Tag: subscription box

Stitch Fix: Reveal and Review – January 2016

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Stitch Fix reveal and review – January 2016

We are ‘snowed in’ in Charlotte. I use the term ‘snowed in’ loosely as really there is a sprinkling of snow covering far more dangerous ice. The South cannot cope with snow in the slightest but I’m not complaining as it meant a day off school and lots of play time with my girls. It also gives me a chance to update y’all (in true Southern spirit) with my latest Stitch Fix review.

A new year and a new Stitch Fix box! I was really looking forward to this box as I actually had some Stitch Fix credit courtesy of a gift card from my mum for Christmas. And as luck would have it, this would be the time that I get a box I really, really disliked! Half the items I only tried on for the purpose of this review (that’s how much I disliked it!).

So let’s check out what January brought…

Street Level Audrey Metal Detail Crossbody Bag – $58

I requested a cross body bag in my stylist note this month in a neutral color. I did get what I asked for (I now wish I’d specified brown/tan as that was what was in my mind!). The faux leather is nice and the actual design cute but there were a few issues which I felt meant it was not worth the $58 price tag. My main bugbear was the straps – they are a really cheap looking gold, quite disgusting. Secondly, the straps are too short. The bag does not hit where I would like it to so this bag is going back!

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Status: Returned        

RD Style Bea Fleece Lined Skirt – $44

This I debated keeping as I really do quite like it. It’s a cute pattern (you can’t quite see this in the photos) and the fleece lining makes it warm for winter. I also like the burgundy color. However, it was just too small. When I got it out the box, it looked like it was meant for a child, and a small one at that! Amazingly, it stretched and fit but just showed everything! I know I won’t end up wearing a skirt that accentuates my mummy tummy!

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Outfit details:

Necklace (Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Blouse (Papermoon Bastille Tulip Sleeve Blouse from Stitch Fix)

Black booties (Forever 21)

Status: Returned

 

Papermoon Atoka Printed Knit Top – $48

I asked for tunics and tops that could be worn with leggings in my note. This is what my stylist chose. Yes it does fit the description, but it doesn’t suit me! It’s way too old – I joined Stitch Fix to update my wardrobe and give it a bit of a makeover. This top is not even close to what I’m looking for and I strongly dislike the pattern. The photos actually make it seem quite cute…it’s not!

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Adorra Skinny Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Booties (Express)

Status: Returned

 

Crescent Kelie Trim Detail Tunic – $54

Another massive fail by my stylist. In her note, she said to make sure I add a belt to give more structure but that it would add ‘a flattering pop of style’. Errr….no it’s doesn’t. Nothing about this ‘pops’. It’s not particularly interesting, has a weird tassel style neck detail which reminds me of a swim cover up, and is really rather large. My stylist said she filled this box with ‘cheery pieces’ – I would love to know what is even remotely cheery about this piece. Going back!

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Outfit details:

Leggings (Abercrombie)

Status: Returned

 

Margaret M Emer Jacquard Print Tall Straight Leg Pant – $98

I was quite looking forward to trying a pair of Emers. They’re really popular in the Stitch Fix Facebook groups for their cute designs and comfort. I agree with the pattern being fun. They were a good length on me and I liked the outfit I put together. Definitely something I could wear to school. However, I did not think the material was that soft. They were a little stiff and slightly too big around the knee (weird I know but it would bother me!). For the price, these would need to be perfect. I also think that while the pattern is cute, it’s not something that I would get a lot of wear out of. I’m glad I got to see what all the fuss was about, even if I’m not jumping on the Emer bandwagon anytime soon.

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Outfit details:

Necklace (Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Blouse (Papermoon Bastille Tulip Sleeve Blouse from Stitch Fix)

Black flats (Target)

 

Overall impressions:

A pretty disappointing fix. The skirt, Emers and bag could have worked if it wasn’t for size issues and if the price had reflected the quality better. While I am going to break up with my stylist, I’m not breaking up with Stitch Fix. The first fix Jessica styled for me was amazing (check out my review here) but since then she just hasn’t lived up to my expectations. I am therefore hoping it’s a stylist thing and not a Stitch Fix thing. Yes I lost my $20 styling fee this month (for the first time), but that’s the gamble with using a service like this. I have decided to skip next month for a couple reasons: I need to actually earn some money to warrant spending so much on clothes and I don’t really want any more winter clothes as Spring will be here soon in NC. One thing I think Stitch Fix should spend some time thinking about is the age of their clientele. If there’s a way to get more younger and fun clothes, I’d love to hear it!

