Fashion - Pocketful of Joules

My Style: Favorite June Outfits

For quite a few months I’ve been doing a ‘favorite outfits of the month’ collage over on my Instagram account. I like being able to look back at what worked (and what didn’t) each month so that I can see which clothing items are getting the most wear. I thought it would be fun to carry my monthly favorites over here on Pocketful of Joules!

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.

Look #1: Floral Cotton Dress

The Dress
I picked this dress up from the Gap outlet last time I was in Ocean City for just $25 with the intentions of using it for a cute swimsuit cover-up. It wasn’t until I got home that I tried styling it for work with a belt and sweater and decided that I loved it. Unfortunately since the dress was an outlet find, the exact one isn’t available. However, this Tropical panel maxi dress from the Gap has a very similar print and feel to it. I also love this elastic waist maxi dress from Nordstrom and it comes in a TON of different prints.

The Sweater
I’m pretty sure my cardigan is the Jackie cardigan sweater in tropical forest from J.Crew. There’s a reason that everyone swoons over J.Crew cardigans… it’s because they hold up so well and last practically forever. They also have frequent sales and outlet stores (also online) that you can hit up for some amazing deals.

The Shoes
I’m wearing the Kelly & Katie Tasha Wedge sandal from DSW from a few years ago. I bought two pairs of these sandals and already wore one pair to death because I loved them so much. When I went to buy a backup, they were gone. So sad! I found a couple sandals with a similar feel though. Check out the O’Neill Sonia Gladiator sandals for a super similar look. I also like these Circus by Sam Edelman sandals for a more subtle take on the gladiator trend.

Look #2: Fit & Flare Dress

The Dress
I got this dress in my April Stitch Fix and it was pretty much love at first sight. It has all the ingredients that I love in a dress – a fun print, slight v-neck, fitted waist and a fluffy circle skirt! After looking all over the internet, I found this EXACT dress at Nordstrom! Stitch Fix calls it the Taylor Theodore dress, but Nordstrom calls it the Cotton Jacquard Fit & Flare Dress by Taylor Dresses. You can find it here and it’s currently on sale! If you decide to order the dress, I found it fits true to size. I’m typically a 12 and the 12 fits perfectly.

The Shoes
I’m wearing the same sandals as Look #1. What can I say… they’re super comfy and go with everything!

Look #3: Patterned Blouse & Circle Skirt

The Blouse
This top was another Stitch Fix score and I received almost a year ago in my July 2014 Fix. The back of the tank is a ‘split back’ which I don’t really like, but when I tuck it into a skirt you can’t tell. You can totally get a similar look with any loud patterned tank top and I really like this one from Daniel Rainn that mixes a fun pattern with a crochet top. I also am really crazy about this patterned Ombre top from Lucky Brand.

The Skirt
I was looking for a jersey circle skirt and I feel like I looked everywhere before finding this one on the ASOS website. It looks like they are out of a lot of sizes, so I’m crossing my fingers they re-stock. For an alternative, the Women’s Jersey Circle skirt at Old Navy looks very similar. The description says it’s knee-length, but looks kind of short – so I would try ordering your regular size AND your size in “tall” so you can pick the version that looks best on you. I’m thinking of ordering the ‘pink print’ for myself!

The Shoes
If I have a weakness for a sandal brand, it’s Sam Edelman. I picked up these spiked sandals a couple years ago and every time I wear them I kind of feel like a bad ass. Even if it’s with a circle skirt and tank top. The Dion Studded Sandal has a higher heel, but a similar studded look. The Ginger sandal is a little more expensive, but every time I see them I drool a little.

Look #4: Casual Beachy Breakfast Look

The Shirt
This shirt is one of my absolute favorites and every time I wear it out someone wants me to tell them where I got it. So then, I get to kind of whisper out, “um… Thug Life T’s…” and try to look a little more hard-core. Which totally works when I’m holding the hand of my 3 year old. Here’s the exact shirt I have: Don’t Believe Me Just Watch.

The Shorts
These are the shorts I sliced and diced a few weeks ago in this post. They are super similar to this Kut from the Kloth pair I saw at Nordstrom Rack a couple weeks ago (if you buy them online, I’d suggest ordering up a size… my regular size fit kind of tight). I also have last year’s version of Gap’s Sexy Boyfriend shorts which I wear a ton, but they are a little shorter.

The Shoes
Okay, I have to admit it… the second I opened the package containing these sandals I immediately put them on my feet and wore them almost nonstop for a week. They are super comfortable with buttery leather and the happy yellow color makes any outfit look more fun! They are called the Joe’s Ranger Sandals in yellow and I bought mine from DailyLook using a credit I had on their website. However, if you like them and you have small sized feet Amazon has them for much cheaper!

