Win $5,000 From The RealReal: My Top 5 Obsessions

Have you received a text message from The RealReal lately announcing their latest contest? It’s been years since I’ve bought anything from the authenticated luxury e-tailer so this contest is right up my alley and hopefully yours too. Everyone that enters by loving five items have the opportunity to win a $5,000 store credit.

I thought I would write a quick write-up (ha!) about the five items I loved on the site – and hope to buy if I win and they’re still available. Since May is Small Business Month, I’m definitely highlighting black-owned businesses like Telfar (The RealReal carries their collaborations with UGG, Eastpak & Moose Knuckles too) and Brandon Blackwood. Let’s see what other brands I can find on the site and please don’t forget to enter the contest yourself!

Moose Knuckles x Telfar Nylon Tote Bag, $425; As Carried by Harper Bennett on Power Book II: Ghost S3 E1 “Your Perception, Your Reality”

How frustrated am I that I couldn’t get a decent screenshot of Harper Bennett (Keesha Sharp) coming into class carrying a $425 Moose Knuckles x Telfar Nylon Tote Bag during the Power Book II: Ghost season three premiere?  I love Louis Vuitton’s embossed monogram leather patterns but only in black/black colorways and I’m finding black on black patterning does wonders for my wardrobe. Final takeaway: this bag needs to be in my closet, stat!

I must’ve spent at least ten minutes logging into YouTube TV and pinpointing the exact angle Bennett turns around and gives the watcher a great view of the Moose Knucles x Telfar embossed leather bag she’s modeling, before heading to her desk and starting her lesson. I tried to get several screenshots but for some reason, YouTube TV wasn’t allowing me to get a screen grab for nothing, so I had to settle for the above picture instead. It’s the same outfit she wore in the inaugural episode too. At the time of this rant, The RealReal has at least ten other items you can buy now – all 20% off with code REAL at checkout:

Brandon Blackwood Kendrick Trunk Mini Bag, Price Varies; As Worn By Ari Lennox, Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Precious Lee

After spotting Telfar, I wondered what other black-owned brands were available on the site before spotting Brandon Blackwood. I knew about Brandon Blackwood from watching Jackie Aina’s IG reels and added him to my list of designers to support in the near future. Recently, the brand launched their Swim collection last Friday. How timely since The Little Mermaid is splashing into theaters stateside next Friday on May 26.

Smaller bags usually don’t sway me but perhaps a Kendrick Trunk Mini Bag, $545 is the lesson in minimalism that I need.

Mel Ottenberg, the Editor-in-Chief of Interview Magazine, shot Precious Lee (cosplaying as Anna Nicole Smith for the Spring 2023 issue) with the brand’s Kendrick trunk in crystal leopard.

Quinta Brunson stepped out with it in a crystal red option back in February of this year.

Last September, she opted for a lavender option for Jimmy Kimmel.

As a matter of fact, September 2022 was an eventful month for Brandon Blackwood. Sheryl Lee Ralph not only won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary, but she tapped Blackwood to create her gown (which was a first for the brand) in which she accessorized with a Kendrick in orange crystal (which matched the underside of her gown). Will you consider getting it in crystal green, $545 from the site?

Ari Lennox’s Kendrick in Black is available on The RealReal in pristine condition (it has tags) and is currently 20% off at $372.00

Shop the Kendrick on The RealReal:

Lele Sadoughi Crystal Lily Earrings, $195; As Worn By Madisin Rian in Her Sports Illustrated Shoot

Consider this a detour: Madisin Rian wore Lele Sadoughi Crystal Lily Earrings in Diva Pink, $198 in her Sports Illustrated photoshoot. I’m glad that I could finally add this fashion tidbit to the blog as I immediately recognized the silhouette when I first saw the photos weeks back.

I also blogged about Marsai Martin wearing the Resin Bubble Drop Earrings in this roundup. They’re also available at The RealReal at 20% off for $116. She also wore the Acetate & Crystal Trillium Bouquet Clip-On Earrings, $236 (also 20% off and in a different color combination).

Unfortunately, this particular color isn’t available on The RealReal, but my other hangout, ShopBop, has them in stock for $118.80. It’s funny how I searched for this particular color for months, gave up but then just lucked up and found it while writing this post.

It fits the Barbiecore theme well but if you’re not sold on the pink, check out these other options:

RNC Beauty Star Eye Mask Set, $25; As Seen on Justine Skye and Lori Harvey

Not only was I surprised to see The RealReal selling beauty products now (when did this happen exactly?), I was even more curious to see KNC Beauty. KNC Beauty is black-owned and a favorite of Justine Skye and Lori Harvey.

Back in 2020, Vogue Beauty tapped Justine Skye to show her beauty routine. When I rewatched it again tonight, I wondered if the brand’s Star Eye Mask Set, $25 were the only eye patches with retinol on the market. I suppose I need to add it to my research list for further review. Either way, I’m buying these shooting stars once I run out of my current eye patches.

Celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris would list KNC’s Supa Balm (also available at ShopBop) whenever he did Lori Harvey’s makeup. Lori also filmed herself using the Supa Scrub Set on either IG or TikTok (I’ll find out in due time).

Judith Leiber Stack of Cash Billions Clutch, $2,550; As Carried by Idia Aisen

So yes, I know I already have two other trunks/totes in this roundup but I couldn’t resist adding a clutch from Judith Leiber. I remember scoring a Judith Leiber for Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection Compact Mirror in a sparkling blue/green motif. That collaboration was so many moons ago, but The RealReal has the crystal zebra option from that collection available for $100.

Let’s get back to this clutch though. We alreay have a bedazzled mirror but now we need an equally exquisite clutch. I was scrolling when I saw the Judith Leiber Stack of Cash Billions Clutch. It’s a splurgeworthy piece and can actually be financed monthly through Affirm (you can prequalify on the site). Now while I don’t have the type of lifestyle Idia Aisien has that would call for such a statement piece, I can imagine myself marveling over this clutch with at least $4000 in queue (which is the retail price for this beauty).

Don’t you just love Idia’s look for the Coming 2 America 2 premiere like I do? Here’s the full outfit:

Technically, I shared five obsessions but here’s a quick list of other items that caught my eye:

• Valentino Crystal Pocket Mirror, $115
• Rihanna Book, $150
• Third Drawer Down x Mickalene Thomas Le Dejeuner Puzzle, $25.20
• Dada Daily Baby Won’t You Light My Body TRR Exclusive Candle, $43.20
• Black Futures, $32
• The New Black Vanguard, $15