Showing posts with label Unboxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unboxing. Show all posts

Friday, August 25, 2017

August Stitch Fix Show-off

23 comments:

I wanted to share my August Stitch Fix box before the month entirely gets away from me - can you believe we are only days away from September already?!  How did that happen?

This month, my stylist put together a really fun collection playing on neutrals and the color red, which is a color that never fails to make me feel cheerful and confident.  I was really pleased to see her selections!

Not all of them turned out to work me (and let's be honest - my wallet is glad that doesn't always happen!), but they were almost all in the general area of what I like.

Let's start with the items that didn't work out:


These three pieces, for various reasons, had to be returned - but look how great they look together? On the right person, this would be a terribly cute outfit.

Starting with the easiest choice of things to not keep, the Love & Legends Janessa Wide Leg Capri Pants with drawstring waist didn't appeal on any level (other than that it's a good neutral that goes well with the reds in the box).

They were way too small on me - enough that I couldn't take a picture of me wearing them even if I was inclined to.  Since Stitch Fix allows for exchanges, that isn't a deal-breaker, but they had other problems.

The fabric was thin and the cut means, if they did fit, they'd be comfortable and able to breathe, but it also means they looked very limp and pretty unattractive.

Pretty much, they screamed 'clean out the garage clothes' - and we don't have a garage.

I didn't really need my husband to weigh in on these (sometimes, I do need a second opinion), but the headshaking and pleading look was all I needed to set these aside for returns even if I had been on the fence about them.

Ok!  Now that the worst is out of the way let's go on to happier parts of this box!

Shoes!  I've been on the prowl all summer for a pair of shoes I can wear with pants and dresses.  It's not easy to select shoes for me, because I have several criteria that are non-negotiable.

I have disabilities that make it impossible for me to wear heels or take any risk of slipping. So I need shoes that are flat but have good soles on the outside so I don't slide, and good support on the inside.

Additionally, I really (REALLY) dislike open toed shoes on me.  Closed toed sandals that meet all this criteria are out there but hard to track down.  Closed toed flats or clogs are more commonly available, but still it is a challenge.

I thought these Mesh Knit Alpargata Slip-On Toms might be a winner!  But here again, they were too small (this is now multiple times Toms have been too small when I'm already asking for a half size larger than I normally wear, so hmm....)

Within just a couple minutes of wearing them to show off, I felt blisters developing on the upper back of my heel, and I didn't love the way the front of the shoe is put together by folding over the fabric. It looks a little awkwardly styled, to me.


But still - very cute, especially with the other items in the box.

Now we're getting really close - I loved this top in the box and it hits all the right warm spots - the Eden Society Teresa Embroidery Detail Top is an airy peasant style top that feels very reminiscent of Ukrainian folkwear in both its colorfulness and the delicious embroidery along the front and at the shoulders.

The fabric is quite sheer, which is a thing to keep in mind when choosing what goes underneath it.  I tried it on with the white jeans I kept from last month and the Toms that were in the box.

Unfortunately, there was something about the cut of this that simply didn't play well with my shape - it set a little shorter than I'd like for something that would otherwise be a bit airy.

To fit my pear-shaped body, it needed just a little bit of flare to avoid being too body hugging around the hips.

Finally, I am coming to realize that I always feel awkward when my shoulders are highlighted by this sort of football jersey graphic element that makes them look too small (or too big... or just hunched? Not sure).

Again I think this is because I am lower body heavy - I just don't need an optical illusion that makes me shoulders look even smaller in comparison to my hips.

So, as much as I liked this top in series - and really want  to see more embroidered pieces while they're still in style! - I put this on the return pile and turned my attention to the last two pieces.


I am not even kidding - I'd have probably cried if this next top, the Crescent Amparo Tie Neck Tunic hadn't fit. I loved it that much when I first saw it.

This is a very lightweight fabric, but with sleeves, so I'll be able to enjoy it throughout the fall with a sweater or jacket to go with it.

