First Fix Day

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? It's an online shopping concept that's been around for a few years, but I'd only recently heard of it and had been tossing the idea around in my head for a few months. The basic premise is that a personal stylist helps you build a wardrobe by shopping for you and sending it straight to your door. It sounds like something for the wealthy only, but more people who are just like us are taking advantage of this service because Stitch Fix makes it very easy and relatively affordable. You register online, complete a questionnaire regarding your sizes and general style, and pay a $20 stylist fee. Then a stylist reviews your account, picks and chooses five items just for you, and Stitch Fix sends them to you in a neatly wrapped package. You have three days to try on the items and see if you want to purchase them. If you do, your $20 stylist fee is applied to your purchase. And if you buy all five items, you receive a 25% discount on your order.

I'd read and heard mixed reviews about this service, but I really could use a wardrobe update. This idea sounded helpful and fun, and I was ridiculously curious. So for $20, I took the plunge. I registered, thoughtfully answered the questionnaire, and I even created a Pinterest board of "Clothing I'd Wear" like Stitch Fix recommends because that's the best way for a stylist to visually understand what kinds of items you'd like or what you'd be comfortable wearing. All in all, it took me about three hours to get set up, but I'm not tech savvy and had to figure out how to use Pinterest; that was a time suck for me. (Those who are familiar with Pinterest would probably be ready to go in an hour.) I submitted my account and anxiously waited about two weeks for my first Fix to arrive.

It arrived a day earlier than scheduled, so that was a fabulous surprise from the start! I placed the box on my bed and, like a dork, was afraid to open it. I didn't want to be disappointed. Over those two weeks, I'd built it up in my head that this was going to be the best thing ever: "A fashion professional will dress me. They know what's up. They know what I need and what will make me look good." But then the doubt crept in after a horrible shopping trip to the mall a few days prior in which I was shopping for a dress for my brother-in-law's wedding. Nothing fit me right. No styles caught my eye. The prints were ugly. The cuts were not flattering. "It's hopeless! I'm going to get my package and it's all going to be like this stuff that does nothing for me!"

So there it sat. And there I stared at it.

Until I said, "Get a hold of yourself. It's just clothes!"

Then I started to unwrap the bundle. My heart kind of sank when I saw the small stripes through the tissue paper (I'm not always into tiny horizontal stripes), but then I saw the dress and the pants and the plaid and the cute sweater, and I realized how this was all fitting together.

And I was so pleased.

Forgive the photos. I am obviously not in the habit of taking selfies. Also, my olive green walls and plaid comforter aren't the best backdrops. Next month, I promise to have Elizabeth practice her photography skills. Here's what I received in my first Fix:

Item #1: Pixley Greenich Striped Knit Top, $48
Item #2: Kut from the Kloth Siena Cropped Pant, $58

The top didn't impress me at first glance, but the faux leather elbow patches and accents at the hips made it more than just another navy and white striped knit top. The fit and cut were really nice. Also, the fabric is heavier than the average knit and seems like it will last. Kept!

Though a brighter shade than I normally wear on the bottom, these pants fit great. The goal of this project is to update my wardrobe and wear more put-together outfits. When the shopping is placed in the hands of a trained professional, I gotta trust. Now if she had sent animal prints, we'd need to talk. But dark pink pants aren't that far outside of my comfort zone to sound any fashion alarms. Kept!

Item #3: Napean Sea Road Bellucci One Pocket Top, $58

I'm big on plaid (see comforter), and these colors are completely me. I loved this shirt the moment I saw it. There was no question I was going to buy this. If I sent everything else back, I'd gladly pay full price (minus my $20 stylist fee) for just this one piece. However, right before I checked out online I looked at the washing instructions on everything and noticed this item is dry clean only. I never go to the dry cleaners. I don't even know where the closest one is or how much it costs. Ever so dramatically, loud "noooooooooos" and "whyyyyyyyyys" went through my head. I looked at the material--100% rayon. Then I Googled "washing rayon" and realized that one absolutely should not put this shirt in the wash because it will be ruined through tearing or shrinking or bleeding colors. Even Martha Stewart said I had better not. But I really liked it. And when I looked through the rest of the mail later and saw this, I knew that everything would be okay.