To find out how Stitch Fix works, click here.

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, click here.

 

Wantable Style Edit: Reveal and Review – December 2015

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Wantable style edit: December 2015

Those of you who are regular readers of my blog may remember my first experience of Wantable (you can read that review here). I loved the actual box and that was about it! So I cancelled my subscription straight after returning my items. However, as the New Year came along, Wantable sent me an email saying they would waive my styling fee (normally $20) if I wanted to receive the December Style Edit. I had nothing to lose – a free try on of five items at no cost to me unless I decided to keep one. While these items were a much better fit than the first box, and my stylist note was ‘slightly’ more personal, the quality still does not compare to Stitch Fix. I don’t think I’m sold quite yet (and I’m not sure any more free boxes will change my mind!).

On to the items…

French Connection Classic Polly Plains Sleeveless Top – $48

Now this top I was excited to receive as French Connection is a brand I’m familiar with and one I’ve bought from in the past. It’s a gorgeous cobalt blue and the material is superb. I was really tempted to keep this but just didn’t think, what is effectively a plain tank, was worth the price tag. $10 less and I would have bought it!

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Connelly Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned        

 

JOA V Neck Contrast Sweater – $59

I really dislike this sweater. Not only am I not a fan of V neck sweaters generally (reminds me too much of school) but the material was just nasty! It felt cheap and I think would lose the little shape it has the minute you washed it! Meh.

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Adorra Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned

 

Olive & Oak Mixed Media Open Cardigan – $72

This is a really nice cardigan. A very flattering cut and the two different materials make it a bit more interesting than your average gray cardigan. Very versatile and easy to add to any wardrobe. The only reason I’m not keeping this is I felt it was a little too old for me. Just a personal style issue rather than the poor quality or high price tag like the other items!! Here it is paired with the French Connection tank and my favorite Stitch Fix jeans.

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Adorra Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned

 

Jack Shire Tank – $45

I had an issue with Jack clothes last time as I felt they were overpriced and poor quality. This top is similar. The lace detailing is delicate (making me feel like it won’t hold up!) but cute. Red is a color that really suits me but I just couldn’t shake the thought that this was a bit too sexy (by sexy I mean slutty) for me to want to be seen out in public in. Red and black lace just makes me think underwear! Sorry!

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Adorra Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned

 

Envi T Back Maxi Dress – $119

OK…wait for it…Firstly, why are they sending me a maxi dress in December?! Secondly, I would never in a million years wear this pattern. Thirdly, it’s incredibly shapeless and makes me look like a ruler (which granted is pretty much what I do look like but that doesn’t mean I want to accentuate my lack of curves by wearing something that’s too big for me!). And finally, it’s $119! I don’t think you need to be a rocket scientist to know this is going back!

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Status: Returned        

Overall impressions:

So I lost nothing by returning everything from this Wantable style edit and I had some fun trying everything on. It really just confirmed to me that I don’t want to try a Wantable style edit again. However, since returning this box (and making sure my subscription was cancelled!), I’ve since received an email saying I can try a fitness edit for free. I will give that a try and hope for more luck!

What are your thoughts on this style edit? Have I been too harsh?  Let me know in the comments below.

If you’re interested in trying Wantable, click here.

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Stitch Fix: Reveal and review – December 2015

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My Christmas fix is here!!! Things have been a bit quiet on the blog recently. Partly due to me now being one organ lighter. A couple trips to the ER, an emergency surgery followed by some ‘exploratory camera work’ has resulted in me being without a gall bladder, and the blog being a little neglected as I recovered. I’m not sure the reveal photos would have been too pretty to be honest, so as they say, better late than never!

This month’s fix was a mixed bag. Some items I loved, some I detested. My stylist did a pretty good job of listening to my requests. I’m still desperately longing for the lace elbow patch sweater that some people have been getting in their boxes but she did fulfil my request for my very first Stitch Fix bag! Jessica also looked at my Pinterest board as, once again, I got the exact item I pinned!

So let’s check out what December brought…

Urban Expressions Amherst Multi-Zip Tote – $68

I LOVE this bag! I actually have bags as something I don’t want to receive from Stitch Fix (I’d rather just get clothing) but when I saw another blogger had reviewed this, I really wanted one of my own. It’s just gorgeous. A lovely red color with a cute interior too. It’s super practical – the main compartment holds my laptop and any papers I need for school. I also love the two little pockets on top. Keys go in one, phone in the other, which saves me from constantly routing around in my bag when I need either of them. The zipper details are really cute and make it a little more exciting than your average tote. It’s just perfect. At first I thought I’d use it for school when it matched what I was wearing. Now I use it every day regardless of color clashes as it’s just so gosh damn cute (and practical)!

