An Update on my Everlane Sweater and Silk Review and other Everlane items

I got a request for an update on the Everlane items I've reviewed in the past, specifically the one from this Everlane sweater and silk review.  Well from that post I only kept the cashmere sweaters and both the cropped crew neck and regular crew neck cashmere sweaters have been holding up really well.  No real noticeable pilling and I've worn them at least 2 days out of the week for the last couple of months (especially the gray one, which I do feel is the softest of the ones I have).  I probably wear my grey one the most and then the burgundy cashmere sweater.  I don't actually wear the cropped ones (I have the black and light rose donegal in the cropped version) even though I do like the style.  I had a comment from a reader that the the cashmere sweaters wrinkle easily and I do find that if I kind of crumple it in my bag that it does get wrinkled a bit, but nothing that stays permanent.  I just wore it again and it was fine, though I do make sure I fold it and try not to crush it in my bag anymore.  I can't really comment about the silk shirt since I don't wear it too often but it has survived a couple wears and a dry cleaning just fine.

I wear this sweater a lot!  Pilling isn't too terrible.

Another Everlane product I wear constantly is their Modern Point shoes.  I've actually stopped wearing all my other Everlane shoes because this one is hands down my favorite.  I love both the look and the fit.  And I'm thinking of ordering another pair when they eventually restock it (which I'm pretty sure they are since I saw a restocking date sometime in March or April).

Oh, and I'm still using Everlane's Petra Magazine Tote and it's holding up just fine.  There's a bit of a fold where the canvas pockets kind of weigh down on the bag but it's nothing major.  And no stains or color transfer.  

Having gone back through all my reviews, it's interesting to see that though I've tried a lot of items from Everlane I ended up returning a lot of them.  And of those I did keep I only love a handful of items.  But these special few items are on heavy rotation in my wardrobe and they all are holding up great.  As far as I can tell, Everlane is keeping true to their word on quality and I'm excited to see what this new year brings for Everlane.

No longer a temporary housewifey but a temporary-house wifey

Hi guys!  So I have some exciting news!!  I am no longer a temporary housewifey because now I have a job!  I am now a co-owner of a business (with my husband).  But of course, I'm not about to change the name of the blog (I've grown attached to the name Temporary Housewifey).  I hope to continue to write reviews and other posts for this blog, but at the same time I'm ready to give it my all to our new business.  So what is this business you ask?  Well it's an Airstream rental company called GoSilver.  We currently have a fleet of 5 Airstreams: a 19 footer, a 20 footer, two 25 footers and a 28 footer.  They're fully loaded and ready to rent.  And if you don't have your own truck, we also rent out trucks.  We also have moved into one of the original Airstreams in the fleet (a 27-footer) and now we full-time in one of these bad boys.

So how did we end up getting into this business?  Well my husband and I took a 3 week road trip in an Airstream in 2014.  Here are some of my favorite posts from that time: Zion, Antelope Canyon, and Wyoming.  We rented from Chris and Nora at Elite RV Vacations (the original name for this biz) and when they were ready to sell, we jumped at the chance!  It's been several months of going back and forth, but we did it.  We bought the biz!  And now it's up to us to earn our livelihood from it.  But I'm not too worried because I think traveling via Airstream is THE BEST way to see the US (and Canada).  Not only do you have the comforts of home with you at all times but when you spend less time on stuff (and staying indoors) you end up spending more time on what (and who) matters and spending more times outdoors.  And there's something about nature that soothes the soul.  For my husband and I, our Airstream trip changed our lives and we want to share that experience with others.  

Anyway I'm not sure what my future holds, or what the future of this blog will be, but thanks to all those who read my blog in 2015.  I hope 2016 will be even better (hmm Everlane clothing shots while traveling in an Airstream?).

Happy New Year! Here's to some personal development in 2016!

I've always been a fan of personal development books, or what used to be called self-help books.  I read my first self-help book at 15 when I picked it up from a bargain bin at Walden books (wow remember those days when there were small chain bookstores?).  It was called "You Can't Afford the Luxury of Another Negative Thought" and it really changed my life on learning how not to go down the spiral of negativity that I felt all the time and to also learn to compartmentalize (to catch myself being unproductively negative and then re-route my thinking to a more positive outlook) .  True, it didn't cure me of negative thoughts and of course it's something I always need to be aware of and work on (it's a practice), but it really helped me see the power of self-help books.  Well I wouldn't recommend this particular book (it was actually meant for terminally ill or people with chronic disease with the idea that the negative thoughts contribute to disease- yeah it's a weird book for a 15-year old).  

But anyway here are 3 books that really helped me in recent history: 

I'm actually going to start with my favorite, which is on the far right, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.  To be honest, this is probably the book that has changed my life the most in the past few years.  It gave me the courage to quit my steady job, to try blogging, to go out and try to make connections with new people, to give less f*cks, etc.  It's exactly what I needed in this stage of my life.  Here's one of my favorite excerpts from the book. 

My second favorite of the three is 10% Happier by Dan Harris.  If Daring Greatly sent me on the path to vulnerability, authenticity, and taking risks then 10% Happier was the sequel that helped seal the deal.  Long story short, if you want to be 10% happier, you need to incorporate a mindful meditation practice into your daily life (and really learn what it means to let it be).

And the third book isn't as life-changing as the top two but it's perfect for someone who is lazy and usually has zero willpower like me.  The book is The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and it gives you a bunch of tips to try to learn good habits.  In general, it's an interesting book and if it helps you get a couple more things done during the day (especially those hard things like working out and a daily meditation practice) then it's definitely worth a quick read.

Well I hope you all have a fantabulous 2016!  As for me, I have a lot of big changes coming up! {P.S. did I mention my husband and I will be going into business together this year?  And it has to do with Airstreams?  Well I'll be elaborating soon so stay tuned!}

Everlane Donegal Cashmere Sweater & Marled Wool Chunky Knit Crew Neck Sweater Review

So first I want to thank everyone who has voted so far in my "What to get next from Everlane" poll (the poll is now closed, but I also did a second order that includes the lux double knit dress and lux double knit mockneck so that review coming soon).  The top 2 most voted items were the marled wool crew neck sweater and the donegal sweater.  So that's what I'll be doing a review on today.

