Quite Power

A few weeks ago, my 8-year-old daughter & I were shopping online for a nightgown as she’s decided that this is her new thing.

She’s recently devoured all of my old American Girl books, which apparently sparked an appreciation for classic sleepwear, so we started looking together. 

First, we checked my go-to secondhand site, then a few ethical children’s brands I know, but no luck. Apparently, girls’ nightgowns  are not exactly trending in 2025, lol!

So we clicked over to Amazon.

A few minutes into scrolling, she turned to me & said, “I wish I lived in China.”

Confused, I asked why.

She said, “That’s where all the nightgowns are made & then we could just go and pick one out. And look, Mom, they’re so much cheaper!”

I paused.

Took a deep breath. 

And thanked her for the reminder that there is a story behind everything we purchase.

And then we talked about it.

About the cost of quality materials & fair wages.

A with bout how people make the things we buy. 

She’s often in the Purse & Clutch studio with me, so this wasn’t her first time hearing it, but it might’ve been the first time she really felt it.

She asked if we could go back to the secondhand site, and we did.

There was exactly one nightgown in the next size up & we bought it in all of its ruffled glory.

It’s moments like this that remind me that where we spend our money matters.

This holiday season, as prices rise & small businesses stretch to keep going, our purchases carry quiet power. 

And I know you know this, but I also know that I need a reminder myself from time to time.

Every dollar spent is a small vote for the kind of world we want more of.

One where thoughtful design, fair wages & human connection can thrive.

No shame. No pressure.

Just an invitation to notice that our choices, even something as simple as a nightgown, are part of a bigger story.

And we get to choose which stories we want to buy into.

Thank you for choosing to care how things are made. 

My business literally depends on it!