Review: Credo Beauty & Heretic Dirty Lemon

This originally was going to be a review of the perfume I just bought but then it turned into something else, which seems to happen around here a lot. Months ago my friend Kate sent me a link to the Heretic Parfum site because she was really intrigued by the fragrance descriptions. I got her a discovery set for her birthday and she tried them out, passing along a few that didn't work for her. One of those was Dirty Lemon which I fell completely in love with.

I'm not going to attempt to describe it like one of those perfume reviewer sites (god, some of those descriptions are WEIRD) but I will say that it's unlike anything else. It starts out with a lemony citrus thing and then dries down into a warm, woody delicious scent that makes me snuffle my arm repeatedly. I also love that it's natural rather than synthetic because it doesn't trigger headaches (for me) and isn't super strong. I am really weird about scents but this one really works for me.

I finally decided to buy it but damn, the Heretic site wasn't giving me anything. No codes, no free shipping, nothing. They will give you 10% off your first purchase, but I'd used that on my order for Kate. That's how I found Credo.

Credo is an online retailer of clean beauty and they stock quite a few Heretic fragrances. I was super happy to see that they offered free shipping on $50+ and three free samples! And they gave me 10% off my first order for signing up for emails.

While I have mixed feelings about the Clean Beauty movement I do really like that I can shop an entire site of products that are cruelty and animal-derived-product-free. Credo carries some brands I love, like Indie Lee, RMS Beauty, and Tata Harper. I ordered my Heretic Dirty Lemon, picked my samples and placed my order. You guys, they shipped the same day. I ordered on a Friday and my package was on my doorstep by Monday. I was floored. And, the box wasn't gigantic and all the packaging was all paper! Check this out:

I know! I was really impressed. Also, I smell fantastic today. If you're interested in ordering Heretic or other clean beauty products, you can get $10 off your first order by clicking through my link. (Full disclosure, I also get $10 in credit.) I was really impressed with my first order with Credo and it won't be my last.

Shopping Report/Convos: Want, Don't Need.

Why is it when I am in a wanty lull and declare that I am NOT SHOPPING that suddenly my brain wants everything? Even things I already kind of have? WHY IS THIS. I blame the Internet. Here are the things I want lately, but don't need:

These Madewell Boots I Do Not Need. 
When I went to Madewell recently to try on jeans the sales assistant gave me a pair of boots to try on with the jeans, since that's what I often wear. Unfortunately, I really liked those boots. More unfortunately, they're currently on sale with an extra 30% off. My brain: OH MY GOD YOU HAVE BOOTS. Also my brain: But these have a slightly higher heel and the leopard version is prettier than the leopard boots I already own and I don't even have brown boots. I asked Marianne:

A: I should definitely not buy the Madewell leopard boots that are on sale, right?

M: Nope

A: Rude

M: 😂

✺✺✺

These Sneakers That I Can't Not Like.
I am not a big sneaker person but for some reason the Comme des Garçons Play Converse stole my heart from the first time I saw them and I keep seeing them out in the wild! I basically attacked some poor fashionable man I saw wearing them recently. I don't feel like I need them RIGHT NOW but they're definitely on my wishlist for spring.

A: I accosted a young man at Saks who was Fashion yesterday because he was wearing Comme de Garçon Play sneakers.

M: Ha

A: I had just been talking to Kate about wanting a pair and he walked by and I was like I LOVE YOUR SNEAKERS I WAS JUST SAYING I WANT A PAIR LETS BE FRIENDS.

A: We did not end up being friends. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Why Do I Want More Docs. 

Marianne recently got an awesome pair of Dr. Martens and I love them on her and I also want to love them on me. WHAT IS MY PROBLEM. I already have DM Chelsea Boots that I really like! I don't need another freaking pair of boots I can't wear to work. Or at all, really. (See above.)

A: STOP MAKING ME WANT YOUR BOOTS

M: I CAN’T HELP IT

A: Like, I want to sell my Chelsea pair and get a classic pair

M: Ha! Do you not like the Chelseas? I dig those too

A: No, I like them! I just want all of the docs but I feel like I have to suffer for it

M: haaaa you weirdo

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Goddammit, Everlane, With This Alpaca Sweater.
Listen, I don't even know if I can wear Alpaca but this new Everlane sweater looks like my dream gin carnigan and I wanted it before I even clicked through the email. It just looks so cozy and like I could throw it over anything! That's how they get you.

Everlane: Make Your Other Cardigans Jealous

A: Ugh, I like this.

M: Ugh me too. Ugh.

A: Fucking Everlane.


THE END.


PS. There's also a bag I really want but it's discontinued and only two exist in the online selling platform world so I am not ready to talk about it until a) one of them is mine or b) I have changed my mind about it.

Weekend Window Shopping: Off Fifth Reminds Us About Winter.

Are we tired of winter yet? Clearly Off Fifth is because they're offering an extra 60% off cold weather gear with code CLEAROUT and an extra 50% off boots with code WARMUP. Plus, they have the usual selection of crap on clearance. Here's what I like:

Stuff I Like: Packing My Lunch.

