2019 is here, which means it’s time to review last year’s reading challenge! For 2018, my goal was to read 20 books, and I’m happy to report I was able to meet that goal, even though it was a busy and challenging year.
Thanks to Goodreads, I was able to see a compilation of all the books I read into a fun visual! Let’s check it out.
Reading Challenge from GoodreadsReading Challenge from Goodreads
As you can see, I went on a reading binge on books from Alice Hoffman and Charlie N. Holmberg, both were my standout authors for the year. Every year I tend to find one author who I really enjoy the writing style and subject matter of, both this year I found. My favorite types of books are usually ones that deal with witches, witchcraft, and any sort of magic. If you have any suggestions in the genre, do let me know!
For this year, I’m keeping my reading goal at 20 books. I’ve just finished my first book of the year, “Valentine” by Jodi McAlister which was the first book in a YA series about high school students and some “faeries.” Worth a read, but the first half of the book is pretty slow. I’m still undecided if I’ll pick up the next book in the series.
Until then, I’m going to spend my time unwrapping and enjoying my “Blind date with a Book” collection I picked up from Barnes and Noble. The first book to unwrap below:
p.s. become my friend on Goodreads, I don’t have any 🙂
This post is long overdue, but better late than never! At the end of Summer I received another Fix where I explicitly asked for dresses I could wear to work and to try a romper that was short sleeved or sleeveless since my last one was full length sleeves. Here’s how my Fix unfolded…
I’ve really gotten to love a floral print over my past X years with Stitch Fix. This dress from Market & Spruce, one of my favorite “companies” from Stitch Fix is no exception. The string detail in the back of the neck is interesting and adds a little something unexpected. I was a little worried at first about the crochet detail that takes up so much of the front neck/chest part of this dress, fearing I wouldn’t be able to wear a normal bra with it, but I found you don’t notice nude bra straps through it since the dress is kind of busy. This dress is super comfy and flattering with the cinched in waist band. One of the best things about this dress, besides it’s flowy-ness, and beautiful pattern is the fact that it travels so well. While I may not be rocking this dress anymore at the moment, it’s perfect for trips to warmer climates, like where I was in the past couple of weeks, New Orleans and Austin. It works in the sweltering southern heat of the US that’s still prevalent every now and then during this time of the year.
This dress is a bit “dressed up” you could say. While the style didn’t immediately talk to me, as it reminded me of something my mother might wear (a more mature cut and print) but after trying it on, it was super comfortable, and the waistband flatters one’s chest. While I do think I look more mature in this dress, I guess that isn’t a bad thing. I am getting older, and I’m not a young twenty something anymore. Nothing wrong with looking a little more mature in the office, even if I work for a Tech giant. This dress also works well for travel. You could bunch this thing up and it’ll never wrinkle.
Wisp Ryenne Jersey Dress – Stitch FixWisp Ryenne Jersey Dress – Stitch Fix
#3 –Market & Spruce Gala Lattice Detail Dress
Another Fix and another Market & Spruce. This dress is pretty similar to the one I received above, similar fabric and feel to it. The only major differences are that this one doesn’t have crochet details and it runs a bit big. I felt the cinched waist line wasn’t tight enough, or the torso part of the dress was too long, making the cinched waist sometimes fall too low. It’s still super comfy though! The pattern of this dress is also super cute, casual, but the cut and style makes it a perfect dress for work or going out and about on the weekend.
Market & Spruce Gala Lattice Detail Dress – Stitch FixMarket & Spruce Gala Lattice Detail Dress – Stitch Fix
#4 – Kaleigh Annabelle Knit Dress
This knit dress is hands down my favorite in the box! The cut and pattern reminds me a retro style dress. One of the best parts of this dress is how lightweight it is on. It’s beyond comfortable. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the straps were perfectly wide enough and cut just right to allow you to get away with a normal bra and not have to worry about straps hanging out in the back, not that that’s stopped me before… But overall, this dress by Kaleigh is just a polka dot of fun! You could pair this with a white blazer and take the town by storm, or just wear it casually as is with simple sandals.
