Every year, I have to attend a Pollyanna (like White Elephant) gift exchange at my significant other’s family’s house for Christmas Eve. It’s always a stressful time, and it’s almost impossible to put together a gift bag that will please everyone in attendance.
Since I was running out of ideas, and only had one item in mind so far, I decided to see if an AI Chat Bot from Google, Bard, could help me with the task.
My initial idea was to purchase a box of foreign potato chips, and then try and build my gift around that.
Here’s some example prompts I used with Bard
“What would be a good Secret Santa gift basket that includes different potato chips”
“I need to make a gift basket that features potato chips. What should I include?”
“I need to make a Secret Santa gift basket. What would go well with different potato chips?”
I took bits and pieces from each suggestion, and created my unique Potato Lovers themed gift for our gift exchange.
Summarized Suggestions from Bard
Other goodies: Candy bars or chocolate to balance the salty flavors
A fun potato chip-shaped mug
A potato chip-themed cookbook
Gourmet dips and spreads: Pair chips with different dips and spreads (roasted garlic hummus, fig and olive tapenade)
Personalize the basket: Add a handwritten note, a small gift relevant to the recipient’s interests, or a potato chip-themed item (mug, keychain).
Remember: Choose chips with diverse flavors and textures, and personalize the basket for a truly impressive gift.
Extras: Mini globe, map with pins marking chip origins, travel guide
Bonus: Include a small potato masher or potato chip clip to enhance the potato chip theme
Some of those items really sparked my creativity, especially the “potato chip clip.” So, I did some Google-ing and found some fun “accessories” that were potato themed.
I even decided to create a little mascot of my gift, who I affectionately named Po.
I figured I needed to add something a little less silly for my gift, so I picked up a $25 gift card to Panera and had Po the Tato hold on to it for maximum cuteness and fun!
And with that, and some creative wrapping, my Pollyanna/White Elephant gift came to life, thanks to a little help from AI!
It was a lot of fun using Bard to get some ideas, and I’ll definitely be using it again next year, and maybe later down the line in the year for other holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Let’s see what it can come up with next!
Happy gifting and happy GPT-ing!
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After my last couple of Stitch Fixes, I wasn’t getting the same quality or experience I used to back in the day. I’ve see advertisements for Wantable for quite some time, and figured I’d give it a go for my second work trip of the year, to the hot climate of Mexico.
Wantable Box
I placed my order on a Tuesday, and my box was there by Friday, which was super fast. I wasn’t really sure when my box would arrive, since unlike Stitch Fix, I wasn’t able to choose a date for delivery. Fingers were crossed though that the box would arrive before my work trip to Mexico. The box comes with 7 items, and they were wrapped up in tissue paper with a personalized name sticker, which I thought was a really cute touch and a good start to my package.
On Wantable, you start off with some questions and choosing items you like. These items are then accessible to your stylist who can pick from items you like, or give you a surprise. Unlike Stitch Fix, the style quiz images you say you like or dislike actually exist and can be bought. The photos aren’t just a concept or an idea, but actual clothing available from the service.
I left a note for my stylist, asking for clothing that I could bring to Mexico for work, something breathable and comfortable but not too stuffy. You can also mention some other notes specific to your account, and not just the box you’re ordering. For that, I mentioned my coloring, but that I still like to play with color and patterns. I also highlighted I work a hybrid schedule so I want clothes than can transition to work, to being at home, to weekend, and that overall I like preppy and nautical inspired fashion.
My box came quickly, had a note from my stylist who was able to pull some items I had liked on the site, and even had a picture of her, which was a nice touch.
Item 1: Marley Capri in White – Vigoss Price: $78
The capris are perfect for those in love with the nautical esthetic. They were comfortable, not too tight, and a good length for transitioning into warmer weather. They were a Keep for me.
The top has potential, and the blue colors are ones I enjoy, but the cut of the sleeve openings wasn’t my favorite. I felt the floppy fabric around the arms would want to do it’s own thing and not sit well. The fabric was also cut pretty high into the armpit, which I’m not a fan of since I tend to run hot. The blouse was a maybe for me, but I decided to Return it. I also found the price point of nearly $100 for this top to be a bit ridiculous.
Item 3: Farah Short in Warm Sands – Z Supply Price: $78
Online, these shorts looked super cute, and like something I could see myself in. A breathable linen fabric in a neutral summer color seemed like it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, in person, these shorts are far from flattering. The cut is odd, and the waist line couldn’t decide if it wanted to be high waisted or not. Ultimately, these shorts fit the best being high waisted, but they were high up there! The length, fit, and cut just didn’t work for me. The color is perfect for what I like, but I had to Return these.
