Category Archives: Favorites

Favorites

BEST HAIR CLIPS EVER! I’m obsessed with Teleties!

My new hair obsession has arrived! Thank you Teleties for this happy mail package. So many amazing Fall goodies perfect for styling my hair throughout the year!

This post contains affiliate links. Some of these items were provided for free for the purpose of my review, others I bought on my own.

My hair has changed so much over the last decade and so has my style. Now wearing my hair up seems to give me a tension headache more often than not and I quit wearing clips and claws because they just feel too tight while at the same time not staying in because my hair isn’t thick like it used to be. My girls really like Teleties brand hair ties so I decided to try their Round Clip.
YOU GUYS I LOVE IT. It’s the first clip I have worn that is genuinely comfortable, yes seriously feels smooth when you lean back on it I actually could sleep in this if I wanted to. I got the Medium size and I’m going back for a couple more and the smaller ones.

I honestly never expected to love a hair accessory brand as much as I love Teleties. I have become such a quick and strong fan of all of their products, but especially the Round Clips, because they are so comfortable, so reliable for my hair, and I feel like they just look a lot more polished than the clips I’ve tried in the past. The fact that I can wear them all day from putting on my makeup in the morning, to working, to working OUT, to going out….all without feeling that tight discomfort or even headache I used to get has made all the difference! Teleties sent me a few samples of their new Fall colors and they are gorgeous! Here are a few pics of my daughters and I trying them over the last week. (And yes, I’m super jealous of their hair too, in case you were wondering. It’s rare for us to go out in public and not get comments about their hair!)


Deal Alert, Everything Else, Favorites

My favorite crushed ice machine is on sale!

I know there are a million deals happening today but I am just going to share one that I particularly love that happens to be a great price today!

For my birthday this summer the family got me something I have been wanting for years: a crushed ice machine. I love it, so, so much. It is completely a splurge and by far the most money we’ve spent on a birthday present….ever! But I use it every day and enjoy it so much. I just crave this crushed ice. This machine makes the slightly soft, perfectly crunchable ice nuggets and they are incredibly delicious!

Thank you for shopping through my affiliate links!

GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank | Portable Ice Machine Makes up to 24 lbs. of Ice Per Day | Stainless Steel Finish only $419 for Prime Day.

If you have thought about getting a crushed ice machine, now is the time!

Favorites, Style, Wool

Which color Wool& Dress is for me?

2 Comments

So I’ve already shared the Ultimate Wool& Dress Guide to help you choose which dress is the best one for you! Now you might be stumped on colors! Of course, as a small company, Wool& produces limited runs of each design. So the colors and styles will always be limited based on availability. Here are all the colors currently available on the website, and if you scroll down there is a link for each color to the current dresses available. Hopefully seeing them all side by side helps!

If you go with a Wool& Dress, I so appreciate you using my affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Click here for everything in Marine Blue

Click here for everything in Washed Navy.

Click here for everything in Vintage Blue Heather. 

Click here for everything in Ocean Teal.

Click here for everything in Vintage Blue. 

Click here for everything in Cobalt.

Click here for everything in Dusty Blue.

Click here for everything in Lapis Blue.

Click here for everything in Sky Blue Heather.

Click here for everything in Country Blue.

Click here for everything in Teal.

Click here for everything in Pacific.

Click here for everything in Pine.

Click here for everything in Deep Teal.

Click here for everything in Cool Olive.

Click here for everything in Forest Night.

Click here for everything in Spruce Green.

Click here for everything in Emerald.

Click here for everything in Marionberry.

Click here for everything Aubergine.

Click here for everything in Purple Sage.

Click here for everything in Purple Sage Heather.

Click here for everything in Plum.

Click here for everything in Cerise.

Click here for everything in Canyon Red.

Click here for everything in Garnet.

Click here for everything in Modern Red.

Click here for everything in Burgundy.

Click here for everything in Redwood.

Click here for everything in Mauve.


Click here for everything in Cinnamon.

Click here for everything in Dusty Cedar.


Click here for everything in Apricot.

Click here for everything in Ochre.

Click here for everything in Charcoal Heather.


Click here for everything in Black Heather.


Click here for everything in Black.

Click here for Olive Black Stripe.

