Be Linspired

Friday, April 11, 2014

Everlane Weekender Bag | Review

OVERVIEW:

The Everlane Weekender is a sturdy yet lightweight travel bag that is a perfect size to pack necessities for a weekend getaway or to use as a carry-on to supplement your luggage for a longer trip. This functional, minimalistic, stylish bag is sold on the Everlane site for $95 and measures 22" length x 12" height x 8.5" width with a 12" shoulder drop. It has one large compartment, a small zippered pocket inside, and one exterior open side pocket.

The $95 canvas weekender is available in 6 different color varieties; there are also $135 suede weekenders in 3 color choices. I bought the "Reverse Denim" weekender and absolutely love the style.

PROs:

- Lightweight

- Durable canvas exterior
- Lined interior

- Structured base

- Long enough to wear over shoulder, short enough to carry without dragging (for me; I'm 5'4'')

- Shoulder straps are a good width

- Variety of colors available

- Unisex (in my opinion); color/style is appropriate for both males/females

- Carry-on appropriate (fits in overhead compartments)

CONs:
- No option to wear it across the body. It'd be nice if there was a removable shoulder sling.

- Leather straps are not lined (will wear & tear lead to fraying? TBD.)

If interested: My Everlane T-Shirt Review Post

More Photos:

The bag is shipped folded like this. I didn't have issues with creasing.

I love the look/texture of the reverse denim in contrast to the brown leather straps.

Zipper detail.

Details of the leather straps.

Underside of the leather straps.

Exterior side pocket (only on one side).

Interior zippered pocket (measures 10" x 9").

Some clothes packed in the Everlane Weekender bag.

When looking to buy a travel bag, I also considered the Cuyana Weekender ($120) and Cuyana Overnight bag ($165). In the end, I chose the Everlane Reverse Denim Weekender because of the price and the style/color.

** This is my first impressions review of the bag. I will have to give it a few uses before I can come back with an update on how sturdy the bag is and how the leather straps hold up. I have a few trips in the horizon, so stay tuned!

Which bag do you carry and love for overnight/weekend trips?

If interested: My Everlane T-Shirt Review Post

My Everlane Short Sleeve Sweatshirt Review

Thursday, April 3, 2014

How to Style Harem Pants

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Money saving tip: Ebates cashback program offers from 3-10% cash back for a lot of retailers I buy my clothes/shoes from, including Forever21.com (2-5% cash back if you shop through ebates). This is a simple way to keep some extra cash in your pocket. If you don't already have an Ebates account, you can sign up free here -- they have so many different retailers! I have used them for years to save a lot of $$$ via cash back.

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Harem pants (aka harem trousers or woven joggers) are baggy at the hip/thigh but taper and become fitted at the ankle. I used to think this style was horrendous, but the more subtle "harem" styles have really grown on me. These pants are available in various different styles, prints, and materials. Forever 21 sells harem pants in various styles/prints for an affordable price; check out their harem pants stock here.

I think a simple solid black pair of harem pants can offer so much versatility -- ranging from casual comfortable to classy & chic. I own two pairs that I really love: a $6.99 pair from eBay (shown on the left) and a $15 pair I found on sale at TJMaxx (shown on the right).
* side note: the eBay pants (left) are a bit sheer so I wear thin cotton biker shorts underneath.

There are 4 main aspects I look for when searching for the perfect versatile harem pant:

(1) Bagginess: For a clean, chic fit: look for pants that are loose around the thigh area, but not too baggy at the crotch or butt. The taper should start at the knee and continue down to the ankle.

(2) Material: I try to avoid any material that makes the pants look like sweatpants or pajamas; so I generally look for materials that have a bit of a sheen (polyester, rayon, etc). It's also nice to have a blend of spandex or elastane for a more stretchy/comfortable fit.

(3) Waist: I am definitely a fan of the high waisted fit for these types of pants. I try to avoid a drawstring waist as it gives off a sweatpants/pajama feel. Look for a plain elastic waist. Belt loops are a plus.

