Stitch Fix - Fix #2

So what is Stitch Fix? The gist is this - you sign up at stitchfix.com, wait for an invite and then fill out a personal style profile. Be thorough - size, likes, dislikes, style icons - because a personal stylist then picks out fun, unique clothing from designers based on your preferences and for a mere $20 styling fee, they ship it to your door. 

They describe it as "trend-forward, beautiful clothes and accessories from the latest and greatest designers" and I have to agree with that. If you decide to keep one or all of the items, that $20 styling fee goes towards your purchase. (If you keep the whole shipment, they even give you 25% off the entire "fix"!) If nothing suits your fancy, simply pack everything back up in pre-paid mailer and send it back to them. 

This was my second fix. I've yet to lose my styling fee because there has always been something (or two or three) I want in the box. My second shipment was even better than my first because after I shipped the things I didn't choose back, I filled out the online survey of my experience. This helps them get a better idea of the things you like and don't like. I even changed up my style profile to give the stylist even more detail about what I want. 

One of the things about me, I'm busy. So busy, that I almost never get to the dry cleaner. Not to mention, by the end of most days, being a mom, I am sure to have snot, spit or slobber on one part of my wardrobe. I wrote this in my profile and asked that anything they send can be easily washed - please don't send leather or fur or any so delicate it requires dry cleaning.

So here it is:

Violet was just as excited as me about the Stitch Fix shipment!

While I unwrapped the clothing, Violet tore the tissue to shreds... to her this was the most fun. the clothes.. not so much.

What I really love is the details they add - like these style tags that help you get ideas on what to pair with you "fix" items. Now, let's remember I am not a model nor do I think I am... note all the awkward poses and silly faces. 

Item #1: BB Dakota Trovato Arrowhead Blanket Cardi 

This one was tough. When I first pulled it out of the box, I was horrified at the 1970's southwestern sweater revival. After trying it on, I thought it wasn't so bad. It was super comfy and looks good with both jeans and leggings. I may just be swayed to this new old look!

Item #2 :Miilla Calvary Open Lapel Sweater Tunic

This I love! It looks great with leggings and boots. I paired it with a chunky necklace to give it some "pop". I can absolutely see me wearing this out shopping or chilling around the house. A definite keeper! 

Item #3: Everly Dellora 3/4 Sleeve Zig Zag Blouse

I saw this in the box and nearly swooned. Not only do I love and adore chevron, I love bold and fun patterned tops. This one seemed to scream "I have it all". But when I tried it on, I think the pattern was too bold on me. I tried it with both jeans and a pencil skirt and although I want to love it, I don't think it works on me. You have no idea how sad I am about it... I keep trying it on to see if I change my mind. This one is a maybe.

Item #4: Honey Punch Julie Twist Front Top

KEEPER KEEPER KEEPER!!!! I love the sheer, feminine fabric, the flowy cut, the color, the little rectangle buttons on the cuffs, the way it opens in the back. I can wear this out in the evening... with jeans for a more casual look - or even pair it with my black pencil skirt for a more "business" look. I'm not sure what to wear for accessories.. but I am thinking some big, showy earrings and let the shirt speak for itself.

Item #5: Honey Punch Lisbeth Cowl Wrap Twist Top

This one was a puzzle... you can see it's funky shape in the photos, so I am REALLY thankful for those handy tags to show mw what I am suppose to do. When I first had Violet, I bought one of those baby wraps and it took my NUMEROUS tries and finally a trip back to the store for a lesson in how to wrap it. Suffice to say, wrapping cloth is not my forte.

TA DA!!!!! I think I did pretty well with this though. It's super soft and comfy and trés feminine. This is a definite maybe. :)

All in all, I am really pleased with my 2nd fix. I think they did a great job at sending me things I like and wouldn't be able to find around these parts. I will be requesting a 3rd "fix" at some point in the future - but now - I have to pay for Christmas.

If you want to try it - use this link: http://stitchfix.com/users/signup/?referrer_id=3024843. I'm not getting any credit for posting about this, but if you do signup and use that link, I get a $25 credit when you first "fix" ships. Have fun!!!!

the cobbler's kid and all that jazz

Growing up, if you looked around my house, you would have noticed quite a few junction boxes in the wall with a lonely cable wire moping around. Or wires poking out of the sheet rock near the ceiling where speakers should be. Yes. I grew up in the house of a master electrician - and as the saying "The cobbler's kids have no shoes" rang true in my parents house in terms of electrical work - it rings true in the Jodoin house in terms of family photos.

I have been über busy taking family photos this fall for all sorts of families – just not my own. Oh, I have plenty of photos of the Bean, of Violet, of Violet and the Bean, of Eric,Violet and the Bean etc etc... you get the point. While there are very few photos of me with anyone (that happens when one's face is glued to the backside of the camera), there are absolutely NONE of us as a family. How could this be?!!??!

Case in point
Last December, I receive a text from my friend Katie. She wrote "I find it ironic that one of the only non-photo Christmas cards I receive is from my photographer friend." I'm pretty sure the other non-photo holiday cards were from her dentist and auto insurance guy.