Item 4: Loretta Floral Top in Vintage – Steve Madden Price: $69
I wanted to like this top when I pulled it out of the box. It was super thin, lightweight, and the pattern and colors screamed Grandmillennial. The cut, just wasn’t cutting it. You can see my stomach is peeking out a bit, which is a look that I just can’t get behind for myself. I don’t know why this shirt is cut so short, and it’s a shame, but it is what it is. This was a Return.
Item 5: Ditsy Cluster Ruffle Dress in Green – Apricot Price: $78
This is the second item in my box using the word “Ditsy,” which I just Googled, and it means a pattern consisting of micro motifs, usually being floral in design. Now we know! I liked this dress immediately, from the color, the design, to the fabric. It’s breathable, you can tie it as tight or as loose as you’d like, and it seemed like a perfect fit for my visit to Mexico to meet some of my new team members. This checked off all the boxes of what I was looking for, so it was definitely a Keep.
Item 6: North Hampton Short in Paradise – Dear John Price: $69
I clearly remember seeing and liking these shorts on the site. In fact, I liked them in multiple pastel colors, and I hope to get the purple ones in a future box! From the name of the shorts, to the color, these are perfect for preppy or nautical fashion lovers. The cut is also not too long or too short, meaning I can get away wearing these wherever, from the office (yes I wear shorts to work) to hanging around on the weekend. These fit well, and will pack well for any vacations or work trips I might have coming up this Spring and Summer. I definitely had to Keep these.
Item 7: Eyelet Tie-Strap Dress in Lilac – Koko + Mason Price: $45 (originally $89)
Smocked dresses have been having a moment lately, this year and last. I’ve tried a couple in the past from places like JCrew or Ann Taylor, and the cut near the armpit was too tight or off. The look gave me the dreaded armpit/chest bulge, which is natural and normal, but in these dresses frustrates me when it happens on my body because I feel this type of dress can accentuate it more. When I saw this dress on the site, I gave it a like, and lo and behold it was in my box. The best part is that this dress was on sale, so the price + color made it a contender in my book. The dress is fully lined, so it has a little weight to it, but it didn’t seem overly hot. This could make for a fun Summer vacation outfit. I decided to Keep the dress.
The Verdict: Wantable had a lot of great choices, and a wider variety of styles. I felt some of the clothes were more elevated than Stitch Fix too, and the price point made that clear. My box, if I kept everything, would have cost me $516. You can get a discount if you keep 5+ items, but I didn’t keep enough for that. I kept a total of 4 items, which came in just under $300.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the site defaulting me to be in a subscription model, I just want to order a box randomly when I need/want. They also email you a lot if your box hasn’t been scanned by the Post Office yet. I had dropped my bag of returns a day before the due date, and I was barraged with emails to extend my due date because it seemed “I needed more time.” I emailed Support to let them know the situation. I definitely didn’t want a bill for over $500 just because the Post Office is slow.
My box was overall a fun experience, and I will most definitely be giving Wantable another try soon.
If you read my last post, you know I decided to request a fix, after quite some time away from the company, to get some pieces for my first business trip since Covid began. Well, my fix arrived, although it did come a couple days later than I had requested, so I was worried we were already off to a bad start.
What I asked for: – Flare jeans (no distressing – dark color) – Possibly a dress with short sleeves – Some tops for work – A resort set that I saw advertised in a Facebook ad
I also mentioned I was up for some pieces that were more fashion forward that could expand my style, continuing to reference the ads that the company is displaying on Facebook, which looked like great Fixes compared to some I’ve gotten before.
In my last post, you also know that I decided to give the “preview your fix” feature a try this go around, and picked 3 items from the stylist’s initial pull and left 2 items to be a mystery. Let’s dig into my box and start with the items I already knew were coming from the preview email I received before shipment.
Kaileigh – Jaylee Jumpsuit This jumpsuit that screams spring with its green and floral details retails for $58. It’s meant to be a cropped leg look, similar to a length you’d expect with capris.
Kaileigh – Jaylee Jumpsuit
The jumpsuit itself was fairly comfortable, but it was a bit big on me. I probably could have gone down a size since the fabric is so loose and stretchy. The chest opening was also in desperate need of a hook and eye closure. The wrap section around the chest wasn’t very form fitting or had any elastic to hold it in place, which led to it being pretty revealing at times.
Monday Fun – Kearny Henley Top This flowy top in light blue retails for $44.
Monday Fun – Kearny Henley Top
This style of top is nothing new from Stitch Fix. I’ve seen this cut and style dozens of times, and have kept some of the tops over the years. What drew me to choosing this from my preview was the color. I love light blue and I thought the accents of white drops of color were pretty. I wasn’t too sure from the photos of the item what the pleating on the front would look like. When I pulled this out of the box, it was super wrinkly, so I steamed it in order to take pictures and to try to get it looking somewhat decent. This is definitely not a top to pack in a suitcase.
