Stitch Fix Review May 2015: We're Back in the Game!

Ok, I know I promised all of you a post on my glasses this week. But then my Stitch Fix came four days early! So we have important work to do. (What is Stitch Fix, you ask? Click here to learn all about it.)

 As you might remember, I was not super happy with my last fix. I was happy to order another one, if only because I had a lot of credit to use (thanks to everyone who signed up with my link!) However, I was slightly disgruntled because I felt like my stylist hadn't listened to my feedback.

Well, Stitch Fix, you have redeemed yourself! I had a new stylist, Alison (hi Alison!) and I felt like she did a great job. She sent me a few things that I had pinned, and also some things that were a little out of the box for me, but that I could totally see myself wearing.

If I keep everything, it's $187.50 including the styling fee.
(I still have a lot of credit, so that would mean I actually pay $14.50. Cool!)

My style card!

This time I'd really like some advice. I like 4 out of 5 things a lot, but the fifth thing doesn't fit me right. However, it costs the same to keep 4 as to keep 5. What should I do? Are there other things I should send back? Would you like to buy the fifth item from me (at a discount)? Please leave thoughts in the comments!

And without further ado, here we go:

Daniel Rainn Owen Tie Neck Blouse in Black-- $48.00

For some reason, my eyes were closed in almost every picture Sarit took. Don't know what's wrong with me, other than that I really need to get more sleep. So we also ended up with some mirror selfies. You get the idea.

This top is beautiful. It is super lightweight and, as you can see, pretty sheer. It came with a built in tank top, but I think I'll probably cut it out if I keep it, partly because it's too low cut and partly because it's really hard to get on and off.

The pluses: It'll be great for summer, it has great details, and it's versatile enough to be worn with jeans, for work, or on Shabbat.
The minuses: The complicated tank top underneath (easily dealt with), and the fact that this shirt is very similar to the one I got in my March fix.

The verdict: Undecided. Thoughts?

THML Cintas Embroidered Tie Neck Top in white-- $58.00

This was my least favorite thing in the fix. The concept is pretty, but it just didn't work on me.

Yup, eyes closed again. But otherwise a good pic!

 First, I don't wear much white, nor do I wear orange, which is basically the color of the detail. The real problem, though, is the shape. As you can see below, it's sort of shapeless, but then tight around the hips. It's also a little short for my taste. I'm not super tall, but I carry most of my height in my torso and I like my shirts long.

However, the detailing is beautiful. I'm sure it would be a great top for someone who is built differently than me.

The verdict: Returning, unless I keep the other four. Then, hopefully, finding it a new home.

Fun2Fun Marlena Abstract Print Tab Sleeve Blouse in Green-- $48.00

Noticing a pattern here? Seriously, what is my problem?!

This top is very pretty. I think it fits me really nicely, and it's also super versatile. I like the green and pink color, and one of my friends always tells me I should wear more patterns on top, instead of on bottom, so this would fit that.

 I especially think it's flattering in profile. Mirror selfie and piles of stuff in the background aside.

I also like that it has a button so I can roll up the sleeves. My arms are pretty short, so sleeves often hit me at an awkward place. Rolling them up makes them look more normal, and also makes it more useful as the weather gets warmer.

However, I'm not sure about the pattern, and I feel like Stitch Fix has already sent me a few tops in this shape. Help!

Verdict: Undecided

Hailey 23 Vlado Dress in Light Grey-- $48

 Look, my eyes are open! Sort of, at least. We're getting there.

Here's the cool things about this dress. One, it looks like a skirt and top, but it fits like a comfortable dress.

 Second, it has a scoop back, so it's a little more exciting, but it's not too revealing, so I would feel comfortable wearing it without a sweater or tank top or anything like that.

Third, it's so soft! And fourth, the skirt has pleats, which we all know I love. This will be great for lazy Shabbat afternoons, and also for work. Finally, $48 is a great price for a dress.

Verdict: Keeping!

Ezra Nawny Tiered Back Knit Top in Grey-- $48.00

 It's possible I pinned this shirt four or five times. Seriously. It's so cool! I feel very strongly that the pictures do not do it justice. (I also think it will probably look better with pants, but time was of the essence, as neither of us had eaten dinner yet.)

The coolest part of this top is the back. Usually shirts with cool back details are super low cut in the back, or sleeveless. This one has sleeves! And full coverage! It's sort of wrinkled out of the box, but with a little bit of pressing, I think it will be fabulous.

To me, this top is a great example of why I love Stitch Fix. It's a super interesting piece, but not necessarily one I would think to look for on my own. It's really comfortable and it fits me nicely. It's good for work, or for play, and the mock layered look means I can get a cool look without wearing a million shirts. It's not super seasonable right now, but I look forward to wearing it the next time it's unseasonably cool. Yay!

Verdict: Keeping!

So there we have it. Two definite keepers, one I don't like, and two I'm undecided on. What do you all think? Help me! Please leave thoughts in the comments! And if you want to get in on the fun, sign up for Stitch Fix here!

When Your Skirt Matches the Tree...

Last Tuesday was a very exciting day. No, not because I found a tree to match my skirt. Although that was fun too. But it was because my friend Ruth came to visit!

Ruth used to be my chevruta, but then she had to go get a job in DC, far away from me. (So selfish.) We still study together on Skype, but it is not the same. So imagine my excitement when she told me she was coming in to speak at a panel!

I have to admit that I did not attend said panel. However, we did take a lovely stroll through the park and have vegan food for dinner. I heart vegan food. I made her stop and take blog pictures for me, because I realized my skirt matched the tree so nicely!

