Lisa Michelle Fashion, Shoes, Uncategorized

Minnetonka Double Fringe Tramper Boot Review

I have always been skeptical of moccasins; structurally they just don’t seem like they’d last very long or provide much support for everyday walking.Wow was I wrong. The Double Fringe Tramper Boot by Minnetonka  dispelled  most if not all of these fears. I picked these gems up at a small consignment shop for $18 unworn with the tags still attached, I can safely say I would never even glance at these if it weren’t for the amazing bargain (these boots usually retail for around $66 or $67 dollars…Yikes!). Whenever I get a new pair of shoes, especially those with radically different styles from what I am used to, I always walk a little around the house so I can see if there are any problems before using them outside. The first amazing quality of these boots is their comfort, these are easily some of the most comfortable shoes I can remember and for this reason alone I would consider shelling out more cash than I usually do for another pair. The rubber sole has almost a rounded cleat design that is both sturdy and feels fantastic, here’s an image:

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In addition to this great feature it also has easily the best insole that I have  ever worn. It feels like a cross between memory foam and a bouncy pillow, which combined with the outer sole is great for long walks on pavement or other unforgiving surfaces.

The outer structure of the boot also exceeded my expectations. What I would have thought to be thin and flimsy turned out to be quite warm and thick, making it a great choice for the cold autumn morning walk to work or school. The suede can be sprayed with protectant and cleaned easily with a gentle toothbrush if scuffed. Though it does come in five colors, I can’t imagine getting anything other than black or dusty brown purely  because they do not show signs of wear as easily as the lighter colors. The fringes add another layer of detail which look adorable with jeans or a skirt and the metal accents also give the boot a distinctive quality.

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Before buying these boots I would recommend trying them on first in stores before buying online through their website, purely because they tend to run on the narrower side. As a whole, these shoes were a great purchase; stylish, comfortable and versatile, the Minnetonka Double Fringe Tramper Boot is a must for any Fall collection.

Buy them here: https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/women/styles/boots/double-fringe-tramper-boot

Happy Shopping!

Lisa Michelle Gear, Lifestyle & Health

The Only Water Bottle You’ll Ever Need

While those Poland Spring and Deer Park disposable bottles may be convenient in a bind  in the long run you could be shelling out some major cash for something you already get billed for every month. I was initially resistant to carrying a reusable bottle; I mean they’re bulky, can never fit in a purse and (in my experience) have a tendency to leak all over the place. However when I looked at my recycling bin and saw it brimming with crunchy, two dollar bottles I realized I needed to make a serious change. Luckily I never really had a problem drinking the tap water in my area, but if you drink bottled water due to your community’s water situation I’d recommend getting a Brita water filter head or pitcher. The pitcher ranges between $ 12 and $50, but unless you want yours to connect to the internet I’d suggest opting for the cheaper one. The filter head snaps directly onto your sink head and ranges between $19 and $30, they recommend you replace the actual filter every two months and cost about eight dollars. In my experience I haven’t had a problem going five or so months without changing the filter, but to each their own. After prepping my sink with a great filtration system I began scouring Amazon for reviews of high quality reusable bottles. The most popular brands are Nalgene, Camelbak,  and Hydro flask. Nalgene and CamelBak are both made of plastic, which while BPA free, I still don’t trust in the dishwasher or high heat environments. This left me with Hydro Flask, which is made of stainless steel. While this happens to be a great water bottle, it is a little difficult to clean along the threads where the cap screws in which could potentially pose some long term problems. After a little more research I came across a company called Klean Kanteen. Klean Kanteen bottles are made of durable, 100% stainless steel and are available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The entire bottle is dishwasher safe and the threads are wide enough to really make sure everything is squeaky clean. They offer a great selection of caps as well; I currently own the Sport Cap and the Loop Cap, however I tend to use the Loop cap more often. The two sizes I find the most convenient are the 27 oz and the 12 oz “Kid Kanteen“, which is great for storing in a purse if you’re on the go. The 27oz is about $21 dollars and the 12oz is roughly $18. They also offer growlers and insulated bottles for beer or hot beverages. Their largest size is a 64oz, which is absurdly big for one person but great for a picnic or a day-hike with friends. I have had a great experience with Klean Kanteen as a reliable company with a great message and a high quality product; I don’t think I will return to disposable bottles any time soon thanks to their wonderful line of sustainable and durable products.

