Honest opinions: Frame top | CoH Isola jeans | Sandals | YSL tote | Gigi Clozeau necklace | Michele watch

Product Reviews: My Honest Opinion on What to Buy

Writing this fun little blog is truly a career highlight … and honestly, a bit of a surprise! It started as a place to share style inspo with my friends and clients, and it has quickly grown into something much bigger. At the beginning of this year, I started a new series reviewing items that are similar to each other. The idea came to me after realizing that many of us are deciding between similar items on a regular basis.

Whether it’s between a Gucci splurge loafer or the Sam Edelman affordable one, we’re all trying to choose the best piece for our personal lifestyles. If you were ever in “Room 3” with me at Nordstrom, you know that I always give my honest opinion when asked! I don’t always get it right, but I give it my best every single day 🤍

So, here are my exclusive, honest reviews of some your favorite items. Purchasing online is tricky, and relying on reviews we read can also be challenging. For example, lately I’ve been getting questions about the Mother Lil petite jeans vs. the regular sized ones, and how they fit. I’ve also been asked which lightweight puffer jacket to purchase, the Moncler or the Zella. The list goes on and on, so hopefully this post will help guide you to make the best selections when you’re deciding which items to buy. Let me know if you like it, and I’ll write more posts like this one. Cheers! 🌟

Read my other review posts here and here

 

Gucci crossbody bags you’ll wear everyday

Left: Gucci Marmont Crossbody | Middle: Gucci Bucket Bag | Right: Super Mini Bamboo Crossbody

I’m often asked which designer bag is a good one to start with. These are all my favorites!

Gucci Marmont shoulder bag: This is one of the questions I receive the most often: “if I’m buying my first designer bag, which would you choose between the three of these?” Well, it’s always a tough choice, but here are my thoughts. I love the Gucci Marmont bag. It holds way more than you’d think, and the gold chain detail is really pretty. It’s the perfect everyday crossbody bag imo, and it’s my top choice for the money.

Gucci bucket bag: I splurged on this bag several years ago, and when I got it home, I couldn’t get it to cinch. So … I returned it (just being honest here). Then, months later, I spotted my very stylish Nordstrom friend wearing it, and she proceeded to tell me how much she loved the bag and that she had just purchased her second color! I asked about the cinching, and she said it didn’t bother her at all. So I promptly went back, purchased the bag, and have worn it non-stop ever since 😂 I love this bag so much, it holds everything you need, the gold chain detail is classy, and it’s pretty much the perfect crossbody bag.

Gucci Super Mini Bamboo bag: This bag is brand new, and I love the bamboo detail. It’s the perfect color, and if I didn’t have a similar one already, I would purchase this one. This is why I persuaded my good friend to splurge … maybe I can borrow hers!

 

Moncler vs Zella

Left: Zella jacket | Leggings | Veja sneakers | Beis luggage | Right: Moncler jacket | Mother Dazzler jeans | Adidas Sambas | YSL tote

Both of these jackets are amazing, and in some ways there may be room for both in your closet. If I’m being honest, the Moncler is a huge splurge, but for the amount of times I’ve worn it the past several years, I think it’s worth every penny. It’s lightweight, so you can easily squish it into your suitcase. When things get too warm, tie it around your waist, and if you get one on the looser side, a cashmere hoodie fits underneath it. I just wore mine on the airplane to and from Florida, and it was perfect.

The Zella jacket is a best-seller. It’s well-priced and super cute. I will say, being 5’1″, I think it’s too long for me. I’ve tried several times to have it altered, and all three times, the tailor at Nordstrom says it’s too much work. But if you’re 5’2″ or taller, it’ll work!

 

Favorite Daughter Trench vs. Sam Edelman

Left: Favorite Daughter trench | Right: Sam Edelman trench

Shorter trench coats are the hot item right now, and I’m starting to see them everywhere! It’s a nice change from the longer classic styles, and I love them with denim and even skirts and dresses. The Favorite daughter runs really big, I sized down to an xxs and will still need a few alterations. It’s such a cool piece and I love it! For a more affordable option, I love this new Sam Edelman one, and it’s a little more mainstream!

 

Varley Soft DoubleSoft™ VS Spanx AirEssentials

Left: Varley top and matching short | Sandals | Right: Spanx half zip and matching pant | Sandals

Both of these brands are among my all time favorites, and recently I’ve been wearing the Spanx AirEssentials half zip and pants everywhere. They’re sooo comfortable! The fabric of AirEssentials (Spanx) and DoubleSoft (Varley) is similar in feel, and both are soft and a little flowy. I would say that the Varley is slightly thicker compared to the Spanx, but I love both. Since both brands offer different pieces, I’ll share my faves from each.

Spanx: I love the crew, wide-leg pant, either cropped or long (prefer the long for myself), as well as the 1/2 zip and the jumpsuit. Plus Spanx has petite, tall, and extended sizes, which is a huge bonus.

Varley: The Alder shorts are the first pair I’ve ever loved! I’ve been wearing them with this crochet sweater and a simple white tank under. I decided to order this sweatshirt, which arrives tomorrow. I’ll share it on Friday’s IG Live!

