Conscious by Chloé

Chloé Lepeltier - Conscious By Chloé

A Sustainable Lifestyle Blog focusing on Zero Waste, Slow Living, and Ethical Fashion.

The Conscious List

Winter Perched Bird in the Snow for Conscious by Chloé

Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? I'm going to a bird-themed birthday party!

This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

My New Favorite Mending Tool

Snag Repair Needle Mending Tool by Conscious by Chloé

Have you ever heard of a Snag Repair Needle?

I hadn't... until a few months ago when I added to my mending kit.

I can't pinpoint exactly when and where I first saw it (probably on my Instagram Explore Page), but my world has been rocked ever since!

Snag Repair Needle Mending Tool by Conscious by Chloé

I used to mend snags and loose threads by threading a needle, tying a knot around the pulled thread, and feeding it through the fabric.

Snag Repair Needle Mending Tool by Conscious by Chloé

But now, with this nifty little tool, a repair takes seconds. I just poke through the fabric with the sharp side of the needle, then wrap the loose thread around the grippy side of the needle and feed it through the fabric.

Snag Repair Needle Mending Tool by Conscious by Chloé

These pictures show how I regularly take care of my (very fragile) gauze coat.

I also use the needle pretty regularly on my workout leggings (I snag them often while hiking in the woods 🫣).

Snag Repair Needle Mending Tool by Conscious by Chloé

This little needle has become my new favorite mending tool! And you know how much I love mending!

Have you ever used a snag repair needle? What else is in your mending kit?

This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

7 Exercises to Craft a Purposeful Life

10 Personal Commandments by Conscious by Chloé

I'm in this phase where I could do what I want with my life, but feel paralyzed by the possibilities.

I dove back into my trusted reading list to figure out in which direction I could go, but also browsed the archives of the blog to find a little wisdom from past me.

From setting up systems at home for a clean slate to exploring ways to find inspiration, here are a few articles that you might find useful too:

1. Write your 10 personal commandments.

2. Write a list of 24 things you want to achieve in 2024.

3. Choose a word for the year.

4. Live with someone? My tips for a successful cohabitation.

5. Get rid of junk mail for good.

6. Look for inspiration.

7. Implement the 5Rs of the Zero Waste lifestyle.

Do you have more books or articles to recommend?

This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Sewing a Pair of Bob Woven Pants by Style Arc with an Old Quilt

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

By now, I should simply stop mentioning my obsession with quilted things... but I figured it was high time I made myself a pair of quilt pants!

I'd been eyeing a pair of pants a friend of mine had made a few times and finally asked her which pattern she used.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

As soon as I received the printed pattern, I started cutting it and took my sweet time, one step a day, to avoid getting overwhelmed and making mistakes.

Supplies

Check out the rest of my sewing essentials.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

Sizing

I purposefully chose a bigger size so as not to take any chances with my limited amount of fabric (since I persist in not making a toile).

They're the perfect layering pants for the cold front we've been experiencing here in the Pacific Northwest.

I wear them all day with wool underlayers.

I've already made a second pair in a light linen fabric and sized down, though I would lengthen the legs a little as I'm not a fan of the cropped look, though for a summer pair of pants, that could still work!

So in the end, I'd say the pattern fits true to size.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

Tutorial

I only noticed while writing this blog post that there is a whole video tutorial available!

As for most of my pants projects, I decided to forgo the pockets, because I don't like their look on me and because I made the cutest belt bag to contain all my essentials.

I got a serger for free via my local Buy Nothing group and I'm so grateful for it. I serge the pieces as soon as I cut them so that the fabric keeps its shape.

I don't have the patience to sew flat felled or French seams, but hope to one day finish my garments with one of these techniques for a professional finish.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

My new obsession consists in stamping my projects. Maybe one day I'll have custom-made tags, but for now, this'll do.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

Inspiration

The Instagram inspiration is endless, check out all these fun prints!

Night Moves also makes the cutest pants, they inspire me to alter the pattern a little for less fabric bunching in the stomach area.

Bob Woven Pant by Style Arc Pattern Review Quilt Pants by Conscious by Chloé

Have you ever made a pair of Bob Pants? How did it go?

5 Great Books To Kick Off Your New Year’s Resolutions

conscious-by-chloe-brown-adrienne-maree-pleasure-activism-2.jpg

I've been texting and chatting with friends about what direction we want to take this new year and thought I'd share my recommendations here too.

As you know, I love new beginnings, a good reason to start a new habit, and starting a new project in general.

Besides sharing my 2024 reading list, I also decided to share punctual articles about books centered around a theme.

So here's my "New Year, New Me" reading list:

1. Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

This book has been recommended to me multiple times a couple of years ago when I was wondering what I could do with my life. I made an exception (and a big one since I only read books written by non-cis white men) and did not regret it. It's a fantastic guide!

2. The Pivot Year: 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be by Brianna Wiest

This one is 100% influenced by my social media feed. I've put it on hold at the library and am waiting for the 36 people in line in front of me to finish reading it...

3. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

I listened to this one read by the author at about the same time I read book 1 of the list and remember this period of my life very fondly. I might read or listen to it again this year and see how it holds up!

4. Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by adrienne maree brown

I'm intrigued by the idea of associating pleasure and activism. More pleasure, more activism? Yes and yes! This one has been on my list for a little bit and I really need to get to it.

5. I Didn't Do the Thing Today: Letting Go of Productivity Guilt by Madeleine Dore

The title made me smile, I heard about this one in a podcast, I think. I love the idea of recommending tons of books about how you must do the thing, and then telling people to not do the thing. You know, like when the opposite of a truth is also the truth?

What are you currently reading?

This post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase via one of my links, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!