1st Nadine West Box

I some how stumbled upon Nadine West.  Nadine West is a FREE.... yes FREE styling service.  Think stitch fix.. but cheaper and deals with primarily accessories.  Nadine sends you a pink bag (similar to ipsy) filled with three accessories or 2 accessories and a shirt.  After signing up three weeks ago, my first bad arrived... I am pleasantly surprised!!

Here is what I got:

I love the the scarf... beautiful colors. At $18.99, I am tempted.. but its spring so I am not sure this would be practical.

The turquoise earrings ($13.99) and owl necklace ($19.99) are AWESOME :) :) Now, they aren't of an amazing quality, but it is just fine for the price.  So far, so good!!

I have until April 4th, 2015 to decide.  Nadine West includes a return sticker with their bag. I do not get charged until I decide what to keep.

What do you guys think? Earrings/Necklace? Yes? No? Let me know!

Like what you see and want to try? Click here for my referral link!

Gwynnie Bee Free Month #2

I received my second Gwynnie Bee package today.  I was nervous because of the sizing issues with the first dress.  It is amazing how different sizing is between brands. This dress fit perfectly :) What is Gwynnie Bee? It is a clothing rental service for sizes 10 and up.  I love this.  I love subscription boxes and all that I have found don't come in a size 16.  It is very frustrating. I find myself sometimes in between regular sizes and plus sizes. For $35 dollars a month, GB will send you one garment from your closet (There are other plans for 3 and 10 garments at a time).  They send a pre packaged bag to send the dress back when you are done with it.  Love it? No problem. You can buy the item at a discounted rate.

SICILIAN GREEN LACE FIT & FLARE DRESS 1X

This dress is meant for someone who is hour-glass shaped.  If you are not, the dress will not fit properly. 

 Pictures with and without the cardigan.  

I loved the lace detail on this dress.. beautiful!

Verdict: Sent back.  I had a price in my head for this dress and unfortunately the actual price was too high. ($75).  I am going to re-closet for later!

Interested in a FREE MONTH trial with Gwynnie Bee? Help a teacher out and click here.

Gwynnie Bee: A Clothing Rental Service. First Impressions.

I am the type of person that gets very bored with my wardrobe, which can be extremely expensive.  Gwynnie Bee was offering a free month, so I decided to go ahead with it.  What is Gwynnie Bee? It is a clothing rental service for sizes 10 and up.  I love this.  I love subscription boxes and all that I have found don't come in a size 16.  It is very frustrating. I find myself sometimes in between regular sizes and plus sizes. For $35 dollars a month, GB will send you one garment from your closet (There are other plans for 3 and 10 garments at a time).  They send a pre packaged bag to send the dress back when you are done with it.  Love it? No problem. You can buy the item at a discounted rate.  This dress was $60.

As I went through their clothing, I noticed some of my favorite brands Lucky and Lands End.  Awesome! They had a great selection of dresses.  One thing that did frustrate me was I would see a dress I would love, and it didn't come in my size.  While searching for clothes, I made sure to filter out those that didn't come in my size.  I easily found 30 garments to put in my closet.

The label for my shipment was created on Monday, and I got the package today (Thursday).  Not too bad, but the shipping back and forth is definitely a factor in me deciding to keep my subscription.

My first selection was this beautiful dress:

Taylor Dresses- Sleeveless Rose Printed Dress in a 14W

I was very excited to receive this package.. I felt like a kid on Christmas! 

Here is what the box look liked when I opened:

Everything was packaged nicely!  It also came with an envelope with all the instructions and benefits of the plan. 

Now for the dress itself. I was concerned about sizing. With plus sizes, I usually am a 14W.  This unfortunately was a little big! Buying it is out of the question. BUT I am considering wearing this to work tomorrow with a black cardigan.  What do you guys think??

Should I wear it tomorrow? It is big, so I am not sure if it looks/falls right... Please comment below with what you think,

Interested in a FREE MONTH trial with Gwynnie Bee? Help a teacher out and click here.

