Weekend Window Shopping: You're Killing Me, Madewell.

My little Madewell shopping trip earlier this week has only fueled the fire. I want MOAR MADEWELL. Like these things here:

         

       

Adrien: Travel Shopping!

I just got back from a conference in Chicago (yay) though my trip was cut short because of bad weather and canceled flights (boo). I had my downtown Chicago shopping all mapped out, you guys! I was literally across the street from Aritzia and never made it in the door. I KNOW. I did, however, manage a quick evening trip to Nordstrom Rack and a lunchtime power-shopping stop into Madewell. Do you want to know what I bought and didn't buy?  I'm going to tell you either way.

Nordstrom Rack: I tried on a pile of things - some Vince, some CofH jeans, some Joie. Everything I picked was either overpriced or there for a reason. I wasn't really surprised and I mostly like NR stores for the bags and accessories. The bag section looked a little picked over but I did really love this Rebecca Minkoff Isobel satchel (which is not available on the NR site):

I didn't buy it because I already have two grey/neutral bags and do not need a third. If it had been available in black or wine or some other interesting color, I would've been REALLY tempted. In the end, all I bought was this Argento Vivo necklace:

It's labradorite! Mine is actually an odd shape, not the oval version. Despite the terrible online photo the stones I saw all had really good fire, so I think it would be safe to order online. The necklace comes in a wooden jewelry box, as pictured, so would make a nice gift.  I've worn it every day since I bought it! Recommend.

Madewell: My Madewell trip was true power-shopping. I was in and out in less than an hour and tried on A LOT of things. Mainly I wanted to try on the the high-rise slim boyjean which I ended up buying:

They are really good, you guys. A non-skinny style that is incredibly flattering. The rise is really high which is refreshing and also looks cute worn with more cropped style tops. I did size down one in this style (and judging by the reviews, everyone else did too) because my usual size was gaping in the waist. I also impulse-purchased this striped Rivet and Thread top because striped:

It's slightly cropped (good with those high waisted jeans) and has a very gentle bell sleeve, which makes the overall look very flirty and French. I am on the fence about keeping it only because that money could be better spent on something I actually need and I do not need another striped top, y'all. But it's cute. So cute. Real cute.

What I didn't buy: those Track Trousers I was all excited about. The combination of the slash pockets and pleats made them weirdly puffy at the top and not flattering at all. Pass. I also tried on the Slim Straight jeans which I really liked, but they were slightly too short on me. I liked how they looked cuffed, but otherwise they hit at a weird spot. I might eventually order the tall version for comparison. Finally, I tried on this Whisper t-shirt because a good cotton long-sleeved tee is hard to find and I really liked it but in the end I chose the striped shirt instead. If it goes on sale, I'll reconsider!

That's it! Travel shopping at it's finest. Heh.

We Discuss: Tights and the Patriarchy. And Hemsworth.

M: I kind of want overalls? LOVE these from ASOS!

A: For overalls, those are really cute.

M: I think I’m missing my summer jumpsuit rompers.

A: Aw, yeah.

M: And I am maybe turning into Diane Keaton mixed with Sally from When Harry met Sally.

M: And I want to wear sneakers and a big cardigan and overalls on the weekend.

M: I am certain they will be a disaster.

A: I see no problems with this.

M: But like the wide leg pants I have to know.

A: Of course! I think those overalls look pretty cute and I don’t normally think overalls are cute.

A: I am basically dressing like a boy these days.

M: Same

M: A tomboy

A: Yes

M: In a Nora Ephron movie

A: Yes

A: I just cannot deal with winter dresses.

M: Me neither. And tights? Fuck off.

A: FUCK YOU TIGHTS. I just want pants and boots and big-ass sweaters.

M: Patriarchy

A: I wore tall boots with a dress the other day and was mad about it all day.

M: Tights are the patriarchy.

A: They are, yes. But they keep me warm if I wear a stupid dress.

M: Men don’t wear tights and dresses because they know.

A: I just need more pants. I want some trousery pants and I think I’m finally ready for boyfriend jeans. (Are they on their way out?)

M: Haha

M: Nah you do you.

M: Status: read a headline that asked “are ankle boots over?” and said oh fuck off.

A: Aw hell naw

M: Just everyone stop

A: Unrelated: just realized I was not following Idris Elba on IG

M: Ooh me neither

A:

A: VAST OVERSIGHT

M: Mmmm

A: I'm seeing the new Thor movie on Saturday with my guy. He doesn't get my ulterior motive.

M: Heh

A: Hemsworth. Elba. Goldblum.

