An Ode to the Maxi Dress

Thrifted Land's End Maxi (insanely similar) and Jacket (similar from Madewell); Stitch Fix Necklace; Walmart Sandals (similar)

Oh maxi dress. Thank you for being there for me as I ease into summer. Thanks for making me feel feminine without showing piles of skin. You are amazing and I hope the world of fashion never casts you aside again.

How's your week going? We are in full on vacation mode over here so I'll keep this short. I have people to see, things to read, flowers to smell. Yep.

Happy Wednesday.

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Be The Way I Want To Go

Stitch Fix Dress and Necklace; Levi's Jacket (here); Gap Flats (similar)

I wore this yesterday in glorious 70 degree weather. Spring is here and I couldn't be happier.

I know I'm not the only one, but spring has me in full on cleaning and organizing mode. When we moved last fall, a lot of things just sort of got put in one spot...and 6 months later, they're still there. We've been working on remedying that the last few days, as well as tackling projects around our fixer-upper that have been sitting all winter. Like taking down the fan that's in the corner of our living room. Yep. In the corner (we have no idea).

Happy Monday.

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To Wait or Not

Self-Made Dress (similar); Thrifted Levi's Jacket (here); Stitch Fix Necklace; Thrifted Belt (similar); Payless Flats (similar)

I realized today that I posted about our desire to adopt a while back and never followed up. After a lot of thought and prayer, we decided to adopt through the foster system. We haven`t actually started fostering yet though. Jeremy has been taking classes full time in addition to working full time, so we haven`t had the time to take the state-required classes to become licensed foster parents. Really, this is good. Although we`re both eager to start our family, with Jeremy in school, I`d pretty much be single parenting.

So at this point, we are trying to make a decision. Option 1: take the classes over the summer and begin fostering in the fall. Jeremy will still be in school, so we`d have to be very selective about the kids we foster so I don`t get overwhelmed. Option 2: wait until Jeremy is done with school in December 2015. Neither of us want to wait, but we also want to be fully present for these kids.

Decisions, decisions. It's hard to trust God's timing for our family when we want things to happen now now now.

More of the denim jacket:

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Green and Gold

Tunic (similar) and Necklace (similar) via Stitch Fix; Dress Barn Jeggings (similar); Connie Boots via Famous Footwear (similar)

I wore this on St. Patrick`s day. It felt like a fun outfit with some subtle minty green and the gold circle necklace reminded me of leprechaun`s gold. Sometimes dressing up for a holiday is fun.

In other news... check out that snow. It`s melting. Can we all just breathe a collective sigh of relief that winter is finally coming to a close? I know I`m not the only one celebrating.

More of the black wedge boots:

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My Stitch Fix Experience

I have been wanting to try Stitch Fix for months. A personal styling service that sends you fun new things in your style and size right to your door? Yes please.

There`s currently a pretty long wait for a box. I scheduled a box in February and took the first available date: March 15. It actually arrived a few days before that, so I had the weekend to try things on and style them up.

My wonderful stylist sent me a necklace, two tops, skinny jeans, and a maxi dress. I pretty much gave her free reign over what to send me. My only request was that the items be washable and easy to wear.



Boy, did she deliver. Let`s take a closer look.

Zad Adrianna Circle Bib Necklace, $34

I LOVE this! Totally something I`d gravitate towards in a store but not buy. I love how small it is, but still makes a statement. Definitely a keeper.

Kensie Johnny Skinny Jeans, $88

Dirty mirror alert! I really wish these fit. The style is perfect, but the cut is not. They got sent back.

Angie Schmitt Mixed Chevron Maxi Dress, $78

I sort of grimaced when I took this out of the box. Chevron? Please.

But then I put it on. Holy flattering and comfortable and oh my it`s actually modest and I can wear a bra with it. J gave this one a big thumbs up. Keeper.

Pomelo Corrina Striped Dolman Top, $48

I almost sent this one back. When I first tried it on, I was not a fan of the way it stretched over my hips and bum. But then I tried it with leggings and ta da! Love.

Pomelo Arcade Dot Print Chambray Top, $68

There was never a doubt on whether I`d keep this or not. It`s about as `me` as it gets.

So, final thoughts.

The Good:

Everything they sent me was awesome, and 100% my style. It was so fun to get a bunch of wonderful items in the mail that I was under no obligation to buy and could try on in the comfort of my own home, mixing and matching with other things in my wardrobe. I wish all shopping was like this. I might never leave my house again.

The Bad:

Money money money! I requested they send me the cheapest items possible, which Stitch Fix defines as less than $100/item. Although they did this, over $200 for the whole box still felt like a small fortune (80% of my wardrobe is thrifted and I average $35/month on clothes). I`m glad they give you a $20 credit. 

So, why did I keep 4 of my 5 items?

.They`re high quality. I will have these things for a good long time.

.They`re totally my style. I am in love with each one, and know I will get tons of wear out of them.

.I am trying to make a conscious effort to par down my wardrobe and be content with less. I often feel like I have more in my closet than I can wear. My logic these days is this: if I spend more on fewer things, not only will I have fewer things, I will wear those things more because my frugalness will ensure I get my money`s worth. 

.I`ve wanted to put the whole quality over quantity thing into practice for a while. This is the perfect opportunity.

There you have it. I have another fix scheduled for May and I can`t wait. Hop on over and give it a try yourself!

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Sort of Ombre

JCP Top; Thrifted Shorts ($1); Kohl's Flats ($9); Francesca's Earrings ($14)

This felt just a little bit ombre.  I'm not so much into that particular trend, but I can get on board with this sort of look.

It's been so windy here lately.  I'm trying to just work with it...I feel like I'm at least sort of succeeding when I get a few photos without hair in my face. :-)

I wore this while making some bacon cookies.  In the process, I managed to quite a few grease stains on this top.  Fortunately the miracle of oxy clean saved the day once again, and this shirt will stick around for the remainder of this 30 for 30.

Also for your viewing pleasure, one of my mom's beautiful tulips. :-)  Happy Wednesday!

Similar clothes:

blue clothes

My Old Locket

Top: Thrifted

Maxi Skirt: Old Navy

Booties: American Eagle (Payless)

Locket: Gift

Please excuse the poor photo quality, but this is one of the best photos we got today.  Most of them looked like this, with my insulin pump creating an odd little bump on my stomach.

Yeah...not so flattering.  I usually don't have a problem hiding my pump, but this outfit was a challenge.

I got this locket when I was probably about 7 years old.  I remember begging my parents for one for my birthday, and I didn't get it.  But when Christmas rolled around, it was waiting for me under the tree.  I didn't even wear it much until I got older, but it's really a very pretty piece.

Hope you had a lovely Saturday!  We spent ours getting groceries and sleeping in. :)