Review: Travel Stuff Update.

Before my trip to Ireland (which I promise I'm going to write about) I posted this review of the Calpak items I'd bought for the trip and this post about some of the smaller items that (hopefully) make travel better for me. Some of these things were tested out for the first time on that trip, so here's my update! First the hero of the trip: 

The Airfly Bluetooth Wireless Adapter is pretty amazing. If you travel by air and love your wireless earphones/earbuds? You need this gadget. It plugs into the earphone jack and converts your wireless earbuds (I love my Airpods Pro) so you don't have to use the shitty wired earbuds they give you on the plane. This was a game-changer because I could watch movies with noise canceling and it was delightful! Just make sure you fully charge it first so you won't be disappointed when it dies halfway through whatever movie you're watching.  

The Trtl Wrap Pillow might not be for everyone but I've had mine for a few years and it's absolutely worth a try if you hate traditional travel pillows. It definitely takes some practice but if you can get the internal structure in the right place, it gives your head something to lean against. I have actually managed to sleep with the Trtl! Plus, it's cozy and easy to shove in a backpack or duffel bag. (Note: My link is to the Trtl store on Amazon but they're having a sale at the Trtl website.)

The other things I posted about (compression socks and an eye mask) were perfectly fine, but not life-changing and feel too boring to write about more than I already have. Okay, on to the Calpak stuff:

The Calpak Luka duffel bag performed its job admirably, I should say that upfront. It's lightweight, holds a lot of stuff, and has good pockets. It definitely holds way more than a backpack and technically will fit under an airplane seat but it was a tight squeeze and I ended up putting in overhead for both flights and then having to pull it down and scrabble through it looking for one thing or another that I needed. I wish I'd bought the Luka backpack instead (it's big but not quite as big) which has the added benefit of being able to be carried hands-free. Anyway, if you prefer a duffel bag, this is a really good one! I'm just definitely more of a backpack-as-a-carryon kinda person. 

The Calpak Luka Belt Bag was a great travel tool. It held most of what I needed for immediate use, including my Kindle! It initially felt slightly too large to me but I got over that pretty quickly. For everyday use, I prefer my Lululemon belt bag, but for travel this one is a perfect size and I liked the security of having my passport and wallet strapped right to my body where I could see it. 

And finally, I just want to say that my favorite article of clothing I packed ended up being my Quince cashmere batwing sweater (reviewed here.) I didn't really bring any dressy clothing, but this sweater worn with my Athleta Headlands Hybrid pants and Blundstone heeled boots (plus a pretty necklace) made me feel dressed up enough for a nice dinner out. It's just such a pretty sweater but also super soft and comfortable. 10/10 for this one. 

Marianne: I ordered six denim shirts *for science* and here's what happened.

A quick back story since this is going to be a long one. I am, as you might know, a tallish female human with big boobs and hips. And because I am a female human, I like to torture myself by wanting things that are hard to find for people with boobs and hips. There are several things on this list, but today we're talking button downs. More specifically, the "perfect" chambray denim shirt. I have bought so many denim shirts that miss the mark in one way or the other--too short, too tight at the hips, not the right weight. So this fall I decided to cast a wider net and order a variety of denim shirts from a variety of stores, including some I have never ordered from (and one I've never even heard of!). Want to join me on this journey? Giddy up.

THE ONE THE INTERNET SAYS IS THE BEST (the internet lies)

This J.Crew denim shirt LOOKS like it's perfect, right? In that way that J.Crew clothes always look perfect because they are on a gorgeous model, or laying flat on a white background, looking perfectly rumpled. I knew this one wouldn't work on me, but I also knew I had to try it for myself. After reading a lot of reviews, I ordered a Tall 14, and here it is on my body:

As you can see, it's tight across the hips, but the arms are weirdly huge. Also the pockets are a little small, which isn't very flattering if you have a large chest. I do like the wash and weight of this one, but the cut is all wrong on me. Back it goes.


THE ONE YOUR MOM BOUGHT

Okay, that's a little mean, but I honestly forgot Eddie Bauer existed? But like I said, I was casting a wide net here, so that meant ordering this denim shirt from them. I ordered a size large because it seems like their sizing is a bit more generous. And hey, I was kind of hopeful! Maybe this brand I'd forgotten about would cut things for a non-model body! Well...

