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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

5 Recent Amazon Favorites

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

I was never a frequent Amazon shopper until my husband signed up for Prime. Now I purchase necessities on Amazon regularly to take advantage of the fast shipping in Chicago. Today I’m sharing my favorite lifestyle purchases for baby, beauty and more.

  • OXO Tot Bottle Brush: What makes this a nice baby bottle brush is that it comes with a nipple cleaner and stand. It’s also white so it matches any decor. I recommend this if you have a little one!
  • Car Phone Mount Holder: A phone holder is a necessity in Chicago because it’s illegal to drive and hold a phone to your ear, not to mention it’s convenient when using navigation on your phone. This one mounts on either the dashboard or the windshield, and we find that the suction holds up nicely.
  • Fleece Lined Leggings: I just needed some comfortable black leggings that also keep me warm and aren’t too thin. These are super affordable and are comfy around the waistband. I like that they are high-rise; the higher the better in my book!
  • Jojoba Oil: I started using this oil as a moisturizer recently and I love it! It’s more affordable to use oils such as jojoba and rosehip than to use expensive skin-care products, and I have noticed many of the same benefits!
  • Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat: I have an easier time cleaning my brushes since using a mat. This one has suction cups so you can keep it in place with cleaning your brushes. It’s affordable and I like the color! It also comes in pink and purple.

What are your current Amazon favorites? I plan to do a separate post on baby and toddler purchases. Let me know if that’s something you’d like to see!

Postpartum Clothing Haul | Fall & Winter

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

After decluttering most of my wardrobe during the nesting phase of pregnancy, I was not left with much to wear during the fall and winter at seven months postpartum. I wanted to buy some basics that I could wear for the colder season here in Chicago while I’m essentially in hibernation mode. I never go too crazy with shopping, and this haul is a lot for me to purchase at once, but I needed clothes to boost my self-esteem and help me feel more like a person and not a “mombie.”  I’m sharing some of my finds because many of them might be on sale for Black Friday, plus they were already affordable.

My fall/winter postpartum clothing haul:

  • Cozy pullover sweater: I bought this one in the Wine color, but it also comes in many other options. It’s super soft and comfortable. It’s not itchy at all!

  • Long-sleeve top with back cutout: I just wanted a soft, basic top that I can pair with any bottoms I have and/or a vest. I want to buy this in another color as well.
  • Faux fur sweater vest: This is the coziest sweater vest with pockets and a hood. It was affordable at about $22. I have been wearing it nonstop! (This color is sold out but it comes in gray and black, too.)

  • Black midrise skinny jeans. Black jeans are a staple in my wardrobe. These are a good length for me and they are comfortable enough to wear every day. (I bought them in short.) Note: I also purchased Universal Thread jeggings, but I’m not sure I recommend them, because they stretch too much throughout the day, or maybe I needed to size down.
  • Cozy open cardigan:  This is the softest cardigan, and I wear it frequently. I picked the light gray color, which goes with just about anything I have. (It’s on sale for a limited time for $20.)

  • Pajama set: I’ve been feeling so frumpy in my mismatched T-shirt and comfy pants to go to bed. Now I feel more put together and this set is soft and cute. (I prefer shorts to sleep in because I run hot.) My friend was also kind enough to gift me a second pajama set that comes with a nursing top. The pants are so lightweight and soft.
  • Scallop sleeve sweater: It’s flattering and soft, but I wish the sleeves were full length. I bought it in gray so it can match just about everything.

 

Shop my haul**:

Click the image to shop my picks.

