Get ready for BACK TO WOOL SEASON! I’m excited to share this new series, starting today on my Insta Page… Back to Wool: embracing natural fibers for year-round fashion. I would love to have you join me whether you are already completely devoted to natural fibers, still have a mostly synthetic wardrobe, or are just beginning to explore clothing in wool, linen, silk, and cotton. This series will be all about taking advantage of the pieces we have to create a comfortable and versatile year-round wardrobe with endless styling potential. Get ready to explore the back of your closet, re-imagine how you get dressed each morning, and think about your biggest wardrobe frustrations and how to leave them behind. My posts will include daily outfit inspo, helpful tips & tricks, and favorite styling ideas to help you work your own pieces to your advantage. Be sure to follow my page so you won’t miss out and use the #backtowool hashtag if you want to join in posts on the daily topics. I’d also love to see you comment and add any ideas or thoughts that you think would be a great fit for this September series!

Woohoo! Day 1 is here! BACK TO WOOL is in session and our first assignment is going to be about taking stock of your closet. (If you feel like you are missing something, head to my Insta to follow along!) Now, you didn’t necessarily sign up for a major closet over-haul here so we are going to do a little mini closet update instead. This doesn’t have to be an all day process, it doesn’t have to mean trying on clothes for hours, and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. What we are doing instead is a quick top 10, bottom 10. Quickly go through your closet and create a list of your top 10 wardrobe items and then find 10 items you that don’t get worn for any number of reasons. Now put your top 10 pieces at the front of your closet and either donate or pack away those bottom 10 items. How simple was that? Want a more intense version of the closet cleanout? Scroll Down for my Closet Reset Method!

My Top 10/Bottom 10
Top 10: My closet is a bit of a revolving door of pieces as I get the chance to style gifted items from lots of brands, which is great. So my top 10 change pretty often but these 10 items always get a lot of love for me:
1. A versatile wool blend black tank dress: For me, it’s usually going to be wool& Sierra. That’s a dress I can wear most of the year, for most occasions, and it’s so ridiculous versatile it’s actually wild.
Affiliate Link for wool& Sierra
2. Comfy, durable black leggings. My choice is wool& summit currently, because I can wear them for pretty much any outfit and they have held up for many seasons of wear.
Affiliate link for wool& Summit
3. Jean Jacket or button up denim shirt. I have a major weakness for this clothing category and seem to continue to buy them over and over. My current choice is the Quince Denim Distressed Button Up Shirt. In the summer a denim vest is a great piece to have as well.
Affiliate link for Quince Denim Distressed Button Up Shirt. 
4. A flowy kimono/cape: I am lucky to have a lovely collection of items from Julahas so it’s really hard to pick just one but I would probably choose one of the wool or linen Kimonos. They really help create the silhouette I love!
Link to all Julahas Kimonos
5. A pair of jeans: Honestly, I debated over including these at all because I don’t wear them very often but I do like to keep a pair of nice-fitting denim just in case I feel in the mood. My current favorite jeans are Risen brand.
Affiliate link for Risen
6. Black pants or joggers: This one is hard to choose because I like to have a couple different pants items in my wardrobe but if I was forced, I would go with the Unbound Merino Travel Pants. They are insanely comfortable, look great, and are the perfect work or travel piece. Spoiler alert: I love the travel shorts also!
Affiliate link for Unbound Merino Travel Pants
7. Black Tank: I would probably choose the Ribbed Tank Top from Unbound Merino for this category. It’s been my go-to all summer and I know it will make a great layering piece for fall.
Affiliate link for Unbound Merino Ribbed Tank Top
(My Quince Washable Silk Cami would be a very close second: and here is my affiliate link. )
8. Long Sleeve Wool Dress: This is another hard one to narrow down because I really like both wool& Willow and wool& Rowena. Right now I’m going to choose wool& Willow because I love the fit of this dress!
Affiliate link for wool& Willow
9. V-neck tee in a favorite color. I’d probably choose the wool& Morgan tee for this category and I love the Emerald color.
Affiliate link for wool& Morgan
10. Cardigan or pullover sweater. My favorite sweater is definitely going to be one of my Oliver Charles sweaters, so that’s what I would have to go with. Which style might depend on the time of year but for now I’ll go with the Oliver Charles Summer Crewneck:
Affiliate link for Oliver Charles Summer Crewneck
(use code WoolObsessed10 for 10% off)

Bottom 10: I got rid of more than 10 items for this challenge, but here are the main things that I said goodbye to: A few pairs of jeans I have outgrown, a sundress that never fit right, a cotton cardigan that I love in theory but never wear, and several synthetic blouses that never get any love. For me the theme was I have sized up and there was no point in keeping too-small items any longer.

Here’s my Closet-Reset Method:
So each season (sometimes 2 times a year cold/warm v. 4, to be honest) I do a version of the following:

1) Pull out all the clothes. I know this is quite a huge pain in the neck, but this is one of Marie Kondo’s principles that I do subscribe to. Getting them all out really gives you a clean perspective and it is easier to reverse clean by putting in what you WANT v. taking out what you DON’T. For me, I know I’ve been naughty and deserve to be miserable when facing the excess. It’s part of the self-training to learn to do better next time. Or self-punishment. Whatever.

Back to Wool Day 2! Today we are going to have a little mini-workshop about choosing your style descriptors. As a writer, this is SO much fun for me and absolutely unlocks a new level of wardrobe understanding in a way that nothing else really can! (I think I first learned about style descriptors on the YouLookFab.com website/forum which is an incredible wealth of fashion knowledge and expertise! If you want to deep dive into dressing for your body type, color theory, and capsule wardrobe with a mathematically savvy group of true fashion icons, that’s where you should go!) Choosing your style descriptors will help you get dressed in the morning, help you shop thoughtfully, and ultimately help you understand why an outfit does or doesn’t work for you. Today’s assignment is to choose three fashion descriptors that fit your vibe…so how you WANT to feel in your outfits is a great way to frame this. Here are some examples: classic, sporty, timeless, youthful, structured, casual, minimalist, preppy, basic, elegant, polished, boho, vintage, and sophisticated. You might immediately know exactly the style words that apply to you, or you might need to do a bit of brainstorming first. Hint: Chat GPT is a great place to get suggested descriptors with their definitions!
My three style descriptors are flowy, feminine, and fun. When I put together an outfit with all three of these aspects, I love what I am wearing so much! If I miss all three, chances are I will feel weird and off all day. This can really help you tweak an outfit to make it more “you”. For example, if I get dressed for work in black pants and a blazer, that’s not going to hit the mark for me. So I ask myself, how can I add one or more of my style buzz words to this outfit. So for flowy, I could add a flowy scarf or vest to the outfit. For feminine I could add a bow in my hair (these are TOTALLY in now), or for fun I might add a chunky charm necklace or a bright handbag. Again, this is just to help you feel more YOU in your clothing!