What do you think of my new monthly “My Style” feature? Which is your favorite June 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.

My June Stitch Fix: A Buy-It-All Fix?

I can’t believe that July is right around the corner and I’m just now getting my June Stitch Fix delivery. It would have been a bit earlier, but we decided to skip town and spend last week at the beach. Totally worth it… and I got the added bonus to coming home to a box of clothes!

{If you are interested in checking out all of my Fix reviews, you can click here. This Fix is #21… so I’m kind of a fan!}

Knowing how incredibly HOT Maryland summers typically get, here was my stylist note for this Fix:

More short sleeves and sleeveless tops for that hot & humid MD weather. Would love to try the Flynn Colorblock Sleeveless Blouse (as long as it doesn’t wrinkle easily). A cute cardigan to go with my tops would also be great for the work air conditioning.

Let’s see what she sent!

Item #1: Pixley Abriella Waffle Knit Cardigan – $48
I specifically asked for a cardigan to layer over my tops for work, so I was happy to pull one out of this month’s box. I love the waffle knit, the color and even the swoopy pockets. For the first styling, I threw the sweater on over the dress I was already wearing. This look would be exactly how I would wear it for a typical workday. For the second picture, I put the sweater on over a comfy weekend outfit of a t-shirt, jean shorts and Toms.

While I love a lot of things about this sweater, for some reason the fit is a bit off on me. You know those Chinese finger traps where you stick your fingers in and then can’t get them back out when you pull? Well, that was totally what the sleeves were doing on my arms! Even though the size on this is a large, I think it would fit a medium-sized person better… or at least a person with smaller biceps than me (apparently I’m BUFF!).

Keep or Return? I really like this sweater, but the fit is just not working for me.

Item #2: 41Hawthorn Flynn Colorblock Sleeveless Blouse – $54
I admit, I was kind of obsessing over this top. I pinned it in two different color combinations on my Fix Inspiration pinterest board and then I even requested it in my notes for this month. My only concern was that it would wrinkle easily, because I promised myself that I wasn’t going to accidentally buy any more wrinkly shirts. Luckily, it is made out of the perfect weight fabric that doesn’t seem to wrinkle. YAY! For my first look, I tucked the blouse into my black circle skirt and added some gladiator wedges. For my more casual styling, I put on those same jean shorts from the last item and added some Tom’s wedges.

Keep or Return? I love, love, LOVE this shirt. Everything from the fit to the bright green and blue colors is exactly what I was hoping for. This is a definite keeper! Do you agree?

Item #3: Market & Spruce Brian Maxi Dress – $78
My first thoughts when I pulled this dress out of my box were that I LOVE the color and pattern. I actually don’t really own much red in my wardrobe, so this is a nice change from my typical style. I really love the way the elastic waistband pulls the dress in to give it more of a shape and the fabric is so incredibly soft and flows really well over any lumps and bumps. For the first look, I just added a long charm necklace and gladiator wedges. For the second picture, I used the style card suggestion and topped the dress with my jean jacket.

Keep or Return? I have such a weakness for dresses, since I wear them almost every day between May and September. I really like how this one has wide enough straps that I can wear a regular bra (sorry, my hair is totally in the way) and the length works with both flat sandals and wedges. I also think that it could transition really well into fall. So, I guess what I’m saying is HECK YEAH it’s a keeper!

Item #4: Daniel Rainn Bernal Split Neck Top – $68
I’m pretty sure Daniel Rainn is my spirit animal. Stitch Fix has sent me a few of the brand’s tops over the last couple years and I pretty much always love them. This top is no exception with it’s fun print, solid-colored shoulders (which goes around to the back, as well) and flowy fit. For the first look, I added on my favorite circle skirt. For the second styling, I used the style cards suggestion of adding a pop of yellow with my fun new sandals.

Keep or Return? This one is tough… I really like the top and can see myself wearing it year-round, but the price is a little high. Especially because every time I go to Nordstrom Rack I find similar Daniel Rainn tops for less than $30 (see) However, if I end up buying the entire Fix, I’ll save 25% off the total which will make this top much more affordable. Hmmm…. What do you think?

Item #5: Collective Concepts Lydia Floral Key-Hole Blouse – $68
To be honest, when I pulled this top out I immediately thought NOPE. I was afraid the key-hole part would be way too, “HEY, here are my boobies!” for me. However, when I put it on I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t show off much at all. The fabric is super lightweight and I really like the blue floral design. For my first look, I styled the top with a pair of work trousers and pumps. For the second picture, I threw on my distressed date-night jeans and brown gladiator wedges.

