{first stitch fix review}

Last week I received my first "fix" from Stitch Fix and I'm so excited to share a review with you today.

I'm very happy with the pieces my stylist, Darien, chose for me the first time around.

If you aren't familiar with Stitch Fix, it is a mail-order styling service. You complete a personal style profile, and a stylist is assigned to you to pick out clothing and accessories that they think will fit your style. It is $20 to schedule a fix, and then that fee goes toward anything you keep from the box. You can keep anything, everything or nothing!

The only negative to this experience was the fact that I came down with strep throat on the day my fix arrived {I KNOW!!}, so I wasn't able to take photos wearing all of the pieces like I had hoped to. They have to be mailed back within three days. So my apologies for the mish-mash of pics.

When I opened the box I found this great styling card, which shows each piece in the fix, and two ways to style it. The turqoise tank immediately caught my eye. I knew right away it was a keeper!

But first I'm going to start by sharing the pieces I didn't keep. Because I was so sick I didn't try to take photos of them on...nobody wants to see that! ;)

1. Sansa Dotted Chevron Print 3/4 sleeve dress - $38

This dress was super cute, but unfortunately too tight on me. It is a large but felt more like junior sizing. I'm kind of glad it was too tight because I would have had a hard time sending it back!

2. Krissa Mixed Print Henley Blouse - $44

I loved the fit and feel of this top, but the color and pattern weren't quite me.

3. Arley Tortoise Jewel Pendant - $38

This was the one total miss of the fix. I do love chunky jewelry, but this piece was too flashy for me, and felt poorly made...especially for that high price tag.

And now for the two pieces I love and kept!

4. Ashlie Graphic Knit Sleeveless Cardigan - $44

My stylist obviously noticed that I love my Aztec cardigans, and was nice enough to send me a piece I can wear through the warmer months.

This sweater is suuuper soft, a really sturdy knit, and a perfect mix of neutral colors. I wore it to work with khaki pants, but can't wait to pair it with jeans and sandals for a more casual look.

And my absolute favorite piece from the fix...

5. Sadie V-Neck Embroidery Detail Tank - $48

Darien, you ABSOLUTELY nailed it with this top. The color, the fit, the olive green embroidery?!

Shut.up. I could seriously wear it every day. It was the perfect light-weight top to wear to my boys' birthday party this past Saturday.

I paired it with jeans and sandals, and received so many compliments.

Overall this was a really fun experience and I can't wait to try it again. It was definitely a splurge for me though, and not something I'll do every month.

If you are interested in trying Stitch Fix, you can use this link and I'll get a nice little $25 credit toward my next fix. Isn't that nice how you can enable my shopping habit? ;)

What pieces in my fix were your favorites?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Ahhh spring is here! I never thought it would arrive. 

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but here in Indiana it was the winter that would never end. 

I was doing some major wishful thinking back in February, and bought a few springy tops at Kohl's. I still have to wear them with a cardigan, but just being able to go without a coat and wear flats instead of boots is heavenly!

I love this first top...the color is so fresh and the geometric cut-outs are really unique...

The watercolor painting effect on this top, plus the hi/low hemline drew me in...

I'm wearing the same pair of dark grey cords from TJ Maxx with both outfits...they are my absolute favorite pants and go with everything. If you have any questions about my other pieces just ask in the comments! I'm feeling too lazy today to source everything. ;)

XO,

{playing dress up}

I'm going to ignore the fact that it is SNOWING outside right now, and focus on the fact that tomorrow it is going to be 50 degrees, so I'm declaring spring is here! 

And in honor of this momentous occasion, I've been having some fun with color. I have two new-ish orange sweaters that I paired this past week with two different springy colors.

The first was this Lucky brand open weave sweater I found on clearance at TJ Maxx...

I paired it with a sheer yellow button down I bought on Instagram and really love how springy it feels...and how different it is for me. I never wear this much color, especially these two colors. And the white polka dots on the top are so fun! 

Last week I scored this slouchy light-weight orange sweater at Goodwill...

See the pockets? Love little details like that. 

Yesterday I paired it with a light turquoise top from TJ Maxx...

This sweater is super comfy and perfect for this in-between seasons weather. I am so excited for spring colors and lighter-weight clothing!

Do you have orange pieces in your wardrobe? What color do you like to pair it with?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Happy Wednesday friends!

It is FREEZING here in Indiana but I managed to get gussied up yesterday. 

{just for you} 

I found some great deep turquoise cords on clearance at TJ Maxx on Monday so I just had to wear them...

And see that Fossil bag?! 

$20 at Goodwill. I kid you not. 

The thrifting Gods were looking down on me majorly. 

So here is how I styled my new cords...

The grey top and scarf are also from TJ's...earrings from Kohl's, thrifted sweater, and boots my go-to's from Ebay. They are lined and the warmest thing I have in these near zero temps. 

I haven't switched over to the bag yet {even though I'm dying to!} because it doesn't have a cross-body strap and wearing a shoulder bag with a winter coat is one of the most annoying things. Right? 

Ahhh I'm dreaming of non-coat weather so much right now. 

Actually the 40's would work for me. A high of 14 just isn't cutting it.

What have you been wearing this week?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Happy Wednesday friends!

I have an outfit to share with you today, but first I want to share a little bit about the past week and how I'm doing so far with living into my "one little word" for 2014, which is...