Follow this series on INSTAGRAM by clicking here!

Back to Wool Day 3 is here! Let’s talk outfit formulas for #backtowool Day 3! Outfit formulas are such a great way to simplify getting dressed and further define your signature style per those style descriptors we chose yesterday. So today’s challenge is to think about 2 or 3 outfit combinations that you can repeat and restyle throughout the year. To take it a step farther….if those formulas are based on your top 10 pieces from day 1…well then your wardrobe will really start to take off! My favorite formula is swing dress+topper+shoes. In cooler months, that means a swing dress+kimono+leggings+boots. My summer version of the same is a swing dress+long necklace+sandals. Honestly, I could probably wear this style outfit for the rest of my life and be totally happy. Just mixing up colors and accessories will give you lots of different looks. Want more ideas for outfit formulas? Here are just a few ideas that ChatGPT and I worked on together 😉

Casual Vibes

• Top: Oversized T-shirt or tank top
• Bottom: Jeans or leggings
• Footwear: Sneakers or sandals
• Accessories: Long necklace, crossbody bag, and sunglasses

Running Errands

• Top: Button-down shirt or blouse
• Bottom: Joggers or bootcut jeans
• Footwear: Ballet flats or low-heeled sandals
• Accessories: Statement earrings and a structured handbag

3. Work-Ready

• Top: Fitted blazer over a blouse or shirt
• Bottom: Pencil skirt or dress pants
• Footwear: Classic pumps or ankle boots
• Accessories: Watch, belt, and a large tote

4. Weekend Vibes

• Top: Plaid button-up or oversized cardigan over a tank
• Bottom: Leggings or distressed jeans
• Footwear: Ankle boots or slip-on sneakers
• Accessories: Knit hat and a large tote or backpack

5. Date Night

• Top: Dressy blouse or off-the-shoulder top
• Bottom: High-waisted skirt or tailored trousers
• Footwear: Heeled sandals or chic ankle boots
• Accessories: Clutch purse and statement jewelry

6. Boho Flair

• Top: Flowing blouse or kimono
• Bottom: Wide-leg pants or a maxi skirt
• Footwear: Sandals or ankle boots
• Accessories: Layered necklaces, floppy hat, and a fringe bag

7. Sporty Spice

• Top: Athleisure tank or sweatshirt
• Bottom: Joggers or leggings
• Footwear: Running shoes or clogs
• Accessories: Sports watch, gym bag, and a baseball cap

8. Date Night

• Dress: Little black dress or a wrap dress
• Footwear: Classic pumps or strappy heels
• Accessories: Simple clutch and pearl or gold jewelry

9. Loving Layers

• Top: Turtleneck or long-sleeve shirt
• Layer: Denim jacket or trench coat
• Bottom: Skirt or slim-fit pants
• Footwear: Chelsea boots or knee-high boots
• Accessories: Scarf and a crossbody bag

10. Seasonal Trends

• Spring: Floral dress with sandals and a light cardigan
• Summer: Tank dress with espadrilles and a straw bag
• Fall: Sweater dress with knee-high boots and a wide belt
• Winter: Wool coat over a sweater, with leggings and knee-high boots

Outfit 1 Details: 
wool& Sierra (I’m wearing size Medium Long):
Jean Vest (mine is thrifted but here is a similar one)
Birkenstock Wedges
Kendra Scott Necklace

Back to Wool Day 5 is here! On day 1 we talked about our “Top 10” and today I’m styling one of my top 10 items 5 different ways! For me wool& Sierra is the perfect year-round dress that so easily transitions from casual to dressy and from one season to the next, it’s really such a unicorn! Remember, wool also has almost magical temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, wrinkle-fighting, anti-microbial properties that make it a great fit for anyone like me who is super busy, fills many different roles, and hates laundry! The Sierra is also super soft and squishy and completely glides over your problem areas which is a relief to me in this stage of perimenopausal weight gain. Even if you don’t have this dress, you can utilize these formulas for easy outfit building year-round using your little black dress of choice.  #naturalfibers #backtoschool #capsulewardrobe #woolobsessed #silk #cotton #linen #wool #unboundmerino #simplymerino #wooland #olivercharles #julahasfashion #quince #thrift #September #project333 #closetchallenge #minimalism #slowfashion #ootd #getdressedwithme

Outfit 2 Details: 

wool& Sierra (I’m wearing size Medium Long):
Birkenstock Wedges
100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan
Kendra Scott Necklace

Outfit 3 Details: 

wool& Sierra (I’m wearing size Medium Long):
Belt Bag
Simply Modern Tumbler
Julahas Wool Kimono
Soulku Pendant
VivoBarefoot Boots (similar)

Outfit 4 Details:

wool& Sierra (I’m wearing size Medium Long): 
Julahas Belt
Oliver Charles Summer Crewneck
(You may use my coupon code: WoolObsessed10 to save 10% sitewide. )
Soulku Pendant
VivoBarefoot Boots (similar)

Outfit 4 Details: 

Zuri Dress (I think mine is retired)
wool& Sierra (I’m wearing size Medium Long):
Julahas Belt
Soulku Pendant
VivoBarefoot Boots (similar)

If you’ve been around my blog for awhile, you know that I am a huge fan of Unbound Merino. They have been knocking it out of the park with drop after drop of beautiful, functional merino pieces that hold up SO well to real life. They are geared towards travel, but as a big homebody I find that my Unbound Merino pieces have been phenomenal for my rough-and-tumble hybrid homeschool mom/wfhm lifestyle because they are comfortable, breathable, odor-resistant, and they look great! I have worn them for work events, on the beach, around town, and working from home, too. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about my experience so far with Unbound Merino.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thanks for checking out this review!

