December 2015 Stitch Fix

It's been about 6 months since I last got a Stitchfix box. Unfortunately my last box was a little underwhelming and I didn't have any more credit left. But, I recently got some more credit (thanks to you all) and so I went ahead and ordered a winter box. Seriously, it's GOOD, real good!!

So, I'll go on to the unboxing since I'm sure that's what you all really want to see. 

Papermoon Cabrine Henley Blouse with the RD Style Rory Faux Leather Front Legging (I'm wearing the leggings in all the pics)

I've been looking and looking for a pair of faux leather leggings. These are still slightly too big but not as noticeable as other pairs I have tried. They are super comfortable and very warm as they are lined. This top is so cute!  I love the white accents on the pockets and shoulders. I can definitely see myself wearing these pieces all the time. 

Skies are Blue Abela Open Cardigan

I have a cardigan in this color but this is definitely a cute staple piece. I actually like the fact that the sleeves are three-quarter length. 

41Hawthorne Benton Cowl Neck Sweater

Love love love this sweater. So soft and comfortable. I also really like the contrasting colors. Uggg. So. Hard. To. Decide. 

RD Style Tessi Poncho Pullover

This poncho was probably my least favorite but it could be because I was very hot by the time I tried this on. Plus, it took me awhile to figure out where my arms and head were supposed to go. It's actually really cute when it's on.

So, here's my problem.  The credit I have isn't going to cover everything in this box. Ugggg, I also ordered a goldentote this month for the jackets (2 jackets plus 4 surprises for $129--I had some credit). Also, stitchfix has a buy all discount so it ends up cheaper to buy all five pieces than to return one or two back. What would you keep?

My First Trunk Club November 2015

It's been awhile since I've had a StitchFix box sent to me, partly because I'm trying to be fiscally responsible, also cause there are very specific pieces I'm interested in and I don't want to gamble my $20 styling fee on something I'm not sure about.  Don't get me wrong, there's definitely something fun and exciting about getting a surprise box of clothes, but not on a regular basis.


As we enter cooler weather, I am in desperate need of warm weather basics.  I've heard that Nordstrom bought out Trunk Club and although they have a higher price point, I liked the idea of having free shipping and returns, no styling fee.  So, I figured, what's there to lose and I signed up.  Unbeknownst to me, I get a phone call the next day from Kiki my stylist.  She called to ask me several questions about my style, what I'm looking for, how I dress during the week and weekends.  She was friendly and she even wanted me to text her selfies so she can see how everything fit.  Now this is what I call personal service and was totally hooked.


A couple days later, I get an email saying that Kiki has put together a preliminary trunk for me to preview.  Seriously?  This was above and beyond my expectation.  So, I went through each item (there were maybe 15 different pieces) and for the pieces I declined, I explained why.  Then within the next few days, those pieces I declined were replaced with new pieces and a couple days later my trunk was shipped.  I don't know how much more personal a service can get.


So, I anxiously waited for my box and here is what I got:

How cute are these booties?  I totally would have kept them if there weren't too big. 

Here are also some other pieces I got:

Those faux leather leggings were perfect but a tad too tight. So, unfortunately they are going back but they are on the top of my list for my next purchase!

It just happens that Trunk Club price matches with Nordstrom (makes sense since they are owned by Nordstrom) and it just happens to be their Fall clearance.  Unfortunately, none of my stuff was on sale but I did score a couple of basics that I know will get a lot of mileage. 

Sorry no pictures of individual pieces. I don't have time nor the energy. Just take my word, it's worth it and a lot of fun!!  And if nothing fits or works then you can just return the whole box at no cost!!  Here's my referral link if you want to try it out yourself.  What's there to lose?

Stitch Fix July 2015

We are planning a beach vacation at the end of the month so this time around I requested some cute beach clothes.  My stylist Danielle sent some cute things but unfortunately this time around most things fit too big or it just wasn't my style. I asked for a romper but they didn't have any in stock.  I love her note to me because it's so obvious that she takes the time to think about what works for me.  I guess it can't be a homerun every time. 


