Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Another month gone. This year is going by so quickly! I made it through April without buying any new clothes, yay! It's getting easier to not buy clothes but I still have moments where I want to drop some cash on a piece. And I am still constantly window shopping, putting things in my cart and then abandoning ship. That's how I get it out of my system. I'm sure I'll buy something new soon to spice up my closet but for now I'm feeling pretty good!
Since I don't have any new clothes to share, it's a perfect day to talk about Paperless Post! Anagram Interactive contacted me last week to see if I'd like to try out the e-card service with some free coins. I have been curious about Paperless Post for a few years but never bit the bullet and tried it. With Mother's Day approaching I decided to check out their selection of cards for Mom. My Mom will be traveling on Mother's Day so this is a great way to get a card to her.
I chose a fun card for 2 coins, then I added a custom background for an additional coin. I was going to pick a nice wooden background but found a fork and knife that matched the theme of the card and had to go with funny over pretty. The total cost of sending my card will be 5 coins including the envelope and envelope liner at 1 coin each. Coins range in price from .10 to .40 depending on how many you buy at once. Buying 25 coins is $10 and buying 1000 is $100. So if you're sending wedding invitations you'll want to buy your coins in bulk. Paperless Post does offer free cards but they don't come with anything extra like envelopes or fancy backdrops.
I sent a test to myself to make sure everything will work properly on Mother's Day so now I'm ready to go! I love how even though they aren't "real" cards they still come in an envelope. It makes it so much more fun for the person receiving the email if there's some suspense of opening an envelope involved. I think I'll also be using this to send birthday cards to friends in the future! So fun and easy and saves the environment since you're not buying a paper card, envelope and shipping it off to someone.
THE (modified) RULES
Clothes:
Total spent in 2019: $86.57
Since I don't have any new clothes to share, it's a perfect day to talk about Paperless Post! Anagram Interactive contacted me last week to see if I'd like to try out the e-card service with some free coins. I have been curious about Paperless Post for a few years but never bit the bullet and tried it. With Mother's Day approaching I decided to check out their selection of cards for Mom. My Mom will be traveling on Mother's Day so this is a great way to get a card to her.
I chose a fun card for 2 coins, then I added a custom background for an additional coin. I was going to pick a nice wooden background but found a fork and knife that matched the theme of the card and had to go with funny over pretty. The total cost of sending my card will be 5 coins including the envelope and envelope liner at 1 coin each. Coins range in price from .10 to .40 depending on how many you buy at once. Buying 25 coins is $10 and buying 1000 is $100. So if you're sending wedding invitations you'll want to buy your coins in bulk. Paperless Post does offer free cards but they don't come with anything extra like envelopes or fancy backdrops.
I sent a test to myself to make sure everything will work properly on Mother's Day so now I'm ready to go! I love how even though they aren't "real" cards they still come in an envelope. It makes it so much more fun for the person receiving the email if there's some suspense of opening an envelope involved. I think I'll also be using this to send birthday cards to friends in the future! So fun and easy and saves the environment since you're not buying a paper card, envelope and shipping it off to someone.
THE (modified) RULES
- Be mindful of purchases
- Quality over quantity
- Basics are best
Clothes:
- Autumn Cashmere Landscape Intarsia Cashmere Crew ($240, retail $440, used Christmas + ad money)
- Sandro burgundy double breasted blazer ($36 via Roundabout Resale, retail ~$500)
- Massimo Dutti white wool blazer ($19 via Roundabout Resale, retail $130-$250)
- Rag & Bone 'Jackie' purple leather trimmed wool jacket ($32 via Roundabout Resale, retail $495)
- J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck ($5, retail $30, used gift card)
- J.Crew Ribbed flare-sleeve turtleneck ($8, retail $45, used gift card)
- J.Crew Midrise skinny jean in velvet ($10, retail $80, used gift card)
- Lanvin Studded Suede 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)
- Lanvin Studded Leather 'City' Sandals ($60 via The RealReal, $790 retail, used ad money)
- None Yet
- None Yet
Total spent in 2019: $86.57
Still looking for last minute gifts for the lady in your life who has everything? If she likes jewelry which, let's be honest, most women do, find her a beautiful pair of gold earrings. I was recently introduced to sustainable jewelry brand AUrate and sent this pair of gorgeous Sensu Ear Jackets in rose gold vermeil. AUrate has everything you could want, from statement pieces to classic staples you'll wear for years to come. I have added quite a few other pieces to my wish list including this amazing Halo Diamond Opal Pendant. What pieces would you buy for a loved one?
