Woohoo! We made it through to the first real weekend of 2023. I for one am exhausted after having to actually, like, work all week. It always feels extra hard after coming back from Christmas break.

I’ve got another awesome Wool Haul today and I’m so excited to share a few new items from Woolly Clothing! Woolly sent me three items for my review and I can’t wait to add these to my wool wardrobe. Thanks so much Woolly, for working with me. I can’t wait to give these pieces a place in my wardrobe and mix and match them with all the rest of my favorite wool capsule items!

If you shop with Woolly, 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.

Ready to jump in?

First, my stats. I am 5’6″ and currently 175 pounds (lots of Covid and medication weight gain that I’ve kind of, sort of,  come to terms with). I’m about a size 10 in pants typically and a medium-ish in tops. I’m definitely a pear-shape.

(Side-note: Did you know that Woolly lists the models’ sizes in the description? You can see which model is wearing which size for each listing, which is really helpful when you are shopping new styles!)

Woolly Short Sleeve Tunic

Website Description:
A versatile piece of foundation wear, our Ultralight Short Sleeve Tunic is a one stop shirt to replace all the cotton in your closet.

Great For Just about anything. Comfy enough for home, technical enough for the trail, with a little extra style in case you’re sick of wearing a basic tee.

Fabric Stats:
Fabric Specs: 95% 17.5 micron merino wool, 5% elastane. 150 GSM Mid Weight

My thoughts:
I chose the Woolly Short Sleeve Tunic because I liked the extra length, the bright pop of purple, the button details and because I thought it was a crazy great price! For only $39.99, I think this shirt is a total steal, especially given that it is 95% Merino.  I sized up to a Large for this top because I wanted a looser fit and it turned out to fit just as I hoped.

For this outfit, I’m wearing black leggings, my new Lems Chelsea boots, and the Woolly Short Sleeve Tunic. In the next photo, I added my Julahas Red Fusion cape! 

For this outfit, I’m wearing Woolly Short Sleeve Tunic, Wool& Frame Ponte Culotte and Allbirds Flats. I think it looks good tucked in also.

I just love the Plum color from Woolly!  (Also, I’m obsessed with Sky Organics Raisin Tinted Lip Balm, especially at this time of year.) It’s great to find a short sleeve tunic that will work well with my wardrobe for four seasons of the year! Did you know that’s one of Woolly’s slogans? Wool for four seasons!

Woolly Longhaul Wide Leg Pants

Website Description:
Great For: Fall days, winter layers, lounging or working hard.

Fabric Specs:
Fabric Specs: 66% 215 GSM Australian merino wool // 29% Cotton // 5% Elastane

My thoughts:

I ordered the Woolly Longhaul Wide Leg Pants because I thought they would be a great alternative to jeans when I go into work and that they would be nice for the summer/fall transition season. I decided to order my true size, Medium, and they fit perfectly. The fabric on these pants feels very high quality. They are a nice substantial fabric with enough stiffness so that they hold their own shape well. They are comfy, though not terribly soft. I like that they seem just a little more structured and the double stitched side seams are a nice design detail. The only thing I am not wild about is the white drawstring. The contrast is a little distracting for most of my outfits, so I tucked it in for some of my outfits. I might pull it out since I won’t need to cinch the pants to keep them on.

Thrifted faux wrap top with Fitflop flats and Woolly Longhaul Wide Leg Pants. Below, I added a thrifted Cinnamon Cardigan.

Woolly Pro-Knit Cowl Neck

Website Description:
A go to pullover for shoulder season or a layering piece in cold weather. Woolly Mid Weight Flex merino gives wicking insulation with athlete friendly extra-flex and a no-draft cowl neck design to keep out drafts.

Great For: Fall days, winter layers, lounging or working hard in low temps.

