( The Survival Shawl )

“Being more than 3/4 of the way through a self imposed yearlong shopping ban, I feel a deep connection to everything in my closet. Eliminating ‘newness’ (be it brand new or thrifted) is a great way to learn to love and appreciate what you have. This shawl was purchased at a music festival a few years back and has a few stories to tell.”

When I wear this shawl I think of a delightfully flawed but fun road trip holiday my boyfriend and I took a few years back with our dog. Just before we left, the dog broke his toe, so we were stuck with a bandaged pooch and doctor’s orders for a ‘restful’ journey.

One night we pulled up at the state forest and set up camp at the most un-picturesque spot under some power-lines. After a feed at the campfire with me wrapped tightly in this shawl, we got into bed, only to find out we weren’t alone. Ticks crawled through our sheets and the mosquitoes buzzed around our heads. It was probably the worst nights sleep either of us had ever experienced. I had never been so happy to pack up and leave before.

Despite the holidays shortcomings, I look back on it with fond memories. You have to take the good times with the bad, and every experience is a story.

( Katie ) ( www.sustainabilityinstyle.com)
( Australia )