Golden Tote 2016 Mystery Tote Reveal #1

The Box: Golden Tote's Mystery Tote

The Price: $60

The Goods: 4 items from previous Golden Tote Sales

Skies are Blue Top: I love the color of this, but I am not crazy about shirts with elastic bottom.

Potter's Pot Top: I actually really, really like this.  It's loose, swingy, and comfy but not in a way that I feel like I'm wearing maternity clothes.

Skies are Blue Dress: I can't make up my mind on whether to keep this dress or try to trade it.  It's cute and I like the cut, but light colors and I don't get along very well.

THML Top: I love the buttons down the back, but this beige just isn't right for my skin tone.

Reveal for my second mystery coming soon.
Check out the reveal for the denim mystery bag.

Golden Tote 2016 Denim Mystery Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote's Denim Mystery Tote

The Price: $60

The Goods: 3 pairs of denim from previous Golden Tote Sales

Celebrity Pink Trouser Jean: These jeans are super soft.  I'm not sure how much wear I'll get out of them, though, because the cut is best for heels, which I don't really get to rock much at the moment.

Just Black Low Rise Skinny Jeans: I love black jeans but the fit of these just wasn't right for me.  They're just a bit too low and a bit too short.

Scarlet Boulevard Yellow Skinny Jeans:  Ughhhh...I am just not a yellow person.  I'm kind of tempted to keep these just because I like how they fit.

So...I thought that the denim tote would be my safest bet, but I forgot how picky I am with jeans.  All of them are *almost* perfect, but fall just short for one reason or another.  

Golden Tote 2015 Mystery Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote Mystery Tote
The Price: $60 plus shipping
The Goods:  One past Golden Tote chosen item, one Puella item, and two past surprise items.

Hourglass Lily Tunic/Dress:  This was a chosen item last February.  I *think* I like it, but I'm a little iffy on how the sleeves fit.  The ends are elastic, but it's not tight enough to make them stay put on my arm.

Puella Swing Shirt:  This is the new item made specifically for the mystery totes.  I really, really like it!  It's extremely comfortable, lightweight enough to wear in Texas's excuse for winter, and perfect with leggings.

THML Embroidered Tunic: I think that if this were sleeveless and a different color, I might like it.  As it is, not so much.

Jolie Dolman Sweater:  I actually received this back in September.  

 Extra-small and small totes are still available but the other sizes are sold out.  Even though only one or two of my items were hits, I'm actually debating ordering another mystery tote because of all of the goodies other girls are getting.  (And here I thought I wasn't much for gambling.) 

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December Golden Tote Surprise Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote

The Price: $49-$149 + tax and shipping

The Goods: You select items from the curated boutique (1 for $49, 2 for $149) and then they choose surprise items to send you (1-2 for $49, 4-6 for $149) OR you can purchase a tote of 4-5 surprise items for $99. 

I ordered on Cyber Monday, so my surprise tote had an extra item in it.

Before we get started, a word of warning: it's been extremely gloomy here the past week so natural light was nowhere to be seen.  I should have taken a picture of the lamp set up I made in the game room for these photos.  (If any of you know Santa, I'll take a softbox lighting kit.  Thanks.)

Kate Collections Sweater:  Yeah...no.  It's comfortable and all, but I'm not feeling it.  I'm sure that it's adorable on the right girl

J threatened to steal it as his Christmas sweater but I managed to talk him out of it. (Thankfully.)

RolyPoly Henley: I was super excited when I pulled this out of my bag.  Once I put it on...eh.  It's bit tight.  If they'd sized up on this one, it would have been a win.

Fantastic Fawn Cowl Neck Dress/Tunic/Thing:  I requested no dresses, but this is totally long enough to qualify as one on me.  I really want to like it because it's absurdly soft and comfortable.

However...I'm not sure it's that flattering on me.  It might be better belted but I always feel silly anytime I try to belt a dress/top/whatever.

Miss Love Lace Top:  I have a sweatshirt with a lace inset that I wear the hell out of and this is basically just a dressed up version of that.  This is the piece I'll probably wear the most.  

