Product Reviews - Pocketful of Joules

My February Stitch Fix of LOVE

Grab your tambourine and shake it all around because it’s time for my February Stitch Fix, which is #6 if you’re keeping track. It seems nuts, but the last six months of Fixes have flown by (you can check them out here). I’ve considered stopping the service, or holding off for a month or so. However, I’ve been buying only one or two items per Fix, so it’s been pretty reasonable so far.

Will this month break me?

For my February Fix I asked (once again) for the 41Hawthron Moni Stud Detailed ¾ sleeve blouse. I see it ALL OVER Instagram and other blogger reviews, so I have NO IDEA why they won’t send it to me when I’ve asked for it for the PAST FOUR MONTHS! Well, I didn’t get it again this month so I emailed Stitch Fix to figure out what’s up. I’ll keep you posted!

Anywho, in addition to the (apparently) forbidden shirt, I also asked for some more casual pieces. I have the issue that I can totally pull myself together for a great work look, but as soon as I have to dress myself up for the weekend I look pretty schloompy. I just don’t have any ‘in between’ clothes – I have work wear and I have yoga pants and oversized t-shirts. So with this month’s Fix I was hoping for something cute that I could wear on the weekends and still be comfortable. Also, Jack’s birthday party is on Sunday so I really wanted something I could throw on with jeans and look fashionable (but not too dressy).

My stylist for this Fix was Meagan, who I’ve never had but in her note she said how helpful it was to check out my Pinterest and previous order’s feedback, so I like her (last month was Adrianne and the two months before that was Claire). I apologize in advance for the photos, I was rushing to get them done before Travis and Jack got home and didn’t realize they turned out kind of icky until I was in my pj’s with no makeup on.

Here is what I got:

Item #1: Louisville Boat Neck Cable Knit Sweater, $68
When searching online before my order arrived, I struck out in finding this sweater anywhere. I had some concerns though about the “boat neck” because that style tends to not be so flattering on busty girls. I could really use a cool casual sweater though, so I waited with bated breath… and was disappointed.

Do you SEE the look on my face? This is probably the most unflattering sweater I’ve ever tried on. The color looks terrible on me and the shape of the sweater is oddly boxy, yet short. So short, in fact, that if I raise my arms I will show off my tummy. I’m 36. I don’t WANT to show off my tummy. Obviously I could wear a cute tank top underneath, but the sweater would still be horrid. Verdict: It’s already sitting in the return bag waiting to leave my house.

Item #2: Gilda Abstract Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse, $28
Here’s another piece that I felt was priced really well and I totally crossed my fingers that I’d like it. I mean, $28 for a top that isn’t a t-shirt is right up my alley and I usually LOVE tops with tab-sleeves.

I like it. The fabric is nice and the tab sleeves are pretty darn cute. I’m just undecided on the pattern. Normally I’m drawn to black and white patterns, this one just seems kind of ‘eh’. I don’t know. This could be cute with jeans for Jack’s party. Also, I have a lot of work events coming up in the next few months so this could be really nice under a blazer AND it’s only $28. Verdict: Undecided. What do you think?

Item #3: Mission ¾ Sleeve V-neck Blouse, $48
I also couldn’t find this item online before my order came, so I’m thinking that they are finally sending out a bunch of new stuff (instead of just sending the same things to everyone). Initially the description sounds good, I love v-neck shirts and am totally down with ¾ sleeves… so there is hope.

I really like this shirt. It’s just a simple black top, but the fabric is silky and forgiving. I feel like the cut is quite flattering on me. The ¾ sleeves and neckline give it a bit of interest and it can be thrown on with anything in my wardrobe from jeans to work trousers. Verdict: Undecided. I like it but is it TOO simple? What do you think?

Item #4: Jonni Lace Hem Detail Dress, $34
When I peeked online at this dress before receiving it, I thought it looked a bit like a hippie and a cowgirl made a baby. At a price of $34, I was willing to keep an open mind to see how it fit in person.

If you follow me on Facebook you will know that it DIDN’T fit in person. I tried it on like a good Fixer and got stuck.