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Status: Kept!                

41Hawthorn Jace Abstract Chevron Print Dress – $68

This dress is the item I pinned and naturally, I love it! Another great dress for school. It’s comfy, cute and the perfect length. I can wear it with boots, flats or heels. Very versatile. The deep purple color I think quite suits me too! This was also the first item I’ve received from 41Hawthorn which is one of Stitch Fix’s in-house labels so that was a little exciting on its own. Here it is paired with my new Kensie blazer I got from Macy’s in the Black Friday sales (also technically a Christmas present from the husband as his credit card paid for it!).

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Outfit details:

Black flats (Target)

Blazer (Kensie)

Status: Kept!

The dress also goes really well with the cardigan my stylist sent….

Pixley Martina Slub Knit Open Cardigan – $48

Jessica recommended I pair the dress with tights and the cardigan for an easy addition to keep me warm. That’s exactly what I did. I added the waist belt to help define my waist as it did look a little too slouchy otherwise. I love this cardigan – it’s very soft and comfortable – but I’ve decided to return it simply because I already own two black cardigans and one is very similar to this one.

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Outfit details:

Black flats (Target)

Belt (buy similar here)

Status: Returned

Pixley Margo Embellished Shoulder Blouse – $68

Pixley is a brand I seem to receive a lot of. For the most part, I love it! However, this blouse is just weird. When I put it on for my husband to shoot these photos, his reaction summed it up well: “What is that?!” It has potential. I could see someone very cool making this work. The embellishment is cute. However, I had a number of issues with it. Firstly, the material is not great quality. It was quite rough and felt a bit cheap for the $68 price tag. Secondly, the embellishment made it rather stiff so it didn’t quite sit right. Thirdly, I felt a bit too much like Michael Jackson in it. Don’t ask me why. I couldn’t explain it. That was just my initial impression and one I couldn’t shift! However, I think it looks acceptable styled with my ‘winter white’ jeans here…

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Outfit details:

Jeans (American Eagle)

Boots (Forever 21)

 Status: Returned

Papermoon Cheryl Printed Pencil Skirt – $58

I requested floral or fun patterned pencil skirts in my note to the stylist and this is what Jessica sent. It’s cute! The colors aren’t ones I would usually choose (almost a brown/purple combination), but I think it works really well with black tights which is what I wanted! The fit is great and I can see this working well for school. My stylist did suggest I pair it with the Margo Embellished Blouse but I thought it looked just plain ridiculous. My OCD could not handle the color combinations of the skirt with the gold/silver embroidery. So instead I paired it with my Papermoon blouse from November’s Stitch Fix. It’s how I realistically will wear this outfit. Plus it’s an all Papermoon outfit and I kinda like that!

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Outfit details:

Black flats (Target)

Blouse (Stitch Fix – read my review here)

Status: Kept

 

Overall impressions:

This was a good fix. I love the bag and have added a couple of great items to my teacher closet. My work wardrobe is looking a lot healthier now so I may ask for more casual items in my January fix. All in all, Stitch Fix remains my favorite subscription service and the novelty has not worn off yet!

What do you think? Do you agree with what I’m keeping? Am I too harsh on the Margo blouse? How would you style these items? Let me know in the comments below.

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, click here.

Ipsy glam bag review – November 2015

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Things have been very hectic with my return to work and the Thanksgiving break, so I am squeezing my November review of my Ipsy glam bag in while it’s still November (well…for the next 4 hours!). This is my first Ipsy glam bag and so far, I’m loving it! It even came in a shiny pink mailer (which my husband thought was terrible, but I thought was fab!). It was a really good mix of things within my comfort zone and new products to try. If you want to find out how Ipsy works, click here. Let’s take a look at this month’s bag of goodies…

First of all, the bag itself is really cute. Kinda space themed but in two of my favorite colors, pink and purple! The bag was also bulging on first inspection which was a great sign of what was to come.

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Product no. 1: Novex Haircare – Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Treatment (value – approx. $3.50)

This is just what my hair needs! I do not get my hair cut anywhere near as often as I should and this, combined with my lazy hair care routines, pretty much kills it. I often have split ends and this deep conditioning is the kinda TLC my hair was crying out for. Thank you Ipsy, my hair is in your debt!