 

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Shop Target Black Friday** (Nov. 23, 2018):

How to Improve Your Confidence

**This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SparkleWithGain, #ILoveGain #CollectiveBias

Growing up, I wasn’t the most confident person and it affected the decisions I made over the years in addition to my outlook on life. I said no to many wonderful opportunities because I was too afraid and I simply didn’t believe in myself. Everything I’ve been through has taught me that confidence is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, but it’s not easy to gain it. If you need a boost of confidence to achieve your goals, consider these tips on how to improve your self-assurance:

  • Wake up early and get ready for the day. This is easier said than done, I know. I have kiddos who keep me up at night sometimes, but whenever possible I like to wake up earlier and put on some cute clothes. I do a quick makeup application, too, along with applying my skin-care products.
  • Take care of your clothes with Gain Fresh Water Sparkle™. Now that you have taken the time to put your best foot forward each morning, make sure your clothes are looking (and smelling) their best as well. Clothes say a lot about who we think we are and wearing outfits that make us feel good is the perfect way to boost confidence. Scent is a major mood booster, too! Gain Fresh Water Sparkle™ products, which are available exclusively at Dollar General, help keep your favorite clothing pieces clean and smelling amazing with each wash, especially when you use Gain Fresh Water Sparkle™ products together for your complete laundry routine.

Gain laundry products now come in new forms: Gain flings!™ Laundry Detergent Pacs and fireworks!™ in-wash scent booster, both now available in the Fresh Water Sparkle™ scent. The Gain fireworks!™ in-wash scentbooster beads are scent beads that give your clothes an extra boost of fresh scent. I also recently picked up Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent, Gain Liquid Fabric Enhancer/Softener, and Gain Dryer Sheets to restock my laundry room. Check out the coupon to try Gain laundry products for yourself!

Grab your coupon to save on Fresh Water Sparkle™ products at Dollar General!

http://cbi.as/pgg18

  • Create a vision board on paper or online. Consider what you’d like your life to look like and what you can do to get there. Questions to ask yourself: How would you like to describe yourself? What do you want your legacy to be? What are your priorities?
  • Find time for yourself. Make yourself a priority by pencilling in time for whatever makes you feel like yourself, whether it’s taking your time on your hair each day, soaking in the tub, working out, whatever!
  • Journal your thoughts and rewrite negative self-talk as positive statements about yourself. Writing down your thoughts can help you identify patterns in your thinking and shine a light on how often negative comments can sneak into our minds. Shifting your mindset is life changing!

  • Surround yourself with positive influences. Work on favorable habits. Take a hard look at the people, commitments and items in your life and in your home and analyze whether they contribute positivity or whether they cause more harm than good. I am constantly decluttering my home to create a more calm and pleasing environment that allows me to have happier thoughts. Your home is your sanctuary; it should look, feel and smell good!
  • Begin your day with prayer, affirmations or meditation. Start the day with a positive mindset and it will show in your actions, words and overall demeanor. Be kind to others and it will reflect on yourself.
  • Set realistic expectations for what you can accomplish in a day (or week or month). Use a planner to help you acheive your most important goals and tasks. I don’t like to force too many to-dos in one day. I stick to one or two errands daily, like shopping for laundry essentials at Dollar General or folding clothes. Trying to do too much can cause me to feel overwhelmed or like a failure when I can’t check everything off my list. Separating tasks into what must be done and what can wait sets you up for success.

Tackle Laundry Confidently:

As I mentioned, Gain’s Fresh Water Sparkle™ products can give you the added dose of confidence from knowing your clothes and linens look and smell good. Adding them to my laundry routine has kept my entire household smelling fresh, which is an accomplishment given that my 4-year-old and husband create a lot of smelly laundry! OK, I do, too. Especially after I squeeze in a workout. … Reminder: As with any laundry product, keep the detergent out of reach of children, like high on a shelf in the laundry room.

You can use Gain flings!™ laundry pacs with any laundry setup because they dissolve in both hot and cold water and are HE compatible. They are packed with 50 percent more scent than Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent, which I also like to have on hand. The Liquid Laundry Detergent offers the freshness of one bottle of the leading baking soda detergent in a single cap. Whichever method of Gain detergent you use, you get six weeks of freshness with every wash.

Have you tried the Gain Fresh Water Sparkle™ scented laundry products? In what ways can you boost your confidence?

