Stitch Fix Review #1

So, I don't know how many of you have heard about this awesome website called Stitch Fix. It's a styling service for women where you fill out a style profile, body type, size, etc, and they send you five pieces to try on (shirts, skirts, pants, jewelry, dresses) according to your style and body type. They also include two outfit ideas for every item. I was excited about the prospect of trying on something different, especially since I pretty much only shop at two stores: Banana Republic and Ann Taylor LOFT.

So, here's what the box looked like when I got it. I can't even tell you how excited I was for it. I had the opportunity to leave work early today, and I jumped at the chance so I could come home and try everything on!

Warning: this is a picture-heavy post, including pictures of me. AND, I'm not a model. Not even close. These are crappy quality pictures taken by my webcam. And, I have big, broad shoulders with big arms. There's nothing I can do about it. And, I am posing awkwardly in most of the photos. I suck at this. Plus, I was practically sweating taking on and off all of these clothes. What is it about changing clothes that makes you so gosh dang hot?! It's also a little depressing when I've already lost 20 pounds or so and I still don't look the way I want to (yeah, so no judging my body please).. Ugh. So, with all of that said...

 This is what the box looked like when I opened it. Such a cute design!

Here's all of the items all bundled up.

First shirt: Mystree Jojo striped floral trim tank.

Here are the outfit ideas. Oh my gosh. So hideous on me. I couldn't even find a good enough angle to take a picture, so you'll just have to assume it's that bad.. Good in theory, but bad in execution.. The top flared out at the bottom, making it look like a full-on maternity shirt. It totally emphasized my love handles.

Verdict: sent back. If I could, I would ban them from sending that shirt out to anyone else.

Next item: Pink Martini zig zag open front drape cardigan

It looked interesting.. but on me...

 It totally emphasized my stomach.. again. There was way too much extra fabric around the middle, and it just hangs strangely on me. No thanks. Blech.

 Verdict: PASS!

Next item: Pink Martini Sheer Polka Dot Blouse

This is so my style. I love polka dots, stripes, and flowy shirts if they hang straight.

I actually really liked this with my pencil skirt. However, if you can see, it is a little tight around the chest, causing it to pull awkwardly and not lay flat. Also, the freaking camisole inside the shirt is NOT removable, unless I wanted to cut it out. The cami inside was terrible quality. Plus, even though I loved it with my skirt, I could not wear it free-flowing and un-tucked over skinny jeans like the outfit suggestion. The bottom flared out, just like the other shirts, emphasizing my lack of a waist.

Verdict: Pass.  :(

Next Item: Kut from the Kloth Isabel sheer beaded blouse

This was an interesting shirt. It has a strip of sheer material running down the center, which was made modest by a tank underneath (if you're interested, I LOVE Flexees Fat Free tanks).

It took me a while to decide on this one. The beading is gold (one of the colors I told them to avoid because of my cool toned skin) and the sheer strip is a little iffy. However, it was modest enough on my shoulders to not have to wear a sweater and it was totally different than anything I own.
Verdict: keeper (after a long deliberation).

Last item: Kensie Johnny Skinny Jeans

These looked like any old pair of skinny jeans off the shelf, so I didn't know what to think. I recently got a pair of dark skinny jeans from Ann Taylor LOFT, which I like ok, but are nothing special and do nothing for my booty.

I included this last picture because it made me laugh. It totally looks like I'm checking out my own butt, but I'm just looking at the webcam picture on my screen. Anyways, I freaking loved these pants. I hope they send more because they are sooo comfortable! They were an inch or so too long (and they're supposed to be ankle pants, haha), but perfect otherwise. I'm also wearing these jeans in my last beaded top picture.
Verdict: keeper!

Overall impression:

I thought they did a good job at mixing some styles like classic with the polka dots, "bohemian" with the beaded top, and adventurous with the zig zag cardigan. However, I said I liked my tops to be more fitted, which none of them were. All of them were flowy, and most of them flared at the bottom. I realize that the flowy top/skinny jean look is in, but I'd prefer if the tops hung straight and not flared.. It's just not flattering on me. Yeah, I realize I am not a thin person, but there are better ways to mask love handles..





So yeah, it was definitely a fun experience, and I'd do it again. However, if I make another blog post, I will definitely get someone other than my webcam to take the pictures. This post was not sponsored by Stitch Fix in any way, but here's my referral link if you want to try them out. You fill out a style profile, pick your box arrival date, and then it arrives on that date. If you don't like anything in the box, you only have to pay the $20 styling fee. If you keep something, you pay the cost of the clothing, and the $20 fee is waived. If you keep all five items, you get 25% off. Oh, and I forgot to say that the package for both ways is free! Let me know what you think. Should I have kept or saved anything?

http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3156282

Also, if you noticed, my hair is wavy in these pictures. I've been trying out a clip-less curling iron for a different look. Here's a close-up. What do you think? Is it different enough from my normally stick-straight hair?

