Weekend Ramblings: ISO (in search of) zero-waste & better lip balms and lip sticks

Well it all started with the beginning of allergy season, also known as mouth-breathing season for me.  Ever since my move from SF (where my allergies were fairly mild) down to south of San Jose (surrounded by farm land), my allergies, specifically nasal congestion, have been severe.  This is my third year down here and I've got my allergy-alleviation routine down pretty good: neti pot (I like this ceramic one), Zyrtec, and nasal spray.  But overall, I still end up breathing through my mouth a lot more in the spring and this leads to dry lips (especially this year with weird cold fronts coming through every other week).  

So short story long, I've been focusing a lot more on lip care recently.  I usually use this YSL tint-in balm for the day (side story: when I first discovered these 4 years ago I went a little nuts and purchased at least 20 different colors of these, but when they got old they got really dry.  But I love the lipstick case-- such a sucker for packaging >.<  So I've kept them hoping to use them.  But you'll see below, it looks like I might have to throw them out--what a waste!).  I also purchased this Moisture+Tint Chapstick impulsively at the check-out line and have been using this when I can't find my YSL one.  At night I've been using this RMS lip balm and a lip balm with a coconut oil base made by my friend.  And they've been working well enough.  (Another side note: I know I said in the past that I love the RMS lip shine, but I've come to realize that pots of lip balm where you have to use your fingers or a lip brush to apply, just doesn't work for my lifestyle.  I need something that I can swipe and go.  So for the most part I only use the RMS lip balm at night and the lip shine has been sitting in my bag untouched.)

But the other day I was thinking how ugly the chapstick container is and how I have so many beautiful lipstick containers lying around (like those YSL ones mentioned above).  So I thought why not switch the containers so I can use my daily lip balms in a prettier container?  A quick google search told me to put both lipsticks in the freezer and with some gloves or wax paper, you can wiggle out the lipstick from the container and presto chango!

Well it worked brilliantly for switching my chapstick with this Rodin lipstick.  But certain brands, like YSL and Chanel, make lipstick tubes with no bottom.  Instead the soft cream lipstick is held into place from the sides by some circular prongs.  So it's pretty near impossible to switch those, which means all those YSL and Chanel lipstick tubes just have to be thrown away (whoomp whoomp).  But I was able to switch out my friend's homemade lip balm with an old Shu Uemura lipstick (yay, some fancy looking homemade lip balm).  I also take the extra step to use a hair dryer to melt down the balm a little bit, tap the bottom on the counter so the liquid settles, and then when it cools the balm will fit better into the bottom of the new lipstick case (again thanks Google and YouTube for the tips).  

All of this led me to think, it would be great to have a product like Plaine Products, for refillable lipstick/lip balm.  And when I put this on Insta-story I got several people suggest Kjaer Weiss lipstick.  So I looked them up and was this close to buying it, when I thought I probably should try to find a review of this somewhere since Kjaer Weis lipstick is expensive!  And I'm so glad I did because this is one of the top reviews I found from an Asian blogger in Australia (who by the way reviews a lot of natural and organic products).  As a reviewer myself, I appreciate a good review and well she is good.  She's very thorough and when she describes how the lipstick goes on, I know exactly what she's talking about.  And bonus that she's Asian so I can see how it would work with my skin tone.  So her verdict about the Kjaer Weis lipstick: it's dry.  So nope, I'm definitely looking for something that will moisturize.  Plus even though it's "refillable", it's not zero waste since the cartridge the lipstick comes in is still thrown away (see pic below).  And I'm looking for a model where you don't throw anything away.  Hourglass lipsticks were another suggestion, but again when you're done with the lipstick you throw away the cartridge.

So here are my solutions for when I run out of my current stash (which TBH is going to probably take awhile, I mean when was the last time you used up all your lipstick/lip balm?):

1) Buy Burt's Bees lip balms and tints and put them into the containers I have now (cuz you know I want to keep it pretty).  And then recycle the Burt Bees containers through their recycle program.

2) Or make my own lip balms, put them into the current lipstick tubes (sanitized between usages) and re-use the plastic lip balm tubes as molds (so I can use them indefinitely without getting germs on them).  I saw this kit on Etsy and I really want it so I'm leaning towards this method lol.

What do you think?  Which method do you think is better?

Everlane Underwear vs. Wama vs. Lively vs. Naja (vs. PACT vs. Hesta)

Lively, Everlane, Wama

*This review is unsponsored though I purchased the Wama underwear at a discount and used my referral credit to purchase the Everlane underwear

I've become quite the underwear tester these days, or maybe it's just because there are a lot of ethical underwear on the market today.  Well I've reviewed PACT in the past (which I loooove love love) as well as Hesta (which I don't like).  Today I'll add Lively, Everlane, and Wama to my ethical underwear reviews.

Lively Underwear

First up Lively, which quite frankly doesn't really fall under "ethical" IMO, even though they have their own factory where they can "extend [their] company values and standards to our LIVELY factory family" (taken from their website).  When I asked for further details about their production practices, this is what I got:

Our supply chain is supported by a world class manufacturer that has been in the business for over 60 years! They are experts and engineers in this category of business, which is why we partner with them as it is important for us to have not only a well designed product, but one with amazing quality. 

Our manufacturers have partnered with us to ensure that our LIVELY ethos holds true to the factories and workplace in which we produce. They built a factory dedicated to LIVELY that we have owned for 4 years; it is brand new, full of light and a beautiful place to work in southern China. We meet and exceed fair labor practices and wages. The staff of thirty is comprised of mostly women who have the finest workmanship and passion for their craft. We know that in order to make a great product, everyone involved in the LIVELY brand has to be happy in the work they do and we want them to be #livingLIVELY!

So yes technically they can be considered ethical, but something about their copy here seems fake (like really, the factory women have a passion for making underwear?).  Anyway either way I won't be purchasing underwear from them again since theirs are made from rayon and spandex (all synthetic) and I like my underwear to be 100% cotton.  Also the instructions for washing call for hand-washing and there's no way I'm hand-washing these undies every time.  Fit and feel were okay.

Everlane

Ah, the much marketed Everlane underwear.  I purchased the black bikini undies in medium (I'm a size 4-6 on the bottom but prefer my underwear to be on the loose side--nothing worse than an underwear band constricting my belly).  And well, they're good.  I can wear them all day without giving them a second thought (a sign of good underwear since you're not supposed to have to think about or deal with undergarments).  In fact, they feel pretty much the same as my PACT bikini underwear.  Everlane's is made with 92% supima cotton and 8% elastane while PACT is 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane.  So if I have to choose between the two, I'm going to stick with my PACT since those are made with GOTS certified, fair trade organic cotton (for almost the same price as the Everlane ones, and the PACT ones do go on sale periodically).  Conventional cotton (even the supima kind) rely heavily on pesticides and fertilizers that pollute the waterways and the environment, so whenever I can, I try to purchase organic cotton preferentially.  As much as I love Everlane, PACT is still a clear winner for me on this item (you can read my PACT review here).

Wama

Now here's something different in the ethical underwear department: underwear made from hemp from Wama.  Well 53% hemp, 44% organic cotton and 4% spandex to be exact.  These are not your everyday underwear.  The material is a lot thicker and feels more substantial but still very soft.  It's like the light sweater of undies, but don't worry it won't make your bum hot since the material is quite breathable.  Right now they only come in a boy short form, which I'm not a huge fan of (I just prefer plain 'ole bikini bottoms).  Also because of the thicker material it will show some VPL with some of the clingier fabrics and form fitting bottoms.  But if you're a boy shorts kind of gal, this brand is definitely worth a try.  Since they're quite pricey, use TEMPORARYHOUSEWIFEY20 to get 20% off your order until May 31st.  Also check out Leah's review of them here (and learn more about hemp production as well)!