Fabric Specs:
100% 18.5 micron merino wool. 250 GSM Mid Weight

My thoughts:
I sized up to a Large for a more relaxed fit on the Woolly Pro-Knit Cowl Neck and I love the way it fits. It’s nice and long, the fit isn’t too snug on my arms (sometimes a concern…my arms aren’t skinny), and it doesn’t cling on my tummy either. I have to tell you, the fabric on this shirt is AMAZING. It is ultra soft and very cozy and I love the way the turtle neck fits. It’s not constricting or overly long, it just lays nicely which is all I want from a cowl neck. I also adore the Kale color, it’s a nice dark green. (I still can’t figure out my “season” but I think I can pull this color off.) I really love this shirt and I have already worn it a LOT. In fact, it was one of the items I took on our Christmas trip to the lake house with all of my extended family. On that trip, I sat by a bonfire MULTIPLE times and guess what? I still haven’t had to wash this shirt. The smoke smell aired out of it with no problem. Wool is SO incredible! Did I mention it has thumb holes? So cozy!

For this outfit, I’m wearing black leggings, my new Lems Chelsea boots, and the Woolly Pro-Knit Cowl Neck. Love this look!

It turns out I like how it looks with my Burnt Orange Coat, also!

Thanks for checking out my review of Woolly Clothing! If you haven’t seen all my other reviews, there are plenty! Just click the “Wool” tab at the top right!

Happy New Year to all! I have been waiting to share a review of some fresh new items I just received from Wool&. We have been having so much rainy weather that it has been tricky to grab photos but I’m managed to squeeze in a few in between the rain and tornado warnings! What a crazy January it has been so far.

There’s nothing quite as exciting as Woolie mail! I love opening a package from Wool& and this one has some super yummy goodies in it!

If you shop with Wool&, 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. I would also like to say “Thank you” to Wool& for gifting me several items for my review, including the Wool& Summit Midweight Pocket Legging, Wool& Holly Interlock Top, Wool& Frame Ponte Culotte, and the Wool& Hilltop Wool Fleece Jacket.

I couldn’t wait to start styling these items right off the bat!

Outfit details: I’m also wearing my brand new Lems Chelsea Boots and Lems Chukka Boots in this post! Click here for my full review of these. 
I’m also wearing my new Kendra Scott Reid custom necklace (currently on sale!). Click here to save $20 with my referral code. 

Wool& Holly Interlock Top

First up, I got the Wool& Holly Interlock Top, size Medium in the incredible Marine Blue colorway. I absolutely ADORE this blue color and the top is gorgeous! I was a little nervous about the slightly cropped length, but it works really well with the culottes and is AMAZING for layering both over and under the Wool& dresses. I love the looser, almost batwing fit of the arms and it is overall so comfortable and pretty.  Let’s check out the specs on this shirt.

From the website:
A polished midweight layer in our interlock fabric. Your perfect top to layer over dresses with its drop shoulder and slightly cropped hem. Long sleeves, crew neckline, and side slits at the hem.

Sizing Tip: The Holly Interlock Top has a roomy fit throughout the body with fitted sleeves. Fits true to size.

Fabric Breakdown:
78% Ultrasoft Merino Wool, 22% Nylon
300gsm, 17.5 Micron Wool

Here a couple more photos! How do you like it layered over my Wool& Sierra? 

More photos later in the post!

Wool& Frame Ponte Culotte

I had been wanting to try the Wool& Frame Ponte Culottes for ages and they did not disappoint. The first thing I noticed about these pants is that the Ponte Fabric is amazing. It’s a nice, substantial ribbed texture with some thickness and stretch. Yes, they feel as comfortable as all my other Wool& favorites, but it also has a little bit more of a business casual texture. (Off topic but I would LOVE this fabric to be made into a jogger style pant or a bootcut flare pant). I have always loved culotte style pants and I know these will be perfect for my weather year round. A note about fit. The size medium fits me well, and I know it is my correct size. (I am 5’6″, 175 pounds, and about a size 10 in pants). I’m very much a pear shape and I felt they fit a little snug around my hips and thighs on first try. However, having worn Wool& clothing quite a bit I know that these will relax slightly after a bit of wear, which should allow for the perfect fit. Here’s Wool&’s description of these:

From the website:
Finally, sophisticated pants that you can also lounge in. Features the classic wide leg culotte silhouette, plus front inseam pockets. Our midweight ponte fabric provides structure and a touch of comfortable stretch.

