Fix #9

Fix #9 has me all sorts of confused...I tried everything on when I opened my box with J & D last night and thought I knew what I was keeping.  But then when I tried everything on today for pics...I found myself changing my mind.  Decisions, decisions!

Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt

No question on this one.  I love it.  It's a perfect spring/transition weather weight and a fun coral color.  Keeping it.  Possibly never taking it off.

Mystree Kiria Mixed Material Tee and Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace

As if selfies from the front aren't a challenge enough for me?!

Fun shirt...but it has a maternity-ish feel.  Once you've worn maternity clothes you really have a sensitivity to NOT wanting to look like you are wearing maternity clothes when you aren't.  You know?  

Necklace is ok, could take it or leave it...

Honey Punch Mya Plaid & Lace Button-Up

At first glance I thought this was super cute...but J & D agreed that it didn't seem to fit well.  They said it was too big, I say it just seems that my chest is too small for it.

Gilli Astra Sleeveless Maxi Dress

I love the color and fit and everything about this dress.  Maxi dresses are usually super-long on me so I was surprised when this one was the perfect length.  I'm sure I could find something similar that is less expensive...but that takes the convenience out of it.  In the past, when I have sent back items and then planned to "find something similar" I end up just kicking myself for not keeping the fix item.  It's here, it fits, I like it, I will wear it.  Keeping it!

So I'm definitely keeping the first and last item...not sure about the others.  Will think it over for about 24 hours more before I have to send them back!

What is Stitch Fix?  Click here!

Past "Fixes" click here!

Sidenote: I love leopard shoes.  I noticed there were at least two pairs seen in the background of the pics taken in my closet.  Upon counting it up, I have five pairs of leopard print shoes, plus some leopard slippers actually.  They say leopard is a neutral these days so--why not?  Further sidenote: I am LOVING my new leopard print Toms (back right) and wear them all the time! Sidenote over.  :)

Fix #8

Flashback to many months ago...when I received my 8th fix.  I have about 7 blog posts that are in-draft right now.  I've just been lacking the gumption to get them finished and published.  I don't want to let the blog die...but...

Anyway, to refresh your memory, Fix #7 was a bit of a downer. After that I updated my style profile and asked for some very specific pieces in my next fix.  I asked for a sweater with jewel embellishments and a herringbone-like puffer vest with zippers.  Here's what I got in Fix #8:

41Hawthorn Dita Colorblock Sleeveless Ponte Dress

They said to wear it with a white blazer (???) or cardigans.

I did like the colors and the fit of the dress so I ended up keeping it.  Then one day it hit me that I should layer my chambray shirt UNDER the dress and wear it with a statement necklace.  {No pic of this (sorry!) because I'm lazy and never took a pic after my epiphany or the 10 other times I've worn it since then.}  I love the dress with the chambray under it and get several compliments when I wear it.  Wonder what people would say if I wore a white blazer with it?

Renee C Tucker Mixed Print 3/4 Sleeve Blouse

I don't hate it--would never pick it.  But ultimately would have liked it more if it was more of a tunic, not so short in the front.  No thanks.

Fate Lynette Drape Front Cardigan

I like it but ultimately did not end up keeping it.

Skies are Blue Lisa Lace Trim Knit Top

Wasn't sure what to think of this.  It just didn't seem to fit well.  Too wide and again would've liked it to be longer and more of a tunic style.  No thanks.

I did like the earrings but I already have a couple pairs that are similar so I didn't keep them either.

All in all, not that exciting of a fix.  AND notice they did not even attempt to acknowledge my requests.  This one left me questioning my taste altogether.  Maybe I don't know what's stylish at all so I don't know that I should be keeping these items?!  Tough to tell...but I did keep the dress and I do really like it.  It's still exciting to get the package in the mail and try it all on.  Even if I just keep one or two things it's still a very convenient way to shop!

What is Stitch Fix?  Click here!

Past "Fixes" click here.  

Fix #7

First off, if you're wondering "what is Stitch Fix?"  Click here!

This was my seventh fix and, unfortunately, the most disappointing fix to date.  Let's just say I received a "we're sorry you didn't love your fix" email from Stitch Fix a few days after this.

Piece #1:
I didn't hate this shirt, but it was made out of a strange material that reminded me of old-school wind pants and wrinkled very easily.  There were loose threads all over and it just seemed cheap.  And the price tag was not so cheap.  No thanks.

