Stitch Fix #28 Review - December 2016

Stitch Fix #28 Review - December 2016

Note:  This point contains affiliate links to support my blogging addiction!  :)

So . . . once upon a time, I used to have a blog.  Actually, it was about six months ago.  I still HAVE the blog; I just haven't posted in a while.

I don't know.  Life happens, I guess.  Last year, I started a really crazy recipe creation project (tacos), got overwhelmed, and kind of hit a wall.  Then, school started and I had a super busy fall semester.  As a result, I've gotten a bit behind in sharing my Stitch Fix experiences!  In fact, I haven't shared anything lately.  I think that needs to change!

If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with Stitch Fix, but if not, read on for a brief description of my history with Stitch Fix and a short explanation of how the whole thing works:

I became a member of Stitch Fix in January of 2015, and I am definitely a fan!  My closet has improved 1000% since then.  It's been really nice to receive clothing in the mail that I can try on at my convenience.  I've received some great pieces that I wear often.  I may never see the inside of a mall again!  :)

To get started, you go to their website and fill out your style profile!  That gives you a chance to show your stylist your measurements, usual sizes, how you like things to fit, and the styles that generally appeal to you.  If you're interested in checking it out, please consider following my link to schedule your first fix!  (I am a member of Stitch Fix's affiliate program, which means I get a small commission for anyone who signs up using my link.  However, my opinions are always my own and I pay for all of my own fixes!)

When you order a fix, you pay $20.00 to have your own personal stylist look at your style profile and preferences (which can include a Pinterest board).  They will choose five clothing and/or accessory items specifically for you.  They are shipped right to your doorstep!  You have three days to try the items with other things in your own wardrobe and decide if you want to keep them.  The $20.00 styling fee is credited toward any items that you decide to purchase, and you receive a prepaid shipping envelope to return anything that you don't want.  If you happen to keep all five items, you receive a 25% discount on the whole box!  You can choose to receive fixes every month, every few weeks, or only once in a while.  Here are some links to my previous reviews, if you'd like to check them out:

June/July 2016 - #22
May/June 2016 - #21 
April 2016 - #20
March 2016 - #19
February 2016 - #18
February 2016 - #17
January 2016 - #16
December 2015 - #15
November 2015 - #14
November 2015 - #13
October 2015 - #12
September 2015 - #11
Stitch Fix Keepers
September 2015 - #10
August 2015 - #9

Yes, I did receive fixes in August, September, October, and November of this year.  No, I did not review them.  I kept at least one item from each of those fixes, though.  Here's to getting back on the horse!  It's FUN to share what I receive, so I'll try to do better in 2017!

Anyway, moving on . . .

I received this latest fix toward the end of a week-long vacation in Hawaii.  It arrived early!  I had to ask my neighbor to take it off of our front porch and keep it safe for me until we got back.  I'd like to say I was eagerly anticipating the moment that I would open the box, but that isn't true.

The trip was a whirlwind.  We were both sick.  Picture yourself in paradise, but you don't feel like doing anything.  And your appetite is all messed up.  Yep.  That was us.  Yay! 

We tried to make the best of it and had as much fun as we could.  We got home late at night on December 23rd.  I proceeded to get worse.  Christmas Day was my low point.  I think I blew through a whole box of Kleenex by myself.  Ugh.

After a couple of days had passed and I was finally starting to feel better, I was getting curious about what was in the box.  I finally dragged myself over to my neighbor's house and picked it up!

It seemed so light - no shoes this time, I guess!  That's fine with me.  I've received shoes frequently in my last several fixes, and the last few pairs haven't really worked out.  I was fine with receiving only clothing this time!  I opened the box and found some nice winter colors embedded in a few bold patterns:

One of the nice things about Stitch Fix is that they send you a style card with ideas for each of the items that you receive.  If you're clueless about fashion (as I can be sometimes), it's nice to see a couple of different ways to wear a new style.  Here's the style care that came with this fix:

Lauren was my stylist again!  I think she's been styling me for about a year now.  She picks out great stuff!  I have to confess, I was not a good client this time.  I did not leave her a note to ask for anything specific.  I did not update my Pinterest board.  She had nothing to go on.  Oops. 