Naja (not pictured)

When I did the Naja bra review, I also ordered one pair of their cheeky knickers (which are basically boy shorts to me).  These are made with 94% "Peruvian" cotton and 6% elastane, and claim to "save the environment" because they digitally print the designs on the undies (opposed to dying them I guess).  The fit on these were not great (kept giving me wedgies-- not fun) and the designs are all pretty weird and ugly.  And then they're $22 a piece so I'm going to say just pass on these.

Conclusion

So which is the brand I'm going to replace all my ratty VS underwear with?  You probably guessed it, PACT!  Can't beat comfort and organic cotton.  Next I'll be trying PACT's organic cotton tees and do a PACT vs. Everlane vs. Grana vs. Cuyana vs. Amour Vert tee review so stay tuned for that!

Everlane Review The Day Glove {Update June 2019}

* I received these shoes free as a gift from Everlane so this is a type of sponsored post

So the Day Glove.  Everlane has put in a lot of marketing dollars in this one, as evidenced by even reaching out to small-beans bloggers like myself and giving me a free pair to try before their release.  I'm very stoked that this is my first totally free item from Everlane (not counting what I purchase through referral credits).  But I'm going to try not let that bias my review here since you guys come here for the truth (or at least my truth, lol).  So what did I think of this shoe?  Unfortunately this particular "Day" shoe isn't the one for me.  

First a note on sizing: I got my usual Everlane size of 8 (I'm usually a 7.5 in most other shoes).  I do have wide feet and thus have had issues with Everlane's narrow shoe sizing in the past.  But I think the Day Glove can accommodate wide feet since I had no problems with the width in these shoes.  No, my problem might be a puffy top of the foot, so I had some issues with the edge of the shoe rubbing there.  Also on the right foot, I had some rubbing that led to a small blister (but not the kind that bubbles and pops).  I could keep wearing it fine as long as I had a bandaid there.  And I was still able to comfortably climb the ladder up to the roof of my new trailer home, which was my version of Everlane's "Day Glove Dare" (see the top pic of me and my Day Glove chilling on the roof).

I also had a problem with sweaty feet in these shoes.  Even though there are two air holes in the arch area, it doesn't help in 80 degree weather.  With 100 degree weather coming up in a couple of months, I probably won't be wearing this shoe very much (and I can only really wear it in the winter here in San Jose).  Instead I'll be wearing my favorite summer shoe, the Everlane street sandals  (I'm on my second pair, and I've cut off the elastic to make it even better).

The nice thing about these shoes are the rubber sole (which is a first for Everlane shoes) and the padded insole.  I usually need arch supports in really flat shoes but found that my arches were fine in these so I think the insole has enough structure to be comfortable.  I also liked the look of these shoes, and in this pink color it reminded me of cute ballet shoes.

I just think in the end, this particular Everlane Day shoe doesn't work for me personally.  I much prefer Everlane's Day Heel Mules (reviewed here).  But I do think everyone is different, and this is by no means a bad shoe.  This shoe will probably work best for those who's feet are not as wide and puffy (fat?) as mine.  As for me, I won't be wearing these so I'm going to sell it here with 100% of the profit going to International Rescue Committee (a new refugee charity I'm going to concentrate my dollars on since writing this post).

{Update: as Henny mentioned in the comments below and as Grechen mentions here these shoes look a lot like the Martiniano Glove Shoe, which makes this the second shoe that I know of that Everlane has "ripped off".  I'll be reviewing the first shoe that I know of on Monday--it's the Editor slingbacks reviewed here.}

{June 2019 Update: I finally bit the bullet and tried the Martinano Glove Shoe that “inspired” Everlane’s Day Glove. You can read that comparison review here.}

Unsponsored Jamie + the Jones Review: The Blank Canvas Top in Raw Silk

So another Jamie and the Jones review for you today.  This was the second item in my first order from J+J (the first was the heavy weight T sweater reviewed here).  I gotta admit, at first I wasn't a huge fan of this J+J Blank Canvas top in raw silk.  Or at least I wasn't a fan of the shape and cut of Blank Canvas (but I love the raw silk material, more on that in a bit).  However I included the top in my Spring 10x10 Challenge, and after styling it a few ways I looooove the top!  Funny how some items of clothing grow on you, even if you don't like them right away (and to me that's also the beauty of the 10x10 challenges because they can clarify those feelings for you).

{Wearing: J+J Blank Canvas top, Everlane ponte skirt (similar here, reviewed here), Everlane Street Sandals (reviewed here), Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here and here, reviewed here)}

When I first tried on the Blank Canvas top, I didn't like how cropped it was.  I do have a fairly long torso (well compared to my legs) so it might be extra short on me (I got this in a size small).  But I can only wear this top with really high-waisted bottoms.  My favorite bottoms to pair with this is my Everlane ponte skirt (reviewed here, shown above) or with my ES Clyde pants (shown below).  And even with high-waisted bottoms, if I raise my arms, you can still see my midriff.  I also didn't like how wide the boatneck was and so my bra straps sometimes showed.  

But once I started wearing the top for my 10x10, I fell in love with the way it draped.  Also I really love the longer sleeves that make my arms look skinny.  And most of all I really love this raw silk material.  The nubbiness doesn't bother me and I love how the raw silk feels substantial and less delicate than regular silk.  It's somewhere between cotton and silk.  So far I haven't tried handwashing it yet so I'll update this post when I do.  But as recommended in their care instructions, I'm trying not to wash it very often.  

So even though J+J's sweater didn't work for me, the top is a winner.  So much so that I'm already planning my next purchase in raw silk! Any advice on which style of top I should try next?

Weekend Update/Ramblings

Also this week, we picked up our new house!  Gradually moving in as we speak :)

The other day I thought, it doesn't matter if you shop fast fashion or ethically, if you have the problem of a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear you're doing something wrong.  Not to sound braggy and obnoxious (though I will), but I haven't had that problem in years.  Instead my problem would lean more towards the "you've worn this 4 days in a row already (usually a jeans and sweater combo), it's time to wear something different."  But I guess I never have that "nothing to wear" problem anymore (oh and I definitely used to) because I've spent time honing in on my style, and Kondo-ing the sh*t out of my closet multiple times.  So I really am left with my favorites.  And I've learned how to mix and match those favorites (the 10x10 Challenges really help with that) so that it's easy for me to throw on an outfit and head out the door.  Of course if you don't want to spend as much time as I do thinking about clothes, then yes you probably will have that nothing to wear dilemma until you come up with your own uniform/formula.

I guess I'm really lucky that my style aligns with Everlane a lot and I find their pieces to be my basic building blocks.  And I know a lot of slow fashion peeps think Everlane is getting to be fast fashion but I think they are the bridge between brands like H&M, Zara (the truly fast fashion ones) with brands like Elizabeth Suzann and Jamie+the Jones (the really slow ones).  They fill a niche where they have enough production to be able to have a large inventory (thus helping with the ease of buying and returning) and yet are manufacturing their clothes with ethical standards in mind.  I read this interesting article which states eco-friendly brands don't provide the price point and ease of purchase that Millennials look for when buying clothes: Kambara said the disconnect between Millennials shoppers wanting to buy and not buying eco-friendly fashion “is the lack of fashionable eco-friendly choices that also meet their ease, price/value and uniqueness tests. There are only a handful of eco-friendly youth-oriented brands — such as Anek, Everlane, Nudie Jeans, Patagonia, People Tree, Reformation and K.O.I. — and none have the scale or variety of fashion offerings to meet Millennials’ requirements for ease, price/value and uniqueness.”  I guess brands like Elizabeth Suzann and Jamie+the Jones can only appeal to those who can afford it, who are patient, and who are conscientious to the slow fashion cause.  But I do think Everlane (and Reformation, etc.) is a step in the right direction.

Also a quick review on this GuppyBag from Patagonia that's supposed to collect all the microfibers from your machine washable synthetic clothes.  Well it's useless so don't buy it!  I've used it at least 5-6 times and have never seen/collected any microfibers so I think it's a great idea but it doesn't work.

P.S. I wrote this earlier in last week and just now read this post from a blog I've been following for awhile, and it really resonated with me.  I think if you're "your own design advocate" as well as "buying for your lifestyle" as she advises, you really do start making your closet work for you.

