Ember Boutique: Nature and Nostalgia + A Giveaway -

This post was sponsored by Ember Boutique and I was offered products for review.

As much as I love my basics, a departure from plain t-shirts feels really good, particularly when it’s a shoulder-baring top and the weather is unseasonably warm.

When spring blows in, I become almost unbearably nostalgic for all the spring seasons that have come before. I feel hopeful, ready to start fresh, and suddenly confident that I can be exactly who I want to be.

It’s funny how slight changes in climate or location can shift your perspective. It reminds me that we’re animals after all, tied to our environment no matter how much we try to partition it off. It’s important, I think, that we continually remind ourselves of that and extend it out to its logical end. If we are inextricably connected to “the wild,” how can we continue to pollute and degrade the natural world and the people in it through our lifestyle habits? The false dichotomy between “civilization” and “nature” allows us to push corruption to the side, but ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

Ember Boutique gets it.

Owner, Jamie, curates pieces that put the planet and people first because she recognizes their mutuality. Ember Boutique blends pieces from established brands, artisans, and boutique companies with secondhand finds. It’s a mix I’m particularly fond of, not just because it’s very much my personal wardrobe philosophy, but because I actually thought about opening a similar store a few years back.

But Ember goes beyond being a responsible company. Their mission encourages women to trust their gut and appreciate the stunning but often overlooked beauty of the world:

The Ember woman has a joyful curiosity of the world around her. Fashion isn’t a rigid set of rules and trends to apply to herself on a seasonal basis. She relies on her intuition in all facets of her life, which naturally carries over into what she chooses to wear every day. These decisions are influenced by the outline of trees against the sky, the sound of a brush on canvas, and the way different fabrics respond to her own movements. She recognizes the cyclical nature of life, and knows that even a garment has a life span. From concept to creation to purchase and wear, each piece she chooses is infused with the spirit of the earth and hands that made it. She lives with intention, compassion, and fearless self expression.

Ethical Details: Organic Cold Shoulder Floral Top – c/o Ember Boutique; Denim – old; Pouch – c/o Love Mert; Sandals – Melissa via Bead & Reel; Moon Phases Necklace – c/o Ember Boutique

Ember’s Organic Cold Shoulder Top was made out of sustainable tencel and organic cotton in California. I like it because it achieves the off the shoulder look that continues to be a popular – not to mention universally flattering – silhouette, but with a bit of extra support thanks to spaghetti straps. It also looks great layered over a black turtleneck or crew neck tee if you need to adjust for weather or dress code.

Jamie also sent the Farrah B. Moon Phases necklace, hand carved on an adjustable chain. I have worn it 5 days in a row because it’s simple while also feeling special, and the bronze tone goes with everything.

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