Category Archives: Everything Else

Everything Else, Fashion, Favorites, Wool

Wooland (Wool&) Mara Dress Review & Styling Tips

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I’m really excited to bring you this honest review of the Mara Dress by Wool&. First of all, I am so grateful when a brand is willing to work with me as a small influencer; it truly means a lot. As you know, I choose my affiliate partnerships very carefully, since it’s very important to me that I only represent brands I use and love myself. I want my followers to trust that I’ll always be honest and only share links for products that I’m 100% using myself in my own home. Wool& sent me this dress as a gift for my review, so thank you so much, Wool&!

Look at this lovely minimal packaging! No plastic to be found. 

This post contains affiliate links. I may make a commission on purchases with no additional cost to you. Thanks for shopping with me!

Outfit #1 (see footnotes for outfit details)

In my last post, I talked about Sustainable Fashion. It’s something I have really wanted to learn more about for awhile. Wool& works hard to make sustainability a core value of their brand. In fact the company’s motto is: live simply, consume carefully, do good. I absolutey love that!

Outfit #2 (see footnotes for outfit details)

I have never worn wool in my South Carolina climate and honestly didn’t know much about  its benefits. I’m actually blown away to learn how versatile this fabric is (yes, even for a Southern girl like me)! The Mara dress is a Merino Wool blend ( 75% merino wool / 22% nylon / 3% spandex, a midweight french terry fabric) and is super soft and comfy (not itchy in the slightest, and my skin is extremely picky about texture). It does seem to warm up to your body and become even softer after a couple wears!

Outfit #3 (see footnotes for outfit details)

Did you know that Wool is naturally antimicrobial, moisture wicking, and temperature regulating? I had a vague idea about some “magical” properties of Wool based on recommendations I had read for SmartWool socks, but the extent of the benefits really surprised and impressed me. The most appealing feature of this dress for me is that it can be washed very infrequently! As someone who is CONSTANTLY doing laundry (three kids + two adults + puppy), the idea of a garment that rarely needs to be washed is pretty much the best idea ever. In fact, I’m already wondering how we can fit more wool into the laundry rotation to keep washing to a minimum. Want to learn more about Wool& clothing? Click here!

Outfit #4 (see footnotes for outfit details)

Let’s get to the specifics of the Mara dress. It’s a soft French terry fabric with patch pockets, a funnel neck (I’d call it a mock neck) and drop shoulders. This dress retails for $158. (See the footnotes for my size info). The fabric on the neck and wrists is double-thick, giving it a chunky, comfy feel. It also adds a little visual interest to the design along with the seam across the pockets. I don’t usually prefer the tightness of turtlenecks but this style gives a similar look without the constricting neckline. The fabric is soft but not thick like a sweatshirt, more of a substantial, sturdy jersey.

Outfit #5 (see footnotes for outfit details)

I have worn it four days in a row and I am in love with how comfortable the Mara style is! So far, I’ve worn it while cleaning, cooking, shopping, walking the dog and I can’t help thinking it would be a great work-from-home uniform for anyone with Zoom meetings to participate in. At first I was nervous about wearing it to teach preschool, but I think next week I will give it a try. The benefits definitely outweigh my fear that it will get a little stray paint or playdough on it. I have read that the best way to treat stains on wool is to spot clean immediately, which shouldn’t be a problem.

Outfit #6 (see footnotes for outfit details)

A Wool& dress would be the perfect item to take traveling. In fact, I imagine my bag will be a lot lighter on my next trip since this dress can make it through days of wear without washing. Now that I have tried it, I think this dress would safely be a three season staple for me since it is temperature-regulating and I won’t get too hot in our temperature-erratic Springs and Falls.  I would love to try a few of the other Wool& styles like the Brooklyn Wrap Dress or the Sierra Tank Dress. There are also several new styles coming in the Spring! I am sure I’ll be wearing my Mara dress for years to come.

Is a wool a part of your wardrobe? Let me know in the comments!


Outfit Details
Outfit #1:
My Wool& Mara dress is size Medium (my true size). For your reference, I am a hair under 5’6” and a hair over 150 lbs. I’ve paired this with my favorite black flats by Fitflop. My scarf is from a previous season by Alison & Aubrey, but here is a similar style that is currently available on Amazon.

Outfit #2:
For this look, I’m wearing my favorite Jean Jacket that I blogged about here. I love that the trim sleeves of the dress work great for layers (so many of my cold-weather dresses are too thick for layering, which is inconvenient!). I’ve paired it with some of my Favorite boots from Target from years and years ago (Kamischel style), but I found a couple similar links to share for boots: Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3. Finally, I’m wearing a retired necklace from Bauble Bar, but here is a really pretty one that would stand out beautifully against the neckline of this dress!

Outfit #3:
I love this combo! I’m wearing the same boots from Outfit #2, but I threw on this drapey Olive vest from Time & Tru. It’s currently OOS, but here is another option from Amazon. My necklace is a gifted bird’s nest style that looks just like this.

Outfit #4:
I thrifted this Lucky Brand wool pullover poncho (such a fun find), but you might find a similar style here. My Frye Melissa Boots are an old favorite that work with so many outfits.

Outfit #5:
Checkout how comfy those big pockets are! You can easily fit keys, phone, and even a wallet in there in a pinch! This outfit is just showing the Mara on it’s own with my Frye boots. I love it! I also wore it with my Target boots and some purple knee high socks. I had never found a good use for those socks before, but I thought was a fun look to go shopping. I don’t usually go barelegged in the winter but I think it works with Mara’s silhouette.

