Weekend Update/Ramblings

Everlane towel in the background and if you're wondering colored eggs taste exactly the same as your run of the mill grocery store ones.

Jamie wrote this post about food in America which I found to really ring true for me.  I feel super lucky to live really close to (actually I'm surrounded by) farm land, so my Saturday Farmer's Markets are amazing.  I love the seasonality of the produce that comes to this small farmer's market and there's something to look forward to every week.  There's plenty of affordable organic produce and some of the best fruit I've ever had in my life (right now it's citrus season and the Cara Cara oranges are the best oranges I've ever had in my life and I'm not exaggerating here).  Lately I've also been buying huge bunches of chard and kale (3 bunches for $5) for my daily breakfast of greens and eggs, and it's been lasting me over a week.  I also spend $7.50 on eggs every other week (I know it's a ridiculous amount) because I really want to support a small farm that raises their chicken and goats ethically and the best way possible (plus they let me return my egg carton so as soon as I get my compost up, it'll be zero waste eggs!).  I think if eggs were no longer factory farmed, that would be the true cost of good eggs.  Anyway I'm willing to support my local farmers since it means they can continue to grow awesome produce.  Below is my homage to Jamie's awesome photo of the citrus in season in France lol.  Think of it like a Celeste Barber type post haha.

The less-TV-watching effort I mentioned from last week is going well.  I did watch one documentary on HBO called Atomic Homefront about people fighting to get radioactive waste from WWII nuclear bomb production moved away from a landfill in their backyards.  It's really heart-breaking to see people who can't move away because of money, but then have their kids and loved ones die early from crazy cancers.  I hate to be a cynic but sacrifice zones like this will appear as the amount of livable land shrinks, and there's not much we can do about it (except be grateful we don't live near one?).

And to talk about something less depressing, currently I'm loving Le Labo's Santal 33 body lotion.  The smell is subtle but really wonderful, not too sweet and not musky (this is the description: "A unisex fragrance that captures a defining image of the spirit of the American West and personal freedom" lol I wouldn't go that far but it's a great scent).  I got three small travel bottles from my stay at the Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam and have already gone through 2 of the bottles.  I'm definitely going to be ordering more, though I think I might try one of their other fragrances.  Have you guys tried Le Labo before?

P.S. Also, I'm talking about a sustainable wardrobe with 10 other fabulous bloggers over on Curated Cassi!  It's my first time showing up on another blog so I feel super grateful, thanks Cassi! :)

Tips from a recovered insomniac

Lately I've been having such good regular sleep (not to brag but I guess I am, lol) so I never really think about trying to get enough good quality zzzz's in my life anymore.  But recently with my Europe trip, I suffered crazy jet lag and had some solid insomnia.  And that reminded me of the nights when I used to toss and turn in bed trying to quiet my anxiety-ridden mind.  I used to have really bad insomnia (like I would take an Ambien every once in awhile).  But now I'm over the jet lag and sleeping well again so I thought I would share with you some of my secrets to a better night's sleep. 

Here's my biggest tip and basically what turned things around for me: learn how to meditate.  Ok ok I know that's not super easy (and I don't even have a regular meditation practice), but seriously it will do wonders.  And that's because meditating is basically a skill to get your mind to let go of the anxiety and the stressors that keeps you up at night.  I like to practice mindful meditation where I'll focus on my breathing.  Sometimes I will think "in" and "out" with each breathe.  Of course my mind will wander, but when I catch myself reverting to my "monkey mind" I bring it back to my breathe.  Or if I'm too restless for that I'll start with a body scan and then try to go to the mindful breathe exercises.  And for those who think, I'm too ADD to meditate, no one is good at meditating and everyone's minds wander.  The point is to learn how to bring it back to mindfulness.  Anyway I read this book and that's what inspired me to start meditating.  And really guys, even if you suck at it, it really helps you sleep better! 

Also if you wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time falling back asleep: first, never check the time because it'll just fuel that 'did I get enough hours of sleep' or 'how much more time do I have left to sleep' anxiety.  Just know that even with poor sleep (like you only got 3 hours), you will live and you will survive.  You may not be at your best but that is totally ok.

Another tip for a better night's sleep: give yourself strict bed times.  I have a bad habit of watching my iPad or looking at my iPhone in bed.  And for the most part I can handle it because I give myself strict times where I make myself turn off my devices and close my eyes.  Also if you're watching TV/Netlfix in bed, never watch anything suspenseful, exciting or action-packed.  Watch a good 'ole documentary (Ken Burns always soothes me) or maybe something slightly boring (I watched episodes of Doc Martin for awhile there).

Exercise is also the key to a good night's sleep.  I find that when I have a regular exercise routine, I'm able to sleep through the night better.  Here are my tips to get yourself on an exercise routine.

I'm a fairly light sleeper and noises wake me up, so if I'm sleeping somewhere noisy (which is pretty much all the time when you live in a small trailer with a night-owl husband) I'll fall asleep to BBC4 radio podcasts.  All of the BBC4 podcasts are educational and most of them are interesting enough but not too interesting.  My favorites are A History of the World in 100 objects, In Our Time, and Thinking Allowed.  Something about their British accents just lulls me to sleep.  And I use earbuds like these, which are soft and meant for side-sleepers like me.

Ok, and if all else fails (like when I had that insomnia in Europe and needed to sleep so I could spend the next day wandering the streets of Paris) I take two Benadryl tablets.  I'm no doctor and am not advocating anyone pop pills, but I have found for me that two Benadryls do the trick (also if you're unsure but want to try, check with your physician first).  Actually all those night time sleep aids have the exact same active ingredient (Diphenhydramine HCl) as Benadryl, just at a larger dosage (and that's why I take 2 Benadryls).  Benadryl is also a lot cheaper than those marketed night sleeping aids.  But be warned, you will feel a bit groggy the next morning.  So really I only use this as the last resort.  And I never do it two nights in a row.

So anyone else have tips for an awesome night's sleep? 

P.S. Also as Jess commented below, it's key to have a dark room.  My Airstream trailer didn't come with black out curtains (they only started doing that in 2016), so I got these temporary blackout curtains and cut them up to fit my trailer windows.  

Unsponsored Reformation Review

Reformation has been the cool kid on the eco-friendly clothing brand block for awhile now.  They're probably one of the first and the biggest brands to be anti-fast-fashion and all about sustainability.  I find their RefScale to be an interesting way to keep track of how sustainable a garment is, and I love that Reformation works to reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing carbon offsets.  They really are an example of an environmentally friendly and all-around thoughtful company.  I think the bulk of their clothes are made in a factory in LA.

I am super blessed to live near a city that has one of Reformation's brick and mortar stores.  Just like I did for Outdoor Voices, I wanted to visit their store to not only reduce my packaging waste from online orders but also to try a bunch of things at once without the upfront cost.

