LeTote: Free Month, Free clothes (kinda)

So, with my subscription box obsession, one of the sites I have been eyeing is called Letote.  Well, over black Friday and Cyber Monday, they were offering new members to try their services for the first month free!  That definitely caught my attention. 

What is Letote, you ask?  They refer to themselves as the "Netflex" for clothes.  You pay $49 a month and get a box of clothes and accessories.  You can return the box as many times as you want in that month for another box.  You are able to put into your virtual closet clothes that they have available that you like (but this does not guarantee that you will get those items) for them to consider to include in your box.  You wear the clothes out and they take care of the dry cleaning.  If there is an item you like then you keep it and they will charge you for that item.

I wasn't sold on paying the $49 to play dress up.  That's why the free month to try appealed to me.  I was at first annoyed that it took 4 days for them to send me my first box (their website promises to send 1-2 days once subscribed and they send it using 2-day priority mail).  That just means it cuts down on the number of days I can try and/or get another box.  However, later they offered a $15 credit towards any purchase and added an extra week, so they totally redeemed themselves!

Box #1 received Dec 06:

Loved this first box and had a really hard time sending it back. The gold skirt was so cute and the two tops (bottom middle and left) were totally my style. The earrings went with everything. The only thing that didn't work was the bracelet (too big, not pictured). As much as I wanted to hold onto this box, I also wanted to get my next box. Plus, no funds this month to buy anything.

Sent back Dec 10th

Box #2 received Dec 15:

Loved my second box. One of the tops was a sleeveless top and didn't work with the cold weather. Otherwise, I loved the cobalt blue top (the back was so pretty) and the swing skirt was very cute (when EV saw me in this skirt she said, "oh mommy, you look like Anna!!"). The earrings and gold bangle were right up my ally. But I turned the other way and packed them up for my next box. 

Sent back Dec 17

Box #3 received Dec 22

Sorry no pics cause I got it right before I left for maryland. I wore one of the dresses to work on tues (cute but not my favorite) but changed right out of it cause we had to get on the road. I wore one of the skirts to church on Sunday but again changed out of it when we got to Jimmy's parents house. The other dress I didn't get a chance to wear. It was nice to just take the box with me and have some nice clothes and jewelry for when I needed them. Since getting sick, I didn't get to send it back until after New Years which prevented me from getting my fourth box.

Sent back Jan 3

Verdict:  I did not keep anything but I had fun receiving new clothes to try on and wear throughout the month. I liked this process more than I thought.  I have paused my subscription for now since I've depleted my budget for this season.  I may give it another go in the spring. 

Stitch Fix January 2015: Redemption

My  last box was such a disaster that I had to email customer service to complain. They were very gracious and offered to waive my styling fee and to try again on them. This box was definitely more my style and even though it wasn't a complete homerun, I had fun trying on all my items and actually had a really hard time deciding what to keep.

KUT FROM THE KLOTH Jonathan Corduroy Skinny Pant ($48)

SWEET RAIN Lucio Confetti Print Blouse ($48)

I actually really like this top. It's simple but versatile. I can see myself wearing it all the time and I can easily nurse in it. I first told myself if the cords I get are not white then I'm not keeping them. Then I tried these on. Oh, they are so soft and so warm. But then I rationalized that I have cords almost the exact same color. But oh, they are so soft and so warm. 

Verdict:  Keep both!

HONEY PUNCH Layla Striped Elbow Patch Detail Cardigan ($48)

When I first saw this cardigan, I totally thought I was going to keep it. What's not to like? Stripes, elbow patches, soft. Then I tried it on. There was something not right about it. Then I figured it out, the stripes don't match up. After that, it just bothered me too much and I felt lopsided. It's a real shame cause I really liked it.  

Verdict: Return

MARKET AND SPRUCE  Trina Crochet Detail Tab-Sleeve Shirt ($48)

Now I totally thought I was going to keep this top. It's so feminine with the puckered shoulders and the crocheted detailing across the shoulders and back. I loved it until I stood in my closet trying to figure out what to wear on the bottom. I didn't like the gray cords with them and I didn't like dark jeans with them either. Unfortunately, if I struggle to match bottoms with my tops, I tend not to wear them too often. 

Verdict: Return

BRIXON IVY Lawley Cable Knit Open Cardigan ($68)

Last, I really really wanted to like this cardigan. When I tried it on the first go around I thought this was the only thing I was going to keep. Then I took a picture of me in it and decided it looked too boxy and the knit feels to matronly. Plus, the color is too fallish and I didn't feel like I would get much wear out of it in the spring (I love wearing dresses with cardigans). 