Here are my other Stitch Fix reviews:

2nd Review

3rd Review

4th Review

5th Review

Carter-isms

I'm trying to remember and record some of the cutest things that Carter has said lately, so here we go..

[In the car]
Me (singing Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines): "Cause you're a good girl..."
Carter: "You're not a girl. You're a lady."
Me: "I am a lady.. Are you a man?"
Carter: "I not a man.. I a horse."

[At the dinner table after Carter says please, thank you, and eats his broccoli]
Me: "You're just the best boy, Carter. You're awesome."
Carter: "You're the best girl, mommy. I love you."

[In Idaho, going to retrieve lost family members from a hike]
Carter: "To the rescue! We save the day!"

[After seeing a giant St. Bernard dog, aka "Beethoven"]
Carter: "It's a little bit a horse.."

[Walking out of church when it's super sunny outside]
Carter: "Turn off the light!!"

[Looking at pictures of Jesus in the hall at church]
Graham: "Here's Jesus. He loves you and he loves everyone."
Carter: "Jesus loves ice cream. I love ice cream too. I want ice cream."

The end of an era

So, remember how Carter was sick a little over a week ago, and I stayed home 3.5 days from work to be with him?

Yeah, so, Wednesday night, I decided to eat a brownie sundae before working out. Stupid, I know, but I made these amazing chewy brownies from Cook's Illustrated, a homemade caramel sauce from Our Best Bites, and I had some slow-churned Dreyer's vanilla ice cream just calling my name when I got home. But, I decided to work out that night anyways even though I'd eaten ice cream and I wasn't feeling that great.  However, when I got to the gym, I found out my workout class had been cancelled. I decided to run a couple of laps, but I wasn't feeling it (that's a different story anyways). I decided last minute to stop by McDonald's for dinner. Carter got his "chicken maggots" (his words, not mine) and I got a spicy McChicken. Let me tell you that I NEVER eat McDonald's lunch/dinner food. Every few months, I eat a breakfast sandwich from there, and I get cheap sodas, but that's it. Their hamburgers and sandwiches are generally disgusting to me.

Anyways, I woke up around midnight with a rock in my stomach.. I had complained earlier that evening about my stomach hurting, but I didn't think it'd turn into this. I couldn't sleep on my stomach because it hurt so bad. After tossing and turning and watching Seinfeld for an hour and a half, I finally got out of bed around 1:30 AM to get things started. I finally puked, for the first time since April 2006 (not counting the times during Carter's birth). Man, I got the McPukes and the McShakes. It was bad, but I finally felt a little better by 2 AM. But boy, it wiped me out. I dropped Carter off at daycare the next morning and laid in bed from 7:30 AM-4 PM. Ugh. Then, I had to call in sick AGAIN on Friday because I passed on the bug to my daycare lady (I honestly thought it was just the McDonald's food that caused it). So, yeah, I puked for the first time in almost a decade and I worked less than 40 hours over a 2-week period. Amazing.

On a lighter note, I baked something AMAZING on Saturday. I wanted to make something different, i.e. not pancakes, waffles, or muffins, and I remembered this recipe for quick cinnamon rolls from America's Test Kitchen. Normally, cinnamon rolls take FOREVER, so this was a good option. I don't know how many of you ate those Pillsbury's cinnamon rolls in a tube growing up, but our family did every Christmas, and they hold a strong nostalgic value to me. However, I would never buy those (yes, I'm that kind of person), but I have never have found a good homemade version. This recipe I found is the answer. It's more like a biscuit-like texture, and it reminded me of the tube cinnamon rolls so much, it brought me right back to Christmas morning. Let me warn you though, if you're tempted to make them, the dough is EXTREMELY sticky and I came close to losing it while trying to "knead" (ahem, more like stirring with my hands) the dough with my cute little "helper", Carter. So, if you're feeling a little adventurous, I'd highly recommend this recipe.

Grateful List

So, I was feeling pretty good this morning, even though Carter and I have basically been stuck at home since Tuesday. He still has his rash, but he's been normal, maybe just a little more whiny than normal. (P.S. my phone autocorrected "whiny" to agony, so I accidentally told my daycare lady that Carter was in agony.. oops.) But, we've been having some good times together. We played outside the past two days, in which Carter has somewhat learned how to ride his tricycle. He can push the pedals hard enough to move, but he's still not strong enough to do it for more than a couple of seconds. So, yeah, I was feeling good this morning...

And then this afternoon happened.

First of all, as some of you may know or have guessed, I have been waiting it out for Graham, to see if he truly can pull through this mess. As I have said, getting through school has been a hotbed of anxiety for him, so I don't feel like I can honestly give up on him yet. And, surprisingly enough, I put on my wedding ring for the first time in 3 months.. (don't judge my ugly hand). But no, this doesn't mean we're not getting back together indefinitely.. it's just a symbol.