Everlane Review The Day Heel Mule

I am a huge sucker for Everlane shoes (as evidence by all my Everlane shoe reviews) and there are a lot of times I really love the look of the shoe but it fails me in terms of fit and comfort.  And this is usually because Everlane's shoes have run pretty narrow in the past.  But I'm happy to report that this is not the case for the Day Heel Mule!  In fact, I've worn these so many times since I got them that they're now the second most worn shoes in my closet this year (after my Vince Blair sneakers).

First a note on sizing: I got this in my usual Everlane shoe size of 8 (I'm usually a 7.5-8), and I found that they fit perfectly with little or no gap between my heel and where the shoe ends.  The forefront of the Day Heel Mules are a good width and so even though I have a slightly wide foot, I have no issues.  

These are made in the same factory as the regular Day Heels (in Montopoli in Val D’Arno, Italy) so the fit between those and the mules are very similar.  I really like the sizing of the shoes from this factory (as say compared to the factory where the Modern Loafers are made) because they tend to keep the width of the shoes pretty normal.  The leather of the Mules is also the same soft and beautifully supple leather as the regular Day Heels, but that also means that the shoes are prone to nicks and scratches.  I decided to go with the only leather option (in the color cognac) because I'm not a fan of suede.  So if you like the Day Heels, you'll probably like the Day Heel Mules even better (well if you like the style) since it wears pretty similar except with the mules you don't have the scrunched up leather at the Achilles tendon like the Day Heels do (I found that when I walk around in my Day Heels a lot, that part of the shoes rubs my heels and makes it a tad painful).

{Wearing Left: Everlane Modern Utility Jacket (reviewed here), Frame denim jeans (similar here), Everlane Day Heel Mules, Polene Numero Un bag (reviewed here) // Wearing Right: Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Dress (review coming soon), Chanel crossbody (similar here)}

I included these shoes as part of my Spring 10x10, and I got to see how really versatile they are.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of the cognac color, it actually went with a lot of my outfits because I think the color is neutral enough.  The 2 inch block heels were also just enough height to help elongate the leg but still really comfortable to walk around in.  I did go shopping in them once and after a couple hours I did find that the pinkie toes on both of my feet were a bit pinched and red but I didn't get any blisters (and now that the skin there has hardened a bit, I no longer have that same problem).  And the only other issue I found is that the smooth soles can be a tad slippery so something like this would help.

I love that the shoes are a perfect match to my Celine Seau Sangle (similar here, reviewed here) in the picture above.  

Anyway if you are in the market for a good pair of leather mules, I have to say that these are a huge winner for me and definitely worth trying out.  I'm so in love with them that they may have become my favorite pair of shoes from Everlane ever and I wouldn't be surprised to see them on next year's Lowest Cost Per Wear Everlane post (this was this past year's post).

Anyone else try the mules and what did you think?

Elizabeth Suzann Review: The Gen 4 Linen Clyde Work Pants (vs. the cotton canvas Clydes)

Please excuse the terrible hair from a non-glam lazy blogger lol

After I got my cotton canvas Clyde Work pants from Elizabeth Suzann (which I reviewed here), I knew that I needed to try out the linen Clydes next because as much as I loved the canvas ones, they just weren't the 'unicorn' pants I was expecting them to be.  And would I consider these linen ones my unicorn pants?  Well they come pretty darn close.

So first a note on sizing: I got both these and the canvas Clydes (both Generation 4 versions) in size 4 short (I'm 5'4" with the legs of someone closer to 5'2").  And even though I got the same pants in the same size, the canvas Clydes felt a lot tighter at the waistband than the linen Clydes.  And it amazes me that there's such a difference in identical pants but in different materials.  To get the canvas Clydes on I really have to shimmy the band over my butt, but I have no such issue with the linen ones (which already makes me like the linen ones way more). {Update: I stand corrected, they are actually two different sizes even though both Cyldes are a size 4.  Thanks to Kathryn below who let me know that ES makes the cotton canvas Cyldes smaller on purpose to better hold up the heavier fabric.  The waist and hips are about .25 inches smaller in the canvas Clydes compared to the linen ones, and oh boy those .25 inches make a big difference!}

{Pic above taken for my Spring 10x10; wearing: Jamie+the Jones Blank Canvas Top (review coming soon), ES Linen Clyde pants, Rothy's pointed flat (review coming soon), Celine small cabas phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}

As for differences in how it looks, I think the canvas ones in general look and feel more fitted around the leg and around the hips.  The pockets on the linen ones tend to flare out more while for the canvas ones, they lay closer to the body.  

linen clydes

canvas clydes

Here are some side by side comparisons.  I'm wearing the linen Georgia tee (reviewed here) and the linen Clydes on the pictures on the left (or the first pics if you're looking on phone) while I'm wearing the silk Georgia tee (reviewed here) and the cotton canvas Clydes in the other photo.

As you can see, the linen Clydes show a lot more wrinkles so if you're looking for a more refined look, then the cotton canvas Clydes are probably a better bet.  But I love that the linen Clydes are just way more comfortable.  The material is softer and breathes so well.  There have been a smattering of hot days this past spring and these linen Clydes worked perfectly.  It covered my legs but I could feel the wind blow through the material to cool me down.

So why don't I say that these are the unicorn pants with a resounding yes?  Well I actually really like the look of the canvas Clydes but the fit and feel of the linen ones.  But the combo of that is technically impossible (a true unicorn).  So I guess I was looking for a mythical pair of pants after all.  But in the meantime I found a truly awesome pair of pants for work (the linen ones) and a great one for going out (the canvas ones).  With these two pants, I pretty much have my bases covered!

P.S. Henny asked about how these compare with the Tilda pants (I reviewed the linen Tilda pants here) and I have to say I love the Clyde pants waaay more.  I like the silhouette of the Clydes better and I love that there are big pockets (the Tilda has no pockets).

Everlane Review The Modern Utility Jacket

*unsponsored

Back in January, when I wrote up the review for the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Jacket, I was left searching for a good work jacket with pockets.  A reader had suggested Tradland's Chore Coat, and I was considering it but procrastinated on buying it (since I was already buying too many things).  But then I saw that Everlane was going to come out with a coat with pockets and decided to wait for their Modern Utility Jacket to be released.  And boy was I not disappointed!  It's as if Everlane read my mind (or my blog) and made the perfect work jacket for me (lol, though I know that's not possible considering the lead time it takes for production).  But really, this jacket is everything I wanted.  

First a note on sizing: I got this in my usual Everlane size of small (I'm 5'4" and usually a size 4 on top) and it fit well.  It's a tad long for my petite frame so the jacket does look better on me when it's open and unzipped.  The small is still a bit oversized and it's large enough for me to fit a sweater like Everlane's Long Sleeve Crew underneath (which I usually do pair together when it's a bit chilly).

{Wearing: Everlane Modern Utility Jacket, Frame straight leg jeans (similar here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (review coming soon), Polene Numero Un bag (reviewed here)}

Here are all the things I love about this jacket:

~ 4 big pockets with gussets that can fit bulky items (like a walkie tallkie) and that have snaps to keep the pocket secure.

~ The twill material is super sturdy and substantial but still lightweight.  This is exactly the kind of material I think of when I think of a "utility jacket."

~ I love that there is both a zipper option and a snap option.  I rarely like to zipper up all the way, but it's a great option.  The snaps are large, well-made and easy to use.

~ Another great option to have but that I don't use is the drawstring at the waist so that you can cinch it in for a better silhouette.  Since this is my work jacket I don't really care too much but I might try it out the next time I have the jacket closed so that I look less blocky.

~ And I love that the collar stands up but it stays away from my face and chin so that I don't get any makeup on it.