I can dry clean at home? Sweet. Kept!

Item #4: Gilli Trista Faux Warp Jersey Dress, $68

Only a few days prior, I was at the mall trying on nearly every dress in the dress departments at both Macy's and Dilliard's. It was torturous, almost as bad as bathing suit shopping. How in the world my stylist knew I needed a dress to attend a wedding next month is beyond me, but she sent this dress and the angels sang from the heavens. It's more clingy than I prefer, but the print is very forgiving in the hips and the fit on top is perfect. Kept!

Item #5: Emily Rose Macy Open Cardigan, $58

Well this sweater goes with just about everything! The black and white threads create a pretty light gray color that you really can pair with mostly anything. The functionality of this piece sold me on it, and the knitting on the back was even prettier than the front.

It's hard to see here, but the pattern is in a fan shape. Really nice. Kept!

I never thought that I would buy all five items on the first try. I was honestly hoping to like at least one thing so that I didn't feel as though I'd wasted $20. The prices are higher than I normally pay, but the quality seems far better than what Target and Old Navy sell. Time will tell how the garments hold up, but upon first impression I think they are in line with Eddie Bauer quality and, as I used to work there, Brian and I have a lot of Eddie Bauer clothes. That stuff lasts nearly forever.

As if having your wardrobe put together for you and sent directly to you isn't enough, Stitch Fix also provides a style card for each item sent. These cards provide inspiration to create even more outfits when you pair their items with items that are already in your closet. Tan blazer and navy tank? Got 'em! Can't wait to wear them with my new pink crop pants. Navy ankle pants? Why yes, I do have those and I'll try them with both my new striped tee and my new plaid top.

So what's my verdict on Stitch Fix? I think it's obvious that I love it! I even sent an email to Stitch Fix to let them know how satisfied this brand new customer is. I told them I was really impressed with my stylist's efforts and felt that she truly took the time to read my requests and look through my Pinterest board. I added that I couldn't thank her enough and hoped that they would as her employer. She really nailed it, so I requested her as my stylist going forward. Well done, Catie.

Also, I had a blast creating a Pinterest board and mindfully exploring my style preferences. Sending a present to yourself is really a lovely thing to do, by the way. You deserve it! :) My total with taxes was $211.20 (two days of substitute teaching), and I feel it was worth it. By comparison, every dress I tried on at the mall was at least $100. Now I have five versatile pieces that, as far as I know, no one else around here has, and I can create quite a few stylish outfits. I really do hope this first Fix wasn't a fluke. My next one is scheduled to arrive on March 21st, so stay tuned.

If you are interested in trying it yourself, please use my referral link.

A Social Experiment

"Sara, why aren't you writing on your blog as much anymore?"

Because there's so much else to do right now! Remember when Obama was in the Oval Office, and we were all in good hands? Yeah. Those were good times. Anyone else feel like if we miss one day of (real) news, drop our guard for a second, or lose any sense of diligence that we're all pretty much doomed?

There are postcards and emails to write. Calls to make. Huddles to attend and town halls to demand. I'm telling ya. It's exhausting. Just reading Facebook posts and comments is enough to make you feel like you're drowning. It's everywhere!

So last week, when my cousin posted a video that featured State of the Union addresses from the days of yore (or Clinton and Obama) and asked how this is different from what Trump is doing, I bit. Mostly because my cousin said, "Go ahead. I'm listening." 

In the video, those two former presidents spoke out against illegal immigration. Between the clips of their speeches, you see clips of Trump making childish faces as reactions to their well-thought out plans. As you can imagine, it's difficult to watch with an open mind, but since open-mindedness is what I preach, I hunkered down and endured. And then I spoke up on how the plans are different.

It's obvious. Clinton and Obama never mentioned an unnecessary, expensive, 3000-mile wall. They also never proposed unconstitutional bans. I wasn't saying anything he probably hadn't heard already, but what I was more interested in were the responses. My cousin was kind. His buddies were not. I'm trying to recall what they said (since it's been deleted or hidden at least from me), but they really let this bleeding-heart liberal have it. Though I threw around no insults or stereotyped anyone, they had no qualms about doing it to me. I was immediately grouped and labeled. My argument was "crap." I'm "part of the problem." As I had suspected, the discourse was not respectful. Kindness was answered with insults and labels and no real discussion was to be had.

