Boody Underwear Review

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So far I’ve reviewed Everlane underwear (spoiler: not a fan) and PACT organic cotton underwear (a fan but also understand why some people say it doesn’t last well) along with some other brands (review here), so I feel pretty well versed in the ethical underwear space. A couple people recommended Boody underwear in my ethical underwear review so I had to give them a try.

If you’re not familiar with Boody Wear, they are an underwear and active wear brand that makes all their items from organic bamboo (a rayon type material made from bamboo). Bamboo is a great sustainable plant that requires less water and less pesticides than cotton (they detail all the benefits of bamboo here). The process of turning bamboo into fabric is a fully closed-look system that recycles all water and chemicals used. To find out how they make this material, check out their page here. Boody Wear also takes their ethical certifications very seriously (and you can view them all here). Their products are made in Korea, and under the WRAP certification they ensure their workers are treated well. All-in-all this is one amazing ethical and sustainable company.

So how is their product?

It’s pretty dang good. So the bamboo material is unexpectedly soft and stretchy. It doesn’t feel like cotton at all, but more like a tight knit spandex/nylon type of material. It’s smooth with a bit of a slipperiness to it (but not as much as nylon). For those who like underwear that stays tight and lasts through multiple washes you’ll probably like Boody a lot more than PACT. But I like my underwear loose and less constricting as well as 100% cotton so I’m still a loyal PACT customer (though I find the lace bikinis are made much better and hold up better than the regular bikini bottoms).

I got the Boody Classic Bikini and found these to run on the small side (but like I said I don’t like my underwear to be constricting so I prefer a looser fit). The mediums fit me well (usually a size 4-6) though I might even go up to a large for a loose fit (the small was a no-go for me). I also tried their padded shaper bra, which I like because they’re like sports bras and the (removable) padding prevents any nipple outlines. For the bras I got a medium and they fit well (I’m a 4 on top).

Their items are machine washable and either lay out to dry or tumble dry low. So far they’ve held up pretty well!

Anyone else try Boody and what did you think?

Weekend Ramblings

A favorite slow fashion uniform (when I could still fit into this Clyde skirt)

Loved this post by Leah this past week because I totally get it. I even felt like slow fashion changed my style (though I think for the better since I feel more “me” than I’ve ever had before). But before blogging led me down this path i never would have looked at linen nor anything oversized (just slim fitting jeans, a blazer, and a tee for the old me). Yet now I have so many pieces that I love and could never part with (hello Elizabeth Suzann linen clydes and Only Child raw silk Alta top). But I get it, we’re in a niche community that makes very similar clothing (especially if you look solely at slow fashion). For me, the high-waisted wide leg look (ala Kamm pants and then later Everlane’s version) was my way of getting sucked into the community standards and trying to make it work even though it didn’t feel like me. Oh and I can also add clogs to that list. Part of it is of course having to try it out and seeing how you feel before you can decide whether or not you’re comfortable with the look. But if you are consistently feeling like it isn’t you, then there’s no point trying to fit the square peg in the round hole. Trying new things is part of the fun and leads to the evolution of your style. If you can do it ethically, sustainably or mindfully that’s what matters (but that’s an ideal that even I, or maybe especially I as a blogger, struggle with). Heck if you can buy a good quality piece that feels 100% you from uniqlo or j.crew and wear it 30+ times that’s better than trying to buy slow fashion items that you never wear.

Anyway changing topics, I’m currently watching The Miniaturist on PBS. If you love period dramas, this one is gooorgeous. Plus it’s set in Amsterdam during it’s golden age and I’m all about Amsterdam since my trip this past January. It comes out on Sundays but you have to wait until Mondays if you want to watch it online.

And lastly, I’ve been trying to read some old Kinfolk magazines that I purchased on a whim that have been sitting around the house ever since (Vol. 8 from 2013). And I read this one passage which I thought was perfect for the changing of the seasons:

We are creatures capable of awe and reverence. And we can position ours selves and our hearts to feel heavy and wonderful things. But to choose to see the beauty in the passing is no easy task. We must first cast off our illusions of control, and then we must take a step back and prepare ourselves for the full spectrum of pathos—love, beauty, loss… “Mono no aware” [Japanese, translation: the pathos of things] tells us to love now. Act now. Be here now. Invite our friends over, and stay up late. Because this time, this opportunity, this season will soon pass. Bask here while it is still possible… Our days ebb and flows. Our lives are a collection of seasons where tides approach and recede, and trees flower and wither. The green fullness of summer is made more precious by the skeleton branches of winter. So don’t fight time and don’t fight the season. Don’t keep things from ending, but celebrate them for the life they have now.

Everlane Try-on: The Square Toe Slingback

Hi guys so I tried this Square Toe Slingback from Everlane, hoping that this shoe would suddenly elevate me to cool-girl chic or that fashion forward blogger. But to be honest I mostly just hated the shoe. Ok, hate is a strong word, but I generally disliked it.

And one of the reasons was due to the fit. I got my usual Everlane size 8 but like the V-heel (which I reviewed here), the width was perfect but the the length was a tad too long on me (again my foot slips out from the slingback and I would need to add something like this to keep it on my foot). And I finally figured out that the shoe lasts that the Santa Maria a Monte factory (where these shoes are made) just don’t fit my feet. That’s why the Editor Heel (reviewed here), Editor Slingback (reviewed here), V heel (reviewed here), and Day Glove (reviewed here) all made at the same factory just don’t fit my feet (I’ve tried and returned all of those shoes). The one exception was the V sling back (reviewed here) but I think that’s because the woven leather is more forgiving than the regular leather. In general I find that Everlane’s shoes from their Montopoli in Val D’Arno factory (the Day Heel, the Day Heel Mules) just fit my foot better (these are some of my favorite shoes Everlane’s ever made). So I’ll probably think twice before ordering any more shoes that come out of their Santa Maria a Monte factory. But if any of those other shoes from the Santa Maria factory worked out for you in terms of sizing, this square to slingback should also work for your foot.

