Stitch Fix Plus: Round 13 + Announcement!
December 31, 2018 • brands. review
This will be my final reveal of 2018, and also for awhile. This year I came to terms with the fact that I needed modest and stylish clothes for a body that was suddenly considered plus size.
I'm so grateful to have found options via services like Stitch Fix, but I'm equally discontent with my body and ready to make some changes. In 2019, I will be focusing on my health and body, starting with participating in Arbonne's 30 day challenge. During that time, the shopping and subscription boxes will be on hold as my first size-related goal will be to get back into traditional women's sizes.
I'll be blogging about my progress along the way, and as much as I love the two items I kept from this fix, hopefully I'll be requesting smaller sizes in my fixes come spring!
KUT FROM THE KLOTH | Dayna Skinny Jean - KEPT
These fit like a dream! They are more than I would usually spend on jeans, but a well-fitting pair of pants has always been hard for me to find.
WISP | Leeah Lace Knit Dress - KEPT
This is super pretty and I kept it with the intention of wearing it to my friend's March wedding. Fingers crossed, it will be too big by then and I'll be selling it on one of the SF Facebook groups!
PAPERMOON | Marisol Mixed Material 3/4 Sleeve Knit Top - Passed Along
What the photo doesn't show is that the back has huge polka dots. This is a comfy simple shirt, but not exactly my style. Another SF enthusiast purchased it from me.
The remaining two items, the coat and necklace (whoops, hit checkout before copying down the exact names), were both on the frumpy side for me and were returned.
The good news is, I love a lot of the clothes SF has to offer and look forward to trying on some new things in smaller sizes in 2019. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy getting yourself some pretties in the meantime - here's $25 off your first fix!
The good news is, I love a lot of the clothes SF has to offer and look forward to trying on some new things in smaller sizes in 2019. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy getting yourself some pretties in the meantime - here's $25 off your first fix!
Baltimore, MD, USA
2018 | The Year in Review
December 26, 2018 • life, theatre
As Sean and I decorated our Christmas tree, it was impossible not to pause to be grateful. Our tradition of collecting ornaments allows us to remember where we've been together and appreciate even more where we are now. I never tire of the pitiful paper "wedding ornament" we made in 2010 when we couldn't splurge for a custom one, or the emerald-colored glass Hershey kiss ornament from one "vacation" just up the road at Hershey Park. Those were all fond memories that make the ones we made this year even more special:
January
Our neighbors became some of our best friends in 2017 and it was only fitting that we ring in 2018 together. I hit the 1-year milestone since having PRK. My neighbor and I saw our first show of 2018, Waitress, at the Hippodrome in Baltimore.
February
Sean and I celebrated 13 years of dating! We had a blast at Pour the Core cider fest with one of our neighbors.
 |
| I realize we are holding water bottles, but I promise, much cider was consumed. |
March
A snow day cancelled a production of School of Rock that my neighbor and I had tickets to, but thankfully we were able to get tickets to another performance-and meet up with another neighbor!
April
I checked an item off my Broadway bucket list: two shows in one day! I enjoyed Carousel and My Fair Lady in NYC.
Sean and I headed to the west coast for a whirlwind California trip including a wedding, sea otters/seals, and Disneyland!
May
Another Broadway first - a show I wanted to leave! My neighbor and I saw American in Paris and it had us thinking #metoo!
June
Summer at last! On top of celebrating 8 years of marriage, Sean and I took in our first foster dog, Pluto, enjoyed our neighborhood Greek festival, and spent some time poolside with our neighbors. Oh, and I saw the tour of one of my Broadway favorites - On Your Feet! - twice! In an especially impressive fashion, Sean willingly joined us for a musical - Avenue Q!
July
Sean celebrated his birthday! We headed to Pennsylvania for his family reunion and also enjoyed a day trip to Gettysburg! While in PA, we took our second foster dog, Daphne, to her fur-ever home.
