Nikki Reed Source

Welcome to Nikki Reed Source! A fan blog dedicated to Nikki Reed.

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Nikki Reed Wants You to Rethink the Too-Small Pair of Jeans in Your Closet

Our columnist reflects on a childhood spent creating one-of-a-kind creations with her mom.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring beauty and nutrition column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

"Hey Mom, I have an idea. Can you come here for a second?" I yelled as I came through the front door. Everything magical that happens in our "sewing den" begins with those words, and last week was no exception. I dropped 40 yards of old fabric down on the table in front of her. She looked at me with the kind of smirk that belies the actual excitement we both know she's feeling in these moments. "This week, it's muumuus," I told her. The words "I need five minutes to make a coffee"—a futile attempt at stifling her joy—exited Mom's mouth too quickly. This is just the game we play, that we've always played, because the truth is: nothing makes the two of us happier than a sewing project.

My love for clothing started very young, and not at all in the way you're probably imagining. You see, I had a mother who was constantly sewing together a mixture of hand-me-downs and scrap fabric to make new clothes. She was also clever enough to make it a game of sorts so that I took an immediate interest in the process and remained invested. Mom never let on that being a single parent didn't afford her the luxury of back-to-school shopping sprees. I never felt I was missing out on buying new outfits at the mall, because I didn't yet know that adding in a strip of leopard print velvet down the sides of my older brother's skater pants, in an attempt to feminize them, wasn't other kids' "normal."

To me, this was just the way it was done. It was also creative and exciting to play designer. Mom made these endeavors feel like a choice—we were choosing to cut up old T-shirts to make our own custom designs. Mom used specific language like "one of a kind" and "customized," so I always felt a sense of ownership and pride when kids asked me where I got my clothes. I distinctly remember her taking me to the bead store for yet another project we would work on together. This one involved capri pants, which, in my family, was another way of saying "jeans that had gotten too short."

See, I didn't realize at the time that bellbottoms that allowed my socks to show meant I'd outgrown my jeans because Mom always made it into a game of What Can We Make Next? We bought all kinds of beads that day and settled on the idea of sewing them to the bottom of my freshly chopped-to-the-knees jeans. As a result, I became known as a trendsetter, rocking an upcycled wardrobe before "upcycling" was even a term. For much of this time, I felt like the coolest kid in the world.

Then, the mean girls caught on. After fielding a few put-downs from girls who were just as insecure as I was on their quest to find their own identity, I came up with a new plan. Since neither of us could afford flashy new outfits, my best friend Brenda and I would combine our piggy banks—filled with the little money we made from birthdays and singing door-to-door—and share custody over all of our clothes. Fortunately, we went to different schools, so we knew we could pull it off without anyone knowing. Here's how it went: One of our parents would drive us to Forever 21, we'd pick out the coolest of the cool new outfits, split the bill, and keep a detailed journal of who wore what, when, while trading pieces of our wardrobes every couple days.

For a while the plan functioned flawlessly. Mondays, I wore the red pants with the white tank top and jean jacket; Brenda wore the crop top and glittery skirt. Tuesdays, we'd swap. We discovered only one issue, but it was a major one: Brenda and I weren't the same size. All of this outfit coordination happened right as I was approaching my first and only growth spurt. I was suddenly tall for my age, something I only experienced for a short period of time. I had long, gangly legs, no boobs, and giant feet. Brenda, on the other hand, was perfectly proportionate and didn't require the constant tailoring that I did. Our plan was short-lived, and I found myself, once again, back at the sewing machine with Mom. Perhaps that's where I was meant to be.

The truth is, we all end up craving the very same things we may have loathed as a child. I see this more and more the older I get. We mirror our parents, and we long for every nuance, every tiny reminder that we are their child. I am, without a doubt, my mother's child. From my ripped jeans to the 14 holes punched in my ears; from my passion for feeding everyone to the creative explosions that result in spontaneous furniture construction in our backyard; from taking in every helpless animal that needs to be bottle-fed to seeing the merit in making my own clothing and designing my own jewelry and bags; from East to West and everything in between, I am my mother's child.

Every project we excitedly take on together is peppered with all of those reminders, and sewing is no exception. I am currently navigating a new chapter of my life in the fashion industry with my line, Freedom of Animals. I'm attempting to create a sustainable line of products constructed from recycled materials. In doing so, I can't help but smile, because I'm reminded daily of my childhood. I'm beginning to truly understand consumerism—our desire for more styles, cheaper products, and a faster turn-around with a new model. I'm learning how the fashion industry should function, and even better, how it shouldn't: Mass-producing overseas while using toxic chemicals in unethically run factories is heartbreakingly destructive to our planet and all of its inhabitants. I'm comprehending all of this information and I'm wondering if Mom had it right all along. Maybe choosing to value what we already had and turning it into something new wasn't a way to appear "with the times" but rather a notion that was indeed ahead of its time. The difference is that we didn't know then what we know now, and we have the chance— individually and collectively—to use this knowledge for good. 

Reusing, repurposing, and upcycling clothing is the future, and yet we were doing it then simply because that was our only option. So how can we get people to do that very thing, before it becomes our only actual option? Now is the time to allow our ingenuity to be born of necessity. Once we've sucked the planet dry of any and every resource available while we satisfy our need for "more, more, more," we won't be afforded the luxuries we mindlessly enjoy today. This is why I'm turning to you. Maybe we can all take a few seconds to think about what we have, what we want, and then somehow merge the two. Perhaps that pair of jeans that seems too small just needs a little bit of leopard print sewn down the sides, those old dish rags you're ready to throw away are calling for a second life as an outdoor dog bed, or that T-shirt you outgrew is begging to be cut up into headbands. Be creative, get inspired. Then send me some of your creations, and I'll send you some of mine.

Original article

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The Pantry (Yes, Pantry) Products Nikki Reed Uses for Luminous Skin

Our guest columnist finds her way back to a simpler, nature-inspired routine.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring beauty and nutrition column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

I grew up in a household in which "no" wasn't said too often. Typically, this can create an issue in the realm of authority, but in my case the environment allowed me to experiment, dream, and nurture any creative endeavor I wished to explore.

When I was seven years old, I remember asking Mom if I could go to the front yard and pick a rose to make rose perfume. "Sure, go for it," she said, undoubtedly knowing that floral-scented perfume would never come from the concoction I was brewing in the kitchen.

She was right. The wilted petals simmering in water muddied with plant juice in the microwave was never going to smell anything like a department store fragrance. This was around the same time I was nursing an undying love for lollipop rings. I recall asking Mom why the blueberry-flavored pops were much "bluer than a blueberry." I can't remember her response to that one. And while I now understand that so much more goes into many of the products that stimulate our senses—many of which purposefully evoke our sense of connection with things that exist only in nature—I still think that that little girl boiling roses was onto something.

