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!!!!

Coupons... not just for blue haired old ladies anymore!

Not to long ago, I viewed coupons with some level of disdain. In my mind, coupons were associated with old women saving pennies on margarine and toothpaste until I caught a clip of that TV show 'Extreme Couponers'. Yes, yes, I know... I am late jumping on this train – it's a life long habit of blocking out main stream hype on movies, books and 'trends'. But perhaps, this time, there is something to this particular craze.

We all know the economy sucks. Layoffs, pay cuts and investment losses abound still. Even the lure of getting ab MBA has lost it's luster with hundreds of well educated folks underemployed or unemployed. We are more then a generation removed from the Depression Generation who took nothing for granted.. the original reuse, repurpose, recyclers. My generation was raised by Baby Boomers whose hey-day was in the Partying 70's and the More More More 80's – mass consumption and disposable everything. By the time the 90's hit, I was in my teenage/early 20's... and the course was set. Maybe that explains this re-fascination with saving money through coupons? I don't know but watching these men and women and their extreme couponing skills - I was fascinated, amazed, horrified and a tad bit inspired.

The fascination and amazement came through the strategy and planning that these people created and implemented to save hundreds and walk out with essentially 5 free grocery carts full of stuff. The horror was when they gave tours of their stock piles... I mean come on, who needs 75 boxes of Fruity Pebbles, 42 toothbrushes and 36 cans of stewed tomatoes?!?!  I'm pretty sure one woman had 3 years worth of diapers and didn't have children. And while I admire that strategic shopping, there is no way I would want to - or be able to - dedicate 40+ hours towards planning such a shopping trip.

The other thing I noticed was that most of the grocery savings come from the 'inside' aisles. In an effort to eat healthier, when Eric and I shop, we mostly fill our cart the perimeter items. (Good rule of thumb when grocery shopping is "If the food can go bad fast, it's good for you. If the food can keep longer, it's bad for you.) Saving big at the grocery store probably isn't in the cards for us – I don't want to save money at the cost of health. It is, however, inspiring to think, that I could save big on all most of our personal care items  - like soap, deodorant, diapers and such.

My co-worker, Lisa, took some couponing classes our company offers from time to time. She has been taking photos of what she has been getting from store like CVS and sharing the tales of her savings with me. Check out this weeks latest score:

Lisa's CVS score!

She saved 77%! The value of goods was $101 and she paid just $23 for everything. Those Olay moisturizers alone cost $26 each. Basically, she bought one of those – at a discount – and got all this other stuff for free. I want to do this!!!!

As a primer - she used this blog post to plan her attack shopping trip: My Shopping Trip: CVS

Here are some coupon resources to help you get started
Extreme Coupon Professors (This is the woman who works with my company)
Coupon Divas
Living Rich with Coupons (my personal fave at the moment!)
Hip 2 Save

And a YouTube tutorial as well!