I wonder if I have kept it too late? I wonder if I can take a family photo of us... or will have to recruit a photographer friends to help???!?!?! I suppose the first thing to do – is a self attempt. This is where I am thankful for remote shutters. Stay tuned for the results. I'm sure they will be....errr... well... they will be something!

Sales Rep Conversation Chronicles: Episode #1

In case anyone was unaware - I am currently employed as what I refer to as an "Ad Monkey". The best part about my job - aside from all the air conditioning I can handle and birthday cake binges - is the awesome art direction I receive from sales reps and clients alike. I say it with a small side of humor as one has to find and love the humor in the little things day to day...  'cause unless you live in a sitcom (which sometimes I pretend I do) nothing hugely funny is going to happen to you every 24 minutes.

I was looking back at some small "notes" I had written about particularly amusing moments and will share them periodically - as well as add new ones. If you too are an ad monkey - you will appreciate the humor (and the mental cramping) of moments like these.

So without further adieu...

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Dear Sales Rep,
Let me get this straight. You have sent me the same email 5 times to make a 'very important change' to an ad. Now this 'change' is - you sent me a lores file, by the way, but let's not dwell on such small details - the customer is most insistent that I change out the black and white photo in their ad to a color one - the photo of the black and white dalmatian on a white rug being painted over with white paint...

Let me repeat - the photo of the black and white dalmatian on a white rug being painted over with white paint - it should be in color?

*whimper*


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I do really love the people I work with - it's the work that keeps me giggling.

Reminders to self

I will never blame others for the place I am – or am not. The actions and choices of others, while they may effect my feelings, do not define me. It is my reactions and choices that steer my direction. Period.

I am not so small in this world that I have ever seen myself as the "victim" in my life. I am wise enough to be responsible for myself.

People will hurt my feelings. They will trample on my kindness and mistake it for weakness. These people are broken. I will try not be angry with them. This is difficult to do when one has been hurt, but rather, I will pity them because they have demons to conquer and do not know any other way to be. {This one is the hardest.}

I will always be kind. I know my actions - large or small - can effect others. I will never knowingly hurt anyone else for any reason. 

People come into your life, stay and grow with you. Cherish and appreciate them. They help shape the way you see yourself.

People come into your life and people fall out of your life. Some with dramatic exits and some with quiet endings. They are fleeting visitors who leave but always impart a lesson. They also help shape the way you see yourself and how you handle yourself in the future. I will learn from them - but let them go.

I will let go of anger. It is useless to hold onto it.

I will remain silly, thoughtful, slightly weird, sometimes serious and always wonder what I will be when I grow up because I am determined to always be growing.

I will love my children more with every passing moment and cherish the nose and hand prints on the window even though I just cleaned the darned window – because one day they will move away and I will have perfectly clean windows. 

It is easy to feel alone when I am scared - even when surrounded by the largest of crowds. I will feel blessed and thankful that I have found a strong hand to hold, that won't let go, won't give up and reminds me that not only I am supported but my dreams are supported as well.

I will never forget to say "I love you" and "Thank you" – but if I do please remember that I carry your heart with me always and you have mine - even when I'm cranky and overtired.

Top 3 Things I Learned at Planet Fitness

1) NEVER use the elliptical glider 3rd from the right during sunset. The reflection on the floor will burn your retinas and blind you.

2) The cast of characters in PF is amusing. If it wasn't creepy, I'd bring the camera to provide evidence of the troops. Spandex is not for everyone. Mesh tank tops are not for anyone. Period.

3) Reading my kindle while gliding my way to better health may make me look worldly and knowledgeable - however reading humorous books will do nothing to differentiate me from the {afore mentioned} colorful cast. Between gasping for breath and wheezing, I periodically burst into {seemingly} spontaneous laughter. I may have been the craziest looking kook there.

BONUS LESSON!!!!!!
I'm pretty sure that a woman who has to be no less than 75 {if she's a day} kicked my ass on the elliptical glider.

people {pictures}

This is my very first people picture.  It was taken in 2007 at the beginning of my photographic journey.

I worked in downtown Nashua, NH for a few years and had formed an evening rapport with this gentleman named Arthur. I could never figure out if Arthur was homeless or not - I never asked. By appearances, one would assume he was, but I had heard from locals that he had a subsidized room somewhere near downtown. Regardless of his living situation, I had noticed him for a few weeks when I first started working there and like most people, I would pass without speaking or even making eye contact with him.

One day, I was standing on the corner of the street waiting to cross when I saw him pushing his bicycle down the side walk. Granted, I saw him quite often - but this day I looked at him. I saw his tattered clothing and unkempt face. I noticed the big wire basket on the front of the bike and the almost comical brass horn on the handle bars. I glanced around and noticed most everyone about pretended not to notice him – like he didn't exist in that space, in that moment. What an awful feeling that must be. Everyone is a person. Everyone exists. Everyone deserves a smile and a hello. And to my shame, I was guilty of doing that exact thing previously.

As he passed by me I simply said "Hello" and shared a smile.

