Saturday, November 22, 2014

Thanksgiving Style Challenge

There have been many versions of minimal style living challenges going around these days and I have always wanted to try it out myself. However, I didn't want to do it just for the sake of living minimally, I wanted to do it with a purpose.  So, I thought Thanksgiving would be a perfect time to do it.  What do I mean by living minimally?  I am going to only wear 7 items of clothing (including shoes) for the next 7 days.  Why would I do this, you ask?  I am hoping to 1) Focus on the most important things this season like relationships and those in need; 2) Be thankful for all the abundance I have; 3) Serve those who are less fortunate than me.  

Feel free to join me in this challenge by taking a photo of your 7 items and uploading it to Instagram or Facebook with #Thanksgivingstylechallenge

I will start Monday and end on Sunday of next week.  At the end of it, I will post my 7 outfits.

Here are my 7 items for the next 7 days:


Happy Thanksgiving!!

Friday, November 21, 2014

My Favorite Fall Dress

As a mom, I often spend most of my time and money on the kids.  These days I rarely have time to shop and when I do it's again for the kids.  In addition, since I'm breastfeeding, I am limited to the types of tops I can wear, particularly dresses.  So, if I'm going to buy a dress, it needs to be functional and versatile.  I actually bought this dress for a wedding and I love that I can dress it up or down.  It's perfect for breastfeeding, and I can take it from the fall into winter.  I can throw it into the washer and it's wrinkle-free.  It's become my fall uniform.

Look 1: Dressed up with a pair of heels and statement necklace:


Look 2: A cardigan and flats:



Look 3 and 4:  A belt or scarf and with boots:




See, so simple!  The dress is Macy's Maison Jules.  Currently it's on sale for $17.99!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Stitch Fix credit via ThredUp

As you all can see, I am having a lot of fun with my online subscription of Stitch Fix.  But obviously, getting a box every month is not budget friendly and even when I do get a box I have to make hard decisions about what to keep and what to send back.  The 25% discount for the whole box is tempting but still adds up.

I mentioned in a previous post that you can refer friends and get a $25 credit but that there's another way to get stitch fix credit.  I held off to share until I did it myself so I can share the full process with you all.

So, there is an online consignment shop called thredUp and they have teamed up with stitch fix so that you can send in your gently used items for stitch fix credit.  The process is super easy.  I ordered my bag, it came in a couple of weeks, I filled it up with shoes and clothes I do not wear, and sent it back.  They received it a week later, sorted through it, and told me how much money I would get for it.  They have an upfront amount and a consignment amount. The upfront amount is for items with a list price of $20 or less.  Consignment items are for higher end items and you get that money when someone buys your item. Then that money gets put into my stitch fix account.  Easy peasy.

So, as you can see. If all my items sell I can make up to $68.48. Not bad!  You can also order a bag and deposit the money into your bank account or buy something from thredup. 


First Stitch Fix November 2014

Yes, I know I'm a little late to the Stitch Fix game but the last year has been a little crazy.  But when I came across this subscription, I was jumping up for joy.  When I joined Wittlebee eons ago, I actually said that I would jump on a subscription box for women's clothes.  Now that I have two little ones, working full-time, and barely getting dressed and ready in the mornings, this sounded like heaven.  I get it's a little pricey than what I would normally spend, but it's saving me time (which I don't have) and effort (which I don't have either).  Forget going to the mall to just "browse," it's even worse when I'm looking for something specific and don't even think about having time to try anything on and lets not even go there when it comes to returning anything.

If you don't know what Stitch Fix is, here's the low-down.  It's a monthly subscription service for women's clothes and accessories.  You fill out a profile, share your pinterest board, and write any other information you want to give them.  Then you pay a $20 styling fee for them to pull together 5 items that is sent to your home.  You keep what you want and send back what you don't want (all included in the $20).  You also put that $20 towards anything you keep (if you don't keep anything you lose the $20) and if you decide to keep the whole box then you get 25% off the total.

I specifically asked for layering pieces since I am nursing or tops that button down.  I also asked for a pair of white skinnies cause I love the look of white on white in the winter.

The moment I got the email saying that my Fix has been shipped, I immediately went to my account to see what I got.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed.  But, I pepped talked myself and told myself I don't know what colors I'm getting (they only give you the name of each piece) and I've read that the boxes only get better with time. 

When I ripped my box open and saw this, I started feeling really giddy. Look at all the pretty colors and prints. (Please excuse the bad lighting, I had to take pics after the kiddos were down for bed).


So, here's what I got in more detail in order of bad to good!

Renee C Landry Cross Front Abstract Print Blouse ($58)



Seriously folks, when I googled this top, I think I started hyperventilating.  But when I pulled it out of the box, I felt hopeful because it looked nothing like what I saw online.  And it looked perfect for breastfeeding in with the wrap front. Unfortunately, it's too short in length in the front and I wasn't in love with the print.  I like the two prints individually but just not together.   
Verdict:  Return

Market and Spruce Sam Hi-Lo Short Sleeve Tee ($44)



When I first saw that I was getting this, I thought, "great $44 for a t-shirt?"  And after I tried it on I thought, "there's no way I'm spending $44 on this t-shirt."  The material is actually really nice and soft; it feels more like a light sweater than a t-shirt.  But it's too clingy and too thin.  I didn't feel comfortable in it.
Verdict:  Return


Papermoon Talulah Plaid Print Henley Top ($44)





When I first googled this top I only saw it in a pink/purple combo and was feeling disappointed.  But when I pulled this from my pile, it was love at first sight.  The colors are so rich and the gold buttons had me at hello.  My only concern was that it is very thin.  But with the buttons on the front, it would be a great breastfeeding top, and perfect for layering.  I tried it on three different ways and it worked every time.
Verdict:  Keep


Look by M Shareen Heather Knit Snood Scarf ($32)



When I saw that I was getting this scarf, I was a little giddy and just praying that the color would be pretty.  It has been on my wishlist for awhile now.  My problem is I haven't been able to find a knit scarf I like the handful of times I've looked for one.  When I saw this in my box my heart skipped a beat. It is so beautiful and soft and warm.
Verdict:  Keep

41Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan ($48)


Last is this cardigan.  There's nothing special about it, except for the fact that I would probably wear it all the time.  It's a great basic piece, it's comfortable, and goes with everything.  BUT I have one thats very very similar, in the same color, and yes, I wear it all the time.  If this were a different color, I probably would have kept it. But look how nice the plaid shirt, scarf, and cardigan all go together. 
Verdict:  Return

Final Thoughts:  So, for my first box, I was happy.  I loved being able to try everything on at home and with pieces I already have in my closet.  Not everything was a homerun but I appreciate my stylist trying to give me what I asked for regarding layering pieces and pieces that would make breastfeeding easier.  Plus, my budget wouldn't allow for me to get every piece.  Since I have some referral credits and it's my birthday next month, I am going to give it another go in December.  I am going to ask for chunky cardigans and sweaters.  I also have some tips on how to get extra stitch fix credit.  I'll blog about it next time.

If you're curious or want to try here's my referral link.  I do get a $25 credit if you use my link so thank you for helping me keep up my subscription habit!