Review: World Map Watch

Photo from Product Page


Travel the world and the seven seas.
Everybody’s looking for something
- Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams -

I featured this world map watch on my own blog back in April, when it first arrived. Since then, I've worn it a few times and have received many a compliment on its unique design. The stock photo is quite true to the real deal, the print on the watch face itself is slightly blurrier and the strap feels flimsier than the photo would suggest.




My own photos

The one fault is in the quality of the strap. I noticed a little loose thread a few days ago, which I pulled gently and it seems to have split the side of the strap a little. With time, the strap will definitely fall apart, although I can always replace it.

I don't think the strap is a deal breaker though considering it only cost me a few dollars and the weight of the watch face makes up for it. I'm really keen to try out more watches from AliExpress now.

World Map Watch available in brown, black and white

Ratings
Product Quality: 4/5
Accuracy of Description: 5/5
Similarity to Original: 3/5 I can't tell if it's just a coincidence that it looks very similar to the Around the World watch from Urban Outfitters


Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Online Shopping Gems: The Hot Air Balloon Collection



I'll be out of my mind, and you'll be out of ideas pretty soon,
so let's spend the afternoon in a cold hot air balloon.
- Owl City, Hot Air Balloon -

Ever noticed how clothes seem to bear many of the same motifs? I find it a weird trend, like who sits down and decides which little doodle drawing we'll be sporting next? We've seen it with cats, with owls, with all sorts of other animals. Whilst browsing AliExpress, I discovered that apparently hot air balloons are a thing. I'm assuming they're only online because I don't think I've ever seen a hot air ballon pattern in stores here. 

 Do you think the hot air balloon motif will catch on? Kate does.

Thirty-Four Dollars and Sixty-Four Cents

A Summer outfit for under $50. Join in on Polyvore!


Thirty-Four Dollars and Sixty-Four Cents



Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Fool's Gold : Crazy Sexy Cool Beanie



Cos I'm looking like class,
and he's looking like trash.
- TLC, No Scrubs -

My friends showed me the Mombasa Rose version of this beanie a few days ago and I knew I'd be able to track the exact same hat down for less than $20. It only took a moment for me to creep online and discover one for just $10! I didn't imagine I'd also find a store selling one for nearly $50. Can you imagine spending that much money on a beanie? That is so unpretty.

I can't guarantee they're all the exact same hat, but I'd say considering that 99% of the world is made in China these days, it's pretty safe to assume so. The other perk? Ali Express has free shipping, the other two don't. As if you needed any more convincing. 

Just don't go chasing waterfalls in this, because I'm not sure how waterproof it'll be. 



Fool's Gold : Crazy Sexy Cool Beanie



Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Forty-Eight Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents

Absolootely dares you to put together an outfit for under $50 (US)! With online shopping, the possibilities are practically endless! This just proves you don't need to blow the budget to look stylish and cool.

Here's Rachel's 2nd submission:

Forty-Eight Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents



Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Pearl of Wisdom: eBay 101

If you're an avid Absolootely reader, then you'll remember when Kate went through the basics of using AliExpress. AliExpress isn't my native online shopping store, I'm more familiar and more experienced with eBay, so I'm calling this school to session to walk you through the basics. With these simple tricks, I'll help you avoid scams and rip offs. You can thank me later.



The first thing to note about eBay is that it has several different sites, including ebay.com, ebay.co.uk and ebay.com.au. I use ebay.com because it can display prices in New Zealand dollars.

Here's my list of musts for browsing eBay:
-Filter by price + shipping: lowest first > buy now > shipping specific to your location. There's nothing worse than finding something you love only to discover it won't ship to your country.

-Filter by size, style, colour, pattern, material and condition: new with tags. You can even refine the country the seller is located in if you only want to shop locally.

-Pay attention to the related products that are shown along the bottom of the page. This is where you'll find some of the best listings and discover the same product selling for less.

-Don't limit yourself to clothes. My best eBay purchases include camera straps, bags, iPod screen covers, pencil cases, craft supplies and phone cases. There's so many other things to buy!

-Have an upper spending limit. For me, I am reluctant to purchase any item over $20 in case things go awry. If they do, then don't hesitate to follow it up. I've not received items I've bought for only a few dollars and sellers have been more than happy to refund me.

-Think it over. The worst (but also best) thing about eBay is that they use PayPal, so they're not asking you to put in a card number every time you make a purchase. Instead of tossing everything in your cart and checking out straight away, leave it for a day and come back. It can be all too easy to spend everything you own through their mobile app.

-Check all the details and all the photos. I don't just mean the measurements, I mean study the actual photos and compare them. Sometimes, they use photos of a very similar, but different product. Do those two bags match? Which one looks cheaper? That's the one you're getting.

With this knowledge, you forth and unleash yourself on eBay!

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Online Shopping Gems: Cookie Cutters and Chocolate Moulds



Today's post takes Absolootely in a slightly different direction. Up until now, we've been all about fashion, but I thought I'd share a few of my favourite baking accessories. It can be tricky and expensive to keep up with the latest trend, so I prefer to turn to the Internet for my supplies. 





I can personally vouch for the cat and flower cookie cutters and the foil candy wrappers, all of which are of excellent quality. The cat and flower cutters are a super sturdy metal, none of that flimsy, sharp stuff. I also own a Winnie the Pooh version of the Mickey Mouse set, makes for totally unique cookies.

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Forty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Two Cents.

Absolootely dares you to put together an outfit for under $50 (US)! With online shopping, the possibilities are practically endless! This just proves you don't need to blow the budget to look stylish and cool.


Here's Rachel's submission:
$49.72


Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Review: Black Bag with Heart Clasp

Handbags are expensive. And it seems the smaller they get, the more they cost. I don't want to fork out $50 for something I won't use everyday and that doesn't even hold more than my phone and wallet.

Luckily for me (and you!), bags from online shops are super affordable. Like this blue satchel bag or a darling fox bag. I've had nothing but good experiences buying handbags online and I needed a black one. Black goes with everything. Fact.


I decided on this black bag with a heart clasp because it's different to everything else I own and looked pretty classy. And it was only $11NZD (a semi permanent discount of 49% off on AliExpress)! It's also available in cream, brown and lavender.



Within the main structure, the bag has three internal pockets, including one zipped, and an extra zipped pocket on the back. This I love because I hate leaving my keys in the same section as my phone so it's nice to have a pocket for everything. Although the heart clasp looks more gold in the photos, it's actually a light yellow with the word MINK in gold. Is this a brand name? I don't know.

The trick for young players is to let the bag air out for a few days after it arrives, to get rid of that Chinese factory fragrance and restore its shape. I've found is that the lining fabric in bags from China tends to feel very stiff and cheap and some of the zips tend to feel a little flimsy. This isn't an issue for me personally, I got what I paid for and I promise I'll be careful zipping it up. 

All in all, I'm super happy with this purchase. I would have to pay a lot more for something similar in a store here and in my mind, quantity over quality for handbags. Always.

Ratings
Product Quality: 4/5 (cheap lining and delicate zips prevent this bag from scoring full marks)

Accuracy of Description: 5/5

Similarity to Original: N/A. As far I can tell, this bag isn't a dupe but a true original. Just like me.


Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere
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