And that, I would argue, is the real problem. 

I knew upfront that nothing would be solved in this thread, but I was really interested in knowing if people who support Trump and his policies act like he does. Would they show open-mindedness, respect, and maybe even compassion or would they spout off in harsh tones and put me down? In this case, many acted like Trump.

But most disturbing was the fellow who said I was a terrible American and wondered what was the most American thing I'd done lately. I could be wrong, but I think the only answer he would have accepted was that I had served in the military. I, like the majority of Americans--good and terrible alike--have not served in the military and never will, but there certainly are other ways to show support of our country. For instance, writing and mailing all those postcards to my reps and senators is uniquely American. Same with all my calls and emails. In fact, that night I took my son to a city council meeting. That's pretty American, no? I even qualify as American through my lifestyle choices; I bought a travel trailer that's an American icon and take my family around the country visiting our national parks. I may not have a lot in common with the 'Merica folks, but that doesn't mean I don't understand what America should be about.

And this isn't it. What we have here is a mess. So much time and energy are being wasted in essentially trying to talk a toddler into behaving. So can we all agree to start acting like grown-ups and talking like reasonable people? Please? Because I know I'm not the only one who's exhausted.

Valentine's Day

It's not my favorite holiday. It just seems so forced. And when you've been with someone for twenty years, it feels silly. Though silliness can be fun, Valentine's Day is kind of stupid.

Plus, I'm not really a card person. Actually, I am more of a notecard person. Notecards are my thing! A notecard is an unexpected expression of thoughtfulness or kindness. Holiday cards are obligations. Yuck.

Brian gets it, and he gets me. So he literally gets me two Ghirardelli chocolate bars and a bag of conversation hearts. If you didn't know I was weird already, I'm that one person in the world who craves those candies no one else does every February.

What did I get him? Nothing. But I came home from work today and lovingly made my family homemade brownies for dessert. And I cleaned up the mess. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

My Beats

Last week I spent more time in fifth and sixth grade than I normally like to. That admittedly is not my favorite age group, but it just so happens that some of the teachers I like the most teach those grades. I hate to say no to them, so I didn't. But as expected, somewhere between the first and second hour I end up wishing I was anywhere but there because twelve-year-olds' attitudes are not fun to deal with.

One was upset another one sneezed in her eye. Two kids were in cahoots to get out of having to do anything at all that day. Someone tattled that someone else was passing notes. I told them how I caught a note being passed around in fourth grade the day before and I read the (innocuous) note aloud and wouldn't feel bad about doing that again." Five minutes later, a girl brings up a note she found on the floor. Uh huh. Right. Know what it said? 

I am stupid. ha ha

Well maybe I am, but I wasn't about to read that note aloud. Little poops. And no substitute ever became cool this way, but if I can't teach them math or reading while I have them for six hours then I may as well point them in the direction of broadening their horizons:

Sixth Grade Girl: Mrs. Nakai, when you're in the car what's your jam?

Me: What?

SGG: I thought that would be what you'd say? Like I wouldn't ask you, "What's your beats?"

Me: I like lots of music, but I don't think you'd recognize any of it if I said it.

SGG: You mean like the Beatles?

Me: No. Everyone like the Beatles. That's hardly a way to define your sense of musical style. Do you know Tom Petty?

SGG: No.

Me: U2?

SGG: No, I don't know Tom Petty.

Me: (laughing) No, U2 is a band.

SGG: Oh. Yeah, I don't know them.

Me: I also like The Cars. And The Police. And The Doors.

SGG: Are you making those up?

Me: No. You should probably shake up your playlist. And also finish your math paper.

Well...

That game was almost like the election all over again. Barf.

At least we had Lady Gaga.

And maybe those people who call themselves real patriots now understand how important immigrants are. I mean, without immigrants they'd never have their beer.

Now we can celebrate something real--the end of football until August. Yay!