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Beauty
What You Bought and Loved Last Month (Spoiler Alert: It Includes The Best, Insanely Affordable Sweatshirt Ever)
We recommended HUNDREDS of products in the 28 days we had in February, but there were 10 products that everyone unanimously loved and bought a lot of. So it’s true, our “what you bought last month” post is BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. Lots of them are beauty/self-grooming products which is probably a mix of our human desire to perform “self-care” and also the desire to smell good (glad I’m not alone in that) BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. My favorite zero-calorie beverage may have also made the list. So if you’re curious about what everyone bought and loved, scroll through and see the top sellers in February.
Starting out in last place at the big double-digit #10, we have…
10. Mallory’s Aerin Beauty Perfume
I was shocked to see this make the list because I didn’t think people buy perfume on the internet often (and a pretty pricey one at that) but it turns out if someone tells you it smells amazing and the reviews also tell you it smells amazing, you have a pretty good shot at loving it. I got a sample of this in the mail and boy oh BOY was I into it. If you’re looking for a good perfume rec, check out the link up where I recommended this in because the comments tell you everything you need to know about every single perfume on the internet.
9. Emily’s Favorite Workout Jacket Ever
Em has had this jacket for 3 years and counting and she STILL wears it on the reg. I totally get why this sold so well…a chilly weather-approved workout jacket that you also love wearing for most outdoor activities is one of those things everyone should invest in and it doesn’t get much better than this one.
8. Paper Towel Holder
This paper towel holder is not only cute, but it’s affordable and I believe it makes home a better place. This came from our post about our favorite practical household items, check it out if you missed it! There are some REALLY useful items in there I never knew I needed.
7. Peach Honey AHA
AHA I mean HAHAHA. I had no clue this would get so many purchases, but YOU GUYS. Peach honey AHA is the best sparkling water ever. It beats the shit out of any Spindrift, La Croix, or Buble flavor I’ve ever had and that says a lot because I’m obsessed with all of those sparkling waters. Take it from me, the sparkling water connoisseur…you gotta try this one! OH and side note. When I said I drink 12 cans of these a day in this link up, please know that was an exaggeration. I don’t actually drink that many. It was a joke :)
6. Caitlin’s Body Oil
If you missed Caitlin’s how to take the best shower ever post, then please run over to read it (and fair warning: you will pee yourself laughing). It’s one of the most epic posts to ever have been featured on this blog and it includes the very amazing. PS This was first an Emily recommendation so that’s TWO huge stamps of approval.
5. Caitlin’s Underarm Soap
Caitlin swears by this $8 underarm soap from Megababe –– especially after switching to natural deodorant –– she’s on an eternal quest to make them smell like nothing all the time and she said this helps A LOT. I just bought it too and cannot wait to try.
4. Groovy Luna Jewelry
I was so happy to see my friend’s new Etsy shop made it on this list!! If you haven’t yet, check out Groovy Luna Jewelry. They have such cute earrings…I have the square hoops on the right and wear them every single day but I also love these moon/star earrings. Sooo cute.
3. Mallory’s Midi Dress
This dress is on a MAJOR sale ($108 to $64) and it’s one we’ve all been eyeing for a looooong time. 10/10 in the midi dress department and perfect for spriiiiiing! There aren’t too many sizes left, so snag this QUICK.
2. Caitlin’s Wellness Journal
Caitlin’s products are all over this list because everything she recommends is so good and this wellness journal is no different. They have about 1,000 different designs and they’re all SO cute, so you can pick the one that’s the most “you.” I just ordered one and I can’t wait to use it.
