Weekend Update/Ramblings

Though it’s only been about 2 months since Emi has entered our lives, so many things have changed. In many ways I already feel like I’m not the same person I was before her—both a better and worse person. I’m just different. One of my “better” attributes is now I really don’t care about high-end purses as much. For almost 15 years, there’s always been a purse I wanted or something that’s on my list to purchase. But now all of a sudden, poof, that list has disappeared. Sure it could be the lack of sleep taking over (I’m more concerned of when I can squeeze my next nap in and not what to buy). But I’m hoping this feeling will be more permanent than that. And with these feelings I returned the Hermes Bolide (<— that’s the link to the same purse I returned, it’s back on sale and reviewed here). Or rather I sold it back with Fashionphile’s buyback program), and I feel great about it. No regrets! Sure I could have kept it to pass it on to Emi, but 1) I already have enough bags to pass onto her and 2) I don’t think holding onto material items with the intention of passing it on is always a good idea (your kids might not value what you value and so it’ll be like passing on physical baggage along with the emotional one). Anyway these thoughts are bubbling up because not only did I recently return the Bolide, but I’m working on a post ranking my purse collection per a reader’s request. And tbh I just don’t feel the love for these purses as I used to and I can see myself selling even more of my bags in the near future.

And speaking of having less, reading this post about minimalism and FIRE has me totally inspired to live with less. And this article is inspiring me to renew my efforts on spending less. Also I used to think most people spent without thinking twice (probably because my peers also appear to spend this way) but have come to realize that that’s a privilege very few people can actually afford. And those who do spend like that and are in the middle class are either being foolish (like I was) and/or buying on credit (even more foolish). The reality is, we all have to think twice before we spend our money.

Storq Review: The Nursing Tank

via because you’re not going to see a pic with me wearing this tank and breastfeeding >.<

*This was kindly gifted to me by Storq with no strings attached and in fact, no follow-up or pestering despite this review being several months after said gift. Seriously they’re so chill (which is a godsend for a newborn mom who’s also trying to blog).

Even before the baby was born I purchased nursing bras like these on Amazon, anticipating the need to breastfeed on the go or in somewhat public areas. It was a bit foolish in hindsight because now that I am breastfeeding, I rather just stay home to do it and schedule my errands around feeding time (luckily I have my mom here so I can do this, otherwise I definitely would not have this luxury). So I don’t really have a need for those nursing bras, nor did they fit. It took me years to finally get the right bra size and right bra (mostly thanks to ThirdLove and no thanks to Victoria’s Secret), and then pregnancy and breastfeeding up and changes my boob size. So of course ordering some bras blindly from Amazon didn’t work out. So I’m so thankful that the people at Storq reached out to me to see if I wanted to try something from their nursing line.

I know I said I would stop taking freebies from brands in exchange for reviews, but when Storq asks if you want anything it’s so hard to resist. Not only are their items ethically made in the US and China (much like Everlane), but their stuff is so practical and well-made! And since I returned the nursing bras on Amazon, I needed something on the rare occasion I was going to breastfeed in a public place. So I opted for their nursing tank.

Side note: I chose their tank over the bra because the C-section belt that the hospital sent me home with gave me a nasty rash and I really wanted a tank to cover that and my stretch marks. Also I figured a tank would be great to layer under button up shirts.

So what do I think about the tank?

Honestly, I love it. It’s made from the same modal and spandex combo material as my favorite Storq skirt (reviewed here) so it’s soft and stretchy. It provides enough support on top but it’s stretchy enough to accomodate my remaining belly. I love the clips at the top of the bra that make it easy for nursing. It’s an all around great basic tank.

And lately I’ve been using this nursing tank with my Willow breast pump (I decided to splurge on myself and give myself a little freedom when breast pumping. I’ll do a full review of it and compare it with the spectra and a medela later). And it’s been great: stretchy enough to accomodate the pumps but doesn’t stretch out and lose its shape.

Anyway if you’re looking for a great basic nursing tank or nursing bra substitute, I highly recommend checking out this one from Storq!

P.S. You can find all my other Storq reviews here.

P.P.S. Thanks to Allison for reminding me to mention Storq sizing. If you size according to their pre-pregnancy size, things will run a tad small. For example my pre-pregnancy size is between 4-6 and I’m usually a small, but I size everything from Storq in size 3 which is actually a pre-pregnancy size of 8-10. But I go based off of their pre-pregnancy measurements, which is accurate.

PB 0110 Review: The AB38 Circle Bag

Am I speaking in some kind of code? Lol, nope PB 0110 is just the name of the bag and accessories line founded by a guy named Phillip Bree. I first found this European brand through some of the fancier boutiques in San Francisco and noticed the quality construction of the bags. The leather on the outside was beautiful and the sueded interiors felt luxurious. I also loved their minimal but unique style of bags with no overt branding. But with prices starting in the $500 range, I wasn’t willing to buy and try them.

Then I wanted the Mansur Gavriel crossbody circle bag, but wasn’t sure spending $795 on a trend item was really worth it. So when I found the PB0110 circle bag on the RealReal for less than $200 (with some TRR credit), I jumped at the deal. Not only would I fulfill my desire for a circle bag, but I would get to finally try out this lesser known European brand.

First a quick note about their production practices. They don’t tout themselves as an ethical company per say but their values and production practices do qualify them as such (except if you don’t believe using leather can be ethical then they are not). Their main value is in making quality bags that are meant to be cherished and used for a long time. In fact, they have a blog called Beloved Objects that focuses on the founder’s and designers’ oldest and most cherished items. They want one of their bags to be your beloved object, and you can tell they make their bags to last. They source their vegetable tanned leather in Belgium in a factory that’s been tanning since 1873, their suede leather for the interior in Poland, their hardware in Italy, and their zippers in Germany. You can read all about their materials here. The bags are then made in multigenerational family factories in Poland (you can read about that here).

some outfit inspo with this bag

Now all of this sounds fine and fancy (and maybe justifies their high prices), but how does it translate to the actual bag? Having tried out their circle bag, I can say without a doubt that yes, these are quality bags. And it’s the details that make all the difference. Their zippers are some of the smoothest I’ve ever used on a bag, and it’s especially important on an awkward shape like the circle bag. No snags or stops when trying to zip this puppy up even when it’s full to the brim and with one hand. The suede interior is smooth and doesn’t flake off like in cheaper bags. And the outside vegetable tanned leather is stiff but still supple (and feels so much better than Mansur Gavriel’s super stiff vegetable tanned leather). Veg-tanned leather does scratch a bit more than chrome-tanned leather but the veg-tanned leather is meant to show a patina with time. Veg-tanned leather is also better for the environment (using tannins from natural sources like trees), and much harder to do, takes longer, and is usually done by hand. Veg-tanned leather is also hardier and more durable so it makes sense PB 0110 only uses the best veg-tanned leather for their bags (and it shows).