I had a really fun time shopping there because they have completely changed the retail experience.  You can still browse the store as usual, but instead of taking that garment to a fitting room, you tell a sales associate and they input what you want in their iPad mini.  Then when you get to your fitting room, everything is all lined up for you by some unknown person who works on the other side of the closet (which I think is their stock room).  When you want to change the size, you can do it digitally via the screen in your room.  Then you close the closet, they add what you want, and then like magic the garment is hanging there for you when you reopen the doors.  You no longer have to deal with sales associate yelling at you through the door asking if you need another size (and the introvert in me loved this way of shopping).  You can also just shop digitally on a big screen and they will add all those garments into a fitting room.  

Each fitting room is also equipped with various lights and a place to plug in your phone for music.  I played with the lights but didn't bother with the music. 

In the 4 pictures below, I'm wearing Reformation's Galaxy top (100% silk, kind of reminded me of Grana's Georgette Satin silk) and trying out all 4 light settings.  Also wearing my Mott & Bow jeans and Sevilla Smith shoes.  I think the quality of their silk is good and I liked the cute frilly collar on this top but ended up deciding not to buy it since I'm actually trying to cut down on the number of silk items I own (since I never wear them).  

But here's the thing about Reformation that is kind of a deal breaker for me (well actually three things).  First of all, most of their clothes are made out of synthetics.  I know a lot of it is dead stock so it's not like they're producing more synthetics to make clothes but rather finding already-made synthetic material and using it for clothes.  But the end result is still synthetic clothing that not only requires dry cleaning, but also doesn't biodegrade or adds more microfibers to the environment.  Also I just don't like the feel of wearing synthetics anymore.  I've spoiled myself with Everlane, Grana, and Elizabeth Suzann clothing that are almost all made of natural fibers.  The second reason I will never be a Reformation gal is that their styling definitely skews young, like 20's-ish.  A lot of their styles is just not me.  And last but not least, a lot of their clothing (dresses and pants) are made for tall people.  The proportions just don't work for 5'4" me.

Wearing the Ray top here, which was my second favorite item

But again, I want to give them a fair shot and a fair review so I purchased my favorite out of all the items I tried on, which was this Cardinal dress in navy.  It's made out of a material they're calling eco-rib and it's made of 88% tencel and 12% spandex.  I haven't worn it out much yet since it's still so cold here.  But I know this would be a cute summer dress and I love the long-ish sleeves and flared skirt.  It reminds me of a figure skating dress.

I'll periodically update this review once I wear this dress more (and wash it).  

Anyone else try Reformation and if so, what did you buy?

Mindful Shopping: What I Want to Buy Next

One thing I did enjoy doing during my 'shopping ban' (and thank you so much to a reader for suggesting this!) was write out some of the items I've had my eye on.  It allowed me to see what things continued to be on my 'want' list (like the ES Clyde pants and Sevilla Smith shoes), but also what items I forgot about.  Well since I'm trying to buy less right now but have a lot of things I want to buy, I thought I might share them here and see which ones you guys think I should purchase and review next!

numero trio

numero un

1) Polene Numero Un or Trio Mini bag

This Parisian brand first caught my eye (through another reader) during my shopping ban (wrote about it here), and so I went to their showroom when I was in Paris.  Their bags are lovely, well-made and ethically made in Ubrique, Spain (that's the same town where Everlane makes their soft-leather bags like the fold over cross body bag).  You can see my whole experience on my Insta-story highlights.  But basically I loved both the Numero Un bag (the Mansur Gavriel lady bag look alike) and Numero Trio mini bag (the mini duffel).  I really want both, but should I?  Probably not >.<

2) Lenvers Sweater

This brand has been popping up all over my blogfeed and instagram and these sweaters do look dreamy.  But I know this isn't the wisest buy right now because California is heading into spring, so even if I buy this now I won't be able to use it until next season.  If I still love it next winter, I'll let myself buy something from them!

3) notPerfectLinen

But since we are headed for warmer weather, pieces from this small family-run business might not be a bad idea.  All linen pieces are made by hand in Lithuania and their pictures kind of remind me of Elizabeth Suzann's "factory".  I want to try their loose linen pants and their short kimono cardigan.  I'm curious to see how their linen feels compared to ES, Everlane and Grana.

4) Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Lady Bag

I've owned the large MG lady bag (no longer being made), the regular and the mini.  Now I kind of want to see what the mini mini lady bag would be like.  But TBH this is probably the thing I want the least right now since I just got a new small going out bag (my navy Chanel cross body, similar here) and so I don't really need another one.

5) Girlfriend Collective Leggings

After my Outdoor Voices review, I had several readers reach out and tell me that Girlfriend Collective leggings are the best.  So now I'm interested in trying them out too and I've added them to this list.

Weekend Update/Ramblings

from my weekend work drive to pick-up an Airstream

I'm not sure if people want to read anything other than reviews here, but since I've had several things mulling around in my head, I thought I might as well share some with you.  I hope you find this interesting, and if not let me know (I can handle it).

I was reading one of my favorite blogs and found the story of Debi Thomas fascinating.  It sucked me right in.  She was before my time so I had never heard of her before (my figure skater crush always was/is Michelle Kwan), but what an interesting life story for the first black athlete to win a medal at a Winter Olympics.

Currently I'm trying to cutback on my Netflix watching.  TV always has been (and probably always will be) my unhealthiest addiction.  I'm a champion binge watcher and with Netflix (and Amazon Prime video, Hulu and HBO), I never run out of things to watch.  So it's really up to me to cut back and make sure I'm not wasting my life by just watching TV.  I knew it was a bit of a problem when I went to Europe and finished 2 TV series and a couple movies in 9 days (but they have different content over there and it's good).  I got hooked on a German TV series called Ku'damm 56 (not available here in the states).  But I did come back and watch Babylon Berlin, which I thought was also really fun to watch (as long as you don't mind subtitles).  Anyway it's been several weeks since cutting my TV viewing hours and it's been great (I've been writing so much more), though I do notice I now spend a lot more time on Instagram (especially stories).

Oh and I loved this post from Garance Dore about the magic of fashion, authentic fashion, and the evolution of our goals/dreams.  Even though her blog is quite commercial now and she doesn't write as much of it, I really love Garance's voice and attitude.  I loved her book and recommend it to those interested in style.

Speaking of authentic fashion, I think this year I'm going to decline any and all sponsored posts/gifted items.  I've been looking back at the stuff that I got last year and honestly, I never wear any of the stuff I got for free.  I think it's because when it's something I buy myself, I've been wanting it for awhile and I take the time to envision how it'll fit in my closet.  When it's an unexpected gift, it doesn't always fit into my style and I never love it as much as the stuff I paid money for.  And since I'm moving toward minimal waste, I don't think free things that I don't wear are a wise choice for me. 

Anyway how was that?  Good, bad, boring?  I rather enjoyed it, so this might become a thing (unless a lot of people say it was boring, lol).

