Monthly Archives: November 2014

PopSugar Must have box November + Thanksgiving Giveaway

November 24, 2014PopSugar ReviewsPopSugar Must Have Box November 2014 review, subscription box reviewspacificnorthwestpear

I opened my November PopSugar box last night and was once again pleasantly surprised. It was very heavy so I was excited to see what was adding all of the weight.

G.H. Cretors – Chicago Mix Popped Corn

This was the first thing I pulled out of the box in excitement. I am a huge fan of Chicago style popcorn and get it locally from Kukuruza. I’ve had this brand before too, and it’s pretty good. (Nothing beats fresh warm chicago style popcorn though!)

Tiny Prints – Thoughtful Heart Stationary

This stationary was designed by the curator of PopSugar and is pretty cute. I like having notecards on hand for any occasion.

Wine Glass Writer

This is a cool idea. I’ll definitely be using these when my in-laws are here for Thanksgiving so we can identify our glasses.

K. Hall Simpatico – Ambergris Shea Butter Cream

This one was really confusing to me. The package had a whale on it and said something about a whale product, but it turns out its a vegan cream so I’m not sure why the whale? My husband told me that Ambergris is actually whale vomit and was used by perfume manufactures, so I looked it up on Wikipedia and he was right. (Gross!) It looks like this product does not contain it though.

Simon & Schuster – The Secret Recipes

This was written by the pastry chef behind the Cronut. (It’s also what was adding the weight to the box.) It would make a pretty coffee table book (I do not have a coffee table) and it’s pretty to look through. There are recipes at the back so maybe I’ll try something. I just got done making cake pops this weekend and have plans to make an apple pie for Thanksgiving so it won’t be soon. 🙂

and finally…

Thanksgiving Giveaway (Winner selected)

The last item that came in this box is a wallet on a chain, which I unfortunately have no use for. I just recently purchased a Vera Bradley purse in order to give myself more room for my things, so this is definitely not going to cut it for me. It is lovely though and a nice shade of blue so I thought I’d give a reader a chance to score it for free.

Sorial – Saffiano Wallet on a Chain

Winner Selected: Congrats to trrsmile, I’ve contacted you to get your contact info and will get the wallet on a chair out to you early this week as soon as I get your address.

If I don’t hear from her by Tuesday night, I’ll select another winner. Thanks!

Fall Color Combos

November 23, 2014What I'm wearingCharming Charlie, fall colors, Fall outfits pear shaped body, Golden Totepacificnorthwestpear

I decided to try out some nice fall color combos using my favorite hues. I started with mustard and eggplant.

I got the dress at Anthropologie last year, the cardigan and necklace are from Old Navy, and the boots are old.

Next I tried this combo with my eggplant/plum colored jeans and a teal green sweater. I love the color combo and it felt so appropriate for fall.

Here I paired my swing dress from Golden Tote with an eggplant chevron patterned scarf from Charming Charlie (my new favorite accessory store!) and a bracelet watch from Charming Charlie. If you have a store near you, I highly recommend it. The store is organized by color and it is so much fun to browse there.

Last, I wore this Kimono I got while in London from Dorothy Perkins. I paired it with a solid black tee and black jeans. The flats I got from DSW last year and I love the color.

Farewell to Stitch Fix

November 20, 2014Stitch Fix Reviewsclothing subscription boxes, pear shaped body, Stitch Fix bad experience, Stitch Fix review November 2014, Subscription boxespacificnorthwestpear

Dear Stitch Fix,

I’ve decided it’s time to part ways. It’s not me, it’s you. Why do you ignore my requests and send me items that do not fit any of my style profile requirements? First it was tanks, tanks, and more tanks. Sometimes it was weird miss America style tops. For a while it was drapey cardigans. It’s been a good run (this was fix #20) but I just can’t do this anymore. I’ve realized I can do better on my own now, so it’s best if we part ways.

Here’s what I got in my final fix.

Colors are not bad, but what is that thing on the right? We shall soon find out.

