As I mentioned in my What I Bought in September post, the one thing I bought for our Airstream trip was this Lotus Travel Crib from Guava. I had purchased a Pack N’ Play like this one for Emi when she was a newborn. And the bassinet function of the Pack N’ Play was useful for her first month of life and we used it a handful of times as an actual travel crib. But once she was able to stand we could no longer use the Pack N’ Play since it’s a tipping risk. So even though the Lotus Travel Crib isn’t cheap (it’s $200+ eek!) we think it’s 100% worth it since we know that Emi couldn’t tip it over, even while leaning her whole 30 pound frame to one side (and even when it was raised on top of cushions like in the photo above taken in the Airstream).
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Moving from conspicuous to conscious consumption and doing reviews along the way. Find plenty of unsponsored reviews of Quince, Everlane, Grana, and Cuyana on the site! I'm working towards a minimal waste lifestyle, and oh yea I love bags >.<
Weekend Update/Ramblings
I know you guys are all probably feeling some virus-fatigue so might not want to hear my current thoughts about the coronavirus, so feel free to skip this post if you are feeling this way. But as our pandemic summer turns into a pandemic fall, I started thinking about where we were in Spring when all of this was terrifying and brand new.
Read MoreTradlands Review: The Nico Dress {Updated April 2021}
As I mentioned in my “What I Bought in August” post, I impulse purchased this Nico dress from Tradlands during their weeks of sales. I purchased it the first week (so I got 20% off) but they were already running low on sizes, especially in this Caroline print. So I had to get an XS though I’m normally a small in Tradlands sizes (my past Tradlands review here and here).
Read MoreWhat I Bought in September
It must have been the 30 days straight of smoky air from the wildfires, the gut punches of RBG’s death and Breonna Taylor’s murderers being acquitted (plus the pandemic of course), but I did not buy a single item of clothing this month. A No-Buy September for my closet.
Read MoreQuince Clothing Review: The Linen Tank
It’s probably a tad late in the year (in the Northern Hemisphere) to be raving about a linen tank top, especially since I’ve already seen the term sweater weather bandied about. So this review is for my Southern Hemisphere and Equatorial friends out there looking to add a very reasonably-priced, good quality linen top to their wardrobe. This 100% organic linen top from Quince was an impulse purchase of sorts since I had some credit in my account (thank you so much to all you guys who used my referral link for $10 off your first purchase). But ever since writing my ethical linen comparison review, I use a brand’s linen items as a benchmark to determine the overall quality of their goods. And I wanted to know how Quince measured up.
Read MoreHorses Atelier Review: Patch Pocket Skirt
Horses Atelier is another ethical brand that I learned of courtesy of Erica (she strikes again! lol). They’re a Canadian brand led by two women, and all their clothes are made in Toronto from fabric sourced from Italy or Japan. So you can imagine they make some high quality items with a price point to match. So yet again, I turned to the RealReal to get my secondhand fashion fix.
Read MoreOkaysou AirMax8L Air Purifier Review
When Okaysou, an air purifier company asked me if I’d like a free air purifier during the 3rd week of smoky air due to wildfires in California, I didn’t hesitate. Yes, I already have 5 air purifiers (the ones featured in this air purifier comparison review). But I don’t think you can have too many air purifiers when living in wildfire-prone California and two very furry dogs (and I’m slightly allergic).
Read MoreWeekend Update/Ramblings
I posted this as a story over Instagram this week and the expression on the “mama” planter is totally how I’ve been feeling lately. I’ve been tired and frazzled with a dash of low level anxiety. I think the 4th (or was it 5th?) straight week of smoky days has finally taken its toll. Not to mention the orange skies and no sun on some days. It really does feel like the end of the world and what am I doing buying more clothes and shuffling more stuff around? I’m starting to feel like a hamster in a wheel, just spinning, as the world ends.
Eeek sorry to be so doomy and gloomy. I guess we all have our moments. I have a couple trips coming up (travel, what’s that?) and one of them includes an Airstream (eeee so excited). So I’ll be looking forward to that. I just have to keep in mind that this too (meaning the smoke and eventually the pandemic) shall pass. And I’ll be keeping in mind all the things I’m grateful for to keep me going.
Only Child Clothing Review: Dune Pants
I am officially the Goldilocks of Only Child Dune pants. This is my third pair from this Oakland-made, women-led slow fashion brand though probably not my last lol. I got my first pair in black in a size 2, which had fit but was quite tight. This was 2 years ago and Haley was nice enough to exchange it to a size 4. But I got pregnant and blew up in size soon after, so I never really got to wear it (thus no review of the Dune pants 2 years ago). I sold it thinking I probably wouldn’t be able to fit back into them post-pregnancy (and I was right). Well I guess the Dune pants never left my mind because two years later, I bought my third pair is amber linen (no longer available in this color) in a size 8 petite off of eBay.
Read MoreWhat I Bought in August
Wow another month has gone and yep I bought a few things (though luckily not as much stuff as July). I’m surprised I’m still buying clothes, considering I don’t go anywhere other than grocery shopping (and the occasional Home Goods excursion). But I definitely try to buy things that I know I’ll wear for awhile and/or I’ve been eyeing for awhile.