Unsponsored Outdoor Voices Review {Updated March 2021}

I love doing reviews of brands that are really hyped that also give away a lot of free stuff to "influencers" because I am always dying to know are they really that great or do bloggers think they're great because they got it for free (and it's their 'job' to promote the brand).  And Outdoor Voices seem to fit that description to a tee.  Well here's an unadulterated review of their items from someone who paid for their items.

Outdoor Voices first came onto my radar via social media and because of their claims for sustainability and transparency.  And for the most part, it sounds like it's true.  Their practices seem comparable to that of Everlane's and Grana's.  You know they're at least trying so that's good.

I went to their store located in San Francisco since 1) I was already in the city for a dentist appointment and 2) I'm making an effort to visit brick and mortar stores when possible to cut down on my waste of packaging from online deliveries.  Also this way I could try their whole line-up without having to spend a fortune first (because believe me, their stuff ain't cheap).  

I tried a variety of stuff.  But first up: their Textured Compression leggings.  These are the bulk of their items (they only have 2 types, this one or the Tech Sweat which is up later).  These are the ones you see in 99% of their ads, that come with cute muted colors and chevron patterns.  In the pics below I'm wearing the 3/4 Leggings in Blue Quartz.  The 3/4 length is perfect for my 5'4" frame and for taller people you probably want to get the 7/8 length (unless you're looking for cropped leggings).  I'm wearing a medium (I'm usually a size 4-6).  I tried the small but the compression was too uncomfortable for standing so nevermind trying to workout in them.  And I'm wearing the tri-tone slash-back crop in a small (I'm a 36A on top).  

I love the color coordination and the overall color palette that they use.  I've never really liked that workout clothes were traditionally made with really bright colors or black.  The fit was good and I do think the leggings held me in and were flattering. 

But here's the secret I learned from the sales associate, their Textured Compression stuff doesn't "breathe" very well so if you're planning to do some serious sweating in your workout gear (which for me is a 'duh') then you're not going to want to get these.  When I heard that I was like 'whaaaaat?' lol.  So basically the Textured Compression is meant for walking your dog, hiking, and not-hot yoga, which means it's meant to be athleisure with an emphasis on the leisure.

{side note: Also for those who tried on Grana's athletic gear last year (they called it Taiwanese Tech, lol), this Textured Compression felt similar to that.  There's some stretch (but not a lot) and the matte-material felt less smooth than traditional sportwear.  I never ended up reviewing those items since I did not like the feel at all, and was able to sell them at Crossroads--that's right you can buy/sell athletic clothes at Crossroads now!  I scored a cute Calvin Klein Sports bra there the other day.}

So since I plan to actually work-out in my workout clothes, the sales associates pointed me towards their Tech Sweat stuff.  Now this is what I'm familiar with.  It feels like my usual Nike and Lululemon leggings thats made of a smooth non-matte material and with a lot more stretch.  Above, I'm wearing the Tech Sweat 3/4 leggings and Steeplechase bra (which is made from Textured Compression, but I liked it because it has removable cup inserts).

I ended up purchasing the outfit in the pic above (the Tech Sweat leggings and Steeplechase bra) mostly so that I can give an accurate review if I'm being honest.  I actually have more than enough workout gear from a Lululemon binge from 3 -4 years ago, and I love my Lulus a lot (more than these Outdoor Voices leggings and bra).  But after reading this blog post from To Universe with Love (scroll down to #77, #78 and #81 where she talks about reviews), I was inspired to do even better with my reviews.  So I decided to make it a fair review I need to buy these items and use it.  So I've been putting them through it's paces at the gym.  I've been loving the leggings fine, (though I find them to be a bit slippery when trying to do the tree-pose in hot yoga) but I've not reached for the bra after using it once.  The Textured Compression is just not a favorite for me so I just find myself reaching for my old reliable Lulu sports bras.  It's just too compressive or maybe I should have sized up for a more comfy fit (which is actually what I did for some Lulu bras).

Anyway If you're interested in trying them out, here's a $20 off referral link for first-time buyers.

{March 2021 Update: For those who are interested, I did a leggings comparison review here (where I compare OV with Everlane Perform leggings and Girlfriend Collective).

Winner of the Valentine's Day Giveaway

And the winner is Lynn B.!  Thanks to everyone who entered!  Giveaways make me so happy so I'm sure I'll be doing more soon :)

My Best And Worst Purchases From 2017 And The Lessons I Learned

As a continuation of sorts of my post about learning how to shop mindfully, today I'm going to review my best and worst purchases of 2017.  When I reviewed all the things I purchased to make this list I had to laugh (this was me on a shopping ban?!).  Anyway I hope by analyzing my purchases, and learning the lessons behind some of my mistakes, I can be more mindful in the future of what I'm buying.

The Best

1) Marley's Monsters facial rounds and machine-washable sponges: Still going strong with these items and goes to show that when you upgrade to zero waste items, they will become your workhorses (as long as they are made well, which these are).  I actually put in second order during their birthday sale this year to try more things.

2) Plaine Products: I also re-ordered a bulk supply of their original line of shampoo, conditioner and body wash for myself and for my Airstream guests after writing that initial review.  Yes, they're not the most luxe products out there but they do the job and don't break me out.  Plus I am no longer producing waste from my bath products.  Again going zero waste has steered me right in this case.

3) Secondhand Georgia Tee from eBay: So I wasn't supposed to buy any clothes in 2017 but then I got it into my head that if it was an even "trade" then it was ok.  Well I'm glad I did break the rules, otherwise this beautiful top from Elizabeth Suzann wouldn't have entered my life.  This was actually my first ES piece and I love it.  Lesson with this one?  Sometimes it pays to break the rules?  Or maybe a slow fashion item on the secondhand market is extra sweet.  I also bought the Tilda pants secondhand but the size wasn't right on those so I sold it back through eBay and ended up paying $20 for the experience of trying them on (but also not having to wait a whole month to do so).

4) Patagonia swim wear: So again more clothes during the year of no-clothes shopping, but I made the exception because I was investing in my fitness.  After my ski accident earlier last year and the need to change my workout routine, I had to get the proper gear for my new swim workouts.  And I haven't regretted the purchase one bit.  I'm still swimming weekly (most of the time) and so I'm still wearing these suits all the time.  They've held up really well!

5) My Celine wallet from Fashionphile: Again purchased this one because I needed a proper wallet.  It looks like my best purchases (like #4 above) are items that fulfill a specific need.  No regrets on breaking the shopping ban for this one.

The Worst

1) This backpack from Building Block: it was an impulse buy, purchased on sale when I was killing time with shopping.  Mistakes all around!  Lessons learned: a) don't kill time with shopping b) especially when there's sales c) and no impulse purchases during sales season (only items you've already had your eye on).  Also realized I'm just not a backpack person.  