 

Beis Weekender vs Mini Beis Weekender

Left: Beis Weekender | Right: Beis Mini Weekender

These bags are AMAZING, and I can’t tell you how many I see in the airports — mostly the larger size. But, here’s the deal: after traveling with this bag for the last several years, I’ve learned a few things that work and don’t work. My honest opinions are below.

Style Tip One: if you’re going to pack it full, in order to comfortably carry it to the gate, you really need a wheeled luggage to hook it on to. Otherwise, it’s going to be too heavy. I’ve often carried mine, and it’s ok as long as it’s not really heavy. It fits perfectly in the above storage, and if you only pack it half full, it will squish under the seat. The zippered part at the bottom is a hard case section that fits shoes or a hairdryer and cosmetics case.

Style Tip Two: for the smaller Beis, my girlfriend has it and loves it, and it’s a great option if you’re carrying a lighter load. I have one arriving any day — I’ve waited long enough! 😉

 

Frame Le Slim Palazzo vs. Mother Roller

Left: Anthropologie blazer | Frame Le Pixie Slim Palazzo | Right: Vince top | Mother Lil Roller | Sandals

Wide-leg jeans are trending, and it’s so exciting to see these styles now available in petites! Two of the best selling styles happen to be the Frame Le Slim Palazzo and Mother Roller. I’ve tried them both – in petites and here’s the scoop:

Frame Le Slim Palazzo and the Le Pixie Slim Palazzo (petites version) – This is a high rise jean that’s fitted in the hip with a subtle wide-leg flare. It’s trending, and this is the fit that’s selling in the dressing room!

Mother Hustler Roller and the Mother Lil’ Roller Fray – This is another high rise jean that’s fitted in the hip, but the flare is wider on these. 26.5″ compared to the Frame jeans at 22″. Both are great, but I think these look better on taller people 🙂

 

Frame Jetset jean vs. Spanx jean

Left: Spanx jean | Right: Frame Jetset

Just yesterday I shared this video on Instagram suggesting to stop wearing jeans on the airplane! Of course I’m just kidding, but these best-selling Jetset jeans are amazing, and I’ve worn them on the airplane on many trips, and I can say without a doubt, they’re super comfortable! The Spanx jeans are so similar, and while I haven’t tried them on the airplane, I think they’re a great option for the price.

 

Frank & Eileen Mary dress: Denim vs Linen

Left: Denim shirt dress | Right: Linen shirt dress

Hands down, this is a favorite dress, whether you’re on vacation or just hanging around your house in warmer weather. I’ve heard that if you’re on the taller side, the dress can be a little short … with one exception! For some reason, the linen fabric runs a little longer. I’ve tried two different colorways in the linen, and both versions are a couple of inches longer. This makes it too long for me without any alterations, but it might be perfect for you! All colors in the denim style are a little shorter.

Style tip: Try casually rolling up the sleeves on this dress, and pair with sneakers or sandals. You can wear it all season long. See this recent Reels video where I featured both, and where you can see the length difference.

 

Adidas Sambas vs. Adidas Gazelle

Left: adidas Samba | Right: adidas Gazelle

Talk about the coolest shoes that everyone seems to be wearing! Both Sambas and Gazelles are trending and men and women of all ages are wearing them. I love the Sambas, and the biggest difference between the two is one is leather and the other is suede. Both are super cool, hip and trending!

 

Swim favorites: La Blanca Vs. J.Crew

Left: L*Space cover up dress | La Blanca swimsuit | Right: J.Crew cover up | Swimsuit | Hat

Having a one-piece swimsuit or two is a good idea if you happen to have any warm weather vacations coming up. I love this La Blanca swimsuit, and I have it in white and have been wearing on every vacation. When it comes to the J.Crew swim shop, I think it’s SO GOOD, and always my first place to look. I just spotted this cute polka dot swimsuit and cover up, along with this new one piece that’s so cute. All you need is a cute coverup and a hat, and you’ll be set for any vacation.

 

Wacoal Red Carpet Bra vs.Comfort First vs. Visual Effects Minimizer

Left: Red Carpet Strapless Bra | Middle: Comfort First Strapless bra | Right: Visual Effects Strapless Bra

A great strapless bra is absolutely necessary for most of us, and I know it can be tricky to find the perfect one. I’ve talked about the Wacoal Red Carpet Bra for years. It’s a stylist favorite, and the number one selling item at Wacoal. I even had the privilege of visiting the Wacoal factory in the Dominican Republic several years ago, and talk about impressive! It was so interesting to watch bras be made from start to finish. Last week while in Puerto Rico, I was fitted by a Wacoal Specialist. I tried two BRAND NEW strapless bras, which I have to share!

Red Carpet – The number one strapless bra at Wacoal, this one has foam cups that flatter your figure and stay put. It comes with detachable straps that convert to traditional, halter, crisscross, and one-shoulder styles. To be honest, I’ve had this bra for years and it’s my go-to.

Comfort First – Just launched this week, with a lighter weight pad that’s ideal for an average to petite body type. It does a good job of smoothing, with a no-slip biding on the band to hold and minimize back bulge. I can’t wait to wear mine!

Visual Effects Minimizer – I just received this one, and I love that it has no padding! It gives you the versatility of a strapless bra and reduces your bustline up to one inch.

 

Thank you for reading! xx