Fabric breakdown:
75% Ultrasoft Merino Wool, 22% Nylon, 3% Spandex
340gsm, 17.5 Micron Wool

Wool& Summit Midweight Pocket Legging

I have worn my leggings more this season than I probably have ever before, so scoring another pair was super exciting. These leggings feel wonderful. The fabric is soft and stretchy and the waist is higher rise than the Axis leggings I already own (for comparison, the waist is also higher on the Summit Leggings compared to the Woolx Piper and Woolx McKenna Leggings that I wear all the time). So if you are looking for a high waisted legging, this is the pair for you! At first I felt like they were a little snug around my not-so-small stomach, but once I wore them around for awhile they felt fantastic. They are also really slimming, which is a bonus. The pockets are HUGE.

From the website:
A midweight, fully opaque legging that keeps you warm without bulkiness and stays odor free for days. Comes with a side panel with external patch pockets that effortlessly fits your phone. Snug fit that holds you in, high waist, and gusset. Our custom developed stretch jersey fabric moves easily with your body and resists pilling.

Sizing Tip: Just like the Axis Legging, but with pockets! Fits true to size.

Fabric breakdown:
68% Ultrasoft Merino Wool, 22% Nylon, 10% Spandex
300gsm, 17.5 micron wool

Wool& Hilltop Wool Fleece Jacket

This jacket is surprisingly warm despite the lightweight construction. I really love some of the design features particularly the design of the collar and how it has some structure of it’s own….it really gives it a more flattering fit. I am wearing the Wool& Hilltop Wool Fleece Jacket in Forest Night, size Medium. Although I think the jacket fits as it should and it is comfortable as is, I might consider sizing up in the future. I think I would prefer a looser fit for layering. I love the Forest Night color. The pockets are generous and comfy. The fact that this jacket is made from recycled wool is icing on the cake!

From the website:
We sourced this jacket’s soft, beautiful recycled wool shearling from a textile mill in Prato, Italy— a town known for producing fine wool products for centuries. Its stable, lofty structure will keep you warm while also remaining breathable. Welted hand warmer pockets, mock neck, and elastic trim. No adventure is complete without the Hilltop.

Sizing Tip: The Hilltop Wool Fleece Jacket fits true to size. If you prefer an oversized fit, size up.

Fabric breakdown:
63% recycled wool, 22% nylon, 10% polyester, 5% other fibers
340gsm, 18.5 Micron Wool

This is such a fun review to create because I have been wanting to transition to healthier shoes FOREVER! My sister explained to me about wide toe box, zero-drop, minimalist footwear years ago and told me how much better they are for your whole entire body. The idea that most of us had been forcing our feet into shoes that were very un-foot shaped (and causing our bodies a lot of subsequent damage) really resonated with me. However, I just didn’t have the capacity to switch my shoes at that point in time.

Click here to shop Lems Shoes with my affiliate link!

My feet were already in bad shape. I had already dealt with tendonitis and Plantar’s Fasciitis for years but my feet were so painful and I was addicted to the comfort of orthotic shoes. (Some people have explained that wearing an orthotic shoe is akin to wearing a cast on your foot….it can help an injury heal HOWEVER it should never be permanent since it can cause the muscles to lose strength and mobility, causing further damage). I couldn’t imagine moving away from my over-supportive,  orthopedic shoes because of the pain. So I continued wearing whatever shoes I could tolerate (Oofos, Fitflop, Dansko, and Vionics mostly) and consequently my feet continued to get worse.

About six months ago when I started working from home, I realized that being off my feet was allowing them to rest and improve slightly. Now that I wasn’t a teacher walking a million steps a day, I thought I might start to make the jump to healthier footwear. That’s when I contacted Lems.

Lems was founded on the idea that “shoes should be built around the natural shape of the human foot, and not the other way around. This meant that a shoe should be widest at the forefoot and toes, while allowing for full flexibility and unrestricted movement.”

In the Barefoot Shoe world, Lems is considered a great starter shoe because it has a more substantial footbed, generous flexibility, and is a gentle way to transition into the barefoot shoe lifestyle.