Her note to me was just as positive as ever, though!  Here's what she said:

There were a couple of items that I wasn't sure about, but I was excited to give everything a try! 

Well . . . here's what I got!

1. Tolani Talline V-Neck Silk Dress - $188.00

and

2. Rune Porter Legging - $44.00

I tried to find some good light in our backyard, but my photos definitely have a winter cast to them.  And I'm wearing my most wintery lipstick.  My husband calls it my goth lipstick.  I'm not sure if he really knows what "goth" is.  Anyway, it's called "Dominatrix".  I think I mostly bought it for the name, but it is actually great lipstick.  It smells amazing.  Ha ha.  You can get it here.  If you think that might be your jam.  No judgement here!

As Lauren suggested, I tried the dress and the leggings together, completing the look with black riding boots.  I found the silk dress to be quite flimsy and see-through.  I definitely would not have been comfortable wearing it without something underneath it. 

So . . . I kind of hated this dress.  It was pretty baggy on me.  I felt like I was wearing a sack with a really pretty print. 

The neckline really bugged me.  The v-neck was very low cut and loose.  I couldn't think of a necklace that would look good or be comfortable with this gaping neckline.  The tab sleeves hit me at a weird spot, but if I unrolled them, they were shorter than I would have liked.

And . . . $188?  Wow.  I'll spend that much on a dress, but it needs to be an awesome dress!  Nope.  This is not that.  Ha ha.

The leggings are mostly covered up in the picture, but there's not much to them.  Basic black leggings.  And when I say leggings, I do not mean leggings-as-pants kind of leggings.  These make you feel like you need to cover your butt.  I wasn't a fan.  I might as well have been wearing tights.

I have several pairs of "pants" that are almost leggings.  They are very thick.  Some of them have pockets.  I feel comfortable wearing them with shorter shirts.  That's what I want in a legging.  These leggings gave me that uncomfortable feeling that I get from wearing tight pantyhose - you know, when they start sagging in the crotch?  That's one of the reasons I don't wear hose.  Nah.  I really didn't need these.

Verdict (dress):  RETURN

Verdict (leggings):  RETURN

3. Central Park West Zofie Mixed Material Sweater - $138.00

(Note to self:  Time to get those highlights touched up, huh?)

My gut feeling when I saw this sweater was that I was going to love it.  Not a bad thing, right?

Then I saw the price!  I just knew it was going to be that one item that I had to keep! 

Lauren knows that I like animal prints, back details, and zippers - I could totally see where she was coming from with this one, even though it was pricey.

I paired the sweater with my Level 99 coated skinnies from my October 2015 fix.  I decided to keep the riding boots on, especially since those jeans are SHORT for winter . . .

By the way, I love these Steve Madden boots!  I wear them all the time.  They're so comfortable and they fit my calves just perfectly - reasonably priced, too!  They're available here:

So . . . did I decide I couldn't live without the expensive sweater?  Ha ha.

I got lucky.  I put it on and thought, "Meh."  It wasn't bad.  The sleeves were long enough.  I'm a tall person with long arms, so that was a plus!

I just didn't think it was that flattering.  It didn't wow me.  It was a nice sweater, but . . . this happened to be one of those times when the IDEA of something was much better than the reality.   

I decided to pass.  My credit card was relieved!

Verdict:  RETURN

4. Daniel Rainn Sealy Tassel Tie Blouse - $68.00

(Note to self:  The nineties called.  They want the choker back.)

Look at my face.  Ha ha.  It's saying, "Here we go again . . . another Daniel Rainn top."  It seems like I get one in almost every fix.  I'm almost getting sick of them.  But then they end up being cute and I keep them. 

I wanted to hate this one.  Feminine?  Flowers?  What?  I don't want to be that kind of princess.  I like an edgier vibe.  How about some spikes?  To go with my goth lipstick?  Ha ha.

Lauren suggested trying this top with jeans.  I decided to just continue the experience with the same Level 99 jeans and Steve Madden riding boots that I wore with the sweater.  If it's not broke . . .