Like really, REALLY stuck. The dress was weirdly tight on my upper arms (apparently my biceps are amazing) and looked like a maternity dress once I had it on. I considered taking a picture of me wearing it but then thought about the fact that the horrible picture will be on the internet forever and passed. When I went to remove the dress, I got it halfway over my head and was stuck. You know that feeling when you get stuck in a piece of clothing – you get kind of sweaty and freaked out? Well, I was there. And I was totally stuck. I tried to breathe normally and not freak out but I truly thought I was going to have to either cut the damn thing off me or wait until my husband got home to help rescue me. The thought of the look on my husband’s face (and the teasing that would go on for the rest of my life) forced me to try one last time and thankfully I was able to break free. Verdict: NO

Item #5: Rylin Pintuck Detailed Silk Blouse, $78
Typically when I see the words “silk blouse” I don’t think casual. I mean, my non-work days include a 2 year old and a dog… so silk isn’t exactly the best choice in fabrics for my REAL life.

Do I seem a bit pink and disheveled in this picture? I tried this top in right after I finally broke free of the torture dress. I LOVE this top. Now, silk isn’t something that I would wear for a CASUAL day, but it will go great in my work wardrobe. The silk is so soft and the top is nice and blousy so I can do the half-tuck that I’m addicted too. I’m also in love with the neckline and gorgeous pintuck detailing.

THIS shirt is the reason that I use Stitch Fix. However, it’s 8 degrees outside and February so this might have been a better pick to send me in the spring. Just saying. Verdict: LOVE IT and I’m definitely buying it.

Here is the fun part… what do YOU think I should buy? I’m absolutely getting the silk blouse, but I’m on the fence for the other two tops. I have a couple days to make my decision so please leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

For my next fix, I’m going to request Meagan again. I feel like she got closest to my personal style and I’m curious how it will be working with the same stylist twice in a row. I’m planning to request a blazer for work, an interesting cardigan and try again to ask for some casual tops.

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.

2/13/14 Update: Thank you all for your feedback! I ended up purchasing both black tops from this Fix. I was going to get the patterned top too, but decided to skip it because Katie is right… the pattern totally looks like static!

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!

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5 Favs Friday: Winter Weather Helpers

Did you know that more people click through to read posts that have a number in their titles? I read that somewhere, so I decided to try it for myself.

Actually, I don’t even know if that’s true or if I made it up in my head one day and decided that it sounded like a real fact. Or maybe I just read that little tidbit in about 8,903 blog posts about how to get more people to come visit your blog. Which is kind of DUMB because they manipulated me into coming to THEIR blog by posting about how to catch my own people…

Anyways, back to the point.
Winter sucks.

Everyone is complaining about how incredibly cold it is this winter and every part of me feels the wrath of the cold. Dry skin, hair full of static, a heating bill that makes me piddle my pants a little… all things that cause me to click over to cruise websites and stare at them with longing.

You’re having winter hate fantasies too, right?

So I figured I’d share the 5 things that are helping my body survive the winter:

Please note: While this blog post is not sponsored by anyone and is truly just a list of my absolute favorite products, there are Amazon Affiliate links in this post. So if you decided to click through to Amazon to purchase any item I’ve linked, I will make a tiny commission on that sale. Commission money goes towards running this site and keeping my marshmallow cabinet stocked. However, THAT is not why I am writing this post. Just wanted to make sure we are clear!

#1. Lip Saver eos Sweet Mint Organic Lip Balm Sphere: $5 – 6
I have a confession to make… I’ve been a Chapstick girl for probably 30 years. THIRTY years of blind devotion to Chapstick. And not just ANY Chapstick… I only liked the medicated menthol version that made my lips a little tingly like I just kissed my husband for the first time. Although I’ve certainly bought lots of other kinds of lip balm, gloss, goop and sticks, I would ALWAYS have a tube of good ol’ Chapstick on me. ALWAYS. So imagine my surprised when I purchased an EOS lip balm on a whim and it suddenly became my go-to lip slicker. I started with the sweet mint and branched out to the Honeysuckle Honeydew when I got one for Christmas. They are creamy and tasty and keep my winter ravaged lips nice and kissable all day long. LOVE them!

#2. Skin Saver Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E, 13.5 fl oz (400 ml): $5.19
I’ve talked about my love for this lotion before and even though I literally have a bin of various lotions living in my linen closet, this one is the best. The BEST! I get super dry skin in the winter (and just normally dry skin the rest of the year) and this is the ONLY lotion that can bring me back from looking like The Thing in just one application. Oh yeah, and it smells so good that my dog immediately comes over to lick my leg when I’m smoothing it on. Which I guess could be an added benefit if you like dog slobber.

