Stitch Fix - August 2014 Review

Stitch Fix is a subscription service where a stylist sends you five items each month based on your profile. You pick what you'd like to keep and send back what you don't like.

My last Fix was a success! After a couple of months of feeling like my style and feedback were being ignored, I finally got a Fix that matched my tastes. I was, therefore, very much looking forward to this fix.

I reminded my stylist that I live in Colorado and cool weather is right around the corner (even in late August, although the days are warm, the mornings already have that nip in the air). I also asked my stylist to consider sending me the Market and Spruce Analisse Anorak Jacket I saw on Hot Heels, Cool Kicks, & a Scalpel and was delighted and a little giggly to see it on the list when the Fix shipped!

My stylist this month was Kim, which is the same stylist I got last month. That's the first time a stylist has worked on my Fix more than once.

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Sheridan Striped V-Neck Tab Sleeve Blouse - $48.00

Like much of what Stitch Fix sends me, the material on this shirt was light and comfortable. It had cute straps on the shoulder to match the ones on the sleeves. Because of the color and the light material, this shirt would need to be layered with something.

I liked the design of this shirt, but it fit a bit baggy as though it was too large. I know, I complained last month of my shirts being to clingy. What can I say? I'm hard to please. ;)

The material was also so light, that the sleeves didn't like to stay rolled up. The shirt also wrinkled easily.

Status: Sent back

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Talulah Plaid Print Henley Top - $48.00

Unlike the flannels I used to wear in the 90s, this plaid shirt is very light. I love the colors in this shirt and it feels great. It's large enough in the chest area that the gold buttons don't seem to be threatening to come undone. It also looks great underneath my denim jacket.

The tabbed sleeves are also a good length so that they don't interfere with the bending of my elbow.

Status: Kept

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Clemency Graphic Print Tab Sleeve Tunic - $64.00

This poor top never had a chance of becoming a part of my wardrobe. First of all, I have so much blue in my closet, that I probably should back off the color for a bit (I should mark that on my style profile). Secondly, although I tend to like long shirts, for whatever reason, I'm not a big fan of the tunic. Thirdly, the sleeves fell at an awkward position on my arms, creating a need to constantly push them up to bend an elbow. Finally, the price was way too high.

Status: Sent back

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Analisse Anorak Jacket - $88.00

As I mentioned before, I asked for this jacket and Kim delivered! When I pulled it out of the box, I giggled like a school girl. This jacket is light-weight, super soft, and super wonderful. It will be great to wear during the temperamental Colorado autumn. Although a bit costly, I'm willing to spend this much on a jacket, especially one that I love!

Thrilled!

Status: Kept

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Booker Fold Over Crossbody Bag - $64.00

This bag was actually on my Pinterest board, but in teal. I like the color of this bag as well, but I must have been missing something, because it wasn't a crossbody bag. The strap was too small.

I loved this bag, though. The color is great, it's big enough for a mom, it's got zippers and compartments everywhere, and it even has a zipper at the bottom to make it a little wider if needed.

However, I couldn't justify spending $64 on it. If this bag had been about $20 cheaper, I would have definitely kept it.

Status: Sadly sent back

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Overall

I was once again pleased with my Fix this month. From the note my stylist left, I can see that she is actually paying attention to my feedback and my profile. That was all I was asking for back in June.

My next Fix is scheduled for September 23, 2014.

If you like what you see here, make sure to sign up for Stitch Fix and get your first Fix scheduled!

See all of my Stitch Fix reviews.

Going to Disney World!

By James

I can't wait to to go to Disney World, have butter beer, and hopefully go on most of the rides like Harry Potter. I also will like to go to the gift shop and buy toys. Maybe, if I'm good, we can have ice cream. Maybe my family can see the seven dwarfs like Sneezy and Grumpy. I'm going to have the best time ever!!!! I love my family!!!!

Disney World

By Peter

When we go to Disney World, I'm looking forward to Harry Potter in Diagon Alley. I hope Garfield is there and someone from my football team. It might be Tommy. I wonder if I have enough money and what restaurant has butter beer. I hope a toy is going to come to life with the magic of Disney.

Goodbye, Nadine West, I Guess

As you can tell by the rest of my blog, I love the concept of subscription boxes. I really have to be in the mood to go out shopping and those moods for me are rare. I decided to try a few fashion subscription boxes including Nadine West.

Their claim of once a month shipments only actually occurred once. Overall, the shipments usually came in every other month. I consider myself a pretty patient person (don't moms have to be?), so this didn't bother me.