This shirt depressed me. It is long, I'll give them that. But the side vents are really low, which accentuated my belly in a way that I haaaated. Overall it felt very frumpy. I could have sized up so it didn't pull at the hips, but then the top would be way too big. However if you are tall and straighter through the hips, this might be a great option on you, and the price is certainly right!


THE ONE THAT ISN'T DENIM

Always a glutton for punishment, I threw this J.Crew Factory chambray shirt into the mix. Because if the one that was twice as expensive didn't work, surely this cut rate redheaded stepchild one would?? When I opened the package I actually double checked the order because this really doesn't look like a denim or chambray shirt. The fabric os more of a woven texture. But how was the fit? 

Eh. I ordered an XL and the bottom button won't button. The shoulders and arms are cut better in this one, but the pocket is a little small and a little high, which again isn't cute if you have big boobs. And I wish the side vents were deeper because that's much easier to half tuck. But most importantly, it really doesn't read as a denim shirt in real life. 


THE ONE THAT ISN'T EVEN BLUE

This was a late night phone shopping order because I decided I needed to check Target. For whatever reason when you search "denim shirt" this is what comes up, and I ordered it without even looking at it all that closely. I guess I maybe thought it was *really* light blue? 

Nope. This is just a white shirt. HOWEVER, I am including it because I really like it! It's oversized (this is me in a size large), but cute and fits well. It buttons all the way down and has side vents (thank you!). I think it will be really cute with leggings and maybe a sweater blazer in the fall. I kept this one!


THE $7 ONE FROM A MYSTERY (TO ME) STORE

First off--I am sorry to say this shirt is sold out (this one is still in stock!), but I still wanted to include it. I have never heard of Maurices, but have since been told it's a fairly ubiquitous midwestern department store of sorts. While I was scouring the internet this short sleeved option popped up for a cool $7. I ordered it in two sizes because again, never heard of Maurices. Here I am in the size Large:

You guys this shirt is so great! It's a perfect weight, nice and long with with those deep side vents that are apparently very important to me, but it looks really cute half tucked. This shirt is everything I have always wanted a Madewell Central Shirt to be, but $7! I am giving the size XL away to a friend to share the love, because it's not really worth making the effort to return. MAURICES, WHO KNEW. 


THE WINNER THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE PREDICTED

Guys, I KNOW. I am a grown ass human woman with big boobs and hips and I found the perfect shirt at ABERCROMBIE & FITCH. Do you need a moment, because I need a moment. I really was trying to branch out, and seeing as I still associate A&F with half naked models and that aggressive cologne and jeanz for teenz, yeah. I was pretty sure this was going to lead to heartbreak. But instead:

IT'S SO CUTE. It's so super soft, fits great (this is an XL), the pocket is big and the side vents are perfect, it's just honestly exactly what I was looking for. I just noticed I have the bottom button unbuttoned in these pics, but it comfortably buttons all the way down. It even looks cute tied at the waist over a dress. It's so soft! The wash and color are perfect! My search is freaking over!

If you hung with me through all of that, I salute you, but I also hope this was helpful. Sometimes you just need to put $300 worth of denim shirts on your credit card, drink some wine, and figure some shit out. Now to return all the rejects...

I'm Back From My Trip! Here's What I Learned.

HI HI HI. I am back from the best vacation of my life and thanks to all of you who checked out my IG stories on my personal account and the blog account. Also, again, I really appreciate the advice, recommendations, and suggestions I got from all of you! We only had 2 1/2 days in each city so, while we covered a lot of ground, it still feel like we barely scratched the surface. My thoughts:

London. London is totally my kind of place and I felt right at home (even if everything is backwards and I almost got run over by a bus because I looked in the wrong direction.) Such an great city! I loved the tube, I loved the style and vibe of the city and it was so beautiful. And efficient! I don't know how else to describe it but it was an easy city to navigate. Everywhere we went we were blown away by the history and architecture.

And London fashion tip: leather jackets are the thing. Everyone was wearing beautiful leather jackets so obviously I marched right over to Allsaints and bought one like the fashion zombie I am. I am not even kidding. Also, if you visit London you must go to Liberty. It's the most charming tiny department store full of beautiful things and the people who work there are extremely friendly and helpful. I didn't buy a tote bag but I did buy this little zipper pouch. Apparently it's for sunglasses but I'm using it as a wallet. Carnaby street in general was really fun and charming.

