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Back to school season is in full swing and with it, the endless journey of back to school shopping. As a college student, I am less likely to go out in search of colorful new notebooks and pencils like I used to as a kid because I spend all my time on my laptop now, but there’s still one thing we are often on the hunt for.
Graduated from the Master’s program in Fashion Design at instituto Marangoni and founder of his eponymous brand "VALADEZ," Juan Luis Valadez is a Mexican designer who creates stories that engage in dialogue and question through textiles; every VALADEZ garment represents a constant pursuit of change: a design that is cruelty free, seasonless, slow-produced, and conscious.
The road from evangelical megachurch clergy to trans progressive election candidate is an unlikely journey, but it does happen! Joanna Whaley (she/her) is a former pastor at a Michigan evangelical megachurch, but actively undergoing “conversion therapy” for 15 years, during most of her time serving there. Joanna transitioned in 2022 and was forced to leave her church, but has become an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and outspoken critic of Christian nationalism, a world she was immersed in for most of her early millenial adult life.
Joanna was motivated to run after lots of encouragement from local leaders and community members, due to the fact that her current state representative, Tullio Liberati, was one of eight Democrats to vote last year for a Republican measure that would ban trans girls from school sports. Though Tullio is retiring at the end of his term, his older brother Frank decided to run to replace him. It did not turn out well for the Liberati brothers though, as Joanna defeated Frank by almost 25 percentage points. The core of Joanna’s platform is to get utilities in check, pass, single payer healthcare in the state of Michigan, and protect civil rights and freedom for all people. If elected in November, she will become the first trans woman elected to the Michigan legislature, quite a stunning turnaround from the current representation in her district.
Rachel Bochner has been growing, learning and evolving a whole life, as we all do. Her upcoming debut album “I Guess A Sure Thing Couldn’t Go Down Gently” drops on September 25 and details heartbreak, self-discovery and exploring her queer identity and the freedom that comes with that. Bochner wants her queer fans to feel heard and loved by her music, and she raises money and spreads community through her work with The Wild Honey Pie.
The Democratic Socialists are on the rise all over the country, including (unsurprisingly) progressive Oregon. In the Portland area, an anesthesiologist named Dr. Tammy Carpenter (she/her) is an unapologetic Democratic Socialists, having joined in 2016 during the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders. Over her 20 years as an anesthesiologist she witnessed patients seeking treatment who couldn’t afford healthcare deductibles or healthcare plans themselves, watching patients drowning in debt. One of the three pillars of her campaign is universal healthcare, as well as taxing the rich and funding the people.
Sustainable tote bags redefine everyday fashion through reusable construction, considered material sourcing, and a long service life. Sustainable tote bags rely on fibers like organic cotton, hemp, recycled cotton, and recycled polyester, which lower dependence on virgin synthetics. Reinforced stitching, wide side gussets, and cotton webbing handles support loads of 20 to 30 pounds in a standard 15-inch shoulder tote. Repeated carrying replaces disposable plastic sacks at grocery chains, farmers' markets, and bookstores. Capacity turns a single bag into daily luggage for laptops, gym clothing, groceries, and books.
Music festival merch introduces fans to keepsakes, extending the festival experience beyond the final set. Music festival merch has evolved from simple souvenirs into fashionable apparel, accessories, and collectibles worn long after the last song plays. Graphic T-shirts, tote bags, canvas tote bags, hoodies, and hats form the core of festival merch collections, giving attendees a lasting connection to the lineup. Vintage-style patches, embroidered jackets, and enamel pins sit alongside classic tees, offering a distinct festival look. Limited edition drops, artist collaborations, and tour-exclusive prints add variety to merch tables, drawing crowds before headline sets begin.
Everybody has a skincare routine nowadays. Everyone’s desks and vanities are littered with product upon product of serums and creams meant to make us age in reverse or glow like the sun. In the constant noise and hurricane of social media promotion and online pop up ads, however, how can you trust what will actually be the healthiest choice for your skin and what is just a bucket of glitter. Here are some examples of brands that carry vegan, cruelty free and overall sustainable sunscreen options to add into your skincare routine.
Shaving your head can feel like a clean, confident reset, but the skin it reveals is often left out of the beauty conversation. Without hair as a buffer, tightness, irritation, and visible flakes can make a freshly shaved scalp feel anything but smooth.
Motherhood can be full of love, but it can also be challenging. You may feel happy one moment and angry, tired, or worried the next. Sleepless nights, household chores, work, and child care can test your patience.
What is the point of making national parks more accessible if they aren't sustainable? In 2025 alone, the United States National Park System recorded 323 million recreational visits. However, as visits increased, there weren't enough staff to sustain such a system. Since Trump took office, it was reported that by mid-2025 the administration had dismissed nearly 1,000 NPS employees as part of a wave of far-reaching federal layoffs, all under the promise of "saving money."
In the city of Santa Ana, Councilwoman Jessie Lopez (she/her) is running as a Democrat for State Assembly against her fellow councilmember David Penaloza, also a Democrat. A Latina millennial, Jessie got her start in public service as a volunteer with the Public Law Center and as a campaigner against sexual assaults occurring on and around her college campus, before being elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2020. Jessie is most passionate about and is centering her campaign around affordable housing, Medicare for All, protecting and fully funding public schools, investing in young people, abolishing ICE, advancing environmental justice, expanding economic opportunity, and creating meaningful police accountability.