Stitch Fix Review {Take Two}

My 2nd Stitch Fix finally arrived! It was supposed to arrive on the 23rd but this box shipped from California (versus Indiana where my last fix shipped from) so it arrived on the 26th. I was ok with this though. I'd rather have a great stylist and a better fix than a rushed one!

This time when I was notified my fix had shipped I decided to "peek" at what I would be getting by going into my account to the check out page. It tells you the name of the item you are getting (but not the color) and you can then find pictures of the items on google or pinterest.

I have to say - I actually was bummed after looking up my fix before it arrived. I immediately thought "they didn't send me the blue denim jacket, pink top, nor rodeo top I wanted". Once my fix arrived and I read my personal note from my new stylist. I immediately smiled and got a spark of excitement!

I appreciated the fact that my new stylist, Rachel, acknowledged the items I had requested and stated they didn't have any in their inventory. At least I know she read my note and tried to fulfill my requests. I also appreciated the fact that Rachel mentioned my Pinterest board, proving she took the time to look through the outfits I love and made sure they were nursing friendly.

I was confused at first that my note specifically mentioned a pair of grey skinny jeans and my fix actually didn't contain any pants at all. Instead, I had a tank top that wasn't mentioned in the note. So I am assuming a mix up happened during packaging of my box. I will mention this when I check out in my comments that I would love to try these grey skinny jeans in my next box.

The items I received were:

• Sanctuary Rennes Button Front Top ($68)

• Loveappella Dooly Knit Tank ($48)

• 41Hawthorne Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse ($58)

• Eight Sixty Bridgette Kimono ($64)

• Liverpool Raina Dark Denim Jacket ($88)

Sanctuary Rennes Button Front Top ($68) - RETURNED

My stylist recommended that I wear the off-white Sanctuary Rennes Button Front Top with the grey skinny jeans (which I never got) and the dark denim jacket with boots for the rodeo. Overall, this top fit great, good neutral color with subtle embroidery detail.

I couldn't get on board with the very large side slits and the large chunk of banding along the bottom.

My husband's opinion when I put it on was "maybe when you are 60"... not exactly the look I am going for. I think the embroidery bothered him the most, but I actually liked that detail.

Loveappella Dooly Knit Tank ($48) - RETURNED

As I mentioned above, I believe this item was in my fix by mistake. My personal note didn't mention it but mentioned grey skinny jeans that I didn't get. I still tried it on even though I already knew I didn't like it for the large cutout in the back and the orange-coral color in the stripe. This tank top fit like a muscle tank. It was snug around the chest, had very large arm holes, and was very loose in the mid-section.

I didn't like the fact that my bra and nursing cami showed under my arms in this.

I am also not a fan of showing off my back freckles.

The fabric was very thin for the price and it already had a snag. If I am going to spend that much on a tank top, it better be high quality with some special detail on it. This was not $48 special! Back it went.

41Hawthorne Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse ($58) - KEEP

When I "peeked" at my fix items online I knew this top would be a keeper as long as it fit and the color was right (it comes in many colors). I was so excited when I realized I got the black one! I had this top pinned to my pinterest board in black and I am so glad my stylist, Rachel, noticed it. The fit was perfect (almost feels a bit big but I know a size small would be tight around the chest), nursing friendly, a go-to color for me, and I loved the buttons.

The back of the sleeves have a cute little cutout detail. I left a comment at checkout that "this was me all the way".

Eight Sixty Bridgette Kimono ($64) - RETURNED

My stylist noticed I had one kimono pinned to my pinterest board so she took a chance with this one for me. A kimono is out of my comfort zone and not something I'd never pick out for myself. The idea and look of them is so effortless, comfy, and perfect for a busy mom chasing little ones around. I wanted to like this one...I really did. It is a soft lavender with pops of color. But unfortunately, this kimono was cut much longer than the one I had pinned and it went to my knees since I am so short. I really didn't like the side profile in this.

Even if it was shorter, it seemed to swallow me. I am not used to over-sized items so it just felt like I was swimming in it.

My girls, however, thought it was beautiful and that I should keep it :) I did leave a comment when I returned this that I'd be willing to try another in a calmer print that is cut shorter and that I'd probably need it in a small. I did like that it wasn't a dry clean item and that it didn't have fringe like some kimonos have.

Liverpool Raina Dark Denim Jacket ($88) - RETURNED

When I "peeked" at my fix online and saw I was getting a dark grey jacket I was upset. I really want a classic medium wash blue denim jacket with silver buttons as a staple piece in my closet. When I read my personal note from Rachel she pointed out it had silver buttons ... so she was trying for me. I was surprised by how much I actually liked this dark grey jacket! I debated and debated and really wanted to keep it. It went great with my wardrobe and looked awesome with black pants.

