The first 3 months living in an Airstream

Hi guys, sorry no review for you today but I thought I would take the time to write about my Airstream living so far.  Well the first month was a bit of an adjustment but not only were we moving from a 2400 sq ft house to a 240 sq ft. Airstream, but we were getting ready to sell said house as well as start our Airstream rental business.  Those days we pretty much used the Airstream just to sleep and shower.  But since then I've been spending more and more time in the Airstream and some days work from it too.  I thought I would get stir-crazy from being in such a small space but I don't.  I am really starting to love my new life in a small space mainly for these reasons:

~ Living in an Airstream means I have everything I need and not a lot of what I don't need.  A smaller space means being conscious of what I keep around.  And after a month of moving things around from storage to the Airstream and back again, I have exactly what I need but none of the extras.  (So in full disclosure, we still have a lot of items in storage--there's no way I can quit all my stuff cold turkey, but I'm hoping to get rid of things gradually).  Have you guys ever tried the 2 closet system (where you have one main closet with all the clothes you consistently wear and a second closet for everything else; and as you need things you move them from the second closet to your main one; and after 1 year you get rid of all the things you never used in the second closet)?  It's a technique to wean yourself off of a big closet.  Well that's what it feels like with all the items I've ever owned, with the Airstream being my main closet and storage as my secondary closet.  I hope to get rid of everything in storage at the end of the year.

~ Also I've learned If you're going to live in a small space, it better be well-designed.  And the Airstream is superbly well-designed.  There's storage everywhere, which allows me to keep everything I want in the Airstream.  I even have some empty cabinet space still left.

~ I'm by no means a an organized person.  I'm clean because I hate bugs, but I'm also of the mind-set that if it can be stacked in a corner, that's good for now (I may or may not share some photos of how I kept my work room/study back in my old house, but basically it looked like a borderline hoarder lived there).  It was bad.  But living in the Airstream, with everything in its place and no room for extraneous stuff has really helped me become a neater person.  It also got me to clean on a daily basis because in such a small space, there's really no room for mess.  And cleaning on daily basis is such a cinch in 240 sq ft..

~ I have a daily uniform now, which makes getting dressed in the mornings super easy.  Granted, it's a super boring uniform of an Everlane tee, jeans, and Toms shoes.  But still it's the most comfortable things to wear while working and the most practical too since I'm no longer just sitting at a desk for work.  Some days I find myself on my hands and knees cleaning Airstreams (yep, I'm the unofficial cleaning lady at work; though we do have an official cleaner, she can't always make it.  This week I've cleaned 3 Airstreams so far), or other days work with equipment that leave grease spots on my shirts or jeans.  So a simple uniform is the best and makes managing my closet so much easier now.

~ We experienced the joy of travel in our Airstream just once so far, when we went glamping in a Redwood forest for my birthday.  It's really awesome to be able to pick up your home and just tow it to a different location.  It's not just travel but in a sense, living in a new place.  We're hoping we can do more of this during the fall months when the business isn't so busy.  In the meantime we're at a pretty nice RV Park, which honestly feels like a retirement community.  There's not a lot of people under 60 living here, which can be kind of nice.  Sure there's some grumpy old people, but for the most part everyone is super friendly.  Plus I think most of them are retired and traveling full-time, so they all seem to be enjoying life.  You can't help feeling good in a community of happy people. 

Actually, there's one bad thing about moving to the RV park and it's due to the surrounding fields and farms.  Allergies!!  They're so bad this year that my usual Zyrtec was no longer working.  But thank goodness for nasal allergy spray: it's a miracle worker!  

That's it for now, but once I get everything a little more organized, I can show you what are my necessities for Airstream life!  Till then, more reviews: Everlane's Babo shoes are coming up next!

Everlane Striped Cotton Poplin Shirt Dress and Square Shirt Review

It's been really starting to heat up here in the SF Bay Area lately, especially in San Jose.  So when Everlane debuted their cotton poplin shirt dress I ordered it immediately, even though I had some reservations about the style.  And since I wanted the free shipping, I thought I would try out their poplin square shirt as well (especially since I liked the style of the square shirt in silk--Everlane silk square shirt review here).  I really like the poplin material, which I got to try out when I reviewed Everlane's poplin relaxed shirt, so I was hoping I would like at least one of these items, but unfortunately I didn't.  {By the way I ordered both items in a size 2.  I'm about 5'4" and usually wear a small in most tops.}

So the first thing I thought immediately after putting on the poplin shirt dress was, "Wait, am I wearing a men's nightgown?"

See what I mean?

So then I decided to try it with a belt to make it look a little less night-gowny and I think it helped:

But still I didn't love this look.  I think you have to be a waif to look good in this.  Otherwise it just looks like you're wearing a man's nightie.  But here's my full list of pros and cons:

Pros:

-Like I said before the poplin material is really nice.  It's smooth, feels durable, and of a fairly high quality.

-There's pockets at the hips.  Any dress with pockets wins extra points in my book.

-I like the side slits and the fact that the dress cuts a little higher in the front than in the back.

And the Cons:

-It's a men's nightshirt.

-The cut is generally unflattering but cinching it at your waistline with a belt does help give it some definition.

-I don't like wear it cuts at the legs in the front for me because it cuts right at the widest point of my calves.  It's not really a slimming look.

Here I am trying to style it with my Mansur Gavriel mini lady bag and I'm wearing Everlane's Modern Loafers

Now onto the poplin square shirt, which made me think of the sail of a sailboat (probably because I could catch some serious wind if I just held up my arms).

