Stitch Fix

I follow this wonderful blog, Carrotsformichaelmas , and every so often she posts a review of a shopping service she uses, called Stitch Fix. I read through every post eagerly, looking at the cute styles sent to her by her personal Stitch Fix stylist, and laughing at her husband's comical commentary on each item. However, when I initially looked into Stich Fix, I was out of the size range because they don't carry plus sizes (though I think I read on the site somewhere that they haven't ruled it out forever) so I just followed "Carrots" and coveted her Stich Fix experiences. And then, something magical happened... She mentioned in her latest post that Stitch Fix is now carrying maternity. Ohmyglob. Sweet baby Jesus loves me.
Here are the basics of how it works:

• You go to their website, and create an account, complete with a style profile of your style preferences, color or material preferences, etc. the more info you can give them, the better your chance of being happy with what they send you (so I hear)
• You pay a $20 styling fee to have a box of 5 items sent to you
• A Stitch Fix stylist selects items for your fix based on the information you give them (have a Pinterest style board, etc... Send that to them too!)
• A box of wonderful goodness arrives, including a personal note from your stylist!
• Each item is new, you can try it on in the convenience of your own home, with your other clothes to match outfits etc.
• If you like any of the items and want to purchase them, the $20 styling fee counts as credit toward your purchase. If you do not like any of the items, you're out the $20 fee. IF you like all 5 items and want to purchase, they offer an additional 25% off your total.

I'm sort of on the prowl for a dress for Easter/my shower, so I asked Husby about it and he thought I should go for it. (He is the MOST generous to me!) There was still the concern about sizing, however I have found that, in general, in recent shopping for maternity clothes, I am into a regular size XL, and no longer in the plus size range (pregnancy sickness for the win!). I was unsure about whether it was boutique style sizing (typically running freakishly small, can I get an Amen???), but decided maternity clothes should be a little more forgiving so I took the plunge!

My box arrived today, just as I was headed out the door with Alex to go hang out with him at his work. And, because I couldn't wait, and neither could he, I tried on all the clothes at his work. (He sits at the front desk of a dorm at his university, and it's spring break. So... Crickets!) so please excuse the plain white wall background, and the fact that I had to try on tops with the skirt I was wearing. Here we go!

Item #1- Kerri Maternity Dress ($148)
My stylist sent this sweet note about wanting to send me a dress for my shower, and apologizing for it being out of my requested price point she also offered to order a dress within my price point for my next fix if necessary.

 

I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it. The back is a drop V neck, which is pretty, but in general I hate wearing black in the spring and summer because it's not one of my colors, and I just feel like I'm trying to hide.

Alex's take: "I like it a lot. It's very flattering. I mean, it's not my favorite of all time, but it's nice."

At $148 though... I think I'll pass.

Item #2- Clarkston Cowl Neck Maternity Top ($48)

 

I love this color. Coral is one of my favorites to wear. I was a little worried about how clingy the fabric would be, but for later in pregnancy it's fine. The cowl is kind of pretty...

Alex gave me a blank stare when I asked him what he thought... And not the good kind. Lol. Then he said he was just trying to process the color. He thought the "neck was kinda weird, but nice."

It isn't too bad price-wise, but I'm not sure if the soft jersey would hold up through washing to wear into future (God willing) pregnancies...will it pill?

Item #3 - Vinnie Open Crochet Detail Cardigan ($58)

My stylist mentioned in her note that she saw a chunky open cardigan on my Pinterest board (which I shared in my profile) so she included this sweater because it was similar. 

It's a very nice sweater, though it feels more like it runs a size small and just works because it's supposed to fit more loosely than it does (added to that impression is the rounded "butt cover" bottom in the back).

I still kind of want to get it because it's such a nice cozy sweater... And the back detailing is very pretty:

Alex's take: "That would be nice for winter"

Oh yeah, that's right. It's Southern California and already 90 degrees. Waaaa.