As for the actual bag itself, it’s called the AB38 bag because it was designed by their designer Ayzit Bostan (they name all their bags after the designer and a random seeming number). I love that this bag has a pretty unobtrusive top handle along with an adjustable crossbody strap. The inside has one small flat pocket that could maybe fit credit cards. Since there are no other dividers or pockets, things do get lost to the bottom pretty easily within the bag (like my keys). But I guess that sort of comes with the territory when using a trendy yet impractical shape like a circle bag. The zipper does come out pretty wide so it’s easy to fit things in, and it fits all my essentials (though the sunglasses case just barely). Overall I’m happy with my purchase and look forward to using this bag more this spring and summer!

I probably wouldn’t recommend buying PB0110 bags brand new since they’re an obscure brand with poor resale value (plus it’s better to buy leather items secondhand). Also since their items are meant to last it means that these bags are usually still in great shape when you find them pre-owned. The RealReal has a pretty good selection of them for sell here (and they even have this circle bag in black here) and the prices are even better when they go on sale!

Anyone else try a bag from PB 0110 and what did they think?

The Problem With Ethical Sneakers

What’s the problem with ethical sneakers? Other than how to style them without looking like an 80’s office worker ala Melanie Griffith in Working Girl?

The inspo for those Everlane sneakers

Actually that’s a problem I have with all sneakers but that’s a post for another time.

No, the problem with ethical sneakers is that they’re usually made by ethical companies with comparatively little experience in the sneaker-making business and that they’re usually made with natural rubber.

Let’s tackle the natural rubber issue first. I get why ethical companies like using natural rubber: because it’s not virgin plastic. Rubber is an organic material made from the sap of rubber trees and thus is biodegradable in its purest form. It’s the original elastic polymer before plastics came along. But the problem with rubber when its used for the soles of shoes is that it’s heavy, stiff, and makes for a clunky uncomfortable sneaker. This is true with the Veja sneakers (reviewed here) as well as Everlane’s sneakers.

But take this with a grain of salt because I’m an ex-runner so I expect my sneakers to be cushiony and lightweight—truly something that I can work out in. If you’re okay with skater type of shoes, then you might not mind a heavy stiff shoe with no cushiony support.

Also as an ex-runner I believe in the research and development that sneaker companies put into their shoes. And that’s why I have issues with ethical companies with little or no experience making sneakers, especially if people start working out in them. If you’re going to be putting miles on your sneakers, either by running, walking, or even jumping around, you want to be sure that those shoes were made for that. So even though sneaker companies may be using virgin plastic like no tomorrow, at least your legs and feet stand a good chance of being protected from injury (and sorry if it came down to my legs or the environment, I’d choose my legs each time). I would not recommend working out in either Veja or Everlane sneakers since they’re not made for that. Oh and please don’t hike in them either (at least not a serious hike—get dedicated hiking shoes for that and your future ankles will thank you).

Of course, if you're just wearing sneakers for light walking and as a fashion statement then wearing ethical sneakers is totally fine. In which case maybe you can give me some pointers on how to style them without looking like I’ll be changing shoes at the office.

via GIPHY

P.S. So my solution for adding sneakers to an ethical closet? Buy them secondhand from a store like Crossroads or Buffalo Exchange. The shoes you find in those kinds of stores are usually still in great condition and have lots of mileage left on them. Plus I always wear socks with my sneakers so it’s less gross to me to buy athletic shoes used (but smell the inside of the shoe first—sounds gross but it’s a must).

P.P.S I also read this article, which I found through Grechen, and it highlights the difference between an ethical fashion brand’s (Everlane’s) approach to sneakers and a sneaker brand’s (Adidas’) approach to a more ethical shoe. If I were to buy one, I would go with the big shoe brand with their large R&D budget. Now if only Adidas could use recycled plastic and then make a recyclable shoe. Maybe someday, though it feels like it’s a little too late for this technology already.

What I Wanted in April

I’ve discovered the secret of wanting and buying less: just have a newborn and get zero sleep so all that you want to do in your free time is sleep (and not browse shops online or swipe mindlessly through instagram). Unfortunately (or thankfully) it’s not a lasting solution to consumerism, but it did help me spend less money on my closet.

via

The only thing I really thought about buying was a straw Janessa Leone hat. I used to have the Cuyana one (reviewed here) but it didn’t wear well and the straw started to fray. But in general I find that I like the idea of hats (it’ll keep the sun off my face and look chic!) but that I don’t really wear them that often. So it’s not really worth splurging on (though I occasionally look at the RealReal for one since I have some credit there).

I did however add the picnic linen top to my closet since I was asked by Everlane if I wanted anything to review (alas I couldn’t resist the temptation after so many months of no gifted items). I was also gifted the new wedge shoes but I found them too uncomfortable so I sent them back. And I was gifted the new sneakers (“Tread by Everlane”) but found them uncomfortable too (they run small so I really needed a size 9, not my usual Everlane size of 8. And in general they’re a heavy, clunky shoe—boo). Also I have to mention they don’t look that great to me (I called them nursing shoes though the online consensus seems to be orthopedic shoes). So I plan on returning these as well.

So with some luck (and thanks to my new daughter) I was able to keep to my April resolution of only one new addition to the closet!

P.S. Though I should mention I didn’t do a great job with not spending money overall (dang it the FIRE lifestyle is so hard). Along with the Willow pump I splurged on another Augustinus Bader Cream (reviewed here) after I ran out of it this month, but this time I got the regular instead of the Rich Cream (though I’m regretting not getting the Rich Cream because I think it works better for me than the regular—anyway I’ve updated the AB Cream review with all the deets).

Everlane Review: The Mini Form Bag

After I reviewed the regular Form Bag from Everlane (here), Everlane released the mini form bag as a special invitation only limited release. Something about them trying to make it exclusive turned me off though. So I made it a point not to give it a second glance. But when they came out with a general release of them in new colors this spring, the Mini Form Bag in Bone caught my eye. I don’t normally buy light colored leather bags because I’m careless with my purses (they’re meant to be used right?). But knowing how hardy the leather on the regular Form Bag is I decided to give it a shot. And I’m so glad that I did! This bag has turned out to be one of the best small crossbody bags I’ve ever bought.

{Wearing: Everlane Cotton Linen V-neck (reviewed here), Elizabeth Suzann Mara Jumpsuit (reviewed here), Martiniano Glove Shoes (reviewed here), Everlane Mini Form Bag}

So just like the regular Form bag, the mini has a magnetic closure at the top, which makes getting into and out of the bag super easy. When it’s open, I can see everything in there in just a glance. This works great when you have just the right amount of stuff or less. But if you overstuff it, then the magnetic closure doesn’t close (which can be kind of annoying because it gapes wide open and now strangers can easily see all that’s in there too). But for me, this just means I have to make sure I carry only the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, some lip balms, small hand cream, and my sunglasses). Also for the most part when I carry all that, I have to make sure they’re arranged in a relatively neat manner (I can’t just throw things in willy nilly). So if you like carrying a lot of stuff, this bag is definitely not for you. But in exchange for sticking with just the essentials, you get a small sleek bag that tucks easily under your arm. And this also means the load you’re carrying is always light!