In general I found the square toe area to be kind of tight near the toes (my pinky toe was definitely getting squished). Also I have feet with a high profile and so the top of the shoes presses down and rubs against the top of the foot. This is also the same problem I had with the Day Gloves and thus I was one of the few who didn’t like this generally popular shoe.

I also found the leather on these quite stiff and I didn’t like how in just wearing them around the house for 15 minutes, some major pretty creases developed on the top of the shoe at the widest point. I love the soft and supple leather used on the Day Heels and Day Mules and these are nothing like that. But they’re not quite as stiff as the Modern Loafers.

And last but not least, I just couldn’t get used to the look of the shoe. As much as I know this is granny chic, I think my style in general is just more classic. So I love my classic Day Heels, Day Mules and V Slingback (I think this is the most granny chic I can pull off). But this trendy shoes is definitely outside of my comfort zone and something I’m not sure I could pull off.

Ah well at least I tried. And I also returned them because I wanted to save my credit for the Boss Mules that are coming out soon (sneak peek of a screenshot from Everlane’s insta-story awhile back):

P.S. Is it just me or does Everlane’s shoe design team seem to borrow heavily from the styles that can be found at Need Supply. First it was the Day Glove as a dupe for the Martiniano Glove Shoe. This square toe sling back looks a lot like the Yuul Yie Square Toe Slingback to me.

Weekend Update

As you might have noticed, there was no Friday review this week. The combo of the tail-end of our busy season at the Airstream biz + this pregnancy + buying less overall has meant that my reviews have slowed down, which I think is a good thing. It really isn’t sustainable to be buying 3 new items a week to review (even if some of it is free on credit or eventually returned because it doesn’t work out). I wonder if I should try to do a different kind of post on Friday. Though I feel like the things I want to talk about (living with less, zero or low waste, how to be productive, wellness, etc.) have all been done to death by a lot of other blogs. Would you guys be interested in hearing my (admittedly non-expert) take on these things? Maybe a post about saving money or investing money since I’m saving money by buying less (so what do I do with my savings?—so far pretty much nothing so I probably need to improve that part of my life asap).

Anyway I also wanted to mention last week (but since the post was long enough as it was, I decided to save this for later) but I had made my peace about not having kids a couple of years ago. I was sad for about a year when we tried and couldn’t get pregnant. I went to a fertility doctor where we went though the first round of blood tests/sperm tests and nothing was abnormal. The next steps were imaging and xrays, which we decided to put on hold since we were starting a business. I’m sure then we would have found out it was the uterine fibroids that was preventing the pregnancy. But then I decided that my line/my boundary at that time for how far I would go to get pregnant would be natural or not at all (no hormones, no IVF, no surgery, etc.) . I even wrote out a post titled “I probably won’t have any kids and I’m happy with that” or something like that—it was in my drafts folder and I couldn’t quite get it right so I put it on hold. But after reading both Grechen’s post and Garance’s post about not having kids, I wanted to tell my own child-free-by-choice story. I also read through this book of essays from authors with no children. And after all that I knew I could be happy even without a child. Of course, now I am pregnant and I’m also happy. But don’t let anyone tell you that your life is better either or way or that your happiness level depends on a child. You will find happiness no matter what because there’s a lot of things to be grateful for in living. And just because your life doesn’t look like everyone else’s, doesn’t mean it’s in any way less than.

Tata Harper Review: The Purifying Mask and the Clarifying Mask {June 2020 Update}

Let me start off this post by saying I’m not a face mask person. I have super sensitive acne-prone skin that freaks out with most face masks. The masks for acne usually dry out my skin and/or don’t do anything, while a lot of other masks I tried for even sensitive skin will cause my skin to burn or break out in a rash. And sheet masks? Forget ‘em, I’ve had too many bad reactions to even try those out again.

So I was really pleasantly surprised when I tried out a sample of the Tata Harper Clarifying Mask and I loved it. I had tried a Tata Harper serum once before (like 5 years ago when they first started having a buzz) and I hated the smell of it. So I promptly returned it to Sephora and have stayed away from Tata Harper since then. But thanks to influencers on Instagram (mostly Jamie from annstreetstudio) the Clarifying mask has been on my radar (this is the Tata Harper mask that makes everyone’s faces green). So when I saw the sample for offer I jumped at the chance to try it. And then it took me another month or so before I actually tried it. But as soon as I used it, I was a believer. No stinging, no tightness, and when I took off the mask my skin felt much smoother and softer. This is probably the only product where I’ve actually felt an instant difference.

Just one sample and I was a convert, so I spent some Citi Thank you points to buy the full-size jar. And since I had enough credit, I decided to try the Purifying Mask as well (more on that in a bit). I’ve been using the Clarifying Mask once a week now and I can say that any zits I do get shrink right away and don’t get further inflamed. My skin overall is looking clearer and smoother for sure. For once, all the claims for clearing up sensitive acne-prone skin is true.

Also I love that Tata Harper only uses non-toxic, 100% natural ingredients with no synthetics. The Clarifying mask has the following active ingredients:

-Alpha Hydroxy Acid Superfruit Blend: Provides chemical exfoliation to help minimize the appearance of blemishes and breakouts. 
-Quartz Sand Micro-Crystals: Provide physical exfoliation to soften and smooth the look of the skin. 
-Soothing Super Seed Blend: Helps calm and relieve the appearance of redness on the skin. 
-Raw Honey Enzymes: Simultaneously moisturize and cleanse the skin, helping pores appear clear and clean. 

And lastly, I know this Clarifying Mask is not cheap but it really does feel like the ultimate luxury when using it. The green glass bottle has a nice weight to it while the golden lid is super pretty. And even though the jars look small, there is a lot of product in there and I feel like it will last be months (I’ll update this post once I finish the jar to let you know how long it actually lasted).

Like I said above, I also purchased the Purifying Mask, which I also have been using once a week. Since both masks have an acid component (AHA) to help exfoliate the skin (thus limiting breakouts by clearing out dead skin from the pores) I only use them each once a week and I space it out by several days in between. I especially space it out since my skin is super sensitive, but if your skin is tougher you could probably do it three times a week. So the Purifying Mask is also meant to help clear acne prone skin and these are the natural active ingredients in this one:

-Lactobacillus: Thoroughly cleanses without stripping the skin or affecting the skin's natural balance.
-Brown Algae: Helps make the skin appear firm and lifted. 
-Prickly Pear Seed Oil: An excellent source of antioxidant vitamin E; improves elasticity for a youthful look. 
-White Clay: Helps cut through and remove buildup. 

