Stitch Fixing Fun, Fix #11

Helloodle! I have a splitting headache and am hiding from life by watching The Great British Baking Show and blogging instead of making dinner. In our biggest news we got both our HVACs and all our duct work replaced yesterday! A huge project that's been needed since we bought the house, it's now done and I have units with warranties and efficiencies and duct work that isn't made out of giant metal rectangles. It's all very exciting, in that boring brown-up way. Also, we got our family pictures back and I need to post them. After initially having a negative gut reaction to seeing myself on film (ugh; why are we the meanest to ourselves sometimes? I'm working on it, but all I could see and think was puffy! shiny! also, puffy! when I first opened them and then Claire looked over my shoulder and said, "Mom! You look beautiful!" and I resolved to listen), I've come around to them (me) and will post next.

(And I do unreservedly LOVE many of them, including this one of the kids.)

My heart.

But first! I discovered last week that I had a credit on Stitch Fix (referral link), so I decided to order up a box. The last time I did this it was February and I really liked what they sent. In fact, I currently wear those shorts 4x/week and, as seems to happen with these boxes, I can't imagine what I'd be wearing if I didn't have them. It's so odd- I'm often disappointed in my Fixes overall, but then of my top ten favorite things I own, like 8 of them came from Stitch Fix. So clearly it works. My new Fix came today and we're going to blog our way through it:

Gilli - Delina Knit Maxi Skirt, Coral, Size Small, $38 ($28 with discount)

I don't know. I love a good maxi skirt. They feel like pajamas and can look so cute, but I always struggle with the top. Like if it's going to be easy breezy, then I want it to all be that way and I don't want to wear a bra or a fitted top. But loose tops make you lose all shape, so you end up with something fitted and then I feel like I might as well just be in shorts and a looser top. The tank works I guess, but I also feel like it highlights my tummy in a way I don't appreciate.

So I don't know. I really do love maxis and I don't have any maxi skirts right now - I gave away my old ones that were now a bit too small (sigh).

Do we like this? Or do we like maxi skirts, but maybe not this one? Undetermined; looking for input.

JohnPaulRichard - Raelinn Crochet Detail Top, White, Size Small, $44 ($33)

Cute, but probably a no for me. I always complain that I don't have any simple easy tops, but then when I get one I never think they look that good on me. I think it's my short torso, wider waist, small hips combo. I lose all shape in longer loose tops.

It's cute, but no.

Just Black - Nysa Skinny Jean, White, Size 4, $78 ($58)

Yes! I've needed white jeans and it always amazes me when a service can just send me some that fit perfectly after I've tried and failed so many times to buy some in person.

Wish they were a tiny bit longer, but that's the story of my life. Definitely keeping.

Kaileigh - Adalia Knit Jumpsuit, Navy, Size Small, $58 ($43)

This is crazy comfortable- and has pockets!- but I think not so flattering? I never do well with elastic waists (something that's clearly written in my profile). It's the waist/hips ratio issue again. But it is incredibly comfortable and I must admit I'm tempted by the promise of wearing pj's outside all day.

Probably send back.

Colette - Romey Cold Shoulder Knit Top, Olive, Size Small, $34 ($25)

It's so simple, but I love this shirt. It's shorter, which is good for my short torso, not at all see-through, and I can wear a regular bra. I also love the color and have lots of necklaces and earrings that would coordinate with it, including this one from my parents last Christmas.

Definitely keep.

So that was fun! I don't do Fixes often, but it really is a little pick-me-up to get a box of things delivered to you to try on. Thanks to the discount and some referral credits, I could keep everything for $110, but I just don't think I'd feel confident in the jumpsuit or that I'd reach for the white blouse over other things.

Photography assistant

So I think I might have new white jeans and a simple top I love (and maybe a skirt?) and really, that's pretty good! Especially since it's just a random person picking out clothes for you. I know you can do a pinterest board and really stalk other fixes to try to request certain items, but I take the completely hands off approach and enjoy the ease and surprise. I've looked for white jeans for 2 years and not found a pair I like nearly this much and I have a feeling I'll pull that olive top out all the time when I just need something casual but also a little cute and comfortable (regular bra ftw!). And so Stitch Fix continues to be successful enough for me to want to do one every now and then.