I’m so grateful that Lems sent me two pairs of shoes to share with you all. Thank you Lems for giving me a chance to try these Lems Chelsea boots and the Lems Chukka Boot!  I am very impressed with the quality of these shoes and they fit perfectly into my minimalist wardrobe, which is exactly what I was hoping.

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for shopping with me! 

Lems Women’s Chelsea Boot:
From the website:
At long last, we are delighted to welcome our first Chelsea Boot to the Lems lineup! Fans of the Primal Zen, get ready to throw a party because our Chelsea features the same outsole you know and love, meaning this boot ticks all the right boxes: super lightweight, zero-drop, and ultra wide. The Cedar is a super soft suede with a very minimal feel.

My first impressions: 
I love the look of the Chelsea Boot. It’s chunky but not TOO chunky and incredibly lightweight. The color is a nice warm caramel. It really isn’t quite as bright colored as it looks on the computer screen (it does not look orange in real life). Very much a neutral. You can see how well the boots flex! Imagine wearing a boot that allows your foot to move naturally. Pretty revolutionary for me, coming from traditional footwear.

On the side of the boot, there are some stretchy panels along with pull tabs to put them on. They are very easy to wear, and easy to get on your foot. Wearing them is different, because I can wiggle all of my toes! It’s amazing not to have my toes pinned tightly together…..having room to move my toes within the shoe is a totally new sensation.

I love the way these boots feel and I can feel the ground beneath me, too, which is another benefit that the Barefoot community values.  I think they are very cute boots and I am certain they will fit into my wardrobe perfectly.

So comfortable…. this outfit is brand new and I’m loving every piece of it! Review to come of the clothing items but here are my links in case you’d like to check them out. Wool& Summit Leggings and Wool& Holly Top. I feel like this outfit looks cute and, more importantly, feels amazing.

One more quick look with the Lems Chelsea Boot! This time I paired them with black leggings and my new Woolly Short Sleeve Tunic. (I’ll be sharing a review of some fun new goodies from Woolly Clothing very soon). This was a really warm evening, but I grabbed my Julahas Fusion Cape just in case.

I will absolutely be wearing my Lem’s Chelsea Boot with lots of outfits going forward and I’ll be sure to share those photos with you. Until then, check out my other new pair of Lems!

Lem’s Women’s Chukka Canvas
From the website:
While this colorway might be called ‘Blackout’, shoes don’t get much greener than this. Made of organic canvas, a fully recycled lining, and fully recycled laces, the Chukka you know and love has gone completely Captain Planet. These canvas champs also feature a wide toe box, zero-drop platform, and IBR outsole – just like you’ve come to expect

My first impressions:
I absolutely love the way these shoes look and feel. They are crazy lightweight and flexible. They remind me of simple converse or a very basic black sneaker that will match absolutely anything and everything, at any time of year. Despite the generous, wide-toe box, they still look to be very trim and slim; minimal in appearance and very lightweight. I feel like wearing these Chukkas gives me a fun, hip vibe!

Just like the Chelsea boots, these Chukkas are crazy lightweight and incredibly flexible. You can see how easily your foot will be able to move in this shoe! You can easily double over the shoe for maximum flex.

I truly think these shoes will pair with any outfit from my closet, but I started out by wearing them with my Wool& Sierra and Wool& Holly Top. I think they looked great and I was definitely super comfy.

Here’s another look that I really love! For this outfit I paired Lem’s Women’s Chukka Canvas with black leggings and my new Woolly Pro-Knit Cowl Neck top (which I LOVE….review to come very soon) and a thrifted Leaf Pendant. So much cozy and comfort all in one pic!

Have you check out Lems Shoes? I’d love to hear what you think!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all my readers. I know everyone always says they can’t believe how quickly the season is passing by, but I truly, truly mean it! It’s crazy how quickly this holiday season is slipping past and I am doing my very best to soak it all in. The joy of the season is something I always try to savor.

This is my first holiday season working full time in marketing as a copywriter and I have to say I have been crazy busy but enjoying the creativity and variety a lot. My working full time has been quite a swing for our family and everyone has had to make a lot of adjustments. It’s definitely reminded me yet again of the true value of minimalism when it comes to keeping a home running and helping to manage expectations and priorities. It’s not a magic fix, but minimizing the stuff around us really has helped a lot. If you are interested in reading about my minimalism journey, I have quite a lot of posts on the topic. 