Paris. From the second we got off the train I was basically losing my mind. IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE THAT. Like walking back in time! And the light was unreal!  Paris exceeded all expectations and we both fell in love and are already planning our next trip because two days in Paris is not enough days. Marianne asked what my favorite part was and this was my reply:

Favorite things: Wandering around the tiny medieval streets in the Marais district; French breakfast (carbs on carbs!); coming up from any metro station and gasping every single time; walking up the tiny staircase in Sainte Chapelle and being breathless at how fucking beautiful it is; sitting next to the chicest woman I’ve ever seen in my life at a cafe on Île Saint-Louis and being like, THIS IS MY LIFE TOO; making a pharmacist beam when I attempted to speak French while making a purchase. 

It's pure magic, you guys. I didn't buy much in Paris because we were either trying to see everything or we were sitting outside at various cafes recovering from seeing everything. I do want to mention that learning a bit of French before we left was super valuable. Everyone in Paris was very kind and made it easy for us because we made an effort. (We did witness some terrible American (and other) tourist behavior and were both moderately delighted when the crêpe stand guy assumed we were Dutch.)

Packing: How Did I Do?

Now, I knew that I was really overthinking the packing process but you guys stuck with me and I'm going to write a whole aftermath post about it tomorrow. Also, we checked our luggage and it was fine. REPEAT: We checked out luggage and it was FINE. Don't be afraid to check your luggage! (I mean, if you have three flight connections maybe don't but for direct flights or one connection, you'll be good.)

Stuff: How Did It Work Out? 

I bought a fair amount of stuff for this trip and here are my quick reviews:

Travelon Anti Theft Classic Backpack. My backpack worked okay though in retrospect I think it's a bit too small. I appreciated the many pockets and used it mostly for the traveling portions of our trip. However, I'm glad I didn't pay more than $45 as one of the locking zipper pulls broke almost immediately and the lack of double zippers was immensely frustrating. It's fine for a day pack but I think I'll find something a bit bigger and better quality for my next trip.

Turtl Travel Pillow. I used it and it was...okay. I am bad at sleeping on planes and I'm not convinced this thingy is the answer to my airplane pillow prayers but I used it and it was fine. I did like that I could shove it in my backpack when I wasn't using it.

LL Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag. This is the BEST EVER. The medium bag fit all my crap for a week, even my tiny travel flat iron! It held up like a champ and I was grateful for the hook because European hotel bathrooms are the tiniest. I also loved the detachable shower caddy. This bag is probably the best $30 I've spent in a while.

Nike Free RN 2018. These were great! I wore them all over London and Paris and they were comfortable and lightweight. Nike generally fits me well so I wasn't surprised.

Athleta Soho Jogger. Soooo, yeah. Confession time. I have been thrifting on the regular to find things for my Poshmark closet and I found the lined version in grey (slightly older style) in my size for $4. FOUR AMERICAN DOLLARS. So, I returned the Soho joggers but only because why pay $89 when you have perfectly good $4 airplane pants? And they were perfect! I was warm and comfortable.

Vince Camuto Gally crossbody. I bought this on Posh because my MBMJ crossbody was way too small. The VC bag was perfect for what I needed during the day - just big enough for my giant phone, lip gloss, tissues, money/cards and sunglasses. It had two zip compartments and felt secure. Nobody picked my pockets is what I'm saying. Definitely a keeper!

Banana Republic Silk-Cotton Pointelle sweater. Don't buy this. I panic-bought it in black a few days before we left so I'd have a super-light sweater option. It's cute and comfortable and pills so badly that after one wear it looked like total shit. I am going to try to return it because what the actual hell, BR. You're back on my list.

THIS IS A LONG POST. More tomorrow!

Adrien: Fall Purchases Revisited.

Edited to add: I am taking a lot of cold medicine and had this post all written before remembering that I'd written this post less than a month ago. I am literally losing my mind, y'all. Lets agree to just politely pretend like some of this is brand new information, shall we?

