Oh Uh. Scuse Me. Just A Lil Snail Crossing Your Dash

One day you think: I want to die. And then you think, very quietly, actually I want a coffee. I want a nap. A sandwich. A book. And I want to die turns day by day into I want to go home, I want to walk in the woods, I want to see my friends, I want to sit in the sun. I want a cleaner room, I want a better job, I want to live somewhere else, I want to live.

Madeira, Portugal (by James Dimas)

Slow Fashion and Greenwashing: Navigating the Ethical Mase of Sustainability

The fashion industry is shifting toward sustainability, driven by consumer demand for more ethical and environmentally friendly practices. At the forefront of this movement is slow fashion, a counter to the fast fashion frenzy that emphasizes quality, ethical production, and environmental responsibility. However, as more brands claim to be “green" or “sustainable,” greenwashing, the practice of making misleading or exaggerated claims about a product's eco-friendliness has also emerged. Understanding the difference between authentic sustainability efforts and greenwashing is essential for conscious consumers. 

What is Slow Fashion? 

Slow Fashion is all about buying less and buying better. Instead of constantly purchasing cheap, trendy clothes that wear out quickly, slow fashion asks us to invest in pieces that are: 

Made to last: High-quality materials and timeless designs that can be worn for years. 

Ethically produced: Workers are paid fair wages and work in safe conditions.

Environmentally friendly: Brands use sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled fabrics and minimize waste in production. 

In short, slow fashion is not just about clothes - it is about changing how we think about consumption. It is a movement that promotes mindful shopping, encouraging us to connect more with the items we buy and their impact on the world. 

What is Greenwashing? 

Unfortunately, not all brands are honest about their sustainability efforts. Greenwashing happens when companies mislead customers by promoting their products as “eco-friendly” without actually making significant changes to how they produce them. This can look like: 

Vague claims: Words like “natural” or “eco-friendly” without any proof or specific details. 

Small gestures: A company might use organic cotton in one product line but continue using harmful practices in the rest of its operations.

Focusing on packaging, not production: They might offer biodegradable packaging but ignore the environmental damage caused by making the actual clothes. 

It is like a fresh coat of paint over a house that is falling apart - it looks good on the surface, but underneath, nothing has changed. 

An example of greenwashing is the H&M Conscious Collection. The collection launched in 2019, aiming to offer more sustainable fashion options. The brand claimed to use materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and circulose. However, investigations and lawsuits have raised questions about the authenticity of H&M's sustainability claims (Ponte 2023). 

Misleading Environmental Scores: A Quartz investigation revealed that H&M's self-reported environmental scores were often inaccurate or inflated. The company used the Higg Index, a sustainability certification system, but the scores were sometimes misleading or incorrect (Ponte 2023). 

Class-Action Lawsuit: H&M faced a class-action lawsuit in the USA, alleging that its marketing of the Conscious Collection was misleading (Shendruk 2022). The lawsuit claimed that H&M's advertising falsely represented the sustainability of its products, leading consumers to believe they were purchasing environmentally friendly clothing. 

Recycled Polyester Controversy: The lawsuit also pointed out that the recycling used in the Conscious Collection was not as sustainable as claimed. Once plastic bottles are converted into clothing, they often end up in landfills or incineration, which is not environmentally friendly (Wright 2023). 

In conclusion, the H&M Conscious Collection shows how tricky it is to be sustainable in fast fashion. While the company is making efforts, accusations of greenwashing highlight the need for honesty and real action, not just marketing claims. 

How to Spot Authentic Slow Fashion Brands? 

Here are a few tips to help you identify genuine slow fashion brands from those just greenwashing: 

Look for Transparency: Honest brands will tell you where their clothes are made, who made them, and what materials they used. They will also share details about their supply chain and environmental impact. 

Check for Certifications: Look for third-party certifications like Fair Trade, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), or OEKO-TEX, which verify that the brand meets a high standard of environmental and ethical practices. 

Buy Fewer, Better Items: True slow fashion brands encourage mindful consumption. They will focus on creating high-quality, long-lasting pieces rather than pushing constant new collections or sales.

How can We Do? 

As consumers, we have more power than we realize. Here is how we can help move the fashion industry in the right direction: 

Buy Less: Focus on buying pieces that you love and will wear for years. Avoid fast trends and impulse buys. 

Choose Secondhand: Thrift shopping or buying from secondhand platforms extends the life of clothes and reduces waste. 

Support Ethical Brands: When you do buy new, choose brands that are transparent and truly committed to slow fashion values. 

