Product Reviews - Pocketful of Joules

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.

Loving Right Now: Uncoupled

It’s been a long time since I’ve binged a new television show. At this point, I pretty much just watch whatever new Marvel show is on Disney+ and watch new seasons of shows I already love when they come out. However, I recently saw a trailer for Neil Patrick Harris’ new show, Uncoupled, and I was pulled right in.

It’s 8 episodes and I watched them ALL in a day. This is pretty much unheard of for me – but it was like a perfect storm of being stuck in a room keeping Ollie quiet while the tile guys worked on our new shower and I had just finished a book. So… BOOM all 8 episodes of Uncoupled.

And I LOVED IT!

I loved the characters and the friendships and even the cringy bits. So, so good!