Outfit #6
Mara works great for walking the dog also! For this outfit, I wore my trusty Naturalizer Carly Sneakers, favorite Columbia Women’s Mighty Lite Hooded Coat, Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, and Furtalk Beanie. For the cutest pet ever, I have to recommend a Bernedoodle!

Thank you for shopping through my affiliate links! Please subscribe for more product reviews and upcoming posts featuring Wool&!

Everything Else, Fashion, Minimalism, Shopping, Style

Building a Sustainable Wardrobe

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You guys know that I’m a thrifter at heart. I was raised by thrifty parents and I just love the thrill of the hunt when it comes to shopping.  I’m a pretty easy size to fit (right in the middle of the road) so I tend to build my wardrobe with new pieces almost from scratch each year (with some exceptions of course). It’s worked well for me, but I have been wanting to be more deliberate about my wardrobe and choose pieces that will stand the test of time rather than serving me for just a season. In addition, I have been learning more about sustainable brands and have really wanted to focus on a middle ground between sustainability/quality/affordability. That spot will often fall at the thrift store for me, but I’m also exploring brands that stand out with sustainability as a core value.

Before we go any further, let’s define sustainability! What is it and why should we use it as a guide when buying clothing?

In my own words, sustainable fashion focuses on measured and deliberate movement towards more eco-friendly and socially-responsible practices within the entire framework of the business, from manufacturing, to production, to distribution and sales. Want more ideas on moving towards sustainability in your closet? Click here to read up on the topic!

Fast fashion hurts the earth and hurts people. There’s really no two ways about it. Sustainable fashion, on the other hand, seeks to right those wrongs and take the process in a more positive sustainable direction. So we should all be happy to see more steps taken in that direction, right? The problem is, sometimes we aren’t quite willing (or able) to pay for it, which I 100% understand since our budget for clothing is pretty low. Which is why shopping second hand kills about three birds with one stone (without bringing animal cruelty into the mix). You are saving money, saving the earth, and preventing over-consumption by not feeding the fast fashion monster.

At the same time, second-hand shopping can be hit-or-miss, time-consuming or simply unavailable depending on location. I’m also aware that many sizes are difficult if not impossible to purchase second hand. Online options for second hand clothing are becoming more and more prevalent (thredup, poshmark, ebay), but second-hand shopping still won’t solve all of our clothing needs all the time.

Fortunately, there are more sustainable brands stepping into the clothing arena, giving us more options for high quality clothing that won’t wind up in the landfill (at least any time soon). Higher standards for materials, packaging, labor and advertising will give us better options going forward. My next post will be a review of one of those brands that I’m really excited to share about! (Click here to read it!)

 

Everything Else, Favorites, Friday Favorites

My Favorites for February: Part 1

I don’t know about you, but I am happy to say goodbye to January and get going with the rest of 2021. This month has been a doozy for our family (Click here for our COVID experience)  and I’m pretty much ready for Spring. Heck, I’m already ready for summer for that matter (yesterday I was looking at summer pool memberships).  Anyone else?

I thought I would create this post with a bit of a life-update and also share my current favorites, becuase it’s been awhile since I’ve done a “Friday Favorites” post. These are some of my favorite posts to write (although they take forever) because, minimalist or not, I still really love sharing favorite products with my followers!

Thank you for shopping through my links! Some of them are affiliate links, so I might get a small commission at no extra cost to you!

2025 UPDATE:
Guess what? Looking back on this post today in 2025, I still love some of these items! (Like our bernedoodle). But now that I’m styling more sustainable fabrics, like merino wool, cotton, linen, and silk, I have a couple different ideas for a natural fiber alternative to the Barefoot Dreams Dupe Cardigan I shared below.

For a natural fiber cardigan upgrade, I have three suggestions for you at three different price points.
$ for an affordable/natural fiber cardigan, I highly recommend this Organic Cotton Cardigan from Quince.
$$ for an incredible wool cardigan that will survive tons of use and still look amazing, go with one from wool&
$$$ for a truly luxurious cardigan with incredible, seamless construction, I suggest Oliver Charles. Please use coupon code: WoolObsessed10 for 10% off!

Check out the Organic Cotton Jean Jackets from Quince! These jackets are SO affordable and I have been so happy with the Quince Denim I’ve tried so far. You can also find some incredible gently used or second hand jean jackets on ebay or on Poshmark!

Family Addition
My first favorite may be a surprise (it certainly surprises me) but we have had such an incredible experience with our Bernedoodle, Elphie! I didn’t know much about the breed but she has exceeded our expectations. She is really calm and mellow for a doodle and she sheds less than me….really! She is just really sweet and the perfect addition to our family. We brought her home last March and it has made our year so much more joyful. The kids adore her! I’m so glad we got to surprise them with a puppy. Here are some of my recs for puppy essentials!


Kitchen Stuff
This year we haven’t added much to our kitchen which totally makes me happy! However, we have had our Air Fryer/Toaster Oven combo for a year now and really love it. The best part about it was that it replaced our microwave and does SO much more than a microwave ever could. I honestly haven’t even scratched the surface of what it can do, but I love the convenience and speed. You also aren’t heating up the whole kitchen!

