Did

Strawberry Picking: For the first time in California we went strawberry picking! It was a Mother’s Day activity and we had a blast. We went to Creswell Family Farms, which had a ton of ripe strawberries, and we picked about 6 pounds! I thought that would last us weeks but it turns out we ate them all within a week lol. Since the farm is only 40 minutes or so from our house, I hope we make this an annual thing!

I’ve been watching mostly YouTube lately so I haven’t watched as many tv shows or movies lately. But I did finish Palm Royale on Apple TV. I liked it but mostly watched it for Carol Burnett (I love her and wow she’s still got it at 91). It’s got some absurd and slightly cringey moments but that all comes with the Kristin Wiig territory. And speaking of absurd, I also watched the movie Biosphere on Hulu, and that one was so weird (it’s about the last two men on Earth after a doomsday event) but also so entertaining. And of course I binge-watched Bridgerton season 3 part 1 (kind of grateful that they split it into two parts so that I didn’t just stay up all night finishing the series like last time 😂).

Updated the following blog posts: The Row N/S Park Tote review, Loewe Flamenco Bag Review, my Longchamp Le Pliage XS review, and my Quince Fine Jewelry Review (added some more ring reviews).

Sold my Margaux 15 and small Park tote from The Row (along with some other bags). As much as I love the look of both the Margaux 15 and the small Park Tote, neither worked for my lifestyle. And as much as I prefer the Margaux 15 over an Hermes Birkin, neither are practical bags TBH (everytime I see a photo of Jane Birkin with her Birkin she’s always carrying it in both arms like an overstuffed pillow, which seems to me be an odd way to carry a bag though I guess it beats carrying a basket?). Anyway I might regret it later but I just have to remind myself I don’t have space for bags that I don’t use.

Bought

Secondhand Hermes Mini Clic Chaine d'Ancre Bracelet: When I went to sell some things at the RealReal this month, I earned en extra $250 worth of credit that I put towards this bracelet. Like I said I’m really on an Hermes kick, specifically over the chaine d’ancre motif, so this navy blue, gold, and silver bracelet is the perfect addition. And it’s extra sweet when I only had to pay the tax.

Sophie Buhai Horsebit Ring and Monica Vinader infinity necklace from the RealReal with credit: This is my first time trying either brand, and I got sterling silver pieces from both. I have to say I was very impressed with the Sophie Buhai ring. The quality is the same as Hermes’ sterling silver but the price point is slightly less (not by a lot and if you’re looking to resell the Hermes branded silver pieces will do better). I was not as impressed with the Monica Vinader necklace. I found the silver to be less substantial and less smooth, and the clasp is really hard to open/close. From my first impressions with these items I probably would be less likely to purchase another Monica Vinader piece though I’ll gladly pick up another Sophie Buhai item if I find it secondhand.

Secondhand medium Park Tote from The Row: Yes, I purchased another used Park Tote from my favorite Japanese reseller Brandear. I decided to sell the small Park Tote because even though it was fun to use it a couple times, it just isn’t practical for my lifestyle and I felt a little too big to be carrying such a small bag. My newest medium is in the color taupe, which is perfect for the summer!

Dunst Classic 28 Leather Bag: I got this from Ssense, along with the Nothing Written Classic Golf bag that I mention in my “Returned” section below. Dunst is a Korean brand that makes both clothing and accessories that are simple yet trendy. Their Classic 28 bag looked like it could have been made by The Row, but with a much gentler price point (around $240). And for that price you can’t expect amazing quality, but the leather is decent enough (fairly scratch resistant and well structured) and the stitches and overall build is clean. But of course it’s not The Row, and that’s why I’m also comfortable throwing on the hodgepodge of key chains.

Gift

Quince Stainless Steel Apple Watch Band, Japanese Damascus Steel paring knife, Jean Dubost Laguiole steak knives: Again I bought all these using credit from referrals (thanks again to all those who purchased through my link in the past). I got the stainless steel Apple watch band in silver and gold in hopes of matching the gold of my Apple watch, but sadly it did not. I also found the watch band to be quite heavy (on the plus side, if you don’t mind the weight it’s a very solid watch band). It also comes with tools and instructions so you can adjust the sizing yourself. But since I knew I would never use such a heavy watch band I sold it on. As for the Japanese Damascus Steel paring knife and Jean Dubost Laguiole steak knives (now back in stock), I loved both and they’re reviewed in my Quince Home Goods review here.

Vintage Box Kelly 28 in dark blue: For Mother’s Day my family gifted me this bag (though it wasn’t a surprise because I sourced it 😆, again from Brandear). I used to have a Kelly 32 in black box leather in my late 20’s and never used it much (those were my Balenciaga days). But I’ve always wanted a Kelly 28. Box is not my first choice, however it is one of Hermes’ heritage leathers and is quite beautiful. As a newly minted Hermes collector, I feel like Box is a must have (along with every other leather Hermes I suppose 😂). But I appreciate that Box leather is one of the lighter weight leathers out there (I’m all about the light bags now). I also love that this bag is in a dark blue color and not a black, so it makes it a touch less formal. Anyway full review to come of course!

Returned

Nothing Written Brown Classic Golf Bag (mini is linked here): I got this bag at the same time as the Dunst one with the intention of trying both but keeping just one. Nothing Written is another Korean brand that makes fairly classic clothing and accessories. When comparing the two bags (the Classic Dunst with the Golf Bag) the leather on the Golf Bag was more plastick-y and less like leather. I also opted for the Classic Dunst bag because the Golf Bag straps can’t fit over the shoulders (no more hand-carry bags unless it’s Hermes—I’ll allow it for them 😂).

Hermes Osmose Ring: This was one of the first things I wanted from Hermes since I’m on a huge sterling silver jewelry kick right now. But unfortunately it wasn’t available at the store and it sold out online in my size before I was ready to commit. But when I saw my size pop back up I jumped at the chance and ordered it, thinking that I can always return it for a full refund (because it’s an online purchase). Well I got it and it was just too chunky for me. I couldn’t myself wearing it all the time, which means it’s not worth keeping IMO. So I returned it immediately using Hermes’ FedEx label. But sadly it never made it back to their warehouse and it’s “out for delivery” since May 7th! My guess is FedEx stole it (I dunno about FedEx these days… but that’s another story). Anyway I emailed Hermes two weeks later and have not heard back from them. I of course will follow-up until I get a resolution but I’m currently out $800+. This is the last time I’ll purchase anything from them online (or if I feel like I must I’m never returning it with FedEx, I’ll return it for store credit at my local boutique).

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