One thing that I really haven’t minimalized this year is my Wool Wardrobe. I have cut back on fast fashion and instead have been building a wardrobe that will last from high quality wool items that I can wear and  wear again, which has been a truly delightful upgrade to my wardrobe. Yes, it’s an investment, but as far as comfort, quality, sustainability, and care, it’s such a wonderful step up. If you’d like to read more about it, I now have an entire Wool category on my blog. 

This blog post will include affiliate links. When you click through my links, I may receive a small portion of the sale, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping my family with every click. 

My entrance into the world of Wool was Wool& and it is still my favorite. Wool& has some gorgeous dresses, which have always been a weakness of mine. I have slowly been selling off my synthetic clothing on Poshmark and building up a core wardrobe of mostly wool instead.

I recently came across another brand called Julahas and they have been kind enough to send me some items for my review. I am always so grateful when a company is willing to work with me as a teeny-tiny micro-influencer! It is always so delightful to share brands that I am truly excited about, and such is the case with the gorgeous capes, kimonos, ruanas, and accessories from Julahas. 

You can also shop a selection of these beautiful products from Amazon using my affiliate link. 

For these looks, I am wearing my size Medium Wool& Willow dress in black, on top of leggings, and Cobb Hill Caroline Booties. I love this foundation and can wear almost anything on top for lots of different easy outfit formulas. The best part is, since these items are wool, I can wear them again and again without needing to wash them because of the antimicrobial magic of Wool. It makes dressing for work, travel, events, and weekends all so much easier.

Julahas means “weaving” and these beautiful wool and cotton products are handmade in the Himalayas, sustainably and ethically; giving local artisans a chance to share their heritage and craft while making a living wage.

The more I try, the more I adore these gorgeous items. This week I received two new items from Julahas: the Jiva Wool Silk Kimono Air
and the Petite Light Wool Cape Fusion Red. Both of these are absolutely gorgeous and I loved trying them on for some Holiday Looks!

The Jiva Wool Silk Kimono Air

The Jiva Kimono Air is lightweight and soft yet has a little bit of structure and flow that makes it look so very gorgeous. Here are the stats from the website:

• Reversible. One size (fits XS-XXXL). Open front, oversized fit.
• Material: 65% Himalayan wool and 45% Forest Silk.
  Craftmark Certified.
• Handy pockets for storage.
  Gently hand wash (only if needed) using a mild detergent or shampoo in cold water. Lay flat to dry and store folded in the environmentally safe dust bag that is provided. Dry clean friendly too.
• Worldwide shipping.
  Go here for Shipping and Deliveries.
  Go here for Returns and Exchanges.

I love the fabric and feel of this Kimono! The pockets are perfectly placed and shaped, so that they are easy to use and access. The collar is flattering but soft and the entire thing just makes me feel graceful and elegant in a comfortable, wearable way, which I absolutely love. The color of this Kimono is absolutely gorgeous! I think I will wear the Jiva Wool Silk Kimono Air to my work Christmas party this week. The dress code is “Christmas Casual” and I think this look could work for lots of different holiday events, from dressy to comfy cozy!

The Petite Light Wool Cape Fusion Red

The Petite Light Wool Cape in Fusion Red is so much fun to wear. It’s very lightweight, yet cozy. The pattern means the look can be adjusted so many ways. I wore it last night  over jeans and a tshirt and it was perfect while I was out running Christmas errands and shopping. I felt cute, put together, and even a little festive, yet I could adjust my temperature and comfort as we stepped in and out of stores with wildly differing temperatures! In the last photo, I was in a dressing room and I wanted to snap a quick pic of the Cape with the only purse I ever wear, the Sash Bag. It’s a perfect companion product with the cape because it’s easy to wear right along with it and it just feels like the same comfortable sort of quirky cute and artsy vibe. I love this outfit!