Here are some pictures of the ones I have:

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27 ounce bottle
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12 ounce bottle

 

Happy Hydration!

 

 

Lisa Michelle Lifestyle & Health, Travel

Sea Island- Georgia

Among the shallow sandbars along the Georgia coast,  Sea Island, a luxury, Preferred resort lies in wait for those who venture beyond the inland marshes. The Cloister Hotel, one of a few accommodations the resort has to offer is seated in the main building, which is where I stayed during the duration of my retreat. Aesthetically, the entire location is breathtaking, surrounded by fragrant spanish moss and cascading limestone architecture it envelops the vacationer in relaxed bliss. The service is second to none, especially the concierge who handled all of our plans and reservations with great care and attention.  The resort offers a world renowned spa  as well as a state of the art fitness center and athletic classes. In addition to the year round facilities, the hotel schedules entertainment events, during my stay I was privileged enough to meet Jodi Cobb, the first female National Geographic photographer famous for her intimate portraits of the Japanese Geisha community. In addition to guest speakers, Sea Island offers stellar recreational activities complete with seasoned guides who will show you the hidden gems of the coast. While vacationing I took part in a three hour long sunset kayak tour through the shallow marshes as well as two SUPB (Stand-Up-Paddle-Boarding) sessions, each more lovely than the next. The restaurants offer an incredible array of both local and international cuisines, our favorites were Tavola, which has a brilliant selection of Italian fare, and Southern Tide, located  in the Sea Island Beach Club, perfect for the more casual vacationer. Just steps beyond the doors of Southern Tide are two of the both beautiful pools I’ve ever been to, complete with cushioned lounge chairs in the shade of tropical palm trees. Along the upper deck is the adults only pool, perfect for a relaxing soak or a quick piña colada away from it all. Just a short walk from the beach club is the shore, gleaming white sand and warm, rich blue water await those who visit during the hot summer months. Coming from New Jersey I’ve seen my fair share of great beaches, and this it certainly among the top five due to its sheer cleanliness and beauty. Holistically, Sea Island resort was faultless; top notch service, world class cuisine and the gorgeous setting cemented this getaway as one of my favorite vacations of all time and hopefully I will return soon.

Happy Travels!

Here is the link to the resort, and here are some photographs from my Instagram @lisamichellecorn:

The hall our room was on
The veranda outside the Cloister
Stand Up Paddleboarding
The pool
The indoor pool in the fitness center
Southern Tide Restaurant
The beach
Outside the Cloister
The view from our room

 

Lisa Michelle Fashion, Shoes

What To Know Before Buying Dr. Martens

Any fashion enthusiast knows them for their iconic yellow stitching and trademarked “Bouncing Soles”: Dr. Martens, a staple of London fashion since 1947. These boots were originally invented by and for Klaus Märtens, a WW2 doctor who had been injured during a skiing accident, he used soles fashioned out of rubber to simulate aerated Jeep tires, providing a more comfortable option than the standard issued combat boot. Since then the shoe has become popular across all spectrums of the fashion world, from bikers to punk rockers, the boot’s versatility and comfort knows no bounds. At first glance the shoe’s platform sole and blunt stitching can beckon the question all impulse shoppers fear: “What would I wear this with?”. Well the answer is … everything. In case you haven’t googled it by now or still don’t know what they look like, here is a picture of a pair of Dr. Martens boots:

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I have those exact shoes, and yes I do love them.

Though, before buying them I did my fair share of research (which you should do before slapping down $120 on any piece of clothing) and I heard horror stories about the “breaking in” process, ultimately delaying my eventual purchase about three months, for reference this was the article I read. Personally, I didn’t have any problem breaking them in, but two things I would recommend are to wear them around the house first or if you’re eager to get out there and walk around, wear thick socks.

