My Resolutions for 2018

First of all 

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So even though I usually fail my resolutions and rarely succeed 100%, I like to make resolutions every year as a way of continuing to improve myself (or to at least try).  Last year I only shared my shopping/clothes related resolution with you guys since this is a style/clothing focused blog.  But I've come to realize that I might as well share all my resolutions with you guys in order to try to keep myself accountable and in case there are others trying to make similar changes in their life (like exercise and/or diet).  So here are all my resolutions for 2018:

1) Continue my YES workout regimen

So this was something I started in 2017 and want to continue doing in 2018.  YES stands for Yoga, Elliptical and Swimming.  Ever since my skiing accident in late January last year, I've had to do low impact workouts because frankly my knees just can't take it.  I find a combo of these 3 types of workouts keep me fit but also keeps my head clear too, especially in times of stress.  I try to workout 3-4 times a week and do at least one of each per week (though to be honest, when busy season rolls around it becomes more like an EYE workout regimen, lol).

2) Stop binge drinking

Ok so I'm not an alcoholic here (or at least I don't think I am and this resolution is going to prove/disprove that).  But I got a pretty bad concussion while out drinking with my sister in law in November, and was informed by my doctor that binge drinking is drinking more than 3 alcoholic drinks every 2 hours and drinking more than 7 per week (for women).  I'm definitely a heavy social drinker and I've come to realize that even though I don't drink as much as I used to, I still qualify as a binge drinker.  So this year I'm making an effort to give my liver a break.

3) Shop ethically as much as possible

That means trying to make do with what I already have, borrow if I don't have it, or buy it second-hand. I'll still probably be doing Everlane reviews (since that's what I love), but I will also explore other brands/makers who produce clothing and accessories ethically/transparently/consciously.  This also means a ban on fast fashion.  But who needs fast fashion when there are so many exciting indie designers making things responsibly (ahem Elizabeth Suzann and Only Child).

4) Consume consciously/ Begin my zero waste makeover

So I've started going down the zero waste path by cutting my plastic bag usage and buying these washable sponges and bamboo facial rounds (review coming soon).  But I definitely need to do more when it comes to this department.  I'm also planting a garden (and compost) to reduce my reliance on bagged greens, which I eat daily for breakfast.  For 2018 I'm going to look for other ways to reduce my waste and dependency on plastics, and I'll blog about my adventures/discoveries along the way.  Also if you're a zero waste practitioner, I would love to hear your tips and most useful zero waste advice!

Alright resolutions set!  What are some of your resolutions for the new year?

My 2017 Resolutions Recap

Failure.  That is the theme for my 2017 shopping ban resolution.  Complete and utter failure.  It was supposed to be nothing new except for items that I could get on credit in order to continue my reviews.  But it was impossible to continue to get new items from Everlane and Grana, and not to want to buy other things.  So I let myself slide to buy anything secondhand and justified it as "I'm still shopping ethically" though I went a little nuts and purchased several used bags from Fashionphile (though I also sold several bags to make it an equal 'trade').  And even though it's still shopping ethically, I lost sight of the fact that it was a shopping ban period.  And then in October, I went and shopped at COS (a big sister store to H&M) and that broke all the rules.  I was on track at being able to at least say in this post, "I didn't shop any fast fashion this year" but not anymore.

So what can I say?  Well at least I never purchased anything from Zara, Madewell, J.Crew, H&M, Uniqlo and Nordstrom Rack this year.  In the past they have been my go-to stores, and even when I started this blog reviewing Everlane, I still shopped at these fast-fashion purveyors.  So at least I can say that.  I may have failed to be anti-consumerist and minimalist, but I guess for the most part (except for COS) it was an ethical second-hand only shopping year.  Baby steps right?

Also I succeeded for the most part in some of my other resolutions that I never listed out here (like exercising) so you know all is not lost.  I have a better feeling about 2018 in general and I'll be talking about my new resolutions soon.  But excuse me while I finally purchase the Elizabeth Suzann clothing (Clyde pants and the Clyde Jacket) and Sevilla Smith shoes (well maybe) I've been eyeing all year!

Away Luggage Review - The Bigger Carry-On Suitcase {Updated February 2021}

Taken by a friend and my attempt at a blogger shot. Remind me never to do shots that angle from the bottom up because hellloooo double chin >.<

One of my friends calls this the basic blogger suitcase and he's right.  Every large blogger/Instagrammer I know has gotten one of these things for free.  Unfortunately I'm a small-beans blogger so I had to buy my own.  But on the bright side, I then get to say whatever I want about this suitcase without any pressure.  So here goes my unsponsored and hopefully unbiased review of Away's Bigger Carry-On suitcase. 

So I purchased this suitcase because my dog Hachi, one day out of the blue decided to pee on my Samsonite soft body suitcase (like this one), and I could not get the pee smell out.  It was time to buy a replacement.  And since I've never owned a hard case suitcase before, and because everyone and their mother seemed to have an Away, I got it in my head to try it out.  And I have to say I'm not disappointed.

Inside there is a zippered compartment, which is meant for bulky items, while the other side with straps over a mesh pocket is meant for clothing.  I really like the compartments and the zippered compartment, which you can see holds my hotel slippers that I carry with me every time I travel.  The top right zippered pocket holds the included laundry bag (love!).

On the outside, there's a place to secure your zipper up top and the two usb charging ports are located underneath the handle.  This is definitely the best feature of the luggage.  It was nice to be able to add some extra juice to my phone while I was waiting at the gate.  The battery came pre-charged but it comes with the necessary charging cords (though you still have to provide your own usb phone charging cords).  And some of you may have heard but airlines will start banning suitcases with batteries like these that aren't removable.  Luckily, the battery in Away suitcases are removable and they provide you with the screwdriver necessary to remove it {update: I was just informed in the comments below that all Away suitcases purchased from November 2017 on have a pop out battery so battery removal is even easier.  Dang I wish I had waited for that!}.  And since it is removable, the Away carry-on will still be allowed as a carry-on (but you will probably have to remove it from checked baggage).  So just make sure you carry that screwdriver with you at all times, just in case (I leave it in the mesh pocket with the charging cord and my hotel slippers)!

