Monday, September 26, 2016

My First Photo Shoot And Stitchfix Review

Oh my word.  Have you heard of Stitchfix?  My friend Marianne was telling me about this amazing website recently.  I wish she hadn't because I can see an addiction headed my way. 

Stitchfix is an online personal shopping experience.  You go to the website, enter information about yourself such as your height and weight.  You answer questions about your clothing style and what your likes and dislikes are.  You can be very specific too and tell them you don't like to show your arms or that you like to wear stripes, etc.  They even ask you for an amount you'd like to spend. 

When I started my own profile, I told my "stylist" that I love wearing jeans, but I can't wear them to work.  I said I wanted to look polished but also wanted to be comfortable since I work in a school and spend a lot of time in the school yard and cafeteria. I also chose the "As little as possible" option for how much I'd like to spend.  They take your credit card information and keep it on file.

Now, the fun part.  Stitchfix sends you a pretty little box with 5 items in it.

I was gitty with excitement when I got this. ( I don't get out much. )

Inside were three tops, one pair of pants, and one necklace.  You take a look at everything, keep what you like and Stitchfix charges your account.  Whatever you don't want to keep, you send back, free of charge, in an envelope they have supplied for you.  So easy.  You just have to make sure you do this within 3 days, otherwise everything will get charged to your account.

If you keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount on your box. 

Ann and Mary totally indulged me and were my photographers for my photo shoot.  Want to see my new clothes?

Item #1 Renee C Lyzbeth Crew Neck Top ($48)


The print is so pretty and I love the detail around the arms with the little pop of color.  Below is the back view with Item #2 Liverpool Anita Skinny Pant ($78)
These black pants are super soft and comfortable and they fit perfectly.  Very pricey, but it will be such a well-used item in my wardrobe that I may be able to justify it. (?) 

Item #3 41 Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan. ($48)
 
I was glad to see a cardigan in the box since two of the tops that were sent were sleeveless and here we are headed into the Fall.  I may have overlooked this color in a store, but now that it appeared in my box and goes so well with the other items, I was all over it.  Cute, right?

Item #4 41 Hawthorn Montgomery Cross Front Knit Top ($48)

 
This top is so comfortable.  I did have to pin it so it wouldn't fly open but then it stayed put.  And along with that is Item #5 Zad Lily Hammered Double Bar Collar Necklace. ($28)

I never would have picked this out on my own, but it's "edgy" for me so I embraced the change.

And there you have it. I'm keeping everything. A splurge for sure, but in adding everything up and then subtracting the 25% off for keeping all five items, and less the $20 styling fee (you need to pay that if you send back everything. But it will be taken off of what you do keep), my grand total for five items is $167.

It has been such a fun experience.  The only thing more fun was my photo shoot with the girls.  

OUTTAKES








 And that's a wrap.

{For those of you who would like to try Stitchfix, we can both receive a discount if you use the following link with your order.

stitchfix.com/referral/9085432}

 








Monday, September 5, 2016

Avalon Vacation Video 2016

Avalon, New Jersey is my happy place.  (so is Home Goods, but this is my vacation post, so we're not talking about that right now.)

Our family of seven and my brother and nephew celebrated our 5th year vacationing together.  The house we rented for the first four years was sold last year and the new owner decided not to rent. (However, I did spy on the house just to make sure.)



The house we rented this year was around the corner and it worked out just fine for our crew.


This year Bill's brother Mike and his family were there the same week as we were.  Bill's other brother Joe and his two daughter's came down one of the days as well.  We had quite a nice little compound going on at the beach that day, that's for sure.

Here's my little recap of the week.  Enjoy!



Until next time, Avalon....



Summer Highlights-Continued

Last month I posted summer highlights from around here.  Our August was just as full as July with lots of fun to be had.

But don't get me wrong, most of our days looked like this.

In fact, I did so much couch-potato-ing this summer that I saw numbers on my scale that I have never seen before.  And for some reason, they're still there!
Now, onto the more pleasant stuff.

Highlight #1
Bill and I attended the wedding of the son of our dear friends John and Mary.  This was the first wedding of it's kind for us.  What a special feeling to watch the next generation---the offspring of your close friends---get married.

Andy and Ashley
Of course, the night was even more special as we shared it with more good friends and enjoyed a fabulous party.



John-Father of the groom-next to me

Mary-mother of the groom--next to me.
Highlight #2

Oooooh yeah....the 19th Annual Sexy Six Sleepover!!


This year's host was Tricia.   We had a great night, as usual.  Food, drink, games, and lots of catching up.

I think we turned the lights off around 3:30 a.m. and were up again by 9 a.m.   I don't know about the rest of the girls, but I sure do have a hard time recuperating from this behavior in my old age.

Thanks for hosing Trish!  You're the best.

(for the history of the "Six" click here)

Highlight #3

Band Camp!
I know, I'm a geek for counting this as a highlight.


Mary's high school has camp for three weeks, and Tommy and Ann (who is new to middle school band camp) had two weeks.  I had the privilege to help out at the middle school again this year.  Mary helped me the first half hour sell snacks before she had to head over to her camp next door.

40's decade theme day....isn't she sweet?

Ann-cutest clarinetist

Ann with her BFF
 Let's Go Band!

Highlight #4

Avalon.

How do I love thee?  Let me count the waves.

We had our annual beach trip to Avalon, NJ and it was wonderful, beautiful, sunny, and relaxing.

I can sum it up best with a video,  which is coming soon.

Happy Labor Day!!