2) All my Glossier purchases except for one item (review 1 and review 2): Hyped-about skin care for the general public is just not doable for my super sensitive acne-prone skin.  The boy brow was the only thing I liked and used up.  But I don't want to re-purchase it because I don't need to be adding more plastic to landfills just for better brows (especially when I'm perfectly happy with my Shu Uemura brow pencil that has lasted me 5+ years and which when it's gone, won't leave any plastic around).  I did keep the boy brow container though since the wand is great for combing out brows.  I wonder if I can refill it with some kind of natural product and reuse it?

3) This Supergoop set: Again same lesson as #2 above, I can't be buying beauty products willy nilly because it looks good.  Packaging got me again.  And now I've contributed more plastic to landfills SMH.

4) Akamai products: Also, did not do much research on this one, but went off one blogger's recommendation.  I probably will take that blogger's reviews with a grain of salt because I did not like any of these products.  I did force myself to use up the skin oil but couldn't finish any of the other stuff.  Just because a sustainability-focused blogger promotes eco-friendly products, doesn't mean as much this day and age I guess (and that motivates me to make sure my reviews are better and more accurate than ever).

5) Loewe Hammock Bag (reviewed here): Yep, I purchased a new bag during my shopping ban (well more than one).  This time breaking the rules did not pay-off.  But I did research this bag thoroughly, so I thought it was for me.  But in the end I was trying to use this when what I really wanted was the Hermes Lindy.  Once I got the Lindy, I realized all the ways this bag wasn't as good.  Maybe the lesson on this one is don't buy a placeholder, and instead save your money for the thing you really want.  Lost quite a lot of money on this lesson!

I'm interested to hear, what were some of your best and worst purchases in 2017 and why?

Unsponsored Sevilla Smith Review of the Terilyn Booties {Updated February 2021}

Ok guys here it is, the review that several of you asked for: the review of the Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties (if you're not familiar with Sevilla Smith, it's a woman-run shoe-making biz that makes all their shoes by hand and thus its customized to your specifications).  I got this one with soft powder grey leather (in the 2cm heel height).  And as you could tell from my Insta that I love love LOVE these shoes!  Out of the box, I had no issues whatsoever with my usual problem, a particularly wide forefront of the foot.  They truly do feel like a leather glove for your feet, especially with the softness of this leather.

{For the first picture I'm wearing: Everlane waffle cashmere sweater, Levi's 501 jean, Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties.  For the picture above I'm wearing: Grana cropped cashmere, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants,  Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties}

First a note on sizing.  I ordered these in a 7.5 (my usual size), which is a 38 in European sizes.  I had thought about paying extra for the wide lasting since I do have a wider foot.  But in the end I decided if the leather will stretch, I should be ok (and I am!).  I do however 100% recommend measuring your foot before ordering and following her very detailed sizing guide.  I didn't because I'm a lazy blogger and I think I might have been able to go with a size 7 (with possibly a wider last).  As you can see from some of the pictures, I'm really stretching out the leather and you can see the outline of my toes and the forefront of my foot.

I also say that I could have gone with a 7 because I found that I had a smidge of extra space around the heel and because the leather is so soft, it kind of folds into that space (you can really see it in the sideview picture of the booties).  It kind of bothered me in the beginning that it would slouch/fold like that, but now it doesn't bother me.  Especially since I added these heel pads:

I'm just not used to such hard soles for shoes.  There's zero padding, which I think is good for your foot muscles but I'm too old to retrain my foot muscles.  I found that if I wore these too long (before I got the heel pads), it would aggravate my plantar fasciitis (damn you old age and decades of running).  Now that I've got these heel pads, I've got no complaints.  So for my next pair of Sevilla Smiths (and you bet there's going to be a next one) I might just stick with the size and add the heel pads from the get go to avoid the folding-at-the-heel issue (or choose a sturdier leather for the boot).

Overall I just really love these shoes and Sevilla Smith.  Yes, they're expensive but they're also made start-to-finish by one person (and compare that to uber expensive designer shoes and you can really start seeing the value of these).  The shoebag that comes with the shoes are so cute (and practical with a slot for each shoe so they don't rub against each other).  Also I've never owned a hand-lasted shoe with no glues and binders and so I was really enchanted with the way the soles are held together with nails.  The shoes come with special instructions on how to maintain them (ie when you're going to need to take them in for repair), so I look forward to using these for a long time to come.  And of course I'll be periodically updating this review as they age!

{February 2021: Hi there, sorry this post is due for a major update. So the heel things did not help with the sizing issue (though they did help with the hard soles issue). So I have to say it’s key to make sure you get the right sizing, especially for these soft leather type of shoes. If you go for the soft leather, I would recommend sizing down (and I probably should have gone with the wider last for my wide-ish foot). Anyway in the end I sold these shoes on ebay since I just wasn’t wearing them that much, but I do miss them from time to time (cuz they’re such good looking shoes).

Why a Shopping Ban is not the solution

Yep, another new item.  From Jamie + the Jones (review soon)

After posting about my post-shopping ban binge (here), I realized that the shopping ban essentially didn't change my shopping habits for the better.  I didn't actually learn anything from doing a so-called shopping ban and in fact it just caused bingeing in other areas of my life and post ban.

But what I haven't mentioned before is that I've actually tried a shopping ban like this before, back in 2014.  That year, I was a lot more successful and I was able to change some of my shopping habits (sort of).  I did buy less for a couple years, but during the shopping ban (which again was for just clothes, not everything) I ended up buying a lot of beauty products.  I got really good at doing my own nail polish and makeup, and I also bought a ton of nail polish and makeup.  So I see now that my actual impulsive spending was just funneled to a different area (what was "allowed").  And then with the start of the blog, I ended up going back to my old spending habits.  So that first ban didn't do much.

But I'm going to try to learn from my second failed ban of 2017.  Here are some of the lessons I've learned:

1) To quit shopping fast fashion (which was one almost-successful thing I did during this shopping ban), you just have to stop walking into those stores and going to malls (if you can help it).  Don't even look into their display windows.  Just walk straight past it like a horse with blinders.  No one needs fast fashion in their life (there's well-priced sustainable clothing, just look at the second hand market).  Shopping is not a past-time, it should be treated as a rare treat or an action taken when something specific is needed.

2) Never going to do a ban again.  Instead I have to learn how to make more mindful purchases and less impulsive ones.  I'm still not quite sure exactly how that evolution is going to come about but if I learn how I'll let you know, lol.  Anyone have tips on how they make more mindful purchasing decisions?  The StyleBook app has at least helped me see how much I've spent on my closet and how much of the stuff I'm actually using.  As I've been adding to my digital closet, I've been selling items that I don't want to bother entering into the app.  This has helped me bring the number of things in my closet to a more manageable range (slowly).