Like the regular form bag the strap is made of canvas, which I know some of you don’t care for since it makes the bag look cheaper. But in terms of functionality it’s awesome since it makes carrying the bag across the body super comfortable. Plus you can adjust the strap to the exact length that you want.

Inside, there’s one small flat pocket, which I thought was pretty useless when I first got the bag. But now I stash my coupons in there (because ya know, FIRE) and it’s great because everytime I open the bag I see them. So I haven’t forgotten to use a coupon since using this bag (I used to forget all the time since I’m not in the habit of clipping coupons).

And like I mentioned up top, the Italian leather that these bags are made out of are super durable and scratch resistant. I don’t baby my bags at all so I very rarely buy a super expensive bag in a light color. But these Everlane form bags are made out of a smooth and thick leather. Also with light colored bags, you want to be careful of color transfer, but I’ve had no issues with that with this one.

Seriously, if you guys are looking for a great light colored bag for spring, this Everlane mini form bag should be a contender! I can’t wait to rock this bag with my all neutral #stickofbutter looks this spring (lol if you don’t know what I’m talking about, refer to Andrea’s post here).

Veja Sneakers Review: The Esplar

via

Back in February, I had documented in my one week money diary that I had purchased these Veja Esplar Bastille sneakers from TheRealReal (cost on site $60, retails $165, but since I had TRR credit from selling it was $0—score right?). And I was soooooo excited to add them to my shoe collection because who wouldn’t want to wear stylish ethical sneakers? But unfortunately these did not work out for me—at all.

First a note on sizing, I got them in my usual shoe size of 8 (I used to think of myself as 7.5 because I was 7.5 in TOMS, but have come to realize that I’m pretty much an 8 and this is especially true after pregnancy). And they fit fine in both the length and width so I would say they are true to size.

I loooove that this company tries their best to make an ethical sneaker with the utmost transparency. They are very conscious about the materials they use and where they source it from. Their leather “doesn't come from the Amazon nor from an area that was deforested for cattle farming purposes” and their tanning is done under strict EU REACH regulations. The interesting detail on the heels are actually tilapia fish scales! And their rubber for the soles of their shoes are made of 20% natural rubber allowing them to help preserve the wild rubber trees in the Amazon (though I guess the other 80% is synthetic?). {Side note: I watched a pretty interesting documentary episode (episode 3) about rubber on Amazon show The Beast That Is The Global Economy.} . But this is all to say that Veja is really trying to make the most ethical sneaker out there.

Now if only they were comfortable.

Well this is just to say this particular model, The Esplar, is not. My main problem with the shoe is that the leather tongue is so stiff that it pokes into the tops of my feet. I’ve tried to bend it back or break it in, but to no avail. Also the sneaker is heavy, like the heaviest sneaker I’ve ever worn. I have to say Nike, Adidas, and a lot of other sneaker companies may not be ethical, but they know how to make a comfortable sneaker. Sadly, this Veja one might be the most uncomfortable sneaker I’ve ever worn. And there’s no point in buying something just because it’s ethical. It needs to be a good product as well.

But I’m not willing to give up on them yet. Their vegan models look more promising, at least the ones that look like classic New Balance shoes. Has anyone else tried these shoes or other Veja styles? Did you like them and would you recommend it?

An Everlane Sweater For Every Kind Of Weather

If you’re a long time reader, you probably know that I have a lot of Everlane sweaters. One of my very first reviews of Everlane was of their cashmere sweater (back in 2015!), and I’ve pretty much tried every Everlane sweater under the sun since then. Just check out my sweaters section of my collected Everlane reviews post. And I have to say that Everlane’s sweater game has just been getting better with time. I’m really loving the styles and fibers they have on offer currently, so I decided to do a little post highlighting my favorite Everlane sweater for every kind of weather (also it was an excuse for me to talk about sweater weather and be able to use these two words repeatedly). Here are my choices from warmest to coldest weather:

70+ degrees F weather: The Cotton Linen V-neck

Ok, so I know I just got and reviewed this sweater, but I loooove this sweater made for warm weather. Of course if it’s really hot, there’s no need for a sweater. But for a city like SF where there are micro-climates, layering is key and this sweater is the perfect little cover-up for mild days. This would also work for those who easily get cold in even slightly air conditioned rooms (though if you’re working in a cold office environment you’ll probably want the cotton sweater below). This sweater also works for those who want a bit of a cover-up from the summer sun but don’t want to slather on SPF.

65 degrees F weather: The Soft Cotton Square Crew

I reviewed this here and it’s my favorite 100% cotton sweater (especially for those who are on the petite side). This sweater is made from a good thick cotton knit that’ll keep you warm but not too warm. I liked this sweater so much I got two of them (one in ochre and one in navy) and I find I use them both a lot. They’re especially useful for me in air conditioned environments.

60 degrees F weather: The Waffle-Knit Square Cashmere Crew

When the temperatures start to dip, I look forward to breaking out my cashmere sweaters. And my favorite cashmere sweater from Everlane is the waffle knit square crew (reviewed here). I have two of these as well: one in navy from 2017 and one in oatmeal from 2018. The cashmere of these sweaters feel more substantial and quality than those of the $100 cashmere sweaters and I think it’s definitely worth the $55 price difference between the two sweaters. Also the waffle knit texture just adds more interest to every outfit you wear it with. I also love the split side detail (for easy french tucking) and the split sleeve detail. If you prefer more of a 90’s sweater look, the cashmere rib round crew (reviewed here) is also a great textured cashmere sweater.

55 degrees F weather: The Oversized Alpaca Crew

Even though I disliked the mix of nylon with the alpaca in this sweater (which I talked about in my review of it here), I kind of get it because 1) 100% alpaca is darn expensive and 2) 100% alpaca is hot as heck. Having tried one from Lauren Manoogian, a thick 100% alpaca knit is too hot for California’s winters and probably too hot to wear indoors. So this makes the Everlane alpaca blend sweater the perfect one for cold weather (though I’m sure for really cold and or/windy weather you’re going to want to layer this with a coat or jacket) without being too hot.

Anyway as we head into spring and then summer, sweaters will probably not be on your mind. But I felt like since Everlane’s sweater selection is so good right now, I would be remiss not to take the opportunity to write a post like this. Anyone else have multiple Everlane sweaters? About 90% of all my sweaters are Everlane and it seems like they’re getting better and better every year!

