<3 Ann

This month I asked for summer clothes. The thing is shopping in summer is tough for me. I hate my shoulders. I’m sure they’re fine, but I’m not a fan of showing them off, but when I think summer clothes. I think light, simple, and dresses. My box this month 4 tops and a skirt. I’m not really sure how the items got picked for me this month. I can totally see the skirt. I have a similar one pinned that someone got in a previous Stitch Fix. I noted my favorite colors on a pin on my board and on my style profile, grey, yellow, and navy. I didn’t anything in those colors.  I can see 1 top as I said I like loose fit on top and one is polka dots which I’m always a fan of, but well I’ll try it all on and give my final thoughts, but opening this box was my first disappointment from Stitch Fix.

Item 1: MARY LOU BIRD PRINT SKIRT $48

This is the only piece that out of the box I thought had a chance. It’s a bit too purple for me, but it has pockets and could be wearable. I don’t currently own any skirts. So I’ll need to go shopping to find a couple tops to work with this. It’s a purple-blue with cream colored birds. It does work well as a high waisted or a regular skirt and the length is something I’m comfortable with.

Item 2: KASPER METALLIC DOT BUTTON UP TANK $48

I like polka dots a lot. If this was a different base color it would be workable, but the pink just isn’t me. I don’t know what else to say about this. It was disappointing on top of the pile and on.

Item 3: OLIVIA LEAF PRINT PEPLUM TOP $38 

I like the neckline of this top and the cream base, but the “leaf print” is a bit too random for me. Plus I can’t say I like the fit. I don’t like to bring attention to my body much and I feel the peplum pulls attention to my waist. Which is making me uncomfortable. If it had been a tab sleeve top. I think I would have kept it. My friends and family like this top, but I just didn’t feel comfortable in it so I knew I wouldn’t wear it.

Item 4: POPLAR PINTUCK BISHOP BLOUSE $68

This top is too short.  Plus it’s once again pink. From the side something screams pregnant to me. So back into the box it goes.

Item 5: SIMPSON HEART DETAIL KNIT SHIRT $58 

Oh my this is green. I like green, but in shades of mint. So this was not what I’d expect to wear in summer. Or well ever with that color. The big issue with this sweater with me. I can’t wear a tank with it. It peaks out the front and in the entire bottom section of the back. It’s too sheer for me not to wear something under it. Again showing too much for me.

This is my 3rd box and my first disappointment.  Hopefully I can help correct what’s wrong in my style profile and pinterst board so this doesn’t happen again and I can get some pieces for my summer trips.   After discussing my box with someone at Stitch Fix I did myself in by specifically requesting the cheaper the better this month.  I knew I needed to watch my budget if I wanted to get pieces when traveling this month and I’m thankful to my stylist for considering my budget request, but I’m finding I’m happier with the items in my other boxes that were a little more expensive.

I decided to take the $20 hit and return the entire box.  There isn’t a piece I’d love to wear or I’d specifically reach for in my closet.  Stitch Fix is awesome and will be sending me a new box that might be here this weekend or early next week. So look for box 4 review next week.

<3 Ann

A recent layout I did for the April Sampler Kit Club.

Recently I created this card for a card challenge and used my Critters of the Forest stamps and dies First I cut and pieced the tree together and then the fox I created by using some water color pencils and then cut him. The Lawn Fawn dies are so easy to line up and give the image a nice white border.

I also used the Fancy envelope tabs die from Lifestyle Crafts to create the flag and used the My Mind’s Eye Collectible 6×6 pad. The greeting was done with some My Little Shoebox letters.

Thanks for checking out today’s card and I’ll see you next week. (hopefully)

<3 Ann

P.S. Happy Birthday to sweet and wonderful husband.

So I’m going to take a step back from creating layouts. Aside from a million pictures of Riker I haven’t done much to scrapbook. I’m going to still make layouts for my design team posts, but for my own personal stuff I’m going to just be making cards for a bit.  I was working on a card yesterday and I got stuck because I didn’t have a stamp set I keep wishing I had bought.  So I’m going to do some shopping.

On the personal side I have plenty of things to keep me busy and a bit refreshing. I’m finally getting back to Disney World this summer, my new interest in fashion (if you can call it that), and getting back to physical therapy and with that hopefully swimming and running.

So I’m off to do some shopping new stamps, 6×6 pads, and embellishment, but tonight I’ll just do some sketching.

And because a post without something is a waste here’s my Easter card I sent to my family this year I used Lawn Fawn’s Happy Easter set for the flowers, the cute bunny, and the greeting. I used the Say Cheese die for the frame and the cloud is embossed from Bon Voyage.

I created the background with Studio Calico mists and a water brush onto some white cardstock. I used Dear Lizzy’s Neapolitan that I got from Target some time ago.

Thanks for reading and I hope to be posting more in the upcoming weeks.

<3 Ann

Stitch Fix is a company that works kind of like a personal shopper. You fill out a style profile and you can link them to a pinterest board.  I pretty much pin anything I really like to my board and I try to pin specific items that Stitch Fix offers as well. The box costs $20, but that $20 go towards anything you keep in the box and if you keep all 5 items you get a 25% discount off everything.