{You can read more about why I chose that word here.}

I'm determined for this year to be the 365 days that I become more "me" in every sense of the word. I've been spending a lot of time on my art over the past few months, which of course I love, but some other things have taken a back seat. My health being one of the most important ones.

Over the past 6 months or so I've put on probably 10 pounds through stress eating and just not exercising. I blame a lot of this on the boys starting kindergarten and our family finding a new normal. It takes me a long time to adjust to big changes and when I'm stressed I turn to food, mostly sweets and snacks, and a lot of the time late at night. I've also been drinking more soda than I would care to admit. And I've been getting a TON of tension headaches. I've just felt like crap if I'm being totally honest. 

So since the new year has started I've been treating my body better. Lots more water. Healthy snacks. Lower calorie meals. {for the most part...let's just ignore last night's pizza and wine, shall we?}

And for the past week I've started using our treadmill again.

If you follow me on Instagram this is not news to you. :) 

I've used it for five different sessions in the past week for a total of about 11 miles and I feel SO good. I'm not big on using a scale...it doesn't motivate me...but I can tell a bit of a difference in my stomach and that makes me happy and is keeping me going. 

I typically get VERY motivated for a week or so with working out and then feel so good that I take a day off which turns to a few days, then a few weeks and then....well, you get the idea. So I'm trying to keep my momentum going and right now I feel like I can do it. 

I've also been practicing my doodling, finding inspiration through books, Pinterest and other artists. And I'm reading a lot more. I recently finished two books that fueled my desire to keep working on my art...

This great quote is from The War of Art...

I love that my word for the year is in there...I might have to doodle this one and frame it. :)

So with all of those things blended together, plus trying to be more present with the boys during our time together, I feel like I'm becoming more whole and living more fully into the person I'm meant to be. 

OK...are you still with me? You'll probably notice a few more outfit postings now that I'm feeling better in my clothes too and I have one to share today. This one is my typical mix of TJ Maxx and Target with a handmade accessory thrown in...

I love this new cozy sweater I picked up at TJ Maxx before Christmas, and this Target top is the perfect tunic length to wear with skinny jeans. 

The boots are from Ebay, earrings from Starburst Studio and the ring was a gift from my sister. 

Did you choose a word for 2014? 

I would love to hear about it and how you are living into it in the comments!

XO,

{playing dress up}

I almost forgot that today was Wednesday and that I had not one, but TWO outfits to share with you. 

Why you ask?

Because it has been ridiculously icy and cold here and today is the first day I've been out of our house since Saturday. I never thought I would be so happy to go to work! The boys haven't gone back to school yet and our van was dead/frozen in the driveway yesterday. But I do have to say that being able to stay up late and sleep in have been heaven for this night owl. 

It felt so good today to get dressed in something other than fleece pants and a t-shirt so I figured I should document it! {and with a little nudge from my friend Suzanne}

Today I'm wearing my go-to dress that you've seen just a few times before, but I have a new cardigan to show off that was a Christmas present from my awesome mother-in-law. It is, not surprisingly, from TJ Maxx...

I love the pattern and it is the perfect slouchy oversized shape. 

I'm also wearing my new nest necklace from Melody Joy Designs...

Love this whimsical reminder of my two little birds at home. 

Speaking of TJ Maxx...last week I wore two new tops I snagged on my last retail therapy trip. Both are super comfy and flattering...

I love the pop of mustard yellow against the grey...

So the point of this week's post is...what would my wardrobe do without TJ Maxx? 

Answer...the outlook would be very dismal. :)

What is your favorite place to shop for additions to your wardrobe?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Happy 2014 friends!

And what do ya know...I actually have an outfit to share today!

I got this cute Lucky brand sweater at TJ Maxx on clearance and really love it layered with my chambray top. I also have a grey tank underneath the chambray to add some length...

Turquoise + orange is a new thing for me and I think I love it.

Chambray --- thrifted
Cords --- TJ Maxx {also Lucky brand}
Flats --- DSW
Necklace --- Charming Charlie

What color combo are you enjoying these days?

XO,

{playing dress up}

Hi friends!

So sorry for the blogging silence...yet again. Life hardly gives me time to pause lately. I'm not complaining about that because my minutes are filled with good things, but blogging has certainly taken a back seat.

I still post a ton to Instagram though, so be sure to follow me over there if you want a daily Mandy fix. ;)

I've been enjoying my fall/winter wardrobe lately, especially my sweaters and boots. Wearing them just makes me feel at home, happy and comfortable.

I took both of above photos in the bathroom at my local coffee shop...it has a great vintage full-length mirror. I have no shame. :)

Cardigan, denim top, ring and flats above are thrifted

I recently started following artist Kelly Rae Roberts on social media...her art is SO inspiring to me, and she shares the cutest outfit photos...her wardrobe is so fun. She blogged here about what she calls "the wear your joy project." She posts her outfits on Instagram and uses the hashtag #thewearyourjoyproject.

Here is an excerpt from her blog post that I love:

"Style isn’t superficial. It’s the call of your heart, made visible — and wearable." 

That really speaks to me because sometimes I feel like I'm being too superficial/materialistic about wanting a new sweater or piece of jewelry, but most of the time it is because wearing it will make me happy and feel more like me. If that is your intention when you get dressed in the morning, in my humble opinion, you are doing it right.

If you post your outfits on Instagram, be sure to use Kelly's hashtag and let's start wearing our joy! :)

{you can follow me here}

XO,