However the Purifying Mask doesn’t say it’s for sensitive skin and it’s right. I’m using it because I have it, but I can’t leave the mask on for more than 8 minutes before my skin starts to feel like its burning (instructions say to use it for 10-20 minutes). When I take it off, my skin feels sensitive and is a bit red. But the next morning my skin is so soft, smooth and again I haven’t had a break out since using it. So I’m a bit torn about whether or not I want to keep using this Purifying Mask. This one definitely has some pros and cons.

But as for the Clarifying Mask, I’m sold. This is by far one of the best masks I’ve ever used and even turns a mask-hater like me into a convert.

Anyone else try the Tata Harper masks and what did you think? I also recently purchased two more Tata Harper products because I’m so in love with her stuff! What have you tried?

{June 2020 update: I wanted to add an update to this post since there have been some developments with the founder of this company liking racist comments on her Instagram as well as blocking anyone trying to have a discussion about racial injustice (or now just ignoring them). Thus I can no longer support this brand, not that I have been much. I haven’t re-purchased any of these masks, nor liked any of their other products I’ve tried (a body cream gave me a rash last year). Save your money and I recommend not purchasing from this brand.}

Everlane Review: The Texture Cotton Crew

As soon as I saw these Texture Cotton Crew sweaters on the Everlane site I knew I was going to be trying them out, no question.  I've been looking for a reasonably priced, ethically-made, good-ole chunky knit cotton sweater for seasons.  I liked Grana's wool version from several years ago though the 100% wool was a tad warm and it ended up stretching out to a potato sack shape from all the wear.  But also in general I find the wool chunky knits that come out (and Everlane has had several in the past couple of years), are all a tad too warm for the mostly mild San Jose winters.  And you know what?  This is the chunky knit sweater I've been looking for!

{Wearing on the left: The Texture Cotton crew with old Tory Burch skirt (similar here) and Everlane Day Heel Mules (review here); on the right: with Frame Denim (similar here)}

I'm wearing a small here, and I find that they run TTS.  I love that the crew collar is fitted but not too tight and definitely not a mockneck.  The sleeves are also at the perfect length.

The knit of these sweaters is thick but very tight.  And that's probably due to the 27% nylon content in these sweaters.  I'm not a huge fan of plastic-blended fabrics but in this case I can see why they chose to go this route.  With my experience with 100% cotton knit sweaters, even a light weave will stretch and bag out.  But I think the nylon in this will help to keep this sweater's shape even though it's a thick knit (which tends to be heavier and even more prone to stretching out).  In this case I'm willing to compromise to get the heavy knit sweater look of my dreams.

{Wearing the sweater with on Left: Grana Silk Full skirt, Everlane Day Heels (review here); and on the right: Lauren Manoogian Skirt (similar here), Everlane Modern Loafer Mules}

I really like the navy color, but since I already have a favorite navy sweater from Everlane I decided to try out the "surplus" color even though I'm not usually a fan of brownish sweaters (and I originally skipped out on the white because I can't keep anything white clean for the life of me).  But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the color irl is more green and it's a true olive (even the description on the tag says "OLV" which I'm assuming means olive so I'm not sure why they decided to call it surplus?).  But I love this sweater so much I'm super tempted to get it in the white (future spills be damned because wouldn't the white just looks so wintery and lovely?), but I'm going to wait until there's something else I want to get from Everlane so I can combine it for free shipping.  

{Wearing: Everlane Texture Cotton Crew, Grana Silk Ankle Pants (review here), Everlane Modern Loafer Mules (review here)}

Also I saw on the Insta-story of a fellow Everlane addict, Sally, that she tried the v-neck version of this chunky knit sweater and the V comes down quite low.  Personally I like to keep the neckline high so that I can wear a regular tee underneath and it wouldn't peek out from under the sweater.

Anyway I'll be periodically update this post to let you know how this sweater wears (will it stretch out?  will it keep its shape?).  Oh and this is a completely unsponsored posts (though there are affiliate links so thank you for your support!) because it looks like after my moment of assertiveness I might have stepped over a line or gone over an allotted budget.  Either way I was not offered any free gifts to review for August (too bad too since there's so many things I wanted to try).  Ah well easy come, easy go but I'm still an Everlane addict at heart and so these reviews will keep on coming!

P.S. I just wanted to add that I love that these sweaters look like these beautiful cashmere ones from Jenni Kayne but of course the Everlane ones are a quarter of the cost but also not made of cashmere.

Weekend Update

So I debated on whether or not to let you guys know about this now or later, but since I've told a lot of people early on I thought I might as well share it with you guys, my internet friends too lol.  I'm pregnant!  Wow that felt kind of weird to type (it was my first time putting those words down on paper/computer).  It feels so much more official now.  I'm currently at 13 weeks so a week after the first trimester, which is the "normal" time to start telling people.  But I've had a really difficult first trimester with multiple major bleeding episodes so I wasn't sure we would make it to this point, and thus my hesitation for telling you all even at 13 weeks.  But if (God forbid) anything should happen, I don't want to be hiding the fact that I was pregnant like some shameful secret.  I want to be sharing with you guys my ups and downs as they come.

Anyway the bleeding seems to be under control and it looks like it was due to some very large uterine fibroids that I didn't even know I had until pregnancy hormones made them grow crazily (and thus my uterine fibroid post a month back, but yea that was only half the story).  So even though I was only 8 weeks pregnant, I already couldn't fit into most of my clothes.  But the sentiment of that post still holds true: just when I found my style/uniform my body up and changes on me so that now I'm looking to find clothes that fit me as well as fit my style and are also ethical/sustainable.  I don't want to buy a lot of cheap maternity clothes for the next year, just to dump them at Goodwill later (this is actually the advice I got from a fellow pregnant friend when I asked her about maternity clothes).  So instead I've been hitting up eBay and Crossroads to find quality thrifted clothes that fit (and which I can sell back later).  And luckily, as I mentioned before, I've already been on the elastic pants train for awhile now so I still have some things that fit me (namely my Everlane chinos and Elizabeth Suzann linen Clydes--though this is getting pretty tight).

