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Merit The Minimalist stick opened, on a wooden surface, next to two daffodils.

Beauty Product I Swear By: Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

Published by welcomeobjects

I don’t wear a lot of makeup, and I like a low-maintenance routine, so it’s fitting that one of my go-to products is called The Minimalist, a combo concealer and foundation stick from Merit Beauty.

A caveat before we continue this review: I’m not a beauty blogger, not particularly knowledgeable about beauty products and ingredients, and I haven’t tried a ton of products. But that’s also why I’m happy to have found something that works for me, a makeup lightweight.

Prior to using The Minimalist, I tried several brands of liquid foundation. I think the stick form is superior. I find it less messy and more convenient to apply.

Because I don’t like covering my whole face in makeup, it’s important that any foundation product blend well. For me, I’m just targeting certain areas that could use some help, like under the eyes, and around my nose or chin to reduce redness and blemishes. The Minimalist seems like it was made for just that, though you can also use it for all-over coverage.

I just swipe on those areas that could some improvement and blend. I find that using a brush yields better results than using just my fingers. Thankfully, it blends well into my natural skin color, leaving a pleasing matte finish.

Two images of the same hand: the first with a swipe of makeup, the second with it blended into the skin

Not following my advice, I didn’t moisturize my hand before applying this swipe of Merit’s The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick, but it still blended well. This shade is “suede.”

I was afraid that this stick would be drying. But it has a nice creamy texture. Still, I find it important to moisturize beforehand. And if I really want the coverage to look nicer and last longer, I use a primer as well. Perhaps because I’m able to better control how much product I put on as opposed to a liquid foundation, this stick product feels lighter and more breathable to me on my skin than liquid. Oh, and it doesn’t have any scent, which is important to me.

And the fact that it’s two products in one? Yes, please do save me time! I love the convenience.

The only con is that the whole stick has fallen out of the tube on me. (Reading reviews, it seems this has happened to many people.) So…I just picked it up and plopped it back in. Some people also say that it’s not good for acne-prone skin and seems to lead to more zits. I haven’t experienced that myself. But I also don’t wear foundation daily.

BTW, Merit is a cruelty-free brand. It also scores a 2 — that’s a good thing — on EWG’s Skin Deep database, which rates cosmetics and personal care products for ingredients and toxicity.

As a less-is-more makeup person, I recommend The Minimalist.

Clothing on clothes racks, a plant is in the foreground

The Contradiction of Sustainable Fashion Blogging

Published by welcomeobjects

This summer turned out to be super stressful and busy (not going to go into details, but elder care is hard and the supports in this country are inadequate). This might have been the longest I’ve gone without posting to the blog? So this is a hello-I’m-still-here update.

My Q2 Shopping Check-in

I haven’t gotten around to doing a Q2 shopping check-in, but let’s just say that I’m not adhering well to my goal of buying no more than 20 clothing items this year and making half of my purchases secondhand.

In the second quarter of this year, I reached 15 items. Most of the additions are summer clothing, some from my summer wardrobe wish list. And some have already made their debut on the blog. This includes a linen midi dress (review), this faux dress set (review), and a pajama top (review) that I’ve deemed nice enough to wear out. Plus tank tops, lots of tank tops. (See an unboxing of one of my shopping orders.)

I’m in year two of dealing with weight gain due to a medical issue. Another year where most of my wardrobe frustratingly doesn’t fit me. So I feel justified in acquiring some new things.

The Contradiction

To be quite honest, if I’m really trying to behave more sustainably, I shouldn’t even blog as it just feeds an appetite for stuff.

And yet. I’m probably adding more than I truly need. It’s kind of hard to keep the acquisitions count down when you’re a blogger who writes about clothes. (Some of the items I bought myself while others were sent to me by brands to try.) I started this blog to hold myself accountable when it comes to shopping — to try to shop more ethically and sustainably, and most importantly, to shop less.

But to be quite honest, if I’m really trying to behave more sustainably, I shouldn’t even blog as it just feeds an appetite for stuff. It encourages me to keep an eye on brands and look at what’s new, and well, shop.

Of course I could change my focus and commit to completely shopping secondhand. But I’d say that right now in my life that isn’t possible. (See aforementioned stressful times.) I mean, it’s possible, but not how I want to spend my time as there are more pressing matters to prioritize. Personally, I’ve found that shopping secondhand takes patience to find the right item. Even when I know the exact item I want, waiting for it to pop up on the resale market can sometimes take a while.

How Bloggers Make Money

Also, I’m not going to lie, but there’s definitely a financial incentive to sharing items that a reader can click on and buy. Bloggers make money in several ways (if at all): having sponsored posts where brands pay you to write about them, selling products or classes, running ads, and affiliate links.

If someone clicks through on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the blogger makes a small commission. This is how I mostly make money from this blog. (I don’t have sponsored posts or products.) I certainly don’t make enough to live on — just enough to cover costs and pay for some coffee and pastries. And while I like making money from this blogging effort, it doesn’t drive what I do here. I ignore plenty of requests from brands that don’t align with my values.

I do this because I like sharing my opinion and letting you know if I think something is worth buying or not. And I enjoy seeing what brands are making and want to shout out the ones I think are doing a good job.

Anyhow, I don’t know how to reconcile this inherent contradiction. Just being honest and putting it out there that there is one. I believe in being transparent about where I’m coming from and how things work here.