Item #4 - Kaitland Spade Charm Long Necklace ($36) & Item #5 - Melanie Graphic Print Maternity Blouse ($58)

I love the necklace- it is heavy enough to be a more quality piece of jewelry, but not so that it will hurt my neck (I have issues with an old car accident injury)


I also love the top. I love the colors, and the visual interest of the squared neck, and I love tops with more structure/heavier fabrics like this one (polyester, but really soft) because they don't cling to every sin (as they say). However, it is a little tight in the arms, and it doesn't give me much room for the bump to grow... And I hear it's really going to grow ;)

Alex made a face, and then drew a square on his own chest to match the squared collar on this shirt while he said "I don't like that." He also didn't like the pattern, or the color... I think?

So what are your thoughts? Which items do you think I should or should not keep? Right now, I think I am only sold on the necklace for sure (and I may as well put my styling fee towards it instead of losing the $20 since I do like it a lot).

Help me choose!

Also, if you are interested in trying Stitch Fix for yourself, please use my referral link so that I can get credit toward future Fixes (I promise I'll blog about them)

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Hump Day Bump Day updates- 30 weeks

Happy Feast of the Annunciation!

It also happens to be the 30 week marker for Sweet Baby O - so there is that. 

Two weeks ago, when we hit 28 weeks (I know, math is hard), I couldn't believe we were suddenly in the third trimester! That's mostly because who the hell knows when each trimester begins and ends?? But according to all my pregnancy app notifications we were finally into the 3rd tri...thank God for technology- how were women ever pregnant without knowing what size fruit or vegetable their baby measured up to each week?

I will say that I mostly feel pregnant now. And 80% of the sideways "pregnant or just chubby?" glances have stopped. To help people out, I tend to rub my belly like a mad woman. Non-verbal communication #forthewin !  We had our monthly appt at 28 weeks, this time with a midwife because our OB was on vaca (in Fiji! Waaaaaaaa!), and Alex and I realized how spoiled we are by our OB. Ultrasounds every time to check her heartbeat and "just see how she's doing". Totally spoiled. I know. The midwife did not spoil us however: she just listened for Baby's heartbeat with a Doppler- honestly the most glorious sound in the entire world- and measured my belly.

Now, I have lived my entire life in this body...shocking, I know. But when you live in your body for 29 years, you learn a thing or two about how your body is made (or proportioned, for instance). Por ejemplo, regular one piece swimsuits are a nightmare because my torso is long. Typically even long torso suits are a crap shoot as to whether or not they will fit, or I'll look something like Jane Fonda in her high-cut spandex (hellllllooooo 80's!). Anyway, back to my story, when the midwife took her measuring tape and did a double take- I felt somehow vindicated. "WOAH! You have a seriously long torso!" She announced. "Really?" I asked, because somehow all the years of not being able to stand upright in trying on too short swimsuits didn't seem to validate this fact as much as a professional torso-measurer aka midwife. "Yeah, one of the longest I've seen!" Great, freak of nature, yet again. 

 Anyway, what it made me realize is that, aside from being a chubby preggo (which has its perks as well, let me tell you), perhaps my bump is on the smaller side, because my torso is so long, and Sweet Baby O is like chillin in a King Sized "bed" in there instead of having to fight my internal organs for living space. At any rate, when she started REALLY growing (babies double in weight between 26-30 weeks or something) my bump started popping. And people started telling me "you are starting to really look pregnant!" Thank God, I can stop rubbing my belly like I'm Buddha in public. 

Also, we had a follow up ultrasound last week to check on Baby's kidneys (they are still watching the size of her kidneys... I believe they were initially measuring large, but don't quote me), her weight, and amniotic fluid levels (perhaps because of potential kidney problems? Idk, I'm not a DR). The tech was wonderful, I told her we hadn't been able to see Baby or get any good images because she had been stubborn, so she printed us a bajillion. Okay, like 15, but enough that I felt kinda rediculous walking out of the exam room with this big long string of ultrasound pics. I finally got to see her face! Her little nose, and lips, and chin...sucking on amniotic fluid (yum!). And the highlight... Which you already know if you follow me on Instagram... She was playing with her toes! AMAZING. 

and now, picture overload. You're welcome. 

28 weeks, versus...

30 weeks

Fin.