Mama gets a Mini-Makeover + Stitch Fix #1

Ya'll...I am soooo excited!  I had such a great weekend a couple of weeks ago, and I finally have all my ducks in a row to share it with you.  The weekend of fun was much needed after having a really stressful and emotional week.  

I started my weekend off with a girls day out, with one of my best friends Ginger.  We left from work and drove over to Knoxville where we spent the afternoon shopping and getting pampered.  Who doesn't want their weekend to start out like that?  I had scheduled a haircut with Priscilla, at a local salon in Knoxville.  She used to cut my hair while I was in college, which is too many years ago to mention, but to my pleasant surprise she was still there.  So, I set up the appointment and Ginger and I planned our day!  Once my hair had a much needed cut (sadly I think it had been about 6 months) we went on to the mall.  We were both wanting to try out the new Bare Minerals liquid foundation, and lucky for us, there was a Bare Minerals store in the mall.  So, we both got a little mini-makeover and makeup tutorial.  We perused the mall for a bit and topped our evening off with a Chik-Fi-A picnic.  We are cheap dates...

It is so rare that I get to go out of town, so I loved being able to do this.  I am so lucky that my husband was willing to pick up Carter from the sitter's house and tend to her all evening so I could enjoy my girls day!

Post Mini-Makover with new makeup and haircut.  Don't mind the bump.  hehe

The fun continued on Saturday, when I had to take some large and bulky items to the laundramat because they were too big for my washer.  While my items were washing, I walked over to the nail salon next door and got my nails did.  Ya'll...I don't have nails.  I bite my nails.  I have for years and years.  It is the single most frustrating habit that I have.  I see other women with beautiful painted nails and I envy them!  After a scolding from the nail tech, and a lot of work, they came out looking pretty awesome I think.  I hope having them painted will keep me from biting them.

To top it all off, when I got home from the laundramat, I found my 1st Stitch Fix box waiting on my porch!  Yipeeeee!!  I have been so excited about this, since I signed up.  Basically, the idea behind Stitch Fix is that you sign up and enter in all of your size information and what type of clothing that you prefer.  The "style profile" only takes about 10 minutes to fill out and then you request your "fix".  After that, a personal stylist will hand pick 5 items based on your profile and send them to your house to try on.  You pay $20 for the shipment of items and keep what you like and send back what you don't.  If you keep anything in the box, the $20 shipment cost is deducted from the total purchase amount.  If you absolutely hate everything and send it all back...well, you are out $20.

My first "fix"

This concept is totally genius for someone like me...dang, why couldn't I have thought of it?  Here's why I wanted to try:

1. The closest mall to my town is about 2 hours away.  Let's let that sink in for a minute.  In order for me to travel to a Target, or mall, I have to basically slate away the whole day.  So, it obviously doesn't happen very often. 
2. I am clueless on style and trends.  I mean, I see things that people are wearing that I like and admire and I know the types of clothing I want to wear, but when I get inside a store, I just go blank.  I get overwhelmed at trying to put things together, and when it comes to accessorizing, just forget it. 
3. I recently cleaned out my closet (and then found out I was pregnant).  I finally, after realizing that my body was probably never going to fully recover and bounce back to my pre-pregnancy size and shape, went through and got rid of all sorts of clothes and it left me pretty bare to the bones.  I decided that I was going to work on re-building my wardrobe and trying to stock up on basics and some fun accessories along the way...things that I could focus on mixing and matching together, so I didn't end up with a huge closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.  And then....I found out I was pregnant.  So, I had to drag out the maternity clothes, and luckily my sister-in-law sent her things over to supplement my sad pile.  So, definitely after this baby, I want to get back on the bandwagon of working on my wardrobe.  
4. I like clothes, but I really don't like to shop.  I love having fun new pieces and outfits to wear, but traveling a whole day to shop and then the stress of trying this on and trying to hurry and decide is a lot for an indecisive person like me.  So, the idea that I could try the items on at home and see what other things that I could wear with them, that I already owned was perfect.  
5. It didn't seem like a huge financial commitment.  I mean...the worst I would lose is $20, and let's be honest...I would spend $20 in gas traveling to shop for a day.  

