At first I was fascinated by the wreckage...I'd never actually seen anything like it before, and I just wanted to take pictures of everything...typical me.   But the more times I went in, the more unnerving it became. The more it sunk in that this is it, the house is really gone.   By the final time I went inside, I just wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible, because it just felt so ominous inside.

  Before I left though, I had to take a few moments to look around and just take it all in one more time.  I stood in the kitchen and saw it as it was before, with my family there. My grandmother at the stove, my grandpa at the kitchen table.  Myself as a child, using a stepladder as a chair and eating my dinner off of the pull-out cutting board because there wasn't room at the table.  

  And even the big yard outside, which still looks the same,  but I knew I wouldn't likely get to visit again. I could see my brothers and I as children playing with our cousins,  games like "Beat each other up" and "Man Hunt."     



  And of course, I will always remember my grandparents waving goodbye from the porch door or the big picture window, as they did every time we'd leave after a visit.

  I had to take it all in one more time, and say goodbye. Its so sad to think that I won't ever get to visit the house again.  Part of me kind of felt like it would always be there for me.   And if its hard for me, I can only imagine how difficult it is for my mom and my grandpa, who spent so much of their lives there.





  You never think that this sort of thing could happen to you, or to your family, but it can. It does.

 And because I don't want to leave this on such a sad note, I thought I would close with a couple photos of some happier times at the house.  :)






     I will miss this old house, but it will stand untouched in my memories and dreams. 

I found that good ol' Stitch Fix box in my mail again!  It always brightens my day. This time I had requested black cropped pants and summer tops.  So what did they send me?  Well, I'll show you, just as soon as I explain what Stitch Fix is again, for the folks that don't already know.

Stitch Fix is like your own personal stylist/shopper.  You fill out a style profile with your sizes and preferences, and for a $20 styling fee, they send you a box with 5 items hand picked for you!   Try them on, send back what you don't want to keep, and the $20 fee you paid goes toward your final purchase...you do lose it though if you don't keep anything.   If you decide to keep all 5 things, you get an additional 25% off!    The items are a bit on the pricier side...so far mine have ranged from  $28-$98, with most things falling somewhere in the middle.

Oh, and you can get a box as often or as little as you'd like!

It's really convenient if you're like me and aren't able to go out clothes shopping very much, or if you're not good at putting outfits together.  They always include a styling card with ideas on what to wear with each item!

Anyway, onto this month's fix.
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Market & Spruce Mori Top
I actually like everything about this top except for the print. It just struck me as kind of "Momish" looking, lol (but you ARE a mom, Kim!!)  If it were a solid color or a different print I'd probably want to keep it.  Actually, looking at the pictures now, I'm almost tempted to keep it because it seems to make me look slimmer! ;)





Papermoon Wynn Front Pocket Blouse
First, disregard my crazy hair...I didn't know it was windy out.
I didn't like anything about this top.  Not the print, not the style. And as soon as I pulled it out of the box I was thinking, "Why did they send me another long sleeved shirt when I asked for summer tops?

Margaret M Emer High Waisted cropped trousers
I was really excited to see these pants in my fix!  I'd been eying them for a while and had pinned them once or twice on my style board.  They're kind of strange looking before you put them on...kind of a stretchy material with no buttons, zippers or pockets. But they look pretty awesome on.   I only wish they had back pockets, and that they were just a teensy bit shorter. For cropped pants, they're not that cropped.



Pixley Misty Scarf Print Ribbon Strap Blouse
I wasn't really feeling the print on this one.  A little to "LOOK AT ME!!"   





Caramela Bellatrix Lace Detail Cardigan
I got this one in a previous fix, in a darker blue color.  I didn't like it then, and I don't like it now in the new color.  Mostly I think its the drapey material down the front that I don't like.  But anyway, once again I was wondering why they sent me this?  The note from my stylist said it was for "those breezy summer nights," well, maybe for the rest of the world...not here, it's still dang near 100 degrees at night. :)



So the verdict?  I'm pretty sure I'm keeping the pants.  If I had the money, I might have kept the first top too, but I don't, and like I said, I wasn't totally sold on that one anyway.

Want to try out Stitch Fix yourself?  I'd appreciate it if you'd use my referral link! It'll give me  a small credit toward future purchases, and I could use all the help I can get! ;)    https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3988708


 Til next time!   <3

Got my May Stitch Fix, and absolutely loved it!