Click here for Marine Blue Breton Stripe.

Click here everything in Cinnamon Navy Stripe. 

Click here for everything in Navy Blue Pinstripe.

Click here to check out the whole selection from Wool& (Wooland) Merino Wool dresses.

Don’t forget to find out Ways to Save on Wool&!

Deal Alert, Fashion, Favorites, Style, Wool

How to save money on wool& (Wooland) dresses!

1 Comment

 

When I first came across wool&, I was kind of suffering from sticker shock. As a lifelong thrifter and general cheapskate, I had never spent more than $100 on a dress…..except perhaps my wedding dress. Many of my favorite dresses, in fact, were in the $3 to $5 range and that’s the way I liked it. So it was absolutely a mindset shift to think about spending so much more.

As you might have seen from the other posts, I’ve gotten over my bargain-hunting hang-ups but I still try to snag a deal whenever I can. I have definitely found that there are a few ways to save on wool& dresses, it just takes a little extra effort! So, here are my best tips for shopping wool at a discount.

One important thing to note is that a discounted or second-hand wool& Dress will not qualify for the 100 Day Challenge (or any of the other challenges wool& is adding to the lineup). If you do decide to complete the challenge, you’ll need a full-price dress. But after the 100 days, remember, you’ll earn a $100 giftcard which makes this an amazing way to save a big chunk of change.

If you go with a wool& Dress, I so appreciate you using my affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to check out the whole selection from wool& (Wooland) Merino Wool dresses.

Gosh, aren’t they just amazing? Ok, on to the savings tips!

wool& Mystery Sale
My first suggestion if you are looking for a way to save on wool& Dresses, is to sign up for their newsletter. Scroll to the very bottom left corner of the website and enter your email. Once you have done that, watch your inbox because wool& hosts a few mystery sales a year and they are SO MUCH fun. Click here for more info on the Mystery Sale. For the mystery sales, you will get a seriously discounted item in your size, but you won’t know what it will be. You choose your size, and general style (pants, short sleeve dress, long sleeve dress, etc) but the actual item will be a mystery. These items could be second-quality but many of them are just returns that are in perfect shape. This sale is absolutely so much fun and the discounts are fantastic.
Warehouse Clean Out Event
One of the fun things about watching wool& growth is seeing them expand their product line and test new styles. Which means there is now a Warehouse Clean Out section on the website with some really great prices!

Preorder to Save
There’s a new way to save that’s pretty cool! wool& now has Preorder Savings.  This is a section of new styles that can be preordered for a 10% off discount! From the site, “by purchasing items before they enter production or while they’re being produced, you’re helping fund the production process and helping us gauge demand.”  The cool thing is, these items CAN be used for challenges, which gives you the chance to save even more! Score!

Second hand shopping on Poshmark
If you haven’t shopped on Poshmark before, please use my code MAMAMELAINE when setting up your account. We will both get $10 in our accounts to spend on anything site-wide. Hooray! 
For some reason, it can be particularly difficult to search for wool& on second hand websites. I think that the search functions struggle with the ampersand, but that’s just a theory. The best way to find wool& items on Poshmark is to save this link and keep checking back frequently. They pop up every week or so and sell pretty quickly. Remember, on Poshmark you can make an offer, so this is a great way to save good money. I have scored wool& dreses for less than $50 on Poshmark and they were in amazing, like new shape. You do need a little patience.

Ebay & Mercari
Like I said before, it can be quite tricky to pull up wool& clothing at second hand websites, for whatever reasons. However, you can find items on both Ebay and Mercari, you just have to have patience and know what you are looking for. For both websites, I have had the best luck by typing in “wool& Wooland Merino Wool Dress” and then scrolling until something looks correct. You can mess with the filters and select dresses or filter by fabric as well. If you like the thrill of the hunt, you might get lucky!