I also loved that the suitcase was pretty lightweight and the wheels roll super smoothly.  They also have a lifetime warranty on the hard shell, the zippers, wheels and telescoping handles.

But here are the things I didn't like:

- When you have the suitcase on its side (like in the pic above, see especially the right corner side), the heavy compartments compress the zipper area making it hard to unzip.  It's slightly easier to start unzipping while it's still standing on its wheels, and then tilt it down to unzip the rest.  I'm not sure if other hard top suitcases are like this?  Also the black plastic-y leather material surrounding the zipper feels cheap and I'm not sure how well it's going to hold up with heavy usage.

- The telescoping handles are on the thin side and so it's not as sturdy as say the handles on a Rimowa suitcase (luckily my friend had a Rimowa on this trip and so I got to do a side by side comparison of the two).  But when rolling the two, there's not a huge difference (and I definitely wouldn't pay an extra $400 for the Rimowa now having tried both).

So having tried out the Away Bigger Carry-On, would I buy it again?  Yep I would.  I love the charging capability and the really smooth wheels.  And for $245, it's about the same price as a Samsonite but less than a Tumi or Rimowa.  The big test, of course is how it will stand up to traveling and heavy usage.  Well I'll be taking several trips in December and January so I'll update this post after all my travels and let you know how the Away fared!  In the mean time if you'd like to try it yourself, Away has a 100 day return policy and you can get $20 off your purchase (of $125+) with this referral link (thank you for your support!).

{May Update: So after taking it to Hawaii and back, along with a 10 day trip to Europe I can say this Away luggage has held up excellently.  The trip to London, Paris, Amsterdam were a good test of the luggage since I had to wheel it around multiple train stations and airports.  The handles, wheels and zippers are all still holding up.  Would I buy it again?  The answer is still yes!  Also in the comments below someone asked me if the Bigger Carry-on is allowed as a carry-on in Europe and the answer is yes you can get through security with it but if the plane is full, the airline might make you check it in.  I traveled mostly by train so it was great and our last flight from AMS to Heathrow wasn't full so I could put it in the bin sideways.  If you're going to be traveling a lot in Europe I think the Carry-On is a better size.  But we all have different experiences and here's another blogger's review of the Bigger Carry-On vs. the Carry-on and her experience in Europe}

{September Update: So I took this old Away suitcase to the shop to get the battery changed out to the ejectable one, and the ejectable battery system is genius! It’s so easy to remove your battery now, which is also great if you just want a lighter suitcase. I really think Away has made a great carry-on suitcase and I liked it so much I got a second one for the hubby!}

{September 2019 update: When I needed to get a large suitcase for my 1 month trip to Hawaii, I purchased the large Away luggage and I love it. I’ll let you know how it holds up since this one will always get checked-in and we’ll see how it handles all the abuse!}

{February 2021: As you can imagine, I haven’t taken a lot of trips lately but I do have to say the large Away suitcase has held up really well. I stuffed both my bigger carry-on and the large suitcase to the brim for our 4 month stay in Hawaii with family and had no problems. Both were easy to wheel even when overstuffed and the zippers held up fine. You can see below the two Away suitcases along with all the other rag tag luggage we brought to Hawaii (we basically used every single one we had to move for this brief time). Also you can see I’ve got a second Bigger Carry-on in Black (this one already came with ejectable battery). I gave my older gray one to a friend.

Merry Christmas!

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from our family to yours!

This reindeer is pooped!

Lowest Cost Per Wear Everlane {Updated Jan 2018}

I've been reviewing Everlane for some time now (almost 3 years!) and have thus accumulated a lot of Everlane items.  These are my Everlane items with the lowest cost per wear (basically the stuff I wear the most).  Oh and I was going to try to calculate the cost per wear on every item but it got to be complicated, especially for the seasonal items.  So this post will be sans the actual numbers.  Without further ado (in order from oldest to newest items):

1) The Modern Point

These are by far my oldest Everlane shoes (I got them 25 months ago) and they're still going strong!  They have gotten better with age, with the soft leather now molded perfectly around my foot.  My modern loafers are long gone, but these are my go-to pair of pointed flats.  You can find the review for these here.

2) The Anorak (no longer sold)

So I purchased this 20 months ago and it has been my go-to every time it rains.  Unfortunately, Everlane has changed their anorak so that they no longer sell this one but instead offer the City Anorak.  I reviewed that anorak and compared it to the original in this post here.

3) The Ribbed Wool Cashmere Crew

This has been my everyday sweater for the last year during the winter and spring seasons.  I love the vertical stripes, which help make me look a tad longer and the thick wool-cashmere blended knit.  I'm not exactly sure why I reach for this sweater more than my Everlane cashmere sweaters, but I do think that the wool blend makes this sweater less warm than the 100% cashmere ones (which I prefer for the California winters).  Also I think the 100% cashmere sweaters are tad more fragile and pill easier than this wool blended one.  Everlane is still selling this sweater (though in limited sizes), and they also came out with some new ones in the wool-cashmere blend like this (crazy high) turtle neck one and this cardigan (which I kinda love).  I recently got the waffled wool cashmere sweater and will review that soon (spoiler: I'm on the fence about it).  You can read my original review of this sweater here.

4) The Dipped Zip Tote (The Twill Zip Tote)

Everlane no longer has the one I use (the black on black) but they do have the gray twill with black or navy dipped bottoms.  I've been using this almost daily as my work bag (except for the short time I used the canvas backpack as a work bag in the summer) and I love it!  The dipped bottom makes a huge difference in keeping the shape of the bag and I recommend only buying the dipped versions (I tried the regular pocket twill tote and whenever I put anything in it, the bottom would sag out thus changing the shape of the bag).  My only gripe with this bag is that it picks up dog hair like crazy and you can see it on the black canvas.  If I were to purchase this again I would definitely go with the gray twill versions so you can't see the hair as much.  For my original review of this tote, go here.

