Stitch Fix #3 - Pregnancy Fix!

Whew, I am so glad I held off a little while on this Fix - if for no other reason than I got to share our surprising and joyful news with you before  it came! I had initially decided to stop my monthly fixes, but then thought it might be a good idea to try it out (thus the later in the month Fix). I had heard they could work with pregnancy, and I was really curious to see! There weren't a lot of Fix Blogs about continuing with Stitch Fix while pregnant, and I thought it was worth a shot. I also had gotten rid of most of my maternity clothes in the last couple years, since we thought we would be done, haha!

What is Stitch Fix?
It's a Subscription clothing service. You sign up (here is my referral link - thank you!) and fill out a fairly extensive survey about you, your sizes, and your preferences. You can choose to have a "fix" as often as you like, or just sign up for one Fix at a time. You pay a $20 styling fee to a Stylist who will then pick out 5 items to send to you. (Someone else putting in the time and energy to find my clothes? Yes!) The $20 will go towards anything you keep, and if you keep everything in the box, you get 25% off.
They send you a postage paid mailing bag to send anything back that you don't want to keep, and you fill out a survey about what you liked and didn't like in your fix.
Their clothing is high quality (think Nordstrom) and they send you styling cards to help you figure out how to wear what they have sent.

(They have accessories and purses that can be part of your fix, but with my metal allergies, I thought it was best to have them just send clothes to me.)

So, on to the good stuff!
My style card:

My box was nearly twice as big as normal, and I was a little confused at first. But then once I saw the inside of the box I discovered why.

 RD Style Evelynn Graphic Knit Split Back Cardigan

This sweater is SO THICK! It needed about as much room in the box as all the other clothes together! And while I liked the graphic design and color, this laid so badly on me! It puffed out at the sides, I had trouble getting my hands into the pockets because they are so far back, and the heavy material may be AWESOME for someone who runs cold, but I tend to always be warm, and even more so pregnant. Hubby once joked before we had kids that he was afraid I would spontaneously combust once I was pregnant. I have been pregnant through winter each time, and still sleep with the fan on and the heat off.

(Status: Sending Back)

Market and Spruce Trina Crochet Detail Tab-Sleeve Shirt
I paired this top with a grey  skinny belt from my own closet, and while I liked the lightweight feel and the BEAUTIFUL detail, it was already a little snug around my the middle for how early on I am. (This third baby has popped out SO FAST!!!!) I wasn't crazy about the color, and the collar with the points. I wish it had gone down at an angle instead.
(Status: Sending back)

Papermoon Sadie V-Neck Embroidery Detail Tank &
Mavi Frieda Maternity Regular Length Jean
You guys, Stitch Fix has MATERNITY jeans! They have been very clear that they don't do maternity clothes and they work around pregnancy, so I was very surprised that they sent these! It was a nice touch and I really felt like they were trying hard to help me find things I would really wear. That said, the panel on these jeans went OVER my bust. See the little dark blue sticking out of the V in the shirt in the pic on the left? Not a tank. It's the maternity panel. Which made me giggle lots. I really thought because they had this huge panel they might stay up better, but they scrunched down under the panel, which looked weird.
 (Status: Still deciding)
The tank was sheer and would for sure need something under it, but it is beautiful, bright, and the detail is lovely. There's plenty of room for my belly to grow.It's not my favorite fabric though
 (Status: Still deciding)

Lastly, Skies are Blue Stefan Mixed Print Peasant Blouse

Oh my goodness, I LOVE this blouse! It's soft, beautiful colors and fun print. It has lots of room to grow, and I've tried it belted with my skinny grey belt and loved that too!

(Status: Keeping!)

So there is my first pregnancy fix! It really is nice to have someone else picking clothes - I wouldn't have tried on a couple of these items if I had seen them in the store - like the Peasant Blouse above - my favorite item from this fix.
What do you think about this fix?
I do recommend giving Stitch Fix a try! 