Anyway this is all just to let you know that I may be buying new clothes to accommodate my changing shape but I'm going to try to do it in an ethical and sustainable manner.  Also I will try my best to keep this an ethical fashion blog and not turn it into another mommy blog.  But of course I blog about my life and my life is about to change.  Yet I'll try not to let it take over everything (I kind of foresee it like my bag reviews, where most people here could care less but for a select few they find those posts really interesting).  And I'll probably be limiting mentioning baby stuff to these more personal weekend update posts rather than in my reviews.

But yep, my life's about to change big time.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous but ah we'll see how it goes!

P.S. Also if my quality of writing goes down or my grammatical and spelling mistakes go up please excuse my pregnancy brain.  I always thought it was a myth but folks, I'm finding that it's definitely a real side effect of pregnancy :P

P.P.S I have added a little bit more about my fertility issues and coming to peace with possibly not having kids here.

Amazon Dupe for the Slip Silk Pillowcase?

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So last month when I did a review of the Slip Silk Pillow case (here), I was asked by a reader if I would test out a dupe she found on Amazon.  And I totally understood because if you can get away with paying $38 instead of $80 for the same thing, why not?  The one she liked from Amazon was this one, with 25mm silk which is higher in momme weight than the 22mm Slip silk pillowcase.  Also the Amazon one says it's made of the same mulberry silk charmeuse that Slip touts as using.  

So what did I think?

Unfortunately it is not the same.  I had mentioned in my Slip silk review that I tried to make my own cheap silk pillowcase by converting the Grana 22mm silk slip dress into pillowcases.  And well to be honest the one from Amazon is more like these Grana ones than it is to the original Slip (though I would say the Amazon one is better than the Grana ones by a smidge).  There's a difference in texture between the Slip one and the Amazon one.  Somehow the Slip ones are just more slippery and smooth, while the dupe is (though not rough) a tad rougher.  It just doesn't have the same slinkiness to it (for the lack of a better descriptive word).  Also when it comes to my face creams, with the Slip pillowcase I can tell it's not absorbing into the silk (it just kinda stays on the surface and sometimes can feel a bit tacky) but this pillowcase is definietly absorbing it.

I do however like that these Amazon ones have a zipper to it since sometimes my pillow pops out of the sleeve of the Slip pillowcase.  But other than that I would repurchase my Slip silk pillowcase in a heartbeat.  Like I said $80 is a lot but if you only use one and take great care of it, it's worth it all the way.  Now this dupe is sort of like a substitute whenever my Slip one is in the wash.

Bridge and Burn Review: The Kharmen Dress

Hi guys and I have a new ethical brand featured today that you guys might have heard of: Bridge and Burn.  They're a Portland, OR, company that's been on my radar since I first visited Portland 4 years ago and I've already purchased a couple items from them before (I just haven't reviewed them before).  If you're not familiar with them, they manufacture their clothes either in San Francisco or in one Canadian-owned factory in China where they can make small batches of their designs.  They've got all the ethical standards covered and you can read more about it here. 

So I had some credit in my pocket from a returned jacket in January so I decided to treat myself after a no buy July (unfortunately it was earlier in the month before their massive sale going on right now *faceplam*).  The first thing I got was this Kharmen Dress in light blue stripes because I'm such a sucker for a blue striped dress.

First a note on sizing: I ordered this in a small and I would say it's a tad oversized.  I find that B&B tends to run a tad large but not enough for me to bother to size down.  Plus I wanted a loose easy dress and don't mind the extra space (also if I eat a lot, you wouldn't be able to tell in this dress).  It wasn't so large that the arm holes were showing my bra so that's good.

So what did I think of the dress?  I love it!  It's such a good easy summer dress that you can throw on and not have to think about it the rest of the day.  I like the length since it's not a mini and the hem is also slightly longer in the back than in the front.  So I can comfortably bend down without flashing anyone my underwear.  Oh and it has pockets.  That's good 'ole no-nonsense Pacific Northwest design for you lol.  The only thing I'm a little meh about is the racerback design since I don't have a racerback style bra and I'm too lazy to try to convert my regular bras into one.  I'm not a huge fan of having my bra straps show in the back but I can live with it.

{Wearing the Kharmen dress with my fave Everlane V Sling back (reviewed here)}

But what I like the most though, and this is what has drawn me to B&B from the beginning is the fabric they use.  I love that they use Japanese fabrics because (and I'm probably biased here because of my Japanese heritage) I think Japan makes some of the best high quality fabrics.  I mean Elizabeth Suzann and Only Child both source their linens from Japan.  But in general a lot of good fabric is made in Japan (I used to buy a lot of clothes from Japan and a lot of the made in Japan stuff has lasted me decades!).  This particular dress fabric is a blend of cotton and linen and it feels like a light chambray denim.  It doesn't wrinkle even after a whole days worth of wear and it feels light but sturdy.  Also even though the dress is light colored, it is fully opaque and black undies won't show.  One of my other B&B items is a jacket from their traditional Kiriko Japanese textile collection and I love its uniqueness.

Anyway you can find this Kharmen dress here for $84 (from $118).  I know summer is pretty much over for a  lot of you so please don't go buying this dress if you aren't going to be wearing it until next year (no use keeping it in your closet no matter how good the price).  But if you live in Hawaii, Florida, or plan to be visiting a lot of warm places in the next couple of months, I can't think of  a better ethically-made summer dress!

P.S. Their returns are a bit of a pain (you have to send it back yourself and you can only get store credit in the form of an email that you have to remember to use), so I would advise purchasing only if you're pretty sure you're going to keep it.