Educate yourself: The more you know about sustainable fashion, the better choice you can make. Stay informed about brands' sustainability practices, and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Conclusion: Your Choices Matter

Slow Fashion is not just a trend. It is a movement that can help save our planet. By choosing to support ethical, sustainable brands and avoiding those who greenwash, we can all make a difference. It is about buying smarter, wearing longer, and caring more. 

In the end, fashion is a reflection of who we are, and by making conscious choices, we can show that we care about the environment, the people who make our clothes, and the world we live in. 

Let's wear our values ​​​​proudly !!!!!!!

Reference list

Ponte, C 2023, ‘The H&M Greenwashing Scandal: Has Business Learned the Lesson?’, Impakter, viewed <https://impakter.com/hm-greenwashing-scandal-has-business-learned-the-lesson/>.

Shendruk, A 2022, ‘USA: H&M faces “greenwashing” class-action lawsuit over alleged misleading & false marketing of “sustainable” clothing line’, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, viewed <https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/usa-hm-faces-greenwashing-class-action-lawsuit-over-alleged-misleading-false-marketing-of-sustainable-clothing-line/>.

Wright, M 2023, 'Greenwashing, or Conscious Shopping?: H&M's Controversial Sustainable Efforts - JOULE', JOULE , viewed <https://sites.law.duq.edu/joule/greenwashing-or-conscious-shopping-hms-controversial -sustainable-efforts/>.

Dew: "Mountain and I have been married for two years now, but we eloped instead of having a proper ceremony, so we've been pretending like we're not together yet so that our friends think they're witnessing an adorable love story, when, in reality, I've had to witness this man take a shit while I'm in the shower already." Mountain: "Actually, it's usually you coming in to shit while I'm trying to bathe, because SOMEONE forgets they're lactose intolerant." Dew: "I don't forget, I just ignore it." Mountain: "That's not how it works-"

The Handmaiden + Romantic Lines

Bonus:

Babe I saw this post and I am requesting you please write the wolfstar idea you responded with because it's been stuck in my head since I saw this post

https://www.tumblr.com/lexxxrated/773973187421716480/sudden-thought-remuss-breeding-kink-goes-into?source=share

hahaha okay, since you asked so nicely.

poly!wolfstar x fem!reader who have been trying for a baby [1.2k words]

CW: there's no actual smut in this fic but it is outwardly and explicitly discussed, mature themes, discussion about a stretch of time spent 'trying' & about it 'working', after care, mature themes - viewer discretion is advised

Sirius smiled around the spoon of ice cream he had just put in his mouth when he heard someone coming down the stairs; the sound of the gait told him it was undeniably Remus. 

“Godric’s fucking balls, Pads.” Remus hissed as he rounded the corner into the kitchen, clutching at his bare chest as he fought to catch his breath, though Sirius knew it wasn’t just his recent fright that had him desperate for air. 

Remus looked thoroughly debauched; his hair was in a right state, his chest (and shoulders and arms and probably his back, if he’d give Sirius a spin) were littered in red welts, scratches, various love bites, and-

“Merlin’s tits, is that a bite mark?!” He asked, using his now empty spoon to point at the juncture of Remus’ neck and shoulder. 

“What are you doing home so early?” Remus asked instead of responding, moving to the fridge to pour two glasses of cold water. 

”It’s nearly seven, Moons.” Sirius chuckled, smirking to himself when Remus’ movements froze, only just now seeming to realise how dark it had gotten outside. 

“I-”

“-have been fucking for hours, yeah.” Sirius finished his sentence for him, haughtily putting another spoonful of ice cream in his mouth and relishing in the hungry way Remus’ eyes tracked the movement. 

“How long have you been down here?” Remus finally asked, and Sirius pointed to the two plates of dinner under a stasis charm and his own, clean plate sitting in the drying rack after having been washed. “You didn’t want to join?”

Sirius’ responding smirk was nearly wicked. “Sounded like you had everything under control, Moons.” He started, watching Remus flush red from the tips of his ears down to his chest. “Multiple times, if I wasn’t mistaken. Besides, I have to admit I’m still quite sore from last night; I don’t know how Dolly’s putting up with you.”

“Merlin…” Remus groaned as he rubbed his hands down his face, only serving to make him look even more debauched; Sirius’ dick twitched in response. ”I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Luckily for the three of you, Sirius did. 

“Where’s our girlfriend?” Sirius asked as he put the lid back on the ice cream and moved to return it to the freezer. 

“Erm, I…ran her a bath, I came to grab her a glass of water.”