What's great about AUrate is their mission is to offer sustainable, ethical handmade jewelry at affordable prices. The pieces are handmade by artisans in New York City, not a machine churning out hundreds a day. These earrings were $150 and would retail at most other stores for $390. This is because they cut out the middleman and sell directly to buyers without retail markups, much like Everlane, another favorite brand of mine.
The company only uses ethical solid gold from conflict-free suppliers in vermeil, 14K or 18K gold as well as white gold and rose gold. I had heard the phrase vermeil many times but never really knew what it meant. In essence, gold vermeil is a higher quality gold plated product. A base metal, usually sterling silver, is dipped into a coating of at least 10K gold to a thickness of 2.5 microns (one-millionth of a meter.) AUrate uses 14K gold to go the extra mile.
And, to make an even bigger difference AUrate donates a book to a student in need for every purchase made! So really it's like two gifts in one. Giving a beautifully made piece of jewelry to a loved one (or yourself) and the gift of learning to a student.
Enough about the companies awesomeness, on to the outfit! I styled the earrings for a holiday event but they would also work well with a simple outfit of jeans and a sweater. Also - you can wear these with any studs you want! I'll probably try them with some pearl studs or my usual diamond studs in the future for some extra pizazz.
*This post was made in partnership with Nakturnal.
Llama Jewel Sweater: J.Crew, Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad Velvet Pleated Skirt c/o Kohl's, Boots: IMPO 'Omega' Patchwork Boot (DSW), Earrings: AUrate Sensu Ear Jackets (c/o)
What's great about AUrate is their mission is to offer sustainable, ethical handmade jewelry at affordable prices. The pieces are handmade by artisans in New York City, not a machine churning out hundreds a day. These earrings were $150 and would retail at most other stores for $390. This is because they cut out the middleman and sell directly to buyers without retail markups, much like Everlane, another favorite brand of mine.
The company only uses ethical solid gold from conflict-free suppliers in vermeil, 14K or 18K gold as well as white gold and rose gold. I had heard the phrase vermeil many times but never really knew what it meant. In essence, gold vermeil is a higher quality gold plated product. A base metal, usually sterling silver, is dipped into a coating of at least 10K gold to a thickness of 2.5 microns (one-millionth of a meter.) AUrate uses 14K gold to go the extra mile.
And, to make an even bigger difference AUrate donates a book to a student in need for every purchase made! So really it's like two gifts in one. Giving a beautifully made piece of jewelry to a loved one (or yourself) and the gift of learning to a student.
Enough about the companies awesomeness, on to the outfit! I styled the earrings for a holiday event but they would also work well with a simple outfit of jeans and a sweater. Also - you can wear these with any studs you want! I'll probably try them with some pearl studs or my usual diamond studs in the future for some extra pizazz.
*This post was made in partnership with Nakturnal.
Llama Jewel Sweater: J.Crew, Skirt: LC Lauren Conrad Velvet Pleated Skirt c/o Kohl's, Boots: IMPO 'Omega' Patchwork Boot (DSW), Earrings: AUrate Sensu Ear Jackets (c/o)
Three of the pieces in this outfit are old favorites. My first designer purchase, one of my first shoe splurges (that were actually a birthday gift) and my favorite jeans ever. Sadly I don't wear the Free People jeans often because they're super old and in that odd wrinkly stage that stretch jeans get to. You can probably tell in the photos in certain spots. I have 2 pairs of these because I kept buying searching for them on eBay and then one pair that's similar but not exactly the same.
