Review: Monthly Watch Club for Women

Ask somebody what time it is and you just might get the sarcastic reply of “time for you to get a watch”. While our phones will tell us what time it is in any part of the world, there is something classic and classy about having a good, old fashioned wristwatch.

My signature watch for years now.

I remember my first watch, which I got in early elementary school. My grandparents gave it to me for my birthday.

It was an analogue white watch face with a purple stretchy wristband that had embroidered flowers, and I wore it until it could no longer work and the flowers on the band were so frayed they became unrecognizable.

After that watch, I found a new staple. My go to watch style for many many years has been simple: a silver analogue face with a thin black leather band.

While this style is simple, I now find that as I have gotten older, I wish to expand on my watch designs.

Unfortunately, when I go to a store or look online, I get a bit overwhelmed with options and don't even know where to begin. 

With Monthly Watch Club, subscribers can get a beautiful watch in the mail every month, saving the chore or shopping for a new look, and building a lovely wardrobe of accessory timepieces!

Monthly Watch Club is a monthly subscription service that sends out a wristwatch with plans starting at 39.99 CAD (approx $32 USD). Each month they will send you a new watch, and you will never receive the same watch twice. They offer services for both men and women. You can even purchase past watches on their website!

I received the November Women's Watch, which is a beautiful work of art. The entire watch is a bit larger than my go-to style, but I really like it.

It has a wide black leather band and a black face with a floral pattern around the edge. The hands and visible metallic pieces are all also black. There is also a small Monthly Watch Club logo on the face.

This logo is also etched in the back of the watch. While the overall coloring may be a bit dark, the floral pattern adds a clear feminine touch to this watch. Some may find this particular watch a bit dark for their tastes, but I could not ask for a more perfect watch. I've honestly worn it everywhere and am happy to have it become a regular part of my wardrobe.

If you also love this watch and would like to order it, you can find it on their website for 89.99 CAD (approx $72.50 USD)

I would highly recommend trying out Monthly Watch Club if you are a fan of quality watches. The value per month is unbeatable.  The Monthly Watch Club would also make a wonderful gift for the watch lover in your life.

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Pinup Update - Photo Shoots

After sharing my experience winning the Miss Peggy Sue Pinup Competition, I promised an update when I got a photo shoot under my belt. I am happy to report I have now done two photo shoots, and have a few more lined up, possibly a calendar shoot as well!

Do you think it's ok for a calendar I want November (my birthday month) and October (my anniversary, which also happens to be HALLOWEENNNNN!!!)?  That's not greedy, right?? (I love Halloween… if you couldn't tell.)

One of the awesome prizes I won in the Pinup contest hosted at Peggy Sue Car Show was a photo shoot by Ron Pearson.  He specializes in pin up and vintage inspired photography, though he does everything!

He had some great ideas for location, and even had some wardrobe pieces for me to use!

But  the first photo shoot that I did with Ron was for a local diner called Zee's Diner. This is not the shoot that I won, but an opportunity to model for the first time!

Ron let me know that I would be working with another model, Bridget Codoni, who has done several photo shoots with him, and could give me some tips and hints.

What I found interesting is if the pose feels awkward, it's probably a good shot.

For example, swan neck is a real thing, and super important, and arching the back to the extreme looks great to the camera.

Ron told us where to stand, where to place our hands, which way to face, and asked us to smile, or look more serious. He made me feel comfortable, and his direction was clear, and friendly - "smile like you are happy to be here!" and "Put your chin down, and toward me - perfect!"

I next met up with Ron a week or so later at Starbucks to get some prints of that shoot. I thought it was super cool that the Barista gave him my drink free of charge, thanking him for his service - he served in Vietnam, and wears a hat with pins that shows his pride.

While we were there, Ron had me kiss, and sign a large print of Bridget and me, "to Zee's Diner, Love Miss Peggy Sue." How fun is that?!

We also discussed what I would like to do for the photo shoot I won. He let me know about other shoots he had done, even on a large ship with a navy theme.