ThredUp
This is where second hand shopping really becomes a treasure hunt because ThredUp doesn’t usually list wool& clothing under a brand name. Don’t ask me why, but multiple times I have found wool& clothing hiding under “Assorted Brands” with absolutely no mention of brand name in the listing. So how do you find these obscure listings? Here’s how I’ve done it multiple times. First, sign up with Thredup using my affiliate links. I super appreciate it and we both get ThredUp  savings!
Next, type in “Merino Wool dress” in the search bar. You’ll get a zillion hits. Be sure to unselect “My Sizes” because you really want to see everything available. Now, scroll down and look at the left side for the “Brand” section. You will need to type “Assorted Brands” in that box and filter your results. Now, scroll through the items and look carefully for dresses that look like wool& designs. This can be a little tricky but as you get used to it, they will pop right out at you. If you find an item that looks right, click on it and check under item details to see if the fabric breakdown is consistent with wool&’s clothing. For example, if it says ” 78% merino and 22% nylon” you might have a hit! You can follow the same process to search for “Wool” and then filter by “Assorted brands” and then scroll through all the results to find different clothing items. It might take awhile but the hardcore savings are worth it. Just last week I found a wool& cardigan and a shirt for HUGE savings.
Update: Check out my lastest ThredUp blog post for more tips on shopping wool& on ThredUp.

Facebook
Once in awhile, I have found wool& listings on Facebook Marketplace, so it’s definitely worth checking. If you try, you’ll probably get a ton of listings for wool rugs and camo gear, for some reason. The best way I know to find wool& products, however, is to check out the wool& Buy Sell Trade Group on Facebook. There are items going up every day and you can find a great deal. I’ve bought, sold, and traded lots of stuff and had only great experiences. Remember, when buying or selling on Facebook, the safest way is to use PayPal Goods & Services.

Explore other Wool brands
Update: after wearing wool for a couple years now, I am still a huge fan of wool& and wear it almost every day. To find more of my favorite brands, click the wool Tab on the blog or head over to Facebook for my Wool Obsessed Facebook group. It’s close to hitting 5K which is a big deal for me!

I think that’s about all I have in regard to saving money on wool& dresses. If you are thinking about investing in a wool& item, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Everything Else, Favorites, Shopping, Style, Women, Wool

Wool& Camellia & Axis Cropped Leggings Review & Photo Shoot

1 Comment

I waited so long for this dress by Wool&! I was looking for a classic, basic, soft, and comfortable black tank dress that would really stand up to my busy summer lifestyle and the Camellia by Wool& turned out to be the perfect solution. Besides the comfort factor, this dress relies on a blend of merino wool & nylon which means it has all the MAGIC of wool including durability, odor-resistance, temperature-regulating, and sustainable awesomeness! I truly love my Mara dress, so I couldn’t wait to try a warm-weather option.

If you’d like to check these products out in detail, I appreciate you using my affiliate links:

Click here to check out the whole selection from Wool& (Wooland). 
Want to jump right to the Camellia? Click here!
Don’t forget to grab your Wool& Axis Cropped Leggings. 

If you make a purchase, I might receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I loved this dress from the moment I tried it on! I am 5’5.5″ and about 160 lbs. I decided to size DOWN and go with a Small Long. I wanted this dress comfortably long and it fits me just how I hoped!

Let’s get the elephant out of the room. For some one who typically shops at thrift stores, this dress is quite an investment at $128, I admit it. Here are my reasons for sharing a product that is on the high end with my followers:

  1. Durability. Did you know that hundreds of women have worn Wool& dresses for 100 days in a row? It’s such a cool challenge and really proves that these dresses are super durable. If you are going to invest in a pricier clothing item, make sure it will last!
  2. Versatility. Many of us stick to lower end purchases for every day wear, but might “splash out” on a special occasion dress or outfit for a night out. I’m starting to think the exact opposite! Let’s invest in versatile pieces that can fit into our daily lifestyle year round and find deals on the one-wear items that we won’t be re-wearing again and again.
  3. Wonderful Woolly-ness. Back to the first paragraph in this post, remember all those features that make wool magical? Sustainability, Temperature-regulating, Easy-care, Odor-resistant, breathable and soft? Yes, those features are what make wool worth the investment and will make these items last so much longer!

I love the way the Camellia fits, looks, and feels! It’s a great every day look for my closet, and I think I could safely dress it up for a night out with some heals and the right accessories! Want to see it a little better? Check out my video review here. 

The best part about this dress is that I know it can be worn all year round! I plan to layer it up with sweaters, and boots, but for now I love pairing it with my favorite jean jacket. 