First Image: Thom Bradley/Unsplash

This post contains some affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting Welcome Objects.

A person wearing a black sleeveless bubble top and a matching wrap skirt in front of a red wall. Their hands are in their pockets.

Outfit: Matching Gauze Set from Pact

Published by welcomeobjects

Summer has definitely arrived here in NYC. This hot and muggy weather has got me missing chilly San Francisco summers. I know some long-time New Yorkers who make it a habit to leave for more temperate locales this time of year. But I’m stuck here. Time for breezier fabrics!

I had my eye on this midi skirt and the matching bubble hem top from Pact. These were on my summer wardrobe wish list. It’s part of Pact’s Coastal Collection, which is made out of a lightweight double-gauze organic cotton fabric.

** This post contains affiliate links, but was not produced in partnership with any brand. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, all opinions are my own and I only write about items that interest me. **

In my younger days, I thought matching sets were dorky. But now I love them. It’s an easy way to get dressed and look chic. I appreciate that I can wear each piece separately with other items but can bring them together to create a faux dress.

Since these pieces have a casual vibe, I decided on my Nisolo flatform sandals (reviewed here), which have a simple, slightly sporty form.

I could have gone with simple jewelry as well. But I decided to add a splash of color to my all-black outfit with fun lemon slice earrings. (Get a closer look at them here.) And I rounded out things with my trusty Lo & Sons convertible bag (reviewed here), one of my few non-black bags.

Closeup of a bubble top as worn by a person with black hair who is also wearing lemon slice earrings.

Outfit details: What’s not to love about lemon earrings? Also wearing this emerald ring.

I was worried that the top would be too cropped. But it works well with high-waisted skirts. I’m wearing a size small here, which measures 19″ long and probably sits a little shorter on the body because of the elastic bottom hem.

A person wears a midi black skirt with a wrap design.

The skirt is a faux wrap design with an elastic waist.

Did I mention this skirt has pockets?!

I found both pieces petite friendly (unlike this maxi dress, which would likely be too long).

BTW, I have a pair of shorts and tank top made out of this same fabric from a few years back. I decided to buy this set in black so that I could mix and match with the pieces I already owned. The older pieces are a touch darker, though, so it’s not a perfect match. (Probably a result of their manufacturing process. Pact says these fabrics are processed at a lower temperature, which saves water and energy, but results in variations in saturation.) But it’s good enough.

This is an outfit I think I’ll be wearing on repeat this summer. Even though I feel disgusting from the heat and humidity, I also feel cute and pulled together in this matching set.

If you’re interested in Pact, you can use my coupon code WELCOMEOBJ15 to get 15% off your first order.

A person with black hair wearing a black pajama top and shorts in bed. They have one hand to their neck.

A Daily Luxury: Quince Silk Pajamas

Published by welcomeobjects

After upgrading my bed frame, mattress, and sheets, I figured it was time to upgrade my pajamas too. I’ve tried a few styles of pajamas from Quince, so here’s a roundup of silk pajama pieces. (I’ll also review some linen pajamas in another post.)

Fabric & Manufacturing

All of Quince’s silk pajama pieces are 100% mulberry silk with a 19mm fabric weight, which feels medium-ish. This is the same weight as their washable silk skirt, tanks, and other items. Compared to those items, these pajama pieces have a more matte, velvety finish. (If you’re curious about the other items, I reviewed some of their silk clothing here).

These pieces were made in Shenzen, China. Quince has several certifications for them, including:

  • Standard 100 OEKO-TEX® (Certificate Number: SH050127759) — This means no hazardous substances are present.
  • Bluesign — Dyed without hazardous chemicals in a mill that meets standards to operate more efficiently and help protect workers from exposure to chemicals.
  • BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) — Factories with this certification aim to improve working conditions.

Quince gifted some of the pajamas in this post to me. Others I bought myself. As always, I share my honest opinion. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. This helps support my ability to run this blog. Thank you!

A Side Note About the Packaging

Two pieces of Quince clothing in compostable plastic bags.

Recent Quince orders have mostly come in compostable bags.

I’ve noticed that Quince has been changing over from regular poly bags to compostable bags, which is great! However, I find their hang tags overly elaborate, especially for clothes that are shipped directly to the consumer. The strings have a small circular piece of plastic. Whyyyy? And some of the tags have metal grommets. These little touches convey “nice quality,” I suppose, but to me, they just feel like a waste of materials. They’re single use trash.

Closeup of a red silk tank top with a Quince hang tag.

A closer look at the silk pajama tank, courtesy of Quince, in crimson, which is a deeper red than pictured on their site (see below). Note the tag and its use of plastic and a grommet.

A Review of Quince’s Washable Silk Pajamas

OK, now on to the reviews. We’ll look at five different pieces. Here’s a 5′ 9 model wearing size small in the silk pajama tee and pajama pants.

A Black model with short hair wears a red pajama set consisting of a T-shirt and long pants.

Silk Pajama Tee – $69.90 / Silk Pajama Pants – $79.90

And here’s 5′ 4″ me wearing size medium.

A person with black hair wearing black silk pajamas consisting of a long T-shirt and long pants with a slit up the side.