M: Hemsworthhhhhh

A: I KNOW I KNOW

M: My favorite Hemsworth

A: The best Hemsworth

M: Unh

A: Sing it

Adrien: This Weird Thing Happened.

Hey, I have a good idea. Why not wear all my favorite things in one really confusing outfit! Yes? OKAY:

Wait, this is fine. I am happy with it and it's very much me. I'm wearing the Target jeggings you guys are probably sick of hearing us talk about but I have to tell you - they are really good. The other day I accidentally went to Saks and tried on this pair of cargo skinnies by Joie and you know what? I think the Target moto version are just as good and now I want the Target cargo version. Seriously. (I also tried on this Joie sweater which is awesome but wtf with that price? It's a wool blend!) 

I did the half-tuck thing so you can see the cute zipper detailing. I'm wearing a truly ancient Olive & Oak blouse which is still an easy favorite of mine. This pretty Joie version is very similar (and this one on sale in XS and S) but so up-keepy. If you are a garbage person like me maybe go with a washable synthetic like this surprisingly cute NYDJ blouse or this nicely minimal Ann Taylor option. I also like this little Gap blouse even if it's right on the edge of being to ruffly for me. 

Here's where it gets a little weird. I basically try my new tuxedo jacket on with everything just in case. I don't think it's not working but this might be a bit much with the moto jeggings. Maybe jeans would be better? Eh, I'm still not mad at it. 

 Daniel came by to make sure I had my quota of outfit cat hair. He takes his job seriously. Details:

Nothing super exciting - just an old BR necklace that's quite similar to this Gorjana necklace that's on sale. It's also pretty similar to this Minkoff pendant, the pointy bit, anyway. My bracelet is a modern screw cuff by Bijouone.

 I still love my weird Everlane street ankle boots which are breaking in nicely. Believe it or not, there are similar boots out there and I love the idea of a pull-on sneaker boot but I think the Everlane are a solid option. I'm carrying my black MBMJ hobo because it seemed like the best option today though this Liebeskind Berlin bag is awfully tempting and I love how minimal this black Vince hobo is. One day I'll get a different black bag. Maybe.

Weekend Window Shopping: Tuxedo Jackets.

Y'all know I'm obsessed with my tuxedo jacket so I thought I'd find some good options to share, all of them well under $200! (Edited to add: Just found this Rag & Bone tux jacket on TJ Maxx for $99! Size 8 and 10 only.)

        

     

Stuff I Like: Crazy Deals, Travel, Not This Other Thing.

These Amazon Deals 

Update: I removed the sweater link since it's been replaced by a third party seller. Ugh. Sorry!  Here are a few more deals Nina found (though she warns that usually the price jumps up as soon as they sell one in the cheap size, so the shelf life on these is probably pretty short):

Soia and Kyo coat $82.20 in XL in ash gray (ret. $390):
Plenty coat for $86 in XS (ret. $350+)
Ilse Jacobsen anorak for $59 in size 36 in army green (ret. $250+)
Laundry coat $44 in size small (ret. $200ish)

Northern California
I had a great vacation trip last week, which I documented via IG stories (on my personal account) which I'm normally too lazy to bother with. I really appreciated all your excellent recommendations though I didn't get to a lot of them because we only had about a day and a half in SF proper. We did manage Golden Gate Park, Craftsman & Wolves, some good Chinese food, and I stopped by the Everlane lab. We also went to Muir Woods which is wonderful, but thank god we went early.

However, my favorite stop was the Sutro Baths ruins which is amazing. It was a turn-of-the-century bath house/swimming complex that closed and then burned down in the 1960s. Now it's just a crazy, slightly dangerous ruin that you can walk around in! There's a lookout point and a weird tunnel where you can see the waves coming in underneath - the sound was like nothing I'd ever heard. It was so incredibly cool with an edge of tetanus/possible drowning. I loved it. Highly recommend.

And, here's one thing I don't like:

La Croix Key Lime
What a disappointment! I'm really fond of most of the single-note La Croix flavors, with lime and mango being my top two. When I saw the new key lime flavor at Target I basically pushed a complete stranger out of the way to get it (but to be fair he was just standing there blocking the La Croix section for WAY too long when it was clear that I was waiting for him to move. I NEED MY SPARKLING GIRL WATER, SIR.) Anyway, I thought I'd love La Croix's key lime. I mean, key lime pie is delicious. Unfortunately key lime La Croix tastes like cheap lime candy or (per Marianne) lime Jell-O. It's...really not good, y'all, so if you've been tempted to try it I have just saved you a few dollars.

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!)