Another nice upgrade from this year, is switching to Duralex Picardie for all of our glassware. I love these glasses! None of them have chipped or cracked and we are pretty rough on them. They feel great in your hand, can handle hot beverages, are dishwasher and microwave safe and best of all are LEAD FREE! Here’s my video review for more specifics. Did I mention they are stackable?

Early this year my coffeemaker died and we replaced it with this Cuisinart 14 Cup Brew Central , I’ve been really happy with it. We got ours from Costco, but there are similar models on Amazon. One of the features I was looking for (and couldn’t seem to find) was the ability to set the coffeemaker ahead of time but TURN OFF the beep function because it kept waking up my son! This is the only coffeemaker I have found where you can turn off the sound. It also makes good coffee and has all the features I wanted (programmable, large capacity, auto shut off) and looks great on our cart.

The last kitchen item we added was this Trinity Kitchen Cart that we made into a beverage station, also from Costco (have I mentioned how much we love Costco). Our exact cart seems to be OOS, but here is a similar model from Amazon.  We have still loved our Alexapure water filter and recently replaced the filters with Berkey brand replacements. I’m happy to share that they work perfectly, so this was a more affordable way for us to get Berkey-quality water at a discounted price! (When I bought my Alexapure, it was about $100 on Amazon. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen it discounted recently).


I can’t wrap up the kitchen topic without mentioning some of the things I *still* love even after owning them for years! My Instant Pots still get used nearly daily! If you haven’t quite gotten into using yours, just push through the intimidation and I really think you will love it!

I guess the next category is one that gets used in our kitchen a ton also, so it’s time to talk about…

Cleaning

It’s been awesome to have a cleaning product I can trust without worrying about toxins, respiratory risk, or low stock. I still use Force of Nature all over my home and I absolutely love it. I also use it in my preschool classroom. Right now, you can save BIG on Force of Nature’s Extra Value Bundle, just click here and use coupon code BUNDLEUP30.

Along with Force of Nature, I absolutely love ecloth for all of my cleaning ALL over my home. Here’s my video review where I talk about some of my favorite ecloth products. This is probably a whole post on its own, but some of my favorite items are the Home Cleaning Set, the Mini Mop,  the Cleaning Pad, the Kitchen Dynamo, and the Window Genie. 

Finally, I have upgraded my spray bottles to these Flairosol bottles and I LOVE them. They spray a nice even light mist and they look so much nicer than any I have owned in the past. The mist is so fine that I really don’t have to wipe up the droplets which is nice for disinfecting with Force of Nature.

 

It’s nice to NEVER have to pick up cleaning items at the store, because the above items cover all of our cleaning needs!

Closet

This year has been my first year to try Stitch Fix. I’ve really had fun with it and found some pieces I really love! I signed up for the Style Pass, so I don’t have to pay for my boxes for the rest of the year and I have racked up tons of referral credit which means FREE CLOTHES. If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix for the first time, my friend has a $75 credit that should work for another day or so. If you want to check out some of the clothes I’ve gotten from Stitch Fix, I have a playlist on my channel with some of my unboxings + try ons. Of course, thrifting is still my main jam, so if you are interested in some of my Thrifted Finds, click here!Oh yes, and if you haven’t checked out my post on the Magical Barefoot Dreams Knock-off sweaters, I wear them ALL the time. SOOO COMFY and comfy is my holy grail when it comes to clothing.

Shoes
Not much to share here, but I still wear Fitflops 90% of the time, unless I am home when I wear Oofos clogs (too ugly for the real world). This combo seems to be the best for my picky feet. When I am cold or going out in the cold, I still wear my Uggs. No one can stop me. I don’t care.

Purse
I never thought I would stick with one brand and style of Purse, but here I am years later, still wearing my Sash bags every day, every where. I haven’t looked at any other purse since I first tried them, I could not possibly love them more. This is one of my favorite products of all time, so if you haven’t checked out the Sash Bag, you are missing out, for real. Want more details? Check out this video review or this one!

Makeup & Hair

When I started watching my own YouTube channel, I realized it was time to get some new Makeup. I’ve kept my collection pretty minimal, but I have found a few new products that I have LOVED.

I found a whole line of minimal makeup called Subtl Beauty. It’s really amazing and I absolutely love the design of it, so easy to travel or grab and go. The quality is excellent and it blends beautifully!

The rest of the time, I still wear Bare Minerals because it’s just so dang easy for someone who isn’t necessarily gifted at applying makeup (I’m just not interested in spending more than a couple minutes on my face).

This year’s favorite lip gloss is this natural shade by Pacifica.

I’m really excited to have found a mascara that doesn’t irritate my EXTREMELY sensitive eyes, and that is Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Mascara. The coverage is just ok, but my eyes can tolerate it, so that’s a win!

For hair, I’ve become completely obsessed with the Revlon One Step Dryer & Volumizer. I only wash my hair about once a week, then let it mostly air dry, then dry it with the Revlon Dryer. I love it so much I got rid of my regular hair dryer! The rest of the week, I just style it with a little bit of Batiste Dry Shampoo (this is basically my only toxic indulgence at this point…if you have a natural alternative please let me know. Not cocoa powder with cornstarch. Nuh uh.). Also, my friend introduced me to Large Hairpins (weird that these make me happy but they are SO much easier and more comfortable), so that’s what I use for styling my hair up.

Looks like this is going to be followed up with Part 2, because I’m not done sharing my favorites!

 

Deal Alert, Everything Else

Holiday Deals on Amazon!

Thank you so much for shopping through my affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.