5) The Day Heel

These heels have been my go-to pair of heels ever since I got them, and you can tell since they pop up on my blog allll the time.  I love the soft leather and the block heel.  Recently, though, I wore them for a 4+ hour shopping trip (with constant walking) and they did give me a blister on my pinky toe of one foot (so the toe box needed some breaking in for me) and there was some rubbing on the heels (but no actual blister formed).  But I still love these shoes and now I know just not to wear them when I know I'll be walking miles.  I did stand around in them for 4+ hours once and it was fine.  Read my original review of these heels here.

6) Not pictured: The Street Sandals

Well these sandals are not pictured since I ended up having to throw them away this year after constant wear for about 2 years.  I seriously loved them to death.  They are the most comfy pair of shoes I've ever owned and wore them everywhere.  For the second year of wear, I cut off the elastic backing since it was getting super dirty, and I actually really loved the look without them.  I already have a back-up pair ready to go as soon as the summer months roll around.  You can find my review of these shoes here.

7) Not pictured: Waffle Knit Cashmere Square Crew

Since this is my newest favorite edition I can't exactly say it has low cost per wear yet.  But it's definitely my favorite of the season and I've been wearing it at least 2-3 times per week.  My review of it is here.

{Jan 2018 Update: so I re-purchased the street sandals (#6) above when Everlane had their "Choose what you pay" sale and don't remember the leather being so stiff.  If you're finding that the leather is too stiff I would recommend softening it with a little Chamberlain's Leather Milk No. 1 or no. 6 (reviewed here).  Not only will it protect your leather sandals a bit more in the rain but I suspect the leather has dried out since these sandals were first released, thus making it stiffer.  Also until the leather is stretched out I would recommend putting these strips on the places where the sandal rubs (for me it's on the top of my foot where the larger strap meets the foot).}

Everlane Review The Editor Heel

Hi guys, and another Everlane review for you today!  When it comes to Everlane shoes, I pretty much try everything they come out with (except for their boots since I have my trusty 'ole black rag & bone pair).  But I'm always down to try a good pair of kitten heels, so I couldn't wait to try Everlane's Editor Heel.  I first saw them over at Mademoiselle, who featured them before their official release and they looked so good on her!

I ordered them in my usual Everlane size of 8 (I'm usually between a 7.5 and 8 but size up to 8 for Everlane because I find their shoes to be on the narrow side).  And for once, the size 8 was too large.  You can tell in the pictures below that I have quite a gap at the back between my heel and the shoe.  Because of that I can't give an accurate description of how the shoes fit in general (like I'm not sure if I had gotten the right size whether or not the heel would pinch).  Also the width felt generous, but again the shoe was too large.  So I would say make sure you stick with your normal size on these shoes (or go down half a size from your usual Everlane size).

I did notice that the shoes are slightly lighter in color than in Everlane's pictures on the website.  I prefer the lighter color since it makes it more of a nude on me. I also really liked the squarish toe box but pointy toe.  Their shape is super flattering!

In the end, though, I returned these shoes and decided against ordering another pair in a smaller size.  Since I already have a favorite pair of kitten heels (these Valentino rock studs) and a heel I would wear for more casual occasions (Everlane's Day Heels), I figured I didn't need another pair of heels.  

Grana Review Cashmere Boyfriend Cropped Crew Neck Sweater

One of my first cashmere purchases from Everlane was their cropped cashmere crew neck sweater (reviewed here), which I love and still wear regularly today.  Since then I've tried a ton of cashmere items from both Everlane and Grana, but I always go back to my cropped cashmere sweater.  The last two winter seasons, Everlane has come out with cropped cashmere sweaters but it wasn't with the crew neck (there's the mockneck version and this year's v-neck version).  But I've come to realize that the plain 'ole crew neck is what works best for me.  So I was eager to try Grana's cashmere crop neck sweater released this year.  

As I've said in the past, Grana's and Everlane's cashmere is pretty much the same excellent quality (soft and lightweight) and in a blind touch test, I can't tell the two apart.  So really it comes down to a difference in the styles of sweaters offered.  I wasn't a fan of Grana's regular cashmere styles last year (except for their cashmere long cardigan), but this year this cropped crew neck is my new favorite.

{Wearing: Grana cropped crew neck sweater, COS pants, Celine Seau Sangle Bag (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heels}

I'm wearing a small here (my usual Grana and Everlane size) and it fits perfectly.  I really like how the front is a bit shorter than the back so it looks more cropped from the front (Everlane's crop sweater was also styled this way).  This sweater probably works best with high-waisted pants since it is quite cropped.

So if you missed out on Everlane's crew neck crop sweater from 2015, then I would highly recommend this version from Grana.  It's pretty much the same sweater.

As usual this review is not sponsored but made possible by all those who purchase through my referral link here (and you get 10% off your first purchase through the link).  And you can find all my other Grana reviews here.

Also I wanted to let you guys know that for 2018 I'm planning to stop doing Grana reviews because I've decided to focus more of my time on styling what I already own and starting a journey towards a zero waste lifestyle.  Also with the quality of Grana items decreasing (single layer silk, expensive cashmere sweaters that don't hold up (unlike this one), a change in their pima cotton tees) I'm less motivated to try things from them.  So I think I will end my Grana reviews for now on this high note!

P.S. I found this great comparison post of current Grana and Everlane cashmere by Ashley here. 

M.Gemi Promo Giveaway Winners!

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Thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to Sandy, Irene, Lori, Janet, Virginia, Suegene, Page, Rachel, Elizabeth, Alex, Unnati, Surekha, Sooji, Vickie and Ashley (there were more than 15 so a random drawing was done).  You have all been emailed your $50 promo codes!

My tips on better skin for the acne prone

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I don't really talk about this on the blog very much though I have mentioned it from time to time, but I grew up with acne.  I had full on, zits covering every part of my face from age 10 to my late 20's (almost 2 decades folks!).  I went on Accutane twice in my teens and then Spirnolactone in my late 20's (which I think is the thing that helped finally clear my acne).  Don't get me wrong, I still get pimples (especially those hormonal ones around my chin), but I don't call that acne.  And even though that sucked majorly and did a number on my self-confidence, I'm just grateful it wasn't scarring cystic acne (I only have tiny scars which at my age now just look like enlarged pores) and I'm grateful I had the means to fight it with derm appointments and medication.  It also meant I got pretty good with makeup early on and I really took my skincare seriously from an early age.  Well I'm bringing this all up now because for 6 months out of this year I had zero zits.  I may have had inflamed pores that went down within a night, but no pimples that needed concealer and no heavy foundation.  I thought I was cured!  But nope, with a change in season and a change in my routines, I have zits again.  So what are my personal tips on better skin?