Back to the Cape! Here are the stats straight from the website:

• One size (fits up to EU 40/US 10)
• Cape Dimensions: 115cm x 155cm
.
• Material: 100% fine wool.
• Handwash, only if needed. Do not Tumble Dry. Lay flat to dry, iron on wool setting and store folded in the tote bag provided. Use your bag as a shopper when you’re wearing the Cape. Dry clean friendly too.
• Worldwide shipping.
  Go here for Shipping and Deliveries.
  Go here for Returns and Exchanges
  Go here for Care and Repair.

What do you think about these holiday looks from Julahas and Wool&? I’d love to hear from you!

It’s the very last day of the Wool& Free gift with Purchase Promo (Today December 5th)

Shop the Wool& Free Gift with Purchase Sale by clicking here. 

This gift with promo is an amazing appreciation offer. You choose your gift between two different shirts, a pair of shorts, or a scarf and there are a ton of colors available!

Thank you for shopping my affiliate links!
Details on the sale

You must spend a minimum of $150 and then add your choice of gift items to your cart. The freebie will automatically ring up at $0 in the cart.

There is ONE freebie per household. Click here to check out all the freebies they are offering! 

If you aren’t quite sure what to purchase, check out my detailed Wool& Dress Guide for fit information, sizing tips, and styling ideas!

You also might be a little overwhelmed at the beautiful colors available! I have a blog post for that too! Click here to check out my Wool& Color Guide!(Which Wool& Color is for me?)
That’s about it for today because I’ve got a crazy busy week lined up, but I had to share one last reminder because this sale is so amazing!

Thanks for shopping with me, as always!

Super excited to share with you a gorgeous brand that I have recently discovered: Julahas (which means “weaving”). There will be some affiliate links throughout my post. If you haven’t heard of Julahas, that’s probably because it’s a small family-owned company that specializes in HAND-WOVEN capes, wraps, coats, scarves, belts, and kimonos. Before we get into how incredibly beautiful these products are let’s talk about how they are created:

Julahas’ ethos is empowering crafting communities around the world while offering incredible handmade items to their customers. Keeping local tradition alive, Julahas is intentionally providing opportunities for women, specifically in the Indian Himalayas, to maintain their heritage and continue their time-honored craft on a larger stage than ever before. That means the product you are purchasing is authentically handmade, beautifully designed, and carefully inspected to maintain high standards. You have to admit that is a wonderful way to shop “small” for Small Business Saturday! Click here for more details on Julahas’ business structure. 

Julahas and their partners are commited to “fair wages, no child labour, respect for women, and equal opportunities for all” so you can trust that this company is sustainable, ethical, and fair trade.

I contacted Julahas and asked if they would provide me a couple of sample products to review and they graciously agreed. These products were gifted to me in exchange for my always-honest review. I was super excited to see these products in person and check out how they would work with all of my other wool clothing items. As I hoped, the workmanship and quality is excellent and the design of these products is truly unique and very beautiful.

The first item I received was this Daria Cape in the colorway Ishikari.

I pulled the cape right out of the bag and first tried it over my Pine Rowena from Wool&. The colors worked so well together, so I added on some brown leather riding boots and a leather wrap belt for a different look. It feels soft and natural to drape and tuck it. The fabric is fairly lightweight, but warm, and is a lovely alternative to a jacket or coat. In fact, I’ve seen lots of people layering jackets or coats along with their capes and it looks super cute. I’ll try that look in a future blog post. These capes would also make an amazing travel accessory.

I have always loved pink but I admit I don’t have much pink in my wardrobe at all. The really unique thing about Julahas capes is that the color patterns are usually a gradient and they can be worn MANY ways. That means you can adjust the style to allow the colors you’d like closest to your face and vary the look. The many styles are especially fun to try. Here’s a page that shows different ways of wearing it!

For those of you who are already fans of Wool, you know the magic of this natural fabric. If you aren’t familiar here are just a few of the benefits of wool:
*antimicrobial, naturally resisting germs
*odor-resistant
*easy care
*temperature regulating
*durable, sustainable, natural
Wool capes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Julahas, but I wanted to share this Wool Daria Ishikari with you today since it is Small Business Saturday! I’ll definitely been styling this Cape in future posts and hope to share more Julahas with you soon.