Most of the time when I review a new purchase it's just that - brand new. I haven't really had a chance to test it out, wash it, wear it multiple times. Sometimes that perfect thing ends up being seriously perfect and sometimes it ends up being a regrettable disappointment. (My apologies if I ever recommended something that ended up in that second category for you! I don't always get it right.)

With that in mind, I thought I'd revisit my fall purchases and let you know how they're working out:

Madewell high-rise slim boyjean (reviewed here):
These are currently my favorite jeans because I love the silhouette! However, I will agree with a recent commenter that, as a short waisted person, the high waist does cut in but only when I'm sitting for too long. I generally just unbutton them because I'm classy like that. Going forward I'll probably stick to mid-rise styles like this one from Madewell because I think I'll be more comfortable.

Rivet and Thread bell sleeve tee (reviewed here):
I returned this top and now I see it's on sale and I have regret! It was just a little too big on me and too expensive for what it was. I might have to re-purchase on sale if I can track down an XS! Ugh, regret. There's also still this one at Madewell that's similar (but not in my size.)

Daydreamer sweatshirt (reviewed here):
I cannot believe this sweatshirt retails for $75! I think I paid $22 for mine and that's about what it's worth. I love it in a lot of ways - it's super soft, it's cool, it has a great drape. It's also made of freaking dryer lint. The hem and cuffs are made of the reverse fluffy fabric and they are not wearing well at all. This sweatshirt also gets grey lint ON EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE. So annoying.

Mossimo camo jeggings (and moto jeggings! Reviewed here and here):
Love. Love love love. What a fun, inexpensive way to throw some trends into a wardrobe. They fit surprisingly well, I like that they're kinda short so I can wear them with ankle boots, and so inexpensive! The camo pair are wearing well but my olive moto pair are definitely looking a bit faded, probably because I throw them in the dryer to re-shrink them. No regrets.

Everlane Street Ankle boots (reviewed here):
I bought these with the expectation that I'd be returning them but I just couldn't. They were just so weird and cool and different from anything else I owned. I'll admit though, the first few times I wore them I was worried I'd made an expensive mistake. They're narrow and slipped on my heels and were not super comfortable out of the box. But, I've persevered and they get more comfortable each time I wear them. Definitely a pair of boots that require breaking in.

Halston Heritage Tuxedo jacket (reviewed here):
Perfection. Love. I have worn it with dresses and with jeans and I leave it hanging on the outside of my closet door so I can admire it when I'm not wearing it. I'm a little freak.

Adrien: Review Updates.

Sometimes I review something before I've fully tested it which isn't really that helpful. I mean, sure, that awesome sweatshirt is great right out of the box but did it leave grey lint all over every single thing I came in contact with? (Yes, yes it fucking did.) So, today I'm going to revisit some of my initial reviews and give you some updates. Hooray.

Davines OI All in One Milk
I first talked about this product back in May. I used up my little travel bottle and didn't repurchase for no real reason. I just kind of forgot about it. I recently saw it again at my salon and bought it on a whim. Why did I quit it? It's just so good and I think it helps keep my hair looking healthy and gives it a bit of protection as well. It also smells crazy good if you like that kind of thing. I'm hoping it'll help keep the static at bay as the weather gets colder.

My Favorite Sweatshirt 
I still love it and have worn it a lot but oh my god the LINT. It's hard to tell from the photo but the cuffs and hem are the reverse side of the material and, while soft like a little kitten, it also sheds like crazy. I left a trail of grey lint alllll through northern California last week and my Zella leggings were completely covered. UGH YOU GUYS. But...I still love it. It's complicated. (I can't link it because it's sold out, which is fine. I can't really recommend, so maybe just buy this one instead.) And, since we're on the subject, I still SUPER love my Gap french terry joggers, which are 40% off right now.

Those Target Jeggings. Too Soon?
Marianne raved about the jeggings here and I immediately bought a pair though I'll admit I was skeptical. It might be too soon to update since it's only been a few weeks but every single time I wear them I'm all, damn. They are really magical. Snug but not uncomfortable, make my legs look really long, and are somehow the perfect length to wear with ankle boots. Plus, they're dang cheap.

