Stitch Fix #11 - October 2015

Before I scheduled my last fix I informed my Stitch Fix stylist that I was headed on a 'Girls Weekend' trip with a large group of ladies that I absolutely adore. She was so excited to help me locate a bunch of items that I might be able to bring along on my trip!  Just another reason why Stitch Fix is so convenient, and makes sense for busy working moms (like me!)

I had recently pinned some fall items on my Pinterest Stitch Fix inspiration board (see bar on right), to give her an idea of what I was looking for.  My stylist really gives me a lot of detail in her notes including why she has selected certain items for me and sometimes indicates if she intends me to pair certain items together.  It's SO helpful and very sweet.

Here's what I found when I opened my 11th box:

SHIRALEAH Sienna Colorblock Fringe Scarf ($48)
KUT FROM THE KLOTH Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean ($88)
41HAWTHORN Angela Quilted Detailed Blouse ($68)
STACCATO Madrid Mixed Material Knit Top ($54)
RD STYLE Rhonda Faux Leather Jacket ($78)

SHIRALEAH Sienna Colorblock Fringe Scarf ($48) 
and STACCATO Madrid Mixed Material Knit Top ($54)

Mustard yellow and fringe?!  My stylist was SO right on that I love these two things!  I just wasn't sure about the size/shape of this scarf...I think I would have liked it a little smaller or shaped more like a triangle to wear like a blanket scarf rather than shaped like a square.  I think I will hold out for a plaid scarf that I have been eyeing on the Stitch Fix blog.

Verdict: GOING BACK

 (front)

                                                                            (back)

The shirt was also a GREAT pic by my stylist - I absolutely adore gingham, and this top was soft and hug a little lower in the back (which I love) and looks adorable with jeans and a scarf.  I passed only because I wasn't sure if the size was completely right on me, but I will probably regret this one.

Verdict: GOING BACK

KUT FROM THE KLOTH Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean ($88)

I pinned these to my Pinterest board because I have heard such wonderful things about these jeans! They are a very nice quality, and I love the subtle distressing and wash, however I don't think I am ready to leave my skinny jeans behind just yet.  I love skinny jeans for wearing with booties and flats. Maybe I will try this style again next year :)

Verdict: GOING BACK

41HAWTHORN Angela Quilted Detailed Blouse ($68)

(front)

  (back)

(detail - cuff)

(detail - back)

The detail on this blouse is so cute!  It is quilted on the back and on the cuffs and the rounded bottom gives this top a very polished look.  I fell in love with the jacket she send, so I had to pass on this top although it was close!!!

Verdict: GOING BACK

RD STYLE Rhonda Faux Leather Jacket ($78)

(front)

(back)

(detail - back/shoulder)

(detail - neckline)

I have been looking for a casual moto faux leather jacket and this one stole my heart (I mean, not only did it fit perfectly, but it was BURGUNDY!)  I knew this one would never leave my sight again. There is flattering detailing on the back and arms and it is lined.  I wore it during my weekend trip away with friends and it was a perfect jacket to have and wear with a scarf for fall.

If you haven't signed up for Stitch Fix yet, and you are realizing this service is TOTALLY awesome, please (pretty please) click on the picture below of the lovely lady with the box to sign up. I REALLY appreciate you using my link!!!

Happy Shopping!!

Rocksbox - My Other Favorite Box

If you are reading this post, you might be familiar with the fact that I ADORE Stitch Fix (see previous post).  Well, there’s another subscription service that is quickly gaining my affection and see below for a way that you can try this service FREE for one month!  Score.

Similar to Stitch Fix, ROCKSBOX is a service where you can receive unlimited access to rent designer jewelry.  Some names of the designers include Kendra Scott, House of Harlow and Gorjana, just to name a few.  You complete a style survey and add some items to a ‘jewelry wish list’ and your stylist will ship you three items based on your style.  You can wear this set as long as you like, and when you want to return it, just use the prepaid envelope included and drop it at the post office.  Its’s that easy!  The average value of the sets are $200.