Shopping, Swim Suiting, and Stitch Fixing

Sometime early last year I basically stopped shopping for clothes. Stopping at a store on a weekend or running errands at lunch used to be a fun way to spend a little time alone when my kids were little, but now that I can spend time alone in my own house when they're awake, it held less of a draw. I had done some wardrobe updating the year before (turning 35 made me think maybe I didn't need the shorts I wore in college?), I wasn't actively losing weight anymore so it wasn't as fun and continually surprising to try on new things, and we had finally paid off all our school loans (over $300,000 in payments y'all, that still blows my mind) and were making serious strides in new areas of savings beyond the "short term," "401k," and "529" buckets we already filled (mutual funds FTW!) and instead of getting less anal about money I got more. Add in the fact that by summer I had gained a few pounds that weren't going away and shopping was just no longer something I found fun. I unsubscribed from all store emails and only went to my usual haunts when my mom came to time 2-3x/year. It was our sacred bonding activity and became a special treat.

Shopping for Maggie obviously excluded

But! We're going on a Caribbean vacation in a month and I didn't buy much of anything last summer and I really did want a couple things to spice up my closet for our trip and the upcoming change of seasons.

Tarrant County Public Health waiting room;
the kids read all the travel magazines and planned 10 years of trips

And a Typhoid shot, per the CDC's recommendation, which we all got at the Tarrant County Travel Center yesterday.

I spent a little while swimsuit shopping on Amazon over Christmas break, looking for at least two one-pieces that made me feel confident, contained, but still maybe a little sexy? Oh and I didn't want to spend more than $30.

A tall order, but I settled on this long-sleeve I already posted and this one-piece that I really quite love.

Claire and Cora also got long-sleeve suits and I think they'll be great for all the time we plan to spend snorkeling.

In addition to my two one-pieces, I got a new simple navy bikini to wear under my rash guards, all of which involve blue. My old bikinis are so worn and I wanted one that didn't tie into a knot in the back, so it would be more comfortable to layer. I'd still like a fun, long cover up before we go, but we'll see.

not modeling this one myself, but it's cute and supportive!

Somewhere along the way, I got an email from Stitch Fix letting me know I'd gotten a referral credit! This was a shock since I haven't written about Stitch Fix in more than a year (thanks referral friend!), but it made me think I should try it again to shake up my summer wardrobe a bit. As I've noted before, Stitch Fix often disappoints me in the pricing and style (I'm picky and quite capable of finding less expensive clothing of equal quality), but it is GREAT for getting me wardrobe staples and separates that I always pass over in stores (I find the dress section in stores to be the least intimidating and it's wear I always head). Looking at my old Stitch Fix posts I can tell you that I wear the black jeans, skinny eggplant pants, soft burgundy blazer, and black knit blazer ALL THE TIME and I would never have bought any of them on my own. So I updated my profile and decided to give it a whirl. And for the first time ever, I kept my whole box!

So, without further ado and with a wish for better lighting in my master bedroom hallway closet: here's my Stitch Fix #10!

1. MIX by 41 Hawthorn - Donaya Keyhole Tank, mustard
Size S, $38 ($28 after the "keep it all" 25% discount, even less after referral credits)

Cute, simple, the kind of things I like to layer under a cardigan at work. I like the colors very much (mustard, navy, dark red) but I wish it didn't have the narrow neckline because I can't wear strapless bras (my adhesive allergy has grown so bad that even the small silicone-like strips along the edges of my strapless bra to help hold it in place give me massive welts within 15 minutes of wear, but if you know of a strapless bra without that let me know!!)

cannot wear anything like this; halp

But I can wear it with a regular bra if I don't take my cardigan off at work and with the discounts it seemed worth keeping. I've also ordered a bralette I think can wear with it. I do really like the colors.

Verdict: KEPT

2. Just Black - Romeo Distressed Cuffed Frayed Shorts, blue
Size 6, $58 ($43)

also wearing above

LOVE. Seriously love. I'm always shocked when a total stranger manages to pick a pair of shorts or jeans for me and sends 1 pair at 1 size and they actually fit. And these fit perfectly.

Verdict: KEPT

3. Cupio Blush - Branley One Pocket Knit Top, white
Size S, $30 ($22)

This is a simple white shirt and nothing I'd normally be drawn to, but that's exactly why I'm keeping it- I don't own a single plain white shirt. I'm such a magpie for color and pattern that I don't have any basics. This is soft, not see-through, and I know I need it in my life. I can also throw it over a swim suit on vacation and wear it with my shorts. Why didn't I already have this?

Verdict: KEPT

4. Nine Britton - Peggie Back Detail Knit Dress, olive
Size S, $44 ($33)

This is cute, VERY soft, and has pockets (and a cute keyhole back I didn't picture). It fits well and will be easy to throw on in the summer. The halter neck isn't great for me, again because of the strapless bra situation, but the cream halter bralette I ordered for the top above should work here too. If I wasn't thinking of keeping the whole box I'd probably send this back, but since I was, I figured I'd put it in my closet. I'll probably end up surprising myself and wearing it a bunch during our 100 degree Fall days. I do really like the colors.