My particular favorite of Unbound Merino is the Women’s Lightweight Travel Pants, they are just SO GOOD. Comfortable, extremely sharp, and easy to wear. Today, we’ll be talking about the Men’s line of Unbound Merino and I can’t wait to share some of the key features and benefits of the Men’s Relaxed Merino Travel Pants as well as the Men’s Slim Fit Merino Travel Pants. They even have a shorts version as well, so don’t miss those!MEN’S RELAXED MERINO TRAVEL PANTS
Bi-stretch twill pants made from Italian Merino Wool, the Men’s Relaxed Merino Travel Pants bring the incredible features of merino to the table: anti-wrinkle, temperature regulating, odor-resistant, and fast drying. I can also confirm this fabric is comfortable, breathable, and easy to wash when needed (fortunately, you need to wash merino MUCH less often than other fabrics), making these perfect for both travel and work scenarios. For any guys traveling for work, these are an absolute must-have!
MEN’S SLIM FIT MERINO TRAVEL PANTS
For a different look and fit, check out the Men’s Slim Fit Merino Travel Pants. Both styles are available in multiple different colors (6 for the Relaxed version and 7 for the Slim Fit version). Made from 95% Merino Wool, 5% Elastane, Stretch Twill, these are going to give you the lightweight comfort, wrinkle-free fabric, and work-friendly fit you need for an everyday pant, all with the merino performance we love!

MORE WARDROBE STAPLES
Unbound Merino has way more to offer beyond the Travel Pants! You can also pair up these bottoms with a Merino Polo Shirt, a Merino Button Up, or the Compact Travel Hoodie. With all these options, you’ve got the perfect foundation for a travel, work, or casual weekend capsule.

COUPON CODE!
I’m excited to offer a rare coupon code so that you can save on your first Unbound Merino purchase. Use code WOOLOBSESSED to save 15% off your first purchase!

BUNDLE SAVINGS
One last tempting little tip I wanted to mention about Unbound Merino is that they offer Bundle Savings which would be a great way to build your work capsule or travel wardrobe with a bit of discount.

Want more Unbound Merino reviews? I got you! Check out my original review, my review of the Unbound Merino Cashmere Cardigan (dreamy!), and my HUGE Unbound Merino Summer Try-on Haul! You can even watch that last one via my YouTube video here. And if you are feeling just a little bit intrigued or a whole lot obsessed with Unbound Merino, you might just love my Facebook Group, Wool Obsessed where you can see even more reviews, try-ons, chat, and deals for all my favorite brands.

First off, don’t scroll past if you aren’t in the menstruating club. This review is specifically for my female friends who have their periods, but you definitely want to check out MammyKo if you are interested in Merino underwear, bras, or nursing pads, too. Hang in until the end to hear my favorite pampering products for “that” time of the month!

TMI warning: If you are squeamish, or not open to, well, open-ness, you might want to stop here.  I’m very open about all things menstrual, but it’s ok if you aren’t and I want to give fair warning.

The items in this review were gifted to me by MammyKo for the purpose of content creation. All thoughts are my own and as always I try to be as detailed as possible. If you have any questions feel free to comment or ask me over in my Facebook group, Wool Obsessed. Now, on to my review.

Shop MammyKo here. 

I am an expert on period care. I will take a moment to share my credentials. The medical consensus is that I probably have endometriosis with my severe and extended menstrual symptoms. After three decades of dealing with a very heavy period, that’s a lot of miles on the period care train PLUS: I have long, heavy cycles. I’m talking, for years I had 11 day cycles out of a 25 day month. Yes, that is 14 days off. I also know it was severely heavy because there is a volume measure on menstrual cups. So there will be no medical gaslighting me and telling me it was only a couple tablespoons for the entire month. Get out of here with that, medical community. Additionally, I have Interstitial cystitis. Basically chronic inflammation of the urethra. For me, that has made tampons super, super uncomfortable for the last 5 years or so (I didn’t love them before that but now they are horrendous). I also started having trouble with menstrual cups, which used to be my go-to. *Sigh* So now I stick with pads. I think we all deserve a bowl of ice cream after reliving those stats.

Because my period lasts forever, I have used every period product under the actual sun. I have used disposable pads, tampons, cups of all shapes and sizes, period panties, reusable pads, discs. For pain management I have owned a million heating pads, supplements of many kinds, special teas, hormonal creams, been on birth control, tried Livia tens machine, stuck herbal pads on my stomach, tried disposable heating pads, and I should definitely own stock in Ibuprophen. Now, every woman is different and we all have different needs. But my experience has been that reusable options are DRAMATICALLY better than their disposable counterparts. It’s very similar to the difference in wearing a synthetic fabric versus a high quality wool material…you really can’t compare them. It is a true upgrade in comfort and performance and I have been so much happier.

Lucky for me, I was recently gifted a gorgeous set of handmade pads from the lovely Nataliya, founder of MammyKo. MammyKo offers bras, underwear, nursing pads, period pads, period underwear, all made by hand in Ukraine.

I have tried a lot of products, like I said, and I have to tell you I am very impressed by these. In the past, I have used cotton pads and they serve the purpose, but there are a few reasons that I prefer wool or silk for these items. Primarily, the lovely soft feel, odor-resistant properties, and the important fact that wool can absorb moisture without actually feeling wet! This makes the pads more comfortable and more effective. Here are a few more reasons wool & silk pads are a true life upgrade:

Luxury Fabric:
There is nothing like the feel of silk and wool. These pads feel very luxurious and comforting, and wearing them feels so lovely, nothing like the awful feel of disposable pads. More like the perfect comfy undergarments that get you through that time of the month.

If you have never used quality reusable period products, here is my pitch for you. Imagine this: you are getting out of a lovely hot bath and instead of reaching for a soft, clean, fluffy turkish towel, you are asked to dry off with a cheap off brand paper towel. That is the difference I feel between using disposable paper period care compared to a high quality reusable product. Of course, the environmental impact of reusable monthly care products versus disposable is also very relevant to the conversation. But for me, the choice is mostly selfish. I want to feel good at the time of month when I otherwise don’t and these MammyKo pads are the perfect self-care upgrade for me.