An embarrassing confession about this outfit. I realized that it is the exact same one I wore here, but in different colors. Yes, this is my other random British skirt bought on impulse. In my defense, the two look very different, but when I realized I was wearing the same shirt in a different color as well, I thought about not blogging about it. But how could I hide such a thing from you, my loyal readers? So here you have it, in all of its awkward glory.

We also saw black tulips! They were so gorgeous. Man, I love the spring.

And finally, to top today off, some excellent advice I saw on makeup bags for sale in a store window. I didn't buy them, as I don't wear makeup, but I photographed them so I could share them with all of you. Because to me, few things sound more delightful than being a beautiful cupcake. AKA, let your freak flag fly, and the world will love you for it.

What I'm wearing: super old British skirt, Willi Smith shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Sperry for J.Crew boat shoes (similar here)

A Sunday in the Garden

One of my favorite movies is You've Got Mail. I know, not the most sophisticated fare, but in addition to being a great sappy love story, the sort of thing for which I am a sucker, it is also a love song for New York, and especially for my neighborhood, the Upper West Side. I remember going to soccer camp in high school and meeting girls from rural New Jersey and Pennsylvania who were amazed to learn that I actually lived in Manhattan. "Wait," one of them asked me. "You're from New York? Are you a prostitute? Have you ever been stabbed?" Umm, not exactly. Instead, to me, even after all of these years, New York continues to be one of the most magical places in the world. (As John Updike said, "The true New Yorker believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding." Sorry, I sound like a snob. Ok, I know that it is unlikely I will be able to afford to live here forever. So just grant me my happy spring New York, okay?)

 My love of New York is never stronger than it is in the springtime, especially after a particularly horrid winter like the one we had. My parents were generous enough to buy me a new camera for my birthday, so my sister Sarah and I took it to the Conservatory Garden and North Woods in Central Park to try it out. If you've never been to the Conservatory Garden, you are totally missing out. It's on the East Side, with an entrance on 5th at 104th street. It's actually three gardens in one-- an Italian one, an English lawn garden and, my personal favorite, the French garden. We spent most of our time in the French garden, but overall spent a glorious hour or so wandering around, taking pictures, smelling the flowers, and reveling in the beautiful spring day.

Look at me, so happy under the Magnolia

And in case I didn't convince you about New York's glorious beauty, a few of the shots I took with my new toy:

Finally, I've been hearing from a number of you about how much you're enjoying the blog. I'm so glad! Keep reading, and always feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments, or by emailing me here!

What did you do on your glorious Sunday?

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt (bought during the mid-season sale because who has $68 to spend on a jersey skirt?), Jones New York shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Toms shoes (similar here), Gap Factory jean jacket (similar here)

California Dreaming (Part 2)

Guys, I have a sunburn. And you know what? Worth it?

Ok, I'm done talking about the weather for now. There are many other lovely things about visiting LA. Getting time with my nephews and niece, getting time with my sister and brother-in-law, having a change of scenery, and a million kosher restaurants within a mile of my sister's apartment. However, it is not a place of productivity. The lack of the structure of library combined with the number of things that happen before 9 AM means that basically no studying gets done. Oh well. Luckily, the Talmud has been around for a long time. It can wait a few more days for me.

So what do I do when I accept my lack of productivity? Take a lot of walks-- hence the sunburn-- and, yesterday, get a pedicure. I'm generally not a pedicure type of person. In fact, this is literally my 5th one ever. But I went, I picked a color and then realized afterwards that it was the exact same color as my shirt. I guess I know where my inspiration came from.

One more note, on this skirt. You can't see in the picture, but it has pockets. I love pockets! I randomly picked this up at some British store when I was visiting my younger sister when she studied abroad at Cambridge five years ago, and it's endured the test of time somehow. I am happy to come back to it every spring, like an old friend. Sometimes it's the impulse buys that end up with the most staying power.

Have you ever made an impulse buy that ended up being a favorite?

What I'm wearing: super old British skirt, Willi Smith shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Crown Vintage sandals

Happy One Monthaversary!

Guys, the blog is one month old today! Can you believe it? They grow up so fast...

Today was one of those perfect New York days. Sometimes, in the winter, when it's endlessly cold and there are disgusting piles of black snow at every curb and slush puddles at every corner, I understand why people would want to live elsewhere. But then spring comes and it's a mystery to me again.

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and everyone is in a good mood. That is why the kind gentlemen who I asked to take my picture in the park not only obliged, but both staged mini-photo shoots with me. These pictures are the fruits of their labors. 

Look! Real flowers! Spring!

In honor of the weather, I decided to wear my skirt with trees on it. This skirt and I had quite a saga, with three rounds of buying and returning. I loved the print, fabric and pockets, but the shape was a little weird, which made it hard for me to figure out how to wear it. When it went on crazy sale, I ordered it again. This time, I went down a size and ordered it in the long length, which worked much better. The shape seems more natural as a high waisted full skirt. It's still not the most flattering thing I own, but it's fun enough that I wear it anyway.

New glasses! Thanks Warby Parker!

 Today also marked the debut of my new glasses. I have a few pairs, since I wear them every day, and I ordered these from Warby Parker a few months ago. There were some problems with my prescription and other such things so the process took much longer than expected, but I have to commend Warby Parker for having excellent customer service.

Me, chilling with Eleanor Roosevelt. Obviously.

That's all from here for now. I hope you're all enjoying reading the blog as much as I'm enjoying writing it. If you have questions, comments, or things you want me to write about, leave a note in the comments or email me here!

What's your favorite spring activity? What about your favorite spring outfit?

P.S. My aunt sent me this cool Buzzfeed about style charts. If you're into charts like I am, check it out here.

What I'm wearing: Boden skirt, Gap Factory denim jacket (similar here), Cable and Gauge shirt via TJ Maxx (similar here), Sperry for J. Crew boat shoes (similar here), super old cross body bag (similar here)