December 14, 2014

Black button down


Pants: NY&CO Pull on Pant
Button Down: H&M
Necklace: Kohls



Well, I felt sharp in my crisp black button down ( a recent purchase), but honestly the styling is seriously lacking. This shirt has so much potential! I need to figure this one out better...

November 29, 2014

Stitch Fix, Strike Two, You're Out

So, I did decide to email Stitch Fix, and tell them how frustrated I was they didn't listen to my requests. So they graciously offered me a credit for a new fix (the styling fee) and scheduled it for the next week. Hurrah! Well, not so much. They failed again, and it was all the more maddening because I had stressed SO MUCH how I wanted fitted tops, they didn't listen to my style profile, didn't listen to my notes, etc. And they send me more huge not fitted top, with tab sleeves which I specifically said NO MORE. I also said please please no dry clean only. So they sent me huge tops, two with tab sleeves, and a dry clean only shirt. It's like you WANT to piss me off? The only thing they did right was they sent items within my requested price point.

I emailed them again and they could only say "so sorry, if you try again now we really know what doesn't work for you!" Yeah RIGHT. I refuse to give you another try because you clearly do not know what you are doing over there.

UGH. Here's what they sent:


Yep, huge sweater FAIL. I also said please no solid colors unless it has a cable knit.( I wanted something with a pattern)



 Not only is this a huge tunic, but it also has tab sleeves. TWO STRIKES. Weird ugly mesh, strike three



 Huge shirt number three, again with tab sleeves.


 Actually really liked the color and style of this, but again, it's definitely too big. Oh, and it's dry clean only.


Out of the box I liked this, it's my favorite color and soft, but it's schlumpy and baggy.


If all the items had been more like the orange and teal shirts, I wouldn't have been mad. But the fact that I still got three huge baggy tops, two had tab sleeves..I mean COME ON.

Coral




Jeans: Denizen by Lee via Targe
Sweater: Old Navy
Scarf: CJ Banks Outlet
Earrings: Charming Charlie




Nothing like a bright cheery outfit to break up all these dreary  days eh? I got the scarf at a store I don't normally shop in ( I think this stores target demographic is more...middle aged women?) But while outlet shopping I always try to pop in everywhere and look for sales on accessories. You never know what you might find. I think this scarf was on sale for about 6 or 7 bucks. Score!

November 17, 2014

Preppy sweaters


Pants: Bergners
White Button down: NY&CO
Sweater: F21
Necklace:gift



Honestly, I'm so unmotivated to take outfit photos. I just don't have a good set up and it's sooo dark by the time I get home. Sigh. I have a few saved up from a few weeks ago...maybe we'll just have to put up with the poor lighting from now on...

November 1, 2014

3 Autumn Colors


Pants: NY&Co Pull on Pant
Tank: Not sure, old navy or F21
Cardi: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: gift


Hair is so. long. Seeeriously.  On a hair note, I thought the protein treatment worked great on my curls, but maybe it was that I also styled it slightly different a few times. Then suddenly it seemed really dry (uh oh), and I realized I also kind of straightened it more than usual in the two weeks following the protein treatment(s),so that could also have not helped matters,  and so I've been doing some deep  moisture treatments. Overall I don't feel like it's doing much better than before. I just have such a love hate thing going. Mostly hate lately. =(

Just ugh. Maybe it was the water in my old city that made it look better. (My hair has gone downhill since moving) There were some serious mineral deposits in the water  in P-town but maybe that was a good thing for my hair. Who knows. I feel like it also doesn't help I have it so long.

I'm seeeeeriously itching to chop it all off. CHOP CHOP. But you know, long hair is like a security blanket. And I'm scared. Just kidding. Or not.

Also, I feel like giving up on being so devoted to being "curly girl", but I feel kind of guilty. I had really embraced my curl for quite some time, but I feel like a traitor if I decide to be over it and cut it and wear it (mostly) straight for a while. Is that really that bad though? Decisions decisions...

October 30, 2014

New specs

After over a year of debating and hemming and hawing, I think I finally settled on buying these frames from Warby Parker. My prescription expires in Nov so I kinda sorta need to order them like, now. No more procrastination!


Jeans: Denizen by Levi via Target
Sweater: Old Navy (last season)
Necklace: Love Culture
Glasses: Warby Parker





I do love the whole concept of warby parker...I just really had a difficult time choosing a frame that was ginormo for my already small face...but I think these fit the bill. And I love that they also donate a pair of glasses for every pair purchases. Win win win. (For me, my wallet, and someone else) =)

October 29, 2014

Stitch Fix Fiasco

Bloggers everywhere have been talking up a storm about (how awesome) stitch fix is. A gave it a whirl.

Here's my review:

Here's what came in my box:

The note from the stylist said "I know you like color, I think the purple will look great on you"

Color? Hmm. Looks pretty darn bland to me....