Weekend Ramblings

So I was all ready to buy the Elizabeth Suzann Harlow Tunic this week after waiting for ordering to open up (which was originally scheduled for Tuesday but then got pushed to Wednesday).  I had it in my cart and was ready to finish check out when I stopped myself.  Currently I'm reading Your Money or Your Life (I have the original version that's over 20 years old and it's more relevant than ever) and I think it's influencing me.  Especially this group of passages:

"Clutter is anything that is excess--for you.  It's whatever you have that doesn't serve you, yet takes up space in your world...Enough is a wide and stable plateau.  It is a place of alertness, creativity, and freedom.  From this place, being suffocated under a mountain of clutter that must be stored, cleaned, moved, gotten rid of and paid for on time is a fate worse than dearth...What creates clutter?...It comes from the disease of materialism, of looking for inner fulfillment in outer possessions."

So I know the ES Harlow Tunic isn't exactly clutter, but at the same time I have been trying to sell some of my less used items either on my eBay store or to Crossroads (P.S. if you're interested in anything in my eBay store, readers can get 15% and free shipping off by messaging me and I'll list it reserved for you on my Closet Sale page).  Also I just got some new items from Crossroads with my trade credit so I have quite a few new to me items I'm itching to wear.  Plus I factored in that by the time I got the Harlow Tunic, 6-7 weeks from now we'll be heading straight to the cold months and so a linen sleeveless tunic isn't really the most rational thing to buy (and in a sense would be clutter in my closet until summer rolls around again).  If I still want it come spring, I'll order it then (and in the meantime I'll be looking for it secondhand as well just in case).  So I guess I'll be saving my dollars for now, but I feel really good about this decision.  

Anyway hope you're all have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend and I'll be skipping a Monday post, but I'll be reviewing a new-to-the-blog ethical brand on Wednesday!

Everlane Try-on: The V-Heel

This summer I've really been loving my V Slingbacks from Everlane (review here) so I thought I would try out their heeled version, the V-Heel.  There's something about the high profile v-shaped front that looks granny-chic yet modern.  And the V-heel looks even more granny-chic because of the low square heel.  This is a pretty trendy shoe that looks "very right now" but I wonder how it will look a couple of years from now?

First a note on sizing: I got this in my usual Everlane size of 8 and I found that it was a tad too long.  The front part felt perfect (and I have slightly wide feet), but my heel kept slipping out the back.  I was debating sizing down and trying this shoe again, but I was worried that then the front part would feel too narrow.  I then debated on adding a heel pad like this one, which might have worked.  But in the end I decided to return the shoe because of the in-between sizes issue and because I'm just not a fan of suede.  I can never keep my suede shoes nice and I rather not have to fret about getting my shoes wet or scuffed.

Other than the trouble with the fit, I did like the heel height which is the same as my Day Heels.  I really love block heels and wished these fit my feet better and I could almost look past the suede.  I guess if you really want to try this shoe then I would advise possibly sizing down (or if you're in-between sizes, definitely go with your smaller size).

Anyway I probably have too many Everlane shoes as it is, so I need to start cutting back.  But I can't help it, I really love their well-made Italian shoes.  

Anyone else try this shoe and what did you think?

P.S. Also here’s another review of these V-heels from fellow Everlane addict Jamie-lee!

Trying out YOOXygen

So the other day I was browsing through my usual blog roll when I read about YOOXygen, an arm of YOOX that promotes responsible and ethical fashion.  I've heard of YOOX before, and always thought of them as a kind of Net-a-Porter (basically a site that sells designer clothes).  I've never shopped at YOOX before but I was intrigued by YOOXygen, which is a curated selection of brands that are either produced ethically or sustainably.  There's a kind of hodge podge of brands on YOOXygen, some are well known but most are not.  But on each product page, they give a little background as to why this brand can be considered under the YOOXygen umbrella.  I think this is a great idea for an online site and would love to see something like this for Net-a-Porter or Shopbop so it makes it easier for the conscious consumer to buy from socially responsible brands.  Also this is a great way to discover new ethical brands if you're looking for something different.

So I purchased two items to try.  The first was this white organic cotton blouse from a new-to-me brand called Rakha.  Here's the blurb that YOOXygen gives on Rakha's ethical standards: Rakha recognizes social and environmental responsibility as an integral part of their strategy and practice. Materials are carefully sourced from partners who share the brand’s values: cruelty-free, non-toxic, fair wages, and helping to build sustainable communities. Rakha’s approach to design and garment making is focused on sustainability, making items in eco-friendly or repurposed materials that are biodegradable or can be recycled. All their organic or sustainable materials are certified, including Woolmark certified merino wools, GOTS certified organic cotton, and RPET recycled fabrics.  Sounds awesome right?  Sounds like my kind of ethical brand.  However, if the product doesn't really hold up, all the great ethics in the world isn't going to make me want to wear the item.  And unfortunately this blouse was super transparent and see-through.  Plus the sizing was a bit off and oversized.  So back it went.

The other garment that I got from YOOXygen was this Wool & Gang black long cardigan.  I've heard of Wool & Gang before from Andrea when she knit her own beautiful rust colored sweater from the kit that the brand sent her (you should check it out, it really is gorgeous).  But I'm not a knitter (I've tried) so I thought, why not just buy something that's already knit from this awesome brand.  Here's the blurb that YOOXygen gives for them: Wool and the Gang is a brand which disruptes the traditional business model by empowering customers to produce fashion at home. The brand work for reducing the impact that fashion has on the environment. Wool is the main yarn used by brand, because of its natural, renewable and biodegradable charachteristics. The collaboration with fashion fabrics helps to repurpose fashion waste into new yarn to reduce landfill. The brand also aim to create a community in which every single customers become a crafter, able to produce its own hat or sweater.  And well, I didn't love it.  The wool fibers kept coming off on everything it touched and then when I wore it, it just looked so ridiculously oversized with the front flaps kind of pointing out like wings.  This is just one of those things that you don't know what it's going to look like until you try it on.  So unfortunately I returned this too.

Ah well it was worth trying but I guess when it's a collection of various brands, each with differing standards of quality it can be quite hit or miss.  And in this case it was a miss.  Luckily like most big online sites, returning items was a breeze (one step online and it comes with a UPS label sticker in the box) though they do take $6.95 out of the refund for the return shipping cost.  But it's great to see so many different brands ethical and/or sustainable brands out there now.  I have a feeling that this is a field that's just going to keep growing!