Cuyana Review: Oversized Alpaca Sweater

After reviewing my experience with Lauren Manoogian’s 100% alpaca sweater (my first time trying anything 100% alpaca) a lot of readers recommended I try Cuyana’s 100% alpaca oversized sweater. Side note: if you want to learn all the benefits of alpaca over wool or cashmere, you can find it in my Everlane alpaca review (which was my first time trying anything made with alpaca though it’s not 100% alpaca). But since I had just declared my new year’s resolution that I would only add one item to my closet a month (and also because I was getting more and more pregnant) I decided not to buy this. Luckily I was able to arrange a clothing swap with a fellow ethical clothing enthusiast in my neighborhood. So I was able to try it without buying it (I also got to try out her Vetta sweater for a month which I loved! I reviewed that here).

The version of the Cuyana alpaca sweater that she had was a limited edition red one that also came in the petite size, which is what I’m wearing here. They weren’t joking about it being oversized. I’m 8+ months pregnant and the petite size was just right, so I can imagine how big the normal sizes are (and actually that’s one of the common comments about this alpaca sweater that I’ve heard from people who’ve bought it). There are only two size options XS/S and M/L and I think even the XS/S would be a bit too large for my 5’4” frame. The petite would work best for me, though unfortunately they don’t make that size anymore (though you can sometimes find it on the RealReal here).

And how is the alpaca quality? The Cuyana alpaca sweater is much thinner than the alpaca sweater I tried from Lauren Manoogian. But that is actually a good thing, especially for California, since alpaca fibers are so warm to begin with. The Cuyana alpaca sweater will definitely keep you toasty even though it is short sleeved and looks more like a top than a sweater. Like the Lauren Manoogian sweater, there’s no itch to alpaca fibers and it’s super lightweight but keeps you extra warm.

I would consider this sweater if it came in the petite size in one of the neutral colors. But seeing as how big the XS/S size is, it’s not something I would buy right now (also since spring is right around the corner so I’m going to hold off on purchasing any cold weather clothing now). But if you’re on the tall side, live in a cold climate and are looking for a warm and high quality 100% alpaca sweater I would highly recommend considering adding this to your winter wardrobe.

Weekend Update/Ramblings and Everlane Try-on of the New Wedge

So Everlane reached out to me again to see if I would be interested in reviewing any of their April items, and even though I had said no more gifted items for review I caved in a moment of weakness (especially after seeing some of their new items for April) Free Everlane stuff is always hard to resist and having said no for several months, I indulged myself with a yes (also with spring here, all the new spring stuff has really made me wanting new things for the closet). The two things that caught my eye were these wedges, which they’re calling the New Wedge, and the linen apron top.

And aren’t these wedges cute? I love how they look and they give me some serious 90’s nostalgia (I lived in wedges all through middle and high school). And I love the springy pastel colors that they come in. Unfortunately though, they’re not comfortable, especially for those with wide-ish feet like myself. The top part was really snug and I know it would cause a blister in less than half a mile. Plus the wedge itself is heavy so it drags at the foot and pulls across the top, exacerbating the problem. This would be the kind of shoe I could create outfits with for the blog (or ‘gram) or wear out to a lunch/dinner date (with valet parking so no walking would be involved). And really that’s not my lifestyle anymore.

So after some thinking and an Insta-story poll I decided to send them back. This was the first time I’ve actually sent back a gifted Everlane item and was a bit nervous to see how the affiliate contact at Everlane would react, but she was so chill. And they sent me a return label so I could return it on their dime. It was so easy. And I’m glad I made the decision to send it back since 1) I didn’t want to spend time writing a negative review post about a gifted item (also I felt like that might jeopardize my relationship with Everlane), 2) I didn’t want to spend the time to sell it/get rid of it later, and 3) I didn’t want to create waste by using something I didn’t love. Also I made that new year’s resolution about only one new item in my closet per month and with these shoes it would have been two.

Anyway so there’s my two cents on these shoes.

In other news, my life is still revolving around breastfeeding and trying to produce more milk. All my current dollars have been spent on supplements (just purchased some Legendairy ones) and a new breast pump (I’m soooo excited to try out the Willow Pump—lol this is my life now). Guess I’ll be writing some mommy-blogger posts later when I review all this stuff >.<

Hermes Bolide 27 Review

2018 was a crazy year for me: We moved from an Airstream to a larger trailer to a house to an apartment, we sold our business, we got pregnant, and then I went in and out of the hospital a couple times and had several pregnancy scares. So that might also explain my temporary insanity when I impulse-purchased this very expensive handbag. I walked into the Hermes store in Palo Alto (just to browse lol) and picked up a Bolide 27 bag in epsom (a black one and not this one I’m holding) and just fell in love with the lightness of the bag, the usability, but also the gorgeously smooth interior leather and the hardy epsom exterior leather. I also loved that it wasn’t flashy and you wouldn’t know it was an Hermes unless you knew bags. I might also have been influenced by Shoko over at simplytokyo who loves her non-flashy Hermes bags and styles her Bolide 27 so beautifully.

Well whatever the reason (and this was before my one lengthy hospital stay and before we had discovered FIRE in December), this bag is in my life now. To be completely honest I still have mixed feelings about it because even though I love it, it’s also uber expensive and I really don’t need to be adding money to my bag collection right now (I should actually be liquidating and putting that money into ETFs and mutual funds lol).

This bag is the definition of understated luxury and there are several other brands that make a bag like this, from Louis Vuittons BB Alma to Linjer’s Crossbody Purse for much less than Hermes’ Bolide retail price of $6300 (I know, ridiculous right?!). No, I didn’t purchase this brand new, instead I got a used one that’s 9 years old and at less than half the price over at Fashionphile (in Epsom leather and in the color Bleu de Prusse). But still, I wonder if it’s worth it considering the more frugal lifestyle that my husband and I are going for these days.

On one hand, it’s a great bag that can fit all the essentials (wallet, keys, sunglasses, coin purse, lip balms, a reusable bag—though with all of that it’s quite full and causes some puckering because the bag narrows at the top). And I love it everytime I use it. Also it’s an Hermes classic that will retain its value over the years and hold up beautifully (even at 9 years old, this bag looks just as great as the new one I saw in the store). But on the other hand, I could get the same look for much much less.

I think the true test will be how often will I carry this bag in my new life post-pregnancy with a baby. I have a feeling not much, and if that’s the case I’ll probably sell it back to Fashionphile using their buyback program (TBH I’m getting more wary of ebay buyer scammers these days, especially when I’m trying to be frugal I can’t be out thousands of dollars). But until then (the buyback offer at 70% of the cost ends after 6 months), I’m going to use this bag a ton and keep trying to decide if I want to keep it. If you’re interested in this classic bag, I highly recommend purchasing it used from a reputable source instead of new. You can find a selection of Bolides at Fashionphile or TheRealReal.

So what do you think: keep or not?

