Cheap & Cheerful - Everlane

There have been a couple of articles over the past few weeks about how Angelina Jolie has been shopping this online store, Everlane.  Vogue.com even had an article about it.  She, and other actors, created a stampede for their Petra tote bag and therefore, a wait-list for it last year.  See it pictured below:

Image from dailymail.co.uk.

So what the heck is Everlane?

Image from everlane.com.

It is simple, quality clothing at a good price.  Their tag-line is this: "Radical Transparency:  Know your factories.  Know your costs.  Always ask why."  According to their website, "We spend months finding the best factories around the world - the very same ones that produce your favorite designer labels. We visit them often...this hands-on approach is the most effective way to ensure a factory's integrity.  We believe customers have the right to know what their products cost to make...we reveal our true costs, and then we show you our markup....Being online only, we eliminate brick-and-mortar expenses and pass these savings onto you."

Ok, I'm curious.  A little late-night shopping reveals that they sell solid basics: t-shirts, cashmere sweaters, gorgeous leather bags.  For a lot less than a lot of stores. (Except maybe the leather bags, but they are lovely.  The large Petra tote is $365, but stated to retail at $1,300.)  They have free shipping for purchases of 2 items or more.  Strictly for blogging research (wink, wink), I quickly click 2 items into my cart, a navy v-neck t-shirt and a grey, short-sleeved sweatshirt.

Images from everlane.com.

The t-shirt is $15 and the sweatshirt is $30.  Crazy, right?!  

They arrived quickly and I'm keeping both.  The $15 t-shirt is great; it's no 'tissue' tee, but it's not heavy either.  The perfect weight.  (I wonder if they have the perfect white t-shirt?!  Might have to "research" that!) The short sleeve sweatshirt is boxy but cute. Just as advertised.  Great material.  

If you are looking for good basics, it's worth a look.  Beware to check the sizing - things seem to run small and I definitely would have ordered a different size had I not looked at the sizing charts!  Enjoy, and report back with your finds! ~ JH

A little find on my 'notes' app

I found myself scrolling through my 'notes' on my iPhone looking for something else when all of a sudden, the words "Pretty bracelet" pop up.  What's this?  The note is from July 9, 2013!  I click it open and find the words "Julie Rofman".  This jogs my brain to produce visions of a beaded bracelet I saw in a great shop in Kennebunk, Maine called Fleurant.  (Fleurant is a great flower and gift shop; stop by when in Kennebunk!)  I remember writing this note while in the store, as I debated purchasing a bracelet.  I never went back to get it!

Fast forward an hour.  I have spent the past hour googling her and looking at her bracelets on her website.  Holy cow.  I forgot how gorgeous they are and have literally gotten a measuring tape out to see what width of bracelet I want.  Help me out - which one should I get?!  I DEFINITELY need one this spring/summer, stacked with my other favorite bracelets!

This Snow Leopard/Cow bracelet appeals to me - more neutral than colorful (you just know I'm the queen of neutral) and the width of the bracelet is pretty perfect at 5/8".

The Zebra/Snake bracelet is the same width, more neutral, and I love the pop of orange.

Or, do I try the Hilo wrap bracelet?  It's really cool! 

Or, do I go with the Seaside bracelet?  At 38" wide, it's a little more narrow than the others, but would that go better with a stack of bracelets?  And at $55, it's a little less of an investment.

Or, do I really make a statement and go with the Snake cuff?  At 1 1/4" wide, it's sure to stand out!

I love that all the bracelets are wrist-adjustable with a cute silver clasp and T-A-S-S-E-L end.  Seriously, help me decide!  Happy 2015! ~ JH

All images from julierofmanjewelry.com.