Review

The Toyota Highlander

Check another car off our test-drive list! We were able to drive the 2015 Toyota Highlander for a week and decided to take another road trip. Any excuse for a road trip is a-ok in my book 😉 (If you’d like to see where we went you can check out my travel series “36 hours” here!) The long drive really helps you get to know a car. I really wish dealers would offer extended test drives.

Anyways, back to this beaut of an automobile. The Highlander was at the top of our list if not number one. We’re big fans of Toyota, with our Prius now and we’ve had a couple of 4Runners in the past. The Highlander is a highly-rated family car and comes with some really convenient perks to prove it.

The drive is a little less “cushy” than the Lexus, you can definitely feel more of the road. The Highlander also felt pretty substantial – just nice and solid. And it was big! Just so. much. room. Our last two cars have been pretty compact, so it was quite the difference. We used to own a 4Runner and I swear this Highlander was just as big if not bigger than it. Are they making them bigger these days? 🙂 Anyways, the Mr loved the room, can’t say that I’d turn my back on some extra space either!

The Highlander we drove was a Limited edition, so pretty tricked out. It felt just as luxurious as the Lexus RX 350, if not more. It’s obvious that the Highlander’s focus is all about family convenience. I appreciate that, I really do. Here are some of the stand-outs:

seat warmers and coolers
The front seats had seat coolers and heaters just like the Lexus, but the Highlander had seat warmers in the second row as well!

retractable rear window sunshades
We had these in our old X5 and I’ve missed them. Perfect to keep the sun out of children’s eyes.

dynamic cruise control
Cool concept right? Slows the car down before you ram into the car in front of you 😉 Nice safety feature, but in my case? Not really that necessary.

BLind Spot Monitor
Just like the Lexus, loved these subtle but noticeable light-up alerts on the side mirrors.

third row seat
Perfect for hauling around the kids and a friend or two. Will be nice to have when the soccer days roll into town 😉

After driving this Highlander for a week, I have to say that it’s definitely staying at the top of the list! How many of you out there are Highlander drivers? What do you think? Do you love it?

We have a few more cars that we’ll be test driving. Probably not anymore extended drives, but I’ll still be sharing the experience with you guys! So stay tuned while our car hunt continues!

I was provided with a Toyota Highlander Limited for a one week period to write this post and share my opinion. I was not compensated in any other way and shared my unbiased opinion. Thank you for supporting Copy Cat Chic.

The Lexus RX 350

So today we’re going to talk about a topic I haven’t really discussed much on the blog, except in passing: Cars. We’re coming up on the end of our current car lease and the hunt for a new car is on! We’ve had a Toyota Prius V for the last few years. It’s a great family car with awesome gas mileage (of course!). It has served us well, but we’re looking for something a little bit bigger and a little bit more…luxurious. In the past we’ve mostly owned Toyotas or BMWs and we’re huge fans of both. This time around I’m interested in broadening my horizons a bit and seeing what else is out there. I figured it would be fun to share the process with you on the blog.

Let me just state for the record, cars are one area that I believe a little splurge is in order. Cars aren’t as easy to DIY and fix up as homes are 😉 That’s the major reason why I’ve always tended to opt for luxury. I like a car to be safe, comfortable, perform well, look good and have some fun bells and whistles.

I’m thinking a smaller sized SUV will suit our needs best. We definitely want something with AWD or 4WD. I also would like a car with built in GPS, heated seats and a back up camera. Do you guys have any recommendations? The Mr has done a lot of research on the matter at hand and one of the brands that rated at the top of his list was Lexus. So I reached out to them about doing a review post. We decided to try the RX 350 first because it was on the top of our list.

We recently took a trip to Tahoe and figured it would be the perfect time to drive the Lexus RX 350 to see how it handled. I must say it was the perfect car for the trip. When you take a seat you’re enveloped in soft and cushy leather seats – almost like sitting in a club chair! And the drive was unlike anything I’d experienced. I felt like I was riding on a cushion of air that protected you from bumps and dips in the road. I’m used to tight car-like handling so that definitely took a little bit of getting used to. By the end of the week it had definitely grown on me.

Now let’s talk about some of the bells and whistles…The RX350 had some fun really fun extras:

seat coolers

It not only had a seat warmer, but also a seat cooler!

blind spot notification

It took some getting used to, but I eventually got used to seeing the little light flash on my driver and passenger-side mirrors. Such a great safety feature.

windshield speedometer

So convenient to have your speed reflected on the windshield, directly in you line of sight.

dvd player

I never thought these were super necessary, but on a four hour road trip with a four year old? It was amaaazing. I love that the screens were mounted on the back of the front seat headrests. That way they don’t get in the way of your visibility while driving.

The Lexus RX 350 is the first car we’ve taken for a spin, which one should we try out next? We’d love some recommendations!

I was provided with a Lexus RX 350 for a one week period to write this post and share my opinion. I was not compensated in any other way and shared my unbiased opinion. Thank you for supporting Copy Cat Chic.

Product Review | Dot & Bo

I just recently (in the last few months or so) learned about the flash sale site, Dot & Bo. I’ve been loving the selection on their site. They are so good at keeping up with the latest trends. Every time I browse, I find something I want. Dangerous, to say the least. They also have some really great prices.

I figured I’d place an order and see with my own eyes, how the quality of their customer service and products compared. I also reached out to them and asked if they’d be interested in sending me a product to review. They were up to the challenge and sent me the amazing dollhouse cubby below to check out.

HONEYCOMB AIR PURIFIER IN SMALL
^$59

This air purifier is a thing of beauty. At $59 it’s a splurge for me, but I really like the small footprint and great design. Shipping was super fast and well packaged. The air filter is made of charcoal that has been especially shaped into a (very small) honeycomb like structure. So the air passes through and strong odors are removed. The small size is ideal for closets and other small spaces. We have it in the kid’s room near the diaper bin. It’s a big help 😉 It’s made from charcoal and wood, so I know it’s not going to harm Conrad if he decides to play with it, not that’s it’s anywhere near where he can reach it, but just in case 😉 Also to renew the filter, after about a month of use, you simply sit it in the sun for 6 hours and it’s as good as new. So the initial investment is worth it in the end, because you don’t have to keep buying new filters. Genius.

His and hers bathroom plaque
^$18

I ordered this great bathroom sign a couple of weeks ago. I figured I’d hang it on the master bathroom door or maybe on the gallery wall if I can find some space 😉 I love this sign, it’s super cute and nice an solid in person. A great buy for $18. AND it came with its own screws, major points there. The only thing about this item was that it came about a month and a half after the air filter which I ordered at the same time. So just be aware that items have varying shipping times, some a lot longer than others.

HOUSE OF DOLLS CUBBY

^$300

At $300 it’s not the cheapest dollhouse (or cubby) in the world. But I think it’s well worth the $300 price tag, if you decide to buy it. I love it. Arden loves it. It’s a great combination of dollhouse and small shelf. It’s a pretty large piece at almost 3ft tall and 2ft wide, but it’s surprisingly still lightweight enough to not make it a pain to move around. It’s made from metal, so that’s what keeps it sturdy.

It’s so unique and fun, Arden couldn’t wait to start decorating and her Sonny’s Angels couldn’t wait to move in either 😉 Since we’ve taken this picture, we’ve added a couple of curtains and some fun wallpaper. I love the fact that you can add wallpaper with just a bit of tape and it’s easy to swap it out when Arden’s mood changes 😉 She’s also had me spray paint some of the furniture neon pink. Good times.

Copy Cat Chic Dot and Bo House of Dolls Cubby

Overall I’m very happy with all of the items I received from Dot & Bo. Their customer service was very responsive (when I inquired about the timing on the bathroom sign). Their website was a breeze to use with order updates easily accessible. Everything I ordered was exactly, if not better, than expected. The shipping on one of my items was a little longer than ideal, but the rest shipped very fast. In the end, that was not a huge factor for me compared to the value, selection and quality of their products. I’d definitely recommend them.

Have you had any experience with Dot & Bo? I’d love to hear about it, just leave your comments below. Thank you! 🙂

I was provided with the dollhouse cubby above to review in collaboration with Dot & Bo. The review above is my honest opinion and not biased by any products I’ve received.

Product Review | Birch Lane Scroll Candle Sconce

Have you guys heard of Birch Lane? They launched not too long ago and I’ve even featured a couple of their products already. They’re like Pottery Barn’s younger (and less expensive sister) 😉 Their style is traditional, but in a modern way and their assortment has just the right amount of character. Oh, and their price point? So completely reasonable! Love that.

When a new site featuring great prices comes on the scene, I hesitate just a teensy-tiny bit when it comes to talking about them on the blog. Why? Because I don’t have personal experience with their products, but I think you all know by now that I can’t give you a review on each and every product I feature (how awesome would that be?). I always let you know when I can personally vouch for a store or product.

BIRCH LANE scroll candle sconce
^$59

As for Birch Lane, I reached out to them because I wanted to see how the quality of their products matched up to their great prices. They offered to send me a product to review here on the website. I decided to pick these candle sconces. Ever since the stars came down, the TV wall in the playroom has looked a little barren. A pair of sconces would have fit the bill nicely, but we don’t have electrical running there. So these candle sconces came to the rescue.

They came nicely packaged with no damage. Always a plus when an item is glass 😉 The instructions on how to attach the lantern to the base were very easy to follow.