First, the chunky wool knit in grey marled.  I never would have ordered this item if it wasn't for the poll because of my whole "chunky knits will make you look chunkier" theory. But I'm so glad you guys voted on this (about a third of you guys) and that I tried it out.  First the marled wool has a beautiful texture and a really tight knit.  I think compared to the chunky knit cardigan I reviewed, the marled chunky knit does feel a little less droopy and heavy (though that could be from the fact that it's a sweater and not a large cardigan).  It definitely feels as warm as the chunky knit cardigan (I wore it for a couple minutes indoors and was immediately feeling a bit toasty).  But what I loved most about this chunky knit sweater was the knit pattern (kind of like a diamond shape in the front and back) and the side slits, which help make the sweater look a little less bulky.  I got a size small and it fit perfectly except for the sleeves which were a bit long (but easy to roll up).  I actually really like this sweater (and so did my husband, who liked this one way more than the donegal sweater I'll be reviewing next).  

I ended up returning it for now because when I purchased the sweater, Everlane was selling it for $110.  But now it's selling for $78 which is a much more tempting price.  I'm thinking of rebuying the sweater at the now reduced price or buying the chunky knit cardigan in marled wool, which is also now selling at a reduced price (it went from $140 to $110).  I guess Everlane decided to cut their margins to help move the merch.  A reader commented that the marled wool chunky knit cardigan might actually look a little more slimming than the grey one I ordered due to both the wool type and the seemingly tighter knit, but I guess the only way I can know for sure is to buy the cardigan in marled wool (should I buy that next too?).

Even before the poll I was itching to try the new donegal wool sweater, especially in light rose.  I ended up getting the cropped cashmere crew because I thought the modern cut would look fresh with the muted color (plus I had already ordered 2 regular crew neck cashmere sweater for my Everlane cashmere review and didn't think I wanted 3). My husband called the donegal wool in light rose a sweater an old lady would wear.  But I think with some high-waisted pants, the cropped donegal sweater looks young and modern to me (I think the donegal is such a fun interesting knit).  But the donegal knit, though sold with all the other cashmere sweaters on Everlane, is not as soft as the pure cashmere sweaters.  The tiny flecks of wool adds texture but is also a bit scratchy.  So if you're looking for the the softest cashmere sweater out there I would recommend a lighter solid color sweater (here's why).  I ordered the small and the fit is like the other cropped cashmere sweater I reviewed: very cropped and slightly boxy.

As always, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and or Everlane's items (referral link).  Thanks for reading!

First TH Giveaway: Rag & Bone Floppy Fedora- Closed

{update: the giveaway is now closed but this is definitely not my last one so stay tuned!}

Hi guys!  So I'm excited to offer to all my readers my first giveaway contest!  I just want to thank all the people who come here to read and support my blog.  I started seriously blogging around May of this year and I went from 200 readers a week to now over 2000 a week!  So thank you guys for your support and I hope to keep writing posts that you want to read!!

So the story of this hat.  I love the idea of wearing a hat and I think it looks great on so many people.  But I have a hard time committing to wearing a hat.  I think in general I have a hard time feeling comfortable with something on my head and then if you don't feel like wearing it anymore you then you have hat hair for the rest of the day.  Or sometimes my head gets super hot and then I just want to take it off, and if I'm out and about then I have to carry it?  Fogetaboutit!  

Committed-hat-wearing famous people and blogger.

BUT I'm not giving away this fedora because I don't wear hats.  No, I'm giving away a brand new unworn hat because I accidentally bought 2 online (rag & bone has a pretty poor online shopping experience and when I bought the hat, it said my first order didn't go through so I put in an identical second order, but it turns out that the first one did go through so now I have 2 hats).  And instead of going through the hassle of returning it and dealing with customer service, I thought I might as well give away the second hat.  So who wants to commit to more hat-wearing in 2016 with me?  

So the details about the giveaway:

-The hat is a size medium, which should fit most heads out there.  Its a floppy brim fedora.  Brand new, never worn with tags.   {This is not a sponsored giveaway.}

-Open internationally (can't leave out my readers from Singapore and Sydney)!  Yep, I'll do my best to mail it to you wherever you are via the US Postal System.  However I can't guarantee delivery because depending on the country, things get "lost" en route.  If it's domestic shipping, I'll include tracking so hopefully you'll get it.

-I'll leave the contest open for 2 weeks so the last day to enter is December 30th at 12AM PST. Winners will be picked through a random number generator. I'll email the winner the next day and probably ship it out the following Monday (Jan 4 2016).  Also, if I don't get a response email within 2 days of the contest end date, I'll be picking again (just a note for all of you who submit a junk email address and then forget to check- I know I've done that before).

To enter, just leave your name and email address below and click submit (super easy!  I hate really involved blog giveaways).  

{update: thanks to all those who entered my giveaway!  The winner is Linya!}

Everlane Chelsea Boot Review

Today I'll be reviewing the Everlane Chelsea Boots, as requested by a reader.  I originally wasn't interested in getting the Chelsea boots because I'm not really a fan of boots with high ankles.  My legs are short as it is, so a higher ankle tends to make my leg look cut off.  But since I've reviewed all the other shoes from Everlane, including the Modern Point, Street Shoe, and the Modern Loafer I thought I might as well have a complete collection of Everlane shoe reviews.

First, a note on sizing.  The Chelsea boots do have a wider footbed than all their other shoes.  So I went ahead and ordered a 7.5, my usual size.  For all of Everlane's other shoes I ordered an 8 and it fit perfectly.  The 7.5 boots fit well but only if I wore a thin sock.  If you are planning to wear these shoes with thick winter socks I would say go ahead and order a half size larger like you would for all of Everlane's other shoes.