First the pros:

-I liked the cute mandarin collar on this shirt and prefer it over the pointed collar of the silk square shirt.

-The sleeves help cover up the chicken wings (aka flabby triceps).

-This would be a perfect shirt for buffet dining or if I was pregnant.

But the cons: 

-Since I'm not really a buffet-eater nor am I pregnant, this shirt does not do me any favors.  I probably could have sized up to size 4 to get a little more length in the front so it doesn't look like I have a massive belly.  

-I think for the square shirt style such as this, a silk material that drapes is probably a little more flattering and not so sail-like.

In the end I ended up returning both.  All my other Everlane reviews are here.

Cuyana Crossbody Pouch Review

Lately my blog has become all things Everlane all the time, so I'm working on getting some variety here. Today's review is for Cuyana's Crossbody Pouch in Stone.  If you're looking for a high-quality minimal crossbody without spending a lot of money then this bag might be for you.  This bag reminds me of Celine's trio bag, but of course this is just a single.  I had the Celine trio before and I loved the chic simplicity but at the same time it was hard to swallow the over $1050 price tag.  In the end I sold my trio because the leather was fairly delicate, it didn't suit my needs, and I felt like I could have spent that $1000 more wisely somewhere else.

But anyway, onto the review!  The pros:

- This beautiful bag is made from high quality Italian leather but in the U.S. Yay for supporting local American manufacturing.  And just like Cuyana's mini saddle bag and their Classic Leather Tote, the leather is soft and smells wonderful.  Also the pebbled leather seems a lot more durable than the Celine leather, and is probably less likely to scratch.

- The size of the crossbody is fairly decent, measuring 7"H x 9.25"W x .25"D.  I was able to fit my sunglass pouch, wallet, phone and keys with a little bit of room to spare.

-The strap is adjustable as well as removable.  So you could use it as a pouch within a bag or a clutch, and then convert it to a crossbody when you want a minimal handsfree purse.

-For $110, this beautifully well-made purse is a pretty good price (even a Madewell leather purse, made in China goes for $138).

And then there are the cons:

- That 0.25" depth is kind of a deal breaker for me.  Even if I could over-load it with a lot of things due to the decent height and width, I don't like the look of a bulging purse.  And if you don't put relatively flat things or have a couple bulky items in your purse, then the crossbody starts looking lumpy.  So this bag is definitely for people who just carry the essentials with them (or it would be a great simple going out purse).

- No lining on the inside.  Again, it's not a big deal but I just like to have some kind of lining on the inside.

-The strap ends up being a little too long for me.  If I were to keep the purse, I would just pierce another hole in the strap to shorten it.  (The strap is at the shortest in the pics below, and though the length is alright, I just prefer if the bag hit a little higher up the hips).

In the pictures above I'm wearing Everlane's microstripe u-neck shirt in a small, Paige Verdugo Crop jeans (similar here), and Everlane Modern Loafers.

In the end, I returned the purse since I already have too many going out purses and really don't need another one.  Currently Cuyana is out of their Crossbody Pouches in all colors except mint, but if you sign up for email notification they will email you when they get more in stock.  As usual this post is not sponsored and if you're interested in other products from this brand, check out all my Cuyana reviews here.  

Everlane Spring 2016 Shirts: Slim Crew Shirt, Micro Stripe Tees, and Muscle Tank Review

When I saw Everlane release their Slim Crew Shirt, I was super excited to try them out because I love shirts with longer sleeves (to hide my bat wings/chicken wings, you know that flabby tricep area).  Why workout your triceps when you can just hide them?  I also tried out their muscle tanks, which just confirmed that yes, it is better to hide my unworked triceps.  But first a note on sizing: these shirts are made in the factory in LA, so even though the shirt is called slim, it's nothing like the Pima Stretch Mid-sleeve shirts made in Peru.  So like all the other cotton shirts made in LA (the U-neck, V-neck, box cut), get your usual size.  I usually wear the S, but I was thinking they're going to be more fitted, so I got a size M.  But it turned out the M was a tad too large and I should have stuck with the S.  (And to make a short story long, I loved the shirt in the olive color, but now Everlane won't have them back in stock until May 12th!  And so I won't be getting my order for the small olive slim crew until next month! #firstworldproblems).

Anyway onto the review, the slim crew shirt is my new favorite simple tee.  I like the longer sleeves and the more fitted shape.  But at the same time, it doesn't cling like the pima stretch mid-sleeves (which I have to admit I don't wear because it's too fitted).  The Slim Crew material is supima cotton, which is slightly thicker and feels more durable than the pima cotton from Peru.   I'm wearing a medium in the pics, and it fits fine but it felt a little too big, especially in the shoulder and chest area.  I'll update with pictures of the small when I get it.  Also, the overall length of the shirt is a bit longer than I would like but I can just fold it under (and I'm hoping the small will be a better length).

{5.5.16 update: so I got the slim crew in small in gray today, and it fit much better than the medium.  And the slim crew in the micro stripe was definitely a size smaller than the solid colored ones.  So lesson here is stick with your usual Everlane tee size for the slim crew shirt!}

The Muscle Tank

I got Everlane's muscle tank in a small and it fit well.  The arm holes were a good size, not too large so that you could see my bra when I lifted my arm.  The neck hole was a bit small so I had to squeeze my head through to get it on (or maybe my head is just too big, lol).  Overall it's a good tank top, but muscle tanks in general are not my thing.