Verdict: KEPT

5. Moda Luxe - Ela Fold Over Crossbody, olive
$48 ($34)

In my updated profile I asked for a cross-body bag to use on vacation. I'd like to pack it in my bigger travel purse and use it when we're out and about on the island. And though I didn't specify anything about color or style I really love this one! I love a neutral that isn't boring black or cream and this will be great for travel. I'm wearing it in the white tee pic above.

Verdict: KEPT

So I'm pretty happy with it. After the discount and referral credits I didn't realize I had stored I got the whole set for $88 which seems quite great and I really have found that some of the things I'm uncertain about are the ones I end up wearing all the time. And I'm really excited about the shorts. They fit and make me feel good and are worth all the dollars.

After forcing myself off chewy.com for several months, Maggie's food got low and I needed to order her another gigantic bag of tiny kibbles (she's missing most of her teeth, poor girl and eats tiny cat-like food). And then I accidentally ordered her purple fuzzy leopard print foot pjs along with it. (And a 4th of July dress and Christmas ensemble but they were like $4 each and what I am supposed to do? Resist?) She LOVES her footie pjs and they helped her survive our sub-20-degree temps of last week.

Maggie the cold-blooded lizard bulldog deserves to be cozy.

In a final shopping topic, I ran out of my moisturizer last week and thought I'd update my skincare list. I'm very happy with my routine right now and a twice this week got glowing compliments on my skin, both days when I wasn't even wearing makeup, and nothing makes a nearly-37-year-old who's really been working on her skincare routine feel better than that. (A plug, always, for complimenting people when you think something nice about them because my heart feels like it's exploded with rainbows and unicorns anytime someone gives one to me. It makes my whole day and I've made a 2020 goal of verbalizing at least one compliment a day to someone I'm not related to and it's had the bonus of making me feel happier and more connected to my fellow humans too.)

Other than moisturizers, which I'm still playing with to find something I love as much as my other categories, I'm very set on my products. I'm a believer in paying for really high-quality active-ingredient products, like your Vitamin C serum and Retinol, and then getting simple cleansers and moisturizers to support them. One of my struggles in finding my perfect moisturizer is I don't want one with Retinol, scents (never with scent, they're just drying agents), or any other active ingredient. I want my moisturizer to moisturize and let my other products do their work. But my skin is pretty sensitive, so while I need something rich to combat the dryness from the Retinol, anything too heavy clogs my pores. I really liked the Skinceuticals Emollience and Daily Moisture, but I'm not sure if either of them is The One. And it's so nice to have found The One in all my other products. I find they generally last me 9-12 months and then I just rebuy that exact thing. It's all pricey, but it helps that I spread out their repurchases and often get deals at my dermatologist for the fancy stuff.

Morning
1. Cleanse (CeraVe SA Cleanser)
2. Vitamin C serum (Skinceuticals CE Ferulic)
3. Moisturize (just ran out of Skinceuticals Emollience; liked it a lot, but now trying Tarte Double Duty First Step Prep Cream because unlike almost everything else in this routine, I'm not 100% committed to what I've tried so far)
4. Eye Cream (Clinique All About Eyes)
5. SPF and/or makeup (Elta MD Clear for sunscreen; IT Cosmetics CC Cream for makeup)

Evening
1. Cleanse (same as a.m.), but with my Clarisonic brush
2. M,W,F,Su only: Retinol (Skinceuticals 0.5 Retinol; someday I'll get to 1.0, but this is a step up from 0.25!)
*** WAIT AT LEAST 20 MINUTES *** (you have to let your Retinol soak in and do its thing; this is also why buying a moisturizer with Retinol mixed in is never going to do much for you)
3. Moisturize (about to try Kiehl's Ultra Face Cream)
4. Eye Cream (Clinique All About Eyes)

Weekly
1. Mask 1x week (Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask)

Speaking of compliments, Claire has always left me notes and now Cora has taken up the cause. They never fail to make me smile.

And speaking of Cora, she was named Wrangler of the Month for February! Right on the heels of her sister being picked for January and after a few unhappy faces sent home from school on her conduct chart (and some talks, apology notes to her teacher, and extra chores at home in response) and she got it! And she was THRILLED. She unveiled the news with all due drama and suspense and then insisted we call Papa and Gigi to tell them too.