“Right, well, why don’t you sit and eat, and I’ll take over?” Sirius offered as he plucked the pitcher of water from Remus’ hand and procured you a glass. 

But Sirius should have known better than to expect Remus not to follow him up the stairs; as much as Moony loved to ravish you, he loved taking care of you even more. Aftercare was no exception. 

The bathroom was foggy with the amount of humidity your too-hot bath was creating, and Sirius knew then that Remus must be feeling particularly repentant for his obsession with you this week if he was willing to allow your blood pressure to skyrocket over it. 

“Hot enough for you, doll?” He asked as he walked in; Remus leaning against the door frame out of your field of view as he watched Sirius kneel beside the tub and rub a gentle knuckle over the high of your damp cheek.

“Hi Siri.” You greeted almost dopily, looking as though you’d been moments away from falling asleep. 

“How’re you doing?” He asked, pressing a kiss to your lips before sitting back on his heels to await your answer. 

“He’s insatiable,” you pouted theatrically, “I think I melted.”

“Mhm?” He offered noncommittally, running a thumb over your eyebrow as you blinked slowly. “And you turned poor Moony into a scratch post. Don’t think I didn’t do a thorough inspection, doll; I saw that bite mark.” 

You scrunched your eyes closed in embarrassment and sunk lower into the water, prompting Sirius to continue.

“I’d say you gave as good as you got.” 

“You’re supposed to be on my side.” You grumbled halfheartedly, and Sirius’ bark of laughter covered Remus’ snort from the doorway. 

“There are no sides, gorgeous. We’re all winning here.” He reminded you with a boop to your nose. “Besides, this is your fault.”

Your eyes opened at that, though only enough to narrow them at Sirius. “My fault?”

“Sure is.” He confirmed as he cupped some water in his hand and trickled it over your shoulder. “Wanna tell me what time of the month it is?” 

He watched your eyebrows furrow. “I’m…not on my period?” 

“Getting warmer.” He agreed, fighting to keep his face neutral when he noticed Remus’ head tilt in his periphery. 

“I’m…well, I-” water sloshed as you quickly sat up straight. “I’m not ovulating, am I!?”

Sirius laughed over at the door where Remus slapped his hand over his mouth in astonishment.

“He can’t smell that, can he?!” You continued. 

“Easy doll, easy.” Sirius laughed as he encouraged you to lean back down. “If it’s any consolation, I don’t think he even realised he could.” 

“I’m so sorry, dove.” Remus insisted as he moved into the room to join you both. “Merlin, that’s sodding embarrassing.” 

“How’s it embarrassing?!” Sirius interjected. “We’ve been trying for months!”

“Well, yeah but the poor girl can hardly walk because I’m a fucking-”

“Oi, hey, stop.” Sirius stopped his line of thinking. “Relax Moons, alright? I think this might be the first time in a while that there hasn’t been any pressure to perform, yeah?” 

You and Remus shared a shy look before you both nodded reluctantly. 

“We’ve been working very hard, but this week hasn’t felt like work. I’m sure it’s going to pay off.”

The three of you sat in silence for a few moments before you splashed a bit of water at Sirius. 

“When did you become the voice of reason?”

“Voice of reason?” Remus scoffed incredulously. “You knew this whole time and weren’t going to say anything?”

“Why would I say anything? I was thoroughly enjoying myself.” Sirius offered easily, shooting the lycanthrope a wink. 

“Oh well,” Remus started sarcastically, “as long as you were enjoying yourself.”

“And you weren’t?” Sirius countered, and he watched Remus bite his cheek instead of gracing him with a response. Check mate. 

“Do you think it worked?” You murmured quietly, eyes far away as you fiddled with your bottom lip. Sirius and Remus exchanged a look before Remus joined him at the edge of the tub. 

“Maybe.” Remus offered honestly. “But it’ll be alright if not, yeah?”

“Still worth it, yeah? I’d hardly consider it a sacrifice.” Sirius teased, gently rubbing his thumb along your lip to encourage you to leave it alone. He was rewarded with a sweet smile. 

“We’ve been in our heads a bit lately.” Remus allowed. “Felt good to just…”

“Very eloquent.” You deadpanned when words seemed to fail him, causing Remus to gently flick your knee. 

“Oi! That’s quite enough, Moons.” Sirius chided as he bodily shielded you from him. “I think you’ve put our girl through quite enough.”

“Put her through?” Remus repeated. “I thought you just said it was fun?”

“Out with you.” He dismissed instead of agreeing with him. “Go eat your dinner; leave our girl in my capable hands.”

