June Stitch Fix Review

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? Since loosing weight I've basically emptied my closet of things to wear. I live in workout clothes! 

I said when I hit my goal weight I'd go shopping. That was in April. I've tried a few times but with kids in tow I don't usually get to look long. Trying on clothes that end up not fitting is a hassle.  I have trouble putting outfits together. I'm kinda picky and it becomes a very overwhelming process for me.

 I also don't like shopping alone. Is that weird?!? 

Some times I just need a 2nd opinion. 

I miss shopping with my mom! 

Of course it's probably saved me lots of money haha!

 A few of my friends told me about Stitch Fix and I thought I'd give it a try. Stitch Fix is a clothing service that is mailed to you. You pay a $20 style fee and fill out a very detailed survey about you, your body type, what you like, price ranges and then can make a pinterest board of inspiration. They review it all and then send you a box with 5 items.

 You keep what you want and send back the rest in the return envelope they provide but, if you keep it all you get a 25% discount. 

Plus your $20 styling fee is applied to what you purchase! 

You don't have to do it monthly either. Maybe you just want it seasonally or for a special occasion. You get to decided. 

So I like the flexibility! 

My 1st box arrived today! I was very skeptical upon opening it! 

OH MY WORD!

I'm in love with every item in the box. 

This is going to get me in trouble! LOL! 

I'm no model but here goes nothing :) 

Pieces #1 & 2 

I love this outfit! This is a Bastille Black Tulip Sleeve Blouse. It's light weight, airy and pairs greatly with the Emer Printed Straight Leg Pants! I thought the pants were going to be too small and I was sad because I wanted some fun dressy spring pants but they fit perfect for my body type! What?!? I mean how many pants have I tried on that I hate! My new favorite dressy outfit! Oh and the pants are soo comfy! The pants are a little long but go great with heals and I could probably just roll them some for flats or sandals. 

They feel like leggings but more flattering and a thicker fabric not that cheap stretch stuff. 

I mean how cute is this! 

I love the top because it's great mix and match piece that can be paired a million different ways. 

Piece # 3

I was drawn to this Colibri Floral Print Sleeveless Top right away! The fabric is a flowy fabric, orange with grey flowers! I love the color combo. The cut of the top is great. It's a little longer in the back than the front which is great for me! It's a flattering fit and color. Plus it can be casual or dressed up. 

Pieces # 4 & 5

Now this Rachel Maxi Dress is amazing! I Love the pinky/purple chevron print! The dress has wider straps, not to low cut in the front and flattering waist line. I also loved that it's partially lined!! It's not to thin of a fabric either! It's made well and oh so comfy! It's going to be my new favorite go to dress! I would wear it as is but if it's chilly I could simply add on the Dark Wash Denim Jacket I got as my final piece. I loved the jacket too but it's a little tight in the upper arms. I figure it's denim and it will stretch, plus I'm still toning and losing weight and I need a new denim jacket. 

Another great thing they include is style cards! That way you can try to make other outfits with items you may have or can build upon the piece you got! I love that! Sometimes I'm not great at mixing and matching so that helps so much!

So I wasn't going to keep the jean jacket but it's actually cheaper if I do because of the 25% discount if I buy it all. So I'm just jumping in and keeping it all! I think.........

The floral pants are very pricey and would be a splurge but I loove them!  I have 3 days to decide. I'm going to double check with hubby and see if he likes it all. Then make my final decision on Monday! I think it will be good to sit on it a few days. Just incase it's just the excitement. Trying to spend wisely too! So what do you think?!? 

Would you want to try it? 

I'm completely pleased with my 1st box. Still can't believe it all fit. If you want to give it a try just click on over to Stitch Fix. 

UPDATE: I actually only kept the Maxi dress! While I loved everything after trying it on again I just wasn't feeling the florals and I have a black shirt very similar to the one sent. I've worn the maxi dress several times and its been great go to dress! 

While I do have some affiliate links in my posts. 

I'm not being paid to tell about Stitch Fix. 

This is my real genuine review of my 1st box. 

If you sign up and order your 1st box I will receive a $25.00 credit! 

So will you give it a try! I think you would love it!! OH and If you like any of these outfits feel free to pin the images for your stylists or own inspiration. 