1. Jess’s $18 Cropped Hoodie
As the greatest steal in 2021, we’re not too surprised to see this $18 ball of comfy up here at the top of the list. It’s cute, it’s cropped (but not too cropped), makes you feel cool without trying, and comes in A TON of different colors. Jess, no joke, now has FIVE. They’re all so good and the price is truly unbeatable. Way to go, Jess! Oh and if you are into tie-dye you are in luck:)
Thanks everyone for reading this post. Short and sweet…we’ll see you next month for March’s top sellers! So long, farewell. Xx
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: 11 Ways To Pull Together A Dreamy Bedroom Suite
That looks like a great jacket, but most people wear the same jacket for years. It seems weird to buy expensive things like that and then throw them out after a year?
Exactly what I was coming here to say. You seem shocked someone can wear the same piece of clothing for 3 years? 3 years is not that long at all.
Yes!
Yes!
You are missing the point. She is not suggesting that people throw out expensive things after a year.
Plenty of us splurge on things that a year later we have second thoughts about. We don’t necessarily toss them out but we kinda wish we hadn’t wasted the money. She’s saying that if you splurge on this, you won’t regret it and you will be happy with the purchase for years. She’s just saying it’s a great coat.
Why oh why do some of you sit perched like a cat waiting to scratch?
Sue, thank you.
My husband gives two thumbs up to the Salux Japanese wash towel. Perfect length, perfect scrubbiness and dries quickly.
I saw it on Caitlin’s wash post, but I believe it has been recommended on another post as well.
this makes me so happy!!!
I am glad this made you happy!
Read the rest of the comments.
Whew!
A suggestion to addressing the “throw away complaint” (and maybe EHD already did a post) if you continue with fashion posts is to discuss creating wardrobes that you can mix and match. Investing in quality products you can wear for years.
I do not know when the pendulum swung to purchasing cheap uber trendy clothing from saving for quality and mixing up these pieces to create new outfits.
I already put this comment further down but just wanted to share that you can wash the salux towels in the laundry!! Clearly I am a salux evangelist but I’ve turned several friends on to them and none of them realized they were washable. They can’t go in the dryer, but as you said, they dry super quickly anyway. So nice to know they are actually clean and they last pretty much indefinitely.
It’s great that people are buying some quality items and ysing them for ages, like the jacket! Yaay!? DOWNERS? UNFORTUNATELY, A-PLENTY! ? The fact that sooooo maaaany people bought this stuff shows the potent power of influencing for the worse. Is it a great result? Actually, no. It is not. It makes me sad that EHD has really dropped the ball here. As a team, you’d been doing such a great “walking your talk” with race, diversity, democracy, safety during a pandemic, etc., but this?!?!? Blech! (And for the people that may call this snarky, re-think. THIS is walking my talk and Emily said she WANTS FEEDBACK about environmental issues/products, etc.) THERE IS NO PLANET B ? I’m calling on EHD to do better in the influencing-for-the-better stakes. Pleeeease. If you don’t give a rat’s about it right now because you want that tasty bubble ke in your mouth or a shimmer on your skin, or the ease of wripping a piece of tree/peper towel to clean a little spill … … think of the future generations and pay it forward. Maybe? ? – That people are buying body shimmer oils that contain MICA that’s predominantly mined by children who… Read more »
I’m calling on Rusty to put a sock in it. Biggest Judgmental Bore in these comments.
Ann, I get what you’re saying. It’s not fun to feel scolded for wanting to buy stuff or to feel like every time you read through the comments you are going to be accosted by a fun sponge. However, Rusty is right in a lot of this. We do have to be more aware of the things we consume. We do need to make small decisions that will impact the environment in a big way. We do need to have people educating us on all the ways we can help the planet. People that are passionate and changemakers and who rail against the establishment may not be the ones we want to sit next to at a dinner party, but they are necessary. They are the reason we have clean drinking water, reasonable work hours, and other boring shit like that. Rusty, I may sometimes roll my eyes and think, “here we go again”, but I appreciate you and I agree with you. And I’m sure you’re quite fun to sit next to at a dinner party.
Thank you Patricia.
I was annoyed when I wrote that, mostly out of sheer exasperation with how the ball’s been dropped after Emily posted about wanting to do better as an organization, in choosing wisely with regard to the environment.