A little update about last month’s great box: I decided to keep everything, but was hesitant about one of the tops and necklace. The necklace I still don’t wear much and may pass it on to a friend that I think will, but that top I was hesitant on has turned out to be one of my favorite most worn pieces. The cardigan I got I don’t wear as much as I thought I would, but maybe because it’s warmed up or I just don’t love it as much, but it’s a nice piece to throw on with a basic tee and jeans when I’m running out to the store or down to the mailbox.

This month I requested a denim skirt and a polka dot top. I didn’t get a denim skirt so this just leads to believe a good one doesn’t exist. (I’ve been looking for 3 years for a good knee length skirt)

This month my box has 5 clothing pieces. The tops were a little cheaper, but a few pieces were higher than I’d normally spend for item if I was shopping, but that’s a reason I love Stitch Fix. Good Quality means clothes last longer.  I just got done cleaning my closet and most the clothes I bought in the fall from Old Navy are pilling and warped that they just aren’t worth wearing anymore. So I won’t be shopping at Old Navy much anymore.

Anyway onto what’s in my box:

Lola Ankle Length Skinny Jeans :$88

I live in skinny jeans. I own at least 5 pairs before I got these and I wear them all on a regular basis. So I was excited when I saw that these were black. I don’t own a pair of black skinnies. I loved the feel of the cotton immediately. They feel better then all the jeans I own (either from Target or Kohls)  I put them on and they were a perfect fit. They sit just below my ankle and the waist is comfortable and I don’t muffin top them!

I’m keeping them. In fact I’m still wearing them.

Miro Open Banded Cardigan: $68

I love layers and this is a great spring summer layering piece. It’s comfortable, loose, a my favorite color.

I’ll be keeping this. It’ll be great for flying and for the “cool” summer nights in Orlando during summer. (I find it cold at 70 not everyone does)

Rye Houndstooth Print Tab Sleeve Top: $48

I don’t wear a lot of print so this top is different for me. I don’t have much shape in it, but I love the ease of it. It looks great with my new black skinnies. I think it’ll also work with my mint jeans and my denim.

I’m going to have to sleep on this one.

Chaimbers Knit Cowlneck Top :$48

I’ve bought a few cowlneck tops in the past and never wear them, so I wasn’t holding my breathe  that I’d like this one. This one is so different from any I’ve tried on or bought before. It’s a much lower neck which I can still wear my favorite necklace with. It’s a color that I don’t buy for myself, but I also feel like this doesn’t give me much shape. I do love the sleeve length for spring, but summer’s just around the corner and it can get to be 90 in the south bay, so I’m going to sleep on this, but it’s my least favorite piece.

Fiona Dot Print Sweater :$85

This was my favorite piece from the box. It’s polka dots. I love polka dots. I requested something with dots and this didn’t disappoint. It’s a sweater with a keyhole back, but it’s thin and soft and gold!

I’m keeping this no question. Now if I can bring myself to take it off that’d be great!

Well that’s it until May. Without question I’m keeping 3 pieces and thinking about two. I consider this a great success. I looked at my invoice sheet from last month and this month and I had the same stylist.

Here’s my link to signing up. I do get a credit when you get your first box with my link. If that bothers you, you can sign up on their site directly.

*update* I kept all 5 items again this month. Even though I don’t like the Cowlneck top at all it was cheaper with the 25% off to keep it then it would have been to send it back. I’ve already worn the houndstooth top a couple of times and I’m glad I decided to keep it.

For my intro page I started with this photo of me from a couple weeks ago on instagram. This picture sums me up. Part geek, part girly, totally awkward in front of the camera. I put the photo on a Hambly camera overlay. I bought 18 sheets at their warehouse sale so I’m sure it’ll pop up here and there.

The upper left slot has a piece of Studio Calico paper from the Front Row kit and the Hello is from the Studio Calico Snippets 6×6 pad and the 2013 flair I don’t remember where it came from.

The bottom left is my favorite piece of paper ever! It’s from October Afternoon’s Midway. The This is Me is gold glitter foam that I cut on my die cutting machine using Lawn Fawn’s Quinn’s ABC dies.  It’s like DIY thickers! You can’t run out of Ns or Ds or Es (I’m always running out of Es)

The bottom right is just a cream tone on tone floral from Snippets and my favorite Thickers font in black for my name.

I haven’t planned anything else for the album. I’m not sure what other pages I’ll put in. Hopefully the class can give me some ideas. I’ll be sharing some of my pages here for sure.

Thanks for checking it out! <3 Ann

I love painting my nails for spring and summer. I decided to give Julep a try. I signed up on their site on the 12th and a few days later I was sent a coupon code for a free shipment if I paid shipping. Which was $4. To try out a $20 box I thought it was worth the shot.  I did their style quiz and got boho chic. I guess you could describe my style that way, but I wasn’t wild about the colors that were offered in that box nor the foot scrub. So I chose the It Girl box which had 3 nail polishes in it instead of 2 and the scrub.  The polish doesn’t use any harsh chemicals which is cool if you find you have problems with them. It was nice I was able to try this out with hubby home and he didn’t notice any smell across the room like he does with my el cheapo stuff.

