Stitch Fix #20

I had the same stylist for my first 12+ Fixes, and she was amazing. She seemed to understand what I liked and what I didn't, and rarely sent me something I didn't keep. At the time, I was transitioning into regular clothes following my pregnancy with Aden and I owned very few pieces that made me feel beautiful. Stitch Fix definitely helped fill that void in my closet and my confidence level.
Then, one month my beloved girl suggested I try another stylist. I don't know if she was bored styling me or what (?!) but the next time I ordered I was assigned a new person. It was never really the same after that. My body size also continued to change, and the clothing fit seemed 'off' no matter how many times I updated my profile.

Eventually, I broke up with Stitch Fix.

Earlier this month, I got an email from Stitch Fix offering to waive the $20 styling fee if I'd schedule a shipment. Why not? I figured I'd give it a try again.

Now, I need opinions! What should I keep?

Here's what I received:

MIA Emerson Tassel Zip Bootie

While these booties were cute, they were way too big - obviously. The floor angle of this photo actually makes it look like I'm a kid wearing her mother's shoes! No question here - RETURN

41Hawthorn Shara Herringbone Vest

This vest is my favorite piece from this box, I think. I like wearing vests, especially in transitional seasons like fall and spring and this one is cute and comfortable. KEEP 

Just Black Judy Scissor Cut Skinny Jeans

I really like Stitch Fix jeans - like, they're the main reason I'm still interested in their company. All of the jeans I wear are from Stitch Fix; they fit me well and hold up between washings. Except ... for the one pair of Just Black maroon-colored skinny jeans I bought in my last box. Those colored jeans fit fine initially, but stretch out super quick and I find myself pulling up the waistband all day long.

This pair of skinny jeans are exactly like those - thinner material and very stretchy. No question on this item - RETURN

41Hawthorn Kassidy Faux Wrap Dress

I requested an Easter-appropriate dress in my style notes for this shipment, and here's what I received. I like this dress. It fits me well and modestly covers my bust, which is usually my issue with wrap dresses. I wouldn't say I'm in love with this dress, or would wear it often, but it would be nice to own a nice dress for church or special occasions. KEEP or RETURN - what do you think?

Skies are Blue Charlene Button Down Cotton Top

My initial reaction to this button-down shirt was NO. Honestly, it's not really my style. Then, I tried it on and looked at the photo I snapped on my camera and thought, "hmmmm." It definitely looked better than I thought it did. Cute, even! What do you think? Definitely everyday casual which fits my mom-life ... but does it look like I'm about ready to paint a bedroom? KEEP or RETURN - what do you think? 

Stitch Fix Round-Up: #10 & #11

My wardrobe is in desperate need of new fall season items. I was a larger size this time last year, so nothing I wore then really fits anymore. Jeans, tops, dresses -- to consignment they went. Now, it's time to fill my closet again.

Stitch Fix is really the only way I shop for myself anymore. I can't beat the convenience, and my stylist is really starting to understand my style. Not that I have a lofty bank account to support buying all the clothes Stitch Fix sends me! I only keep the items I really, truly love. For this reason, I stopped buying clothes at Target and Gap and Old Navy. Nothing I ever buy there makes me feel as confident as SF's clothing.

My Stitch Fix boxes arrive so quickly now, I barely have a chance to blog about them before another one arrives! (Clearly, personal time to write has been hard to come by.) Anyway, here's some of my recent items:

AUGUST 2015 Fix #10

Mavi Freida Skinny Jeans in Navy

Stitch Fix's skinny jeans are my weakness - I simply can't say no! The fit is always spot on with my body type, no matter the brand. These jeans are soft and smooth, almost like velvet in a non-weird way. I love them! No question; KEPT.

RD Style Hollen Raglan Knit Top

I love the lightweight fabric of this sweater; it's perfect for fall. I've worn it with the red skinny jeans I received in my very first Fix, or regular denim jeans. My only gripe are the "holes" in the knit. Aden likes to dig his fingers into them when I carry him around so I'm not sure how long it'll last. KEPT.

Mo-Ka Simon Lightweight Jacket

Honestly, this is the one item from August Fix I would've sent back had it not been for the "buy all five" discount. It seems a little big, no? And, I have the Market & Spruce Chaplin Hooded Anorak Cargo Jacket from a previous Fix that I already own and LOVE. 

