Stitch Fix {July 2014}

Some times I feel like all I blog about any more is Stitch Fix, but these are the quickest posts to whip up, and all I seem to have time for these days.  Also, I have no idea how the setting on both of my camera's got changed to these stretched out proportions, but they did and now I can't figure out how to change them back!

Just a warning, I loved something about everything in this fix but didn't keep a single item for one reason or another.

FRANCIS STRIPED FIT & FLARE DRESS $74 {Return}

I love this idea of this dress.  The fit is great and the style is great (I can wear it to work or just for fun) but the material was crap!  It felt cheap and it didn't feel very good on my skin, it was kind of itchy.

 There was no hem to this dress.  The material was just cut and it looked terrible up close.  I'm assuming it's a fabric that won't run or pull or fray but I just didn't care for the unfinished look.

FILBERT POLKA DOT PRINT 3/4 SLEEVE BLOUSE $58 {REturn}

This top was awesome!  Cute cut, love the polka dots, the fabric was soft and comfy.  It had one fatal flaw, it's a button up.  If you have breasts over a cup size B, you probably know what I'm going to say next.  Button ups and large(ish) chests DO.NOT.MIX!

Every time I move, the buttons stretch and pull till the threads are at their breaking point.  It SUCKS!  If this hadn't been a button up, or miraculously fit better in the chest, I would have kept it for sure. 

ACE SWISS DOT & FLORAL TIE-WAIST BLOUSE $68 {return}

I loved the underneath layer of this fabric, it was bright and had a fun pattern that wasn't too overwhelming.  I didn't love the top layer but it was cute and different.

JOSHUA COLORED ANKLE JEAN $64 {RETURN}

The pants were a GREAT color!  A burnt orange, not this coral color they look in the photos.  They were simply too tight.  Way too tight!

 I probably would have kept the top but...another button up!  Not so classy, not one bit!

ODELA TIE-DYE CHEVRON MAXI SKIRT $68 {return}

The color and pattern of this were fabulous.  It's hidden well in the photo but this was way too tight in the waist, it gave me a very uncomfortable and highly unflattering muffin top.

I'm very picky about clothes, and if I'm going to spend a good chunk of change on them, I have to LOVE them, everything about them.  Although I didn't keep a single item, I'm still pretty happy with my fix.  I know that the stylist are taking what I have to say seriously and listening to my feedback.  I understand you can't win them all and I'm confident next month will blow me away!

If you haven't jumped on this bandwagon but would like to, I'd appreciate it if you'd use this link so I receive credit for the referral!

Stitch Fix {June2014}

Stitch Fix sent me another amazing fix this month.  In case there is still someone out there who hasn't heard of Stitch Fix, it's a fabulous company that shops for you. You complete an in depth fashion profile, answering lots of questions and choosing lots of photos based on your personal style, needs and budget.  Next you are assigned a "personal stylist" who studies your profile, any Pinterest boards you choose to share with them, and any notes you contribute.  They then choose 5 pieces, package them up and send them to you.  Once your box arrives, you try everything on in the comfort of your own home, with clothes that are already in your closet.  Once you decide which ones to keep, you simply place anything you want to return in the prepaid package they include and send them back.  There is a $20 fee each time they ship you a box but if you keep one or more items the $20 goes toward the price of the piece(s) you keep.  If you haven't signed up yet but would like to, I'd appreciate it if you would use this link as I receive credit for the referral.

Someone *cough cough* tossed the card that came in my fix this month so I don't have the specific details unless I found them on google/pinterest.

My favorite Just Black jeans in purple?  YES YES YES YES {KEEP}
I love this top but it was too small in the waist, I'm definitely sucking in my gut for this photo! {RETURN}

I hate 2 in 1 tops, HATE.  I would have loved both of these separately, the top half was incredibly soft, the bottom had a fabulous pattern, but half of each shirt sewn into one, no thank you.  {RETURN}

This Daisy Embroidered Skirt ($78) was described as "fit & flare" but it was more "box" on me.

 I wanted to love it, but for $78 the fit just wasn't right on me.  {RETURN}

The Colibri Heart Print Tab-Sleeved Blouse $48 was a good attempt at branching outside of the typical polka dots but I have an aversion to hearts.  For some unexplainable reason, I don't care for heart patterned clothes or heart shaped jewelry.  {RETURN}

 Although I didn't keep much out of this, it was still one of my favorite fixes.  I'm already looking forward to next month!

eShakti

**THIS IS A SPONSORED POST**

Last year, my friend, Kara, shared a great review on her blog of a dress from eShakti.  I absolutely adored her dress and the concept of customized sizes so I ordered one of my own.  Even though I went with their standard sizes, it still fit perfectly.

