Adorable Felt Reindeer

I haven’t done any “what I’ve made” posts lately, but thought I’d share this adorable holiday craft.  It’s a felt reindeer that took a while to make but was totally worth it.  I got the pattern on Etsy from CynthiaTreenStudio and love her stuff.

Felted Reindeer Felted Reindeer Felted ReindeerI sent the second one to my Mom and she loved it.  I was planning to make two more for my mother in law and sister in law but just ran out of time.  It was fun and the end result was totally worth it.

 

December Outfits

Looking back, I see that I wore a lot of black and Cobalt blue.  I’ve definitely made the transition to dark winter colors without even realizing it.  Here’s what I’ve been wearing.

Red JeansI got inspiration for the red jeans outfit from pinterest.  I wouldn’t have thought to pair stripes with leopard print, but it works!

Cobalt Blue Dress

I got this dress from Kohls on Black Friday.  It’s a nice soft knit and warm for the office.

Pixie Pants

These are my cobalt pixie pants from Old Navy and my beloved bomber jacket from Golden Tote.

Boden British Tweed Mini

Here I paired my Boden British Tweed Mini with a sweater I got from Target (also on Black Friday) and my Loft booties.

Chevron print blouse

The skirt is from a few years ago from Loft, and the blouse is from ModCloth or Piperlime, I can’t remember which.

Golden Tote drapey cardigan

Drapey Cardigan from Golden Tote surprise item.

Golden Tote Dress

Knit Dress from Golden Tote as a surprise item.

Golden Tote Faux Leather JacketAnd again, my bomber jacket from Golden Tote which I love wearing.  The sweater is from Target.

 

PopSugar Must have box November + Thanksgiving Giveaway

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.

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

 

G.H. Cretors – Chicago Mix Popped Corn

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014This 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

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box November 2014

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

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

Fall Colors

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

Plum and Teal

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.

Golden Tote Swing Dress

 

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.

Kimono topLast, 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

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.

Stitch Fix Review November 2014

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

Stitch Fix Review November 2014 Stitch Fix Review November 2014

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

stitch fix last 036 Stitch Fix Review November 2014Being 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

Stitch Fix Review November 2014

Stitch Fix Review November 2014Call 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

Stitch Fix Review November 2014
Mind the gap!

Stitch Fix Review November 2014

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

Stitch Fix Review November 2014
????????????????

Stitch Fix Review November 2014

 

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:

Stitch Fix Review November 2014So 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

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!

Popsugar Must Have Box October 2014

 

 

Happy Socks – retail $12

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

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

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

 

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

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014Wish 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 ?

PopSugar Must Have Box October 2014

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.