{June} Stitch Fix -- The Birthday Box

June is my favorite month, by a long shot.

June is the month when the sunshine finally makes its way out, guns a blazin', every day, without fail.  I do quite enjoy all the heat the summer brings, but that's not the reason June is my favorite month.

{Please do not mention my love of the heat to anyone who actually, seriously, has to endure heat as a part of his/her everyday occupation.  I do realize there's a slight difference in anxiously applying some Hawaiian Tropic in hopes of getting a nice tan, and having to wear sweaty jeans for a 12-hour shift in a place where there's no AC.}

June is also the time when I can begin to enjoy my cup of coffee while listening to the tunes of birds chirping away in the great outdoors, waking my sleepy self up with all their tidings of good cheer.  That's beautiful and all, but that is not why June is my favorite either.

One of my favorite things about June is the way the sky stays lit up so late into each evening, allowing neighborhoods of children bonus time for their summer shenanigans.  I love the summer nights and all the freedom those extra evening hours bring, but that's not why June is my favorite.

No, my affection for the month of June is a little more selfish than the reasons above.

JUNE IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH.  And boy, do I love to be celebrated.

SIMPLE.  AS.  THAT.

This month I chose to spend part of my birthday moolah on my Stitch Fix box.  My stylist Stacy worked so hard to fix up a perfect box for me for my birthday month, and she couldn't have done a better job.

Here is the sweet note she wrote me:

Hey, girl!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!  If you are anything like me, you celebrate the whole month, as deserved! ;)  For this Fix, I focused on fun, boho-chic, totally cute, vacation-ready items.  I started with the Gilli striped hi-lo dress.  Um...$38?!  Yes, please!  It is super comfy and adorable!  Great with sandals and a long chain necklace.  A jean jacket will layer nicely over it.  The Papermoon maxi you had pinned, and it should be a good length for you (fingers crossed).  The Papermoon cross back blouse you had pinned, as well.  I love it with colored skinnies or capris.  The Le Lis mixed material tank is adorable, and can be dressed up or down for a fun dinner out.  And, well, I just couldn't resist the Papermoon crochet detail top.  It reminds me of one of the cardigans you love!  I hope you ENJOY and have a fantastic birthday!  XOXO ~ Stay W.

Before I go into the details of the treasures inside my June box, let me just say that for next month's blog post, I may get a wild hair and include a few of the discarded photos taken of me in the pieces.  After umpteen tries, I still can't seem to get anyone in my home to take a proper photo. 

ITEM #1:  Pete Crochet Detail Top (by Papermoon)

Bernie BLUE is my most favorite hue, so you might know that this top was an immediate winner.  I even found the perfect wedges to wear with it, deep in the back of my closet, but, alas, I tripped and broke them within moments of slipping them on my feet.  Such is the story of my clumsy life.

 

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #2:  Kami Mixed Material Knit Tank (by Le Lis)

I asked my stylist for fun things to wear on our July beach vacation, and I think this tank will be perfect!  It's light and airy, and the length is nice.  I love the summer feel of it, and especially the coral color.

              

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #3:  Waters Paisley Maxi Dress (by Papermoon)

I absolutely adore this dress!  The colors in it are so great, even though the styling card doesn't exactly highlight them.  I love the pop of fuchsia, yellow, and bright blue here and there throughout the pattern.  (NOTE:  You can look at the picture above to get a better idea of the pattern and colors).  Now all I need is a statement necklace, and this dress will be fantastic for a night out in Gulf Shores.

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #4:  Arisha Striped Dress (by Gilli)

I'm loving this dress, too.  Kudos, Stacy!!  The straps aren't quite up to my work's dress code, but that's nothing a little jacket can't fix.  I love the fun high-low length, and the cute twisted straps.  As with the Papermoon maxi, you can see the picture above to get a better idea of the colors in this dress.  Yay for two new dresses!!