The Marc Jacobs velvet polka dot blazer was my first designer purchase. I tried to find it for months after Emma Watson wore it (in a different color) in Teen Vogue. I bought it for $80 (and a second one for $20 8 years later because I needed to go up a size. I still have the original in my closet for nostalgic reasons.)
My Alexander Wang Freja boots were a birthday gift from my parents in 2011 - meaning I told my mom I wanted them and she said 'order them for your birthday!' I do love a good statement shoe that never goes out of style. There are a few of these available on eBay (originally from his Spring 2010 collection) and some other sources but you have to be careful when looking for these because AW also made a cheaper version for the H&M collection which won't be as nice/high quality as these. I linked to only the "real" ones below but you can search for AW x H&M boots and find the other version.
Blazer: Marc by Marc Jacobs polka dot velvet jacket (eBay, green one here), V-Neck Tee: Everlane, Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Peep-Toe Boots: Alexander Wang suede Freja boot in brick red (The Outnet), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay, exact bag here), Necklace: Marrin Costello
Speaking of favorites - I wore this outfit on Monday to check out the recently renovated Luna Pizza in West Hartford. Before I went my Aunt told me it's one of her and my Uncle's favorite places to go for pizza. After going myself I can see why! I'm not normally a thin crust fan, but their pizzas are delicious. I wanted to keep eating all night!
While there I sampled their meatballs, garlic knots a baby spinach salad with strawberries and three pizzas! All the appetizers were delicious, especially the salad. Lydia, Jen and I tried the BBQ Pulled Pork, White and Margherita pizzas. They were all super good. The white pizza is just mozzarella, romano, garlic, parsley, and olive oil and it was amazing. The BBQ pulled pork had the perfect amount of sweetness from the BBQ sauce and the Margherita pizza was loaded with fresh tomatoes. I finished my meal with a delectable chocolate torte. It was very smooth and really chocolatey, just how I like it! I will definitely return to Luna Pizza if I'm ever in the area again.
What I ate:
The Marc Jacobs velvet polka dot blazer was my first designer purchase. I tried to find it for months after Emma Watson wore it (in a different color) in Teen Vogue. I bought it for $80 (and a second one for $20 8 years later because I needed to go up a size. I still have the original in my closet for nostalgic reasons.)
My Alexander Wang Freja boots were a birthday gift from my parents in 2011 - meaning I told my mom I wanted them and she said 'order them for your birthday!' I do love a good statement shoe that never goes out of style. There are a few of these available on eBay (originally from his Spring 2010 collection) and some other sources but you have to be careful when looking for these because AW also made a cheaper version for the H&M collection which won't be as nice/high quality as these. I linked to only the "real" ones below but you can search for AW x H&M boots and find the other version.
Blazer: Marc by Marc Jacobs polka dot velvet jacket (eBay, green one here), V-Neck Tee: Everlane, Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Peep-Toe Boots: Alexander Wang suede Freja boot in brick red (The Outnet), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay, exact bag here), Necklace: Marrin Costello
Speaking of favorites - I wore this outfit on Monday to check out the recently renovated Luna Pizza in West Hartford. Before I went my Aunt told me it's one of her and my Uncle's favorite places to go for pizza. After going myself I can see why! I'm not normally a thin crust fan, but their pizzas are delicious. I wanted to keep eating all night!
While there I sampled their meatballs, garlic knots a baby spinach salad with strawberries and three pizzas! All the appetizers were delicious, especially the salad. Lydia, Jen and I tried the BBQ Pulled Pork, White and Margherita pizzas. They were all super good. The white pizza is just mozzarella, romano, garlic, parsley, and olive oil and it was amazing. The BBQ pulled pork had the perfect amount of sweetness from the BBQ sauce and the Margherita pizza was loaded with fresh tomatoes. I finished my meal with a delectable chocolate torte. It was very smooth and really chocolatey, just how I like it! I will definitely return to Luna Pizza if I'm ever in the area again.