Now back to that cringeworthy question; after experimenting a bit I found that my favorite outfits that incorporated the boots tended to be skinny jeans and high-waisted shorts with high socks. They are perfect for pretty much any fall outfit, and if you have some cash to spare they make them in some other fantastic colors. As for the “Bouncing Soles”, I have found that after a fair amount of wear the insole of the shoe tends to mold to the individual, creating a comfortable platform especially for walking on concrete. The thick soles are very forgiving, but as someone who is especially partial toward Vans and Converse, the extra weight of the shoe can take some getting used to.

If the one’s above don’t exactly suit your fancy, the brand offers many variations off of  the iconic style which also vary greatly in price, they can all be purchased on the Dr. Martens website here.

There are plenty of lookbooks out there that feature the immense versatility of this timeless boot at work, here are some styles from around the internet that I just had to share:

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As featured on  this wonderful website

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As seen on Pinterest

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Here’s an example of the maroon variation, as seen in Vogue Spain

These are just some examples of the endless styles that look amazing with a good pair of Docs, and despite the daunting pricetag to this day I don’t have a single regret about taking the plunge as these boots have become my go-to accessory to add a little edge to my daily look.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Lisa

 

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair, Fashion, Lifestyle & Health, Uncategorized

Yes, You Should Buy That Knockoff Brand, Here’s Why:

 

 

The allure of the iconic brands like Ugg, Victoria’s Secret, and The North Face can be tempting for even the most fervent bargain shopper, but for those of you are interested in quality products at a third of the price, keep reading.

When one usually wants to buy a sexy piece of lingerie, Hanes isn’t the first brand they think of. Sure, its cheap and most of their products don’t look half bad; but what about a nice pair of pantyhose from Victoria’s Secret, right? They’re the made by the same factory. Specifically the pantyhose, which can cost almost half the price if purchased under the Hanes brand.

I used to be hooked on high end salon brand hair products, eventually I got tired of shelling out upwards of thirty dollars on serums and shampoos when I’d  eventually just end up drowning in empty bottles of Redken and Paul Mitchell anyways. To get that mirror shine on a dime I started doing something so brilliantly simple I seriously regret not starting sooner-I started reading the ingredients on the back of the bottle. Every. Single. One. After reading the various hydroxypropyltrimonium’s and hexylene glycol’s I started to notice how identical most shampoos actually are. I found out that one of my go to brands, Paul Mitchell, uses the identical formula as the Harmon discount “Awapuhi Botanical shampoo”, the only difference being that the latter costs roughly half of the former…

There are some product brands that are virtually identical, like Emu and Ugg. Both are made in Australia and have virtually the same designs made out of the same materials. I did a blind try (basically mixed up the shoes and put them on without looking at the brand) at Nordstrom’s and ended up finding the Emus more comfortable, so I got those and saved my forty dollars. Basically the same situation with North Face and Columbia, when it’s below freezing outside I love the Columbia Women’s Varaluck™ III Long Down Jacket, right now on their website its about $130. A North Face coat of this ilk costs roughly between $270 and $340, and to be honest feels exactly the same.

In reality you wear clothes for you, if it makes you feel fabulous having a logo that comes with a price tag, go for it. However, if you just want to find quality products that are almost identical and won’t break your bank there are plenty of great options out there that should definitely be explored.

Happy Shopping!

 

 

 

Lisa Michelle Beauty & Hair

Four Most Underrated Eye Products

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Here are some unsung, gentle and long lasting products that won’t break your bank:

  1. Almay Crayon Eyeliner- This is my number one choice for covering my waterline, its light and smudge- resistant. Get it here for less than ten dollars.
  2. Mac Espresso Eyeshadow- Its the second most expensive item on this list, but it lasts forever and offers natural pigments that blend well to make any smoky eye pop. Get it here for sixteen dollars
  3. Makeup Revolution London Essential Matte Palette- Yes, there is some overlap in terms of color between this and the Mac Espresso eyeshadow but this is on the list for its price and its ability to cover up dark circles naturally. I managed to get it for seven dollars at Ulta.
  4. Kat Von D Tattoo Liquid liner- We’ve all at some point rubbed our eyes with makeup on and ended up looking like a sad raccoon, with Kat Von D’s liquid liner that just doesn’t happen. The brush is very fine so you can show off your cat eye skills, just remember to use makeup remover to take it off at night instead of just water which won’t do the trick without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. You can pick up a tube here.