Many thanks to Wool& for sending me the dress and leggings for my review. I love working with small companies and this one is truly a gem!


Have you tried Wool yet? I’d love to hear your experience!

Stella Tee Review: https://youtu.be/AeU1rzWVw88
Wool& Mara Dress Review: https://youtu.be/4Kutkja7KHw

My outfits include Birkenstock Mayari, Birkenstock Pappillio Namica, and Buffalo Jean Jacket. My blue kimono and druzy necklace were thrifted. My fedora hat is from Shoppe 3130.

Thanks for shopping with me!

Fashion, Favorites, Style, Wool

Wool& Stella Tee Review: I wore the same shirt for seven days in a row!

Woohoo! I’m happy to share this honest review of the Stella Scoop Neck Tee 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 shirt as a gift for my review, so thank you so much, Wool&!

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

Live Simply. Consume Carefully. Do Good.

When I was two years old, I famously told my grandparents, “Fashion is everything”.  I am not sure what the context was for this preposterous statement, but for the next thirty-some-odd years I have gone back and forth on the topic. I have maintained a love/ hate relationship with fashion, and altogether spent WAY too much time on my wardrobe in general ever since.

As a teen, I vividly remember a fairly long stretch of time when I would record my outfits every day so that I would never repeat a combination! Fast forward to now, as a busy homeschooling mom, I never thought I would wear the same thing for a week in a row. And yet here we are.

After following the crowd into the “fast fashion” machine and getting burned by tshirts that pill after one wear and styles that are out of date before the receipt cools, I definitely became disillusioned by the status quo for clothing. There has to be something better, right? My wardrobe had become revolving door for items that didn’t fit well or weren’t particularly flattering or comfortable. I was shopping as unintentionally as I could without putting much thought into the situation. I realized this was very much contradictory to my commitment to a minimalist lifestyle. 

That’s when I began exploring a more sustainable model for my shopping habits which has included second hand shopping as a first option and taking a more intentional approach to new purchases.  Click here to read my blog post on Sustainable Fashion.

Even focusing on sustainable fashion, I still didn’t think that Wool fabric would find it’s place in my wardrobe! Honestly, it sounded like something that would never work for my Deep South climate and my initial thought was, “it’s scratchy, right?” At that point, I discovered the company Wool& and started to learn the truth about wool and what makes this fabric special. I realized it is NOT scratchy and in fact there is a lot more to love about it! Did you know that Wool has incredible natural properties making it:

*Antimicrobial
*Temperature Regulating
*Quick Dry
*Odor Resistant
*Ecological Sustainable
*Strong & Durable

For me the very best part of wool is that it is Antimicrobial & Odor Resistant. This translates into LESS laundry and less wear to the fabric. What if your favorite tshirt could be worn again and again before it needed washing and last for so much longer because of it? That’s what I discovered with the Wool& Stella Scoop Neck Tee. 

I did size down with this tee and am glad that I did. I’m about 5’6″ and currently 160 lbs (*COVID weight gain, hopefully temporary*). I’m normally solidly in a Medium, but I chose a Small for this shirt. The generous length and swing style made small the best size for me! I love the scoop neck and longer swing-style plus the light weight wool blend is super comfortable. I love my Stella tee and totally recommend it!

I didn’t plan to wear this shirt for seven days in a row. But after a couple days I realized the shirt still had no odor and was totally fresh and ready to go. Plus a black tshirt can basically be paired with anything right? So what was stopping me from putting it on again and again? NOTHING WAS STOPPING ME!

After a week in the Stella Scoop neck tee, I felt like I needed to wash it. It did NOT have an odor but I’m a messy cook and had spot cleaned it a couple times so I felt like it needed it at last. I loved the fact that it could go from wear to wear without washing. I can’t wait to travel with this tshirt year round!

Thanks for checking out my review! Interested in the video version of it? Click here for my YouTube review! 

Favorites, Home, Minimalism, Organization

My Kitchen Makeover (New Product Share!)