Onto the romper, ladies and gents! This past year I got in my head that I wanted to try a romper. I passed on the whole romper boom last summer because I wasn’t sure it was for me, but this year I figured why not give it a try!? The whole purpose for me using Stitch Fix is to open up my style horizons, take a risk, and try something I never would have picked for myself. So, here we go down Romper lane again! This time, I was super excited to find a spaghetti strapped version that would be perfect for warmer weather and climates. While it’s currently Fall, I think you could still make this work due to the very Fall inspired colors this dress is decked out in. Just throw on a jean jacket and you’re rocking it! We all know pockets are a girls best friend, and I’m happy to report this romper has long pockets for all your carrying needs! Just don’t put anything too too heavy in there or it might feel/look a little silly since the fabric is thin and you’ll get weighed down. I’ve enjoyed wearing this romper this past season, and I know when I head back to the Philippines for work in the winter I’ll be packing this baby!
Collective Concepts Keva Crochet Trim Romper – Stitch FixCollective Concepts Keva Crochet Trim Romper – Stitch Fix
Final Thoughts:Â This Fix was a pretty big hit! Cassandra, my stylist, really listened to my requests and made it happen! You can’t get enough outfits and pieces that are travel proof. For me, that’s the biggest thing! I seem to travel more and more for work lately, and it’s essential that I have clothing items that can travel with me and take a beating but still look great right out of the suitcase, and that’s what these five items do. Looking forward to sharing my Fall fix with you, that just arrived yesterday!
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It has been another hot Summer in the city, which means it’s hard to find comfortable, fashionable, and weather appropriate clothing items for the workplace. Most of my commute involves me walking outside in the elements before jumping on a train, so I need items that are light, airy, and still look like I tried to put myself together for the day even though I’m melting. In this Fix, I also asked for a romper, my first ever, so let’s see how this goes.
#1 -Skies Are Blue Alisson Chambray Top
The first item out of the box was a denim looking top. From first glance I wasn’t sure I was into it or how it would look on me. The color itself is a nice light blue, but it didn’t scream Summer to me. The fabric has a bit of weight to it, although it’s not form fitting where it becomes unbearably hot, but I’ve still yet to incorporate this top into my wardrobe yet because it’s been too hot for a top with sleeves (at least outside during my commute). When I did try it on, I started to come around to the style, and find it’ll look great with white capris or jeans. Now, I just need to the temps to drop 20 degrees and I’ll be ready to rock it.
Stitch Fix – Skies are BlueStitch Fix – Skies are Blue
#2 – Skies are Blue Bekah Crochet Overlay Halter Blouse
Seems the Skies are Blue over here in New Jersey, with my second piece being from the same designer. I’ve never been one for halter tops, mainly because I tend to wear normal bras that of course come with straps that will show with any type of non standard neck/shoulder line top. I was a little hesitant, but I figured I could give a top a go that required a strapless bra and hope for the best. Well, I absolutely love this top. Halter tops don’t have to be cheesy or unprofessional. This halter top is absolutely gorgeous, with just enough crochet detail to take your style up several notches and be able to rock this white beauty to the office or on date night. It’s truly a 10/10. I’ll pair this top with the next item, so scroll to see what it actually looks like since the Stitch Fix app screenshot was busted.
Stitch Fix – Skies are Blue
#3 – Kut from the Kloth Jansen Printed Linen Short
While I love shorts, I only have one pair in my collection that’s actually linen, and that seems like a crime since linen is the perfect Summer fabric. I was excited to pull these beauties out of the box and admire their fun and vibrant colors and print. I was a little hesitant at first to figure out what color top I own that I could pair with these and still look put together, but my stylist already thought of that, and mentioned these shorts would go perfectly with the white halter blouse or the chambray top from this box. Later on, I did try these on with a plain white tank and felt the look was cute, but made me look too relaxed, as if I was in a pair of pjs. So, I guess the awesome thing is that you can really elevate these shorts with a fancier top like the crochet halter, or wear it down by putting on a plain tank. You can get two looks out of one pair of shorts! I should also mention the length on these shorts is also a little longer than I usually wear, but that makes them great for work.