I would have loved to have tried it on with the skinny grey jeans I was supposed to get! When it came down to it, it was too big. The shoulder seams went past my shoulder and onto my arm.

The sleeves unrolled went to my knuckles.

I also had extra denim under my arms that kept bugging me ... like it wasn't fitted enough. The last jacket I was sent in Fix #1 was much more fitted than this brand. I did leave a comment that this was almost a keeper but the fit just wasn't right. I either need it in a small or a petite medium or a different brand all together.

So my total cost for this fix:
Blouse $58 - $20 styling fee applied = $38 + $2.47 tax = $40.47
I have credit from Christmas gift cards so my actual cost was $0!

I am so much happier with Rachel as my stylist! I am going to request her for my next fix! I will be requesting pieces that are good for a camping trip in my next fix. I plan to ask for spring items and maybe a dress in my March fix.

If you would like to try Stitch Fix yourself, I'd love it if you would use my referral link! I will get $25 credit when your box ships out!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This post does contains referral links, which I'd be so pleased if you would use! All opinions are my own and items are paid for with my own money!

Stitch Fix Box Review {Take One}

Since signing up for Stitch Fix, I have been filling up my Pinterest board with styling ideas (which they ask you to do so they can style you better) and anxiously awaited for the arrival of my 1st Stitch Fix box.

You get to leave a note of requests for each box you are scheduled to get. My note said: I was a mom of 4 littles who pushes a double stroller to school pick up 5/7 days a week and that I am breastfeeding a baby. I need effortless, nursing friendly items. I requested a denim jacket with silver buttons, lightly distressed jeans, grey/white/or camel color skinny jeans, a specific pink Stitch Fix top to wear to Reese's pink birthday party and a rodeo top (possibly a plaid button up).

My box arrived exactly on the day it was scheduled for and I was like a kid on Christmas morning filled with anticipation and excitement!

When I opened the box everything was packaged very nicely. It was topped with a note and styling cards for each item.

When I started to read my personal note from my stylist I knew instantly this was not going to be what I expected. Here is my personal note (complete with a misspelling).

#1- I never asked for shoes!
#2- I did make a Pinterest board and linked it to my profile!
#3- Even if he couldn't find the Stitch Fix plaid shirt I had pinned, I expected some sort of option for the rodeo instead. Same applies to the pink top I request for Reese's pink birthday party.

The items I received were:

• Mavi Freida Tall Skinny Jean $98

• Staccato Byers Houndstooth Open Draped Cardigan $64

• Malcom Abstract Chevron Dolman Sleeve Top $48

• Kut from the Kloth Callie Denim Jacket $74

• Mavi Gold Ruxin Distressed Boyfriend Jean $128

Itemized list with prices

Mavi Freida Tall Skinny Jean, Grey $98 - RETURNED

In my profile I put I am 5'3" (aka: short) and requested short/ankle length for any pants. I might consider regular length if cuffing is needed. I was sent TALL grey jeans. There was so much extra fabric it wrapped onto my foot like a never ending jean sock! Too bad because they fit otherwise. Personally, I think $98 is expensive for jeans so I am not willing to pay even more on top of that to get them hemmed. Plus the point of this service is to save me time from shopping - and having to got get alterations is not time saving.

Staccato Byers Houndstooth Open Draped Cardigan $64 -RETURNED

I do love cardigans and this one was super soft and I like that it had grey. However, I don't have one thing pinned in houndstooth print. I barely like houndstooth in small doses much less a giant, overwhelming print of it. It was not a rodeo top nor a pink party top so it was sent back.

Malcom Abstract Chevron Dolman Sleeve Top $48 - RETURNED

I put in my style profile I prefer sleeves on my tops but was unsure about dolman sleeve. Of course, they sent me a dolman sleeve top. I have now established I do not like dolman sleeve like I tried to say in my profile. This is not breastfeeding friendly in my eyes with the fitted banding around the waist. The fabric was super soft but that's about all it had going for it. This is not a rodeo top. This is not a pink top for a pink party. It was actually too big (I was drowning in extra fabric with my short torso) & had nothing to do with my style pins in my board so it was sent back. 

Kut from the Kloth Callie Denim Jacket $74 - RETURNED
This was cute, super soft denim, and fit! BUT... I specifically requested silver buttons for this particular item. So based on that overlooked detail, it was sent back. If I was not specifically on the lookout for a silver button one (to go with all my silver shoes), then I might have kept this item.

Mavi Gold Ruxin Distressed Boyfriend Jean $128 - RETURNED

The distressed jeans I got are so destructed they have tape on the inside of each giant hole in the knees. They are also over my requested denim budget of $50-$100. The Stitch Fix jeans I pinned to my board had one small patch of distress and were $78. These were not "lightly distressed" like I asked for nor in my budget so they had to go back. I was really hoping these were right because they fit great.