 

Lisa Michelle Fashion

How To Dress Chic Under Five Feet-vol 1

 

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The photo above is a picture of me on one of the hottest days of the year, my summer wardrobe is basically various versions of the above photo. I love earth tone colors in the summer, even though they are typical around autumn and winter times. I like layering colors and experimenting with subtle gradient hues, for example starting out light on the top and slowly fading into a rich dark color. As you can see I’m way below the five foot mark up there so I try to accentuate legs by either wearing short shorts (like those) or flats similar to my skin tone. Wearing sleeveless tops also tends to add height by providing vertical reference points in proportion with ones body.

Lisa Michelle Travel

The Bellagio- Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Las Vegas is one of the best cities in the world; towering resorts, gourmet dining and world-class shows and we haven’t even gotten to the Blackjack tables. The Bellagio is located in the heart of the strip right across from The Paris and next to Caesars Palace. My family and I got to LAS at around five o’clock in the afternoon, and when we arrived at the Bellagio our room wasn’t quite ready yet but the staff were very courteous and treated us to $100 gift card for our troubles. We ended up using it at one of their featured restaurants, Jasmine, which is home to some seriously good Chinese fare, the fried rice was off the charts good. Soon after, we were told our room was ready and we could go up. We booked a fountain view room with two queen beds. If you end up going here, splurge for the fountain view room as it truly is spectacular and the view of the strip is second to none. Their breakfast options were quite nice, they put out a great buffet but eating there every day proved to be an expensive endeavor, especially when all I ever had were rice krispies, so we purchased a couple of boxes of cereal until our last morning. Even if gambling isn’t exactly your scene this destination is still a must-go, the three things that really left an impression on me were the shows, the shopping, and of all things the mob museum. We ended up seeing Jersey Boys and three Cirque-Du- Soleil shows: O, Ka, and Criss Angel’s Believe. They were all knockout performances but if you’re pressed for time, see ‘O’. It was definitely the most impressive display I have ever seen, combining diving, acrobatics and dance. Next, If you go one place while in Vegas go across to Caesars Palace and get lost in the Rodeo Drive type collection of shops stretching down a winding cobblestone street…all inside the hotel. The ceilings are painted to appear as if you are outside and there are cafe’s that jut into the “street” adding to the effect. The most enjoyable (for me at least) component of our trip was the visit to the Mob Museum. It’s a little bit of a hike( ten minutes by car) but it is worth it, 100%. This museum is a collection of artifacts documenting the development of organized crime in the U.S. and in Las Vegas. Stand in the court room where the actual Kefauver hearings were held and witness the brick wall from the infamous St. Valentines Day Massacre. This was the highlight of my trip and is a must-see for anyone planning a getaway to Vegas. After four days we were exhausted, it should be known this trip will involve a lot of walking from hotel to hotel in some serious heat (if you go in the summer),  but to really see everything you could probably stay a week and still only get a taste of the strip. Here are some photo’s from the vacation, Enjoy!:

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The Airport
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Arriving in Vegas!

 

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Waiting for the rental car…

 

 

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The ceiling in the Bellagio

 

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The View From the Room

 

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The Aria Hotel

 

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Across the Street..

 

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Front of the Bellagio
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Across from Caesars Palace
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Panorama from inside the lobby of Caesars Palace
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Inside Caesars Palace..
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Still inside Caesars Palace…

 

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From the Mob Museum

Happy Travels!

 

 

Lisa Michelle Books

You Are A Badass- Jen Sincero

I usually tend to avoid self help books like the plague, but in this case I was pleasantly surprised. Jen Sincero is to the point and real, there’s some seriously helpful chapters about building confidence that sincerely makes you feel like, well, a badass.  Her practical advice is realistic and usable, in this New York Times Bestseller she exposes how to transform from a “loser” into a confident, capable person with a simple shift of perspective. I sincerely suggest you pick up a copy, I got mine at Barnes and Noble but it’s also available for Kindle and E-book.

Here is the link to Ms. Sincero’s website