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Product no. 2: Jelly Pong Pong – Liquid Gossamer (value – approx. $22.95)

This was one of the more puzzling products in my box. Partly because I had no idea at first glance what this was! Put gossamer into google and you get a rather fetching image of an orange monster or the synonym, cobwebs. Cobwebs on my face…hmmm. Well, luckily, it wasn’t cobwebs but a rather shiny, slightly sparkly, illuminizer. It’s lightweight and designed to give your skin instant radiance. I felt just a bit shiny and wet! Not too keen on this one. It just felt a bit silly. Mind you, this is probably what I’d expect from a company called Jelly Pong Pong!

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Product no. 3: Smashbox Cosmetics – Full Exposure Mascara (value – approx. $5)

I love this mascara! It’s lightweight, yet volumizing and made my lashes look very long and curly. No clumps, no flakes, just beautiful lashes! According to their website, there is a 104% increase in lash volume, 32% increase in lash length and a 34-degree increase in lash curl. I have no idea how they possibly measure that, but I’m sold!

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Product no. 4: INSPR beauty – eye shadow (value – approx. $13)

As soon as I saw this in my bag, I loved the color. It’s the kind of neutral I wear regularly. The eyeshadow itself is very soft and goes on easily. Equally, you could easily layer it to make a more dramatic look for an evening out. I received the color ‘carnival’. One of the great things about Ipsy is they offer deals on the products. Through receiving this item, I also received a 50% off INSPR makeup.

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Product no. 5: tre’StiQue – Mini matte lip crayon in chili red (value – unknown although they have similar full size pencils for $28).

This was the last thing I tried in my box as I just wasn’t that excited about it. It turned out to be my favorite! The color is a vibrant red which actually really suits me! I would never have tried such a bright lip color without having a subscription service like Ipsy. It was such a pleasant surprise. Not only do I love the color, but the quality of this product is also superb. It’s very soft, easy to apply and feels like it would also act as a moisturizer. Another great find thanks to Ipsy.

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So there’s my November glam bag review. I am very impressed with Ipsy so far. While I couldn’t find all the products in the same size online, I believe this bag to be valued at between $40-50! That’s an incredible deal for $10 and a free bag! I am definitely keeping this subscription going and look forward to experimenting more with Ipsy through their giveaways, online tutorials and shopping deals!

If you want to try Ipsy, click here.

What is Ipsy?

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Ipsy is a subscription beauty service created by YouTube beauty star, Michelle Phan. For $10 each month, subscribers receive a ‘glam bag’ filled with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. You can follow their stylists on social media and watch beauty tutorials with the products. There are also lots of giveaways and offers allowing you to buy products at discounted rates. It’s really fun and interactive. Each review earns you Ipsy points which can be put towards these great deals.

Just like my favorite clothing subscription services, you take a short quiz first specifying your skin tone, eye and hair color, favorite beauty looks, and Ipsy stylists you identify with most. You can rate how comfortable you are with makeup and how adventurous you want to be. You can identify the brands you love or would love to try, and your favorite types of products.

There is usually a wait list to start receiving your Ipsy glam bag although you can skip this by following them on social media and sharing the fact you’ve just signed up. I would be surprised if anyone really is on the wait list.

After this, you just need to sit at home and wait patiently for your sparkly package to come in the mail (in a bright pink mailer in my case!). And then the fun begins….

If you want to try Ipsy, click here.

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The Battle of the Boxes

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Confused about which styling service you should try? Here’s a simple table to help make the decision easier…the opinions are mine and based on my experience and my personal likes/dislikes only.

Stitch Fix Trendsend Wantable Style Edit
Is there a styling fee? $20 – non-refundable but applied to anything you purchase $0 $20 – non-refundable but applied to anything you purchase
How many items do you receive? 5 It varies. You receive 2-3 complete outfits. 5
Are accessories included? Yes Yes No – Wantable have a separate accessories subscription service
Can you exchange for a different size? Yes – if it’s available Yes No
Can you exchange for a different color? No Yes No
How many days do you get to try on the items before you need to ‘check out’? 3 5 5
Do you receive a discount if you keep your entire box? Yes – 25% keep all discount No 20% keep all discount
What brands are featured? Examples:

Kut from the cloth

Kensie

Daniel Rainn

Plus Stitch Fix in-house labels such as Pixley and 41 Hawthorn

 Examples:

Kut from the cloth

Lush

Allison Joy

Billabong

BB Dakota

Click here for a full list

 

 Examples:

