Stitch Fix - November 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.

This month, I made a note asking for black and classy pieces as I sing a lot during the Christmas season and need "performance" black. So, if you notice the lack of color in this Fix, it was intentional.

My stylist this month was Christina Ann and she did a great job!

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Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeve Blouse - $58.00

I've seen this shirt around the Stitch Fix blogosphere and knew I would eventually receive it. I know a lot of women have liked and kept this one, but I'm not a big fan of the studs. The shirt didn't seem tailored very well as it sat lower on one shoulder than the other, making the  studs around the corner look crooked. I also didn't like the way the sleeve poofed at the elbows.

Status: Sent back

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Aveda Sheer Cinched Waist Blouse - $68.00

I really liked the over-all style of this blouse. It had two layers: sheer layer, and then a solid tank top underneath. Cinches at the waist often make me look pregnant, but this one didn't do that.

However, this isn't a Colorado fall/winter blouse. I was freezing while I took the picture. I tried putting a blazer or cardigan over it, but it just didn't work.

I was on the fence for a few days on this, but ultimately decided to send it back as it wasn't worth the price.

Status: Sent back

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Collen Straight Leg Jean - $78.00

I could use a good pair of black jeans in my closet, so I was happy to see these. However, I do wish they were just a tad bit longer and I didn't find the fit very flattering. I'm willing to pay the price for jeans that I love, but these just didn't get to that love status.

Status: Sent back

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Carver Faux Leather Quilted Bomber Jacket - $118.00

I'm going to be honest. This jacket has caused me to need a trip to the Confessional. When I pulled this jacket out of the box I uttered an "Oh, my ... " as my jaw dropped. I LOVE IT! I'm going to have to dig a bit into my savings for this one, but it's worth every penny!

The material is heavy for a cold day and the collar comes up like a turtle neck which keeps the cold wind off my neck.

Status: Kept

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Alfie Chevron Ribbed Edge Infinity Scarf - $32.00

The material on this scarf is very soft and I love infinity scarves. The colors of the chevron stripes are great for fall. This one was a keeper!

Status: Kept

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Overall

Even though I only kept two items, this is the closest I have ever come to keeping all five items. I liked four of them and it would have been cheaper to keep all five with the 25% discount I would have received for keeping them all then it would have to just buy the four I liked. However, I just didn't love the jeans and the blouse enough to hold on to them.

My next Fix is scheduled for December 16, 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.

BarkBox for Small Dogs - Review October 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.

This month, BarkBox sent a Halloween package. It came while we were away on vacation, so this article is a bit late.

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Simply Fido Ghost

Neither dog seemed really interested in this toy at first. It sat in Aki's pin for a few days untouched. It looks like it's getting some wear and tear now, so she must be using it.

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Plush Puppies Invincibles Cat

This toy's description starts out by saying, "Nothing to be afraid of here." Well, Aki disagrees. This cat plush has a squeaker in it that has a different sound than she's used to. It's one of those low toned squeaks rather than the higher pitch. Aki is terrified of it and Snuggles will destroy the toy in no time. Probably not the best toy for my dogs.

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Twistix Peanut & Carob Chew Treats

Both dogs devoured these treats quickly. Snuggles was on her best behavior when told to stay.

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Hare of the Dog Rabbit Jerky

This only had two small pieces of jerky in them. It looked like a sampler. Both dogs quickly ate their piece. I imagine the small nature of this treat is why we received six items this month instead of the usual five.

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Superior Farms Lamb Nik-Knacks Chews

This is the only chew that Snuggles took into the other room to eat. That's a good thing as she wants to make sure that no other pets or humans in the house can take it from her.

Aki put down another treat in order to chew on this one. This seems to be one of her favorites.

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Etta Says! Crunchy Duck Chews

We got the same thing in rabbit flavor last month. Both dogs much these down.

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Overall

Other than the scary cat toy, this box was quite a success.

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 October 15, 2014.

See all of my BarkBox reviews.

Decorating for Halloween

My husband takes Halloween a bit seriously. He plans our decorating months in advance and has built a few of our best decorations. Our house has become the house of the neighborhood (and sometimes people drive in from outside of the neighborhood) each October 31st evening.

Now, I'm going to share a few pointers.