The Real Reason....

Remember *THAT* StitchFix dress? 

The one I heard lots of comments that I should have kept? Well, I can finally tell everyone the REAL reason I didn't keep it. I DID like it, and Hubs thought it was great on me. I was unsure, but mostly because I had just gotten news the day before my fix came.

I couldn't wrap my head around keeping something that it would easily be a year before I thought I could really wear. So back it went.

I AM going to try StitchFix this month, but with notes about how far along I am and with some new sizes. I'm excited to see how they handle my Maternity Stitchfix!

StitchFix #2

Sorry everyone - the last month has been CRAZY! Hubs was working mad hours and I was just trying to hold down the fort! This week, we all slowed down when our littlest caught something nasty, and I finally have some downtime to write!

So, my second StitchFix... was really good! I think my pinterest board helped. the stylist mentioned that my board gave her some inspiration.

What is Stitch Fix?
It's a Subscription clothing service. You sign up (here is my referral link - thank you!) and fill out a fairly extensive survey about you, your sizes, and your preferences. You can choose to have a "fix" as often as you like, or just sign up for one Fix at a time. You pay a $20 styling fee to a Stylist who will then pick out 5 items to send to you. (Someone else putting in the time and energy to find my clothes? Yes!) The $20 will go towards anything you keep, and if you keep everything in the box, you get 25% off.
They send you a postage paid mailing bag to send anything back that you don't want to keep, and you fill out a survey about what you liked and didn't like in your fix.
Their clothing is high quality (think Nordstrom) and they send you styling cards to help you figure out how to wear what they have sent.

(They have accessories and purses that can be part of your fix, but with my metal allergies, I thought it was best to have them just send clothes to me.)

I took more photos this month, so you could see how it looks when you get it!

The box is surprisingly small to hold 5 pieces of clothes!

Wrapped up all pretty!

With a personal note and styling cards for each piece of clothing sent...

 

First peek!

All the clothes laid out on my bed, ready to try on!

First up: Adora Ankle length Colored Skinny Jean & Jillian Crochet Detail Tank

The jeans were soft and stretchy, and I LOVED the color. I've been wanting a pair of colored jeans (I don't think I even have black pants!) While I really wanted these to work, they were just a little too skinny, especially in the waist. (Status: Sent Back)

The crochet detail tank was the softest material, and what I failed to have Hubs take a pic of was the gorgeous detail on the top back of the tank. It starts on those straps, and I LOVE lace, but don't have anything like this piece. This was a HUGE win for me! (Status: kept!)

The owl necklace was a gift from a wonderful friend of mine

Sloane Colorblock A-Line Ponte Shift Dress - It was this gorgeous thick material that also had give. Really comfortable and fun, but it hugged me in the places I am most self conscious. Hubs loved it, but I felt it was destined to get stuck in the back of the closet. (Status: Sent Back)

Zabaleta Boat Neck Striped Knit Shirt - This shirt was fun - the color was great and the cut was good. I just didn't LOVE this piece, and the great wardrobe clear out of this winter taught me to only keep what I LOVE! (Status: Sent Back)

Lastly, the Cara Flutter Sleeve Blouse - This was pretty sheer, and the material just didn't give a whole lot. Fine if I was sitting in an office, but chasing two kids around tends to require some "give" when I'm picking them up and playing with them. (Status: Sent Back)

This service is so much fun - coming home to a present on my doorstep, with the ability to try things on at home with other articles of clothing I love (The jeans in the last couple pics were from my last StitchFix!) and the ability to just drop at a mail box anything I want to return has been a huge help to this Mama who does NOT want to take 2 kids to the mall to hopefully find something I like.  

I did have a different stylist this month, but both fixes have been really great at helping me find things I wouldn't normally have tried on

If you haven't tried it, it's definitely fun to give Stitch Fix a try! 