I have to walk my talk.
It’s disingenuous not to.
Funny I’m sitting here thinking that Rusty is the kind of dinner guest who complains about the free meal and questions where the host bought the fish.
Rusty is not “right.” She has ZERO idea how the people who made these purchases live or the other purchasing choices they made.
Scolding is pointless. Especially when it’s aimed at strangers about whom the scolder knows nothing.
Not scolding.
Reminding the team to walk their talk.
What if they started reneging on other issues they committed to? Like diversity, anti-racism?
The environment is no different.
It’s about being your word.
Not everything in life is easy to walk past when your eyes and ears are alert to the precarious nature of life on this, one, planet, Earth.
Definition of sanctimony right there.
Note to self: Stop reading the comments.
Note to Ann: Read your own words.
“Scolding is pointless. Especially when it’s aimed at strangers about whom the scolder knows nothing.”
Isn’t that what you did to Rusty for sharing her opinion? You’d think you’d be against insulting strangers too, but apparently not.
K: Actually “K” — my opinion was based on evidence that Rusty provided. I pointed out the shaming and bullying tone of Rusty’s dozens of comments on this site in recent months.
Rusty’s remarks are not based on any evidence. She is sitting in judgment of strangers’ buying habits based on zero actual information about how they spend money, what they purchase, or how they live their lives.
?We are each the standard that we walk past, or in this case, ignore.
BTW: caring about the Earth isn’t boring if you are aware.
I’m curious what specific action Rusty would like to see here. The products in question are liked by members of Emily’s team. Are you requesting that they and others not buy them? Or that they not talk about them on the blog because the environmental impact of these products is negative and they shouldn’t highlight things that are bad for the planet? There’s certainly merit to the points raised about the issues with these products. I’m just not clear what specifically you want Emily to do about these concerns.
Here’s the thing: Emily has stated several times, that she, her brand, wants to do much better with regard to being aware of and choosing environmentally friendly products.
She has invited readers for feedback around this, specific, matter.
As an influencer, EHD has dramatically shifted in other areas (e.g. anti-racism, diversity, recycled timber, etc.) and has called out societal wrong-doings such as not wearing masks, and the like.
B U T , there is a chasm of emptiness when it comes to the stated commitment around choosing, promoting and therefore ‘influencing’ purchase of products that are less harmful to the environment (and those producinb the products for consumers’ ‘pleasure’).
This is in no way about a person or people (and I believe they know that).
It is about walking the talk.
Thanks for responding. I believe there’s value in highlighting challenges and where opportunity exists to do better or differently, but what is Emily supposed to do here? Allow them to talk about products her team likes but include disclaimers when the environmental impact is negative? Ask them not to talk about these products? Ask them to consume differently? What’s the responsibility of an influencer who is also an employer? Is the conversation the same with people she pays as it is with her audience? Should she just stop talking about products the team likes because it’s highlighting things some people view as problematic? I appreciate the idea of not just paying lip service to doing better for the planet, I think the ask is both complicated and ambiguous at the same time. How can Emily win here?
I’m intrigued by the conversation in the comments. I agree that it’s appropriate to give feedback, especially since I think most of us are trying to be good world citizens. I agree that we should all be working to rein in our consumption habits and make sustainable choices. I don’t think that means that linking to products that the EHD crew likes is categorically bad, or that showing the most popular linked products is somehow evil. To get technical, they’re showing the most popular links from among their links, which doesn’t necessarily mean anything in terms of raw numbers. It’s not necessarily true that people are going out and buying more than they normally would have because of the posts; it’s entirely possible they were going to buy a ____ anyway, but now that they’ve read someone’s review of this particular one, they will choose the one that Emily or Caitlin or whoever recommended. Maybe we can offset some of these product-based posts with ones that take more of a “use what you’ve got” approach? Ann Sage had a cute series of reels in this vein recently!
Very eloquently put. I appreciate it.
