Stitch Fix Review - October 2014

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It's been a few months since you've seen a Stitch Fix review here on the blog for one major reason - I haven't gotten any fixes! Looks like my last fix was in May of this year. Though, there are smaller reasons that contributed to me not getting any Stitch Fix packages.

1. I was traveling so much over the past few months, I was having trouble scheduling my fixes. A fix would inevitably arrive when I was out of town and I would wind up with only a day to look at, photograph and choose the items in the box.

2. Stitch fix kept sending me the same thing. Over and over and over again. How many tab-sleeve blouses or waterfall cardigans does a girl need? Apparently SF thinks I need about fifteen of them. I gave SF a break for the summer to see if their stock turned over.

3. We bought a house. I didn't want to spend my pennies (even just the $20 styling fee) on clothes. I needed to save them all for the down-payment and pending renovation. 

With all of those reasons I listed, why are you seeing a Stitch Fix review today? Simple, I had a $25 credit that was just burning a hole in my SF account! I scheduled this fix for arrival in mid-September and asked for fall transition pieces (yes, I'm a little bit behind on posting this fix). As you can see, I didn't get any fall transition pieces and this fix looks more appropriate for the summer. I was needless to say, a little disappointed.

First thing out of the box was this navy blue top. I actually had been looking for a navy blouse for layering under my grey suit, so this piece was convenient. It's not ever going to be the star of an outfit. Thankfully I had my SF credit, because at $54, this piece was way more expensive that it should have been.

Collective Concepts - Esten Button-Up Sleeveless Blouse - $54

Next up, another half-button front blouse. I have seriously gotten ten of these tops (yes, I counted). I didn't mind the print or the cut of this blouse. I didn't keep it though because I'm afraid they'll just keep sending me more of them! Also, I don't consider this a chevron print, it's really more of a herringbone print.

Amour Vert - Alessandro Chevron Print Button Front Silk Blouse - $118

I really liked this maxi skirt. I would have definitely kept it, if only it had arrived in my spring box and not my fall box. I hate buying things that I can't wear for months - Especially at full price (and this wasn't cheap). To find a maxi skirt that is long enough for me is quite a chore. I even really liked the print. Again, I was just annoyed that they sent me this skirt in September, when I asked for fall transition pieces.

Tart - Caroline Batik Circle Printed Maxi Skirt - $128

The last two items were a hit and a miss. The necklace looks really nice in the photograph, but it felt pretty cheap. I'm fairly certain that I would have broken it immediately. The top (which I never bothered to take a full length picture of!) was a keeper. I loved the color-blocking and the blue. The only problem is - it has no sleeves. Yes, you can layer it under cardigans and blazers, but then you lose the cute color-blocking detail that I love! This shirt will probably see more use in the spring and summer, but will be useful in the fall/winter as a layer.

Bay to Baubles - Betsey Gem Triangle Layering Necklace - $28
Kut from the Kloth - Murphy Colorblock Button-Up Blouse - $68

I wound up keeping two of five items from this fix. I didn't schedule a fix for the next month and I probably won't be doing anymore Stitch fix boxes. I'll be doing a short post next month with all of my reasons for falling off the Stitch Fix bandwagon.

If you're curious about my previous fixes, here they are!

May 2013 - Fix #1
June 2013 - Fix #2
July 2013 - Fix #3
August 2013 - Fix #4
September 2013 - Fix #5
October 2013 - Fix #6
November 2013 - Fix #7
December 2013 - Fix #8
January 2014 - Fix #9
February 2014 - Fix #10
March 2014 - Fix #11
April 2014 - Fix #12
May 2014 - Fix #13

Here's some of the other pieces that you see in this post!

2014 Budget - July, August, September, October Recap

While I was busy this summer, not blogging, I totally forgot to keep up with my 2014 budget! Luckily I was able to just browse through my Stylebook app and see what I recently purchased. While I neglected to put the new items into my budget, I did remember to add them to my app!  Since I was so busy this summer with traveling, buying a house and renovating said house, I didn't spend that much on clothes. Here's a month-by-month recap of my summer and early fall purchases.

July - the boyfriend and I visited Buffalo (aka - home) during July. Everyone asked if I wanted to go shopping while I was home and I declined. Sadly, Western New York has no where near the selection of stores that we have in the tri-state area. Also, New Jersey has no sales tax on clothing purchases! I did make one purchase at Century 21 in July though. Some killer sandals!

Givenchy - Sandals $299.95 (Orig - $495)

August - The boyfriend and I spent most of our time house hunting and eventually buying our new house! Money was not spent on clothes, it went toward all those home buying incidentals.