{Wearing: Everlane Modern Utility Jacket, Elizabeth Suzann Silk Georgia Dress (review coming soon), Everlane Modern Loafer Mules (review coming soon), Celine Seau Sangle bag (similar here and reviewed here)}

I can't think of any cons to this jacket (so far but of course will update this post if I do).  Also just to note, the color of the jacket on Everlane's website is a touch more brown than IRL.  I've worn this jacket 10 times in about 3 weeks (where 1 of those weeks was really hot so there was no need for a jacket).  I've also used this jacket in my Spring 10x10 and I love it even more every time I wear it.  This is the best LSJ (light spring jacket, term learned from Grechen) I've ever had and one of my favorite items from Everlane this year.  If I wasn't working on mindful consumption, this jacket would be something I would buy multiples of in different colors because I love it so much (but as it stands, I know I only need one so I will only buy one lol).

Weekend Update/Ramblings

Work location this past Tuesday

The other day, I was thinking about how wearing "high and low" (meaning mixing your high-end accessories with fast fashion clothes) is (was?) all the rage.  By wearing expensive shoes and bags, you can pass your trendy fast fashion items off as possibly-designer stuff (or at least high market stuff).  And I used to dress like that.  But (and I hate to pass judgement but I'm going to) that seems the most unethical way to dress to me now.  Not only is it fake, but you're taking advantage of slave labor to afford the expensive items to try to look rich.  No, if you can afford that designer bag, please pay for clothes made by those being paid a fair wage and working in safe conditions.  On top of that, by trying to pass off your disposable clothes as designer wear, you are also promoting the stealing of designs by fast fashion companies.  Seriously we all know better, and places like Forever21 should cease to exist.  Of course if you can't afford to spend a lot of money on clothes, then shopping at cheap places seems inevitable.  But really, if you were smart with your clothing budget, thrifting or saving for one quality piece or hunting for it used on eBay or Poshmark seems the way to go (and I do this too so that can afford all the pieces I want).  Ah well, I know for the most part I'm preaching to the choir here.  But really, who cares how good you look if you're funding the abuse and misery of those making your clothes  (lol too harsh?).

Speaking of designer bags, I read this really interesting article about Chinese immigrants making luxury bags in Italy.  So if your "Made in Italy" Chanel bag was probably worked on by a Chinese person, would that matter to you?  Or is an artisan and artisan no matter their ethnicity?  However, that Chinese artisan is probably working longer hours and charging less money than the Italian one.  It really gives me some food for thought about the value of designer bags these days.  Also bags from brands like Polene are more likely completely made in one factory from craftsmen whose families have been making bags from generations compared to brands like Gucci and Chanel where the bag pieces are farmed out to different factories (so which one is the true luxury bag?).

On a totally different topic, remember when I wrote this post about the popsocket being my favorite phone accessory?  Well, my love for it is still going strong (I'm onto my 3rd one since I changed phones 3 times and it's not as restickable as it claims).  But I bring it up because they have now started making car mounts specifically for the popsocket.  And as a semi-professional Airstream tow-er I'm driving around a lot, and this popsocket car mount is perfect!  Just thought I'd let other popsocket users out there know about it :)

Bryr Clog Review The Chloe Peep Toe Clog

Bryr Clogs have been on my radar ever since I started seeing Andrea wear them.  But I'm not really a clog person so I had no real intention of purchasing them.  But when I saw these Chloe peep toe clogs for a pretty good price on Poshmark, I thought why not?  I think these are the natural leather Chloe clogs in a high heel and in size 37.

First a note on sizing.  Since this is my first pair of Bryr clogs (well actually clogs ever), I wasn't sure of my sizing but I'm usually a 7.5 (except I'm an 8 in Everlane since their shoes tend to be narrow).  So I thought the 37 in the Bryr clogs would work, but well the size 37 is definitely too big for me.  The 37s have a bit of a gap in the back but it's not so big that it would hinder walking around in them.  So I would say these run a tad large. 

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann Georgia tee in silk, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants in cotton canvas, Celine small cabas phantom (similar here), Bryr Clogs}

If you don't know about Bryr, you can learn about them here.  But basically they're handmade in San Francisco by 5 women, using American leather and European wood bases.  I love that they're a woman-led, local, ethical business.  Seeing as they are based in San Francisco, I probably should have gone straight to their store to try these on before purchasing to get the sizing right.  But oh well.

As for the clogs, they're super lightweight and even though these are the high heel version, are easy to walk in because they are platformed.  I also love that they make me  couple inches taller. Another plus, the natural leather color helps lengthen my leg and I loved how they look paired with my ES cotton canvas Clyde pants here.  Oh and I also love that the bottom sole has a rubber layer to prevent slipping.

The only thing I didn't care for was how the leather wasn't finished on the inside so it's a bit rough on the side that rests on the top of the foot.  It's a minor detail and TBH wouldn't dissuade me from keeping them.  But since I happened to get the Everlane Day Heel Mule at the same time and the two shoes are quite similar to each other, I'm only going to keep one pair.  And since the Bryr clogs are a tad too large, I'm going to keep the Everlane ones (which I'll be doing a review on soon, but FYI I find them super comfortable and easy to walk in).

But if you're a clog person, or want to be a clog person I highly recommend these Bryr clogs.  They're well-made clogs and built to last.  And if you happen to be a solid size 8 and want a lightly worn pair for a good price, you can find this for sale here.

P.S. Coincidentally, Andrea has posted about her clogs today too.  Guess it's a clogs on blogs kind of day! :D

Unsponsored Polene Numero Un Bag Review {Updated September 2021}

* This review is not sponsored, nor was the bag gifted. I purchased this bag myself.

After scoping out this bag IRL in Paris during my short trip back in January, I finally decided to buy the Polene Numero un in black. I purchased the smooth black leather version because even though the pebbled leather is more durable, I already have the Celine small cabas phantom in pebbled leather and for the most part I actually like the look of smooth leather more.  With the current Euro to USD exchange, I got this bag for about $425, which isn't cheap but at the same time is more affordable than it's look-alike cousin, the Mansur Gavriel Mini Lady Bag (review of that here) which retails for $750 for the cheapest veg-tanned leather).  And for almost half the price, I have to say this Polene bag is easier to use, made of more durable leather, and is overall a better quality bag.  

But first of all, if you were wondering about the ethics behind this bag: it’s made in Ubrique, Spain where "all the workers in the factories are well paid. This is a town with a high level of social protection for them because most of the peoples are working in this industry" (quoted from an email response from Polene when I asked about their manufacturing process).  Ubrique is also where Everlane makes their leather foldover cross body bag (reviewed here).  {Here's an interesting article about Ubrique as well.}  To be honest, I feel like you can tell these bags (both the Everlane and Polene ones) are made by skilled workers because these bags are so well made.  Not a loose thread or wonky leather edge in sight!

The above picture is a side-by-side shot with my Celine micro belt bag (reviewed here), which is just a tiny bit smaller than the Polene bag though both have a similar style with a top handle and a long shoulder strap.  When I first got the Celine bag I loved it a lot (and I still do), but I was concerned about using such an expensive bag for daily use.  So I would rotate my bags weekly.  But now that I have the Polene bag, it's become my every day version of the Celine bag.  And I couldn't be happier.  I'm ok with slinging my Polene bag over my chair at a busy restaurant or using it when it's raining.  And you know what?  This bag can take it.

Here are some other pros about this bag:

- This bag has 5 studs at the bottom that are it's feet so that the leather doesn't directly rest on the floor.  Even my $2250 Celine micro belt bag doesn't have feet!

- The top handle is really well-made and sturdy.  Much better than the Mansur Gavriel top handle and on par if not better than the Celine top handle.  I also like that I can fit my wrist easily through this top handle if I choose to carry my bag this way.

- I like that even when I don't have the front clasped and I'm holding it by the top handle, the bag doesn't tip over and spill out my stuff.  It's perfectly centered so that you can rifle through your bag with one hand and carry it by the top handle in the other.

- There's a large zip pocket and two medium sized flat pockets inside and that make organizing the stuff easier.  I also love that the inside is lined fully with cotton (unlike my Celine bags and Mansur Gavriel bags).  There's also a large pocket on the back to stash your phone.  Seriously this bag is so well designed.