Tulle's Abril Notch Collar Double Breasted Peacoat: $98

I specifically requested a skirted coat. I said in my notes specifically I had been searching for a skirted coat for a long time and if by chance they had any I wanted one. I got a regular peacoat. 

Pros: Fits well, good price for a coat

Cons: Not very heavy/warm, NOT what I very specifically asked for, ugly buttons ( I hate gold on this, it just doesn't match, IMO)

Verdict: RETURN

Daniel Rainn's Bilson Pleat Detail Tunic: $74








Pros: I like the stud style buttons

Cons: If barf  was purple, this is what shade of purple it would be.

I don't like the button style sleeves when it's all bunchy and saggy. You can't even unbutton them because the sleeve would hit just above my wrist. Weird.

I specified in my style profile that I like fitted tops. I specifically said in my notes that I like sweater dresses but they must be form fitted or belted, because I hate anything baggy that looks like I'm wearing a garbage bag. This shirts fits like a garbage bag would.

Verdict: RETURN




Liverpool's Anita Ponte Pant: $78


Pros: The material is soft and comfy

Cons: Way too long, way too thin. You can find an almost exact dupe of pants like these at Charlotte Russe for about $20

I specifically asked for bottoms like pencil skirts or floral skirts, and they sent me purple pants instead

Verdict: RETURN

Gilli's Gaston Long Sleeve Plaid Skirt 2fer Dress: $68
 
Pros: The material on the top half is soft and comfy

Cons: Describing this as long sleeve is a lie.

I specifically asked for a plaid shirt in my notes. I specifically asked for a navy sweater dress. They sent this instead.

This is so thin, you can see through the fabric, and the entire outline of my bra

The fabric on the skirt is weird and rough

I dislike the hashmark line style of plaid, and beige plaid in general. I prefer solid lined plaid.

It is too short. 

Overall the weight and shortness makes this more "summery" but is obviously winter color and pattern. Even if I wore tights and boots with this, I'd freeze.

Verdict: RETURN

 Bay to Baubles Fitz Flower Gem Statement Necklace: $28


 Pros: .......

Cons: In my style profile I said I prefer silver jewelry tones. Then I specifically stated in my notes that I am very cheap when it comes to accessories and jewelry, so please don't bother.

They must have thought I was saying I love cheap jewelry, because this looks like a cheap piece of junk. (Sorry, I'm trying really hard not to be tooooo ranty... but I can't help it.

Seriously. You can get something like this from F21 for 8 or 10 bucks. Why would anyone pay 28 for this?

Verdict: RETURN



I am SO seriously upset about this being a total bust. One because I feel like my stylist did NOT listen to me or my preferences, and two  they blatantly ignored most of my price preferences. I requested "the cheaper the better" for everything except for dresses and outerwear, because I was willing to spend more on a substantial item like a coat or nice dress. I wanted to get a nice quality knit dress, and they sent me the thinnest flimsiest dress, so it didn't really fit what I was expecting.

In my notes, I practically begged them to find me affordable items. I even said I know most items average $55, pretty pretty please find me some affordable diamonds in the rough.

The stylist specifically mentioned in her note, I kept in mind your budget but didnt want you to mis out on fun styles. What in the world? So even though I begged them to keep it as affordable as possible, they send me $78 pants and a $74 top. I have to let the cost of the dress slide because I did select the 50-100 range (thinking I was getting a bulky sweater dress)

Just ugh. Everything was so off base. There was the tiniest hint they read what I wanted ( a coat, plaid) but missed the mark. My pinterest board looks like a rainbow and the whole box is dark drab colors.  I would have much preferred a piece of clothing with the pattern that came printed on the box, for goodness sake.

I just felt like it was a waste of money. I can't decide if I should leave a ton of feedback and fire off a ranting email to customer service and try again, or just forget about the whole thing.

I'm already on a strict clothing budget and I don't want to throw another $20 out the window for a stylist to ignore what I say and get another box full of reject items. Blergh.


October 26, 2014

African peacock?



Two people  told me on the day that I wore this that I looked like a peacock. Hmm


 Pants: Bergners
Top: custom made by seamstress in Africa
Cardigan: Old Navy


What's so interesting down there on the ground, you ask? No idea...



This shirt and I go way back to my study abroad trip in Benin.  We all had shirts made from the same fabric. I wish I had a photo on this computer to link, but alas, it's from many years ago and stored somewhere on my external hard drive, and I just don't have the energy to go digging that up.


October 7, 2014

Black grey and blah all over


Something about this just wasn't doing it for me. The day I wore it I thought it looked ok, but in these photos...it's just not quite meshing right. Hmm


Sneakers: Sketchers
Pants: NY&Co
Top: not sure, old
Cardigan: Old navy (last season)
Earrings: Charming Charlie (if you can even see them...forgot the close up, oops)