Friday Favorites Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!

I've been blogging here for an entire year!  To celebrate, I've decided to give away a few of my favorite things.  Here's what you'll win:

$20 gift card to Stitch Fix: I adore the convenience of Stitch Fix - and the fact that the stylists sometimes push me out of my comfort zones.  This will cover the 'styling fee' so even if you don't fall in love with anything they send, you won't be out anything!

Desiderio Chocolates Gourmellows: Vegan marshmallows, topped with rich chocolate truffle goodness, all covered in vegan chocolate.  Best. Ever.

Ready Player One: If you like gaming and/or the 80's, you'll love this book.  I like this book so much that I have the audiobook (which is narrated by Wil Wheaton) AND the paper book.  I'm giving away the hardcover book.

Espionage Cosmetics Nail Wraps: Espionage has an epic assortment of geeky nail wraps.  You'll win the Missing Piece wraps, which are the Tetris themed style.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: By entering, you agree to Terms and Conditions in the Rafflecopter widget.  This post contains referral and/or affiliate links.  This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the feature brands.

Stitch Fix #4 Review

The Box:  Stitch Fix

The Cost: $20 styling fee which is applied to items you choose to purchase.

The Goods: 5 articles of clothing and/or accessories hand chosen for you based on your style profile.

I think this might be my first Fix that actually included a note from the stylist.  This is also the first Fix I've received since linking a Pinterest board.

41 Hawthorn Florence Colorblocked Dress: ($68)  Oh man.  This one was tough.  I actually really liked it and the cut was rather forgiving for my shape.  I could see wearing it with heels and a blazer or with flats and a denim jacket.  However...I have a TON of black dresses so I just couldn't justify throwing $68 at another one.  If I came across a similar style for less, I'd totally buy it.  Sent Back

Oh, since my phone was dead I couldn't use the remote control app for my camera.  J was super kind and offered to take the pictures for me...or at least I thought he was kind until I found the 20 or so extra pictures like this one.

I look like a horse.

19 Cooper Cathleen Split-Neck Tulip-Sleeve Blouse: ($68) Meh.  I didn't hate it, but there was nothing special about this top.  I think I might have liked it more if it had been a bit longer or less boxy or...something.  I did like the color, though...especially with the jeans they sent. Sent Back.

Just Black Adora Skinny Jean: ($88)  Oh man.  These were extremely soft but I just couldn't let myself keep them for a couple reasons.  They were a little snug in the hips but were really long (hence the bunching at the ankles.)  For $88 they better be pretty damn perfect.  While I'm down for splurging on quality denim, I'm also reluctant to spend that much money on "trendy" jeans.  I really, really want some colored denim now though. Sent Back.

Tart Katniss Geo Print Dolman Sleeve Top: ($48)  Gilt had this top recently for $45, so it's nice to know that Stitch Fix's prices aren't outrageously overpriced.  I wasn't sure about this top at first but once I put it on I fell in love with it.  It's unlike anything I own plus it's way comfy. Kept.

J told me to be fierce.  This is what he got.

Kut from the Kloth Houndstooth Blouse: ($48) J really liked this on me, but it was sort of tight across the shoulders.  I found it on sale on Amazon for a bit over $20 so I might actually order it in a size up to wear with leggings.  It's worth noting that the green version is $68 on the Kut from the Kloth site, so $48 is a decent deal compared to that. Sent Back.

Even though I only kept one item, I feel like Stitch Fix is finally starting to get me.  For one thing, it seems like they paid attention to all of my whining about it not being super cold in Texas and didn't send me any heavy sweaters.  I liked the style of everything except the blue top, so I have high hopes for my next fix.

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Stitch Fix #3

If you've seen my previous experiences with Stitch Fix, you know that I'm very on the fence about them.  So, I decided to see if maybe the third time would be the charm.  When scheduling my fix, I requested budget friendly, casual, summery clothes.  I've seen other bloggers receive white skinny jeans, so I also said that I was looking for the perfect white or colored denim.

Mystree Todd Tiered Mix Striped Skirt: ($58)  I didn't expect to like this as much as I do.  It's really versatile and can be dressed up or down and will look cute over tights in the winter.  It's crazy comfortable too. I kept it.

Sugarhill Boutique Adley Lady Bug Print Button-Up Tank: ($48) I pulled this out of the box and went "Really?! Lady bugs?! Oh, come on..."  Then I put it on.  I don't know why I like it, but I really do. (Also, this is not how I'll actually wear it.  I was just too lazy to put a real bra back on and find a cami to go under it ;))

It looks cute with black pants, and I'm sure it would be cute with white jeans too.  Not that I'd know, since none were in my box.  Not so much THESE black pants, though.

Sanctuary Smith Faux Leather Trim Pant: ($98) I have been looking for ankle length black pants.  These are not the pants I was looking for.  The crotch bunching is super cute, right?  They also had a lovely gap in the waistband in the back.  They're also a very heavy material.  I put them on for 10 minutes to take these pictures in the air conditioning and it was miserable.  I wouldn't call them summery at all.

 Tart Adrianna Ikat Print V-Neck Tank: ($78)  I was on the fence about this tank.  On the one hand, it's reeeeeally soft.  On the other, it's $78, which is just above my typical budget for tops.