Design:
I very much love the shape of these pads. There is extra coverage in the back, and the shape means they fit better and give security where it is needed. Many pads I have used in the past just didn’t give the coverage I needed to be comfortable and secure, but these do, without shifting.

Function:
I love that these pads feature two snaps for a custom fit. I realized that I prefer more coverage in my undergarments and that means a larger size for period care. The button makes fitting different size gussets simple.

Care:
These are very simple to wash. For best use, you rinse them in the sink immediately after use and place them in a wet bag before machine washing. Mine have held up well to 4 or 5 washes so far, and they still look like new.

Choices:
You may purchase these pads with PUL or without which is a nice option. I requested PUL in all my pads because I know my period tends to be heavy and unpredictable. That waterproof layer gives me extra protection and security so no leaks!

I want to send a special thanks to MammyKo for these items. I can honestly say that the quality is excellent and the performance is just what I needed. I will probably be ordering some of the period panties to try next!

Time to Pamper Yourself! 
As a little bonus, here are my favorite Pampering Products for *that time of the month!* Thanks for checking out my affiliate links for these: 

Pain Management
First off, I use my Heating Pad every single night without fail, but during my period the Heating Pad is absolutely non-negotiable. I have owned many heating pads, and this has been my favorite…I really love the weighted design! Besides my heating pad and Ibuprophen, I really like to keep Goody’s Headache Powder in stock for pain management. It works so fast, and it’s the best for the rare migraine I get, too. I also love to take Epsom Salt Baths anytime of the month!

Sleep
Obviously getting plenty of sleep is crucial, especially during your period. Did you know many doctors recommend an extra hour of rest for women who are menstruating? Here is a product that has been a life-saver for me since I’ve been struggling with sleep over the last six months due to a medication change. Natural Calm Sleep has given me MUCH better rest. I’ve used this brand a lot in the past and have always been happy with it, but I particularly love this formula for rest!

Hydration
Clearly, it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the month, but it’s definitely important when you are feeling exhausted and dealing with other symptoms. I absolutely love my Simple Modern Tumbler and have carried it everywhere since I got it for my birthday in June. My favorite tumbler to date!

Supplies
Along with my cloth pads and period panties from MammyKo, I always use my Wet/Dry Bag to store my pads before I wash them. This is not the brand I own because mine is like 15 years old, but this one seems to be very similar. It’s nice that it has a dry pocket and a wet pocket!

FLO Supplements
I have been using Flo brand supplements for at least a year now and overall I am really happy with these. My teen daughter has had great success with Flo helping her hormonal acne and I have used the URO version for my Intersistial Cystitis symptoms. I really think they help! We have also tried Retro for skin. This is my first month using the Flo Supplement but I do have to tell you that my period was much shorter this month, closer to 6 days instead of 10-11, and I do feel like my PMS symptoms were improved. That seems like progress to me!

Comfort Clothing
Honestly, cozy clothes are absolutely crucial during that time of month, and I’m already a cozy clothes fanatic, so I take this very seriously. Depending on the time of year, I will choose between some of my favorite wool& lounge pieces. In the heat of summer, I am choosing my wool& Grove Shorts and wool& Jade Tunic tee. When it’s colder I tend to wear wool& Summit leggings and wool& sierra layered with a tee shirt or cardigan.

If you try any of the products in this post, I’d love to hear what you think!

I’m back from a long weekend to the lowcountry of South Carolina (Beaufort/St. Helena Island). We had concerns because of the tropical storm blowing through the Carolinas, but by the time we got there it was drying up pretty well and the weather was overall sunny. I hadn’t been to Beaufort in about 25 years so I truly loved getting back to the area. It’s SO beautiful. I especially love seeing all the old architecture and the incredibly gorgeous trees draped with Spanish Moss. We had fun visiting some of the local shops and had lots of family time and hours sitting on the doc watching the sunset. A highlight was visiting Huntington Beach with the most gorgeous palms and palmetto trees everywhere.

I wanted to share my packing list for my own future reference. It’s helpful to look back and remember what I took v. what I actually wore, so I will share both. Remember, I am very much an over-packer and do not even pretend to be a minimalist for packing. I actually tend to have travel anxiety and so over-thinking what I need is one of my coping methods.

Without further ado, here’s a rundown of my trip, including affiliate links where they apply! Some of these items were gifted in the past for the purpose of my honest review. For the short & sweet version, scroll to the bottom for my list. 

Swim & Sand
We were heading to the coast, so of course a swimsuit was essential. Although I am at my highest historic weight (more on that soon), I have recently switched to a two piece swimsuit for the first time since my honeymoon. Honestly, I just got tired of wriggling out of the one piece to use the bathroom, so I got the highest waisted bottom I could find and a modest top and put them together. It’s been working great this summer and the other benefit is that they dry much faster than the old swim romper I have worn before.
What I wore:  2 piece swimsuit from Amazon (Top & Bottom)
Stayed in the suitcase: 1 piece swimsuit (Similar Here). If you are also not a size tiny, you might benefit from Body Glide, which keeps you from chafing. I use it on my thighs, but lots of folks use it other high-contact areas. I also always add a Baseball Cap (similar) and Sunglasses for the beach! For this trip, I used my new 100% European Linen Camp Shirt from Quince as a beach cover-up and it worked perfectly. I really love this shirt!

Travel Outfits
We had a three hour drive to get to the coast and luckily it was a beautiful scenic route. Still, driving is not my favorite, mostly because I have been dealing with sciatica now that I’m in my 40’s. So I go for the most comfortable outfit I can think of and take advantage of my heated seats to stay sane. Driving down, I wore wool& Camellia, Quince Denim Shirt, and Xero Knit Phoenix Flats. 
On the way back, I wore wool& Jade Tunic, Allbirds bike shorts (discontinued), and Xero Sandals

Shopping & Dinner
I don’t know about you but I tend to change outfits constantly when we are traveling to the beach. I tend to wear shorts and tanks to the beach, switch to a long flowy dress for some afternoon shopping, sometimes a whole different dress for dinner, and then I might put on loose pants and a hoodie for evening lounging! I know it’s kind of excessive, but we brought BOTH cars on this trip so we had plenty of room for wardrobe changes. I know I could have realistically packed a super small travel capsule, but instead I had all the outfit options and I’m not mad about it. I loved wearing my Julahas Kaftan and Quince Linen Shorts while out shopping! Of course, I couldn’t do without my ever-present Sash Bag! This outfit felt super cool and comfy and I still felt very boho and trendy going into all the fun shops.