The length is a good bit longer than the first top, which I am much more comfortable with.

Best of all? POM POMS!

Around the bottom hem and the sleeves are an adorable bit of white trim of tiny pom poms!

I've already worn this a couple times - it goes quite nicely with both the white jeans and with regular jeans and I think it'd be really cute with a straight skirt, too.

Also, my husband gets smiley and comments on the pom poms every single time - hah! We belong together.

I expect to have this in regular rotation come cooler weather with leggings and boots and a shawl or sweater.  Winner Winner!


Lastly,  I receive a red and white floral maxi wrap dress with a high-low hem and ruffles (this whole collection was about hitting current trends, wasn't it?)

This is Honey Punch Daniella Faux Wrap Maxi Dress. I haven't worn it other than to try it on, yet - there is a white inner lining that I appreciate a lot but it does add warmth and bulk that are too much for the humid days we've had this month.

But I will be making up excuses to wear it once the weather gets cooler!

It is completely open in the front with the wrap belt running through a hole at the side, so once I sorted out how to put it on, it is pretty easy to get on and adjusted as needed.

The front is higher but not too high - it hits just about six inches above my ankles.  The wrap V-neck and the sleeves are both really attractive, I think and the pattern is seriously cute.

It's been a long time since I wore ruffles around a skirt like this, but I really like them, too!

I think this dress could easily be dressed up or worn for a reasonably casual event with a few switches in accessories, shoes and the like. I'd love to try it with a denim jacket, but I also think any of several shawls in my closet would work nicely here.

I tried it on with my boots even though it was way too hot to keep them on more than a few minutes.

Showing off the lining.

So that was it for me this time - two really great pieces, both of which I can wear well into the coming Autumn months, and I learned a few more things about what really works or doesn't work for me compared to what I think will or won't.

Ok then - ready or not, September, here we come!


Stitch Fix (this is my referal link - if you sign up via this link, I'll receive a credit toward my own next box.)



Anime Bento Unboxing

4 comments:

Once again, I was treated to a fun Anime Bento Box! For those of you who don't know, Anime Bento is a subscription service that sends a box full of anime goodies and even includes a yummy Japanese snack!

This month's box included two figurines, one Sailor Moon and one Dragon Ball, a Ranma Express tee shirt, an Anime Bento file folder, and a grape chewing candy. Also in the Bento Box was a card detailing what was included in the box and a sneak peak of the next one!


Everyone I know at least knows of Sailor Moon, even if they didn't watch it. The figurine I got was Sailor Moon herself, in her Princess form.


She sits atop a little stand, and according to the pictures on the box, she can even perch on a glass rim. Unfortunately, my day to day glasses are too thick for this, so I only get to utilize this feature if I'm drinking from my wine glasses. So, for the most part, she lives on the shelf with the rest of my adorable anime figurines.


Dragon Ball Z was actually the very first anime I ever saw. I remember my brother and my dad watching it together every Saturday morning, while I usually read on the couch. To be completely honest, I never actually cared for the fight filled anime that honestly reminded me of a Superman knock off, but I still knew exactly what I was going to do with the figurine!


My brother had his birthday this month, and I knew he'd appreciate it as a decoration for his new house, so I wrapped it up and shipped it off to him, glad to know that it would be enjoyed.

The bright red shirt is a fun play on the well known restaurant, Panda Express. After a bit of searching, I found that it references the anime Ranma ½ that follows a teen aged boy who, due to an accident in his training, becomes a girl when splashed with cold water.


It has been said that Ranma ½ was actually one of the first anime/manga to become popular in the US, which makes it interesting enough that it's been added to my ever growing “to watch” list.

The file folder for this month is the same pocket type that I have come to expect from Anime Bento. The three Bento Girls in kimonos grace the front. With the school year fast approaching, I know that I will be using this!



Finally, the treat in this month's box was a grape chewing candy. Like the Pokemon candy from last month, I at first thought it was gum, but found out otherwise.