StitchFix

This past winter, I pared my wardrobe down. Not a little - I have kept it to only 40 pieces in my closet (Lounge wear and accessories not included). I still have a good chunk of my clothes up in bins in my garage attic, but it has made my life so much less complicated to know that what is in my closet fits and is seasonally appropriate. It also means that I have started choosing higher quality pieces, because I want them to last.

Enter Stitch Fix last month. I had seen a couple of my favorite bloggers use the service, but thought it sounded very expensive. Meanwhile, my Target and Old Navy wardrobe was full of things that stretched out, got holes quickly, and was generally very bland. Once I had so much less in my closets, I wanted to love my clothes more. So I decided it couldn't hurt, especially since the days of wandering the mall and shopping for the perfect ______ (whatever it was that I was lacking) were long since gone now that I was chasing after 2 very busy children.

What is Stitch Fix?
It's a Subscription clothing service. You sign up (here is my referral link - thank you!) and fill out a fairly extensive survey about you, your sizes, and your preferences. You can choose to have a "fix" as often as you like, or just sign up for one Fix at a time. You pay a $20 styling fee to a Stylist who will then pick out 5 items to send to you. (Someone else putting in the time and energy to find my clothes? Yes!) The $20 will go towards anything you keep, and if you keep everything in the box, you get 25% off.
They send you a postage paid mailing bag to send anything back that you don't want to keep, and you fill out a survey about what you liked and didn't like in your fix.
Their clothing is high quality (think Nordstrom) and they send you styling cards to help you figure out how to wear what they have sent.

(They have accessories and purses that can be part of your fix, but with my metal allergies, I thought it was best to have them just send clothes to me.)

On to what I got in my box:
This nifty styling card

Kensie Jeans Sofia Skinny Jeans 
& Pomelo Moni Geo Print & Camisole Blouse
I was shocked and amazed! How many times had I spent HOURS searching for Jeans that were right? My stylist (Caroline) NAILED it on the first try. I LOVE these jeans! (Status: Kept)
The Top was beautiful (the stud detail!) and I REALLY wanted to keep it, but it was just a little too tight and I wa pretty sure I couldn't play with the kids in it. I was super sad that it went back! (Status: Sent Back)

41Hawthorn Colibri Arrow Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse
I really liked the print, but I didn't like the collar. It kinda poked into my neck? Also, the buttons pulled apart, so sizing was also an issue with this. (I think that may have been my error in my profile) (Status: Sent Back)

41Hawthorn Selfridge Cowl Neck Long Sleeve Top
This was the SOFTEST shirt. I loved the way it draped on me in the front, but the back of this was see through. Put a camisole under? Yes, but the front already had two layers, and I tend to run warm. (Status: Sent Back)

Gilli Lorna Diagnol Stripe Maxi Skirt
This is with one of my tee shirts tucked in so you could see the waistband. (BTW, my big camera died and these last two photos were from my cell). I wanted to love the skirt, and the print was great, but it did not lay well on me. it bunched at the front. (Status: Sent Back)

While I only kept the jeans, I LOVED the service! It was so fun to come home to a box full of items hand picked for me. It was full of things I wouldn't have EVER picked up on my own, but were really up my alley.

I had originally intended to only do the one fix, but loved it so much that I decided to try the monthly service.
If you haven't tried it, it's definitely fun to check Stitch Fix out!

You sign up using this link (my referral link, thank you!)

You fill out a style profile sharing what types of fashions you like and don’t like. This gives your stylist an understanding of what you like and don’t like. (I also recommend creating a Stitch Fix pinterest board that also helps showcase your style.)

You pay a $20 styling fee, which is applied to anything you keep in your first box. You lose it if you don’t keep anything, but this doesn’t usually happen!

You will receive your first box of five hand-selected items in a few weeks.

Keep what you like, send back what you don’t in the postage paid bag that comes with your fix.

Rock your stylish, quality new clothes and accessories!