Stitch Fix – Kut from the KlothStitch Fix – Skies are Blue and Kut from the Kloth
#4 – Gilli Jeslyn Flare Skirt
I’ve been interested in skirts more and more lately. One, because they are more appropriate for the office than my booty shorts, which don’t get me wrong, I’m still wearing to work (tech companies for the win), but two, they are so effortless and can make even a cotton tank top come together for a professional look. This flare skirt is a winner. The floral pattern is perfect for transitioning from Spring, Summer, and even to Fall. It’s extraordinarily flowy and beyond comfortable. Pair with a pale pink cotton tank, or a white or light green silk top and you’re golden.
Stitch Fix – GilliStitch Fix – Gilli
#5 – Market & Spruce Fraya Knit Romper
Now for the piece we’ve all been waiting for, the romper. When I requested a romper I had vision of a short sleeve, or spaghetti strap item, but what I pulled out instead was a long sleeve romper. I have to admit I was a little confused why I was receiving a long sleeve romper in the middle of summer. How was I going to wear this in 90+ degree heat? If you get this romper, the first thing you’ll notice is the weight to it. It’s pretty heavy, although the fabric itself isn’t too bad when you wear it. The colors are to die for. When I see the bright white and blues on this piece, all I can think of is resort wear and Greece. Now I’ve never been to Greece, but I think this would be a nice outfit to wear there. Thankfully, the temps dropped a bit one day so I was able to give it a go and found it was a really fun piece to wear and pretty manageable to deal with when it came to visiting the restroom. There’s one button in the back by the neck that’s pretty easy to maneuver and makes getting in and out not too painful. Finally, the best part of this romper are the pockets! You can’t go wrong with anything with pockets!
Final Thoughts:Â For a Summer Fix, this box hit most of my checklist. I wish two of the five items weren’t longer sleeved so that I could actually enjoy them now, rather than in the Fall, but I’m really happy with the pieces my stylist Cassandra sent to me. I was able to give some new looks a try with both a romper and a halter, and I started to realize I shouldn’t limit my style based on old assumptions I had. As they say, you never truly know how something will look until you try it. Go out there and try a new fashion trend, it might just become one of your favorites!
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With the promise of warmer temperatures around the corner, it was time for my boyfriend, Brian, to get another Stitch Fix box, with the hopes of getting some Spring attire. For his latest Fix, he simply requested a Spring wardrobe, hoping to get a variety of pieces that would help with the transition from Winter to Spring.
#1 Descendant of Thieves – Crushed Tissue Seersucker Shirt
Price: $95
The first shirt out of the box was from Descendant of Thieves. Kristin, Brian’s stylist suggested this would be a good option for a BBQ, especially paired with Sperrys. That last bit made me laugh, because Brian is not exactly “preppy” or into boat shoes.
Brian: I’ll be blunt – this shirt was made of rainbow coloured toilet paper. I really liked my last Descendant of Thieves shirt (check out our post here), but this one missed the mark, mainly in terms of comfort and fabric. I couldn’t take myself seriously wearing a shirt that had more ripples than a roll of Cottenelle.
Continue to the next item to see a combined picture of Brian’s first two items.
#2 Flag & Anthem – Ellis Slub Short
Price: $45
The name of these shorts is funny, “slub.” I keep thinking “slob.” Brian’s stylist suggests wearing these bad boys out for a round of golf with the boys. I’m not sure he’ll be doing that activity anytime soon. I really like the light blue color of the shorts, which I think would be perfect for wearing on a cruise or going to the beach, but it takes a confident man to rock a pastel.
Brian: Clearly I am not a sufficiently confident man – I don’t wear pastel colored trousers. Shirts, sure (except for salmon), but I get my pants and shorts dirty so light bottoms don’t last very long in my wardrobe. These might be great for a round of golf as the stylist indicates, but I don’t play golf with “the boys”.
#3 Original Penguin – Daddy- O Solid Polo Price: $55
Spring has sprung, and so have the pastels. Next out of the box was another pastel, but this top for on top. I think Brian looks good in pinks, but I know it’s hard to get him to commit to actually wearing colors besides white, blue, and grey. But, let’s see what exciting commentary he has to share this time around.
Brian: Ah yes, the classic salmon colored polo. This is an item that everyone thinks a man should have in their closet, but not every man can actually pull off. Personally, pink accentuates my rosacea so it was a pass. Nice style and fit, just not the right colour for me.
