Lately in my personal life I have been trying to live "Greener". I compost, always have a reusable water bottle and bag with me, and use scratch paper if possible. I have been thinking how to make my career more green as well. I wrote an article about the "green movement" in theatre. 

At the end of the summer I started a new job as a Costume PA and the costume department does a bunch of things to be more green. The easiest thing we do (that more costume teams should do too) is we reuse our bags. Whether they are the 99 cent ones you can buy at the register or the paper ones from places like DSW and Victoria's Secret, we reuse every bag. It's great! Our 2nd Assistant Costume Designer either refuses a bag and puts the clothing in her own (I do this in my everyday life) or when we have to return items we use the bags we got when purchasing them. Reusable bags come in so many sizes that you can always find one to hold your purchases. 

Here is a very short list of stores that give you a "reusable bag" at check out:

• Urban Outfitters
• Free People
• Steve Madden (But only specific sizes I believe) 
• Beacon's Closet (Thrift/Vintage)
• B&J Fabrics

Here are some stores that sell reusable bags:

• Burlington Coat Factory
• Buffalo Exchange (Thrift/Vintage)
• Trader Joe's (Get yourself a snack while shopping?)
• Whole Foods (2nd Lunch?)
• Mood
• Cass Art (UK, but only 1 pound! I own many of these)

​Are there any I have missed? This list is just one I have compiled from my time shopping and returning on many different productions. 

Once you get the reusable bags down, you can move on to reusing scrap paper for taping up your receipts, have a bin for recycling packaging pieces, etc. Let's make our passions and careers better for our earth!

UPDATE! Aerie, the underwear store that is attached to American Eagle also recycles bras! Bring in old bras and get a coupon for a new one! Gently used ones go to Free the Girls, while older ones are sent to recycling; any brand, and style! 

As a young professional it is important to have some big goals set for yourself. I have two big reach goals I would love to work towards.

The first being- To design costumes for the cast members/parade/new show at a Disney theme park. As readers know I worked for the Walt Disney World Resort after I graduated from undergrad. (Read about it here) I really enjoyed working for the Disney company and bringing magical experiences to those visiting the parks. While there I had the opportunity to go backstage and meet with other cast members working in the creative costuming area. I even got to see some costume renderings for new princess dress designs, parade costumes, etc. I have always loved Disney and the joy it brings to so many people.

The second big goal for me is- To work on a show that transfers from Broadway to London (or is tested in London and then transfers to Broadway). Having lived in London for about 4 months as part of my MFA degree, I vowed I would come back to live there again. It is an exciting city and I would love to work and live in it again. 

These are my two big goals I have set for myself. Now I need to work on some smaller ones. 

There are so many Vlog channels and videos to watch out there. Here are a few Vlogs I enjoy and find useful for costume designers and technicians.

• To teach an actor how to tie a bow tie send them here.
• Just for fun or a presentation on makeup history check out Safiya Nygaard's quick history of lipstick to get started. She also has a quick history of the choker necklace. Keep it up!
• For the business end of costuming I frequent The Financial Diet. I especially think their video on how follow dreams while making money very relevant to my current costuming career. But if that specific video doesn't interest you, they have plenty of info and insight on the money things you don't learn in grad school. 
• For those of you who need a few tips to de-stress check out ASAPscience! Check out other videos they have too! You'd be surprised what applies to costumes. 
• Most of us have seen the 100 years of Men's Fashion...etc. by Mode.com, but if you want to get more in depth with suits check out this special by the BBC! Follow this link for the whole show in once place.

These are just a few for you to watch over your lunch break or commute home. What videos do you find helpful when designing or building? Any specific vloggers to follow? Let me know!