I joined one of those Facebook Stitch Fix Buy/Sell/Trade pages so maybe I'll try to sell it on there. KEPT (for the discount). 

Pixley Beaverton Crochet Split Back Knit Top

Love this light-weight top. Comfortable, easy to wear with jeans, and the back-detail gives it a fun flare. KEPT.

Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt

Easy like Sunday morning ... this sweater is so comfortable to wear while still looking like I cared to get dressed in the morning. I like it with jeans, but also think it'd wear well with leggings. KEPT.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 Fix #11

And, now I do that very time-consuming thing where I search Pinterest boards to find the names of all the clothing I sent back when an easier method would've been to save my style card. BAH. Bear with me.

Denim Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans just .... aren't me. I know the fit is suppose to look baggy, but these didn't feel flattering. Like, if I wore them for more than an hour they'd stretch out and droop in the behind. SENT BACK.

Cotton Striped Top with Sleeve Detail 

(The official term)  

I hem-hawed about this shirt because it was really comfortable and easy to wear with jeans. Perfect for my stay-at-home-mom lifestyle. I liked how the lace sleeve detail really kicked things up a notch, and turned this average striped shirt into something fancier. But in the end, I couldn't justify the $50-ish price tag. SENT BACK.

Striped Henley

I really liked this top -- the colors and the pattern are so pretty for fall. I tried this top on over and over again ... and even modeled it for my mother-in-law for a second opinion. At the time, I thought it looked too big and figured if I was questioning the fit so deeply it should probably go. SENT BACK. (... but now I kinda wish I would've kept it!)

Off-White Colored Open Sweater Cardigan

I liked this one, too (and I still sorta do!) This open cardigan would be so easy to wear in the fall. When I tried this cardigan on, it looked too big. Like, I was swimming in it. Maybe that was the style? I asked my mother-in-law for her opinion and she didn't think the off-white color was my best color. SENT BACK.

Blue and Orange Striped Sweater
 

This sweater fits like a glove and is so, so soft to the touch. The weather hasn't been cool enough to wear it yet, so I'm excited to have the chance to try it. KEPT.

Stitch Fix #9: Too Legit to Quit

Oh, Stitch Fix. I'm not sure how I feel about you anymore. I really (really, really) love the surprise of receiving a box on my doorstep every month. It something special just for me and these days, that goes a long way in filling up my happiness tank. And, when this service works -- it works. So many of my favorite pants, tops and dresses are thanks to my wonderful stylist at Stitch Fix (that's a referral link, if you're at all intrigued).

But...

My last two Fixes have just been okay. I know I'm being more selective about what I keep (I've learned to send it back if I don't absolutely love it because it'll just sit in my closet collecting dust), but some of the clothes are starting to feel like repeats. Time for a different stylist? Maybe.

Here's what I received in this month's shipment:

Gilli Jessie Maxi Dress

I actually liked this dark blue maxi dress. The fit was great and material comfortable, albeit a tad too long in length. I've seen so many people wearing maxi dresses this summer and thought to myself, "I need to wear more maxi's because -- so cute!," but ultimately decided to send this dress back because I don't wear the few maxi dresses I have. This dress is very similar to a maxi dress I received from Stitch Fix last spring and I've only worn that dress once. It's just not conducive to my everyday stay-at-home-mom / weekend lake life lifestyle. Verdict: Sent Back

Market & Spruce Tod Dress

I hemmed and hawed about this dress, too, because I actually loved the summer-like colors and pattern. Would I wear this dress to the kid's swimming class? Play dates? The park? I wasn't sure. I decided to try the dress on for Andi and received a big "meh." More specifically, he wasn't a fan of the gathered waist and didn't think it did anything for my figure. Verdict: Sent Back   

Market & Spruce Camille Striped Pocket-Front Tank

Initially, I was excited when I pulled this top out of the box. A casual, everyday tank perfect for my stay-at-home-mom lifestyle. Yes! Then, I tried the top on and was less than impressed. The scoop bottom cut too short above my hips and ultimately, I thought the overall look was just okay. Verdict: Sent Back

RD Style Dalston V-Neck Knit Top

First impression, I liked this top. It's very similar to the Target Mossimo t-shirts I wear on a near-daily basis. I probably would've purchased this top, too, if it had not been for the too-expensive price tag ($48). That's too much money for a t-shirt no matter how many times I'd wear it. Verdict: Sent Back

Bancroft Naja Stone Chain Necklace

Lisa, my Stitch Fix stylist, must've been taking a leap by sending me a piece of jewelry this time. I thought I'd requested clothing only in my profile (??) but she sent me a chain necklace to pair with the maxi dress anyway.

