Who: My mom, brother, and I

What: The Lion King national tour

When: December 2017

Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD

Why: Family fun, and I'd finally been convinced this show was worth seeing.

Thoughts: Full disclosure: I'm a Disney Princess kinda girl, and The Lion King was never among my favorite Disney films. I paid no mind to the Broadway show until a few friends caught on and insisted that the show was a completely different experience that was well worth my time. Thankfully, the tour was coming to Baltimore the very next season, so I made sure I was there. Most touring shows come to Baltimore for about a week. The Lion King was in town for THREE WEEKS and it was still incredibly challenging to get tickets. My family and I actually sat in two separate rows.

The bottom line is this: my friends were right. The Lion King is stunning and an experience all it's own. While most Disney theatrical productions are just the movie thrown on stage with a few extra songs, The Lion King is it's own piece of cultural art. The visuals, the score, and the overall tone really set the show apart from the film while still nodding back to the original source and keeping some fun moments for younger viewers. Really, "experience" is the best word to describe the show. It's just as much emotional journey as it is story, and I don't know that I've ever seen a show where the cast is as clearly happy and at home with a show as they are here - the ensemble contributes as much, if not more, than the principle roles in this extravagant production (holy costume changes!).

I'm so glad we had the chance to finally see this (better late than never; I know the show opened in 1997 and I'm 20 years late), and my family all loved it!

After finally giving in and trying Stitch Fix, I felt the first try was so promising that I decided to try a second fix right away instead of waiting a month (plus, spring temps are finally arriving, time to freshen things up!).

If you missed it, you can read about my first experience with Stitch Fix here as well as a brief description of how the whole thing works.

Here's how fix #2 worked out:

I loved the sturdy chain and cute pearl detail on this, but ultimately didn't feel I'd wear it often even though I found it super pretty (though if that teardrop were a quatrefoil, I'd have kept it in a heartbeat). Returned.

At first I was stunned to find this in my fix. I've avoided horizontal stripes for years...but, I did pin some Kate Middleton on my Pinterest board, so I understand why my stylist chose this. Thankfully it was super soft and Sean and I actually both liked how it looked. Kept.

This was hands down my favorite item in the fix. The print and colors are exactly my style and it came in the softest rayon fabric, my favorite! This will definitely be my go-to work blouse this summer. Kept.

So close yet so far. I've been looking for a simple ivory cardigan for awhile, and I loved the one from my very first fix.  I asked my stylist if it came in ivory. It didn't, so she sent this one instead. It was super soft, but ultimately I'd like a simpler (read: fringe-free) and less expensive version.

I'll be honest: at first sight, I thought the fix was a lot of random stuff put together and I was so disappointed, (each fix comes with a photo card and based on that, I thought I would only like the split neck blouse) but after trying everything on, I realized the stylist had done what I wanted when I first signed up for Stitch Fix - chose things that would fit my style while diversifying what I already wear. Just like last time, I kept 2/5 items in the fix, and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes my way in May!

The show is still in previews, but we both had a great time. The sets and costumes were stunning and we enjoyed most of the cast. I'm always happy to watch a classic show such as this one.

Afterwards we stretched our legs in Central Park before grabbing a quick dinner and parting ways while I headed to the Imperial Theatre to cross off one of my Broadway Bucket list items: two shows in one day!

I saw another revival in previews, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel. I've seen the movie many times and have seen video of other productions, but I've never actually seen a live production of Carousel before, so I was especially excited.

The story of Carousel is controversial, but it has some of the most beautiful music in my opinion. There was no lack of talent in the cast, though I do feel some things could be better done before opening, particularly in Act I. (I'm withholding more thorough reviews since neither show is technically open and both are fairly well-known)

On a side note, I have realized I loathe the Imperial. This was my second show there (the first being Les Mis in 2016 with Aleshea), and both times I was frustrated by the lack of capacity for guests. The Imperial is a smaller theatre with smaller, crammed seats (I was in the front row and had no more room than anyone else). Worse, they have only one set of small bathrooms that can't serve the entire audience in a 15-minute intermission even with attendants hustling their hardest (Carousel currently runs at nearly 3 hours, so that break is needed). I was able to get a decent place in line, but as I waited for my soda refill, staff came and snapped at waiting patrons that they had to skip the line or not be allowed to be re-seated for Act II. While I'm not a huge fan of late seating, I ran into these same problems at Les Mis and feel like these problems must be the norm for every show and perhaps intermission at a theatre that can't handle all of it's guests should be extended a few minutes or another solution found.

Overall, the day was full, but one I enjoyed. Both shows were classics I love and the weather was kind to us. This is definitely an approach I'd be happy to take again as there are always so many shows I want to see on Broadway but so little time. I'm already eyeing deals for what shows I might want to see next!

Have you ever seen two Broadway shows in a day? Share your experience in the comments!

I don't discuss fashion here much for a reason: It frustrates me. I'm tall, curvy, and my sizing is as awkward as it gets: just too large for normal misses' clothing, and a tad small/differently shapen for a good fit with plus sized clothing.