Unlike me losing my s^*t about the ongoing not walking the talk via recommending dodgy products.
You did far better.
I guess spruiking things that demonstrate the team is more conscious of what they’re made from, where they come from and what happens to them when they’re ‘used up’ would be helpful.
It’s about consciously choosing, rather than jnee-jerk ‘I like it, I want it, so you should too.’
The point is that it’s been repeatedly stated that EHD wants to influence for the better and … this is just not doing that.
Sure, if a member uses something that’s not good environmentally, maybe don’t recommend it?
Better still, be what is being talked about and therefore, choose and recommend that better, environmentally aware product that you’ve chosen mindfully and with fue care, as an influencer.
It’s sometimes akin to saying ‘wear a face mask’ and then wandering around without one coz it feels ‘nice’.
Double srandards.
It’s not like they’re including the metrics here – for all we know, 4 people could have purchased #10 to get it on the list. I think the concept of re-sharing affiliate links under the guise of “these were the most popular 10 items we recommended this month!” is strange. It’s not really about EHD readers and what they purchased, but rather an opportunity to sell more to more EHD readers. And I was especially surprised to see this was “back by popular demand!” Did readers really love this last time? I’m going to have to go back and check the comments. Maybe a quarterly or annual roundup of re-sharing the “most popular” items already shared, but monthly seems too frequent. In addition to promoting consumerism, it looks like either a desperate attempt for “filler” content or a weird flex – “we shared all of these links and you guys loveeeee buying from us, so here’s what you bought the most – keep buying!!” I’m not saying don’t ever share affiliate links, or don’t do the Sunday round-ups…. but come on, now – do you need to re-share the most purchased affiliate links every month? Can we wait a little….… Read more »
I’m one who gave a thumbs up to this. I can’t afford to purchase any of it. I left my job to care for my mother several years ago and had to X-out any purchases in the categories of clothing, decor, travel and entertainment but I’m always curious what those lucky enough to have more funds choose to do. A little vicarious shopping for me.
Oh, there was one item featured here that I did buy – an Oxo microfiber duster! Works great and since it’s washable, I no longer purchase those Swiffer dusters.
Yaaay!
It is possible to promote better choice products.
That, right there, is the motivation!
So, why not rather, promote businesses and products that are environmentally friendly, fair trade and re-usable or even up-cyclable??!??
Products would still be bought, only there’d be a shift of awareness in readers’ consciousness and they may make better informed choices.
It’s exasperating that people can simply walk around consuming this n that, without a thoughg about the greater cost of that product =
? ? ?
I bought the Scott scrubby sponges for stainless steel cookware based on Caitlin/Jess’s recommendation…and OMG! Where has this been all my life?! If you have stainless cookware, you MUST buy. I’ve been cleaning and washing the dishes more often … just because it’s so satisfying to have spotless, shiny stainless steel!
Now stainless steel and things to keep them nice are great choices!
yay!!!!
I love Bar Keeper’s Friend for cleaning up my SS saucepan, and my sink! I use it with a scrubby sponge and they always look like new. So satisfying.
Long time follower first time commenting. First I love the blog. I love to read the process, struggles and mistakes along the way to beautiful rooms. Thank You! Unfortunately that’s not what got me to finally say that I love reading your blog everyday. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. What is wrong with these people! You by far have some of the meanest commentators of any blog. It kind of feels like it might be their hobby to come here to bring everyone down with their self righteous snarky comments. These comments are awful to read and feel like abusive personal attacks of Emily and her team. No one deserves need to be nitpicked to death. Again thank you Emily and your team for all the great content everyday!
Kelly, I hear you. Cupcakes and Cashmere recently stopped accepting comments, and it sounds like it was the right decision for them. The comments on this blog have become especially negative over the years! I usually avoid them all together.
Kelly, yes! One regular, snarky commentator, in particular, has changed the entire experience of the blog for me.
