Stitch Fix : Round Four + Birch Box

I risk posting this and sounding like a broken record, as I did one just last week, but I've got backlogged posts piling up and not much filler in between! Crazy week thanks to preparing for Honeybean's event this weekend. Once this weekend comes and goes, I'll be back on a more thorough posting schedule. I have lots of fun things (or so I think!) in my Little Book of Ideas to write and shoot... just gotta get around to it! You can expect a new Cocktail Hour post as well as informative updates + recaps soon!
I received my fourth (?!) Stitch Fix box last week and was tickled pink when the first dress I saw was the BB Dakota dress I had been coveting for several weeks. I had put it in my shopping cart multiple times on multiple websites, but decided that I was going to let my SF boxes be my little surprise treat. I'm preparing for another massive Kaelah's Closet cleanout so I didn't want to overdo it and be counterproductive with my efforts. I was stoked on this box because it was 4 dresses (and one pair of accessories (earrings)). I realized that I needed to go in edit my questionnaire a little bit to make sure I didn't get sent earrings again haha. It's hard to wear post-studs when you've got 1.5" stretched ears! This box also helped me realize I wanted/needed to tailor my SF boxes to not include any tight-on-the-rump MM Couture dresses. I've received 2 different dresses in the past 4 boxes and well, they just don't fit! Of course I didn't think of doing either of these things before my next box shipped, but there's always next time :)

Here's a breakdown of this shipment:
Jack by BB Dakota Lund Dress - $65
This dress was the dress I had been wanting for a while. The yellow and blue stripes make it so perfect for Summer. I love the painterly look of the stripes. I totally imagine this dress paired with a big bow belt, some white wedge sandals, and maybe even a floppy hat if you're feeling real frisky. It was definitely the best thing in the box! If you want to snag one yourself, you can buy it at Urban Outfitters,  Swell, or Fred Flare!

This was the second and last item I ended up keeping from this box. It's not my normal style at all. Another one of those dresses where I wouldn't have picked it up off the rack and tried it on otherwise. It's one of those "mullet" dresses. Excuse the incredibly poor word choice to describe it, but it's one where it's short in the front (tea length/mid-shin) and long in the back (maxi length). I prefer this length over the mini/medi combinations I've seen and find it to me a lot more flattering. The bottom of the dress looks grey but it's actually an off-white. Hard to photograph properly from 7 feet in the air (Yeah, Mike was on a ladder in our kitchen... Do I sound like a crazy blogger yet? The things that man does for me...) Anyway, green and royal blue are totally not in my wardrobe, like, at all, so this was a nice departure for me. I'm also not really a sandal girl, but I hope I can find some nice flat sandals to wear with it this summer. It's long enough where I don't have to worry about the wind showing my goods to everyone in the world. It's a bit steep in price, but upon inspection I found the quality to be really really great! I couldn't find the Blue/Green one online, but I did find Mint/Yellow (gimmie!) and Blue/Coral! You can also find W&C sold at your local Nordstrom!

Willow & Clay Button-down Dress - $98
This was the one item in the box that I reallllly wanted to work for me. The color was beautiful, the cut was beautiful, the pattern was beautiful, and Mike really likes dresses with collars. Sadly it just wasn't for me. It fit up top and all was well, you know, until we got to the hips. I'm tellin' ya, my bottom half makes it hard for me to clothe myself! See now why I wear so many a-line dresses?! Haha I think the dress would've been much to short to wear sans tights even if the bottom had fit, but it was still really really pretty. It might've taken some convincing on the pricetag front though! (Tried finding this one online and didn't have any luck!) 

MM Couture Kristen Strapless Dress - $98
This dress looks like it'd be perfect for a bachelorette party, a night out in Las Vegas, or even a velvet rope nightclub (I'm probably showing my ignorance here! Sorry, none of the above is really my thing so I could just be mouthing off at this point!). It just wasn't me. I guess I dress more like a 12 year old than a proper 20-something but I'd rather wear a day-dress or a frilly Betsey party dress than something like the above, though I can see why someone would be drawn to it. It was beautifully made and would look stellar on someone else's body, just not mine! haha I did enjoy the sequin detail at the waist though! (Couldn't find the exact dress but this one is the same, just a different sequin pattern on the front! And it's $20 cheaper!)


Betty Carre' Sapphire Gold Studded Earrings - $48
And ahh! Earrings! These were beautiful, but simply not meant to be. I do occassionally miss wearing regular earrings, but I feel like my plugs have just become such a vital part of who I am (That probably sounds so silly and you're rolling your eyes at me now haha!). I feel more "me" with big wooden plugs shaped like buttons or maps or whatever. I'd like to build a bigger collection but goodness gracious plugs this size are spendy! Often $100+ a pair. Okay, my tangent has nothing to do with the above earrings but I don't have much to say aside from they had to go back :( Had I wanted to keep the 4 dresses, or even 3, I probably would've gifted these to my mom or a friend. They're beautifully made! Betty Carre' makes those stunning drop earrings + molded rings that you might've seen around. Here are a few examples: I'd wear the crap outta these mint + gold ones, with this aquamarine ring, or maybe this simulated diamond solitaire

To see past Stitch Fix review posts, CLICK HERE! To sign up for your own and give it a go, CLICK HERE! If you'd like to learn more about the Stitch Fix process, you can check out their handy dandy page HERE! I really need to catch up on photographing outfit posts featuring the items I've kept! I'm so behind!
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Now here's my April Birch Box review! Birch Box is a subscription surprise box service, much like others I've discussed in the past. I decided a few months ago to take the plunge with a one-year subscription. I've received Glossy Box in the past from the UK brand's press department and loved it, so I'll hopefully be discussing more Glossy Box in the future now that it's live in the US! I decided to give Birch Box a go but wasn't sure how it'd measure up. I've been writing/tweeting about how I was planning on posting this for a few weeks, but I don't like to "review" items until I have a chance to use them for a bit. Without further adieu, here's my take on the goodies inside!