Everlane Choose What You Pay Sale

I know Everlane to a lot of people is the gateway to ethical clothing because it's priced at a pretty accessible price point for many, but I also realize that's not true for everyone.  So here's a quick round-up of some things that I like from Everlane that they recently added to their Choose What You Pay sale page.  And of course if you're not in the market to buy anything, please don't buy it just because it's on sale.

1) The Day Heel Mule

Reviewed here.  The cognac leather version of these has been my favorite heeled shoe from Everlane ever (even preferred over my Day Heels) because once I broke them in (about 4 hours in one day), they have been my most comfortable heels ever.  It's one of those rare shoes that I will choose interchangeably with flats, and this is from someone who before Everlane, swore off all heels.  I loved these shoes so much I bought a second pair in the natural suede (unfortunately before they went on sale, woomp woomp).

2) The Linen Oversized Collarless Shirt

Reviewed here.  This is another item I loved so much I purchased twice (first in white and then in the black).  If I didn't already have two, I would definitely be tempted by this peach striped version now on discount.  And just a note on sizing, I purchased the white one in a size smaller than my normal and found the fit to be great since I prefer my shirts to be less oversized.

3) The Modern Zip Backpack in Mini

Reviewed here.  I added this to the line-up because it's perfect for back to school!  This is an Everlane classic and I first reviewed this bag 2.5 years ago! Though I would note that this backpack isn't meant to be loaded with heavy books, but rather just a laptop and notebook (but do kids even carry heavy textbooks anymore?).

4) The Cotton Crew

Reviewed here.  I really love this style of Everlane tee with the high neckline.  I wear these on days when I'm spending a lot of time outdoors and don't want any sun damage on my chest.  For the micro stripe tee like this one I would probably size up to a medium for a looser fit.

5) The Short Puffer Jacker and The Lightweight Puffer Jacket

Reviewed the Short Puffer here and the Lightweight Puffer here.  I know it's a tad early to be planning for winter (did I just say let's relish the summer and not rush into fall, lol).  But if you're in the market for a new winter puffer jacket, Everlane makes a great high quality one (and you can't beat these prices now).  The short puffer is probably best for places with snow, while the lightweight puffer is perfect for our California winters.  

Weekend Ramblings

So the other day I was thinking what's the difference between a Dupe and a Fake?  I saw a blogger post about a "dupe" of a very popular bag and I thought, "Well doesn't that make it a fake?"  But then would Everlane's Day Glove be considered a dupe or a fake (of the Martiniano Glove Shoe)?  What's the difference and where is the ethics on that?  For me, a dupe seems okay (I've mostly seen it used for makeup), while a fake (usually handbags) is obviously not.  So does the difference come down to the monetary value of the item: "dupe" is for inexpensive items while "fakes" are for expensive items?  Or maybe it's a matter of logos?  If you're copying the logo then it's a fake but if the item has no logos, then a design copy is just a dupe?  Of course it's all a bit gray and you just have to do what works for you.  As for me, buying fake bags is a definite no-go (buy a fake, you're a fake), but that's also because fakes have no resell value unless you're willing to dupe a person (which I could never do).

Also I'm happy to see that Garance Dore (one of my long time favorite bloggers) is finally starting to featuring conscious/ethical fashion on her blog Atelier Dore.  She's highlighting fashionable woman who choose a more conscious way of dressing.  I really liked this interview with Natasha Schick, which now makes me want to try Feit shoes.  I also appreciated this one with Renee Peters since she wears Elizabeth Suzann.

Everyone seems to be getting ready for fall but this year I'm not there yet.  Maybe because the summer hasn't been as hot here in San Jose as the last couple of years or maybe because I've been dressing in uniform all summer, but I'm still going to try to squeeze out more utilization of my summer clothes (especially some summer dresses).  Plus I'm trying not to look into the future (and planning and wanting for the future), but live in and relish the present.  Because I know once we're in the thick of cold season, I'm going to be wanting the summer heat again.  

Currently watching: Casual on Hulu (love the cynical LA humor and one line zingers) and Scott & Bailey (on Amazon Prime), which is one of those BBC detective shows but this one features a pair of women as the protagonist detectives, and they have an awesome female boss.   It's more procedural but pretty realistic, and it's kind of sad that this type of female-centric show is an anomaly.

ace & jig Try-On: The Daisy Dress

So this is another review that was requested by a reader via Instagram (so Page this one's for you!).  I had mentioned in a post before that ace & jig is really not my jam.  I'm not a fan of prints and color (as you can tell by my mostly minimalist, mostly Everlane wardrobe).  So trying this Daisy Dress from ace & jig is me stepping out of my comfort zone.  But I'm willing to try anything once, especially something as noncommittal as trying on clothes.

So what did I think?

When I first tried on this dress I got it, I got why people go ga-ga over ace & jig (I mean you should have seen their booth at West Coast Craft).  The material is absolutely amazing, with the textures and beautiful thick fabric.  I'm wearing black underwear with this dress and you can't even see it since the fabric is so thick and opaque.  Also the embroidery and stitching on the dress was really special.  I can 100% believe this fabric was made by hand by an artisan in India.  And thus I can understand why this dress retails for $269 (I was able to get it from Shopbop on sale at $188-which I think is a really good value for what you're getting).  This garment feels special through and through.

Ok but in the end I decided not to keep it.  First off, the dress felt really big on me even though I got a small.  I might have been able to get away with an XS in this (I'm a size 4-6, going towards 6 these days).  And the second reason why I didn't keep the dress is because it's just not me.  The styling isn't me. And when I look at most of the offerings at ace & jig, most of it is just not me.  I'm not Boho nor whimsical and that's what these styles seem like to me.  I'm much more of an Everlane/Gap/Uniqlo style with a couple trendy Zara pieces thrown in (though these days it's actually more of an Everlane+Elizabeth Suzann+Celine combo).  I think if you like Free People and Anthropologie, then ace & jig is more your style.

