November/December Stitch Fix Review

Spoiler alert...

(I've always wanted to do that!)

This was the time I sent it all back.

Yep. I did.

Kind of disappointing. But, hey. They're just clothes. And I have to say that it wasn't a terrible, awful fix. It was just okay.

So here we go.

Up first was the Winslette Skinny Jean by Just Black. I had been asking my stylist for a pair of colored denim jeans for at least a couple of months. I liked the color of these, but they were not the right size - they were too small. Oh, well.

Then I tried the Chantrey Cable Knit Sweater by RD Style with the Chloe Houndstooth Infinity Scarf by Look by M. I really liked the charcoal gray color of the sweater, but it didn't feel like it was the best quality. I remember catching my hand on a loose (but not that loose) thread on the inside while trying it on, and that was a red flag to me. It was also a pretty loose knit, so I would have had to wear something underneath it every time.

The scarf was just okay. It looked fine with the sweater.

I kind of liked the next sweater. It's the Corby Pullover Sweater by Skies are Blue. I don't remember the price now, but I think I thought it was too expensive for what it was.

Lastly, I received the Rowen Faux Leather Quilted Vest by Fate. It was too small and so I didn't take a picture of it on me.

However, I got to wear one by the same maker yesterday in the right size (but a different color) that I received in my first Le Tote box. I really liked the way it felt and how it looked. The right size makes all the difference! I do like this navy blue color better than the olive one that I wore yesterday.

So, yeah. I sent them all back. And I decided to take another break from Stitch Fix.

In the meantime I am trying Le Tote. I had been receiving their emails for sometime, and then I saw another blogger wearing a cute sweater she got from Le Tote and I decided to check it out. More on that in another post, perhaps, but basically it's a clothes borrowing service. You get three pieces of clothing and two accessories in a delivery. After wearing them just send them back for another delivery - as many times a month as you can. Since I've had a heck of a time finding sweaters I really like, I thought it would be a great way to try some new labels. Yesterday I wore a really soft and stretchy black crew neck sweater by French Connection, and I layered that vest over it. Today, I packed it all up and sent it back. In a few days I'll get five more things to borrow. Kind of fun!

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix, click here.

If you'd like to try Le Tote, click here.

Those are affiliate links and that means I'll receive a credit on my account should you sign up for one of those services.

Product Review: Madison Reed Hair Color

(This post contains affiliate links. Should you use one of my links and make a purchase through that link, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting Beauty for Ashes!)

Okay, are you ready to see some really awful photos of me? Keep reading! ;)

After I had Michaela, I lost a lot of hair. I've heard this is very common after pregnancy. As if I hadn't already been through enough...

Well, it seems that most of the hair that grew in to replace what I lost was gray. I didn't intend to do anything about it initially. Michael had expressed that he didn't want me to color my hair when I started to gray (eventually), and that was in the back of my mind as I noticed more and more grays coming in.

However, by the spring of 2014 I was ready to color my hair and cover the grays. I began by using a box of color by a very well-known line that you can purchase in grocery stores or stores like Target. It wasn't a bad product, but it took me three boxes (over a few months) to figure out the right color for me. The first time it was practically black even though I had chosen dark brown, and the second time it was too light brown.

Then last fall, I started having my hairdresser color my hair, and while that was a nice treat, it was considerably more expensive. When he had to take a leave of absence from work this summer, I decided to try something new.

I had seen advertisements for Madison Reed hair color on Facebook and Pinterest, and I was intrigued by the product. But it was this video that really motivated me to order a box and give it a try:

When you visit the Madison Reed website, you will complete a short survey about the texture of your hair, the present color, whether or not its been colored already, and how much gray you have. Based on that, they will recommend three colors for you to select from - but you can choose any other color in their collection, if you prefer. I went with the color in the middle of the three recommendations - trying to avoid the darkest and lightest shades.

I first tried Madison Reed in early August, and I really liked all that was included in the box - which was way more than what I'd been used to with my previous boxed color. Included are the color, activator, two pairs of black gloves, barrier cream, a towelette to remover any color around your hairline, a cap, and shampoo and conditioner.

Although directions are included, you can also download the Madison Reed app for your smartphone and have it walk you through the process. I tried that this time and found it very easy to use. The app even has a timer!

The first time I used Madison Reed hair color, I chose a shade just a smidge too dark for me (Venezia Brown - 4NGV). Either it lightened up or it grew on me within a couple of days, but when I left a mediocre review for the color (not the product), I was contacted by a customer service representative in a short period of time. Via email she made some suggestions about other colors I could try that weren't so dark, how to modify the time I was leaving the color on, and she even credited my account for the purchase price on my first order. I was very pleased with the way she worked with me to get the color right, and although it was so nice to be credited my purchase amount, I didn't expect that at all!