Try Gain Fresh Water Sparkle™ Products:

In addition to these Gain products shown, Dollar General also has the new Gain Fireworks! In-Wash Scent Booster Beads in the Fresh Water Sparkle™ scent.

 

   Grab your coupon to save on Fresh Water Sparkle™ products at Dollar General!

Flora Family Photo Session

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Graham and I have a tradition of taking photos around the time of our wedding anniversary to document our life together. It’s been so fun to capture the changes to our family: Over the past four years we’ve gone from just the two of us to a family of four. We have chosen to be photographed by Abigail Joyce Photography of the Chicago metro area for three of the past four anniversaries now. I love the style of her photos and she is really good with kiddos! We recently had our session in Elmhurst at a beautiful park that Abigail loves. I could immediately see why she shoots sessions there.

I chose our outfits based on a chambray toddler dress I saw at Target for V. Addi had a Carter’s chambray heart romper that matched it, and then we bought a similar-color Tommy Hilfiger shirt for Graham to wear so that our outfits all tied together. I paired her little romper with gold moccasins, but we also took those off for some shots because baby toes are the cutest. I wore a floral dress I purchased for Mother’s Day but never wore. (It’s no longer available, but it’s from the brand Xhilaration. My shoes are block heels by the brand A New Day.) I think our outfits looked nice together, if I do say so myself.

We posed near a gorgeous weeping willow tree that I adored, as well as a pond. I am in love with the scenery and the photos Abigail captured! These are special because they are the first professional photos we have of us with our girls.

 

 

As I have written about before, I highly recommend Abigail Joyce Photography if you’re looking for a couples, family, newborn or maternity photography in the Chicago area.

Do you take photos with your partner or family every year?

Shop the post**:

Chambray Toddler Dress

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Infant Chambray Heart Romper
This romper is under $6!

Related posts:

My maternity session with Abigail Joyce Photography
OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY PHOTOS
OUR LITTLE SECRET

ABOUT ABIGAIL:

Abigail is a Chicago based newborn photographer specializing in newborn photography, maternity photography, and children’s portraits. She meets with clients both on location or in-home, as well as her studio in Westchester, Illinois. She plans to open a studio in Oak Park.

Note: This post was not sponsored.

 

 

New Fabletics Workout Attire & My Pregnancy Fitness Routine

** This post is sponsored by Fabletics. All opinions are my own.

Fitness has been an important part of my life for seven years now. I have known that I want to stay as active as possible throughout my pregnancy, but my fitness routine has certainly changed. What motivates me to want to work out still involves cute athletic wear though! Today I’m sharing my pregnancy fitness routine and the new workout outfit I am loving to help me not only look great but feel confident during this special but challenging time.

I have written about Fabletics before because I have been impressed with their workout attire. They have such pretty designs, and I’ve found that they hold up well to frequent use and washes. I wear this Fabletics top all the time because I love the coverage in the back and it’s comfortable.

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine | New Fabletics Workout Outfit

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine | New Fabletics Workout Outfit

My New Fabletics Workout Outfit + Wish List:

I recently received the Aubrey Tank (White) and the Salar Mesh Powerhold Capri (Aegean) from Fabletics to try. The new collection is so adorable that it was difficult to choose an outfit! I wanted everything!

The Aubrey Tank is super comfortable and moisture-wicking. It’s meant to have a loose fit, but during pregnancy it fits around the belly. (You could also size up if you’re pregnant if you still want that relaxed fit.)  I chose capri leggings from Fabletics because I am short and I always prefer the shorter style. The side panels add a nice touch.