But that's okay, I'm glad I tried it out.  I'm also glad I know my style since I would hate to spend that much money on a dress just because I like the fabric and believe in the brand's ethics, only to have it languishing in my closet.  In this day and age where there are ethical/sustainable/slow fashion brands cropping up every year, we're so lucky to have choices.  Anyway ace & jig might not have worked out for me, but Grechen had been on an ace & jig kick so you can see all the items she tried on and reviewed over at her blog!

Ethical Little Black Bag Round-up

Sorry it's going to be bag heavy review week but recently on Instagram I asked what you guys want to see reviewed next and lovely Sarah asked for suggestions of an ethical version of the little black bag (so Sarah this one's for you!).  And I love these kinds of questions because as you all know I'm such a bag lady.  So without further ado here are some of my picks!

Everlane Foldover Crossbody ($150)

Everlane

Of course I have to start with my go-to favorite ethical brand, Everlane.  Yes they're not sustainable nor slow fashion, but they are ethical in that they produce their goods in factories where they ensure they pay their workers a fair wage and provide safe working conditions.  Their leather bags are usually produced in Italy or Spain.  These bags are made in Ubrique, Spain, which is also where Polene makes their bags (and when I asked Polene about the ethics of production in this town they let me know that since this what this town is known for, everything is highly regulated and done by the book).  The leather of this foldover bag reminds me a lot of the kind of leather used in those lovely Comme des Garcons pouches (also coincidentally made in Spain).  This foldover crossbody is one of my favorite bags from Everlane because it's super practical and minimal but made with really yummy leather.  Also you can tuck in the straps and use it as a clutch in the evenings if you want, and the crossbody strap is adjustable (perfect for my short stature!).  I have the same one in oxblood and you can read my review of it here.  I traveled all over Europe with my foldover crossbody bag and I found it to be the perfect traveling companion!

Mini Bow Bag ($250)

Classic Shoulder Bag ($325)

Cuyana

Cuyana is also a well-known brand in the ethical space and they produce their bags in Italy at small artisanal factories.  I've tried their bags before and find that they are usually well made and quite durable.  My favorite black bags from current their line-up is their Mini Bow Bag (that Napa leather looks as amazing as Prada's!) and their Classic Shoulder Bag (which Andrea reviewed here).  I've tried their Mini Saddle Bag before (review here), but found it a bit too small for my needs, but if you like the half moon shape then the larger one might be a good fit!

Maya Folded Purse ($128)

Clara Crossbody ($158)

Nisolo

If you're looking for an ethical company that supports artisans from developing countries and pays fair trade wages then Nisolo is your brand.  They also produce a line of ethical black bags including their Maya Folded Purse, which is like the Everlane Foldover Crossbody but without the zippers or adjustable strap, or the one I really like called the Clara Crossbody.  Both purses are super simple yet elegant.  Full disclosure here I have yet to try their line of purses so I can't speak to how they wear over time.

Large Drew Bag ($90)

Bini Bag ($125)

Matt & Nat

Matt & Nat is everyone's go to bag brand if you want well-made ethical vegan bags.  They are also one of the few bag brands that you can call at least partially sustainable since they use 100% recycled water bottles for their bag linings and incorporate other recycled material in their non-leather bags.  I used to have one of their bags a long time ago and I can tell you they hold up well.  Also a lot of the times you can't even tell it's not real leather (until you touch it of course).  I like their Large Drew Bag which is a simple crossbody bag with removable straps and the Bini bag which is their version of the bucket bag.  Seriously they have so many great styles of vegan bags, so if that's what you're looking for then you need to check them out!

Rockwell Mini Venti in Noir ($350)

Future Glory Co.

So this is another brand I haven't tried yet, but I've seen this local-to-me brand pop up on my radar from time to time.  Each bag is hand made to order in SF, thus the price is a tad higher than the rest.  But I love all that Teresa, the owner, stands for and all the charities she gives back to.

Clare V Herieth Bag ($378)

Clare V Le Box Bag ($328)

Clare V

I've had a couple Clare V bags before and I have to say they are really lovely.  If you're looking for more fun and varied designs, then Clare V has a lot to choose from.  All their bags are made in Los Angeles so as long as they're following US laws, you know the workers are being paid at least minimum wage and are working in safe manufacturing conditions.  The couple of black bags that caught my eye are the Herieth bag and the Le Box Bag (I can see myself switching the short strap for a longer one and maybe wearing it crossbody).

Louis Vuitton Epi Segur Pochette ($450)

Lanvin Quilted Amalia ($495)

Lanvin Quilted Sugar Shoulder bag ($450)

Balenciaga classic shoulder ($360)

Secondhand from Fashionphile

Ok, you knew this was coming right?   How can I talk about ethical bags without talking about my favorite and most sustainable way to buy bags: secondhand from my favorite online consignment store Fashionphile.  I talk about them in-depth here if you want to learn more about them.  But as you know I'm a big believer in buying luxury bags secondhand since designer bags are usually well made and thus they last you for years if not decades.  Also luxury bags have a really good resale value, so even when you're done using it you can pass it on to someone else who would love it and give it a good home and you get some of your money back.  Above are some black bags that I picked that are currently in stock at Fashionphile, but their stock is always rotating fairly quick so here's a link to their selection of black bags under $500.

What are some of your favorite ethical brands that make a little black bag?  Would love to hear what you guys carry and recommend!

Grateful Giveaway {Closed}

I had allocated within my Everlane budget the purchase of the Form Bag (reviewed here), but since I got it as a gift I ended up saving my precious credit.  So in gratefulness to Everlane and the support from readers like you who allow me to be worthy of free gifts in Everlane's eyes, I've decided to pass on some of that "Yes, I've won the lottery" feeling by doing this short giveaway!  Sorry it won't be for the full price of the bag, but hopefully this $50 Everlane gift card could go towards the purchase of the bag if you're interested in it or anything else you've been eyeing at Everlane.  To enter just fill out the form below (email will be used to notify you if you win and it's also where I will send the digital gift card if you win).  Only one entry per person please and giveaway ends in 24 hours (so Tuesday at 6am PST)!

Update: Congrat's Deborah for winning!  You have been emailed!