- The leather on this is beautiful and much more durable than the veg-tanned leather that Mansur Gavriel uses.

- And when my stuff got stolen out of my locker at the gym, the thief didn't bother stealing this bag since it's not a well known brand (at least not yet).  I was super lucky in that I switched to this bag just a day before (from my Celine cabas phantom, which I'm sure would have been stolen too with the rest of my stuff).  There are definite perks in buying and carrying bags that aren't flashy or from a recognizable luxury brand.

photo taken the day I got the bag, so this was all the stuff that got stolen but not the bag itself!

The only two cons with this bag are:

-  At 12.5" x 9" x 6.5", this bag is smaller than what I've been carrying lately so I can't fit a water bottle and extra containers for my zero waste lifestyle.  I can still carry reusable bags along with all my other stuff though.  Also this bag can't fit a 13" laptop.  

- Also it's pretty impossible to close the front clasp with one hand.  I need both hands to get the magnetic button to line up perfectly for the bag to close.

{Wearing Everlane Utility Jacket (reviewed here), Frame straight leg jeans (similar here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (reviewed here)}

Lately, I've been carrying the bag around with the front snaps undone so that the bag is more squarish.  The front clasp still closes and I find this way I can search through my bag easier.  When you have all the snaps done up, the opening of the bag shrinks considerably and there's less access to your stuff (a good thing especially if you want to keep your bag secure in a crowded area).

Anyway I hope you liked this review and let me know if you guys have any questions about the bag!  Anyone else get this bag and what do you think of it?

Update: Here's a better look of the lining inside the bag.  I have to say the lining is a really sturdy cotton canvas that's better than the lining in my Balenciaga bag (currently the only other bag with a cotton lining in my collection right now).

{Jan 2019 Update: I have sold the bag to a blog reader since I pretty much stopped using it. The main reason for that is I no longer am commuting to an office so I’ve been carrying around much smaller bags (mostly my Celine soft cube reviewed here). This mid-size bag is a little too big for my everyday needs. The leather is a bit more scratched up but other than that it has held up beautifully (and I think if you opt for the pebbled leather version, you definitely will have less scratches). Also I wanted to note that now that Polene has set prices in USD, you can get it for $400, which is $25 cheaper than what I paid. I still highly recommend this well crafted beautiful leather bag, especially if you’re looking at a good mid-size option!}

{March 2019 Update: So my friend got the Polene numero un mini and I have to say it’s so cute! It’s a really great size if you’re looking for a more elegant going out bag. The metal front clasp and the chain make the bag look more expensive than it is. I forgot to take a pic of it, but when I see her again I’ll be sure to add a photo here. Her only complaint about this bag is that there is no way to adjust the chain length so on her, it’s a bit too long even for crossbody (she’s shorter than me at like 5’1” I think). Also here’s a great review of the mini bag from one of my fave bloggers Jaime.}

And lastly here are some pics that I took when I went to the Polene shop in Paris sometime in January of 2018 (it was a bit hard to find but thanks to Google I made it lol). I was luckily able to try the bags in person before deciding on buying one, and I decided to purchase it online to save room in my luggage.

I’m 5’4” for reference

That’s the one I got!

{March 2020 Update: So I noticed that they increased the price a bit to $420 (lol still less than what I originally purchased it for, due to the Euro conversion back in 2018). Also I wanted to mention that I sometimes see secondhand Polene bags pop up on the RealReal from time to time here. }

{July 2020: A word of warning: after sending back a faulty Polene Numero Uno Nano bag on my own dime, they basically gave me a “you’re sh*t outta luck” attitude when it got lost in the mail. Several months later, I decided to track my package and lo and behold, it made it to their Spain warehouse 3 weeks earlier. I emailed them about it and they finally gave me a refund. But if I hadn’t been diligent they probably wouldn’t have said anything and kept my money, which is disappointing customer service to say the least. They definitely need to work on their QC and communication with their Spanish producers, and in the meantime I will no longer be giving them my business.}

{September 2021 Update: Ok ok so I know I said I would no longer buy from them but what can I say, I’m a sucker for well designed bags. After being turned off by this unpleasant experience, I finally caved and bought from them because I fell in love with their Beri bag. You can read my full review of the Polene Beri bag here. This time the transaction was easy (since there was no returns involved) and I was 100% satisfied with my purchase. So I guess for me, I probably will continue to purchase from Polene because I love their well designed bags, mostly good construction (loved 2 out of 3 so far), and reasonable price point. I also hunt the RealReal for used Polene bags once in awhile. So would I recommend purchasing from Polene? Yea I think it’s still worth it, just don’t try to do a return during a pandemic lol.}

The Stylebook app 3 month anniversary recap: What did I wear the most?

So I want to be fully open about this post because it's kind of a gray area to me, but I was inspired to write this post by Andrea's post here.  See the whole time I had the Stylebook app (which I started using on 1/12/18 and that I reviewed here) I was obsessed with the cost per wear of each item.  I was trying to get below that 'magic' threshold of $1 (I don't know why I fixated on that).  Anyway, I've been missing the bigger picture here until I read Andrea's post, and it made me go "hmm, I wonder what were the items in my closet that I actually wore the most."  And because I thought it was interesting, I'm going to share it here (and I apologize if this seems unoriginal, BUT I will say by comparing notes with Andrea I did find some interesting similarities).  Also I've realized that even though I may say something is my "favorite" or "top" item, I can only really prove that by showing you (and myself) how many times I've actually worn it.

Some qualifying notes:

- I omitted entering tees into my digital closet on the app because I find that I used them a lot like undershirts during the winter, but they were mostly old Grana and Everlane tees.

- I also omitted talking about my bags since that's something I have to carry around daily so of course their wear count would be high.

- The Everlane old anorak that I always rave about it missing in the line up.  Every time I wear it I recall that I haven't entered it in my digital closet yet and then when I want to, it's usually wet from use >_<

- And lastly, I only went through my top 9 items since it seemed like a good place to stop (and coincidentally they've all be worn 9 or more times in the first 3 months of this year).

1) Vince Blair Sneakers (similar here): these replaced my M.Gemi Felize shoes as my go-to daily flat.  The Vince shoes just can take a beating better and hold up in the rain. Been planning on doing a review of these vs. the M.Gemi Cerichio  for the longest time (I promise I'll get to it, but in the meantime know that the Vince ones are waaaay better).

2) Frame Denim (old, similar here): My favorite pair of jeans.  Also not coincidentally, the only item that's below the $1 cost per wear threshold!

3) Everlane Wool-Cashmere sweater from last winter: And that's why it's on my Lowest Cost Per Everlane post here.

4) Frame Skinny de Jeanne Le Crop (old, similar here): My favorite pair of skinny jeans.

5) Everlane Waffle Knit Cashmere (reviewed here): Coincidentally also on Andrea's most worn list, so you know it's a great sweater!

6) Bridge & Burn cotton jacket (old):  Yea it's rare to have something in my closet today that I haven't reviewed, especially from an ethical company.  What can I say except sometimes some things slip through the cracks, but it's a great cotton jacket that is perfect for layering except it makes me look stumpy (which is probably why you don't see it on the blog haha).

7) Elizabeth Suzann Canvas Clydes: Reviewed here and obviously love.

8) Mott & Bow slim boyfriend jeans: That's why these are on the best list of The Best and Worst Items I've Received For Free post

9) Michael Michael Kors Jacket (similar here) : bought specifically for and worn everyday of my Europe trip and also part of my Winter 10X10.  When you only have one winter coat, you wear it a lot.  But since I wasn't in love with it enough to want to store it, I returned it from whence it came: Crossroads Trading Co and it only cost me about $25 to use it for the week.

The rest of the items on the page in order: Sevilla Smith Terilyn booties (reviewed here), Everlane Long Sleeve Crew (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heel Mules (review coming soon), Everlane Modern Utility Jacket (reviewed coming soon), Loeffler Randall boots (old), Everlane Foldover Crossbody (reviewed here), Grana Volume Cashmere sweater (sold out).

