Stitch Fix -- January 2016

So a month off from Stitch Fix was good for me (and my wallet), I think, but I was very very excited to see that my fix was on the way this month! Maybe it's because I just KonMari'd my whole closet, but I'm kind of needing some shirts that are good quality and, you know, actually fit me.

In case you need a quick refresher (or introduction -- Hi, new peeps!) to Stitch Fix, here you go:

{about stitch fix}

Stitch Fix is an online styling/shopping service. For a $20 fee, they send you five clothing or accessory pieces that a personal stylist has chosen just for you, based on your style profile, special notes to your stylist, and even your Pinterest boards. When you receive your box, you can choose to buy as many of the items as you want, and then return what you don't want in your return bag (postage is prepaid!). Your $20 styling fee applies to anything you purchase, and if you love everything, you get a 25% discount on your entire box!

So basically, it's a ton of fun. You can choose to receive just one box (no subscription required!), or you can subscribe to receive boxes every 2-3 weeks, monthly, every other month (my current plan), or quarterly. Basically, when you need a fix, you can get one. That sounds weird, but whatever.

Stitch Fix also offers petite and maternity options now. I was able to use the maternity styling services for a few months, which you can check out here, if you want: months 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.


{my stitch fix - january 2016}

I actually totally forgot I had a Stitch Fix coming this month, so I didn't get a chance to update my notes to my stylist or ask for anything specific. But, if you ask me, I think it actually worked out. Take a look at what I got in this fix...

Loveappella Alonza Keyhole Back Knit Top ($54)

first impressions: I didn't get to have a sneak peek of this top, so I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened the box. But the floral print caught my eye right away. And the pretty, neutral color palette. I immediately had high hopes for this one!

on me:

thoughts: Wow. I'm pretty impressed. This shirt is soft and flattering. It's feminine and pretty but the knit fabric keeps it casual, so it's not "dressy." I don't love the keyhole back, but it isn't cut too low so it keeps the top nice and modest. I really, really love it! The price is a little high for a fairly simple shirt...but this is is probably a KEEP.

Pixley Martina Slub Knit Open Cardigan ($48)

first impressions: A black cardigan. Well, I already have a black cardigan, but it is a different style. This one is very soft!!

on me:

thoughts: Okay, here's the thing. In October, Stitch Fix sent me a navy cardigan very similar to this one. Soft, flattering, and lovely. And I sent it back, because I had a navy cardigan. WELL let me tell you, I've regretted sending that thing back more than once. My other navy cardigan actually bit the dust not long after that, and it wasn't very comfortable or dressy anyway. So now, looking at this amazing black cardigan, and thinking about the black cardigan I have but don't love...well, past experience would probably tell me to keep this beauty. For now, I'm going to say UNDECIDED.

RD Style Mirada Cowl Neck Pullover ($68)

first impressions: Weird. Don't love the color, and what is with these sleeves?

on me:

thoughts: Okay, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The colors aren't my favorite, I don't dig the batwings (and I'm usually a dolman sleeve fan!), and the sleeves are tight up to just past the elbow and then they loosen up, which just...feels odd. The material is very soft and cozy; not scratchy at all. But for $70...I'm just not a huge fan. RETURN. 

Just Black Serena Flare Jean ($88)

first impressions: I've yet to buy any pants from Stitch Fix, but I've always loved what I've tried on. These jeans are probably awesome. And they have a little distressing, which I love.

on me:

(as you can see, I had a little helper jump in at this point)

thoughts: Yikes, this is tough. These jeans are well made (as are ALL the jeans Stitch Fix has ever sent me), and they're very flattering and fit super well. BUT, the distressing might be a little bit too much and ill-placed, and they're also very long. I could wear them with heels, sure...but the distressing kind of takes away from the dressy factor, and the heels would add to it...so I'm not sure it all adds up. Sadly, these are a RETURN. 

Loveappella Edgewater Knit Top ($48)

first impressions: OOOOOHHHH gimme gimme gimme!

on me:

(toddler photobomber strikes again)

thoughts: I love this shirt. Yep, I love it. The 3/4 sleeve. The color blocking. The little stripes on the top part. The soft fabric. This shirt is mine mine mine and you'll never take it away from me. KEEP. 

{verdict}

So, I usually end up keeping one thing out of each box. But this time, I'm definitely keeping two, and possibly three if I keep the cardigan...which I'm leaning towards. And I'm not going to lie, I might regret sending those jeans back at some point. So really, this was a very successful box! Good on you, Stitch Fix.

{If you haven't given Stitch Fix a try, but you'd like to, maybe think about signing up through the links in this post, or right here. When you receive a box after signing up through my link, I get some Stitch Fix credit, which is cool. It's also cool if you'd rather not. So either way, you're cool.)