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a great week leading up to my favorite holiday of all, Thanksgiving! I am personally savoring these days as my favorite time of year, since the most hectic (and magical) season hasn’t quite driven us all nuts yet. Typically, I don’t decorate or really talk about the holidays before Thanksgiving, but I’m making an exception since  we just put up our Christmas Tree so I’m feeling both gratitude AND the holiday spirit!

Thank you for shopping with me this holiday season. Your purchases through my affiliate links help me do what I love! 

Sleep is such a huge priority to me. I definitely have some long-term health issues and I realized when my kids were little that quality sleep is absolutely a non-essential for me. I’m also not someone who sleeps in or really naps, so I have found that going to bed consistently is very important. So my very first tip about rest and relaxation is to prioritize it, and I mean seriously. I go to bed early because I’ve realized that it makes a difference in how I feel long term. Here are some of my favorite sleep aids, most of which I have used for absolutely years.

Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machine – I bought my first sound machine in high school because I have always been a really light sleeper. I’m not quite as light of a sleeper now as an adult, but I still need all the tools to help me sleep through all the noises of living with other people! We have a small house and five people and a dog living in it. So I knew we would need something to buffer the noises. We have been using these Marpac Dohm Classic Sound Machines for over 15 years in our home and we love them for every bedroom. We buy multiples as back up and travel with them too. These have lasted years and years for us. We find that they get a little dusty after awhile and will start to make a sort of sputtery sound, but you can open them up, clean the fan inside (it’s literally a tiny metal fan), apply some WD-40, and they will usually work again! I can’t say enough about these, we’ll continue using them forever I’m sure.

Weighted Blanket – The one I have is no longer available, but this one looks very similar and there are lots of other options here. I bought my first weighted blanket a few years ago and I loved it from the moment I tried it! There is something about a weighted blanket that just seems to calm you down and help you relax. As someone who can struggle to relax and even be still (thanks ADD & anxiety), this is something that really helps and I use it on my bed every night. In fact, I snagged a second weighted blanket (at a thrift store believe it or not) and I keep it in the living room so when I am sitting on the couch, I use it to cocoon my legs and it’s the coziest thing ever. It’s kind of an ugly blanket but it’s worth it! Warning: My husband is very gracious but he HATES the weighted blanket because it’s hard to adjust at night. I keep it on my side of the bed but it’s still kind of annoying if your partner doesn’t like it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you

Heating Pad — This will make me sound about 90 years old, but I use a heating pad every single night. This is probably tied to some of my health issues but I typically have pain in my back and neck (despite weekly chiropractic visits) and the heating pad instantly helps me relax. I know it sounds absurd because in the summer you will find me laying on my heating pad, covered up with weighted blanket, and blasting the fan as high as it will go, but hey I sleep pretty well.

Natural Calm Magnesium Glycinate
Magnesium has lots of benefits and many of us are deficient. I found out a long time ago that Magnesium is really helpful for me and helps me to sleep better and have generally less pain and inflammation. I have tried several kinds but my favorite is Natural Calm brand Magnesium Glycinate. It doesn’t upset my stomach and it works. It can also help with anxiety.

Relax Essential Oils — I’ve blogged about this product for years, I’ve shared it with dozens of friends as gifts and I use it myself all the time. Relax essential oils by Plant Therapy will always be in my purse or car for random stress moments! If I can’t settle down to fall asleep I rub this on my neck and under my nose to have a breath of calm and I promise it works! I have given it as gifts dozens of times and it’s really become one of my favorites. If you aren’t familiar with Plant Therapy they are very affordable yes they have excellent quality standards and exceptional customer service. I’m a huge fan!

Kindle Paperwhite — Another thing that is a crucial part of my bedtime routine is reading. I’m a lifelong reader and cannot really fathom going to bed without a good book. Now that I read on my Kindle Paperwhite, it is even easier because of the screen and I get all my books directly from my library for free! I throw it in my bag for travel. I have even read books from the pool because it’s water resistant. The screen is super adjustable and it really feels like you are getting the book experience. I have had mine for years and love it.

