Product Reviews - Pocketful of Joules

Empty’s – September 2022

I decided to start a new series called “Empty’s” a few months ago. My thoughts were that it’s helpful to revisit an item after it’s been used long term and you decide whether to repurchase it. Or not.

You can find my previous posts here:

Here are the items in my Empty’s bin today:

Eau de Toilette Vanille, Anthropologie Perfume

I originally picked this perfume up at Anthropologie years ago on a whim, but it has become pretty much the only scent I ever bother to spray on. It’s pretty inexpensive, compared to most perfumes, at just $18. However, the scent is a perfect blend of vanilla that isn’t too cloyingly sweet and sticks around for hours. I recently came to the bottom of my bottle, so this one was a definite repurchase for me.

Purity Made Simple Moisturizer

I started using the Purity Made Simple face wash and lotion back in 2019, and the lotion is the perfect lightweight daily lotion for me. Once we hit winter, I may switch back and forth between this and a heavier lotion, but for most of the year this is all I need. This is another long-time love that I will be purchasing over and over again.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Lotion

I did a quick search and I’ve been talking about how much I love Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for over 10 years here on the blog. No matter how many times I get distracted with other fancy smelling lotions and potions, I always keep coming back to a simple $6 bottle of cocoa butter. It smells amazing, keeps my dry skin soft and supple and you can find it anywhere – from your grocery store, to Target, to Amazon. This one is a definite re-buy for me and I’m sure I’ll still be shouting from the rooftops 10 years from now how much I still love my cocoa butter lotion.

So, for the first time in the series, we have a 3 for 3 of re-buying!

Disclosure: Not sponsored.

Travel Backpack Review: This one is the BEST for traveling!

It’s been a while since I’ve done a full product review and recommended something with flying colors, but YOU GUYS this travel backpack is magical. It’s like a Mary Poppins bag that fits on your back. It’s AMAZING. So, I had to share it with you all in case you were in the market for a magical backpack too.

We tend to do a bunch of little mini trips out and about, so when we can I prefer to just have us each pack a backpack with our stuff rather than big, bulky suitcases. I was looking to upgrade my backpack because it was rather small and we had a 3-day trip to Austin on the calendar. So I did a ton of research and found this one:

It is the Asenlin 40L 17” Travel Backpack with three packing cubes from Amazon and when I purchased it, it was just around $40 (the latest price will be automatically listed above by the photo). The packing cubes are made to fit the exact measurements of the backpack, so they are a perfect little bonus for keeping everything organized.

I’ve used the backpack three times so far – once for 4 days in Ocean City, once for an overnight at my friend’s house, and once for our 3-day trip to Austin. And It. Is. Awesome.

Some features I like:

I love, love, love the custom sized storage bags. I can’t tell you enough how satisfying it is that the big one fits exactly within the backpack’s dimensions.
It comfortably fits my back and feels like a ‘normal’ backpack even though it packs up like a suitcase.
It has an internal padded laptop sleeve, I used it for my Kindle but it could totally fit a standard laptop too.
It meets carry-on requirements and easily stowed in the overhead storage on the plane.
Other bonuses: There is a zippered pocket if you want to tuck the backpack straps away, and there is a strap on the back for you to stick it on an extendable suitcase handle if you have one.

And here is a little visual for you. This is everything I was packing for my trip to Ocean City:

And EVERYTHING fit in the backpack. But not Ollie. That would be weird.

To be honest, I could have even squished it down and fit a few more things in there. Including a laptop.

For $40 I am totally blown away and I wish I would have bought this years ago!

Disclaimer: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Recent Jewelry Purchases that I LOVE

I was recently asked about my favorite jewelry. And to be honest, I tend to fall in and out of love with jewelry. Sure, I have my pieces I always wear – my wedding rings set and my little teeny baby diamonds in my ears. However, everything else just kind of comes and goes based on mood.

With that being said, I do have a few recent jewelry purchases that I have really been loving lately.

Watch Band from Machete

Find it here: Apple Watch Band in Classic Tortoise

I wear an Apple iWatch, but when it comes to the watch bands, I prefer something that looks more like an ‘actual’ watch band rather than the silicone ones you usually see. I ordered this Machete band in the Classic Tortoise color back in March and I’ve been wearing it ever since.

I bought the 38mm/40mm/41mm version with black hardware and it cost $65 (I think at the time I found a promo code from somewhere, so it’s worth it to google for one). Along with the watch, they send you a band adjustment kit – which I used to take 2 links out so the watch band fits my wrist. After almost 6 months of daily wear, it still looks perfect!

Lightweight Leather Earrings from BEELERY

Find them here: BEELERY on Etsy

I’ve recently started really loving big earrings. However, heavy earrings drive me nutty… so I searched out the lightest – but most fun – earrings I could find. Nickel & Suede is the brand that kind of ‘started’ the whole leather earring thing, but they’re a bit pricey ranging from $32 – 45 per pair. I have had luck buying the brand on Poshmark though for more than half off retail prices.

After picking up a few pairs secondhand, I checked out some etsy artists making very similar items and found BEELERY. I bought a pair of star earrings for just $15 and another pair that combined wood and leather for just $15.50.

There are lots of super cute designs and each pair is handmade by Deborah in Austin, Texas.

Necklaces from Katia Designs

Find them here: Katia Designs

I was fully *influenced* when it comes to Katia Designs. First, they got me on Instagram. Then, Facebook. I’d click through and pick a bunch of necklaces I love, but then leave before committing. Then the whole thing would start over again until I finally gave up and completed my order.

The first necklace I ordered was the Lighting Bolt ‘design your own’ necklace ($99). I picked the Matte Black chain, the amethyst stone and a bronze finish pendant. The super cool thing about these necklaces is that they come with a special double-sided magnetic clasp that you can put on the necklace in a few different ways so that it styles differently.

I mean, how ADORABLE is this?!

I also recently made a second order that should arrive later this week. This time for the ‘Remember who the F*$K You Are’ necklace ($99). For this one I picked the multi-colored chain, blue agate stone, and bronze finish.

I love these necklaces so much that I even got an affiliate link that I can pass through to you all. If you click on any of my Katia Designs links (or this one) and use the code KARM10 you will get 10% off your order.

Disclosure: Only the Katia Designs links are affiliate links.