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #5:  Durango Cross Back Blouse (by Papermoon)

I had pinned this top on Pinterest, and I love it even more in person.  First of all, the checked print is in navy, and I am ALL ABOUT shades of BLUE, in case you hadn't picked up on that.  Also, the back is so cute.  It's feminine and unique, which are two of my favorite qualities in fashion!  I hesitate to include these two super unflattering pictures of me wearing this top, but the top is so adorable that I'll just go ahead and embarrass myself.  You're welcome.

 

STATUS:  Kept

Now, I had some pretty good birthday gifts this month, and this Stitch Fix box was definitely one of them, but let me just tell you what was an equally awesome gift.....

THIS COLORING BOOK.

It has recently provided me with peaceful, therapeutic moments after putting in my hours at Summer School each day.  You can find the book here at Amazon.  I promise, you are never too old to bust out the crayolas and get with it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I believe my stylist Stacy has instructed me to hunt for a jean jacket and some colored skinnies, so......away I go!

Click here to see if Stitch Fix is for you!

{May} Stitch Fix -- Down Came the Rains

"Well, a-beat the drum and hold the phone, The sun came out today."

Oh, wait a minute.  No.  No, it did not.  My bad.

"Centerfield" by John Fogerty

I had to suspend my last two Stitch Fix boxes, due to the fact that I was in the midst of purchasing ALL THINGS BASEBALL for two wild and crazy Hobgood boys.  

{And their daddy, who believes ALL THINGS BASEBALL are all very important.}

Holy smokes, who knew there could be so many accessories, merchandise, and equipment out there, just to participate in America's greatest pastime?  Let me just tell you, there are ALL THESE THINGS out there that these boys had to have recently -- and if I never enter another sporting goods store again, I will be SO HAPPY.

What happened to the days of, "Got a beat-up glove, a home-made bat, And a brand new pair of shoes"?  The Mudville Nine were happy with just those three things, I bet, so why must the ballplayers of today be so choosy?  

{Well, maybe The Nine were happy until Mighty Casey struck out.  I guess then they probably wanted to tell him where he could shove that home-made bat.}

At any rate, I LOVE me some baseball, so missing two months of Stitch Fix hasn't been all that tragic.  What's been a real bugger about this whole season is that after we have spent ALL THE MONEY on ALL THINGS BASEBALL, there has been virtually no baseball to watch.

THAT has been tragic on several levels -- namely the hundreds of dollars wasted on hotel and travel expenses, but we don't want to go there.....lest I start feeling faint and queasy.

We have traveled hither and thither the past month or so, and we have witnessed nothing but sad muddy fields, and boys in crisp, clean uniforms, ready to play some ball.

"Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright," but it ain't around these parts, I'm here to tell ya.

Actually, the sun HAS shone bright every weekend.  It's just made its appearance after the rains came pouring down, flooding every baseball field from here to Timbuktu.

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The bright side of all this rant is this -- My May Stitch Fix was well worth the wait, because.......

I KEPT IT ALL!!!  Hip, hip, horray!!

ITEM #1:  Palma Cardigan (by Sweet Rain)

I think my "stylist" is on to me now, and most certainly hears my cries for more cardigans.  I saw this cardigan on Pinterest, and fell so in love with it.  I've worn it several times in the past few weeks, and I just can't get enough of it!

 

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #2:  Sue Eyelet Detail Top (by Skies are Blue)

This top is probably my most favorite item in my closet now.  The photo on the styling card doesn't do this top justice.  I'm wearing the top in the above picture, and you can get a closer look at it in the photo of all items in the box.  It is so feminine and flowy, but not so flowy that it looks like a maternity top.  There is a fine, fine line there.  Fortunately, this top doesn't cross it.  Score!

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #3:  Nala Crew Neck Blouse (by BRIXON IVY)

This was the only item in the box that I considered sending back.  It is precious, and very feminine like the above top, but I just felt like it was overpriced.  The fabric is a more delicate fabric, so I can see why it is pricier than the other pieces.  I just debated on whether or not it was worth it.  In the end, it made more sense to keep it, since I wanted the other four items.  (NOTE:  Keeping all five items means a 25% discount on the box.)  I'm wearing this top in the photo below.

