excited to say, I've found that and a whole lot more.