Fashion - Pocketful of Joules

My December Stitch Fix: A Grinchy Fix with A Gem

With all the boxes being delivered to my front porch this month, my December Stitch Fix is one of my most anticipated. Sure, I’ve got lots of clothes in my closet by now, but there is something about the holidays that makes me want to treat myself to a little something-something while I’m shopping for everyone else!

Here’s my stylist note for December:

Disappointed in last month’s Fix of casual tops, so let’s try again! Think super soft, drapy, comfortable tops that I can wear on the weekends and still look cute (v-necks are best). Nothing that will cling to my tummy. I pinned a few new pins for you to check out. Maybe one sparkly item for Christmas.

{If you are interested in checking out all of my Fix reviews, you can click here. This Fix is #27… so I’m kind of a fan!}

Before we check out the individual items, I should probably warn you that this Fix was pretty terrible. In fact, it was so terrible I couldn’t resist making this sneak peek video:

A video posted by pocketfulofjoules (@pocketfulofjoules) on Dec 11, 2015 at 11:14am PST

If you’re not already following me on Instagram, you can find my PocketfulofJoules profile here.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what was in my December Fix:

Item #1: Laila Jayde Whistler Relaxed Fit Knit Top – $54
Apparently the phrase “relaxed fit” is totally subjective, because this fit is in no way relaxed on my body type. I tried to be a good sport and take a picture anyways…

The rest of the outfit: exact pants and exact boots.

I pretty much hate everything about this top, other than the color. The black accents on the shoulders look like I’m wearing Hunger Games pajamas, it is made out of a weird fabric that somehow clings to all the wrong spots AND it is super itchy so I’m going to just go with the phrase, “um… NOPE!”

Item #2: Papermoon Arriba Embroidery Neckline Raglan Knit Top – $48
This top is kinda cute with the raglan knit fabric and the contrasting sleeves. There is even some snazzy embroidery around the neckline that gives it a little something extra special.

The rest of the outfit: exact pants and exact boots.

I don’t dislike it, but I also don’t love it. To spend $48 on a casual shirt, I’m going to have to love it!

Item #3: THML Lucine Faux Leather Trim Open Cardigan – $98
Can somebody please explain to me what the hell is happening here? Am I being eaten by a giant sweater or did Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company send me the world’s ugliest housecoat?! I’m not really sure what my stylist was thinking when she looked over everything I’ve purchased over the past couple years and then pulled THIS out for me to try.

The rest of the outfit: similar top, exact pants and exact boots.

I’m further baffled that my stylist decided to size up on this to an XL! This cardigan is so ugly that I’m almost offended that it was sent to me.

Item #4: Skies are Blue Melle Fringe Detail Pullover Poncho – $68
Woah, a poncho. Well, this is totally outside my comfort zone… which is good, right? I’ve never actually tried a poncho on, because they seem a bit too hippy-dippy to me. I mean, other people look really good in them… I’m just not really sure about ME in a poncho. On the other hand, it’s a socially acceptable way to LITERALLY wear a blanket as clothing. But, what the heck do I do with my arms?

The rest of the outfit: exact pants and exact boots.

Okay, one side of me thinks it looks pretty cute and very ‘fashion-y’ in the picture, but the other side thinks it looks like I stuck my head through a tree skirt. I just can’t get over the fact that I’m wearing a blanket as clothing (even though blanket scarves are totally my jam). I could really see liking this if I were pregnant because it’s a super cute way to hide a little baby bump. However, that ship has sailed and so will this… right back to Stitch Fix.

Item#5: Papermoon Danza Raglan Printed Sleeve Knit Top – $48
Oh thank goodness, a keeper. I was getting worried that I was going to lose my styling fee by sending the whole box back! This top is AMAZING with super soft knit and really adorable contrasting sleeves. It’s actually the same brand as the other baseball-sleeve top, but this one is so much better. I can see myself wearing with tons of different outfits – it looks equally cute with my black jeans, blue jeans and burgundy skinny jeans.

The rest of the outfit: exact pants and exact boots.

Am I being a bit of a Grinch, or did this Fix kind of suck? Luckily I really like the Papermoon printed sleeve top, so I won’t lose my Stylist Fee. But HOLYMOLY wasn’t the rest of it pretty terrible?! Looks like there is no need for a survey this month, but I’d love to hear your comments anyways!

Can you rock a poncho without looking like a baby wrapped in a blanket? Does anyone actually LIKE the open cardigan? I’m trying out a new bright lipstick, are you digging it?

Pssssssst… make sure you come by tomorrow for a super awesome HOLIDAY GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY BONANZA!!!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix, I pay for the $20 styling fee and any clothing I purchase with my own hard-earned money. If you enjoyed my review and decide to try Stitch Fix for yourself, the biggest compliment you can give me is by using my referral link. Thank you to anyone who chooses to click through and support my blogging addiction. This post contains ShopStyle affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission.

Psssst…Do you love checking out what other people received in their Fixes? I added quick links to every single one of my reviews on my Stitch Fix Reviews page!

I Saw it on Pinterest: No Sew Blanket Scarf

So far in my Pinterest adventures, I’ve tackled a braided bun, made some fire starters, tried to unclog a sink drain, made a t-shirt bag and baked some crappy s’mores pockets.

Well, a few weeks ago I came across this pin for a No Sew Blanket Scarf and was intrigued. I love the blanket scarf I received in my last Fix but also really wanted a plaid version to add to my neck collection.

