I Saw it On Pinterest: The Braided Bun

How many times have you found something on Pinterest and you thought it was the answer to all your problems. Well, maybe not ALL your problems… but certainly the problem of what to do with your hair when you wake up with a big ponytail crease in it and no desire to shower.

I pinned the instructions for a braided hair bun ages ago and finally got the chance to try it out. You can click here to check out the instructions that I used to try to recreate The Beauty Department’s Braided bun look.

Looks relatively easy, right? So lets try…

Here is what my hair looked like when I woke up this morning:

Pinterest hair - before

Normally I’d put it back up in a ponytail holder or wind it up and stick it in a boring bun, instead I went straight to Step 1… dividing my hair into 5 sections and braiding the bottom 3:

Pinterest hair - step 1

Even though I tried to “gently pull the braids apart for a looser, softer texture” nothing really changed when I tugged on them. Apparently the hair model has some amazingly thick hair, when mine is just kind of normal.

I criss-crossed my little braids and pinned them into place in a haphazard bun. Then, I followed the directions to make two more braids up top:

Pinterest hair - step 2

A couple more bobby pins secured them to my head:

Pinterest hair - step 3

And here is the finished product. I added a pretty hairband to distract you from the fact that my hair is a mess of crappy sad and thin braids:

Pinterest hair - after

While I wouldn’t call this a full-on Pinterest Fail… it’s pretty lame looking. I think if I had a head of insanely thick hair it would look amazing, but on my mortal head it doesn’t really look very impressive.

What do you think? Any tips on how to make this look more like the example? Have you tried something off of Pinterest that didn’t end up like you thought it would?

Stitch Fix Breakdown: What I Love & What I Regret, Take 2

After receiving 16 monthly Stitch Fix boxes, I figured it would be a good time to do another of my Love/Regret posts. It’s a great chance for me to look back on all the items I’ve purchased from Stitch Fix and whether I still think that they were a good buy. This exercise is also really useful in helping me focus on what I actually want from future Fixes.

For my first “What I love and What I Regret” post last April, I covered the 10 items I purchased between September 2013 – March 2014. So, for this one I’ll be reviewing the clothing I’ve purchased from May 2014 – January 2015.

Between May and January, I purchased 18 items. Here’s pictures of everything, item names (in case you want to request anything in your own Fix) and links to each post:

Love Regret collage

May 2014 Fix: Edmond Chevron Print Henley Shirt and Sophia Distressed Skinny Jeans.

June 2014 Fix: Karissa Chevron Print Henley Tank and Shana Sleeveless Embroidered Detail Dress.

July 2014 Fix #1: Nothing.

July 2014 Fix #2: Ezra Bryn V-neck Mixed Material Knit Shirt, Mystree Skylar Asymmetrical Knit Zip Up Jacket, Renee C Tucker Mixed Print Tank, Pomelo Missy Polka Dot Tab-Sleeve Blouse, and Daniel Rainn Greta Geo Print Crochet Detail Blouse.

August 2014 Fix: Skipped.

September 2014 Fix: Market & Spruce Colibri Abstract Print Sleeveless Top and Skies are Blue Terese Quilted Faux Leather Jacket.

October 2014 Fix: Toma Floral Print Short-Sleeve Blouse.

November 2014 Fix: Kut From The Kloth Jonathan Corduroy Skinny Pant.

December 2014 Fix:  Market and Spruce Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan and Skies are Blue Gabrielle Embroidered Bib Knit Top.

January 2015 Fix: Loveappella Stanyan V-Neck Knit Top, Skies are Blue Benson Embroidered Trim Top and Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt.

I’ve learned a lot throughout my months of using Stitch Fix (check out my “How to Get the Most out of Your Fix” post here), so I feel like my purchase decisions have been improving. However, looking back I’ve still made some mistakes.

For example, in nine months I purchased 15 tops, 2 pairs of pants and 1 dress. While, yes, I do tend to wear the same bottoms a lot and switch out my tops… it might have made more sense to diversify a little. I like to wear skirts to work, but didn’t end up buying any (I tried on one that fit weird). I also tend to wear dresses most of the spring and summer, but only ended up with one.

So, what do I regret?
Out of all 18 items, I only have 3 regrets.

Ezra-Bryn-mixed-material-shirt-Pocketful-of-Joules

Ezra Bryn V-neck Mixed Material Knit Shirt – I was so excited about my do-over Fix, that I think I got a little blinded by it. I also fell into the trap of the “it was free” thinking because when I bought all five items in my July Fix I got 25% off of everything. The problem is that I haven’t worn this shirt at all. It always felt a bit too warm to wear in the summer, because it is an interesting knit but also requires a tank top. Then, in the Fall I felt like it just clung to all my not-great areas… so it kept getting shoved to the back of my closet. I packed it away over the winter, hoping that when I see it with fresh-eyes in the spring I’ll like it. We’ll see. Otherwise… well, anyone want it?

Market-and-Spruce-Colibri-Abstract-Print-Top-Joules

Market & Spruce Colibri Abstract Print Sleeveless TopNow, I actually really DO like this shirt – the pattern is super cute and I really like the blousy fit. It looks good on its own and also made a great layering piece for blazers and sweaters. The problem is that it wrinkles so easily. By time I make the drive into work, the whole bottom of the shirt is a wrinkly mess. Its super disappointing, because I really do like this top. Is there anything you can do to keep a shirt from getting wrinkly?