My stylist was Ronald (aka: Ronnie) and I am not pleased with him at all. I understand they can't always honor specific item requests but sending me "tall" instead of my correct hem length was just careless. As well as not looking at my style board, which had a working link.

I actually contacted Stitch Fix before trying anything on because I was so upset they didn't look at my Pinterest board, read my profile and sizing, or consider my requests for silver, pink, lightly distressed (within budget) & a rodeo top. They had completely missed the mark and didn't even take the time to try on this Fix. I asked Stitch Fix if this was going to be a continued issue.

I was contacted back by Rachel from their client support department and she was very easy and accommodating to deal with. I expressed my concerns with her and she offered me a $20 credit on my next fix so that the next styling fee would be on them. I told her I appreciated it and also asked her for a new stylist since this one didn't even look at my Pinterest board or sizing details. I told her I was disappointed that I was going to have to blog a failure for my 1st fix. She then offered to send me a replacement fix with a more experienced stylist and the $20 credit since this one was so far off track.

I am appreciative of how they handled the issue and helped resolve it. I do think this could be a great service to use if they can get my style right. A friend who signed up using my referral code received her fix and kept two items! I am hopeful the replacement fix will be tailored to my personal style!

Please stay tuned for Stitch Fix Box Review {Take Two}!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post nor am I an affiliate. This post contains referral links, which gives me a $25 credit if you schedule & get shipped your own fix using my referral link. I would love for you to sign up and try it for yourself!

Georgia Rae - 7 Months Old!

January 12, 2015 - Georgia is SEVEN months old!

Eyes: Blue still. Do you think they will stay?

Clothes: size 9 or 12 months

Diapers: size 3
Nursing: every 3-4hrs

Weight: approx. 17.5 pounds per home scale

Teething: SIX and is currently cutting #7 & 8!

Last month she only had two teeth. It has been rough for all of us...

Solids: We have introduced carrots, bananas, avocados, apples, & sweet potatoes. 

Milestones: She has started pushing herself up really high with her arms when on her stomach but has yet to get on her knees and start rocking. She can also walk in her walker (using both legs at once to propel herself forward). She can now sit for prolonged periods of time and play. She hasn't learned how to go from sitting to laying down gracefully yet.

She can also drink (water) from a trainer sippy cup. 

Sleep: She is now sleeping in her own room in her crib! She is solely a stomach sleeper now so no more swaddled arms either! She wakes up around 4am to nurse.

Playtime: She is very active with her toys now! 

She lays on her stomach and spins around in a big circle playing with everything around her. 

Personality: A happy, smiley baby is finally starting to peak through! She is starting to giggle with her sisters, which makes my heart smile!

I live for these rare moments.

She wants to be involved in the action and gets bored easily. She does not like to feel left out! If we are all eating at the table, she wants to be sitting at the table too. Georgia has also discovered the (fun for her but not for us) act of dropping items on the floor and waiting to see if you will pick it back up and return it to her. She will literally drop something over and over and the girls keep retrieving it. I wonder how long until they figure out this little game!

Signs: She understands when I sign "milk" and I think she has actually signed it a few times but I wasn't sure if it was intentional or not. She will be signing milk soon!

Concerns/Updates: We received all lab work back and everything was normal! She is not allergic to anything they tested for (but that doesn't mean she can't develop an allergy later on). They only thing abnormal with her diapers is the blood. 

I was told Georgia could be milk intolerant but not have a true allergy. She would test normal on lab work with a milk intolerance but still have the blood in her stool. She told me she thought it was fine to add soy back into my diet because soy intolerance is less likely. 

After doing a lot of research on being dairy-free we realized that lactobacillus probiotics may contain dairy proteins so we stopped it and switched to Baby's Jarro-Dophilus drops (Bifidobacterium) that specifically said it was free of all major allergens, including dairy and soy. Cody found this at Whole Foods.

I told the pediatrician the dairy elimination diet seemed to be working but I couldn't assess her demeanor with the recent croup & crazy teething. The pediatrician gave us a GI referral to call when we were ready and asked me to bring in another diaper for a repeat guiaiac test. I held off on calling the GI physician until we retested a diaper for blood. 

I took a diaper in during Scarlett's 3 year well-check and Georgia's diaper was blood free!!!! I told her I ate soy items maybe 2 or 3 times but that I just felt guilty when I did so I really hadn't added it back in fully. She felt that since I had tried soy and the diaper was clear it was safe to add back in. I am so relieved! I think it is harder to be soy-free than dairy-free. I have since started eating soy and plan to re-test a diaper in a few weeks just to be sure we are on the right path. I can skip the GI referral if I think she is clinically better. I will be able to judge this better once all these teeth have cut but I am hopeful we have diagnosed the problem and are on a pain-free path!