He suggested we could go to nearby Schellville, where there is an airport with tons of vintage planes. OMG, yes! So we set a date, and talked wardrobe.  He had a few pieces, and several ideas.

I ended up ordering an outfit on Amazon, Smiffy's Women's Wartime Officer Costume.  

I wanted to look beautiful and sexy for the photo shoot, but as I said in my Q&A portion of the Peggy Sue pinup contest, I like that pinup allows me to be sexy without showing my entire body.

The feedback on this costume looked good, so I went with it - as a costume it's pretty good, and was perfect for the photo shoot. I only wish the skirt were a true pencil skirt - I had to do some awkward poses for sure to make the silhouette right.

I did this photo shoot with Terri Boyer - who, like Ron, is a military veteran! She is super fun, and sweet. She came over, I did her makeup, and assisted with her hair, then we got dressed up, and she drove us to the airport.

Ron had already set up lights, staged a fan and a smoke machine in the hanger where we started - we shot with an airplane mid repair, a helicopter, and a vintage jeep.

I kept looking at camera with my head too high, or looking too far to the left or right. Ron explained that when I do that, too much of the white of my eye shows. I understood when he showed me in the camera, and later when I got the proofs - don’t look too far off camera! Lesson learned!

When we were done in the hanger, we went to meet a couple of brothers who had a Fairchild plane that they pulled out of their hanger just for us to shoot with!

They were incredibly sweet, and offered Terri and I seats while Ron got the camera in the right mode to shoot in the sun light. Terri and I had changed and brought props (courtesy of Ron!) with us - hats, sunglasses, pearls, long gloves, a vintage camera and vintage Samsonite luggage.

Again, Ron let us know where to stand, what to hold, when to smile, etc.  I enjoyed switching it up, some more serious looks, some cheesed up with a big smile! I also liked that Ron was open to suggestion on poses.

That morning, I'd spent hours getting ready in the morning, doing hair, makeup, and getting all my outfits together. We spent several more hours at the airport, shooting, and dealing with wardrobe changes, and yet more shooting.

It all seems so easy when you see the finished photos,  and it certainly was tons of fun - but doing a photo shoot is super exhausting!  When we were done, I was so ready for a cold brew!

Ron has already gotten me proofs, and prints, including one - Mechanic Jen on a piece of heavy tin instead of in a traditional frame!!  I will cherish that keepsake forever!

I cannot wait to do more photo shoots, get more practice at being a model! It is a great confidence booster to see the finished result, and all the beautiful shots.

What is even better are the memories that go with the photographs. I see a picture, and I remember what we were laughing about.

I love that the people I was surrounded by were fun, and nurturing - this was a low stress environment, and all fun. It was not intimidating, or awkward - no one told me to make love to the camera like I have seen in the movies.

I did however take some lessons from when I used to watch Americas Next Top Model almost 10 years ago! Pretty hands, and pretty feet, and swan neck!

I will keep you all posted on this yearlong journey as Miss Peggy Sue 2017, and Lady Lipstick, my pinup alter ego. So far, it's been a blast!

Your Style Compass Fashion Consult Service (Review/Discount)

Like many people, I am finding myself embracing the sort of clothing shopping services that bring goodies to me, rather than spending hours shopping and hoping to find something that that will call out to me from its hanger loudly enough to be worth the hassle of dealing with a changing room.

I am disabled - and my energy budget on a good day is enough to either shop or to change clothes several times. Very rarely is it both.  Additionally, I am a plus sized woman (I am right between a US Size 18 and 20), and sadly, in your average clothing store that means your size is hidden away in some dark section of shame with very few options and even if I did show up in a mood to buy, all the joy goes out of it before I leave.

For all these reasons, I get really happy at the idea of having professional help to pick out items that will suit me and then send it to my home where I can try them on in comfort!

There are several such services that handle this by sending a box of possibilities, give you a short period of time to try them on, and then send back what you don't want and pay for what you keep.

I like that set up - but I was recently given the opportunity to review Your Style Compass, which does something different that really impressed me!

Look #1

On first glance, what sets Your Style Compass apart is that it is specifically designed for curvy women who are size 10 and up.  Up meaning as high a size as you need, no less!