 

I wanted to share a new product that I am really enjoying! Since getting into minimalism, I have tried to be very, very intentional about purchases. That often means I go for a long time waiting to find the right thing. Years ago I eliminated plastic from my kitchen and I’ve been also trying to eliminate lead and other toxins. We have a family history of some complicated health issues which make it difficult for our bodies to detox, so this is a little more on my radar. I recently found #sweese and they were kind enough to send me a beautiful set of mugs. Sweese is made from a type of premium LEAD-FREE and NON-TOXIC ceramic, chip-resistant and more sturdy than stoneware. I love the design of these, the beautiful colors and the fact that they are really sturdy which is a must for my clumsy mornings. Most important, I trust the company to be SAFE for my family, so we have ditched our random collection of mugs from here and there. Sweese also makes stackable mugs (LOVE!), beautiful butter dishes, serving platters and more. Check them out here (and thanks for shopping through my affiliate links)!

Want this beautiful Mug Set for yourself? Click here to check it out!

Deal Alert, Everything Else, Fashion, Favorites, Style

Shhhhh! (A Skeptic Spills Stitch Fix Secrets!) How I built an almost-free customized wardrobe plus maxxed out my yearly credit in January!

I’ve been working on this post for SO long, you guys! Thank your lucky stars that you stumbled onto this blog, because I’m about to share ALL of my Stitch Fix Secrets with you, from getting the best possible boxes from your Stylist to earning the max credit (which means totally free clothes!). Grab a coffee, a cozy blanket, and a pencil because you may just want to take some notes on all these tips together in one place!

I admit it, I was a Stitch Fix Skeptic. I always enjoyed shopping and felt pretty good about making clothing choices in the store, so why would I need a shopping service? Also, I just knew the options would be pricey, and I was used to thrift store prices maxxing out at $10 for a “splurge”. I also considered myself an expert bargain shopper, so there was no way I would be interested in an online stylist at a premium price. I know going with Stitch Fix would be a paradigm shift for me and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go there.

However, a friend shared an awesome $100 code with me so I figured, “What do I have to lose?” That was in the winter of 2020 and in the last 12 months I have earned a total of $1300 in free clothing! I have spent a little “real money” here and there but I’m about to share my very best tips and strategies for getting awesome boxes that will work for you, maximizing your spending by being smart with purchases, and sharing your code with others to earn the MOST possible credit! I’ve discovered these tips through scouring tons of YouTube vidoes, online forums, facebook groups and blogs plus experimenting myself with trial and error. I honestly think you will love the results if you approach Stitch Fix with careful strategy! Let’s break it down:

Get the Most from Every Stitch Fix Box:

First and foremost, be sure to sign up with a generous coupon code, ideally $100. Here are a few places you can find those codes: Reddit, YouTube, and Facebook Groups, such as Stitch Fix Referral Codes. Like I said, I have maxxed out my referral credit, so I don’t have a code to share! The codes are generally good for 48 hours, so just keep searching until you find one that is fresh. All you’ll do is click through one of those links and create your profile. I recommend downloading the Stitch Fix app for the most convenient accessibility. You will then want to build your profile and set up your first Stitch Fix. Don’t rush through this step! Make sure you give as many details as possible on your size, shape, and style preferences. Think about what you are hoping to achieve through using the service, and be sure to specify items you DON’T want as well. For me, I knew I have very picky feet and don’t like standard shoes in general, so I specified “No shoes” in my profile. Also, I feel it’s easy to find nice costume jewelry pretty much anywhere (with no size constraints) so I also added, “No Jewelry”. I mentioned that I rarely need office ware, typically wear casual outfits, frequently need  “night out” attire, and rarely have reasons to dress up for special events (it is what it is, am I right?)

Here’s an example of some more details I added to help my stylist get to know me: “I don’t like cropped shirts, but do like ruffles, texture, & patterns. I am a winter with very dark hair, brown eyes and pale skin. My style is more casual, soft, and feminine NOT tailored or overly-structured. I do not like menswear (no button-up shirts, please, they look terrible on me). No hand wash, dry clean only or high maintenance items, no jewelry and no shoes.”

You can also leave your stylist a Note for each fix, with special requests, feedback from past fixes, or any general ideas you might have, ie “I’m going on a business trip, any smart casual pieces would be appreciated” or “I have a big anniversary, can you send me some options for date night?” or “I’m ready for SPRING, can you send some warm-weather options my way?”