{August 2022 Update: So I did sell this bag and I 100% regret it. Lol, I still miss it from time to time and tbh i was probably the best deal I would have gotten on the bolide. True, it didn’t fit everything but man, it was a beautiful bag.}

Weekend Update/Ramblings

All my children :)

Hello from a zombie mom of a newborn. I know there’s no rush to get back into this blogging thing but as I struggled to write my newest Everlane review post (about the cotton linen v-neck here), I felt like I needed to try to get back into a bit because I feel oh-so rusty. I’m sure it’s due to the lack of sleep combined with being out of practice with writing (it’s crazy to think I used to write 4 posts a week!), but the words aren’t flowing out as smoothly as I’m used to. I hope I’m not losing my touch (and I also hope you didn’t notice that much of a difference in my review post-birth).

Anyway my life is currently all about sneaking in naps whenever I can and increasing milk production. Women have said it before and they will say it til the end of time, but breastfeeding is hard! First there’s the whole getting your baby to latch thing (which when she’s cranky or hangry she has the hardest time doing). And then there’s the making enough milk thing. Currently my production is way down low (about half of where I need it to be) so we’re supplementing with formula. And yes I’m drinking the lactation tea, eating the lactation cookies (seriously the only guilt-free cookies I’ve ever eaten because you know it’s all in the name of making more milk), taking the supplements, pumping every 3 hours, power pumping once a day on most days, and doing some other tricks I learned from the lactation consultants. I’m not going to give up since some breast milk is better than no breast milk for Emi, but I might just be one of those low supply women (my mom also had low supply so she gave up after a week and I was a strictly formula-raised baby—it was the 80’s and hey I don’t think I turned out that bad). The only thing is formula is also expensive and if I can make the milk for free, that fits better with my FIRE goals lol.

Overall though I’m hanging in there (the nights where she cries on and off from 1-4AM are the hardest) but I’m super grateful for my small but mighty support system of my husband and my mom. Unfortunately my husband only had 2 weeks of paternity leave (yay that start-up life), but thankfully my mom has really helped out. Seriously having my mom here has been the best thing ever (I can take showers whenever I want, go grocery shopping alone, and my husband and I have already had a couple date nights). I don’t know how I got so lucky!

Everlane Review: The Cotton Linen V-neck Sweater

Hi guys and it’s been awhile with my Everlane reviews but here’s a fresh new one (I pushed up this new review since I got a lot of interest about this sweater on Insta but the posts after this will be back to those written pre-birth). Since I utterly failed at my one new item per month resolution in March, I just let everything slide and ordered two new items from Everlane in the last week of March (it’s like when you blow your diet so then you eat ALL THE FOOD). But oh it felt so good to scratch my Everlane itch and get this cotton linen v-neck sweater and the mini form bag. And it felt even better when I realized both items were clear winners for me (ah, there’s that Everlane that I know and love)!

First a note on sizing, I got this sweater in a small (my regular Everlane size) and I would say it fits TTS. The sweater is boxy and cropped, which is perfect for my post-pregnancy 5’4” frame (I love that it flows away from the body to hide my remaining belly pooch). It’s also the perfect loose spring/summer sweater to tuck into some high-rise bottoms (I can’t wait until I can fit into my jeans again).

{Wearing: Everlane Cotton Linen V-neck, Elizabeth Suzann’s Mara Jumpsuit (reviewed here), Martiniano Glove shoes (reviewed here), Everlane mini form bag}

What I really love about this sweater though is the wonderful texture of the linen cotton combo knit. The linen makes it more lightweight and slightly rougher than a 100% cotton sweater. The texture isn’t soft and smooth but I wouldn’t say it’s itchy either. When you compare this to the the Everlane’s soft cotton square crew (reviewed here), this linen cotton version has a looser weave and is a lot lighter in weight. But both have a very similar boxy cropped shape with wide sleeves (except the cotton sweaters are crewnecks while the cotton linen blend sweaters are v-necks). I wore this cotton linen sweater in 73 degree weather and it was the perfect light cover-up and didn’t cause any overheating. The cotton sweater would have definitely been too warm.

My only concern is how this sweater will do over time and with multiple washings. The instructions say to handwash this, which I’m not a fan of doing. But I’d be willing to wash this sweater by hand because I love it that much. I’ll update this review after I wash it and let you know how it fares.

A close up of the weave

So if you’re looking for a good hot weather cover-up or a sweater for those slightly cooler summer days, I highly recommend this cotton linen blend sweater. And I definitely recommend getting it in this sand color (which is more cream than beige) since the texture will elevate your all neutral look (because you know that’s going to be the trend of the season). I have to say this is one of the better sweaters to come around from Everlane in recent times and I have a feeling it’ll go fast (the crewneck version is already sold out in the smaller sizes).

Has anyone else tried this cotton linen sweater and what did you think?

A Review of A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

There comes a book, once in a blue moon, that I become a little bit obsessed with (that I underline passages in, that I reread constantly) and it earns a permanent place in my bookshelf. In the past the books that have hit home include Daring Greatly by Brene Brown and 10% Happier by Dan Harris. Well for 2019, I think that book is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. Now before you go and dismiss me as being totally woo-woo (or hippie, new age spiritualist, etc.) I don’t always agree with him 100% and I sometime think his overly flowery spiritual language can be sometimes hard to swallow. But there are plenty of gems in this book that I think are worth internalizing for a generally more content life. I’ve already quoted him here and here on the blog (pertaining to my/our overconsumption habits).

A lot of this book is about the ego, or what I like to think of as the monkey mind (that voice in our head that we 100% identify with as “me” but really is just that voice in your head. You are not your thoughts—lessons I learned from 10% Happier). I truly believe you don’t need to identify what is “you”, that there is no need for labels and such restrictive thinking. Humans are beautiful beings with many everchanging facets that don’t need to be nailed down with categories and labels. We just are. And the sooner we can identify the monkey mind/ego and let go of certainties, and instead be grateful and marvel in the present moment, the more content, generous, and loving we could all be. Mindful meditation definitely helps with this, though it’s no cure-all and there’s no ticket for a 100% happy life.

One more on our need to consume

Anyway this is just to say, this book has so many good points when it comes to this unconscious ego that we let rule our thoughts and our lives. Here’s one last quote about overconsumption:

“The ego identifies with having, but its satisfaction in having is a relatively shallow and short-lived one…The ego wants to want more than it wants to have. And so the shallow satisfaction of having is always replaced by more wanting. It is an addictive need, not an authentic one…Most egos have conflicting wants. They want different things at different times or may not even know what they want except that they don’t want what is: the present moment. Unease, restlessness, boredom, anxiety, dissatisfaction, are the result of unfulfilled wanting…[Nothing] will satisfy you, as long as the egoic structure remains in place. No matter what you have or get, you won’t be happy. You will always be looking for something else that promises greater fulfillment, that promises to make your incomplete sense of self complete and fill that sense of lack you feel within.”