Honestly, I'm not big into jewelry -- mostly because my kids pull, tug and steal every necklace I currently own. This necklace was cute, but I couldn't see myself wearing it often and especially not for $38. Verdict: Sent Back

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In summary, I sent all five pieces back this month -- a Stitch Fix first for me.

Will I sign up for another month? Absolutely, because it's still a fun treat to receive each month. My next Fix is scheduled to arrive late August and the weather will be transitioning into a new season. Hoping for better luck next time.

Stitch Fix #7

A few weeks ago around Aden's 18 month birthday, I realized something: it takes my body a year and a half to return to its "normal" after pregnancy. That's nine months of pregnancy plus 18 months afterward for a total of 27 months of transition time beginning to end!

Applying that realization to the last four years of my life:

November 2010 - August 2011: Pregnant with Tory (9 months)
September 2011 - January 2013: Postpartum (17 months)
Pregnant again!
February 2013 - November 2013: Pregnant with Aden (9 months)
December 2013 - May 2015: Postpartum (18 months)
Not pregnant! No announcement here!

So, this is basically the first time I've had my body back to my "normal" since 2010 -- and guess what? I like it! Of course, I wouldn't trade those baby-making years for all the money in the world, but I'll admit it is nice to feel like myself again after all this time.

After being a few different shapes and sizes in the past four years, it's time to rejuvenate my closet with items that fit my body now and make me feel beautiful. To assist in doing so, I recently upped my Stitch Fix subscription to receive a shipment once a month (vs. every other month like I'd received before). I need some new clothes that fit my stay-at-home-mom life today and more specifically, pants that don't fall off my waist the second I pull them on.

I was nervous about adjusting sizes in my Stitch Fix style profile because what if they only ship me teeny tiny clothes that I'll have to return! but once again, my stylist Lisa killed it. In my note to her, I explained I was transitioning down a pant size and asked her to send me some new skinny jeans. I also requested some cute tops for summer.

Here's what I received in my 7th Stitch Fix subscription box:

Just Black Jimmy Ankle Length Skinny Jeans

Immediately upon opening the box, I bee-lined straight to this pair of jeans to see if my stylist delivered on my request. And - ding, ding, ding! I slipped on the Just Black Jimmy Ankle Length Skinny Jeans and nearly cried tears of joy over the absolutely perfect fit of these jeans. I'd spent the past two months wearing too-big jeans that I had to hike up over my hips a bazillion times a day. Now, jeans that fit! Heaven! I loved the stretch material and the way they hugged tight in all the right places. Plus, the ankle length is perfect for summer.

VERDICT: Kept
*I'm finally getting around to reviewing my Stitch Fix shipment three weeks after its arrival and I have to say, these jeans are my favorite things EVER. I wear them almost every day, and I love the way they make me feel.

Daniel Rainn Tolley Crochet Panel Top

I loved this top initially. It's floral pattern and crochet detail were sweet and romantic, but real talk: it took me a solid three minutes to pull this top over my head. Seriously, getting dressed shouldn't be so difficult! The top included an attached camisole underneath the lightweight fabric which was great -- but I couldn't get the two straightened out and over my head together for the life of me.

In all seriousness, I debated keeping this top because it really was so pretty, but it felt too delicate for my daily stay-at-home-mom life. I liked it, but I didn't love it ... so back it went.

VERDICT: Sent back

Liverpool Maddie Straight Leg Jeans

I slipped on the second pair of jeans in this Fix and loved them too. These straight-leg jeans weren't a grand slam like the ankle-length skinny jeans, but I did like how they fit (seriously, how does Stitch Fix manage to send jeans that fit so perfectly?) and I needed a second pair of jeans that fit my new waist size in a major way.

VERDICT: Kept 

Ark n Co Quane Embroidered Split Back Top

I wasn't a fan of this top at all. It hit my waist in a higher spot than I thought it should, and I didn't like the split / open back. Unlike the previous crochet top, it did not include a camisole underneath. I added my own, and was just meh about it.