Usually, I absolutely loathe grape flavored candies, and thought it was going to be a treat for Mischief, but after smelling it, I decided to give it a try. I'm not sure what the exact difference is between Japanese grape flavoring and US grape flavoring, but I have come to the conclusion that the Japanese is by far the superior. Every single time I have gotten a grape something or other for a treat, I have ended up liking it.



Once again, I have gotten a lovely Anime Bento Box, full of goodies that I can use and love. If a monthly box like this seems up your alley, subscriptions start at $35.00/month.



http://www.animebento.com/
https://www.facebook.com/animebentous/
https://twitter.com/AnimeBentous
https://www.instagram.com/animebentous/



Friday, June 30, 2017

My Latest Anime Bento Unboxing!

9 comments:

This past month I was, once again, treated to an Anime Bento Box! For those unfamiliar with this subscription box, Anime Bento Box caters to the Anime- and Japanfan. Each box contains a tee shirt, a Japanese treat, and a few anime related goodies.


Included in this months box was: One Piece stickers, a sweet potato candy, Attack on Titan socks, two Kuroko's Basketball posters, a My Hero Academia keychain strap, and a Sailor Moon Luna shirt.
There was also the customary info card and a sneak peak for the next month's box!



I am not even going to lie, when I saw the Luna tee shirt, the 90's kid in me whooped in excitement! As a kid, I definitely wanted a talking black cat that helped me discover my inner superhero.



I have worn this shirt more than a few times over the month, and it will probably stay in my rotation until it needs mending. And then I'll fix it, and wear it some more!



The second article of clothing in this month's box was a pair of Attack on Titan socks. They are lovely thin summer socks with a screen print character. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with the show, having only just started it, to be able to tell you exactly which one it is, but he looks pretty BAMF and they're comfy socks!



As with most stickers that I get, the one that I got in this box (the iconic anime One Piece) went to my children. Being two and six, they think that stickers of any kind are the best and don't care what they put them on.

Me, I want to have juuuuuust the right place to put one, and I don't really have that right now.



The two posters also went to my son, who likes looking at art, even if he doesn't know the source. They were curled up to be shipped, and definitely held that curl when brought out.

I like keychains. I always have. My very first key ring held three keys (the key to my bike lock, the key to my dad's, and the key to my mom's) and about ten thousand keychains. So, I love getting a new keychain in nearly every box!

However, if you are not like me, and you don't like having a ton of keychains, be warned that you get one in nearly every box.



This new keychain from My Hero Academia definitely went on and helps me to find my keys in the bottom of my purse or diaper bag.

This month's treat was a little sweet potato candy. If I had been a glutton, I could have eaten it all in one bite, but I chose to take nibbles out of it instead.



The flavor honestly reminded me of roast sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner. It was not unpleasant, but it was a little strange to my American tongue, thinking of it as a sweet treat rather than savory side dish.

To me, that's a big part of the fun of trying treats from other cultures - the realization that different places really do have different culinary tastes.


Anime Bento has once again treated me to a few lovely goodies, and I actually enjoy being able to share it with the kiddos. I'm certain they appreciate it too!

If you are interested in your own subscription to Anime Bento, you can get one here starting at $35.00/month

http://www.animebento.com/
https://www.facebook.com/animebentous/
https://twitter.com/AnimeBentous
https://www.instagram.com/animebentous/

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

June Stitch Fix - Ready for Summer!

25 comments:

This month, my Stitch Fix box arrived on my birthday, just a few minutes before we were headed out for dinner and to see Wonder Woman - so I quickly opened the box to take a peek (because I am no good at all with delayed gratification.

Inside, I found two summery blouses, a pair of denim shorts, a dress, and a pair of earrings.

I decided to take a moment to clean and wear the earrings, figuring this would be a great opportunity to get them a test run.

(And completely forgot to get a picture of the on, because we were running a little late by then.)