1) Exercise regularly

Sorry I wish I could just say, 'buy this product and all your skin care woes will be gone'.  But of course health comes from the inside and that means exercise.  The key to clearer skin for me is definitely exercise, specifically something like yoga that also helps me meditate.  (I pair that with swimming for the cardiovascular benefits).

2) Lay off the sugar and dairy (and gluten - see the comment below!)

Of course along with exercise, diet is a big deal.  A little bit of the bad stuff is ok but really stay away from these because it can cause inflammation, which in my former public health career I have learned is the root of modern chronic diseases (heart disease, pulmonary dieases, etc.) as well as annoying things like acne and allergies.

3) Take a daily probiotic

Again this is an inflammation issue.  Gut inflammation from all the junk food we eat can cause inflammation so taking care of our gut  with a probiotic really does help.  This is the closest to a magic pill for health that I can think of.  I usually get the ones in the refrigerated section of Sprouts/WholeFoods, but I've also recently tried these LoveBug Probiotics which I love since I don't have to keep it refrigerated.

4) Proper skin care routine

I always always wash my face at night and in the morning.  And if there's one product I swear by it's this Elemis SOS Emergency Cream.  Yes it says emergency but everyday is an emergency when you have zits.  I usually spread a thin layer all over my face and when I wasn't getting zits but slightly inflamed pores,  this would make it go down in the night.  Really I swear.  I discovered it through one of those interviews on into the Gloss and I'm so glad I did!  Other products I use come from a boutique skin care spa in San Francisco that specializes in acne called SkinSalvation (if you have issues with getting clearer skin and you live in the SF Bay Area, go to them!  They are worth it!).  I use their charcoal cleanser, sterilizing tonic, and spf15 lotion (not listed).  I also use their wash cloths to remove makeup.  And during the day I use this Suntegrity 5-in-1 moisturizing sunscreen in light (it's like a BB cream).  I buy most of my products (other than the SkinSalvation ones) from Dermstore and really love their selection and service (if you want $10 off your first purchase of $30 drop a comment below and I can email you a link).  

Like I said right now I'm back to getting zits on my chin and that's because I've completely stopped exercising for 2 months and been eating poorly.  And I can tell on my skin and just my body overall.  I hope to get back to the pool and yoga mat this week.  Anyway I hope this helps anyone with problem skin and just remind yourself it's just a zit and NBD. 

And now I really should be thinking about wrinkle prevention and spot brightening.  Does anyone have any products they swear by for this?

Hermes Lindy 30 Review {Updated May 2018}

So some of you might remember that I purchased a used Hermes Lindy 30 (similar here) from Fashionphile  several months ago or you might have seen it in almost all of my pictures since then.  Well finally here's the review of the bag after heavy use for about 3 months.  And guess what? I love love love this bag.  Contrary to what you might think, it's not because it's from Hermes and it's the most expensive bag in my collection (well retail, not what I paid for).  I really love this bag because it's not only super useful but also so well made!  You would hope so from bag that costs so much, but if my decades-long journey through luxury-bag-land has taught me anything, that's not always the case.  

When I reviewed Loewe's hammock bag I had mentioned I really love Hermes' Lindy bags, and when I finally got my hands on the Lindy I had expected both bags to feel the same in terms of functionality (both are bags with a strap connecting the two handles of the bag).  But the Lindy is above and beyond a much more useful and well-made bag.  It's really all in the details!  Let me count the ways I love this bag:

1) The 30 size is perfect to fit everything I need to carry everyday.  It can fit more if I wanted to, and then the bag would look much more duffle-y and less slouchy.  My usual items include a wallet, coin purse, sunglass case, keys, phone and some reusable bags.  If I wanted to, I could even fit my to-go coffee cup in there (empty of course).

2) The two handles are my preferred way to carry the bag and the rolled handles are comfortable when carrying the bag in the crook of my arm.  But if I want to be hands free, then the strap is the perfect length for slinging over my shoulder.  The Loewe bag also uses the same system but I sometimes find the long strap too long and gets in the way.  Also the Loewe hammock bag doesn't have rolled handles and the handles are too short to carry the bag in the crook of my arm.

3) There are 4 really functional pockets, two inside the bag and two outside.  The two outside ones are the perfect size for my iPhone 7+ and it's deep enough so my phone doesn't fall out ever.  And now I probably spend 30 minutes (cumulatively) less everyday searching for my phone.

4) The Taurillon Clemence leather is super scratch-resistant but also really slouchy and perfect for this kind of bag (if I ever get my hands on another Hermes bag though I would probably go with a different kind of leather that's stiffer than this one, but for this bag it's the right kind of leather).  

5) The closure to the bag is super secure, with the two zippers and a turn lock.  When going into large crowds I know my stuff will be safe.  But on the flip side it's so secure that sometimes it's hard to get get stuff in/out of the bag easily, and that would be the one and only drawback to this purse.  So after some inquiry over at the purseforum, I've learned that most Lindy owners never really secure the zipper ends with the turn lock, and for me personally I just usually leave one of the zippers open for easy access.

As always I only recommend buying bags used  from a reputable source and my go-to is always Fashionphile since they really know their handbags and sell only authentic ones (also they allow returns as long as you don't remove their tags so it's a great way to online shop for preowned luxury items without committing!).  Also since I waited for this to go on sale, I was able to purchase it for half the price of retail.  And when I got it, I could hardly tell it was used.  There's so much life left in this bag!  I can see why Hermes is such a sought after brand: their bags are well-designed and made to last a lifetime.  Anyway sorry if you've been sick of seeing this bag in all my shots, but it is easily my favorite!  

{May 2018 Update, my love for this bag is still going so strong!  I still find the bag super useful and even with daily wear the bad still looks great!  Here are some current Lindy offerings from Fashionphile if you're interested! And here are some recent pictures of me carrying it:}

Everlane Review Lightweight Puffer Jacket

Last week I reviewed Everlane's short puffer jacket (review here), which I loved but at the same time had no practical use for (especially since I already have several puffy winter jackets).  And this week I'm reviewing the other puffer jacket that I ordered, the light weight puffer jacket.