Local Attractions
We tried to keep a balance of rest, beach, family time, food and local attractions but our time, was of course limited! I think my kids got tired of me commenting on the Spanish Moss everywhere, it was absolutely stunning and just so beautiful. At night, it gave all the trees just a completely gorgeous, kind of intense spooky vibe. I really wish we could have done some kind of ghost ride through the historic properties, maybe we can for a future trip. Architecture was absolutely beautiful. The historic houses were fascinating, and really reminded me of Outer Banks scenary!

Favorite Spot
As you can see, this trip was pretty relaxed! We cooked for ourselves (sharing meals among our extended family), walked on the beach, woke up for the sunrise, and played board games. No expensive dinners out and no souvenirs other than a few gorgeous sea shells we scavenged! My absolute favorite spot was the dock and we spent lots of time watching the waves and sunsets with the cool breeze giving relief from the hot temps. It was so beautiful!

What I packed:
2 piece swimsuit from Amazon (Top & Bottom)
1 piece swimsuit (Similar Here)
Simply Merino Bralettes
wool& Roam boyshorts
Simply Merino High Waisted Underwear (sold out)
Unbound Merino Women’s Lightweight Travel Shorts
Unbound Merino Women’s Merino Wool Rib Tank
Quince Linen Shorts
Quince Denim Shirt
Quince One Shoulder Ribbed Knit Tank
100% European Linen Camp Shirt
Julahas Kaftan
Julahas Linen Kimono
wool& Sierra
wool& Livia
wool& Grove Shorts
wool& Jade Tunic
wool& Camellia
Jeans, thrifted
Allbirds bike shorts (discontinued)
Natural Life sundress, thrifted from ThredUp
Teleties Medium Flat Round Clip
Xero Sneakers
Xero Sandals
Xero Knit Phoenix Flats

What I actually wore:
2 piece swimsuit from Amazon (Top & Bottom)
Simply Merino Bralettes
wool& Roam boyshorts
Simply Merino High Waisted Underwear (sold out)
Unbound Merino Women’s Merino Wool Rib Tank
Quince Linen Shorts
Quince Denim Shirt
100% European Linen Camp Shirt
Julahas Kaftan
wool& Sierra
wool& Grove Shorts
wool& Jade Tunic
wool& Camellia
Allbirds bike shorts (discontinued)
Natural Life sundress, thrifted from ThredUp
Teleties Medium Flat Round Clip
Xero Sandals
Xero Knit Phoenix Flats
Baseball Cap (similar)
Sash Bag
Vintage Necklace (similar linked)
Soulku Necklace

Extras I definitely used!
Baseball Cap (similar)
Sash Bag
Vintage Necklace (similar linked)
Soulku Necklace
Kindle Paperwhite
Body Glide
Sunglasses

What I regretted leaving behind:
wool& Audrey
Oliver Charles Summer Crewneck
Denim Cut Off Shorts (I don’t really own any, but I need to just cut up some old jeans!)

MVP of the Trip:
wool& Sierra
Quince Denim Shirt

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m bubbling over with excitement about this new collab. This brand has so many styles, so many colors, so many natural fiber items, and incredibly affordable prices…I am crushing big on QUINCE!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no cost to you. I very much appreciate you shopping with me! I also want to thank Quince for sending me three lovely pieces for the purpose of my honest review. It was especially fun to be surprised by which styles  the Quince team chose for me!

Bargain Shopping is in my DNA
So if you have been following me for awhile, you might know that my fashion journey began in the thrift store. I grew up shopping very frugally and stuck pretty vigilantly with those roots until my mid-thirties. I still frequently pop into second hand shops and I have become semi-addicted to ThredUp as a second-hand platform, but I am choosier about the brands I purchase. Once I discovered wool, my wardrobe got a real upgrade but I did miss the affordable basics that I use to find so easily. That’s why I was really intrigued by Quince when I encountered the brand on social media.

My first Piece
My Quince journey began with a skirt. I had been looking for a black tulle skirt for seemingly ages. I just hadn’t found the right one, and I was determined to find a bargain, so when I saw this skirt second hand, I felt it was absolutely perfect. Once it arrived, it truly filled a void in my wardrobe… I love it! It was exactly the look I was going for and seemed to be very well made. Once I wore it a few times I decided to look into what else Quince had to offer.
Outfit Affiliate links:
Quince Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt
Oliver Charles Summer Crew Neck ( code WoolObsessed10 for 10% off)
Birkenstock Wedges
Vintage Necklace (similar linked)

A massive selection
It turns out, a whole lot. Quince offers extremely affordable wardrobe essentials for the entire family along with homegoods, jewelry, and even luggage. They say that by eliminating the “middleman” and going straight to the source for materials and pieces, they are able to offer quality products direct to the consumer for prices far below their competitors. As a first time shopper, I was actually shocked at some of the prices and absolutely floored by the gorgeous designs. Many of their pieces look identical to high-end brands at a fraction of the price.

Natural Fabrics
They also use a lot of sustainable fabrics, which I was thrilled to discover. There is wool, silk, linen, alpaca, cashmere, and organic cotton, all at prices far below the industry standard. In fact, I’ve never owned silk before and Quince offers staples as low as $39.90. This was pretty great to discover, so I contacted Quince about a collab. I was very happy to be accepted into the Quince affiliate program and they were kind enough to send me a few SURPRISE pieces to try. I was so excited about this new partnership that I also bought myself a few pieces to round out my outfits and I can’t wait to share all of those with you in Part 2! I asked for natural fiber pieces and I shared my size is generally a large. All three pieces I received fit me perfectly, so my experience so far is that Quince runs true to size. So let’s get to these goodies!

Outfit Affiliate links: 
Unbound Merino Women’s Merino Wool Rib Tank (use code WOOLOBSESSED to save 15% off your first purchase)
Quince Linen Camp Shirt in Deep Navy
wool& Axis Cropped Leggings in Marionberry
Crocs Wedge Sandals (similar)

Linen Camp Shirt
First up, I received this 100% European Linen Camp Shirt in Deep Navy. The size notes say this piece runs slightly large and I agree. I love an oversized button up, though, so I adore the fit of the large on me. I am going to admit I wore this shirt two days in a row right after receiving it and I have worn it even more since! It’s comfortable, breezy, not super wrinkle prone and I love the cut of this shirt.