Silk Pajama Tee – $69.90 / Silk Pajama Pants – $79.90

100% Washable Silk Pajama Pants

Fit: I wear a small in most brands. But because I like my pajamas on the looser side, I sized up to a medium. I’m petite (almost 5′ 4″), so these pants are long on me — the inseam is 27″ — and drag on the floor slightly.

Design Details: Happily there are two side pockets. The pant legs are wide-ish. There’s a slit at the outer side of each pant leg — I’m holding open the slit in the photo above so you get an idea of how long it is. Quince says these are “great for hot sleepers who want a bit of leg ventilation.” However, when I sleep all that material from the lower section of the pant leg bunches up around the knee, which I find annoying. I didn’t see anyone else complain about this in the reviews, so maybe it’s just me. But it bothers me enough that I’m motivated to alter them somehow.

A person with black hair wearing a black pajama top and long pants with a slit in bed

Being real here with my unbrushed bedhead. Silk Pajama Button Up Top c/o  / Silk Pajama Pants // Brooklinen Sheets [review] // Quince Blanket // Thuma Bed [review]

100% Washable Silk Pajama Tee

Closeup of a silk T-shirt in black

The crewneck of the Quince silk pajama tee is a different material than the body of the tee.

Fit: Again, I sized up to a medium. Even though it’s 21″ across from pit to pit, curiously, it sometimes feels constricting across my back, for example when I cross my arms. Maybe it has something to do with how the armholes are cut? I’d prefer a more oversized fit.

Design Details: This shirt has a curved front hem and a back that’s longer. In the medium, the front is about 23″ and the back is 4″ longer. If this were a shirt I was wearing out, I’d say it was too long for a short person like me. But since it’s just for sleeping, it’s fine. The crewneck seems to be made out of another material, though the description says that the shirt is 100% silk. In any case, the neckline has a different feel.

Interestingly, this tee has a slightly different texture than the other pieces. It has a bit more sheen and feels smoother than the other pieces I’m reviewing. Quality wise, there’s also a slight puckering where the sleeves attach to the body. This was the only quality issue I found among the pieces.

Next up: the silk pajama tank and shorts.

A white model with long brown hair wears pajama set consisting of a black tank top and shorts.

Silk Pajama Tank – $49.90 / Silk Pajama Shorts – $49.90

The above is a 5’7″ model wearing size small. And here’s 5’4″ me in medium.

A person with black hair wearing a silk red pajama top and shorts in bed

Silk Pajama Tank – $49.90 / Silk Pajama Shorts – $49.90 (both courtesy of Quince)

100% Washable Silk Pajama Shorts

Fit: Again, I sized up to a medium and am glad I did. In this size, the elastic fits comfortably and not too tight.

Design Details: These shorts bear a striking resemblance to the shorts in this Lunya set, though the Quince ones lack the venting on the side. I like how the elastic goes around the back while the front portion is un-elasticized, similar to the Lunya design. The pajama pants have this same design. I think it’s an aesthetically pleasing detail. There’s one shallow back pocket on these shorts, but I don’t see myself using it, so I’ve left it sewn shut.

Red silk tank top and shorts

Right after I unpacked them: Silk Pajama Tank – $49.90 / Silk Pajama Shorts – $49.90 (both courtesy of Quince)

100% Washable Silk Pajama Tank

Fit: The medium measures 19″ across pit to pit and skims the body nicely. The arm holes are slightly big in this size on me, but I don’t mind. It’s a comfortable fit.

Design Details: It’s a classic scoop neck tank as expected. In my review of Quince’s stretch silk tank, I wondered if this pajama tank would be appropriate to wear out. The answer is yes.

Alright, one more item to go. Here’s a 5’9″ model wearing size small in the silk pajama button up top with the pajama pants, which looks like a dupe for this Lunya set.

And here I am wearing medium. On my short limbs, the sleeves fall at my elbow instead of above it.

A person with black hair wearing black silk pajamas consisting of a button up short sleeve shirt and long pants with a slit up the side.

Silk Pajama Button Up Top c/o – $59.90 / Silk Pajama Pants – $79.90

100% Washable Silk Pajama Button Up Top

Fit: Wide, loose, and cropped. The medium measures 22″ across and 20″ in length. The back of the top falls away from the body a bit. It’s nicely roomy.

Design Details: There’s one chest pocket and hidden buttons. I love the boxy shape, which feels more comfortable to me than the silk pajama tee. I like it so much that I also ordered a size small to wear out with high-waisted bottoms.

Mix & Match

Overall, I like these pieces and find them comfortable. As someone who sleeps hot, silk helps me stay cooler with its thermoregulating qualities. So far, I’ve had good experiences with Quince’s silk offerings. They’re of decent quality and priced less than other brands (though those other brands may offer a more luxe product).

These pieces also wash easily. I hand wash and then hang them up to dry. I’m pleased to report that they dry quickly. They do get wrinkled with hang drying, but whatever. I’m not going to iron my pajamas. They’re just going to wrinkle again as I sleep.

I love having all these different pieces to mix and match according to the weather and my mood. My favorite pieces are the button up top and the shorts. For the summer now, I’m pairing the tank with the shorts.

Initially, I thought that silk pajamas were too bougie, too much of a luxury. After all, there’s nothing wrong with cotton pajamas. But now that I’ve tried them, I’m here to say that I deserve nice silk pajamas — and you do too!

