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Friday, December 12, 2014

Stitch Fix #5-- December 2014



What a sweet surprise it was to see this little box show up 4 days earlier than expected! I couldn't wait to open it up and see what goodies I'd received from StitchFix. I mean, just look at that leopard print peeking out...Eek! So exciting. 


This month, I specifically requested the following:
- A pair of dark, distressed skinny jeans
- Longer, casual, tunic style tops that I can pair with skinny jeans or leggings
- If available, one of the outerwear pieces I'd pinned on my Pinterest board
- Jenna as my stylist (she's been my girl from the get-go)
-And, lastly, yet most importantly: affordability! (<$48 for tops)

Now, here's what I received:


{19 Cooper Sheldon Leopard Print Mixed Material Top -- XS -- $34}
https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3336125 19 Cooper Sheldon Leopard Print Mixed Material Top -- XS -- $34

I knew this was a keeper as soon as I took it out of the box. I love the cut, the neckline, the pattern, the price... everything, really. 

Status: KEPT

{Laila Jade Tina Faux Suede Top -- XS -- $54}

This top was an interesting one to me. I liked the slight racerback cut, that sexy keyhole opening in the back, the color, and the length. It'd be perfect paired with a pair of skinny jeans and could easily be layered or dressed up/down. What I didn't really care for was the fabric and the asymmetrical cut. It was a decent fit, but I didn't love it. For those reasons and its price, it went back.

Status: Returned

{41Hawthorn Polly Abstract Chevron Tie-Waist Tunic -- XS -- $48}

This is a top that I'd seen and pinned on Pinterest although at this point, I'm not sure exactly why. I'm really not a patterned top kinda girl. I didn't care for this blouse for so many reasons: the material felt incredibly cheap, the fit was entirely too big, and I hate things that tie around my waist. Again, I have no clue why I originally pinned this! Perfect price point for me, but that's the only upside to this top, in my opinion. Also, just FYI, I've found the 41Hawthorn brand to run quite big. I've noticed this on several occasions and I keep forgetting to let them know that I'd prefer them not to send this brand.

Status: RETURNED

{Fun2Fun Lamont Tile Print Blouse -- XS -- $44}

Perfect length & great price point! I loved the neckline on this blouse, too. I just wasn't crazy about the pattern.

Status: Returned

{Daniel Rainn Rivera Damask Textured Blouse -- XS -- $48}


Ever wondered what it'd be like to wear your great-grandmother's drapes or holiday tablecloth? Yeah, this top was that bad. Horribly thick fabric, awful cut, and this felt very cheaply made. I couldn't get this blouse back in the box fast enough. 

Status: RETURNED

Overall thoughts: I didn't get to have Jenna as my stylist this time (she is out on vacation) and I think my fix suffered as a result. I didn't receive a pair of distressed skinny jeans or any outerwear as requested, nor was there any mention of those requests in the personal note included in my box. I was a little disappointed by that. However, I must say that this the very first time I've received a box were all of the pieces were much closer to my desired price point. I cannot stress enough how important this is to me, so I was happy to see more affordable pieces this time.

Ready to give StitchFix a try for yourself? It's completely easy to get started. Simply sign up {<-- my referral code that I'd be so incredibly grateful if you used, but you don't have to!}, fill out your style profile, and schedule your first Fix. You'll be charged $20, but that amount is deducted from whatever it is that you decide to keep. They offer a 25% discount if you decide to keep all 5 pieces. Free shipping both ways and you have 3 days to try on everything in the comfort of your own home. It doesn't get any better than that, seriously.

I urge you to give it a try! Click here to learn how to receive your best Fix.

Have a wonderful weekend!







Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Stitch Fix #4

It's been FOREVER since my last Fix (see #1, #2, #3 here), so I was incredibly excited when FedEx dropped my package off yesterday! In this Fix, I specifically asked to have Jenna as my stylist again (she gets me) and for 5 business casual, tunic style tops that can be worn with skinny jeans or leggings. I also asked for tops that were in my budget (less than $48/top). Here's what I received:

I'm apologizing now for the terrible quality of these photos. I have very little natural light as it is in my home, but it's been raining since yesterday (not complaining, because we need it so badly!) and my home is especially dark. 


{Carter Striped Long-Sleeve Shirt by Tart-- $68}

I love stripes and I gravitate towards black in my wardrobe, so I figured this top would be a home run for me.  It's lightweight enough to wear now that there's a very slight hint of Fall in the air here in Texas and the perfect top to layer as the weather turns colder, too. It's slightly stretchy and the overall fit is very flattering. I definitely planned on keeping this one, until I saw the price tag. $68 is much too steep for a long-sleeved tee, in my opinion!

Status: Returned

{Aleah Heathered V-Neck Dolman Top by Market and Spruce-- $48}

I'm pretty petite and normally not a fan of dolman tops because they tend to swallow me. This top was no exception. The fabric is buttery soft and incredibly comfortable, but in addition to the fit/style, I didn't love the color of this (not a fan of wearing blue). 