So, like Andrea, my jeans and sweaters were the bread and butter of my winter closet (with the Everlane waffle knit cashmere being a staple in both our closets).  Also I agree with her that when you enjoy talking about clothes and evolving your closet, but you strictly limit yourself (like me all of last year) it's a major bummer and frankly depressing for a blogger (because all you really want to do is grow and hone in on your style).  At least this year even though I'm buying new things, I know that my old favorites still have a firm place in my closet (and I tell myself "At least I'm not buying new disposable clothes from fast fashion...").  I find that by shopping slow/ethical fashion, there's no way I can keep up with what's really trendy (like I said before), but at least it also helped me find the right clothes for me.  That's probably why I also found this past 10x10 challenge to be the easiest one so far (the first couple times I struggled past day 6 and it felt like the challenge was just a bit too long). But this Spring 10x10 (you can see all 10 looks here) was almost effortless in comparison (the outfits were easy, getting the pics are always a challenge). 

Also by using the Stylebook app daily, it really made me realize how well (or poorly) I'm utilizing some of the items that I have.  It's been 3 months and I've only thus far entered 44 items into my digital closet (excluding my cotton tees and the old Everlane anorak).  Which means all the other clothes I have around are pretty much useless (guess it's time to take a better look at what I have and weed out the benchwarmers).  I do think a part of it is because my style has evolved. 

I was surprised to see that some of my newer items (like the Everlane Day Heel Mules and the Modern Utility jacket) made it to the top of the page.  I guess when the list starts in January and you wear your new stuff a lot and right away, it will get more wears than some of my older favorites that I may not wear as often in one short time span (but I do wear more often when you look at a longer period of time). I would expect biases like these to wane the longer I use the app.

I think my next challenge is to start going through the items not in my Stylebook app and incorporate them into my digital closet and current style (maybe do mini challenges like a 5x5) and figure out if the item is worth keeping or not. 

Anyway what about you guys?  What are some of your most worn items so far this year?  Also if you did the Spring 10x10, how did it go for you?  And for those who have the Stylebook app, anyone else obsessed with the Style Stats  >.<

P.S. Also can I take a moment to admire my first 8 days of April (the last 8 days of the Spring 10x10).  I was never really a Polyvore person (and thank goodness too since Ssense has effectively shutdown the platform, which is also a good reminder not too get invested in another company's platform since it could go away at any time).  But after 3 months of having this app, I'm finally arranging my looks in a more visually appealing way, which is making me like my clothes even more!

P.P.S Just realized that this Stylebook app is a lot like MyFitnessPal (a diet and exercise log, which had all it's data breached recently so I wouldn't recommend it).  But when I was using MyFitnessPal 5-6 years ago, it made me more mindful of my eating habits. But I also got quite obsessed with it and told myself I had to use it for a year straight (which I did lol).

Weekend Update/Resolutions Check: How am I doing?

My zero-waste garden for composting and growing some spinach

I feel like one of the good things I did last year was periodically check-in on my no-shopping resolution. Of course, I failed every other month, but at least I was aware of it and not just throwing in the towel.  Well I figure it would be a good time to see how I'm doing for 2018.  

You can find my resolutions here.

1) My YES exercise regimen: Yep, it's still hobbling along.  I only worked out 6 times in January, 7 times in February and 9 times in March.  It's no where near the number of times I need to be exercising to shed some winter travel weight, but I'm happy enough with the improving numbers.

2) No binge drinking: I'm doing so-so on this one too. I've had several occasions where I drank a lot in one sitting.  But overall I've stopped drinking during the weekday and "save" my drinks for the weekend or with friends.  I think that's helped lower the number of drinks I consume in general and I no longer crave that one beer with dinner.  Also I think less consecutive days drinking (even if it's only one a day) has made me feel better overall, but I'm still going to work on drinking less per sitting when I do decide to imbibe.

3) Shop ethically as much as possible: Yep, hitting this one out of the park.  Zero fast fashion.  Of course everyone has different standards for what constitutes as ethical shopping.  This writer doesn't think Everlane is, but I do, so I guess I have a fairly low bar.  TBH, at this stage of the general population's shopping habits, I think if we can say no to fast fashion and disposable clothing made by slave labor that is enough.  Could Everlane do better?  Of course everyone can do better, but at least when I buy something from Everlane I know that the person who made my clothes works in a safe environment and is presumably being paid a fair wage.  So I'm giving myself a yes on this one.

4) Conscious consumption and zero-waste lifestyle changes: Needs improvement.  This has  turned out to be a hard one because to live a zero-waste life requires vigilance and constant preparedness.  I was doing really well in January when I was super gung-ho, so I would make sure I had my reusable utensils, straws, containers.  But by March I would forget (partially because I was carrying a small bag) and be like 'oh well.'  I also used my first disposable straw in March and felt kind of guilty about it, lol.  Basically, it's easy to slide back into your old habits out of convenience.  So it's good I'm doing a check-in right now because I need to renew my efforts in minimal waste and better consumption.

Anyway how are your resolutions going?  Just because you've fallen off the bandwagon, doesn't mean you can't pick yourself up and hop back on!  Let's keep on keeping on :)

Elizabeth Suzann Review: Generation 4 Georgia Tee in Silk Crepe

*unsponsored review

Lately, I feel like I'm apologizing at the start of every review for making people wait for them.  Maybe it's because I preview them on my insta-stories and then wear it for a month before reviewing the item.  But I also have a back-log of things to review, which is probably an indicator that I'm buying too much again (>_<).  Anyway here's the review some of you guys have been waiting for (and sorry for the wait, lol): Elizabeth Suzann's generation 4 Georgia Tee in silk crepe.

{Wearing: Elizabeth Suzann silk georgia tee, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde pants in cotton canvas (reviewed here), Bryr clogs (review coming soon), Celine small Cabas Phantom (reviewed here)}

First a note on sizing, I ended up getting the OS in this Georgia Tee even though I'm petite.  But since I have a fairly long torso I think the OS works well for me.  I also have the linen Georgia Tee in OS (a gen 3 version) so I decided to stick with the same size.  I did notice some differences between this silk gen 4 version and the linen gen 3 version that's due to the updated fit (and not just due to the material alone, but I'll get to that too in a bit).  The biggest difference is the neckline.  My gen 3 linen Georgia tee is more of a boatneck compared to this gen 4 version and you can definitely see my bra straps on the old linen version but not this one.  So I do think the fit of the gen 4 version is better than the gen 3.  On their site, it also says the gen 4 version has more length, but when I tried it on I couldn't really tell.

Now even though they're pretty much the same tee, the silk version feels very different from the linen (no duh, lol).  The linen version, since it's so much more structured, feels a lot more oversized while the silk version feels more like a normal blouse due to the drapey-ness.  Also the sleeves on the linen version are more pronounced because they can hold their structure.

This is my first silk item from ES and I have to say I really love the quality!  The silk that ES uses is 23mm which is a heavier momme weight than what both Everlane and Grana use (they both use 16mm silk, which is not bad either especially when they do a double-layer of silk like in my recent Everlane review).  Only Cuyana uses a thicker silk with a momme weight of 25.  TBH you can't tell the difference between 23mm and 25mm, though you can tell the difference between 16mm and 23mm silk.  You can read my original post comparing Everlane, Equipment and Cuyana silk here (though the Cuyana silk tee used in this old comparison post is unlike the silk they use now for most of their clothes).  And you can read all about ES's silk here.

Anyway I'm in love with both of my ES Georgia Tees.  The linen one made it onto my top 10 favorite items I tried through blogging, and I have a feeling this silk one will be on that list next year!