What bothered me about this top was that it doesn’t do anything for your body. It literally makes you look boxy and heavy. It’s not flattering and just hangs there. Now I love a loose top, especially in warmer weather or for commuting, but this top just didn’t scream “young” or “fashionable.” It didn’t give me the vibe I was looking for.
Nine Britton – Billie Tie Front Brushed Knit Top For $40, this was the cheapest item in my fix this go around.
Nine Britton – Billie Tie Front Brushed Knit Top
This top stood out in my preview since it was a great neutral color, and it looks like it’d be pretty comfy. The fabric on the outside of this top, or what I’d call a lightweight sweater, is super duper soft and creamy. Probably one of the softest pieces of clothing I’ve tried on. The inside of the top isn’t as soft as the outside, but that’s probably because it’d heat you up and make you sweat based on how decadent the fabric feels. I also liked the little knot detail at the bottom, giving it a little something different from a regular long sleeve top.
Heatherly – Loretta Tiered Blouse You can make this hot pink number yours for $46. This top was also the first of two mystery pieces in my fix.
Heatherly – Loretta Tiered Blouse
In your Stitch Fix profile, you’re able to dictate what colors you don’t like or want items to be in. I’m pretty sure hot pink is one that I’ve said is a no go for me, but alas, here we are. Immediately when I pulled this out of the box, I knew I wasn’t going to be in love. The chest area has a weird detail where it outlines each breast and it just looked horrible holding it up. When I tried it on, I wasn’t surprised how unflattering it was. I had to pull the top up a bit in the photo above, because a large amount of my bra would otherwise be exposed. You can see some of my bra is still poking out after I hiked it up a bit. I don’t know how you’re supposed to wear this, but either your bra is going to be on full display, or if you go braless, this is going to look even worse than it does. The fabric was also super cheap. I don’t know if I’ve had a worse piece in a fix before. This is certainly not worth the price, and is not something I could wear to work.
Democracy – Kathryn Ab Solution HIgh Rise Itty Bitty Bootcut Our last item was something I requested, a dark wash jean. This pair retails for $88.
Democracy – Kathryn Ab Solution HIgh Rise Itty Bitty Bootcut
When I requested a dark pair of jeans, I asked for a flare pant. I was thinking more of a traditional bell bottom type pant, so when I saw the word “bootcut” I was worried that it wasn’t going to give me the look I wanted. First off the bat, the color is great. Dark washed jeans like this can go with anything. The flare of the jean wasn’t too large, and wasn’t too small, so I felt it was pretty close to what I was hoping for. The jeans also feel an itty bitty loose around the waist line, which I don’t mind. They are comfortable, and while a smidge on the long side, I think they’ll work fine with sneakers. Also, side note, why do jeans need some a crazy long name?!
Now that I’ve tried everything on, it’s time to decide what stays and what goes. Overall, I have to say I was disappointed in this fix and the quality of the items. Some things weren’t super terrible, both nothing blew me away either.
In the end, I decided to keep the jeans and the comfy tan tie front top. I could easily pair these two items together, and wear them with other pieces. The top would look great with a white pant, and the pants will look great with everything from sweaters to t-shirts and tanks.
I was originally on the fence with the jumpsuit, since I love a romper and jumpsuit for ease of packing and comfortability, but it was too big and I didn’t feel like trying my hand at sewing in a snap or hook and eye closure to make it workable.
The other two tops were cheap in feel and design, especially the disco sleeved full expose hot pink piece.
When I saw the recent Facebook ads, I thought Stitch was looking more fun and elevated than ever before. In the second picture you can see the resort wear set I fell in love with that led me here.
I didn’t get anything as fun or fashionable in my box, and when I went to review my fix on the site, I felt kind of let down. I used to love Stitch Fix, and it made my life easy, but after this box, I’m not sure I’d rush back anytime soon. Maybe there’s something else out there worth checking out instead…
If you have any suggestions of companies worth checking out, or brands that are great for those of us in our 30s, let me know!
It has been quite a while since I ordered a fix from Stitch Fix. With my first work trip coming up since Covid began, I’ll be traveling to a new office and seeing some of my team members in person for the first time. It seemed like a great time to see what Stitch Fix has to offer nowadays.
I decided to try something new this time, and give the “Preview Your Fix” feature a go. Stitch Fix didn’t always offer this functionality, so when I first started getting fixes this wasn’t a thing, making me accustomed to a surprise every box. When I got the email this time around, I figured “what the heck,” let’s see if I can help make my fix as successful as possible since it’s been a hot minute.