Read MoreWeekend Update/Ramblings
It certainly feels like the end of times doesn’t it? For us, the thick smoke and catastrophic fires here in California has added to the doom and gloom. In fact, I look forward to the days where our only concern is the pandemic and I won’t be taking clean air and the chance to spend time outdoors for granted. The photo above was from Wednesday, when we made a special trip to SF just so we could enjoy some clean air (yay for westardly blowing winds). We’ve been enjoying every pocket of clean air we can get.
Also, doesn’t it seem there’s a crisis everywhere we turn? Right now I’m thinking about what’s going on Kenosha and how depressingly enduring the violence to Black people is. I’m feeling pretty helpless about it all, but I want to do something. I’m thinking of doing a closet sale to fund a BLM organization. Should I do it on the blog or on Instagram? Also do you guys have any suggestions for a place to donate? I’ve donated to various BLM-related organizations in the past but haven’t set up a recurring donation to a specific one. I was thinking my local chapter of BLM? Or maybe the Love Land Foundation?
Amidst all this gloominess I’ve been finding some balance by committing to my “August glow-up.” I’m happy to report that it was a success and I’ve managed to pick up the calming and grounding habit of yoga 3x a week (thanks to Cat Meffan on Youtube). I plan to keep it up indefinitely because it brings me joy, and that’s what it’s all about these days right? Finding joy where you can and relishing in it.
Liberte Leather Shoes Review: The Prague Woven Leather Mule (with comparison to the St. Agni Paris mules)
These days I’m hesitant to write negative reviews because I understand all the hard work it takes to launch and maintain a business, especially in the fickle fashion sector. And I especially dislike doing it to small brands. But at the same time this blog is for you guys, so that you can make an informed buying decision (based on my personal opinions). So I would be remiss to exclude negative reviews. This is all to say that I personally did not like the Prague Woven Leather Mules from Liberte Leather.
Read MoreOne Quince Review: 14k Gold Solo Mini Hoop & 14k Gold Bold Hoops
Another Quince (formerly known as Last Brand) review for you today. So far I’ve tried their cashmere, their leather crossbody, leather tote, and their linen bedding. Now I’m here to review their jewelry. They really do have quite a few items on their website! Currently both their 14k bold hoops and the 14k solo mini are sold out, but hopefully they restock it soon.
Read MoreWeekend Update/Ramblings
My August “glow-up” is going fairly well. This is the second week I’ve completed workouts on M, W, and F (yoga on M & W, a jog on Fridays). I’m also eating less sugar (zero candy so far this month), so I’m feeling good about that. Overall, I’m just happy that I’m getting my butt moving.
Read MoreApiece Apart Review: Chios Jumpsuit
I purchased this Apiece Apart jumpsuit from Slowre back in March, but I’d been eyeing this brand for quite awhile on the Real Real (their current selection of Apiece Apart here). I’m not sure where I first heard about them, but this two women-led brand has been on my radar for awhile. Yet, I wasn’t about to drop $150+ for a top or $300+ for a dress. So when I found this jumpsuit (in my size no less) for sale (for $40!!) at Slowre, I knew this was my chance to try the brand.
Read MoreKemi Telford Review
I first found Kemi Telford on Insta (I think maybe through Erica again lol) and fell in love with her fun, bold dresses. If you’re not familiar with the woman and the brand, Kemi Telford is a Nigerian woman, a former lawyer, who is now living her dream by designing gorgeous dresses for women in the UK. Her dresses are made in the UK, India, and China, and she is mindful of her production practices, including reducing waste and giving to charity (see her values here). Many of her dresses are a limited-run production and once she sells out, she’s out.
Read MoreWeekend Update/Ramblings
I had my 15 seconds of fame this week with a Instagram stories feature on The RealReal Instagram account.
Read MoreWhat I Bought in July
Well guess my low-spend trend was slightly short-lived. I ended up purchasing quite a few things in July and many of them on impulse (oops >.<).
Read MoreWeekend Update/ Ramblings
Hi guys! Have you noticed the difference here? Yes, finally after 5 years of blogging I’ve switched the design of my blog! I hope it looks more Web 2.0 than 1.0 lol. It’s also going to take some getting used to on my part. But please let me know if you see any glitches or dislike a feature of the new design. I’m still trying to figure it out as I go. And though my husband doesn’t read the blog (but on the off chance that he does) I need to give credit where it’s due because he’s the one that mostly helped me with this redesign lol.
Anyway, anything new with you guys? We’re mostly just doing the same ole’ thing, staying at home.
St. Agni Review: The Ciao Woven Mules {Updated May 2023}
If you’ve been reading here for awhile you know I’m a pretty big fan of St. Agni mules (if you’re not familiar with this ethical brand you can read about their values and production ethics here). This is my third pair of leather St. Agni mules. My first two were the non-woven leather Saul Babouche and the woven leather Paris mules. Both of my first two leather mules were purchased secondhand from The Real Real in mint condition, which made them a great value and 100% worth it. But this St. Agni Ciao woven leather mules is my first pair that I purchased new. They were on sale at Bloomingdales, where I also had a gift card (so they were $40 out of pocket—definitely worth it to me).
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