3) I will never quite be the minimalist that I envision myself capable of becoming.  I've tried to be that person, and have at times had a pretty minimal closet.  But then I would end up filling that closet back up again.  Instead of trying to be someone else, I'm going to try to be me but better.  If I continue to want to buy (which I've come to accept is me) then I should be focusing my research and dollars to purchasing better and possibly upgrading things when it comes time to replace them.  I feel like I've definitely made progress in my closet in this aspect, but I can buy better in lots of other things as well (home, beauty, kitchen, etc.).  As for my closet, going to keep trying to do the one-in-one-out rule.  I'm going to try to designate a function for each item and when something new is purchased in that function category, the old one will be sold.  For example I don't have anything exactly like the Jamie+the Jones sweater up top, but I do have a light colored textured knit from TopShop which will be heading out of the closet soon.  And if the new replacement isn't as good as the old one or I don't want to sell the old one, I'll not buy the new item (that's how it would work in theory anyway).

A binge shopper, much like a binge eater, needs to learn how to do things mindfully.  I see that now and that's the path I'm going to strive to find and stick to.

The Scrooge of Valentine's {Giveaway closed}

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Bah Humbug!  I cannot think of a better term to describe Valentine's day (since "humbug" means something designed to mislead).  To me Valentine's Day is a 'holiday' made by the marketers to mislead people to buying more useless things (and they tell you it's in the name of love).  Bah humbug!  As if you already didn't buy enough stuff during the holidays.

via GIPHY

Does this come off especially Scrooge-y?  Maybe I didn't get enough Valentine cards when I was younger >.< lol.  Well I think I've only celebrated 2 Valentines days with my husband, after which I told him how I really feel about Feb 14th, to which he was more than happy not to have to buy me anything or do anything special for this bogus day.  So there will be no gift guides of heart-shaped items coming from me (ever). 

But I bring this all up because recently I've had a bit of a change of heart (or maybe I've seen the ghost of Valentine's Future, lol).  I still don't think you should buy anything for Valentine's Day but it wouldn't hurt to do things that show love.  Yes, lets celebrate by expressing love and kindness to our significant others, friends, family, and your fellow woman/man.  And yes, we should probably be doing this as many days as we can, and not just one day per year.  But why not make a special effort for today?

So today I want to show my love to you, my readers, who not only read my words here but also give me advice and more ideas (and generally enrich my life through your comments here and/or on Insta).  And I'm going to express my love by giving away a diamond ring (ok well pave diamonds to be exact).  This dainty band was purchased at Fighting Eel in Hawaii and is part of their ROLA jewelry line.  This band is 14K rose gold and a size 6.  If you don't want to wear it, I'm sure you can pawn it (it retailed for $280).  This giveaway is not sponsored or affiliated with Fighting Eel.  The giveaway is open internationally and will end at 2/20 at midnight PST.  Winner will be announced 2/21!  Just enter the form below and please only one entry per person.

My post-ban shopping binge

Lol, as you can see this is not my insta-story though it might have been.  I had set aside some money to perhaps purchase an Hermes Birkin or Kelly during my trip to Paris (as an early bday present to myself).  Every basic blogger's dream, right?  But when it came down to it I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money for a bag (we're talking about $10k+ here).  With all the good $10k can do, it felt irresponsible and possibly even morally wrong to spend it on a bag (though I really don't want to bring ethics/morals into this because who am I to judge).  Anyway in the end I just realized it's not me.  Sure I can spend several thousands on a used Hermes bag (my Lindy from Fashionphile!)  but 10K for a new Hermes? Nope (or maybe I need to move out of a trailer first for that to be something I can bring myself to do >.< lol).  I also realized that by buying a brand new Birkin in Paris I might be trying to compete with insta-famous bloggers like Chiara (who's the owner of that orange Birkin) and I am not in that league nor do I want to be.  Like what am I trying to prove?

So instead I ended up buying all this *facepalm*

Clockwise from top: Gerard Darel sweater (Paris), SmaakAmsterdam Blake Purse (Amsterdam), Longchamp Le Pliage Cosmetics Case (Paris), Celine small Cabas Phantom tote {authentic used ones here, here and here for really good prices} (Paris), prints and key chain (Amsterdam), Chanel navy caviar crossbody {sorry don't know the name} (Heathrow), Celine Medium Strap Wallet (Amsterdam), Net bag from Le Bon Marche's Le Grande Epicerie (Paris), Haribo {aak the plastic} (London), small dish from Spiegen (Amsterdam) 

I may not be buying brand new Birkins, but I'm not above wasting money on Chanel >.<.  This is also a lot of new stuff at once for me, especially coming off a shopping ban {side note: even though I pretty much failed at the shopping ban, I was clearly trying since this is what happens when I'm not trying}.

I also realized that with all this new stuff, comes the responsibility as a conscious consumer to use it well and dispose of it well.  Most of this stuff I'm pretty sure I can eventually resell so when it comes to disposing that's no problemo (but sorry world for more plastic in the landfill).  To be honest though, with all this new stuff I'm afraid I won't really be able to use it well.  Especially since I still have a lot of old things that I really love (like my used Celine wallet and Celine Sangle both from Fashionphile).  It reminds me of Grechen's recent post about diluting your wardrobe with too many new pieces.  That's how I feel right now.  I'm not sure how I'll be able to use and love the new stuff and the old stuff all at the same time (this is also a realization as I continue to use the StyleBook app since I can only reduce my cost per wear overall if I stop getting new things and keep using the old stuff).  First world problems, eh?  I guess I'll just count my blessings and continue to cull my wardrobe (since I'm trying to follow the one-in-one-out rule).  My lovely stuff will be listed on my closet sale page.  And I'll also need to cool-it in the spending department so that I can fully appreciate what I have now (but I'm not calling it a shopping ban).

How to get your VAT refund in Europe

This post was a request so if you aren't planning a trip to Europe that includes shopping, go ahead and skip this post.  But for all those who are interested about the process read on :) . Also I'm no expert so please let me know if I got something wrong, thanks!

So first of all, VAT stands for "value-added tax" and it basically means all products sold in Europe already have their tax baked into the price of the good.  This is unlike the US, where we add an additional percentage of tax to the retail price.  So in the EU, the price you pay includes the tax, which you are eligible to get back if you don't live in the EU.  This is where the VAT refund process comes into play.

So depending on the country, the VAT tax rebate percentage varies.  In France it was about 10% and in the Netherlands it was up to 13%.  Some countries, like the Netherlands also increase the percentage the more you spend on the good.  There are also differing spending thresholds, so for example you have to spend at least 175 euros in France before the refund kicks in while in the Netherlands it was 50 euros.  I went online to see what the various VAT percentages per country are and for the most part the real VAT percentages are a lot lower (I think it also depends on what you buy).  Just ask the sales person before you purchase to find current VAT rates.