Keep or Return? I keep going back and forth about this top and tried it on with a few other things in my wardrobe — including my workhorse circle skirt and a black blazer –I actually like it a lot better tucked in. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone and I’m digging it!

Help Me!
I was totally torn on this month’s Fix and went back and forth on it all weekend long. I really like everything my stylist sent me and if I buy it all I get 25% off the full purchase price. Which means, instead of paying the full merchandise total of $316, it will be $237 minus my $20 styling fee and any referral credits I have in my account. Since the sweater doesn’t fit, I listed it on a couple Facebook Stitch Fix Buy/Sell pages to see if anyone wanted to buy it off me for the 25% off discount price. I also listed a couple other items from previous Fixes that aren’t getting enough wear (you can check them out here if you are interested).

I think this box is one of those elusive buy-it-all Fixes! Do you think I made the right decision? I always love to hear your feedback, so leave me some comments below with your thoughts!

6/30/15 Update: I was able to sell the coral sweater and shipped it out yesterday, so I kept the rest of the Fix! If you’re interested, I still have two Stitch Fix items available for sale (you can check them out here) and will be posting a couple more later this week.

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 shopping addiction!

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!

Let’s Talk Some More About Affiliate Links

Remember when I wrote about the importance of Blogger Transparency back in April?

I was all riled up because there were some fashion bloggers out there who weren’t being very honest with the fact that they were being paid to wear specific items. In the post, I explained exactly how I make money from Pocketful of Joules, as well as how I DON’T make money.

Specifically fashion affiliate links. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, it’s a way that bloggers can make money when they link to a product. I’ve gone back and forth (and back again) about whether to use fashion affiliate links so many times I’ve gotten mental whiplash.

On the Pro’s side:

If I post about something that a reader enjoys so much that they want to click through to check it out or purchase it for themselves, it makes sense that I should be able to be rewarded. And by rewarded I mean literally like a few cents per click.
If you really like something you see here, it makes it easier for you to find it. For example, if I post about 4 Ways to Style a Patterned Maxi Skirt and then include a few different similar skirts at the end of the post, it might make your life easier that you can just click through to buy something.
Eventually, I may earn enough money to pay for some of my blogging bills (hosting fees, web design issue help, conference fees, etc.)
I’ve gotten some great reader feedback that you guys wouldn’t totally hate it if I used an affiliate program for fashion links.

On the Con’s side:

I really don’t want this blog to be about selling clothes or other items to my readers.
I don’t want to alienate any of my readers who may think that I’m “selling out” and only posting about certain things to make money.

Since the pro’s outweigh the con’s, I’ve decided to try affiliate links on a provisional basis. I’ve done a ton of research and there are two main kinds of programs out there: one where the blogger earns money for the click and one where the blogger earns a percentage of the purchase cost.

I feel that ShopStyle’s pay-per-click program will be the best fit for me, because it is based on readers clicking through to check items out and not readers necessarily buying anything. I can get rid of some of that ‘stigma’ of a blogger trying to SELL you something, because I’m not rewarded with a percentage of your purchase (if you make one). The reward per click is very small, but is a little something that will help compensate me for the time I spend finding various options at different price points.

As I said, I’m going to try this out provisionally. Each month on Instagram, I usually do a round-up of my favorite outfits of the month. I’m going to start posting that same thing over here on Pocketful of Joules and include links to each item (or similar items) in case you wanted to check them out.

For example, if I posted this picture as one of my favorites:

I’d include a link to Zenne Maxi Skirt because it is still available (and on sale, but selling out fast!). I’d also do some added clicking around to find a couple other options like this striped version and this gorgeous floral print version.

The top I’m wearing in the picture is no longer available, so I found a few similar items: the Sol Angeles Joie de Vivre Tee, the Jolene Foil Dot Tee (on sale, but limited sizes available), and the Star v-neck T from the Gap.

If you guys don’t mind the referral links – or even enjoy the fact that I’m helping you shop – please let me know and I’ll keep it up. If you find it annoying, invasive or if you feel like I’m totally selling out, tell me that too and I’ll kick it to the curb.

This is by no means going to turn into an ‘all fashion all the time’ blog… I’m just looking at my options to help keep Pocketful of Joules on the internet.

Sound fair?

What are your thoughts on fashion affiliate links? Do you think a blogger is “selling out” when they try to monetize their blog?