So this past weekend, I used Madison Reed hair color for the second time and used Bolzano Brown (4NMG). I do believe it is the perfect shade for me! It's a dark brown with just a bit of red - much like my natural color.

Here I am on Saturday morning with my hair clipped into four sections per the instructions:

Here I am after applying the color to my roots. I took their advice and left that on for twenty minutes before applying anymore color to my ends. Once I applied the color to my ends, I left it on for just fifteen minutes more. Madison Reed is free of ammonia, so my eyes weren't irritated at all while I applied my color and left it on.

And here's the result:

It's shiny, it's soft, and I don't think it looks like I color my hair. The color is so close to my natural color, and the coverage of the grays is as promised!

Madison Reed costs a little more than that box from Target, but it doesn't cost as much as going to my hairdresser. Because my hair grows fast, I prefer to color it every 4-5 weeks. Madison Reed allows me to set up a delivery service, and doing so lowers the cost of my color to $19.99. I can edit the time between deliveries, or chose another color whenever I want to.

If you've been looking for a hair coloring product that's free of harsh chemicals and full of natural ingredients, and that covers gray all the way, I think you'll like Madison Reed!

Upscale Resale: Moxie Jean

We are soon to embark on our Alaskan cruise, and the excitement is building. Just today Michaela asked me when we are getting on the big boat. Soon, baby! Soon!

When these plans were made in March, I quickly realized that I was going to need to put a wardrobe together for Michaela that would be appropriate for the types of weather we might encounter in Alaska. It's very likely that we will experience rain and cooler temperatures - much like the type of weather we can have here in the wintertime.

However, Michaela has outgrown all her winter clothing and I've long since disposed of it. That is the thing with little ones. They outgrow their clothes so quickly! In the last four years I have given away hundreds of pieces of clothing. I actually enjoy passing on gently used clothing to family, friends, and coworkers when I can. But I've recently discovered another option - reselling.

In the last few months, instead of giving everything away, I've been sorting things into three categories - things to resell, things to give to friends or family, and things that can go to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. The determining factors are usually based on the overall wear of the items and the items' makers. Like I mentioned in a recent post, Gymboree is a brand with a very good resell value, and it's one that I like for Michaela.

Selling on "the big auction site" works for a lot of people, but it's not the best place for me. As a full-time teacher, I'm not sure I really have the time to be managing that process.

What works best for me is Moxie Jean which is an online resale shop for children's clothes and maternity clothing (I wish I'd known about them back in the day!). After I've sorted out Michaela's clothes, I order a bag (for free) from Moxie Jean and put the best items in it. Then I drop it off at the post office or UPS Store, and Moxie Jean covers the shipping charges. Easy peasy! Right? In a few days or so, they email me to acknowledge receipt of my bag, and a few days after that I am given an amount for the items they accept. I can cash out, or retain store credit. My most recent bag earned me about $30 which I used as store credit. Hey, thirty bucks can go a long way when you're shopping consignment!

I discovered Moxie Jean when I began looking for long pants, long-sleeved shirts, dresses for dinner, and outerwear for our cruise. I'd already discovered the pleasure of shopping online consignment for myself on another site, and I was excited about the possibility of finding what we needed for Michaela at Moxie Jean.

In order for this wardrobe to mix and match, I decided to choose pieces that were black, grey, and pink. Here are some of the pieces I was able to find - some of these were even new with tags!

And here's Michaela modeling a warm hat by Gap that I found for her:

I was also able to find jeans and long sleeved tees from Gymboree and Gap to complete the trip wardrobe. I think the coat was the most expensive item at around $22, but most items I purchased were between $5 and $12. The convenience of finding out-of-season clothing was a big plus for me in this instance, but throughout the site there was plenty of on-trend and seasonal offerings. When we received our box from Moxie Jean, everything was packaged so nicely I would have thought they had come from a mail order boutique.

After the trip, these items will make up her winter wardrobe - so, Mommy doesn't have to do anymore shopping for quite a while. Whew!

Anyway, I have been pleased with both my selling and buying experiences with Moxie Jean. It's a great way to send off the clothes your kiddo has outgrown, make some spending money or credit, and restock your children's drawers with stylish pieces at super discounted prices. I hope you'll check out Moxie Jean!