Also most stores will ask for your passport to fill out the VAT refund pages so you do have to bring your passport with you while shopping.  If this makes you nervous, just make sure to leave a copy of your passport in the hotel and carry your passport securely (as in a cross body bag that you keep in front of you at all times--this is what I did; or use one of these).   

So when you're buying something over the threshold amount for the refund, ask the sales clerk to prep your VAT refund documents.  If you're buying something at a department store, they usually have their own tax refund office so you can get your refund immediately (you'll still have to get your papers stamped, but more on that later).  If you're at a regular store, they'll give you the refund papers and the receipt.  Keep these together.

And the last step is to go to the VAT refund office at the last stop within the EU to get your papers stamped and get your money back.  You do the VAT refund process all at once at the very end of your trip even if you bought things from different countries.  So for me this was Heathrow Airport in London even though I purchased my things from France and the Netherlands.  There's a VAT refund counter at every terminal in Heathrow.  Check where the refund office is at the airport you're flying out of online.  Allow time before you check-in to get this done.  When I went I was able to do it all in less than 10 minutes but I had no lines.  If there's lines I heard it can take up to an hour.  They basically take all your papers, check your passport and then calculate what you get back.  They didn't ask to look at what I bought but it's a possibility so be prepared for that (either pack it in your carry on, or at the top of your stuff in your checked bags).  That's also why you want to do it before you check into your flight.

And here's my biggest tip for doing the VAT refund.  Get it back in cold hard cash if you can, not a refund via credit card.  I'm still waiting for my VAT refund from the department store in the Netherlands that 'guaranteed' it would get charged back to my card in 3 days.  It's been over a week and still nothing (boo!).  And at this point there's nothing I can really do about it.  So even if they take a commission for giving it back to you in cash it's worth it.  (My friend also said they didn't get their VAT refund from the airport when they did it via credit card so be warned).  Oh and I was able to get my VAT refund at Heathrow in dollars and they didn't charge a commission.  

So that's it!  If you guys have any questions just shoot me a comment below!

Unsponsored Lo & Sons Review of the O.G. Overnight bag

With my Away Bigger Carry-On (Unsponsored reviewed here)

First off I just want to thank readers notsaf and Sarah who commented on my Cuyana Le Sud Travel bag post suggesting trying the Lo & Sons travel bags.  I read that and lucky for me Lo & Sons had both their OG overnight bag and their OMG medium overnight bag for sale at 30% off (and actually there are still some colors on sale now) so I got both to see which one I might like better.

The OG is the bigger bag on the left and the OMG is the smaller bag in green on the right.  I spent a lot of time waffling between the two because I liked the blue color better but the size of the OMG better.  I found the OG to be quite gargantuan. 

And a poll on Instagram had the OMG winning.  But in the end I went with the OG because I just had too much stuff for my 10 day trip to Europe.  I had to go with the bigger bag and I'm glad I did!  This bag can fit a ton of stuff and I definitely needed to.

The OG bag really was the perfect carry-on bag to take on a train tour of Europe!  I loved that it had a panel to slip over the handlebar of my roller bag.  This OG bag never once fell off the top of my luggage, which is not something I can say about the Cuyana Le Sud Travel bag.  Also the OG bag is super lightweight and inside there are a ton of pockets for everything you need.  The laptop section is nicely padded and there's also an outside zippered pocket that has another zippered compartment and an organizational section for pens and such.  They really thought of everything with this bag.  Oh and it also comes with a large shoulder strap but I never used it (and can't imagine trying to carry this humongous bag with a long shoulder strap).  For the most part I carried it atop my roller luggage or by the shorter straps that still were able to go over my shoulder.

I would say the only cons with this bag are:

- When the bag is packed to the brim, it's hard to pull the laptop out of the bag.  I think it's due to the domed shape of the bag.  Also when it's packed to the max, the outside organizational pocket is pretty useless (its impossible to get things in or out).

- It's a tad hard to put the bag under the seat in front of you on the airplane with it standing upright since the bag is so tall (and this is especially true when it's packed to the max).  Lucky for me I was traveling with my husband so I would lay the bag down and he didn't mind if it went into his foot-space a bit.  

But I would say that this OG bag is above and beyond better than the Cuyana one for practical traveling.  I look forward to taking many a trip with this bag.  In the meantime I think I'll try using it as a gym bag since my current one can never seem to hold everything I need.

My Closet Sale is now up!

Find my newly opened Closet Sale here.

If you've been following along my blog, you know I'm not the best with my money.  Actually that's putting it politely.  I'm honestly a frivolous spender who ends up with too many things.  But I like to think I spend money on "good" things in that even after it no longer sparks joy for me, the thing can still spark joy in others.  And I rarely ever throw my things away (and I'm working towards zero-waste in general, but that's another story).

via ironicminimalist

Anyway I've been an eBay seller since 2005 (it all started with a Tiffany's necklace from an ex, lol).  And if it doesn't sell on eBay, I usually sell it at a Crossroads Trading store.  And then my final resort is Goodwill (though nowadays it's few and far between since I've already gotten rid of most of the extra stuff when we moved into the Airstream).  Well I've decided to add this closet sale since the majority of you said yes to it on my survey.  So as a thank you to all the readers who follow me here, I've decided to give y'all first dibs and better prices than what I list it for on eBay.  

So the deets: U.S. sales only at the moment and all shipping is free!  Also this is my first time using this platform to sell so please bear with me if there are any kinks to the process (but I won't know until I try!).  I prefer not to take returns but of course will accept them on a case by case basis.

Hopefully my things can continue to spark joy in others, while I go in search for the next thing that sparks joy in me.

P.S. I apologize for the heavy usage of Kondo-isms

Elizabeth Suzann Review of the Signature Generation 4 Clyde Work Pants in cotton canvas

Funnily enough, I had a dream last night where someone stole my Elizabeth Suzann credit (from my return of the Clyde Jacket).  Well it was more like a nightmare, lol.  Anyway I wonder if my subconscious was telling me to finally do a review of these Clyde work pants, which I've had my eye on since January of 2017 (when it was still made out of cotton twill instead of these current cotton canvas).  

These pants were the first thing I ordered after the official end of my shopping ban.  Were they all that I dreamed they would be?  Yes and no.  

{Wearing: Grana crop cashmere sweater (similar here), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants, Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties}

But first a note on sizing.  Having tried out the linen Tilda pants in a medium and following the ES stories on Instagram I knew I probably should go with the smaller of my two sizes (usually I'm between a 4 and 6 on the bottom).  So I got this in 4 short (I'm 5'4" but have the legs of a person who's 5'1").  And I have to say it fit perfectly in how I wanted it to look, which was more fitted than baggy.  But I do have to shimmy these pants over my hips/butt area because it's really tight (I have to stretch the elastic to the max).  But once they get over the hips, they fit perfectly in the waist and hips.  The elastic also loosens a bit over time so it's not as difficult for me to get them on now than when I first got them.  And to take them off I just hook my thumbs over the wrap-around crescent-shaped pockets and pull down (super easy!).  I didn't take my measurements because I'm a lazy blogger but I absolutely recommend measuring yourself and using the ES detailed measurements to find your right size.  