I haven’t delved too deeply into the comments yet, but the thing that strikes me constantly when I scroll through (or scroll past) these posts is that they are so cringeworthy in terms of environmental/human impact. Y’all promote a lot – like, a LOT – of fast fashion on this site. $18 hoodies, $64 dresses, every single post is chock full of promotional copy for pieces that were made with cheap labor, questionable supply chains, and abhorrent environmental practices. I’m not here to disparage anyone who can’t afford slow fashion, not at all; if you need a sweatshirt and cannot spend more than $20, and you don’t have the time/energy to shop around for something secondhand, I get it. Target might be your best option. But it seems that so many of these posts (which I assume are profitable for EDH based on their proliferation the past year or so) are aimed at women (middle class all the way to affluent, let’s say), encouraging them to spend discretionary income on needless items, simply because they’re cheap and/or cute and/or it’s been a truly sh*tty year and don’t we all deserve something nice? If a price for something cute/pretty/useful is too… Read more »
HALLELUJAH!!!?
What you said:”And once you know about them, you have the responsibility to reduce harm, to leave this world – this country, this planet – better than you found it.”
You didn’t “rant”, you wrote reality!
Once you ‘see’ something, it can’t be unseen, and with that comes a responsibility to call it out.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. When I try to put myself in the shoes of a blogger or influencer (lol) I have to imagine it’s a tough balance between promoting items that are accessible (but potentially problematic ethically or environmentally) or being accused of being out of touch because you only buy $200 sweatshirts hand sewn in the USA with fair trade organic cotton. But ultimately that dilemma reflects the situation we all find ourselves in – I am no affluent by any means, but I also don’t want my entire wardrobe to be from Forever 21. My general strategy is to get by with as little as possible so that I can buy the best quality versions of those items, but it’s not ideal. For example, I live in an apartment and our crappy industrial washers are constantly ruining my clothes. If I bought super high quality items I’d have to hand wash and dry them out of fear of them being ruined, which would be really tough in my tiny bathroom with no airflow. I try to buy secondhand whenever I can, but that means I often can’t replace something if it gets damaged. Maybe I could wash… Read more »
YESSSSSS! EHD please consider these suggestions!!!
EMILY … As fraught as this topic is, IF you do not want to ‘hear’ about the environmental impact of products your blog promotes, please say so.
You said you did, so I’m standing for that stated striving.
Please, lemme know.
Rusty ?
Perhaps you should consider reining in your own posting. Every article with product recommendations leads to a flurry of your posts lecturing Emily and readers.
Why not make 1 comment with your point — and refrain from the 6 or more comments you tend to make with the same point in every post about products.
LouAnn, thank you.
Seriously. It’s the eye roll emoji after pretending she actually gives AF that makes me see red.
Rusty, it’s obvious you’re very passionate about the environment and I’m assuming most of us here care about our planet, too. I think what some people have issue with is not your message but the way in which it’s delivered and the constant repeating of it over and over and over again, always needing to get the last word in. It seems you have no issue using your metaphorical soapbox and bullhorn to drown out the EHD team’s and other commenters voices and opinions, even if it is a good message and you think you mean well. It’s only been in the past year that I’ve had the time to read this blog regularly and I so appreciate the daily (free!) quality content and all the hard work that goes into each post (EHD team…there’s seriously none like it, thank you!!!). Even so, I’ve quickly come to learn that the comments section is the “Rusty Calls Everyone Out Show.” I know you care deeply about Emily and her team and of course the environment, but I invite you to question whether what you claim is “walking your walk” is in fact helping in the way you intend. If this is… Read more »
Thank you, Michelle. So resonant and so perfectly put!
Michelle this is perfectly said, THANK YOU for doing the thoughtful, kind work of calling in and leading by example
There is so much to address here, but the one that is most top of mind is: the comments are, of course, completely optional to read! If a fellow commenter ever enraged me enough to “see red”, I would choose to glaze right over that comment or better yet, NOT read the comments entirely. I definitely wouldn’t then repeatedly give my opinion of how much the opinion of that other commenter annoys me regularly. I just wouldn’t read the comments or comment myself. My gram always said: that’s why god gave you two ears — in one and out the other. The reaction to Rusty feels hugely overblown to me when you truly never even have to read the comments to enjoy this website.