I looked in the mirror and grudgingly admitted that this was a nice outfit.  My husband liked it, too, though he did point out that I have quite a few boho/hippie tops already.

Yes.  Yes, I do.  That is totally not the point.

OK, Daniel Rainn.  You win.  This time.

Verdict:  KEEP

5. Edyson Maisha Ponte and Faux Leather Jacket - $88.00

The last thing in my fix was this jacket.  Lauren suggested throwing it on over the Daniel Rainn top, so that's what I did.

The color kind of threw me off.  I like grey, but this is a warmish mocha grey.  Weird.  Not part of my usual color palette at all!

The jacket was so fitted that I didn't think it would fit over the top.  Sometimes I'm better off sizing up with layers.  My shoulders are very broad.  However, the jacket did have some stretch in the shoulders and arms, so it just barely worked with the thin Daniel Rainn top!  I still think a large might have been better (this was a medium), as I would only have been able to wear this with short sleeved and/or very thin tops.

In the end, I liked it much better than I thought I would.  However, I didn't see myself wearing it very often.  I have some other layers already in my closet that would work just fine with the outfit above.  I decided I didn't need it.

Verdict:  RETURN

Well, there you have it!  I'm happy with the one top that I kept, and I'm really looking forward to my next fix!

I requested to keep Lauren as my stylist for next time, and I am going to make a point to write her a detailed note and update my Pinterest board!  A 1/5 fix isn't bad, but I wouldn't mind getting another 3/5 (or even a 5/5) one of these days!  :)

By the way, if you'd like an easy way to see Stitch Fix items that other people have received, you can check out some other Stitch Fix reviews by clicking on the link below and visiting a great linkup.  It's hosted by Maria of Crazy Together.  I always enjoy seeing her fixes and joining in the fun with other Stitch Fix fans!  :)

http://crazytogether.com/stitch-fix-for-the-holidays-december-stitch-fix-review-43/

Please comment!  Did I make the right calls?  Have you received any of these items?  What did you think?

Thanks again for reading!

77. Deconstructed Jalapeño Popper Tacos!!!

This post contains affiliate links to support my blogging addiction!

Well . . . it's been over a month since I've posted anything.  I got a little carried away with summer vacation.  Oops.

The funny thing is . . . I thought it would be easier to blog during the summer.  No.  At least, not for me - so many distractions!  My regular school-year routine was thrown out the window with abandon, and it was hard to figure out where blogging fit into the long, hot, crazy days!  Ha ha.

And . . . I think I just needed a break.  If you have read any of my previous posts, you might have noticed that I have been working on a taco recipe creation project for a little over a year.  Well, it was supposed to be just one year, but I didn't quite make it!  I'm still going to finish my 100 recipes, but it's going to take a little longer.  2 more months?  4 more months?  We'll see.  Once I started questioning whether I should go on vacation or stay home to make tacos, I knew I needed to reassess my priorities!  Ha ha.

So, anyway . . . I made these a few weeks ago.  I wanted to see if I could incorporate the flavors of a jalapeño popper (everyone's favorite spicy bar-food treat, right?) into a taco.  I suppose I could have just made jalapeño poppers, chopped them up, and threw them into some taco shells, but . . . no.  Ha ha.  I felt like the whole thing needed a bit more finesse than that, so I decided to deconstruct/reimagine the typical components of this guilty pleasure and (hopefully) come up with something unique.

I used ground turkey as the base.  I know, that's not typically part of a jalapeño popper filling, but I didn't want to end up with a taco full of nothing but cream cheese.  Ew.  I added bacon to the turkey to give it some flavor (as bacon does happen to be an ingredient that is commonly used in jalapeño poppers).

To incorporate the creamy, cheesy filling, I made a sauce with cream cheese, cheddar, and more peppers!  Finally, I topped the tacos with some crunchy garlic bread crumbs as a nod to the breaded/fried aspect of jalapeño poppers.

Weird, I know.  Well . . . here's the recipe:

Deconstructed Jalapeño Popper Tacos!