Pros:

- The Chelsea boots are in general really beautiful boots.  The leather is gorgeous, especially in the dark gray that I ordered.  

- The slim ankle makes it easier to wear these under jeans (except for maybe under really tight jeans).  

I really love the shoes, except just not on me (it looks great on the models).  Like I said, I feel like the higher cut isn't flattering for my short legs and thicker calves (as shown in the picture to the right here).

Other cons:

-These boots are really hard to get on and off since you pretty much have to stretch out the elastic on the sides to slide your foot in.  I'm used to boots with zippers so these boots feel like they take extra effort to put on and take off.

-Also, the leather at the top squeezes and rubs against my leg when I walk, which is a bit uncomfortable (but that could just be because my legs calf area is kind of thick).

I was never a Doc Martens kind of gal, but if you are, then these might be the boots for you.  They are definietly sleeker and more modern than Doc Martens but they kind of remind me of that kind of shoe (maybe just the high ankle and the tab in the back?).  Anyway these are beautiful shoes but just not for me!

Like all my other reviews, this review is done with items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Find all my Everlane reviews here.  Thanks for reading!

Everlane Boxy Striped Tee Review

Just a super quick review today for those interested in Everlane's boxy striped tee. I purchased the white/black version quite awhile back and I really liked it.  I ended up purchasing an XS in this because it looked so big, and it fit perfectly.  I'm usually a small in everything else Everlane, and about a size 4 in J.Crew/Gap.

Pros:

-The length is perfect.  The front is a little shorter than the back so it looks cropped but you have some coverage in the back

-The heavy weight cotton is perfect for layering under a jacket during the winter months.

-The 3/4 sleeves are the perfect length for the look.

Con:

- The tee is quite boxy so it's going to be an oversized look.

Above images from Kate and Grechen.  Check out Grechen's review of the striped tee and another review here.

In the end though I returned it because I already have too many striped shirts.  See exhibit A below: {true, you can argue that you can't have too many striped shirts but you can have too many clothes for an airstream}

But I would say if you don't have too many striped shirts yet, this one is a great option.  As usual, this review was done on items I've purchased myself and is not sponsored (though yesterday I got $30 from Everlane for giving them some feedback over email, but I haven't spent that yet.  Yay for my first credits from Everlane!).

Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Bucket Review and Mini Bucket Review

I finally got my hands on a Mansur Gavriel mini mini bucket bag so now it's time to do another review (all other Mansur Gavriel reviews here).  I've done a review comparing the MG classic bucket bag to the mini bucket bag, but unfortunately I sold the classic bucket so I can only compare the mini to the mini mini.  I guess if you read this review and that review you'll get an idea of the sizing since both reviews include the mini size (the old review has a royal blue mini bucket).

Also, if you were wondering the difference between the cammello color and the brandy color, the mini is brandy (with cleo interior) and the mini mini is cammello (with rosa interior).  As you can see the brandy color is quite a bit more reddish in color.  My personal preference is cammello, though with the lighter color, water spots and other marks will probably be more visible.

As for the size, you can see that the mini mini is quite a bit smaller than the mini.  I think they probably should have named the mini as regular and the mini mini as just mini (since the classic size is really a large).  The mini measures 9.5"H x 8"W x 4.5"D while the mini mini measures 8"H x 6"W x 3.75"D.  Though it's only a 1.5" difference in height, the extra inch or so makes the mini bucket feel a lot deeper.  I personally prefer the extra depth so that items feel more secure (though really with an open bucket bag your items aren't going to be that secure to begin with).  Neither bucket bag comes with the wallet (that's only available for the classic size).

The mini mini is perfect for those who don't like to carry a lot of things in their bag.  It can fit the essentials like phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses but if you're someone who also like to carry a water bottle or ipad mini then the mini size is the way to go.  I prefer the mini size over the mini mini.  But since I prefer the cammello color over the brandy, I might try my luck during the 2-minute frenzy that is the Mansur Gavriel shop relaunch happening on Tuesday December 8th at 11AM EST (so 8AM my time).  But we'll see, I might save my pennies for their Spring 2016 launch and try to get a mini lady bag.

The picture below shows the mini mini with my iphone 6s and wallet while the brandy mini bucket is carrying a mini ipad.  Both bags are really gorgeous so I can't go wrong with either of them, but I think my vote is for the mini bag since the size just works better for my everyday needs.  Since I prefer the cammello color over the brandy, I might try my luck during the 2-minute frenzy that is the Mansur Gavriel shop relaunch happening on Tuesday December 8th at 11AM EST (so 8AM my time).  But we'll see, I might save my pennies for their Spring 2016 launch and try to get a mini lady bag.  But if you're participating in tomorrow's relaunch good luck and hope you get the bag that you want!!

A guide to selling on eBay

The burgundy Chanel bag is up on eBay now and those Vince shoes will be up soon.

I'm a big believer in getting rid of or selling what I don't use on a regular basis (and now that we're downsizing, I will definitely be listing a ton of things on eBay).  I specialize in selling clothes, and especially bags.  Overall this tactic has worked out really well for me, and I've only regretted selling something a couple of times over my 10 year experience of selling on eBay.  Yes, a decade!  Even I can't believe it.  

And in those 10 years of selling I've learned a thing or two and I'll share them with you here:

1) Take really good pictures.  It makes a huge difference when you can take pictures that appeals to a seller and it will make your item sell twice as fast.  About 7 years ago when I moved to SF, I purchased a dress form (like a mannequin) from a business that specialized in selling old and used mannequins.  It was one of the best purchases I've ever made for my eBay business.  Clothes just look better when its on a mannequin.  I'm not sure if that business still exists but if you're serious about selling, I would recommend getting one {or if you're my friend, you're always welcome to use mine.}  

2) Along with a mannequin, good lighting is another must-have for good pictures.  I started with just one light/umbrella contraption and now I have 3, for max bright lighting.  This way I can take pictures even at night.  I got a light stand pretty much like this one.