Three Dots – Dante Striped Boat Neck Knit Top $88

This top was the least offensive of the bunch. Unfortunately it had a curved hem at the bottom that was asymetrical and was shorter in the back. It wasn’t flattering and the neckline was really wide which I didn’t like. For $88 I would expect better qualityand something much more unique.

Ellison – Davis Leopard Print Button-Up-Cardigan $68

Being super long like this, I figured maybe I could wear it with leggings, but I couldn’t even button up the last few buttons over my hips and it was extremely unflattering. Definite no for my body. I could have tried to just wear it open, but the fabric was itchy and not at all comfortable so this was not a keeper.

Laila Jayde – Mallorie Henley Thermal Top $68

Call me crazy, but if you wanted to wear a thermal top, wouldn’t you want a little more of your top half actually covered?? This was so low cut that if I didn’t have a tank top on it would be showing my bra. I explicitly stated that I want to be covered up top so why this was a pick for me, I’m not sure. I’ve never kept a top that had a big gaping neckline. Also $68 for a thin thermal top you could get at old navy for $10 seemed stupid. And the one at Old Navy actually covers you!

Level 99 – Patrick Chino Pant $108

Stitch Fix Review November 2014 — Mind the gap!

These do not say “crop” anywhere in the description, but they are about 3-4 inches too short if they were meant to be regular length pants. They hit at a very unflattering place about 2 inches above my ankle and make me look like I have fat ankles. Either way, I have no desire for cropped pants in November. Plus they gaped in the waist band horribly. (I mentioned I needed pants with curvy fit for pear shaped people.)

Olive & Oak – Wallace Plaid Open Cardigan $54

This looks like it belongs on either Hillary Clinton or a couch. My husband said “couch” when he saw it. I don’t what this hideous monstrosity is or why they would have selected it for me, but it doesn’t fit my style in any way. I wondered what one would pair with such an odd article and apparently they didn’t really know either:

So either a grey T that would be completely covered and seems way too casual, or a black cocktail dress. Because nothing pairs with a cocktail dress like a couch sweater coat.

Overall

This fix did not redeem itself and I have decided that I’m better off picking out things on my own from my favorite stores where I will generally like the style and know what fits. I went ahead and cancelled my Stitch Fix subscription even though I still had a $25 credit. It just wasn’t worth the hassle of trying everything on then needing to head to the post office to send everything back within 3 days. It was a nice run and I had 20 fixes in total, but I think something happened where they lost track of what I was interested in and just couldn’t match my style or preferences anymore. It is with sadness that I bid stitch fix adieu. 😥

Popsugar Must Have Box October

November 11, 2014PopSugar ReviewsPopSugar Must Have Box October 2014pacificnorthwestpear

I am reviewing the PopSugar Must Have October box very belated because I only just opened it today. I had been cleaning up in a hurry a few weeks ago and shoved this box on top of my bookshelf where I managed to forget about it until today when I came home from work. It was a pleasant surprise, but I wish I had opened it sooner since it actually contained a Halloween item. Oh well, I guess I learned that I better do a better job cleaning up in the future!

Happy Socks – retail $12

These are actually brown in color with a red and black almost camo pattern. I love fun socks like this, so these are a winner.

butter LONDON WINK Eye Pencil – retail $18

I also wish I had seen this, because I just last week bought a grey eye pencil from Sephora because I had been wanting one. I could have saved some money. Great item.

Isaac Jacobs International Acrylic Frame – retail $36

I’ll have to find a photo for this very sophisticated frame. It’s heavy and looks very nice.

Mine Design Chalkboard Candle – retail $24

I had to refrain from writing something obnoxious on this before I took the picture. I can see it as a way to add “colorful” messages to my decor.

Dean & DeLuca Pumpkin Spice Malt Balls – retail $5.75

I read the description, “Made with real pumpkin spices and dipped in dark chocolate…” and decided to dig right in. After experiencing one of them, I’d have to say it was reminiscent of eating a pumpkin perfume. I made my husband try one, then threw the rest away.

Nailed Kit Halloween Decals – retail $8

Wish I had seen these at Halloween. I would have enjoyed making my nails into jack-o-lanterns. Maybe next year.