I really love the look of these earrings, but unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that  they weren't going to work for me.

First, one of them kept spinning around so that the back of it was face out.

I fiddled with it, took it out two or three times to try to sort out what was causing it, and it still kept happening.


Secondly, it was long enough that it was actually clacking against my necklace, and that was annoying.

And lastly, when I tried to put them on the next day to get some pictures, my ears were so sore from wearing them the night before that I decided not to.  They didn't feel irritated otherwise, so I'm not sure if that was metal sensitivity, or just fatigue from the weight of them and having taken them out multiple times.

So the verdict: I love the style, but need a different execution of it.

Diem Stone Drop Earrings
Bay to Baubles
$28.00
RETURNED



The next day, we had plans to join some friends for an afternoon of board games.  This was set up by one of our friends whose birthday is the day after mine.

About a dozen of us met up in College Park, MD and a wonderful place called Board and Brew.

Set right off the University of Maryland campus, with nearby parking available just a short walk away across a footbridge, Board and Brew is the perfect place for friends to hang out together.  They have classic games like Scrabble, to massive multiplayer campaign style games.  They even had a good collection of children's games available, and this was a kid friendly environment (with adult supervision).

Each person pays a $5 cover charge to stay as long as they like and play all the games they like.

It was an amazing day!


For the occasion, I chose one of the blouses that had come in my Stitch Fix box.

This is a very lightweight sheer pleated blouse with crochet detailing at shoulders.  It came with a deep blue adjustable camisole that fit very well.

I felt like I looked nice all day - and more importantly, it was so comfortable to wear that most of the afternoon, I didn't even think about it at all.  There was no riding up or pull as I moved.


I expect to be wearing this often throughout the summer, and with a light jacket over it, it will handle the early days of Autumn just fine.  Verdict: BIG WIN!

Tanzelle Crochet Sleeve Blouse
Daniel Rainn
$64.00
KEEP

Finally, on Sunday, we planned to go out and take pictures of the remaining items, but were thwarted by our apartment management stripping and polishing the floors, so we were trapped at home most of the day. (The floors do look nice, though....)

So, we took to the balcony for these.


First, I tried on the second blouse and the shorts.

Starting with the blouse - I thought this was another win!  This one is a sleeveless peasant style blouse, also with crochet detailing around the neckline, the waist, and the hem.  It is made up of two sheer layers - the one underneath is a deep blue that is attached at the shoulders and is slightly longer than the outer, patterned layer.



I think it looks fantastic!  It is slightly less comfortable than the other blouse - it seems to not breathe quite as well.  But as long as I avoid it on very muggy days, I think it's really pretty and versatile.

What I like best is the shape of it - the empire waistline, and then the flare, so that it isn't hugging my hips in an awkward way.

Verdict: Yes!

Tiffina Crochet Detail Top
Daniel Rainn
$64.00
KEEP



Sadly, the shorts were a different story - they were way too big for me in the waistline, but not in a way that changing the size would have helped.

I am quite pear shaped - and as is often the case, these shorts fit well enough around my butt and thighs, but I had a big gap around the waist.  So, while I think the top looks really cute with shorts, these are not  the shorts I'm looking for.

Verdict: Nope.

Corynne Distressed Boyfriend Short
Kut From the Kloth
$68.00
RETURN


Lastly, I tried on this dress.  It's a lightweight fabric that moves nicely and feels comfortable, and the dress sits just about a knee length on me (I am 5'4").

What I liked about this dress most was the neckline, which had a faux collar and cut in a way to create a V neckline.  Sadly, this didn't offset a couple issues I had.

My eyes! My  eyes!
First, the pattern on the dress was not my favorite - had this arrived in, say, black, or a more on point print (gingham maybe?), I think I'd have kept it.

But this pattern, in shades of bluish purple and some sort of orangey pink (??) was nearly headache inducing.

The second issue I had was the elasticized waist band - I honestly couldn't figure out where it was suppose to sit.