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #4:  Addison Striped Knit Cardigan (by 41Hawthorn)

I look at a lot of Stitch Fix blogs.  More than I should, I'm sure.  What I want to know is this:  How do all these mommas get super adorable photos of themselves wearing the pieces?  Who is doing such a stellar job of taking their photos?  I have to resort to either A) A teenage boy who would rather scrub toilets than take a photo of someone.  B) A super cheesy selfie at work.  And I DESPISE selfies.  C) A husband whose commentary I can do without, when it comes to making new purchases. OR D) A six-year-old.  Enough said.

All that aside, I loved this cardigan, too.  Blue is my favorite color, as stated on my Stitch Fix profile, so I'm always flattered when my stylist listens and sends me pieces in blue.

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #5:  Kason Colorblock Canvas Tote (by Street Level)

The only photo I have of this tote is in the first photo that is of the whole box.  I LOVE this bag.  I had pinned it on Pinterest, but was a little leery of receiving purses from Stitch Fix.  I had a suspicion that they'd be overpriced, but I was pleasantly surprised by this bag.  BONUS:  It's big enough to hold all my everyday necessities -- wallet, planner, lipstick, and about four or five novels.

STATUS:  Kept

There you have it -- May's Stitch Fix, which was the best one yet.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get packing for a 4-day baseball extravaganza.  Please say a silent prayer for us that Mother Nature is in a better mood this weekend.

{NOTE:  If you have never read "Casey at the Bat" by Ernest Thayer, please click HERE because you are really missing out on one of the greatest poems ever written.  It's my personal favorite.}

Want to try Stitch Fix for yourself?  Click HERE

{February} Stitch Fix -- Blue Clear Sky

In my last post, which was, embarrassingly, eons ago, I touched on the subject of how my handsome husband and I came to be a couple.

This morning as I was driving to work, one of my favorite tunes came on the radio, and it occurred to me that the particular song is probably the most perfect representation of how Derek and I managed to become an item.

It also reminded me of just how much I ADORE good, old-school country music.

There's something about good country music that causes me to pause for moments in time, stopping to reminisce about people, places, and events that have passed.  I get so sappy and feel such a connection to much of the country of yesterday.

{Well, except for the corniest of corny country music songs.  I'm talking corny as in "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk".  I didn't feel a connection there.  NOT corny as in "Watermelon Crawl."  I can get down to some "Watermelon Crawl," ya'll.}

I've always been a sucker for country music.  As a matter of fact, I have a hard time trusting people who lack an appreciation for my friends George, Willie, Merl, and Hank.

There's just nothing that compares to their era of music.

As far back as I can remember, country music has been my favorite genre of music.  I can remember exactly where I was the moment I first heard that rumble of thunder, followed by Garth's lyrics, "Three thirty in the morning.  Not a soul in sight...."  It was in the backseat of my dad's silver Dodge Dakota pickup, and boy did we wear the mess out of that cassette.

{Granted, I can't remember to dress Cane appropriately on "Picture Day".  EVER.  But I can remember, with great clarity, that moment in the Dodge.  I can also sing every lyric to "Achy Breaky Heart."}

I've never considered myself a true "country girl," even though living in a town with no stoplight surely qualifies a gal to be, and yet the trends I am finding most fascinating here lately are those that only a true, blue country girl could pull off.

I'm not talking "country girl" as in Daisy Duke shorts and a crop top emblazoned with a silhouette of The Man in Black.  Although that look is quite adorable on young 20-somethings, I'm thinking people with children should shy away from that style.

No, I'm talking the "country girl" styles like those of The Pioneer Woman, Jen Hatmaker, and the Duck Dynasty wives.  I'm so fascinated with the cool things they wear.  ESPECIALLY THEIR BOOTS.  Have I obsessed over boots enough on this blog?  I think not.  I encourage you to go follow them all on Instagram right now.  You won't be disappointed.