If you found this review helpful, please considering shopping through my link. Thank you!

Three images of models posing in clothes: a black woman wearing a white tank top and wide legged jeans, a white blone woman in a black sleeveless top and midi skirt, and a white woman with brown hair wearing a purple tank top and white pants.

My 2024 Summer Wardrobe Wish List

Published by welcomeobjects

Summer has arrived here in NYC. I put off turning on the A/C for as long as possible, but with humidity at 95% this past muggy Thursday, I gave in. That’s the sign to me of summer truly beginning.

While I have lost some of the weight that I gained last year dealing with an ongoing health issue, many things in my closet still don’t fit my changing body. So I once again find myself shopping for summer clothes. Here’s a few things I’ve been eyeing from ethical brands.

** This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting Welcome Objects. **

Summer Wardrobe Wants

1. Tank tops, more of! With the heat and humidity, I sweat way more than I did when I lived in San Francisco. That means not being able to rewear things as much as I used to before washing. I’m eyeing this double scoop tank top from Quince. (It reminds me of Everlane’s Air Cami, reviewed here. In that review, I learned that I don’t love rounded hems. But, I figure I will only wear these tucked in). Also, I love a reversible top and Pact has some cotton slub reversible tank tops this year. I have some different ones from a few years back and I wear them a lot.

2. Nice shorts. All the shorts that fit me currently are more casual and wrinkly. I want some fancier shorts. Kind of like these from Quince. However, those are polyester. No thanks. Seems like they would get too hot. So, the search is on for a similar style in natural materials.

3. A lightweight black midi skirt, something light and breezy. Currently eyeing this gauzy skirt from Pact. Of course I’d have to get the matching bubble top since I’m a sucker for sets. These pieces are part of their Coastal Collection and made from the same double gauze cotton as a pair of shorts and a tank top I bought two years ago, which they don’t appear to make anymore (review here).

4. Tops with prints. OK, this isn’t a summer specific item, but I’m realizing I could use some more prints. I hardly have any short-sleeved tops with prints. The hard part is finding a print that I like. Mixed by Nasrin makes some fun prints, but mostly in jumpsuits and dresses. But they do make shirts sometimes, so I’ll keep checking back.

5. Black sneakers. Another one that’s not summer specific. I’m still wearing the same pair of black Hokas I bought five years ago based on a podiatrist’s recommendation. But I’ve never gotten over how ugly they are, though I tried my best at styling them. Also, I’ve come to realize that though they are cushy, they’re not as comfortable to me as my New Balances with an orthotic insert. Posture expert dr. Liza recently told me that Hokas can actually lead to overpronation, another strike against them. Anyhow, haven’t figured out what I want, even. I just know that this is a wardrobe hole.

Coveting But Refraining From

Now, let’s talk about some stuff I want, but do not need. Maybe if I write about it, I will get it out of my system?

I’m in love with Lo & Sons newest bag, the Aoyama. It’s like a luxe version of my beloved Baggu crescent bag (reviewed here). The ability to change the strap is so clever. I want this bag, but I’m going to be good and think on this some more.

I also find the Cecilia bag from Nisolo simple and stylish. However, I know from experience that I keep falling for this style of bag but end up not using them. Sometimes, they’re just too big on little old me. Sadly, the Nisolo store here closed so I can’t check it out in person.

A hand holds up a Lo & Sons small bag with rounded bottom corners. Behind is a cherry blossom tree.

I Always Travel With This Bag: Lo & Sons Waverley Convertible Belt Bag

Published by welcomeobjects

Today I’m writing about one of my all-time favorite bags: the Lo & Sons Waverley convertible fanny pack and crossbody purse. I’ve worn it in photos all over this blog and on my Instagram, so I thought it was time I did a proper review.

I appreciate this bag’s minimalist style. Someone in the reviews complains that it lacks distinctive styling, but that person and I have different tastes. Sure, it’s understated, but I find its lines and tapered shape pleasing.

I own the original version of this bag, version 1, circa 2018. Recently, Lo & Sons sent me the Waverley 2. I’ll take a look at both and show you how the first one has worn over time.

Lo & Sons gifted a bag to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own. Thanks for the support.

Waverley 2 Sizing: Large vs. Small

Two belt bags, one purple and larger, and one black and smaller.

The Waverley 2 vs. 1 (size large vs. small)

The Waverley 2 comes in two sizes: small and large. The original bag only came in one size, and I believe it’s the same dimensions as the current small.

Large: 8.3″w x 5.9″h x 2″d
Small: 8.0″w x 5.6″h x 2″d

As you can see, the large is only slightly larger, but that bit of space makes a difference. I carry my wallet, phone, Baggu reusable bag (reviewed here), tissue packet, lip balm, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my Waverley. With the larger size I can also squeeze in a pair of sunglasses.

A plum colored bag surrounded by items such as a cell phone, sunglasses, wallet, lip balm, tissue pack and more

What fits in my Waverley 2 (size large)

Lo & Sons has a handy size and fit guide showing how the two sizes look on different people. But if you’re on the fence, I’d just go for the bigger one.

Materials

The current Waverley comes in nappa leather, saffiano leather, and cactus leather. Between the exterior color, hardware, and interior lining color, there are 26 different options.