Piece #2:

Awkward crotch, boot-cut JEANS.  I thought I'd made it clear in my style profile that I'm looking for interesting pieces...not basics.  Expensive and ill-fitting jeans.  No thanks.

Piece #3:

Scarf that I'm assuming is to be worn with the fuscia shirt.  I like the scarf...kinda made me want to keep the shirt...

Piece #4: 

Trippy mushroom-like floral shirt.  Very soft arms and comfy shirt.  But not my taste at all.  No thanks.

Piece #5
Fairly basic gray pea coat.  Pretty buttons, but I'm not really in need of another pea coat.

Harumph.  Disappointing.  But it definitely could be my lack of specific directions in my style profile.  Maybe I'm just leaving it too open-ended by saying, "send me fun pieces!"  Maybe someone would call that shroomy-floral shirt "fun."  Yikes.  

It's still very convenient and exciting to see what they pick out for me and it's probably unrealistic to think I'd love EVERYTHING they send.

I kept the scarf, made some adjustments to my style profile, and hope for more pieces that I love in January!  

Want to try it out?  Click here!  Can't wait to see what a stylist would pick out for you!

Fix #6!

Fix #6 arrived a couple days later than scheduled...meaning we all had to open our boxes alone.  Wah, wah.  Not near as fun.

What is Stitch Fix?  Click here.

Why is it less fun without J and D?  Click here.

Want to try Stitch Fix?  Click here!

Item #1: Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan
Fun and soft cardigan that I wanted to like...

  

But it didn't really lay right when zipped, and cost more than I was willing to pay.

Item #2: Indianan Graphic Print Mixed Material Tee that I wouldn't have usually picked out.

But I think it's just what my wardrobe needs.  It looks great with the necklace I got for my birthday from Jamie and will be comfy for school.

Item #3: Monet Mini Facet Bib Necklace.  I've been asking for a statement necklace for awhile...I feel like I should keep it since they finally did what I asked.  Maybe a little too matchy-matchy with the skirt?
Item #4: Karrie Geo Print Maxi Skirt that I love!

I don't own a maxi skirt...I always thought that thin, stretchy cotton prints and my booty wouldn't be a good mix...but it's actually quite slimming.  Yes?

I kept a shirt a couple fixes ago that is a very similar print and color combo.  Well-played, Stitch Fix.

Item #5: Sloane Colorblock A-Line Ponte Shift Dress
It photographs better than it looks in person.  It's very loose in the chest which causes the neckline to gap over and lay strangely.  Just too big.

I think I will keep item #2, #3, and #4.  

Overall very happy with this fix!  Now...will there be a Fix #7?!?!  My wallet says no...but my heart says yes...

Stitch Fix Fun

We've been having all sorts of fun with our own "personal stylists" from Stitch Fix so I thought I'd finally share about it here.  I randomly decided to sign up for it back in March after reading a blog entry about it.

I cannot explain the excitement from finding this on your doorstep...

Here's a brief explanation I found from another blogger who does it.

You fill out a TON of questions online about your style, what you like and don't like, your sizes, body type, and price point.  You can even link to your Pinterest boards if you'd like them to see your boards.  (I'm not a regular pinner and really never pin fashion items so I didn't do this.)  

It does cost $20 for the stylist "fee" but that goes toward your order, so I figure I'm just prepared to always buy at least one thing.  I have selected "the cheaper the better" on all of the categories.  They say that the pieces average $55 each.  

They send you 5 pieces each time, 4 pieces of clothing and one accessory.  You get a 25% discount if you purchase all items, which I have never done.  

Honestly, it can be a little pricey.  But you just have to keep your head about it.  You get to decide what  you keep and don't keep.  For me, it's very exciting to have the pieces picked out for you.  It gets me outside my comfort zone, I feel more hip and trendy, and it gives me fashion inspiration.  

You can choose the frequency of your "fixes" as well.  I am currently doing it once a month, but I won't do it that often forever.  Once I feel like my wardrobe is built up and I'm over it, I'll stop.  

I could stop at any time...I'm not addicted.  

Okay...I am a little addicted.  So I'll stop when someone stages an intervention, I suppose.

If you're looking for a way to liven up your wardrobe and don't have much time to shop, or maybe just don't know what to buy when you shop, I recommend you give it a try!  Sign up today!  Relish the excitement of that package arriving at your door step!

So a little about my past "fixes"...