When I had it pulled down to the waist, the dress looked fine, but it really looked like it was missing a belt, and I really didn't want to have to buy a belt for this dress.

For the pictures, I decided to hitch it up above the natural waistline so the top could blouse over it more loosely - and I thought this also looked fine (not fantastic.... just fine).  But I also kept fighting the urge to play with it and adjust it, and I know me well enough to know I'd never really feel comfortable wearing it if I kept having to fix the way it was laying.

I struggled with this right up to the moment it was time to seal the parcel for returns - in the end I chose to send it back.  I like the concept of this dress, but I'd like a different version of it so much better than this one.  Verdict: Not this time.



Keziah Shirt Dress
41Hawthorne
$64.00
RETURN

While in the end, I only kept the blouses, I thought this box was a good match for me - where items didn't work, it was only 'near misses' and I do think my stylist and I are beginning to zero in on what I like.

My final cost was $108.00, after taking off the $20.00 styling fee.

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix for yourself, it's easy to sign up - you take a questionnaire on your style, size, etc, and schedule your Fix.  It costs $20 (a styling fee), which is subtracted from the price of what you choose to buy.  If you like the entire box, you can buy the whole thing at a 25% discount, and you get three days to decide what to keep and what to return.

Sending back returned items is as easy as putting the items into a large, prepaid vinyl envelope and dropping it off at the post office.


For next time, I have asked my stylist for some basic pieces - fewer patterns and more solids, and 'go-withs' - maybe shoes or some capris and some sort of summer weight kimono or other type of throw.  I can' wait to see what she comes up with!


Stitch Fix
https://www.facebook.com/stitchfix/

Monday, May 22, 2017

Unboxing: Anime Bento Box

5 comments:

Once again, this past month, I was treated to an Anime Bento Box in my mailbox! For those of you unfamiliar with Anime Bento, it is a subscription box filled with anime/manga goodies and a snack from Japan. Each box also includes a tee shirt!


In this month's box, I received another DIY treat kit, a Yuri on Ice tee shirt, a folder, a CD with anime music, two cell phone charms, and a $5.00 gift code to bookwalker, a website selling digital manga and light novels. The one thing that was missing from this box that has always been included in the others was a card detailing the contents, but that's ok, I could figure it out with my friend!


The treat kit was entirely in Japanese, which meant that once again, I had to rely on only the pictures to make it. I don't think I did half bad, as the pictures are very detailed. It ended up being this color changing fizzy sweet. It' wasn't bad, but lacked any definite flavor and the texture was...odd.


Yuri on Ice is not an anime that I am familiar enough with to instantly recognize, but my friend did! This light blue shirt has a skate with the quote “we were born to make history”. It makes a great lounging around the house shirt.


The folder is another pocket style that I don't see in stores around here, but is still pretty useful. Though I don't know the anime, and lack the information card, it seems to be an Alice in Wonderland theme that is nonetheless pretty to look at. I love the detailed artwork in anime stills and there's always something interesting to find.


I was very excited for the CD with anime music, as I think that anime intros and credit songs are, for the most part, super fun! I never skip them when binging! This CD has six tracks, but only three songs. The first three are the regular versions, and the last three are the karaoke versions! I'm honestly not mad, as it makes for good background music.


The two cellphone charms are identical, a pink haired girl, and I instantly knew that they were to become the BFF charms for my bestie and I! Unfortunately, mine broke within the first couple days from getting caught on my seatbelt while my phone was in my pocket. Hers, however, still dangles from her phone case!


The last thing in this box was a $5.00 gift card to the website bookwalker. I knew instantly that I wanted to use it towards getting the next book of the Ancient Magus Bride! Using it was easy, and I'm glad to be aware of a digital source of new manga.

If you think that this box and the others I've gotten sound like something you or someone you know of would enjoy, you can get your own subscription starting at $35.00/month!


http://www.animebento.com/
https://www.facebook.com/animebentous/