My Waverley 1 is nappa leather, a smooth and soft leather that does show wear over time. I did not baby this bag at all, and six years in, you can see evidence of that in the scratches on the bag. In the last year or so the rubbery edging on the strap has also started to come off.  (If anyone knows the proper terminology, let me know.) I’ve tried gluing the edging down, but that doesn’t work. So, I’ve just been cutting it as it peels.

A lo & sons black belt bag with many scratch on it

How my Waverley 1 looks after six years of heavy use.

After I took the above photo, I thought, “Hmm, I should really condition this bag.”

A lo & sons black belt bag with scratches buffed out

I used this to condition the bag.

Ah, much better!

For the newer bag, I decided to go with saffiano leather. With its textured cross-hatch finish, it’s more durable and scratch resistant.

A plum-colored bag in saffiano leather

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in saffiano leather – $178 ($142 on sale)

Because saffiano leather is stiffer than nappa, the new bag also stands up more easily by itself. The stiffer leather also means that the strap takes more wrangling to adjust than the nappa leather.

A purple bag sits on a white surface, a vase of flowers in the distance.

I was tempted to get another black bag, but decided to branch out to plum. In person, the color is brighter and more purple than in the stock photos, particularly in the sun.

The Waverley comes with minimal, tasteful hardware in silver, gold, or gunmetal. I like the gold, though I noticed that the hardware on the Waverley 1 had a matte finish while on the 2, it’s shinier.

Close up of the hardware on two bag straps. While both are brass colored, one is matte while the other is shiny

The gold hardware of the Waverley 1 (black) vs. 2 (plum).

Price

At $178 for the large size, it may seem pricey for a little bag. (The small is $10 less.) But, the materials are quality, the bag is well-constructed, production is ethical — and you can snag it on sale. It periodically goes on sale and at the time of this writing, it’s on sale! This is a case of you get what you pay for.

Organization

As I’ve come to expect with Lo & Sons, the organization makes sense. The updated Waverley has even more organizational options than the original. Waverley 1 has a slip pocket inside, as well as a card slot area on the other side. In the updated bag the card slot area is also in a zippered pocket, creating a more secure space.

View of the top of a bag looking inside. A hand holds open a bag, which has a zippered compartment on one side and a slip pocket on the other.

The Waverley 2 has a zippered pocket with card slots inside. On the other side is a large slip pocket.

The newer bag also has a slot on the back, which fits a card perfectly. If I were still using a Metro card, I would keep it here. (These days, I use my phone to pay for the subway.) It’s a handy space for something you need to access quickly, like a hotel room key.

The back of a belt bag showing a slip pocket that fits a card.

My Waverley 2 bag ready for a trip to the library.

Ways To Wear the Waverley

The Waverley comes with two straps: a short one that’s about 15″, and an adjustable one that’s 42″ at its longest. You can combine both straps for a maximum length of 57″. Switching or adjusting the straps creates four different ways to wear it: as a belt bag, shoulder bag, crossbody bag, or wristlet.

Mode 1: Fanny Pack/Belt Bag

So many fanny packs look utilitarian, but the Waverley looks elegant.

Mode 2: Shoulder Bag

A person with black hair wears a small purple bag on their shoulders. They are also wearing a gray cardigan.

The Waverley makes for a lightweight shoulder bag.

Mode 3: Crossbody Bag

A person with black hair wears a purple small crossbody bag. They are posting in front of a red brick wall.

J. Crew Shirt // Oak & Fort Cardigan [similar] // Eileen Fisher Pants [review] [similar] // dr. Liza Shoes [review] // Lo & Sons Bag

Because the Waverley is slim, at just 2″ in depth, I can wear it under a coat as well as over one. Compared to another Lo & Sons bag, the Nouvelle (my review here), it is slimmer.

Mode 4: Wristlet/Clutch

A hand holds up a Lo & Sons small bag, which has a strap around the wrist

Clip both ends of the the 15″ strap on for wristlet mode. Also wearing this ring.

Use just the short strap to create a wristlet. Or leave it off entirely to carry as a clutch.

Out of all the ways to wear this bag, belt bag and crossbody are my favorites. But I appreciate being able to wear it the other ways too.

Traveling with the Waverley

The convertible nature of the Waverley makes it an ideal bag for travel when you don’t want to pack too much. I’ve worn it as a belt bag for walking around town, then used it as a wristlet for a wedding.

But I also find the Waverley indispensable for the airport. You see, I usually travel with a backpack for my personal item (also Lo & Sons, reviewed here). But I want my essentials, such as my phone and wallet, in immediate reach. So, I also wear my Waverley as a belt bag. No one has ever counted the Waverley as an additional item when I’m boarding the plane. But if that ever happens, it’s easy enough to take it off and put it into my backpack.

An Asian American-owned Company

Since it’s Asian Pacific American Heritage month, I’d like to point out that Lo & Sons is an Asian American-owned company, founded by Helen Lo, an immigrant from southern China, and her sons Jan and Derek. Helen could not find stylish, lightweight travel bags, so she started developing her own. I’m so glad she did. And I’m not just saying this because they gave me a bag. I was a customer before I ever received any product from them. (Learn more about Helen’s story here.)

If you’ve read this far, I think you can tell that I heartily recommend the Waverley convertible bag. I mean, obviously, or else I wouldn’t own two of them. I value this bag so much that it made it into my capsule wardrobe when I wore just 16 items for 6 weeks!