The Micro Stripe Tees

So the interesting thing about these tees is that even though they are in the same style as the U-neck and Slim Crew made in LA, the micro stripe tees are actually made in their Vietnam factory.  I got both the gray/white stripe in the U-neck style and the blue/white stripe in the Slim Crew in size small.  The U-neck shirt fit great, even though it felt slightly smaller than the usual U-neck shirts made in LA, but that's fine since the U-neck shirt is an oversized fit to begin with.  But when I tried on the Slim Crew in blue/white micro stripe in a small, it felt super tight.  Unfortunately I can't compare it with a small Slim Crew made in LA to verify if there's a difference in the sizes (not until May 9th that is), but I'll update this info once I get it!  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  

Anyone else try out their new tees?  What do you think?

Everlane GoWeave Crop Trousers Review

Hi guys, today I'll do a quick review of Everlane's GoWeave Crop Trousers, or what I call Regular Trousers for short people.  Just as I did for the Everlane's GoWeave Track Pants review, I ordered a size 4 in the Crop Trousers and they fit (though a bit snug on the hips, it fit in the waist).  I would say that the Crop Trousers are better than the Track Pants but in the end I didn't really love either of them for my body.

So these were supposed to be cropped trousers...

Don't they look like marching band pants on me?  I think it's the pleat in the front, which isn't doing my hips any favors.  

Anyway, as I said for the GoWeave track pants review, the GoWeave fabric is nice.  It feels smooth and also stretches with your body.  However it's slightly thin so you definitely have some visible panty line (especially since I'm wearing Thinx underwear -thinking of doing a review on this too).  These cropped trousers are actually the perfect length for me as regular trousers, but if I wanted them to be cropped I could always easily hem them (unlike the Track Pants that had the zipper at the ankles).  Also the actual waistband on the Crop Trousers are better than the elastic waistband of the Track Pants.  But in the end I returned both the trousers along with the track pants, since both didn't really fit my body or my needs.  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here.  

Anyone else try Everlane's GoWeave pants?  What did you think?

Everlane Relaxed Poplin Shirt Review

Hi guys, just a quick review for you today on the new relaxed poplin shirt!  I got it in the classic blue and white stripes and in a size 4.  Just like their Silk Square Shirt (review here) and GoWeave Track Pants (review here), Everlane is making their poplin shirts in various numeral sizes.  I tried out their Square Silk Shirt in a size 2 and even though it fit, I thought it might have been a tad small for me, so I went one size up with their relaxed poplin shirt.  But I found that size 4 was a bit too big.  So for tops, I think I'm going to stick with size 2 for now.  (For reference, I usually wear a size 4 in all other brands).

First the pros:

-The poplin material feels crisp and structured and seems to be of a pretty high-quality (as far as I can tell, but I'm not really an expert on these kinds of "office" shirts).  The poplin is smooth and doesn't feel thin or flimsy. 

-The front gives enough space for my chest so it doesn't annoyingly pop open at the button when I straighten my shoulders (ok, I just did some internet research and I guess it's called "the gape").  But to be fair, I might not have had the gape on this shirt because it was a bit too large overall. 

And then the cons:

-But again, the shape/style just doesn't work with my body (damn you short legs!).  I found the poplin shirt to be way too long for me (I think even if I sized down, the overall length of the shirt is on the long-side).  It made my short legs look even shorter, and the shirt ended pretty much near the widest point across my thighs.  I could wear it tucked in, but that's not really my style.

-And even though I love the poplin material, it wrinkles super easily and I hate ironing.  So this shirt is a no-go for me.  Especially since I don't work in an office, I don't really see a need for this shirt in my limited wardrobe.

But if you're looking for a high-quality office shirt, I think these are a really great option (especially if you wear your office shirts tucked-in, which is most people I imagine).   As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here.

Also I ordered the Poplin Square Shirt and the Poplin Shirtdress so I'll be sure to add those reviews when I get them!

Did you see Everlane's Sandals? #Wantitnow

Did you see Everlane's email today?  They're going to be coming out with some good-looking sandals!  It's as if they heard me talk about my hideous Adidas slides and decided to help me out!

I definitely want to try out both, though I'm leaning towards the Street Sandals.  They looks like they would be perfect for traveling this summer (not that I'll really be traveling this summer since that's peak Airstream rental times).  That's okay, I can still wear these sandals behind a desk or while delivering an Airstream!

But first up, coming out this week is what Everlane is calling the Babo?  They're convertible loafer-slides.  I'm definitely going to be trying these out so stay tune for a review!

Shop Well: Tips for Shopping at Thrift Shops

A lot of brands that I review, mainly Everlane and Cuyana, are what I consider ethical brands.  They are trying to stop the tide of fast fashion by producing clothes in a responsible manner (mostly in a socially responsible way).  But I just read that ethical shoppers bug most everyone else. Well if topics about ethical shopping aren't your thing then you might want to skip this series I'm calling "Shop Well" since it'll be all about shopping responsibly and not at fast fashion retailers (and most other places).  I started the series by talking about my TOMS obsession, which was the first brand that I loved that produced something for reasons other than the bottom line.  Well today I'm going to mention my second most favorite place to get clothes (other than online): thrift shops!  (cue that song)

Okay so when I say thrift shopping, I don't mean Salvation Army or Goodwill (though don't get me wrong, they sometimes have gems there too and I've been known to shop there once in awhile).  But the problem with regular thrift stores is now they're filled with items from Forever21 or H&M or other fast fashion places, and those clothes just don't hold up too well the first time around and nevermind the second time around.  When I mean thrift shopping I mean at places like Crossroads Trading Co or Buffalo Exchange, where people go to sell back their clothes.  If you're lucky enough to live in a city with these kind of consignment/trading stores, take advantage!  Not only are they a good way to get rid of clothes for cash, but depending on the store, they're filled with great second-hand clothing.  Just take a look at my recent Crossroads haul:

Top picture: Bridge & Burn coat, Madewell peplum top, James Perse tee

Bottom picture (clockwise): Madewell striped button down, Poppy floral top, James Perse long-sleeve, T by Alexander Wang black maxi dress

These 7 items for a grand total of $168!  But the best part is, I traded-in about 7 bags of clothes (back when we bought the business and downsized by moving into our Airstream) and so I paid $0 for all of this and instead got an additional check for $201 (for the remaining balance of the trade-in). I have to let you know that this is pretty uncommon for me, but for the most part whenever I go to Crossroads I never end up paying for anything.  