 Peppermint Lace Skirt:  As soon as he saw this outfit, J immediately made a "secretary" comment.  I definitely see what he meant, but I like it anyway.

I swear my face isn't actually orange.  I need better lights.

 Here's a slightly better photo of the lace:

I paid $106.95, which breaks down to a bit over $21 per item.  I'll probably wind up only keeping the skirt and the lace top and then trading the rest.  It's a good deal, but I'm starting to think that I'm just too picky for Golden Tote.  I might just stick to buying items out of the trade group. ;)

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September Golden Tote Large Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote

The Price: $49 or $149 + tax and shipping

The Goods: You select items from the curated boutique (1 for $49, 2 for $149) and then they choose surprise items to send you (1-2 for $49, 4-6 for $149.)

Lulumari Favorite Cozy Sweater: ($45)  This was one of my picks for the month and is actually the whole reason I got a September tote.  It's "One Size Fits All," which means it's huge on me - but I absolutely adore it.  (I don't think J's much of a fan, though...)

I mean, seriously, is this not destined to be worn to drink hot cocoa and read a good book?

Renee C Patterned V Neck Blouse: ($43)  I chose this thinking that it would be good to wear whenever I have to actually wear business-y clothes.  The V-neck is a lot lower than I was anticipating, but I should be able to get by with a cami under it.

Le Lis Quilted Sweatshirt: I'm super on the fence about this one.  I want to like it, but the sleeves are just a liiiittle shorter than I'd like.  It's not super obvious in this picture, but they hit at the top of my wrist bone.  My first thought was that I might be able to swap for a medium and just wear it slouchier...but GT actually sized up and this *is* a medium!

Jolie Striped Dolman Sweater: Man, I tried really hard to talk myself into this.  I love the cut and fit of it and it's super comfortable.  However...I'm not super into stripes and these colors aren't really my thing.

Ellison Gray Collared Top: I usually hate collared tops but I actually adore this one!  It's so soft and comfortable.  I do have an issue with gaping between the buttons (which is odd since I have no chest) but I think I can just do a couple small tacks and fix that.  The sleeves have tabs on them so that you can wear them rolled up, too.

Priddy by Puella Pants: I'm sure these would be adorable on someone else, but they're not my cup of tea.  They fit me like leggings around my calves and hammer pants from the knee up.  I'm not really fond of where they hit my ankles, either.

 As I was taking pictures of my stuff, J commented that I forgot to photograph the cutest thing in my Golden Tote box...Stella!

I paid a total of $157, which breaks down to a little over $26 an item.  I had three items that were definite wins, two that were definite no's, and one...I'm not sure about.  Hopefully I will be able to post my no-go's up for swap and get something I like!

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May Golden Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote

The Price: $49 or $149 (plus shipping)

The Goods:  For the $49 tote, you select one item from their monthly curated clothing selection and they choose 1-2 additional pieces to send you for up to a $200 value.  For the $149 option, you select 2 and they choose 3-5 for you for up to a $600 value.  (I went for the $149 tote this month.)

 Super B Easy Embroidered Maxi: ($40)  This is one of the items that I chose.  I almost didn't go for it because I tend to avoid strapless things, but I'm really glad that I got it.  It's quite comfortable and I love the color.

Side note: Stella supervised all of these photos from atop the pool table.  Cutest. Director. Ever.

Miss Love Cotton Crocheted Top: This is the other item I chose.  I was a little surprised by how sheer it is, but it'll be cute over a bandeau or a bikini.

I really like the back detailing.  I *have* to remember to put sunscreen on when wearing this top, though.  That'd be one hell of an interesting burn pattern.

Under Skies Leopard Halter:  This top is really sheer, but it's one of my favorite items from the bag.  I don't have any tops in a similar cut and I think it's surprisingly flattering.

Priddy by Puella Dress:  I can't make my mind up about this dress.  J's reaction to it was "Meh."  It's not awful, but I certainly wouldn't have bought it for myself.  I tried it belted and it didn't quite look right that way either.  Side note: this photo sort of makes me look like I have short hair and it makes me want to go get my hair chopped off.