And because curvy women are curvy in all sorts of different ways, they pay close attention to your measurements and your own unique shape when selecting recommendations - so you're not just getting clothing that is big enough to fit, but specifically meant for to make women look fabulous and feel great.

Secondly, they don't send the clothing first - you are paying a monthly styling fee and get a carefully curated collection of 1 to five 'looks' - full coordinated outfit collections that are chosen following guidance you leave in a very thorough questionnaire.  The plans cost $15 monthly for one full look, $40 for three full looks, and $65 for five full looks, and this cost is not reduced from the price of any items you purchase. (But that's ok, because there are other benefits that make this worth the price, as I'll explain.)

For purposes of review, I signed up for the mid-level plan where I would receive three Looks based on the questionnaire and personal consultation with a stylist in email.

When I signed up, I felt like the questionnaire asked me  the right questions to give them a good idea of what sort of styles I liked best, and also room to explain special concerns I have regarding clothing.

It gave instructions for taking measurements and including those in the questionnaire - and if you don't have a tape measure handy, you can save your unfinished questionnaire to go take care of that.

It also asked about what sort of occasions you're likely to be looking at clothing for (a good work wardrobe, casual, special events, etc), brands and styles you already know you love, and any parts of the body you prefer to emphasize or minimize.

Look #2

I only had one hang up on the form (and it was, I think, a matter of programming) - in one section, I was shown several pattern types (animal print, polka dots, etc) - and asked to pick any I dislike. Well... I liked them all, but there was no option to select 'none', so I had to say I wanted to avoid one of them pretty much at random before it let me move on.

SPOILERS: That right there was the one and only complaint I had about my entire experience with Your Style Compass. Wow, right?!

To complete the questionnaire, you put in your basic account and billing information along with the email address you want to use to communicate with your stylist.

My stylist was Jessica and she's my second favorite thing about Your Style Compass (second only to the Looks she created for me).

Look #3

She contacted me within a couple of days, as promised, via email and asked a few more clarifying questions and got to know a bit more about me.  This didn't feel at all like a 'stylist in name only', nor did it feel like a pushy sales experience where I was being urged to head in whatever direction they wanted to go.

The experience was comfortable, friendly, and centered on me and once we were done, she told me I'd hear from her again in a week  with my Looks.

Your Style Compass works with a variety of online clothing venues to put together Looks from a number of sources.  When making a purchase, the customer pays directly to Your Style Compass so you're not having to hunt several online stores and paying several shipping and handling charges.

I was really excited to see what would come my way - would she 'get' me at all, or would this be a situation where it might take several false starts before we were communicating enough to get it right?

A week later, my Looks showed up in the mail, and I had my answer  - this process really worked for me!  It's important to note that this would be the least specific Look you'd get, because they really are still trying to get a range of what you might like.  So over time, it will only get better.

Boyfriend Jeans from YSC Look #1 and an old t-shirt from my closet

Jessica focused on warm weather clothing and weekend wear ranging from casual to dressy and the email sent me to my Look portfolio, where I was able to look in detail at each individual item, its estimated cost, and what brand it was.

Each item can be added to your cart individually - no need to buy the entire Look or keep to only one, and the prices were really reasonable, including very low costs for some of the jewelry options.

It was really hard for me to select which items I wanted to get because there were so many good pieces in these three collections!

That's the sort of thing that would normally stress me out - the need to decide NOW before I'd had a chance to mull it over, and and possibly wind up buying things I'd regret because I knew they'd be out of reach forever if I didn't.

That's when I discovered my new favorite thing in the world!  Your Style Compass' buying process is like nothing I've ever experienced before.

Pinapple Print Shirt Dress from YSC Look #2

First of all - when you check out, you don't pay right then.  They actually go scope out current sales and discounts to get you the best possible price. (whuuutt? Who does that? Your Style Compass does!)

Secondly - your Looks stay accessible, so if you're not sure about a particular item, you can go back and purchase it later if it's still available (and for the most part, they will be for at least  the next month).  Even if something is out of stock, it may be back in when you check back later - and you can sign up to be notified in email when it returns.  So the value of that month's consult is retained well after they've done their initial part.

