Saturday, June 27, 2015

Soufeel~ Charming charm bracelet review [sponsored]

I was recently reached out to by a beautiful charm bracelet shop called Soufeel, they specialize in custom charm bracelets for 'any memorable day'. After research into their brand, the work, detail and care into their products and the vast amount of people who absolutely love their products, I was pretty excited to get my first order.

Soufeel actually caters to multiple countries and works to operate in different languages to make ordering easier and more convenient. They even have set times where you can talk directly to customer service to help you out, if need be. I really appreciate good customer care and Soufeel really goes that extra mile.

Soufeel's ethics even extend to their goods, their bracelet's and charms. Their charms are made from 925 sterling silver, which as a consumer means their silver is on the higher end of silver content, 92.5%. Being 925 silver is actually a good thing, it's just enough of copper/ other metal mixed in to make the silver last longer and not tarnish or turn brown as fast and to actually reinforce the silver it's self [since pure silver is on the softer side] so it makes it stronger. Their other charms and pieces are made with 14 carat gold or with real  Swarovski elements. Their charms will even fit Pandora brand bracelets with the reasonable price, so you don't need to worry if you want a charm from their shop.
On to shipping, my package came in just under a week after placing my order. Everything was packed neatly, my bracelet base came in the beautiful white box, and my charms separately in their own individual packaging on the side. Soufeel even offers free shipping worldwide on purchases over $50 and a 365 day return and exchange policy.
They even included a bag, which is perfect if you plan on giving your Soufeel item or items as a gift to someone.
I do have to say, the packaging is really pretty, and are of good quality. Like even the bag you can tell is that nice, heavy duty card stock stuff.
This is the charm bracelet I put together. My base is the 19cm Silver Skin and Brown colour leather charm bracelet. I picked it because it looks nice and casual and would fit my style easily.
I picked out 5 charms to create  my charm bracelet which mean something to me, in some way.
The clasp on the bracelet is VERY secure, They have this locking clasp that you need to open and close with a bit of force. The prongs of the bracelet also are locked into place and are knobbed to keep them securely tucked into the lock. Even at the gym and in the pool, the bracelet wouldn't budge and stayed securely on my wrist all day. So, I comfortably wear my bracelet without any worry of it falling off.
My first charm I picked out is the Ocean Blue Magic Murano glass bead. Not only did I pick it because I love the ocean and water, but back when I toured Italy for singing, I visited the Murano glass factory in Venice, so it brought back memories of that time in my life. It also helped me set the tone and feel I wanted for my bracelet, which focused around travel/water.
Each charm is stamped with 925, which shows it's made using 925 Sterling Silver.
My second pick was the Cute Mullet Pendant charm, which, honestly I picked because the little octopus [squid? he has 6 arms] was too cute to pass up. The little guy is this unexpected purple colour in the sunlight and really puts a smile to my face. Unexpectedly, the pearl, though fake, reminded me of my trip to Hong Kong and to the silk and pearl factory, which I toured with my family and friends a few years back. So, if anyone asks me if I got it for a reason, I can reply with that memory... But, only you guys know I picked it for something superficial.
The third charm is from Soufeel's best seller list, the Red Travel Suitcase charm. I love to travel and I've been around the world and to almost every continent, and still love going on trips when I can, so the suitcase is a very fitting charm for me. The charm is very detailed and well made, no weird messy paint and very clean looking.
My other charm I picked out because it just reminded me of something a mermaid would have. I'm sure you all know about my mermaid obsession, so it's a very fitting charm called the Seashell charm.
Also, something cute about it is that it opens up and there's a little pearl inside it! How cute is that!
Suffice to say, I can't think of any memory to tie to it though. But, it was too cute to pass over, haha.
My last charm is the Soufeel November Birthstone Champagne Swarovski Crystal charm. It doesn't feel right not completing a charm bracelet without a birthstone piece. The topaz crystals are just coloured enough, but not too orange or overpowering which I appreciate. I'm one of those people who's not big on the whole Citrine colour for her birth month kind of thing.. But, I will say I like the shade and tone of these stones. It's very pastel and very flattering! Also, it's really sparkly, which I absolutely adore.

Right now, Soufeel is launching lots of new summer arrivals on their website!
Their bracelets and charms are perfect gifts for any holiday or occasion for anybody. They have vast array of charms, bracelets and even customizable pieces to best fit the person you might have in mind.
Soufeel was kind enough to offer a coupon code to my readers for a 5% discount off any order off their website 
The discount code is: Carisse5

<3CarisseIris

Monday, June 22, 2015

'I'm not a morning person'~ Sweatshirt, Sponsored

'I am not a morning person'~ The most accurate sweatshirt I have ever owned. Also, maybe the cutest and comfiest too... I was in the market for a sweatshirt to sleep in and to wear on chilly mornings to spin class, and I had to just pick out this sweatshirt from Trinity Styles [link to sweatshirt here]


