The And We Evolve Newsletter is Now Funking Fascinating
Today's topics: learning to flourish in the pandemic, anti-capitalism for women, and a vintage silk scarf with a soothing pattern that will make your blood pressure go down.
Dear friends,
You’re receiving this email because you had subscribed to the And We Evolve newsletter. And We Evolve was a subscription box service for secondhand fashion. It’s been one and half years since And We Evolve closed, and what a year and a half it has been! Here’s to hoping each and every one of you has made it to today with minimal trauma and loss.
tl;dr (too long, didn’t read) I am relaunching the And We Evolve newsletter as a new newsletter, Funking Fascinating. (My name is Liz Funk)
When I was running And We Evolve, I aimed for the newsletter to cover an intersection of women’s issues, entrepreneurship and business, sustainability, curated recommended reading and podcasts, and feel-good news and stories. I received encouraging feedback from subscribers.
Funking Fascinating will continue to curate stories and news at the intersection of entrepreneurship, women’s issues, and sustainability (with, of course, the feel-good stories!).
If this newsletter is not for you, I understand—you can unsubscribe below, in the footer. For those who are interested, I’d love to continue on this journey of watching society evolve towards a more sustainable, equitable future, together.
Again, I’m sending happy, healthy healing vibes and a Care Bear stare to everyone. The first issue of Funking Fascinating is below.
Warmly,
Liz Funk
Giving Compliments Can Help Ease Pandemic Blahs
“I like your outfit! You look so chic.”
Remember the last time you received a compliment? How great did it make you feel? Giving compliments may be a way to bring some zing into your life—and the lives of others. Plus giving compliments is baby step towards easing the sense of malaise that most people are experiencing.
Last month, the New York Times pronounced that as we collectively enter the second year of the pandemic, we are “languishing.” The article’s author, the Wharton wunderkind Dr. Adam Grant, posited that most people are living in “the void between depression and flourishing — the absence of well-being.” A few weeks later, the New York Times published a sister article on flourishing—the mirror opposite of languishing: “A growing body of research shows that there are simple steps you can take to recharge your emotional batteries and spark a sense of fulfillment, purpose and happiness.” One of the simple steps is giving more compliments.
Virtually everyone likes getting the compliment, “I like your outfit.” Consider making a blanket policy that any time you admire another woman’s outfit or accessory, tell her.
Clotheshorse is the Anti-Capitalism Awakening Women Have Been Waiting For
Clotheshorse is here to make woke conversations about work, consumption, and capitalism part of the zeitgeist, particularly among Millennial and Gen X women.
Amanda Lee McCarty, a former fashion buyer, came to realize how much harm the fashion industry was doing to the environment and she became critical of how bruising the fashion industry was to virtually all the people along the supply chain. When she was laid off at the beginning of the pandemic, this seismic shift inspired her to start a movement around questioning our collective rate of consumption and, by extension, questioning capitalism.
Lee McCarty’s platform, Clotheshorse, is both a podcast and an online magazine that encourages women to close the gap between their values and their actions when it comes to their spending dollars. Clotheshorse—which has an engaging and enlightening Instagram—has recently focused on labor and how low key-traumatized younger Americans are by their work. But it’s not a downer at all— it’s inspiring! Follow along—there are cats and cool installations of faux fruit, too.
Mick Jagger Sang Backup Vocals on You’re So Vain
Now that you know, you’ll never hear the song the same way again.
Secondhand Finds
A curated list of really special things available for sale on the secondhand/ vintage websites Poshmark, ThredUp, DePop, and Etsy.
This yellow leather Boden purse is the perfect intersection of preppy and zany.
High-end finishes are always appreciated. This black crochet midiskirt (size 12) is fully lined.
These beautiful 100% silk pants (size 3X) are Eileen Fisher, patron saint of chic plus sizes, available on ThredUp.
The shoe pattern on this Karen Kane tank top is so funky and cute. Karen Kane is designed and made in New York City. Their tank tops are beloved.
These new-in-the-box Cole Hahn pink ballet flats with bow detailing are a find. From Poshmark.
This tropical, floral silk vintage scarf has a summery vibe. Available on Etsy.
Thank you for reading. See you next week!