VERDICT: Sent back

Fun2Fun Abriel Crochet Detail Blouse

Loved this top the minute I laid eyes on it. I would have never picked this fun, flirty pattern off the shelves myself, but I think it's great how my stylist pushed me out of my comfort zone to try it. It's one of the best assets of Stitch Fix, in my opinion. This top is summer-y and fun, and exactly what I was hoping for when I asked for more tops to wear during the warmer months. I loved the crochet detail on the shoulders, too!

VERDICT: Kept

In all, I kept three out of five items in my 7th Stitch Fix box, and I really liked everything but the one white top with the open back. It's been a few weeks since I received this Fix, and I've already worn each item several times. Success!

Want to try Stitch Fix for yourself? It's super fun!

• Go to stitch fix.com and complete a style profile. Please use my referral code! https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3941702
• A Stitch Fix stylist picks out five items for you based on your style preferences, and ships them directly to your doorstep. You pay a $20 styling fee for the service.
• Try the items on in the comfort of your own bedroom with the convenience of having your own shoes, clothing and accessories to coordinate.
• Check-out online at stitchfix.com and leave feedback on each item for your stylist. 
• Mail back any items you don't want in the pre-paid envelope. USPS will pick up the envelope right from your doorstep -- just schedule a pick-up online at usps.com. 
• If you keep all five items in your Fix, you get 25% off your order!

Spring Cleaning

Isn't it amazing how much stuff a person (or, in this case, a family) collects over time? I started my adult life 10+ years ago in a one-bedroom apartment with little more than a bedroom set and faux-leather couch. Andi and I joked when I moved into his town home a few years later that I only brought bath towels, a desk chair and Chloe the dog as my contributions. We moved into a duplex, got married and now reside in the four-bedroom home we share today. Somehow during that time together, we've collected a house full of things. Closets stuffed with clothes, beds reserved for visiting guests, and toys. Oh, the toys! Adding kids to our lives brought us to a whole new level of stuff.

Wintertime feels like a period of nesting, of burrowing in for the cold. The windows and doors are closed up tight, and not much "lightening the load" happens during those months. Add in the holidays with all the new clothing, toys and gifts we collected and suddenly I'm left feeling quite smothered.

I declared this cold-weather week one of mass purging after I learned of the current weather forecast. If the kids and I can't be at the park, we might as well be indoors cleaning up the place. Lord knows, we need it. I made a hit-list of the big things that've been driving me bananas lately and itemized them by day to keep me on track:

Monday
Closets: Well, the kids and I's closets. Andi's on his own as we see differently regarding things to discard, to keep or consign.

Tuesday
Storage room: The mecca of baby-things totes, holiday decor and suitcases. This room is a catch-all for items I need to organize.

• Specifically, baby clothes: I've kept every single piece of baby paraphernalia for both Tory and Aden including outfits I liked (and even those I disliked!), shoes, socks, snow suits, onesies and more. It's possibly worse than you'd imagine because I have a boy and girl, so double the things. Even if we do have another baby someday, some of this stuff has got to go.
• Maternity clothes: And on that note, maternity clothes. I can't imagine I'll wear the same fashions from my 2010 pregnancy in a hypothetical future one, so this stash goes, too.    
• Baby gear: I'll keep some of it, of course, but the Bumbo, the activity mat and the giant exerciser that neither of my kids liked anyway are on their way out.

Wednesday
Refrigerator / Freezer / Deep Freezer: Discard expired food items and clean shelving. Make organized list of items in deep freezer to stay on top of what's in there that needs to be used.

Thursday
Toys: Keep the things Tory and Aden play with, and weed out the items they don't. Discard broken, trinkety junk.

Friday
Night-stand drawer: It's a mess with Tory's barrettes, yogurt tube tops (ew!), cords, chargers, and more.

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Monday's closet raid was a success! It might not look like much, but I collected five bags of clothing and shoes to be donated or consigned.

There were whisker jeans with rhinestones and dresses I wore to my bridal showers that seemed like only yesterday (but wasn't; it was six years ago!). I won't miss the clothes. I've fluctuated sizes so much with pre- and post-pregnancies in the last four years, I'll never be the same shape even if I am the same number. Plus, styles change so it's out with the old and in with the new.  