Why is it that we can consciously ignore the difference between the taste of strawberry-flavored candy and a true strawberry, and yet we call them by the same name? Why do we walk into a grocery store knowing full well that apples aren't meant to come in vibrant reds or greens with shiny, almost mirrored exteriors, and yet we have taught ourselves that those ones are "better"? Why do we douse ourselves in perfumes labeled with the word "ocean," but turn our noses up at the salty smell of the sea?

Have we become so reliant on the potency, the intensity, and the familiarity of such products that we no longer find the subtleties of nature as appealing? Why do we need the condensed scents, the explosion of flavor, or the shockingly colorful?

In all honesty, I'm guilty of it too. I gravitate toward the bright green kale and the yummy, unrealistic fragrances because I believe we are all programmed the same, guided by our senses. But while I appreciate products that are designed to stimulate them in a way that augments every experience, I also listen to the tiny voice whispering to get back to the basics, to grab that bottle of olive oil off the counter and use it as a moisturizer for the week, and to create my own natural deodorant by combining lavender, vanilla, and coconut oil.

I believe in the balance found in using both store-bought items as well as what is available to us in our home pantry. And while there are justifications for both, there is a lot of joy that comes from creating our own products and knowing what is in them.

Below, my favorite all-natural products that you can buy anywhere, use anytime, and tweak to complement your existing routine. Please note, of course, that while these combinations work for my skin, I cannot guarantee my exact formulas will be beneficial for everyone. I am a big proponent of trial and error, but always consult with your dermatologist if you have sensitive or problematic skin.

"I like to use olive oil as the base for everything skin/body/hair related. I like to add an inch or two to a squirt bottle filled with water and a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender, to spray over my entire body after every shower. I also combine olive oil, coconut oil, and rose hip oil to create my favorite moisturizer. While you might associate 'oil' with 'oily skin,' fear not. You will be surprised at how quickly your skin absorbs all of it!"

"Growing up with a mom who does hair for a living, I was given a lot of recipes for DIY hair treatments that may seem a bit strange, but they're definitely worth trying. One requires avocado, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey. You can combine all of these, or use them separately, whatever works best for you. If you eat eggs in your home, those make a great addition as well. Leave it in for as long as you can stand it, then rinse, wash, and voilà!"

"I also highly recommend getting a diffuser for your home, as essential oils are highly beneficial when inhaled. For example, I use lavender and rosemary oil in my aromatherapy diffuser at night to help with coughing or headaches after long flights. I also add a few drops of rosemary oil to my shampoo and conditioner to keep my hair follicles healthy. Coffee grounds, cinnamon, cane sugar, and coconut oil also make an amazing body scrub. I learned about the benefits of this scrub while living in Russia almost 10 years ago, after spending a lot of time in the local bathhouses."

Original article

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Nikki Reed: What I Wish I Knew About Beauty When I Was Younger

Our columnist was playing with makeup before she knew how to ride a bike, but it took more than a skilled hand to establish her relationship with inner worth.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring beauty and nutrition column onELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

A woman's hands tell a story. Her journey, a masterpiece, beautifully painted line by line, with each spot and vein in its perfect placement. I remember staring at my mom's hands as a child, watching her tap the steering wheel of the car with her knuckle rings to the beat of whatever song was playing, knowing that mine would someday look just like that; I couldn't wait. I remember the first time I was told I looked like her. It was the response to a side-by-side photo of us, both smiling, cheekbones pronounced, every line on my mom's face exposed, showcasing her beauty in a way I had never noticed. I delighted in the thought of growing into a woman with that kind story etched so wonderfully on her face, with signs of a life filled with deep belly laughter and adventures many wouldn't believe; once again, I couldn't wait.

But it wasn't always that way.

I grew up fast. In fact, ​Mom gave me my first makeup kit, a hand-me-down from her best friend, Alex, before I could ride a bike. She let me do whatever I wanted when it came to my self-expression as it pertained to my image. I had a perm by the time I was five years old. I was the first girl in third grade to have magenta hair. I even got my tongue pierced around the ripe age most young girls were trying on their first pair of earrings. Needless to say, makeup was something I didn't skimp on. I went through the sparkly eye shadow phase for a little longer than most, I wore a full face of foundation for at least one of my three middle school years, and I learned how to put on my own false eyelashes in the backseat of a car. I enjoyed every part of the process.

Like most girls that age, there was no bigger compliment than being told I looked older than I was. Oh, the irony. Whether we're chasing womanhood or chasing our youth, we're never satisfied with the present. As I got older, I began to recognize the beauty in a natural, makeup-free visage. In my early twenties, I discovered my love for oils and my disdain for the smell of chemical-laden perfumes. (This was after years of bathing in the Country Apple scent from Bath & Body Works.) And although I once made fun of her for it, I was undeniably following directly in the footsteps of my amber-patchouli-wearing mother.

And eventually, I found myself wondering if the connection between people was dulled as our senses became sullied by the overwhelming effort we make to cover ourselves up, be it with makeup, deodorant, or perfume. There is something to be said for pheromones, and I knew I was onto something after reading a few articles on "human connection through scent." It's true that my job requires a certain amount of "made-up" days, however, I still have an immense amount of affinity for the majority of my days, the ones spent au-natural. Truth be told, when I'm not working, I enjoy letting my hair air dry, tossing a little homemade oil concoction onto my face and body, and then calling it a day. I believe in taking care of myself, but always with a healthy approach that stems from treating my body right, not from the desire to fit in, stay skinny, or look younger. I suppose it's about balance. Whether it's attempting to purchase reduced-chemical or chemical-free products when you can, or maybe even researching vegetable-based dyes for your hair, the most important part of being a consumer is being aware that we do have options. And it all starts with one ideal: love yourself. Finding a holistic approach to skincare and the products we buy begins when we stop succumbing to the gloss of advertisements and we start glorifying old photographs of our mothers and grandmothers looking perfectly imperfect, their natural beauty on full human display.

I'll be first to tell you that I love a day of expert glam, but it's the days I get to let my skin breathe and my frizzy hair fly free that I cherish the most, that I feel the most "me." So if there is one message I could have given my younger self, it would've been this: Be gentle with yourself. Know that every girl your age has acne, that it's okay to feel insecure about your height, your weight, or the size of your boobs. Don't beat yourself up about it. Don't spend your energy wishing you could change it. Embrace it. Love every imperfection. Imperfections are what make you beautiful. They're what make you "you."

As you grow older, you'll find more and more opportunities to either tear yourself apart or stand up for yourself, both physically and emotionally. Someday you'll look back at that one photo in the bikini on the lake, the one that made you feel insecure, fat, pale, or less-developed than the other girls, and think, 'Wow, I really was beautiful. How I wish I had known it then.' Another day, you'll look down at your aging hands knowing that those very hands are the tangible evidence that you've lived, truly lived; that you are a woman with a unique story, a woman with perfect purpose. You'll feel empowered as a woman who no longer dissects every angle of her body but instead the ingredient labels on those trendy products, because you care about what goes in and on your body as you strive for health, strength, and longevity.