Trying New Things...Lately

I know it's been a while since I posted anything in my "trying new things" series...but I get a break for birthing a child, right? And then another one for adjusting to life with said child? And then another one to catch up on some sleep? And another for the holidays? And then maybe a final one, just for good measure?

Yeah, I totally do.

But I've missed these posts, and I want to start having them regularly again. So, no time like the present, eh, Pacha? Here are some things I've tried out lately...


Thermos Funtainer Bottles

As much as I tried to be super prepared for the older girls to start school a few months ago, there are some things that I, as a newbie school mom, just didn't think about. One of these things was water bottles. Both Maddy's Kindergarten teacher and Charly's preschool teacher requested that they take a water bottle to school with them each day. I started my search at Target (because Target), and was lucky enough to find these right off the bat.

These are the perfect kids water bottles, I swear. They keep the water cold for several hours (advertised up to 12, I'd say more like 8). They open easily: just push that silver button on the top and it pops right open. There's a nice flow of liquid through the straw. They don't leak! And they come in tons of different styles with different characters on the outside, which my kids love (especially since I don't buy them too many "daily use" things with characters on them, as a matter of personal preference). 

So, if you know a kid that might love a water bottle of their very own, try these out!

Fisher Price Rock 'n Play

Having had four children now, I think I have at least a little credibility when it comes to baby products and whether or not they are "worth it," and let me tell you, this thing is worth it.

It comes in different variations and patterns, all at different price points and such, but I got this one pictured above for about $40. 

So why do I love it? Well, Amelia sleeps in it, so there's that. For the first couple months, we were able to keep this right next to our bed so she was within arm's reach. It lets her sleep at an incline, which I think has helped with some of the tummy troubles she's had. It has a vibrating feature, but Amelia doesn't seem to prefer it on or off. Oh, and it doesn't play music (am I the only one that is super annoyed by the music products like this usually play? It drives me nuts!). It's also very portable: it folds easily, and it's extremely lightweight, so I can carry it up and down stairs, move it from room to room, and take it to Grandma's house without any fuss. I'd say I prefer it over a swing because of this portability.

If you've got a baby on the way, or need a gift for someone who does, look no further, because this is perfect. 

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream 

My skin is a tricky little devil. When I was younger, it was on the more oily side, and I'd have breakouts fairly often. As I got older, it became truly "combination," with dry patches on my cheeks and forehead. Last winter though, I noticed that there was a general tightness in my face that I wasn't used to, and it wasn't going away. I was a little weirded out by it, to be honest, until I finally realized: my skin was dry!

I always do waaaay too much research before buying skin care and beauty products, so I was very familiar with the Murad name and was planning on trying their stuff out once my normal cleanser ran out, but with the sudden skin change, I went for it right away. And I'll tell you what -- I'm a believer.

This gives my skin a really healthy look and feel. It's fixed all the dryness but hasn't overcompensated and made my skin oily. It supposedly helps with aging, which I'm starting to think about. A tiny drop of it foams up a lot and goes a long way, so the bottle lasts forever. It's basically a really high quality product without a (huge) sticker shock. Even if my skin changes its mind again and decides to not be dry anymore, I think I'll be sticking with Murad cleansers. They've got tons of different options for all different kinds of skin, and they're all very highly rated.


Soma

It's cool to just have an entire store on this list, right?

I first discovered Soma when my sister declared her love for their nursing bras. Since I was in the market for nursing bras, I stopped into a store to get fitted and try them out. And holy cow, guys, these make my sad Target nursing bras look like...sad Target nursing bras. This is the style I ended up with. They fit well, are supportive and comfortable, are easy to clip and unclip, and have lasted through constant wear and countless washes without stretching out, tearing, or losing their shape (all problems I've had with other nursing bras). Make sure to buy two, because they're 1 for $46 or 2 for $60, and you know, math and stuff.

I also treated myself to a couple other things from Soma that I've ended up loving. Their Embraceable Cool Nights pajama collection is level-WOW soft and comfy. It's like a silky smooth knit fabric, and it is amazing.

I also treated myself to this robe, which is also made from that Embraceable Cool Nights fabric, and honestly might be my very most favorite thing in my closet. Hahahahahaha...haha....but seriously. I bought it right before Amelia was born. I wore it in the hospital and all around my house right after her arrival, and it was the perfect comfy cozy postpartum friend.

Soma's got plenty of other things (swimwear, loungewear, shapewear, underwear...pretty much all the "wears") that I haven't yet tried, but I honestly LOVE the things I do have and recommend them any chance I get (like right now!).


And there's a little glimpse at some things I've tried lately. Any insight? Questions? Concerns? Recommendations? Feedback? Limericks? Everyone loves a good limerick.


(P.S. None of these links are sponsored links or affiliate links. They're just...link links.)