3) Write concise but detailed descriptions.  First, list measurements.  For clothes I usually do from top to bottom (i.e. shoulder to bottom hem, or waist to bottom hem), and across (the chest or waist) when laid flat.  For bags do length, width, height and strap drop.  

4) I also list any defects that the item might have.  It's better to be upfront with it, not only because you have integrity as a seller, but also eBay allows buyers to force a return if the item is not as described.  And eBay almost always takes the buyers side.  Even though buyers can force a return, I don't usually allow returns since it's always a bit of a hassle (I write as part of my listing "No returns unless the item is significantly different from description").  If the buyer really wants to return it they always can.  

5) I also add in the description whether or not the item has smells (most of mine don't but I've definitely been on the receiving end of an overly perfumed bag and hated it).  I also say it comes from a smoke-free home (and if you don't have pets, I would add pet-free home too).  I'll also add an estimation of how many times or for how many months an item has been used and whether or not there are any tears, holes, or major signs of wear.

6) Here are some tips for the actual listing: I usually do "Good 'til cancelled" so that eBay will automatically relist it when the listing ends (usually after 30 days).  As for shipping, I usually do a flat rate.  I've been doing this awhile so I can kind of guestimate what the shipping would be per item (of course I'm off but a $1 or so but it all evens out in the end).  But you can use USPS.com to calculate shipping.  For international shipping, I go with Global Shipping program which means you're responsible to ship it to somewhere in Kentucky (the address shows up when you print the labels with eBay) and eBay will ship it overseas.  I don't really touch any of the other boxes (so you can pretty much ignore them).

7) Always save your listing as templates.  That way you only have to change the title, pictures, parts of the description and the price.  Everything else pretty much stays the same so posting listings becomes a breeze.

And November and December are the best times of the year to sell items on eBay since everyone gets into the buying mood.  I hope you found this helpful and good luck selling your things!

What should I review next from Everlane? Taking votes now!

The little poll at the end of the Everlane Chunky Wool Knit cardigan review was a great way to get some feedback from you guys so I thought why not make a poll so that you guys get to decide what I should review next from Everlane.  

P.S. the current poll results for whether or not I should keep the chunky wool knit cardigan is 90% "Send it back" and 10% "Keep it".

P.P.S. Rhonda, I heard ya and I ordered the Chelsea boot so a review of that is coming soon {update: here's the Everlane Chelsea boot review)

{Update 12.29.15: Thanks to the people who have voted!  I already did one review of the Everlane donegal sweater and marled wool crew neck sweater.  And now I've ordered the lux double knit mockneck and dress since I got so many votes for those two items.  Personally they seem a little potato-sack-like to me, but you guys voted and I'm listening!  I will try not to let my preconceived notions bias the review.  And if you don't know yet, Everlane is having a sale!}

Everlane Chunky Wool Knit Sweater Review

I didn't immediately order the chunky wool knit because I'm just not a fan of chunky knits.  I tend to the think they add extra "chunk" to any preexisting chunkiness.  So I usually stay away from those big knits.  However recently I read some "controversy" (or as controversial as wool knit sweaters can be) about the chunky knit on Grechen's Closet (especially in the comments section) and decided I wanted to get in on the action.  The comments go from "it's the coziest sweater ever" (ooh sounds awesome) to "it pills terribly" (damn that's too bad) to "Everlane customer service is  inconsistent" (which I've heard numerous times, but I think Everlane is just trying to empower their customer service peeps to make their own calls.) 

So I got the Chunky Wool Knit cardigan...

What do you think?  I personally think it's quite a bit unflattering on me.  But the sweater is really cozy and comfy (and quite heavy).  I ordered a size small here and the sleeves fit perfectly.  I know this is meant to be an oversized sweater but I'm not sure I'm feeling it.  

If you're not aware, the "controversy" is the fact that last year's chunky knit (which Everlane boasted sold out in 72 hours) unfortunately had a crazy pilling problem.  Though Everlane has said that this year due to the many complaints they used a tighter knit and longer fibers to try to prevent the pilling problem.  Take this how you will, but as I was trying on the sweater I already noticed a pill and I'm not sure if that was from trying it on or just a remanent during the production process.  Anyway, pilling issues aside, I'm leaning towards a "no" on this one just because I don't really like how it looks on me.

Here are some other opinions on the chunky wool knit: here,  here, and here.  The last link is for Grechen's blog (which if you haven't already noticed, I'm a huge fan of and am constantly linking to her review posts) and she was gifted an Everlane chunky knit this year so maybe she can do an update on the future on whether or not this year's version has the same problems as last year's.  Unless y'all think I should keep the cardigan?

As always, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and or Everlane's items (referral link).  Thanks for reading!

Everlane vs. Equipment vs. Cuyana Silk Comparisons Review

I'm not sure how useful the Everlane cashmere vs. JCrew cashmere review was, but I really enjoyed learning a little bit more about the source and production of the materials of the clothes I buy.  And Everlane makes it even more interesting because of their radical transparency and thus their willingness to give consumers a lot of details.  So today I'm doing a silk comparison post as well.

{I read an older review post the other day on my phone and realized that these posts look really really long.  So long, I'm not sure I would even read it.  So for those who are in a time crunch here is the tl;dr version of this post: Everlane silk shirts are better than Equipment silk shirts.  But Cuyana silk shirts can't really be compared with either of the Everlane or Equipment shirts because it's a totally different kind of silk.  Whether you like Cuyana over Everlane or vice versa is a personal choice--and mine is Cuyana).  The details on how I got to this verdict below:

Cuyana silk shirt, Everlane silk shirt, Equipment silk shirt

First a little background on silk:

-Momme is a special weight measurement used for high quality fabrics and is used to indicate the heft and weight of the fabric. Higher momme weight means that more silk was used in the production of the fabric.

