March 3, 2015 4:20 pm

StitchFix Box #1

My StitchFix box came today! I immediately tried everything on and took some photos, so you are in for a treat. (Ha!) As a frame of reference, I am pretty solidly a US size 14 and all of the items in my box were a size XL, save for the pants which were L Petite.

Carina Printed Dress

carina-printed-dress

This was almost a success. It was a great length on me, the ties hit right at the waist, it buttoned up the front so I could potentially nurse in it (with a lot of fiddling – those buttons are tiny!), AND it actually fit over my boobs without gaps between the buttonholes. HOWEVER. I was immediately not crazy about the print when I opened the box (I never wear red or yellow, and those boxes are actually ticked on my style profile as “please avoid”), and when I stepped into the living room my almost-five-year-old hid his eyes and said “OH CREEPY.” I said, what? and he said “That. It’s… weird.” I finally got him to specify that yes, he did indeed mean the print on my dress and then he said it looked like “eyeballs with nobody behind them.” SO.

Verdict: RETURN.

Isaac Floral Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse

isaac-floral-print-tab-sleeve-blouse-bunchy-jpg

I kind of have a thing for grandma-y florals and this would have been a nice addition to my rather floral-less closet. BUT. Anytime I moved my arms, the whole shirt bunched up above my boobs. Boo. (Better pic of the non-bunched up shirt below, with the trousers.) I liked the floral print but not enough to overlook the bunching. I actually just purchased a really similar (cut/style) blouse from Old Navy recently, and the StitchFix one was made of way higher quality fabric and felt way nicer on. However, both shirts seem to do everything they can to de-emphasize my waist, which is a shame because with boobs this big it’s nice to be able to tell I have a waistline.

Verdict: RETURN.

Montgomery Chevron Print Cross Front Knit Top

montgomery-chevronmontgomery-chevron-print-cross-front-top

I was excited about this when I opened the box, because yeah, I probably would not have ever chosen this for myself, but it was a great pick for me. It’s nice and drapey so it conceals a lot of postpartum midsection lumpiness, but it’s still fitted somehow so I don’t look super shapeless. The colors and print are fun (and a little outside of my comfort zone) and the cross-front will be SUPER EASY to nurse in. The one flaw is that the armholes are a little big on me and hang down so you can see a bit of my bra. And it’s a little hard to drape the cross front so it’s not all bunchy in one spot and flat elsewhere, but that’s a minor complaint. This was exactly the sort of pick I was hoping for – something slightly adventurous for me that’s not fussy but looks nicer than a regular tee.

Verdict: KEEP!

Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser

emer-high-waisted-cropped-trouser

I pulled these out of the box and I was like, okay! Sure! I do have a pair of black dress pants but they’re wide-legged and really long so these seemed like a more wearable alternative. Then I almost couldn’t get them above my knees. Ack! With some shimmying, I managed to pull them up and oh my god, they were so comfortable. SO COMFORTABLE. I loved that they pulled on, they had a nice flat front which smoothed over my weird post-baby lower-tummy, the fabric was firm but stretchy and they were a nice ankle length on me. If I were a size 12 versus a 14 I would definitely have kept them even though the price tag (just shy of $100) made me wince. They were that good. If I manage to drop a pants size at any point in the future I will be requesting these back.

Verdict: RETURN. Sadly.

Andrea Airy Knit Scoop Neck Sweater

andrea-sweater

andrea-airy-knit-scoop-neck-sweater

I was initially a little skeptical of this sweater because it has a ton of little cutout dots across the top chest part and halfway down the arms. It’s not bad at all, but I probably would have glanced at it in the store and not even picked it up. Which would have been a shame! This is the softest, most comfortable sweater I have ever worn. I daresay it is flattering on me – it fits without sausaging me anywhere and the dots are actually kind of fun! It makes me feel good about myself when I put it on.

Verdict: KEEP!

——

stitchfix-keepers

I feel like my box #1 was a success! I am keeping two out of the five the pieces I was sent and I desperately wanted to keep a third, but alas.

If you’re curious about the money aspect, I did wait until I was receiving a tax return before pulling the trigger on getting my first box. The total for all items was $350, but with the “buy five get 25% off” discount and the styling fee refund it would have been $247.50. I am only keeping two items, so I’m paying the full cost for them minus the styling fee, and it came out to roughly $80.

I felt like my stylist understood what I was going for (nicer-looking basics) and I would happily get another StitchFix box!

4 Comments >

February 23, 2015 6:56 pm

StitchFix

It seems like I’ve seen StitchFix mentioned everywhere, but if you haven’t heard of it, it’s basically like having a personal shopper but you don’t have to leave your house. You pay a $20 “styling fee,” they pick out five items for you, and if you choose to keep and purchase at least one of the items, the styling fee gets applied toward the cost of the items. You can get boxes shipped automatically or only when you schedule them.

Part of the signup process involves trying to describe your style so your StitchFix stylist has a better chance of sending you stuff you’ll like. I found the “any extra info?” box a little small for my verbose self, so I’m putting all the info I couldn’t fit in that box right here on my website for my stylist. And also for you because I just KNOW you are dying to know what I dress myself in every day.