What I ate:
On one of our four (hah!) visits to EPCOT during our trip we did Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway for lunch. As the title suggests, at this experience you get to take photos with various Disney Princesses. The restaurant is beautifully themed inside so be sure to look around all the rooms before heading out.
Upon entering the restaurant for your reservation you get taken into a little alcove for a photo with Belle in her yellow dress from Beauty and the Beast. Then you sit down and a waitress takes your drink and entree order. After that you get to go up to a buffet to choose your appetizers. For my meal I chose Svinestek med Frukt (or Seared Pork Tenderloin) with Apricot Glaze, Multigrain Pilaf, Sautéed Mushrooms, and an Apple-Fennel Slaw. It was REALLY delicious and the pork was perfectly cooked. Kristen had the Flyt-stuffed Pasta which is cheese and spinach-stuffed pasta with olive oil-poached tomatoes, Parmesan cream sauce, and sweet balsamic glaze. She said it was very tasty.
Following the meal you are brought a dessert trio to share. We received a chocolate mousse torte, an apple cake with caramel sauce, and a rice pudding with strawberry sauce. The torte was my favorite, super smooth and had a nice crunch of toasted coconut on top. The apple cake was also very delicious and a great option for those who don't like their desserts to be too sweet. I didn't try the rice pudding but my friend said it was very tasty. Our waitress also brought me a cupcake and card for my birthday!
The princesses we got to take photos with were Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel. I have seen other people get photos with Mulan at the meals so it probably changes every so often.
This was the most expensive meal of our trip coming in at $70 each after taking off our annual passholder discount and including tip. While the experience was fun I definitely wouldn't do it again. But it is another one that is fun to try just once as a splurge. It's also a cheaper option than Cinderella's Royal Table which I really enjoy. It's easier to get a reservation here too, but you should still book 180 days in advance if possible. This trip for us was about trying new dining experiences so in my mind it was worth it for us.
Next time I'll probably take everything I spent on specialty dining and do the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom. But, who knows when my next Disney trip will be now that I have a house and husband to worry about, ha ha.
Upon entering the restaurant for your reservation you get taken into a little alcove for a photo with Belle in her yellow dress from Beauty and the Beast. Then you sit down and a waitress takes your drink and entree order. After that you get to go up to a buffet to choose your appetizers. For my meal I chose Svinestek med Frukt (or Seared Pork Tenderloin) with Apricot Glaze, Multigrain Pilaf, Sautéed Mushrooms, and an Apple-Fennel Slaw. It was REALLY delicious and the pork was perfectly cooked. Kristen had the Flyt-stuffed Pasta which is cheese and spinach-stuffed pasta with olive oil-poached tomatoes, Parmesan cream sauce, and sweet balsamic glaze. She said it was very tasty.
Following the meal you are brought a dessert trio to share. We received a chocolate mousse torte, an apple cake with caramel sauce, and a rice pudding with strawberry sauce. The torte was my favorite, super smooth and had a nice crunch of toasted coconut on top. The apple cake was also very delicious and a great option for those who don't like their desserts to be too sweet. I didn't try the rice pudding but my friend said it was very tasty. Our waitress also brought me a cupcake and card for my birthday!
The princesses we got to take photos with were Aurora, Cinderella, Snow White and Ariel. I have seen other people get photos with Mulan at the meals so it probably changes every so often.
This was the most expensive meal of our trip coming in at $70 each after taking off our annual passholder discount and including tip. While the experience was fun I definitely wouldn't do it again. But it is another one that is fun to try just once as a splurge. It's also a cheaper option than Cinderella's Royal Table which I really enjoy. It's easier to get a reservation here too, but you should still book 180 days in advance if possible. This trip for us was about trying new dining experiences so in my mind it was worth it for us.
Next time I'll probably take everything I spent on specialty dining and do the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom. But, who knows when my next Disney trip will be now that I have a house and husband to worry about, ha ha.