A person wearing a face mask and all black jumping in front of a rock wall.

Photo is from this post about the 16-item capsule wardrobe that served me for 6 weeks.

If you found my review helpful, please consider shopping through my link. Thank you!

 

Two images of similar-looking rolling carts made of white metal with a wooden top

Small Space Solutions: Yamazaki Slim Cart & a Dupe

Published by welcomeobjects

It can be a challenge to find the right storage when space is limited. So, I just wanted to share about a little cart that helps keep my bathroom organized.

In past apartments, I’ve used a bathroom floor cabinet (something like this) to store those items that don’t fit in the mirrored wall cabinet or under the sink. But the bathroom in my Brooklyn apartment is long and skinny. There simply wasn’t room for a cabinet, especially one with doors.

I needed something slim, ideally 6″ deep or less as it needed to be positioned right against the wall. It also couldn’t be too tall as it would be under a towel rack anchored somewhat low on the wall for hand towels.

Review of the Yamazaki 26″ Slim Rolling Cart

A slim black metal rolling cart with kitchen items stored on it such as olive oil, a pepper mill, and canisters.

Yamazaki slim rolling cart – $72. Useful for the kitchen, bathroom, or any place where you need storage but don’t have much room

My search for a storage solution that would take up little real estate led me to this small rolling cart from Yamazaki. At only 4.75″ deep, 14.88″ across, and 25.75″ tall, this cart can stand by a wall without getting in the way.

I like that it’s all metal. I am so over particle board! And I didn’t want plastic for aesthetic and durability concerns. At $72, the price does seem a bit much for such a small cart. But I’ve found Yamazaki products to be well made. [See my review of one of their trash cans.]

The cart comes in white or black. Slatted shelves make for easy cleaning with a damp cloth. And it comes with hooks should you need to hang something from it. The casters roll smoothly when I need to move it, and have stoppers as well for when I park it. Most importantly, it’s not wobbly, which is important for tiled floors.

I actually had to stand in the bathtub to take the above photo of the cart. Not kidding when I say the bathroom is on the narrow side.

You can find this cart at Yamazaki, but also at the Container Store, Williams Sonoma, West Elm, and Saks Fifth Avenue, where perhaps you’d be able to deploy a coupon. I found mine for a little less on Amazon because it was “like new.” The bar on one side at the top level is ever so slightly bent. But honestly, I had to search for this flaw. I didn’t notice it at first and it doesn’t bother me.

More Slim Metal Rolling Carts

For me, this shorter, smaller cart fits best for my space. But Yamazaki makes some taller carts as well, such as this one with a wooden top and handle, and this one, which is enclosed on one side.

And of course, you can find similar carts out there, though I can’t speak to their quality. The following are similar in size to Yamazaki’s taller cart, which is 31″ tall.

I saw the last one in person at a local Target, and while it’s not as nice quality and solid-feeling as the Yamazaki one, it’s certainly more pocket book friendly and does the job.

Five pairs of Everlane slim fit jeans in different washes, laid out on a bed.

Everlane Review: Men’s Slim Fit Jeans

Published by welcomeobjects

This is my first men’s clothing review on Welcome Objects. I don’t plan on making it a regular thing, but the Mister tried on jeans from Everlane. And the blogger in me just had to turn it into a post. Today we’re taking a look at two similar styles: the Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean and the Selvedge Slim Fit Jean.

But first, I should mention that he tried on denim from other brands (including some of the usual American mall brands and Uniqlo; he used to wear Uniqlo selvedge denim but the cut has changed). Everlane was by far the best fitting for him. All of those other jeans had what I call “the butt problem” — unflattering folds in the behind. With Everlane, that was not an issue.

The Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean

A black model wears slim fit jeans and a green t-shirt and chore jacket.

Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean – $88 ($35-$66 on sale)

Three images of the same person wearing a pair of slim fit jeans in dark indigo from the front, back, and side.

Trying on the Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean in Dark Indigo

Material: 13 oz denim with a touch of stretch (98% organic cotton, 2% elastane). Everlane touts that they use organic cotton and Roica® V550 yarn, a new stretch yarn made without harmful chemicals. “This innovative fabric, along with the use of microplastic-free dyes and recycled trim, has allowed us to be one of the first companies to make stretch denim that doesn’t dirty the planet.”

Fit: True to size. The Mister took his usual size. The rise is mid rise. I really appreciate that Everlane gives garment measurements in their sizing chart. I’ve found it to be pretty accurate. In terms of inseam, a nice thing about Everlane’s men’s jeans is that they come in variety of lengths: 28, 30, 32, and 34. The Mister is really happy about the 28″ inseams, since they’re hard to find. So thank you, Everlane, for making that an option.

Where It’s Made: Hirdaramani Factory in Sri Lanka. While Everlane tends to have a page about each factory they use, they don’t have one for this factory. I found the manufacturer, which has multiple factories in Sri Lanka, so it’s unclear which one Everlane works with.