And one day, down the road, you'll look at your mom and really see her. In that moment, you'll understand what it is that makes her so beautiful, and you'll long for hands that tell a story like hers.

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Nikki Reed Proposes a New Diet…for Your Mind

Our columnist's fail-proof method to finding mental health and happiness that endures.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring beauty and nutrition column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

A couple of days ago, Mom, Ian, and I went out to an open field to spend the day eating rice crackers and day-old BBQ'ed veggies and, more interestingly, to talk about how much we wanted our own farm one day. The quick picnic turned into a four-hour, cross-legged blanket session and a much-needed cuddle with Mom as my head easily found its way into her lap. We ate, we laughed, and then I got up to go for a solo skipping session down the cow trail. I heard my mom in the distance, her laughter getting quieter the farther I walked, her whispers about me always being "her little girl" becoming less audible. I realized in that moment how much I have always relied on this woman, no matter where we started, where it took us, or where we ended up. Her advice, her wisdom, and most of all her ability to put everything in the simplest of terms, have always given me just the perspective that I need; this is something I will always cherish.

I walked back over and sat down next to her. She asked me, as she does from time to time, what kind of exercise I had been doing lately. "Nothing new," I told her. "Just the usual, whatever I can fit in." "What about for your soul?" she asked. Now I knew what she was trying to ask me. Mom, for many years, has been the voice that gently whispers reminders to meditate, do yoga, enroll in school, and go for walks—anything that prioritizes exercising the mind and the soul in the same way I do my fitness routine. Being the money-conscious woman that she is, she would say through a smile, "You know, gym memberships and workout classes, those things cost money, but finding the time to quiet the mind and connect with yourself, that's free."

Just then, we all looked out at the field as a herd of cattle began to trickle in. In the center of the sea of black-and-white bodies swaying from side to side hid one giant brown bull. Again, I was reminded of the power, the force, and the influence that just ONE being can have. Sometimes that force is beautiful, unstoppable, with unmatchable inspiration and influence. But sometimes that force feeds on power, control, or the desire to instill fear in others. Our oneness, our uniqueness, when we're gifted with life begins as the former—beautiful and unstoppable. As we grow and mature, however, those gifts we've been given can get muddied by our need to be liked, to be loved, to be accepted and admired. The irony is, if we clung to our authenticity, that love and admiration would come easily and often. Letting it go, allowing others to change us and influence us, sway our opinions and alter our attitudes, only makes it harder for us to carve out our intended niche in the world.

Sometimes some of our most complicated issues, thoughts, and dilemmas can be solved by asking ourselves one simple question: How does this make me feel? Or, often, Why do I feel that way? The beauty lies in the fact that we can only really answer in three ways: I feel good, I feel bad, or I am unsure. The lack of options immediately alleviates any pressure we put on ourselves to justify why something that makes us feel bad is something we should continue doing. So while reading some of your emails in response to my recent post—and after the release of "Til It Happens to You," the video I made for Lady Gaga about the college rape epidemic—I felt compelled to remind myself, and all of you, of the importance of listening to your heart, to your soul, and to your feelings in their purest form. Keeping your truth a secret only gives that situation more power, more control. Try to suppress the overwhelming urge to entertain the internal/external chatter, which only clouds our judgment or helps us create excuses for why we feel a certain way. 

So many of you were seeking advice on what to do in situations in which you felt peer pressure, and many of you wanted to anonymously share a story about someone you knew who was bullying someone else. Maybe you were sharing because it felt good to finally say it out loud to another person, even in an email, because keeping that secret felt yucky. To be honest, I don't have the answers. All I can say is that I can relate. I know how you feel. For girls who are battling the fear of not being popular, not being accepted by the cool crowd, girls who are being criticized for their uniqueness, or feel unable to speak out against something you know is wrong because you're afraid of what might happen to you, I encourage you to try something. Similar to my first post in which we discussed actually listening to the body when it tells you what it needs to eat, what you're truly craving, and therefore what you're missing, we can also do this with our feelings. That said, I want you to try this: Quiet your mind and simply resort to fundamental questions that start with, "How do I feel when…?"

If being around something makes you feel bad, vocalize it. Say it out loud. If someone is treating you poorly, vocalize it, say it out loud. Talk about how it makes you feel. If most of your sentences start with, "It makes me feel bad to be around this" or "It makes me feel bad when I am called this," maybe it's time to rethink how much you compromise feeling good because you're afraid of what you'll be met with when you ask yourself, quietly, how you truly feel inside. Maybe it's time to spend as much time working on your mind, your authenticity, and your soul as you do your body or your diet. Maybe it's time to write a list of who or what is around you, and what those things or those people offer you. I have a feeling that what you will find is overwhelming support in knowing you were not alone, and suddenly you will find yourself surrounded by an army of people who can relate. If the girl at school or work who you think is your friend is constantly putting you down or criticizing you because she says she's helping you, protecting you, or looking out for you, maybe you're simply caught in the vicious cycle of seeking validation from someone who thrives on watching you question yourself, someone who needs to put you down to feel better about herself. If you find yourself around anyone, boy or girl, man or woman, who is constantly dissecting you, intimidating you, poking fun at you, all in the name of "love" or "friendship," maybe it's important to consider the idea that we can become who we surround ourselves with, and if you're being honest with yourself, you probably don't want to become that person.

The desire to fit in inevitably knocks on every door we stand behind. It is blind to age, location, time, race, gender, and, at times, can lead us away from who we are, and even further from who we want to be. Sometimes it is most prominent in exterior forms; wanting to be "skinny," wearing the "right" clothes, hanging with the "cool" crowd. Notice that those words are in quotes. Why? Because everyone's definition of those words is different. Be bold enough to define them in your own terms. Terms that feel good to you. Other times, our need for validation manifests in ways that mold us internally. We find ourselves compromising the ethical, honest, innocent, and compassionate layers of our insides that make us who we are. We abandon our moral compass to make decisions that unavoidably and inaccurately define us. Wouldn't you rather listen to your own inner voice than the echoes of other voices that don't ring true to you? At the end of the day, the only truth we have to hold on to is the way something makes us feel inside. So I'll ask you: What kind of friend do you want to be? What kind of sister, daughter, or mother? What kind of example do you want to set? Are you making decisions out of fear or out of love? Who do you truly want to be around? Who brings out your sparkle, makes you feel like the best version of yourself? Most importantly, who do you want to be? What mark do you want to make on the world? After answering those questions, ask yourself one more: Do you want to follow the herd because you're afraid of being left behind, or do you want to lead the way down your own path?

