Confessions....

I've seen several bloggers who do a "confessions" series where they share little fun, interesting tidbits about themselves.  So, I figured "why not"?!  Though I'll never share how I ended up with this dumb tattoo on my ankle, I will share a few other things that make me, well, me - (a fabulous princess trapped in a commoner's body - ha)!

I confess....  I use this blog as my own little journal in many ways to document my likes, dislikes, and crazy new adventures b/c I have the memory of a gnat.

I confess.... There are two blog posts (one about the "baby discussion" and one about "the Price of Happiness" and changing jobs) that have not been shared yet.  Just waiting for the right time.

I confess....  I've gained back most of the weight I lost before because, well, red velvet cake from Kroger's and Redd's Apple Ale make a bad day at work better :).

I confess....  I was rooting for LeBron in the NBA finals.  After all, who wouldn't want to leave Cleveland for sunny Miami?  (I live in Ohio, so I can say that).

I confess....  I would love the dye my hair pale purple like Kelly Osbourne had hers.  Purple hair doesn't exactly scream "Director" though, so my hair will stay blonde. 

I confess....  I only like to do housework on the weekends.  I wake up bright and early while the hubby is in bed and load the dishwasher, start the laundry, and clean the kitchen.  We call this "bee-bopping" when I bounce around the house doing little projects/chores/getting into who-knows-what.

I confess....  I've tried to think of ways to bring my cats to work to hang out like the dog owners do with their pooches.  The only thing that's held me back is that I'd have to tote a litter box in too.  (Gross)!

I confess....  OK, so I got the ankle tattoo that says "U R Loved" inside of a heart b/c of a guy I was head over heals for about 11 years ago.  Thank goodness I was smart enough not to put his name in it though!

XOXO,
Stephanie

STITCH FIX - June 2014 Review - #5

I'm a little behind getting this review posted, but here it is - my review of my June 2014 Stitch Fix Box.

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First - a little bit about what Stitch Fix is and how it works:

Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. You tell them your style, size, and budget preferences, and they'll send you a package of stylish goodies to try on at home. Each Fix™ is unique and hand-picked just for you.

How does it work?

1. Sign Up (you can click on this link and do so) and Complete Your Style Profile - After signing up you can start immediately on your Style Profile.  They need to know your size, shape, style, budget, and lifestyle to get your Fix right. The Style Profile will take about 10 minutes to complete.

2. Schedule a Stitch Fix - Pick a shipment date, and they’ll send you a box of 5 clothing and accessory items they’ve hand-picked just for you.  You can even opt to schedule a monthly delivery if you'd like.  You pay a $20 styling fee when your stylist selects the items in your Stitch Fix. This $20 fee will be applied as a credit toward anything you keep from your shipment.

3. Try On All Of Your Items - Try on everything they send you—you never know what you’ll like until you see it on (trust me on this one). Pair each piece with items already in your closet to try different outfit options. Each item includes style cards with ideas and inspiration on how to wear it.

4. Decide - Take 3 days to decide what you’ll keep. Return the items you don't want in the pre-paid mailing bag (they include this in your box) at any USPS mailbox.

5. Check Out - Login to your account and pay for those items you kept.  If you buy all 5 items you save 25% off the entire shipment price.  Make sure to leave them feedback on your Stitch Fix shipment so they know what did and didn’t work for you.

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Enough technical stuff - Here's what was in my 5th Fix....

First off, they add a nice little envelope with a note from your stylist about why they selected the pieces they did for you, as well as styling cards that give you ideas on how to style each piece.

After having Erica for the past several months, I was disappointed to have a new stylist at first.  Alas, Krystal did a really great job though!  This was my most affordable box yet AND I really liked what Krystal selected for me overall.  

Here's what was in my box:

Kut from the Kloth Jenna Bermuda Short - $68

Papermoon Lexis Chevron Print Henley Tank - $48
41Hawthorn Addison Striped Knit Cardigan - $48
Bay to Baubles Jazz Gem & Chain Statement Necklace - $38
41Hawthorn Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse - $58

Pieces #1 & #2 - The Jenna Bermuda Short and Chevron Print Henley Tank -

The top was a piece I had pinned on my Pinterest Board and initially, I loved this outfit.  I loved the bright colors and the way the shorts fit (they're perfect for my new job).  However, when I looked at the top the next day, I began thinking the zig-zag pattern looked like a Charlie Brown shirt.  Plus, the color didn't lay right on me (it literally bulged out on the right side).  (A plus - the fabric was SO soft and comfy).  Once I realized I would be sending the top back (and therefore not getting the 25% discount for buying all 5 of my pieces), I decided I couldn't justify spending $68 on a pair of shorts either (even though I LOVED the color of them).  