The Selvedge Slim Fit Jean

An Asian model wears slim fit selvedge jeans and an orange bomber jacket

Selvedge Slim Fit Jean – $138 ($104 on sale)

Three images of the same person wearing slim fit jeans from the front, back, and side

Trying on the Selvedge Slim Fit Jean in Indigo Rinse

Material: 12.5 oz denim with a touch of stretch (98% organic cotton, 2% elastane). The weaving process for selvedge denim uses shuttle looms, resulting in a different feel than conventional denim. (It is also more labor intensive, hence the higher price.) Everlane says that the Candiani Mill in Ticino Park, Italy weaves and dyes their selvedge denim. Compared to other selvedge denim he’s owned in the past, the Mister says the Everlane ones are softer.

Fit: He tried on three different washes and they all fit true to size.

Where It’s Made: Saitex International in Bien Hoa, Vietnam

What are the Differences between these Everlane Slim Fit Jeans?

Both slim fit jeans come in classic five-pocket styles with zipper closures. Both are midweight denim. Of course, the fabric is different, with the selvedge being more polished-looking due to its weave.

But, there’s one other difference and it’s in the fit. It’s imperceptible in the photos, but the Selvedge Slim Fit Jean has a bit more room in the calf. The Mister is a runner and found the Organic Cotton Slim Fit Jean too tight in the calf. Obviously he could get them on, but they were not as comfortable for him.

He kept two pairs of the selvedge jeans, in the indigo and black rinse (the first two pairs in the photo at the very top of this post). He’s worn them for over a year now — and he wears them a lot. These are his daily jeans. While they’ve softened and loosened a bit, overall they’ve kept their shape. They’ve proven to be comfortable as well as durable. He’s quite happy with them. All in all, a good buy.

This post contains affiliate links but was not produced in partnership with any brand. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. You can find a directory to all my Everlane reviews here. If you found my review helpful, please consider shopping through my link. Thank you!

A person with dark hair stands in front of a red brick wall wearing a black dress with black hat and holding a black bag in both hands in front of them.

Outfit: Quince Linen Midi Dress & a Straw Hat

Published by welcomeobjects

I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, as it’s not quite warm enough for strappy dresses, but I’m so ready for warmer weather. So I thought I’d get in the mood by styling a linen scoop neck midi dress from Quince.

I’d been eyeing this dress, but wasn’t sure it was going to work on my petite frame. I think it turned out alright. Even though it’s long on me, I don’t think it necessarily needs hemming. I’m 5′ 4″ BTW. (Also, I just want to take a moment to point out that there is actually a 5’5″ person modeling one of the colors!)

A person with dark hair stands in front of a red brick wall wearing a cream shirt knotted over a black midi dress and holding a crocodile patterned bag in one hand

Quince Dress, courtesy of // Vetta Shirt [review, similar] // J. Crew Hat // dr. Liza Sandals // Etienne Aigner Bag [old, secondhand] [another option & another]

For transitional weather, I like to add a layer, in this case an elbow length button up shirt from Vetta (reviewed here). A cream shirt with the black dress seemed like a classic color pairing. I folded it up the back, then tied it at the front. I love tying shirts in this way to create the proportions I want and use this trick a lot. (See more examples here and here.)

Quince gifted this dress to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own. Thanks for the support.

A close up view of a person wearing a cream colored button up shirt knotted over a black dress

If it’s a button up shirt, there’s a good chance I’m going to tie it in the front. This shirt is from Vetta, which closed last year, but you might be able to find it secondhand on the Vetta Archive Shop.

With everything else, I kept it simple by sticking to black, from the hat to the bag and shoes. A hat brings a touch of drama to this minimalist dress and I love this straw hat from J. Crew. The brim is big enough to cover the back of my neck, and I find the cup part (I’m sure there’s a more legitimate term lol) deep enough for my big head.

A person holds up a black straw hat in front of their face with both hands.

OK, I looked it up and the part of the hat that hugs your head is called the crown. This is my favorite straw hat.

For a bag, I decided on a dressier shoulder bag. (This one was handed down to me from my mom.) The texture of the croc embossing and gold tone hardware makes it feel fancy.

Some small details: I like how the ankle straps on the open-toe sandals echo the straps on the dress (when not donning the shirt). And one of my rings has a small faux pearl on it, which goes nicely with the cream shirt. I finished it all with a red lip since the overall look was so neutral. This outfit makes me feel a bit like an elegant witch.

A Mini Review of Quince’s 100% European Linen Scoop Neck Midi Dress

If you’re curious about the dress, it’s made out of a medium weight linen (certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100) and is mostly lined. The lining stops at the back vent, so the majority of the skirt part is lined. The top portion is fitted, with smocking on the back. I could get away without wearing a bra in it. If you’re busty, though, the top might be too small. The thin spaghetti straps are adjustable, but I find that they do fall off my shoulders sometimes.

The skirt portion is straight but loose and it has pleats, which is kind to those of us with tummy pooches. And there are pockets! The dress resembles this Jenni Kayne dress, though that one is made of raw silk or viscose (depending on the color) and doesn’t have smocking.

I took this in a size small. I’m currently about a size 6 on top on 8 on the bottom, and go between sizes small and medium. So I’d say that this dress runs on the larger size. At $69.90, it seems to be of decent quality and reasonably priced.

This is my first 100% linen dress, so I’m not used to the wrinkles, but hey, wrinkles and linen go together. If you have any questions about it, leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer.

Blueland products: the dish powder soap, dishwasher tablets, sponges, and cloths arraged on a metal surface.