Stitch Fix #6

Another happy mail day this week as I received my sixth Stitch Fix shipment. This time, I scheduled a box just four weeks after my last one in an attempt to add more comfortable, stylish tops to my wardrobe for spring and summer and to take another crack at obtaining a classic colder-weather-turned-warmer layering piece.

Once again, I have to say how impressed I am with this company. My stylist nails my er, style preferences dead-on nearly every Fix. I either have a vision of a clothing item stuck in my mind (like these ponte pants or, spoiler alert, the cargo jacket I kept below) or pieces I didn't even know I wanted show up and I love them like I'd picked them out myself. Like the floral tank I received this time - it's cute, comfortable and looks so different than anything I've seen in stores and online.

By the way, I sing Stitch Fix's praises because I really do love this service and I'm not paid or rewarded for saying that (although wouldn't that be nice?). There is a referral program so if someone does sign up for a Fix using my code, I get a $25 credit. Several friends lately have asked me about taking the Stitch Fix plunge, and I always encourage them to do it. For the cost of the $20 styling fee, there's not much to lose.

Stitch Fix's clothes do cost a bit more than the t-shirt I occasionally throw in my cart at Target (my typical mom-iform), but every item I've received thus far has been of higher quality. My items have all been $50-$100 which I don't think is too terribly expensive for my clothing budget considering I don't really shop anywhere else. There is another women's clothing boutique in town I like, but I don't have a lot of free time to shop there without the kids in tow and the handful of times I do go there, I'm completely overwhelmed by choices. To me, Stitch Fix takes away all the pressure of picking out clothes by hand-delivering them to my doorstep. When I'm ready to send back any of the clothes I don't want, I just schedule a USPS pick-up with my regular mail delivery and I literally never have to leave the house!

Anyway, enough rambling and onto my shipment this month:

Market & Spruce Chaplin Hooded Anorak Cargo Jacket

Love this jacket. It's simple, neutral and versatile. I thought to myself recently, "I need a new spring jacket" after I saw a cute one my sister-in-law was wearing on Easter. Before, I only had a black trench I bought from Target years ago that has probably seen better days and a light-colored GAP jean jacket that is so old it's gone out and come back into style. So, new spring jacket procured. KEEP

This isn't exactly the "layering piece" I had in mind when I requested one in my Fix notes to my stylist (I was envisioning more of a vest? fitted jacket?), but truthfully this one will probably get more daily wear and last me several years.  

Brixon Ivy Priya Abstract Floral Print Knit Back Tank

I really like this top. It's not something I wouldn't ever been drawn to pull off a shelf myself, but the fit is flattering and comfortable, the fabric is soft and I could easily wear for a day of stay-at-home-mom life or dress it up for date night. Andi wasn't a big fan of this one, but he can't win at everything. KEEP

Liverpool Nik Skinny Jean

These jeans weren't my favorite. I think I'm dropping down a pant size, so the fit was loose. They felt wide in the lap portion of my front legs (does that make sense?) / hung down too far between my legs. My stylist noted light wash jeans are on trend for the season, but that type of thing doesn't whoo me too much one way or another. SENT BACK 

Peppercorn Chaz Henley Knit Top

One of my personal Stitch Fix goals is to add more tops to my wardrobe, and I'm succeeding in doing just that. I like this top; it's comfortable, cute and a bit nautical which I thought was fun. I paired it with dark-wash skinny jeans and my Minnetonka Moccasins, and wore it under the tan cargo jacket during my weekly babysitter time last week and felt perfectly stylish. KEEP 

Tart Edie Wrap Dress

I've got a love/hate relationship with wrap dresses. Sometimes, they look nice on my shape and other times they're too revealing in the bust. In the three minutes I wore this dress while trying it on, I adjusted the fabric over my chest 17 times. It also felt too short in length. I own about five other wrap dresses in various prints so I didn't feel like I was losing out by returning this one. SENT BACK 

Total kept: 3 out of 5 pieces
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My next shipment is scheduled to arrive mid-May, and I've requested capris /or shorts for summer. Excited to see what my stylist finds for me!

Stitch Fix #5

I received my fifth Stitch Fix shipment last week, and it was the first time I wasn't WOW'd by everything I received. I still love this service a bunch, but I was disappointed this around. Bummer!