1. No cutesie decorations.

Okay, sure, "cutesie" isn't really a word, but you know what I mean. We've seen all the witches flying into trees and all those cute ghosts. No. Save the cute stuff for Christmas. Halloween is a time for scary and trick-or-treaters are much more impressed with a house that gives them the chills than one plastered with cute decorations.

2. Lighting is your friend and your enemy.

If you use lighting properly, it can cast an eerie glow on your decorations. Blue and purple lights can cast a moon-light like light. Just be careful not to flood your yard with too much light.

Those Christmas-wanna-be lights have to go. Just don't do it.

3. Don't rake up those leaves!

Leave the leaves in your yard until after Halloween. The dead leaves bring a bit of autumn to your decorations and keep your yard from looking clean and pristine. That's not a look we want for Halloween.

4. Jumpy is not scary.

My husband has become a master of giving a person the feeling that something is going to jump out at them when it won't. We find this much more affective than the pop-up scare tactics. We're looking for chills, not thrills.

5. Get into it.

No, I mean, literally, get into it. Be a decoration. Dress up as something creepy, preferably robed. If you stand still enough, people will think you're a prop ... until you move. Wahahahahaha!

6. Let there be sound!

Sound is a crucial sense to play on peoples nerves. Don't ramp up "Monster Mash" and think that will do it. Find a track with screams, wind, hooting owls, crashes, bangs, etc. This will drive people toward your house and set the proper mood.

7. Don't forget about the little ones.

When you've set up a scene that's a bit on the scary side, have an alternative for the little ones. They will probably be too scared to approach your doorstep, so pull down your hood and be ready to go down to them on the sidewalk so they can have some treats as well.

Stitch Fix - October 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.

Today is a gorgeous day in Colorado! I used the golden Aspen trees as backdrop for my pictures. I was in a bit of hurry, though, and messed up the focus a bit.

This month's Fix was a bit on the pricey side. There was nothing under $50 other than a necklace.

My stylist this month was Melissa.

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Jake Slim Bootcut Jean - $88.00

Wow. They weren't kidding when they put the word "slim" in the title of these jeans. My last experience with jeans and Stitch Fix didn't go well at all and that was a few months ago. These jeans are plenty long enough. Out of the light, they look black, but really, they're a very dark blue. I don't have a pair of jeans this color, so I was happy to see them. They do fit a bit tight, so I'm hoping they won't shrink in the wash.

Status: Kept

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Douglas Cowl Neck Sweater - $68.00

Out of the box, I loved this sweater. The color is great for fall, it's nice and heavy, and the material is soft. However, once I put it on, I knew I was sending it back. Although I loved the cowl neck and the sleeve length, it fit a bit awkwardly on me. It was too wide and too short and looked like it had swallowed me. Had the sweater been a bit longer or a little thinner, it might have looked better.

Status: Sent back

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Franklin Striped Side Gathered Knit Shirt - $58.00

The material on this shirt was very light, but the pattern I could do without. I like the way the stripes gathered at the bottom and midsection of the shirt, but the stripes at the top of the shirt were so close together, they made my eyes and head hurt. There were just too many stripes in too many of the wrong places on this shirt.

Status: Sent back

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Paul Colorblock Mixed Material Top - $64.00

This shirt is a light, cool material. It fit well on me and the colors went well with my skin tone and hair color. However, it didn't spark anything in me when I put it on. No, "ooo!" or "ew!". I just don't think it's worth the price.

Status: Sent back

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Leighton Metal Bauble Necklace - $34.00

I've been wanting a necklace like this, but I was hoping for something a little less pricey. I know I could probably find something similar and not pay this price, but, do I really want to when I already have it in hand?

After I gave it some thought for about a day, I decided that I wouldn't be able to find a necklace that matches what I wanted like this one does for much cheaper.

Status: Kept

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Overall

I feel much better about Stitch Fix once again. It seems as though they really are checking out my feedback before making selections for me. I've now got my second pair of Stitch Fix jeans. I do hope my next box is a bit less pricey.

My next Fix is scheduled for November 18, 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.

Stitch Fix - September 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 couple of Stick Fixes have been successes. Kim had been my stylist for both and had done a wonderful job of keeping things modest, but fashionable.

I sent a note to my stylist this month letting her/him know that I was looking for fall clothing. Although it was hot today, we've already had a frost warning out here in Colorado and the weather can change on a dime. Layering is essential here!