Skies-are-Blue-Terese-Quilted-Faux-Leather-Jacket-Joules

Skies are Blue Terese Quilted Faux Leather Jacket – I have a weakness for coats and if I see an interesting coat I tend to obsess about it until I add it to my collection. The problem is that in Maryland the weather pretty much goes straight from full-on summer swelter to icy cold winter, so window of time to wear a lightweight coat is pretty short. This fall I only had the chance to wear this jacket a few times before it was just too cold to bother with it. I probably should have let this jacket go… I have other jackets that meet the same ‘lightweight coat’ needs, so I didn’t really need this one in the first place.

Pretty much everything else I’ve purchased since May 2014 has been a good choice with no regrets. However, there are five items that have really stood out as GREAT buys:

My FIVE Favorites:

Love Regret - 5 favs

Sophia Distressed Skinny Jean – I love these jeans. LOVE THEM. They are my only pair of actually technical skinny jeans that are fitted all the way down to the ankle, which makes them super easy to pair with boots. They also fit me perfectly and somehow take about 10 pounds off when I put them on. They are comfortable, sexy and have become my ‘go to’ jeans for date nights. I just wish I could get a couple more pairs in different washes!

Shana Sleeveless Embroidered Detail Dress This dress is exactly why I joined Stitch Fix. I love the fitted bodice, adorable t-back and full skirt. I also love the fact that it’s a little funky without being too “young” for me to wear. I can dress it up for work with a cardigan and neutral heels, or dress it down for the summer with a pair of sandals. The fit is great and the best part is that I can roll it up in my suitcase and it shakes out without a wrinkle to be found.

Toma Floral Print Short-Sleeve Blouse I knew when I first tried this blouse on that it was going to be one of my favorites. It was that magical combination of lightweight, but not see-through + a bit girlie with the print, but the black background kept it for looking too sweet. I’ve worn it to work on its own, with a blazer and with a cardigan. It looks good tucked into a skirt or flowing out over jeans. This shirt was a great buy and I’m excited to figure out even more ways to style it with my current wardrobe.

Skies are Blue Gabrielle Embroidered Bib Knit TopThis shirt was one of my more recent purchases, but I have already gotten so much wear out of it that I know it’s a long-term favorite. The cotton of the shirt is so nice and soft, which makes it easy to wear on the weekend without feeling stuffy at all. I also really like that it’s a bit fuller towards the hem, so that when I sit down I don’t have to worry about it clinging to my belly and making me feel self-conscious. I typically wear this one with jeans on weekends, but could see dressing it up under a blazer too.

Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck SweatshirtHere’s another newbie to my clothing collection, but considering I wore it 3 times within the first 4 days of receiving it, it’s a total winner. It almost reminds me of athletic or yoga wear, but made out of a fine knit. They call it a sweatshirt, but I think it’s more like a sweater. Maybe if a sweater and a sweatshirt made sweet, sweet love… you’d get this top. Any which way, I love it. It comes in a couple different colors to, so if you’re a Stitch Fix-er, I’d totally request it to try it out!

Where do I go from here?
Now that I have a better idea what works best for me, I think it’s time to update my Style Profile. Knowing that I have an issue with buying too many coats, I think it would be best if I write “no more coats/jackets” on my profile. That should keep the temptation away! I’m also going to make a note that I do not want to be sent any tops that have super wrinkly material. When receiving future Fixes, I’m going to try to remember to test each top to see if it wrinkles easily. Lastly, I need to start asking for more dresses, skirts and pants!

Even with my three regrets, I really feel that Stitch Fix has been a great addition to my life. I love receiving my surprise package every month and I am definitely more thoughtful when purchasing clothes. I also LOVE getting your feedback on what I should buy, so thank you all for your awesome comments over the last 16 months of Fixes!

Have you tried Stitch Fix yet? If so, do you have any clothing regrets?

 

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. I do have a special referral link though and if you decide to click through and sign up I will receive a small referral reward. Here’s my link. So thank you for 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!

Packing for Disney: A Mix of Stylish + Comfortable

I’m kind of a packing genius.

I’ve actually bragged about this before back when I went to Vancouver for a business trip. Oh and if you click through that link, be warned…those are easily the dorkiest pictures I’ve EVER taken of myself.

Anyways, packing is my superpower.
I’m PACKING GIRL!

Which, yes, I realize is a super lame superhero name. And honestly, I’d rather be able to fly and shoot lasers out of my eyes at bad drivers. But until my laser vision comes in, I’ll have to be okay with my packing skillz.

With our Disney World trip coming up quickly, I am obviously fixated on what I’m going to wear. I don’t really like to just throw a bunch of clothes in a suitcase and sort it all out at my destination; I actually plan out my outfits and take only what I need. Because I’m totally type-A like that.

I feel like Disney is going to be pretty easy to pack for, keeping in mind that LAYERS are the most important thing. In Orlando the weather could be a cool and comfortable high of 70 degrees… or it might suddenly shoot up to 85 degrees or down to 43 degrees at night. So, I need to be prepared… yet still “win” at packing by not including too many things I don’t end up wearing.

I put together a fancy little style board to show you my plan:

Disney clothes collage

That’s right — 6 tops, 1 sweater, 1 hoodie, a swimsuit, 2 pairs of jeans (one gray, one blue), 1 pair of shorts, a scarf, a cross-body bag, my Ergo carrier and just 2 pairs of shoes. Every single item can be mixed, matched and stacked up on top of each other. The only other things I’ll be adding in are socks, unders, pajamas and a pair of lounge pants for hanging out in the room for nap time.

What do you think, am I missing anything? Do you think I should add a third Mickey shirt to the mix?