Serves 3 or 4 (about 8 tacos) 

Ingredients:

For the garlic bread crumbs:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, pressed through a garlic press
1 cup panko
1/4 tsp. salt
Pinch of red hot pepper flakes

For the poblano-cream cheese sauce:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press
2 poblano peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 red pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped

8 oz. cream cheese
2 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves

1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the turkey filling:

2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
2 medium garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press

1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried Mexican oregano

1 lb. ground turkey
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled or chopped
1 tbsp. green hot sauce (I used Gringo Bandito.)

Other things you'll need:

8 large jalapeños, roasted, peeled, and seeded (left whole as much as possible)

12 crunchy taco shells (I used Trader Joe's Brand.)

Chile powder of your choice, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1.  Make the bread crumb topping:  Place the olive oil and the garlic in a medium skillet over low heat.  Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the oil is very warm.  Add the panko, salt, and red pepper and stir to combine.  Cook (stirring occasionally) over low heat until the crumbs are toasty.  Be careful not to burn them - it's easy to get impatient!  Mine took about 25 minutes and ended up looking like this:

Set the bread crumbs aside to cool.

2.  Make the poblano-cream cheese sauce:  Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion, reduce the heat slightly, and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Add the garlic and chiles.  Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until everything is heated through and most of the liquid from the chiles has evaporated.  Cut the cream cheese into pieces and add to the mixture along with the shredded cheddar cheese.  Cook, stirring often, until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is hot and bubbling.  Add the salt and cilantro and remove from the heat.  Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.  Cover and set aside.

3.  Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion, reduce the heat slightly, and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano and cook and stir for an additional minute or so.  Add the turkey, salt, and pepper and increase the heat to medium.  Cook, stirring and breaking apart with a spatula, until the turkey is completely done.  Stir in the crumbled bacon and hot sauce.  Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.  Remove from the heat.

4.  Assemble the tacos:  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Take each roasted jalapeño and cut it down one side (if you didn't already do that while seeding them) and lay it out flat.  Place all of the shells in a baking dish that will allow them all to stand upright.  (This was the trickiest part for me - they kept falling over!  It took a few tries to get them all propped up!)  Line each taco shell with a whole jalapeño.  Top with some of the turkey mixture.  Spread on some of the poblano cream-cheese sauce and sprinkle with the garlic bread crumbs.

Oops!  I took this picture before I sprinkled on the bread crumbs!

5.  Bake the tacos:  Place the pan in the oven and bake until all of the taco ingredients are hot and the shells are starting to brown.  Mine took about 15 minutes, but this could vary depending on your oven, so watch them carefully.  The shells can go from browned to burned very quickly!

6.  Sprinkle each taco with a bit of chile powder (if desired) and serve two or three for each person.  If you have nifty little taco holders like the ones below, use them!  They make things easier!  :)



Enjoy!  

These were definitely a hit.  My husband and I both enjoyed them.  One important thing to mention, though . . . any given taco could be WAY hotter than the others.  The heat level of jalapeños can really vary from pepper to pepper, and since I used a single pepper for each taco, there was no way to gauge the general spiciness of the recipe.  Some tacos were pleasantly spicy.  A couple of them were like death.  Seriously.

My husband started complaining that his taco was too spicy and I actually thought he was being a baby.  At first.  Then I took a bite of that taco and went running for the freezer in search of something cold to put in my mouth.  Ha ha.

It's good to know that going in.  I'd still recommend them, but just be aware you may be playing a kind of Russian roulette with heat!  :)

There is only one thing I would change.  The sauce was a bit on the thick side.  I thought it would thin out during the baking process and I didn't want it oozing out of the tacos and getting all over the place.  It didn't.  The thickness stayed the same even when the tacos were very hot.  It wasn't bad; it just wasn't what I had envisioned.  When I make this again, I'll probably add a couple of tablespoons of liquid to the sauce - maybe heavy cream?  Mmmm.

By the way, the sauce is fantastic.  You will want to put it on EVERYTHING!  You'll probably have some left, and you won't be sorry!  I spread some of it on an breakfast sandwich the next day and was very pleased with the result!