I've requested only clothing (no accessories) in my shipments, and this time I specifically asked for no pants (even though I love every pair of pants Stitch Fix has sent me; I just have quite a few pairs of pants now) and also for a layering jacket, cardigan or vest of some sort to help transition from cooler to warmer weather months.

Here's what I received:

Dear John Marson Wide Leg Demin Trouser

My first thought when I pulled these jeans from the box was hmm, I requested no pants this time, but I decided to give my stylist the benefit of the doubt. I mean, seriously, how does Stitch Fix find so many great pairs of pants for my body type? Maybe she saw this pair of pants and knew I had to have them...

These pants were a good fit in the waist, but the length was slightly too long on me. They probably would've been fine with a heel, but I know I'll honestly never wear a heeled shoe. My Stitch Fix goal is to find new clothing pieces that amp up my style and push me out of my comfort zone a bit, but I also have to be realistic about my everyday life which (for me, at least) does not include heeled shoes of any kind. I suppose I could have had the pants professionally altered, but I didn't love them enough to make the effort. And finally, I'm more of a skinny-jean gal, so ... I sent it back.

Gilli Sina V-Neck Printed Maxi Dress

Goodness, this dress is beautiful. The soft, silky fabric is comfortable and flows perfectly from head to toe. I love the pattern, and I'm already thinking about ways to dress it up for a date night, or layer a jean jacket over the top as the weather turns warmer. Keep.  

THML Colinda Sheer V-Neck Sweater

This light-weight sweater doesn't look like much at first, but I love the understated sheer v-neck detail and how it can be worn so many different ways. I tried this sweater on with a pair of colored skinny jeans, a black and white patterned skirt from my last Fix, and paired it under a gray cardigan and they all looked great. Super versatile and sophisticated. Keep.  

Sanctuary Vanessa Jacket

Here's my requested layering piece ... an off-white colored jacket. Unfortunately, this piece was a hot mess on me. It was boxy and unattractive on my frame. My stylist sent a size larger than I wear to give me room to layer underneath, but it was still too big no matter what I tried to pair with it. Andi audibly said "Ugh" when I showed him. Sent back.

In so many of my Fixes, the stylist recommends adding a jacket, cardigan or vest on top of a dress or shirt to dress up a style, or transition from cooler to warmer weather. Except, I don't really have any pieces like this in my closet, and that's what I was hoping to find.

Splendid Shelburne Knit Top

This top was super soft to the touch, but did nothing for my figure. I attempted to style it with a scarf or underneath a cardigan but it didn't seem to help tie it together. And for $88, it was one of the highest-priced items in my Fix which I thought was too much money for this particular item. Sent back.

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So, have I given up on Stitch Fix completely? Absolutely not. I still really love the convenience of this service and how many great pieces of clothing I've already found thanks to my stylists. I usually schedule my Stitch Fix shipments every 60 days, but I decided to go ahead with another one next month since I only kept two items this time. I'm excited to see what my April box will bring!

Interested in trying Stitch Fix? Use my referral code: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3941702

Getting My Fix

I received my fourth clothing shipment from Stitch Fix last week, and I continue to be over the moon with this company. Stitch Fix is a service where a personal stylist selects five pieces of clothing (or accessories) based on your online style profile, and mails them directly to your doorstep. There's no obligation to buy; you only pay for the items you keep (and a $20 styling fee if you don't keep all five items in a shipment). I am scheduled to receive a Fix every other month which is the perfect amount of time and investment for me. Every 60 days, I get a few fun pieces of clothing to add to my wardrobe and stretching the cost over two months' time helps me justify spending the money. I rarely buy myself new clothes otherwise, so this service refreshes my wardrobe without me having to devote any time or effort to doing it.

I've requested only clothes in my shipments (no accessories), and I kept all five items this Fix. Here's what I received:

Liverpool Anita Skinny Pant

The year before I was pregnant with Tory (so 2009), I bought a pair of black knit ponte pants at Target. I wore the "pants" (ha!) right off those pants because they were so comfortable and cute. The black color was versatile and the ponte fabric stretched like leggings but with more structure. I even wore those Target pants during the first trimester of my pregnancy but after many, many washes they bit the dust.