-The standard momme weight for silk ranges from 12-19.  Silk with a momme weight from 16-19 is usually considered high quality.  And anything 19-22 in momme weight is about the best of the best (momme=mm).

-Silk cloths also have a thread count and should be greater than 400.

-There is silk made from wild worms (usually Shantung or Tussah silk) and it's courser and more beige than cultivated silk which is smoother and whiter.  When you think silk, you're most likely thinking of silk from cultivated worms (like these 3 shirts).

-There are several types of silk: chiffon (the billowy one), china silk (also called habotai, about 5-12mm), and crepe de chine (12-15mm).

sources: 1, 2, 3

Bottom left is Everlane, bottom right is Equipment and top is Cuyana.

Now to compare the silk from Everlane and the silk from Equipment.  The silk of both shirts felt fairly similar--the type of silk that feels a little more velvety but thin.  Equipment doesn't give us any information about their silk, except we know it's made in China (from the tag).  Everlane's silk shirts also come from China (Hangzhou to be precise) and their silk is 16mm crepe de chine.

The only difference between Equipment and Everlane silk is the color.  Though both shirts are black, the Equipment one is not a true black, it's more of a gray.  But of course the biggest difference is the price.  I purchased the Equipment blouse for $208 while the same shirt from Everlane is $78.  With the same quality silk but at a much better price it's kind of a no brainer to go with Everlane over Equipment (on top of that Everlane does awesome things like give back to this silk factory in Hangzhou.  They funded the construction of solar panels so that the 240 workers who live and work at the factory can have hot showers.  Everlane was able to do this through their Black Friday Fund}.

Cuyana, Everlane, Equipment

From the pictures, you can clearly see that the Cuyana silk is quite different from both the Everlane and Equipment silk shirts.  It's a much darker color, but it's also of a much heavier weight.  Their silk shirts are made in the USA from 22mm crepe de chine.  That means a lot more silk went into the production of this shirt and you can tell.  It feels a lot more durable.  I love this silk shirt so much I'm considering getting this one in white (I feel like most white silk shirts are really sheer, but since this one is so much thicker it will probably be quite a bit more opaque).  But for more than twice the price (at $175) of an Everlane silk shirt, the Cuyana silk shirts are definitely more of an investment piece (best for those who truly believe in Cuyana's motto: Fewer, better things).  Still it's cheaper than Equipment shirts.  {Moral of the story here, no one should be buying Equipment shirts when there's so many better options around.}

So my final verdict: Everlane > Equipment; but Cuyana stands apart.  If I could only choose one?  It would be Cuyana.

Here's another blogger's review of Everlane and Equipment silk shirts and another blogger's review of Cuyana's silk shirts.  I purchased all items in this review for myself and this post is not sponsored, but if you'd like to help me purchase more Everlane items here's a referral link.  Thanks for reading!

{edit: I add Grana's silk into the mix in a Grana vs. Everlane vs. Cuyana silk review}

My skincare tips for sensitive and acne-prone skin

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I have the most sensitive skin in the world.  Though that's not the biggest problem with my skin.  My biggest problem has been acne for most of my life.  Once I hit puberty at 11 until my late 20s I was constantly breaking out (and still to this day in my 30's I get zits, but I don't consider it acne).  And so really, I've been using skin care products since I was 11.  I've been through 2 rounds of Acutane.  On top of that I've tried all kinds of prescribed topicals from sulphur, benzyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.  And pretty much ever over the counter stuff there is, from Neutrogena, Clearisil (both too harsh) and Proactiv (which worked for a little while).  But in the end, I think you just have to grow out of it.  Now that I'm less concerned with acne, I'm more obsessed with the elasticity of my skin (which really changes once you hit 30).  But I still have sensitive skin issues to navigate around.  So after two decades worth of trying skin care products what have I learned?

1) Don't be afraid to try new products.  

I am constantly buying and trying products with Sephora because they have the best return policy in the world.  You can return anything.  Even products that you've opened and tried.

2) Only try one new product at a time

Like any good experiment, change only one variable at a time.  If you change your cleanser and your moisturizer at the same time and break out or have a reaction, you won't be able to tell if it's one or the other (it's a no-duh kind of tip but sometimes when you're in the spirit of experimenting you can get carried away, or maybe that's just me.)

3) Change-up the products on a daily basis if you can

I find that by alternating the products that I use, my skin is more responsive to the benefits of the product.  You wouldn't feed your body with the same stuff everyday so why feed your skin that way?

4) Also change your routine with the seasons

This might be a no-brainer to most people.  But I tend to stick with products that work no matter what season.  But in the end, the creams that work in the winter just don't work the same in the summer.

5) Always spot-test

For those with sensitive skin, this is a must.  Always test it in a spot that is the most reactive and even though you might have a red itchy spot for a day at least your whole face won't be bright red and itchy.  My favorite spots are under my jaw or if I'm testing for breakouts, I'll try my chin or cheeks.

Stay tuned for a post on the products that I currently use on my problematic skin (and I'm thinking of talking a little bit more about skin care and cosmetics since I'm always curious to know what other girls use and why.  I've already started asking some of my friends what their favorite beauty products are).