Her teacher encourages the kids to practicing their writing on the back of their worksheets if they finish early. Cora is a prolific writer and this week's sheets all had variations of the same theme:

I can't believe I am Wrangler of the Month

We celebrated with cookies, courtesy of a Venmo from Papa and Gigi, and she was just delighted to be the cause of a treat night.

Valentine-ing

I'm off to teach barre, James and the girls are working on their Valentine's boxes, and Landon is over at a friend's house eating lunchables he bought with a Target gift card he got for his birthday last July (because I took 4 kids to Target earlier today and the girls and I spent an hour in the dressing room trying on swim suits and the boys did I have no idea what but it ended in them buying a stack of lunchables). I leave you with this picture of Cora, absolutely killing it in an outfit (and accessories) she selected herself for our children's play at Casa Manana last night.

Never mind that it was 55 degrees and cloudy, she's got rocking her Third Baby style and no Stitch Fix box is going to top that. Oh and if you have any recommendations on where to get a long, flowy, fun cover up suitable for a beach vacation, let me know!

~ ~ ~

Note/Disclaimer: The Stitch Fix link has a referral code ($25 for you, $25 for me) but all others are just links. I have no idea how to do affiliate links to products, so there aren't any, but I will continue to highly recommend Ebates, now called Rakuten. I've racked up $3,300 in rebate checks over the last few years and it's literally just free money with a check mailed to you every 3 months to go cash/deposit!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things... (also, Stitch Fix!)

(We had our Champagne & Whiskey Ugly Sweater Party this past weekend and it was everything I hoped it would be. I forgot to upload the pictures until today though so we're skipping ahead in this post and will go backwards in the next one. Then we'll go backwards even further to finish out Costa Rica and then maybe we'll live in the present? I have to admit I'm enjoying playing with the timeline...)

party preview

And so, jumping forward three days to a party on this past Tuesday night! Every year my friend Steffany hosts a Favorite Things party and it is truly one of my favorite things!

Wait first, because now the song is in my head- do you follow Randy Rainbow? I adore him and this parody on Julie Andrew's Favorite Things from The Sound of Music is GLORIOUS. (Trigger warning: if you think Donald Trump has any morals, intelligence, or integrity whatsoever and/or you think he's doing great things for the country, you... will not like this song.)

Anyway, back to the party- you bring two identical gifts, worth about $20-25 each, of something you just adore. Maybe it's a few small things, maybe it's one bigger item, but it's one of those things in the back of my mind all year- what will be my favorite thing this year? Once at the party, you draw two names. These are the people getting your gift, and you get to explain what they're getting and why. It's always a lovely combination of sweet and meaningful and practical and indulgent. And there's delicious food and beverages and a large gathering of my favorite people.

We're all moms. We're all the shoppers for all the people in our lives and generally the ones giving lists to others of what to give us. Which is fine - I LOVE buying gifts for other people and I'm happy to tell you things I want! But there's something especially special about getting two total surprise gifts, lovingly picked out by your favorite people.

This year my favorite things (the gifts I gave to others) were three:

(1) Anker 6-item charger. I LOVE this thing. We couldn't travel as a family of five without losing plugs or devices without one. One plug, 6 items, one thing to grab when you leave a hotel room or airport chair. When we're home, it lives in my room and it's where I keep Landon's's iPod touch, all the kids' kindles, and my own phone and kindle. That way I know where the kids' electronics are when they shouldn't be touching them anyway (the kindles are only allowed on vacations and road trips; we're still genuinely trying to be a very low electronic use family), and it's all neatly stacked in one spot.

(2) Super fuzzy furry socks that magically don't shed onto my feet or make them sweat. (I'm wearing a pair right now)

(3) Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe's. Forever the greatest of store-bought treats.

And I got a magical new Woodwick Fireside candle that smells amazing and snaps and crackles while it burns like a real fire (I love it), the greatest cracker seasoning mix of all time (and the special 2 gallon Ziploc bag you need to make the recipe), and Burt's Bees chapstick from one friend (love it all!), and awesome Blenders sunglasses (her fave!) from another friend. It's so fun.

Other random favorite things I've bought recently:

This necklace. My grandparents always send money for Christmas, which is so sweet and generous, and I treated myself to this beautiful necklace with my piece of it. I've been eyeing it for months; it sold out once and I was devastated, so when it popped back up I knew I had to grab it.

And then I opened it up and wore it immediately. It reminds me a bit of RBG's dissent collar.

Next up, the lipstick I discovered at my Women's Global Summit Conference. It's Beauty by Pop Sugar and I LOVE IT. I met the marketing director at the conference and told her I had a blog so she sent me a few free samples.