I'd been not so secretly hoping they would invite me to review one of their dresses, so when eShakti emailed me and asked, I jumped at the opportunity.  I struggled to choose a style this time, there are just so many great options.  Here are some examples of what didn't make the cut:

I love the detail of the neckline but the shade of purple isn't my favorite.

I considered a top but really wanted a dress.

This dress style is the "Jessica" and I almost chose it just for that reason but I already own a LBD that I love.

I finally decided to let Jason help me choose we decided on this fun number.

eShakti allows you to not only customize your dress to your exact measurements but also the neckline, sleeve type, hem length, and weather you want pockets or not.  If you want a v-neck, you can order a v-neck.  If you like short dresses, you can order a short hem.

I went with the dress as pictured, I liked the longer length and the unusual neckline.  Unlike my 1st eShakti dress, I decided to order this dress with my custom measurements.  I had my husband use a piece of string to take each measurement, which is clearly explained for you on the order form, and then I measured that with a measuring tape and it worked out perfectly.  The dress fit just like it should, like it was made specifically for me!

I've said it before, I would make a terrible model, and my husband is far from a professional photographer (although he reluctantly appeases me so I can't complain).

This is the perfect date night dress for me and I even managed to convince myself it's work appropriate.  This is how I wore it to work.  I received tons of compliments and my office isn't super formal so I decided it works.

eShakti was generous enough to provide me with a 10% discount code to share with all of you and if you're a new customer you can add that to the $25 off that they offer for 1st time shoppers.  Use discount code BLEUDRES at checkout to receive the additional 10% off.  You can use this code as many times as you'd like between now and June 21st.

I highly recommend eShakti, especially if you're like 99.9% of women and struggle to find clothes that fit perfectly in all the right areas.

   **I received a free dress in exchange for writing this review.  Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own.**

Stitch Fix #4

I'm back with another Stitch Fix review.  I cannot get enough of this company.  They hit a home run on my fix this month.  It would have been a grand slam if the prices had been lower, instead it was just a solo walk off.  (can you tell there's a ball game on while I write this?)  Seriously, if the prices were better, I might have kept every single piece!

As promised, I tried to take better photos this month.  I was fighting the fading light and I am far from a model but they are much better than the iPhone garbage I shared last time!


Item #1: Under Skies Leyle Mixed Print Cotton Mini Skirt

{Different, great fit, pattern that doesn't make me nauseous, can be dressed up or dressed down.  I loved it, just couldn't justify the price tag for the number of times I would honestly wear it.  RETURN}

Item #2: Under Skies Gabrielle Ikat Print Fit & Flare Dress

{I LOVE everything about this!  I knew instantly that I was going to keep it, baring some major fit issue, I knew it was mine. KEEP}

(worst model pose ever, but I tried)

Item #3: 41Hawthorn Abramo Abstract Chevron Mixed Material Tunic

{I've been hunting for a good tunic (or 5) for a couple of months years now and I love this one.  I didn't think I would, but I did.  Again, the price tag was the problem.  If only money weren't an issue.  RETURN}

Item #4:  Sanctuary Ryder Embroidery Detail Button-Front Tank

{When I saw this in the box, I immediately feel in love, then I put it on.  It's completely see through.  It's hard to tell in this photo, but it is, trust me.  I tried it with a black tank underneath (see second photo) and I liked it.  I thought I was going to keep it but then...any guesses?...you got it, the price tag!  $78 for a see through WHITE tank that I will probably ruin the 1st time I wear it?  No thank you!  RETURN}

Item #5: Kensie Ginny Knit-Back Abstract Print Tank

{This was super soft and comfy.  I didn't completely love the print but it was so versatile that I definitely would have kept it to complete my box and get the 25% discount but even with that savings, the prices were just unacceptable.  RETURN}

Going back through these photos, I really, really wish I had the funds to keep all of these pieces.  I'm going to be good though and stick to my plan to keep one piece each fix.  If you had to keep just one, which would you choose?

I think my least favorite thing about Stitch Fix is that once you send something back, there are no take-backs, no oops I changed my mind, no second chances.  Once I send these back, I'll never see them again.  I think they should have an online stock sale once a quarter or so, so you can have that second chance at an item you returned in your fix.  For now I'll just keep reminding myself that my marriage is more important than any piece of clothing and the argument that would ensue if I kept all of these just isn't worth it.

If you'd like to give Stitch Fix a try, I'd appreciate you using this link so I can earn a referral credit!

Stitch Fix #3

Last week, the morning before I left for my trip back to Cincinnati, I received an email alerting me that my Stitch Fix had been delivered.  I wasn't expecting it until the following day when I'd be on the other side of America, and I didn't have time to stop home after work so I did the only logical thing, I ran home on my lunch break.  Because I couldn't possibly wait until I returned home from my trip, that would be absurd.  I didn't even get my door unlocked before I had the box open.  When I saw that they had found my beloved jeans, I practically shimmied out of my skirt right there on our porch.

