Stitch Fix #3 {Review}

I happily received box #3 last week from Stitch Fix (if you have no clue what I am referring to, click this link to see my first post about it). I have my profile set to no accessories except scarves right now so I got 5 tops this go round. One of these tops ended up being instantly loved by me.  Can you guess which one?

The coral top featured in the middle of the collage{Camden Geo Print Side-Ruched Top} was the hands-down winner this time around. I almost kept the black/white striped top {Donna Tiered Striped Tank} but ultimately decided to send it back. The cardigan {Elias Striped Back Open Cardigan} would have been fine (it fit perfectly) but I didn't care for the striped back on it or the weird lapels on the front. The lapels were not cool at all in my opinion and my husband agreed. I absolutely hated the long blue top in the bottom right {Valdina Waist Cinch Tunic Top}. It is not my style at all. The fabric felt good but the uneven hemline is a big no for me. It also didn't fit underneath my arms correctly. I couldn't raise my arms. The sweater {Rocio Colorblock Cotton Knit Sweater} on the bottom left fit like a garbage bag according to Clayton, lol. Where was this top when I was pregnant 5 weeks ago? I love the colors of it but the cut is just horrible. I don't want to look pregnant now that I am finally post-partum. Geez... Anyway, this fix was fun but I expect my next one to be better. It's coming this week. I made lots of comments on my check-out form so hopefully they learned even more about what I like and don't like.

If you are interested in trying out this cool service, I highly recommend it. You will be put on a waiting list that can take a few hours to a few weeks so please be patient. Here is a link to it: Stitch Fix. I would love for those of you interested to use the link I just posted so that I can receive referral credit. It would be much appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in my comments and I will get back to you.

I have not been paid or asked to write this review. I just really love this service!

Bouncing Back to Normal

I was severely worried about being able to lose the weight from this last pregnancy.  The past 4 pregnancies were a breeze when it came to transitioning back to my normal size but I had a feeling this one would be tough (I am older, my metabolism is slower, and I am lazier).  Thank the Lord, I was wrong.  I know pumping increases my metabolism but it is amazing how quickly I lost the belly yet again.  I can eat whatever I want and my body still burns off all the extra calories.  I may just ride this out for a while since the fun will end once I dry up my milk.  When I end production, I have to go back to counting calories and exercising to maintain my weight.  Ugh.  That sounds terrible right now as I am about to devour a Twix bar (my constant craving along with Wendy's frosties), lol.

The Newest Fun Way to Clothes Shop---Get Your Fix On! { A Stitch Fix Review }

I have to admit that I have been on a bit of a spending spree lately when it comes to my wardrobe. I have NEVER been like this in the past because I could always find something more important than clothes to buy. Fashion is something that has never interested me in the least. I love wearing jeans and a comfortable top on any given day. Well, my eyes have been opened to wearing more flattering, girlier, and trendier clothes. The one misconception that I have always had was that trendy/nice equates to uncomfortable/expensive. It doesn't have to be that way! Since I have no idea how to create a cute outfit on my own, I began searching on Pinterest and Google. It turns out that I don't have to knowledgeable about fashion, I just need a little direction. That's where an amazing company called Stitch Fix comes in.  They really fit the bill for someone like me. I get 5 items mailed to me whenever I desire (no monthly requirements) and they are chosen especially for me by a stylist that knows all my preferences and body type. Each item comes from a boutique designer and all pieces come with style cards affixed that show 2 ways to wear each garment. Since I am a fashion dummy, these cards are my saving grace on how to match things up.

Sorry for the photo quality and sizing.  I didn't have Clayton to help me so I used my iPhone and the guest room mirror to take these. To see it better, click on the images and the whole collage will enlarge. I will post better individual pics of my next fix.  I ended up keeping the red striped shirt and the navy striped skater dress shown above it. I wanted to keep the dress in the upper right corner but it washed me out horribly.  If it had been any other background color, I would have bought it. The scarf was gorgeous but too warm for this time of year so I sent it back reluctantly. The pistachio/black/white cardigan was a total no-go for me.  I hated the color, geometric design, and it puckered at my chest. 

Considering that I just had a baby 4 weeks ago today, I know that my boobs and waist are a little bigger than normal. I had to take that into account when buying these fitted pieces. I didn't want to note the larger sizes in my profile because then the stylists would send me clothes that would be too loose once I return to normal.

Here's how it works:

1. You fill out a short survey to get put onto the wait list. The wait can be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. They are still relatively new and their popularity is now skyrocketing thanks to bloggers and pinners raving about them. It may take some time to get off the wait list but it is totally worth it. I think I got off the list around 2 weeks.