 

 

Other legging features:

  • Chafe resistant
  • All-way stretch
  • Sculpting
  • UPF protection
  • Quick dry

My Pregnancy Fitness Routine:

I’ve had to adjust my fitness routine since becoming pregnant. In the beginning, I was running regularly as before, but then I had to listen to my body and cut back. I now focus most of my attention to yoga and walking at an incline on the treadmill or hiking. I’ve had the opportunity to hike in the Phoenix mountains during my visit and when I’m back home in Chicago I use the treadmill two or three times a week. When I run on the treadmill, I alternate between jogging and walking on an incline. I plan to return to running as my primary workout as soon as possible after baby so I can train for the Chicago Half-Marathon in September.

To sum up my pregnancy workouts:

  • Yoga (in class or on my own)
  • Jogging
  • Walking on the treadmill at an incline (alternating with jogging)
  • Random at-home strength exercises such as lunges and squats

Have you tried Fabletics? Check out the new styles and let me know what items you’d love to get! This month you can get 2 pairs of leggings for $24 – a $99 value – when you sign up for their flexible VIP membership program!

Shop my Fabletics outfit**:

Click the images below to shop my outfit.

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Related post:

A Phoenix Hike

Baby Clothing Haul & Wish List | New Year, New Baby Giveaway!

Baby Girl Haul, Wish List Items & the New Year, New Baby Giveaway!

Baby Girl Haul, Wish List Items & the New Year, New Baby Giveaway!

I may already be a mom to a toddler, but I have never been pregnant before, so shopping for baby items has been off to a slow start so far. I chose to focus on decluttering and the holidays before really starting to buy products for our baby girl, who is due in late April. Also, my family has expressed a desire to throw a baby shower this month, so I’m holding off on the major essentials until then so I can see what I have left to get. That hasn’t stopped me from purchasing (and being gifted) some lovely clothing items for our little one in the meantime. Today I’m sharing my baby girl clothing haul and a giveaway!

My approach to baby clothes shopping so far:

  • The items I bought were all on clearance, which has been nice as well since many of these will only be worn one or a few times (or not at all) as she grows! (I spent only $25 on about seven items during one trip!)
  • So far I’ve gotten clothing in various sizes, from newborn to a gifted onesie that is 6-9 months. If she doesn’t wear something I will sell or donate the item as I do with everything else I declutter!
  • One of my goals when shopping for baby clothes is to not only focus on pink for my baby girl. I want her to wear all sorts of colors, including blue!
  • I know people tell new moms to buy practical clothing, but I don’t think everything has to only be about efficiency. If you want to buy something cute, like something for photos, go for it! Also, it’s suggested to stay away from light colors because of stains, but again, if you want something white, get it!

Baby Clothes Shopping Haul and a New Year, New Baby Giveaway!
There’s so much truth printed on this baby onesie.

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway
These three onesies were found at Nordstrom Last Chance.

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway
This entire summer outfit is also from Last Chance.

Baby Girl Haul, Wish List Items & the New Year, New Baby Giveaway!
Another Last Chance baby girl clothing find.

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway
This skirt was purchased with a complimentary credit I received to Swap.com. Practical? No. Adorable? Absolutely!

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway
I fell in love with this elephant plush rattle toy, which I found on clearance at Target. The Little Sister onesie was a gift from my older sister.

Not pictured: Neutral-colored giraffe onesies and the pink little sister onesie we used in our gender reveal.

A Peek Into My Baby Wish List:

As you can see, I haven’t purchased much. I’m still in shopping-list-creating mode. I want to avoid buying things that are unnecessary, but that’s such a challenge!

The items below are just a peek into what’s on my wish list/registry. Some of the items also happen to be featured in the giveaway I am teaming up to do with some of my mommy blogger friends. We are giving away a bundle of amazing products for your baby worth $200!

One product I have heard rave reviews about was the Boppy nursing and positioning pillow, so it was one of the first items I added to my baby registry. I love all the different designs you can choose from for the cover, especially this Love print. I find that it’s gender neutral and just lovely. Plus, you can switch out the cover if you want!

 

Baby Girl Haul, Wish List Items & the New Year, New Baby Giveaway!

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway

I like that the tag illustrates the different positions in which you can use the Boppy.