All this to say, I was SO EXCITED to see a pair of black knit ponte pants in my fourth Fix. I've searched for years for a pair of similar pants, but I never found them until now. These are the pants! They fit like a glove and are comfortable and functional. Perfect.

Renee C Marcy Skirt

My stylist noted I'd yet to receive one of their fabulous skirts, so she was excited to send me one. While I mostly prefer more casual, everyday clothes in my shipments, I do like to receive one "dressier" item like a dress or skirt to wear to church, important meetings (should one ever arise), or holiday gatherings, etc. I usually wear more dresses, so I had my doubts when I pulled on this skirt. The fit is ... amazing. The fabric tightly hugged my hips giving me a shape I didn't even know I had! There's no zipper or button, so it's basically like one comfy tube top. The print is fun and pairs perfectly with the black peplum top I received in my first Stitch Fix box. I'm not sure how often I'll wear it, but it's nice to have a stylish option waiting in the wings when I need it.

Mystree Demi Mixed Material Cardigan

Who doesn't love a warm, fuzzy sweater during the winter months? This open knit cardigan is straight to the point without being straightforward at all. As the name implies, it features 'mixed materials" with chunky layers in front and a streamlined fabric back. I really like to layer, so I know I'll get plenty of wear out of this item. My stylist suggested adding the cardigan over a printed dress which isn't something I would've ever though about doing. Good tip!

Market and Spruce Brentwood Jersey Stripe Tiered Top

The burgundy cardigan would also look great over this comfortable jersey knit top. I'll admit, I default to wearing long-sleeve t-shirts and jeans most days, so I like the way this top fits into that category while adding a bit of flare with front layers and stripes. In these pictures, the material looks a bit unflattering around the middle, but I didn't feel that way at all IRL.

41Hawthorne Moni Geo Print & Camisole Blouse

This top is (not so) plain ol' adorable. I like the geometric-shaped pattern and it's so unlike anything I'd usually pick out for myself (I tend to flock to solid colors like black, black and more black...) and its loose-fitting without looking sloppy. I'm not sure it's visible in the iPhone photos, but there's also a gold button detail on the chest and sleeves. I can see myself wearing this blouse with jeans a lot.

(This isn't a sponsored post, by the way; I just really love this service! There is a referral program, so if you're interested in checking Stitch Fix out for yourself, click here or use this code: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3941702).

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I deemed 2015 "The Year of Me" and Stitch Fix fits right into my goal. It's nice to treat myself every once in a while to new clothes that fit my body and make me feel great about myself.

Fashion On My Mind

I've been really into fashion lately.

Fashion? Who am I? I am so not a fashionista. I have very little style and a hard time wearing anything but jeans and a t-shirt most days, but I am trying to do better -- to look better for myself and for my husband.

Clothes.

There. That's a better word. I've been really into clothes lately. I think it's the nine month post-baby itch (though, actually, Aden's 10 months now) that has me feeling more like myself these days. I remember feeling like this around nine months postpartum with Tory, too. My clothes fit right again, I'm not losing my hair in clumps anymore, my stomach is mostly back to normal (as good as it's going to get, at least, without exercising consistently and watching what I eat) and perhaps most importantly -- mentally I feel more balanced than I have in a while. Hormones are a real trip for the female body, aren't they?

I like it. I enjoy being pregnant and it's a wonderful gift to devote my entire being to my babies (with nursing, etc.) but I'm happy to feel like myself again. It feels good.

So anyway, clothes ...

I received my second box from Stitch Fix this week, and once again they hit the nail on the head in styling for me. I am so pleased with my clothing items and this service -- I kept everything in my box this time! For this Fix, I wrote to my stylist and asked for a nice dress to wear to my sister-in-law Lindsay's wedding in October. I wondered what they'd select for me, and I've been anxiously waiting all month long to see if I'd be set with the perfect dress, or out shopping for myself last minute. I'm so thrilled my stylist delivered on not only one -- but two! -- great dresses for the wedding festivities.

My second Stitch Fix box included:

Brixon Ivy Macie Lace Detailed Fit & Flare Dress 

Oh my goodness, I am in love with this dress! I don't think the iPhone pics in my poorly-lit bedroom with a baby crawling around on the floor beneath me do this dress justice. It is beautiful, and will be absolutely perfect for Lindsay and Kyle's wedding later this month. 