This service got my attention when I had an event to attend this summer.  I thought, this is a great way to get some cute earrings, a necklace and a bracelet that someone selects for me to go with my outfit!  I tend to get bored with wearing the same jewelry to multiple events, and this is a way to get new pieces rotated into your collection!  Now, I am just so pleased with the service that I could imagine not using it.

There are great benefits to this service, too!  It only costs $19/mo. to borrow 3 pieces of jewelry at a time and swap the set as many times in the month as you like!  If you fall in love with one (or more) of the pieces, ROCKSBOX will give you a $10 credit in ‘Shine Spend’ toward any purchase you make.  Also, you can pause this service at anytime.

Let’s take a look at what my stylist sent me in my ROCKSBOX for September:

1.  Kendra Scott Alex Earring in Translucent Green Glass
2.  Gorjana Taner Interlocking Ring
3  House of Harlow 1960 Incan Sun Coin Long Pendant Necklace

This set was so gorgeous for fall.  I felt like these earrings would go with any blanket scarf and the gorgeous pendant would pair nicely with a tunic blouse.  The ring is so comfortable and just the style I asked my stylist for.  I have been wanting to try more rings and ROCKSBOX has an awesome selection!

I forgot to mention, if you decide you can't live without one of your pieces and you want to keep it, they offer you 20% off the retail price if you buy it!  

If this sounds amazing and you want to try it out for a month totally free use code ‘DREAMVTXOXO’ and they will waive the first month for you!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Stitch Fix #10 - September 2015

I received a very exciting message from a friend last week who received her first fix.  She had signed up for the service in March and filled out her style profile, but it took her a little while to actually schedule her first fix.  She was THRILLED with what her stylist had sent her and she was keeping the entire box.  It was only a message on Facebook, but I felt like I could literally see the exciting jumping off the post.  

That's what Stitch Fix is like for me.  It's a feeling like, "Wow.  This was created for me and it WORKS!"  I believe in this service and I love it.  That's why I take the time to take pictures of myself and write a little bit about what I receive - it's because of the reaction that my friends have had when they open their first box.  

For those of you who found me from a Pinterest post and might not have heard of Stitch Fix, it's a personal styling program that's takes your input to create a style profile for $20 each time you want a "fix".  I currently have mine set up for every 2 to 3 weeks, but I typically have it set up monthly just because of my budget.  I just adjusted it because I am so excited for new fall items in my closet, and changing the frequency of your fixes is so easy!  If you keep one or more items then the $20 fee is subtracted from the balance due. As a bonus, if you buy all five items they send you, they give you a 25% discount which can be pretty great if you love everything they send!!  




Ok.  So, now for the good stuff.  Here's what was hiding for me in my tenth box from Stitch Fix:

1) 41HAWTHORN Moni Abstract Chevron Stud Detail Blouse ($58)
2) PAPERMOON Locust Embroidery Detail Blouse ($48)
3) 41HAWTHORN Carla Crochet Detail Blouse ($58)
4) 41HAWTHORN Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan ($48)
5) OCTAVIA Adora Stud Border Tote ($68)



41 HAWTHORN Moni Abstract Chevron Stud Detail Blouse ($58)

(Front)

(Back)

I loved the shape and pattern of this blouse, I just wasn't sold on the studs.  I mean I LOVE studs (see amazing studded bag below), I just wasn't sure about this many studs on the shirt.  I have seen many women looking gorgeous in this blouse on Pinterest, so I know it is a flattering top, but just not perfect enough for me to keep.

Verdict: GOING BACK

PAPERMOON Locust Embroidery Detail Blouse ($48)

The embroidered detail on this blouse is so beautiful and so is the color!  Honestly, the sleeves were a bit sheer while the bodice was not and that was the main reason I wasn't sold on it.  I couldn't afford to keep everything from this fix, and there were just other items I was in LOVE with, so I decided to return this top.

Verdict: GOING BACK

41 HAWTHORN Carla Crochet Detail Blouse ($58)

(Front)

(Back)

(Crochet Detail)

I love this top.  It has a fitted shape through the shoulders and bodice but hangs perfectly with jeans!  I don't have anything this color and I am predicting it will pair nicely with my mustard cardigan!  It definitely helps when I can instantly envision a piece fitting into my closet and 'playing nicely' with things I already have!