Japanese Sunscreens
Remember when I did a roundup of different Japanese sunscreens? Yeah, well, I pretty much only use the Biore Uv Perfect Face Milk Spf50 these days (unless I'm going to be riding outside, then I use the ROHTO Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk because it's waterproof.) I didn't consciously start ignoring my tried-and-true options but the Biore just works really well under makeup and doesn't smell or feel sunscreeny. It's the best of the bunch so if you haven't tried a Japanese sunscreen, start with this one. It's really great.



RMS Beauty Oil
I bought this a few months ago with Shopspring* credits and I know I've mentioned it a few times but I just want to tell you guys that this is maybe the nicest face oil I've ever used. It's jojoba oil and some other stuff and smells kinda weird but it feels amazing - it sinks in and makes my skin glow and I don't ever get that weird, tight dry skin feeling later in the day. If you're looking for a good facial oil, this is one I can highly recommend. (*You can use my link for $20 off your first purchase of $75+ plus, which would make the RMS oil almost not expensive!)

Review: LOFT In-Store Shopping Trip.

Okay, so here's the thing. I love online shopping. I love the deals, the rebates, the thrill of stacking codes. But there's a big drawback - when you can't see and feel things in person you miss stuff. Sometimes photographs make items look better than they are, sometimes much worse. And sometimes you just need to try shit on before you have any idea if it works for you or not.

So, last weekend Kate and I ate a hearty brunch, girded up our loins, and went to the mall. I specifically wanted to go to LOFT because they were giving 40% off of everything*. The first thing I grabbed was the Fan Floral Cap Sleeve Shirtdress which I hadn't noticed on the website, probably because the photo is terrible:

It looks kind of sad in the stock photo and my quick selfie doesn't do it justice at all:

This is the perfect summer dress- light and floaty but still covered enough to wear to work. It's got a great 1960s French beach vibe that I just love. I bought this and can't wait to do an outfit post around it. For reference, I'm wearing a size small.

Kate, who was browsing the sale racks, handed me this Mixed Media Dress which didn't look like much on the hanger and looks pretty boring on the website:

It was marked down to $19.99 (final sale) plus the extra 40% off. Dang. I tried it on and wow:

It's definitely a work dress but it's super comfortable and flattering and TWELVE DOLLARS. I'm wearing a size 6 (I think?) and it fits perfectly. And it's machine washable! It's nearly sold out on the website so this might be one to seek out in person. Finally, I tried on the Leopard Utility Blouse because there were a ton of them on the sale rack and it felt necessary. People just don't appreciate a good print:

And here it is on me:

Despite my dubious expression I really love this blouse. I didn't buy it because I have too many utility blouses and didn't need to spend the money, but It's so fun. Also, there are leopard print shorts? LOFT is so weird.

After that we went to Old Navy where Kate tried on shorts but didn't buy them. I sat on a weird, squishy cube of questionable stability:

The End

*Unfortunately the 40% off sale has ended but with LOFT all you have to do is wait a day or two!

Review: Gap Embroidered Split-neck Dress.

As I mentioned last week, I ordered the Gap embroidered split-neck dress because it looked too cute to resist. It arrived and I gotta say, it's really damn cute:

I love the dark navy/white colorway and the skirt is lined, which is a nice touch. The sizing is generous - I'm wearing a small and it's roomy, so if you're between sizes, size down. 

The embroidered split-neck dress has pockets which I normally complain about, but the skirt has enough volume that it isn't an issue. But... I do got issues. First, this dress is SHORT. I don't mind showing a fair amount of leg but it's too short for me to wear to work, even for me. Second, it's summer-time short yet has long sleeves. I love long sleeves but I'm a little confused about when to wear this. The elastic makes the sleeves easy to push up, but you can't roll them. Finally, there's this:

This puppy is low cut. Nothing a quick stitch won't solve and this would be perfectly fine for throwing over a swimsuit or running around on a Saturday or whatever but it definitely ain't work-appropriate by any stretch (and I do tend to stretch.) 

I'm still on the fence about this one! Not sure if I'm keeping it or not, but it certainly is damn cute and I guess I'm asking a lot from a $36 dress, right? The retail price was $79.95 which is insanity. However, they've marked it down and the 40% off code SPRING brings the price down to $35.99. That's more like it, Gap! This dress also comes in an odd peachy neutral color and a non-embroidered denim version which also marked way down. 