The power of that "one brown bull" is something we can all fall victim to in our relationships. Anywhere we can possibly create a hierarchy, we do. It's human nature. History proves that we have tendencies to elevate those who don't deserve it, those we fear, to march with the crowd if someone orders us to, to adopt theories that don't feel truthful to us, simply so we have something to hold on to, something that connects us. What if we started listening to that quiet voice within ourselves? Maybe instead of forming small herds, succumbing to the rules of "divide and conquer," we could all stand together. Maybe, just maybe, that one mean brown bull, that stomachache you feel when you think about that situation, those tears that flood your face when you recall that memory, would disappear. So while we talk about health, food, and fitness, let's also talk about what we feed our souls. Let's think about who we surround ourselves with as part of our daily pack of vitamins, and how we cherish the quiet moments like we would a beautiful, healthy plate of vegetables. Let's find the moments in between the chaos, whether that chaos comes in the form of hallways in high schools, people at airports, or too many things on the extracurricular activities list, to ask ourselves if our jobs, our friends, our diets, and our attitudes make us feel good, bad, or unsure. Let's start there.

So, how do you feel?

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Nikki Reed Read All of Your Emails and Now She Has Something to Say

It took her a month to pore over nearly a thousand thoughtful, insightful, and heartbreaking letters. Now Nikki Reed is ready to share with she's learned from her powerful call to action.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

I spent the last two weeks reading many of your responses to my last column and have been answering as frequently as my schedule would allow given that I am currently in production. It is important to me for you to know that I am not someone who can skim through your eloquently written and vulnerably presented thoughts on the topic. I actually read them, and have one thing to say: thank you. I found myself so enveloped by all of you; your ideas, your feelings, your stories, your wisdom, and your perspective. To be perfectly honest with you, I am at a loss for words.

While I set out to challenge each of you to email me about what makes you feel good, I had no idea how inspired I would find myself. I quickly realized this was not a one-sided challenge: Your responses have sparked a fire in me. I found myself Googling the meaning of the word "inspiration," because I was sure I would find something that could better express how I felt about all of you. What goes without saying is the amount of love and light that each and every one of you possess. Some of you suggested changing the way we view the world, each other, our animals, and our youth. Others talked about the joy they feel from teaching people, loving one another, helping strangers, connecting with kids being picked on at school, creating art, volunteering, or dancing in their living room for no reason. I read about girls being bullied and girls who were once bullies. I heard from teachers, mothers, and siblings about their perspective as an outsider looking in, wanting to help.

And while all of you presented something unique, I found one unexpected common theme: control. When people feel out of control, it breeds insecurity, which can result in bullying. Whether it's a lack of control over others or themselves, the need to bully is absolutely manifested by the power one feels when they can affect people's feelings. So, if there is one thing I want to leave you with as we continue on this journey of learning about human behavior together, it is this: While people can absolutely affect your feelings, they cannot control them.

So start with that. Find your own power in knowing that just because some girl at school scared you or made you cry, it does not mean she can control you or your feelings. Pretty powerful, right? One girl even wrote, "They are bullies because they are alone," which is another interesting observation—one with a seemingly simple solution.

But the question remains, How do we find the good? How do we focus on the positive in an attempt to fuel those qualities? Many of you suggested confidence-building techniques, such as learning a skill, that can serve as a creative outlet for both the bully and the person being bullied. I was intrigued by this because it drew a parallel between both parties, which can encourage empathy, a tool that is very valuable for growth. You told me your stories about how yoga, poetry, dance, music, or writing helped you to release a lot the anger or sadness you felt trapped inside after being bullied. Expression through art or self expression is another common theme I found in your letters.

I received a note from a young girl who said that though she was raised in a traditional town where girls were encouraged to have long hair, shaving her head made her feel like an individual. So despite the criticism she received from family and friends after cutting off all of her hair, she still felt happy because she got to be herself. I read a letter from a girl who said creating recycled art is what makes her feel like a better person, and another from a girl who said her long-winded answers to simple questions used to make her feel insecure until she discovered her love for writing. One woman said she volunteered as a math teacher at San Quentin State Prison and is passionate about educational and vocational opportunities for those who are incarcerated. Another girl said that she thinks bullies should go to law school because they would make great lawyers. I must admit the apparent truth in that made me chuckle.

A letter I will never forget came from a girl whom I actually met a week prior to writing my post. Kayla was irritated that the punishment for her speeding ticket was community service, and she happened to be serving that time at the animal shelter where I was volunteering. Unbeknownst to me, the girls had been whispering about whether or not I was "that girl" when I walked over to talk to them about the value of volunteering. We spoke about getting the opportunity to work with animals, how much they need us, and not being "above" cleaning up kennels. I had no idea that she would later read my column and send me one of the most beautiful emails I have ever read. Kayla, I may have touched your life, but you'll never know how you've touched mine.

It's people like you that give me hope. It's your humility—not to mention your willingness to change your perspective and apply that mental shift to everything in your life—that will inspire many to come.

As I said from the beginning of my new adventure as a writer for ELLE.com, I am not an expert on anything I write about. This column is simply an opportunity for me to share a piece of my mind with all of you. And now, more importantly, it's a forum for all of you to openly express yourselves. The dialogue we have encouraged here is invaluable. Togetherness, that's the only way we learn. And we can only share if we're willing to listen. Until next time, take five.

Original article

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Nikki Reed Wants to Know What Makes You Feel Good

After being inspired by a story that highlighted a new way to think about an old problem, our impassioned columnist devised a call to action for her readers.

Welcome to Take Five, my recurring column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

As many of you know, I spend a lot of time working with animal shelters. Lately, I've been very involved with some amazing facilities here in Georgia, where I'm currently filming. Naturally, in animal rescue, there is an inevitable amount of horror stories that come my way. I've seen abuse come in many forms: malnourished animals; abandonment; dogs tied up for days without water; a pet dropped off after it was part of a family for 10 years because a kid wants a new puppy; people stealing from donors who think they're contributing to a cause.

Though uncomfortable to see and hear, I am now approaching this unfortunate knowledge with a newfound perspective. What if, instead of criticizing people for the things they're doing wrong, we inspire them to do better? What if we give them the tools, the insight, and the ability to move forward instead of putting them on the defensive?

This idea came to me after reading an article about The Humane Society's decision to fund a Louisianan shelter that is run by prison inmates. This particular organization has been wildly successful on so many levels, clearly a direct result of the positive approach and careful consideration involved in its unique operation. The Humane Society gave this shelter the tools and the insight it needed to function; the shelter then gave the inmates the tools and the insight they needed to find purpose—to do and be better. This story is beautiful proof of our interconnectedness, and it's tangible proof of our progress.

Seeing this novel way of thinking as it pertains to one of my passions, animals, I've been brainstorming on how to apply it to another passion of mine: young people and future generations. So, what if we take this new and positive approach, incentivizing through praise, and apply it to all people? What if we look at the bullies of the world—those young boys and girls who are misguided, neglected, or insecure—and, instead of calling them out, we make it our mission to help them find out what makes them feel purposeful?

