Stitch Fixer Upper

I just wanted a reason to reference my #relationshipgoals couple, Chip and Jojo, with the title for this one. WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE CHIP AND JOJO?! But this has nothing to do with my latest unhealthy addiction to HGTV interest in their TV show. Let's move on to the real stuff here. You guys, I did Stitch Fix!

Thanks to Alex and Heidi and a cool Christmas gift idea, I got to experience Stitch Fix for the first time this past month. Here's the deal: You are assigned a stylist, whose job it is to give you clothes that you love. You click through a bunch of pictures to show them what kind of outfit would be your thing, you give them all of your sizes, and schedule for your box to arrive. Then BOOM on that day a box of brand new clothes that you like and fit into are waiting to be opened. It was like Christmas on January 21st! (Which, let me tell you, is something. Because January is a hard month to be a teacher. Christmas break is painfully over! Spring break is so far away! Testing is happening! Indoor recess! Germs! Report cards! Agh!) Let's just say it's a good time to get a little dose of retail therapy.

You only keep what you like, you only pay for what you keep, and you mail back the rest in a prepaid bag. The only time where you would pay for stuff you didn't buy is if you decide to send EVERYTHING back, in which case they charge you 20 bucks for the trouble of your stylist's time. So basically, you should resolve to keep at least one thing.

Now, word to the wise: unless you have a million dollars, don't go too crazy on Stitch Fix. I could see it being a huge money drain for our budget if I did this each month. When setting up your preferences, you have the ability to set a price range, but even at the cheapest possible setting, my pieces averaged 50 - 60 bucks. That's fine for a quality item! But it's just not plausible for me to be spending $250 on dress up in addition to everything else each month...that is if you would keep all the clothes sent in the box. Just something to think about. However, you can set the box to arrive however often or seldom you would prefer. I did a one-time box in January, with plans to maybe do a Stitch Fix box 3 times a year or so, to freshen up my closet when the seasons change or if I've been saving and feel like I want a treat. This is a better system for me than 12 times a year, in which case Brian would have to sit me down and just take. away. the. credit. card.

With that disclaimer in mind, I loved it! There were items in there that I would definitely pick out on my own while shopping - and I love them because I won't be wearing the same things as everyone else I see roaming the halls at school. The brands are somewhat obscure, which I appreciate as I tend to nest in Loft, H/M, Target, Anthro sale rack, and GAP and never leave. It broadened my horizons a bit.

SO. You ready to see the winners? (Don't look to closely at my dirty mirror or messy hair or anything else one can be judged for):

The sleeves are made of sweatshirt material so my shoulders fit! Rare find!

I like my work clothes to resemble pajamas as closely as possible.

Seems like a normal black sweater....

....but it had this cool slit all the way up the side. I dig it. 

...andddd the losers! Here are the two pieces I sent back. The plaid shirt was sent back because it was too tight on top and the button was sort of pulling because it was struggling to stay buttoned. NEVER IN MY LIFE has a shirt fit me in the shoulders and not fit me in the bust. THANKS SHIRT for making me feel very voluptuous! But sorry, totes inapprop. The yellow pants were sent back because although they felt like velvety heaven when I pulled them on, they were just a leeeeeettle too pastel. A leeeetttlee too close to a skin tone color. I did a double take to my own reflection in the mirror because at first glance it looked like I wasn't wearing any pants. Can't be having people think I'm not wearing pants. That's a deal breaker. All I had to do for these two pieces was to seal them up, drop the package off at our school's business office, and voila. Done.

Wanna try it? Check it out: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5084387

The Gimmies

There's this Berenstein Bears book called "The Berenstein Bears Get the Gimmies." It's all about how Brother and Sister bear (quick sidenote...Brother? Sister? Realllllly? That was clearly a last minute name selection.) get distracted with wanting wanting wanting everything they see, becoming self-involved, whiny brats. They of course get sorted out after a good talking-to from Mama Bear and the day is saved. Papa probably made a fool of himself at some point in the book, but I forgot. He usually does. 

So I've been doing this thing, where I don't buy clothes for six months in a row. I started on July 1st of this year and will refrain from purchasing clothes for myself until January 1st, 2015. This is pathetically, very difficult for me, and I'm afraid I've got a case of The Gimmies. I think Christmas specials and advertising isn't exactly helping. It's good to show restraint, though. It's okay to look, right? Check out this eye candy. It's from Madewell, Anthro, Timberland, Patagonia, J Crew, Modcloth, Anthro, and TOMS. In that order. Let's all just take in the beauty, shall we? 

The Little Black Dress

Brian is in Myrtle Beach with his baseball team on their spring break, so naturally I spent the weekend doing thrilling things like cleaning out my closet (cue Eminem song). In a weird way, it was kind of fun! I made a point to try on everything to see if I still liked it and could foresee myself wearing it within the next year. If I couldn't, then off it went to Goodwill. It was a good time of rediscovering clothes and looking forward to spring and summer (if, in theory, those seasons are still on their way after this crazy winter).

My favorite rediscovery was this little black dress. It is, actually, THE Little Black Dress. It has been with me since the fall of 2008, my freshman year in college, and we've seen lots of events together. My mom bought it for me at a Gap outlet on a fall break during my freshman year of college. 30 bucks. It's cotton, has a tiny black print on it, and roped me in from the beginning with the flutter sleeve. I am nothing if not a sucker for a flutter sleeve. 