If you live under a rock have no idea what I'm talking about, here's the gist:

1. Go to StitchFix.com and create your style profile by answering some questions about your wardrobe preferences. 

2. Schedule a fix!  This can be as frequent (or infrequent) as you would like,  I get mine once a month.

3. Your fix arrives and you try everything on in the comfort of your own home with clothes you already have in your closet.

4. You are charged $20 styling fee for each fix, however, if you keep anything from your box, that $20 is automatically applied to your purchase.

5. You have 3 days to mail anything you don’t want back to Stitch Fix in a pre-paid shipping envelope. If you keep all 5 items from your fix, you get a 25% discount.

This is what my fix included this month (I apologize in advance for the crappy photos in my messy bedroom, I literally had like 5 minutes to try everything on and get my butt back to work.  I promise to give my fix proper attention next month and take some decent photos):

Item #1:  Under Skies, Breena Floral Print Sleeveless Blouse {Adorable, fit great, and it's outside my comfort zone/something I would never have picked out at the store, exactly what I look for in my box each month.  KEEP}

Item #2: Just Black, Adora Skinny Jean  {I had these in my 1st fix, fell in love with them, kept them, and then they were stolen after I'd only worn them once!  I was so bummed.  I literally squealed with delight when I saw them again in this fix!  This company is great at listening to your feedback and they truly try to give you exactly what you ask for.  I've been more than blown away by the customer service at Stitch Fix!   KEEP}

Item #3: Le Sample, Kahlo Embroidered Racerback Tank {Meh.  It fit great, had an interesting shape/cut (it's hard to tell in this photo but it's longer on the sides and shorter in the front/back), and was super comfy but I really didn't like the color combo...see the close up photo below.  RETURN}

I'm sorry, I just can't get behind the olive/neon combo.  If the stripes were black or grey, I might have kept it.

Item #4:  41Hawthorn, Harriet Aztec Print Fit and Flare Dress  {When I saw this in the box, I thought it was going to be a keep but the fit was just ok.  It's cute but nothing special.  RETURN}

Item #5:  Zad, Andover Enamel Floral Bib Necklace {I'm not a fan of pastel's or flower shaped jewelry so this was a no brainer for me. RETURN}

Like I said above.  I have been blown away by this company.  They read my blog posts (HI!) and appropriately stalk the Pinterest page I linked in my profile where I pin all the clothes I'd like to have in my closet to gather intel about me and my style and I can see the results in each fix.  If you haven't joined this rapidly growing company, I highly recommend you do so (and I'd appreciate it if you use the link I provided in this post so I will earn a referral credit!),

Stitch Fix 2

I was so excited when I got an email from Stitch Fix letting me know my second fix was.  I raced home from work and tore the box open.  I knew immediately it was going to be a disappointment.  Remember those awesome jeans I got in the last fix that I loved some much, well I don't know if I mentioned it on here or not but some jerk stole them out of our communal dryer just days after I got them.  I was so angry!  I emailed Stitch Fix and begged them to send me another pair.  I couldn't wait to get them.  When I saw the replacement pair I could have cried, they're the same but different.  Part of the reason I loved the original pair so much was their color.  Stitch Fix had informed me that there was no guarantee but I was so hopeful.

Item 1: ADORA SKINNY JEAN

{The jeans were awful.  The stitching on them made it look like I had a .... I don't want to say it because I know it'll bring some weirdos to my blog but it has to do with a part of a hump backed desert dwelling mammal.  It was NOT attractive!  RETURN}

Item 2: WRENN V-NECK JERSEY TOP

{The top was ok.  Not great, not terible. RETURN}

Item 3: OPHELIA LAYERED TANK AND STRIPE KNIT TOP

{I don't even know what to say about this top.  It was an attached sweater and tank which I hate and it's pastel which I hate.  I actually don't think it looks bad in the photo but it just isn't me.  RETURN}

Item 4: ADALINE GEO PRINT MIXED MATERIAL TANK

{I don't like tops that are 2 different fabrics, I don't know why, it just irritates me so I thought for sure I was going to hate this.  I put it on and actually really liked it...

 so much so that I took another photo and seriously considered keeping it.  Part of the reason I started doing this was to step outside my fashion comfort zone and this was definitely it.  It's hard to tell in the photos but the front is actually super thin and see through.  That was the deciding factor for me.  I'm too old to wear see through clothes and it looked bad with a tank underneath.  RETURN}

Item 5: INDIANAN TRIBAL PRINT MIXED MATERIAL TEE

 {This top had the most promise.  It's fun, colorful, and the pattern is not what I would normally choose (polka dots or stripes) but it fit kind of weird and I don't like the bottom half.  I would have kept it if it were all the pattern.  RETURN}

This box was a bust but I'm still confident this can work.  I'll be back again next month, hopefully with better results.