Renee C Dolman Sleeve Top:  Apparently this is J's favorite outfit of the bunch.  It sort of makes me think of the 80's/early 90's, but I think I like it.

Naked Zebra Dress:  Most of Naked Zebra's dresses are around $70, so the value of this one is probably up around that.  I love this dress.  So, so much.  It's just begging to be worn to the beach.  Who's up for a roadtrip?!

I couldn't find most of these items online so I don't have an entirely accurate idea of the value, but I feel like I got my money's worth this month.  I will probably wear everything at least once and I'll certainly wear the crap out of the coral dress.  Most of these pieces actually make me excited for summer - which says a lot!

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March Golden Tote Review

The Box: Golden Tote

The Price: $49 or $149 (plus shipping)

The Goods:  For the $49 tote, you select one item from their monthly curated clothing selection and they choose 1-2 additional pieces to send you for up to a $200 value.  For the $149 option, you select 2 and they choose 3-5 for you for up to a $600 value.  (I went for the $149 tote this month.)

Thread & Supply Julianne Denim Jacket: ($50) This is one of my picks.  It's basically a white denim vest with grey sweatshirt sleeves and detachable hood.  This jacket was actually the only reason I went for the $149 tote. I love it.  I'm actually mad that the weather has been so warm because I want to wear this!

Under Skies Aztec Print Midi Skirt: ($51.50) I couldn't decide on my second pick.  This midi skirt looked adorable on the model and I didn't have any midi skirts in my collection, so I opted for this.  However, I have no idea how to style it.  I'm probably wearing it lower than it's supposed to sit, but that's where it fit me.  It kind of just looks like a maxi skirt that's too short.  I tried everything to make this look right on me.  Heels, flats, flowy tops, tanks...nothing seemed to work.

When I say I tried everything, I mean it.  Pulling it up, belting it and wearing it like a strapless dress is the closest I came to flattering.

J told me to act flowy.  I still have no idea what that meant.

Under Skies Embroidered Tank: Errrr...I don't know about this either.  I don't hate it in this picture, but it sort of feels like a smock or something.  I might like it better with leggings, but I'm not loving it so far.  I'm 0/2 on Under Skies so far.

Porridge Tee: This tee was one of the teaser mystery items Golden Tote released and the first thousand totes got one.  It's super soft and surprisingly forgiving in the cut.

The teaser they posted had an orange back with ducks on it, which had me a little nervous.  Thankfully, I love the back print of the one I received.

Ellison Top: I pulled this out, saw the ruffle around the bottom and cringed.  I changed my mind as soon as I put it on, though.  I would never pick this up for myself in a store, but I love it now that I have it.  I was so happy with it that I HAD to wear it yesterday.

The back has lace down the center as well, which is super cute.  Even though the ruffle still reminds me of a tutu, I like pairing frilly things with my combat boots.

Priddy by Puella Dress: Oh. My. Gosh.  I can't even explain how much I love this dress.  It's so comfy and flattering and ughhh I love it.  I absolutely would have bought this for myself.

Guest Star: Stella, Fashion Editor at House of J/K

It also has this cool criss-cross detail and cut out on the back.  (You can't really see the cutout because of how I'm standing, but trust me when I say it's awesome.) I seriously can't wait to wear this dress.  I'm probably going to live in it this summer.

So...I liked 4 of the 6 items I received.  Admittedly, I knew the midi skirt would be a risk, so that's partially my fault.  After shipping and whatnot, I paid $157 for the tote.  I know the jacket is $50 retail, so even if I don't wear the other two pieces, it was probably worth it in terms of value.  I probably won't spring for the $149 tote again unless I am super into both pieces that I choose, though.

Oh, and I know I don't have a bright future as a fashion blogger since the lighting, angles, and/or poses are off in pretty much each photo.  Hopefully I'll get it figured out eventually.  Here are a couple pictures of Stella helping me unpack my tote to make up for it. :)

Thanks for stopping by! <3

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