French Connection

7 For All Mankind

BB Dakota

Kensie

Wooden Ships Hudson

Waverly Grey
How regularly can you receive boxes? Every 2-3 weeks

Every month

Every other month

Every three months

 Every month OR whenever you request one Every month (you can skip a month if you wish)
What are the unique features of this box? Style cards show you two different ways to style the outfit Linked to an actual store meaning size exchanges and color swaps are easy. You can also buy anything you don’t receive in your box. Hmmm…
What is customer service like? Excellent Excellent Wouldn’t do a size exchange so not as accommodating as Trendsend or Stitch Fix.
Pros Excellent customer service

Style cards

Highly personal notes from stylists with the opportunity to keep your stylist from month to month

25% keep all discount

Very flexible subscription options

 Offers items on sale

Linked to store for easy exchanges

Complete outfits sent

Can request a one-off box without committing to a subscription

 

 20% keep all discount

The box it comes in is fabulous!
Cons Even if you request an item, you can’t be sure you will receive it.

I had fit issues with the first few boxes and some really ‘off’ stuff sent. You have to persevere as it definitely gets better with time!

 

 Expensive. If you were to keep your entire box, it would easily be $500-$1000!

As you can see all the items on the Evereve website, it’s less exciting than Stitch Fix where you have no idea what you could receive!

 I personally thought the quality of the clothing was very poor

Impersonal
Overall impressions The original and my personal favorite! I love the element of surprise, the personal notes from your stylist, how closely they look at your Pinterest board and the style of the clothes. I love the fact you get entire outfits and sale items. However, it’s a bit too expensive for me and not really my style. Definitely more ‘boho chic’ and ‘edgy’ than Stitch Fix. Not a fan. I thought it was poor quality clothing and impersonal (both the stylist’s note, styling advice and customer service).

 
Rating (out of 10) 9…it’d be 10 if it was a little cheaper! 7…mainly due to style 3…not impressed!
Want to sign up? Click here for Stitch Fix Click here for Trendsend Click here for Wantable

Trendsend: Reveal and Review – November 2015

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On Friday, I had to take my beautiful baby girl for her first day at daycare…cue the tears. It’s the day I’ve been dreading for weeks as it signifies the end of what has been a truly glorious maternity leave. Second time round has been so much more relaxing and enjoyable in many ways and I have loved spending my time with Maddie (without her crazy big sister around to steal the spotlight!). In some ways this has made it even harder to leave her; the thought of me not being her caregiver every second of the day consumes me with guilt and immense sadness. BUT, I know, from experience, that every day will get easier and, like her sister before her, she will learn a lot from being in a social setting with other babies (even if she’s my baby and I want to keep her all to myself!). So to distract me from this cutting of the umbilical cord, I scheduled by Stitch Fix box to come this week (which I received on Monday and reviewed here), but imagine my joy when I noticed a box on my doorstep just before leaving Friday morning! Weirdly the mail hadn’t come until after dark on Thursday hence my Trendsend had sat out there all night unattended and alone! (If you want to find out how Trendsend works, read this). As soon as I dropped my girls off, I was home, in the new clothes and strutting my stuff. And here’s the result…

First of all, I was really impressed with how closely my stylist had read my note, looked at my Pinterest board and checked my Evereve wish list. KJ had clearly spent time doing her research. She paid attention to the fact I liked the cheaper items (often on sale) so most of the tops she sent me were on sale! Bargains galore! Here’s the two outfits she suggested…

Outfit 1:

Cloth and Stone Lightweight Buttondown – On sale for $49.99 from $98

Renee C Batik Drape Front Top –  On sale for $34.99 from $58

Beloved Cami – $28

Kut from the Cloth Mia Skinny – $94

First of all, this isn’t really an outfit as you couldn’t wear the buttondown and the batik drape top! However, I’m not going to complain about bonus clothing in my box.

Let’s start with the buttondown. I actually received this in my very first Trendsend box for the full amount. I loved it at the time but could not justify spending just short of $100 on a chambray shirt when I’d just bought this one from Target for $23! However, I love my chambray shirt and wear it constantly. Therefore I feel it’s something that is worth upgrading to a higher quality (sorry Target, I love you to pieces but you are cheap!). When I saw the Trendsend one had gone on sale, I requested it again. It is so soft and gorgeous and one of the only items I’ve returned from a subscription box that I have regretted not buying! It’s a keeper!

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The Renee C top I paired with the Beloved cami. The cami is fab! It’s so soft and stretchy. However, I don’t think I really need another one or want to spend $28 on a cami that I can pick up in H&M for $6. That will be returned. The Renee C top I liked. It’s a flattering shape, super soft material that feels lovely on my skin and very versatile. The abstract black print is an easy addition to any wardrobe. That being said, it’s not quite my style and despite the attractive price tag, I will be returning it.

