LL Bean Shearling Lined Snow Boots

I first came across the famous LL Bean "Bean boot" when I saw on the local news that they had a backlog of boot orders. I'm going to guess their boots were highly sought after because of last year's crazy snow accumulation in New England. Their boots were in such high demand that it would be summer when they would become caught up on their orders. 

So I placed an order for a pair of the Bean 8" boots with shearling lining back last February, but didn't get the boots until July.  For the last couple of weeks, I've been able to wear them everyday and wanted to give my review on them.  Reviews say they run large so I opted for a size 6 women instead of my usual 6.5. Good thing I did because even the 6 has a little wiggle room which is good because I need the extra space to avoid nasty blisters on the heel and toe area. I left the top two holes unlaced so I can slip them on easily for convenience.  I also like that they don't look to bulky and overwhelming on small framed women. 

Interior of boots

Back of boots, rubber bottoms and tumbled leather upper

Not surprisingly, they are heavy on the foot which I got use to after a few wears.  Maybe a little heavier than the Hunter rain boots.  They keep my feet warm (wearing regular athletic socks) at about 35 (°F) outside but anything colder like today which was 18 (°F) my feet were starting to feel cold.  Not numbing cold but definitely cold. 

 

Optional shearling inserts sold by LL Bean.

The shearling lining is only along the boot shaft so I guess it keeps your ankles warm. The rest of the shoe is lined with a waterproof barrier which has a slight cushion to the heel and toe area. Some people recommend using the shearling insoles but it didn't feel comfortable as it squishes your feet to the top of the boots. So, I took them out and put back the original insoles.

Not too clunky?

Final verdict: Worth purchasing for snowy winter weather. Also backed by LL Bean's lifetime guarantee and feels incredibly durable.  Love that they are made in Maine. Comfort level: From 1-10, I'd give it an 8.5. No blisters after wearing for an entire day which is a plus in my book.

A new blog approach: Comfortable fashion

Hello all! I've decided to approach blogging from yet another different angle. This time I'm going to center my posts on finding cute yet comfortable clothing and accessories.  I emphasize the topic of comfort in a big way because if its not comfortable, I will stop wearing it. So stay tuned for tried and tested recommendations on things that work for an everyday comfortable life!

CÉLINE Plaid Skates!

For those who are looking for these, the Celine plaid skates are available on YOOX for $439! They originally sold for $620.  Sizes 36.5 and 37 are available. These will probably go fast.  I would say these are true to size or buy half size up if you prefer a little more wiggle room in the toe area.

They are a bit stiff out of box but will hopefully break in over time.  It was a little hard for me to slip on so I'm debating whether or not I should keep these.  A little less comfy than the Vince Blair 5 slip on. 

On me, I'm wearing a super comfy dark plaid boyfriend shirt by J. Crew and my favorite leggings by James Perse. 

Chanel Old Medium Quilted Caviar Boy Bag 14B

Just wanted to share my newest love, the Chanel Boy Bag in the "Old Medium" size with Caviar leather and ruthenium hardware.  I ordered this from Hirshleifers and it came in much earlier than expected! It is the Old Medium size (10" x 6" x 3.5") but there is a New Medium which is slightly larger (7"x 11" x 3.5").  I was so happy that Fall Act 1 included caviar Boy bags!

In comparison to the Chanel Classic Quilted Flap in the M/L size, they are nearly identical in sizing.  The weight comes in at 1 lb 13.4 oz (833g) whereas the M/L flap is a little less at 1 lb 6.2 oz (633 g) and its not too bad in terms of heaviness - definitely doable.  The chain strap looks like it would add a lot of weight but surprisingly its not maybe because its partially leather. When doubled up, I am having a little difficulty keeping the leather strap on my shoulder. The boy's caviar leather has more texture and is slightly softer than my 9 series M/L flap. 

I would say the Boy bag holds a little more than the M/L even though the interior compartment is about half inch smaller than appears because of the Boy's framed edge.  The M/L has that double flap which takes up more interior room.  Another variation is that the Boy has fabric lined interior with one slip interior pocket with no zip.  

I really love this style right now, it's like a revamped Classic Flap with an edge to it.  I would say the Boy bag possesses more of a casual look especially with the "aged" ruthenium hardware.  I also like this strap better because the chain doesn't dig into your shoulder if you carry it cross body style.  The strap drop is perfect to carry messenger whereas the Classic Flap is better off worn on the shoulder even with my petite sizing.

A quick video on showing that the chains are on the loud side and the also functionality of the CC lock closure.  I do like how this closure functions in a smooth manner. Sorry for my crude editing. Unfortunately, this vid can prob only be viewed on a computer and not a mobile phone.