When you think about it, all of the underlying qualities that make someone a bully are the same qualities that could easily make up an army of intensely passionate, strong, powerful, and intelligent leaders. If we take a bully's "weakness" and spin it on its head, we may just find his or her "strength." If we can show people who seem lost where to focus their attention, might we be able to help guide them into who they're supposed to be? Might we call forth their innate potential by giving them tools rather than criticize their manufactured façade, which only gives them more fuel to spew hatred?

If someone is acting out because it provides some kind of temporary validation, why don't we find what will give them permanent validation? Why don't we help them find their purpose? I know it's a tall order, and much easier said than done, but I truly believe that by highlighting the good in people, by teaching them personal skills, by building their character, and in turn their confidence, we can genuinely change lives.

I look at so many young girls who interact with each other (and me) online and I think to myself, 'You have so much energy, so much passion, and so much anger.' Sometimes it's quite disturbing, sure, but it can also be rather inspiring. The same qualities that can be destructive are also the ones that can move mountains. The girl who is capable of forming her own "clique" is just as capable of forming a book club, but maybe she hasn't been shown the beauty of reading a good book. Also, some of these girls are incredibly creative writers. The stories they come up with about the other girls at school—all of the drama, all of the dynamics, all of the bullying—it really does require a wildly active imagination. Trust me, I lived it. In fact I ended up co-writing a film called Thirteen about exactly that. So just think what would happen if we created a program for those same girls to learn true creative writing skills. Perhaps we could give agency to tomorrow's role models, trailblazers, and trendsetters. I wish I could look one of these young people in the eyes, and say, "If we can just take your your fire and channel it in the right ways, you could be the next President of the United States." If someone is addicted to negative attention, imagine how great he or she would feel to be recognized for something real, something positive, something useful.

My point is this: If we only highlight what people are doing wrong, it can perpetuate the action that caused the criticism in the first place. Our systemic disregard for broken solutions to enduring problems exists everywhere, so let's start changing our approach altogether. The lack of compassion we find in kids that are obsessed with violent video games or who threaten their peers online have one thing in common: those interactions aren't rooted in anything real. You can't see, touch, or smell anything through a screen; you aren't truly communicating with anyone. This fundamental and consistent lack of connection makes people numb—both to how they're being affected by it as humans and how their behaviors are affecting the world around them. We are creating a generation of people who don't understand consequences and who don't feel remorse, mostly because they spend so much time without actually seeing the face of someone they've just hurt. This is a growing epidemic and it's a dangerous one to ignore. It's time to do something.

I have a proposal for you. Whether you are the parent, the sister, the cousin, the boyfriend/girlfriend, the best friend of a bully, or a bully yourself, consider this: What makes you feel confident, powerful, strong, and/or fulfilled? Can you dance, write, sew, run, swim, recite poetry, play the piano? Do you love photography, saving animals, or reading? What makes you feel good about yourself? I want to hear about it! I want to hear about you, or anyone you know that might benefit from this exercise. Go ahead: Email me directly for a chance to have your talent (and you!) celebrated in my next column on ELLE.com. Until then, take five.

Original article

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Nikki Reed Doesn't Believe in "Good" or "Bad" Dieting Days

Everyone thinks actresses deprive themselves and have ninja-level discipline. I'm here to tell you that healthful habits needn't be synonymous with Hollywood thinness.

Welcome to Take Five, my new recurring beauty and nutrition column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

Last post I sort of introduced my ethos as well as ideas and beliefs that govern my own relationship with health and wellness. I want to say one thing before I dive into today's topic: Please know that everything I do in my life (and explore here on ELLE.com) is based on what makes me feel good, what I have read, and what I have learned from the people with whom I surround myself. In fact, I am still finding what works for me and discovering the balance through trial and error. If you are fueled by what fuels me, please read on!

Just over six years ago, I quit smoking. This decision was, to say the least, a major turning point in my life. It was one of the greatest challenges I've ever faced and I had little to no guidance nor a strong example leading me. I remember calling my dad during a very delicate time in our adult relationship and saying, 'I don't know if I can do it.' At the age of 21, I had never even stepped on a treadmill. I smoked and I drank Diet Coke; that was my life. Somehow I knew it had to change, and this was the first step.

While most people turn 21 and decide to go out and party, I turned 21 and decided that I was going to become somebody that I never thought I could be: somebody who cares about herself and her body, her future, and her health. I remember crying on the phone on day one of quitting, and my dad (even though he didn't smoke) just saying, 'Hey, we'll do it together. No big deal. We'll get healthy together.' It was that simple to him, and it unknowingly created a bond between us that has evolved into one of, if not the, most important relationships in my life. We rely on each other for motivation, we share articles about health and food, and we inspire each other in ways I could never imagine. He and I began talking on the phone while holding onto the counter and doing squats (I'm not kidding). As a result of creating a more thoughtful regimen for himself, my dad lost weight, lowered his cholesterol—which was the main objective—and felt better about life, his career, the way he looked, and the way he felt. He essentially became the life example I needed. It's worth noting that, if you look at my father now, he looks younger than he did 20 years ago.

The reason I am telling you this story is because there is no right time to decide to get healthy. You can be 21 and starting over, which can have its downsides—let's just say I wasn't the "coolest" kid on the block because my lifestyle shifted in a way that made me a bit of an outcast. (Not drinking or smoking wasn't really on-trend back then.) You can also be 50 and decide that you need to make a change. It works at any age, so long as you're committed to seeing it through.

Honestly, it's the little changes that make the difference. I've embraced the mentality that while I work I can also be working out. For example, for my birthday this year, my brother and father decided to make me a standup desk; now, while I'm on a business call, I'm also going to be moving my feet a little bit or walking around. You can also sit on a ball at your desk so you are forced to work on posture. I ride my bike when I can so that I don't have to drive, and this leads me to my next thought: being mindful when it comes to our environment. In California we're currently in a drought. In the last two weeks since I've been back from Europe, I've seen a drastic shift in our water supply. When your home relies on a well as ours does, you are extremely aware of what is actually happening amidst a water crisis. Ian and I have spent a lot of time figuring out ways to avoid water overconsumption. We no longer wash our dishes with the water running, instead we soap them up and do a quick, one-time rinse. When we brush our teeth, we don't let the water run. I've also taken to shampooing my hair and then turning the water on to rinse. It's the little things we can all do, we just have to make it a point to actually do them. We have to hold ourselves accountable, not for validation, but simply because we understand what it means if we don't. Okay, PSA over.