Verdict: GET IN MY CLOSET

41 HAWTHORN Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan ($48)

For some reason I have recently found myself with a shortage of cardigans, so this little beauty arrived at the perfect time!  The length is great to pair with skinny jeans and it hangs a little lower in the front for an asymmetrical look that I love.  It is very soft and feels high quality! 

Verdict: GET IN MY CLOSET


OCTAVIA Adora Stud Border Tote ($68)

I have been searching for the perfect fall tote and haven't had any luck so far (see previous post).  So, I asked my stylist for some assistance.  And she delivered.  I LOVE it.  The studded detail is so unique and the COLOR...wow.  It's perfect for fall.  When I provided feedback after my last fix, I told her I wanted to ensure my tote had a top closure, and this one has a magnetic snap.  Oh, I almost forgot, it has an optional crossbody strap!  A girl needs her options.

Verdict: GET IN MY CLOSET

SEPTEMBER 2015 FIX #2 = 3 new 'pretties' in my closet.

If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix, click the picture below to get started.  She looks happy, and you will be too!

Mission #1: New Fall Tote Bag

When I become fixated on a certain item that I want, I seem to do excessive research on this item before purchasing it.  I wasn't like this in my 20's.  My 20's was like this:

See it.  Buy it.

I don't miss my 20's, but I have to say that part was kinda fun.

Now, in my 30's (the later kind of 30's) I have this thing called a shopping budget. With kids, and a mortgage and those kind of things, I have carved out a small monthly shopping budget, so in order to make it stretch I need to ensure I am really adding only quality items that I REALLY love to my closet.  Welcome to boring and responsible.

This fall, all over Instagram and Pinterest I have been eyeing the cutest fall tote bags.  I have a Frye Shoulder Bucket bag right now that I love, but I have been getting the itch to try a tote bag.

I use Stitch Fix (if you aren't familar with Stitch Fix see the 'get started' box at the bottom of this post) and I requested a tote in my note to my stylist for Fix #9.  It was the Street Level Parvin Reversible Tote.

I loved the fact that it was reversible, and it was a great size as well but I didn't love how it was just open on top, and I was hoping to find one with some sort of closure (magnetic or snap).




I started doing a little more research on and found these other totes that had a lot of the features I was looking for:

Urban Expressions Delaynie Tote Bag ($59.95):  The color and the braiding are gorgeous on this tote.  Truthfully, I don't see anything I don't like about this bag at first glance.  This is one I have seen a lot of ladies requesting on Pinterest for their Stitch Fix Stylist notes, so I am going to seriously consider this style in the future.

Pieces Premium Naysa Leather Shopper ($96):  Although I couldn't really see myself purchasing a tote with such small straps (just in case I needed to throw it on my shoulder), I had to add it because of the color.  So gorgeous.  I love the stitching as well.  Maybe I will use this bag for color inspiration!

Emperia Side Zip Faux Leather Tote ($54):  This is such a cute tote bag.  For the price I think it is one of the cuter ones I have seen this fall.  However, this bag is unlined and I am wondering if I would like that as I am typically used to having a zipper pocket inside the lining for keys and other items I want to store safely.

Street Level Reversible Faux Leather Tote & Wristlet ($48):  What a great color for fall!  This similar to the one I received in my fix, however it has a snap option in the center which I like.  Plus, it comes with a wristlet that is an added bonus!

Morris Braided Tote ($48)  (Per Request from a Stitch Fix Stylist):  I love the crossbody strap option.  Since I have little hands to hold onto in parking lots and at the grocery store, I am pretty sure I am making this optional strap a MUST in my search for a new tote.

So, after all my research, I can assure you there is no shortages of cute, colorful totes out there for fall.  Now, if I could just decide on one I could move on to other items I need- like a winter coat. Yeah, that's pretty important in New England.  

The good news is that my Stitch Fix stylist is well aware of my tote obsession AND my budget, so we will see if Fix #10 surprises me with the perfect bag!

If you have a tote you think I would love, let me know - I need all the help I can get.

Happy Shopping!!