If you're interested here are some tips about places like Crossroads:

First if you're selling clothes:

-Make sure all your clothes are cleanly washed and folded nicely (kind of a 'no duh' thing but first impressions of your clothes really count).  And for that same reason, only sell clothes that don't have any major stains or holes.  

-Only bring items that are in season.  They're not going to buy your Marc Jacobs coat in the summer, even if it's brand new with tags (also take a look at their selling guide to see what these shops are looking for).

-You can bring some on-trend Forever 21 or H&M stuff there but if that's the bulk of your clothing, you probably won't sell much or for good prices.  And this is why it can pay to buy brand-name clothes even if it doesn't always mean a high-priced brand means better quality.  At least when you sell it, you are more likely to get something back (and this works even better if you buy from places like Nordstrom Rack or Off Fifth since you're not buying it at full price to begin with).

-Not all Crossroads are the same.  If there are several stores within a drivable distance to you I would go and check out each one.  I find that the one that works best for me (for both selling and buying) is one in San Francisco.  So even though it's now an hour drive to get there, if I'm already running errands in the city, I try to squeeze a visit to the Crossroads there to sell/buy some stuff.  I feel like each branch differs due to the taste (and niceness) of the staff.  Also I know this is the Crossroads for me because not only do I sell back a lot of items, but I find some good stuff to buy too.

-When you go up to the counter to sell, if its your first time, go ahead and standby and ask questions.  But I find that if you do some small talk in the beginning and then go off to shop within the store (effectively leaving the store buyer to do their thing on their own), I feel like they're more open to buying more things (maybe they feel less pressure?).  Plus they know that you're wiling to give them business as well, not just there to squeeze some cash out of them.  

-Don't go in expecting items to sell for a certain price.  Just bring all the clothes that you're willing to donate.

-And last but not least, do not feel bummed if they don't buy much.  I've definitely had experiences where I only sold $20 worth.  It just depends on who the buyer is and what you have.

If you're buying clothes from Crossroads:

-#1 thing is to check for stains and smells (yea go ahead and sniff the thing, better safe than sorry).

-Again, I go for brand names most of the time here since I know if I don't wear it, I can always resell it back to Crossroads.

-The return policy isn't that great (I think you might have a week?) so be sure of the items you buy.

-And most Crossroads will hang their nicest items at the top on the walls above the racks, so don't forget to look up and try these items too (my T by Alexander Wang dress was hanging up there).

Does anyone else have tips about shopping at places like Crossroads?  I would love to hear about other people's experiences with thrift shopping!

Everlane GoWeave Track Pants Review

Today I'll be reviewing Everlane's GoWeave Track Pants.  I've reviewed their Street Fleece Track Pants before, and I would say that their GoWeave variety of track pants is very similar in style.  But first a note on sizing.  Everlane is trying to go from S, M, L sizing to actual number sizing and so it can be a bit tricky to find your size in these pants (but luckily the waistband is elastic, so the sizing is somewhat forgiving).  I usually go from a size 4-6 (about 28 in jeans) and since Everlane's clothing runs large for the most part, I went with a size 4 and they fit perfectly in the waist (but the overall fit was another story).

The best thing about these pants is the GoWeave fabric.  It feels stretchy enough but not too stretchy and the fabric felt smooth and lightweight.  

But I did not like the pants themselves and mostly because of the fit.  Just like with the Street Fleece pants, this style is clearly not for pear-shaped me.  First, my legs are a tad too short and so the fabric pools a little at my ankles.  Since there are zipper closures at the bottom hem at the ankles, I'm not sure how easy it would be to hem them to the right length if you're too short.  Also the thick elastic band at the waist isn't doing me any favors either.  The material is thin enough that if the pants are snug around your butt, you will definitely see some panty-lines.  The GoWeave fabric is said to be wrinkle resistant but it's not wrinkle-proof and so there were some weird wrinkles across my thighs from how the pants were packaged (see picture on the left below).  And last but not least, the fabric picks up lint like crazy.

So I think the lesson learned here: Everlane track pants are not for my body-type.  But I am interested in seeing how the GoWeave cropped trousers are.  I ordered both pants at the same time but I guess the cropped trousers are just way more popular (they must have been on backorder and didn't ship until just last week).  Which means it'll be another week or so until I get it, but I'll review those as soon as I get them!  

Everlane Swing Trench Review

Hi guys, it's been over a month since I said I would review Everlane's Swing Trench coat, but it's finally here (this one's for you Esther!).  I originally decided to finally try out the Swing Trench (it's been in Everlane's lineup for quite some time now) when I saw their email campaign about it last month.  I stayed away from it before because I used to have a trench of the same shape and it just wasn't really flattering on me unless I belted it.  And well, this trench felt kinda eh as well.

But first the pros:

-The quality of the material is really nice.  It feels durable and it's a nice thick material (which keeps its structure).  I don't think it's water proof but probably water resistant.  