Now, just because I love writing and talking about this stuff doesn't mean that I'm always strict with my intake. For the most part I try to stay away from high fructose corn syrup and citric acid. I try to eat things, as I wrote before, with less than five ingredients. Other than that, moderation is pretty hard for me. I wish I could be the woman that was like, 'Yeah, I can have cookies in my regular diet because I can just have one bite of a cookie and walk away.' Nope! When I see a tray of cookies I want the whole fucking tray. That's just how it is. I believe in the cheat day. Instead of saying, 'I'm going to have one pancake for breakfast and then one bite of a dessert at dinner,' I try to eat clean six days a week and then on Sundays, I have a free-for-all. Now, I definitely don't eat seven pizzas and 20 donuts, but I have days when I'm not constantly monitoring what I'm doing. It really is all about the majority. (See some of my must-have healthstore items, below.)

Clockwise from left-to-right: Numi tea; goji berries; Ezekiel bread; Go Raw protein powder; Manna bread; Brain Octane; Two Moms in the Raw granola; Kale crunch snacks; Raw-revolution snack bars; local honey.

I try to think of food like fuel. I don't look at calories; I just look at ingredients. If my body were an engine, what would make it run? What would make it perform at its highest level? If I want to be able to go for a three mile run in the morning and I wake up and eat a plate of waffles, I know that I'll feel less motivated and more sedated due to all that wheat and sugar. I try to think, 'What makes me feel strong?' But that doesn't mean that the things I put in my body have less calories. They could even have more calories, but I wouldn't know because I don't count them! Sometimes I make smoothies that are at least 800 calories per smoothie; I eat an entire avocado with a spoon as a snack; I consume more than most men I know. This lifestyle is not about being skinny.

Also, can I just say it? I hate the word "good" when its used with regard to food, and I really hate the word "dieting." Dieting, to me, refers to some temporary solution to feeling insecure. I like to look at my last six years as a lifestyle shift, not some temporary fix so that I can look better in tighter clothing. I wanted to feel better, stronger, and more confident. If I sent you a picture of my body right now—which, of course, I am reluctant to do because inevitably people will go, 'Oh, she's so full of shit'—you would see that I don't have a perfect, "fat-free body." In fact, I don't even know what that means. I have all kinds of "flaws" that, by industry standards, make me "imperfect." Here's what I do know: I'm healthy and I exercise. I also know that that is all I care about. I have a beautiful body, but it doesn't include a six pack. And, at some point, I will show you photos of what a normal-bodied, actress/writer, animal loving chick who's not super skinny looks like. Until then, take five.

Original article

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Nikki Reed Has a 5-Minute, Not-So-Hollywood Cleanse for You

The actress, newlywed, and wellness guru is opening up her pantry for a new recurring column.

Welcome to Take Five, my new recurring beauty and nutrition column on ELLE.com culled from a lifelong passion for animals, the outdoors, and feeling good. For me, the notion of taking five—whether the number pertains to ingredients in a food or just a moment to ask your body how it's feeling—can make all the difference. Consider this your 300-second-long wellness retreat.

Six years ago, while living in Greece, I was eating everything under the sun, but still felt really clean, pure, and wonderful. When I came back to the States, after a year of being abroad, I realized that I was just not feeling well: I was putting on weight; my skin wasn't good; and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. I started putting together my own theories about our food system (more on that later), and I realized that being gone for so long, and cleaning myself out the way I did, gave my body the opportunity to start over—if I wanted it.

I realized that there was something unhealthy happening with our food system (an awareness that eventually led my husband, Ian Somerhalder, and me to work as ambassadors for Thrive Market, an organic-at-wholesale company). In addition to my own evolving instincts, I tuned in to the habits of the people around me such as my uncle, a yoga instructor and raw vegan, and my brother—my super handsome, super buff brother—who is a perfect example of someone who can live within a mostly plant-based diet and still look the way he wants.

In addition to recalibrating the foods I was putting into my body, I began tinkering with making my own beauty products. I wish I had some super secret formula that makes my creations really unique, but I mostly use items I pick up from the natural food store. My rule is: If I can eat it, I can put it on my skin. Coconut oil mixed with olive oil is what I put on my body every day; I put rose hip oil on my face. If my hair feels dry, instead of going and buying something filled with chemicals, I put egg whites or avocados or mayonnaise in my hair. I leave it on there for an hour or two and I wash it out.

It may sound complicated, by my routine really is so, so basic. If you look at the Polynesian culture in Hawaii—a lot of my family is from Hawaii—you can see how what they put into their bodies manifests itself in other ways. Polynesian women are known for their long hair, glowing skin, and thick nails. And that comes from the local diet, which is mostly plant based with a little bit of fish and a lot of natural fats and oils. It's about eating things that are living and raw and applying that same logic to what you put on your skin and hair.

For me it's all about not ingesting chemicals. I tried for a long time to only eat things with less than five pronounceable ingredients—hence the name of this column. If you're lost and looking to press the reset button, that's kind of a cool, easy way to start. (FYI: You can find some really great protein bars and nut bars that still only have three or four ingredients, like ground-up cashews, honey, and cinnamon!) This may sound surprising for someone who works in Hollywood, but I do not count calories and I don't even care about weight gain, which I know sounds really bizarre. I listen to my body. I don't just wake up in the morning and cook whatever I eat.

Routinely I go, 'Hmm, what do I want today? What do I see? Is there oatmeal? Does that mean I need carbohydrates? Is it bananas? Do I need potassium?' If you actually take a second to ask your body what it wants before you feed it, it will answer. Okay, so I know I sound like a crazy person, but how is my philosophy any more extreme than people who say, 'I'll diet for 36 hours' or 'I just won't eat today'? Nothing drives me crazier than girls who are doing these cleanses.

You can cleanse by just eating well. Don't believe me? Next week I will show you how. Until then, breathe in, breathe out, and remember to take five. (Also, feel free to laugh at this pic of me making homemade almond milk.)

Original article

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Nikki Reed for Bayou With Love 2023 Scarves Collection.

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NIKKI REED via Instagram

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Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder at the Warner Bros. And InStyle Host21st Annual Post-Golden Globes Party January 05, 2020

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Cc Emmett Cullen

Nikki Reed & Ian Somerhalder

via nikkireed / tiktok

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nikkireed: An evening with some of my nearest and dearest friends, a beautiful meal and some gorgeous lips celebrating #RougeDior. When we add up all the years of friendship at our table, there are more than a lifetime of memories already, and I love that over a decade later life continues to bring us together💋

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Nikki & Ian featured in People Magazine May 18, 2015 issue

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Nikki Reed Shares Her “Green Routine” in Honor of New Vegan Shoe Line (Exclusive)

Actress Nikki Reed is best known for starring The Twilight Saga and Thirteen (which she co-wrote as a teenager). But the actress is also a passionate environmentalist and animal advocate, she has her own recycled jewelry company called Bayou With Love, and she has partnered with a number of sustainability initiatives, animal rights organizations, and eco-conscious brands over the past few years.

Most recently, Nikki Reed partnered with shoe company Loci to launch a line of sustainable vegan sneakers, called Reed x Loci.