Pants

I have two pairs of jeans. They are both American Eagle jeggings, one indigo blue and one black. I wear one of these pairs of pants 99.9% of the time I leave the house. They’re comfortable for my postpartum body due to the spandex content, and they come in “short” so they’re not dragging on the ground. I also like that they fit into tall boots easily and yet they still look fine with Toms shoes and Minnetonkas and other flats. I am aware they are probably not the most flattering cut/style for my body shape but I kind of do not care at this point in my life. They’re comfortable and I like them.

ae-jeggings

I also have a pair of Express brand dress pants that read as gray but are actually a black/white tweed-like mix. The “short” option (30″ inseam) was still pretty long on me but otherwise they fit super well.

Dresses

I looooove wearing dresses, as they’re typically more flattering on my particular body shape, but nearly none of the dresses I own are breastfeeding-friendly so I cannot wear them anytime soon. I would love a nursing-friendly dress! Fit-and-flare styles look good on me. Wrap dresses do too, but they always end up SUPER cleavagey and low-cut on me, so I wear a tank underneath, but then it bunches a bit and I dunno… it’s hard to keep all the layers behaving.

Tops

My favorite shirts are basic black v-neck tees from Target that are 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The spandex is important to me because I am SO OVER 100% cotton tees getting all stretched out and flabby-looking and UGH. The spandex keeps them fitted and a little sleeker than all cotton tees, and though I do own this shirt in a few other colors (hot pink, purple, greenish-teal) I always end up choosing the black ones to wear because they don’t seem to highlight lumpy postpartum body parts as dramatically as the lighter colors do. I have these shirts in both L and XL and I haven’t noticed a huge difference in size.

My other favorite shirt is a dark gray v-neck vintage-style tee from Old Navy. It was like $6 and I love that the color is dark-ish and looks good with both blue and black jeans. I have three because I love it and I don’t mind having a bunch of the same shirt if I like it a lot and it’s not distinctive.

old-navy-v-neck-charcoal-tee

I wear a $3 basic black strappy tank from Forever21 under all my shirts and it works great for me as a nursing top. I pull my tee hem up and my tank neckline down and BAM! Minimal exposure but easy breastfeeding access.

I have three navy blue shirts with white stripes and I love them all. My favorite is from Dorothy Perkins and I like it because it’s a sturdy weight, has a simple scoop neck, and 3/4 length sleeves.

I don’t wear a lot of button-ups even though I love how they look because they are so hard to fit for me. I really like the layering potential of a gingham or chambray shirt under sweaters in cooler weather or over a tank when it’s warmer.

Preferences

I’m less into plaid than I am into gingham. Leopard print feels super “not me.” I wouldn’t be caught dead in giraffe print or other animal-y things.

I wear almost exclusively knit tops but I want to find woven tops that work for me! I prefer natural fibers (cotton!) over polyester. I need stuff that’s easy to wash – I have never dry-cleaned anything in my life and I don’t want to start.

I pretty much exclusively wear scoop neck and v-neck styles. Crew neck and boatneck tops and dresses just make my boobs look like they reach my neck. Like, they’re huge, I know, but those necklines make it look way worse.

What I’m looking for out of StitchFix

I’d love some nicer-quality, classic basics that I would feel comfortable wearing around the house and out on errands, as well as to my casual workplace. Nothing fussy or high-maintenance, but something that looks relatively “pulled together.”

Now that I’m on my way to receiving a wonderful tax return this year, I’m going to pull the trigger and order my first Fix. I get store credit if you sign up and order a Fix, so here’s my referral link and I would super duper appreciate you clicking on it if you think you’d like to try it out. I promise to report back with my thoughts on my first Fix!

Comments Off on StitchFix

January 12, 2015 12:35 pm

My Laser Hair Removal Journey

As someone who has battled with unwanted body hair for years, I finally decided it was time for a long-lasting solution. Shaving, waxing, and tweezing had become tiresome routines, and the results were often far from ideal. That’s when I embarked on a life-changing journey with laser hair removal.

The Decision to Try Laser Hair Removal:
The thought of laser hair removal in Huntsville, AL or laser hair removal in Jacksonville, FL had always intrigued me, but I was initially hesitant. Like many, I had questions and concerns. Would it be painful? Is it safe for my skin type? What are the benefits beyond hair reduction? After thorough research and a consultation with certified laser hair removal services, I felt confident that laser hair removal was the right choice for me.

The Procedure Itself:
Walking into the clinic on the day of my first session of laser hair removal in Zionsville, IN, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The technician explained the process, reassuring me that any discomfort would be minimal. As they glided the laser over my skin, I experienced a mild tingling sensation, similar to the snap of a rubber band. The procedure was surprisingly quick, and I could return to my daily activities immediately afterward.

Results That Boosted My Confidence:
Over the course of several sessions of laser hair removal in Naperville, IL, I watched in awe as the hair in treated areas grew thinner and sparser. The best part? The results were long-lasting. No more daily shaving or painful waxing appointments. Laser hair removal like this laser hair removal in Queens, NY gave me the freedom to wear what I wanted, when I wanted, without worrying about unsightly stubble.

A Boost in Self-Esteem:
One of the unexpected benefits of laser hair removal was the boost in my self-esteem. I felt more confident in my own skin, and it showed in my posture, the way I carried myself, and even in my fashion choices. It was as if a weight had been lifted, and I could fully embrace my natural beauty.

In conclusion, my journey with laser hair removal like this laser hair removal in Virginia Beach, VA or laser hair removal in Morristown, NJ was a game-changer. It offered a permanent solution to a problem that had plagued me for years, and it gave me newfound confidence. If you’re considering laser hair removal, I encourage you to do your research, consult with professionals, and take the plunge. It could be the key to unlocking a world of confidence and self-assuredness.

Comments Off on My Laser Hair Removal Journey