Collective Concepts Marci Dress--$78

This dress is cute on the hanger but not on me.  It's a little to long for beachwear, too big in the chest, and the color feels a little more fallish to me.  My stylist picked this dress because it was supposed to have a romper feel.  I like that she tried.


Market and Spruce Bethanie Striped Maxi Skirt--$48

This skirt was so soft, thick, and such high quality but it was too big and long on me.  I felt like it was going to slip right off.  My stylist recommended this pink top I got from my last fix to go with it.  I liked it but again, it was barely staying up.  Plus, it would have been too thick for the beach. 

Skies are Blue Calvin Halter Blouse--$48

This top was cute but nothing amazing about it.  Plus it was too big on the sides and the armhole. 


Pixley Bernice Embroidered Bib Blouse--$48

This top was cute as well but again nothing amazing.  It fit well, but the white was a little too sheer and the material wasn't my favorite.  Plus, it felt like something I could get at Old Navy for a fraction of the cost.  I don't mind spending more money for something I feel like I can't get anywhere else but this was not that.

Papermoon Toland Kimono--$48

Love this top!!  What a great staple for the beach.  I am always cold indoors but hate carrying cardigans around in the summer.  This is great to throw on top of my bathing suit, shorts, and dresses. 


So, a 1 out 5 in my books is a success.  I don't have to love every piece and my wallet sure can't afford to buy everything sent my way.  With the credit I had, this ended up being $23.  Can't wait for my next fix cause we'll be entering fall and boy does my fall wardrobe need some major help!  Sign up here if you're interested in trying.  I get a $25 referral credit.  Thanks!

Independence Day Giveaway

The last several years we had a friend take photos for us.  Although she isn't a professional, she is very talented and has a good eye.  Sadly, she moved to get married and is no longer near.  It made me appreciate her so much more and realize how much she did for us all those years.  Jimmy works with students and many of them are very talented.  So, when we were looking for someone to take some family photos, Jimmy suggested Will.  Will just graduated from high school but you would never know from the way he interacts with you.  He's not only extremely talented but very respectful and professional.  Jimmy described him as the next Spielberg.

He is currently available for 1-hour summer sessions and charges $50 per session plus $10 per professional enhanced digital prints.  His session fee is a steal for the amount of talent he offers.  Seriously, get on his calendar cause he won't be around for long and he definitely won't be around for that price for long!!  You can email him at willharrisonproductions@gmail.com.  Here are some of the photos he's done for us.

For our giveaway, he's offered to waive the $10 fee for the first 5 digital prints.  That's a $50 value!! To enter this giveaway, comment below on what family means to you and on July 5th I'll pick a random winner.  Thanks!!

Emmett's Birthday Giveaway

I met Tracy at church through mutual friends and was so happy when I found out about her awesome paper print shop The Sweet Peach Paperie.  She was such a HUGE help when we were preparing for EV's first birthday and again for Emmett's first.  Her work is top quality!!  We always get so many compliments whenever we use her work.  Plus, to top it all off, she's super nice and so accommodating.  She has the most beautiful daughters and I don't know how she finds time to run this shop with so much integrity and creativity but her work is impeccable. 

Here are a few things she's done for us:

And I can't wait to share all our paper décor for Emmett's birthday party.  So, to celebrate Emmett's first birthday, Tracy has generously offered a $25 shop credit to one of our readers.  Enter below.  We will pick a winner June 14.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mixing stripes

I have been loving this trend of mixing prints. For some reason it makes me feel confident and strong.  Maybe it's the combination of bold prints and colors or just simply going out on a limb with mixing prints but these outfits makes me feel good.  I also love pulling out old pieces and giving them new life.  These pieces have been a part of my closet family for awhile but they have not played together until today. 

I have blogged about this skirt before and it's still one of my favorites.  I love a good pencil skirt, it's an instant pick-me-upper.  It gives you structure, glam, and fierceness just by putting it on.  Add some heels, tuck in a shirt, and some jewelry and voila you're ready to conquer the world!

The striped swing skirt is a piece I bought after I had my second baby. The elastic waist was great for my transforming body. Plus, it has pockets which I'm always a sucker for!