Baby Girl Clothing Haul, Wish List and a Baby Product Giveaway

  • I also really want the Frida Baby newborn grooming and healthcare kit we are featuring in our giveaway! It has everything you need for your little one.
  • I can’t wait to get some adorable swaddle blankets as well! I have even seen some that match mommy maternity robes. How cute would that be for a newborn family photo session?!
  • Because our families live far away from us in Chicago, a gate check bag for our stroller and car seats will be essential for when we have to travel so the baby can meet them.
  • A baby carrier for when we are on the go!

I’ll be sharing more of my registry essentials soon, along with a recap of my baby shower when the time comes. What items did you find you didn’t need? Let me know in the comments!

Enter the New Year, New Baby product giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Related posts:

A Drone Gender Reveal

Pregnancy Favorites

Our Little Secret

 

5 Onesie Pajamas to Keep You Warm This Winter

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

All images via Target

Lately I’ve been all about comfort. All I want to do is lounge around in the coziest of pajamas. It doesn’t help that it’s been gray and in the 30s and 40s, either. I currently only have one onesie ― a pancake-stack print ― and I recently bought the most comfortable pair of pajama pants from the Gilligan and O’Malley brand, but I want more. More! Today I’m sharing what I think are the most adorable onesie pajama options at Target. Consider this my onesie pajama wish list! These are all super affordable, too. (Some of these were recently on sale for only $20. While that sale is over, look for more deals as the holiday shopping season ramps up.)

 

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  • Elephant: Because elephants are one of my favorite animals.
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Penguins: These just scream cozy Netflix marathon.

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Which onesie is your favorite? Are you a fan of onesies?

Decluttering Process/Update & Items I Regret Buying

**This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links. Thanks for supporting Floradise!
I recently had the urge to reexamine my entire wardrobe as part of my end-of-summer cleaning and decluttering list, which I shared in July.  I began with about 50 items hanging in my closet, not counting my winter jackets and exercise clothes. While that number is not astronomical, I still felt like I was holding onto items that were no longer working for me. I wanted to see if I cut that down even more.
Steps I took to declutter my closet:
  • I first looked at the clothing my closet and took note of the items I am definitely not decluttering. These are the clothes I absolutely love.
  • I grabbed everything I was on the fence about or haven’t worn this season or year (since January) and put them on my bed.
  • I tried on every single piece I was unsure about. I examined how I looked and felt (aka the spark Joy method) but mostly checked that it fit and flattered my body.
  • If I decided I wanted to keep the item, I asked myself what other items I would pair it with for a complete outfit. I found that this gave me ideas for outfits for the fall and winter, which made me excited to wear the items again.
  • I threw the items I felt frumpy in or that no longer fit in the donation pile or listed them online. I had kept some clothes in hopes of fitting into them again at some point after gaining weight in the past year. But I realized that holding onto them was weighing me down and making me feel disappointed in myself when I saw them. They were daily reminders that I am not at my ideal stage. I’m instead choosing to accept where I am and not pressure myself to look a certain way.
  • Purses: I held them and asked myself how often I use them. I didn’t have many to start with, just four. But I realized I could get rid of at least one. I also realized I need a black small to midsize crossbody bag because it would go with most of my outfits and sometimes I don’t want to carry a large purse.
  • I don’t have much space in our closet, so I hang my scarves on a hanger. I went through and touched each one. I asked myself how many outfits each scarf matched and how many times I wore it last winter. If none, I donated it. I moved my scarves next to my long-sleeve tees so that I will see them when I grab a top this fall and so I will hopefully be inspired to wear one.
  • I went through my race shirts and workout tops and asked myself what I wear most often and why. I typically wear the same tops: tanks or comfortable, soft tees. I had been hanging onto tees from my training groups because I felt like I had to, but I decided to let them go because I simply don’t like them and never wear them. No one seems to mind that I don’t run in our training shirts when I do group training anyway. I arranged my shirts by color so I can easily find them. (The purple fabric in the corner is the packaging for sheets I bought a long time ago. I use it to store my extra hair ties, running gels, reflective vest, headlamp and lip balm.)
  • I don’t own many shoes, but I took a look at them anyway. I decided I didn’t need an extra pair of running shoes. I am donating these because they are still in good shape.