Before I tell you about it, first I must explain what Stitch Fix is, for the folks that don't know.  It's a nifty online styling service, perfect for people that don't have time to go out shopping or that aren't really good at putting together outfits!   You fill out your style profile and as often or as little as you like they'll send you a box with 5 pieces hand picked for you based on your style preferences, and include a card with helpful tips on what to wear with each piece. Each box has a $20 styling fee, but it goes toward your purchase if you decide to keep anything. Whatever you don't like, you send back for free.  If you decide you want it all, you get a 25% discount!   It's really addictive, I'll warn you!  So far I've the clothing prices for me have ranged from $28-$88, so I try to only keep the things I really love.

And they won't always get it right...I've gotten a couple boxes where I wondered if the stylist even looked at my profile or pinterest board.   But other times they nail it! The more feedback they get from you the more they'll understand your style.

On to my fix!

Urban Expressions Richie Asymmetrical Clutch in Green
I was a little disappointed when I first opened the box and saw that I didn't get the bag I had requested...but alas, sometimes specific things just aren't available. They sent me this clutch instead.   I don't like it at all, just not my thing. It actually looks kind of cute in the picture, but you can't see that it's actually pretty large for a clutch.  I hardly ever use a clutch anyway, and I certainly wouldn't use an over-sized one.   I feel like they just sent me this because it was the same color as the bag I'd asked for. 

But the clothing in my fix...well, this is a first. I loved it all! This is the first time I've ever considered keeping the whole box!  I mean,  I only want 4 of the 5 things, but with the 25% discount you get for keeping it all, its actually cheaper to keep all 5 then just the 4 I want.




41Hawthorn Milan Lace Print Top in Grey
This top probably isn't something I would have pulled off the rack at a store, but I was pleasantly surprised by it when I tried it on. So pretty and feminine.

Level 99 Patrick Cropped Chino Pant in Light Blue
Loved the pants too! I was hoping they'd send me some cropped pants and they did not disappoint. They went perfectly with the top.





Daniel Rainn Judy Split Neck Blouse in Black
Another great top!  It  looks really great with dark jeans or black pants, but when I was taking the pictures I was too lazy to change out of the blue chinos, haha. ;)




Fun2Fun Marlena Abstract Print Tab Sleeve Blouse in Green
Lol, I blinked in this one, but my hair looks good so that's all that matters right? Haha! :)   Okay, when I first tried this on I wasn't crazy about it. And I was also wondering why the heck they sent me a long sleeved shirt when I asked for summer tops. But then I saw that the sleeves can be rolled up and buttoned, and that changed the whole look of the shirt and I actually liked it!  Plus, its another shirt that goes well with the blue chinos. 

And that's it!   So, I still have another day to decide on what to keep and the decision hasn't gotten any easier.    I must admit, I am tempted to keep it all...hey, its my birthday/anniversary/mothers day week, right???  Oh well, one more day to think on it.

What would you keep? :)

If you'd like to give Stitch Fix a try, I'd really appreciate it if you'd use my referral link:  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3988708    When you get your first fix they'll give me a small credit toward my next purchase.  But no worries if you're uncomfortable with that.   

 Another Stitch Fix review!  I swear, I'll post something unrelated to Stitch Fix eventually, hehe.   Actually, I should be soon...I've finally gotten around to putting up picture ledges in my living room, so I should post pictures of that!  They're still waiting for me to put pictures in the picture frames though.

Its always exciting to find this box waiting in my mail box!  Even my kiddo was excited..that's her reaching for it.  She gets excited about any mail that comes. Even the junk mail.

Before I get started on the review,  let me tell you what Stitch Fix is about.  If you know already, well by all means, skip ahead!  :)    Stitch fix is this really cool service that sends clothing and accessories right to your door.   I don't know about you, but I don't get to go out clothes shopping much anymore...with a toddler, its usually too much of a hassle, so I was really intrigued by the idea of Stitch Fix.   When you sign up you fill out a style profile with your sizes and all your style preferences.  They also suggest that you make a pinterest board to pin looks that you like.   For a $20 styling fee per fix (and you can set it up for monthly, bimonthly, or you can even just order one every now and then when you feel like it...no subscription,)  a stylist will hand pick 5 items they think you will love base on your profile and pins and send to you.  You pick what you want to keep, and send back what you don't want, and they pay for the shipping.   The $20 styling fee will go toward your purchase if you decide to keep anything.  If you want to keep all 5 things, you get an addition 25% off.

