My July Stitch Fix: Summertime & the Livin’ Is Easy

Yay, it’s Stitch Fix time again! Before we get into what I received in my July Fix, if you are wondering “What the Heck is Stitch Fix” you should probably check out this post. If you’re feeling super stalkery and want to see ALL my Stitch Fix posts, you can find them here. If you’re wondering WHY I use Stitch Fix and whether I’m getting rich off these posts, check out last month’s blog.

For this month’s Fix, I was a bit more specific with my requests. I asked to retry the skinny jeans from my last Fix… but in a different brand with more stretch. I also really wanted to try a couple tops that other bloggers have received: the Mary Geo print tank and the Evie drawstring funnel sweatshirt (they are both on my Pinterest board). My last request was for the rest of the Fix to be all summery tops.

Okay, now let’s get on to the awkward fashion show!

papermoon melody lace embellished blouse - Pocketful of Joules

Item #1: Melody Lace Embellished Sleeveless Blouse – $48
YAY, a tank top! It is HOT and humid here in Maryland, so I love having a couple nicer tank tops that can be paired with a cardigan for work or on their own for play. This top has some pretty embellishing on the front of it and came with a white tank top to wear underneath. The style cards showed it styled with jean shorts for a casual look and with a pencil skirt to make it work appropriate… so I copied them with my two looks.

I like this top, the color is pretty and the way it flows is pretty flattering. I tried it on with the white tank top provided, but a black tank top might blend a bit better. I don’t own anything else similar to this blouse, but I’m not sure if that’s enough reason for me to buy it. However, once it gets a bit cooler, it might look nice under a suit jacket.

Keep or return: I like this top, but I don’t swoon over it. It is pretty though and the color could transition well to fall. What do you think – keep it or send it back?

Mystree Gaia Crochet Detail Tank - Pocketful of Joules

Item #2: Gaia Crochet Detail Sheer Cotton Tank – $54
When I first pulled this top of out the box I LOVED it. The orange is so pretty and vibrant in person. This one also came with a white tank top to wear underneath of it because it’s totally see-through. However, once again I think a black tank would have been a better choice – in the shorts picture I’m wearing the white tank top and in the jeans picture I’m wearing a black one.

I WANT to love this shirt so bad, but I just don’t feel like it’s doing anything for my shape. Even with the skinny jeans, it just seems kind of boxy and unflattering. Also, it is SO transparent that it just makes you focus on what I’m wearing under the tank top… which is kind of odd.

Keep or return: I’m pretty sure that this should go in the return pile, but let me know if you think otherwise.

Mystree Bryson Mixed Print Tank - Pocketful of Joules

Item #3: Bryson Mixed Print Twisted Seams Tank – $48
Unfortunately the top I asked to try wasn’t available in my size, so Meagan sent this one instead. It is pretty interesting with the polka dot front and the tribal looking back. If this had a v-neck or a lower swoop neck, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. With the higher neck, it’s just kind of okay. Hmm… maybe I just need more of a statement necklace? The top is made out of a nice, soft cotton though so it could end up being one of those sleeper hits that get a lot of wear.

Keep or return: I’m kind of lukewarm on this top, but I could be swayed towards buying it if you think it’s awesome. Let me know!

Market and Spruce Spensur jersey dress - Pocketful of Joules

Item #4: Spensur Striped Jersey Dress – $54
I didn’t request a dress in this month’s Fix because I just bought one last month that I’m in love with. See, I’m even wearing it in my new “I’m Joules” profile picture over there on the right sidebar. I feel like the stripes on this dress are supposed to make it figure flattering, but actually end up making my middle look thicker. I tried a belt with it and it looked kind of odd. It is a pretty color, but basically just a glorified t-shirt.

Keep or return: Nope. It doesn’t make me feel pretty at all… which is my requirement for dresses!

Kensie Johnny skinny jeans - Pocketful of Joules

Item #5: Kensie Johnny Regular Length Skinny Jean – $88
I asked for another pair of skinny jeans to try that were similar to the ones that I returned last month. These are actually the same brand as the distressed skinnies I got a couple months ago (and love). I was expecting a fun color though, since I asked for something “similar to last month’s jeans”… and these are black.

I’m wearing them in pictures for Item #2 and Item #3, as well as in this picture with a plain ol’ t-shirt. Out of everything this month, these might be the only thing I buy because they fit great — they have the perfect amount of stretch and the length is perfect. Now that I’ve jumped on the skinny jeans bandwagon, these could work as another one of those fall transition pieces in a couple months.

Keep or return: I’m thinking I’ll keep these jeans, unless there is something else that is getting all your votes!

HELP ME!
So now it’s the fun part where you get to tell me what to do! I’m just kind of underwhelmed for this month’s Stitch Fix. Everything was okay, but nothing jumped out at me like in past month’s where I just HAD to have it and couldn’t wait to wear it out of the house. I was really disappointed that my specific requests weren’t met… neither of the two tops I asked for were available and the only thing that made the jeans similar to what I asked for is that they are skinny jeans. Perhaps I’m being too harsh though, am I overlooking a winner?

I’m leaning towards getting the Kensie skinny jeans and possibly the purple tank top. I’m torn on the mixed print tank top and could pretty much be convinced either way. My mind is mostly made up on the orange tank top and the striped dress, but I’d still love your feedback if you think I need to talk another look at them. Please help me decide and leave your comments below!