My stylist this month was Christine. Getting the same stylist each month didn't last long at all.

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Florence Colorblocked Dress - $68.00

I love the style, fit, and colors on this dress ... on someone else. The fact that I am self conscience about my legs has still not changed from the last time they sent me something too short. The stylist said she looked at my profile and history, but if she did, she would have seen that I mentioned maxi dresses only and selected to keep my legs covered on my profile.

Other than the dress for which I specifically asked, I haven't liked what Stitch Fix has sent me. I have now marked dresses as something to avoid on my profile.

I would have loved and kept this dress if it went down to the ankles.

Status: Sent back

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Ferdinand Lace & Pleat Detail Blouse - $48.00

This tank top had a very thick material and therefore could be worn on it's own or layered. However, just like I don't like the doily look in knitting, I didn't like the runner look on this shirt.

The stylist in her note said she was looking for "conservative" pieces and I'm afraid this had her picking out an item that strikes me as too old fashioned.

Status: Sent back

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Rachel Floral Print Racerback Tank - $28.00

This tank top is light, comfortable, and colorful. It goes great with the Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan I got from Stitch Fix back in June. I'm a little worried about the length in the front. If it shrinks at all, I'll have to give it away.

I was a little confused about the price. On the invoice it was listed as $44, but on the website it was listed as $28. Maybe, since it is kind of summery, it went on sale after it got shipped. Well, if that's the case, I love the price point!

Status: Kept

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Jeffrey Waffle Knit Colorblock Sweater - $84.00

I love this sweater! I love how cozy it feels. I love the colorblock and the colors. I love the long length. I don't love the price. This sweater ended up being another item that I loved, but regretfully sent back due to price.

I can justify that price for a jacket or maybe even a dress, but not for a sweater.

Status: Sent back

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Genevieve Stacked Chevron Pendant Necklace - $28.00

This necklace was cute and who doesn't like chevron these days, but I'm hard pressed to think of something in my closet that I could wear paired up with this.

I think I would have kept this necklace if I wasn't keeping anything else, but this time, I'm sending it back.

Status: Sent back

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Overall

The style of each piece, other than the blouse, was exactly what I like. However, I only kept one piece due to price and my own issues with my legs.

My next Fix is scheduled for October 21, 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.

BarkBox for Small Dogs - Review September 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 fourth BarkBox a few days ago. The theme was "Yip Yip Hurray! Gimme a B-A-R-K!".

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Loopies Letterman Jacket

This toy is a letterman jacket to go with a homecoming theme. It has a little squeaker in it and it claims to be durable. We let Snuggles play with this one for a little bit and then put it in Aki's pin. It's not that I don't believe it's durable, I just don't think the makers of these toys have ever met my dog and her power jaw.

Snuggles now has the lobster toy from last month that has managed to last this long in Aki's pin, despite Snuggles's many attempts to steal it.

UPDATE: Five minutes after I had published this, I caught Snuggles with this toy. The door to Aki's pin must have been left open and she helped herself to the toy she wanted. The sleeves had been ripped apart and the cotton inside was exposed. I had to throw it away. Durable is not a word I would use to describe this toy.

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Nootie Jerky Burger BBQ Duck

There's not a treat in this world that Snuggles doesn't love. In this picture, you can see Snuggles doing her "up" trick for the treat as Aki stands back and waits patiently.

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Etta Says Rabbit Chew

This chew was devoured by Snuggles within seconds. Aki's is still laying in her pin, untouched.

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Safemade Barkeley Pennant

Look at that happy face! Both of the dogs really liked the crinkling noise this toy made. It also has a couple of small squeakers inside that have no chance of surviving Snuggles's bite. This one will also go into Aki's pin so that it will last for a while.

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Petsafe Indigo Smokehouse Strips - Bacon

As long as I had one of these in my hand, my dogs were on their best behavior! Both dogs absolutely loved these treats and continued to beg for them even after they were put away.

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Overall

After a slightly disappointing Bark Box last month, this one was fun. The dogs, for the most part, love the treats and they couldn't make up their minds on which toy they wanted to use for play. Here's hoping that the toys will last at least as long as the lobster has.

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 October 15, 2014.

See all of my BarkBox reviews.

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.