Well, I'll be going back to school tomorrow.  Maybe that will bring some normalcy back into my life and I'll be able to post more recipes!  (Actually, I still have a few more that I've already made and need to post!  Oops.)

Small steps.  Recipe number 100, I'm feeling you.  I'll get there.  I'm not one to start a project and not finish it, especially if it's crazy!  Ha ha. 

Please feel free to comment!  Did you try these?  What did you think?  Thanks for reading!  :)

76. Roasted Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Arugula, Manchego, and Corn, Red Pepper, and Chive Salsa

One of the things that I love about summer is fresh corn on the cob!  It's funny - when I was a kid, I don't remember being able to get corn on the cob during other times of the year (unless it was frozen).  Now, it seems like you can get it almost anytime.  Just because you can, though, doesn't mean you should!  Am I right?  I try to avoid corn on the cob until summer, because it's usually a starchy disappointment.

For this recipe, I had my heart set on featuring a fresh, sweet corn salsa.  I thought shrimp would be the perfect protein to pair with it - shrimp has a lovely, delicate sweetness of its own!  I decided to cook the shrimp in a delicious, creamy roasted garlic sauce!

With all that sweetness and decadence, I needed some contrast.  Pleasantly bitter arugula seemed to be just the thing!  To top it off?  A hint of nutty manchego cheese!  (I know some people don't think seafood and cheese go together.  Well . . . I don't know what to say.  We like the combination every now and then!)

I left the corn raw in this recipe.  If it's in season, I think it's fine.  If you prefer that it be cooked, you can gently saute or microwave the corn before assembling the salsa.  I just didn't think it was necessary!

I'm still on my quest to create 100 taco recipes!  It's . . . going, but I've basically accepted that I will NOT finish this project at the one-year mark.  It might be a year and a month.  I don't know.  I'll finish as soon as I can, but I had no concept of how gargantuan this undertaking was when I started.

O.O

24 more to go!  Whew!  :)

I'm going to keep this introduction short because I need to think of another taco to make for tonight.  Ha ha.  Here's the recipe!  :)

Roasted Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Arugula, Manchego, and Corn, Red Pepper, and Chive Salsa

Serves 3-4 (about 8 tacos), with extra salsa 

Ingredients:
 

For the roasted garlic shrimp:

1 head of garlic
About 20 oz. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined (if desired) and tails removed

I used the same raw, already peeled and deveined shrimp that I've used for my other shrimp taco recipes.  They're already peeled and deveined - and wild-caught!  :)

1 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for drizzling the garlic
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
1 Fresno pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

For the corn, red pepper, and chive salsa:

2 ears of corn

One red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced chives

1 Fresno chile pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
1/2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. Cholula
1/2 tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the dressed arugula:

2 cups baby arugula leaves

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. sherry vinegar

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

A few ounces of finely grated manchego cheese

8 to 16 corn tortillas, depending on their size and whether you plan to double them up

Instructions:

1.  Roast the garlic:  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Slice the top off of the garlic head and place on a sheet of foil.  Lightly drizzle it with olive oil.  Wrap in the foil to cover.

Place the foil-wrapped garlic in the oven and roast for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.  Uncover and set aside to cool.

That green clove looks . . . funky, right?  I didn't use that one.  I'm sure it was probably fine but . . . eew.

When it is cool enough to handle, squeeze the whole head of garlic over a small bowl so that the cloves are expelled.  Mash them into a paste, cover, and set aside.  

2.  While the garlic is roasting, make the corn salsa:  Shuck the corn and remove the silk.  Cut the kernels off of the cobs and place in a medium bowl.  Add all of the other salsa ingredients and stir to combine.  Taste and adjust seasonings.  Cover and set aside.

3.  Prepare the shrimp filling:  Heat the 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and Fresno pepper and reduce the heat slightly.  Cook and stir for about 7 or 8 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.  Raise the heat to medium-high and add the wine and roasted garlic paste, stirring to combine.  Simmer for about 2 minutes or until slightly reduced.  Add the cream, salt, and pepper, and allow to simmer until the mixture has thickened slightly, around 3 or 4 minutes.