With the combined pastel pants and top, Brian’s ready for a baby shower or gender reveal, hahaha. No, don’t get any ideas.
#4 Hawker Rye – Karson Spacedye Polo
Price: $38 When I spotted this next polo, I thought there was hope that Brian would find something in the box he’d like. It seemed like a classic “Brian” polo, all navy and and neutral. But, maybe I was wrong?
Brian: I was on the fence with this polo. I’m a sucker for navy blue polos (with at least 4 of them in my closet), but this one felt a tad too tight in the shoulders and armpits. I always wear an undershirt, and this shirt was a bit too snug to have another layer underneath. I considered sizing up, but with a plethora of navy polos already, it didn’t feel worth it.
We paired this top with Brian’s last Fix item, another pair of shorts from Flag & Anthem, see below.
#5 Flag & Anthem – Wingate Short
Price: $39 We finish this Fix with one last pair of Flag & Anthem shorts, this time a different cut/design and a neutral/friendly color for Brian’s particular wardrobe.
Brian: These shorts were the saving grace of the fix, finally, something I could keep and not waste my entire styling fee. There wasn’t anything special about these shorts, but they were a nice color and fit well for me to work into my summer wardrobe.
Brian’s Final Thoughts: I should have clarified that my Spring activities don’t include rounds of golf, going to the beach, or BBQs with friends. It generally felt like this fix was designed for someone living on the west coast, where Spring is a whole lot closer to summer than it is here in the east. I just ordered another fix today and tried to be a bit more descriptive about what I was looking for in hopes that I’ll keep more than 1 item.
Until next time, happy fixing!
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A few months ago I took my first trip to Asia. I was full of all sorts of emotions, from not knowing what to expect, wondering what I would eat, if I would be able to communicate with people, and what in the world should I pack! The first leg of my trip was to the Philippines, a place I never expected I would visit, but when works calls and an adventure awaits, you pack that bag and go. I knew that offices in the Philippines, particularly Manila, had some rules around dress code, and that shorts were apparently a no no. However, I looked at the weather report and I wondered how I would survive without shorts. So, I pulled up the Stitch Fix app and requested an emergency Stitch Fix travel fix with one BIG requirement, everything must have pockets!
If you’ve been reading my Fix posts, you know I love a dress with pockets, so I knew I had to request those, and I also told my stylist to throw in a skirt too, but only if it had pockets. Why was I pocked obsessed? Well, a girl has to carry her phone, clip her work badge on to something, and be able to carry other essentials of course!
Alright, enough back story, get ready for the Ultimate Pocket Fix from Stitch Fix!
#1 THML Andrea Textured Knit Dress
The first dress I pulled out was an solid black knit dress with a small black and white turtleneck. The fabric seemed pretty heavy, not super lightweight, so I was immediately concerned that I would be way too hot in this dress, especially with a high neck line. I tried it on, and found it was pretty comfortable, but the true test would be in the Philippines. I was happy to find the dress did indeed have pockets, but I felt the pockets were a little extra bulky so when I wore the dress it seemed to accentuate my hips, making them look bigger. Fast forward to the Philippines, and I pulled this little number out, and it seemed to hold up with the high humidity and 80+ degree temps. Win! It also worked well for going from day to night. After wearing the dress all day in the office, I then went out for a late dinner with a coworker/friend and I felt I looked dressy and appropriate for a nice evening out.
THML Andrea Textured Knit Dress – Stitch FixTHML Andrea Textured Knit Dress – Stitch Fix
#2 – Daniel Rainn Estefany Lace Detail Split Neck Blouse
Next up was a super cute blouse by one of my favorites, Daniel Rainn. When I saw I received a shirt, it was a giveaway that a skirt was coming, since I asked for a matching top if a skirt was given. I absolutely love the color and pattern of this top. It screams summer, fun, and it’s perfect for traveling. Not only did this shirt not wrinkle during travel, but it kept me feeling cool and chic! The little birds make me think tropics, and I was in a pretty “tropical” area at times, so I loved how my stylist took notice of where I was going and incorporated a fun pattern to match. You’ll see this paired with the skirt in the next item below. Oh, and don’t forget to wear a nude colored bra with this top, it is a bit see through via the fabric and lace near the chest.
