Stitch Fix Plus: Round 15
May 15, 2019 • brands
I feel like I've been waiting forever to bust out my spring and summer clothes! It's been an interesting spring in Baltimore with no two days alike: warm and perfect one day while rainy and 20 degrees cooler the next.
The thing about weight loss, both good and bad, is the need for new clothes! Stitch Fix helped pick up my self esteem last spring and summer with plenty of cute plus size clothes. This season, most of those items no longer fit! So, I asked my stylist for some summer vacation-friendly items in my new size as well as a favorite from last season.
Here's the haul:
ABSOLUTELY | Uma Drape Cardigan | $44.00
I was so excited to see this in my fix! I asked for an ivory cardigan multiple times last season and they didn't have one. This one was super comfortable and fun, but It had an open knit that immediately snagged on my engagement ring - not the kind of thing I want to worry about on a daily basis. Returned.
PAPERMOON | Lucy Sheer Yoke Knit Tank | $44.00
This was one of my all time favorite SF items last year and I was equally ecstatic and devastated when I saw how big it fit me this year. I begged my stylist to send it again in my new size. Thankfully, it was in stock! Apparently, I lost more weight than I thought because a size smaller was still too big and no other sizes were available. Womp Womp. Returned.
CITY CHIC | Trina Off The Shoulder Dress | $79.00
I love a good summer dress and I loved the color and fabric of this one, but empire waists aren't the most flattering on me and I have never been a fan of cold shoulder styles. Returned.
SKIES ARE BLUE | Zinny Embroidery Detail Top | $48.00
KUT FROM THE KLOTH | Corynne Distressed Boyfriend Short | $68.00
I believe the top is this year's version of a top I received last season - the Zina split neck top. That top was one of my all time favorite SF pieces due to the fun print and amazingly soft rayon fabric. This top was the same style and fabric but the print just felt frumpy. Returned.
I could use some good shorts and I love Kut From the Kloth denim, but between the distressed look and the large unflattering fit, these were a no for me. Returned.
Well, this fix was a bit of a bummer but it happens. The stylist did choose two items that were exactly my style but just didn't work out. The others? Eh. Summer is quickly coming as is vacation, so I've requested a follow-up fix ASAP. Stay tuned to see if we have a winner!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Arbonne Protein Balls: 2 Ways!
April 8, 2019 • brands, food, health and beauty
My most popular post of all time is the recipe for Arbonne Protein Bars. I'm not surprised—they're easy and delicious!
2 of the ingredients, however, aren't compliant with a strict 30 day challenge. While I haven't found a swap to make them fully compliant, I've found a new and improved way to make these with only one forbidden ingredient: honey! They satisfy my sweet tooth and are a way cleaner option than most desserts. I follow the program at about 80% now and honey is one of the ingredients I let slide, especially since I only generally have it in these protein balls.
The chocolate version is very similar to the original bars, using almond butter in place of peanut butter. The kick of cinnamon in the vanilla version makes them equally satisfying. My hubby has been reaching for both since I started making them—let me know which variety you like best!
Cinnamon Vanilla Protein Balls
by
Prep Time: 5 Min
Cook Time: 0 Min
Ingredients (6 balls)
- 3/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1/4 cup Arbonne vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1 tbsp organic honey
- Splash of vanilla
Instructions
Put all ingredients into food processor
Blend until combined
Roll into 6 balls
Sprinkle additional cinnamon on top if desired
Place in covered dish and refrigerate
Blend until combined
Roll into 6 balls
Sprinkle additional cinnamon on top if desired
Place in covered dish and refrigerate
Chocolate Almond Protein Balls
by
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Ingredients (6 balls)
- 3/4 cup gluten free oats
- 1/4 cup Arbonne chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1 tbsp organic honey
Instructions
Put all ingredients into food processor
Blend until combined
Roll into 6 balls
Place in covered dish and refrigerate
Baltimore, MD, USA
STOMP | Giveaway
April 5, 2019 • giveaway, theatre
I've got something fun today for people who enjoy live entertainment, but perhaps not traditional musical theatre....
STOMP is arriving in Washington, DC later this month and I have a pair of opening night tickets to give away courtesy of Allied Media.
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.
The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says,
“STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.”
STOMP. See what all the noise is about by entering to win tickets below. Good luck!
Washington, DC, USA
Live Theatre: 3 Myths In Need of Debunking
March 8, 2019 • theatre
I fell in love with live theatre when I made my 8th grade debut as Lord (yes, Lord) Montague in the schools' production of Romeo and Juliet. Certainly the love for musicals had already been planted as I grew up with a mother who was always playing a movie musical on TV.