And what was left of Remus’ playful chagrin simply melted away at that, sharing a knowing look with you before he stood to press a kiss to each of his partners’ hair and exited the bathroom; leaving you in Sirius’ capable hands.

Slightly unhinged take but Aurora’s vibe is like all of Twice’s discography

I am so invested in your posts about Mountain and his pack of moms.

Does Mountain turn into a big kit whenever he visits them? Like a college kid who goes back home to his family during holidays.

- @ghouletteanon

(I did exactly two Google searches and these are the names for the previous drummers I found. I went with Terra over Gamma for obvious elemental reasons. I think there's three total? My inbox and DMs are open to any and all earth ghoul stans who know more than I do.)

Nothing terrible under the cut except the horror of knowing your parental figures have sex.

He knows Pebble's aware as soon as he sets foot into the deeper woods. The trees and mycelium networks are her eyes and ears, leaves rustling with wind-carried words to wherever she is. Not a single twig in this forest snaps without her knowing about it, which would give anyone else an incredible headache but Pebble seems to like it just fine.

And sure enough, he doesn't get but a yard or so before she's there. Sitting on an ancient log like she's been there the whole time waiting for him to pass by, even though he knew he'd been alone just moments ago.

She's all criss-crossed up from her arms to her legs, still as a statue as she watches him approach with his picnic basket. He doesn't say anything; he knows this routine well enough by now. Pebble can get odd, when left to her own devices for too long. The others are usually good at bringing her back to herself though.

Food helps too. Not the food she can scavenge from the forest like berries and mushrooms and prey animals eaten raw. Food that's been altered, baked, cooked. He lifts the cloth of the picnic basket and lets the warm smell of fresh bread waft out. Her nostrils flair and she stands up, quick as a wink. With one quick nod, she's off; darting through the undergrowth like a fox. It's on him to keep up, but he knows she'll come back for him if he lays behind too far. She'll get impatient but she'll always come back.

The path is different every time he visits. Some trick of Terra's to keep strangers out if they aren't guided in but he doesn't mind. He knows how much they value privacy and the time it takes to get to the destination is never too long. The undergrowth thins out, the trees grow further and further apart until they're in Ivy's garden with Ivy herself bending over to tug up a bundle of root vegetables. Pebble licks her fingertips as she walks over, delivering a loud and resounding smack to Ivy's rear end that Mountain glances away to avoid seeing barely in the nick of time.

"Pebble!" Ivy shouts, shooting up straight and cuffing the small menace in return. "Just once, a hello would be nice to hear instead of-"

"Hello." Mountain calls, walking between the rows to her with a wave. She turns around again and her happiness is so infectious that nearby plants immediately start flowering in response. Pebble takes the opportunity to dart into the little home that's been carved into the earth, set into the base of gentle slope covered in soft green grass.

"Mountain!" She cries, dropping her harvest into the dirt and leaping over the plants to catch him up in a bear hug. "Oh, I was just thinking about you! Terra was saying you were all back from tour, so of course we've been expecting you but honestly not so soon and-"

"Let that boy breathe." Comes a deeper voice from the doorway of the little home. Mountain straightens up automatically, brushing a few fly aways out of her face as Terra easily lopes over with her cane. She stops a few feet away, looks over him with a critical eye and he's acutely aware of every wrinkle and stain in his clothes, the way his right boot's come untied and how the flannel he has on now was definitely hers once upon a time.

"Suppose we'll have to take you as you are then." Terra says, a telling twinkle in her eye though her face remains firm. "What'd you bring us this time?"

"Harvest bread." He says, finally handing over the picnic basket. "Gooseberry and raspberry jam. Two kinds of cheese. Wine and whiskey and weed."

"Good stuff." Ivy says in approval.

"We'll see." Terra says. Then, "Pebble, don't you dare."

Pebble slinks out from behind Terra, hands raised in innocence even as her tail whips back. It's caught just in time by Terra's own tail, wrangled into submission as Mountain pretends to be thoroughly engrossed by his feet. He's not a prude, far from it but it just feels awkward to watch the ones who helped him with his first moments Topside be...like that.

"Welcome back." Terra says fondly after Pebble yanks her tail away and stomps off to set the table. Ivy picks up her vegetables again and goes to put her gardening tools away. "Tell us where you've been this whole time."

"All over." Mountain begins. And, like he always does, hits his head on the doorframe on the way in.

Some things never change.

Happy Percy Jackson Tuesday 🦉✨

seasons greetings from raindrop!! my gift(s) to @/aster_adams on twt as part of a secret santa exchange :]