Stitch Fix: My 2nd Styling

My first Stitch Fix styling was so much fun and had such great items in it (even if I only kept one of the five pieces) that I was even more excited to see what they sent me for my second styling!

I got a quasi-preview of the items when I signed into my account before receiving the box, so I knew what the items would be by name but not what they actually looked like. The names alone excited me! Especially since if I liked them in person, I'd get 25% off if I kept them all!

This is what I got:

Leaf Outlines Necklace ($28)... A statement necklace in an antique gold finish, right up my alley! I thought it was going to be something a bit more simple, like the single leaf necklaces I've seen, but I still like this one. It's heavier than I expected it to be, too!

Milo Pleated Detail Skirt ($48)... Sorry I don't have clothespins or anything to hand the skirt with so it looks more like a poncho, but trust me it's a skirt! I like the style, but it did not fit... at all. Unless I pulled it up to my natural waist, but I don't think it's supposed to be that high?

Jaclynn 3/4 Sleeve Button-Up Cardigan ($38)... A classic cardigan. It's actually a little small, but it still looks good unbuttoned.

Jaden Mix Material Printed Top ($48)... I wanted to like this one. I really did. It's totally different than anything I have in my wardrobe... the front printed part is actually silky and the rest is a soft sweater-like material. Kind of cozy. Unfortunately the front silky part did not agree with my curves and the wide striped pattern just made me look wider... not cool.

Geena Tab-Sleeve Belted Tunic ($48)... This is another one that I really wanted to like. The belt at the top actually goes around the tunic (of course). It's a long tunic top--and the length of it hits my hips... and stops. In other words, my hips + tunic top = no bueno. I also felt frumpy up top. I think it may be one of those styles that I like--but on other people/body types, not on my own.

After I figured out what I wanted to keep, I signed into my Stitch Fix account to check out and give some feedback about each of the pieces...

I try to let them know why I love each piece (or not) and of course change the "Keep?" tab to "yes" or "no" for each one... you can see below that I decided to keep the necklace and the cardigan and send the other three pieces back.

And then give them a final overall impression of the styling...

Then I reviewed my order and scheduled my next fix! I was thinking about skipping October, but then decided to get a fix delivered for my birthday. Why not? When you schedule each fix you can leave a short note to the stylist to let them know if you're looking for something specific... this time I let them know it's my birthday and I wanted something special for a date night and/or the upcoming holidays! Turning 29 weirds me out a little bit so this will certainly make me look forward to it a bit more!

Want to give Stitch Fix a try? Click here to sign up for your first styling using my referral code! It's $20, which goes towards the purchase of the items you choose to keep. If you keep them all, you get 25% off the total!

Stitch Fix: My First Box

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? It's another subscription-type box, but with clothes that have been picked out for you by a stylist based on a detailed profile that you fill out.

It's $20 up front for the styling fee. You get your box of five clothing items, try them on, then send back the ones you don't want. You pay for the ones you keep and your $20 styling fee goes towards your purchase. If you keep everything you get 25% off.

The clothing items are a little more than what I usually pay for clothes at $75 on average, but I'm also cheap and don't invest in quality clothing. Which also means much of my clothes wears out faster than I like. (T-shirts for under $10 each? Yes, please!) The nice thing is that you can specify what you'd like to pay in your Stitch Fix profile for each type of clothing/accessory--I chose "the cheaper the better."

I also love that I can link to my Pinterest style board (an excuse to pin more clothes, etc!), tell them what materials or colors I like to avoid (no fur or orange!), what I like to flaunt (or cover up), and they'll take my feedback about the pieces they send me into consideration for future styling! I also like that it isn't an automatic monthly delivery--you can choose when to order another box or sign up for the monthly deliveries.

This is what I got for my first Stitch Fix box:

Rocco Faux Wrap Tank Dress ($78)... I loved this one. Super comfy and well made. The tie that held the bundle of clothes together is actually the belt for the dress.

This is the card that went with the dress that showed a couple ways to can be styled!

Hilary Crochet Striped Tank ($68)... I liked the style card for the tank, and it fit well, I just didn't find it to be very flattering on me. (I should also note that I don't have a full-length mirror so my only option to see how things look is standing on my toilet or standing far away from my window-mirrors in the kitchen. It's not the most accurate.)

Mission 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Blouse ($68)... I like almost everything about this top--but the arms were a little too snug. I don't have petite arms and I like to be able to move, so that was a big mark against it.

Roma Cowl Neck Jersey Knit Top ($48)... Super comfy shirt, but not flattering. At all. The cowl was just too much.

Alan Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Jacket ($48)... I kept going back and forth on this jacket--and in the midst of my indecision I forgot to take a photo of it! It's just like this one from ModCloth (maybe even the same thing? not sure how that all works..) Anyway, I REALLY liked it and was this close to keeping it... but again, the fit was slightly off. It fit everywhere great except for across the chest... of course. It smooshed everything in a not-so-great way.

In the end I decided to keep the dress and sent everything else back... and I've already ordered my next styling for next month! I tried to give detailed feedback about each piece (you sign into your account and can rate the items for fit, style, etc and leave comments too) so fingers crossed my next one will be even better! In the meantime I'll be on Pinterest even more browsing Women's Fashion pins!

Want to give Stitch Fix a try? Click here to sign up for your first box using my referral code!

What I Would Give Away if I Could Afford to Host a Giveaway: Gifts for Awesome Friends

I have finished my Christmas shopping.*

I'm not bragging. I'm just shocked. Last year I waited until the last minute to even think about shopping. This year I was almost completely finished before December 1. Part of it probably has to do with the excitement of shopping for my little nephew (it's his first Christmas!!) and for finding great surprises for the awesome guy in my life (our first Christmas together!). Whatever the reason, I'm glad to be done.

The problem? I keep finding neat things that I think they'd like! Not just for the nephew and the boyfriend, but for other family members and friends, too. OK, and some things I'd love for myself.

Instead of trying to talk myself into buying all these neat things, I figured I can share and maybe YOU can buy them and let me know if they are really as great in person as I think they are.

I'm calling it...

"What I Would Giveaway if I Could Afford to Host a Giveaway" list...

or maybe it should be...

"What I Would Gift Everyone I Like if I Were Made of Money" list...

Be warned... I'm no shopping guru, fashion expert, technology geek, art connoisseur, gourmand, etc. I was not paid nor perked in any way to tell you about the things on this list. I just think they look neat. And you might, too.


For My Friends/Me (because many of us have similar aka AWESOME taste)

my fave hunting grounds

Hunting antiques/thrift items, that is.

It is a bit of an addiction, obsession, passion... whatever you call it, I love looking for great items that I can use in my home or re-purpose into something spectacular--especially when I get to go with great friends!



I figured it was time that I compile a little list of some of my favorite local (Kitsap County, WA) thrifting-hunting grounds in case you want to get out for yourself to see what you might find!

(Keep in mind that I prefer antique malls that aren't super staged and arranged... I like to sift through things in search of a great find at a reasonable price. I am also not an "antique collector"--I'm not looking for items of great value, rarity, or authenticity. I like to find things that I can use and enjoy in my home.)