- See more at: http://www.themomcreative.com/2014/06/stitch-fix-update-and-june-box.html#sthash.w97Sidmz.dpuf

Upcycled Play Kitchen

So, FishPapa and I have wanted to get LittleFish a play kitchen. We prefer toys that are imagination based play, and what could be better than teaching our boy that cooking is for him too? (He always loves to help in the kitchen when I can find things for him to do...)

The problem is how freaking expensive those giant pieces of molded plastics are. It's a little shocking, and certainly not my favorite to have in our home. Then, when I was on Pinterest, I saw the cutest thing: Repurposed furniture being turned into Play Kitchens. After looking for a while, I decided I would try to see if it was a do-able project for me. If I borrow or buy a jigsaw and find the pieces at thrift stores, I think it's a do-able and inexpensive project!

So, today i looked at Goodwill (total bust). They wanted $50 for nightstands. Not cool. Someone needs to remind them that they are a thrift store. So I went down to the Salvation Army thrift store: SCORE! I found the world's ugliest piece of furniture that is PERFECT to upcycle into a play kitchen for $15. Once I get my hands on a handheld jigsaw, I can cut the whole for the sink and trim a piece of plywood we have to become the back splash. I'll spend the next few days finding knobs and faucets, and doing some planning, but I've got that new project buzz. Maybe even more so because I can do some cool repurposing while making something sweet and cool for my boy!

Here is the before picture of our play kitchen:

And the after, once we set it up for Christmas:

Choose Joy

Today, I cried for a woman I'll never meet, but who has impacted my life more than she'll ever know. She wasn't famous, and couldn't even leave her home. Gitzen Girl is truly remarkable though. Beautiful and insightful, she chose joy instead of al the things she could have.

See, she has a chronic illness. Something that's a pretty touchy thing for me. I've spent my whole life around people who are chronically ill. My mother passed away earlier this summer after a nearly 35 year battle with MS. It affected every area of my life. Three of my closest friends are chronically ill. I'm not even sure how that happened, but these are the women God has placed in my life.

Gitzen has done something remarkable though. Something most people don't. She chose joy.  She's been in terrible pain, but has chosen to focus on others. To LOVE, beautifully, passionately.  She's reminded me to  stop and smell flowers, to enjoy my sweet puppy. Her word for the year is "Praise". She considers herself blessed. She hasn't been able to even open her windows to smell fresh air, and getting out of bed very hard. Constant pain - but she remained beautiful and centered in that God is Good - All the time.

Now, her time here is drawing to a close. She's looking homeward. She's ending well. So loved, and has impacted SO MANY people with her choice.

I cry because beauty this precious is rare, and the world will lose this special light. Because of those left behind, and their pain. I cry because I know this sadness. But for Gitzen, I cry tears of happiness, knowing that she will be free of her shell that has held her. She will be whole and healed, and she will be rewarded for the way she lived.

Conviction

So, it's been a while since I posted anything.

It's been a rough year. The weather has SUCKED. I lost my Grandpa & my Mom in the span of 3 weeks. And I always feel at the edge of the depression cliff.

Surprisingly, potty training was much easier than I had ever hoped it would be. Our accidents are mostly limited to clothing failures, and it took so fast and well it was shocking.


Today I heard a worship band at an event. They were mediocre at best. They played and sang well, and it took me a long time to figure out why I was so put off by them. There was something about them that made them feel old to me, and I prayed that we wouldn't sound like that in a couple of weeks when we play a festival. Finally, as they played a favorite U2 song of mine, it dawned on me. They played and sang pretty well, but something was missing. Conviction about what they were singing.

When you listen to Bono, you hear the pain in his voice. You feel the passion coming through the speakers at you. He believes what he sings. Jessica, my favorite worship leader, is that way. I still can't get over how she would play, sing and cry at the same time. She allowed her heart to be full of what she played.

How often does that lack of conviction, that lack of passion hold us back from the things we are pretty good at becoming the things we are great at? The things we were meant to be known for?