(4) Pockets: I prefer my harem pants to have pockets at the hips for that extra detail. I really like the look of draped pockets.

Here is the YouTube video I put together with some outfit ideas:

OUTFIT 1: Polka Dotted Button Down

polka dot chiffon button down (Forever 21, old) similar here

gold collar necklace (Forever 21, past season) similar here

nude belt w/ gold bow detail (F21, past season) similar here

dusty pink cross body (F21, past season) similar here

rose gold watch (Michael Kors) see here

harem style pants (eBay, $6.99)

black ankle cuff pumps (BCBG, past season) similar here & here

OUTFIT 2: Patterned Peplum

patterned peplum top (F21, past season) other peplums here
dainty black triangle necklace (F21, past season) similar here
white quilted clutch/cross body (F21, old) similar
rose gold watch (Michael Kors)
harem style pants (eBay, $6.99)

black ankle cuff pumps (BCBG, past season) similar here, here & here

also shown:

black/cream handbag (Kate Spade 'Laurel') see here

OUTFIT 3: All Black Everything

black chiffon pintucked sleeve top (F21, $11.80)

nude belt w/ gold bow detail (F21, old) similar
gold spiked necklace (local Burlington Coat Factory)

black/gold pyramid stud bag (F21, past season)

rose gold watch (Michael Kors)

harem style pants (eBay, $6.99)black ankle cuff pumps (BCBG, past season) similar, here & here

aviator sunglasses (D&G)

OUTFIT 4: Comfy Cardigan

beige lace back cardigan (local Burlington Coat Factory)dusty purple jersey top (H&M, $5.95)

long faux stone pendant necklace (F21, old) similar: http://bit.ly/1gZCwpq

black faux leather satchel bag (H&M, old) similar: http://bit.ly/Oc6j1c
rose gold watch (Michael Kors)
harem style pants (eBay, $6.99)

'Coreline' Suede Booties (Guess) http://amzn.to/1pFGjJQ

OUTFIT 5: Comfy Casual

dusty pink loose t-shirt (F21, past season) similar
long gold charm cluster necklace (F21, old) similar: http://bit.ly/1on9Cn5

aviator sunglasses (D&G)

dusty pink cross body (F21, past season) similar
rose gold watch (Michael Kors)
harem style pants (eBay, $6.99)

nude braided sandals (Forever 21, $12.80)

What's your favorite way to style harem pants?

Thursday, March 20, 2014

LANCOME Visionnaire Skin Corrector | Review

Skincare product review disclaimer: Skincare products will work differently for each individual since skin type/sensitivity will vary from person to person. The degree of efficacy & adverse reactions caused by one product can be very different from one individual to another. I post these reviews to share my personal experience in hopes it will provide more information for those trying to determine if the product is right/wrong for them before they spend money to purchase it for themselves.
My skin type: combination (oily T-zone) during the summer, and dry during the colder months. acne-prone. sensitive.

The Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector is an anti-aging skin corrector that claims to reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. I bought the 0.67oz size (retails at $69) during a Sephora F&F sale and stacked it with my Discover card cashback. The small bottle (0.67oz) lasted me a little over 4 months when applied routinely every morning and evening to my under eye area and areas of hyper-pigmentation due to old acne scarring. The formula is off-white in color and contains very fine iridescent pink particles.

PROs:

- smooths & softens skin after application

- lightweight

- absorbs quickly

- shrinks pores slightly

CONs:

- pricey ($89 for 1 oz)

- pump dispenser is unable to dispense entire contents once you get to the bottom (at least a few days worth is stuck in the bottle)

- barely lightens hyper pigmentation/blemishes from acne scarring

- lacks long-lasting benefits

More Photos:

Overall, this product didn't dramatically improve my skin/skin tone enough for me to feel it is worth the hefty price tag. The pump dispenser's failure to dispense the last bit of the product really disappointed me; for something this pricey, you really don't want even a little bit to go to waste. Although it does make my skin appear more smooth by minimizing pores, the effects seem only temporary (a few hours). It almost acts more as a primer than a skincare serum. But who in their right mind would be willing to pay $90 for a 1 oz size primer. Not me.