-I like the details of the flap on the front and there's a hook at the collar in the front too (it's styling and details are similar to a Burberry trench that I have)

But the cons:

-It all comes down to fit for me.  I think if you're taller or have longer legs the proportions might work out.  But since I'm short and a pear shape, the A-line shape of the trench seems to add bulk.  I just didn't like the shape of it (which might be a common thing because I see people reselling their Everlane's swing trench on ebay all the time).

I wasn't in love with it (unlike the Everlane's anorak which I adored) and with my limited closet space in the Airstream (and oh man I should take a picture of it because really it's a capsule wardrobe due to the sheer limitation in size), I don't have space for items I don't love.  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here.

{edit: And I forgot to add, I ordered this in a size small}

Cuyana Mini Saddle Bag Review (and Comparison to Mansur Gavriel Crossbody) {March 2018 Update}

Hi guys, thought I would switch it up a little today by reviewing something other than Everlane or Mansur Gavriel.  The last time I reviewed a Cuyana bag it was their Classic Leather Tote.  That was the first time I tried out a bag from Cuyana and I found their leather and bag quality in general to be pretty awesome.  So I was eager to see what their new saddle bags were like, especially since I've been wearing out my Mansur Gavriel crossbody (review here) with daily use.  

First, a note on the two sizes of the Cuyana saddle bag.  The regular Cuyana saddle bag measures 9.5" H x 10.75" W x 3.5" D; while the mini saddle bag measures 6.5" H x 7" W x 2.5" D.  So the regular saddle bag is 3 inches higher and almost 4 inches wider but only an inch deeper.  I went with the mini version because the regular just looked too wide for a compact crossbody that I would use daily.  But the regular size is just $100 more so I would say it's a really good value (which seems to be evidenced by the fact that the larger sizes are always sold out).

Now onto the review of the bag.  First the pros:

- The leather, as expected from Cuyana, is really awesome.  Soft and buttery, it's what you would expect good Italian leather to feel like.  

- The price on this bag ($195) feels totally reasonable too.  If you look at Everlane's Italian made crossbody, they go for $365 while Mansur Gavriel's saddle bag crossbody goes for $495-$595.

- I love the gold bar detail at the magnetic clasp.  It makes a boring old saddle bag a little more interesting.

But in the end I didn't keep it because:

- It was just way too tiny.  I don't need to carry a lot on a daily basis but the bag could only hold my phone, keys, and wallet (and my wallet is pretty compact as it is).  I couldn't really fit sunglasses with a case in there (and lately I need to carry around sunglasses since there's sunshine all the time in San Jose-- so different from foggy SF).  I think it might feel smaller than it actually is because the opening of the bag is quite small.

- Also the bag is not lined on the inside and I like my bags with cotton lining, but that's just a personal preference.

(And there's those Adidas slides I talked about, the ones that my husband think are hideous, but give me 90's nostalgia, lol.  They're not quite blog-worthy shoes, but hey that's just what I was wearing at the time).  Anyways in these pictures, the mini saddle bag doesn't look that small, but I guess I'm so used to the size of my Mansur Gavriel crossbody so it felt tiny.

For reference the (regular) Mansur Gavriel crossbody is 7"H x 9.25"W x 2.25"D {and Cuyana's mini saddle bag is 6.5" H x 7" W x 2.5" D}.  So Cuyana's version is deeper but the shorter width and small opening at the top make the bag feel smaller.  Also I ended up sticking with the Mansur Gavriel version because it's lined and its larger magnet makes opening and closing the bag really quick and easy.  

Anyway if you're looking for a super high quality leather saddle bag that's reasonably priced and you don't need to carry a lot of things (or conversely if you do need to carry a lot of things, you might want to try the regular size), then I think Cuyana's bags might work for you.  Currently these bags are sold out on Cuyana (all sizes and colors but I've seen them do periodic restocks-without fanfare so make sure you sign up for restock notices if you're interested).  As usual this post is not sponsored and if you're interested in other products from this brand, check out all my Cuyana reviews here.  

{March 2018 Update: So it's been 2 years since this review and things have changed. I loved my MG crossbody bag and wore it consistently for 6 months, after which the leather where the handles attached to the bag got all crumbly and disintegrated.  I cannot stand by MG's calf leather quality and I am not the only one.  Read this eye-opening post here.}

Everlane Anorak Review

Last year, when Everlane released their anorak I remember being asked by an Everlane customer service rep at their Open Studio, what I thought about their rain jacket.  And I remember telling her I loved the look of it but I wasn't about to spend $100 on a rain jacket when California was in their third year of a severe drought with no end in sight.  Fast forward a year and this March has been one rain storm after another (one of which water-damaged my Mansur Gavriel).  Well after finding myself wearing my one waterproof Arcteryx jacket (a great jacket but it's a real sporty/outdoorswoman/NorthFace look) a 6th day in a row, I was ready to buy Everlane's anorak (purchased with credits from all you wonderful supportive people who clicked my referral link, thank you so much!)  As soon as it came in the mail I put the jacket on and then proceeded to wear it for another week and half full of rainy weather.  I even wore it throughout my birthday weekend, glamping in the rain (ok I couldn't help myself, I just wanted to share this awesome shot of our Airstream next to some giant redwood trees).

