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 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!