Dishing on Blueland’s Dishwasher Tablets, Dish Soap, & Sponges

Published by welcomeobjects

I’m on a Blueland kick lately, replacing conventional cleaning products with plant-based ones from the B-Corp. The first products of theirs I tried were for the bathroom. (Spray cleaner reviewed here, toilet bowl cleaner reviewed here.) Now I’m moving on to the kitchen. Here’s my honest review of Blueland’s dish cleaning products.

Blueland gifted these products to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, all opinions are my own and I only write about items that interest me. Thanks for the support.

Dishwasher Tablets

An open metal canister of Blueland dishwasher tablets, with four tablets stacked on top of each other on the lid

Dishwasher Tablets: Starter set with tin – $20-$25 // Refill of 60 tabs – $18.90-$21

Earlier this year, I went on a search for a more eco-friendly dishwasher detergent after ditching pods, which are encased in PVA, a synthetic plastic polymer. A study (partly funded by Blueland) found that while PVA is supposed to dissolve in water, pod encasements often don’t break down and pollute our waterways.

Blueland makes a plastic-free dishwasher tablet. I didn’t try it at the time of my initial search because the Wirecutter gave it middling marks, saying, “The tabs are softer than competitors, and pieces broke off when we handled them. These tabs were also worse cleaners than others we tested.”

But I couldn’t say no when Blueland offered to send me some to try. And you know what, I don’t know what the Wirecutter is talking about. Because over here in my dishwasher, they perform just fine. And none of the tabs I’ve handled have broken.

The powder dishwasher detergent I’m using is cheaper than the Blueland tablets, which cost 32 cents each (and that’s with a subscription). But if you’re looking for that pod-like form factor without the plastic, I recommend these.

Powder Dish Soap

A canister of Blueland dish soap and two sponges on a metal surface.

Dish Soap: Starter set with dispenser –  $14.40-$18 // Refill – $10.80-$12 // Sponges – $12.60-$14 for 3

I was intrigued by the idea of Blueland’s powder dish soap. But this didn’t hit the mark for me. In terms of cleaning power, I don’t have any complaints there. It suds up nicely and it cleans my dishes.

My main quibble — and perhaps this is user error — is that no matter how gently I dispense the powder from the container, powder seems to linger in the air. I can tell because I start coughing or my nose gets irritated.

Obviously, inhaling powder is no good. Maybe I need to adjust my technique. But I’m inclined to keep using liquid dish soap.

A gloved hand holds a loofah sponge with powder dish soap on it. In the background is a white dish.

How much dish powder to use? I’m not sure. This much looks good.

BTW, filling the dispenser was not intuitive for me. It’s a substantial feeling container with a rubbery feel for grip. But I could not figure out how to get it open! After struggling for a while, I had to Google for the instructions. Here’s the trick: you squeeze the body of the container to remove the lid.

Scrub Sponge

A closeup of a sponge with a loofah layer sewn onto a cellulose layer.

Scrub Sponge – $12.60 – $14 for 3

Let’s talk about the cleaning accessories. First, sponges. I’ve been looking for a plastic-free sponge for washing dishes. A good one is surprisingly hard to find! For a while, I tried a silicone sponge, but it didn’t suds up and I like a good sudsing when hand washing dishes.

Lately, I’ve been using Full Circle’s In a Nutshell scrubby sponges, which combine walnut shells with cellulose. (I like the brand in general and have reviewed some of their cleaning supplies.) But, like similarly-constructed sponges from Public Goods and Grove Collaborative they still contain plastic fibers on the scrubbing side.

The Blueland sponge combines loofah with cellulose. The scrubby loofah part is sewn onto the base with cotton thread. As far as performance, it works well for lighter cleaning. But when it comes to more difficult tasks — think baked-on food residue on baking trays — the part-plastic sponges perform better. The loofah simply isn’t tough enough.

A gloved hand holds a loofah sponge with sudsy soap on it. In the background are white dishes in a sink.

The Blueland sponge suds up nicely. But it’s not tough enough for difficult jobs.

So, while I like it, it doesn’t check all the boxes for me. So far, though, it’s the best plastic-free sponge that I’ve tried. The stitching held up longer than another brand I tried. Though, eventually the stitching does come apart — and it does come apart faster than a more conventional scrubby sponge like the Full Circle and others I listed above.

Cloud Cloth

A hand holds up reusable sponge cloth from Blueland, which is dry and in sheet form.

Cloud Cloth – $12.60-$14 for 3

A hand holds up a wet and crumpled reusable sponge cloth from Blueland

The Cloud Cloths come in three shades of blue and soften into cleaning mode with water.

Compostable reusable cloths that are meant to replace paper towels are not new to me. These spongey cloths (also known as Swedish dish cloths) come in rigid sheets, but when you wet them, they become pliable cloths. I’ve been using reusable sponge cloths from If You Care. But there are lots of options out there from many brands, including Swedish Wholesale, Three Bluebirds, Papaya, Who Gives a Crap, and many others. I even picked some up from Ikea once.

How interesting could Blueland’s version be? Well, even though it looks just as thin as other brands in its dry state, when in cleaning mode, it feels a bit thicker and cushier. This makes for a nicer hand feel (and maybe even more absorbency). These cloths can go in the dishwasher too when they need a cleaning themselves.

Overall, these Blueland dishwashing products were mostly a success. I liked three out of the four items I tried.