PS. the SPRING code also works on shoes, which is rare. That means you can order Marianne's cute leather espadrilles which have sold out in my size. Weeping. 

Review: Recent LOFT Order.

I'm home sick today with a really gross cold, so I've been conking out on cold meds at night instead of writing blog posts. This means instead of what I'd planned (a review post with real-life photos) you just get reviews with stock photos. Trust me, nobody needs to see my face right now anyway. 😷

LOFT generally has really good sales once or twice a month and I ordered a few things during the most recent 50% off sale (after missing the sale two days before that. Seriously. Never pay full price, you guys.)

Boatneck Swing Dress
I mentioned this dress in a previous entry because I'd tried in on in the store and really liked it. It wasn't on sale or I probably would've just bought it on the spot. It's pretty simple but it is one of those great basic dresses that you can throw on with any accessories and look pulled together. Bonus - no Spanx required since it's just a nice swingy cut. I hope they offer it in some interesting colors come spring because I'm just about over this winter crap. I went with a size small in this and it fits fine. It's on sale right now, though sizing is limited. LOFT also has some other swing style dresses including this long-sleeved striped version that's on sale. Tempting!

Filigree Mixed Media Top
This one was a nice surprise! I ordered the white version pictured (there's also a navy colorway) because I love the contrast, even though white isn't really my thing. It's so nice! The front is more structured and has textured stripes and the back is a flowy material that hangs really nicely. It's not on sale currently, but definitely one to keep an eye on. I think this will work great right now (it's a warm white) and then well into spring. There's also a shell top made from the patterned material that I think is really cute. I bought this in a small and it's a pretty generous fit.

Lou & Grey Signaturesoft Drawstring Tunic

I ordered this thinking I could wear it with leggings but it's just... okay. I got it in a small and it technically fits but it doesn't really do much for me and the cowl neck thingy is just kind of irritating. There's nothing actually wrong with it and I'm not sure what I was expecting from a glorified sweatshirt but it's just not for me. This is a return. Womp womp. In it's defense, it has glowing reviews and comes in a cute ombre version, I think it's just not my style. 

So, that's it! Two keepers and a return. Have you bought anything from LOFT recently that you loved or hated? Do tell. 

PS. For the regular readers I felt it worth mentioning that the last time I was in the store I tried on the tulip print utility blouse I loved so much. It's super cute in person, but that balsam green color does not work on me. So sad. 

Shopping Reviews: Old Navy for Summer.

Last Saturday was a beautiful day and then a crazy storm rolled in and cut my outdoor biking fun short. I was feeling a bit out of sorts and I'm dying for summer weather, so I decided to take myself over to Old Navy to see what kind of cheap fun I could find. Because, really, summer clothes should be cheap and fun, right? Right. First, I went for cut-off shorts because that's what I spend most of my summer weekends wearing:

These could be slightly longer but they run a little big and sit low on the waist, the perfect slouchy casual kind of thing. They also had these cute pixie shorts in a bunch of colors:

I tried them on but didn't buy them. I liked them though, and thought the army green was especially good. I also tried on this striped t-shirt dress which was perfectly cute and a nice medium weight:

But OMG HOW MANY STRIPED DRESSES DO HAVE. Um, like eight. I put it back. And then, like I'm some kind of idiot with no attention span (accurate), I tried on this striped split back tank:

I sized down because I liked it better a bit shorter and the open back is a nice detail but not too revealing. Yeah, I bought it. Hush. I also tried on this print cami top even though it has spaghetti straps and would require some kind of special underpinning:

It is so cute! So so so cute. Just ridiculously floaty and I love the print and it has sweet button detailing on the back and I'll figure out the bra thing. (Maybe a skinny-strap bralette? I can't handle strapless.) I also tried on this crochet tank and this cute print top, but neither one worked on me. 

Finally, I pawed over this cute little zip crossbody bag which I'd admired the last time I was in the store. It looks more expensive than it is and it comes in really fun colors but I didn't need it. Then I got home and saw that it comes in snake print online and yup, wait. I need it:

I also think it's worth mentioning that my Fit & Flare Jersey Dress is back in stock (limited sizing) and that Old Navy is offering 20% off everything today (no code needed) and you can get 2% cash back with eBates! So, cheap and cheerful for sure. Have fun.