If you are really thorough filling out your details, you’ll have a MUCH better chance at getting a box full of items that will really blow you away! But sometimes you will still get a “dud” box. If that happens, don’t hesitate to change stylists and be sure to add specific feedback on items that you are returning. Sometimes they just aren’t a good fit, and there’s no problem in trying someone new.  Don’t forget to play the “Style Shuffle”. It just takes maybe 2 minutes a day and involves giving items a “Thumb’s up” or Thumb’s Down” to further clarify your preferences. I play the style shuffle almost every day and it’s a fun quick way of upping your chance at great Stitch Fix boxes. Stitch Fix bases your boxes on an online algorithm, an actual stylist’s choices for you, and the stock available in your size, so the more info the stylist and computer have about you, the better.

Note: If you aren’t sure how Stitch Fix works with the styling fee and credits, here is a link for more details.

Maximize your Spending
My first tip for Stitch Fix in regard to really maximizing your dollars (whether they are virtual or actual) is to teach yourself to be a little pickier. Make sure you REALLY love items in your fix before keeping them. Don’t be tempted to say “yes” just because the item is in your home and it’s too easy to pop those tags! Try them on, mix them with other items in your wardrobe, take selfies (this REALLY helps) and ask yourself some “tough” questions. “Where will I wear this?” “When will I wear this?” “Is it filling a true wardrobe hole for me?” “Will it be a significant upgrade for my closet?” and “Am I excited to put it on RIGHT NOW?” Some of those questions have really helped me make the hard choices even when it means sending back something super gorgeous that I actually really loved (but realistically wasn’t going to wear).

Note: Stitch Fix has an invite only program called Style Pass which costs $49 per year and waives ALL styling fees for 12 months! In addition, the $49 goes RIGHT back into your account and can be spent immediately on clothes from your fix or Shop Your Looks items, so if you ask me, it’s a no-brainer. Since you aren’t paying the styling fee, you can have no qualms about sending all of your items back and trying agin. So if you get an invite, I highly recommend it. It makes it easy to be “picky” like we talked about above.

Rack up TONS of Credit

I have racked up nearly $1300 worth of credit in only about a year, and this January I maxxed out my 2021 credit limit ($599 per year). When you checkout with Stitch Fix (after you receive your box, you choose what you want to keep and “check out” via the app or website) you might receive a $100 code (or even $75 or $50). Supposedly, it’s random but people have been getting them a LOT lately. If you do get one, share it immediately on Reddit in the Stich Fix group on the Referral Megathread, on your own Facebook page, and in this facebook group (ask to join now because it takes awhile to be approved). Also feel free to share your $100 code in the comments here! Remember, your code will only be active for 48 hours so it’s helpful to have a plan in place before you even get it. For example, I create Stitch Fix unboxing videos for YouTube and even go so far as to create graphics with “Free $100 code” for the video….it’s all prepped and ready to go before I checkout with my fix. Then, if I get that golden $100 code, I have a click-baity video ready to post. After posting my $100 code a few weeks ago, I got at least 18 people joining, easily racking up the max credit within days of posting. I can’t help thinking that this influx of $100 codes won’t last for long, so definitely take advantage of it if you receive one! A few other ideas for sharing your link is creating outfit pins for pinterest with your link, sharing try-ons to Instagram, or asking for feedback on items (keep or don’t keep) on your personal Facebook feed.

That’s just about it for now! I have really enjoyed my Stitch Fix boxes and I hope you have fun with Stitch Fix also!

Everything Else, Fashion, Favorites, Wool

Wooland (Wool&) Mara Dress Review & Styling Tips

2 Comments

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, 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!

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, Fashion, Favorites, Style

Barefoot Dreams Knock-off Circle Cardigan Dupe Photos + Outfit Formulas!

3 Comments


This post was created using Amazon Affiliate links. I appreciate every click as it helps to make my work-from-home dream a reality (at no extra cost to you). So, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2022 UPDATE!

Last year’s post about the Barefoot Dreams Knock Off Cardigan from Costco (and the Update Post here) has been one of my most popular posts to date! Today I’m excited to update that post with this year’s version of the cardigan (it’s AMAZING!) along with TONS of photos plus some great OUTFIT formulas that will be perfect whether you have the Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan, the Max & Mia Dupe, or any similar cozy cardigan of your choice. These outfits would be perfect options for comfortable travel, working from home, or cozy holiday mornings with your family!