Verdict: Return

Final thoughts:  I like getting a box curated for me and if in the end I keep at least one item, I consider that a success. I'm going to continue to request this stylist. She really paid attention to my Pinterest board and my notes.  I also really appreciate those of you who used my referral code. It's thanks to you that I can continue to keep up this fun habit. 

Dressed up distressed

Yes!  An actual outfit post with pictures taken outside with my hair actually looking fresh.  It's been a long time since we've done an outfit post.  These are currently my favorite jeans, they are so comfortable and soft.  Plus, I'm kinda obsessed with the "dressed up distressed" jeans look.  When it comes to fashion or art, I've always played it safe.  If I had one statement piece, then everything else around it had to be toned down and simple.  Forget putting different patterns together or mixing colors. But I'm learning to be a little bolder and little edgier with my pieces.  I like the idea of putting two things that don't go together into one look. 

The top and accessories is from my most recent letote box (review coming soon).  I loved everything about it.  The fit, the back, the color, the length is all perfect.  The nude heels are from Ann Taylor; I got these for $20 down from $128 a few months back.  

Bungalow Clothing Box Review

Yes, another subscription box.  What can I say?  It's currently my little obsession.  I also wanted to compare at least one more service to Stitch Fix and this does not charge a styling fee, which was already a big plus. 

Bungalow Clothing is very similar to Stitch Fix in terms of it's service.  I've got to say though, their website is not as easy to use and I'm still kinda confused as to how to use it.  I signed up and didn't really know what to do next.  It looks like you can identify items you would like to get but it's not 100% clear and there isn't a calendar to schedule your box.  But a few days later I received an email from someone telling me that she is going to prepare my box and if there is anything I am looking for in particular.  I really really liked that part of the service.  It seemed more personal than the "notes" box stitch fix has.  The stylist and I went back and forth a few times by email and then a few days later I had a box prepared for me.  Just like stitch fix you can take a peek at what items you're getting and google the names to see what it looks like.  I was excited.

I'm not going to do a piece by piece description of everything I received.  My box contained 7 items and I LOVED 6 out of the 7 (everything except for the vest).  The problem was that it was all out of my price range.  I emailed them to see if they price matched because I found the jeans for less but I never heard back.  At least I found a new brand I love and jeans that fit like a glove.  I love love loved the skirt!!  So cute and fun.  My only concern was that the sequence was going to fall off after wearing it a few times.  The tops were all super soft, comfortable, and fitted perfectly, but I just couldn't justify the price for such basic items.  I'll definitely be on a after Christmas sale hunt for some of these pieces though!

Will I use this service again?  Maybe but I'm still not quite sure how to schedule another box!!  But only when I'm looking for specific pieces as I think they can accommodate those requests better.

Will I use Stitch Fix again?  Yes!!  I'll probably request a box 3-4 times a year, cause it's fun to get a box of clothes.

Am I going to try any other services?  No.  Although there are several out there and if you're wondering some others I was interested in trying were Front Door Fashion, Dailylook Elite, and Golden Tote.

Stitch Fix December 2014: Mother Daughter Affair

My mom is an amazing woman.  She is a woman of strength, courage, and talent.  She is also tender-hearted and compassionate.  She also is a lover of clothes (we have to get it from somewhere).  So, when she said she wanted to try Stitch Fix, I helped her sign up immediately.  It was fun going through the style profile with her and trying to figure out her style.  The items I thought she would like, she didn't and the things I thought she would not like, she liked.  Go figure.

After we set up her Stitch Fix, I went back to mine and rescheduled it so that we would receive our boxes at the same time.  We planned to have a little fashion show when I got home from work.  Unfortunately, that did not happen.  My mom's box actually came early while mine was actually delivered late.

This time I asked for chunky cardigans and sweaters and a cute holiday skirt.

So, here is what my mom received in her first box (isn't she cute?):

Renee C Macklin Polka Dot Print V-Neck Blouse ($28) and Margaret M Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser ($98)

The pants had an elastic waist and if it were a size bigger would have looked really nice on my mom.  The shirt was a nice pattern and fit on top nicely.  However, as you can see, the pants were bright green (plus a size too small) and the shirt was an awkward length.

Verdict:  Returned

19 Cooper Cathleen Split-Neck Tulip-Sleeve Blouse  ($48)

The color and fit was great for my mom.  But the V-neck line was really flimsy and kept flopping down.  My mom had to continuously adjust herself and she was obviously really uncomfortable in it.

Verdict: Returned

Pixley Edmond Chevron Print Henley Shirt ($54) and Look by M Wallace Zig Zag Border Infinity Scarf ($38)

The shirt was a very soft material, great color, and made my mom look long and lean.  It was also machine-washable.  The scarf was also great quality and very soft.  However, the price was expensive for something so thin and cotton.  The scarf was too thick and once it was wrapped twice on my mom's neck, she couldn't move around.