Here are the variations that Hirshleifers have on their order list for quilted Boy bags:
Chic and feminine animation in caviar for an elegant and daily look
A92193-Y08890 – new medium flap in caviar with aged ruth hw in black and in dark red $4600 7x11x3.5
A67086-Y08890 – medium flap in caviar with aged ruth hw in black and dark red $4200 6x10x3.5 A67085-Y08890 – small flap in caviar with aged ruth hw in black $4000 6x10x3.5
A67086-Y09130 – medium flap in caviar with antique gold hw in dk navy blue $4200 6x10x3.5 A67085-Y09130 – small flap in caviar with antique gold hw in black $4000 5x8x3
A67087-Y09130 – large flap in caviar with antique gold hw in black $5000 8.4x12x3
A92193-Y09130 – new medium flap in caviar with antique hw in black $4600 7x11x3.5

Rag and Bone Pajama Jean in Miramar

source revolvelcothing, ragandbone, and shopbop

I went ahead and ordered these jeans to see what all the hype was about.  When I first saw the Pajama Jean in Miramar by Rag and Bone, I was very intrigued.  Who could deny a pair of jeans that are as comfy as pajamas?!

The Pajama jean in "Miramar"  has a digitally screen printed design straight from their popular men's selvage jean, so it's pretty much the perfect boyfriend jean. It is made of 100% french terry cotton and has slit side hand pockets.  The price tag is a hefty $297!  The XS fits fine, but I wouldn't mind if they made it an inch or two shorter because it scrunches up a little at the ankle. What's cool about them is that they can be paired with any type of shoe, but what worked for me were my Vince Blair slip on sneaker. 

I love them, but I'm not sure about spending that much money on a pair of sweats. Although I'm really tempted to snip the tags and wear them out right now.  The online stock is a bit sporadic, but as of now, they are available at Barneys, Shopbop, Singer22, Revolve Clothing and Saks Fifth Avenue. 

Interior is of french terry fabric

Chanel "Ballerina" Nail Polish

Chanel's "Ballerina 167" nail polish is a very sheer light pink.  In the picture below, I already applied  2 coats and it still looks translucent.  I think this would be a good overlay for french manicures though!

Essie's "Cute as a Button" Nail Polish

This is one of my favorite Essie colors of all time!  Cute as a Button is a lovely coral color and the application goes on very smoothly. 

It's not Celine.. but comes close: Vince Blair 5 Sneaker

Celine Plaid Skates versus Vince Blair 7 Snakeskin Skates

Right now I'm loving the slip-on skate shoe trend.  The plaid Celine skates are very hot right now, but I'm not sure if I can justify the $625 price tag.  I did end up buying a pair of Vince "Blair 5" Sneaker in the black perforated black leather because of its rave reviews. 

The perforated leather style fits very comfortably right out of the box.  No break in period required.  Quality is superb and worth the price point. I'd recommend getting true size.

I'm still debating if I should return these and splurge on the Celines.  I definitely recommend the Vince Blair Sneaker if you don't want to spend a lot on a pair.  They make a great casual look which is a nice alternative from flats.  For the Vince Blair sneakers, Blair 3 has the suede upper in black and "Flint" and Blair 7 has tech fabric in "oyster" gray color.

After doing another search to find a less expensive dupe of the plaid slip on sneaker, I found Steve Madden's Ecentrcf sneaker comes very close at a fraction of a price.

Celine Trio in Small Size

Happy 2014 to everyone! I just wanted to share my latest purchase.. a Celine Trio in black! I bought it from Bergdorf Goodman for $1050.  I've been wanting a Trio for about a year but the price and size held me back for awhile.  Although I haven't started using it yet, the delicate lambskin and thin strap worries me the most about long term wear and tear.  Eventually, I did end up getting it because I love the simple and minimalist shape that it possessed and the unique feature of 3 detachable pouches.  

I've also realized that the Givenchy Mini Pandora is very similar in shape and size compared to the Celine Trio.  Both have thin adjustable straps but the Trio adjusts shorter which is great for petite women.  Both bags also have light gold hardware with their small logo stamped on the front.  The Givenchy Mini Pandora has wrinkled sheepskin leather which is better for concealing scratches and marks. After a few price increases, both bags retail for $1050 now.  Occasionally, you can find seasonal colors on sale for the Pandora, but rarely does the Celine go on sale. 

Forever21 3D Floral iPhone 5 Case

I ordered this iPhone5 case from the Forever21 site and I have to say I love it! It's made from a soft silicone material which will be very protective in case of drops. I also love the color, it is more or less a coral pink shade. I've been wanting one from Switcheasy, but they only produced their 3d floral case for iPhone4.  I prefer this to the hard plastic material as I've come to discover they tend to chip easily. 

Kitty Flats: Charlotte Olympia vs Zara

Being a cat lover, I had a major obsession with the Charlotte Olympia kitty flats when they first came out! I was finally able to nab a pair from Bergdorf Goodman online (still available in select sizes here, and also in fuchsia here) for $282.50 when they went on sale.. which is 50% off original price of $565.  They are unbelievably comfortable with no break-in period required.  I would recommend to order the next half size up, so I ended up with a 37. 

Then I came across these kitty flats by Zara.  Unfortunately, they only come in girls sizes up to 5.  They were too cute to pass up and were only $35.90.  I bought the size 5 and I think they are an equivalent to a women's 7.  They don't possess the same craftsmanship as Charlotte Olympia.  They are a little stiff, and will probably require heel pads because they might blister my feet.  I'll probably keep these and use them as a back up pair and not worry about dirtying them. 