{Wearing: Grana striped pima tee (similar here), Everlane wool-cashmere rib cardigan, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants, Everlane modern loafer mules, Saint Laurent Universite bag}

So onto the pros and cons.  First the pros:

- I love the look of them because they're neither fitted nor baggy.  Kind of like my favorite Grana silk ankle pants but better. 

-The crescent pockets are awesome.  Since my pants are more on the fitted side, they don't fit as much stuff, but because they go from front to back, it's pretty easy to fit even the bulkiest of items.

- I love the front seam because I think they visually help to elongate my short legs.

- I love that they sit right at my natural waist and so are a bit more high-waisted than my usual jeans (and so I can wear all my cropped sweaters with this without showing the midriff area).

And the cons:

- I'm actually not a huge fan of the stiff cotton canvas.  It does soften over time but it's quite thick and rough, and since I got it on the fitted side, sometimes the seam that runs along the front of the legs will rub against my knee (especially when sitting down for long periods of time) and irritate the skin in that area.

- Also this cotton canvas picks up dog hair like a mofo.  I am constantly lint rolling to remove it.

- Also now that the elastic is a bit more stretched out, I find that sometimes walking in it will start bringing the waistband lower because my knees are pulling it down (essentially making these pants sag a little like harem pants).

So yes, these weren't exactly all that I dreamed they would be, but I still really like them and wear them often.  Oh and don't wear them when you know you're going to eat a lot since the elastic will only stretch so much and the canvas only stretches a bit too (so wear instead some stretchy denim).  That was the only time I regretted wearing these pants.

But since these weren't my 'unicorn' pants, I've been looking at the Clyde work pants in linen.  Especially since San Jose in the summer is going to be HOT and I probably won't be able to comfortably wear the thick cotton canvas version of these pants.  I already ordered them with my ES credit (along with a silk Georgia tee so then I can do a Everlane vs. Grana vs. Cuyana vs. Elizabeth Suzann silk review post).  So I'll do a comparison of the Clyde work pants in canvas vs linen and see which one I like better.  I might just end up having a winter version of these pants (the canvas ones) and a summer version (the linen ones).

Anyway if y'all have any questions about these pants shoot me a comment below.  

Update: Here is my review of these Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants in linen.

Review of the StyleBook App and my Winter 10x10 Challenge recap

*This review is not sponsored 

When I was doing my Lowest Cost Per Wear Everlane post couple months ago I really tried to calculate my cost per wear and found that it was pretty impossible.  So I went in search for an app that would help me do that, and that's when I found the StyleBook app.  I never heard of it before so I did a little research and it seemed to be the number one app for keeping track of your clothes.  I promptly spent the $3.99 to download and then left it untouched on my phone for over a month.  But with a trip to Europe that coincided with the Winter 10x10 challenge, I knew it was the perfect time to give the app a shot.  And well long story short, I love the app and I find it super useful and easy to use.

To get my closet uploaded into the app (which by the way I'm no where near done), for most of my clothes I did a flat lay shot on some white poster board to upload the clothes into my digital closet on the app.  It's super easy and does a fairly good job of picking up the outline of the clothes.  Here are some tips for using the photo function of the app:

- When laying out shoes, try to keep some distance between the left and right pair since if they're too close together, the app has a hard time erasing the white space between the shoes.  You can go in a manually erase the white parts that the program fails to automatically erase but it's a bit of a pain.

- This also applies for purse straps.  Try to lay it out so that there's a lot of white space that the app can automatically erase (ie don't have it criss crossed in complicated ways).  

- If your item has white in it, you have to use a towel or sheet that is of a contrasting color

-This function is hard for items with patterns and lots of different colors since the app then can't tell whats the the clothing and whats the background.  If you have a closet full of patterns, this app might not be the best for you

- When erasing the background manually, it's better to over-erase a little than to under-erase since when you under-erase, you can see the background with the clothing and it looks weird later.

You can also add clothing by finding it in their "shop".  I found Everlane items there, which was great.  But even if you find it on their shop, you still have to erase the background yourself (they basically provide you with the stock photography).  It would be the same as if you went to the brand's website and copied the picture, pasted it into the app, and erased the background (which is also another function this app can do). So if you find some time on your hands (say while commuting on a bus or train), you can add items to your closet this way.

Once you add the picture of the item to your closet, you can add details like the color, fabric, size, season, brand and price.  I usually just add color, brand and price so that I can upload and add an item to the closet in about 2-3 minutes.  You can also edit this later.

Once you have your clothes uploaded, you can start adding them to Looks and to your calendar.  I tend to make the Looks first and then add the look to the calendar so that when you take a quick look at the calendar you can see the whole outfit.  Otherwise the calendar will only show one piece of clothing (the first one added for that date).  

I also really love the packing feature of this app.  You can either add the clothes to the packing list or even better, add Looks to your trip and the app will automatically add what you need to pack to your list.  So if you want, you can plan your looks first and then pack.  These are all the items on my 10x10 plus accessories:

And now my favorite of all: the breakdown of the numbers!

So I'm nowhere near entering all my clothes but the 24 on there is probably the most worn items of this season.  I'm pretty much adding clothes as I go.  And the feature that I bought this app for:

Now this app isn't perfect (it can be cumbersome to add and organize your closet and looks), but it definitely does what it needs to.  And this app isn't for everyone since it requires tracking your clothes everyday if you really want to utilize it to its potential.  But man, I love it.  I hope to continue doing this so I can really refine my wardrobe and know exactly which pieces I'm wearing and which I've forgotten about.  Also it's been a bit of an eye opener on how much I spend on clothes (um only 24 items and I'm already at over $4k?!  I'm a little scared to see what the sum of my closet will turn out to be).

I did have a bit of a hurdle trying to figure out what to put down as the cost for items that are really old and I've already worn the heck out of.  For example the tall leather boots that I've had for 5+ years should already have a low cost per wear.  But I decided what really matters is how much I do use them from this point on.  So I gave it a fairly high start cost (as if I bought them at a thrift store), but this is a personal preference.

Now onto the Winter 10x10.  If you want to see it, head over here and you can see all 10 outfits along with the Style Book app layout for them.  I wasn't initially going to the 10x10 but when it coincided perfectly with my trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam I thought I might as well.  Especially since it would help me to keep my luggage items to a minimum, and it would ensure that I would wear everything I packed.  And I'm so glad to have done it since there were only 2 items I packed that I never used (of course it was the last minute items I threw in, just in case).  Also the 10x10 was a good excuse to make an effort to take pictures during my trip.  