 

  • I can fit my makeup collection into a three-drawer storage organizer**, but I still went through it. I decided to give a few items to family who I know would use them, and my goal is to only have one of each makeup item, except blushes, eyeshadow palettes and lip products. I also set a goal to use up some products this fall, including one I was particularly disappointed with. (More on that below.)
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Three-drawer organizer**

The outcome:

My winter and fall jackets, a couple pairs of shorts, a work blazer, my nightgowns/lingerie (which I hang) and a vest are not pictured. I kept the perfect amount for me: A casual winter jacket, a peacoat, a lighter coat for fall special occasions (weddings), a casual rain jacket, a more formal rain jacket, and a poncho that I pretty much live in during the summer. Also not shown is an army green jacket and a mustard top I recently purchased for the fall. On my shopping list: One or two long-sleeve tops.

Products I wish I didn’t buy:

As I’ve gone through my decluttering list, I’ve come items I have changed my mind about and wish I didn’t buy in the first place. I will admit that at times I’ve been influenced to purchase items because of hype on blogs and YouTube. I now realize that I need to get back to being more mindful about my purchases and only buying items I really need. Not all of these items have been disappointing; one was simply something I did not need and don’t use.

  • Jaclyn Hill/Becca Face Palette: This was one of the first purchases I made when I wanted to get into highlighters. I was influenced to buy this palette by all the hype around it. I had heard so much about Champagne Pop, and Prosecco Pop swatches looked beautiful online. I also liked that the palette came with three blushes, so I figured I would get a lot of use out of it. So what happened? I featured this in my favorites when I first purchased it, but soon after that it broke. I was able to repress Prosecco Pop, but Champagne Pop was mixed with one of the blush colors. After owning this for more than a year, I can say that I only really reach for this for the Amaretto blush color. I use the little bit of Prosecco Pop that didn’t shatter, but I was not able to really use Champagne Pop. I don’t really think the other two blush colors look good on me, so this palette overall has not been worth the money I paid. My goal is to use the rest of the blush and highlighter this fall.
  • Nikki Blackketter x Gymshark top and leggings: This purchase was another instance of hype getting the best of me. I love Nikki’s YouTube channel and I credit it for motivating me when I had lost interest in fitness this year. When she posted about her collection, I loved everything. At least, everything looked great on her. It did not look so great on me, however. I had not purchased much from Gymshark so I was unfamiliar with its sizing. I ended up ordering the wrong size in leggings. I sold them on eBay to get my money back, but I kept the top. I featured it in my favorites a couple of months ago, too. But then I washed it and the logos came off. Call me crazy, but a $60 top workout top should not lose its labeling/logo that quickly. I still plan to wear it, but I was disappointed about that.
  • Milani Even Touch Powder Foundation: I am not saying this is a bad product; I just don’t ever use powder foundation, so I am not sure what I was thinking when I purchased this. To be fair, I was on vacation and ran out of foundation. I could not find the Milani liquid foundation at any drugstore I went to, so I gave this a shot in a pinch. The shade matched me perfectly, but I just never use this. I have loved most other Milani products I’ve tried, though.
Checking in on my cleaning and decluttering list:
I’ve crossed off many of the to-dos on the list I shared this summer, but I still have some pending. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever accomplish a couple of these, especially the one about decluttering DVDs.
  • Dust above cabinets and shelves.
  • Donate DVDs.
  • Get rid of old stroller and other baby items.
  • Store air-conditioning units (when weather eventually changes) and clean off heaters.
  • Donate extra umbrellas.
I have donated about two bags of items, including clothes and toys.
Is there a category that you find difficult to declutter? Share it with me in the comments! 
 