My thoughts on Paris

I was hesitant to write anything pertaining to the events in Paris because even though I have a general feeling of sadness over the violence, I am also far removed from it.  And this is going to sound terrible, but it's really just one of many violent events that has happened in recent history.  And I'm sure it's not going to be the last.  It has definitely crossed my mind of if and when these type of jihadist events will happen on the west coast.  Will it just be a matter of time?  But I refuse to think further down that road and live in fear.  Instead I think about what could be a possible solution.  Killing all radical Muslims isn't the answer, because inadvertently those actions would harm civilians (the non-radicals) which would lead to further antagonization.  This is literally a question about world peace.  And I think some of the answer lies in understanding how humans think, in our neurobiology.  If you're not already, you need to be watching The Brain with David Eagleman on PBS, but especially watch episode 5 (Why Do I Need You?).  Watch the whole episode here or if you don't have the time here's a short clip (this coincidentally aired on Nov. 11, days before the shootings). In this episode they explain how humans who once lived in peace for generations can suddenly kill their neighbors, friends, and colleagues during mass genocide.  It's complicated, but in a nutshell ordinary people can become violent, cruel and destructive because their brains are manipulated (through propaganda) to shut off the areas of their brain responsible for empathy. They start viewing those people in the out-group more like objects and not a fellow human being (in terms of brain activity when a person is looking at a person who is part of an out-group, their brain is less active in the region of the medial prefrontal cortex.  What this means is that in terms of brain response it's like they were looking at an inanimate object like a cup.)  And people do this through mental avoidance.  They avoid seeing the humanity of those who are not a part of their group.  I know this isn't going to solve our problems right away.  But as the world shrinks with the global reach of the internet I think it's important to that we all start realizing we're all part of the same team.   We're all humans.  We all feel joy, pain, fear, and love.  We all need each other and we are all connected.

Cuyana Silk Tee and Scoop Tee Review with a comparison to Everlane's Silk and Cotton Tees

So now you all know I'm moving from 2500 sqft. to 250 sqft. next year (details here), so you would think that I've completely stopped acquiring things, especially clothes.  And I will...slowly... but I can't just quit cold turkey.  Plus I have some left-over store credit that I need to use up before I become technically home-less (though I'll be trailer-full).  Well that's what I was telling myself when I purchased a couple more items from Cuyana.  (I did a review of the Cuyana Classic Leather Tote).

If you haven't heard of this brand, I sometimes think of it to the older sister of Everlane.  Their clothes are a little less trendy and I think for a more refined crowd.  Their motto is "Fewer, Better" which is a bit different from Everlane's "Radical Transparency", yet both companies believe in quality items sourced and produced in a responsible manner.  Oh and Cuyana costs a bit more too.  Cuyana's silk tee runs you $155 while a comparable one from Everlane is about $75.  Cuyana's cotton tee is $40 while Everlane's is $15.  Those numbers alone would tempt some just to stick with Everlane (especially since what they're doing is not only socially responsible but their products are also really quite fantastic).  But Cuyana deserves an honest test-drive as well.

And this is what I thought: (also for those who are interested in the sizing of Cuyana's cothes, I am about a size 4 or small in most tops and I would say the sizing is pretty comparable to Everlane- ie an Everlane small is about the same as a Cuyana small).

First up is the Cuyana scoop neck tee.  I really love the fit of this shirt.  The scoop neck is just-right in that it's not so wide that you flash everyone with your bra when you bend forward.  Also, the sleeves are the perfect length.  And finally the shirt isn't cropped, but it's not too long either (it's hard to tell because the model has the shirt tucked-in on all the shots, but the shirt ends right below the waistband).  For a better idea, Everlane's shirts in a small are about 24 inches from shoulder to bottom hem while Cuyana's is 22 inches.  The material is also super soft, softer than Everlane's cotton shirts.  And that's because Cuyana's are made from 50% modal and 50% pima cotton.  (Also did you know modal is just another way of saying rayon?  I didn't because I never really bothered to know more about my clothes until recently).  So that means the care for this shirt requires laying flat to dry.  But I really don't have space anywhere to lay them dry.  Also this tee is $40, which is over double of Everlane's cotton tees.  So my overall verdict is to stick with Everlane for their tees (edit: but to be clear, it's mostly due to my preference for a no-hassle shirt that I wouldn't get too upset about if I got it dirty-which happens to my shirts all the time).

Everlane silk tee on left and Cuyana silk tee on right

But if I were to choose Cuyana or Everlane when it comes to the silk department, my vote goes to Cuyana's silk tee in black (in small).  I love love love it!  The silk feels amazing and is totally different from Everlane's silk.  This silk material is of a heavier weight and feels more durable.  It reminds me of the kind of silk that kimonos are made of (I know that's not super helpful, but I really don't know too much about silk).  It's hard to describe the difference, but I plan to write a more in-depth post about the different kinds of silk and compare the silk from Everlane, Equipment, and Cuyana.  As for the shirt itself, the cut is really flattering.  I like the extra length in the back and also the sleeves, which I didn't think I would like because it almost looks like cap sleeves.  But the sleeves are cut a little longer so it actually looks quite flattering (still hides any flabby triceps, though I like how the Everlane silk tees have a longer sleeve overall).  For almost double the price, the Cuyana silk tee might seem like less of a value than Everlane's silk tee.  However the silk tee from Cuyana is of a higher quality and seems like it would last longer.  If your goal is truly to have fewer but better clothes then Cuyana's silk tee is the better choice.

So I would say give Cuyana a chance, especially when it comes to their silk items and their leather goods.  Those items are truly made with a higher quality and are worth the extra dollars if you plan to use these items for years and years.  Like all my reviews, I purchased items for myself and have not been paid for any of my opinions.

{edit if you're looking for more silk reviews there's the first one- Everlane vs. Equipment vs. Cuyana silk review; and the second one- Grana vs. Everlane vs. Cuyana silk review}

New in: black kitten heels from Trotter

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As much as I love the idea of wearing heels with jeans for any old regular day, I'm just not a heels kind of gal.  I see it more as a modern kind of foot torture, akin to the Chinese tradition of foot binding (I mean have you see the feet of women who wear painful heels all day every day?).  It's something I'll tolerate on occasions when I know walking will be at a minimum.  But I recently saw these pictures of Elin (a famous blogger) and her friend (in black with the sunglasses).  And even though Elin had on a better-looking pair of heels her friend's pair looked way more comfortable.  That got me thinking about kitten heels.  There's quite a few women who write off kitten heels as either ugly or useless (as in you might as well wear a pair of flats).  But I think for a woman who wants to look a little bit more polished, without all the pain, a kitten heel is a great solution.  I looked for the pair the friend is wearing in these pictures and got something similar from Zappos.  I absolutely love them and are quite possibly the most comfortable pair of "heels" I own.  They're from a company called Trotters, and though I really hate the name (for some reason when I hear trotters, I think of pigs), I love that their shoes come in several widths for every size (perfect for my wide feet).