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The Kut skinny jeans were great. I don’t own any distressed denim so really enjoyed trying these out and Kut from the cloth has been a brand I’ve been dying to try! However, these jeans weren’t that soft for the price, and also weren’t a great fit. A little too loose on the calves and slightly too short. For $94, they need to be perfect. Returned!

Outfit 2:

Sanctuary Midnight Embroidered Shell – On sale for $39.99 from $69

Allison Joy Colette Raw Edge Top – On sale for $24.99 from $58

Lush Easy Seamed Pullover – On sale for $54.99 from $68

So like outfit 1, this isn’t really a complete outfit as there’s no bottoms and too many tops. But here’s a look at them individually.

The Sanctuary shell is a really pretty top. A fun design with cute embroidery round the neckline. The cut out back adds a bit of interest and the shape is very flattering. However, it’s just not something I’d wear so while I have no issues with it, it’s going back.

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The Allison Joy blouse is super cute. It’s something I had saved on my Evereve wishlist which my stylist noticed and sent me! I love that she did that! I love the longer length in the back of the shirt and how versatile this could be for work. The only issue I have is that it’s a little too sheer. I need to experiment with different bras and camisoles to see how I could use this (I do teach high school English after all and sheer isn’t quite the look I’m going for!). Status: Undecided at present but edging towards keeping it!

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Now my stylist recommended I pair the Lush sweater with the Allison Joy top. So I followed her advice and did just that. Well, I think it looks just plain weird. I have so many issues with this sweater from the material (scratchy) to the split sides (drafty) to the color (too dark) to the fit (I’m not pregnant!). It would work on someone.…just not me! I really don’t understand how it works with the Allison Joy top unless it looks so weird it’s cool? In which case, I am just not cool enough! I love Trendsend but sometimes I do feel like I am just not trendy enough to pull off their outfits!

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So that’s it! My November Trendsend box. I’ve really enjoyed the last few Trendsend boxes I’ve received and have kept a few items, but I have decided to stop my subscription. I’m keeping my account open and may well request the occasional box, but I don’t think it quite lines up with my personal style. I think the service, clothes and prices have been excellent and my decision to stop receiving monthly boxes has nothing to do with that. This is the perfect box for the more ‘on trend’ and ‘edgy’ fashionistas out there…not just this relatively normal, flip flop wearing, ponytail sporting, mummy.

 

What is Trendsend?

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Trendsend is a subscription box service linked to the store, Evereve. It is similar to the other subscription box services like Stitch Fix and Wantable. Like these, it is targeted at busy moms. I personally love one of its taglines: ‘Take care of your family, we’ll take care of you’. It brilliantly sums up what they are trying to do at Evereve with Trendsend. Another lovely thing about this company…10% of profits go to charities important to moms both locally and worldwide. I love that.

Trendsend is a personal styling service which rather than sending individual items like Stitch Fix, it sends you two to three perfectly styled outfits which can be mixed and matched. I love the fact you get entire outfits – it makes the shopping experience even easier! There is also no styling fee, another win. The prices vary. There is some high end merchandise available but they also will send you items on sale should you wish. I have personally grabbed some fantastic bargains this way.

How does it work?

Step one: Create your style profile. This information gives your stylist information on everything from your measurements and hair color to likes and dislikes. It asks you questions about your favorite outfits and you have the opportunity to upload an image of you wearing clothes that make you feel great. There’s space for you to share what you normally get up to with your family and how adventurous you want your stylist to be! They’ve thought of everything!

Step two: Your package is shipped right to your door with your handpicked outfits inside. Try them on in the comfort of your own home, on your own time. Your stylist will send a note detailing how to put the outfits together and why they picked them.

Step three: Keep what you love, return what you don’t! The free shipping label makes returning anything you don’t want a breeze. As Trendsend is linked to the Evereve store, you can easily exchange for different colors or sizes. Check out by logging into your account online. Each item you are asked to rate based on fit, price, style and shape. There’s also space for comments. The only downside is there’s no discount if you decide to keep your entire box.

You can set up a subscription, or just choose to receive one off boxes. It’s up to you!

If you want to try Trendsend, click here to get started.