Everlane Review The Kick Crop Jeans

When it comes to Everlane bottoms, I feel like quite the Goldilocks.  I have tried many many pants and jeans from them and have yet to keep one long term (the only one I committed to was the Wide Leg Crop pants, which I ended up selling several months later).  I have also tried every variation of their sustainable denim with no success.  So I would love to say that I've finally found my pair of Everlane pants, but sadly no I did not end up keeping this one either.  But I've finally figured out why because TBH, these kick crop jeans are probably the closest pair of ideal jeans I've ever tried from Everlane.  But the reason Everlane jeans don't work for me is the rise.  I have realized I'm just not a high-rise jeans person, I'm a mid-rise jeans person (and I will only tolerate high-rise pants if they have elastic waistbands like Elizabeth Suzann's Clyde Pants).  When I wear high-rise pants, I'm tempted to undo the button every time I sit down, much like men un-button their blazer button when they sit (if only this was acceptable for us to do, lol).  

Too bad too since I really like the look of these jeans:

{Wearing: Everlane old cropped cashmere (similar here), Everlane Kick Crop jeans, Everlane Day Heel Mules (review coming soon), Polene numero un bag (review coming soon)}

The jeans run TTS and are a great option for those with short legs since you can cut the hems yourself to your desired length.  And I think even if you cut off an inch or two it doesn't change the flare of the jeans too much (here I'm just folding up the hem to my ideal length).  I also really love this classic blue jean color and found that this is a lot softer than the all black denim I tried in the mid-rise skinny reviewed here (those jeans didn't do it for me since I'm abstaining from buying more skinny jeans at the moment).

{And oops a note on sizing since I forgot but Joy was so good to remind me in the comments!  So I'm usually a size 4-6, and have been getting Everlane jeans in 28 (except for the modern boyfriends where I sized down like a lot of folks).}

Anyway if you're a petite person looking for a good pair of high-rise pants, these jeans are definitely worth a try.  Has anyone else tried the new kick crop and what did you think?

P.S. Here's another review of the kick crop from one of my favorite Aussie bloggers!

Marley's Monsters Review, part 2: Cotton Facial Rounds, Bowl Cover and Unpaper Towels

*This is an unsponsored review and all items were purchased myself and all the nice pictures come from her site

After my first round of purchases from Marley's Monsters (reviewed here), I was a believer!  If converting to a zero waste lifestyle is this easy, sign me up!  I guess this is sort of the "low-hanging fruit" of a minimal waste lifestyle makeover, where these easy purchases will carry you a long way.  Well when Marley's Monsters was having a sale earlier in the year I purchased a couple more items including the cotton facial rounds, the bowl cover and unpaper towels.

Cotton Facial Rounds

So for my first review I purchased the bamboo facial rounds, enticed by the antimicrobial and sustainable nature of bamboo.  But one reader commented that the bamboo wasn't soft enough and I stand corrected, yes the cotton ones are waaay softer even after multiple washes.  Now I use the bamboo ones when I want more exfoliation and the cotton ones for toner.  The plus side of the bamboo ones are that they aren't as absorbent as the cotton ones and thus you use less liquid overall.  Also I removed eye make-up with these rounds and even though they're white, the make-up washes off for the most part (they sometimes appear more grayish after removing dark make-up but not really gray).  However, I did use one to clean up spilled lip gloss in my make-up drawer and that bright pink didn't wash out even after multiple washes.  Again I would say this is a great buy and better than the bamboo for those with sensitive skin.

Bowl Cover

I ordered the large bowl cover to cover my collapsible bowl when making my Farmer's Market Kale salad.  I was previously using plastic wrap and felt that there needed to be a better solution.  I've used Bee's Wrap in the past and didn't like it.  I had a hard time getting a good seal around the edges, especially if I put it in the fridge and wanted to recover it (the bee's wrap got really stiff).  I also found the bee's wrap hard to clean well.  That's why I loved these bowl covers so much, since the drawstring ensures a good seal while the whole thing is machine washable.  The inside is lined with a BPA-free plastic that's durable and easy to wipe clean as well.  I foresee myself using this bowl cover for years and years to come.

Unpaper Towels

So the only purchase that I was kind of "eh" about so far from Marley's Monsters are these Unpaper Towels.  I purchased the 6 pack for $16 (so thats $2.67 per flannel cloth) and that seems pretty steep for me. They're cute and work fine, but if anything they give me an idea to make my own unpaper towels from old and ratty clothes (though I need to learn how to use a sewing machine to make those edges first).  I think in the end if you have your own rag system, then don't bother getting these.

Anyways, I'm very excited to be using all my Marley's Monsters items this year (and the ones from last year).  So far all the products have held up magnificently and I plan to purchase more next year if she has another sale again!

Weekend Update/Ramblings

This is Dora 

You might have seen it on my insta-story (but if you haven't I saved it in highlights), but we officially said bye to our home of 2 years and actually the first Airstream we ever traveled in (back when we first did an Airstream trip, we rented this one for our 3 weeks adventure to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon).  At that time we named it Dora (after the Explorer, lol).  But since we acquired the biz over 2 years ago, my husband won't let me name the other Airstreams (he doesn't want me to get attached to the inventory).  And as much as I would love to keep this Airstream for sentimental reasons, we really need to move into a larger space for our own sanity.  So she is officially for sale here.  We're using the sale money to then purchase our Rockwood trailer (mentioned in my last Weekend Update).

In the meantime I've continued to try to clean out my closets and storage bins and have listed a bunch of linen items from Grana here.  I find that I don't wear them as often so I'm letting them go.  And as much as I like the look of linen, it doesn't really work with my day to day style.  And TBH if I'm going to wear linen at all, I reach for my Elizabeth Suzann linen items more often than my Grana ones.

Also I think it's time to refocus my intention on not watching as much Netflix again because this habit is starting to creep back into my life.  But I did watch two really good things this week: Requiem and Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (both on Netflix).  The first is a 6 episode creepy suspenseful series based in Wales and the second is a superb documentary on a multi-talented amazing woman.  Loved both!

And last but not least, is anyone else participating in the Spring 10x10?  I had planned on doing it since it coincides with my moving (so I'll have a limited wardrobe anyway).  But when I heard Elizabeth Suzann's getting in on the game and doing giveaways, I got even more excited.  This will be my 4th 10x10 challenge and though it does get a bit repetitive, it's always fun to do it with the insta community.  You can catch all my looks here.

Everlane Review The Double-Lined Silk V-Neck Dress

Back when double-layered silk came out on Everlane's site, I was like "Yes, finally!" since Grana has been doing it for awhile and all my favorite silk pieces are double-layered.  But I never purchased it since I already had so many silk items that I honestly wasn't wearing (mostly due to the upkeep).  But when I saw this dress was on sale (aka 'choose what you pay') I thought, why not?  And for those interested, it's still on sale at 45% off the original price.  For $69, if you're in the market for a good silk shift dress I think this might be the one for you.

{Wearing: Everlane double lined silk dress, Everlane modern oxfords, Everlane Day Market Tote}

First a note on sizing: I ordered this in a size 6, which is one size up from my usual Everlane size of 4.  I wanted a loose fit overall but I think I could have gone with a size 4 as well.  

I really love that Everlane chose to do this as a double layer of silk since it prevents VPL and makes it feel so much more substantial than a single layer.  I also love that the dress has a v-neck with thick straps at the shoulder instead of a strappy dress like Grana's since it allows me to wear a regular bra underneath.  Everlane's and Grana's crepe de chine are both 16mm, which is on the thinner side of well-made silk (Elizabeth Suzann uses 23mm and Cuyana uses 25mm silk), but since this is double lined, that actual momme weight of the silk is not as important.  But I did find that it wrinkles pretty easily (as soon as I sat down to tie my shoes I got some wrinkles).  And my only other complaint is that I wish it had pockets, though that's a nice to have, not a need to have.

But in the end I decided to return it because 1) I already don't wear any of the silk items I have in my closet and 2) I definitely don't need another black dress and 3) until I hit the gym seriously or do some pilates to firm up my triceps, I'm going to stay away from acquiring more sleeveless dresses.  But there's nothing wrong with the dress itself and for $69 it's a great deal (even Grana's silk dresses start at $79 and theirs is only double-lined at the bodice now, not the whole dress anymore).  I told myself that if I sell a couple of my silk items and this Everlane dress is still available I'll let myself repurchase it.