Do they get it right every time?  No, of course not.  But the more times you do it, the more they learn your style and the better chances you'll have at getting pieces you love.    And its addicting, let me tell you.  I get it monthly and I can hardly wait for the month to go by!

And as far as the prices go...well, it is on the higher side.  I've gotten items that cost anywhere from $28 to $88.    That's pretty high for me, who tends to shop at Old Navy and the like.   So I try to only keep things I REALLY love.

And BTW, thanks to whoever signed up with my referral link!   I really appreciate it, it gave me a credit toward my next purchase, which is a big help!  Hope you like Stitch Fix as much as I do!

On to my fix.



Street Level Demi Fold Over Vegan Leather Crossbody Bag

I had requested a specific purse I'd seen on some other Stitch Fix reviews...they weren't able to send me it this time, but they did send me this one , in the same color as the purse I'd asked for.     I love this pop of color.  I do wish the purse had more detail though...the front is a little plain. I'm still probably going to keep it though.



Collective Concepts Mendolan Pintuck Detailed Jersey Tank

I saw this top on another blog and requested it.  I do really like it...but I didn't love it enough to pay how much they were asking for it unfortunately.  Don't get me wrong now, some of their things are perfectly affordable, but others you're just like, "Are you kidding me??"



Papermoon Maybelle Striped Sheer Back Tank
and
Kut From The Kloth Haiden Straight Leg Jean  

 I like this top, just not so much on me.  It looks cute from the side like pictured, but straight on...well, you know, horizontal stripes aren't usually the most flattering thing.

And I liked the jeans, too. They fit perfectly!  However, I have a similar pair already, that I paid a lot less for, so it didn't make any sense to buy these.   



41Hawthorn Tristan Crochet Detail Blouse.
I hated this...not my style at all.   I normally like fun little details like the crotchet cutouts, but it just looked out of place with this shirt.   When I modeled it for my husband, he laughed...that's never a good sign!  ;)


And that's it!   I haven't returned it yet, but I think I'm just going to keep the purse from this one.

Interested in trying out Stitch Fix yourself?   I'd really appreciate it if you'd use my referral link!  I get a small credit toward my next purchase when you receive your first fix.   https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3988708   You know you want to try it! :)

Yay!  My Stitch Fix for February came today.  I seriously feel like doing the Snoopy dance every time I find this box in my mailbox.   I don't though, my neighbors probably think I'm weird enough already.

If you haven't already read my previous reviews on Stitch Fix and want to know what its all about...well,  Stitch Fix is this nifty clothing service. You fill out your style profile with your preferences and sizes, and they also recommend that you make a board on pinterest with things you like.  For $20, a stylist will pick out 5 things they think you will love.  You get a couple days to decide if you want to keep any of it...and send back what you don't want.  The $20 fee will go toward your purchase if you keep anything, and if you decide to keep all 5 things, you also get a 25% discount.    Its a lot of fun, but the clothing items can be on the pricey side.   I said I was going to only order a box now and then instead of monthly but I seem to be addicted!  I don't get to go clothes shopping very often so this is a fun alternative.




Okay, on to my fix!
Below is the 41Hawthorn Queensland Dolman Jersey Top.  I had requested they send me a cute but comfy top and this was their answer.   It really is super comfy!   I kept it.



Next, (don't mind my goofy face)  the Renee C Annette V-Neck Blouse. I really liked this top too, it had a fun print and I loved the sleeves. Unfortunately it was a little too small though, so it had to go back.


Below we have two items in one picture...Coffeeshop Cleo Faux Leather Jacket and Just Black Riley Distressed Boyfriend Jean.   The jeans I actually got in a previous fix but they didn't fit, so they sent me another size to try.  I wasn't crazy about them though, the wash was too light.  The jacket, when I pulled that out of my box I thought, "Oh boy, that's cute...I hope I hate it on because that's surely the most expensive thing in the box!"  Luckily it was too small, so I wasn't tempted to keep it. ;)


And finally, Caramela Voltaire Lace Detail Cardigan.  I wasn't crazy about the white lace on the shoulders. My husband liked it, but I thought it looked goofy.



So, I only kept the first top in this fix, though I would have kept the second one too had it fit. 
Alrighty! Is it March yet?? :)

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix out yourself, I'd really appreciate it if you used my referral link!  It'll give me a credit toward my future purchases.  My referral link is https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3988708.  Thanks!