I’m loving Amazon’s latest Epic Daily Deal pages! There are some pretty great prices and some awesome gift ideas popping up each day! Today’s batch is totally tempting for every member of the family.

Ultimate Mom gift (at least in my mind) , the iRobot Roomba i6+ (6550) $599.99 today only!
Thanks for shopping through my affiliate links!

I’ve never really gotten into bread making, but this looks like the way to do it!
Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic $49.99 today. This thing does EVERYTHING. #affiliatelink

And……the Ultimate Guy Gift, Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Classic II Charcoal Grill, 18 inch, Blaze Red!
This is pricey but I can’t help imagining all the cooking I WOULDN’T have to do with this baby!

One Night Ultimate Werewolf (my kids love this one) is only $16.99. 

Finally, save up to 40% off Fisher-Price toys!

This Fisher-Price Little People Nativity is only $17.99 and it is SO PRECIOUS! (These kinds of things make me sad my kids are so big now).

The Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer is only $29.39 right now. This is one of my favorite items!

Thanks for shopping with me! Let me know what items are on your Christmas list and I’ll keep my eyes open for deals!
Everything Else, Fashion, Shopping, Style, Women

Stitch Fix Review, Tips, and Coupon Code!

I was excited to try Stitch Fix for the first time a few months ago when a friend passed along an awesome $75 credit. It seems like that kind of discount is fairly rare (and they expire quickly), so I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to try an online Stylist.

Want to try Stitch Fix? Here’s a $25 credit to get you started! It will give me $25 too, so thanks in advance for helping me earn free clothes!

I have received two boxes so far, and for the most part I have really been impressed with them. Of the 10 items I’ve received, everything has been something that fits well, flatters me, and is a style I like and would choose for myself (keep in mind that one was a necklace, as I discuss in my video).

Click here for my video review of my recent box, along with tips on getting clothes you love from Stitch Fix!

In my first Stitch Fix box, I received a dress, a cardigan, a necklace, jeans and a jean jacket. I liked every single item in the box. I decided the jean jacket and the cardigan were too similar to items in my closet and I didn’t really need any jewelry, so I kept the jeans and the dress. I really love both of those items and was amazed at how great they fit me!

For my second box, I received a pair of herringbone jeggings, a floral swing tank, a purple tank, a long kimono, and a cap sleeve mixed media floral shirt. I liked all of the items but decided to stick with keeping only the pants and the mixed media floral shirt. If I really needed to build a wardrobe, I would probably have kept 4/5 or even all 5 pieces. Since I am really just looking for a few boosts to my closet, I chose the two items that I liked the very best from the bunch, shown in the top photo on this post!

I’m including photos of the other items I was sent. I really did like everything! Another fun thing about Stitch Fix is that now you can order different colors in the items that you end up loving. I’m considering ordering another dress like the one I received because it fit me really well.

Have you tried Stitch Fix? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Everything Else, Home, Minimalism

Your Future Self & Travel

When I first heard the phrase “take care of your future self” I thought it was a little strange. I had never thought about self-care in that context. (And honestly, the whole self-care thing gets a little old). However, I have found this idea extremely helpful as I plan out my schedule and work towards simplicity. A little work now takes away stress in the future, and I need all the help I can get with my future stress!

A great example of how this has worked for my family is when we travel. Can you imagine the luxury of having a maid or butler to take care of your home while you are away? This idea is so far removed from my life situation, that it truly is a great reach….however I do have a good imagination!

Picture arriving home after traveling. Whether you were traveling for business or pleasure, chances are you are coming home at least a little tired, right? Imagine walking through the front door and being greeted by freshly scented air, vacuumed floors, fresh towels and sheets, and everything neat as a pin? It would literally be a breath of fresh air right?

This might sound a little unrealistic. Travel is after all a frantically busy time for most families. No matter how hard you plan ahead, there always seem to be last minute details to take care of. But if you can work one hour of time into your schedule to take care of your pre-travel reset, you will find the rewards will be incredibly enjoyable and well worth the time and effort. If you can get your home into a routine of neat and clean, then the following steps truly will be quick and easy to take, leaving you with a beautiful clean space to come home to!

Remember, as I’ve said so many times, organization and cleaning are really not something that come easy for me. Believe me! I have to put a lot of effort in which is why I know that you can do this too. If this isn’t something you can manage yet, it might be that you still need to pare down the stuff to make your job easier. Click here for some of my other posts on Minimalism! 

The best way to tackle this Pre-Travel Reset is after you’ve packed your car, one hour before you plan to leave.

One Hour Pre-Travel Reset!

  • Kitchen:1) Quick fridge clean out. This is just a chance to quickly throw out food that won’t last and maybe wipe down the shelves quickly. Also deal with produce & baked goods. For example this week before leaving, I tossed some bagels into the freezer and threw away a couple of stale pieces of bread. One lone banana also got the chop.
    (5 minutes)

    2) Quick Clean up. Wipe down all the counters, rinse coffee pot (don’t forget to toss the old grounds…..they will mold if left behind!). I’m not including dishes in this reset because hopefully you’ve gotten in the habit of taking care of these after each meal!
    (5 minutes)

     

  • Trash: This really doesn’t need any clarity, right? Don’t forget to gather trash from all over the house and put it in the dumpster so that you won’t be greeted with any unpleasant odors when you return home!
    (5 minutes)
  • Plants: If you have any house plants, you definitely want to water them before you take off. If you have difficulty keeping houseplants alive, I totally recommend  these self-watering planters! They have made plant care possible for me.
    (5 minutes)
  • Vacuum: Quickly vacuum all the rooms. It might seem like a huge pain right now, but when you walk back through those doors you will be LOVING it. It’s so worth the effort, believe me.
    (10 minutes)
     