First a note on sizing, I ordered a small here and it fit perfectly.  I would say it runs true to size and would advise sizing up only if you want to layer thick sweaters underneath (but in these pictures I am wearing a tee and Grana's cropped cashmere sweater and everything still fits just fine).

I actually really liked this puffer jacket since it is indeed very lightweight.  The insulation was just the right amount of puffiness and it definitely kept me warm in Tahoe's mid-40-degree weather.  It has zippered pockets that are easy to slip your hands into and the main zipper was alright (though not as heavy duty as the zipper for the short puffer jacket and it was a tad hard to zip up at times).

{Wearing: Everlane lightweight puffer (in small), Frame denim (similar here), Ugg snow boots (similar here)}

This jacket really reminded me of a Northface jacket, just sans branding (which I prefer).  I only wish it did come with a hood since I would normally wear a jacket like this in the rain and a hood would be useful.  

I think this would be a great alternative to a traditional NorthFace jacket if you're in the market for one.  However, I already have a jacket very similar to this one from Arc'teryx (this Atom Hoody jacket) which I bought several years ago and love.  So I'm not in the market for another lightweight puffy jacket, thus I ended up returning this one.  {Quick note about the differences between the Everlane puffer and the Arc'teryx one: Everlane uses a Primaloft filler while Arc'teryx uses Coreloft and from what I can tell the Coreloft is lighter and more compact but is just as warm if not warmer.  But then again the Arc'teryx jacket is over double the price of the Everlane one.}

Anyway like I said, if you're in the market for a new lightweight puffer, this ethical option is a really good one (as long as you don't mind that there's no hood).  But if you already have one, there's no need to go out and buy this one.

As usual this Everlane review is not sponsored and I am only able to do these reviews because of your support-purchases through my referral link (thank you!).  You can find all my unsponsored Everlane reviews here.

M.Gemi $50 promo code giveaway {Closed}

Hi guys!  So thanks to all those who used the link I emailed them to purchase M.Gemi shoes, I received $50 promo codes myself.  Well, since I can't stack the codes and there's no way I'm buying 15 pairs of shoes from M.Gemi, I'm going to give them to you guys.  So if you're interested, just enter your info below and I'll email you the promo code (which by the way you can't combine with any sales).  If more than 15 people enter, I'll do a random drawing.  If less than 15 enter, you all get one!  Giveaway ends Dec 13 and winners will be emailed with their codes on Dec 14.

Everlane Review The Oversized Blazer

Hi guys, so some of you have asked about Everlane's oversized blazer, and I apologize for how long it took me to finally get this review up (it was a combo of Everlane's shipping time + the backlog of other reviews I had on my list).  But luckily it's still available so for those of you who are still interested, you can still snag it online.

So back when I was working a 9-5 job as a clinical study coordinator, I was actually known as the blazer girl.  My concept of 'professional' equated to blazers, so I basically wore one every day of the week.  I had about 10 blazers to rotate from, mostly from Zara with a couple Helmut Lang ones thrown in.  When I quit that job to do this Airstream biz, I got rid of all my blazers except one from Helmut Lang like this one (which you never see me wear because I never wear blazers anymore).  So I was a tad reluctant to even try this blazer since I know I don't wear them anymore.  But since I got several requests, I thought I would give it a shot.

When I first got it, I did a little poll and you guys were divided about it:

(sorry for the blurry pic)

Here's a much better picture of it:

{Wearing: Everlane Oversized Blazer, Grana Pima tee, Grana distressed cropped jeans, Everlane Day Heels, and Saint Laurent Monogramme Sac Universite bag}

Please excuse the hideously oversized jeans I'm wearing, and I know I could have styled these better with skinny or straight legged jeans.  Anyway I actually really liked the blazer.  The blazer is made from a really high quality wool, while the inside polyester lining keeps it from being itchy.  The blazer had a good weight to it and actually feels more expensive than its $150 price tag.  The gray herringbone is very much on-trend for the season.

Now a very important note about sizing.  After discussing the sizing of this blazer with reader Ashley, I knew that the fit was super super oversized.  So I went down 2 sizes from my usual Everlane size (I'm usually a 4 and went down to a 0 here)!  And I think it actually worked out.  It was a smidge snug around the shoulders (I wouldn't be able to layer a sweater underneath this), but I had no problems buttoning it up and the sleeves are the right length.

I think if you're looking for a blazer from an ethical brand, this one is a really good option (just size down one to two sizes).  As for me, my blazer days are over.  One of the perks of working for yourself is you pretty much get to wear what you want.  So I'll be sticking to my tee, jeans, and sweaters and I'll leave the blazers to you professionals.

{Thank you to all first-time Everlane customers who purchase through my referral link here.  It is because of you I am able to review so many Everlane items!}

P.S. I know this isn't Everlane related just yet but I read this really exciting article about Eileen Fisher and their clothing recycling program.  I have yet to buy something from them but I think they might be in my future!

CELINE Seau Sangle Bag Review {Updated May 2021}

So if you guys have been following along on my Insta-stories, you saw a quick unboxing of this bag and a poll asking whether or not it was a keeper (by the way thank you to everyone who takes the second to answer the poll because I really value your opinions!  I was surprised at how many of you guys thumbs-downed the Chanel bag last week and I have to say I think I agree with you guys).  Anyway from what I recall a little over half of you guys said it was a keeper (wish I had taken a screenshot of the poll but I forgot before the 24 hours was up, darn!).  And I was very much on the fence about this bag.  I purchased this bag used from Fashionphile. It's a 2015 version and there was some wear on the strap as well as the exterior of the bag, but you can hardly tell right? 