My February Stitch Fix was another great one, and many of the items could have had that country flair to them, if paired up with the right pieces and adorned with the right accessories.  As always, I really wanted to keep all five items. Because of a few fit issues, I was only able to keep two of the five items, but I have high hopes that one day I will be able to snag a whole, entire box for my own......to keep forever and ever, amen. 

{Gotta love some Randy Travis.}

For a variety of reasons, I suspended my March and April Stitch Fix boxes, so I am really, really looking forward to opening up my May box.  I'm seeing visions of brightly colored maxi dresses in my near future.

Here you have it:  February's Stitch Fix.

*NOTE:  I failed to get a photo of myself wearing any of the pieces before I had to send them back.*

ITEM #1:  Moraga Space Dye Cardigan (by Renee C)

If you've ever read even one of my blog posts, then you can surely guess that I loved this cardigan.  It is now apparent to me that I have an obsession with cardigans.  It is also apparent to me that Stitch Fix manages to find the best cardigans in the stratosphere.  I love, love, love this, and because of this fact -- I probably wear this article of clothing way too much now.

STATUS:  Kept

ITEM #2:  Lizza Floral Print Short-Sleeve Blouse (by 19 Cooper)

Because I am a cheater, I already knew that this top was coming.  The print is gorgeous, but the fit wasn't so gorgeous.  The top was way too big, unfortunately.  Isn't it pretty, though?!

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #3:  Avah Knit Top (by Market & Spruce)

I tried this top on a few times, hoping it would grow on me.  It was pretty, but just not pretty enough.  I'm not a fan of the dolman style of tops.  It's just not that flattering on me, especially at a fairly high price.

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #4:  Yana 3/4 Sleeve Striped Dress (by Loveappella)

Isn't this dress cute, too?!  I had pinned this dress on Pinterest, but the simple fact is that this dress fit a little too good.  I tried it on three times, but something about it just felt inappropriate.  Clearly it isn't an inappropriate style or cut, but it was just a little too snug in certain places.  It's too bad, because I really liked it!

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #5:  Alexandria Antique Coin Necklace (by Bay to Baubles)

I pinned this necklace on Stitch Fix, and it was even prettier in person.  I don't have a good photo of it, other than the photo below that Stitch Fix had pinned on Pinterest.  I've worn this several times, and my only complaint is that my hair tends to get tangled in it.  Oh, well.  Small price to pay!

STATUS:  Kept

There are times when I question whether or not I should really be indulging in this whole Stitch Fix thing.  I really do.  However, for the time being, it's just a treat that I enjoy opening my Post Office box to once a month.  There's no denyin', come rain or shine, that's a delivery that will put a smile on my face.

{Bless my heart, it's time to close this post out.  BUT.....bonus points if you can name the corny country music song I referenced there.}

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Want to try Stitch Fix for yourself?  Click HERE. 

{January} Stitch Fix -- In Sickness & In Health

In the words of expert romanticist Ed Sheeran, "People fall in love in mysterious ways."

Sometimes it's after being fixed up on a blind date.

Sometimes it's by taking a gamble on Match.com.

Sometimes it's during the most dramatic rose ceremony ever.

And sometimes it's after a run-in at a New Year's Eve hog roast.

So the story goes, the latter is how I eventually became Mrs. Krystal Hobgood.

For real.

Derek and I have a simple, yet charming love story.  It goes a little something like this:

     Girl moves home from college.
     Girl sets her sights on Boy, unbeknownst to poor, unsuspecting Boy.
     Girl bumps into Boy at a NYE shindig.
     Boy finds Girl a big wacky, but intriguing enough to date.
     Six months later, Boy says, "Please be my wife."
     Six months later, Girl and Boy say, "I do."

As they say -- the rest is history.