  • Surfaces: I don’t take time to do any scrubbing or serious cleaning (we’re on the clock, here). However, I do spritz Force of Nature Cleaner on all my counters, sinks and showers before leaving. This means that everything has been sanitized and any hard-core stains gets a nice long soak while I’m gone. Killing germs while you are traveling seems like a great plan to me.
    (5 minutes)
  • Towels. Put out fresh towels in the kitchen and bathroom. You’ll feel like you’re walking into a posh hotel room that’s ready for relaxation and rest!
    (5 minutes)
  • Diffuse. If you are into Essential Oils (and in my opinion, you should be) add some oils to your diffuser and set it on intermittent so that your house will be getting some lovely aromatherapy while you are away. It will kill germs and keep things smelling lovely. 9 times out of 10 I’ll choose Relax by Plant Therapy but another great option for killing germs is Germ Destroyer.  Both are Kid-Safe!
    (5 minutes)
  • Details. Make one last walk-through and close closet doors and dresser drawers, open all the bedroom doors, make the beds and neaten up throw pillows.  Check the thermostat. Turn off lights and leave on a couple of lamps. Be sure none of the toilets are running or faucets are dripping!
    (5 minutes)

Total minutes: 50 (let’s say with any minor distractions you still come in under an hour).

Have an awesome trip and enjoy the knowledge that a clean home is ready and waiting for your return!

Everything Else, Style

BAREFOOT DREAMS KNOCK-OFF CARDIGAN 2020 Update

2 Comments

This post contains amazon referral links and affiliate links for your convenience.

WAIT? There is an EVEN NEWER 2022 Update to this post! That’s right, click here for the latest 

affiliate link for the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

This post contains affiliate links.

2025 UPDATE:
Guess what? Looking back on this post today in 2025, I am adding some updates.  Now that I’m styling more sustainable fabrics, like merino wool, cotton, linen, and silk, I have a couple different ideas for a natural fiber alternative to the Barefoot Dreams Dupe Cardigan I shared below.

For a natural fiber cardigan upgrade, I have three suggestions for you at three different price points.
$ for an affordable/natural fiber cardigan, I highly recommend this Organic Cotton Cardigan from Quince.
$$ for an incredible wool cardigan that will survive tons of use and still look amazing, go with one from wool&
$$$ for a truly luxurious cardigan with incredible, seamless construction, I suggest Oliver Charles. Please use coupon code: WoolObsessed10 for 10% off!

I ALSO have an affiliate link to help you find the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently.

The Barefoot Dreams Knock-off Cardigan has been one of my most popular posts, which is why I’m super excited to update it!  I have had three of these cardigans since last year and wear them all the time! In my opinion, these are an excellent dupe for the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan and I would definitely consider them a wardrobe must-have. Click here to check out this awesome copycat Cardigan by Max & Mia. 

Interested in another awesome budget topper? Click here for more World’s Best Jean Jacket post!

A couple years ago, I read about the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan from a blog. They are pretty pricey (click here for the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan) but I was able to hunt down a gently used one on Ebay and I absolutely loved it. Until I ruined it in an unfortunate laundry disaster (not my first one, either). So sad.

Ever since then, I had been watching for a deal on the real thing, but it was just really out of my budget (although having owned one, I do kind of think they are worth it). I had recently even been googling “Barefoot Dreams knock-off cardigan” hoping to find something similar at a lower price point. I never got lucky enough to find it, but this week I stumbled across exactly what I was looking for completely by accident!

The newest version of the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan is the Circle Cardi and I found a very similar knock-off for only $25! I couldn’t believe how similar they are! Check out the two stock photos; they are identical!

Last year, I found a Costco version, the Max & Mia Travel Cardigan but it sold out pretty quickly. It’s no longer available at Costco but it’s now sold on Amazon! YES!!! Click here for the Max & Mia Travel Cardigan starting at $38.99. 

I have had three of these cardigans for a year and I absolutely love them!  I do feel that the sizing is a little inconsistent across the colors. The black runs a little small and I would recommend sizing up to get the fit that is shown on the model. I ordered the Medium Size in black and here are photos of me wearing it. For reference I’m 5’6″ and 150 lbs. Yes I just shared my real weight on my blog. Seems like a mistake, but we’ll go with it for now. I think I would like to try a large but unfortunately they are out of stock at this moment. Hopefully they will restock because this is a newer item and I’m sure it will be very popular.

The only difference I want to point out is that the Costco cardigan is recommended to be hand wash rather than machine wash. That’s kind of a bummer, if you ask me, but not a deal breaker. I will most likely just wash it cold gentle and lay flat to dry. Indeed, I did machine wash these cardigans and hang dry and they seem to be holding up just fine!

Here’s a pic so you can see how long it is in the back. I would prefer a little more length, I think. The sleeves are also pretty tight but I believe that is similar to the Barefoot Dreams cardigan and they aren’t too bad for me. It wouldn’t work for layering over a thicker shirt. I hope this was helpful for you! If you happen to have a Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardi or the Max & Mia Cardigan please let us know what you think!

Everything Else, Home

Awesome Find: Hybrid Planner!

Leave it to me to find the perfect planner in the middle of February when everyone has already purchased their calendars and books for 2019!