Add the shrimp.  Cook and stir until the shrimp is just done, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat.  (If you wish to reduce the sauce further, remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon, place in a bowl, and cover.  Then you can simmer the sauce to your desired consistency.  Afterwards, pour the sauce over the shrimp in the bowl.)

4.  Prepare the tortillas:  Heat the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, one by one, until browned but still soft, about 30 seconds to 1 minute on each side.  As the tortillas are done, stack them on a sheet of foil.  When they are all finished, wrap them in the foil.  You can keep them warm in a 250 degree oven if you wish, but I didn't bother this time as heating the tortillas was almost my last step.

5.  Place the arugula in a small bowl.  Drizzle with the olive oil and sherry vinegar and toss.  Add salt and pepper to taste and toss again.

6.  Assemble the tacos:  For each taco, place a tortilla on a plate.  Spoon several shrimp (with sauce) down the center of each tortilla.  Top with some of the arugula and then some of the corn salsa.  Finish with a sprinkle of the manchego cheese.  Enjoy!

These were very tasty!  I wouldn't change much, but there are a few things to note.

My corn was very sweet.  You can use your own judgement with the honey in the salsa.  Taste it first.  If you wish, you could definitely use a bit less honey or leave it out entirely!

Next time, I might also use a bit less liquid in the sauce for the shrimp.  One cup (with the wine and cream combined) didn't seem like much to me, but I had to spend more time reducing than I anticipated.  You could probably use 1/4 or 1/3 cup of wine and be just fine.  It's really up to you.  The sauce was thin(ish), but I don't like thick, gloppy sauces, anyway!

These pretty much hit the spot!  They made a great summer dinner and left us with a small amount of delicious leftovers.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  

Feel free to comment on this recipe!  Did you try them?  What did you think?

Thanks for reading!  :)

Stitch Fix #22 Review - June/July 2016

Stitch Fix Review - June/July 2016

Note:  This point contains affiliate links to support my blogging addiction!  :)

Summer is in full swing, and I'm excited to share this latest fix with all of you!  I received some beautiful and colorful items!  One thing that I love about summer is that I can ask my Stitch Fix stylist for things that are NOT work appropriate.  Ha ha.  It's a nice change.  Around the middle of August, I'll be back on campus and my tune will change . . . .I'll enjoy it while I can!

If you're reading this, you're probably familiar with Stitch Fix, but if not, read on for a brief description of my history with Stitch Fix (and a couple of other clothing-by-mail services) and a short explanation of how the whole thing works:

I became a member of Stitch Fix in January of 2015, and I am definitely a fan!  My closet has improved 1000% since then.  I've found that fashion can be addicting, though.  In October of 2015, I tried Golden Tote, another clothing-by-mail service!  I may never see the inside of a mall again!  :)

If you've never heard of Golden Tote, you can follow the links below to any of my reviews and get the scoop on this other great service.  It's a little different than Stitch Fix, but I've found it equally fun!  I've gotten six totes so far, along with a couple of mystery totes.  (Those weren't quite as successful, but what can you do?)  It's addicting!  Anyway, here are my Golden Tote reviews if you're interested!

Golden Tote Review - April 2016
Golden Tote Review - March 2016
Golden Tote Review - February 2016
Golden Tote Review - January Mystery Totes
Golden Tote Review - December 2015
Golden Tote Review - November 2015
Golden Tote Review - October 2015

Before I get on with Stitch Fix, I have to post one more link.  O.o

This is a little embarrassing, but there is another clothing box service called Trunk Club that I recently tried.  Why?  I don't know.  Because it was there.  That's all I can tell you.  Ha ha.  It was fun, though I ended up sending most of the items back.  Here's my review of that experience (this one includes a link-up):

Trunk Club #1 Review and Link-Up - April 2016

I also got a second trunk a few weeks ago, but I'm still editing pictures and putting that post together.  It should be coming soon!

OK.  Back to Stitch Fix!