We want to address all of your comments and while it will be far from perfect here we go… This is a very complicated issue. In our individual lives, we do what we can to decrease our waste, shop small and sustainably. This is something we talk about here, just clearly not every day. However, we are also here to give options at a range of price points because some people don’t have the luxury of affording the most environmental option. That’s also why we need to hold our governments accountable to make big moves for long-term change. It needs to happen on all levels. Then in terms of promoting vintage or second-hand, it’s tough. First off, from our data, only a small number of people are actually interested in “vintage finds” posts. This is likely because it would be hard or expensive to get what we are featuring to them or there’s typically only one available. Sure, it can inspire a local search, which we WANT it to do, but that’s the best-case scenario. The only times vintage-focused posts seem to do well is for a reveal which takes a ton of planning, is expensive, and probably creates even… Read more »
Hey Jess & Team, Thank you for responding, and I apologize if my previous comment was harsh. In my head it was meant to be a call-in, but reading over it now, I can see how it’d come across as more of a call-out, given that while I might read here every day and feel like we’re old friends, I’m a rando stranger on the internet to y’all and we’re not, you know, actually friends! I’m genuinely a fan of your blog (I started coming for the design/remodeling posts, now I stay for the Caitlin-buys-a-house journey), and I appreciate the stances you’ve taken over the past year when it comes to politics and racial justice. This issue – ethical consumerism – is definitely a complicated one, and I can only imagine it’s more fraught from the standpoint of a business that relies on affiliate links to generate revenue. That being said, I’d like to gently push back on some of this. While yes, our government *definitely* has the biggest responsibility when it comes to creating lasting impact on our environment, we, the consumer, have enormous power as well: our wallets. Women drive 70-80% of all consumer purchasing; given that your… Read more »
Yes, NSL, yes! So well said in both comments. Rather than a top down approach, I really do feel like the change really does start with me.
Jess, Emily, Mallory, Ryann, Caitlin, thanks for the work you’re doing and continue to do. Thanks for creating space for these discussions and for continually practicing a growth mindset. I’m curious about these posts but more as a voyeur.
I know you have data to inform your posting but some on the ground data directly from the source, I’m here for: em’s personal posts, Ryann’s zero waste efforts, caitlin’s house buying reel, Malcolm’s home refresh, albie’s kitchen update (her statement about wanting to *live* in her house and not renovate it forever has been so impactful for me), Sara’s kitchen (please let it come soon!), Orlando Velinda and bowser’s pop ins.
And your last lines may be the best: humans make up comments on the internet! We’re all doing our best. Kindness for all.
The links are OK just cut down on the number of them…..aren’t you supposed to state that they are affiliate links=$$$ for you guys! ?
Thank you, EHD team, for always being so gracious and responsive! Also for all that you do! Here’s to kindness.
I appreciate these kind of ‘lighter’ or consumption oriented posts as well .. even though, I am a very careful consumer, mostly based on my financial situation (which I guess, in turn, has also affected my views long term … ). But – having said all that, I actually appreciate the lightness, the mix of things, because, you are serving a very varied community (I am guessing .. but maybe I am wrong with that .. ) and while I am here mostly for design and inspiration related to that (I used to work in that field), I came to enjoy the other posts a lot .. esp. during these times. And what I am not appreciating the guilting and shaming happening here in the comment section .. It introduces me to different ideas, companies, or styles, that I might otherwise not come about – because I am not following too many different place or companies, nor get out ‘shopping’ a lot .. even if it is not that exact product I will buy (or can even find in the country I am .. north of the boarder), it still exposes me to something and triggers my inspiration to not… Read more »
I’ve never purchased anything recommended by EHD (because shipping etc. from the US to Ire is astronomical) but Caitlin’s recommendation and readers comments on the Japanese scrubby cloth (for showering) got me hooked and it is soooo good. So good! So, so good! So thank you.
ahhh i’m so glad that you also like it!!! :)
You can run them through the washing machine too! They last forever and I feel wayyyy better about that than a loofah that is never quite clean…
I’ve been looking for a winter running jacket since I started running about a year ago so thank you for the recommendation!