I am an avid packer of weekday lunches because I like to use my lunch break for other purposes: yoga, shopping, thrifting, whatever. (And I always take my lunch break. TAKE YOUR LUNCH BREAK, PEOPLE.) I'm very extra about how I pack my lunch because why wouldn't you want real flatware and a cloth napkin? Try it - it will make your sad leftovers feel much more civilized. I also pack in Pyrex glass containers so my lunch bag weighs a ton. For the longest time I have been using a lunch bag I got from Marshalls that I like, but it's always been slightly too small.

But behold, I finally bought that fancy SoYoung Lunch Poche from Anthro and it's SO GOOD:

It fits all my heavy containers and extra bits and it zips up at the top and has a shoulder strap! And it's SO PRETTY. That bottom stripe is slightly metallic and makes me feel like a fancy lady when I carry it...right up until I put it apologetically into the gross workplace fridge. Sorry about daycare, kid. Mommy has to work.

Is it expensive for a lunch bag? Yeah, it is. But it's something I use every day and why shouldn't my lunch bag spark joy? ALSO, SoYoung has a bunch of different variations on Amazon that aren't quite as much money. This one is cute:

They also offer a discount for your first purchase on the SoYoung site and they have CUTE kid's lunch boxes as well. If these aren't your thing but you still want a lunch bag that sparks joy, I found a bunch on Nordstrom Rack that are fashion-y but not expensive. Like, check out this quartz pattern:

and this one is LeSportsac and it's got a croc pattern! Love:

 

And this one is perfect if you just want something small for your desk snacks: 

If you don't normally pack your lunch and this has inspired you, please also read Marianne's old post about some great sustainable choices that will make your lunch packing even easier. (She links to the Pyrex containers we both have and love!) Pack your lunch and enjoy! 

Outfit of the Day: Dress Code Violation

I am allowed to wear jeans to work on Friday and at some point I realized I probably wouldn't get fired if I wore plain black jeans which has devolved into me just wearing whatever I want (within reason.) Please do not go back through the archives to see how I used to dress for work because it will show you just how lazy I have become. (SO LAZY. Also, god, I was so skinny back then.) ANYWAY, I talked about the straight leg cropped jeans I bought at Madewell and they're kinda black so off to work I go:

So I am obviously wearing my Madewell Perfect Vintage jeans which are a more grey than black and I think I like them a lot. Naturally they're not on sale right now but this pair of Perfect Vintage jeans with a metallic stripe is definitely on sale (and really damn cute.) This pair also looks cute, also on sale. It's hard to truly describe how high rise these are but it's kind of like a gentle denim corset. I am adjusting. 

My sweater is a Marshall's purchase from last winter - it's C&C California cashmere and I have it in two colors because of course I do. It's available in a multicolored version here (XS only) or for something not-really similar I like this striped BR sweater. (But, really, just get Marianne's AllSaints sweater.) 

On to details! Here's a terrifying giant shiny face pic to show you my jewelry (but also my rad new cut and color): 

My necklace was a birthday present from my boyfriend - it's by Pyrrha Jewelry and reads, "travellers club" for safe travels! I love it. My earrings are by Panacea (these are similar) and my lipstick is MAC Party Line. 

Carrying my usual Miu Miu bag (under $100 Cole Haan dupe!) and wearing my Everlane Day Glove flats which are still kinda weird but I like them. They aren't the MOST comfortable flats ever (does that even exist?) but I'd probably buy another pair. Finally:

It was really cold this morning so I ruined it all with my The North Face jacket and a nice Foxford scarf I bought in Ireland. The end. 

Shopping Report: I Try On Madewell Jeans.

Okay, first of all, I owe you guys an apology. During the crazy Madewell sale I used my birthday discount to buy a backup pair of my beloved black coated skinny jeans. I believe I said something like, "I don't understand why they're so on sale!" Welp, now I do. THESE ARE NOT MY JEANS. (These are my jeans.) They changed them! They're now made from some thin, sheeny, denim-like material that is not really coated. If you bought a pair on my recommendation and hated them, I apologize. I didn't know!

Anyway, I stomped back to Madewell to return them immediately and then started trying on jeans because that's what you do at Madewell. Luckily the sales assistant who helped me wore the same size I do so she had good knowledge in my quest for non-skinny jeans. Note: All my attempts at dressing room photos looked like this:

So I'm just gonna use the stock photos and spare us all. First I tried on the Classic Straight jeans because my friend Kate has them and they looks SO GOOD on her. Just very current and French lady cool. Never mind that we don't share the same body type, I wanted them:

They are cute! They are not that cute on me, though. Somehow there was just a lot of material in the back that wasn't doing nice things. Hmph. I also tried on the Cali Demi-Boot:

I actually liked these a lot but they feel advanced, you know? I might revisit in the spring because they'd be so cute with flats or sneakers. I am not sure how I feel about them with boots. It's just going to take a little time to get used to a new silhouette. Baby steps. Finally, my lovely sales assistant suggested I try on the Perfect Vintage jean in Sumner wash (a grey-black IRL):

They were great so I bought them. (Thank you, birthday discount.) I will post an outfit soon, but they're exactly what I had in mind - interesting wash, not too distressed, cropped leg. I am also very interested to try the Stovepipe jeans but they didn't have them in stock. One day...

Weekend Window Shopping: Anthropologie IRL.

I stopped by Anthropologie today and basically touched everything in the store. I also tried on a bunch of work-appropriate tops and then bought the Bowie tee. I am hopeless. Here's what I liked: