About

Hello, I’m Maura Rowell. I call Portland, Oregon home, a city that inspires me with its blend of creativity and groundedness. I’ve always believed that how we shop, what we bring into our homes, and how we evaluate what truly matters all say something about our values.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Oregon, I spent nearly a decade working in strategic marketing for mid-sized consumer brands. That experience taught me a great deal about product quality, user experience, and the fine line between necessary novelty and needless clutter.

A few years ago, as I found myself both a consumer and an evaluator balancing home, work, travel and personal goals I realized how rarely I saw honest, real-world reviews that considered more than just features. That insight led me to revisit the domain Unapologetic Woman. The site had been known in earlier years for lifestyle topics and personal empowerment, and I felt it held untapped potential to serve a different purpose: to offer clear, tested, and trustworthy product review advice.

Maura Rowell
Maura Rowell

Why this Blog Exists

In early 2025 I formally relaunched Unapologetic Woman with a new focus: honest product reviews and practical buying advice rooted in my real-life usage. My mission is simple yet meaningful. I believe you don’t have to compromise your standards, budget or values to buy smart. I believe transparency matters. More than flashy marketing or empty claims, you should find reliable insight what worked, what didn’t, who a product is really for.

This isn’t a “top-10” list site full of superficial takes. Instead, it’s built on the idea that every product review should bring context how something fits into everyday life, what trade-offs exist, and whether I would personally invest in it again. My background working in brand strategy helps me understand how we’re sold to; now my blog is dedicated to helping you cut through the noise.

What You’ll Find Here

When you explore this blog, you’ll discover reviews from my vantage point as a real-life user. Whether I’m reviewing a home appliance, a travel accessory, a wellness product or a tech gadget, I approach it with questions: How intuitive is it? How durable? Does it serve someone balancing work, travel and home life? How does it hold up after months of use, not just the first week?

Beyond individual reviews, I also write about how to think about buying not simply what to buy. How to ask the right questions. How to evaluate value, not just price. How to decide if a product matches your lifestyle (and if your lifestyle should shift because of the product). My hope is that by visiting Unapologetic Woman, you’ll feel empowered to make choices that reflect your standards, rather than settling for less because you don’t know better.

Let’s Stay Connected

Thank you for stopping by and for being part of this journey. I welcome your questions, feedback and insights. If there’s something you’re trying to figure out whether a product you hope will make life easier, or just a topic you’d like me to review please don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected]
And if you like what you read, you’re invited to subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss new reviews and insights.

Here’s to making buying decisions that feel confident, intentional and aligned with your values without apology.

Author Profile

Maura Rowell
Maura Rowell
Maura Rowell is a Portland-based writer, reviewer, and lifelong advocate for thoughtful living. After earning her degree in Communications from the University of Oregon, she spent nearly a decade working in marketing and brand strategy, helping consumer companies tell their stories with honesty and clarity. Over the years, her professional experience taught her how easily marketing can distort reality—and how much readers appreciate genuine, experience-based insights.

In 2025, Maura launched Unapologetic Woman as a space for transparent, real-world product reviews that go beyond surface features. Her writing blends analytical precision with personal reflection, shaped by her own lifestyle of balancing work, travel, and home. Whether she’s testing kitchen gear, wellness tools, or smart home gadgets, Maura’s goal remains the same: to help readers make confident, informed choices without the noise of hype or compromise.
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