NYE 2005 -- Newlyweds in Jamaica

On NYE this year, Derek and I celebrated TEN years together.  TEN.  A WHOLE DECADE, PEOPLE.

This past month, we seem to have been put to the test on the whole "in sickness and in health" part of the marriage vows.  Our family has been plagued by random illnesses, injuries, and ailments, and I have a feeling the worst is yet to come.

How do I know?

Oh, you know....  The nightly bout of profuse swearing each time Derek rolls over in bed indicates to me {because I'm SUPER intuitive} that the recent injury to his arm is something significant that will not heal without surgery.  And if you've ever nursed a grown man back to health, you know I'm looking forward to the whole recovery process.

{In his defense, he is SOUND asleep during these episodes and has no clue he's making sailors everywhere proud with that colorful language.}

So even though I have been blessed with the gift of gab, January's blog post is fairly short and sweet, and a month late.  Because of nursing myself and all my people back to health for the better part of January, I have not had time to critique January's Stitch Fix until now.  Honestly, it has been so long since I opened the January Stitch Fix box, that I can hardly summon the words to describe how I felt about some of the pieces.

Okay, so maybe I can.  A girl can never be too short on words when it comes to fashion.

ITEM #1:  McQue Solid Lace Sleeve Blouse (by 41Hawthorn)

As is the case with many of the items I receive in my Stitch Fix boxes now, I had pinned this top on Pinterest (only it was in a lilac color).  The top was super cute.  With it being short-sleeved, I just didn't see myself wearing it any time soon -- and the adorable lace sleeves were too precious to cover up with a cardigan.  I didn't even try it on, so the photo below is the best I can do.  

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #2:  Pheobe Chevron Print Sweater (by Pixley)

I had not pinned this exact top on Pinterest, but had pinned one almost just like it -- only in a yellow print.  I would have kept this top, BUT it had a stain on it.  Major bummer!  It was the first Stitch Fix item I've ever received that was in less than perfect condition.  This sweater was great, and so, so soft, but I just had to send it back.

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #3:  Gaia Layered Gem Necklace (by Bay to Baubles)

I'm not even really sure why I didn't keep this necklace, because it would have matched many things in my closet, but I just didn't.  It was really pretty, but for some reason I decided to send it back at the last minute.  

STATUS:  Sent Back

ITEM #4:  Colibri Plaid Tab-Sleeve Cotton Shirt (by Fun2Fun)

This shirt is so much cuter than the styling card shows.  I've been wanting something plaid for a few months now, and had pinned similar tops on Pinterest.  As soon as I saw this, I knew I'd love it!  I admit, the fit was a little odd, and felt remotely like a maternity top.  However, I wore it the day I received my Fix, and not one soul asked me if I was expecting.  I'll take that as a good sign.

While I'm on the topic of this shirt, though, can we please take a moment to talk about the second look on this styling card?  I just want to say, that I wish I was the kind of gal who could make such bold fashion choices as to combine plaid with polka-dots.  I know that mixing patterns is "IN" right now; however, I can't take that leap just yet.

STATUS:  It's a Keeper!

ITEM #5:  Voltaire Lace Detail Cardigan (by Caramela)

I love, love, love this cardigan.  Stitch Fix just has the best cardigans ever, and those seem to be the items I keep out of the boxes.  They are always so soft, so well-made, and fit just perfectly.  They're always the perfect length, long and fluttery, without being frumpy.  

STATUS:  It's a Keeper!

So there you have it:  January's Stitch Fix, just a few weeks late.  It is my hope that I can be a bit more punctual this month and actually publish my post within a month.  February's Stitch Fix box will arrive today, so finger's crossed that you'll hear from me sooner rather than later!

If you're still confused about what Stitch Fix is, I explained it all in my first blog post HERE.  If you think Stitch Fix is something you'd love, click HERE to learn more!

For your listening pleasure, here is "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran:

Disclaimer:  If seductive dancing isn't your cup of tea, just sit back, close your eyes, and listen.  This song is so beautiful!