On Complaining and Resentment

He also talks about the ego and how it needs to create stories about “the others” in order to uphold its own stories about being in the right and being superior:

“Complaining is one of the ego’s favorite strategies for strengthening itself. Every complaint is a little story the mind makes up that you completely believe in…When you are in the grip of such an ego, complaining, is habitual and of course unconscious…Complaining as well as fault finding and reactivity strengthens the ego’s sense of of boundary and separateness on which its survival depends…There is nothing that strengthens the ego more than being right. Being right is identification with a mental position—a perspective, an opinion, a judgement a story. For you to be right, of course, you need someone else to be wrong, and so the ego loves to make wrong in order to be right….You construct a conceptual identity for an individual or a group and you say: ‘This is who he is. This is who they are.’ When you confuse the ego that you perceive in others with their identity, it is the work of your own ego that uses this misperception to strengthen itself through being right and therefore superior, and through reacting with condemnation, indignation and often anger against the perceived enemy.”

He goes on to say that this kind of thinking is what creates and perpetuates wars. And for peace, we need to all recognize our egos and also to live in the present moment, to live in Being (his capitalization, not mine), to realize the “impermanence of all forms” and let go of the fears surrounding that. Yep it’s a lot to ask for and sounds like a great idea, but how to execute that? He advises some form of meditation, even if it’s just a brief breathing exercise everyday to bring you back into the present moment, to get the feeling of Being.

Anyway I could go on and on with quotes from this book but I feel like it would just bore you (I might already be boring you lol) so I’ll save it. But unlike my other book reviews, I won’t be doing a giveaway on this one because I’m keeping it! I don’t think this book will “Awaken your life’s purpose” as it promises on the book cover, but I think it has some great points on how to be more at peace with whatever is happening in your daily life. I read this while I was in the hospital and it really helped me find peace and even enjoy my time there a little bit, even though I didn’t want to be there (thus the pic up top). So whatever preconceived notions you have about Mr. Tolle and these types of book (I know I had tons), I highly recommend just trying it out because I think we all need a little time out and space from our monkey minds.

P.S. Re-reading this now, after having posted about my overconsumption in March has reminded me that my monkey mind pretty much took over last month. For April, I’m going to renew my efforts to identify when my ego is doing the decision making!

What I Wanted in March

It might be the changing of the season, some extra down time I had in the beginning of the month, or maybe it’s just that time of the year when New Year’s Resolutions tend to weaken and dissolve but I wanted a lot of things this month. I even purchased a couple things to try (like the Veja sneakers I talked about here) but returned them so it didn’t have to count towards my one item for March.

In general, I’ve been really into shoes lately. Probably because I’m still waiting to slowly fit back into my pre-maternity clothes so I’m not into clothes shopping and I already purchased a purse last month so that’s satisfied by bag cravings. So my eye has been wandering to shoes, which I haven’t purchased (and kept) in quite awhile (I think my last pair was the Everlane boss mules 6 months ago).

Jenni Kayne mules left, Martiniano shoes right

Speaking of those Everlane Boss Mules, when I wrote that review back in September, I had mentioned wanting these mules from Jenni Kayne. Well even though I still love my Everlane mules I’m curious to try the Jenni Kayne ones and have been looking at them more frequently in March. I’m not quite ready to pull the trigger yet (because $395!!). Plus the Everlane ones still satisfy me as a dupe so I held off. Also even though I purchased and returned the Martiniano Glove Shoes (which I reviewed and compared with Everlane’s Day Glove flat), I can’t stop thinking about them. I want them back into my life!

Another shoe I’ve been eyeing in March is Everlane’s square toe flat. Something about the grandma chicness feels so now.

I also really want the 90’s cheeky from Everlane (in vintage light blue in the ankle length), but I held off on purchasing it because I’m still waiting for my body to normalize after pregnancy. There’s no point in buying jeans that I may not be able to fit into. If they’re still available when I’m back to my normal size then I’ll revisit the option.

I guess I wasn’t completely bag-craving-free this month since I did want to add a couple bum bags (or fanny packs) to my closet. When I first saw this baggu one over at Grechen’s blog, I almost purchased it right then and there. But held off because I didn’t want to add a bag to my closet two months in a row. I also already have a really old black bum bag from Lululemon and if I haven’t used that one in awhile, I’m not sure adding another black bum bag is the right choice. I figured if I end up using the Lululemon one a lot, then I can justify upgrading to the baggu one. That’s the same thing I told myself when this Clare V belt bag also caught my eye.

The one item of clothing that I want, mostly because I’ve been craving springtime weather, is this linen jumpsuit from Linenfox. I reviewed their kimono top here, which I loved, and their linen quality is superb. So I can just imagine how awesome this dreamy jumpsuit would be for the warmer months. I also love the cute button detail in the back. If I do decide to get this, I’m going to wait until next month so that I can at least wear it right away by the time I get it (with about a month lead time, I’d expect to get it around May).

So what did I buy in March?

I re-bought the Martiniano Glove Shoes off the RealReal. I found them for $180 in one size bigger and decided to try them out. And well, since my feet swelled up after the c-section, they were the perfect shoes to wear for the multiple doctors appointments in the weeks following. They may be too big when my feet get back to a normal size but I was planning to add some orthotic insoles for my arches anyway and that would make them fit (I think). Also this way, my toes won’t be as visible through the thin leather. We’ll see after my feet go down in April if purchasing these shoes was a good or bad idea.

I also couldn’t pass up a pair of Martiniano Glove Heels that I found on ebay for $95… and a pair of pearl drop earrings I purchased on credit from the RealReal…and a pair of Chanel ballet flats also from the RealReal (but not on credit this time).

So as you can see my resolution was a total fail this month. I think it was a mix of surgery anxiety distraction and a “treat yo self” attitude because it was my birthday month (and I would be spending my birthday in the hospital so why not come home to presents I bought myself), and even a little bit of a “once I have a kid, I won’t be able to spend money on myself again” feeling. Anyway, all of this was purchased in the short 2 weeks before my c-section. But even though I failed my resolution, I refuse to give up. April is a new month and I’m going back to purchasing only one item again. Wish me luck!

Acne Studios Musubi Mini Bag Review {Updated January 2024}

So as I mentioned before, this Acne Studios Musubi Mini bag was my one purchase for the month back in February and I purchased it secondhand (and for 20% off) at TheRealReal. I’ve been eyeing this bag for over 6 months and I still loved the look, so I decided to go for it. And I have to say, I have zero regrets!

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I first was influenced to wanting this bag via Eva Chen’s Instagram (darn you Instagram) but when I polled y’all on stories only half of you guys liked it (which also truthfully sways my opinion). I myself was intrigued but wasn’t sure if it was cute or just too much. And I’m so glad I did hold off on impulsively purchasing right then and there because it gave me time to ruminate on it and now I know I really do love it. Also, during those 6 months, I got my favorite Celine soft cube bag (which I still really love but am currently letting it “rest” so I don’t wear it out too soon) and realized I love leather bags that look soft and pillowy. So I was pretty sure when I bought this in February that I would love it.