Here's another pic so you can (maybe) get a better gauge of the color:


Status: Returned

{Chandra Plaid Sleeveless Blouse by Fun2Fun-- $44}

Close-up of the pattern:

Maybe it's the plaid or maybe it's the red, but this top just screams Christmas to me! It's 100% polyester which makes it perfect for summer and it can also be easily layered with a heavy cardigan or blazer for winter. I love front pockets and the overall fit of this one. I especially love the hi-low design of this top. It's perfect to wear with a pair of skinny jeans, leggings, or even a pencil skirt. The only thing I didn't love was the flap of fabric that runs down the center of this shirt. It kept flapping open and driving me crazy. I'm definitely torn on this one, but because I don't love it 100%, it's going back.

Status: Returned

{Macklin Floral Print Blouse by Renee C-- $58}


I LOVE THIS TOP and I literally gasped when I pulled it out of the box. It is gorgeous, flattering, and definitely sexy. It has a hi-low cut, a slight v-neck, and a fun keyhole back. I can't wait to wear this on date night with a pair of skinny jeans. A little out of my price range, but I'm keeping it.

Status: KEPT

{Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeve Blouse by 41Hawthorn-- $58}

I've been stalking this top for a while on Pinterest and was thrilled to see it my box! I especially love that I received in black, because that is my go-to wardrobe color after all! ;) It's the perfect length to wear with skinny jeans and I found the overall fit to be quite flattering for the most part. The only thing I didn't love (and what turned out to be the deal breaker for me) is the sleeves. The cut of the sleeves is rather awkward and bothersome to me. 

Status: Returned

Overall:
As usual, Jenna did a fabulous job of sending me tops that fit my requests. While some were out of my budget, had they fit me perfectly, I probably would have kept them. I've read on many blogs that your Fixes get better as time goes on and I have to agree wholeheartedly. I'm finding better fits as time goes on and they're starting to learn what I like and don't like based on my feedback. That's why I feel it's so important to be as specific as possible when you're sending an item back. Price too high? Tell them. Item too big/small? Let them know. 

And lastly, if you're ready to dive in and receive your first Fix, I'd be so grateful if you'd use my referral code to sign up. After you do, you'll receive your very own referral code, too. 

Happy Hump Day, friends!


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Product Review: NEW Purex Crystals Aromatherapy + Giveaway

Disclosure: As a Purex Insider, the Purex® brand provided me with a sample of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy in exchange for a product review. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own. 


I'm a busy Mama with an active & creative school-age daughter, a hard-working mechanic of a husband, and a job as a nurse that (let's face it) can be downright grimy some days. 

That being said, I have a ton of laundry to do and I need a laundry routine that's easy and convenient. I tend to gravitate toward laundry products that have lots of long-lasting fresh scent, but most dryer sheets & liquid fabric softeners just don't do enough for me. That's why I'm so happy to report that I've finally found a product that meets all of the above criteria and then some.

Introducing NEW Purex Crystals Aromatherapy



Purex Crystals Aromatherapy are in-wash scent boosters that eliminate laundry odors and keep your clothes smelling fantastic for weeks after coming out of the dryer. 

Purex Crystals Aromatherapy couldn't be any easier to use! Simply add the desired amount of laundry enhancer into your washer's tub (top, front-loading, or HE) at the start of the wash to supplement your laundry detergent. This allows the crystals to permeate your clothing with a personal expressiveness that lasts for week, not days. 



There are three scents to choose from:
Well Being brightens any mood with the happy fragrance of fresh blossoms
Energy helps you tackle any day with the stimulating power of citrus
Serenity keeps you calm all day long with the gentle scent of water-lilies 

My thoughts: I was provided with a bottle of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy in the Well Being scent. It is incredibly easy to use and the scent was sweetly floral. I have been using the crystals with every load for the past week and I can honestly say that our laundry has never smelled better. The scent is heavy (but not overpowering) and is long-lasting. Most heavily-scented products tend to irritate my daughter's sensitive, eczema-prone skin, but not this one! I have washed all of her bedding and clothing using Purex Crystals Aromatherapy and have had zero issues. This is a huge deal! 

Now for the giveaway: Thanks to Purex, one lucky reader will win 2 FREE bottles of Purex Crystals Aromatherapy (in the form of free product coupons).


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to follow Purex on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

On Change


I did something pretty scary yesterday. 

I resigned from the job I've had for the last 10 years.

Don't get me wrong. It's a great job. My first professional job right out of college, but it was time.

Ever heard this quote?

"No reason to stay is a good reason to go."

That's essentially where I am. 





So what am I going to do? 

Well, I'm not sure yet. 

I'm looking. Every day.

But in the meantime, I have my sights set on being the best damn wife & Mama I can be.

They are what's most important, after all.

And all the while I'm looking, this will be my mantra.





Images sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Tuesday, August 12, 2014