 

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Stitch Fix: Reveal and Review – November 2015

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Stitch Fix: Reveal and Review – November 2015

This week is the last week I have at home with my baby before returning to work L so I scheduled my November fix to come on Thursday to cheer me up. Well it definitely did! Not only did it come three days early (!) but it’s my best yet! Just what I needed. I had a new stylist, Jessica, (I’ve never kept the same one twice) and I will definitely be asking for her again. In my style note, I requested an elbow patch sweater (unfortunately they didn’t have the exact one I wanted), dresses and pencil skirts for work. I loved that Jessica clearly paid attention to this note and also my Pinterest board as she sent a top I’d pinned ages ago! I was impressed and excited to try it on. If you want to find out more about how stitch fix works, click here.

Let’s take a look at this month’s goodies…

Papermoon Bastille Tulip Sleeve Blouse – $38

I love this top! It was also on my Pinterest board! This is the second time I’ve had the exact itemed I pinned which is one of the things I love about Stitch Fix – you pin it, you get it! This top has a light and romantic feel and can easily be worn with lots of items already in my wardrobe. The fit is perfect. It’s a definite keeper! Here I experimented with the ‘winter white’ trend pairing it with my white skinny jeans…

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Outfit details:

Jeans (American Eagle)

Necklace (Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Boots (Aldo – find similar here)

Status: Kept!                

Brixon Ivy Cyndi Lace Pencil Skirt – $74

This was the first item that jumped out at me from my box and was therefore the first one I put on! The Brixon Ivy label, which is one of Stitch Fix’s in-house brands, is one of my favorites. As my stylist directed, I paired it with the Bastille Tulip Sleeve Blouse and I love the combination. It’s definitely something I can see myself wearing. I paired it with my target flats making it an easy outfit I’d definitely wear to school.

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I also tried it with my new booties from Forever 21 which, in my opinion, gave it a slightly more ‘edgy’ feel. What do you think? Too cool for school?!

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Outfit details:

Booties (Forever 21)

Necklace (Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Status: Kept!

Pixley Kathy Striped Fit & Flare Dress – $68

When I first saw this in my box, I thought it was a bit boring. Stitch Fix seem to love stripes and I’ve seen this dress around a lot on the boards. Well from the minute I tried it on I could see why! I LOVE it! It’s so flattering and I had lots of fun experimenting with different accessories (accessorizing is my Achilles heel…I’m normally terrible at it!). Even the husband approved! Here’s the different looks I tried…

Warm and cozy…

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With booties…

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Classic (ignore the horrible, white, bruised legs!)…

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And lastly, with a pop of color (my favorite!). More suitable for Spring but I couldn’t resist trying this out for now even if only round the house…

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This dress is going to be worn next week when I go back to school. The perfect pick me up.

Outfit details:

Outfit no. 1:

Scarf (Buy similar here)

Boots (Aldo – Buy similar here)

Leggings (H&M)

 

Outfit no. 2:

Booties (Forever 21)

Necklace (Romolo Delta Geo Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Leggings (H&M)

 

Outfit no. 3:

Black flats (Target)

Necklace (Romolo Delta Geo Necklace from Stitch Fix)

 

Outfit no.4:

Coral flats (Steve Madden)

Bag (Longchamp)

Belt (buy similar here)

Status: Kept!

London Times Cassia Dress – $68

Whether to return or keep this dress was one of the hardest decisions this week! I love the print and think it looks very cute how I’ve styled it. BUT, I’m not 100% sure… I feel it’s possibly a bit old, it’s slightly too big, and the material is not as soft as I would like for a $68 dress! So it’s going back. Plus after deciding to keep the fit and flare dress, I couldn’t really justify spending the money on two black and white dresses in one month. It also lacks the versatility that the fit and flare dress has. But it does look cute…

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Outfit details:

Scarf (Buy similar here)

Boots (Aldo – Buy similar here)

Leggings (H&M)

Status: Returned (hopefully I won’t regret this!)

RD Style Meredith Faux Leather Elbow Patch Cardigan – $68

There was an audible sigh when I pulled this from the box. Not my style and not my color. But I always try everything on. At first, I wasn’t convinced when I paired it with my jeans, but then I tried it with my faux leather leggings and really liked it! It looked kinda ‘edgy’ and fun. The elbow patches are cool. However, I just don’t think I’d wear it that much so it’s going back. I’m definitely still on the lookout for some elbow patches this season, however. Watch this space!

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Outfit details:

Faux Leather Leggings (Buy similar here)

Black cami (H&M)

Status: Returned        

 

Overall impressions:

This was a fabulous fix! I had a lot of fun putting these outfits together and digging things out of the bottom of my wardrobe that hadn’t seen the light of day for years (I’m talking about you, my cozy, chunky scarf!). I could easily have kept all 5 items but my bank account is pleased I didn’t. It’s my best fix to date and I’m excited to see what Jessica chooses for me next month.

