We’re surrounded by material objects – our brains would go into overload if we acknowledged day in and day out where our stuff comes from – its materials, where and how they were made, the miles they travel and the energy they require before they reach our hands. But the hard cold facts are that our material objects, the energy we use and the food we eat, all require human and materials resources. I’m inspired again and again by Annie Leonard’s Story of Stuff, which highlights how our global material supply chain is broken, spinning out of control, and that our resource base is not only finite but caustic to our environment and health. 1/3 of the planet’s resource base is GONE. I know, heavy, right?

Our responsibility as consumers is to pay attention to where our “stuff comes from” how much stuff we’re consuming and buying, and on a positive note, how our purchases have the power to make a difference in people’s lives. Proxy’s Social Media Maven and Blogger Miriam interviewed Laura Collins of Pansy Maiden for the Proxy Blog this past fall. Laura is located down the road from us in Medford, MA. A passionate vegan, Laura designs and sews (yes, she sews every bag in her home studio!) fashionable bags that are made from 100% eco-friendly, vegan fabrics. I’m so jazzed to feature her Lady Day Bag on our site – its made from eco-friendly, and even better recycled fabrics – and is sewn a quick bike ride from the Proxy office. NOW that’s a localized supply chain we can all feel good about. So, the story of this bag, of this stuff, is a great one. Support an independent designer, a local supply chain, with this product with a green footprint. Oh, and the best part – its gorgeous and practical. 

Xo, Heatherjean.