I received my box box on the 20th. Which also is the day they email subscribers to choose which of the 5 styles they want for their next box. You have until the 24th to decide and they start shipping via usps on the 27th.

My three colors were 

Elleen which is white and is part of the Truba Turk Fall 2012 collection.  First I find that it weird to put a fall collection polish in a spring box, but it did match.

“Please for give the bad paint job* I was just doing a try out*

Oscar is a gold glitter. I’ve been wanting a good gold polish, which I was hoping to love. I hate it. It’s a clear polish with gold glitter. On it’s own it looked unfinished. I added it on top of Elleen and it was okay, but when I tried it on top of my black opi polish it wiped the black off my nails.  I was really disappointed. This will be joining my collection of polishes that just weren’t what I was expecting.

Sasha is a pink-ish orange color that’s the saving grace of this collection. The color is great for spring and I’m sure I’ll get some good use out of it.

Overall I don’t like the feel that a subscription to Julep Maven is worth it. It’s $20 a month for 2-3 .27oz bottles of polish. For that same $20 I could go get 2 bottles of .5oz OPI polish. It’s not a lot more at all, but I feel like the quality of opi is better then Julep.  I’m going to give the box a 2nd chance, but not for April. I’m not a fan of any of the sets. We’ll see how May looks.

I am no hand model nor am I that good at painting my nails, but I feel I’m getting better..lol.

Thanks for checking it out. If you’re interested in joining and trying it out for yourself. I have a referral link you’re welcome to use here:  Julep Maven 

<3 Ann

After reading so many blogs, seeing great instagram pictures, and pins on pinterest. I decided to give Stitch Fix a shot for myself.  For $20 I get a box of clothes picked out by a stylist. I fill out a style profile and and link to a pinterest board. Then about 2 weeks later I get a box in the mail filled with 5 items just for me.  The $20 I paid for the box goes towards any items I decide to keep and if I decide to keep the entire box I get a 25% discount.

Here’s what I got:

Item 1: Jolan Geo Print Dress $58

When I first saw the description of this dress I got a bit worried. I don’t wear a lot of prints, but I wanted to be open minded and when I opened the package. I was in love. The print is so me. After putting it on. I loved it too. When I added a necklace and a belt I felt I had a great outfit. + a cardigan and I could go from day to night or a chilly spring or fall day.

Keeping this!

Item 2: Moni Stud Detail Woven Top $58

I actually requested this item after seeing them post it on Instagram. I knew it would be a great addition to my waredrobe and be something I wouldn’t have picked up at the store myself. I think it’ll pair great with my mint jeans or white jeans.

In the box I loved it still. Once I tried it on I wasn’t sure. The bottom of these sleeves are a bit tight, but not too bad. Once I saw myself in pictures I loved it. I still had a waist in something loose and comfortable for spring/summer.

I’m keeping it.

Item 3: Clipper Open Front Knit Cardigan $58

I’m a fan of layering. I’m always cold even in the middle of summer so I love cardigans. This one is great. I love that it’s long. The color is great. It’s not something I’d buy myself. (this was a trend I found in my box) I need to try it on with some t-shirts to see if it’ll work with my everyday wear, but I I really like it.

Keeping this one.

Item 4: Lyvia Sheer Stripe V-Neck Top $58

I love love love the feel of this top. It’s sheer, but I own plenty of tanks I can put under it. I like that it hits at the elbow and the color is great.

Keeping this

Item 5: Layerd Beaded Chain Long Necklace $38

(pictured on the sheer top above item 4)

I love me a good necklace. It’s my accessory of choice.  I don’t own any long ones. I never know when and how to wear them. I have mixed feeling about this one. I like that it’s a mix of a shorter pendant and a longer chain. It works great with the top I got.

I decided to keep everything this month. With the 25% discount and the items I loved. It seemed worthwhile to also keep the items I liked.

You can sign up here. (this is my referral link. I’d appreciate it if you used it.

I’ve knitted on and off for longer then I’ve been scrapbooking, but I’ve never been any good.

A couple weeks ago I was “forced” to watch the new Doctor Who. I was sure it couldn’t live up to the greatness I grew up on and I wanted to introduce Doctor Who via Doctor 1 to DH before diving into the new ones. He put it on and well we’re up to season 5. He’s been reading and looking at old doctors and their companions.  Yesterday while browsing Pinterest I found the kitting pattern for Doctor 4′s scarf.  I knew I wanted to knit one. I mean it’s awesome, easy, and geeky.  Tonight we made it to Doctor 11 and Amy Pond and David mentioned that we should do Doctor Who for Halloween. I was totally on board. Doctor 4 and Sarah Jane Smith. The Doctor I loved and his companion. He thinks I should be Amy Pond of course. Well it’s a good excuse to go shopping…I own everything to be Sarah Jane.

For those interested the Doctor’s scarf pattern can be found here. I’m going to be making the season 14 scarf as it’s the shortest. I also like it’s blocking better.

Thanks for reading and I hope to have progress to share with you in the upcoming weeks and months.

<3 Ann