A couple of nights ago my grandfather's home was destroyed in a fire.  The house has been in our family for 50 years. My mother grew up in it.  I have so many fond memories from that house. It's really hard to believe that its gone now.

My mom has been living with my grandfather, taking care of him because he suffers from dementia and needs constant supervision and care.  Thank god everyone got out unharmed. The house was a total loss though, their car too.

I'm so upset for my mom. She has been through so much these last few years, I really thought the worst would be behind her...but now this.

One of the difficult parts about being married to somebody in the military is that it often takes you far away from your family and friends.  Its hard for anyone at any particular time, but you feel the distance the most in times of tragedy, of course.  I want so much to be there for my mom right now.  To help her any way I can, and just to be there for support, a shoulder to cry on.  There's only so much one can do when you live across the country.

I did start a gofundme for them.  They could use all the help they can get right now...they lost everything in the fire. They're in a hotel right now trying to figure out where to go from here, but they need money for lodging and food and other things.  This is the link if you'd like to help: http://www.gofundme.com/k1p0qg
Really, anything is appreciated, no amount is too small.  And if you can't help, at least say a prayer for them!

Thank you.

Okay okay,  I know, I've been mostly just posting reviews lately when this blog  is supposed to be mainly about decorating!  Sorry, decorating has been on the back burner lately...I sort of lost my oomph.  But its a new year and I hope to get back to it.  I'm focused on decluttering right now, so hopefully if I lose some of the clutter I will get excited about decorating again.

For now, onto my latest fix from Stitch Fix!   I skipped getting it over the holidays because I just didn't have the money for it with all the Christmas shopping.  I actually meant to skip this month's box too, but didn't remember to do it in time.

Now, if you've never heard of Stitch Fix, its this really fun service you might want to check out! You fill out a style survey with your sizes and preferences,  and also make a style board on pinterest to pin things you like, and Stitch Fix's stylists will pick 5 items (usually 4 clothing items and an accessory, but one time I got all clothes) they think you'll love and send them to you.   You get a couple days to decide what you want to keep.  If you keep all 5 items you get a 25% discount.   It's $20 for each "fix", but the $20 does go torwards your purchase if you keep anything (and I almost always do!)  The clothing prices for me so far have ranged from $28 all the way to $78, so it can be a bit on the pricey side. But the cool thing is, you can have them come every month, twice a month, or not have a subscription at all and just order a box at a time whenever you feel like it.  The more times you do it, the better they get at finding things you'll love.   Want to give them a try?  I'd appreciate it if you'd use my link to sign up! It'll give me credit toward a future purchase.   The link is: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3988708

First off, I was happy right off the bat after reading the card from my stylist.   This was a new stylist for me,  not the one that's done my last couple, but I was happy that she actually acknowledged my pinterest and interests...I was beginning to wonder if they really actually looked!   So Hannah gets kudos for that, because it made it feel more personal and not just a cookie cutter message. 

On to the pics!

41Hawthorn Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeve Blouse 
I was very happy to see this top in the box.  I've seen it a lot online when I look up Stitch Fix reviews,  and it comes in all sorts of colors and even prints. I had pinned it once or twice on my style board hoping they'd send it to me, and they finally did.    Loved it on, too!   Verdict: Keep!



Market and Spruce Mattie S/S Cowl Neck Dress
I kind of liked this dress, but I wasn't crazy about the color. If they'd sent it to me in a darker color, maybe black or Navy, I probably would have kept it.  But the pink wasn't doing it for me.  Not that I hate pink...I kept a different pink dress from them in the past after all.  But this particular dress I would have been a lot more comfortable in if it were a more slimming color.  So this one went back.



Fun2Fun Judd Paisley Scoop Neck Blouse
The paisley print and colors were cute, but the top was shapeless and just kinda hung off me like a sack. Not exactly flattering.   Nope, not for me.



Skies are Blue Silvia Lace Detail Cardigan
This cardigan was so pretty! Loved the color, and it had pretty lace details on the front and back.  If I wasn't still recovering from Christmas shopping, I definitely would have kept this...but I could only afford to keep one thing, and I liked the black top better.


Bay to Baubles Nima Carved Teardrop Chandelier Earrings 
Nah, not for me.  I hardly ever wear earrings, and these were just way to long and big for me.

So that was my January fix!  What do you think?
 Come on, you know you want to give it a try!
Try Stitch Fix! Click Here!