First, let’s get started with this year’s version of the Costco Max & Mia Cardigan! Unfortunately, this cardigan is sold out online (and Costco pulls their items when they are OOS so I can’t grab a link) but you should definitely check your local Costco for the sweaters. They might even be available on sale! (I picked up these two colors for $19.99 last weekend). Black was also available, but I still have black from before. .Here is a link to the green on Amazon.

Is this year’s version as comfy, plush, and flattering as last year’s version? YES! For size reference, I purchased size small in both the olive green and rust colors. I’m almost 5’6″ and about 145 lbs. The green fit a bit smaller on me, while the red was a smidge longer and looser. The differences were NOT dramatic and both are a good fit (I would call them generous sizing). I love that they are curved in the front, but cut longer in the back to cover your tush, making them a great cozy topper for leggings. Here’s a side view so you can see how they fit!


Just to re-iterate what I’ve said in the previous posts, this cardigan is soft like BUTTER! It’s so comfortable and comfort has always been a top priority to me. But in 2020 (and looking forward to 2021) with so many people working from home, I think this cardigan would really help round out your wardrobe and give you something absolutely lucious to cuddle up in! I totally recommend it.

What can you wear these cardigans with? Pretty much anything! But here are a few of my favorite ideas, pulled right from my closet this morning. I’ll share links when I can but I think a lot of these are probably already hiding in your closet!

Outfit Formula #1: Plaid shirt + Skinny jeans + Cardigan

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

*This plaid shirt was thrifted (of course! it’s Gibson + Latimer brand for reference) but here’s one from Amazon that I think would be super cute!

*My Jeans are NYDJ Ami Skinny Ankle jeans and I love them! You definitely need to size down with this brand, but they don’t sag like so many other jeans I’ve owned. Another great spot for NYDJ deals is Nordstrom Rack.

Outfit Formula #2: Striped Shirt + Skinny Jeans + Cardigan

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

*This striped shirt was also thrifted (it’s Madewell brand) but here’s one from Amazon that looks similar. If you don’t have a striped tee in your closet, I think you’ll wear it a lot!

*I’m wearing the same Skinny jeans in these as the first formula but here is the same style in black; I love them!

Outfit Formula #3: Dressy Tank + Black Leggings + Cardigan

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

*This dressy black tank is Fortune + Ivy brand from Stitch Fix but here’s a similar top from Amazon!

*My leggings are HUE for Costco from a few years ago, but here are some awesome HUE leggings on Amazon. 

Outfit Formula #4: T-shirt + Black Leggings + Cardigan + Black Vest

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

For this look, I tried something totally different and tried to think like a Insta-Influencer (haha!). Layers, layers, layers!

*For your first layer, throw on any T-shirt that will be comfy (or the black tank from the previous formula). For extra warmth, you might try a thermal base, but I just wore a comfy graphic tee. My shirt is from Crazy Comfy Tees but here’s a similar style available on Amazon currently with the same phrase. 

*Same Leggings as before, HUE brand from Costco.

*Next layer is the quilted black vest. Mine was thrifted (from Old Navy) but here are several similar vests on Amazon!

Outfit Formula #5: T-shirt + Black Leggings + Cardigan + Black Vest + Circle Scarf

This slideshow requires JavaScript.


*This outfit is the same as the previous one, I just threw on a couple of infinity scarves from the 2 for $5 Walmart section a few years ago! I actually really like how this turned out, especially with some chunky boots to complete the look. Here are some similar infinity scarves on Amazon. 

Outfit Formula #6: Print Blouse + Black Leggings + Cardigan

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

This is my style for sure! I love feminine and floral prints and loose drapey cardigans. This is a great way to “dress up” the cardigan and you could also pair it with some dressy pants to make it more work-appropriate.

*The gingham print blouse is LOFT (but it was, you guessed it, thrifted) but here is a similar one that looks beautiful!

*The animal print blouse is Lush Warren Split Neck Blouse from Stitch Fix but here is a similar look for less!

*The floral print blouse is Papermoon Mixed Material Top from Stitch Fix, but here’s an option that might also work. 

*Same Leggings as before, HUE brand from Costco.