The lace detail on the top of the dress is so feminine, while the black color gives it a bit of an edge. At first glance, I worried I'd have to wear a strapless bra (which would be reason enough for me to send it back), but a regular nude-colored bra didn't show through when I tried the dress on. I also love the peek-a-boo lace detail on the bottom of the dress. And, best of all, it hugs in all the right places (the bust) and is forgiving where I need it most (stomach area). It's perfect; I love it.

Pixley Harriet Geo Print Fit & Flare Dress   

This dress is so adorable! I immediately thought, "rehearsal dinner?" Yes, ma'am. The material is silky soft with an flattering scoop-neck in the front and back and exposed silver zipper. (Side note: try taking pictures of your back in a mirror with your iPhone or having your toddler zip and un-zip from the back -- not that easy!) This dress fits like a glove and is something I could wear all day long. It's so comfortable! It, too, hugs around the bust and is forgiving in the stomach area which is exactly what I like in a dress. It's a keeper.

The enclosed Stitch Fix stylist note said to add a colored belt to either of the dresses and a great heel to finish off the look. The picture on the card shows the dresses paired with a jean jacket which would be a nice way to tone-down the fanciness for a date night. I don't own any of those things ... but maybe?

Daniel Rainn Mandie Cut-Out Detail V-Neck Tank

This purple tank was just OK for me. The fit is too loose around my middle, and the cut-out detail over the bust clearly shows my bra through it. I guess I could wear a tank underneath it, but gah. Tops like this are so hard for me to wear - they feel so awkward to me - and that's exactly why I signed up for Stitch Fix in the first place. I need someone to push me outside my comfort zone and get me used to wearing something other than t-shirts everyday. I don't love this shirt, but that's essentially what the stylist is trying to get me to do.

So, I used the enclosed reference card (because I seriously think that's the problem; I don't know how to wear this type of top) and it suggested I layer the enclosed mustard-colored Mac cardigan over the tank and pair it with the Kensie skinny jeans also included. I did that and ... nope. I still didn't like the purple tank. I threw on my own long gray sweater and thought the purple tank was just OK.

In the end, I would've sent this item back but I'll get to why I didn't in a minute ...

Mac Jaclynn 3/4 Sleeve Button-Up Cardigan

I just thought to myself the other day, "maybe I need to buy a cardigan to throw over my standard t-shirt for a more polished look?" And, voila! Enter this mustard-colored cardigan by Mac. Cardigans have always been hard for me to wear and I think it's because a) I usually buy them at Target and, b) they seem to be shapeless and boxy on me. Maybe I'm not doing it right? ...

I tried this cardi on with the purple tank, and nope ... didn't like it. Then, I put on one of my favorite white t-shirts, un-buttoned the cardigan and added a necklace from my closet. BOOM. Love it! I really dig the mustard color, too. To the keep pile it goes ....

Kensie Jeans Sophia Skinny Jeans

[pictured above]

I received a pair of red Kensie Skinny Jeans in my first Stitch Fix box two months ago, and I am gaga for them. If I could wear them everyday without anyone noticing (spoiler alert! I can't; they're bright red) I would. They are so comfortable and hug tight in all the right places. So, I was excited to receive another pair of Kensie Skinny Jeans in this shipment. If it wouldn't have been for my love of the first pair of red skinnies, I probably would have sent these jeans back because I just bought a new pair of dark-wash skinny jeans at GAP the other day. But ... who wouldn't love to have another pair of great-fitting jeans in their closet for the cooler months of the year? (In Minnesota, that's essentially nine months of the year. Weep.) I'm a big fan of jeans throughout the year actually, so I added this pair to my "keep" pile.

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Of course, this isn't a sponsored post. I just love this service so much, and I wanted to share my love for it here. There is a referral program so if you feel like trying Stitch Fix yourself, feel free to use my code:

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3941702

Thank you to whomever used my referral link when signing up for your own Stitch Fix box last month! Because of the credit you gave me, it came out to be cheaper for me to keep all five of my items this time than to send back the one purple tank I didn't love. So, thank you! I appreciate it.

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As a wife and a mom, I feel like I'm always putting myself last and, really, I wouldn't have it any other way. But, every once in a while it's feels good to treat myself to a few nice things. Slowly but surely maybe I'll learn a thing or two about fashion and boost my self confidence along the way.