I had been looking for a new planner for awhile. For the last couple years I have been using the Happy Planner plus my bullet journal, but I really was only utilizing the calendar piece of the Happy Planner. I thought about refilling it, but the options were really overwhelming and I was still hoping to find a book that would combine my calendar and bullet journal without me having to jump through a lot of artistic hoops.

I’m creative when the need arises, but I am not naturally artistic and I don’t have any interest in making my planner pretty. For me, it’s just utilitarian and the main function is keeping my anxiety under control. Brain dumps help me stay on top of the crazy in my head while accomplishing at least a few of the tasks that are hanging over me! Which is why I love my bullet journal. If you aren’t totally sure what a bullet journal is, here’s a post I wrote on the topic.

 

After some fruitless searching, I finally came across this little gem that seemed to meet most of my criteria: undated calendar, undated weekly layouts, empty pages in the back, pen holder, bookmarks, stitched cover so it will lay flat. This will solve my problem of combining my calendar with my bullet journal lists in the back!

Now that I’ve handled and tried the Perfect Planner by Bullet Keeper, I’m super happy with all of its features! It’s smaller than my previous planners so it will be a little less bulky to carry around.

One last feature: I am happy to relay that the pages in the Perfect Planner are quite thick and the ink does not bleed through using my Papermate Flair pens!

Awesome right? If you are interested in seeing a video of the book in person, I will be doing a review on my Facebook page later today and will post on youtube for anyone who is interested!

✔ STRUCTURE YOUR LIFE, YOUR WAY! This personal organizer features flexible structures that allow you to keep track of daily tasks. Use it as a planner, organizer, academic agenda or note pad.

✔ UNDATED DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY CALENDARS. This planner is a fit for daily and long-term goal setting and tracking

✔ VEGAN LEATHER HARDCOVER. Luxury and stylish thanks to its leather hardcover soft to the touch. We’ve sourced the materials meticulously to make sure the cover is eco-friendly and long-lasting.

✔ ELASTIC CLOSURE & PEN HOLDER LOOP. This compact A5 notebook planner comes with an elastic band closure and pen holder loop on the side.

✔ BONUS FEATURES! To assist with organizing bringing productivity to your life. We’ve included some additional items: a 6” ruler, 2 bookmarks and a back pocket along with 2019-20 calendars for reference on the back page.

This post contains affiliate links.


Deal Alert, Everything Else, Style

Barefoot Dreams Knock-off Cardigan!

7 Comments

This post contains amazon referral links for your convenience.

CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED POST!

Shop the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

This is going to be a quick post, but one that I’m excited to share because I’ve been looking for a product like this for about a year. A couple years ago, I read about the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan from a blog. They are pretty pricey (click here for the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan) but I was able to hunt down a gently used one on Ebay and I absolutely loved it. Until I ruined it in an unfortunate laundry disaster (not my first one, either). So sad. 

This post contains affiliate links.

2025 UPDATE:
Guess what? Looking back on this post today in 2025, I am adding some updates.  Now that I’m styling more sustainable fabrics, like merino wool, cotton, linen, and silk, I have a couple different ideas for a natural fiber alternative to the Barefoot Dreams Dupe Cardigan I shared below. 

For a natural fiber cardigan upgrade, I have three suggestions for you at three different price points.
$ for an affordable/natural fiber cardigan, I highly recommend this Organic Cotton Cardigan from Quince. 
$$ for an incredible wool cardigan that will survive tons of use and still look amazing, go with one from wool&
$$$ for a truly luxurious cardigan with incredible, seamless construction, I suggest Oliver Charles. Please use coupon code: WoolObsessed10 for 10% off!

I ALSO have an affiliate link to help you find the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

Ever since then, I had been watching for a deal on the real thing, but it was just really out of my budget (although having owned one, I do kind of think they are worth it). I had recently even been googling “Barefoot Dreams knock-off cardigan” hoping to find something similar at a lower price point. I never got lucky enough to find it, but this week I stumbled across exactly what I was looking for completely by accident! 

The newest version of the Barefoot Dreams Cardigan is the Circle Cardi and I found a very similar knock-off for only $25! I couldn’t believe how similar they are! Check out the two stock photos; they are identical!

Shop the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

Click here for the Costco version, the Max & Mia Travel Cardigan for only $25.I wanted to share that I already received the cardigan and it is very nice. I do feel that it runs a little small and I would recommend sizing up to get the fit that is shown on the model. I ordered the Medium Size in black and here are photos of me wearing it. For reference I’m 5’6″ and 150 lbs. Yes I just shared my real weight on my blog. Seems like a mistake, but we’ll go with it for now. I think I would like to try a large but unfortunately they are out of stock at this moment. Hopefully they will restock because this is a newer item and I’m sure it will be very popular. 

Shop the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

The only difference I want to point out is that the Costco cardigan is recommended to be hand wash rather than machine wash. That’s kind of a bummer, if you ask me, but not a deal breaker. I will most likely just wash it cold gentle and lay flat to dry. 

Here’s a pic so you can see how long it is in the back. I would prefer a little more length, I think. The sleeves are also pretty tight but I believe that is similar to the Barefoot Dreams cardigan and they aren’t too bad for me. It wouldn’t work for layering over a thicker shirt. I hope this was helpful for you! If you happen to have a Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardi or the Max & Mia Travel Cardigan, please let us know what you think!