Outfit Affiliate links: 
wool& Milena (retired)
Quince Linen Camp Shirt in Deep Navy
Crocs Wedge Sandals (similar)
Soulku Necklace

The styling options are unlimited because it could be worn tucked into shorts, over a dress, with jeans…and that’s just as a start. The sleeves are dolman style and the back hem is curved and longer making it totally relaxed, comfortable, and still perfectly professional. You guys, this shirt is only $39.90, I honestly can’t believe it. It comes in six colors and if you buy 2 or more you get a $10 store credit! Pretty amazing, right?

Outfit Affiliate links: 
Quince Linen Camp Shirt in Deep Navy
Magic Linen Shorts (similar)
Soulku Necklace

100% Washable Silk Skirt in Forest Green
The second item I received was the 100% Washable Silk Skirt in Forest Green. I love the silk fabric and midi cut of this skirt and the color caught my eye immediately. It’s absolutely gorgeous, the length is perfect, it feels wonderful to wear,  and I love the drama of it! I have never owned any silk items so getting this skirt was a real treat.

Outfit Affiliate links:
Quince 100% Washable Silk Skirt in Forest Green
Oliver Charles Summer Crew Neck ( code WoolObsessed10 for 10% off)
Thrifted Locket (similar)
Xero Knit Phoenix Flats

I was initially concerned that it might be a little too form fitting for me but it actually fits like a dream in size large. Despite the gorgeous lightweight silk, it seems to glide right over my problem areas and looks sleek and smooth. The waistband is a comfy, wide elastic band so it’s really comfortable and stretchy, plus it’s perfectly high waisted so that it gives me an hour glass shape.

Outfit Affiliate links:
Quince Washable Stretch Silk V-Neck Cami
Quince 100% Washable Silk Skirt in Forest Green
Vintage Necklace (similar linked)
Xero Knit Phoenix Flats
Thrifted Cropped Oversized Jean Jacket (link to similar)

Side note: I’m not wearing it but if you notice the gorgeous wool blanket behind me this is the fabulous Wool Roots 100% Merino Wool Blanket, we sleep with it on our bed every night and it’s holding up beautifully. Check out my review here. 

For this combo, I am wearing the 100% Washable Silk Skirt in Forest Green with the Quince Washable Stretch Silk V-Neck Cami. 
Although normally I would mix up the textures a little more, for the first look I thought it would be fun to pair up silk on silk. This is definitely a dressier vibe but it’s also cool and comfortable for the hottest time of year in South Carolina. For days it’s a little cooler, I’d throw on my jean jacket for a nice contrast.

The last piece I was gifted is the 100% Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress in Navy and size Large. This dress absolutely blew me away! It’s got all the feminine touches I love to see in a dress, the breezy comfort of organic cotton, and just a little bump of formality to take this dress up a notch!

There are so many things I LOVE about this dress. The lightweight, soft woven cotton fabric, the stretchy smocked waistline and the extra layered seams at each tier to add visual interest. I also love the notched neckline and the slightly puffed sleeves, together they give a little bit Anne Shirley with a modern twist.
Did I mention it has pockets? This picture was taken the moment I discovered them and I was one happy mama despite the 98 degree temps. This dress truly is perfect for me…dressy enough to go from date night to church to a wedding and back again. Thank you Quince!

More Quince reviews are on the way to you! Part 2 is coming soon, so be sure to follow my blog (sign up in the middle on the right on desktop or at the bottom of your screen on mobile) or join my Facebook Group: Wool Obsessed for more reviews!

Happy summer! I hope you are staying cool and enjoying the sunshine wherever you are. Today, I’m excited to share a fantastic summer haul from Unbound Merino. I have loved watching Unbound Merino continue to expand their product line, and their newest pieces are no exception. I will continue to style these all year round so be sure to follow if you want more content like this!

Before we get started, you might want to check out my Unboxing video for this Unbound Merino Haul combined with a few pieces from wool&, Simply Merino, and Woolly Clothing, too. Besides just opening each piece, I also include videos and photos of my try-ons as well, so I think you will enjoy it! It’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted a video, and I’d love to get back to posting minimalism content, but I now have a full time job so my time for YouTube has been “minimalized” too. If you’d like to see more content like this please subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave us a like!

I want to thank Unbound Merino yet again for gifting these lovely wardrobe staples to me in exchange for my honest reviews. It’s a treat to work with companies that consistently produce beautiful products like these and creating this content is one of my favorite things to do! As I reminder, the links in this post will be affiliate links, which means I might receive a small commission if you make a purchase. I appreciate your support! DON’T MISS THE DEAL! If you are making your first Unbound Merino purchase, you can use the coupon code:  WOOLOBSESSED to save 15% off your first purchase!

I already own a few pieces of Unbound Merino, so if you are interested in checking out my reviews, you can click here: Unbound Merino Wool for Travel  and Unbound Merino Cashmere Cardigan Review. I especially love the Unbound Merino Travel Pants, and spoiler alert: the new colors are amazing! (Here’s a pic of my original pair of black Unbound Merino Travel Pants….I LOVE them!)

Unbound Merino’s designs are super practical with an emphasis on travel-friendly wool fabric and versatile styles that can be worn absolutely anywhere. Their motto: Timeless Style & Superior Performance has absolutely been true for the pieces I have tried. Not only do they fit and feel great, but they have held up beautifully to my rough-and-tumble lifestyle (ie: by that I mean I do not baby my clothing and I spill coffee on most things I own. Just wanted to clarify as I feel like the above sentence almost indicates that I am one of those amazing wool-wearers who travels 24/7 and climbs mountains. Although that is very much not the case, I am still rough on my clothes and need them to hold up to plenty of heavy use!)

Side-note: My adventure into minimalism is what led me to wearing wool almost exclusively. I realized that wool was the ultimate minimalist clothing solution, because you can wear it so many times without washing, it’s durable, easy-care, and timeless, rather than trendy. DON’T MISS THE DEAL! If you are making your first Unbound Merino purchase, you can use the coupon code:  WOOLOBSESSED to save 15% off your first purchase!