VERDICT:  RETURNED BOTH

Piece #3 - Addison Striped Cardigan

This was another item I'd pinned on my Pinterest Board, so I was delighted when my stylist sent it to me.  This piece was right on!  It fit great, the fabric was soft and stretchy, and the price was perfect at $48.

VERDICT:  KEPT

Piece #4 - Gem & Chain Statement Necklace

I really debated about keeping this necklace.  I had actually pinned the teal/yellow/peach version of it on my Pinterest board and I don't have any white statement necklaces.  In the end though, the links connecting the two side pieces to the center piece just didn't lay right on me.  Plus, I really like my statement necklaces to be more colorful.

VERDICT:  RETURNED

Piece #5 - Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse

There's no photos of this one.  Although I LOVED the color, it was just way too small.

VERDICT:  RETURNED

In the end, Krystal absolutely nailed my style!  She sent me multiple items from my Pinterest page, which I love!  I had requested less expensive pieces this time (the merchandise total for my last box was $326).  She did a great job of keeping the pieces more affordable (the merchandise total this time was $260).  In the end though, I decided to just keep the navy/white cardigan.  Had the coral shirt fit and the zig-zag shirt laid right, I probably would've kept the whole fix and gotten 25% off my purchase for buying all 5 pieces.  Alas, it just wasn't meant to be.

For my next fix, I did request some stretchy tops and items from the Papermoon brand.  (I seem to like their pieces a lot).  That's all the direction I gave my stylist for my next Fix, so I'm excited to see what she comes up with on her own.

If you like this blog and want to sign up for your own Fix, please click on this link.  If anyone signs up by clicking this link, I will receive a $25 referral credit towards my next Fix.  :)

XOXO,

Stephanie

The Honest Company - Discovery Kit Review

I am always looking for new products, especially ones that are Paraben-free and more natural (AKA - less chemical ingredients I can't pronounce).  I'd seen promotions for Jessica Alba's "Honest Company" in various magazines and decided to give them a try.  

I logged onto their website and signed up for a free "Discovery Kit", which includes 5 trial-size products.  You could choose between a "Diapers and Wipes" bundle, an "Essentials" bundle, and a "Health and Wellness" bundle.  I selected the "Essentials" bundle, which came with the following products:

1.  Shampoo & Body Wash
2.  Face & Body Lotion
3.  Multi-Surface Cleaner
4.  Healing Balm
5.  Hand Soap

Here's the catch - you have to pay $5.95 shipping/handling and are automatically enrolled in their monthly delivery service UNLESS you call and cancel it within 7 days of receiving your discovery kit.  (The Diapers and Wipes bundle is $79.95/month, the Essentials bundle is $35.95/month, and the Health and Wellness bundle is $39.95/month).

Here is what was shown in the advertisement:

Here is what the kit looked like when it arrived:

Honestly, the samples were smaller than I anticipated, but I guess for free samples, I can't complain.  Still, I paid $5.95 for them, so I wanted them to at least be enough for a few uses so I could really test each of them out.  So, imagine my disappointment when I held the white tube bottles up to the light to find they were only filled this full:

The two clear bottles were filled all the way, but the 3 white bottles only came with minimal product in them.  I promptly called Customer Service and cancelled my membership.  When I informed them three of the bottles were only partially filled, the girl acted like it must've been a fluke.  Right!  Then why weren't the tubes clear too?  Seems a little DIS-Honest to me!  Then I went online and read multiple reviews about how the ingredients included in Honest Co. products aren't as natural and healthy as the Company advertises.  

Overall, I was really disappointed with my whole experience in sampling their products.  The shampoo/body wash did have a nice scent to it and I would've loved to try more of it, but other than that, I wasn't really a fan of what they sent.  I don't think I'll be buying any Honest Company products in the future or trying any of their other "free" samples.