Issue 02: Lifestyle blogger chats about Vintage Value

Kimberley Chats with Laura Williamson

Laura Williamson is a sustainable lifestyle blogger, who lives in Hong Kong. She created a blog called Days Like Laura (www.dayslikelaura.com), which educates and teaches us about helping the planet through sustainable living. Laura also runs her own online store, Plantdays (www.plantdays.com), a carefully curated marketplace for sustainable + vintage goods. Some of her topics include ethical street style fashions, tips on how to live sustainably, as well as a travel guide and a variety of delicious recipes.

Laura, where is home and how long have you lived in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is home now, but a little bit of my heart will always be back home with my friends and family in Atlanta, Georgia.

Where are some of your favourite cities?

There are so many! I love Positano and the Amalfi Coast, because that’s where my husband and I got engaged. It’s so beautiful and relaxing there, and the people always seem so happy. I’m also a huge lover of Tuscany. We actually got married in a private villa outside of Siena, Italy and if I could move there, I definitely would. A couple of my other favourites include: London, Bali, Los Angeles, NYC, Amsterdam, Phuket, and Tokyo.

What is your mission in life?

My goal is to inspire people to live more conscious, sustainable lives by showing them that sustainability is cool and stylish. I want to make it more accessible to the general public, by highlighting that it’s not an “all or nothing” lifestyle, To me, it’s all about making more manageable, realistic changes to be more conscious and aware of our impact on the planet. It’s about saying “hey, I know there are all these issues, and this is how I can be more low impact”. Just like no one diet or exercise routine will work for everyone, no one way of living more sustainably will work for everyone. It’s all about doing what works for you, so that you can make more mindful, conscious changes in your life that you will be able to stick to. Start small and go from there. I’d rather see 99% of the population making an effort to live more sustainably than 1% doing it perfect all of the time.

Why did you start a blog?

After graduating from university, I got really physically sick actually. I had really bad stomach pains and digestion issues, so I went to the doctor and got tested for all sorts of food intolerances. Basically, I was eating too much dairy, so they told me to cut it out cold turkey and see how I felt. At the time, I wasn’t a big meat eater, but was really eating dairy all the time for every meal. So, I had no idea what to eat and no idea how to cook. Luckily, I was living in Los Angeles at the time, so I started ordering vegan dishes (which were guaranteed to not have dairy products) which were readily available everywhere. I felt my energy levels go up tremendously, started running and exercising regularly, and overall felt better both physically and mentally. I started my blog to document the really simple, quick vegan recipes I was teaching myself to cook.

What does sustainable styling mean to you?

To me, sustainable styling is all about mixing old and new. I absolutely love shopping vintage and have been doing so since I was really young. I’ve always collected cool vintage treasures I find when traveling, making a point to stop at vintage markets all over the world. There’s something so rewarding about digging through all the clothes to find a piece you love. I wear vintage tees and sweatshirts 99% of the time, which I’ll always style with ethical pieces like sweatpants or second-hand denim. I try my best to shop second-hand too.

What questions should you ask yourself before buying new clothes?

My golden rule is that if I’m buying something new then it has to either fill a hole in what I already own, or replace something that doesn’t fit me anymore. If it’s replacing something, I always make sure to responsibly recycle it by selling it on a second-hand platform. It’s the age- old question: do I really need this? Also, something I learned when I was a kid that I still do to this day, is ask myself if I really love what I’m buying. I am not an impulse shopper. If I see something I like, I’ll take a photo of it and then go about my day. The next day, if I’m still thinking about it, then I will go back and buy it.

A lot of times, if you walk away, you’ll forget all about what you were going to buy! It’s a quite simple concept, but it’s what works for me. What is your personality style? I’m very laid back and easy going! I’d definitely say I’m a bit of a nerd – I love to read. Actually, I’ve always loved reading books ever since I was little and never stopped. I’m really a huge fan of Jane Austen and Emily Bronte. So, I guess that explains why I’m also an introvert. I get a lot of joy from being on my own and it takes a lot of energy for me to be social. A good book, a cup of tea, and a bubble bath would be my ideal environment. I do really love what I do and feel blessed to share it with others. My passion for the cause and the mission to help make sustainability the norm drives me.    

Remember, that the most sustainable option is the one you already own.   

Can fashion ever be plastic free?

Yes! 100% yes! I’ve seen a lot of brands switching to plastic-free poly bags actually made from post- consumer waste which is really awesome. For Plantdays, we use upcycled boxes, paper envelopes, and bags made from cornstarch to ship our orders. As plastic-free packaging becomes more affordable, it in turns becomes more standardised and accessible to everyone which is great. I think in terms of the clothing themselves, it’s cool to see a lot of activewear and swimwear made from recycled plastic bottles. I really do think this is the future.

Where do you buy your street style clothes and accessories?

I shop local as much as I can and love to support Hong Kong-based ethical fashion brands and independent labels. For vintage, I mostly buy them at thrift shops and vintage markets in places like Los Angeles, Tokyo and NYC.

What kind of cuisine do you like to make?

I love to bake. I have a major sweet tooth, so I’m always making baked goods or desserts. Everything I make is vegan and gluten- free, and mostly refined sugar-free as well.

Can you share one of your favourite recipes with us?

Yes, my favorite recipe would have to be my vegan Snickers bars. I love making a delicious, dairy-free vegan version of this classic candy bar recipe. It also happens to be the most popular recipe on my blog. You can find the full recipe here (http:// www.dayslikelaura.com/eat/festive- friday-raw-snickers-bars-r-v-gf-rsf/)

Do you have any lasting thoughts about how to live in a sustainable world?

It’s all about finding your own balance in life, not about being perfect. Together we can create a more sustainable world that’s kinder on our planet.