#3 – Liverpool Aislin Pencil Skirt
Before this Fix, I didn’t own a pencil skirt. I know, it’s practically a fashion sin, but I just never found one that I felt looked flattering. This Liverpool skirt changed my mind on the pencil skirt. Not only is the skirt cute, but it’s extremely flattering. If you’ve been thinking about trying out a pencil skirt, look no further. This skirt fits perfectly, without being too tight. Of course, it has pockets! This skirt zips and buttons up, allowing for a comfortable fit. Pair it with a fun printed top, and you’re ready to take on work or date night! The below outfit was a hit with my teammate/friend.
Daniel Rainn Estefany Lace Detail Split Neck Blouse and Liverpool Aislin Pencil Skirt – Stitch Fix
#4 – Truly Poppy Carlina Cold Shoulder Dress
A cold shoulder dress for a tropical climate? Yes! I’ve never owned a cold shoulder dress before, and in my last Fix post you saw me get my first cold shoulder top. This dress actually came first, I just decided to post this Fix in a more appropriate season (spring/summer) than when I received it (winter). I was a little nervous because there seemed to be a lot of sleeve situation going on, but I figured I’d give it a shot and see what it looked like on. I’m so glad I received this dress, not only is it a beautiful plum color, but it’s perfect for spring/summer and outings of all types. I added a sweater (occasionally) when I was in the office to help keep me warm from the AC, and although there’s a lot of sleeve action, I was able to neatly tuck everything in under a thin fitted sweater, a major plus. The back of the dress has a cut out, and is brought together by two big snaps. I didn’t have any issues with the snaps coming undone, but it can be a little tricky snapping things into place the first try, but you get used it!
I received tons of compliments on this dress while I was on my business trip, which is an added bonus!
#5 – Truly Poppy Crissie Linen Dress
Now you may say to yourself, didn’t I just see this dress. Close, but nope! I thought the same thing when I pulled out this dress. When I put on the Crissie dress the fit was immediately different. Both dresses from Truly Poppy were provided in the same size, but this one was significantly tighter, especially in the chest area, making everything look very unflattering. I was a bit upset because I was hoping this was going to be another winner that I could put in my suitcase for my big trip to Asia, but it just wasn’t going to cut it. I tried to see if I could exchange it for a size larger, but the checkout page said they didn’t have the size I wanted, so I returned the dress, left feedback in the open response section at checkout and called it a day.
Surprisingly, Stitch Fix contacted me a few days later to say they were able to get this dress in the next size up and wondered if I wanted to try it out. I said “sure!” The dress came after my trip, but it fit great! This was my first time doing an exchange with Stitch Fix, and it went smoothly. I loved how proactive they were to find me a new size, it really made my day. While I didn’t have this item for my trip, I’m glad I have it now.
The back of this dress has a cute cut out, as does the previous Truly Poppy Dress. It helps keep you cool in humid weather and adds a little sass. Best part of course is the pockets! I also want to give a shout out for the scalloping at the neck line, it’s a nice added detail that makes this a fun option. If you’re going to wear a bra, make sure to pair it with a strapless bra that doesn’t have too thick of a band in the back, or it will show. Pair this dress with a light sweater and you’re ready for a Spring evening stroll. You’ll love how breezy the linen is!
Final Thoughts:Â While I may not have necessarily picked all of these items on my own if they were in store, I’m truly happy with the pieces I received. My stylist came through with my odd request of everything must have pockets. Thank you for delivering, Cassandra! If you’re a pocket in dresses kind of girl, you can’t go wrong with any of these pieces. My philosophy in life is that all dresses should have pockets, and this Fix has certainly spoiled me. Hope you enjoyed this Fix and that you found an item or two you’ll want to request too!
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As you can see, I went on a reading binge on books from Alice Hoffman and Charlie N. Holmberg, both were my standout authors for the year. Every year I tend to find one author who I really enjoy the writing style and subject matter of, both this year I found. My favorite types of books are usually ones that deal with witches, witchcraft, and any sort of magic. If you have any suggestions in the genre, do let me know!