My letter about my fix from my personal "stylist"

My box when I opened it up!

So, after careful consideration I gave it a shot.  I tried really hard when filling out my style profile to be as honest as I could and as clear about the types of clothing I liked.  I also took a chance on doing this while pregnant, because they don't really offer maternity clothing, but their website said that they offer maternity friendly styles.  So, even though I was pumped about trying it, I was trying not to get my expectations way up there in case none of the items worked for me.  To my surprise, it was better than expected.

Here's what I got:

1.  LA Made - Mikah Maternity Cross Front Dress

So, I really wanted to like this dress, because I could wear it to church, and it was nursing friendly...but, it was really really bad on me.  The material was very clingy and showed off every curve (and dimple) and I just did not feel that I was flattering on me.  I got too much junk in my trunk...you know?  But, it was encouraging because it was actually a maternity dress, which made me think that Stitch Fix probably has more maternity clothing than they mention on their website...

The other thing that is great about Stitch Fix is that they send these really helpful cards with each item to show you a couple of different ways to wear the item.  I love that.  I am terrible with putting together a whole outfit...or I will just find one way to wear something and never mix it up, so I found this really helpful. 

The Final Verdict:  Sent back.  

2.  Daniel Rainn:  Remy Split Neck Maternity Blouse

I really loved this top when I pulled it out of the box.  It was such a beautiful color and I liked the fact that is it was loose and flowy.  However, when I tried it on it was waaaaay to big.  It was a size medium, which is what I requested, but obviously some brands are sized differently than others, and for some reason, this one was really oversized.  I even tried to add a ribbon belt above my bump, but that just looked awkward.  

The Final Verdict:  Sent back.  sad. 

3.  Market & Spruce:  Alan Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Cardigan

When I saw this, I thought it was pretty, but I wasn't quite sure I could pull it off.  But, happily, after I tried it on, I really liked it.  It is longer in the back, which is good and it is a decently heavy material, so I think it can be worn as a light jacket in the spring.  It does zip up, but I definitely can't zip it up now over my bump, but that's ok, because I think I would prefer it unzipped and flowey anyway.  This is also something that I can wear when I am not pregnant, so it was definitely a keeper!!

The Final Verdict:  Kept and have worn a few times already!

4.  Eight Sixty:  Maria Maternity Scoop Neck Eyelet Trim Knit Top

The coloring on the card pic didn't turn out so well, and the picture of the top I took is not the greatest, but this top was my favorite thing when I took it out of the box!  I loved the color and the design and luckily it fit perfectly.  It is a longer top, so it covers my bump.  It says that it is "maternity" but it is really stretchy and I feel like it's something I can probably wear after I have the baby.  The back scoops lower than the front, and I have a couple of tops like that, and I love love love them.  This is something that I can wear to work, or if I get to go on the occasional date, I could wear there as well!

The Final Verdict:  Definitely kept...favorite of the box. 

5.  Bancroft:  Trisha Clover Charm Layering Necklace

This necklace was the final item in my box.  It was simple, dainty and pretty, and I feel like I will be able to wear it with a lot of different things.  Since I don't own a lot of jewelry and I  don't have a long necklace at all, I decided to keep it.  I have already worn it once, and I felt like it worked well!  

The Final Verdict:  Kept. 

So, that was all of the items in my first stitch fix box.  Overall, I was very pleased and I absolutely loved the experience of being able to try everything on at home and decide instead of being rushed in a dressing room.  Also, I must note that I was going to try all of the items on and have The Lineman take pictures, but it got really hectic that weekend, and before I knew it I had to send the unwanted items back, so had to rush and take the pictures.  I will do better next time, I promise!  

If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix for yourself, please follow the link here: 

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4632427

I am obviously not compensated for writing about my experience, but the great thing about stitch fix is that when you refer someone, you will get a credit that can go towards your purchase.  I would not recommend it if I hadn't had a good experience... and as a side note, a co-worker of mine also tried it around the same time as me, and kept ALL of the items sent to her.  So, I think 2 great experiences speaks for itself.  

I have scheduled another "fix" to come in March, but after that I will probably wait until after baby girl arrives.  I will share how my next fix is...hopefully as good as the first!