{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.

______________________________________

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.}

_________________________________________

Want to try Stitch Fix for yourself?  Click HERE.