February 2016 Stitch Fix Review: I'm in Love...

Friends, thank you for waiting so patiently for my latest Stitch Fix review. I know I skipped January-- it came right before I went to DC and I didn't have time to take pics before I sent it back. It's sad, as it was a really good one, even though I ultimately only kept one thing. (Which I have since worn three times a week.) But we must chug along, so be it.

The good news is... this Fix was awesome! Alison has really been killing it lately, and this box just raised the bar even higher. Thanks Alison! (For a review of how Stitch Fix works, see my earlier post here.) I had a fashion show during the Super Bowl with my friends Jenn and Doron, because there's only so long that you can watch people give each other brain damage before you need a new activity.

My styling card: look at all the colors!!

 I loved the whole box and had to exercise some self control to not keep everything. (How that happened will come later.) Luckily, the combo of a gift certificate and referral credit meant that I had $125 to work with, so there was some flexibility. Because of that, the whole box would have cost $115 after the discount, credits, and styling fee. Let's get to it, shall we?

Colorblock Verbena Sequin Detail Blouse in red-- $68

According to Alison, I pinned this blouse. I don't remember, but that seems like something I would do. I loved the sequined detail, and how it is not overpowering but so pretty. I also really liked the color, which was an orange-y red, which is not something I have a lot of in my wardrobe. It seemed classy but also sparkly, which is a good combo. I was sure I was going to keep it when I tried it on the first time, but when I modeled it for my friend Jenn, we both agreed that it was good but not great. It was a little short in the torso and I couldn't quite figure out when I would wear it. For the price, since I wasn't keeping everything, it needed to leave me. Good bye, beautiful blouse. May you find a good home with a shorter torso'ed friend.
Status: Returned

Ezra Cuballa Embroidery Knit Top in navy-- $58

This I did pin. That's because I am in love with it. First of all, I love that the back fabric is different than the front. Second, it's SUPER soft. Third, I love the embroidery detail very much. The only weird thing about it is that it's short on the sides, but my friend Rachel theorized that it's supposed to be that way. So I will wear a tank top underneath and feel happy forever.

Status: Kept!

Gilli Jodie Textured Skirt in navy (although I swear it's black)-- $58

This was my favorite. I have been searching for basically this exact skirt for MONTHS. Thin stripes, knee length, pleats, textured cotton. Happy Rachel! (This was also Jenn and Doron's favorite.)

Status: Kept!

London Times Nancee Dress in green-- $98
Mak Jaclynn 3/4 Sleeve Button-Up Cardigan in cobalt-- $38

I thought two things when I saw this dress.  #1: LOVE. #2: I think I already have this? Indeed, I already own a dress in the same color and almost the same fabric and shape. As much as I love kelly green, even I have my limits, especially for $100.

Alison, knowing of my modest ways, sent this cardigan to go with the dress as well. It was very soft and I loved the color. It was also the least expensive thing in the box. I would have been happy to add it to my closet, except that I have a million cardigans, so I exercised some self control and decided not to keep it.

Do I regret it now? A little. But life goes on. It's only clothing, friends.
Status: dress and sweater both returned

So that's February. Home run. If I hadn't already had an almost identical dress, it's likely that all five things would now be in my closet. But I am very excited about my new shirt and skirt. Just have to wait for March to see what comes next!

Want to get in on the fun? Sign up for your own fix here!

The Times, They Are A Changin'

Ok, I know what all of you are thinking. Rachel used to blog so much and now we hardly hear from her! Has she lost interest? Is she too busy for us? Has she started walking around naked all of the time and therefore has no outfits to show us????

Dear readers, I assure you that it is none of those things! Instead, there has just been a lot going on, but I promise I think of you often. Here's what's been happening on my end of the world:

1. My sister and her family moved here! This is a VERY exciting development in my life. Now, instead of having to fly across the country to see each other, they're just a walk away! So far, I have taken Simon to the movies and Leo boating. Maddie and I just chill, because she's a baby. Pictures to follow in future posts

2. My June job ended. We had a great five weeks together and it was sad when it was over. In case you were wondering what I was teaching, here is a cartoon of how the Talmud explains putting people to death:

3. My comps list got approved! So in theory I am in the process of studying for my seventh and final comp. You notice that I say in theory. Hopefully it will happen for real soon.

4. My July job started. Dear readers, I love July. It's my favorite month of the year. I'm teaching full time, on three different topics, so it's a lot of work, but I am so happy to be teaching this much again that I am trying to enjoy every moment.

5. The bucket list marches on! I am trying to make sure to do at least one fun thing a week. It's good for me and so far I am enjoying.

So that's what's been happening. Less computer time means less time to blog-- that is the one unfortunate part of all of these good things. I'm trying not to think about what will happen in August, when I am back in the library all the time.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of my beautiful eyelet dress, which I loooove, and which I finally found a sweater to go with. 

Happy summer! What's keeping you busy these days?

What I'm wearing: Anne Klein dress (similar here), Boden cropped cardigan, Franco Sarto sandals via DSW

Suburbs Have Staircases!

Today, we continue my exploration of the wonders of suburban living. (AKA, these pictures are also from last weekend.)

In addition to having a yard, in the suburbs, people often have houses! And those houses have multiple floors! For example, I slept on the third floor, where the ceiling was all slanty. Will the wonders never cease? So here I am, making friends with the staircase. Hi, staircase! I am only used to things like you outside of my living space!

Just kidding. I am not actually as much of an alien, or city snob, as I am making myself out to be. But it is true that I have never lived somewhere with an inside staircase.

Anyway. Let's talk about texture for a moment, shall we? I am very into fabrics that have texture, especially ones like this dress, which is otherwise solid. I'm not sure the pictures show it super clearly (next time I wear it I'll take a close up), but this dress actually has a beautiful eyelet overlay over a solid base layer, which makes it much more interesting up close than it appears to be from far away. The attention to detail is what turns it from a plain blue dress into something really special.

I've been trying to use this blog as a way to get a little more adventurous in the way I dress. It hasn't really happened yet, but something I sort of want to try is pattern mixing, which seems scary but seems to work really well on other people? So I'm wondering if using a solid but texture piece might be a good way to start out. We'll have to wait and see.

Finally, this dress is a great lesson of "good things come to those who wait." I loved this dress last year from Boden, but it was too expensive to buy since I knew I would also have to find a sweater to go with it, etc. Then, a couple of months ago, I realized it was on major clearance, plus an extra 15% off. And luckily I got the last one in my size! I've already worn it a few times, and look forward to wearing it with other (brighter!) colors as the weather continues to improve.

Come back next week! Featuring our first Q and A post, and a spotlight on the many glasses of Curly Hair With Glasses. I tell you, the fun never stops.

What do you do to make your look more interesting? Any advice on pattern mixing?

What I'm wearing: Boden eyelet dress (sold out), Boden cropped cardigan, Audrey Brooke flats via DSW