Enjoy!  

Shop Spotlight: Ambassador Crochet - {giveaway}

March is national Craft and Crochet Month! I've got so great giveaways, reviews and spotlights for you this month. 

Shop Spotlight

Ambassador Crochet










I've gotten the privilege to meet so many great crocheters and designers and one of my faves is Kristine of Ambassabdor Crochet. She has unique crochet patterns that are great for beginners. I've bought a few and I've been pleased with the ease of them.

Here are some of my favorites

Girls Flower Beanie - I love the flower :)

Girls Flower beanie with brim

This is my favorite! I love the snowflake design! Great for winter! 

This is one of her latest designs just in time for "March Madness"
Basketball Tam - Isn't that cute!

Here is a little bit about Kristine from Kristine:

     My mother taught me to crochet when I was 5, but I didn't pick it up again until I was married and pregnant. At that point I decided I wanted to make something for my baby so I picked it up again.  It wasn't until 2007 that I started designing my own patterns.  A friend of mine had a preemie at 30 weeks and I wanted to make something for him. He was less than 3 lbs, so a normal size baby blanket wasn't going to work.  I searched and searched but could not find a preemie pattern I liked. After about 2 weeks I thought to myself, "If I know what I don't want, why not just come up with something myself?"  I designed my "preemie basketweave" afghan.  From then on I designed about a dozen new afghans for friends. I enjoyed the designing end so much, but I never thought to sell my patterns until last year.  

I have 6 children.  My oldest is a boy and he's 18.  Then I was blessed with 5 daughters.  They are 9, 8, 6, 3, and 1.  They are 90% of my inspiration.  They each have their own personality, so I have countless styles to draw from.  It's so much fun to create for them.  Sometimes they even help me design something for themselves.  My 8 year old actually designed the "Berry Delight" beanie.  I just came up with the directions, stitch counts, etc.  It's so much fun to see their reactions to what I can create! 

I have a notebook of my designs over the past 4 years.  Most have been converted to computer and listed in my shops, but I still have many more to come.  So keep an eye on my store to see what's new :).

Come check out more about Ambassador Crochet!

BLOG

FACEBOOK

ETSY 

ARTFIRE 


{Giveaway}
Kristine has offered to giveaway two patterns - There will be two separate winners drawn via Random.com


That's not all folks! I'm offering a basic girls beanie with flower (Made by me) any child size with your choice of two colors.


How to enter:


1. Just comment below what you would like to win - a pattern (your fav) or the hat with your color combo choice < not binding you can change your mind later if you win>


(make sure your email is in your profile so we can contact you) 


Extra entries (individual comments for each entry) 


follow Ambassador Crochet's Blog
follow Ambassador Crochet on Facebook
Follow my blog - google friend connect
Follow my Facebook

Share this via twitter, facebook or on your  blog (three more entries [individual comments]}


NOTE: Please don't place personal comments here since I have these numbered or they will be deleted if they don't meet the requirements for entries above!  I love comments though so feel free to contact me or write on a different post! Thanks :)


This will run from March 7th - March 14th
Winner will be drawn Tuesday -March 15th

Holly Craft Originals

I'd like to introduce you all to Holly of Holly Craft Originals! She makes the cutest fabric appliques! I've admired her work for a while but hadn't had a chance to purchase any of her items. Back in Nov I excitedly won a giveaway for 1 applique! I received the cutest brown and pink Owl. I should have taken pictures of it because I've sadly lost it in the midst of all my ribbon and the rush of the Holiday season. I know it's buried in the storage box somewhere. So in the mean time I'll share some of her other darling works!

She got a little something for boys and girls in her shop too. She has pillowcase dresses, onesizes, hats, headbands and cards in her shop. 

Her appliques can be used in a number of ways. I use them on my crochet creations, but you can use them in cards, scrap booking, as embellishments on clothing and accessories.