Do the EHD metrics show the difference between reading the blog and reading the comments? Surely I am not the only one taking a quick glance at the blog and going straight for the soap opera at the bottom!
Real Housewives of EHD
Hahahaha this is so true
I am one of those readers who enjoy these link-ups without buying anything (recently at least). It’s a kind of window shopping experience for those of us to whom the pandemic meant cutting down nonessential expenses to a strict zero. (My job is stable, but my husband’s and some family members’ are not, and spending half of our savings on keeping our beloved pet alive the other month ultimately meant no frivolous expenses, period). As an unexpected upside, not buying anything has felt SO liberating, especially after feeling like we had to ‘stimulate the economy’ and enrich our sheltered-in-place lives with things for much of last year. I highly recommend a shopping detox for a month or two even if your finances are ok.
I definitely enjoy internet window shopping! I have to save up for pretty much every nonessential purchase, so there’s an inevitable “waiting period” where I incessantly research to make sure I’m buying exactly what I want. Perhaps not the most productive use of my time, but hey – I’m stuck at home anyway! ?
Seeing all the comments on the environmental impact of posts like this prompted me to do some quick math in my head, and interestingly being blogfluenced has definitely made my home more environmentally friendly in the last couple of years. I too cringe at the fast fashion recs and the canned water (though we have consumed both, with moderation). BUT there have also been so many great eco-friendly recommendations here and on other blogs I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. E.g., I first read about the reusable ‘paper’ towels here and they’ve served us well throughout the pandemic. From that Amazon link it went to washable cotton pads, which I’ve loved too. My collection of Thinx I have to thank the earliest Facebook ads for (my life quality improved at least 10% since I made the switch >5 years ago not to mention all the waste I saved the planned from). We only didn’t get a Tushy, after reading about it here, because of the stupid French-curve toilet in our rental that no bidet would fit, but I look forward to the day we can make that switch too. I got hooked on bar soap/conditioner/dish detergent after they kept appearing on… Read more »
As a loooooongtime reader, I am so disheartened by the tone and activity in the comments section lately. Rusty is entitled to her opinion just as we all are and as far as I’ve seen, her comments -while strongly assertive- have not been disrespectful like those directed at her. Those continually calling her out are guilty of worse…ridiculing, name calling and bullying, virtually high fiving each other while telling the rest of us to “be kind.” Enough is enough. Honestly, I understand where Rusty and the other concerned commenters are coming from. I mean no disrespect to Emily or the EHD team but I do feel there is a bit of whiplash on the site these days…a back & forth in conscientiousness (in this case environmental impact vs. consumerism) for the sake of creating or “selling” content. It feels like issues such as sustainability & waste reduction are more of an afterthought than a purposeful design/life focus. I think that is where “walk the walk” comes in and perhaps why the “trimgate” debate was so heated…it feels disingenuous. Of course, this website is first and foremost a business and requires a tedious balance between creating content that appeals to a… Read more »
Actually, I think what many readers are objecting to is precisely the disrespectful tone of Rusty’s comments – e.g., ‘Pleeeease. If you don’t give a rat’s about it right now because you want that tasty bubble ke in your mouth or a shimmer on your skin, or the ease of wripping a piece of tree/peper towel to clean a little spill … … think of the future generations and pay it forward’. Given that these are the products that EHD staff use themselves, Rusty is basically telling them that they don’t give a ‘rat’s arse’ about future generations. While I would question the way in which some of the rebukes have been delivered, many responses have been polite and considered. As you note, the issues at stake are complex, because EHD is a business that is trying to find a balance between financial need and social conscience and that’s clearly challenging to get right (especially given that views of what constitutes the ‘right’ balance will inevitably differ from reader to reader). For me personally, they’re doing much better on this front than other blogs I’m familiar with, which is precisely why I have returned repeatedly since discovering them a few… Read more »
I agree with this assessment. I think one could go back for months and months and find comments from her that are rude even if it is for a good cause. It has bothered me for a long time even though I do not comment back and I think that’s why for the past couple of months we are seeing a backlash now. I’m not saying it’s being handled great by everyone but the amount and the pointing fingers at people that she does not know at all is very unfair and uncalled for. It’s too the point that it really does make the experience here less enjoyable. I feel like she should show us how she walks the walk in her own life. I’m too the point where I want proof!