But, to get back to my point, Graham has been accepted to Portland State and to the college of engineering, so we were excited that things were on the way. We knew that some classes wouldn't transfer, but we didn't know how many. Anyways, he talked to an advisor today, and a lot of the classes don't transfer.. like a lot. Like, he will be in school for 3 more years because he would have to re-take 5+ classes that didn't transfer (including classes like thermodynamics, numerical methods, etc). So, his options are to continue at PSU, knowing that he has to re-take stupid classes he's already taken, or enroll in Washington State Vancouver, where most of his classes will transfer, but it starts a week from Monday. So, yes, this news sucks..

And then, as soon as I got off the phone with him, Carter was sitting on my lap, he grabs his stomach and starts crying. And then, he starts vomiting up chunks of cheese, nectarine, and orange passionfruit juice... right into my hands, on our rug, and my couch. I carried him crying into the bathroom, where he managed to projectile vomit the same stuff on our carpet.. and we finally make it to the toilet for the 3rd hurl. So, I stick him in the bath while I use stain remover on our stuff. Our couch is already gross enough... Man, I wish I had $500 for a new couch at Costco!

So, yeah, after that, I could not do anything to make myself feel better. Carter tried to "help" me cook dinner, which is completely frustrating, and then a glass bowl dropped on my finger, so I broke out into tears of anger and frustration. Then, I remembered my intention to write this list this morning, and Carter and I played out on our deck.. and my day brightened just a little bit..

This is what I'm grateful for:
--my friend from BYU, Sarah, who visited me last week. We had a long chat, and she gave me the best advice to get close to Jesus Christ and to use the power of the Atonement to be healed. Honestly, she is my spiritual idol. She is always trying to get closer to the Spirit and improve her testimony. She is such a good example to me. Here's a random picture of us from our freshman year of college:

--my job. I have such good benefits to my job, flexible and awesome co-workers, and I can provide for my family. Plus, I've been able to be home for 4 days with my sick boy.
--my workouts. I keep saying I'm taking life one day at a time, but honestly, it's one workout at a time. I work out 6 times a week, so it's easy to get through a week if my goal is just to get through my workout each night. Right now, I've been doing lots of Bar Method videos (holy cow my legs feel the BURN), as well as attending RIPPED classes at the YMCA (which is a fun circuit workout that includes Resistance, Intervals, Plyometric, Power, and Endurance sections).
--my car. It is owned 100%, it runs, and it's one of the only assets I have.
--Carter. He is such a good kid, I can't even say it enough. He is adorable, fairly easygoing for a toddler, and very polite (when he wants to be, of course). I could go on forever...
--high-impact sports bras. This may seem like a *small* thing, but I did an interval workout with 30 seconds of high knees in a cheap-o Target Champion sports bra, and it was absolutely INDECENT. There are mirrors everywhere, so I had to put my hand on my chest to calm my bouncing boobs down. I have some high-impact sports bras from Athleta (Gap's women's sport clothing brand), and they are amazing. Seriously. I wish I had more.
--my parents and family. They have always been there for me, especially now. Thank you mom and dad for everything. Again, I could go on forever.

I am literally looking around my room for things to say I'm thankful for, but I'm out of ideas. I would say I'm thankful for my health, but I'm afraid that I'll drop dead next week if I say that.

And literally, 5 minutes after I posted this, Carter woke up crying because he vomited himself awake... all over his bed, blanket, and pillow. So, I am thankful for a washer and dryer in our house. I don't know how people with kids can live without them..

My summer "vacation"

So, I was feeling jealous a little the other day that I'm not taking any significant time off this summer. I'm taking a couple of days off for Labor Day, but that doesn't count. Graham took a week off with Carter in Idaho, but I don't have anything planned!

So, God heard my thoughts and blessed me in His own way.. I'm taking a week-long vacation this week, only it's forced. Carter spiked a fever on Monday night, so I kept him home from daycare on Tuesday. This morning, his fever was gone, so I figured everything was ok. Around 10:30 AM, however, my daycare lady let me know that Carter had a rash on his face and needed me to pick him up immediately. We went to the doctor and found out that Carter had a rash caused by a virus, which is the same thing other daycare kids had been diagnosed with. So, even though he's not contagious, he's not allowed to come back to daycare until his rash has cleared.. And... his rash has only gotten worse today. The other kids from daycare still haven't returned after 4 days. So, I'm fully expecting to be off work through Friday.

So, we have watched Talladega Nights about 7 times (Carter makes me fast forward to all of the racing parts), Wreck-it Ralph 3 times, and Chuggington 3 times.. As far as vacation goes, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Anyways, I just wanted to post some pictures of Carter's favorite moments from his vacation to Idaho with Graham's family.