Finally - returns or exchanges are allowed for 30 days, so you have plenty of time to come to a final decision on whether a purchase is right for you.  They make a point of working with brands and vendors that allow for this.

I narrowed my choices to two items (and took note of several more I might purchase later), and waited for them to check for bargains.  The estimated cost was $134.25 for the two pieces, and after finalizing it, the email let me know the adjusted price was$106.73, and my outfits were on the way.

Both of them were winners!

I selected the Boyfriend Jeans from the 1st collection - I've been hunting for jeans that are comfortable since I don't even remember when.  I dislike the intensely shredded trend that's going on, although I'm fine with a little bit of distressing, and these hit that balance nicely.

I do have a little issue with that two button closure, but when neither me or my husband could successfully get it buttoned, I realized the button hole itself is just a tiny bit too small, so I just need to do a little careful surgery on it.

Otherwise, these are soft, hit the right place on my waistline for both sitting and standing comfort, and are simple a great, durable addition to my wardrobe.

The other item I chose was the Pineapple Shirtwaist Dress from Jessica's Look #2.  I am so in love with this dress!!

It hits just below knee length on me, is lightweight and has a wonderful twirly skirt, an elastic waistband with an unattached belt.  It's just wonderful in every way - and with boots and a light sweater (like the one included in Look #2), it will carry me through early fall and next spring just perfectly.

It's fine to put your monthly consult on hold, or select a longer span of time between consults.  As with every other aspect of this service, it is completely focused on flexibility and taking care to match the customer's needs.

All told, I'll recommend Your Style Compass highly to anyone who wears a size 10 or higher - this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience start to finish, and I look forward to future consults!

From now until the end of the year, our readers can receive $10 off the first month of any plan they select using the code RCH2017 at checkout - that means you can try them them out for as low as $5 for a personalized styling fee!

Do give them a try - you won't regret it!

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Stitch Fix Show Off

This poor post is actually nearly a month late - I'm showing off my haul from the Stitch Fix box I received back at the beginning of July.  Unfortunately, I also developed a horrible case of bronchitis right around the same time that I am still not fully over, so about the last thing I was in the mood for was taking pictures. (Or, honestly, getting dressed at all.)

On the plus side - this was the first time that I hit the jackpot with Stitch Fix, and decided to keep the entire collection!  I'd asked my stylist, Elizabeth, to focus on some solid colored basics that I could mix and match with some of the pieces I'd already received, and also mentioned wanting to add a lightweight kimono throw to my wardrobe, and she came through perfectly!

So, even though I was too sick to show off what I got, there was plenty of time for picture taking, since I wasn't on a timeclock for getting anything sent back.

The first two pieces are the Andrew Marc Perfomance Marina Straight Leg Capri Pants ($68) and the Bishop + Young Flin Kimono ($48).

The Capris were too large but I could tell that the style and texture were really appealing to me, so I tried to exchange them only to find out they weren't in stock a size down. I was crushed!

Making things worse - I knew I really wanted the whole box which means I'd get a 25% discount, and it was going  to wind up costing more to return them than to just keep them.  And is there anything worse than hanging on to clothing that's too big, just in case you gain weight?

I kept them - and sadly explained my woes in their feedback form.  To my surprise and delight, they found some in my size and sent them out to me, asking that I just return the others.  Happily!

I am very impressed that they were able to make this right for me, and they are so cute and comfortable that I've been wearing them nearly constantly all month.  The navy blue fabric is lined and very lightweight, like parachute material, and there are drawstrings at the waist and the cuffs.

The kimono is an adorable off-white bit of floaty material that makes a great throw on when I want a bit of sleeve - it pairs nicely with casuals, and has some great visual interest.  I'd like another that lays longer because I really like it when my outfits are less structured.

A sidenote on this  - when I'm out, I often get compliments on my blue hair.  It's an odd thing (I am firmly of an age where women tend to be 'invisible') but something that always adds a lift to my day.