August
We took in 2 adorable foster puppies - Bonnie and Buccaneer! A long-time friend of mine moved back to the east coast, so we celebrated with a double date at Maryland's new Guinness Brewery! The theatre itch was bad, but the awesome folks at Show Score hooked me up with a pair of tickets to see the premiere of Dave at Arena Stage in Washington, DC!
September
I gave myself the birthday gift of travel and headed to Texas for a girls' weekend with Aleshea while Sean enjoyed all the sports that happen over Labor Day weekend. I finished my first year in business as a freelancer at Fiverr. My neighbors and I enjoyed a Rogers and Hammerstein classic, South Pacific, at Olney Theatre Center.
October
Another vacation! Sean and I headed to Key West in a group of 8 friends...who happen to be our neighbors! We opted to fly to Fort Lauterdale and drive through all of the Keys which I absolutely recommend (I usually hate driving/road trips, so take my word here!)
November
Finally, the first show of the new season at the Hippodrome! My neighbor and I enjoyed Fiddler on the Roof (and 4 other plays including 2 productions of Cabaret and one amazing production of Anything Goes). Sean and I celebrated "stoopsgiving" with our neighbors the night before Thanksgiving which was spent with my family.
December
Full swing festivities! Sean and I went to two work holiday parties, two family birthday parties, two neighborhood holiday parties, and two visiting family from out of town get togethers! On the theatre side of things, I got together with my high school bestie and two neighbors to enjoy the first national tour of Anastasia, then with Sean to see a local production of Black Nativity (yes, he saw two musicals this year! Next year, we have 3 on the books for him!).
In Numbers
13 years together
8 years married
23 plays attended
4 trips taken
4 dogs fostered and re-homed
1 amazing neighborhood
I am so grateful for all the memories made this year and am excited for what 2019 will bring!
What were your favorite highlights in 2018? I'd love to hear in the comments!
Baltimore, MD, USA
GIVEAWAY! Mary Poppins Returns
December 18, 2018
Mary Poppins is back in the new film, Mary Poppins Returns, and fans cannot wait to see her back on the big screen! To help celebrate this new Disney release, The Hopping Bloggers have come together to bring our readers a Mary Poppins Returns prize pack worth $80!
#MaryPoppinsReturns
Like MARY POPPINS RETURNS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypoppinsreturns/
Follow Walt Disney Studios on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneystudios
Follow MARY POPPINS RETURNS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypoppinsreturns/
This Mary Poppins Returns Prize Pack Includes:
- Mary Funko Pop
- Mary Poppins Gift Edition Book
- Jack Funko Pop
- Mary Poppins Returns Soundtrack
- Mary Poppins Blu-ray
About Mary Poppins Returns
In Disney’s MARY POPPINS RETURNS, an all-new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.See Mary Poppins Returns in theaters 12/19!
Enter to win this Mary Poppins Returns Prize Pack using the form below. GOOD LUCK!
If you're a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you're a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!
Fiddler on the Roof National Tour | Baltimore, MD
December 10, 2018 • theatre
Who: My neighbors and I
What: Fiddler on the Roof, the touring production of the revived classic
When: November 2018
When: November 2018
Where: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Why: Tradition! Oh, and it was the first show of the Hippodrome's season. Finally!
Thoughts: This was actually my first time seeing a live production of Fiddler (I saw the film once ages ago) and I couldn't have loved it more! The talent was every ounce as good as it would be on Broadway, and the story is so lovely and relevant. Seeing major shifts in culture through Tevye's point of view is so relatable.
It might not have escaped your attention that I saw this production in Baltimore. I saw the show on a Friday, two days after we made national news regarding an incident that took place during Wednesday's performance. Baltimore has a healthy Jewish population and nobody was impressed by what went down. I was so proud to be in an especially enthusiastic audience on Friday that was sure to cheer for every moment of the performance!