I probably wouldn't repurchase this unless I get it for way less than it's retail price. For example, during a friends and family sale or promotion where I can combine it with some really good cashback bonus offers; I find my Discover credit card or Ebates usually offer the best cashback (usually between 5-15%) for online purchases.

This product seems to have a lot of great reviews online, so it may work for your skin type. Have you tried this product before? Share your experience/opinion in the comments!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream | Review

My skin type: combination (oily T-zone) during the summer, and dry during the colder months. acne-prone. sensitive.

In the past few years, I have tried numerous eye creams/gels/serums to help reduce & prevent fine lines; the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream is one of the only few I find to be effective and worth the price tag. This is a rich, hydrating eye cream that has improved the look of fine lines/wrinkles around my eye area.

I first started using this product about 2 years ago (at age 24) and loved it. Since I was younger and had barely-noticeable fine lines, I felt I didn't need to be paying so much for such a rich cream, so set out to try a few other eye creams. Most other eye creams made little to no difference and I noticed my eye area often looked dry and the skin looked a bit thin. I eventually decided that instead of wasting time/money on trying to find other alternatives, I should just stick with what I know works. I buy this for 20% off during Sephora's friends & family sale.

For reference:

I have tried Dior Hydra Life Pro Youth Sorbet Eye Cream, Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, Garnier Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream, Bliss The Youth As We Know It Anti-Aging Eye Cream, and Clinique All About Eyes.

The only ones I have repurchased are the Shiseido Eye Cream (I use this every night) and the Garnier Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream (I use this most mornings).

PROs:

- effective for reducing fine lines

- long-lasting hydration

- a little goes a long way

- absorbs well

- very mild scent

- does not irritate the eyes

- beautiful packaging (rose gold cap)

CONs:

- can feel a bit "heavy" if you have oily skin

- a bit pricey (retail price $55 for 0.51 oz)

- not the best to wear underneath makeup (unless you give it plenty of time to set/absorb)

- shape/weight of jar not functional (It looks nice & pretty, but is a bit heavy and the unique shape causes me to drop the cap often)

*I don't have issues with dark circles or bags underneath my eyes, so I can't say much about how this cream works for those concerns.

More Photos:

close-up of the rich, creamy, hydrating formula

beautiful rose gold color packaging

a photo of the first jar that I finished up completely

yup, I made sure not to let a single drop go to waste

Overall, I would recommend this eye cream to those with normal-to-dry skin who are looking to reduce fine lines around the eye area. I use it every evening before bedtime and it keeps my under eye area hydrated all night. I will only use this in the morning if my skin feels extra dry (rarely). If you plan on wearing this underneath makeup, make sure you allow enough time for the cream to really set and absorb into your skin or else your makeup may slide around. This product has been an integral part of my nighttime routine for a while now and I plan to continue to use it for years to come!

What's your skin type & which eye cream have you tried that you would recommend to others?

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Motivational Quotes (free iPhone wallpapers)

Keeping a running list of inspirational quotes has really helped me stay motivated to continue working toward my personal goals and setting new ones. I display these encouraging quotes as my phone background and switch them up every few days/weeks. I love sharing my favorite life quotes with others -- so here I am again with some iPhone backgrounds. Enjoy!

See my other motivational quote posts here: part 1, part 2, part 3, & part 4.

"Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't."

This is by far one of my favorite motivational quotations! It is a concise statement that conveys the benefits of working hard today will surely pay off in the future. I always tell myself that as long as I'm able to work hard today, I will; and the future me will be thankful.

"Tough times don't last; tough people do."

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of this beautiful summer weekend and has a great 4-day work week! I can't believe Friday is July 4th already; the days and months of 2014 are truly flying by. Have a safe and happy July 4th!