To get started, you go to their website and fill out your style profile!  That gives you a chance to show your stylist your measurements, usual sizes, how you like things to fit, and the styles that generally appeal to you.  If you're interested in checking it out, please consider following my link to schedule your first fix!  (I just recently joined Stitch Fix's affiliate program, which means I get a small commission for anyone who signs up using my link.  However, my opinions are always my own and I pay for all of my own fixes!)

When you order a fix, you pay $20.00 to have your own personal stylist look at your style profile and preferences (which can include a Pinterest board).  They will choose five clothing and/or accessory items specifically for you.  They are shipped right to your doorstep!  You have three days to try the items with other things in your own wardrobe and decide if you want to keep them.  The $20.00 styling fee is credited toward any items that you decide to purchase, and you receive a prepaid shipping envelope to return anything that you don't want.  If you happen to keep all five items, you receive a 25% discount on the whole box!  You can choose to receive fixes every month, every few weeks, or only once in a while.  Here are some links to my previous reviews, if you'd like to check them out:

May/June 2016 - #21
April 2016 - #20
March 2016 - #19
February 2016 - #18
February 2016 - #17
January 2016 - #16
December 2015 - #15
November 2015 - #14
November 2015 - #13
October 2015 - #12
September 2015 - #11
Stitch Fix Keepers
September 2015 - #10
August 2015 - #9

It is possible to peek (using Stitch Fix's mobile app) at what you're getting in your fix once it has shipped.  I have to admit - in the past, I usually have.  I think I'm over it, though.  It's more fun when I don't peek!  I've gotten pretty good at resisting the temptation!

One of the nice things about Stitch Fix is that they send you a style card with ideas for each of the items that you receive.  If you're clueless about fashion (as I can be sometimes), it's nice to see a couple of different ways to wear a new style.

Lauren was my stylist again!  :)  I was happy to see that, because I have enjoyed each and every fix that she has styled for me, even I haven't kept everything!  Here's her note to me:

Sounds promising, right?

Well . . . here we go!  Here's what I got:

1. See U Soon Michels Embellished Top - $68.00

This top is one that I recently added to my Pinterest board.  I think the black and white makes it a perfect edgy/boho combination - right up my alley!  The beaded embellishment is just beautiful!  

Unfortunately, the fit wasn't quite right for me.  This top had absolutely no stretch to it (obviously, with the beads), so it wasn't very forgiving.  It was super tight in the top and chest.  You can see how the stripe pattern in the front didn't flow nicely.  It got all spread out and weird looking because the top is just too small.  

It is my style.  I emailed Stitch Fix customer service to see if they had a larger size.  They did, and I almost went for it, but there was another problem.    

In the pic below, you can see the cut-out in the back.  Cute, but it went down so low that my strapless bra was exposed.  I don't mind wearing a strapless for a cute top, but if that doesn't even work?  Sorry.  I have to wear something!  Ha ha.  I thought there was a good chance that the large would expose the strap even more.  In the end, I thought going for the large would be iffy.  I decided to pass.  Too bad!  It's so cute!  

Verdict:  RETURN

2. Renee C Ventura Keyhole Top - $48.00

Here's another top that I had pinned to my Pinterest board.  Unfortunately, it was also on the small side.  Let me tell you, this fix was not good for my ego.  Ha ha.  Obviously, I tried it on for the picture, but I had a hard time finding an angle for a photo that would not show how small the top is on me.  

Aren't the colors beautiful, though?  I really did love the top, but there was no way I could keep it.  When I emailed Stitch Fix about the See U Soon top, I also asked them about this one.  Luckily, they had a large available!  I was pretty confident that it would work, so I agreed to keep it if they would do the size exchange.  

The next question that came to my mind was . . . should I change my size preferences?  That's a fair question.  Well, I don't think so.  I'm a larger medium, but I think I would have the same issue with large tops.  Some of them would be too big!   ???  I'm just tall and I have very broad shoulders.  I'm glad Stitch Fix is so great with size exchanges.  