7/16/14 Update: Thank you all for your lovely comments! After listening to you all, I tried the purple top on with a black cami and all sorts of cardigans and suit jackets… and it didn’t make the cut. I agree that I LOVE the color, but my plans of it transitioning into a fun fall piece were foiled. I was resigned to buying the black jeans because I didn’t want to throw away my $20 styling fee… but then I reminded myself of my goal to NOT buy things unless I was in love with them (and that I already own a similar pair of black skinnies). So… everything went back in the bag to be returned to Stitch Fix. I’m glad I’ve had other Fixes that I loved, because this one just left me feeling disappointed. Let’s cross our fingers for a better Fix next month!

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!

Obsessions

Not that weird perfume kind of “Obsession” but something that I’m totally obsessed with. I know I owe you guys like a dozen blog posts at this point because I ran away to the beach for a week and I PROMISE that they are totally floating around in my head and the words will soon make their way to my fingers.

BUT, I just wanted to share with you TWO things that are making my heart go pitter-pat right now.

Orphan Black. If you are not watching this show, DO IT NOW! I caught up on season one online in a binge session and then watched season two as it came on TV. Well, because my cable was out this weekend I totally missed the finale, until I watched it today at lunch and OH HOLY CRAP OH MY GOD… Just watch it and thank me later.

This gold & silver necklace.  You guys. YOU GUYS. I am OBSESSED with this necklace. I first pinned it on a pinterest board for my BFF Katie. A couple weeks ago I was perusing my boards and suddenly fell in love with it again. I had some money in my paypal account, so I clickity-clicked on over to etsy to buy it. And it was sold out.

I emailed the seller that I could not live my life without this necklace and she promised that another one would be in her shop by the end of the week. And now it’s MINE, ALL MINE!! Her shop is called Devin Michales Jewelry and I’m kind of drooling over almost every single thing she has listed. I don’t know her, but if you buy anything tell her that I love her. Wait, would that we weird? Whatever, I DO love her.

necklace

Okay friends, I promise to get some REAL blog posts all up in here this week. And when I say “I promise” I’m not doing a “Comcast promise” where they say something and then pretend that they have no idea what you’re talking about. Just saying.

Oh, and I’ve been feeling a bit lonely lately so leave me a comment! Do you watch Orphan Black? Is there another show that you’re totally obsessed with? Do you want to buy EVERYTHING for sale on Etsy?

 

Shopping with Me: How I spent $50 at Homegoods

I follow a bunch of fun people on Instagram (I’m there too if you want to follow me) and recently won a $50 gift card to Homegoods in a contest! All I had to do was comment on @rachmartino’s picture with my favorite summer outfit and she chose ME as one of her three winners. WHEEEHOOO!

The funny thing is that I actually didn’t NEED anything at Homegoods (or TJ Maxx or Marshall’s, because they’re all owned by the same company and the gift card works at all three). But that’s kind of the best time to shop — when you don’t actually need anything so you can just wander around and fall in love with ANYTHING.

I always enjoy it when Young House Love does their little shopping posts at different stores, so I figured I’d take you shopping with me on how I spent my $50 gift card.

First stop was Homegoods. Within a couple minutes I found an adorable little berry basket and was reminded that Jack is obsessed with ALL berries and it would probably be good for me to have a mini strainer. Just like that, $3.99 is spent.

berries

Next, I wandered over to the furniture area looking for some bargains and I found this:

ugly chair

This is the ugliest chair I’ve ever seen and it’s $599.99! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! It looks like a cat toy that’s been scratched up and possibly vomited on. Moving on…

train

Yup, that’s a HUGE train in the middle of an aisle. This thing must be 7 feet tall! Oh goodie, it’s on clearance for $1,500… what a bargain!! And who the heck has a HUGE metal train just chillin’ in their living room, or in their front yard with the gnomes?! I think I’ll just keep on easing down the road…

I love this little yellow globe and these miniature trunks, but I’m not really sure where I would put them. They’re awfully cute though.

globe and boxes

That’s when I see it, a wooden robot. It’s teal and has a Cynthia Rowley tag on it. It totally goes with the mood board that I made for Jack’s room awhile back and I MUST have it. Um… or maybe not. I put it back and then walk a couple more steps. Then I see a matching yellow robot.

I scoop them both up for $16.99 each and I’m in robot LOVE.

my haul

Here’s my haul from Homegoods, but it only came to $40.25 after taxes which means I have $9.75 burning a hole in my pocket. So I drop my bags off at my truck and walk a couple stores down to Marshall’s.

I figure a good first stop is the home section and I’m super close to buying these:

notebook

sign

I mean, who DOESN’T want a sign that says, “Been there, Rocked that?!” It’s so ME. But then, as I turn the corner I see something that screams my name. It’s the same color blue as the terrible boobie shirt from my last Stitch Fix, but not AWFUL. Check out the pretty detailing!

close up shirt

Winner, winner chicken dinner.

shirt

I must have it! And it’s $16.99, so I only went a little over my $50 budget!

Honestly, I was shocked that it took me two stores to blow through the money considering that I see stuff ALL THE TIME that I want to buy. I’m super happy with my purchases though, especially because they were pretty much free!

Here’s where Jack’s robots ended up:

robots at home

They look pretty at home, right?!

If you had an extra $50 to spend on something fun, what is your FAVORITE store to go to? Do you agree that the cat scratch fever chair is hideous? Do you have a 7 foot tall train living somewhere in your house?