Well, I had planned to go by Joann’s to check out their pre-lit Christmas trees (and got one for 50% off, yay!) and while I was there I browsed through their flannel shirt fabric section. Just as promised in the pin, the fabric was $8.99 per yard and an online coupon took me less than 3 minutes to download to my phone.

It was probably the easiest DIY I’ve ever done in my life.

Pick fabric.
Cut the crooked edges into a straight line by following the print.
Throw the fabric in the laundry.
Pull it out and see that the edges have frayed adorably.

Put that warm fresh-from-the-dryer fabric around my neck and give it a little snuggle:

Isn’t it gorgeous?! I ended up buying 2 ½ yards of fabric for $22.48 and then saved $8.99 by using my online coupon (you can get them right off the Joann’s website and have it sent to your phone). So, the total for my new super soft blanket scarf was only $13.50!

I’ve seen similar blanket scarfs for sale for WAY more than my DIY steal. So I’m feeling pretty darn good about this project!

Have you made a DIY blanket scarf? Are you going to run out to the fabric store and make yourself one now?

My Style: November Favorite Outfits

I love the holiday season, with one exception… it just flies by so quickly.

Of course, it doesn’t help matters when the local radio station decided to go to an ALL Christmas format in the middle of November (only to get such backlash that they went back to their normal format 3 days later!) I’m a firm believer in as much as I love me some Christmas decorations and twinkly lights, I do NOT unpack them until after Thanksgiving!

However once Black Friday comes around, it’s a free-for-all in Christmas décor all up in the Joules house! And don’t even get me started on my love for Christmas music…

So, before I break out my red and green, let’s take a look back at my November favorite outfits! If you see something you like, I’ve made it easy for you to steal my style with links for each item, as well as some similar styles at different price points. If you want to check out previous My Style posts, you can find them here.

Look #1: Comfy Casual

The T-shirt
When I share my outfits on Instagram, I usually just show my workday looks. However, this is what I typically look like when I’m dressed on weekends, or when I work from home all day and then throw clothes on to do kid pick-up. I love this Hustlin Mama t-shirt from Mulberry press and I wear it all the time (I’m wearing a unisex size large).

The Cardi
The flowy cardi that I’m wearing is the Market & Spruce Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan from Stitch Fix (this one from last year) If you randomly knocked on my door on a day that I was home, chances are that I would be wearing this. I wear it ALL THE TIME because it is super comfortable and awfully cute too. Market & Spruce is a Stitch Fix brand, so as much as I’d like to tell you where to buy it… you’d have to ask for them to send it to you in a Fix (if you do, use my referral code and I’ll do a happy dance!) If you want to try one that is similar, check out the Airport Cardigan from Modcloth which has a ton of great reviews and comes in five different colors!

The Jeans
I love Kut from the Kloth jeans and these are called the Toothpick Skinny style. I picked them up at Nordstrom Rack last year. These Jennifer Ultra Skinny jeans look quite similar and are less than $40. If you want to check out the exact pair I have, I found them here on Amazon with free shipping: KUT from the Kloth Women’s Mia Toothpick Skinny Jean.

The Boots
I talked about these boots in my November Stitch Fix review and I wear them almost every single day that I’m not at work (and some days that I work too…). They are from Clarks and called the Valora Sky in Dark Brown Leather. They are super comfortable, really awesome looking and are even on sale! You’ll be seeing A LOT more pictures of me wearing these this winter.

Look #2: Sassy Suit Combo

The Blouse & Blazer
When I have to wear a suit, I try really hard to keep it from being super boring and stuffy. So when I had to dress up for work a couple weeks ago I decided to try mixing my elephant print blouse (here’s a similar one at Modcloth) with a fun grid blazer that I recently picked up at Target for $34.99! I bought myself the black and white plaid version, but I also really like the Xavier Navy design too.

The Shoes
These are the perfect black shoes that I posted about last month and they are my absolute favorite flats! They literally needed no breaking in time at all and I’ve been wearing them to work almost nonstop since I bought them. The best part is that they are $50! They are called the 14^th & Union Alexis Flat and I have them in Black Snake.

Look #3: A Stretchy Outfit for Eating

The Sweater
There is nothing worse than going to a big holiday dinner and being super uncomfortable the entire time you’re eating. Well, bring on the oversized sweater AND seconds, because I’m pretty much wearing this outfit all winter long. This is the Renee C Pullover top from my September Stitch Fix, but I found a similar version at Banana Republic in cotton and cashmere. This long sleeved knit tunic sweater from Old Navy has a similar oversized shape too. I also like the look of stealing an oversized man’s v-neck sweater and have one that is almost identical to this one that I stole from Travis and “accidentally” shrunk

The Pants
I wear these all the time and have talked about them quite often. These are the Democracy Ab Solution Booty Lift Jeggings and they are totally the bees knees. If you have a Nordstrom Rack by you, I’ve noticed that they’ve been stocked up the last few times I’ve visited. You can also find limited sizes here: in black and in a super dark blue. They also still have them on Amazon here: Democracy Women’s AB Solution and Booty Lift Technology Jegging.

The Boots
Yup, still wearing my Clarks!

The Necklace
I love this necklace and have worn it almost nonstop since I scored it at Anthropologie on super clearance from $80 marked down to $20. I actually highly recommend stalking the Anthro clearance section, because I’ve gotten some really cool jewelry there. I did a quick check of their sale section online and found this beautiful pendant marked down from $68 to $39 and this pendant marked down from $58 to $29.

Do you have a favorite November look?

Disclosure: This post contains ShopStyle affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission. Thank you to anyone who chooses to click through and support my blogging addiction. Pocketful of Joules is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.