The sconces are deep bronze color with hints of brass. It looks like there is some distressing to give it a nice, aged look. Not something that’s described on the website, but I thought it looked nice. A touch of brass is always fun. You can see the finish better in the pic below.

The scroll bases attach to the wall with a couple of screws (not provided). I’d definitely recommend finding studs to screw into. Once hung, the lanterns were very secure, but also still a little moveable, since technically they’re hanging from the scroll base.

I like how they help draw attention away from the TV. Before, it was one big, gray wall with nothing but a TV to catch your eye. This is much better, wouldn’t you agree?

Here are a couple of more Birch Lane products I had my eye on. I’m still debating on getting those throw pillows…they might have to be mine.

Birch lane edie pillow cover
^$45

BIRCH LANE GALVANIZED BEVERAGE TUB
^$39

BIRCH LANE handled storage basket
^$59

BIRCH LANE portland pendant
^$149

To see a reference of all of our looks for less, please follow my

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Thank you for supporting Copy Cat Chic.

Introducing Copy Cat Chic Product Reviews

Guess what? I’ve decided to introduce a new Copy Cat Chic feature: Product reviews! To start off I’ll be visiting stores that we all know and love to pick a few items from their latest product lines to review. Later on I hope to show items that are online only, so we can get an idea of what they look like in person. I’m always getting emails and comments from readers wondering about the products I feature on my blog, so hopefully I’ll be able to feature a few of those products as well.

I’ll be using YouTube to present my reviews and I may or may not feature them on the blog (depends on how popular they are). If you guys like them I’ll feature them, otherwise you can just find them on my YouTube channel. You can subscribe here if you like or just check in periodically to catch up.

I really hope you guys like it and find it helpful. I know that sometimes, product pictures aren’t very accurate and it always helps to see something (sort of) in person 😉

Here’s my first video, where I’m reviewing a few items from the Nate Berkus™ line at Target. It’s a little long, so I’m thinking I might split products up into individual videos in the future. And feel free to give it a thumbs up if you like it 😉

the products featured
Nate Berkus™ Water Hyacinth Basket with Handles
Nate Berkus™ Decorative Pillow 18″ – Indigo
Nate Berkus Swingline Stapler – Gold
Nate Berkus Gold Shears
Nate Berkus Gold Mega Clips – 5ct

Feel free to leave me a comment or an email if there’s something specific you’d like me to feature in my next video! And if you have any feedback that will help me make the next one better let me know. Just be gentle, this my first video after all 😉

You can see my product review videos as they’re released by subscribing to my YouTube channel here.

This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Copy Cat Chic.

Product Review | Pure Fiber Bamboo Sheets

***Update 11/28/11: So it’s been a few months now of constant use. The bamboo sheets have started pilling 🙁 So due to the pilling as well as the tendency to tear I have to say I’m not that happy with the sheets. I would not choose them again. I still love my bamboo towels though!***

As you all know I’m all about a good deal 😉 But what most of you might not know about me is that I’m all about being green as well. Ever since Arden was born, I’ve been slowly making our home as green as possible. We eat mostly organic, we use eco-friendly household cleaners, we use glassware instead of plasticware. Even Arden’s nursery is filled with organic and all-natural fabrics and materials. I’ve tried my share of organic cotton sheets and towels and even clothing, but I have to admit my number one favorite earth-friendly fabric is bamboo. I’ve finally converted all of our towels to bamboo (once our old ones have worn out). And I can’t tell you how super soft and fluffy, yet lightweight (and fast drying) bamboo towels are.

So when Pure Fiber offered to send me a set of their 100% Bamboo sheets
to try I was very excited. I have to admit I wasn’t disappointed! Pure Fiber‘s bamboo sheets are the softest sheets I have ever owned. Cotton doesn’t even come close, no matter what the threat-count. And not only is bamboo silky-soft, it’s also very breathable and helps to regulate your temperature whether it’s hot or cold, resulting in an even better nights sleep. The Mr. and I have been using these sheets for about two months now and I swear they get even softer with each wash.

Pure Fiber Viscose Derived from Bamboo Sheet Set, Cal King, Pure White

The only negative thing I can say is that one of the pillowcases in my set ripped a tiny bit along one of the seams. Is it a deal breaker in my eyes? Nope, not at all. I still think these sheets are a super value – Amazon sells a Cal King sized set for under $100. In that price range (or any price-range for that matter) you’re not going to find cotton sheets as soft as this. Seriously.

And the funny thing? I looked at all my bamboo towels and it turns out they’re Pure Fiber as well! I have these for my and Mr. and a bunch of these for Arden and we all love them. The hooded baby towels especially; they are super-soft which is perfect for delicate baby skin.

You guys have to give bamboo a try. It’s so much more affordable than dropping down all of those dollars on super-high thread count sheets or extra thick Egyptian cotton towels, believe me.