Here are some words about Holly from Holly! :)

I am from West MI...been here my whole life. I love living close to Lake MI...especially during the summer! Not so much in winter...:(

I am a stay at home mom of 2 kids who loves to do crafts! I have been crafting since I was a tween! My Mom always sewed and did other crafts too. So as kids we always saw her doing crafty things, and I became interested in it. I think that is what got me into it...:) 

I started up on Etsy in 2007 selling cards and then went to hats made from a knifty knitter loom...and that just didn't really get much interest, so I just kept trying new things...bibs, more hats, etc. 
I really started doing the appliques because I had been scrapbooking and wanted some flowers to use on my pages...I looked around and found some on a scrapbooking website...but they seemed pricey and they looked like something that I could do! So I tried! Here I am now doing many different designs, mostly because of the customers and fans asking me if I could do something...from airplanes , tractors, bears, frogs...anything they think of I try! And if what I draw up meets my idea of cute :) then I put it into fabric!

My business name is HollyCraft Originals. I go by HollyCraft on Facebook...My husband helped me come up with the originals...because everything is handmade and original...by me.

I have a small room on our porch (built on) that I use now to craft. It isn't much, but it is better than where I was working...My kitchen table! LOL...I still end up there alot, but at least the dining room isn't covered with all my fabrics, and other craft supplies!!

you can find me on Etsy and Facebook 


Please check out Holly Craft originals! I know you'll just love her work. If you ever want me to add some of her darling appliques to my hats or headbands I would love to just ask and we'll work out the details! 

Shout out - Erin Tagle Designs

I recently participated in The handmade gift exchange host by Craftaholics Anonymous. If you don't follow her blog you should it's fantastic:




I got to exchange gifts with a great designer. Her name is Erin Tagle of Erin Tagle Designs. 


She makes adorable clothing for little diva's and dudes. From Dresses , shoes, headbands and onsies. You can check out a few of her designs in her Etsy shop.


Here are a few things I received from her in the gift exchange!

I received this adorable apron. I love the colors, prints, and trim. It is very well crafted.

This was my favorite item. It's a silk flower ribbon belt. I've worn it a ton already and gotten tons of compliments. It has  long satin ribbon ties so it can fit anyone and if you need shorter ties just trim it down. It is very well put together. the flowers are sewn to felt backing which gives  is some support and not floppy. 

She also included these crayon mold for the kiddos. I stuffed them in there stockings  for Christmas :)


Thanks Erin for such adorable items! I hope you'll check her out too!

Blog
Etsy
Facebook

Artfire Artistans

I recently joined a new facebook fan group started by Karen S. with O. Sebastian called Artfire Artistans. It's a fabulous group for those of us with Artfire shops. They promote each other and we make collections of each others work. Collections are like treasuries on Etsy. Come join the fun!

I though I'd share the Collections I've been included in so far. Thanks so much for all of you that have included my work! I will be returning the favor very soon.

* More of My Favorite Things
* Black & White Zebra Collection
* That's Using Your Hands
* I'm Looking for Something Red - Take 2
* Rays of Sunshine

Goblin Crochet Creation

I was recently asked to do a very different custom order. It was a crochet goblin hat for a cute little boy to wear for Halloween. I get nervous working outside my patterns but I was pretty proud that I came up with this after a few trial and errors :) She supplied a few pictures and it was up to me to do the rest. I wasn't really sure how I was going to get the ears to stand up but after shaping and tacking it down in just right places I got it.

Here is the little cutie in the hat! I just love it! Thank you to Maria for supplying us with a photo!

Please don't steal, download, copy this photo in any way shape or form.This was used with permission from Gossamer Memories Photography

Maria makes custom photo & decorative paper jewelry and takes fabulous photos as you can see! Check out her Facebook Page - Gossamer Scapes or her Etsy Shop and tell her I send you. She was a pleasure to do business and hope to return the favor soon!

Reviews on Facebook - Giveaway

I've been running a contest the last few weeks for $5.00 credit to any Calleigh's Clips items. I asked my Facebook Fans to leave a review on the the reviews tab on Facebook if they had bought or won and item from us. Only had 19 entries. I counted from last one to leave a review as #1  and the oldest one as #19 just incase anyone had questions. The winner is :

Congrats to Vicki S. 

Vicki - you have one month to use your $5.00 credit. It will expire on August 31st.  It can be used on any of Calleigh's Clips items but may not be applied to shipping charges. Please email me at calleighsclips@att.net to place an order so you will get the discount on whatever item you choose. 

Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews and If you haven't yet had a chance to write one please do. You never know when we'll choose a new winner.