Little did she know, I'd already bought the Be Racy Liquid Velvet lipstick I'm wearing in "Adult-ish" in this picture because I just loved it that much, but now I have two! Color! I'm embracing it!

It's not sticky and it lasts as long as any lipstick I've found. The tinted lip balm is also awesome (I love Daydreamer, a sheer plum) that is silky and moisturizing and you can layer it to deepen the color (or not). I really really like it.

Next, Ugly Sweater Wine Bottle Covers! These are just adorable. I had prizes for the winners of our Ugly Sweater contest at the party and the female best dressed winner got a bottle of my favorite wine with one of these sweaters (the one not pictured, but you'll see it in the future party post).

Are they not the cutest?! And 3 for $10 on Amazon! Perfect for the wine gift you know you want to give this year.

And finally, not a gift I bought, but definitely one of my favorite things I've received so far this year.

This super sweet note from a student in my TCU barre class I teach every Tuesday and Thursday evening on my way home from work while the kids are at swimming. I have loved it so much this year. The classes have been so full and high-energy and it makes me work out at a time of day when I have the time and ability (all 3 kids at swimming!) but not necessarily the motivation (couch/wine/empty house waiting for me!). Plus we got huge discounts for the TCU summer camps for the kids and James gets a spouse membership to the rec center for only $10/month. It's been the best side hustle ever.

But back to the note- it was my first ever teacher's gift and her kind words and thoughtful gesture completely made my day. It reminded me how incredibly important teaching barre is to me. Those 3 hours a week I spend laughing, sweating, and yelling out the count to my students are MINE. My joy, my outlet, my selfish thing I do that has nothing to do with my family. It is something I never imagined I'd do, much less teach, but I love the high I get from each class and the relationships and friendships I've formed with my students along the way. Barre was the first thing that made my new town feel small and it continues to impact my life in so many wonderful ways.

Mostly though, in this post about buying and giving things, her note was a reminder that the best gift can sometimes just be your words. I know she felt a little awkward at the moment of handing it over to me, but it meant so much and it will be in my memory box forever as a reminder of the importance of recognizing those who bring us joy, how something small can have such an impact (I cried), and that I want to raise children who will one day write a note just like that.

I also love these leggings and my 25% instructor discount at Lululemon

And finally- on to my latest Stitch Fix box, which actually arrived the day we got back from Costa Rica but which I totally skipped blogging about. Here we go!

Stitch Fix, Round 2, Fix 2

Overall, I have to admit I was disappointed. I noted specifically in my profile that I'd bought a bunch of solid color tops and bottoms and was looking forward to getting some seasonal patterned shirts and skirts, vests, and other fun things to mix it up at work and on weekends. And then I got this. Pretty much all solid colors and fairly boring at that.

Item 1: Superfoxx Anaise Button Detail Ponte Knit Dress (Navy, Size Small) $54.

Boring, too tight, looked cheap, and the metal buttons were cold. Plus navy is one of my favorite colors and I own at least three dresses with navy, not that Stitch Fix knew that.

VERDICT: RETURNED.

Item 2: Liverpool- Jacqueline Skinny Pant (Dark Purple, Size 2) $78

I didn't really need these, but they fit perfectly, are actually long enough, and are so comfortable that I couldn't help it. I feel like I'm encouraging more solid color selections in the future, but I've worn these pants 2-3x/week since I got them.

VERDICT: KEPT.

Item 3: Stella & Ruby Shai Stone Collar Necklace $38

This was pretty. I forgot to take a picture of it, but I did like it, just not enough to keep.

VERDICT: RETURNED.

Item 4: Eight 18 Francie Back Detail Pullover (Black, Size Small) $44

Too tight, too short, too not able to wear it to work. (Also I own three other striped tops because stripes are my favorite.)

VERDICT: RETURNED.

Item 5: 41 Hawthorn - Corinth Wool Elbow Patch Blazer (Black, Size Small) $78

This is where Stitch Fix gets to me. I never ever buy wardrobe staples like this nice black blazer- I just don't think of it, the inexpensive stores I usually shop at don't have great ones, and I'm drawn like a magpie to patterns and dresses. But I love this blazer. It's beautiful, it's breathable but substantial, and it hangs and fit perfectly. It has little grey patches on the elbows. I love it.

VERDICT: KEPT.

So, even though I was generally disappointed with my lack of flannel and fun patterns, AND I sent back 3/5 of the items, I LOVE the two items I kept and have worn them more than anything else I've bought this season. So here I am, totally going to do this again. I'll keep you posted.

(Note: the Stitch Fix links have referral codes; if you sign up, you get a credit and so do I!)