February 1015 Ipsy

I love Ipsy.. usually.  For $10 a month, I have found some great products.  The best being Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara.  I love it!  But some months I wonder if they look at my profile and reviews. This month was a miss, well mostly a miss.

The bag: 

I love the bag! Perfect color.. I have a plan for all of my bags and this one will fit into my plans perfectly. 

Item #1:

Hey Honey- Take it off Mask

This product was awesome! I loved it!  It left my skin feeling smooth and awesome. I have very sensitive skin, and it didn't aggravate it too badly.  

Verdict: Awesome :) 

Item #2

Demeter Fragrance Library- First Love Roll on Perfume Oil 

I liked this! I am not one that is big on perfume. I usually use just a body spray.  Too strong of a sent can sometimes give me massive headaches and give me rashes.  This gave me the perfect about of scent and it wasn't overwhelming.  I wore it for a few days with no rash, no headache.  I love the feminine/floral smell of this.  Very romantic without smelling like grandma.  I also like the roll on applicator! Much more control on how much perfume is released.. I feel that the spray perfume sometimes releases too much. 

Verdict: Loved it.. and I didn't expect to. 

Item #3

China Glace- Nail Laquer

Eh. Glitter. Too old.  I am not a glitter person. I am not usually a nail polish person.  I usually just pay for a gel manicure.  I get frustrated when nail polish chips. I grew up swimming and around pools. Because of this, I never used nail polish because it would come off within 30 minutes of being in a pool.  The only time I have done nails is for a special occasion and even then, I pay someone to do it because I usually look like I mauled someone to death. I am horrible at applying nail polish.   I decided to give this a shot.  I looked like a 32 year old trying to be 13.  I didn't like it.  

Verdict: Not for me. The product looks like it is quality... but not a fan of glitter nail polish. 

Item #4

ModelCo- Blush Cheek Powder

In my style profile, I specifically mentioned that I did NOT want blush, and I do not use it.  I wish that they would honor what we write and request in these profiles.  I didn't even try this because I look like a clown with blush on.  This might be a great blush for someone who wears it, but I don't. 

Verdict: Not for me. I wish they used our past reviews/style profile more.  

Item #5

City Color Cosmetics: Lip Balm

Same thing as above. I don't wear any lip balm with color.  This isn't the first time I have been sent colored lip balm/lip stick, I wish they would have read my past reviews. 

Verdict: Not for me. I wish they used our past reviews/style profile more.  

I loved 2/5 which makes this a miss.  I just wish that they took our style profiles and past reviews into more consideration. There were definitely things that were in this month's bag that would have been better for me.  I completely understand that this a $10 service for samples and I am not going to love everything.  I am overall very happy with what I have received from this service and bad boxes are going to happen.  Hopefully they improve their reaction to our past reviews in the future.

Thinking of joining Ipsy?  Here is my referral link!

My First Stitch Fix :)

I love the personalized service that Stitch Fix brings.  LOVE IT! The package came neatly folded and wrapped in a box.  I had to go fetch it from my post office this morning in the ice because they wouldn't leave it on my doorstep. I apologize for the hot mess in the pictures...  (both myself and my bedroom) we just moved in and instead of unpacking, I am blogging!

My personalized note: Awesome. Love it! I like the fact that the stylist Teresa looked at my profile, notes and pinterest page.  I can tell she really tried to take my likes and dislikes into consideration.

Item #1: 41Hawthorn McAdams Beaded Neckline Blouse $58 XL

First Impression:  I love the color of this shirt and the beautiful beading on the neckline. I have green eyes so this will make my them pop.. I also love that I can wear this year round.  The material is 100% polyester but it feels very high quality to me.  The beading makes this look as expensive as it costs. 

Review: I love it.  I loved the color, beading and the fit.  It fit perfectly! 

Verdict: KEEPING!!!! 

Item #2 41Hawthorn Norah Button Front V-Neck Long Sleeve Blouse $68 XL

First Impression:  My first impression of this is that I love the blouse, but the color might wash me right out.  As a teacher, I live on cardigans. I am trying to expand my blouse collection! 