{This post contains affiliate links. That doesn't mean that you pay more when you purchase something through my link, but it does mean that I receive a small commission when you do. Thank you for supporting my little blog!}

UPDATE: Well, wouldn't you know it?! Moxie Jean is becoming a part of another online reseller service. From the email I received today, August 17, 2015:

"We have tremendously exciting news to share with all of you: As of today, Moxie Jean is joining forces with resale industry leader Schoola to create one united community that offers the same great deals on secondhand clothing – but extends the impact of your purchases...

Starting today, we will be transitioning our site & inventory to merge with Schoola.com. Our product catalog will be unavailable temporarily while we make the transition, but we expect it to be available at Schoola.com in early September. "

I have not shopped Schoola.com, but will check out the site soon.

Summer Shopping

Since I became a mother, there are certain things for Michaela that I make a point of shopping for during my summer vacation.

First, since September and October (and usually November) can have really hot weather here in Southern California, I shop for a new set of summer-type clothes for her. Her shorts are still in good condition usually, but her tops and tanks can be stained and faded from summer activities and washings. Thankfully, some of my favorite places to shop for her will have big sales and clearances on their summer clothing, and I'll be able to update her wardrobe with some cute things for preschool.

Here are some such Gymboree pieces (via Zulily) that I was able pick up deeply discounted in late June:

I probably could have found those items in store had we gone out shopping together, but the convenience of shopping online is hard to beat. I will say that I cross-checked the prices between Zulily and Gymboree for the same items, and Zulily had them for less.

Of course she'll be in need of new sandals and enclosed shoes (a must for school!) when school begins, too. Once again, I have frequent luck on Zulily, but I also like 6PM.com for discounted shoes. Here's what we have stashed in the closet for early fall:

I love a good deal on shoes. I try to find deals between $20 and $25. Michaela has very long and narrow feet, and I've found the brands most likely to fit her well are Stride Rite and Pediped. Sometimes that means I have to spend a little bit more, but I can usually hold out until they are featured on Zulily or find them discounted on 6PM.com.

So, as you can probably tell, I am a discount shopper. I do like certain brands, but I will not pay full price. I couldn't care less about designer kids clothes. I like to get Michaela's tops for as close to $5 or less as possible, pants or jeans for around $10, and dresses for about $15. She just outgrows things too quickly to spend more than that. Most of her pieces get six months (or less) wear before she outgrows them, stains them, or the seasons change.

Some of my favorite places to shop for her clothes are Crazy8 and Gymboree - which are part of the same corporation. I like their designs because I think they honor the innocence and whimsy of childhood, and for the quality of their items. In particular, Gymboree has excellent quality and a good resell value.

I'll share more about resell value and shopping for gently used (and new!) clothing for kids in an upcoming post.

(This is not a sponsored or affiliate post.)

July Stitch Fix Review

So this was my third Stitch Fix since I resumed my subscription with them in May. As I've mentioned, we're going on an Alaskan cruise next month and I was hopeful that my stylist, Ashlyn, would be able to help me find a few things with that in mind.

Here's what Ashlyn had to say about her selections:

I was kind of bummed that there were no white skinny jeans for me, but I do have a pair of white straight leg jeans that will work just fine. So let's take a look at the black skinnies she did send me...

That's the Liverpool Sienna Pull-on Legging. Stitch Fix calls it the Mira Skinny Jean, but the jeans are labeled with the former description. I wish you could feel the fabric on these! It's a nice weight - heavy enough for a cool day. There's a lot of give in the fabric, so they are easy to move in. The waistline has no button or zipper. They simply pull on. Check out the tag:

Kind of like maternity jeans, but way better! I know these are going to be very forgiving if when I gain some weight on that cruise. Ha! I wouldn't mind having these pants in other colors. I think I'd wear them a lot.

I did try them on, but I decide not to take any pictures of myself modeling them. We'd had a crazy day running around town, cleaning house, and it was raining. I was kind of a mess by the time the mail was delivered. 

The next clothing item was Fun2Fun Walden V-Neck Blouse:

In case you can't tell, the blouse is fuchsia. Like I said above, it was a rainy day and the natural light in my room was poor. I'm not sure if this is going to make the cruise wardrobe, but I will wear it a lot for work. It's a pretty (but basic) piece that can be worn with jeans, or dressed up with a skirt.

I haven't had much luck with maxi dresses up to this point, but I think the Loveappella Carlita Maxi Dress is a good one for me:

I really like the top of the dress, and the colors are some of my favorites to wear. Not sure I will take it on the cruise, but I might... Nevertheless, it's something that I will wear for family dinners, moms' night out, and maybe even church.