Anyone else try this dress and what did you think?

Le Labo Body Lotion Review

I avoided Le Labo for the longest time because I always thought it would be like Aesop (which I reviewed here and did not care for at all).  I think it's the brown bottle look that led to the association of the two brands?  But when I went to Amsterdam, the Pulitzer Hotel had Le Labo toiletries and I fell in love with the brand.  The scent the hotel uses is Santal 33, which has a woodsy leathery smell.  Here's the full description of it:

What it is: A unisex fragrance that captures a defining image of the spirit of the American West and personal freedom.

Notes:

- Top: violet accord, cardamom.

- Middle: iris, papyrus, ambrox.

- Base: cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.

I especially loved the body lotion because it not only was light enough that it absorbed quickly, but the scent was not overpowering.  I also have sensitive skin in general and some body lotions will give me a rash (thanks Clinique Happy body lotion), so I tend to be really picky about what lotions I use.  Most of the time they are unscented so as not to cause any reactions.  But amazingly (and I think because it's a high quality product), Le Labo's fragrant lotions never cause a reaction, even when I use it on patches of skin that's already itchy and irritated (not something I would recommend doing, but for me is a true test of how gentle the lotion is).  I had three small travel bottle of Santal 33 which I used up (and I never have used up hotel toiletries in my life before, even when I do take them as souvenirs).  And that's when I knew I wanted to buy more.

So I went to my local Nordstrom's Le Labo counter to see if I liked any of their other scents.  I'm usually very drawn to florals so it's no surprise that I chose Neroli 26 and The Noir 29.  Here's the description of Neroli 26:

Neroli is another name for the essence of orange blossom. The unique quality of Le Labo's neroli is its sunny floral character with an extraordinarily warm, sensual base. Rose, musk, mandarin orange (slightly aldehydic), jasmine and vanilla, among other essences, complete the portrait, bringing Neroli 36 spikiness, ease, zest and heat. Well-being, elegance and charm, all in a bottle.

And the description for Noir 29:

Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum is an ode to the noble tea leaf and the craft that surrounds it. It combines depth and freshness, softness and strength through permanent oscillation between the light of bergamot, fig and bay leaves and the depth of cedarwood, vetiver and musk. A special extraction of black tea leaves wraps up the composition by bringing to the formula a leavy, hay, tobacco feeling in the dry base, transforming this creation into a sensuous and addictive essence. Citrus, rich, soft, fresh and sensuous.

I'm not really good at describing scents but I liked the Neroli because it's a classic floral smell, while I was drawn to The Noir 29 for its spiciness.  I would say Santal 33 is the subtlest (it's a unisex crowd-pleaser kind of scent) and that's probably why the Pulitzer Hotel uses it for their toiletries. The other two scents are definitely on the more fragrant side.  

But here's the thing I've come to realize: I have always relied on perfume for a signature scent, but I never remember to put it on.  And I've only used up one bottle of perfume in my life (some Gucci thing back in my early 20's when I was dating a lot, lol).  But these days I never wear perfume (my husband could care less what I smell like).  So by switching to scented body lotion, I'm not only moisturizing my skin but I'm already wearing a scent.  Seriously even a whole 24 hours later I can smell the lotion on my skin (ok so yes I can only smell it if I'm bringing my nose directly to my skin and taking a whiff).  Also some of my tees smell like it too.  By using the body lotion, I feel like my skin is infused with the scent but it's never overpowering.  I think I've found my "better" way of wearing scents and I it's with Le Labo's scented body lotion.  Of course expensive lotion isn't for everyone, but if I'm no longer purchasing and wasting $150-$250 bottles of perfume and I use up all of the body lotion, I can easily justify this little luxury for myself.

Does anyone else use lotion as their fragrance?  Do you sometimes supplement the actual perfume with the lotion?  (I got some free samples of the fragrances along with my lotion but find the perfume itself too overpowering and much prefer just using the lotion alone).

Top 10 Favorite Items I Discovered Through Blogging

Wearing #3 and #4 from the list

I've been blogging for over 3 years now, and since I've been focusing most of my posts on reviewing stuff, I've had a lot of new stuff come into my life (95% of which I purchased myself with my own money).  I did a post about the best (and worst) things I received for free as well as the best and worst things I've purchased in 2017.  But how about the just the best things (either purchased or free) that I've reviewed thus far in my years as a blogger?  Well here's that list, in no particular order, with the headline linked to the original review:

1) Everlane Anorak (free with referral credits)

I'm talking about the original anorak here and not The City Anorak (reviewed here) that came out a year or two later.  In fact, I'm wearing this as I type this post since it's raining today.  This anorak was also featured in my Lowest Cost Per Everlane post and is probably the longest-lasting and most-frequently used Everlane item in my closet.

2) Brooklinen Sheets (purchased)

I've never talked about these sheets after the initial review here, but my love for them are still going strong.  And they're my go-to sheets for 75% of the year (the rest of the year my husband prefers flannel sheets which I purchased from Target).  The Brooklinen sheets are still crisp and wonderful and like fine wine, only gets better with age.

3) Elizabeth Suzann linen Georgia tee (purchased used from eBay)

This was my first ES item and what really made me fall in love with the brand.  This item was also listed in my best items purchased in 2017.  I just got the silk version of the Georgia Tee (that's how much I love the style of this tee) and the review for that will be coming up soon.

4) Grana silk ankle pants (free with referral credit)

This is hands down my favorite thing from Grana and are my go-to pants for most occasions.  They work for meetings to airplane flights.  I most recently paired them with my ES silk Georgia tee mentioned above for a nice birthday dinner date! (But just to note, the ones I love are the double-layered silk version and not the single silk flat front version.)

5) Away Luggage, the Bigger Carry-On (purchased)

I love this carry-on suitcase and it's been working like a charm from Hawaii to Europe. My only regret was not waiting to buy it a little later so I could have the ejectable battery (available now) instead of the old version that needs a screwdriver for removal.  I also wish I had gone with a sleeker color instead of the gray.

6) PACT underwear (purchased)

I love love love PACT's organic cotton underwear.  These undies fit well, feel great and are more ethical and sustainable than the majority of underwear on the market now.  There's no reason not to buy these in my book.

7) THINX underwear (purchased)

And this is the underwear I've been wearing when it's that time of the month.  I've had the same 5 pairs since I did my initial review and they're still going strong!  And these have saved me from quite a few embarassing situations.  Also no reason not to buy these as well.

8) Mott & Bow Jeans (free gift for review)

These jeans were in my recent list of best things I received free for review since I still wear them almost weekly.  I only have 3 jeans I rotate between, two of them are from Frame and then are these Mott & Bow ones.  If you're in the market for slim boyfriend jeans with a mid-rise, I can't recommend these enough.

9) Marley's Monsters sponges and facial rounds (purchased)

The original review included bamboo facial rounds but I now also have the cotton versions (which I haven't reviewed yet), that I admit I do love a bit more (though I use both equally).  Anyway these items were on my best 2017 purchases and for good reason: they're so useful and still going strong!  Let's see if they make it all the way to 2020!

10) Everlane Day Market Tote (free with referral credit)

Ok I know I just reviewed this tote last week but I've used it every day since I got it and it's been awesome!  I can fit everything I need to in it.  It's been so easy to carry and it still has the brand new leather smell.  It really is such a useful tote to carry all my heavy work stuff!

So what did you think of this list?  I actually had a version of this post drafted about a year ago and I only just re-discovered it.  I think it's interesting how things can change in a year (as well as what stayed the same).  Here's that first list from early 2017: 1) Everlane anorak, 2) Grana pima shirts (still a favorite but just not in the top 10 this year), 3) M.Gemi the Felize, 4) Vrai & Oro necklace and ring, 5) Everlane Street Sandals, 6) Third Love 24/7 bra, 7) Grana Silk Ankle pants, 8) Elizabeth Suzann linen Georgia Tee, 9) Cuyana travel pouches 10) Brooklinen sheets

I wonder what this list will look like a year from now?