The other day, I wore this kimono out and was approached by a young woman who called out "I really like your..."  I was all ready to hear 'hair' but then she finished. "...your kimono!"  How fun is that?!

The floral print is an orange-red, black tan, and pale green and blue, which allows for several possibilities for a simple top underneath.  Here, I just wore a plain v-neck tee from my drawer.

Speaking of going out - this was July 1st, the day my box arrived and also the last day this month I felt well! I decided to wear a couple of pieces to a live performance of Hedwig & the Angry Inch we were attending at the Kennedy Center.

We try to get up there as frequently as we can afford to, but I have learned that in several of their theatres, the seating can be very tight quarters, so something comfortable as well as attractive is critical.

The performance was ammmaaaaaazing. But I also am really sure this was where I got sick.

As for what I wore, this is the Realm White Kay Skinny Jean ($58) and the Teal Green Daniel Rainn Ingleside Short Sleeve Top ($58).

They're calling that teal green, but it's totally a turquoise blue, which is one of my favorite colors.

It lays as if it's a wrap around, although it isn't really, and is both casual and would be just right for work paired with a skirt.  I love the way it looks with the white jeans.

I also really love the white jeans.  They are very, very slightly too large on me, which is fixable with a belt, so that's fine, and I hate when things fit too small.

The fabric is stretchy, so they're comfortable, and while I do live in terror of staining them, they truly are an all-purpose perfect summer basic.

(Sooo much humidity in my hair!)

The last item is this wonderful top - the Statement Tazzi Chambray Henley Top ($54).  The fabric is soft like buttuh and very cool to wear on a hot day. I've worn it with both the white jeans and the navy capris, and it works well with both.

The side seams on this are interesting - The bottom front seam is a large foldover that curves and continues up the sides to the armhole. The back part has a normal seam and connects to the underside of the front half.

I'm not explaining that well at all, but it adds an interesting effect and, I think, also helps it lay well.

Here again is a perfect basic piece that can be paired with almost anything casual and dressed up a bit with some color and a jacket or sweater.

So, my final cost for all these pieces, after taking the 25% discount and knocking off the $20 styling fee was $194.00  With each of these pieces being classic basics, I'm confident I'll continue to enjoy them not only for the rest of this season but next year as well.

If you haven't already tried Stitch Fix, you should!  I highly recommend their service.

Note: I was not given anything in exchange for this post, however if you sign up using my referrer code, I will earn $25 credit toward my next Fix.

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Becoming a Pinup

I have been making all sorts of big, fun, and even life changing decisions lately - one if which is deciding to embrace my inner pinup, Lady Lipstick. I feel like I need a better pinup name though!

It all started almost ten years ago, when I went to my first Peggy Sue Car Show and Cruise in Santa Rosa, CA. This is an annual car show that bring the vintage car community and pinups together, and something my family looks forward to each summer.

Year after year I would dress up in a pencil skirt, or high wasted shorts, corset, and high high heels. The best part, and if you know anything about me this is so obvious: the hair and makeup! I have gotten good with pin curls, winged liner, and ruby red lips.

Five years ago, someone asked me if I won the pinup contest.  What? There's a pinup contest?! I had no idea! So I replied no, I did not win, but thank you for the compliment.

Then another stranger asked if I won the pin up contest.  Ok, I think, this is too cool! I decide the next person who asks if I won, I would say yes!

I was not asked again, and was a bit heartbroken.

I did not have the confidence years ago to enter a contest like that, so I blew it off. Every year I thought about it,  but couldn't.

This year however,  is a new year. I decided to enter.  Eek!

I had no idea how I would be judged, and what the criteria really was. So again, in true Jen fashion, I researched like none other about the pinup contest world. And it really is a whole world, a whole community and lifestyle.

There are professional pinups out there, like Cherry Dollface, Miss Rockabilly Ruby, and Ginger Watson, all of whom I found on YouTube. Some of these women go from car show to car show, and contest to contest and win them! I had no idea, not surprised though.