#3. Hand Saver O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream, 3.4 oz.:$6.99
This is a recent purchase that I made earlier this year and it has CHANGED MY LIFE. I somehow don’t have the gene that reminds me to put gloves on when going outside, so within a minute or two of winter beginning my hands get super dry. THAT quick. My knuckles get red and sore, and a papercut seems to last for 4 weeks. While at Joann’s one day I saw this little green tub and picked it up on a whim, thinking it would be good for my husband to try (his hands are 17 times worse than mine). I used it that night and it was like Hermione fixed them up with her wand… they were smooth like a baby’s bottom. And I have a baby, so I know how smooth those booty’s really are. Ever since, I’ve been recommending this hand cream to everyone I know. I thought it was kind of expensive when I bought it, but the Amazon price is much cheaper!

#4. Hair Saver Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair Conditioner 8.4 Fl Oz:$7.97
My hair is long, it has been dyed more times that I can even count and I don’t get the chance to get it cut very often. However, every time I do stop by for a shearing my stylist is amazed at how healthy it is. I pretend that I use those $30 conditioners that they sell at the salon, but in reality I’ve been using this one from Pantene for YEARS. I slather it on my hair while in the shower and let it sit for a couple minutes and it does WONDERS for making my hair healthy, soft and shiny. I usually buy mine at Target or the grocery store.

#5. Face Saver Origins A Perfect World SPF25: $41.00
Yes, $41 is a lot to pay for face moisturizer when you can pick some up at Target for less than $10. However, I truly believe when it comes to face lotion that you get what you pay for. This is touted as being an “age-defense moisturizer with White Tea” and has a built-in SPF 25. I’ve been using this for years and swear that some fine lines that I was growing are GONE. Also, this is one of those products where a little truly does go a long way and one jar will last me about a year with a daily application. The best part is, with other face lotions I’d have to put something heavier on some parts of my face that tend to get dry and flaky in the winter, but with this lotion I can use it year-round and it’s PERFECT. So yeah, obliterating fine lines + SPF + keeping my face soft = totally worth the price for me.

There you go, my top 5 fav’s for winter. Are any of these items on your favorites list? Do you have something not listed that you think I should check out? Tell me in the comments!

Disclosure: 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.

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Challenging Myself with a DietBet

Okay guys, I’ve decided to put my money where my mouth is and try out this DietBet thing that I’ve been hearing so much about.

Oh, you haven’t been hearing about it?

In a nutshell, DietBet is an online game where you bet money that you will lose a certain amount of weight within a certain amount of time. There is DietBet 4 (losing 4% in 4 weeks) and DietBet 10 (losing 10% in 6 months), with lots of different Bets to choose from.

When the Bet starts, you submit pictures with code words to prove your starting weight. Then, after the designated amount of time, you submit more pictures with code words for your ending weight (the pictures are confidential). All the winners who reach their goals get to split the total amount of money that was in the pot.

There is also a social media aspect to the Bet, with a chance to interact with other people in your game. It looks like people share diet plans, fitness plans and also encourage each other. So that sounds kind of nice!

I decided to do DietBet 4 with celebrity trainers Heidi & Chris Powell. When I signed up earlier today, there were 609 players with over $18,000 in the pot. The game starts in 7 days, with my first weigh-in scheduled for 1/26 – 1/27 and my final weigh-in on either 2/25 or 2/26.

You may be wondering WHY I decided to do a DietBet when I JUST said that one of my goals for 2014 wasn’t to lose a certain amount of weight, but to make a workout habit. Well, STARTING the workout habit is really hard. Here it is January 20^th and I haven’t REALLY even began my new habit. Also, weight just kind of keeps creeping on… Luckily I didn’t really gain anything over the holidays, but I certainly didn’t lose anything either.

So I figured why not try this to give myself a kick in the pants into the New Year?

By giving myself a set time period and an actual exact goal, I’m hoping that it will keep me on track. While I won’t be disclosing my exact weight for the Bet, I will say that my goal of losing 4% means I need to lose between 6 – 8 pounds. Since I’ve heard that 2 pounds a week is a “normal” dieting goal, I’ve decided to stick with that.

If you’re as intrigued by the DietBet as I am, you can join the game that I’m trying out. In fact, I welcome anyone on this Bet to link up with me as friends so that we can cheer each other on! I put my profile under Pocketful of Joules so that I’d be easy to find.

I’ll probably post an update or two about how the DietBet is going over the next few weeks and I will definitely post a wrap up when it’s all over with! Is there anything else you’d like to know about how the Bet works that I should look into?

Have you done a DietBet before? If so, did you win or lose money? Are you going to join in on the Bet so we can cheer each other on?

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