Don't even get me started on the fact that shopping for plus size clothing in most stores is like a walk of shame: you have little to no selection off in some corner and the clothes are mostly frump to the max. Can't you just take the normal stuff and size it up a little more? It sucks.

When my (size 2) friend recently decided to try Stich Fix to spruce up her spring wardrobe for work, I scoffed. I've seen dozens of bloggers sing their praises, but I'd also seen things I didn't like when looking into them for myself: 1. The prices are more than I like to spend on clothes and 2. They are size exclusive. As I was telling her my woes, she seemed genuinely surprised. They have lower prices and plus sizes, she assured me.

I decided to take another look, and she was right! Stitch Fix indeed now offers more price points and more sizes. I took the style test, paid my deposit, and my first fix was on my doorstep (ok, in my office) in a matter of days.



Pause: for those who have no clue what I'm talking about, Stich Fix is a clothing subscription service where a stylist selects and sends clothing to you at predetermined intervals based on your size and style preferences. As the stylist gets to know you, the fixes should in theory keep improving. You can even make special requests (i.e., I would normally request work clothes, but maybe I'd ask for a nice dress if I knew I was attending a wedding). You can further "help" your stylist by sharing personal blogs and social media pages, particularly a Pinterest style board (I've heard this emphasized over and over again, so I started one)

Back to the box: I awaited it with skepticism, but was impressed at first sight: it was full of navy, yellow, and green - colors that dominate my current wardrobe. I felt like the stylist right away had a good sense of both what I like and what I was looking for (I have lots of comfy basics but want to polish my look more for work.)

Included in each shipment is photos of each item including styling suggestions.

I was sent four tops and a skirt in my first fix:

Gilli Morgen skirt, 2X, $48

This skirt was made of the silkiest feeling fabric and I thought it was a win, but in the photo card it appeared navy and yellow while in person it was actually grey,black,and yellow which just isn't a favorite combo of mine. I sent this one back (but would totally love to try this in other prints or colors)

Mix by 41 Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan, $38

This is comfy basics at it's finest. It's soft, light, long, and reasonably priced. I kept this and sent a note to the stylist to see if it comes in ivory as I've been looking for a cardi like this one for awhile.

Mix by 41 Hawthorn Benni Crossfront Knit Top, $32

I was really nervous when I saw this because it appeared to have a plunging neckine when I explicitly stated I needed to keep the girls covered without being frumpy. Thankfully, it was an illusion - this top actually has a super cute high neckline and will go great with my maxi and pencil skirts in warmer weather. I kept this.

Marcelo Super Tunic Button Up Top, $48

NSFW

I love tunics and am a huge fan of the army green color, but the fit was way off: while I do try to conceal my midsection, here it was way too loose, and even with leggings, the slits were so high that this was not a work appropriate option.

Collective Concepts Shandler Split Neck Blouse, $48

I was most excited about this top. It was exactly the kind of thing I am looking for in my work wardrobe - a dressy blouse that isn't button down (hello, chest gaps) in a pretty print. At first sight, I was sure this would be the winner, but I tried it on and the billowy sleeves were comically huge. I felt like I looked ridiculous, so this one sadly had to go back. With more proportionate sleeves, this would have been an easy keep.

The verdict? My skepticism has certainly diminished. I kept 2/5 items on the first try and feel confident that future fixes can only improve. I love that whether you keep or return an item, Stitch Fix asks questions regarding style, fit, quality, and general comments to keep improving!

I'm glad to know that Stitch Fix has grown recently in terms of accessibility to more women (and men! they offer a men's fix). If you are like me and previously opted out due to size or budget, I'd encourage you to give it a try again. Your $20 styling fee is applied towards any clothing you keep, and there is a nice discount for keeping the entire fix (mine would have only been $140 this month!)

Who: My neighbor(s) and I

What: School of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Weber's most recent musical based on the 2003 film of the same name

When: March 2018

Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD

Why: I wanted to see it initially because Sierra Boggess was in the original cast, but it never worked out, so I'll rock out with it on tour.

Thoughts: My neighbor and I had tickets to see this earlier, but thanks to a spring snowstorm, the show was canceled and we had to scramble to get one of the few seats left in a later performance. On the bright side, it was the same performance another neighbor was attending. The more the merrier!

If you're a fan of the movie (and don't hate musicals), you'll be a fan of the show: the story and dialogue are nearly identical, the key difference being the expanded score which was a hit; I heard countless audience members singing one of the songs during intermission, my #1 sign that any musical is successful!

My neighbor and I both had a great time:this is such a fun production with so much energy, due mostly to the real stars: the kids. I thought to myself countless times "oh, to have that kind of energy" as they jumped and sang and played instruments all night long. Like many Broadway shows, small tweaks have been made to keep things modern and funny (a jab was made at fidget spinners early on) which is a natural and appropriate fit for this show. Overall, School of Rock makes for a fun night for all ages. If I wasn't laughing, I was smiling proudly at the kids performing.



You can listen to the Broadway soundtrack here (let's see if you can guess which song the audience was singing) and check out other shows I've seen here.

Have you seen School of Rock on screen or stage? Share your thoughts in the comments!