Verdict:  Kept the shirt!  It looked great on my mom and she will probably get a lot of wear out of it.  Returned the scarf.

And here is what I received in my second box:

Laila Jayde Payton Faux Suede Cardigan ($68) 

 

I asked for a chunky cardigan and I got a suede cardigan. After getting over the disappointment of getting something completely not my style or what I asked for, I tried it on. It's very soft and smooth cause of the suede material but just didn't look right. It felt like I came right off of a modern version of The Matrix. It was too long and I just couldn't see myself reaching for this piece often if at all. 

Verdict: Return

Laila Jayde Vincent V-Neck Hi-Lo Knit Top ($58)

Ummm..I'm not sure what's going on here. I'm not opposed to the high-low tee look but this is not a good look. They actually suggested styling this with a skirt but it's too long in the back. It looks like I have a cape or some weird wings attached to my back. I told them I'm going up north for the winter so they sent me this thin colorless, shapeless t-shirt material top. At least it's long-sleeves?

(The jeans are the $14 ones I bought from the Loft last week--which I absolutely LOVE)

Verdict: Return

Collective Concepts Gustav Textured V-Neck Sweater ($58)

I asked for a chunky sweater and this is probably the closest to what I asked for but it just isn't quite right. It's soft and fit okay but I kinda felt like I was wearing a rug. Maybe it's the ployester material. Also, the arm had a funny stitch (almost as if they originally made it short sleeves and added the rest of the sleeves later).  

Verdict: return

Market and Spruce Jay Mini Houndstooth Printed Skirt ($58)

I asked for a fun holiday skirt. I wouldn't say this skirt is fun or holiday-ish. I feel like it ages me and the length is too long. It's not long enough to be a midi skirt and it doesn't have enough structure to be an a-line. It's a thin knit fabric and something I could easily sew. The print is cute but not cute enough for me to keep. 

Verdict: Return

Bay to Baubles Sia Triangle Link Necklace ($28)

This necklace was probably the only thing I considered keeping from the box but I didn't love it. Maybe it's cause I was so unhappy with the rest of the box and this necklace wasn't making a huge statement. 

Verdict: Return 

Final thoughts:  I have to say Stitch Fix has great customer service.  I was so disappointed with my box that I sent them an email last night expressing my dissatisfaction and they responded immediately.  They acknowledged that this box was a total miss given my Pinterest, comments, and previous feedback and offered to style another box for me with the styling fee waived.  I appreciated their effort in trying to keep me happy.

It's a lot of fun when a box of clothes comes for you, but I think it's important that it feels like the box was curated just for you and not just thrown together randomly.  I was definitely let down with my box this time. Maybe it's best to not request anything specific.  I think when I request something (like chunky cardigans) and I get something not expected (like a faux suede cardigan), I feel disappointed.  It doesn't matter how nice the item is, it's still not what I wanted in my head.  I have seen other bloggers get some really great stuff so I know they have the potential but the question is how do you get them to listen?  I have a pinterest board that I think accurately reflects my style, I give them plenty of feedback when I return items, and I make specific requests.  Obviously stitch fix and I have to work on our communication but hoping that their offer to pay closer attention to my next fix will help get us into a good groove.  

If you're interested in trying, here's my mom's referral code.  She'll get a $25 credit if you sign up.

Distressed Jeans

I have been wanting a pair of distressed jeans for awhile and have been eyeing a few different pairs and watching them like a hawk during the thanksgiving, Black Friday, and cyber Monday sales. The lowest I've seen any of them go was $40 but still couldn't justify getting them. 

Well, the Loft is having a Flash sale RIGHT NOW for 60% off their sale items until 10am tomorrow and one of the jeans I've been eyeing is on sale for $34.99. So, with the 60% off it makes them $14!!!  Say what?  

Yes, I bought them and even paid the ridiculous $8.95 for shipping.  I'll be sure to take pictures once they get here. Happy dance!

Thanksgiving Style Challenge: Results

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I worked the first two days but had a nice time with family and friends the rest of the week.  I was super excited to get started on my Thanksgiving Style Challenge.  Since I already had my 7 items picked out, it actually made getting ready each morning easy.  I wasn't sitting in my closet, blankly staring at my clothes, feeling like I have nothing to wear, when in actuality I have a closet-full of clothes.  Easy mornings made for more time with the babies and less time feeling frustrated. 

Not only did it make for easy mornings, but every time I looked at my 7 items, it made me reflect on how blessed I am and feel grateful for all that I have.

I also took our Christmas photos and went to a holiday party dressed from these 7 items. No fuss, no worries.

Again, here are the 7 items: 

Here are 6 of my outfits:

And here's an outtake from our family photos:

All in all, glad I did it!