K. Hall Designs Shoreline Shea Butter/Olive Oil Bar Soap – retail ?

This soap smells nice and should be moisturizing with shea butter and olive oil. Strangely, this item was “sponsored by Progresso”. Very odd tie in.

Overall Impression

I continue to love and look forward to my PopSugar Must Have box, and each month I get some great surprises. The November box has already shipped, so I’ll try to remember to not “clean up” that box and review it soon.

Falling for Boden plus work outfits

November 11, 2014What I'm wearingAnn Taylor Loft, Boden, Golden Tote, Pear shaped outfit ideas, stitch fixpacificnorthwestpear

I wore my patterned sweater and squirrel dress last week. I am completely enamored with Boden and love both pieces.

I paired the Boden pattern sweater with a short sleeve white button up, red jeans I got from stitch fix, and some black boots. I liked the way the white collar shirt contrasted underneath. Boden is having a sale right now for 25% off everything, and I highly recommend this sweater. It’s so soft and no wool!

I was stopped by a stranger in Charming Charlies who told me she loved my dress and thought it was vintage. The Hartland Dress from Boden is made from a corduroy fabric that is so soft and I love the pattern.

Leather Jacket Golden Tote — I feel like a bad a$$!

I got this jacket in my October Golden Tote and I love the feel of it and all of the details. The faux leather is soft and it has a cute buckle at the neck. I also like that it has a hood. It’s currently available in the November $149 tote and also the boutique for $75.

Finally, I had to give part of a keynote speech last week and decided to dress a little more professionally for work. I got the skirt at Ann Taylor Loft, and was happy with the fit and comfort. It’s nice and stretchy and didn’t feel restraining like some pencil skirts do. I paired it with an older cardigan from banana republic and a black and white blouse.

Golden Tote Oct 2014

November 2, 2014Golden Tote ReviewsGolden Tote October Review, Review October Golden Totepacificnorthwestpear

My October Golden Tote arrived VERY late this month. A couple of weeks ago I contacted their customer service because I had gotten an email saying it was shipped, but when I clicked on the tracking number for UPS it only said “label created” for about a week and a half. At first they told me that UPS must have just not scanned it, but then the following week I got an email with “oops, we found it sitting in our warehouse, we’ll send it now.” So I didn’t get my October Golden Tote until the very last day of October. Not impressed.

They were doing a special partnership with a breast cancer charity so this month’s tote had that design on it, plus a free pair of socks and a bracelet.

Here were the items I picked.

Black and Tan Shift Dress

Golden Tote Review October 2014 — Waaaaay too short

I had really been looking forward to this dress, but it is extremely short and I would probably only wear it with black tights and on the weekend for a date night. Not modest enough for work. Bummer.

Black Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

I love this jacket. The faux leather is so soft, and I love all of the buckles and details. It also has a hood which will come in handy if I’m walking over to lunch in our new cafeteria. I was happy with this pick.

Grey Swing Dress

I ordered the Merrick swing dress in one last color, this charcoal grey. I think it will look great with black tights, boots, and maybe the bomber jacket on top.

Here were the surprise items.

I do not like this sweater. I thought the hem was interesting, but on it is super short and you have to wear something underneath that will show. I just didn’t care for it.

I wasn’t sure about this at first, but the fall colors are very nice and my husband complimented me when he saw me trying it on so I guess it’s a keeper.

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but they are leggings that appear to be made out of the material you’d run or exercise in with the fabric with holes in it? Then there are zippers at the bottom. They were rather uncomfortable and if I wore them I’d wear boots that covered the zippers. These were a no, and I added them to a bag of charity items that were on their way out since I just cleaned my closet.

Overall Impressions

This month’s Golden Tote was not a big hit in my opinion. I like the bomber jacket and swing dress, but the tan dress was way too short and I didn’t like 2 of the 3 surprise items. The November sale goes live tomorrow at 9am EST and I’m going to be in the middle of a presentation so I’ll probably miss any of the popular items. I might skip November for that reason, but they do have some pretty cute options. I like the Alpine open cardigan and the vest.

A Pear to Remember

How to dress a pear shaped body