Anyways back to the anorak.  I got a size small and it fits perfectly.  I love love love this jacket.  I think this might be my favorite Everlane item yet.  This baby is fully waterproof and thin enough that I can layer sweaters underneath without getting hot.  The waistband can be cinched with a drawstring so it doesn't look like a potato sack.  The cut of the hem (sort of like coat tails) is also super stylish but practical since it keeps most of the rain off my legs.  The hood is also cut so that it's not just a plain ole' hood (it somehow stays on my head and hoods never stay on my head).  The front can be closed both by zipper or by snap buttons (if you're in a rush).  And the anorak looks great zipped up or worn openly (for when it's not raining).

There's not a bad thing about this anorak and it's probably the most stylish waterproof jacket I've ever owned.  I'm so fully in love with this jacket that I'm okay if California keeps on raining (plus it would really help our farmers out).  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  

{edit: and more bloggers wearing anoraks here and here)

Everlane Italian Slingback Sandal Review

Hi guys!  So back when I reviewed the Everlane Modern Ankle Boots and the Everlane Street Ankle Boots, one of the reasons why I didn't end up keeping them was because the weather of my new home, San Jose, is much more like sandal weather than boots weather (this week it's about high 60's to low 70's).  So I thought, well why not try out Everlane's sandals then?  These sandals have been on their site since last season so there's not a lot of color options left.  But since black is my favorite color it was a no-brainer to get the black ones.

The sizing on these are typical to Everlane sizing, which is to say size a half-size up (I'm usually a 7.5 but I always go 8 on Everlane shoes, except for the Modern Ankle and Street Ankle Boots-- those are true to size).  Now, I'm not an expert on sandals since all I ever really wear are TOMS (see my post about that here), but having grown up in Hawaii my usual summer footwear of choice is the rubber slipper (or what some of you Mainlanders call flip-flops).  So Everlane's Italian leather slingbacks are definitely an upgrade.  But unfortunately I didn't find them all that comfortable (which is really my number one criteria when it comes to shoes, especially in the summer).

The cons:

-The bottom of the sandals are smooth leather so they're quite slippery, even with the bit of rubber on the heels.  Like Everlane's modern loafers and modern points you could just add non-slip soles like these to the bottom.  So that's an easy fix.

-But the sandals themselves are super flat so there's no arch support of any kind.  For me that becomes a problem because then I can't really walk very long in these types of shoes before my feet start hurting.

-And lastly, the leather on these sandals are super stiff.  So the straps press into your feet and hurt.  But I think these sandals will probably get more comfortable with wear (if you have the patience and pain tolerance for that).

If these 3 things don't bother you, then these sandals are really quite good-looking.  But personally, I have no will to deal with painful but good-looking shoes.  Guess that's why I've been wearing mostly these sandals around the shop these days (I just need some overalls and I'm reliving my 90's adolescence, lol).  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  

Chamberlain's Leather Milk No. 3 on my Brandy Veg-tanned Leather Mansur Gavriel Mini Lady Bag

So it all started with a bit of rain.  There's been multiple storms coming through the Bay Area in the last couple weeks and I just so happened to get caught in one of them with my new brandy Mansur Gavriel mini lady bag.  Eek I know!  And so of course I got a bunch of rain spots all over the brandy leather.  When it dried it wasn't terrible but still noticeable.  So I decided I would get rid of the spots and protect the leather from future rain storms by using Chamberlain's Leather Milk No. 3.  Since my past review of Chamberlain's leather milk and other leather cleaners/conditioners on Mansur Gavriel bags were all on black leather I wasn't sure what to expect.

But I wasn't expecting this:

I know, I did a really terrible job with the even application.  But I didn't quite know how terrible it was until I took these pictures.  I freaked out a bit but decided to wait and see how the conditioner dried before doing anything drastic.

And whew!  It dried evenly.  You can't see the conditioner despite my poor application job:

But three things I've learned from using this leather conditioner on my brandy bag:

1) It will darken the natural color of the bag.  In the picture above you can see the original color on the drawstring.  The leather milk deepend the brandy color.

2) The conditioner also changes the feel of the leather.  Before it was a much drier, stiffer leather.  Now it's definitely a little more malleable and I hope this will help prevent more superficial scratches in the future.

3) The leather conditioner will also bring out pre-existing scratches more since the scratched leather doesn't seem to absorb the conditioner like the leather area around it.

Now that I know what I know would I have conditioned this bag like I did?  Probably because at least you can't see the rain spots anymore and I don't mind the slightly darker color.  Plus I know my bag is probably more protected in future storms!

{edit:  So I just read Chamberlain's Leather Milk FAQ page--which is a great resource about their products and leather cleaning in general--and have determined I way over-conditioned it and (obviously) did not apply even layers.  If you're planning on buying their products, definitely go to their site for more info.}

Everlane Square Silk Shirt Review

Hi guys!  So today I'll be reviewing Everlane's square silk shirt.  You know from my last reviews of Everlane silk shirts here and here, and my general comparison review of Everlane, Equipment and Cuyana silk shirts, that I'm a fan of Everlane's silk tops.  And I think their newest square silk shirt is their best silk shirt so far because I really love how fresh the shape is.  First a word on sizing since Everlane just changed it up by going from S/M/L to actual number sizing (and just when I was beginning to think I figured out how their sizing worked).  Anyway I'm usually a size S for Everlane but a size 4 on top for other brands.  And since this is an oversized shirt but I don't like my tops to be too baggy, I took an educated guess and went with a size 2.  And to me, I thought this size worked out pretty well (for the white/grey I might size up to a 4 because of the sheerness but for the darker colors I think I would stick with a 2).

I got the square silk in the white/grey combo because I thought it would look great for the upcoming spring weather.  I think the sleeves are a great length and the overall cut of the shirt is super flattering (even when tucked in).  

