Friday Follow-Up : Simulacra NYC, Cashmere Giveaway, 15% off Luxury Beauty

Simulacra cropped jogger pants (gift for review from Simulacra) | medium, organic cotton/bamboo viscose
Lululemon long sleeve shirt | from 2013
James Perse hoodie/poncho/whatever | from 2013
Shearling lined Birkenstock clogs

First, a quick follow-up review:

Since my original review of these Simulacra pants and tank top earlier this year I thought it was time for an update, also  because as the temperature cools off a bit in the mornings here, I wear these pants, this outfit basically, every single day.  These pants are super soft, and with just enough stretch to bounce back, so they’re a wonderful lounge pant.  I do wish they had pockets, but that is easily remedied when I wear something like this James Perse thing (I don’t know what to call it) on top, which I do for a little extra warmth anyway.

I HIGHLY recommend these pants if you’re looking for a pair of simple, sustainable lounge pants.  I do also wear them out, but I prefer to “save” them for that special at-home comfy feeling…

Shopping:

There are some good things new in at SLOWRE: Rag & Bone/DRE jeans (both in size 28), Rag & Bone Newbury boots and Eileen Fisher boots.  I have some AMAZING Hackwith Design House pieces going up next week. Be sure to sign up for the SLOWRE newsletter if you’re interested in seeing what’s new in your inbox 🙂

I ordered and returned these white Superga sneakers –  They fit okay (I ordered the size 39) but they’re bigger overall than I like, and I think I’m over white sneakers…I’m glad I tried them though, so now I know. And I think Superga just doesn’t work for me, I tried on the cotu classic style at a local store and the size 39 was too big on me, and again, the shoe just looked bigger than I wanted.

Beklina cashmere giveaway:

To enter to win, head over to Instagram, follow @linarennell and comment #beklinawoman anywhere you wish

Speaking of cashmere: have you heard of Naadam? I learned about the company via Steven Alan and the $2,000 giveaway (yes, please!!) they’re participating in with several modern, luxury brands, including Naadam.  At first, it looked like just another company jumping on the “everlane” bandwagon trying to offer more “responsible” and affordable cashmere.  They do offer “affordable” cashmere, but also:

Naadam has created the largest privately funded non-profit providing veterinary programs, livestock insurance and breeding development. In return Naadam is granted first access to the herder’s fleece.

and:

There’s only 300 tons of this rare cashmere produced in just one yearly harvest. Our non-profit work supports herders and stimulates micro-economic development in this remote region, earning us first access to the best cashmere on earth.  Naadam uses the only ‘Cradle to Cradle’ certified cashmere yarn in the world.  That means it is healthy for people, the global economy and the environment.

Nice.  There are still issues surrounding cashmere, like over-grazing and what that’s doing to the land in Mongolia, but cashmere isn’t going anywhere, so better is better in my opinion.  More on the cashmere/wool/alpaca debate and which is ultimately MORE better, next week.

Amazon luxury beauty is offering 15% off your first order with code LUXBEAUTY.  The selection leaves something to be desired at the moment, but they do have Oribe and R+Co, my two favorite hair care lines (Oribe owns R+Co), which also happen to be vegan.  They’re not exactly all natural, or completely non-toxic, but they’re not terrible either.  But best of all, THEY WORK.  I was texting with my friend yesterday when I saw this code and told her it would be so much easier if the products didn’t work like they were supposed to. Because they’re expensive.  I’ve been turning to Amazon more and more often lately, for everything…

My favorite Oribe and R+Co products:

Oribe Supershine moisturizing cream – a little goes a LONG way
Oribe Apres beach wave spray – better than any other salt/beach spray I’ve tried
R+Co Dallas Thickening shampoo and conditioner – REALLY thickening.  truly.
R+Co Aircraft pomade mousse – excellent texture and piecey-ness, I’ve been using this for a year or so

And finally…sorry for the delay on this!! But the ARO give away winner is McKristie M. Congratulations!!!

Reading/watching:

Inside of a Dog – I’m not actually reading this, but the author has been making the rounds on all the NPR shows I listen to so I’ve basically read it! She spent a long time talking about how and why dogs smell, and that some are loosing their strong sense of smell because we urge dogs in many situations NOT to sniff.  Like when they go straight for the crotch, or when we’re out walking and we’re ready to move on from whatever smells SO INTERESTING.

Dagny and her nose 🙂

Dagny can always spend 5 minutes sniffing something random, and I am totally guilty of getting impatient and trying to move on rather quickly, but since hearing Alexandra I’ve tried to allow her to take us where her nose goes a little more leniently.  So our walks lately aren’t really “walks” they’re more like moving a few feet and stopping for a while, but now that I understand how truly innate and important smelling is for her, I don’t mind it so much.

Narcos on Netflix – I’ve been sucked into this and really enjoy it.  Again, blame it on my NPR obsession, but I was listening to Fresh Air one day and they interviewed the director of the show and I found it very intriguing and I loved the passion with which he spoke about the project, so I started watching that night.  I’m also looking forward to watching Luke Cage when I’m finished with Narcos.  OH, and did you notice that there were a couple of new Luther episodes?? I INHALED those and now miss it. again.  I cannot get enough of Idris…

I started Westworld, and I’m sort of meh about it. I’ll watch it, because I find the story interesting, but I’m not excited about it.  Can’t wait for the return of walking dead….

What are you watching lately? Reading?