Everlane Review: The Form Bag {Updated September 2018}

*I received this item as a gift so this is a type of sponsored post

Hi guys, so since I've been getting a lot of questions about Everlane's Form Bag I've decided to fast track this review if you are debating on whether or not to get this bag.  So as I disclaimed up top I got this as a gift from Everlane, but only after I kindly asked my contact at Everlane (this was the first time I've ever asked them for anything).  I originally wasn't on the list of influencers to get this bag for free (cuz I'm still small beans you know), but I thought why not just try asking?  And wonderful Emily at Everlane said yes and she sent it to me with next day delivery (shout out to Emily--thank you so much!).  Man I feel like I won the lottery!

And you guys, I did win the lottery because this bag is uhhhhmazing.  No really, I know bags and this is a good one!  True to its name this mid-size bag is uber functional but the build and leather quality on this is really fantastic.

So here are all the ways I love this bag:

- So this 13” height x 5” depth x 10.5” width bag fits my 13" Macbook Pro.  This is the first bag I've ever had that can isn't a tote that can fit my computer, which is awesome.  However, a Macbook with a laptop sleeve will not fit horizontally because it just barely fits with the laptop alone.  I think a larger laptop might fit vertically but then you wouldn't be able to close the top of the bag. But I'm not really afraid of leaving my laptop in there without a case since the inside of the bag is soft (it's lined by a kind of cottony felt material glued to the leather).

- I really love the adjustable fabric strap.  Yes, it might make the bag look cheaper, but when it comes to function and comfort a fabric strap can't be beat!  The fabric strap allows you to adjust the strap to the exact length that you want (as opposed to pre-determined belt holes of a leather strap).  And I prefer fabric straps when it comes to comfort since leather straps tend to be stiff and heavier than fabric ones.  But where the straps connect to the bag is leather so that helps to keep wear and tear to a minimum.

- The magnetic closing up top is super easy to open and close.  I also like to grab the bag by the pinched ends at the top, making it easy to grab.  I usually like bags with top handles as well as a shoulder strap since I can easily grab the bag by the top handles.  In this case the flattened top acts like a top handle.

- I can pile a ton of stuff inside of it.  The other day I ended up buying a bit too many snacks at World Market (I rarely go in there so when I do, I end up overdoing it lol) and since I didn't want to use a throwaway bag I just threw everything into my bag.  When it gets stuffed, the Form bag ends up acting more like a bucket bag (the top won't close but that just means you have even more space to throw stuff in).

-Inside the bag is one large flat pocket great for stashing my phone and keys.

- The corners of this bag are reinforced with stitches so it should keep wear and tear to a minimum.

On top of all the great functionality, the leather quality on this bag is really amazing.  When someone asked how it compares with my Celine smooth leather bags (like my Sangle), I would say the Everlane leather is a tad more lightweight (thinner) but also less prone to scratching.  For what you are paying ($235 for this bag), you are getting a great value (compare that to $2200 for a Celine).  And for those wondering, the bag empty weighs 1 pound 6oz, which is fairly lightweight for a midsize leather bag (the Celine Sangle weighs 2 pounds 4 oz.). 

The only thing I would caution about the design of this bag is that with time and wear, if you don't take care and moisturize the leather at the top where it bends to close via the magnets, I can see the leather wrinkling and cracking in the distant future (this is like longterm care tips).  Keeping the leather supple there will keep it from creasing too much and then cracking (I like Chamberlains Leather Milk which I reviewed here).

Anyway let me know if you have any other questions about this bag and you can find them in dark green like mine (it's the new neutral!), black or cognac.

{Sept Update: Now that I’ve been using the bag for awhile now I just wanted let you all know that it’s wearing great. The leather on this is quite tough and I haven’t had any major scratches on it yet. The leather does soften a bit at the top and where the straps attach but nothing major. Also I usually use it to carry my 13” macbook but I get lazy and just insert it vertically because getting it in and out horizontally everyday is a pain.

Also wanted to let you know one of my favorite bloggers, Andrea just posted her review of the form bag and you can read it here.}

Whimsy and Row Review The Lilah Crop

Hi guys and I have another new ethical brand review for you today!  Wimsy & Row is an LA brand that makes small batches of clothing in LA from deadstock fabric (which they called "recycled materials" but I think is more accurately described as deadstock).  They are all about sustainability in fashion.  In that way they remind me of Reformation (my one review of them here), but I like Whimsy & Row more because I prefer their styling.  Reformation definitely skews young to me with their tight fitting dresses and short skirts, but W&R does a good job mixing it up.  They make a great pair of wide leg cropped pants and I love their Lilah Crop top that I'm reviewing today.  I first heard of them during my visit to West Coast Craft, which you can read about here.

I had never heard of W&R before West Coast Craft (WCC) so when I stumbled on their booth, I was intrigued to try on some of their stuff.  I walked away with this Lilah crop in raw silk that I absolutely love.  First of all, their raw silk quality is excellent and just as good as Only Child or Jamie + the Jones.  But because it is deadstock raw silk, their price point is much lower than either of the other two brands.  In fact this raw silk top only cost $68!  I think that's such a steal.  They do make this top in other deadstock materials as well like rayon, and for those I don't think the value is there since they are also priced at $68.  

{Wearing: Whimsy and Row Lilah crop, notPerfectLinen skirt (reviewed here), Everlane Day Heel (reviewed here)}

I'm wearing a size small here and I think it fits well, especially in the waist.  It's hard to find a cropped top that kind of nips in and defines the waist, so when I saw this at WCC I knew I found a keeper.  The shoulder are a bit wide but if I wear it with the crew neck in front, I find that I have no problems.  Ah, also this top is reversible so you can wear it with the wide v-neck in front, but then I find it just a tad too open at the chest for me.  You can see me wearing it reversed above.

I also love how the sleeves hang down a bit to give some coverage to the triceps.  Since this top is quite cropped (I would say as cropped as my ES Petra Crop but not as cropped as my Only Child Alta top), I wear them with my highest waist pants or skirts.

Anyway let me know if you have any questions about the top or about Whimsy and Row in general.  And definitely check them out if you're looking for responsibly made clothes sewn in LA from deadstock material!