After that, every evening without fail - rain or shine - Arthur would be sitting on the bench at the corner opposite of my office, waiting to say good evening and comment on the weather or to let me know he was selling Avon should I need any Skin So Soft. He would smile and wave to me from across the street when he saw me exit the building and press the cross walk button.

I remember working late one evening – it was dreary and raining – and I didn't leave my office until well after 7:30pm. Now normally, I was out of the office and on my way home by 5:00pm, so I naturally assumed Arthur would not be there. But he was. Sitting on that bench, with his umbrella, waiting to say good evening and comment on the particular fat drops of rain around us. Every evening. Without fail. Just for that 2 minute interaction and then we went our separate ways. I admit, it was both flattering and a little frightening.

When I decided to purchase my first digital SLR in 2007 - a Canon Digital Rebel XT - I brought my new toy to the office for "show and tell".  I was so excited about finally splurging on something I had so longed to purchase but had yet to master. I had a very vague, general idea of what I was doing (technically speaking) from a high school photography class years before – things like shutter speed, ISO and aperture. Time has a way of fading knowledge and in all honestly - I probably didn't have a strong grasp of it then. I never used the automatic "green box".  To my tiny credit, I shot everything on manual - fumbling as I figured things out.

These two things relate. I promise.

That evening, like every other, Arthur was sitting, waiting for me to say hello. But, unlike previous interactions, I deviated from our normal script and showed him my new camera. We talked for a few moments about the camera and the reasons I had gotten it. Then, I asked if I might take his picture. He looked a little surprised but quickly recovered and said "Of course!".

I stepped back and fumbled with my settings. I was so nervous because I didn't want to seem intrusive. I quickly set the camera as best I could and shot a couple frames. I look at the EXIF info now and give myself mental palm slap to the head. ISO 400, 1/100 second, 7.2/f. My today (somewhat technical) mind says  "Gheesh - you should have shot this at no more than 4.0/f and bumped that shutter up, silly girl".

My artistic mind of yesterday and today says "Well done." It's not perfect in a technical sense - I know - but it is a good "people picture" that has the undertones I strive for in every image I create. To this day, it is remains one of my favorite images that I have taken.

Recently, I was asked to define what I think a good "people picture" is. This is infinitely harder than it first sounds. My mouth opened to answer quickly, but I found my self at a loss to sum up what I thought into words. I had to pause and really think about this. I had to look at photos that I loved and consider what about them draws me to them and holds my attention - even long after I have seen them?

I think a good people picture is emotive. It reaches beyond the boundaries of its frame and captures not only a moment, a person or people - but it exposes something hidden just below the surface - a small truth not always spoken and very subtly seen.

I love taking photos of most everything. I have a bend towards abandoned and dilapidated buildings as as well as people. Even without an actual person in the photo - it's something touched or neglected by people. It has an emotion and a history. It tells a story.

Thinking about this has re-energized me to continue my photographic journey and to one day create that one photo that someone will see and carry with them. I'm not there yet and wonder if I ever will be. I wonder if any artist ever believes that they have attained their goal. But I believe that this subtle doubt about the ability to attain achievement is what I carry with me  - what pushes me to continue, to grow, to create and to see the world at a slightly askew angle.

leggings, leggings... I NEED leggings!!!

Baby leggings that is. Fall is here (YAY!!!) and Baby Violet has been demanding some awesome leggings that will make other babies jealous. Okay. I want the baby leggings. Now that the Bean is 10 years old - I am no longer allowed to dress her. In truth, Bean has been thumbs downing some of my more girly fashion suggestions for the past few years now, so I am really excited to start dressing Violet.

Not that she hasn't been dressed these past four months... it's just newborns don't look all that cute in elaborately put together outfits. For the first 3 months of her life, she was pretty much in Carter's layette wear. I like to put my babies in super soft cotton clothing so they are as comfy as possible during those first few weeks of life. But now that she has reached the ripe old age of 5 months... that girl needs shoes, to say the very least.

Stripes. Polka dots. Solids. Problem is... I'm having a hard time locating ones that I actually like. Where do all these moms find such wonderful children's clothing? Or maybe what I should be asking is if all these wonderful outfits I see on kids splashed across the internet are within normal people price points.

I follow all sorts of people pinning away outfits and accessories for their little mini me's. The thing I find is that some of the things they pin are $275 dresses and $150 tunic tops... for babies! I love me some Barney's and Lord & Taylor, but realistically they are far above my shopping comfort level. Let's admit folks - these kids are going to spit up on them and out grow them faster than anyone can mail you a credit card statement. I just can't justify spending boat loads of money on kids clothing.

I've signed up for Zulily and Haute Look, but I'm just not on top of the daily deals. Don't get me wrong - they are FANTASTIC sites and you can get some really great deals but by the time I get a chance to look at the site - anything I like in Violet (or Sophie's size if I dare) is sold out. And as luck will have it - just like when I shop at a store like TJ Maxx - I ALWAYS find the stuff that is still expensive.  I know that tiny peasant dress is 70% off retail price, but it's still $45 and while Violet's regurgitated curdled milk will appreciate the bright and colorful organic cotton – I'm not sure the Mister will.

Looks like I will be learning how to sew baby leggings. Quick! To Pinterest!