If I had a choice, I might have gone with the tan colored one, but since the black one was what’s available on TheRealReal, black it is! As for the quality of the calf leather of the Acne Studios bag, it’s really gorgeous. Comparing it to the calf leather of my Celine soft cube bag, I would say the grain of the Celine bag is slightly finer but not by much (but the Celine bag also retails for $700 more). And while the Celine bag is lined with calf leather, the Acne bag is lined with lambskin making the inside buttery soft but also helps keep the bag light (lambskin is lighter than calfskin).

Since I’ve been using this bag during the rainy California winters, I first protected it with some Chamberlains Leather Milk No. 3 (reviewed here). It gave the leather a slight sheen, due to the slightly waxy formula that’s meant to repel water, but the bag has held up in downpours with no issues so far. Also the durable calfskin has held up great with zero scratches or nicks.

The interior of the bag is divided into 2 sections with a zippered pocket divider. It’s perfect for keeping my things organized with my wallet and phone in one section, my keys in the zippered pocket, and everything else in the other section. The bag closes easily with snap buttons at the top, but I’m also not too worried about the security of the bag when wearing it over my shoulder or crossbody because the thick top handle tends to hide or cover the opening of the bag.

Currently all my bags have pretty thin crossbody or shoulder straps so I love the thickness of the Acne Studios strap and top handle. It makes carrying the bag super comfortable. Also the long crossbody strap is adjustable via some pegs on the sides of the bag that’s hidden by the mini knots.

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Having never tried Acne Studios clothing before, I wasn’t sure what to expect about the quality of these bags. But I have to say I’m quite impressed (and this is coming from a long time bag lover). These made in Italy leather bags are really beautiful and durable. Also the design is different enough so even though it’s a pretty minimal black bag, it’s not plain or boring.

Also the word musubi refers to my favorite rice ball snack (and in Hawaii, my favorite spam rice snack) which maybe makes me love the bag even more. But the word also works for the tying of the Obi sash on Japanese kimonos, which is what Acne Studios was referring to. Either way, I love this snack of a bag and can’t wait to get over 100 good wears with it!

{2022 Update: So I sold this bag to a good blogger friend Andrea last year and she reviewed it on her YouTube channel here. Here are my last pictures of it before I sold it:}

{January 2024 Update: Even though I no longer have this bag (and neither does Andrea, I helped her sell it to know of my readers here) I thought this review of the Musubi bag from a leather crafter was interesting.}

Pregnancy Essentials for the Third Trimester

Since I wrote a little post about my “essentials” for my first two trimesters, I thought I would add a post about my essentials for the third trimester, which to be honest wasn’t much. But here are a couple things that I found invaluable during the last three months.

Lacrosse/Massage Balls

I’ve had these balls for years and I’ve already written a review about them here. But since I was not indulging in paid massages and since my husband is not one to give massages, I found these massage balls to be a back and shoulder saver! I’ve had them for over three years now and they moved with me from house to trailer to apartment, and I even took them with me to my hospital stays back in December and January. During my third trimester I used them everyday against the wall to massage and also for pressure points, and seriously I’ve had very little back pain during my whole pregnancy.

Ovia App

This free app has been a fun little way to keep track of baby’s growth and to learn more about her development (she’s the size of a potato, a cabbage, a melon!). I also used this for my kick counter and when I started having some contractions, I also used it to time those as well. You do have to use an email to sign up and they send you updates, but just give them a junk mail email address like I did.

Books

So if you’ve been around here for awhile, you know I’m a fan of books of the “personal growth” or self-help variety. So of course when going into something as hard as parenting that I have no clue about, I wanted to do some reading (especially since as an only child with only a couple friends with kids, I have zero experience with kids. Also confession: I have yet to change a diaper in my life but I figure I’ll learn on the job lol). Anyway a couple books that were recommended to me that I felt helped me get a better idea of what to expect:

On Becoming Baby Wise: Recommended by several friends, this book gives you examples of ideal feeding/nap/activity schedules, and helps you understand what to expect for the first several months of life. I felt 100 times better prepared about becoming a parent after reading this book.

Happiest Baby on the Block: Recommended by the nurse practitioner who ran a newborn care class. This book arms you with tactics to calm a crying baby and also lets you know some babies just cry a lot and it’s not a reflection of your parenting. I feel better equipped to handle a fussy baby after reading this book.

What I Didn’t Need

Something I didn’t use or need were pregnancy belly support bands. This was something a lot of people told me were a “must” so I purchased this one, the highest rated one on Amazon. I found that since I didn’t have back pain, I just felt constricted and uncomfortable when wearing it (especially when you put it on while standing and then go to sit in the car). But I think I might be a different case than most women because I’m carrying a lot higher due to my fibroids which are taking up space in the lower part of the uterus. So of course take my advice with a grain of salt. I also purchased these from Amazon on a reader’s recommendation but found that they didn’t really provide any support. (I also tried the Blanqui tank for support and bought a dupe to do a comparison review but ended up not wearing either of them, but I plan to keep these a bit longer for postpartum). In general, I just don’t think I like any sort of belly covering (including maternity jeans with an over the belly panel as well as over the belly leggings). Anyway since I didn’t use these but I don’t want them to go to waste, I’m putting them up in the shop for free here except I’m asking for $5 in shipping costs.

The One That I Sold Away: Celine Medium Box Bag Review {February 2023 Update with Celine Teen Box Bag}

I rarely regret selling a handbag because usually by the time I’m ready to sell it, the bag has gone unused for quite some time. But of course there’s always an exception to the rule, and for me the exception is the Celine Medium Box Bag. Once in awhile I find myself wistfully thinking “I could really use that bag right now.” I originally purchased the bag back in 2015 through Fashionphile (my favorite consignment site) at a price that is less than what they are selling for now used. Yep, can you believe this bag is just as pricey if not pricier 4 years later?! Talk about holding its value (also I know with the end of the Phoebe Philo era, all great Celine classics are going up in price).

But just look at that beautiful light blue color:

The calfskin leather of the box bag was surprisingly durable, even though it was such a light color. I had it for several years and by the time I sold it there were only one or two light scratches. There’s no color transfer and no major gouges, despite my usual roughness with bags. The leather held up beautifully.

The clip closure is relatively easy to use (and not as bad as say the closure for the micro belt bag, which was always a pain). The shoulder strap is adjustable and pretty easy to adjust (it was like one of those clip mechanisms you find on belts). The inside is subdivided into three main compartments which made organization easy. One of the compartments was zippered and a tad smaller than the other two. You can’t hold a lot in each compartment since the inside of the bag isn’t as roomy as you would thing. I would be able to hold my wallet in one compartment, my phone and keys in another, and sunglasses and some lip balm in the third. But it could hold the essentials easily enough.