I got my sweatshirt in the Large size, and at a size 6 US dress size, it's the perfect loose and relaxed fit. Perfect for those cool days when you want an effortless and comfy look. Also there is enough room for my tank tops/tee shirt combos underneath, with extra room.The text on the sweatshirt is printed on in good quality, is very clear and doesn't seem like it will budge easily in the wash, and should last for a good long time. The length of the sweatshirt on me, I'm 5'3", is perfect and the bottom of the sweatshirt hit just over my butt/crotch line, so I'm able to wear it over leggings comfortably and with it covering any accidental sheer-ness or, uhm, tightness[?] from my leggings.
The sweatshirt is a thick average sweatshirt fabric, the inside is extremely plush and soft! Like super soft like a baby chick's down feathers, honestly. It's a dream in chilly weather conditions.
Back onto the fabric, it's not the super elastic sweatshirt fabric, which is the type I tend to dislike because it tends to bunch up and around when I move around, since this sweatshirt is the less elastic fabric, you don't have to worry about the sweatshirt riding up and bunching as you wear it, but it lays really nicely on the body and looks a lot neater.
I can't wait till fall honestly because I can imagine an outfit of the sweatshirt layered over a mini skirt and like a cute vest, or even under a neat overall set or over one of my floral dresses and some boots.
I can always expect great quality items from Trinity Styles, not just amazing quality, but gorgeous finds, updated staples and on trend items. Also, you can use the code 'carisse' at the end of checkout for a 5% discount

I may not be a morning person, but a good comfy sweatshirt and a warm cup of tea can brighten up my morning a good deal. 

<3CarisseIris

Monday, June 8, 2015

Three Super Simple and Elegant Hairstyles

While reading my Spring Issue of Larme Magazine, I noticed a lot of hair styles incorporating this one easy tuck element to a simple pony tail to create elegant and textured hair styles that give a new twist to old staple hair styles. I've actually used this technique before last year, but it's been a pretty well used styling technique in magazines this year, but even more so for spring and summer hair styles.

The first look will be a new take on twin tails/ pig tails.
You will need 4 elastic hair ties.
Optional, 2 ribbons.
 To start this this look, part your hair down the middle and create the first pony tail where you prefer. I like my pony tails to look relaxed and more mature, so I let them sit low. For a younger and fresher appearance, you can wear the tails higher on your head.
 Once you have the pony tail where you want, part the hair above the elastic to create a hole.
You will pull the pony tail up, and through the part and tuck it though.
Simple as that.
 After pulling it though, your hair should look like above.
 Pull another elastic a few inches under your first one. Then, parting the hair in between the two elastics, again, pull the remaining pony tail up, and though that part in your hair to tuck the hair though, creating the style above.

Then, repeat to the other side.

You can finish off the look with some ribbons to conceal the bottom elastic band.

Now, you've seen the method of tucking your pony tails, we'll be doing the same thing but with two other different hair styles

The next is a half up/half down hair style.
You will need 3 hair elastics.
Optional, 1 ribbon.
 Start with a loose ponytail using a small section of hair on top of your head.
I made a small diagram of the section parts of hair you will be using. The first pony tail should be using hair from the first section.

 After you have the first pony tail, part the hair above the hair elastic, and bring the remaining hair in the pony tail up and though the parted hair to tuck it though. It should look like the picture above.

 Using hair in the 2nd section, you can avoid the hair and section directly under your first pony tail. Bring the hair together around the first pony tail.
This step is easier since the hair is already parted.
Just bring the hair in the remaining pony tail up and over the hair elastic, tucking it.
 Then, using the third section, again you can avoid the previously used sections of hair, and create a third pony tail above your last pony tail.
Again, since the hair is parted, bring the remaining pony tail up, over, the elastic tie.

And, easy as 1,2,3, the hair style is done!
You can then add a ribbon at the bottom of the last pony tail.


Then, it's done. The hair style is actually my favourite, it looks so textured and effortlessly pretty and has so much volume.

The third style is a textured pony tail.
You will only need 2 hair elastics this time.
Optional, 1 ribbon.
 To start this look, you will start with your hair parted half way, and create a pony tail with the top half o hair.
Then, using the same tucking technique like the past looks, tuck the pony tail though.
 Then, gather your hair in a pony tail. I pulled my hair into a side pony tail because I like to have my hair handing in front of my body and it looks very sweet. You can easily pull the hair into a normal pony tail, to keep your hair out of your face and to keep you feeling fresher.
After you have all  your hair in the elastic, part the hair above the hair tie like before, and pull the remaining pony tail up and through, to tuck it neatly.
You can finish by tying a ribbon at the end if you feel like it.

The look is a sweet and yet voluminous pony tail with some added texture to give the pony tail some personality.

These three styles, though are simple basics, are given some new flair with the addition of one simple technique. They're a fun new way to wear your hair when the weather starts getting warmer and can really dress up a look.

<3CarisseIris