Elizabeth Suzann Marlena dress (gift to review from ES last year) | medium
Teva Universal flatform sandals | mine are leather, non-leather version
James Perse mini canvas tote
Rag & Bone /Jean Camden top
Chimala jeans
Wearing/Buying
Did I mention I ordered the Elizabeth Suzann mules? I didn’t intend to, but oh a whim, I decided to try them. I love mules, and already have a pair of rose suede by Robert Clergerie, and my well-loved Emerson Fry mules, but not a basic black pair. To be honest, I don’t have super high hopes for them; I’m sort of afraid they’ll come up too high on my foot, which I don’t like with my thick calves. But we’ll see, although I’m already planning what to use the return credit on if I have to send them back 😉
I also ordered a few pairs of Teva platform sandals after I mentioned them last week. I ordered two non-leather versions with printed straps to try, and since I was ordering from Nordstrom and they were price-matching the leather version for $70, I decided to try those too. I like the way the leather version feels/fits better than the non-leather for some reason. I also didn’t really like the printed straps. I ordered the size 8 and they fit, but might be a teeny bit big? I’ve worn them a few times and they’re really comfortable, aside from the straps rubbing my feet a little bit. Really happy with them.
Of course I already have these Melissa platform sandals that I got earlier this year, but haven’t worn much because they’re just a bit too “girly” for me. I would put them on and take them off again because they just didn’t “work”. They were comfortable, and I love the company, but I like the look of the Tevas better. They’re more androgynous? Or something. Anyway, I’m going to be putting my Melissa sandals up on Slowre next week if you’re interested. I ordered my sister a pair earlier in the summer and she loves them too…
On the skincare/beauty front, I placed an order via The Detox Market this week for my Clean shake and got some samples to try. BTW, Detox Market offers 4 samples for $7.95 and Integrity Botanicals offers 3 samples for FREE with any order. I prefer Integrity Botanicals because of that, and also because Teri always sends a personal note and sometimes she throws in a little gift. BUT, Integrity Botanicals doesn’t have my Clean shakes. Anyway, since I don’t wear a lot of makeup (or any at all), I’ve been trying to wear some lip color lately, and wanted to try Ilia, so I got a sample of the lipstick in “ink pot.” I like it, but any lipstick feels so dry for me. And I don’t like shiny glosses. This color is pretty, and I didn’t find it overly drying, but I’m going to keep trying before I decide to order anything.
I also ordered this Indie Lee cleanser to try. I have no idea why, actually, just because it sounded good, and while I LOVE LOVE LOVE my One Love organics cleansing oil, I was ready to try something new. I love the Indie Lee cleanser – I don’t know if it’s “better” or “brightening,” but it cleanses my skin and smells AMAZING. Good enough 🙂
And, I’ve almost entirely transitioned away from shower gel & bottled hand soap in favor of bar soaps. More on that later. I was just really tired of consuming so.much.plastic.
Reading/Watching
You know I love Garmentory (use my referral link and sign up for an account and you’ll get a $20 account credit. so will I), but I REALLY love one of the founders, Adele Tetangco, who was recently featured in VOGUE. VOGUE!!! I’ve “known” Adele for probably a decade, since she was working with Canadian designer Dace. She was always in touch with what Dace was doing and then when she started Garmentory, continued to reach out. I am super-impressed by her as an entrepreneur, and have so much respect for her style, and for what she’s done with Garmentory, it’s an amazing platform, and executed perfectly IMO.
I finished the Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes for book club and liked it a lot more than I thought it would – it’s definitely worth a read. I’ve found myself doing things I wouldn’t have done before as a result of reading it, and thinking about her process…
I’m still re-watching Sex in the City – it’s my guilty pleasure in the evenings lately. Usually while I watch it I think about how different it would be if it were filmed now. I’m always shocked that they actually EAT FOOD on the show, and not “healthy” food. Now they would be gluten-free, vegan, and doing soul cycle constantly. Also, the lack of mobile phones is so refreshing….at least up until season 3.
Doing
This weekend is our wedding anniversary (can you believe I got married in Madewell?? in that dress?? I need a do-over LOL) and my step-son leaves to go back and get ready for school. So, summer is over…sort of…
Any fun plans for the weekend??
I usually just read but I’m looking for advice AND I can give a little, too. 🙂 I like ILIA tinted lip conditioners a lot and would recommend trying them if you don’t like a lipstick feel. They are more similar to a lip balm but with color.
Now here’s what I need advice about. Can you or any of your readers suggest some retailers for good work basics at a reasonable price? I came across Taylor Stitch earlier this spring and love their designs. I ordered a pair of jeans from them that fit great but also a pair of chinos that were gorgeous but way too big. And that’s the problem–the chinos were their smallest size, a zero, and according to their sizing chart, should have fit. Now I’m reluctant to order anything else from them. There are a lot of brands I don’t even look at because I know they won’t fit me, but I would really like to add a few pieces of sustainable, professional clothing to my wardrobe this fall. Any ideas (particularly for pants)?
Hi J!! Thanks for your input, and question!
what is your general body type? size? height?
elizabeth suzann could be good for you, at least her very basic pieces, since they come in heights and so many sizes…although i wouldn’t call her pieces “affordable” necessarily. just long-lasting…
eenvoud focuses only on work wear and is sustainable – not sure about the sizing though
i’ll have to think about more places for you, but hopefully someone else will chime in !
Happy anniversary, Grechen! When I first read your post, I thought you meant that you got married in a Madewell store, lol. I have only tried one of Ilia’s tinted lip colors, but I found it sort of drying, too. I checked to see which one it was, but I no longer have it. My very favorite lip color that I always use until it’s empty is Boy by Chanel. It’s pricey, but a wonderful nude shade with just a hint of color. I usually get it at Nordstrom.
Happy Anniversary, Grechen and Leo!
No plans for the weekend, other than work. But it’s summer in a tourist town…that’s what we do!
Thanks for the answer, Grechen!
I’m thin and straight and just on the border of petite (I usually want a petite inseam but petite shirts are too short).
Eenvoud is new to me. I think some of Elizabeth Suzann is beautiful, and for what they are, the prices make sense. They do give me pause, though, as a high school teacher and mother of a toddler. 🙂 I’m all for wearing clothes for years, but I also don’t like to feel that something is so precious that it can’t fit into my daily life.
You may want to check out Argent (https://argentwork.com/)- not sure if/how sustainable, but it’s made in the US and I thought the quality of the pants I got there was way better than my Taylor Stitch pants (though more expensive too).
Thanks, Anna. I’ll check them out.
Grechen, did you see that Christophe Robin now offers a Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera? I know Lush has done shampoo bars, but I’m not a fan of theirs. Like Oribe, I’ve never tried a Christophe Robin product I didn’t like, so this has me intrigued. It would also help cut down on all that plastic shampoo packaging and be easier for travel in a carry-on.
THANK YOU!!!!!!
i’m totally going to try this when my oribe runs out 🙂
i’m so intrigued.
I can relate about buying products where I really have no idea but they sounded good. I am glad to know you are happy with your purchase. I would love to try the Indie Lee Cleanser too.