And my one takeaway from this particular challenge was it's totally okay to repeat the same outfit.  Accessories like the scarf and bag will change the look enough that it won't look exactly the same (besides no one but yourself notices outfit repeating).

Anyway anyone else use the StyleBook app and have any useful suggestions?  Also did you participate in the Winter 10x10 challenge, and if so what were some of your take-aways?

Everlane Review The Wool-Cashmere Rib V-Neck Cardigan

Hi y'all!  Taking some time during our short European tour (London->Paris->Amsterdam) to talk about this cardigan, which I purchased in 2017 and have yet to review!  When this wool-cashmere rib v-neck cardigan first landed on the Everlane site, it sold out pretty quick.  So I went ahead and tried their wool-cashmere waffle square crew (reviewed here).  When the cardigan got restocked, I added it to my cart asap, and I see that currently this olive cardigan is sold out in the size I got.  But before you get bummed out, let me tell you that I thought this cardigan was just meh.

What do you think?

{Wearing: Everlane Wool-Cashmere Rib V-neck cardigan, Grana pima tee (similar here), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Pants, Everlane Modern Loafer Mules, Saint Laurent Monogramme Universite bag}

This was my best effort to style this cardigan.  And let me tell you this sweater is thick.  And when I was wearing it, I got that linebacker feel (as in I felt like a padded-up football player).  I think it was due to the sloping shoulders and the overall wideness of the sweater.  I'm wearing a size small here and it fit true to size.  I did like the cropped look but I just couldn't get over the bulkiness of it all so I sent it back.

I also didn't like the look of it when I buttoned it up.

I know a lot of people think Everlane is feeling more like fast fashion lately, especially when they churn out ill-fitting and unflattering pieces like this.  And I would agree that recently Everlane has been pretty unimpressive.  But like an addict, I just can't quit it.  I'm like one of B.F. Skinner's rats that keep pushing the lever because of the variable interval reward (you can read about it here).  Basically because I find Everlane gold every once in awhile, it's enough to keep me trying.  But while I wait for my next gotta-try it Everlane piece, I'll be reviewing a bunch of other brands I've been interested in (and you guys have also expressed interest in from the survey).  

In the mean time you can find my newly updated post of all my Everlane reviews here.

Elizabeth Suzann Review Signature Generation 4 Clyde Jacket

Hallelujah the shopping ban that wasn't really a shopping ban is over!  Which means I can buy and try brand new things like this Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Jacket in cotton canvas.  Since I'm new to ES cotton products (I've only ever tried their linen before here and here), I don't know what the cotton twill was like.  But this cotton canvas is super heavy duty and sturdier than most cotton canvas bags I own.

First a note on sizing, I ordered the XS since I didn't want this jacket to be oversized.  I usually wear a size 4 on top and found that this jacket fit well with just a tee on.  If I tried layering it over a sweater though, there was some tightness around the shoulders.  I didn't actually measure myself before ordering so I chanced it a bit.  All in all I was fine with the size.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Jacket, Frame Le Skinny De Jeanne Crop (similar here), Everlane the cotton crew, Everlane Day Heels, Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here)}

So what do you think?

TBH I was a little meh about it.  I paired it with skinny jeans to balance out the volume on top.    I think the length of the jacket is perfect, cutting right below the butt.  And I liked the sleeve length and pockets as well.  

I guess my problem with the jacket, and it's completely personal, is that it looks and feels like a Japanese Happi coat (festival coat) to me.  See what I mean?

It's hard to pay over $200 for a Japanese style coat that I can get on eBay for $20.  Also I guess the volume and excess material on top is just not for me.  It would get in the way if I bend over to do things at the Airstream garage.  And since I was going to treat this as an everyday work coat, that doesn't really function well for me.

Anyway in the end I returned the jacket and the Elizabeth Suzann customer service is excellent.  They sent the exchange gift card even before I sent back the jacket, which requires a level of trust of the customer.  Anyway I now have some ES credit burning a hole in my pocket.  Hmm what to get next? 

How I keep my fitness motivation going

via GIPHY

I am not a fitness fanatic by an means though I used to be.  I would get into yearly cycles where I would work out like crazy (6 times/week with 3-4 of those being hard workouts) and then during my off-years I would do zero exercising.  When I was younger I ran a lot (highschool cross-country and track) and then after college I really got into spinning with my running. I dabbled in yoga then too.  But as I got older it was hard to keep running with my bad knees and with last year's skiing accident, I decided to call it quits on running (plus I was having a harder and harder time enjoying running).  So now I do yoga, swimming, and elliptical (my YES regimen, lol) after 2 years of not working out at all.

And here's the thing about consistent exercise, at a certain age you just gotta do it.  It's like flossing.  You have to build a habit of doing it (not to the point where you feel crazy if you don't exercise a day or two but to the point where you know you have to go if you haven't gone in a week or two).  So here are my tips on getting into an exercise habit:

via GIPHY

1) Keep track of your workouts

This might be a no-brainer to some but this is key for me.  I have to know when was the last time I exercised and I like knowing my "progress".  So this is basically how I keep track:

I just put the day and in the parenthesis I put the type of workout (yoga, swimming, or elliptical).  I don't put any details like how long or how hard I worked out because I wanted to keep such judgements out of my records.  It was enough that I went.  And every month I'll try to see if I can best my record of number of days of exercise, but I don't get down on myself if it's less than the month before.  I keep track of this in my Google Keep app so it's always handy.

2) Have a set variety of workouts and always include an "ease-back-into-it" workout

Experts say your body gets easily acclimated to just one type of workout so the best workout regimen includes a variety of exercises.  Plus mixing it up keeps you from getting bored.  I also always include an easy enjoyable workout as part of my regimen so that it's easier for me to get back into the swing of things.  My "ease-back-into-it" workout are my elliptical workouts where I let myself read a magazine and listen to music while I workout. I never let myself read magazines while sitting around so in some ways the elliptical workout is my treat time to buy and read mags.

3) Also have a "I paid for this so I have to go" workout

For me that is yoga.  I found a studio really close to work (a 10 min or less drive away) and even though it's not the cheapest, I find that it's worth it 100%.  Some days I don't feel like working out but I signed up for the class and paid for it, so I'm going to show up.  And most of the time once I'm done with the yoga class I feel satisfied and glad I went.

4) Don't beat yourself up if your life gets in the way of your exercise habit

There are some months where I had zero workouts all month (October, when we were on our Airstream road trip).  I don't beat myself up about it.  It is what it is, and I just go back to working out as soon as my schedule permits.  In the end it's not really about how many workouts you've done but the fact that you have a habit of going back to it and you do some sort of exercise for years.  Your body is the only one you have so make sure you take the time and money to invest in it.  

P.S. I loved reading Ashley's post about her effort to squeeze her exercise time done in the mornings and what it takes to make it happen.  Read about it to get some inspiration if you're a tired full-time working adult.