Recent Purchases & What I Rate Them

part two

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a review on some recent-ish purchases and I thought it was the perfect time to do a round two. Admittedly, I haven’t done much clothes shopping since the holidays, but below you’ll find a mix of items I picked up around Christmas — some skincare, a few fashion pieces and a couple items for the apartment.

trench | flats (25% off here) | purse (cheaper here and cheapest here) | flat lay necklace (necklace I own, different color)

Perfect 10’s

Wandler’s Maggie Purse

Rating: 10/10

Technically, this was a Christmas gift from my husband (on sale here) but since his money is my money, I feel like this counts — right? I’d been on the hunt for a chic camera bag for a while that could double as a purse. A hard ask, because the two are rarely synonymous. Since we were moving to Paris, I knew I’d also need something hands free with room to carry last minute things.

I happened to try the Maggie in person on one of our holiday shopping adventures and I immediately knew she was the one. It’s been my perfect everyday camera bag hybrid ever since. It’s beautifully constructed and has softened with wear. I’ve said this before, but I truly think Wandler is underrated. I’ve easily worn it 50 times since I got it — I highly recommend it.

Note — I am giving this a 10/10 because I tried it on and knew exactly what to expect. If I’d judged it solely off of the images on the website, I think I would have been a bit disappointed — my purses rarely ever sit like they do on the models. The shape you get really depends on what you’re carrying inside.

PS — I’ve cheapest price I’ve seen this purse (outside of Galeries Lafayette during their Christmas sale) was on Cettire. Like Farfetch, they operate within the “grey market.” Prior to my husband buying it on Cettire, I had no idea that a “grey market” existed. This NYT article does a great job of explaining how it works. TLDR — it’s often by cutting out the brand itself.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence

I’ve already professed my love for this serum a few months back, but now that I’ve repurchased it and have had more time with it — I can confirm it's magic. Of course, skincare is subjective — this may not work for everyone but it’s done wonders for my skin. I’ve noticed a major reduction in a few of my fine lines.

Hyaluronic Acid Tip: Wait 30 secs to 1 minute after applying before moving to the next step in your skincare routine to lock in more moisture!

Buck Mason Trench

I looked high and low for a trench when we were in Paris apartment hunting but none of them quite felt right. Surprisingly, I ended up finding my perfect fit closer to home.

After trying over 15 options, I realized that I prefer a single button, car coat style trench. If you don’t want to wear the straps, they sit far back enough that when tied behind your back, you can’t even tell they’re there! I’m not saying Buck Mason made this for me, but it does fit me perfectly. I’m convinced it would look beautiful on everyone.

I transitioned from my winter coat to this trench and it’s been the best transitional piece for Spring. For reference, I’m 5”6’ and adore the length. You can see it in motion here.

Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max

Rating 10/10

Since moving to Paris, we’ve received more pollution warnings that I can count. It’s not something I had really paid attention to before moving here. After doing a little research, we bought this small but mighty air purifier.

It’s compact, quiet and effective! If you love connected tech, there is also an app you can download. For some additional context, it filtered our 560 sq foot apartment in about 30 minutes. In that time, the “poor” rating went down to “excellent” in our bedroom. Since we’ve purchased it, our never ending fits of sneezing and runny noses have all but disappeared.

Aritzia Triangle Scarf

Rating: 10/10

I got so much wear out of this scarf. I picked it up in red and it has been the perfect pop of color when I was craving a little something extra in my outfit. It’s also just the right size to keep the bitter cold out during the winter. I’m hoping to pick up another color for the next cold weather season!

Buck Mason Cashmere Rib Scarf

Rating: 10/10

We may have officially left the cold of winter behind, but I have to talk about this scarf. Y’all already know my love for Buck Mason runs deep, so it’s no surprise I started there when looking for a thick scarf to brave the Parisian winter with.

I picked this up in Austin before our move — I knew I’d need some serious warmth to help me transition into the colder climate awaiting me across the pond. It’s incredibly soft, thick, warm, and drapes at the perfect length. I can wrap it a few times around or tuck it nicely into my coat without it falling out. Bonus: my husband also uses it so I’m telling myself this was a 2-in-1 deal.

Winners With Minor Notes

Delfina Flats

Rating: 9/10

You’ve probably seen me mention these flats (25% off here) many times before (here, here and here). The only reason I’m docking a point is that I know I’ll have to replace the sole within the year. But honestly, I think if we wear things a lot, there will inevitably come a time when it will need to be mended. In an ideal world, you never have to do this, but it’s a small price to pay for this beauty!

Adidas Spezials

Rating: 9/10

I own two pairs because I couldn’t couldn’t decide between the brown (more sizes here) and off white. I love them both — they’re insanely comfortable for long walking days.

I’m subtracting 1 point because when it rains, they get slippery. I am not sure if it’s the gum bottom, but I definitely have to be extra careful when going down the metro stairs to avoid slipping.

PS — in comparison to Sambas, they’ve got a bit more cushion!

Beaded Necklace

Rating: 9.5/10

I picked this up at a holiday market in NYC (same necklace, different color) and it was the perfect way to test a new style I’ve been curious about. I had originally been eyeing this one by Kinn, but it’s not currently in my budget. This was a great alternative while I decided if it's worth splurging on in the future.

I’m only subtracting half a point because I wish it was about an inch longer. I knew I could buy an extender and make it longer if needed. Otherwise, it’s a stunning handmade piece.

Kerri Starling also makes beautiful earrings, headbands, and necklaces if you’re in the market for some beaded beauties.

A few other Kerri Starling pieces at the holiday market. PS — I used to make jewelry and I can tell these are a labor of love.

The So So’s

Lanolips 12 Hour Mask

Rating: 7/10

I actually like this! But if you already use the original ointment, I don’t think you need the mask. I did notice the mask did make my lips a tiny bit softer but it wasn’t enough to justify having both. If I was picking one, I’d stick with the original.

Leather Tech Gloves

Rating: 5/10

This was a last-minute Black Friday impulse buy at the Coach outlet. They were $40 and we were leaving for Paris soon without proper gloves so…why not?

They work fine until the wind picks up or the temp drops below 40. They also slide off a bit and I feel that I’m constantly adjusting them.

Would I recommend these if you’re looking for something that is warm in cold temperatures? No, but for milder temperatures they’re decent for the price.

Bombas Merino Cashmere Blend Socks

Rating: 7/10

Ahead of our move, I wanted thicker socks to keep my toes warm. I love my Bombas Frilly socks, so while they were having a sale I thought I would add a pair of these to cart.

They’re very soft, but I don’t reach for them very often. For the price, I’d prefer something that was thinner and more versatile. I can wear these with my tennis shoes, but that’s about it.

All recommended items (with the exception of the So So’s) are linked here.

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I’d love to know if you’ve had any recent 10/10 purchases — or anything you wanted to love that just didn’t work out.

xx Ofelia

Disclaimer: some links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a very small percentage from a sale. As always, anything that is linked are things I either own, recommend or would purchase myself.

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