Also I liked that the white/grey shirt had the different bands of silk so it helped break up the blockiness (which isn't as noticeable on the black and navy--sorry not even considering pink, its not really my color)

But in the end I didn't quite love it because it really was quite sheer  (but if you want that black bra, cool silk top combo this is definitely your shirt). If I were to rebuy this silk square shirt again I would go with the navy.  But actually I'm rethinking my whole silk shirt strategy as it is, since dry cleaning is no longer an expense I want to pay (both in dollars and in the environmental sense), nor am I a person to really spend my time hand-washing items regularly, no matter how great it looks or wears.  Sooo lately all I've been wearing are cotton shirts, sweaters and jeans to work (one of the perks of working for yourself).  It's like my college wardrobe all over again except this time I'm wearing Everlane cotton shirts (just bought another U-neck shirt in heather grey the other day) and Everlane cashmere sweaters, so totally an upgrade.

Shop Well: Responsible Fashion brand TOMS

I know, that's A LOT of TOMS shoes.  What can I say, I'm a huge fan of comfortable shoes!  I took this picture as I was clearing out my closets preparing for our move into the Airstream.  And I've bought a lot of TOMS over the years (this isn't even all that I've ever owned since I've sold off some during the years-- new ones to eBay and old ones to Crossroads Trading Co, a thrift/trade-in store).

 I guess I'm bringing this up now, not just because I have a great picture (though of course that's partly it), but mostly because I've realized that TOMS made me change how I viewed shopping (gradually, not all at once).  TOMS was the first brand that I encountered that practiced responsible/ethical fashion (if you're not familiar, TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for ever pair purchased).  Before, when I shopped for clothes or accessories, I only really thought of me, me, me (what do I want?  how does it look on me?  can I afford it?).  And of course these are still factors in all my purchasing decisions, but now I've started thinking, "If my dollars are a vote of support, what kind of company do I want to buy from?".  

And this led me down the path to brands like Everlane and Mansur Gavriel, where we know something about their production process and their company beliefs.  Of course if I don't like their products, I don't care how ethical or sustainable you are, I probably won't buy.  But if I can choose to buy a t-shirt responsibly, where I know the people who are producing it are treated well or it's made sustainably, then why wouldn't I choose the company that cares about other people and the environment and not just their bottom line?

Mansur Gavriel Mini Lady Bag Review {Updated December 2020}

This is it guys, this is IT!  And by IT I mean this is Mansur Gavriel's IT-bag, or at least the IT-Lady Bag.  And I should know because I'm the Goldilocks of Mansur Gavriel Lady Bags.  First I tried the regular lady bag in calf-skin (review here), then the large lady bag in veg-tanned leather (review here), and finally the regular lady bag in veg-tanned leather (review here).  Today I have the mini lady bag in brandy veg-tanned leather (avion blue interior) and it's my favorite by far.

Mini Lady Bag vs. Regular Lady Bag

The above pictures show the the size difference between the regular and mini lady bags.  The mini lady bag measures: 9"H x 10.5"L x 3.5" depth while the regular lady bag measures 11"H x 12.5"L x 4.5" depth.  So it's about 2 inches shorter both in height in length but only 1 inch less deep.  So it can't hold a 13" laptop but it can hold a full-size ipad with case.  The mini lady bag works best as a day to day bag to hold all your essentials but might be too small to be a work bag.

Inside my bag in the top pic: My old Ipad in a Dodo case (I love these cases, even though they can make the ipad a bit heavy to carry), makeup case, wallet, phone, and sunglass case.  So not a whole lot of stuff but all the essentials and then some.

Another difference between the mini and the regular lady bag is the drop of the top handle.  The mini lady bag has a 5" drop while the regular has a 7" so that means for the mini lady bag, I can't get the strap around my arm if I wanted to carry it tucked under my armpit (which I sometimes did with the regular lady bag).  But I think the 5" handle drop is a good proportion for the mini. 

Strap out or tucked in?

Also the drawstring closure on the mini is a lot stiffer than the closure on my regular bag.  So the drawstring stays cinched and secure (but to be fair it might be because I've overloaded the regular lady bag in the past and it might have worn out the closure).  But this helps my mini bag to stay closed and secure, which wasn't always the case with the regular lady bag (thus my need to carry it under my armpit, especially in crowds).

Anyways I can tell this is going to be my favorite bag in the next few months!  If you want to get your own mini lady bag nab one at the Mansur Gavriel restock this month [edit: it's going to be on March 29th]!  And in the meantime here are my other Mansur Gavriel reviews!

P.S and this is for reader Svy showing a 13" macbook and the mini lady bag:

{March 2019 Update: They also have had a Mini Mini Lady bag out for a bit now. I can see that size being the best for going out and/or carrying just the essentials. Also since MG has been around for awhile now, you can score some really great deals on secondhand mini lady bags. Check out my favorite consignment sites Fashionphile (their selection of mini and mini mini lady bags) and TheRealReal (their selection of mini and mini mini lady bags).}

{December 2020 Update: I purchased and reviewed the Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Lady Bag. Check out the post for a size comparison of the Lady Bag, Mini LB, and the Mini Mini LB}