If you still want to be surprised, like I usually do, just archive or delete the email, and wait for your fix day.
For those of us feeling a bit curious or impatient, when you click “select your pieces” you’re brought to what I would call a little curated shop just for you. You can see your stylist’s name, and several pieces they thought would be a good fit based on your fix note when you scheduled your box.
You don’t have to choose 5 pieces, which is super helpful because I wasn’t in love with most of the items in my fix preview. The nice thing is you can either like an item, dislike it, or just ignore it. When you like an item it’s included automatically in your fix, but what about the things I didn’t dislike or like, do they go off into oblivion?
My fix preview included 10 items for me to review and select from. A range of dresses, tops, two bottoms, one bag and a romper.
Nothing stood out as super amazing or exciting to me in the fix, but there were a few pieces that I thought could possibly be my style. I figured I’d do a mix of trying some of the items from my preview, selecting less than 5, to see what happens with the rest of my box.
I wonder what the 2 mystery items will be!? Will they be brand new items I didn’t see in my preview? Will they be the items I didn’t click “dislike it” for? Thankfully, I only have a few days to wait before I find out.
I’m not a fan of any sort of medical procedure. Just going to the doctors office for a physical got my heart rate through the roof. Mind you, it was my first physical as an adult. The last time I went to a normal doctor was right before college, many years ago.
As expected, my doctor wanted to run some tests and get some blood work done. This was not good news to my ears. The only time I have ever had blood work was several years ago when I was living in California for a year, and it was an absolutely horrible experience.
My doctor’s office is a small little local practice, but she has a lab come in on most Fridays to take blood. Since I had to fast for this appointment, I would need an early slot because I know I get hangry and lightheaded. Unfortunately, all the slots were taken up for before lunch, so I started on a hunt to find a lab on my own.
One night, my significant other found a company online called Getlabs. This company will send someone directly to you in your home (or office) to do your requested labs. It seemed like an interesting idea to me. After thinking it over, and seeing their availability, I decided to make an appointment.
While the website claims that appointments start at $35, I never saw the cost that low. Every day and slot I personally saw was for $79, which to me still seemed worth it as someone terrified of blood draws and hoping for a more intimate personalized experience. It’s worth noting, my significant other saw some slots of $35 really late at night for a next day appointment show up just once on the site, so maybe keep checking at night?
Scheduling an appointment was very easy. You share pictures of your insurance card and script from your doctor, and off you go! I booked my appointment the night before, and there was plenty of availability and the slot I wanted was still there.
The day of my appointment I received a text with an estimated time of arrival of my phlebotomist, which was smack in the middle of the 2 hour slot I chose. The person showed up maybe 20-30 minutes after the given estimate. Not sure how they calculate the estimates, but I didn’t fault the person since they were still there on time according to my slot.
We got set up on my dining table, I turned my head to not watch, and she got to work taking my blood.
I informed my phlebotomist that people have had trouble finding a vein in my arm, so she immediately, without question, switched to using the top of my hand instead. While this probably is more painful, it’s more comfortable for me since my veins are front and center on my hand, and I would rather this than them poking and prodding me multiple times.
I did start to feel faint at the end, but since I was home, right after she left I was able to eat and drink something and lay down on the couch. From start to finish, everything took maybe 10 minutes?
My experience with Getlabs was really positive. The phlebotomist was nice and gentle, and did a great job making sure I was comfortable. I’m proud to say there were no tears this time around.
The Pros:
No phone calls! As a millenial, I don’t like to call to schedule appointments.
Privacy in your own home. You can be comfortable in your own setting and don’t have to go and wait at a facility or hospital.
Technology oriented company. You get notices via text and email, and can do all your scheduling on the site.
When I emailed the company after my appointment with a quick question, I got a fast response.
Mask was worn by phlebotomist
The Cons:
The listed $35 price doesn’t seem to be the norm from my experience checking out dates and times.
No text response when I texted them with a question the night before. I figured the phone line would still be working since they just texted me with confirmation, but it looks like they have limited texting staffing hours. I didn’t get a response in the morning either.
Would I choose Getlabs again? Absolutely. This experience was hands down a whole lot better than my first blood work experience.
Is it kind of “bougie” since I’m scheduling an at home out of pocket expense that not everyone can justify? Sure, but for me the cost was worth it.
Getting my blood work done at home made me feel a lot more comfortable, and provided a patient and private experience. I didn’t feel rushed and I didn’t feel embarrassed to be nervous. If you’re like me with difficult veins, bad previous experiences, or just plain afraid of blood work, I would definitely recommend considering an at home service! I feel proud of myself, and braver for having gotten through it without any issues.