“This collaboration was the result of my love for sustainable fashion coupled with Loci’s expert experience in the consciously-made shoe arena,” Reed tells Green Matters in an email. “I have such an appreciation for style and fashion, but I also care so deeply about the planet, so I am incredibly particular about the products I wear and personally create.”

The original Loci Vegan Sneaker comes in a variety of colors, but the Reed x Loci line introduces four new options: natural, beige, and sage with white outsoles, and beige with a gum brown outsole. The shoes are handmade in Portugal with recycled ocean plastic, bamboo, and cork, and they are waterproof and breathable. The shoes retail for £135.00 (about $187 USD), and 10 percent of proceeds from the collection will be donated to ocean conservation and protecting endangered sea animals.

“I love how versatile they are,” Reed tells Green Matters about the shoes. “I want to always design with every woman in mind and I’m also a huge believer in functional fashion. Yes, it had to look good, but it also has to feel good from the inside out everything about these shoes feels good from the design to the materials used.”

Reed also added that she was inspired to work with Loci when she realized that the shoe brand has a similar mission to her jewelry company, Bayou With Love: “Creating a world where sustainability and luxury can live together,” she says.

To learn more about Reed’s personal sustainable living journey, we asked her to share her Green Routine with Green Matters.

GREEN MATTERS: Why is protecting the planet important to you?

NIKKI REED: How we choose to treat our planet begins with our relationship with nature. Once we realize we are all connected, we begin to see the importance of how we treat all living things including the planet. Every tree, every square inch of soil, every drop from our oceans is fighting to survive right now. It’s no joke. We have to start making significant changes right now from policies that desperately need to be put in place to addressing our consumer habits.

GM: What has your sustainability journey looked like?

NR: I started in a very different place than I am now, and I’m proud of that. I grew up thinking it was OK to throw trash out my window, and now here I am fighting to protect our planet from all of the harmful chemicals leaching into our soil, plastics that make their way into the oceans and our bodies and more. Change is actually something we should applaud, not shy away from.

When I was 21, I had a huge wake up call. I was living overseas and got to see the world through a totally different lens. I stopped eating meat, and started doing yoga for the first time. My relationship with animals and food inspired me to think beyond myself and eventually led me to the Earth and my role in protecting her.

GM: What is the biggest change you and your husband [Ian Somerhalder] have made together to live more sustainably?

NR: We’re always making changes because life is about learning and growing. We just installed a new hydroponics system for vegetable growing, and we use rain barrels to catch and water our plants, we compost, etc.

But one thing that’s really important to me is learning to travel more sustainably. I pack all airplane lunches and I’ve had my same suitcase for 13 years, but inevitably with a child [Reed and Somerhalder share Bodhi, 3] you end up with packaged snacks, etc. so I’ve been trying my best to reduce as much as possible in all areas of waste.

GM: What is the one tip you give anyone trying to go green?

NR: Take the extra time to just do it. Clean out your containers before you toss them in recycling to ensure they will actually be recycled. Go back to your car to get your bags if you forgot them. Just take the extra minute or two to be conscious of how impactful that can be.

GM: What is the biggest misconception about living sustainably that you have discovered?

NR: That it’s too difficult. Yes, you have to make a few lifestyle changes but it’s totally worth it, and they can be integrated into your life seamlessly.

"Green Routine" is a series from Green Matters that invites notable people in the environmental space to share the efforts they make to live more sustainably.

Original article

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Nikki Reed on Why It’s Okay to Be An Imperfect Environmentalist

We love to celebrate small sustainability wins here. Whether it’s making a plastic-free swap, reducing your electricity use, or cooking up a plant-based dinner, it’s all a step in the right direction—even if you can’t do it all. In fact, being 100 percent sustainable is actually pretty unsustainable when it comes to living life. Just the thought if it can turn people off to sustainable living altogether (or even lead to eco-anxiety).

This is why we encourage others to live imperfectly sustainable lives. After all, millions of people taking small sustainability steps can lead to big changes. And Nikki Reed agrees. While you may know Reed from her role in the Twilight movies, she’s also a fellow planet enthusiast, having started her own lines of sustainable self-care products, jewelry, and now shoes.

In the latest episode of Good Together, Brightly co-founders Laura Wittig and Liza Moiseeva chat with Reed about all things eco-friendly. They discuss Reed’s latest ventures, including her new vegan shoe line collaboration with LOCI, why imperfect environmentalism is necessary for change, and simple sustainability tips the actress swears by.

Nikki Reed’s Sustainability Journey

What Inspired Her

Before gracing the big screen, Reed was living a childhood filled with animal rescue and rehabilitation.

“I think my path toward a more conscious way of living started with animal activism,” says Reed. “And realizing that we can’t really think about animals without thinking about ourselves, and we can’t really think about ourselves without thinking about the planet.”

This mindset stayed with her as she transitioned into adulthood, and it especially came to the forefront when she found out she was pregnant with her daughter.

“I was searching for things in the marketplace when I was pregnant that weren’t as easy to find then as they are now,” says Reed. “I’m Googling ‘how do I find chemical-free underwear’ when I’m pregnant, or chemical-free pajamas, or what kind of deodorant am I wearing? Granted, it might have been cruelty-free before, but now I was looking for things like synthetics and parabens, and all the chemicals that are going into my body. Because as women, unfortunately, we’re only taught to think about our bodies when we’re carrying another life—we’re not told that from an early age.”

BaYou With Love

It was through her scrupulous search for safe products that Reed was inspired to create what she calls her “first baby,” her company, BaYou With Love. When first launched, the company was a multipurpose apothecary selling plant-based oils that could double as face oils or perfumes, and candles that could be melted down and used as body serums.

“To me, a huge component of sustainability is versatility,” says Reed. “We can create new products all day long that are better for the planet than the previous products we were creating, and we can change infrastructures and age old systems all day long, which is great—that’s a part of it, too. But also, less is really the way forward.”

Very shortly after launching this line of multi-use apothecary items, Reed was approached by Dell (yes, that Dell—the computer company). They wanted to see if there was a way to repurpose the gold found in the motherboards of their technology into jewelry. Having come from a family of well-respected designers and artists, Reed immediately felt drawn to this opportunity.

“In my early 20s, I launched my first jewelry line,” says Reed. “And it was short lived as it should have been because I was a baby, and the line was a baby. But a decade later, it made so much sense for me to step back into that arena—and so we use their repurposed gold to create fine jewelry, kind of merging two worlds that really had not been merged before: technology and fashion, together.”

Vegan Shoes with LOCI

Now, in Reed’s latest venture, she’s turning her passion for the environment toward shoes through a collaboration with vegan shoe brand, LOCI. According to Reed, the upper part of the shoe is made with ocean plastic from the Mediterranean, while the bottom of the shoe is comprised of natural rubber, bamboo, and cork. Finally, the laces are made out of cotton with eyelets made from recycled brass. One thing she especially wants you to know is that these shoes are not trying to be imitation leather.