Rick Owens versus Balenciaga Leather Jacket

Long time no post!  I think every woman should have a black leather jacket as a staple wardrobe piece in their closet.  The two favorites out there I've come to notice are the Balenciaga classic motorcycle jacket and the Rick Owens leather biker jacket.  I have owned both, so let me give you my thoughts on both. (Still have the Rick Owens though) 

BALENCIAGA LEATHER JACKET:

I ordered the smallest size available which was a 34 from Balenciaga in London.  The particular jacket was from the F/W 2010 season with the black zippers.  The leather was nice and thick and the sleeves were long but did not cover my hands completely.  The cons were that this structured shape is not flattering for everyone.  I did not like that it made my shoulders so broad especially when I have a round shaped face.  It also made a squeaking noise under the armpits, maybe because it was so new? I did not wear it enough times for the squeaking to go away.  Due the nature of leather, it felt very constricting and I felt that my movement was limited.  So I ended up selling this jacket at a small loss last year. If anyone wants the measurements for 34 it is, Sleeves from seam to end: 25.5", Length from collar to end: 21.5", Chest from armpit to armpit: 14", Waist: 14".

BALENCIAGA

RICK OWENS LEATHER JACKET: 

This one was bought on sale from Aloha Rag.  I love the leather it is thinner and definitely not as thick as the Balenciaga jacket.  The undersides of the arms are lined with wool rib knit.  I love the drape look that it has when it is unzipped.  It also gives an extremely modern and slimming look.  The cons of this jacket would be that the sleeves are insanely long that it covers my hands completely.  I solve this problem by pulling up the sleeves and gives a kind of scrunched up look.  Another thing is that the wool rib knit lining will fuzz over time and I'm not what there is to remedy this except for maybe a sweater comb.  The size I'm wearing is a 38 FR.

RICK OWENS

Wanted: Givenchy Micro Nightingale

For this spring, Givenchy is releasing a mini version of their iconic Nightingale satchel bag! The medium sized has been seen on so many celebs throughout the years.  Although I love the Nightingale, I've always thought the medium and large sizes were too overhwhelming on my small frame.  The Nightingale Micro solves my petite dilemmas by shrinking itself down to 9"W x 7.5"H x 3"D.  Not only can you carry it satchel style, it doubles as a cute messenger bag which I adore. 

As they join the "mini" bag craze with the Balenciaga Mini City, Mulberry Mini Alexa... just to name a few.. Givenchy has the their Micro Nightingale in different colors and textures to satisfy every bag lover's desire.  There is smooth leather, pebbled leather, and stamped croc in shades to please.  The black pebbled is currently on my lust list. I hope to get one! 

BLACK WITH PEBBLED LEATHER

BLACK CROC STAMPED

RED PEBBLED LEATHER

DUNE PEBBLED LEATHER

BLUE CALF LEATHER

RED SMOOTH LAMBSKIN

BLACK SMOOTH LAMBSKIN

PEBBLED GOATSKIN LEATHER

ISABEL MARANT S/S 2013 Trainers

I'm so in love with this season's Isabel Marant sneakers.  This time she has gone all out and is releasing several different colorways.  Their style names are Balesi (Denim), Baya (Calfskin leather), Bayley (Suede with a star design), Wila (Suede with outline) and Bekett (Suede)! LUISAVIAROMA is fully stocked for pre-orders! Get yours quick because they are selling out fast.

Vanity Table Inspiration

Ever since we moved, I had high hopes of finding a spot in our bedroom and setting up a makeshift desk/vanity table.  Our last home had lots of dark furniture so I thought it would be a nice change to lighten up our color choices.  My first choice would have been the Meredith desk at Pottery Barn.  I was very close to pulling the trigger and buying it, but didn't since it was higher than what I wanted to spend. 

Space is a premium in our home, so I decided to go with a smaller desk.  Ultimately, the West Elm Mini Parsons desk was the best fit.  It was smaller in size .. only about 30" wide and had a very simple and sleek look.  I like the white lacquer finish since it seems resistant to dents and dings and scratches like wood might be.

I was inspired by this photo that I found on decor pad:

source

The chair I bought is from Jordan's Furniture in the children's section.  It is still a standard sized desk chair.  I chose one with cushion because I know it hurts after sitting a while without one.

So I know I wanted a tray to keep the beauty items on, a mirror and lamp.  I got the marble tray in cream from Restoration Hardware since I thought it would go nicely against the white.

Restoration Hardware crema marble tray

I ordered the lamp from PBTeen when they were having an additional 15% off clearance and got the lamp for only $27 shipped!  I wasn't sure about the Lattice lamp shade but I think it goes well.

design your own lamp

The lighted mirror by Conair is from Bed Bath and Beyond.  It was a little bit pricy but I got it as a birthday present.  I enjoy the 5x magnification and the light is very useful.

similar at Macys

The finished project: