Sale Alert
Okay, this is essentially the last weekend to shop online and have any chance for getting those items in time for Christmas. Seriously, it's not just the businesses, it's the shipping companies. For example, I'm working with a brand and my merch for the shoot was supposed to arrive by Tuesday, shipping confirmation and all that jazz. For the past three days it has been sitting in a truck about 60 miles from my home.
So consider the 15th your absolute last day to shop online and even then consider upgrading the shipping method. But because this is the last weekend for shopping for Christmas, some brands have some good deals!
Nécessaire, the sustainable clean beauty brand for your body has 10% off through this weekend with promo code ALISON10. Plus if you shop through the 14th you'll get free shipping. Their Body Essentials Set is a great way to shop the brand; get the three most popular products in the scents you like (or no scent) and save $20 before even using this code. I love Nécessaire, they use skincare quality ingredients, the scents are so luxe, they participate in 1% for the Planet, and IMO it's a brand that makes a very good gift.
ShoeMall, which has all the great brands you can find at department stores, is offering 30% off orders $30+, and free shipping with promo code SMJOYFUL. This promotion ends on 12/16.
J. Crew is worth visiting because with promo code CHEER you can get 30% off your purchase and 70% off select items at this link. As for their sale department, depending on the item you can get 30-70% off. They are also guaranteeing Christmas delivery, but you need to visit the site to determine if when you shop if it will cost additional.
The Dining Traveler is an amazing blog run by an amazing woman, my friend Jessica who was raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico. She created the book The Dining Traveler's Guide to Puerto Rico and it's a gorgeous coffee table that is like a virtual tour of the island. I bought one and it's a nice escape especially during the winter. We keep it on our coffee table and it's such a delight to flip through; I want to visit once it's safe to do so again. If you buy this book through her website and use promo code LOYALTY20 you can get it for 20% off. Her book is also available but I recommend buying straight from the author so she gets the most profit and you get the best price.
What I Bought and What I Thought
I've bought and received a few things lately and I have some thoughts...
Peloton Apparel: Is it Worth It?
If you have a Peloton, once you've completed 10 rides you get a referral code. You can share this code, if someone buys a Peloton and uses their code they get $100 in accessories and you get $100 credit to use in the Peloton Boutique.
- Peloton Teddy Jacket: I got this in an XXL and it's very roomy to the point of looking a bit comical. But I don't care because it's really soft, really comfy, and really warm without making me overheat when indoors. I didn't want fitted, I wanted cozy. The quality is really good except the bottom hem has a drawstring to cinch it and it was just a shoelace-like cord not stitched in place that is much smaller than the hem it's in and much smaller than the openings where the ends come out so just by driving my car I ended up having the whole thing come out. Just a single stitch at the back or thicker toggles at the ends would have remedied that situation. That being said, I think this is worth the $98, it rivals my L.L. Bean fleece for weight and quality of the material.
- Peloton Berry Classic Crewneck: I got this in an XL; it's through the brand Spiritual Gangster which I have never bought before because I don't like their name, and I also just look at the brand and assume it runs small. the XL is a comfortable fit on me, but honestly wouldn't be comfortable over a size 14. The color is more berry IRL with Barbie pink writing on it. It's loop terry inside which is nice when you're sweaty and don't want fleecey fuzz sticking to you. This isn't worth $98. It's nice and I'll wear it a lot, but it's more like a $75 sweatshirt IMO.
- Split Logo Tank: I own two other of these tanks from Peloton. They're nothing revolutionary but they fit well (not tight but not flowy and works over curves), a nice weight and feel of fabric, and they wash great. I got it in Large. I just got this one because TBH, I wanted one with the big Peloton logo so I can take a cute photo when I hit my 200th ride.
- Peloton Mug: I didn't get this exact one but it's the same mug, just with a different now out of stock graphic on it. I love these mugs, it's the second one I've gotten. They're heavy and are like diner mugs but larger. Super durable and you can throw them in the dishwasher 20 times and the graphics won't budge.
- Peloton Sweatband: I got one of these before to use up my $100 credit and these things are junk. Like you can get a dozen off Amazon that are exactly the same fabric for the price of one with the Peloton logo. They're from Temple Tape which is a brand I know many love, but I really find them a lot of meh.
- Peloton Yeti Tumbler: It's a Yeti tumbler, just with the Peloton logo on it. If you went to the Yeti site and wanted a tumbler with a design on the side it would be the same price. We got two, we love them, we use them often especially now that we're spending more time outside. They are easy to hold, easy to drink from, easy to close and open, easy to wash. We didn't own Yetis before this and our kid is so into our Peloton Yeti tumblers I'm getting one with her name on it from the Yeti site for Christmas (shhhh don't tell!).
I have had a few people use my Peloton referral code this year, but each time I have visited the Peloton Boutique the items I see are either not my taste, or more often than not, unavailable in my size.
Well I have learned that the UK gets the Peloton new merch drops a few hours before the US. If you are in Peloton Facebook groups, in the Peloton Reddit, or follow certain accounts on Instagram like Clip Out Crystal, you can find out when the UK drops happen so you can watch the US site and make purchases early when there's the best selection.
- Velvet Wide Cuff Top: I got this in blue in a Large Petite... and I am not a Large Petite. This feels very Juniors in cut. I think an XL regular would be right for my bust and shoulders but then it would be too big elsewhere. If you have more of a straight build, this may be a nice choice.
- Satin Velvet Blazer: I got this in a 14, which you see above. It also runs a bit junior as it's snug in the shoulders, upper arms, and bust but fits well through the torso, lower arms, back, etc. This is a lined and nicely crafted jacket, but the velvet isn't the highest quality and I wouldn't wear it with a fuzzy scarf on my way anywhere for fear it would grab lint like Velcro.
- Modern Parka: I got this in a Large Petite and it fits great! In fact, I LOVE this parka. You can adjust the cinching at the waist, the fur is super soft, the sleeves are the perfect length for me, it fits over a sweater, has zipper pockets... expect to see it on the blog soon!
- Cable Pom Pom Hat and Cable Fingerless Gloves: These are really nice! They're soft, well-shaped, look cute. This would be a lovely gift set for a tween, teen, or young adult. I got them in charcoal for myself and love the fingerless gloves for working when it's cold. The gloves are a bit bulky, but still functional.
That's just what I did earlier this month. I saw in the morning that there was a UK drop so I opened the Peloton boutique on my browser and while working would go refresh it every so often and ended up scoring big with plenty of items in my size, as well as my personal style.
Below what I got (either this drop or the past and it's still in stock) and what I thought:
I also have some leggings from Peloton which are nice but clearly made for a person several inches taller than I. I have tried a variety of the sports bras and even at XXL they aren't long enough to cover my entire boob. I don't expect them to hold me up but I figured they could at least cover my other sports bra; nope a good 1-2″ of underboob is happening with them.
My husband has a pair of Peloton padded bike shorts and he adores them and finds them rival the fancy ones twice as expensive. I wish they'd get more back in stock. He also has a hoodie he loves and wears all the time; like my fleece above it's really smartly designed, a great weight, and washes beautifully.
LOFT Review
LOFT reached out and offered to send me a few things from their current selection. I haven't shopped LOFT in a while and was curious about their current sizing and quality.
Nfuse, a woman-owned Maryland-based company, reached out and sent me some of their natural deodorant and body lotion. What makes this line different is that it is infused with magnesium. Over 50% of Americans' diets are deficient in this essential mineral. Magnesium reduces stress, relaxes muscles, protects the heart, improves sleep and much more while also fighting body odor. You can learn more about magnesium and why Nfuse uses it at this link.
I find the deodorant to be pretty good. It does need to be reapplied during the day but that is normal for a natural deodorant. They sent the roll-on and the stick; I have only tried the roll-on so far. They also sent their body lotion and I like it. It's hydrating, not sticky, and not too thick with a nice smell.
Nfuse is now available at Whole Foods as well as their own website.
Stay tuned, after your comments on this post and previous comments in the WO2 Community on FB, I placed an order with Trinny London. It just arrived today while writing this so I'll play with it for a while and share a detailed review soon!