“Imitation leather oftentimes is using virgin plastics, synthetic dyes, and chemicals,” says Reed. “And so, there’s a whole world out there of vegan leathers that are actually really harmful to the planet. With this particular shoe, it was really important for us to create a material that was not meant to be confused with the leather, but meant to stand out on its own.”

As a result, Reed says that when wearing the shoe, it doesn’t even feel like leather.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing your favorite sporty sneaker that’s a leather material,” says Reed. “It has a different kind of hardier, cooler, textured feel that’s literally woven from these recycled ocean plastics. But you also don’t feel like you’re wearing plastic.”

Reed noted that creating a product that not only looked good, but made people feel good, was of utmost importance to her.

“It’s more important than anything to create a product that people actually love,” says Reed. “That’s wearable, that’s versatile, that’s durable, that’s chic, that’s cool, that makes you feel good about yourself. The added bonus is that you can learn about how this was made, and then start to care about incorporating that into the rest of your lifestyle.”

Why It’s Okay to Be an Imperfect Environmentalist

While Reed may be crushing it in the world of eco-friendly products, that doesn’t mean she’s perfect, and she’ll be the first to admit it.  

“I was a kid who grew up eating fast food,” says Reed. “I threw trash out my window because I thought that that was okay, I smoked cigarettes, and I don’t recall ever putting a cigarette butt in an actual ashtray. I’m sure I stomped on every single one. My favorite go-to meal was, like, a pound of bacon and cheese quesadilla. And all those things are a part of the journey, and if anything, show that—first of all—we’re all human and people can grow and learn from things. And, also, that none of those things need to be vilified. I wasn’t a bad person who turned good. We’re just people and we’re figuring out how to do things better all the time.”

Additionally, in the sustainability community, it’s often touted that the most sustainable thing you can do is buy less. However, Reed wants people to know that using what you have is equally as important as carefully selecting new sustainable products.

“I think there’s a space where we can celebrate what we already have, and also celebrate the artisans and the makers of some of these amazing products, regardless of the materials used,” says Reed. “There are small communities that rely on the creation of their products, and their whole livelihood is dependent on those handcrafted products. We can’t forget about those people as well.”

With that all of that said, Reed doesn’t feel that we should be complacent.

“I don’t think that we should make excuses for our humanness when we’re aware of what we can do better and different,” says Reed. “I think it’s the moral responsibility of people to—you know—when you know better, do better. But I also think it’s not fair to live in a space where we’re constantly shaming people for not doing enough.”

Nikki Reed’s Small Steps for Being More Sustainable

So how can you practice imperfect environmentalism in your own life? You can take small steps. Here are Reed’s top tips.

1. Set Goals and Timers

One way to do that, Reed says, is by setting goals. “Look at your trash can, and just think for a second: ‘How much trash am I producing on a weekly basis,'” says Reed. “It starts with consciousness. Let’s just be aware, and then set a goal for yourself.”

By doing this, Reed says you’re likely to think twice when making purchases. For instance, instead of buying groceries wrapped in plastic, you may opt to instead buy food in bulk. Another way to be more conscious about the waste you’re producing is by setting times. This can be especially useful when it comes to water usage.  

“When you take showers, set a timer,” says Reed. “Instead of running through your entire weekly office schedule in the shower, wash your hair, get on out, and then run through that schedule.”

2. Incorporate Reusables

Another great area to focus on is reusables. Whether it’s bringing reusable grocery bags, Stasher bags, or using Tupperware, cutting out single-use items is a great (and easy) way to help the planet. And while the pandemic may have made the concept of reusables a bit more difficult in some areas, it’s also made it easier in others.

“One of the things that people are being introduced to is the concept of bringing their own containers to restaurants,” says Reed. “I don’t know if this is all across the board, but in my experience, they’re not allowed to package your food for you when you’re leaving the restaurant now for health code reasons. So you can bring your own Tupperware and bring your food home, and I think these are the little things that might stick with people going forward.”

3. Support Local Farmers

Finally, Reed emphasizes the importance of supporting your local farmers. “When we go into the grocery store, we don’t often think about the fact that our fruits and vegetables are flown in from other places,” says Reed. If you have access to a local farm, see if you can pick up food directly from them.

While this is what Reed often does, she knows that isn’t an option for many people. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be discussed.

“I know that that’s tricky for people, because not everybody has access to a local farm,” says Reed. “But instead of shying away from that conversation and saying, ‘Oh, well, that sounds really elitist,’ I’d rather keep talking about it. Because the industrialization and commercialization of the farming industry is something that needs to be shifted and changed anyway.”

Ultimately, encouraging sustainable living comes down to informing people about their options and then supporting them when they do what they can.

“We have to encourage people to do the best that they can in whatever area they’re in,” says Reed. “We don’t close the door on something because it doesn’t align with who we are. Instead, we build bridges. When we build bridges, everybody does better overall.”

Original article

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CFDA: Living in Harmony with our Planet: A Guide to Sustainable Living

What should we look for when purchasing clothing to ensure it is actually sustainable?

The best way to determine what is truly sustainable is to take the time to research the company and ask questions about their process, supply chain, and manufacturing facility. I look for designers that design in small batches, made to order, in a facility that prioritizes conscious production. Water waste, what chemicals are used, and synthetic versus organic materials are all things to keep in mind. By refusing to design around seasonal trends, designers have the chance to produce less, but produce better.

There is always such a wave of noise with sustainable fabrics and what the best one really is (from organic cotton at one point and then hemp at another) that people get confused. Which fabrics are actually gentler for our planet?

I love using materials that are a byproduct of waste like cupro and tencel twill. Cupro for example is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from wood fiber and cotton linter aka a waste byproduct of cotton. Tencel, compared to cotton has a significantly smaller environmental impact, requiring much 10 to 20 times less water and no pesticides whatsoever.

How can we go cruelty-free in fashion while keeping it just as chic?

In my opinion, the focus should be cruelty-free and environmentally conscious. When we only think about the animals and not the planet, we are essentially doing just as much harm in the end. We can’t avoid animal products but instead use synthetic materials that fill up landfills and pollute our oceans. We have to use organic material that has the ability to breakdown overtime while remaining beautiful and wearable for decades. We need to start making it cool to re-wear what we already have instead of forcing new new new fashion and fast fashion into our everyday lives.

What is the best way to dye clothing?

I love dyeing with plants, but the inconsistency of that can make it tricky for brands to commit to it. There is tremendous innovation happening in this space with new and emerging plant dye processes coming out all the time that are making this much more doable, so in my opinion plant dyes are the way of the future! I also see a world where we can use regenerative farming techniques to grow the plants that are harvested to dye the materials used for fashion, so the Earth can benefit.

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