Here's what I love about the bag:

- the sturdy cloth strap never slipped off my shoulders

- the large and deep external pockets for holding my iPhone 7+ (it never fell out).  Plus by having the pockets on the outside, it was super easy to grab my phone without having to dig through the bag

- and the large capacity of the bucket bag, which allowed me to just keep throwing endless amounts of stuff inside

{Wearing: Grana cropped cashmere sweater, COS pants, Everlane Day Heels, Celine Seau Sangle bag}

Here's what I didn't like about the bag:

- the hook clasp on the bag isn't very secure and so the bag was pretty much always gaping open unless I was wearing it over my shoulder and had my arm keeping it closed.  Also the clasp would undo itself unless the bag was very full (in the pics here I'm just carrying my usual stuff: wallet, phone, keys, and a makeup pouch)

- the bag was sometimes too deep and cavernous, and I would have trouble finding things.  Also I wasn't able to reach in while the bag was still on my shoulder.  Instead I would need to take it off and hold the strap with one hand while I reached down into the bag with the other.  Maybe those with longer arms can reach into the bag while it's still on their shoulder

- the interior of this grained calfskin bag is suede and since it's already several years old, the suede started to come off and onto the stuff inside (mostly clung to my cotton canvas makeup pouch)

In the end I decided to return this Sangle bag even though I still like it.  I'm really on the fence about it, but since I didn't love it from the beginning I'm thinking I won't miss it now that I've returned it.  This would be a great work bag for those who only want to carry one bag (my 13" laptop easily fit in the bag).  But I already have a work bag and I carry a separate personal handbag for my daily needs, so this bucket bag is a bit large for my daily use.

Anyway if you would like to try out this bag (and I mean this exact bag), it's back up at Fashionphile for the time being.  You can find it here.  And currently Fashionphile also has a smooth leather version in a tan color, which I'm tempted to get (especially seeing as how I'm returning the Chanel flap bag).  

Also, when I got this bag I did some research to make sure it was the real deal (I researched online and I went to Barneys and Saks to see the authentic ones in person).  There are fake Celine Sangle bags out there so you do have to be careful.  Authentic Celine Sangle bags have the Celine embossed in gold in the front unless its a smooth leather version with an additional leather strap.  For example, I would doubt the authenticity of this Sangle (no extra strap plus you can't see any of the other markers to verify authenticity).  The interior zipper should have the word Celine on one side, and the inner view of the zipper should have a number imprinted, and on the pocket are the words "Celine, Made in Italy" imprinted on the leather in two rows.  The serial number tag should be a piece of leather and there is only one row of numbers.  The strap clasp should have the words Celine on the hardware, with the two 'e' s facing towards the strap.  Anyway I hope that helps all those looking to purchase a preowned Celine Sangle!

{Update: Ok so I returned the blue one and then saw a light caramel, smooth calfskin version and jumped on that one.  And I'm so glad I ended up returning the navy for this one.  I love the smooth leathered version (I find it much less floppy than the grained leather one) and the inside suede material isn't falling apart like the other one was (though it might be because this light caramel version is a year newer than the navy one).  The smooth leather version, however, is definitely more delicate and shows scratches easily.  But since it already came scratched and I mean to use this bag as a daily bag, I don't mind the scratches as much.  Also this came with the thick leather strap as well, but I prefer the cloth one since it stays on my shoulder better.  Anyway here are some pictures of my light caramel Celine Seau Sangle:

P.S. Here are the current offering of Celine Sangles from Fashionphile if you're interested!

Also here are all my other Celine bag reviews!

{May 2021 Update: Hi guys so just wanted to let you know that I’ve sold this bag and wasn’t missing it at all until just recently. I had no regrets selling it because it is such a heavy bag (it’s double lined in leather) and it’s best suited for a driving-all-the-time lifestyle. Also the non-adjustable shoulder strap was a pain because it was never quite the right length for me to be able to stick my arm in for a quick grab. And finally I kept “losing” my phone in one of the four outer pockets so I was constantly reaching into every pocket to find it. But in the end it was the weight that was the deal breaker. Well since then, I’ve purchased the Valextra bucket bag and it’s the perfect replacement for the Celine Sangle (the Valextra is lighter in weight yet still holds its shape better than the pebbled leather version of the Sangle). Anyway you can read my review of the Valextra Bucket Bag here.}

Everlane Review Short Puffer Jacket

Hi y'all and how's this for a backdrop for my Everlane review photos?  This was taken on our last trip to South Lake Tahoe, which I thought would be a perfect place to try on the two puffers I purchased from Everlane, and yep both kept me cozy despite the wintery temperatures.  

So when I first got this Short Puffer Jacket and polled you guys on Instagram, most of you guys gave it a thumbs down.  And I can see why.  It's quite an oversized square fit that just makes me look pretty wide on top.  I'm wearing a small here (my usual Everlane size) but I think I could have gotten away with an XS.  However because it's a bit large I can comfortably fit a sweater underneath should I need it.  In these pictures I'm wearing Grana's cropped cashmere sweater.

I actually really love this short puffer.  The material is waterproof but not shiny and slippery (it's quite matte).  The Primaloft filling is lightweight but does it's job well of keeping you warm.  There are angled pockets that are lined with a fleece-like material to keep your hands warm.  The zipper is super heavy duty and easy to zip.  There's an inner snap pocket large enough for my 7+ iPhone and there's inner cuffs at the sleeves to keep the cold air out.

I didn't personally test out how waterproof the jacket was since I didn't want to get it wet if I wasn't sure I was going to keep it.  But I did see Everlane's promo insta-story where they took it up to Canada and had it floating in an icy lake.  So I trust that it's quite waterproof.  

{Wearing: Everlane short puffer (in small), Frame denim (similar here), Ugg snow boots (similar here)}

So the only thing holding me back from keeping this jacket is the fact that since it's a short puffer, even if I'm toasty up top, my butt and legs will be still exposed to the cold.  That's why when I buy winter jackets I usually get the long version.  And I know Everlane has their own long puffer, but then I would have 3 long winter jackets (plus their long puffer looks like it'll dwarf my short stature).  And I'm not sure I really need that many long winter jackets seeing as how I live in California (my other 2 winter jackets stay in my closet in Tahoe).

What do you think?  Should I keep it?