It's been to four weddings, countless mornings at church, two bridal showers, out dancing in Sevilla, on a few dates, and lots of other brunches/lunches/dinners out. Throughout college until now my weight has existed within a 19-pound range, but somehow this magical dress has fit me at every stage from my curvy years (studying abroad will do that to you) to my slimmest times. That's a friend through thick and thin, and both me and my self-esteem are very thankful for its faithfulness. I am so excited to break it out again soon. Thanks to this dress for being there through it all. Here's to six more years!

The Art of Getting By

Channeling a little bit of Dorothy with this ensem. 

I've been kind of going nuts with the recent death of my point-and-shoot camera. She has been a loyal friend over these past three years, especially when I put her through the ringer during my semester abroad. I stuffed her in backpacks, purses, and pockets. I dropped her more than the average functional adult should drop an item. I really shouldn't be trusted with nice things. But alas, in the few weeks since she went to camera heaven (where all those family pets are frolicking right now) I haven't been able to take outfit pictures. This means that I have not all that much motivation to look cute, ever. I've been getting by without the outfit pictures, but it just doesn't work for me. You know, sort of been going for that "freshly woken up" look lately. Maybe a little too literally. I'll work on that. In the meantime, here are the last outfits taken on my late camera's card. I shall miss thee, Sony Cybershot. Thou hast served me well.

I'm starting to wear these TOMS out, so I'm thinking the next birthday wishlist
will include another pair. So stinking comfortable.

Karley's dress that I borrowed. My heels. 

These shoes make me eighty feet tall. 

Team Lindsay

Jackie had these shirts made
for Lindsay last summer. 

Love sunny days.

Hard to see, but those are corduroys. Yes.

Amazing pair of shoes my German relatives bought for me last spring. 

I go through grunge phases, okay? 

Let's break out the Nirvana. 

This weekend I go home for my friend Kayla's wedding! I'm all (spray)tanned and ready to wear her bright yellow bridesmaid dress and cannot wait to be there for her big day. Amazing that I'm old enough to have good friends getting married, right?! Yeesh. She and her fiance are a riot, and the other bridesmaids are some of my best friends as well. It's gonna be a good time. 

Tease

One of my favorite Spain purchases - this dress. 

I think it kind of makes me look taller, which I don't need, but oh well. 

This spring has been a big tease. It lures me in with its 80 degree weeks and then TURNS on me today and says: "Thought you could wear skirts and dresses every day? Think again, fool!" (Read that in Anthony Hopkins' voice to make it sound more sinister.) This morning was a particularly rough reinitiation with the cold, as the heat on our house doesn't seem to want to work. Then, my shower decided to be cold too just for a double whammy. 60 degree house + 50 degree shower = Anna wearing her winter coat in March. So fashionable, all the time. I know. 

Pretty sure I should be living in 1948 riding a bicycle through town in this skirt.

This Anthro skirt reminds me of my
Grandma Gesch. 

I have a habit of putting this white t-shirt
under everything else I own.

Got these sandals for my friend Clara's wedding
and they are awesome. Like I'm walking on a pillow.
Except the pillow is a pair of shoes. 

This necklace was a miracle. It was my favorite
and then I lost it. And then it was on sale again
at American Eagle and I had a coupon. Fate!

This skirt has a tendency to fly up in the wind.
Kind of conducive to awkward moments. Gotta watch it.

Another Spain purchase. How I miss that place. Sigh.

When we were in Colorado Karley was wearing
jeans like this. An old man asked her, "Are you
having a spiritual experience? Because your jeans are holy."

I'm the worst about buying jewelry, but I recently picked up this
gold feather cuff. Since I have no idea how to accessorize, prepare
to see it in just about every other outfit pic.

Wore this to present my paper at an undergraduate
literary conference. Yes, I'm hip. 

Up at 6:30 on a Saturday. That's a dedicated English major if I ever saw one.

Annnnd back in boots after a week of summer
weather. Props to my friend Lauren for letting
me swipe the shirt. 

Wind blew my hair and created this moment. Aww.

Crisp

I have been LOVING the hints of beautiful weather that show up here and there lately! Even on the cold-ish windy days, the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and I am a happy camper. Crisp  happens to be one of my favorite words (its onomatopoetic quality is so choice), and I get to use it twice during the year to describe the weather: March and September. I love getting dressed in spring  -  so here are a few of my favorite outfits from the last few weeks!

Dress from Spain, everything else from Forever 21. 

Loving the bright colors 

A little Minnie Mouse, but we'll roll with it. 

My favorite new item of clothing! Used a gift card on hot pink pants ow ow!

Usually not into pink, but these spoke to me. 

Boots, tights, shorts, and a tucked-in shirt?
WHO DO I THINK I AM?! 

Didn't even wear a coat this day. Aaaa.

Yeah, I wore a tutu to church. What are
you gonna do about it!?

I bought these heels for flamenca class. Then
dropped out of the class. But I kept the shoes. 

I need some new background scenery. I realize.  

 

Flannels. So Wisconsin. 

Looks like I'm ready for some
line dancing. Yeesh. 

I love all the eyelets cut out on this
dress/tunic/thing from H&M.  

Windy city.