 

My Experience With SheIn

** This post about SheIn contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise.
SheIn Purchases and My Thoughts

Chances are you’ve seen bloggers on Instagram touting trendy clothing items at insanely low prices and wondered where they bought them from. I have noticed a lot of them are from SheIn. In the past year, I have purchased 11 items from SheIn, the inexpensive-fashion online site. Out of those eight items, I returned two, and I would have returned at least another had I purchased return shipping insurance.

Here’s what I bought:

 

  • Long Sleeve Casual Dress ($8.89): On the site this is described as purple, but it was red. It was perfect for fall, and it was comfortable to wear. On me the dress was a bit long, but I didn’t mind. Sadly I ruined this dress by spilling cleaner on it, so I could not longer where it. I decluttered it last year. I loved the neck and I would buy this again if it weren’t sold out.
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  • Marled Knit Cropped Tie Leggings ($9.99): These felt cheap and were too thin. The tie-back feature was actually kind of awkward on a short person. I donated these.
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  • Burgundy Glasses Print T-Shirt ($9.99): I love this shirt and wear it often. It’s comfortable and cute! My only issue with it is that the red kind of bled into the white glasses on the front during one of the washes. I still wear it, though. (This is the top in the photo on my website.)
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  • Army Green Criss-Cross V Back Tee ($10): I wear this once a week. It’s super comfortable and thick material. It’s a little long on me but I don’t mind that.
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    • Palm Leaf Print Embossed Fit and Flare Dress ($13): I returned this dress because it didn’t fit. I ordered a small when I needed a medium, but I also didn’t like how thin the material was. It was almost see-through.
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    • Button Closure Back Ruffle Cold-Shoulder Top ($12): I like this top. I have worn it several times. The color is nice. (I actually only paid about 45 cents because I applied the refund from the dress above to the purchase.)
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    • Palm Leaf Plunging Cami Romper ($9): I bought this for our upcoming tropical vacation. I am guilty of wanting to wear leaf print. Sorry, not sorry! The plunging part is a little much for everyday wear but will be fine on the beach. It’s also a little thin. It was a bit too tight when I first tried it on but now it zips. If it doesn’t fit in December I plan to donate or sell this.
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    • Multicolor Pocket Off-the-Shoulder Romper ($15.49): I absolutely love this romper and wear it often. It’s a bit thin, a common theme in my purchases, but I don’t mind. I love the colors!
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    • Cut-Out Strappy Shoulder Tee ($9): I wear this often as well, and it is starting to show signs of wear, namely loose threads.
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    • Black Waterdrop Pendant Lace Choker ($2.99): I liked this choker but I realize as I type this that I haven’t worn it in months. It’s time to let it go or start wearing it again.
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    • Wrap V Neckline Palm Leaf Print Self Tie Slit Dress ($6): I am not sure who would ever wear this. It looks cute but that slip comes up to your waist almost. It’s totally not wearable except as a bathing suit coverup. I am not sure why I even bought this, but I immediately returned it.
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Note: The prices I listed are those that I paid. Prices can change and some of mine were lower because I applied credits I received from reviewing purchases.

My SheIn purchases so far have totaled less than $100. Overall, you get what you pay for. I was pleasantly surprised with a few of my picks, and disappointed in just as many items. The other items were just OK; they were cute but didn’t last that long. I recommend getting the $1.99 shipping insurance if you decide to purchase anything so that you can easily return it if it doesn’t work. I have had no issues with my return. I simply printed the label, sent it back and the refund was deposited within the week. From there you have to request a withdrawal from your “Wallet” on SheIn, but that was easy to do.

You should know that the sizing is weird. Some items are just listed as one size, while others are in listed in both inches and centimeters. It’s hard to know what will fit. Reviews are your best friend with SheIn. Also, if you review you get points that you can redeem on purchases for small discounts on already inexpensive clothing.

