S&A Magazine Issue 6 – Volume 3

February 2023 Issue / Volume 3

This Issue’s Contents

Poem of The Month
Drawing Prompt
Book Review
Empowering Activity
Sustainable Fashion
Main Article
Recipe

Poem Of The Month

Wishful Winds

If you blow on a dandelion and make a wish, it will come true.

Watching the seeds gracefully dance through the wind gives hope.

The trust in the journey of these beautiful pieces of life must be why people choose to believe.

But what happens when you are the seed?

One second you are calmly enjoying the stillness of life,

until you are picked so quickly off the ground.

You feel a tremendous gust of wind as you helplessly

Rip away from where you belong.

All of this, to make someone’s wish come true.

You fly, unsure of where you are going.

The winds, they feel so strange,

One moment carrying you gently through the sky,

Letting you feel the sun’s warmth,

Floating delicately above blades of grass,

amongst those who have the freedom to fly.

You don’t know where you are going,

And the thought of the end slowly seeps in…

But you are distracted.

The goodness of life is almost showering you.

Until,

the once-friendly winds start to blow faster and stronger.

The clouds gather up and gray.

The creatures flying take cover

You don’t know where you are going,

And the thought of the end slowly seeps in…

But this time you feel a glow of hope

As things steady again

Silence

Just you, flying

The sky turns as white

As jasmine petals

Everything is still

You don’t know where you are going,

And the thought of the end slowly seeps in…

You feel something coming

Drawing Prompt

Make A Collage

Collages are an easy and creative way to combine various types of media. Most of the collages below were pieces cut out of magazines but I also used pastels, paints, and ink to create a vibrant and colorful look that stands out.

Above: Two collages I made in 2021, Below: Collages I made in 2022

Below: Mixed media collages I made in 2023

Book Review

The Last True Poets of the Sea – Julia Drake

The Last True Poets of The Sea is by far one of my favorite books. It weaves together a unique storyline with unforgettable characters, romance, and a witty sense of humor.

When the main character, Violet has to leave New York City to visit a small town in Maine over the summer, she’s forced to change her routines and the city life she is used to. Although she resists this quiet life at first, she eventually becomes connected not only with the people of the town but also with her family’s past in it. When Violet discovers that her ancestors were closely related to a shipwreck near Lyric, she is determined to find its location.

Empowering Activity

Write Yourself a Valentine

Whether you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day with someone or not, it’s important to show yourself some love! Forget anything that you regret or any decisions you made that might be stressing you out. Remember to take a moment to appreciate all that you’ve done so far in 2023. If you want, you can even take yourself out on a date and just spend a day doing things you’ve been wanting to do, because you deserve it!

Sustainable Fashion

An Outfit Styled With Made Trade

Made Trade is an ethical brand that makes all kinds of products. From bedding & bath, to gifts, to furniture, to clothes, you can find it all! Made Trade is women and BIPOC owned. They use handcrafted and recycled materials to make their products and everything is made in the US. Made Trade is also a Fair Trade and vegan brand.

Black Square Cami

Main Article

How to Shop for Clothes Sustainably

Buying sustainable items is a no-brainer. There are so many environmental benefits that come with buying clothes that are sourced responsibly. Many brands that we have featured in our sustainable fashion section have done lots of different things to reduce their environmental footprint: using recycled materials, planting trees, reducing the amount of water they use to make clothes, and using locally-sourced materials. Along with creating significant environmental impacts, these brands also try to empower their workers in every step of the manufacturing process. Many brands we’ve featured have women-owned businesses, are Fair Trade Certified, and support family-owned companies. However, we understand that these options are not always affordable for the average consumer. Luckily, there are many other ways you can be more sustainable when buying new clothes. In this article, you can find a few tips and tricks that we use to shop sustainably.

Choose quality over quantity: When buying new clothes, make sure to consider how often you would wear the item. Is it comfortable? Do you see yourself wearing this item for a few years? Can you think of other clothes you would wear it with? If you see yourself wearing the item for an extended period of time, it’s probably a good idea to buy it. Getting the most use out of your clothes is not only good for your wallet, but it’s also better for the environment because you are not treating your clothes as fast fashion.

Look for certifications: Keep an eye out for certifications such as Fair Trade Certified and GOTS on your clothing which indicate responsible and sustainable practices. (Depending on the label, these usually show that a company is ethical and eco-friendly). Click here for more information regarding sustainable clothing certifications.

Shop secondhand: Thrifting is another very popular and affordable way to find clothes that you can make use of. Along with being better for the environment, thrifting is also a great way to find unique clothes that you may not be able to find at a bigger clothing store chain. If you prefer shopping online, there are also websites and apps that allow people to resell and buy clothes. This is another great way to repurpose clothes.

Support small businesses and local makers: Supporting small businesses not only helps them grow, but also creates a greater chance for these items to be sourced locally. This reduces the transportation required to get items from one place to another and helps your community!

Choose natural materials: Using natural materials can help them eventually decompose when it is finally time to throw out a piece of clothing. Other synthetic materials like polyester, however, may take much longer to decompose and stay in landfills for years.

Do your research: Staying educated and informed is always the best way to make a decision on something. If there is a clothing item you really want to buy, it doesn’t hurt to look into the brand that made the item. Think about what materials they use, how they treat their workers, and where your clothes are being made.

By following these tips, you can make more informed and sustainable choices when it comes to buying clothing. Even if you are not able to afford clothing items from more expensive sustainable brands, there are always little things you can do to make a difference. We hope that you practice mindful shopping the next time you are thinking of adding to—or taking away from—your wardrobe.

Photo Collage

Underwater Adventure

Recipe

Blueberry Muffins

This is my favorite recipe for blueberry muffins because they have a rich, flavorful taste and the perfect texture. This recipe was originally featured in The New York Times, however I adjusted a few things.

Adapted from Jordan Marsh’s Blueberry Muffins, New York Times

Ingredients

½ cup softened butter
1¼ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
3 cups blueberries, washed, drained and picked over
3 teaspoons sugar (for the top of the muffin)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375.
Cream the butter and 1¼ cups sugar until light.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder, and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk.
Mix in the blueberries, slowly adding them in.
Line a 12 cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners, and fill with batter. Sprinkle the 3 teaspoons sugar over the tops of the muffins, and bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes.
Remove muffins from tin and cool at least 30 minutes. Store, uncovered, or the muffins will be too moist the second day, if they last that long.