So what do you think?  Are kitten heels really that bad?

Letting things go...

Goodbye things!

Well it's a new month and there's some changes happening right now at the Temporary Housewifey household.  I'm letting go of everything in the picture above.  A lot of these items hold memories for me, but big changes are coming ahead and I can't continue the burden of having so many things.  What do I mean?  Well the husband and I are planning on moving!  Into an Airstream!  A 23-footer in fact (well that's what we're hoping to get).  So that means we're going from over 2200 sq. feet of living space to under 250 sq.ft.  So I'm literally doing a moving sale and seriously almost everything has to go.  I just set up a new store on tictail (a link to it will live in the sidebar for awhile -->) and am continuing to sell some things on my ebay store (prices are higher there because eBay charges a 10% fee).  Everything else will probably be donated to Goodwill. 

But in the meantime, I plan to take some flat lays of all the items I'm letting go of.  It's a chance for me to not only tell the story of my items (take mini-trips down memory lane), but also a way to thank these items for their service as I let them go (an idea from Marie Kondo's book).  Most of these flat lays and stories will be on Instagram and on my new store if you're interested.  But I'll periodically post something about these things here.  

For example, in the picture above I purchased the horn cuff (between the Givenchy Pandora and rag & bone cashmere sweater) in a small store in Saigon, Vietnam.  I was with my friend Ryan, when we entered a store selling all kinds of horn items.  I picked up some ornate horn-decorated chopsticks as well.  I remember when I purchased it, Ryan was telling me that Hermes also makes accessories out of horn.  That thought really appealed to me, and I got it for a very good price.  But in the end the cuff was way too large for me and I never wore it. 

P.S. If you're a friend and you see an item you gave me up for sale.  Please don't be offended, I just need to downsize.  I appreciate your gifts, but more importantly the thought behind these gifts.  But if you really like the gift you gave me and want the item back, just let me know.

Did I tell you about the time I applied for a job at Everlane...three times

As you can see, I post a lot of Everlane reviews.  In fact, my consistent posting of almost everything Everlane has landed me a top spot in google search for their products.  And it's great because I really like most of their stuff and truly love their message of radical transparency.  But about 6 months ago (before I started seriously blogging) I applied for a job there...on three separate occasions.  The first time was for a position as a social media manager.  And to be honest I was way out of my depth there.  Knew nothing about it except my own social media tendencies.  So of course I didn't get it, though I'm glad I got to experience their application process (write up something interesting and then do a vlog-post-type interview that you send in).  Plus, that job listing led me to my path of digital marketing and blogging (but that's a whole 'nother story).  Then I applied to be their office manager, which I could do in my sleep.  But that's exactly why they said no, because I probably would have fallen asleep.  So I get it, no for that too.  And the last one was as a brand ambassador, which was paid in Everlane gear but no actual wage.  Just got no response on that one.  Which is kind of too bad.  But that's okay because now I've inadvertently made myself a type of brand ambassador, one that reviews many of their products (and people like my reviews like the Fall 2015 sweater review!).  I mean it would be cool to get free stuff but in the meantime I'm keeping myself busy with new business ventures (major changes up ahead!).

Everlane $100 Cashmere Sweater and Silk Review

{Oct 2016 edit: Hi guys just so you know I've done a bunch of reviews on Everlane items (and many many of their sweaters) and you can find them all on my Everlane Reviews post here.}

Recently Everlane released a bunch of new sweaters and sweatshirts so I thought it was about time to do another sweater review (and like my other Everlane sweater and silk shirt review, I'm adding the one stray silk shirt that I purchased along with the sweaters).  Today I'll be reviewing Everlane's Sweater Tee, the Everlane scuba sweatshirt, the Cashmere Cropped Crew, the regular Cashmere Crew, and the Modern Silk Point Collar.   

I reviewed Everlane's Chunky Wool Knit cardigan separately here.  And I reviewed the Everlane Donegal Wool Sweater here.

Like the other reviews, I'll be listing what I have, a quick note about quality, and what size I wear (I'm usually a size 4 or small on top, size 2 at places like GAP or sometimes Jcrew){note: I like my sweaters on the looser side, so if you are fit and like them fitted I say size down}:

The Everlane Sweater Tee is made of a thin material that's cotton, nylon and wool.  It looks like it might be a cool sweater but the material feels itchy and the fit is way oversized (I ordered a small and it felt like a large).  Not comfortable and not flattering.  So I sent it back.

I also didn't have much success with the scuba sweatshirt.  I ordered it in a size XS (though I usually wear a small in most Everlane clothes) because the sweatshirt already looked a bit oversized.  Well it was.  The XS felt like a large and I felt like a football player wearing this sweatshirt--not flattering at all.  Another return.

But the $100 cashmere crew sweaters are a different story.  I purchased both the regular crew neck as well as the cropped crew neck versions of their cashmere sweaters.  And I loved them both.  A lot.  In fact I'm debating on ordering another one after I did my Everlane vs. J.Crew Cashmere Sweater Comparison Review (I'm thinking of getting the light gray in the regular crew neck).  {P.S. Thanks Grechen from grechenscloset for the heads up, I forgot to add the sizes I got in these.  I got a small for both the cropped and regular crew neck cashmere sweaters.  And if you're curious on how much shorter the cropped version is here are the measurements: the regular sweater is 23.5" from shoulder to bottom hem while the cropped version is 19.5" from shoulder to bottom hem in the front and the back (which is a bit longer) is 22". }

So why did I love these sweaters so much?  Well first the price point.  I think for grade A quality cashmere, $115-$125 is a pretty fair price.  If the quality is as good as they say it is, then these sweater should last me a long time.  Also I love the fit on both of the crew neck styles.  The cropped version is perfect for a pair of high-waisted jeans or pencil skirt.  Or you could also layer it over a collared shirt.  A little trendy, but a great look for anyone who has short legs like me. 

whowatwear.com and vivaluxury

On the other hand, the regular crew neck style is a classic look that will never go out of style.  I'm tempted to buy more of these sweaters though in reality I'm not sure how often I would wear them.  These sweaters are 2-ply or 3-ply cashmere (I detail all the differences in my cashmere review), and so they are super thick and warm.  Which is great for the winter...except indoors and outdoors when it's windy (the soft cashmere doesn't stand a chance again that biting SF wind).  So I guess it's best worn as a layer under a jacket.  Well we'll see.  And I'll get back to you on how often I end up wearing these, when, and how the cashmere stands up.