What do you think? Do you agree with what I’m keeping? Will I live to regret not keeping that Cassia dress?! Let me know in the comments below.

If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, click here.

Wantable Style Edit: Reveal and Review – October 2015

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This week, I was VERY excited to receive my very first Wantable Style Edit. This service works in a similar way to Stitch Fix. Click here for the details. One of the reasons I chose Wantable, was reading reviews like this one online. The clothes looked closest to my personal style and a good halfway point between Stitch Fix and Trendsend. That I still think is the case, however, there were a few issues with my box which left me a little disappointed.

Let’s start with the box. This may seem trivial but Wantable have by far the nicest packaging. The box is gorgeous! I will definitely be reusing it to store some goodies in!

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Upon opening the box, I was treated with a gorgeously wrapped parcel of clothes with a cool little fashion statement wrapping them. I was impressed. Sadly, the box peaked at this point!

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Once I began unwrapping my handpicked items, I saw a cute little booklet addressed to me with all the details of my items, prices, return policy and note from my stylist. This was a nice touch but in comparison to the style cards and personalized notes I’ve had from Stitch Fix, it didn’t compare. In fact, the stylist note read like a big fat copy and paste…here’s what Michelle said…

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Each item description came with a photo, its price and a sentence about how you could style it. Each one finished with an exclamation point! They’re excited! 3/5 told me to pair it with denim…fairly obvious (and it’s what I did!). Again, in comparison to Stitch Fix, it’s lacking in personalization.

On to the items…

DE/nim Thermal Hoodie in Dusty Pink – $49

This is a cute, lightweight hoodie. The color is adorable but however much I love pale pink (and I really do!), it washes me out. I also felt like it would be better suited to fitness attire. It’s very casual and I could see me throwing this on after hitting the gym (on the rare occasions that happens!) but generally, it’s too casual for the everyday look I’m trying to pull off!

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And here’s me doing my best Eminem impression…

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Connelly Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned        

KLD French Terry Dolman Top in Ivory – $58

This was by far the best piece in my box. I loved the quality of the material and thought it was really versatile that could be dressed up or down accordingly.

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However, I’m not a fan of dolman tops mainly because I feel like a flying squirrel – check out this impression….

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It’s also a little too big (as were all the tops – I’m going to size down if I repeat my subscription).

Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Connelly Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Booties (Express)

Necklace (Bancroft Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace from Stitch Fix)

Status: Undecided

Jack Kath Sweater – $80

This is a cute sweater and I loved the detailing on the back. However, there were two issues I had with it. To begin with, it was too big. However, the biggest issue was the horrible material. It was incredibly scratchy and for an $80 sweater, it was incredibly poor quality. This was one of the most disappointing items in the box and made me seriously question the quality of the clothing coming from wantable. I also felt it was a little old for me.

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Adorra Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Status: Returned (definitely!)

Skinny Denim – $79

These were described as a basic skinny jean which is accurate! However, they were too small. I couldn’t even zip them up (hence why I have not modelled them for you here – no one needs to see the attempt!). Even if they had fitted, they were not at all comfortable. A very hard denim that would not be pleasant to wear. Again, it made me question the quality of the clothing especially for the $79 price tag.

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Status: Returned (definitely!)

Cowl Tunic in Grey – $65

When I originally read the description of this top as ‘cowl neck’, I sighed as I really dislike cowl necks. However, I actually really loved this on. It is something I never would choose for myself (one of the reasons I love subscription boxes as it challenges you to expand your fashion choices). Again, it was too big, but more importantly, the material was far too scratchy. This is the kind of top that really needs to be super soft so you can snuggle up in it during the winter months. It wasn’t. A real shame as I probably would have kept it otherwise.

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Outfit details:

Jeans (Just Black Connelly Jeans from Stitch Fix)

Booties (Express)

Status: Returned        

Overall impressions:

I did enjoy the experience of getting my very first wantable style edit but, overall, I was disappointed with several items. While I understand the fit issues are not the company’s fault, and I had similar problems with my first few stitch fix boxes, the quality of the material leaves much to be desired. The clothes just did not feel like $50+ clothing. And for that reason, I doubt I will be requesting another style edit in the future. However, I would be interested in exploring the collections they offer for beauty and accessories.

What do you think? Do you agree with the items I am sending back? Should I keep the dolman? Let me know in the comments below.

If you’re interested in trying wantable, click here.