I’d love to hear your tips on how you get good sleep and cut back on stress during the busy holiday season! What are your Cheer & Chill essentials? Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This is pretty exciting because Wool& has never done sales and promos in the past (other than the mystery sales), so finding out that they are offering a free gift with purchase is a big surprise this year!

Not only are they offering a gift, but the gifts are NICE, there are tons of options, and the promo is lasting until 11/28 so plenty of time to decide. (They have said that supplies are limited on the freebies and they are expecting a lot of sales).

Quick rundown on the sale:

To participate in the sale, you must spend at minimum $150 and then add your choice of gift items to your cart. The freebie will automatically ring up at $0 in the cart.

There is ONE freebie per household. Click here to check out all the freebies they are offering! 

One of the options is the amazing Stella Tee and I’ve talked about it here before. I absolutely love it. It’s such a great fit for me and has held up really well. I definitely could use another color, and I’d really like to try the white.

They are also offering the Frankie bike shorts, perfect for wearing underneath the dresses for a little extra modesty. Lastly, you can choose from some gorgeous new scarves, which I’m totally drooling over. It’s really hard to choose between these options!

If you have been thinking about your first Wool& purchase, this is totally the time to go for it!

I was delighted to receive the Cypress Wrap from Wool&. I am definitely obsessed with cardigans and love layering throughout the year. I generally tend to be hot-natured and live in the weird, variable deep south where we get some surprisingly cool temps, with icy humidity, as well as some drastic temperature swings all in the same day. So I knew a nice wool cardigan would be a great addition to my wool capsule!

If you shop with Wool&, 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. I would also like to say “Thank you” to Wool& for gifting me several items for my review, including the amazing Charlie Tank Jumpsuit and the luxe Cypress Wrap Cardigan shown in this post! Wool&, you better believe, I’m a fan for life!

Like I said, in the Deep South, layering is a must and cardigans or jackets get a lot more wear in my wardrobe than true coats. All that to say, I owned no wool blend cardigans at all so Wool&’s Cypress is truly a wonderful addition to my  wardrobe. I’m wearing it here with Wool& Charlie Jumpsuit which is also amazing.

First, I had to choose a color and I have to admit I really waffled over this one. Black is always my default, top choice, so it was my initial inclination. After reminding myself of all the other black I already own, I decided the Charcoal Heather was the way to go. I decided to order size Medium which is my true size most of the time.

When I first pulled the Cypress out of the package, the weight surprised me. It’s 78% Ultrasoft Merino Wool, 22% Nylon
300gsm, 17.5 Micron Wool. That means it’s pretty thick, almost plush feeling. It’s hard to describe the loveliness of this fabric if you haven’t tried it. I just keep thinking it feels very luxurious, silky, and high-end.

I decided to try it with a basic jeans and patterned blouse outfit, along with some Dansko clogs. It was a great way to add a little warmth and elegance to a casual outfit!

Here I am in my Wool& Sierra with leggings and the Cypress. This is an outfit I feel like I could wear anywhere, but it’s definitely appropriate for church, work, or a nice evening out. I really feel put-together in this outfit!

Besides the luxe fabric, I really love the cut of this piece. The Cypress has a structured design that gives it a dressier look. I particularly like the structured shoulders and the wide, almost swingy hem. It’s such an elegant addition to an outfit.Note: I didn’t include photos, but the Cypress also comes with a belt making it easy to use as a bathrobe or for different styles and looks. I think it’s a great idea and I know a lot of people say this cardigan is perfect for travel. It’s just another multi-use item that could fill a bunch of different holes in your wardrobe!
I think this cardigan would be perfect for office-wear, and I will 100% be wearing it into work when I have the opportunity. (I work remote and go into the office occasionally for meetings or events). It will work almost like a blazer for me.

Got any other ideas for styling the Cypress? I’d love to hear them and add photos to this post with your suggestions!

Thanks for checking out this review! If you’d like to read some of my other Wool& posts, don’t miss these:

The Ultimate Wool& Dress Guide
How to Save Money on Wool&
Which Color Wool& Dress is for me?
The Wool& Charlie Jumpsuit Review
Wool& Camellia Review
Wool& Mara Review