Shop the Max & Mia Barefoot Dreams Dupe on ebay since it’s not availabe at Costco currently. 

Deal Alert, Everything Else, Home

Win a FREE Force of Nature Starter Kit!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. I will receive a commission from items purchased. Thank you for supporting my little blog and allowing me more time to write!

It’s time for another amazing giveaway! I’m really excited about this one because this is a product that will definitely make your life easier and less stressful, particularly at this time of year. Are you excited?!?

I have been using Force of Nature for a few months and I am SO happy with the product. Like many of you, I know that most cleaning products have a lot of dangerous ingredients, so for years I have been trying to improve my cleaning routine and make it safer for my family. Unfortunately, in the past my efforts meant ditching conventional products like Clorox or Windex for “green” brands like Mrs. Meyer’s or Method. A few years ago I started learning that even those brands had dangerous fragrances and additives! It’s frustratingly difficult to protect yourself from dangerous substances.

If you want to read more about dangerous ingredients in “Natural Cleaners”, click here. 

In my family we have tons of allergies, asthma and a history of auto-immune disorders. So it is SERIOUSLY important for me to minimize every possible risk to protect our already compromised health. 

After being disillusioned with Mrs. Meyer’s and Method cleaners, my next step was to try Young Living’s Thieves Cleaner. I know so many people who love this product but I still wasn’t super happy with it. It was definitely an improvement on other products, but I still had concerns. I have read medical research that suggests these oils are not safe for young children or asthmatic and immune-compromised individuals.

Here’s a helpful article that talks about the risks with thieves blends used around children. 

Please note that I love and use essential oils, including Young Living brand and I still have a bottle of Thieves cleaner that I’m finishing up. I just didn’t think that was where I would land as a permanent cleaning solution! I finally found a cleaner that I have no worries or concerns about and that is Force of Nature Cleaner.


So what is Force of Nature, exactly?

 

electricity + salt, water, vinegar = electrolyzed water

Electrolyzed water is an industrial technology that’s commonly used for its efficacy yet lack of harmful chemicals, fumes & residues. The active ingredient, hypochlorous acid, is even used as the active ingredient in wound, eye & veterinary care products. Force of Nature creates electrolyzed water by using electricity to change the chemical composition of salt, water & vinegar.

Don’t miss the AMAZING coupon code at the bottom of the post and save 50% on the starter kit! 

Well, is it safe? 

 

Absolutely! Click here to read more about the safety and efficacy of the product.

Now, to the giveaway! 

Force of Nature has generously offered a free Force of Nature Starter Kit to one of my readers. Sign up for the Giveaway Here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What exactly will you get if you win?

You’ll be getting this package: Force of Nature Starter Kit

Force of Nature can save you up to 80% on every ounce vs typical natural cleaners. At just $.07 per ounce, it can save you money within the first year, even after buying the Starter Kit. The Starter Kit comes with:

  • 5 Activator Capsules, enough to make 5 bottles
  • Activator Base
  • Power Cord
  • 12 oz Spray Bottle
  • Quick Start Guide
  • User Manual

Each Force of Nature Capsule makes one 12 ounce bottle of multi-purpose cleaner, disinfectant & deodorizer that lasts 2 weeks. Light, clean scent and no added fragrances. We promise you’ll love it – 100% Happiness Guaranteed.

This giveaway will only be open for four more days so please don’t miss this opportunity! Thanks for entering and good luck!

Feeling UNLUCKY? Even if you don’t win the giveaway, you can still score an awesome deal on the Force of Nature starter kit. Just click here and use code FALLSAVE to get it for 50% off. You’ll need to hurray, because this coupon code is good only through the end of October so there are only a few more days to take advantage of this deal!

 

Blogging, Everything Else, Favorites

My Ultimate Favorite Things Round-up!

I talk about favorite products a lot around here, but recently a few folks have been asking for more info on some of my favorites. So I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about some of my favorite items and why they are so amazing!

This post is in progress, so please pardon the lack of neatness! 

I’ll be using affiliate links throughout this post to take you right to my favorite products on Amazon. If you decide to buy something, it won’t cost you any extra but I’ll receive a small commission. It helps me keep my blog going and afford my next must-have items! Some of the posts might contain a coupon code so be sure to check!

*Instant Pot
Life-changing. I now have two. I can’t remember how I fed my family before I got them! Probably my top favorite invention and whoever is responsible has my undying, eternal gratitude. Yesterday returned from grocery store about 4:30 and had sweet potatoes and corned beef made in time for dinner with about 5 minutes of set up. I’ve mentioned it before and I’ll mention it again and again.

Click here to check out the Instant Pot. 

*Marpac Sound Machines
We are super vigilant with guarding sleep in our family and this is a must-have. We own three and will not travel without them. In the past we’ve used box fans and other sounds machines but because the Marpac is an electronic fan, there is NO variation or “seam” in the sound making it far superior as a white noise generator. Plus it’s way smaller than a box fan and perfectly portable.

Click here for the Marpac Sound Machine.

*Sash Bag Purse

I never knew how much I hated a purse until I switched to a Sash Bag! I never felt this way about a purse before. Beautiful, light-weight. ergonomic, doesn’t hurt my neck, eliminates need for wallet, completely organized, impossible to lose, best customer service I have ever encountered. I’m such a huge fan I’ve become a brand ambassador and as of this date I believe I’m the top referrer for the brand. It’s because switching to a beautiful, comfortable, perfectly designed crossbody bag that hugs your body is a total no-brainer!