Fiddler is a classic for a reason, and I hope you'll take the time to enjoy it if the tour visits a city near you. While you wait, enjoy the most recent cast recording!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Stitch Fix Plus: Round 12
December 5, 2018 • brands. review
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I'm ready for some festive clothes. I mentioned to my stylist that holiday-friendly items would be welcome this round.
Stitch Fix is a styling service for women, men, and children. After completing a style profile including your likes and sizes, a $20 deposit secures a box of five items chosen for you (some members receive an invite to style pass which waives the styling fee for a year)! Try everything on at home, keeping what you like and returning what you don't in a convenient prepaid mailer. Your deposit is applied towards anything you keep and a 25% discount is applied if you love and keep all 5 pieces. I was a skeptic when I first tried Stitch Fix, but I enjoy trying the new goodies each month.
Here's what my stylist chose for me this round:
VIOLETS & ROSES | Tinsley Slim Straight Trouser, $58
These were a decently fitting pull-on pant, but at 5'10, they were way too short for me. Returned.
41 HAWTHORN | Jarred Lace Detail Cap-Sleeve Blouse, $58
I've had this top on my Pinterest board forever and had finally accepted that my stylist would never send it to me. Earlier this month, I bought it from someone in a Facebook group. So, technically this pick was a win. I returned it, but only because I already own it.
ABSOLUTELY | Emmay Button Up Lace Detail Cardigan, $48
I got a great black cardigan in another recent fix and ruffles just aren't my thing. This would be a great piece for most people, but this just wasn't my style. Returned.
FRANCO SARTO | Davey Leather Heel, $99
These shoes are gorgeous! They'd be a perfect holiday party shoe, which is what I asked for. If they were a more neutral color I may have kept them, but I'm not willing to pay that price for a shoe I'll only wear once or twice a year. Returned.
41 HAWTHORN | Alivia Sweater Dress, $78
Oh, how I wish this dress had sleeves. The sweater fabric was amazingly thick and soft. It would be the perfect dress to wear unlayered with just tights and booties. This would have been an absolute yes if it had a 3/4 or long sleeve. I'm not big on layering, though, so I returned it.
Try your first box - here's a $25 credit!
These were definitely festive like I asked for. Which items would you wear to a holiday party?
Baltimore, MD, USA
December to Remember: Office Party Gift Guide Under $25 + Giveaway Hop!
December 1, 2018 • giveaway
The spouse, the kids, the parents, the besties...there are so many gifts to buy right now! I personally like to get a head start and I love the feeling of being "done"—until I inevitably remember that one recipient or event I forgot. Then I'm hustling last minute to find that perfect appropriate gift for the office Santa swap. Whether it's a white elephant swap, a tactful boss' gift, or secret Santa, I've noticed that these affordable items tend to be crowd-pleasers:
- Doggy bag lunch bag: I stole this last year and it was immediately stolen from me. I'm still bummed.
- Bento box kit: I love how neatly this one stacks up. It has everything you need and comes in 3 other colors!
- Succulent planters: Also available in an assortment of colors, it's the perfect low-maintenance way to beautify a desk
- Volcano candle: A classic. One party I went to had three of these floating around (they were all stolen!)
- RFID passport wallet: Perfect for frequent travelers. Choose from an abundance of colors!
- Noise cancelling earbuds: Your cube-dwelling colleagues will thank you. The ear grips also make them perfect for the gym.
- Holiday tea set: Every bit as popular as coffee in my office. Such a festive assortment!
I have a gift for one of you - a stocking stuffed with at least $30 worth of goodies! Enter below to win and keep reading for more giveaways!
Welcome to the December to Remember Giveaway Hop brought to you by The Hopping Bloggers!
Each giveaway has a value of a minimum of $15, however some are worth much more. Be sure to enter to win all of them because there is no limit to how many you can win. GOOD LUCK!
If you’re a blogger looking to connect with brands: Join The Hopping Bloggers database and get started today!
If you’re a brand looking to work with a network of professional bloggers: Check out the creative campaigns The Hopping Bloggers has to offer!
Baltimore, MD, USA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