Outfit Formula #7: Dress + Cardigan OR Jumpsuit + Cardigan

This is the easiest look of the bunch. Toss your cardigan over a dress and pair it with your favorite boots for a casual fall look everyone will love! Here are a couple examples and I’ve linked similar dresses for you to check out on Amazon!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

*Floral wrap dress is Kaileigh Arnett Faux Wrap Knit Dress from Stitch Fix but here is a similar style at a great price!

*My embroidered dress was handed down to me but is by Altr’d State. Here’s one with the same boho vibe!

*One last style that is comfier than any PJs ever! Throw your cardigan over a comfy jumpsuit like this one from Old Navy. Mine is a little more fitted, but this one still looks really comfy: here’s Amazon’s closest option to give you that comfy casual look! 

Have you spotted the Max & Mia Cardigan this year? Let us know what you think about it in the comments!

Deal Alert, Fashion, Favorites

Shoe Deal Round-up: Uggs, Birks, and Hunter Boot crazy markdowns!

I admit I have a weakness for shoe shopping! Part of the reason is that my feet tend to be quite picky, and part of the reason is that I love a good pair of cute shoes! I’m super tempted by some of these awesome bargains so I had to share them here before I push “buy”!

As I’ve mentioned before, Amazon Warehouse Deals is really one of my favorite sources for finding deals on shoes. You can’t BELIEVE the prices I have snagged on some amazing brands. Remember, Amazon Warehouse deals includes products that might have been overstocks, or returns, or even damaged in shipping. So be sure to read the fine print. Amazon’s generous return policy still applies, so in my opinion you’ve got nothing to lose when it comes to deal shopping in Amazon Warehouse Deals!

The links you’ll find in this post are affiliate links. Thanks for helping me make my blogging hobby a little bit more productive for our family!

Birkenstocks as low as $35 in Amazon Warehouse

Birkenstocks are definitely some of my recent favorite shoes. It took me a few tries to get the right size, so make sure you check out this link for details on sizing. 

Remember, warehouse deals mean returns or overstocks so be sure to read the fine print. Return policy still applies though!

Affiliate links:

Birkenstock Women’s GIzeh Thong Sandal,Graceful Pearl White 37 /6-6.5 B(M) US $65.29

Birkenstock Women’s Mayari Sandal,Mocha,40 EU/9-9.5 M US $73.52

Birkenstock Women’s Mayari Sandal,Metallic Cuts Magenta, 6-6.5 Women $47

Birkenstock Women’s Mayari Sandal, Golden Brown, 6-6.5 Narrow $60.53

Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Essentials EVA Sandals starting at $35.29

Birkenstock Women’s Yao Cherry Paten Birko-Flor 38 N $51.49

Click here for even more styles and deals!

Hunter boots as low as $25 in Amazon Warehouse Deals!

Hunter Boot Deals in Amazon Warehouse. Remember, warehouse deals mean returns or overstocks so be sure to read the fine print; the return policy still applies to these orders however. I just ordered my first pair of Hunters and I ended up returning them because the size was not quite right for me. But the footbed was comfy, I loved the look and could not believe the price.

Affiliate links:
Black Gloss size 9 $28.66! 

Original Tall Green size 6 $27.86! 

Original Dark Olive size 7 $28!

Original Tall black size 9 $25.06! 

Original Black Snow size 7 $30.58!

Original Tall Black size 8 $27.28!

There are even more Hunter Boots available at a discount here in the Warehouse! 

Ugg Boots starting at under $40 in Amazon Warehouse Deals!

I have been a huge fan of Uggs since I found my first pair at the thrift store years ago (that was a great day!). Now I just can’t resist these cozy boots on a cold or wet day and I love that be machine washed if they get really dirty.

Affiliate links:

UGG Womens Classic II Tall Black Boot – 8 $59.82

UGG Women’s Classic Tall II Winter Boot size 10 $57

UGG Womens Classic II Tall Black Boot – 7 $59.12

UGG Womens Classic II Short Boot size 12 $40.80

UGG Womens Classic II Short Boot size 7 $46.32

UGG Womens Classic II Short Boot size 9 $47.16

UGG Womens Classic Cardy Boot Grey Size 8 $39.57

These are going to sell fast so don’t miss out!