Grana Review Cashmere Textured Sweater

So you know how on my last Everlane review (the cashmere sweatshirt) I said don't buy it?  Well here's another gray cashmere sweater, this time from Grana, that I'm going to tell you not to buy.  I feel like it's a pretty rare occasion when a blogger tells you not to purchase something and even for me, it feels fresh (and it makes me want to keep saying don't buy stuff).  But anyway back to this sweater.  It's quite possibly one of the most unflattering sweaters I've ever tried.  See what I mean:

{Wearing: Grana Cashmere Textured Sweater (size small), COS pants, Everlane Modern Point loafers, Fendi by the way bag (similar here)}

I think it looks so unflattering because the bottom hem is kind of weird.  It puffs up right around the mid-line.  There's also a slight puff in the sleeves which I like, but it's not enough to compensate for the extra 15 pounds the sweater adds to my waistline.  And that's not even the main reason I'm not recommending this sweater.  The main reason is that in the 5 minutes I wore it, I accidentally snagged one of the threads and pulled it so now there's a pulled loop right in the middle of the sweater.  It's because the weave is so loose that it's very easy for the sweater to get snagged.  And for $140, I would hope my sweater would last longer than 5 minutes with no damage.  So even though I love the softness of this sweater, don't buy this.  For $15 more, Everlane's waffled cashmere sweater is a better textured cashmere sweater (just size down 1 size).

Adina Reyter Giveaway Winner!

The winner is Summer of The Portland Vegan Blog!

Thank you to everyone who entered and you can go unfollow me now on Instagram (lol, except I'll probably keep doing giveaways with this requirement so if you want to make it easy for yourself...).  Anyway I'm loving the spirit of giveaways so I promise I'll try to put another one up for December (which is in just a couple more days, can you believe it?).  

Holiday Tech Gift Guide

So as many of you know I live in San Jose, which is pretty unglamorous (well compared to where I used to live, San Francisco).  But San Jose is part of Silicon Valley and with a lot of my friends working in tech and my husband being a gadget nerd, I learn more than I need to about tech and I have a lot of pretty cool gadgets.  Here is my list of tools (not all are considered tech but I lumped these in since they're super useful) that I use weekly if not daily.  Consider them for yourself or for your friends

1) Apple AirPods

I purchased a pair of these after my husband got his pair and I saw just how awesome they are.  I've tried wireless bluetooth earphones before but they were always bulky and falling out of my ears.  Well not these!  I have yet to have one fall out of my ear, even when working out.  But that's not even the best part.  The thing I love the most is the simplicity of these earbuds.  You just have to open the case and it will automatically pair with your phone (well it did for me because I have an iPhone but I'm not too sure how they'll work with other brands).  And once the bluetooth is connected, the connection never drops (never!).  To charge, just put them back in the case (the case will need to be charged periodically).  To find out how much battery is left, just open the case and cool graphic pops up on your phone letting you know how much juice is left in your airpods as well as the case.  Oh and if you take out the earbuds, the music/sound will automatically pause, and when you put them back in your ears it starts back up again.  It's like magic, lol.  The earbuds can also be used for talking on the phone (and they have noise interference cancelling so you sound super clear on the other end).  The only drawbacks to these is that they don't have the soft rubber tips, which usually fit my ear the best.  And the sound quality isn't amazing, but to me they're just fine (but I'm no music/sound aficionado).  

2) Awair

My husband purchased this for me as a present and to be honest when I first saw it I thought 'what the heck is this?  another sleek looking useless gadget?'  But we've been using it for several months now and I love it!  So what is it you ask?  It's an air quality monitoring system that measures temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, chemical levels and dust levels.  Since I've been suffering from crazy allergies, my husband though this monitoring system would help.  And well it's been pretty essential since our Airstream is so small that air quality can quickly go down if we're cooking or in the winter months when we keep all our doors and windows closed.  You can connect your Awair to your Nest or Alexa to automatically control say your air purifier, but for the most part whenever I see a low air quality score on Awair I just open a window to ventilate.  This is a great tool to be mindful of your general air quality.

3) Voloom Volumizing Hair Iron

I've been using this hair iron for probably 5 years now and it's a pretty essential hair iron for those with thin hair that tends to lie really flat (like me).  Also since I have a round face, my hair just looks better when I have a lot of volume surrounding it.  But I'm not one to tease my hair or use hair spray (I don't even blow dry my hair).  But if I want to get my hair looking good and I have about 5 minutes to spare, this hair iron gives me about twice as much volume than my normal hair when air dried.  The trick is it's like a crimper but better (due to the really odd-looking but effective square iron shapes) and you essentially crimp the layers under the top layer of hair.  It's basically like teasing but twice as fast.  I usually just crimp about 3-4 thin layers of hair on each side and since I've been using this for so long, I'm quite fast at it.  I've also tried using a regular crimper in the same way but I don't get as much volume for the same amount of work.  The qaulity of the hair iron is also really good and I haven't had any issues with this even after 5 years of weekly usage.

4) Coravin Wine System

You might have seen this on my Insta-stories but basically since my husband doesn't drink alcohol and I drink a little too much alcohol, this Coravin wine system has been essential.  This fancy gizmo has a needle that draws wine out of the bottle and a trigger system that replaces the displaced wine with argon gas so that the wine inside won't oxidize.  It allows you to try a glass of wine without committing to opening the whole bottle.  It's also a great way to enjoy several glasses of different wines for tasting without wasting!  You can easily buy replacement argon capsules from amazon and once you get used to it, it's really easy to use.  Also since the needle is so thin, the cork reseals itself (but only if it's natural cork and not the rubber faux cork).  The only drawback to using this wine system is when you use it for wine that tastes best when opened and let sit (but you can always let your one glass pour sit before imbibing so really it's not that big of a deal).  This is the perfect gift for a wine-loving friend or family member!

5) Amazon Echo Dot with TP-Link Smart Plug

Amazon echo and Google home are both really good voice-command systems.  We just used the Amazon Echo Dot since we don't need the added speaker that the regular Echo and the Google Home have (we connect the Echo Dot to our built in Airstream speaker system through bluetooth).  I usually ask Alexa (the woman personified by the Amazon Echo system) the time, the weather and have her set a timer when cooking.  But my favorite function for Alexa is telling her to turn on/off the light in our Airstream, and that's where the TP-link smart plug comes into play.  If you want your house light to turn on/off with Alexa then you will need to use a smart switch like this one.  With this function, it's like the clap on/off system except you're not stupidly clapping for lights.  Instead you can just tell Alexa 'turn off the light' and presto you don't have to get up to turn off the light.  It's great for lazy people like me!