Shipping was hit and miss. Some items arrived quickly while one item in particular took almost a month to arrive. (In that case customer service sent me an email apologizing for the delay and credited my account with points to redeem on future purchases.) Some items were shipped from China, while others seemed to arrive from Europe (though I’m not sure).

Want to shop SheIn? You can get a $5 off purchases of $55 or more with code BTS5 from Sept. 1-Sept. 15. (This is not my discount code.)

Have you shopped at SheIn? What has your experience been?

YouTube Made Me Buy It, Vol. 3

** All items mentioned in this post were purchased by me. This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links. 

Here we go again: Another post on products YouTube influenced me to buy. In the past year I’ve started watching YouTube significantly more. Over that time I looked to YouTube to find cruelty-free makeup products to switch to, but along the way I also became sucked into fitness vlogs and, lately, planner videos. I also enjoy general lifestyle vlogs, especially those that involve decluttering. This latest round of products are those that I bought after watching my favorite YouTubers.

Catch up on the first two posts in this series:

And now, Round 3:

Gymshark X Nikki Blackketter (various prices, sold out): I started watching Nikki B. in February and quickly fell in love with her personality. I also like to screenshot her workouts so I can try them on my own. When she came out with a line of clothing with GymShark I loved pretty much everything, but I didn’t really NEED a lot of the stuff. On launch day, after initially only wanting to buy a hoodie that was already sold out, I ended up buying a pair of the leggings and matching studio jumper. I figured that since the collection was limited edition I should get one or two things and sell them if I don’t like them. I also figured I would enjoy the leggings as much as the pair of Flex GymShark leggings I own, which are the most comfortable and flattering leggings ever for working out. The leggings ended up being too small, so I sold them on eBay for just a few bucks more than I paid. I liked the studio jumper for traveling back from Phoenix to Chicago and plan to wear it more on chilly days and evenings. The entire line is sold out and was limited edition, but I believe Nikki and GymShark will work on another line at some point.

BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition Palette ($22.50): I was looking for a few more purples, pinks and shimmers in my small eyeshadow collection, so when I saw the palette and that it was affordable at about $20 (when it first came out via BH Cosmetics), I picked it up. It also comes with highlighters, so I am pretty much set on highlights and shadows for a long time. This palette has a lot of kick-up, though, which makes the white palette get dirty easily. I don’t find the shimmers to be that intense unless you wet them or apply with your finger. It’s pretty though.

L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Luminous Foundation ($8.99):I LOVE this foundation. It makes my skin look glowy and healthy. It is the only foundation I own at the moment. I like the medium coverage for the summer because it’s not too much for everyday wear. The cap to the bottle (which has a pump) feels a little cheap, but that’s not a big deal. My shade is Beige.

Yeti USB microphone ($129): I wanted to buy a microphone for voice-overs on my upcoming yoga videos, and after watching about 20 videos, I decided this was the best option. I originally wanted to get a cheap microphone, but Graham convinced me that I shouldn’t always get the cheapest option for everything and that I need a quality microphone. When I talked about investing in passions recently on this blog, this is partly what I meant. I wanted to make myself more excited to make videos, which I enjoy, even if my YouTube following is small. I love the look of the silver microphone, and it’s worked well so far. I also bought a pop filter for it (about $6). Other color options are available.

Saucy Sticker Co. planner stickers ($2.50-plus):No one I watched really talked about these stickers specifically, but after watching some plan-with-me videos, I was compelled to buy some stickers on Etsy. I like Saucy stickers because she recently redesigned them to make the functional icon stickers bigger. I don’t buy full kits but rather a la carte functional sheets and those with half-boxes and washi so I can cover up my writing when plans change. I can make sheets stretch out for weeks, and I find that stickers make me more excited to use my planner. If you’d like to see a post about how I plan, let me know in the comments!

Shop the post**:

 

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Related posts:

5 Beauty Products YouTube Made Me Buy
More Products YouTube Made Me Buy
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