I didn't really have the access to live theatre aside from the occasional community or high school production until more recently when I moved to Baltimore, and since then, I've done my best to see any show possible. From attending different shows to talking to different people, I've noticed a few thought trends that I'd love to squash:
1. Live theatre isn't affordable
Cost was the biggest reason I didn't go to more shows until recently. I've since learned there are so many ways to find affordable tickets for all kinds of shows:
- See if your local theatres offer discounts based on age, military status, etc. I've seen many theatres offer cool specials like $30 tickets for patrons under age 30.
- See if your local theatre offers limited view seats. I frequently scored orchestra seats to touring Broadway shows for less than $50 using this trick!
- Take advantage of the internet. I consider Goldstar to be the Groupon of Broadway and frequently get huge discounts on more local shows this way. For Broadway shows, compare prices and save on fees (and read real user reviews) using Show-Score, one of my favorite Broadway sites!
2. Community theatre isn't any good
I've had this post scheduled for awhile, and just before publishing, a friend of mine shared a similar post: Please Stop Looking Down on Community Theatre.
I'm so glad people are discussing this because while, yes, some community theatre shows leave a thing or two to be desired, so many more are simply amazing! Even if a show doesn't have Broadway-level resources, it does offer:
I'm so glad people are discussing this because while, yes, some community theatre shows leave a thing or two to be desired, so many more are simply amazing! Even if a show doesn't have Broadway-level resources, it does offer:
- Local and fiscal access to live entertainment: Not everyone is close to or able to afford a Broadway or touring show.
- Training for enthusiasts: Participating in community theatre whether on or backstage instills valuable skills and discipline; let's encourage their hard work!
- A pleasant surprise: Perhaps a local creative is putting a new spin on a classic show. Even more exciting, the kid next door you're watching today could be the kid on Broadway tomorrow. You never know!
In the past 3 years, I've watched 6 productions of Cabaret. 4 of them were community productions. Every single one offered something different and worthy of discussion. I would have missed out had I only seen the touring production and never revisited it!
3. Theatre is for old folks
I've mentioned on multiple occasions that I grew up on older shows like My Fair Lady and the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein. I adore those shows and make every effort to see both local productions and Broadway revivals when they come around.
There's a slight buzz kill, however, when I take a look around and realize that as a 30-something, I'm the youngest one in the room. I'll never forget standing in the lobby before The King and I on Broadway as I listened to multiple patrons discussing how they'd seen the original production with Yul Brenner. These are classic productions whether a patron is 7 or 70!
Of course, some newer shows like Hamilton, Wicked, or The Book of Mormon are capturing younger audiences. This is great, but there's a wide variety of amazing shows to be seen regardless of age. Don't be afraid to try a show that is older or unfamiliar—this is how new favorites are discovered!
There's a slight buzz kill, however, when I take a look around and realize that as a 30-something, I'm the youngest one in the room. I'll never forget standing in the lobby before The King and I on Broadway as I listened to multiple patrons discussing how they'd seen the original production with Yul Brenner. These are classic productions whether a patron is 7 or 70!
Of course, some newer shows like Hamilton, Wicked, or The Book of Mormon are capturing younger audiences. This is great, but there's a wide variety of amazing shows to be seen regardless of age. Don't be afraid to try a show that is older or unfamiliar—this is how new favorites are discovered!
Rock of Ages
March 1, 2019 • theatre, travel
Who: My neighbor & I
What: The 10th Anniversary tour of 80's rock jukebox musical Rock of Ages
When: February 2019
Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Why: Curiosity
Thoughts: All I really knew about this show was that it featured a lot of popular rock songs and that a movie had been made that was not liked by many in comparison to the musical. Since it was in town and we were curious, my friend and I snatched up some cheap "limited view" seats (in the balcony vs. our traditional orchestra) to see what this was all about.
The night was...interesting. We learned that the view from the balcony is way more limited than that of the limited view orchestra counterparts. We experienced a brief scare when the show was disrupted due to a medical emergency. Our seats were in a section that allowed us access to an "exclusive" lounge that was overly crowded and where we couldn't even get service to order a drink. All valuable lessons learned. We will happily return to our orchestra seats in the future. Onto the show...
I was born in the 80's, but I'm a 90's kid through and through. The music was fun, but the story was...less interesting. Clearly, much of the audience loved the show and perhaps I would have too had I been born five years earlier. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the show, I just...didn't like it either. I left with more "meh" feelings of not caring either way. I can see how the show could appeal to lots of people, I'm just not one of them and that's OK. It was still full of fun moments, it just didn't appeal to me enough to be a favorite. It happens.
If you want a night of fun with your favorite 80's rock, see if the tour is near you, or just enjoy the original cast recording!
Baltimore, MD, USA
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