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this short gift guide and I know that some of these items are discounted for the Black Friday-Cyber Monday shopping period so hope you're able to snag one at a discounted price.  I swear by all 5 of these items and they are all super useful.  What are some of your favorite tech/gadgets that you swear by?

P.S.  The results for the giveaway will be up later today!  Thanks to all those who entered!

My favorite glamping spots in California

Here's my Black Friday opt out post!  If possible, I'm going to try not to get caught up in the frenzy of mindless consumerism this black Friday (not a problem) or cyber Monday (more of a problem).  In the meantime enjoy this post not about buying something today.

While I was on my Airstream roadtrip this year I got a request from a reader of my favorite glamping spots in Cali.  So Monshanks, this one's for you!  In no particular order, but organized by climate/environment:

1) Desert: Joshua Tree National Park 

Ok what a typical blogger location to recommend, but really there's a reason why everyone and their mother talks about/goes to Joshua Tree.  I'm not a huge fan of desert camping in general (heat, dryness, snakes!), but there's nothing quite like desert sunsets and the vastness of it all.  I've also tried glamping in Death Valley and wouldn't recommend it unless you're able to get a spot with electrical hookups (for much-needed air conditioning) or go during the winter months (but then make sure you have a furnace onboard).  But Death Valley did have a lot more interesting landscapes (salt flats, large sand dunes, etc.) than Joshua Tree.  We boondocked (camped on public land) around Joshua Tree and it was great since we had no neighbors for miles.  We also checked out the campsites within the park and I have to say they were pretty cool too (I think we checked out Jumbo Rocks campsite).

Runner-up: Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, CA {We also boondocked here for a couple days and it was a little more crowded than Joshua Tree but I loved the crazy rock formations and how cute the town of Lone Pine was}.

2) Ocean: Jalama Beach

This is a remote Santa Barbara county park with some of the most gorgeous ocean views I've ever seen (and I grew up in Hawaii so that's saying a lot).  We took one of the spots near the top that had electrical hook-ups, but most of the spots don't have any hook-ups.  The best thing about this spot is that since it's so remote and tucked away (about 40+ minutes of super windy roads to get there), the beach is fairly private (you only have your fellow campers to contend with).  There's no cell service here so the park provides wifi (but it's spotty as best).  But you're really there to enjoy the beach, not your computer/phone.  Oh and dogs are allowed on the beach (bonus!).

Runner-up: Rincon Parkway {So for this 'campsite' you parallel parking alongside the beach with a road-way and train tracks immediately on the other side.  It can be a tad noisy but the ocean is literally steps away.  Dogs are allowed on the beach and it's also quite private.}

3) Forest: Azalea Campground, King's Canyon National Park

This campground within the national park is one of the few open year around there, and it's my top favorite because of its proximity to the sites and hikes around King's Canyon (General Grant's tree is a 5 minute drive away).  The campsites are fairly well spaced and well maintained.  No hook-ups here.  And from this campsite, you can drive over to Sequoia National Park (about 30ish minutes away).

Runner-up: Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort {So this one really isn't glamping since there's full hook-ups here, but for newbie RVers, this is a good place to get used to living in a trailer.  The best part is that you're surrounded by giant redwoods.  The drawback is that the spaces are fairly close together.  You can read the full campsite review on GoSilver}

4) Lake: Silver Lake Campground East Eldorado

This campground is located near Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe.  We got there the week it was closing for the season (the first week of October) so it was fairly empty (so I can't tell you how it is during the summer months).  But we loved that the campground was only a 5 minute hike to the lake.  The lake is quite large but was really private when we were there (just a couple of fishermen late in the season).  Also within walking distance is the Kit Carson lodge where you can rent kayaks and canoes.  They also have a lot of hiking in the area.  You can read my full review of the site on the blog I write for GoSilver here.

Runner-up: Convict Lake {The most beautiful alpine lake I've ever seen, but it's quite remote and there's not much to do there unless you bring your own kayak or you fish.}

Anyway hope you guys enjoyed this post (I sure enjoyed going down my glamping memory lane) and let me know if there any other types of posts you like seeing here!

Everlane Review The Cashmere Sweatshirt

Hi guys and another Everlane cashmere sweater review for you today, or more accurately it's a sweatshirt I guess.  When I tried Everlane's waffled cashmere (review here), which is still my favorite, I saw they had this sweatshirt available (I think as part of their cashmere lounge wear collection) and I ordered while I was still in a haze of Everlane cashmere love.  And well unfortunately it's nothing like the waffled cashmere sweater and I'm not in love at all with this one.  And the majority of you guys agreed:

Thanks to everyone who voted.  I love asking you guys on Insta-stories what you think of all the things I try.  It's like getting a second opinion from a trusted friend.

Anyway I returned this cashmere sweatshirt because not only was it an unflattering fit (as most sweatshirts are) but the collar was super tight and even though this is made of cashmere, it gave me a slight itchiness around the neck (I just looked and it's because the trimmings are 9% nylon and 1% elastane along with cashmere).  I did find that if I rolled the bottom hem under, it did make the sweatshirt look a tad more flattering.  But for $150, your money is better spent on their regular cashmere sweater or for $5 more get the waffled one.

{Wearing: Everlane Cashmere Sweatshirt, COS pants, Everlane Modern Oxfords, Loewe Hammock bag}

As for sizing, I got this in my usual Everlane size of small.

So anyways, unless you're really going to spend big bucks lounging in cashmere, I would advise to pass on this sweatshirt.  Also I've tried cashmere sweatpants before (from Grana) and found that it's just too hot to wear that indoors and pretty impractical to wear outdoors (especially if it's rainy or windy).  

Have any of you guys tried cashmere loungewear and what did you think?

Oh and happy Thanksgiving (to my fellow Americans).  I am so grateful for all you guys who support me with your comments, questions, and purchases through the blog!  Thank you thank you thank you!