First, let me warn you that I cannot figure this fashion selfie-thing out for the life of me.  Also, I didn't always take pics of pieces that I didn't keep in the past.  So just go with it...

Fix #1

I purchased two shirts from my first fix which totaled about $60.  I thought that was well worth the cute shirts and all the fun of getting it in the mail.  

I've paired this with everything from red skinny jeans to these pink shorts.  It is fun.

I wear this with a cardigan and skinnies or a pencil skirt.

Both shirts were items I wouldn't have usually picked but I've worn them a ton already.

Items I did not keep were: 

-some random heart earrings (I've said it once, I'll say it again, I dislike hearts and butterflies)

-a very winter-y long-sleeved shirt (this was April) that was $68 that I didn't $68 love

-some blush colored skinny jeans that I big-puffy-heart loved.  But they were too small.  Which was my own fault on my sizing info.  I made the correction online when I gave my feedback and sent the items back.  And I've been on the look-out for blush skinnies ever since!

Fix #2

They say the fixes get better each time as you give them feedback, but my second one was a disappointment.  I only kept one item from my second fix, this blazer that had me at hello.

This cost more than I would usually pay so it was the only thing I kept even though I did like a couple of the other items.  This jacket is so comfy and so cute and fits so well.  (I'm definitely still up for suggestions on what else to pair it with.)  

Items I did not keep were:

-a flare dress in blah colors and I didn't really know where I would wear it

-a cute cream colored top that had some fun detailing

-a way over-priced bracelet

-jeans...why would you send me plain jeans?  Looking for variety and show-stopping pieces here, people.

Now the fixes get much better.  Mainly because of the addition of J & D.  They jumped on-board like great friends do, and we scheduled our fixes to arrive on the same day.  And we may get a little Instagram happy on these days...

Fix #3

Jamie linked to her Pinterest boards, and loved all her pieces.  But she already had something similar in her wardrobe for EACH thing.  Her fix was TOO good.  Dang it!

Trophy Wife stepped out of her comfort zone and kept some fun pieces. She did have to remind them in her feedback just how blessed she is in the chest...

I kept three pieces.  The floral top has some awful flutter sleeves so it went back.  I cannot do flutter sleeves.  I let my stylist know.

If you've seen me this summer, chances are I was wearing this outfit.

Fix #4
My phone died at our box-opening party.  Rookie mistake.

D served excellent food, as always, and kept the wine glasses full.  We take turns opening our items, like Christmas, and oooh and awww over the pieces.

Everyone had an amazing fix.  Seriously, great pieces.  It's so fun to see what everyone gets and start brainstorming what they should pair it with.  Jamie loved all of hers and took advantage of the 25% discount by keeping it all.  I wanted to so badly...

This one was a tough one for me.  They sent me a shift dress in the exact same fabric of my beloved blazer from fix #2.  Weird, right?  I mean, I'm not supposed to wear that together, right?  90s suit?
 

The dress was comfy but WAY too short for work or church or anywhere I frequent.  Good-bye 25% discount.

Piece #2 was maybe my favorite piece to date.  Love this fun shirt!

Piece #3 was a fun shirt as well that could be paired with many different colored cardigans to school.

Piece #4 was the teal skinnies, which I love and #5 was the cross-body bag which I also really like.

So, the conundrum is that it's pretty ridiculous to keep four pieces because without the 25% discount it costs more than keeping all five.  But I didn't want that shift dress.  So I decided to give up piece #3, the blue and white polka dot shirt because it was pretty expensive and I thought surely I could find something similar at Loft, Forever 21, or even Nordstrom for less.  So I took the inspiration and sent the shirt back.

The prices are listed in an invoice separately from the items (read: not on the tags) so we like to play a game, as you open your pieces you have to decide how much you're willing to pay before you see the price.  Like, "I $35 like that necklace."  This helps keep it in perspective.  Unless we peer-pressure each other into it, of course.  

Another thing I love about it is that they send you these "style cards" with suggestions of what to pair the pieces with.  I keep all of the style cards, even if I don't keep the piece, just for fashion inspiration.  They've helped me pair different existing pieces that I have together just by inspiring different color combinations.

And finally, the box comes with this bag to return your items that you're not keeping.  

So you get your package, try all the pieces on, figure out what you want to keep, and "check out" online.  Then simply drop your bag in a mailbox within 3 days of receiving it.  

Very fun.  I know you want to try it...

Come on, Aud, join us in September?