review – Page 2

Review: JCOS Messenger Bag With Lock

October 1, 2015 by jessica 14 Comments

I recently purchased this JCOS crossbody bag, a knockoff of the ubiquitous Chloe “Drew” bag. Now that I’ve been using it for a month (outfit photos coming soon), I wanted to share my thoughts on the piece for anyone interested in snagging this trendy style for a fraction of the price. (Though, I’m jealous of those who have $1,850 laying around for the original!)

Shipping took a ridiculously long time. I placed my order on July 29. It shipped on Aug. 21 and arrived on Aug. 24.
The quality is fantastic. The leather is thick, the hardware is sturdy, and the stitching is uniform. The metal clasp is attached with screws and, as you’ll see in a photo below, there’s a leather strip under the flap that reinforces the handles.
The clasp didn’t get as scratched as I thought it would over the course of the month.
On the original bag, there’s a turnlock that secures the bag before you slide in the metal bar. That’s not the case here. Sometimes the bar slides out and the bag hangs open. It’s not often enough to be a nuisance and nothing has fallen out when it happens. I’ve found that putting more items in the bag makes it less likely to occur.
The knotted chain at the handles can sometimes undo itself if the bag is tossed around too much. It’s easy to retie.
Of course, there’s the concern about “being inspired by” (::cough::knocking off::cough::) an iconic design. I struggled with this a bit, but decided that it didn’t bother me too much because it doesn’t pretend to be an original and, as I said, I’m in no position to spend almost two grand on the original. You can judge my questionable ethics, though.

Bottom Line: If you’re crazy about the design, but can’t fork out $1,850, go for it. It’s a fun ’70s-inspired saddle bag for fall.

Review: Irresistible Me Curling Wand

August 13, 2015 by jessica 4 Comments

This post could really be subtitled “The Stupid Faces I Make When Curling My Hair.” Obviously, I didn’t include them in an effort of self-preservation, but Dave caught them all on camera. I look bored in some, sleepy in others, and downright angry in most! And there’s no reason for it, since this 8-in-1 complete curler by Irresistable Me is pretty amazing.

I curl my hair almost daily, so I was pretty jazzed when the company offered to send over the Holy Grail of curling irons. The kit includes a heating handle, eight wands, and a heat-resistant glove to keep your fingers from burning (safety first!), and it all comes neatly rolled up in a nylon carrying case. (I felt like a serious beauty addict with this thing in tow.) I used it for the first time when we visited Louisville and have continued to style my hair with it since.

PROS

So. Many. Choices. Anyone with hairdo A.D.D. is going to love playing with the different size barrels.
Fast and even heating elements. Seriously, it took less than 30 seconds to heat up. You’ll also notice there’s a LED screen on the handle. This shows you the exact temperature of the wand. Through a bit of trial-and-error, I discovered I need to bump up the heat to keep the curls in my hair longer. I’m never able to hold curls for long with fine, straight hair, but my locks were still wavy at the end of the night.
No frizzy hair. Honestly, I don’t understand how “the tourmaline technology with negative ions” keeps hair shiny and smooth, but it does. (Magic, probably.) The ends of my hair usually look dried out and frizzy when using a traditional curling iron with the clamp. I didn’t have that problem with this wand.
One-year warranty.

CONS

It’s an investment at $200. This works out to $25 per wand. If you have a particular barrel size and shape you never stray from, this might not be the best way to spend your money. It seems better suited for ladies who like to switch up their hairstyles on the regular.
The kit is bulky to travel with. Pick one or two barrels and toss those in your luggage instead.
No clamp makes burning your fingers a very real possibility. This is where that heat-resistant glove comes in. Use it.

Dress: Dee Elle ($29!) | Bracelets: Hermes, c/o Julie Vos (similar on sale) | Rings: Lulu Frost, c/o Vrai & Oro | Curling Wand: c/o Irresistible Me

Pineapple Pendant

June 23, 2015 by jessica 10 Comments

Even though there was a shipping delay on my birthday gift this year, it was worth the wait. Dave surprised me with this Lee Renee pineapple pendant. I first fell in love with the piece with I interviewed the designer back in February of last year and had no idea I’d be spoiled with it months afterward. Isn’t it just the cutest thing? It’s tiny, as you can see in the stock images, but the attention to detail is wonderful and it has a nice weight to it. The solid silver piece is handmade in London with an 18k gold plate.

Baublerella Bling Brush Review

April 28, 2015 by jessica 9 Comments

As often as I talk about jewelry and choosing pieces with longevity, I rarely talk about keeping your collection pristine. Wearing your favorites is usually enough to keep tarnish at bay, but it doesn’t do anything for the soap residue and dust particles that can make jewelry lose its luster. Enter the Bling Brush by Baublerella.

The Bling Brush is an all-natural jewelry cleanser that comes in a mascara-size tube. The convenient size makes it easy to tote on vacation or tuck into a handbag. It also makes a perfect gift for a newly engaged gal obsessed with keeping the sparkle in her stone.

Simply twist the bottom of the tube to dispense the cleaner and get to work. It’s safe to use on both fine and costume gems.

To put the Bling Brush to the test, I sifted through my jewelry box for the most tarnished piece and turned up this pair of amethyst and diamond earrings. (I’m actually embarrassed to admit that I haven’t worn these in awhile. They were a gift from my parents that took a backseat to oversize costume gems in recent years.)

It didn’t take long to erase years of buildup with a few quick swipes of the Bling Brush. After wiping the excess jewelry cleanser away with a soft cloth, the earrings looked new.

Bottom Line: Love it. It’s much more convenient–and chic–than using those cleansing tubs. It is on the pricier side, setting you back $16 plus $5 shipping, but the portability is worth it. Baublerella also makes a cleansing glove for precious metals, which comes in at $12.

***
In partnership with Baublerella.

Review :: Try the World Paris Box

February 18, 2015 by jessica 11 Comments

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I signed up for Try the World, a subscription box with gourmet goodies from different cities around the globe. In full disclosure, I think subscriptions boxes are kind of stupid. I also hate grab bags. I like knowing what my money is buying and I suspect many of you are the same way. I was intrigued by Try the World because they give you a sneak peek of what’s inside your box before you commit. (Be aware, however, that Try the World works with small producers and each box may vary slightly due to product availability.) I like traveling and I like food, so I forked over $39 for my one-time box of treats from Paris. Oh la la!

So, what does $39 get you? Not much and not the fleur de sel the stock image boasted (read: the item I was most excited about), but I do like the unique mix of products I probably wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. (Dave joked that Try the World is for people who are too lazy to go to World Market.) Here’s what was inside and the approximate values taking into account the net weight of the items compared to full-size products:

La Mere Poulard sables: $3.50
Maison D’Armorine salted butter caramels: $5
Domaine des Vignes whole grain mustard: $4
Charles Antona fig jam: $3.50
Clement Faugier chestnut spread: $4
Flagrants Desirs dark chocolate bar: $4
Francois Doucet fruit jellies: $2
A card explaining each product
A culture guide

That’s $26 worth of product for $39. I had signed up during a promotion, so my Paris box came along with a second box of treats from various countries. That’s the only reason I’m not too irked about this. I would have been much happier with a total value of $33-35. I realize that some of the money needs to go to packaging costs and overhead, but I don’t think it’s expecting too much for the value to be closer to the amount paid. Will I try it again? Maybe if there’s an Amsterdam or Brussels box and I’m feeling nostalgic. It’s such a fun idea and I’m disappointed that this wasn’t a slam dunk. I would have been happy to sign up for a full year if the value was there.