Then J dove into my selfie photoshoot.  He said he loved it and that it was his favorite.  Obviously, I kept it.

41Hawthorn Multi Color Chevron Stripe Scarf: ($28)  Scarves in the summer are just silly, especially in Texas. Wearing it as a sarong isn't an option, either, since it's been over a year since I've been to a pool.  I also have scarves checked as an item I DO NOT want in my style profile.  So is orange, one of the main colors.  That said, I kind of liked this scarf.  It was very pretty, but I returned it - partially just because of the principle of the thing.

Well...okay.  So, I did find 3/5 of the things to be keepers.  While I think that StitchFix is a great idea, I'm still not sure that it works for me.  I've also seen other people get notes in their boxes on why things were chosen for them - something I have yet to see.  I don't know how much of that was them actually choosing things I would like and how much of it was just that they happened to get lucky.  I'm really sad that they didn't send me the white denim I've seen in others' boxes.  When fall comes around, I might try again - it seems like they do well with sweaters and outerwear.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links. <3

Stitch Fix #2

Even though I wasn't crazy about anything in my first StitchFix, I decided to give it another shot.  

What is Stitch Fix?  Basically, you fill out a style profile and pay a $20 styling fee and they send you five items.  You keep and pay for (less the $20 styling fee) anything you like, and send back anything you don't.  This time I added my pinterest board to my profile, hoping that would give things more "me." You also have the ability to make special requests for each shipment, so I requested budget-friendly items appropriate for an outdoor rock concert.  

Bobi Kody 3/4 Sleeve Cowl Neck Cotton Top $48

I wanted so badly to like this shirt.  I really liked this color, and it was super comfy on, but this damned collar and I did not get along.  I probably should have videoed myself battling it.  Basically, it took ten minutes to make it look semi-okay...and then after I moved and shifted a bit, it was back looking wonky again.

Stella watched my fashion show with mild disinterest.  I give you this tiny dose of cute before the horror coming next.

Peppermint Rosy Printed Longsleeve Dress $58

No, I didn't beat up J's grandma and steal her muumuu.  I'm sure someone, somewhere, could make this look super awesome.  That isn't me.

Frenzii Alina Empire Waist Maxi Dress $98

Holy comfortable.  $98 is a good chunk of my monthly clothing budget and I just don't wear dresses THAT often, so I sent it back.  I regret it, sort of.  

Sweet Rain Landon Peplum Detailed Dress $58

I surprisingly really liked this, but I couldn't think of a single place I'd wear it.  It's too short to be business-wear and the material is too heavy for it to be good for casual gatherings.  If I had a more fancy social group, I'd have kept this. ;)

Marjorie Baer Pyramid and Circle Studs $28

I can't explain it, but I fell in love with these suckers.  They kind of make me think of thumb tacks.  I kept them. I've worn them constantly.

So...1 out of 5 was a keeper. I will say that this batch seemed a closer to my style than the last group, but seriously...who would wear any of this to an outdoor rock concert? I also find it interesting that my profile says I prefer wearing jeans versus dresses but half of what they've sent me has been dresses.

I'll give it one more go before writing them off completely.  Hopefully the third time is the charm.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links.

Stitch Fix #1

I heard about Stitch Fix via Veronica Belmont.  I don't really *hate* traditional shopping, but I am lazy so anything that allows me to stay on the couch is worth a shot.

What is Stitch Fix? Basically, you fill out a style profile, pay a $20 styling fee, and then they ship you 5 items of their choosing to try on.  You have three days to try them on in your own home and decide what you like.  You pay for the items you like (and the styling fee becomes a credit) and anything that doesn't make the cut gets shipped back.

Here's what I got:

Oh, I was sick at the time, hence the lack of effort in posing and styling...and the decapitation in most of the photos.

Rachel Eva Diamond Danglers $38

I didn't dislike these.  Actually, they kind of grew on me...until I went to Kohl's the day after I got the shipment and saw an almost identical pair for $15.

THML Amber Mixed Material Hi-Low Top $48

On someone else, I would have loved this.  It looked cute when I pulled it out of the box, and it was really comfy, but I didn't feel like it was very flattering.

Collective Concepts Ivy Sheer Tulip Print V-Neck Blouse $78

Okay.  Here's the thing.  I'm cheap.  I also work from home 80% of the time so I pretty much live in sweats and tanks.  All that taken into consideration, $50 is pretty much my limit on a top.  I really, really liked this top but didn't like the price.  I tried so hard to talk myself into it, but I just couldn't do it.

Everly Janey Back Cutout Hi-Low Tunic $34

Hey! That's in my budget.  Too bad the price was the only thing I liked.  I'm on the fence with the Hi-Low trend anyway, but this tunic made me feel like a penguin.  Especially with my reflective-white legs.

Honey Punch Trina Split Neck Sleeveless Dress $58

When I pulled this out of the box, I was super excited about the color.  Unfortunately, I ruined that excitement by putting on this potato sack of a dress.  You can't tell in the photos, but there was a lot of extra room in the area between the straps and my armpits.  I assume it's because I barely have a chest.

So...everything went back.  I was a little disappointed to have lost the $20 fee, but the experience was worth trying.

Disclaimer: This post contains referral links.