Their communication wasn't great. I was shocked to get an email for one of my shipments letting me know it had shipped. The very next shipment came with no email. That didn't bother me, either, though, as I would often get a little surprise every time that small, pink envelope arrived.

However, yesterday I got an email from them with the subject "Cancellation Notice". My first thought was, like so many of these other companies, they were going out of business. I was wrong.

Here's what it said:

"Dear Jennifer,

We are very glad you tried out our service, and are so disappointed we couldn't figure out your style to send you products you love. We want all of our customers to be happy, and right now we don't believe we are making you happy! After taking two style quizzes, and a couple of shipments, we have yet to provide you any items you felt were worth keeping. That must be disappointing for you each month!

We have a few suggestions of things that we'd like to offer-

1. It’s possible that our products or our platform just aren't your style. We'd love for you to check out some of our competition. (Yes we are really going to suggest that path!) After all if another company can make you happy, we want that for you! If they can match you up with products you like, then we are thrilled. See links below from other companies we think you might like better!

http://www.stitchfix.com

http://www.rocksbox.com

2. We can close your account and essentially let you “break up” with us for good. We won’t have hurt feelings. 

While we are sad to see you go, we know that moving on will allow you to find your sense of style without us. But we know that we can’t be the perfect fit for everyone.

Thanks again for trying out our service. As a new business we are very appreciative of all of our customers who are helping to shape our company. Your feedback, your thoughts, and your opinions are always welcome. We know that our customers will help drive our products, our online content, and our overall practices. Above all else, we love to make someone happy. And although we didn't accomplish this with you we are still grateful you gave us a shot."

This letter confused me a bit. One reason is that they claim they haven't provided me with anything I felt was worth keeping. I kept everything in my April shipment. Another reason for confusion is that it's difficult to tell if they're suggesting I cancel the subscription or if they're just cutting me off. I suspect the latter.

With only four shipments, I feel like there never really was a chance for them to get to know my style.

Of course, I know the real reason they canceled my subscription. Without a shipping fee or styling fee of any kind, it's not profitable to keep sending out shipments and getting them all back. I get that, I just wish their styling profiles were a bit more dynamic.

BarkBox for Small Dogs - Review August 2014

BarkBox is a subscription service that sends treats and toys that are safe for your dog based on their size. They also donate to rescued dogs.

I have two small dogs, a Shiba Inu and a Puggle. They share just one box.

They got their third BarkBox today. The theme was "Ahoy, matey!".

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Muddy Buddy Dog Mop

This claims to dry a dog five times faster than a towel. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll be sure to update the blog once I do.

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Bocce's Bakery Lobster Roll Treats

Snuggles eats anything put in front of her, so she gobbled these treats down. Aki, however, is a bit more picky. She took it from me, dropped it on the ground, and then walked away. Snuggles quickly cleaned it up for her.

Even later when we were inside, without all the distractions and scariness of the outdoors, Aki still leaves these for Snuggles.

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Safemade Nautical Bandana

I'm not the type of dog owner that dresses up my dogs. I make some exceptions. For instance, Snuggles has a pink Peyton Manning jersey, because, hey, he's awesome. She also has a couple of sweaters and jackets because she has a low tolerance for the cold and it gets pretty cold in Colorado.

Bandanas are definitely something I do not put on my dogs. In fact, whenever a groomer, boarder, or vet puts a bandana on them, I quickly take it off as soon as I'm out of their sight.

Even if I did like putting bandanas on my dogs, this was way too small. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to get it around my Puggle's thick neck. It barely made it around Aki's.

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Pet Rageous Lobster

This toy squeaks and floats. Neither of my dogs love the water, so the floating component of this toy doesn't really matter to our household. However, my dogs love a toy that squeaks. Since Snuggles tears plush toys up in an instant, we gave this one to Aki. Aki loves it, but Snuggles steals it out of her pin every chance she gets.

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Bixbi Daily Essentials Chicken Breast Jerky Treats

Snuggles ate this treat so fast, I wasn't able to get a good picture. Aki takes it a bit slower when she eats. She curled up with her new toy and enjoyed her treat. Both dogs seemed to really like them.

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Overall

This BarkBox was a bit disappointing. I'll be interested to see how well the mat works (and Snuggles does need a bath!), but it's not something that really thrilled the dogs. The lobster toy has worked great, but everything else wasn't all that impressive. It's by far the most disappointing box I've received so far.

If you like what you see here, make sure to sign up for BarkBox and get your first shipment scheduled!

Our next BarkBox is scheduled to be shipped on September 15, 2014.

See all of my BarkBox reviews.