Style... in abundance
I have a thing for gold chain bracelets.
In middle school I had an ID bracelet with heavy links and LOVED it. I’ve been feeling nostalgic for that time and fell down a rabbit hole looking to update my collection.
Here are some of my faves. I love the idea of layering chunky chains with dainty ones and throwing in a rainbow beaded bracelet.
Wearing No. 23 in Oak // Jeans
Anyone else screenshot things on social, put them in a folder and come back to them later for inspo? Well, that was me with Babaa.
I first learned about the brand years ago but never purchased anything until now. Check out their winter sale here.
What drew me to the brand – besides their scrumptious knits – was their ethical supply chain. This Spanish company knows every single person in the creation process – from the shepherds that care for the sheep, to the tradesmen that run the Japanese looms, to the color experts that oversee the dyeing process. And they name them by name on their website. How cool is that?
Each step has also been evaluated for sustainability. If it’s not kind to the environment or doesn’t leave the earth better than they found it, Babaa doesn’t touch it. It’s truly a remarkable process – you should read about it.
If you’ve been curious about their sweaters, here’s my review.
Wearing No. 19 mini in Dark Mist
Yes, these are expensive sweaters. But knowing the backstory of how they’re made and the practices they commit to, I’m happy to pay the price. It’s called VALUE.
I was really surprised by how fast my order arrived. It only took 4 days to arrive from Spain.
I did notice a foreign transaction fee on my credit card (in addition to the total price I paid upon purchase), but it was nominal. $13 (this will change based on how much you spend).
They do offer returns, but you have to pay for the return shipping to Spain. Frankly, that’s too much effort for me, so my advice is to only purchase what you’re sure you’ll love.
Babaa’s sweaters are one size. Each garment has the exact measurements listed so you can assess how it will fit you.
I bought this v-neck cardigan and this crew neck cardigan. They are both 100% wool.
Here’s the thing with wool – it’s like 100% cotton denim. It takes time to break in. Both of these sweaters are itchy. But I know over time they will soften up. If you hate itchy sweaters, then I would advise against buying these unless you are committed to getting past the break-in phase.
Both cardis are boxy, which I love. I thought I would like the v-neck more, but the crew neck with pockets is my fave. It just has a VIBE.
Take note that there are two No. 19 versions – one is regular, the other a “mini.” I got the mini because the measurements were more petite. If you are over 5’8″ or have broad shoulders/big bust, I’d go for the regular.
The wool is very tightly knit so each cardigan has weight. These are not “California” sweaters. They are substantial, which makes the spend understandable.
You can wash these sweaters. They recommend doing so by hand. I use this detergent.
I love these sweaters. I know I will have them for a lifetime. The quality is top notch. I’m sure more will be added to my closet as time goes on.
If you are still on the fence, I say go for one sale piece and see how it serves you.
If you’ve seen my past beauty must-haves, you know I love Veque nail polish.
The woman-owned, indie brand has an incredible lineup of 9-free, non-toxic polishes. They were the ONLY brand I wore until I found Sundays. I deviated simply because I wanted a cuticle oil (something Veque currently doesn’t offer) and stumbled upon Sundays in my fave green beauty shop. After adding their cuticle oil to my basket, I saw they had the perfect cherry orange-red polish and decided to give it a whirl.
From there, I was hooked.
Here’s what you should know about each brand – application, color options and my favorite products from each. Both offer non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free and 9/10-free polishes.
Veque’s polish has the perfect consistency – substantial, but not too thick – and does not chip. The tips of my nails just rub off from normal wear after about a week.
The application is perfection. The brush is wide (it covers the width of your entire nail bed) and the handle is the perfect size for gripping.
Their hero product is their base coat. It’s white (as opposed to clear or nude) and makes colors POP. If you’ve ever been frustrated by not getting a color to look like the bottle, GET THIS PRODUCT. It works especially well with pastels and neons.
As someone who wants their nails done as quickly as possible, this is a quick extra step I always make time for.
FAVORITE COLORS
Lagrandiere – the best green ever
La Vie – grey-purple
Amis – grey
Rojo – cool red-purple
Rosso – deep plum
Opera – medium purple
Clockwise from top: 1) Au Revoir, 2) Bare, Lagrandiere, Seduisant, Rosso, Americano, 3) Lagrandiere, 4) Soiree
Sundays application and consistency is almost identical to Veque’s. Wide brush, thick polish, vibrant colors. The main difference is the brush material – Sundays brushes have more synthetic bristles. Veque’s are more natural fibers (like a makeup brush). The handle is also thinner. Not a deal breaker, but I much prefer Veque’s thick handle.
Sundays hero product is their fast-drying top coat. I was a Seche Vite hold-out because it made my nails dry SO fast, but disliked that it wasn’t non-toxic. Sundays top coat is the perfect clean beauty equivalent to Seche Vite.
I also love their cuticle oil.
FAVORITE COLORS
No. 13 – the perfect cherry orange-red
S. 01 – a shimmery rose gold
For today’s Fashion Friday, I wanted to throw it back to the first iteration of this series: Fashcap. I created Fashcap in 2014 as a quick way to share new and noteworthy stories in the world of fashion.
Here are the deets for this week.
I just discovered Spanish brand Hereu and am obsessed.
Inspired by the heritage of the Mediterranean, I love how their designs have a mix of modernity and classic. I get major Greek fisherman vibes from their shoes and clean lines with an edge à la Bottega from their handbags. As a Greek girl obsessed with Bottega, you can see why I’ve fallen hard.