So why did I end up selling it? Well first of all the bag is not light. The thick calfskin leather with the all the compartments ends up weighing down the bag even when empty. Also I don’t usually carry boxy bags as my everyday bag. My ideal everyday bag is Celine’s soft cube bag (reviewed here), so I only ended up carrying the box bag on date nights or special occasions.

However hindsight is 20/20 and what I really should have done was sell one of my Chanel bags (similarly boxy and only used for special occasions) and kept this one. Ah well, sometimes there’s just a bag that gets away. But if I were to seriously repurchase this (and I still might in a more neutral color because it’s such a classic!), my go to shop would of course be Fashionphile (their selection of Celine box bags here) or TheRealReal (their selection of box bags here).

Do you guys ever have bags or items of clothing you regret selling? What were they?

And if you’re interested, here are all my other Celine bag reviews.

{February update with the Celine Classic Teen Box: I also purchased this in late late December after seeing the Celine Triomph Teen Bag at the Celine store in Hawaii (and not purchasing it). I loved the size of it, and it reminded me of the Celine Classic Box but it was lighter since the Triomph had one less compartment (as compared the the medium Box that I once had). But in the end I couldn’t pull the trigger because of 1) the price (even with the Hawaii price of being $300 less than retail, with tax it was going to be just under $4000 and that’s how much I paid for my new Chanel Classic many years ago 😱) and 2) I’m just not 100% about the new Celine clasp hardware with the two C’s (to me it screams Hedi Slimane Celine and I’m pretty much a Phoebe Philo loyalist even though I am a huge fan of the Tabou bag above and that’s a Hedi era style). So I went with a secondhand Classic Celine box (from Fashionphile) in the new-ish Teen size. Unfortunately the leather on the box is super stiff and not forgiving to aging. The leather was quite creased, to the point of almost cracking in a year or so. So back it went. Oh but if you’re interested to see what fits (and also what I’m talking about on the leather) you can see my video of the bag in my Insta story highlights—just scroll to the end).}

Weekend Update/Ramblings

What?! A weekend update post so soon after giving birth? I must be crazy, and I have to admit my sleep deprived mind probably is a little. But I find I have so many thoughts about motherhood and about this week in general that I wanted to share just a few here for you guys but also for myself to read back on later. This post will not be edited/proofread and my mind is running on maybe 20 hours of sleep for the past 5 days so be warned that there will probably be errors and/or this post may not make sense lol.

Guess which day I become a mom lol

I don’t even know where to start. Motherhood is such a trip, or maybe more like jumping off a cliff really. I was never one of those girls who always wanted to be a mom. And I wrote in the past that I actually came to terms with the fact that I might not end up being one and I was totally ok with that. So I never really bought into the “mama” tribe thing. Like I would tune out women who would wax on about the joys of motherhood and even get annoyed at some women who would only talk about their children. Or whenever someone said the most fulfilling thing they’ve ever done was be a mom, I thought it was a bit cliche. But now I’m starting to get it. Just giving birth and figuring out how to take care of a newborn feels like some sort of special hazing to get into a sorority— the motherhood sorority. And currently it’s hell week lol. Surgery pain, lack of sleep, frustrations and pressure with breastfeeding (and man Kaiser is relentless about this), and a crying baby are all overwhelming. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining but this is hands-down one of the toughest weeks of my life (and I did pledge a sorority once—and later dropped out lol). But through it all I find these perfect quiet moments where I just stare at my sleeping daughter, and it makes it all worth it (I would do all this and more in a heartbeat just to be her mom). And I just can’t believe I she’s my baby. I love her so much and I’ve only known her 5 days.

P.S. I won’t be posting any pictures of my girl here because INTERNET, though I have posted some pictures to Insta story (since those only last 24 hours).

Ingrid and Isabel Maternity Review

One of the brands I got to try during my Rent the Runway (RTR) trial, was Ingrid and Isabel. I first heard of them through their Target line of leggings (reviewed here and sorry to say I wasn’t impressed). So I wasn’t expecting much when I rented their items on RTR. But I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and design of their items! Their items are well and thoughtfully made for the pregnant woman, and the fabric quality was much like that of Storq (reviewed here) and I would say even better than Hatch (reviewed here). The only drawback to this brand is that like most conventional brands we don’t know anything behind their ethics of production (this is “their story” here). But if you to plan only buy a handful of maternity items and use them frequently, then at least you are still purchasing consciously and using your item conscientiously (which is the foundation of an ethical closet IMO). Or you could do what I did and rent the item so that you’re sharing rather than consuming. I think this is perfect if you have qualms about adding faux leather (and other plastic derived clothing) to your wardrobe, like the item below.

{Wearing: Vetta Oversized Sweater, Ingrid and Isabel faux leather maternity leggings (rented from Rent the Runway), Everlane Boss Mules (reviewed here), Acne Studios Musubi Mini Bag (review coming soon)}

So I really really loved the faux leather leggings from Ingrid and Isabel. They fit great under the belly (I’m a size M and it was TTS), and they were super thick so no VPL in the back. The back of the leggings are a soft thick stretch cotton, while the front was the faux leather. So the leggings were the ultimate in comfort but looked so sleek from the front. If think these are a great alternative to regular ‘ole maternity leggings and it helps to make it seem like you’re wearing actual pants (when you’re not). I’m 5’4” and found the length to be the perfect ankle length without having to bunch up the leggings (but if you’re quite a bit taller, these are definitely going to be short on you). They’re also perfect for the California winters since they’re warm enough and the front repels rainwater, keeping you nice and dry. I was very much tempted to buy these so they have a permanent place in my closet, but I felt like once I’m post-pregnancy I probably would rather go back to my regular pants so I’m going to wait on acquiring these.

The other item I tried and loved from Ingrid and Isabel, was their shirred maternity dress. It’s mostly made of micromodal so it’s super soft but there’s 10% spandex for stretch. What I loved about this dress is that the shirred parts were perfectly designed to not only accommodate the belly in the front but to also prevent any VPL in the back. So even though the material is thin and stretchy (perfect for the summer really), it doesn’t feel as revealing. It is quite form fitting though, and so for me personally (who’s not a real fan of the big belly bump look—I’m more in the camp of the discrete loose flowing maternity dresses) it wouldn’t be something I’d wear regularly. I think if you’re the kind of mama-to-be that wants to accentuate the bump though, this is definitely the dress for you.

Anyway this will be the last of my maternity reviews! I hope you’ve enjoyed them while they lasted (you can find them all here). Since I review what I buy I’m sure you’ll be seeing reviews of some baby items in the near future. But otherwise you’ll be seeing a review of my one acquisition per month (new year’s resolution) and hopefully some outfit repeating of my pre-pregnancy clothes (can’t wait to wear all my slow fashion items again!!).