Firstly, I sincerely and genuinely apologize to any EHD team member offended by my comments calling them to action. So sincerely. I truly sought to reinforce a goal and intent stated by Emily, because I took what she said seriously. I ended up in a defensive whirlpool after being called names and bullied. My annoyance and disappointment spiralled. I wish it hadn’t. I can do better, even when cornered and cable-tied by a mob. This isn’t about me. It’s not about the others. It’s literally about what we can all do to make a difference; to be the change we want and irefutably need in our world. It doesn’t cost more to live sustainably, in fact, it generally costs less and even makes our homes, bodies and everyday lives healthier. To the ‘mean girl’ trolls and naysayers that called me names and ‘high-fived’ each other (as another reader noted) in ‘group-think’ while professing to be ‘kind’; this is so much bigger and so much more important than their echo chamber attacks. It’s like picking on the person who actually did the homework and studied for the exam, because they couldn’t be bothered to and don’t want to be found out.… Read more »
You weren’t bullied. You were called out on your own bullying. That you can’t see that is not surprising.
Those who question your actions, Ann, may be wondering if you could have done it in a more gentle and constructive way then “put a sock in it…”
What is the saying, oh yea, “ two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Also, EHD could have contacted Rusty
(privately) and asked for Rusty’s message to be toned down, if they had a problem with the comments.
If you remove comments from followers, tell them why!
Lessons all around.
I invite you to take a step back and re-read your comments. You say it’s not about you but then go on about “mean girl trolls” and “echo chambers” and being “cable tied by a mob” (big yikes) and you being the only one who “did your homework.” Can you see how this would make anyone bristle? I appreciate your passion for sustainability – those are ideals I try to follow in my own life and work – but shaming others and engaging in self-martyrdom is often unproductive and only provokes the interpersonal conflict that you have seen here. There is also the unfortunate fact that sustainability is a burden put on individual consumers, rather than one enforced through regulation, corporate policies or industrial practices. While I agree that we should all do our part and vote with our wallets, the majority of the change needs to happen from the top down and we often get so distracted by moralizing and judging others that we turn a blind eye to the politicians and CEOs who have disproportionate amounts of power and influence on this issue. See the history of “Keep America Beautiful” for a really good example of that phenomenon.… Read more »
Having founded and run a popular commercial blog “back in the day” (early 2000’s) I am keenly aware of how much work/human labor hours are involved in the content Emily and team create for their readers. My sense is that many folks have NO idea what a dance it is to keep this site running profitably and EHD’s team does it really, really well. That’s why we’re all here every day! Frankly, some of the comments are just incredibly entitled and rude. Specifically when it comes to environmental impact… any individual’s carbon footprint is pretty complicated. As someone without children (not by choice) and who drives very little, my impact is a lot less than some others right out of the gate. My point is…. both the EHD team and readership of this blog seems to have a conscious awareness of environmental impact and it is up to us to find that balance between need/want and affordability/impact in our own lives. If something needs calling in/out, fine but anointing oneself as the environmental impact police seems to me to reflect that person’s need to elevate themself rather than constructively add a meaningful, compassionate perspective.