Click here to explore the Sash Bag. (You’ll even save 10% when you buy through my link). Don’t miss the new reversible leather and cloth options, they are to die for!

*Coaster Tray-now we don’t waste cups and glasses and the kids don’t leave them everywhere.

*Vitamix-Totally worth the investment. We use our Vitamix almost every day. It’s a powerhouse appliance that lasts for years!

*NYDJ– Not Your Daughter’s Jeans are the best ever. I love them and have mostly culled my non-NYDJ jeans. They fit great and really do make you look two sizes smaller. I have found must of mine at Nordstrom Rack or thrift stores but you can also get them on Amazon. 

*Zip-it Bedding

I’m so glad we found Zip-It bedding and I have to say they’ve held up so much better than I expected. My son has a loft bed (shown in pic) and my girls have a bunk bed and it is just plain a HUGE pain to make them up and change the sheets. With our allergies, we need to wash comforters+sheets at least every two weeks, which is a tall order. With our old bedding, even when a neat-freak of an adult made them, they never looked neat because bedding isn’t designed for bunks. Now I can wash and re-make all three beds within a few hours and they look amazing. I consider Zip-it Bedding a Mom-hack for sure!

*Simplified cleaning/bath body-I’m still working out my cleaning routine but I know for sure that a simplified cleaning and bath routine works GREAT for us. We use e-cloth for cleaning (basically a budget version of Norwex) and Force of Nature cleaner!

*Color-coded towels

I love having one color per kid. It has vastly simplified our laundry and next time I need to replace towels I will probably get a separate color for myself and my husband too! It makes a huge difference in laundry and you never have to ask “Who left this towel on the floor?”

*Ikea furniture
We specifically love the Kura junior loft bed and the Mydal bunk beds. We have recently gotten the Svalnas built-in desks and love them also!

*Tangle Teezer Brushes
These are something that literally saved my time and sanity when the girls were little. I tried SO many products and SO many brushes but these were ultimately the winners! They made combing out those crazy tangled curls do-able!

*Sashka Co Bracelets
I love sashka co bracelets as a unique little gift for friends or teachers. Click here and use code CHASINGSANTEE25 to save 25% on all purchases! SASHKA CO. GLASS BEADED BRACELETS ARE HANDMADE BY SKILLED ARTISANS IN THE KATHMANDU VALLEY OF NEPAL. PROCEEDS FROM YOUR PURCHASE EMPOWER WOMEN IN NEED TO RISE ABOVE POVERTY THROUGH FAIR TRADE. ROLL A BRACELET ON AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 

*Plant Therapy Essential Oils
The more I learn about them, the more I love essential oils. I use a few Young Living products and some Doterra and I love them, but in general they are very expensive and the cost is padded to cover the direct sales platform. Plant therapy essential oils is crazy affordable and exceptional quality. I have been so happy with their safety guidelines, customer support and products. My very favorite product is Relax!


*AlexaPure Water Filter
I had been wanting a Berkey Water filter for a loooong time, but I couldn’t justify the price. We need the filter to remove fluoride, chlorine, and toxins and the AlexaPure does it all for way less! I’m super happy with it!

This post contains affiliate links. 

Everything Else

Awesome Find: The Cutest Clip-ons!

1 Comment

I’m SUPER excited for ya’ll to hear about this new product! It’s the perfect solution for a problem I’ve become far too accustomed to. I’ve always had super sensitive skin and haven’t been able to wear earrings for probably 8 years. Against my better judgement, I let my sweet girls get their ears pierced for their tenth birthday and despite meticulous care, they both got terribly infected and had to give up earrings also.

It’s seriously such a drag. I’m a low-maintenance, light makeup kind of girl but I always loved wearing a pair of earrings. I felt like it elevated my look and helped me appear a bit more put together! So losing the chance to wear earrings was really disappointing. I also felt terrible whenever the girls couldn’t wear their own birthday presents. Of course, we all tried clip-ons but they are just plain uncomfortable. And when they annoy you, you take them off and they get lost anyway!

Every few months I google “Clip on” earrings to see if something new and awesome has developed. Finally, something did!

I discovered an Etsy shop that makes the most adorable invisible clip on earrings! They are comfortable, lightweight, and my girls love them! Smart Jewelry Co was generous enough to send us a couple pairs of earrings to try and I have to say, we love them! Here’s the quick review from my tweens:


They are CUTE. Clip on earrings just aren’t usually cute the way popular studs are, but these are adorable and trendy, perfect for kids and tweens! There are animals, stars, flowers, and, my favorite, druzy styles.

They are COMFORTABLE. According to my girls, you can’t feel these at all! In fact, my daughter kept asking if they were still on because she can’t tell.

They are LIGHTWEIGHT. The plastic clasp makes these super light, which is why they are so very comfortable. Also, of course, plastic is great for so many of us who have metal sensitivity, which brings me to the next point.

They are HYPOALLERGENIC. Tons of folks have metal sensitivity and some just can’t do metal at all. (That’s me). Plastic is safer by far!

They are INEXPENSIVE. These are a great price at less than $10 per pair. Plus, the money goes to a small business owner which is so much nicer than purchasing cheap jewelry at the mall.

Click here to check out Smart Jewelry Co….I hope you enjoy their products. I know we will be ordering some more earrings soon!

I received free products for the purpose of my review, but I was not compensated for writing it and every word is my personal and original honest opinion. Thanks for reading!