The next couple of items are accessories. This is the Julissa Woven Clutch by Street Level:

I think it is a really cute clutch, but it's pretty small. I usually carry a hobo-style bag for all the stuff I schlep around. However, this will be nice for those times when I don't need so much stuff. The card that goes with the clutch says it's "A must have, night out essential" All-righty then! I guess I need to get out more often...

Lastly, is the Kiana Gem Shield Necklace from Bay to Baubles:

The picture doesn't do it justice. It's really much prettier in person, and the true color is pink. I am always late to the party with trends, and so this is my very first statement necklace. I had recently come to the realization that I need to purchase fewer long necklaces, and more necklaces that highlight my collarbone area. 

This was my eleventh Stitch Fix, and like my ninth Stitch Fix it was practically perfect - so I kept everything. I probably would have sent back a couple of items (the clutch and the necklace), but when factoring in the 25% discount for keeping all five items it just didn't make sense to send anything back.

I've changed the settings on the frequency of my fixes to every other month for the time being, and pushed it back a month. So my next Stitch Fix will arrive in early October.

Note: Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. For a $20 styling fee, you will receive five pieces from which you can choose to keep something, everything, or nothing. Your styling fee goes toward your purchase total. To make your Stitch Fix more successful, you need to complete your style profile on the Stitch Fix website, and give your stylist detailed feedback about the things she chooses for you. The links above are my referral code. Should you choose to sign up for Stitch Fix using that code, I will receive a $25 credit toward my account.

Fixed Up Again

No, I have not been set up on a date. That's a topic for another post...

I'm talking about Stitch Fix!

I gave up Stitch Fix for a while late last fall. However, I decided to resume the service after booking an Alaskan cruise a few months ago. More about the cruise later (it's not until August)! Stitch Fix has a feature whereby you can send a note to your stylist prior to your fix with any requests or pertinent information. I made sure Ashlyn knew where I was going, and that I hoped she could help me put some appropriate things together.

I will tell you now that she did a fantastic job and I kept all five pieces in this fix! That was a first, I believe. In doing so, I received a 25% discount off my entire purchase. That made the overall cost very reasonable.

Here's what I received:

This is the Mo-Ka Simon Lightweight Jacket. My pictures don't show the color accurately in my opinion. In person, the blue is much darker. Anyway, everything I've read about traveling in Alaska says layers are essential, and to expect some precipitation. While I do plan to take a warmer jacket, this will work if it's not too cold. I wore this on several mornings at the end of the school year when it was cool and foggy, and it was perfect for that type of weather.

This is the Ivy Mini Tulip Print Blouse by Pixley. Not only will this work for the trip, it's perfect for school. I wore it two or three times before school got out.

And this combination is the Sam Hi-Lo Short Sleeve Tee by Market & Spruce with the Octavia Henry Birds on Branch Infinity Scarf. I love how this coordinates well with the jacket. This is the second infinity scarf Ashlyn has sent me, and I have loved both of them.

Not pictured is a pair of Catherine Boyfriend Jeans by Kut From The Kloth. This is the third pair of jeans she's sent me from that label, and they are my favorite pairs of jeans. Whenever I'm at Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack, or TJ Maxx, I'm always on the lookout for more pairs because they fit me so well.

A few weeks later I received another box from Stitch Fix. This time around I only kept two pieces. I'm not sure that they will make the cruise wardrobe, but I know I will get use out of them for other occasions.

First, there was the Lurai Crew Neck Blouse by Market & Spruce:

These bright colors look great with the boyfriend jeans, or a dark skirt. It's definitely a piece I will incorporate into my work wardrobe.

And this is the Cher Dress by Donna Morgan:

I really like these colors for summer, and the fit is very flattering. It's something I'd wear to church in the warm months, or a summer wedding. It will/would travel well, too. It's a polyester knit, and it probably won't wrinkle much.

In addition to the dress and the blouse, there was a gorgeous maxi dress that wasn't flattering on me (sad face), a pair of black skinny jeans that were too small, and an asymmetrical zip-up cardigan that I didn't care for at all.

I have one more fix scheduled before my cruise. I've asked Ashlyn to find me a new pair of black jeans, a red handbag, and a statement necklace that would compliment a black dress. I can't wait to see what she sends me in the next week or so.

Have you been on an Alaskan cruise before? If so, what clothing items were essential for you?

Note: Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. For a $20 styling fee, you will receive five pieces from which you can choose to keep something, everything, or nothing. To make your Stitch Fix more successful, you need to complete your style profile and give your stylist detailed feedback about the things she chooses for you. The link above is my referral code. Should you choose to sign up for Stitch Fix using that code, I will receive a $25 credit toward my account.