September - I went to a conference in Madrid and made a stop in the Zara store. I usually am hot a Zara shopper, but I couldn't help but check out the price and variety differences between Zara US and Zara Spain. What did I discover? Zara in Spain is much cheaper. Be sure to leave room in your suitcase for some fun pieces.

via Zara

Zara - Dress with tie waist - $36 (US Price - $49.90)

via Zara

Zara - Sweater with Jewelled Shoulders - $49 (US Price - $79.90)

I bought this sweater in black, but you can get it in red!

Zara - Printed Blouse - $37 (US price - $49.90)

Zara - Blouse with contrast top stitching - $37 (US price - $49.90)

October - The boyfriend and I just went to Cambodia and I wanted a new crossbody bag for the trip. I went with a Deluxe Everyday bag from Le Sportsac. It has a bunch of pockets, can easily go into the wash and comes in so many cute colors!  I went with this one and I picked it up at the Bloomingdale's outlet for a steal.

via LeSportsac

Le Sportsac - Deluxe Everyday Bag - $45 (Orig - $82)

With all of the travel and house stuff that has been happening in the Wilde household, it seems that I cut back on the personal shopping quite a bit! Sadly, I really haven't saved any money. All the money that I usually spend on my clothing budget has gone into our renovation budget (plus a whole lot more money!) 

With the holidays coming up I tend to take a hiatus from buying myself anything. Well, after the big Thanksgiving sales of course! I usually drop a bunch of cash on black Friday sales while visiting the "in-laws" in Florida. They have such great outlets down there! Expect a large (probably over budget) November recap, followed by a sparse December budget.

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

March - $110.50

April - $361.00

May - $655.99
June - $666.00

July - $299.95

August - $0 !!!

September - $159.00

October - $45.00

How does your budget look at this time of the year? Do you cut your personal spending in November and December to allow yourself more money to buy presents?

Also, what are you lusting after this holiday season? Is there something special that you would like to unwrap this year?

It's all about the shoes

Hey everyone! I have been the worst blogger this summer. I've been busy enjoying the outdoors, having fun with the boyfriend and lounging around in casual wear. Sorry I've been so lax around here lately, but I'm sure you're busy enjoying your summer as well!

Now, onto some fashion! I haven't done a ton of shopping this summer, but one amazing thing that I picked up recently are these shoes! I'm totally in love with them. The bonus? I found them at Saks Off Fifith during one of their big 50% off everything sale. Such a happy girl here.

The shoes are so pretty, that I decided to pair them with a simple black dress. Surprisingly, they are super comfortable. I was so excited to find a link to them online. You can pick up a pair for yourself! Well, if you're a 9, 10 or 11. Sorry ladies with small feet!

I actually started the day with a necklace in addition to these earrings. Once I got to work and looked into the mirror again, I decided that it was too much. I took the necklace off right away. Less is more when it comes to this outfit!

Fly Away

How do you get away with wearing a bright orange, bird print dress to work? By pairing it with killer shoes.

And a gorgeous handbag.

I got this dress last year in one of my summer Stitch Fix boxes and didn't wear it until last week. I just wasn't sure how or where to wear the dress. I recently picked up these Givenchy heels at Century 21 for a steal and have been wearing them almost non-stop since. I decided they were just the perfect accessory for a sweet, printed dress.

These heels are a mixture of flat black leather, suede and snakeskin-embossed leather. Not only are they beautiful, they are so comfortable! I really should buy more heels of this height. I can wear them all day long and on into the evening.

Do you wear summer brights to the office? Or would you save a dress like this for the weekend? (If you are a small, I found this dress for a steal here!)

Also, have you noticed how long my hair has gotten! It feels like it was short, short, short and then all of a sudden, LONG! I really need a hair cut. Sadly, my stylist was all booked up for the next two weeks!

Dress: Darling (via Stitch Fix)

Shoes: Givenchy (via Century 21)

Purse: Coach (2008 collection, Similar - Bleecker)

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Linking up with...

Life's a Party, Dress like it!
Trend Spin Linkup

Brights and Horizontal Stripes

This is my first summer with an office job. I have no idea what to wear! How casual is too casual? Are sandals kosher as long as they aren't flip flips? Should I save chiffon for nights and weekends? Will my coworkers frown on me wearing neon? It's so much more difficult than dressing in the fall and winter.

I've taken to wearing bright colors in combination with black and white. I probably own at least ten different black dresses and four or five black and white dresses. Pairing bright accessories with a basic dress adds something fun, without going over the top.