And finally I purchased the Modern Silk Collar shirt (in small) awhile ago and never had a chance to review it.  Now I see they have more silk tops, and I tempted to get the long-sleeve collar-less version.  I reviewed the sleeveless version of their silk top before and I loved it.  The silk felt thick and durable and the fit was great.  I would say the Modern Collar shirt is also a high-quality silk shirt with a great fit.  Here's another blogger's review of Everlane's silk and cashmere selection from last year.  And if you're looking for more info on the chunky wool sweater, here's a year later review from Grechen's closet (the short story: it looks like last year's chunky wool pilled a lot, but Everlane has fixed the problem for this year's sweaters).

Like all my other reviews, this review is done with items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Find all my Everlane reviews here and you can purchase all Everlane items here (a referral link).  Thanks for reading!

Update: I got a request for an update so here's the link to how my Everlane clothes are holding up.

Comparison Post: J.Crew Cashmere vs. Everlane Cashmere {Updated January 2022}

Everlane sweater on the left, J.Crew on the right.  A little promotional cashmere test tube from Everlane in the middle.

I'm a cashmere newbie.  Yes, I've had cashmere sweaters before but I never really took a hard look at my cashmere.  At least until this fall, when I coincidentally purchased 2 cashmere sweaters at the same time: one from J.Crew and one from Everlane.  These 2 black sweaters could not be more different, and yet both are made from 100% cashmere and both are made in China (and both were at a great price point, though the J.Crew one was on sale).

First, how these 2 sweater cousins differ:  The J.Crew Sweater is made of very thin cashmere.  It feels delicate and soft, but not very warm.  But the Everlane sweater is much thicker and bulkier.  I feel very warm, bordering on hot, when I wear it.  And the Everlane sweater feels ever so slightly scratchier than the J. Crew one (just a tiny bit).  Both are brand new so I don't know how much pilling would occur (I'll try to post an update later).

So after some research, I've learned:

-All cashmere is technically hair from the underbelly of a goat (usually Mongolian).

-Cashmere starts to differ in terms of quality of fibers: the cashmere fibers range from 0.8 - 2.5 inches long and have to be less than 19 microns in diameter (finer cashmere are 14 microns or smaller).  The best fibers are long and thin.  Thicker fibers are used as part of cashmere blends and shorter fibers causes pilling when they break.

-Fibers are graded as A (14-15.5 microns & 1.3-1.4 inches long), B (bigger than 19 microns in diameter), or C (30 microns in diameter). The thinner the fiber, the better the quality and the more expensive the product.

-Cashmere garments can come as 1-ply, 2-ply, or 3-ply.  1-ply is the thinnest and wears out the fastest but the 3-ply can sometimes be too warm, especially for indoor wear.

-Lighter cashmere sweaters tend to be softer because dying fibers a dark color tends to make the fibers stiffer.

So to apply this to my 2 different sweaters: I don't know what the fiber is like on the J.Crew sweater, but I'm pretty sure it's 1-ply.  That's why it's so thin.  If I were to wear this sweater often, I'm sure I would start to see pilling sooner rather than later (plus take a look at the picture, the J.Crew sweater on the right is a gray color though it's supposed to be black) .  But I do like the fact that I can easily layer it to wear indoors.  On the other hand, the Everlane sweater is definitely a 2 or 3-ply material.  And because it's Everlane, we know some of the details about its production.  They say they use Grade A fibers that are 15 microns and 30mm long (that's about 1.12 inches).  Yes, that fits the Grade A criteria for diameter though about 3mm less in length.  So that explains why it's priced so reasonably.  It's not a big difference, but for luxury items an extra mm or 2 (or more) puts it in a hugely different price point. {January 2022 edit: This is a loooong overdue edit but I have to say that Everlane cashmere cannot be more than 1 ply either. Since this is not a luxury cashmere product and it feels like a standard conventional fashion cashmere sweater, I’m guessing that it’s a 1 ply sweater that uses decent cashmere fibers. I now have a cashmere sweater from The Row, which feels thicker and more luxe (and I’m guessing this is what a thicker ply feels like). If you’re looking for a classic cashmere sweater that’s a tad more luxe-feeling than the Everlane sweater I highly recommend looking at Quince’s baby cashmere sweaters.}

So my final verdict: I'm fairly certain that my Everlane cashmere sweater is well worth it for $115-$125 but I'm not sure how often I would wear it since it's almost too warm to wear indoors.  

If you want more information, these are the sites I used to learn my cashmere facts: a newspaper article, a how-to site, and cashmere.com.

Also if you guys are looking for an actual review of the sweater (and not just the material) along with sizing info check out my new Everlane Fall 2015 Sweater and Silk Review and for 2016 I have all my Everlane reviews here including most of all the new sweaters Everlane has debuted.

Like all my other reviews, this review is done with items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Thanks for reading!

{Edit: After some thought I've decided to sell the JCrew sweater and instead buy an Everlane cashmere sweater in gray--I'm hoping my research is right and the softest sweater will be the light grey one!} {update: yes I bought and yes I love my gray cashmere sweater.  It's marginally softer than the black one, or it could just be in my head}.

{Also Grana's cashmere is equivalent to Everlane's and better than J.Crew's}