Review: Just as I thought, the color DID NOT WORK.  I also didn't like the poofy sleeves at the shoulder and wrist.  I want to keep experimenting with blouses but this was def not a keeper.

Verdict: RETURNED

Item #3 Mystree Abigail Colorblock Lace Trim Top $58 XL

First  Impression: I LOVE LACE and I love the fact that my stylist (ha! I have a stylist!) picked up on that from my pinterest page. I love the different tones of blue used in this shell and the beautiful lace.  The shirt is a little sheer, I will have to wear something underneath it for school. This will look great with a cardigan or alone for a night out :) Hoping this fits :) Material: 97% Polyester 3% Spandex. Can machine was but recommended Dry Clean. 

Review: Did I mention that I love lace?  This was so cute, lightweight and flattering.  Love it! It isn't as sheer as I thought when I put it on. This will pair well with a cardigan and looks great alone :) Sorry the picture stinks.. lol

Verdict: Keeping

Item #4 Market & Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top $48 XL

First Impression: I am praying that this looks as good on as I think it will.  I LOVE IT.. I love the fact that I can wear this to work and wear this casually.  Material 60% Rayon, 35% Polyester, 5% Spandex.  I do wish this was cotton.. we will see how it is when I put this on. 

Review: I love the style and color of this shirt. I can wear this to work AND for a casual night out. Very excited to wear this! 

Verdict: KEEPING

Item #5 41Hawthorn Renesme Graphic Print Faux Wrap Dress $78 XL

First Impression: I LOVE IT! I both hope it fits, and hope it doesn't fit. (its expensive!) I love the wrap part. I am extremely hour glass shaped so I have a feeling that if this does fit right, it will highlight my small waist.  The material is 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex. 

Review: I like this dress... I like.. not love.  In order for me to keep this dress, I need to love it. It fit well, but I don't like the material.  I need something more structured in order to feel comfortable. For $78 bucks, it wasn't worth it to me! It is a great dress though!

Verdict: Returned. 

_________________

I am keeping 3/5 items for a total of $144.  This is more than I would normally spend on clothes, but I have to say it was so much fun trying things on and trying NEW things I wouldn't have tried before.  I think that is the best part about it. Normally, we stick to the same things, it is nice to have a refresher.  It definitely isn't cheap and I won't be doing this every month.

If you keep all the options, you get a 25% discount... so sometimes you make out better with all 5 rather than returning 1.  All of these together would have been $217.50 ($310- $20(styling fee)- $72.50 (25% discount). 

If you would like to try Stitch Fix, please use the following link.. This poor teacher will appreciate the credit :)

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4637288

First thoughts on Stitch Fix, a clothing/styling service.

I signed up for Stitch Fix a few months ago, but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger.  If finally did.  How it works: you sign up, fill out a style profile (takes a few minutes) and a professional stylist picks out clothes for you to try.  (There is a $20 styling fee).  Initially, I was worried because I am 5'8" and curvy (14/16).  They only carry up to an XL and a size 14. Some brands I am a 14, some I am a 16.. I didn't take a risk with that so I requested only tops and dresses.  It is a pain in the rear end being the top of the regular sizing scale. Too big for some stores, too small for plus sizing. I really hope they expand their sizing soon!

I received my box today. From first glance, I have to say I am in LOVE with 4/5 pieces.  I love the personalized service.  Some blogs I read criticize Stitch Fix for selling at a retail price and they dislike the fact that they are able to find the same pieces for much cheaper. I get that, but you pay for the service of someone picking out your clothes, the shipping to and from and their overhead.  This is much more than just clothes, it is a service.  Now, that being said, I am not being paid by Stitch Fix for writing this blog, I just think that you pay for the service as well as the clothes.  When I filled out the style profile, I picked the cheapest option possible because I am getting married, bought a house and a poor teacher.  I plan on doing this every other to every 3 months. We will see how it goes :)

If you would like to try Stitch Fix, please use the following link.. This poor teacher will appreciate the credit :)

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4637288