Piano Makeover: Part 2

Let me just say I LOVE chalk paint!!  No sanding or priming required. After the survey and a long discussion with the family members we decided to go with a very light blue. It's really like a white with a hint of blue. We went to downtown Norcross to a store called Chalk It Up and bought some Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax. I mixed the Old White with Provence. 

I was a little nervous so started with the bench. Since we were giving the bench a whole new look, I also picked up some fabric in the clearance section of Hobby Lobby for $2!!  

Then I just went for it.  The greatest thing about this paint is that it dries so fast!!  So I was able to do three coats in less than 2 hours. I want to paint every furniture I have now! Please excuse the bad lighting. Next is the actual piano.  Since I'm going out of town, I likely won't be able to tackle it till next week but stay tuned!!

Piano Makeover: Part 1

This summer I am doing some rearranging of furniture and spending some time organizing the house.  Since we have renovated our home, I haven't dedicated much time decorating each room.  We kinda just placed the furniture we had and I've spent a lot of time thinking and pinning ideas on Pinterest.  Now that it's been two years since we've been in this space and I'm not pregnant or adjusting to life with a newborn and as a family of four, I have some time to actually put things together.  Now, the biggest challenge I have is furniture arrangement.  We have some amazing space but not many walls.  I have ideas of what I want done, but can't seem to arrange it all together. 

One of the things I wanted to do is create a family work space.  A space where the kids can do homework, where we can put a family computer, and organize bills and other paperwork.  This was my inspiration:

Source:  http://www.nouvelledaily.com/blog/posts/2014/november/a-workspace-for-two/

But the space I want to use to create this has our piano sitting there.  Finding space for a piano where we don't have many walls is a challenge. Also, I wanted to give this piano some new life and help it fit into our color scheme a little better.  I've been quite inspired by all the painted pianos I've seen on Pinterest:

Source:  http://www.32turns.com/piano-makeover/

 

Source:  http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/paint-piano-chalkpaint/

 

The plan is to go buy some chalk paint this weekend and to just go for it.  I'll be sure to post progress pictures along the way and tons of before and after shots.  What color should we paint it?

 



What color should we paint our piano

White

Blue

Gray

Poll Maker

Memorial Day Giveaway

Cat is one of the most sweetest person my sister and I have ever met.  She is just full of energy and is always just so positive.  I also love the work that she does.  She's super talented and her digital portraits are amazing!!  I love how her work reflects her personality--fun, cute, and positive.

Here are a few she's done from our blog:

Obviously super-talented and this soon to be momma graciously offered a FREE digital portrait of 1 individual to one of our readers.  So, to kick off our summer giveaway series, go visit Cat+Mouse and enter to win our first giveaway.  This giveaway will end Monday, May 25 and we will pick a winner on Tues.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer 2015 Giveaway Series

We are in a Pinterest, subscription box, DIY society and often feel pressured to handcraft those teacher's appreciation gifts or make homemade, healthy cookies for your kid's birthday party.  Fast food is out, home cooking is in.  But all of this adds pressure to many of us who are just trying to keep our heads above water, balancing family, work, and friends.

So, it makes me even that much more thankful for my talented friends who spend their free hours crafting and creating for us, so that we can have a beautiful banner hanging above the mandatory dessert table or the handcrafted dresses for our little girls so that they can look like little girls instead of teenagers or beautiful prints to hang on our walls to show off to family and friends or photographs to capture those special moments and put onto our printed baby announcements or Christmas cards.  These are a sneak peak of the giveaway prizes we will showcase throughout this summer.  Throughout the summer, we will share with you some amazing, better than Pinterest, beyond your ability talent.  And greater than their talent, they have an even more beautiful and generous heart that will offer a giveaway for one of our lucky readers.

The first giveaway will be a Memorial Day Giveaway.  It will start at noon on May 23 and end at 9PM on the 25.  Details will be forthcoming.

In addition to the giveaways, we will try to blog some more about life and style.  For now, here's a picture that represents summer to our family.  We love Rita's Italian Ice and look forward to it opening every year.