I have a confession to make.  I've been dragging my feet a little bit on this blog post.  I've actually already received and worn the large.  It works much better than the medium.  Unfortunately, I only recently noticed that it is 100% rayon.  Those tend to shrink on me!  I love the top, so I'm hoping that if I wash it in cold and hang it to dry (inside; not in the sun), I'll be OK.  After my last fix, I did ask for a note on my profile to state that I wanted to avoid 100% rayon items, but was told that it couldn't be guaranteed.  Well, I should have checked the tag before I decided to keep it.  I'm hoping for the best, though!  :)

Verdict:  KEEP (with a size exchange)

3. Renee C Cassandra Maxi Dress - $68.00

I have mixed feelings about this maxi dress.  I loved the colors - so beautiful!  Now that I look at the pictures, I almost wish I would have kept it!  (Spoiler - I sent it back!)  It does look better in the pictures than it did in real life, though.  I need to remember that!  :)

I just didn't love how it fit me.  It was OK.  It was strapless bra-friendly, so that was a plus.  However, there were some weird gaps in the back.  You can't really see them in the photos.

It was nice and long.  That's a plus, considering I am on the tall side.  The skirt was lined, though.  "Lined" and "summer" just don't go together for me.  I really think it would have been OK without the liner.  Two layers of fabric are pretty much a no-go right now.

Since joining Stitch Fix, I've been trying to improve my fashion sense, but on a super-hot day in a ridiculously casual town, my attire can easily consist of a brewery t-shirt, denim shorts, and a ball cap.  Ha ha.  I just didn't think I'd wear this dress very often.  I have a couple of cute summer dresses in my closet that I haven't worn yet, so . . . I had to pass.

Sigh.  Love the colors.  Love the pattern.  I might have made a mistake!  O.o

Verdict:  RETURN

4. Dolce Vita Lettie Cross Strap Wedge - $120.00

I've had pretty good luck with Stitch Fix's shoes!  I've received a couple of great pairs, and I'm always happy to see them in my fix!  On the surface, these seem like a good choice.  I have developed a fondness for wedges.  Coral/orange is my new favorite summer color.

I almost kept these.  I'm picky about shoes, though.  I don't like them to be loose.  The straps around my ankles did not fit tightly enough for me.  There were gaps, and I felt that they would only get worse as I wore these shoes.  Plus, they are expensive!  If they were 30 or 40 dollars, I might have taken my chances and hoped for the best.

I just didn't think I'd wear these enough to justify keeping them!

They're kind of cute, though!  I'll probably have regrets about not keeping these shoes to wear with the maxi dress (that I also didn't keep).  Oh, well.

Verdict:  RETURN

5. Daniel Rainn Feruko Lace Detail Top - $74.00

This shirt could have easily worked for me.  I have a couple of other Daniel Rainn tops.  In general, they've been good purchases.  

I love navy.  And lace detail!

The other two Daniel Rainn tops that I own have built-in camisoles.  I feel like this top could have used one.  It's very sheer.  Unless a person happens to have a navy bra/camisole on hand, whatever is worn underneath will stand out.

I wore a white bra and camisole.  Maybe not the best choice.  I get that.  What to wear, though?  I could have worn a strapless bra, but the whole shirt was sheer.  I still would have needed a camisole.  I just didn't feel like I had anything flattering to wear under it.  The white straps peeking through both the front and the back just looked . . . weird.

Plus, the fit was a bit weird.  The arm holes seemed kind of roomy.  I didn't love the top, and it's an expensive one.  I decided to pass.

Verdict:  RETURN

Well, there you have it!  I'm happy with the one top that I kept, and I'm really looking forward to my next fix!

I requested to keep Lauren as my stylist for next time!  The weird thing about this fix was that, even though I kept only one thing, I loved everything!  It didn't all work on me, but you never know until you try!

By the way, if you'd like an easy way to see Stitch Fix items that other people have received, you can check out some other great Stitch Fix reviews by clicking on the link below and visiting a great linkup.  It's hosted by Maria of Crazy Together.  I always enjoy seeing her fixes and joining in the fun  with other Stitch Fix fans!  :)

http://crazytogether.com/july-stitch-fix-review-38-giveaway-link/2/

Please comment!  Did I make the right calls?  Have you received any of these items?  What did you think?

Thanks again for reading!