Everlane Modern Ankle Boot and Street Ankle Boot Review

Hi everyone, so today I'll be reviewing Everlane's Modern Ankle Boot and Street Ankle Boot.  If you've read my Everlane Chelsea Boot Review, you know that my biggest gripe about the shoes were that they were cut so high up the leg that it made my short legs look even stubbier.  Well it's as if Everlane heard and came out with two ankle boots just for us short-legged girls!  And both of these ankle boots are a billion times better than the Chelsea boots for so many reasons (which I will enumerate in this post).  But first a note on sizing (which is always a bit tricky with Everlane shoes).  So they say to go a half-size down on their website since these run big, but I've always found their shoes to run a half-size smaller than my usual shoe size (and this is especially true if you have wide-ish feet like I do).  So I just ordered my true size and they fit perfectly!  So I ordered a 7.5 for both the Modern Ankle Boot and the Street Ankle Boot (while I ordered 8 for all other Everlane shoes) and with socks, these boots were super comfortable.  I would even venture to say that these are the most comfortable Everlane shoes I've tried yet.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

First, my favorite of the two is the Modern Ankle Boot.  I love love love this shoe.  It is everything an ankle boot should be!  Clean, simple, and easy to wear.  I loved that they crafted this shoe so that you can't see any zippers or elastic.  You only see the leather since the elastic is hidden between the front and back leather pieces.  This does make getting the shoe off and on a bit difficult but well worth it for the streamlined look.  These boots also came with a simple gray canvas shoe bag, something that the Street Ankle Boots did not have.  These boots look way more expensive than their $195 price tag and this is a classic ankle boot that you can probably wear for years and years.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

As for Everlane's Street Ankle Boot, these boots were also super comfortable and the only reason why this wasn't my favorite was because of my personal style preference.  I tend to like more classic looks than trendier street style looks (but my husband thought these boots were the better looking of the two).  These boots definitely look fresher and more interesting than the Modern Ankle Boots, and were also easier to get on and off due to the wide elastic band near the heel and the pull tab at the back.  The style of these boots looked a lot like the Chelsea Boots but since they are cut at the ankle, the Street Ankle Boots are a lot more flattering (and are a better price at $175).

I love both these boots (well the Modern Ankle Boot more than the Street Ankle Boot), but in all transparency I ended up returning both because I already have a rag & bone pair of black ankle boots (and I don't really need more boots right now due to my downsizing efforts).  But after reviewing these boots, I'm really tempted to buy the Modern Ankle Boots again (they look so good!).  But we'll see since I also moved down to San Jose, for the Elite RV Vacations business, and the climate there is so mild and sunny (more like sandal weather than boots weather).  But if you're in the market to buy a pair of black ankle boots I don't think you can beat the quality for the price of these Everlane boots!  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  

A little Everlane and Mansur Gavriel update and more reviews coming soon!

Hi guys, I just wanted to 1) share these images from Everlane that I saw in my email.  I just really loved the styling in these photos and it's making me consider trying out one of their trenches.  Have any of you purchased one of their trenches?  What do you think?  I would love to know!  Also 2) just a quick update on some reviews that I'm working on!  I'm currently trying to finish up a review on Everlane's modern ankle boot and the street ankle boot (spoiler: they're both pretty awesome) and I just ordered the square silk shirt in white/grey so we'll see how that goes.  And for those still interested in Mansur Gavriel bags, I ordered the mini lady bag so that should be coming soon (yay an early birthday present for myself!).

All images via Everlane

Everlane Street Fleece Bomber and Pants Review

If you've been wondering what's been taking me so long to write this review (since I promised it almost a month ago in this Everlane review) well we finally moved out of our house and into our Airstream!  It's been a month of constant change and feeling a little homeless (well without a home base I should say).  But I look forward to things settling down again and being able to write about interesting things other than Everlane reviews (though I know that's what people really want to read about).

So without further ado, onto the review!  First the Everlane Street Fleece Bomber.  I ordered it in a size small and it was a great fit.  The fleece material is lightweight and comfortable and it's a great jacket for the spring.  I really like the simple bomber style but in the end I didn't keep it because 1) we're moving and this would be another piece of clothing to move and 2) I have so many great lightweight jackets already.  But now that things are settling down, I might just rebuy this jacket since it really is a great jacket.

As for the Street Fleece pants, I was a little less in love with these.  So these were the first pants I ever ordered from Everlane, so I ordered both a small and medium.  As you can see, I tend to be bigger in the hips and thighs (a classic pear-shaped gal), so I'm always very picky about my pants.  It's a bit more difficult to find pants that fit in both the thighs and the waist, but since this is a sweatpants I figured the stretchiness would work in my favor.  Well the medium size fit comfortably at the thighs but the waist was too big.  The small size (which is what you see in the pictures) fit at the waist but was a bit snug around the hips and thighs.

I think the biggest negative for me about the pants was the comfort level.  I guess when I think of sweatpants I think of lounging all day in front of the TV kind of pants, but these pants weren't that comfortable and not something I want to lounge in all day.  First, the waist band is not that comfortable because it's a thick band of elastic (sorry I forgot to take a pic but you can kind of see it in the Everlane pics on their site), not a drawstring type of waist.  The elastic band is scratchy and a bit unflattering (you definitely want to wear a top that'll cover the waistband).  And second, the overall fit of the small for me (and my thick legs) was too snug and also a bit uncomfortable.  And third, these pants (along with the bomber) picked up dog hair better than a lint roller (and since I live with 2 very furry fur-babies I had a heck of a time just trying to keep the fur off the clothing as I was trying it on).  However, I did like how the pants came with a zip bottom so it's easy to take the pants off.

So my final verdict?  The bomber was alright and that pants weren't great.  As usual, reviews are done on items I've purchased for myself and are not sponsored.  Check out my other Everlane reviews here and Everlane's items (referral link).  And I'll be doing a review on Everlane's Modern Ankle Boot and Street Ankle Boot next!