First up, this gorgeous Women’s Slim Merino Crew Neck in Magenta. I was just a little nervous about the “Slim” part about this shirt, so I went up to an XL. I really like the fit at this size for me, since it’s not skin tight but it’s still a nice flattering fit. The shirt is soft and comfy and I absolutely LOVE the magenta color! This looks really great with the Travel Pants or shorts and is also a great piece to layer with leggings and skirts year-round.

I was super excited about the Women’s Lightweight Travel Shorts in Forest because I live in South Carolina and the heat is intense, especially this summer. Knowing that the Travel Pants were working great for me in a size Large, I decided to size up an XL in the shorts, hoping to gain just a little bit of extra length! I love the way these fit and feel. They are super lightweight and super cool. I’ll be curious to see how well they do wrinkle-wise, but I think these would be perfect for travel!

Not to get too dramatic, but I think I have found my favorite tank top. The Women’s Merino Wool Rib Tank in black is the perfect stretchy, scoopy, flattering tank and it’s cool and comfy even in the South Carolina heat. I am not going to lie, I wore this most of last week, and true to form, I haven’t had to wash it yet! There is not much that doesn’t look good with a classic scoop tank and this is a staple that will be going on many adventures with me year round.

Moving on to the best wool work pants I have found: the Unbound Merino Travel Pants. I already knew that these pants were going to be great because I own them in black and love them for work. One thing I have learned from the fashion creators I follow, is this if you keep all of your pants in the black category, you kind of look like you are wearing the same thing all the time. For example, you might think you are opening up your options by owning bootcut, leggings, jeans, and joggers but if they are all solid black they will kind of create the same look. To really open up your wardrobe, you need to go with a more dramatic color contrast. As someone who typically sticks with winter colors, I thought this rich tan was a great option!

The perfect blend of comfortable and professional, the Unbound Merino Travel Pants are soft, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant. Plus,I love the fact that you can choose your inseam. I went with a Large in 28 inseam which gives me a great fit and length.  I have kind of a long waist, but my legs aren’t particularly long, so these are perfect. Just like the shorts, these have a comfortable, stretchy waistband that is perfect for layering and for, well, travel! I have become more and more resistant to wearing “real pants”, BUT pull-on pants that perform like traditional dress pants are an excellent compromise.

Last but not least, the piece I was most excited and also nervous about, the Women’s Merino Tie Dress.  I received this dress in size Large in the color Charcoal. This dress is definitely coming on my August beach vacation. I love the playful asymetrical cut, the feminine detail, and the flattering tank top style. It’s super comfortable and the color is the perfect neutral. I probably could have used a size up in the skirt (I’m definitely a pear shape) but I’m not uncomfortable with the tightness. The great part about the tie is that you have the freedom to adjust it as you like, so I was able to over a little farther to create a more flattering waist line. I do wish it were a smidge longer (I’m 5’6″) but it’s not a deal-breaker and I will probably wear a pair of bike shorts underneath for modesty. I love the look of this dress and the fact that it really stands apart from most of the merino wool options in the category right now. I really feel like Unbound Merino has nailed it with the latest additions to their product line, and I can’t wait to see what they come out with next!

Want to see more styling options for these pieces? Join my Facebook Group to connect with other Wool Obsessed Friends!

One of my favorite shopportunities is coming up TOMORROW! Here are all the details. Sign up here for wool&’s mailing list first so that you’ll receive a link to shop (scroll down to the bottom or look for a pop-up to submit your email.

Here are the categories based on wool&’s announcement on Facebook. Be thinking ahead of time about what size you need and what category you want. ONLY ONE PURCHASE IS ALLOWED PER PERSON. In the past they have cancelled one of the orders if two are made, so I would say the rule is serious.

• Long Sleeve / 3/4 Sleeve Dress $75
• Short Sleeve / Sleeveless Dress $70
• Woven Dress/Tunic (Laurel, Florence, etc) $95
• Legging (crop or full length. Does not include bike shorts) $60
• Bottoms (skirts and pants. Does not include bike shorts.) $75
• Knit Tee 2Pk $85
• Cardigan/Jacket/Hoodie (all cardigans, Lou Moto jacket, Aspen Hoodie, Everett, etc.) $90

Here are my PERSONAL suggestions having shopped a few Mystery Sales myself!

* Get yourself signed in to your account ahead of time
* Make sure your payment info is set and ready to go
* Choose your category and size you want for your first, second, and third choice.
*Get ready to refresh, refresh, refresh starting about 5 minutes early!
* Get excited about your mystery purchase and enjoy the wait. Items usually ship quickly and the wait is fun!
* If you get your mystery item and it’s not a perfect fit for you, you can almost definitely sell or better yet trade it on Facebook. You can join the wool& BST group or of course, you can join my Group, Wool Obsessed. Please note there are rules in regard to reselling Mystery items to prevent markups and to help the sales go smoothly.

And that’s about all I have for the Mystery Sale! I highly recommend you taking the risk; it’s so much fun and can be a great way to score a bargain on a great wool& piece! 

Time to talk about Woolly! I have owned a few Woolly pieces over the last couple years and I’m excited to add a few more into my closet. If you want to check out my last review, click here!

Thank you, Woolly, for gifting me these items for my honest review. I so appreciate a company that is willing to work with me as a very small creator. It means a lot!

We interrupt this review to share breaking news from Woolly: you can shop Early Bird PRIME SALE SHOPPING with WOOLLY starting right now. Thanks for shopping my affiliate link! Shipping is free and prices are excellent: underwear, tee shirts, and socks are on sale. Don’t miss clearance while you’re there.

Women’s:
Underwear Singles: $21.99 Thongs: $19.99 3 Packs: $59.99
Tops: Merino Aire Tee: 20% off
Bottoms: Merino Aire Leggings: 20% off

Now back to today’s review. I got five pieces to test out and my very first thought is that I adore these colors SO much. My stats are I am 5’6” and 180 pounds (yes I’ve gained more weight: surprise, surprise). I asked for size large in all of these and they are a great fit for me. I would say these pieces fit as expected for large.