Stitch Fix #8

My latest Stitch Fix arrived the second week of December. And although it wasn't my favorite fix, I did get one item that I'm really pleased with. Can you tell which one it is?

I will have to say that the colors in this fix were very appealing to me. I like jewel tones, and I think they are flattering on me.

First up was the Angela Quilted Detail blouse in fuchsia by Market and Spruce:

What I liked about this blouse was the color and the details on the front and shoulders. However, I wasn't crazy about the way the fabric felt on my skin, and I thought it was overpriced at $68.

The next item didn't even make it out of the box:

That's the Anne Chevron Pendant Necklace by Pixley. I think chevron is on its way out, and I thought the finish on the necklace looked cheap. I would rather spend $34 on something else.

There was another item in this fix by Market and Spruce:

That's the Elissa French Terry Striped Moto Jacket. There were several things I didn't care for about this one, but mostly I just don't like Moto jackets. If I'm going to spend $74 on an item, I'd better love it.

Then there was the Hazel Metallic Striped Knit Top by Peppercorn:

I did not think this was very feminine or flattering on me. They wanted $48 for it.

Lastly, there was an accessory I probably wouldn't have chosen for myself:

The pictures don't do it justice! It's the Karen Colorblock Striped Knit Infinity Scarf by Shiraleah. I loved the colors and the pattern, but I was worried that I'd have few chances to wear it because it had been so hot up to that point. If I was going to spend $48 (!) on it, I'd have to have the chance to wear it.

So what did I keep? Did I keep the pretty fuchsia blouse, the Moto jacket, the striped knit top, or the scarf?

I wish I had another picture of me wearing it to answer the question, as I have worn it since - and it was a nice cold day, too! I actually kept the scarf. I can see this being something I have in my wardrobe for many years to come. Since I'd already plunked down my $20 styling fee, I just owed another $28 to make it mine.

And then...

And then I cancelled my subscription to Stitch Fix.

Why?

Cost was the biggest factor. As someone who loves a good deal, there are no deals to be had when shopping with SF. You pay for the service and the convenience of having someone make choices for you. And there are benefits to doing so. As I mentioned in my last post about SF, I was in a rut when it came to clothing. I only shopped at LOFT, and if I found something I liked there I bought it in several different colors. Uh huh...

In the months I used Stitch Fix, I was introduced to a few brands I wasn't familiar with before - Kut from the Kloth, Daniel Rainn, and Collective Concepts come to mind now. Since being introduced to those brands, I've seen them at Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx for at least half the cost of purchasing them through SF. So I gained an education and branched out a little bit. That's a good thing!

I also learned about shopping secondhand online from a blogger or two that had used both Stitch Fix and sites like Twice and ThredUp. I tried ThredUp when I needed to buy Michaela some bicycle-type shorts to wear under her dresses and skirts at school. I couldn't find them at our usual places (Gymboree and Crazy 8), but ThredUp had them gently used for next to nothing. I was very happy with that purchase. I even had a coupon, so I think I only paid for shipping. Ridiculous!

And recently, I tried ThredUp for myself - because they sent me another sweet coupon for $20 off my order. Here's what I got:

New with tags Michael Stars dolman sleeved top. This will look nice with leggings or jeans. With my discount coupon, it was $8.78. Sweet!

These are LOFT camisoles new with tags. I already have several of these because I wear them under so many things. A couple of mine need to be retired, and so I was happy to get these for $3.83 and $2.36 after my discount was applied.

Lastly, I snagged these Cole-Haan wedges:

These are perfect for wearing at school! If I had purchased them even at Nordstrom Rack they would have cost me close to $100, but I got them for $49 on ThredUp. They do not have any wear on the soles, so I think they are new/never worn. I had seen them at Nordstrom Rack a couple months ago, and was tempted to purchase them, but I thought they were too expensive at the time.

Shopping at ThredUp takes more time, but the savings are undeniable. I prefer to purchase thing that are new with tags, and from brands that I am familiar with so that the sizing will be right.

You can sell things to ThredUp as well. I will admit that the reviews from sellers aren't as glowing as the reviews from buyers. Nevertheless, I sent them a bag of some of Michaela's gently used clothing, and I have a bag of shoes and two dresses ready to send off. If I didn't do that, I would have donated them to charity. So this will be an experiment for me. If they accept my things, I will have the option of having them cut me a check, or giving me "store credit" with them. I would probably use the credit for future purchases for myself or Michaela.

If you'd like to try ThredUp, let me know in the comments. They sent me a couple of coupons with my most recent order that are intended for me to share with friends or family.