Dress: Calvin Klein (Last year)

Necklace: Charming Charlies

Tote: Rebecca Minkoff

Scarf: Target

Sandals: Kate Spade

What do you wear to the office when the mercury rises?

Day to Night - Take Two!

Hi Everyone! I'm back in New Jersey and back in the office. With the start of summer, I'm no longer heading straight home and hiding under heavy blankets. This time of year is my favorite time to take the train into the city for a fun evening with the boyfriend. Since I commute to my job via the train, it's faster for me to go straight to Manhattan rather than stop at home to change.

This just leaves one problem that I'm sure you all have with summertime day-to-night looks.  It's freezing in the office, but so beautiful outside! This is how I take my look from my desk to the restaurant...

The whole look is based on a black dress. Not a traditional, office appropriate black dress. I picked up this dress a few months ago, but didn't have the chance to wear it yet. To bring the dress to office appropriate levels, I tossed on this blue blazer that I got from Stitch Fix! Flats are my go to shoe when I wear a skirt this length to work. I love this pair from Marc by Marc Jacobs because they look like little mice!

My accessories are the usual office set - big bag for commuting on the train, Fitbit for tracking my steps and my favorite 3D printed necklace from Nervous System.

When it comes to work makeup, I keep it simple. Eyeliner, tinted lip balm and mascara.

When it's time to head to the city, the shoulders come out!

I fell in love with this sweetheart neckline of this Rebecca Minkoff dress.

The boyfriend was smitten with the back of this dress and insisted that I buy it. The back of the dress is the major reason I added the blazer for the office! It's a little too sexy for work!

Heading to the city, I leave the big bag at work and swap it out for this fun clutch. I also trade out my Fitbit for a rose gold chain. I always carry my Fitbit though, it's just in the clutch. Gotta catch every step I take!

And I'm off to the catch the train to the city!

How do you take your day looks into night?

Bluefly still has this dress in stock in a few sizes!  Major sale!!! Go get it before its gone...

 

British Girl

If you've been reading WITC the past few weeks, you know that I got to spend some time in London recently. On one of my free days in the city, I spent some quality time shopping some of my favorite British brands. You all know that my favorite British label is Ted Baker.

I've had my eye on this dress for a month or so at Bloomingdale's. It would seem that Ted Baker never goes on sale! I was more than happy to pick up this fun little number while shopping on Regent Street. Now I have a fun souvenir from my week in London and I saved $40!

I love this dress so much, I feel very mod and British! This dress doesn't quite fit with my office dress code. I opted to leave the heels at home and I paired it up with my favorite Dolce Vita booties. A simple rose gold chain bracelet rounds out my new favorite look.

Dress: Ted Baker

Booties: DV for Dolce Vita

Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Apocalypse Wear

I usually don't post this many pictures for an outfit of the day post. Why did I do it today? Helmut Lang and this crazy asymmetric dress of his. Taking photographs of this dress was so difficult because it looks different from every angle. It looks different when the wind blows. It looks different depending on how I stand. It's a fabulous dress.

I have a few Helmut Lang pieces and I always equate them to Apocalypse Wear. I imagine that after the end of civilization, people will look like they are walking around in Helmut Lang. The way the clothes are carefully, yet carelessly draped, makes it look like I found some fabric and fashioned a dress. Halfway through the workday, my office mate looked at me an exclaimed "Your dress is asymmetrical!" Yes, yes it is.

Not only is it asymmetrical, it's insanely comfortable. The fabric swings and floats (don't wear this on a windy day!) With the many details of the dress, I kept my accessories and shoes very simple. I originally planned on wearing heels, but these ankle strap flats were much more work appropriate.

What do you think of Helmut Lang? Are you a fan, or is it a little too apocalypse now for you?

Boyfriend dress

Since I moved to a business dress company environment, I've adopted a sort of uniform. You'll either find me wearing a pencil skirt and blouse, or a fun dress. I try to keep it a little fun by mixing in statement jewelry or amazing shoes. Today, I paired this DVF ruched bodycon dress with my favorite LK Bennett cheetah print booties and kept the jewelry to a minimum. The booties are always noticed, by both my coworkers and fellow train commuters. Also, believe it or not, they're totally comfortable!

One thing that might surprise you about this look - I didn't pick out any of these items for myself! While I was out of town a few weeks ago, the boyfriend did some shopping. While he shops for himself, he'll often wander through the women's department and pick up a few unusual pieces for me! The dress and shoes were both a part of one or two of his shopping trips. He always brings home things that I would have never tried for myself and it makes trying them on at home so much more fun!

I think the dress was scored at Century 21, so I couldn't find the exact same one online. Here are a few other options with fun asymmetrical necklines!