Thanks for shopping with my affiliate links!
Pro Knit Hoodie Dress in Merlot: 
The Women’s Leggings in Rust:
The Women’s Leggings in Charcoal:
The Active Tank: 
The Women’s Pro Knit Zip Hoodie In Deep Sea: 

Here is my short review for each piece, and after I have worn these a little more, I will give an update!

Pro Knit Hoodie Dress in Merlot: 
This dress reminds me a lot of the Pro-Knit Cowl Neck, which is another great piece, but I think I like the cut of this better. The fabric is super soft (I mean, really soft) and I love the color, I think it’s pretty universally flattering. I think this will also layer very nicely, so I look forward to wearing this through the Fall and Winter Months!

The Women’s Leggings in Rust:
This is one of those times where I feel like the color doesn’t translate well on the screen. In person, I love it so much more. It’s a deep warm golden sort of ochre color and to me the pic on the website looks a lot lighter. This is a color that I actually think I will wear a lot because it’s such a great contrast to both blue and black. It reminds me of my favorite leather bag, a nice rich natural tone. For the size, I think these fit pretty true to size and they are very high waisted. They are comfy and silky soft!

The Women’s Leggings in Charcoal: 
Like the other leggings, I would say these fit true to size and they are very high waisted. They are comfy and silky soft, and I love the heather grey color. I have found that heather grey is a fantastic neutral for me, it hides lint and softens the jet-black and jewel tone colors I’m wearing with it all day every day.

The Active Tank: 
I am not a very “active” person but this tank might motivate me. It’s very long line and with the high-waisted leggings I feel like I would actually be willing to wear this to work out. It gives good coverage. It’s not a sports bra by definition, so don’t expect a ton of support but it does fit pretty snug so I think it would do the trick for a lot of women.  I tried it with the hoodie layered over and I liked that look, too! Again, I love these blues!

The Women’s Pro Knit Zip Hoodie In Deep Sea: 
Oh my word, I love this blue so much! It’s absolutely gorgeous and I think it would look good on most people. This hoodie fits true to size but I will say it’s not an oversized fit so if you like a more roomy fit, you might want to size up. I think next time I would size up for ease and layering. I wear hoodies a lot year round because I often work from very chilly places, so this will get a lot of use.

Want a little more Woolly to keep you going? Check out my Unboxing Video that includes Woolly Bike Shorts along with some of my new favorite pieces from several other brands!

You guys I am still fairly new to Simply Merino but I have to tell you, their newest release is absolutely phenomenal. Not just because the colors are completely gorgeous, but the design of the pieces are exceptional and they really fill some big gaps in the wool clothing market.

Thank you Simply Merino for gifting these items for my review. It’s especially rewarding to work with small businesses as a small creator! Simply Merino does not have an affiliate program, but I will be sharing affiliate links to the other items shown in my outfits. Keep reading for a coupon code towards the end of the post!

As an example of the new drop fulfilling a need in the market, I have heard so many women looking for wool swimwear and the options just haven’t been there, so the release of their new swimsuit was very highly anticipated. I haven’t tried it myself but I have seen several reviews that are very positive. This piece looks really amazing and I love the cut!

Before I get into sharing my new pieces, check out my other Simply Merino review here: Simply Merino Review In Stripes.

Simply Merino was kind enough to send me the Bralette and High Waisted Underwear. Both are in the color Cranberry. I got the High Waisted Underwear in size Large and the Bralette in size Medium.

Shown here with the wool& Laurel in size Large (another summer staple I love). Thanks for shopping with my affiliate link.

I have worn the bra almost nonstop (I have had it for several weeks now). For the next run, they are adjusting the fit for the next run to be more true to size. This original run is a little on the generous side, but the cut, feel, and design are PRECISELY what I have been looking for in a Merino Bra! I cannot wait to buy this in a couple more colors and get rid of some of my old worn out synthetic options.

I am very sensitive to compressive bras so this comfy fit feels perfect. If you like more of a compressive fit, I would say you might try sizing down. This bra stays put for me and the fact that it has slits for inserts is AMAZING. I need some shaping because I am otherwise kind of shapeless  and I like coverage also. This bra is the most comfortable one I have EVER tried and feels more like clothing and less like underwear. Instead of being an athletic (slinky?) feel, it’s very soft.

The underwear is generous in coverage with gentle stretch and a very comfy fit. It doesn’t seem to budge and does a good job of smoothing without being too snug. The size large fits as expected. Nice and high waisted, very comfortable, definitely thicker than most of my other underwear.

Many women use this set as Swimwear, and I can definitely imagine it would work well. Although I am not usually a two piece girl, I feel like the comfort and coverage are there to make this a great swimsuit option.

I also received the new Mid-Length Skirt and the Crop Top, both in the absolutely gorgeous brilliant Boysenberry and both in size large. I think they run true to size.

You guys, I LOVE THIS SET. Seriously, it feels like the smartest combination of pieces that could not be more versatile. Worn together, they really look like a great fitting dress.

I’m not one to show my tummy, but I love the crop length and the skirt can be worn high or low so I don’t have to show any skin if I don’t want to. Together these pieces are the perfect foundation to wear with layers over, or alone in the heat of summer. I can think of about 30 ways to wear these just right off the bat!

Specifically, let’s talk about the skirt. The fold over waist is super comfy, without being too bulky. You can wear it low on the hips, or higher like I did with the crop top. I ever tried pulling it over my chest like a strapless top and YES it worked, too. To me, these two pieces are the perfect items to build a travel capsule.

This skirt is CRAZY comfy and the perfect sillouette. I know some people will hate the lack of pockets, but I don’t care about pockets (as ya’ll know, I carry a Sash Bag everywhere so I don’t need pockets particularly).

I really love that the shape is super smooth but does NOT show my bulges and curves (sometimes pockets add to the bulk, all in the wrong places). This skirt is not maternity wear, but I think it would be the most amazing piece to go from pregnancy through to post-partum.

A lot of these pieces are already out of stock, but I believe Simply Merino is restocking some them next week, so if you want to stay in the loop you can join my Facebook group for reminders! I’ll be sure to post a link in my group when they make the new drop. Click here to join: Wool Obsessed. 

Simply Merino gave me a coupon code for my followers. You may use code: obsessed10 for 10% off your purchase! Let me know what you are getting and what you think!