Being a pinup is not easy! There is a lot that goes into it. There is a lot of preparation for hair and makeup, deciding on the right outfit, and knowing what kinds of questions will be asked. Yeah, there's a Q and A, and it's important too!

For this contest,  the most important criteria was hair, makeup and wardrobe. Next is personality that had to shines through during the Q and A portion on stage.

Before getting into the contest though, I had to submit a few photos, and a brief bio.  Based on that, I was chosen to participate in the contest - a pre-contest contest, I felt!

I had no photos, and very limited 'pinup wardrobe', so I talked with my friend and borrowed some awesome pieces.  I had my very own, mini photo shoot with my husband as a photographer and did some selfies to create a bio.

It took days to hear back that I was accepted to be in the contest. When I finally got word that I was in, I was too excited!

After all my practice over the years, I felt confident about getting the hair and makeup right.  And I found an awesome dress, along with hair accessories and sunglasses on Amazon.  It was a hard choice in dresses,  so many that I liked.

I was torn between a dress by Dresstells, V Fashion, Grace Karin, and Killreal.

I decided on the Killreal because it is a dress I can wear to work without the need of a sweater,  and I could see using it many times. I also got the petticoat from Grace Karin for that 50's puffy skirt.

As I mentioned before, I looked up YouTube videos for inspiration on different hair styles, and to see what a contest looks like. I like to be prepared people!

I got the to fairgrounds where the car show was being held,  with over 900 cars on display, their owners, and all the spectators.  Within 3 minutes I had people asking to take my picture! Holy! So awesome.

The contest show time was 11am, but again, with all the photos being taken of the 8 participants by professionals and novice alike, we were a bit late.

We were announced, one by one, so we could say hello to the crowd, and tell a little about ourselves. Before moving to the next girl we were asked a question.

I was prepared to answer what does being a pinup mean to me, or what inspires me about the rockabilly lifestyle, or what is my favorite vintage car ('49 Mercury coupe, chop top, slightly lowered, and painted matte metallic black cherry).

To my surprise, I was asked why I chose to wear a dress with polka dots.

What I should have said was that I was torn between the vintage inspired dress I chose, and a Rosie the Riveter outfit to show that I work on cars with my husband.

That in fact, I have done most of the labor on the car we are currently working, from stripping the wiring, to dismantling the pedal assembly, even building up the rear sub frame.

And I even know what in talking about!

Instead I said was that I love polka dots, they're cute and kitschy, and I love to dress up. That I love that a pinup can be attractive and sexy without having to reveal their whole body.

Really Jen, um, I mean really Lady Lipstick? Ugh.

That could have gone so much better. "Polka dots are cute", oh man.

After we were all introduced, and answered our questions, we were asked to exit the stage.

They announced the top three. The pin up I KNEW was going to win (so obvious, she has to have won so many of these contests before! ) was called as 3rd place.

Oh, I think.

The one pinup who chose to wear pants, and was too cute, called in 2nd place. Huh? Oookkaaayyyy.

"And our winner, Miss Peggy Sue 2017 is Laaady Liiipstick!"

Shock. Awe. Racing heart beat. You-know-what eating grin. Wow.

I walked back on stage, had the sash placed on me by last year's Miss Peggy Sue, handed a plaque, and asked to address the crowd again.

I told everyone about how Peggy Sue has inspired me for years, so much so that I had planned an event at the store I was working at 36 miles away for just the next day with a retro rockabilly theme! When I had planned it I didn't know Peggy Sue was the same weekend, I just knew it was time to be a pinup again!

I won $300 in cash, a pinup photo shoot from Ronephoto, a beautiful hair flower, a fascinator, a $50 certificate for Mary Kay with complimentary consultation, and a ride in the coolest cars and trucks for the cruise downtown!

I was also in the newspaper, and before leaving the show, I was able to do an impromptu photo shoot with a '49 Mercury coupe, chop top!

This experience has been amazing, inspirational, motivating, and rewarding.

One of the best rewards is that my husband even posed with me for a picture, and that is huge he HATES pictures!

I can't wait to do the photo shoot, we are thinking of doing it with vintage airplanes! I'll post some photos of that later, after we do.