2. Once you get off the wait list, you will fill out a rather extensive survey so that they can accurately define your style and sizing. The more detailed you are, the better your stylist can "fix" you.

3. Schedule a fix. You will receive it around or on the day that you choose. You do not have to sign up for monthly shipments so it is nice to be able to get a fix whenever you desire.

4. When you receive your box, try everything on and decide what to keep and what to send back. You will have 3 days to decide. There is a convenient prepaid mailer for you to send items back via USPS.  I just stick mine out in the mailbox and the mail girl picks it up. Easy peasy!

5. After making your selections, you will go to your account on Stitch Fix and check out. Each item will have a small survey to fill out so that you can comment about what you loved and what you didn't. That helps the designers understand your tastes/sizes even more for future fixes. Your first box can be hit or miss, but subsequent boxes get better and better thanks to understanding your preferences more.

The nitty gritty:

You will pay a $20 styling fee to the designer before you get your box. If you decide to keep any of the 5 items, that $20 will go towards your purchase. In addition, if you decide to keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount on the whole shebang. Love that!

Just a sidenote-I did not get asked to write this review nor did I receive any kind of compensation for it. It is entirely my own opinion/experience. I just really enjoy the company! If you decide to give it a whirl, please click any of the links in my post (Stitch Fix) to give me credit for sending you there.  I would much appreciate it as I am addicted at this point, lol. I am getting fix #3 next week and cannot wait to see it. :)

Wolfie, New Braces, and Coffee Roasting

Hayden received a cool Wolfie from his Grandma Christie and he LOVES it.

Emerson got braces last month (3/12/13).  Yes, he is only 8 and only has 4 permanent teeth right now.  This is phase 1 of his treatment plan.  He has 4 brackets to make his front teeth go over his bottom ones.  He had a bad cross-bite and it needed to be fixed before all his permanent teeth come in.  When he is a teen, he will begin phase 2 of the plan and get an entire mouthful of brackets to straighten them up.

This pic of Clayton makes him look like his hands are tiny.  I assure you that it is just a weird angle, lol.  He has been roasting his own coffee beans lately and makes the best coffee with our awesome Jura machine.  Guess how he roasts them?  He uses an old popcorn machine from 1985 to do the work.  Who knew that an ancient popcorn machine could be so cool?

 

40 Weeks-My Due Date (3/10/13)

5 Days before Baby S was born

I never posted any pregnancy photos on my blog out of sheer laziness so I wanted to post one of the last pics that I took of my monstrous belly for posterity.  This was taken on my due date and I was HUGE.  It's hard to imagine that there was an almost 10 pound kid in there plus a placenta that was just as big as she was.  Even though I was large, it just doesn't seem possible to have all of that tucked into my body.  I am sad to see the belly all gone now but it sure does feel good to be able to breathe again.  I will post a before/after pic on Friday (that's when I will be 4 weeks post-partum).  All of the weight is gone but I still have to get everything back in shape.  The OB has me on restrictions until I see her so I cannot exercise or do anything strenuous just yet.  The anemia is kicking my butt but hopefully my energy will soon return as my iron levels go back up.

Greenwoods's On Green Street-My FAVE!!

Honey Peppered Fried Chicken

Fish of the Day with Lemon Chive Butter

Sweet Potatoes, Cheese Grits, Lemon Chive Butter

For Clayton's birthday last year, I arranged an early surprise trip to Atlanta for the weekend.  My parents took the boys so we got to spend some quality time together.  I got a deal at the Ritz Carlton downtown so that is where we stayed.  Clayton needed new clothes so I bought him 2 new outfits from Brooks Brothers.  Everything was packed and loaded into the car without his knowledge.  He was surprised when we got in the car and I told him to head south, lol.  We went to the Georgia Aquarium and ate at several good restaurants.  We lived in Atlanta from 2000-2002, so we also made it a point to ride around and see all the places we used to frequent.  Our favorite restaurant down there is Greenwood's.  They serve up amazing southern food in an old yellow house in Roswell.  It is a hidden gem that you would never notice while driving in town.  They don't seem to advertise and the only way to be in the know is word-of-mouth.  Back in the day, we watched our neighbors' cats while they were out of town and they gave us a gift certificate to this place.  I am so thankful for them because Greenwood's is my all-time favorite restaurant.  Nothing can top it.  I would give my right arm for the recipes to their honey peppered fried chicken, cheese grits, and lemon chive butter.  Yummmmm...