Color Club Nail Lacquer -- Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy -- Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Night Cream -- Keratase's Elixir Ultime -- ShowStopper's Designer Fashion Tape
I wasn't floored by this month's box, to be honest, but it did have some benefits.
Show Stopper's Designer Fashion Tape -- I'm not sure if/when I'll be using the Show Stoppers fashion tape, but I have definitely heard good things about the brand. I suppose if I wore more risque apparel then it might come in handy, however I'm going to see if I can't find something to try it out with.

Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy -- I already own a full-size version of Viva La Juicy (and love it!) and I found that this small little sample will come in handy in my purse! I have a really large bottle of it so it's not exactly handbag friendly. If you're looking for a sweet floral scent with a hint of wildberries + mandarin, you'll love this perfume!

Color Club Nail Lacquer -- I'm not normally big on receiving nail polish in subscription boxes even though they're a popular item, and even less when it's a color like this, but I actually ended up liking it. I had to wait a while to apply it because I accidentally dyed my fingernails red (I didn't have gloves! Yikes), but once I scrubbed the hue off enough to apply the color, I liked the coverage. It went on without a hitch!

Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Night Cream -- I really want to find a nice moisturizer/night cream that I love. I have really dry skin naturally so I need to moisturize like no other. I've tried all kinds of makeup, all kinds of creams, and then eventually became so frustrated with the cash I was wasting that I gave up all together. I'm a huge fan of home facial remedies and masks, and even though I've only been using this product a few days, I do like it! It's typically $48 for a full size product so I probably won't be ordering it anytime soon, but my face does feel a ting fresher in the mornings! (Maybe that's just psychology?)

Kerastase's Elixir Ultime -- I love products for my hair. I love things that make my hair feel sleek and shiny and new again. Especially with dying it every month. I've recently cut back drastically on my dying regime, so products like this come in handy. A full size bottle of it is $54 and that's about right in terms of average cost. I've purchased a bottle of CHI's sleek + shine serum for $22 however and it did the job just as well. There may be some long term benefits to Kerastatse's product, but it wasn't enough for me to justify a 300% cost increase!

At $10 a month with free shipping, I find Birch Box to be an awesome investment in trying out cosmetics, perfumes, and hair + skin goodies without having to shell out for a full size item. Since I'm trying desperately to evolve in my hair / skin / makeup routine, I find them to be worth every penny. If you're more well versed in your beauty routine, you may find that it's redundant or you may be pleasantly surprised to find new products that you grow to love. Each box is catered to your specific requests and likes. Products vary and I love that. Similar to Stitch Fix in a sense! I'm a sucker for these, I can't help it. You can sign up for your own Birch Box here. Typically there's a waiting time, but I personally think it's worth it. You can sign up for one month or one year!

Any experience with the above mentioned services? I'd love to hear your story! If you've been a BB (or any other subscription service) user in the past, I'd love to hear about your favorite products you've come to know through it!

PS; Do you prefer reviews/recaps like this to be posted together, or would you prefer they were their own post and more spread out? I think I'd like to try vlogging my next review... just to mix it up a little. But beware, I'm so weird in front of a camera.

I was not compensated for any of the above post. These are my honest and unbiased opinions! 

35 comments:

  1. Viva La Juicy is my favorite! I definitely wouldn't mind having a tiny one for my purse!

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    1. it smells like heaven right?! i don't care for the signature JC scent at all, but VLJ is everything right in the world! haha

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  2. Totally know what you mean about hips getting in the way with your dream dresses! It's not fair! That red dress would have been gorgeous on you, but your two other picks look awesome. The Birch Box sounds like great value too - I wish Aus had something similar at that price.

    Re: sandals, I just bought a pair of Saltwaters (bright red of course) from Modcloth which are oh so comfortable. I haven't reconciled with my feelings that they make my calf muscles look gynormous, but they're very cute (and were only $30).

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    1. oh wow! i always thought they were so much more expensive than that! even on sale! i'm definitely going to have to check into that! thanks Bianca! :D

      has Glossy Box launched over there? i felt like i thought it had, but i'm a bit absent minded! i really liked the GB i received so it might be worth looking at!

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  3. I tried on that Willow and Gray keyhole dress in red at the new Saks off 5th at Opry Mills. I loved it and wanted to get it, but the price tag was still pretty steep. I'm excited to see you wear this!

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    1. ooh i had no idea they carried this brand! that's awesome. i'm seriously at a loss for how to wear it! i put it on yesterday but grew frustrated after a few minutes of trying to find appropriate shoes haha it'll take some time but i'm hoping to make it work :P

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  4. I tried on that Willow and Clay keyhole dress in red at the new saks off 5th at Opry Mills. It looked great, but the price tag was still too big for my budget. I look forward to seeing you wear it!

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  5. I got this same birchbox (my first one) and I was a bit disappointed. From what I've seen the boxes get better as you go along and some months are better than others. I'm just sort of getting into beauty products and skincare so I'm excited to try out new products. I've had a sample of Viva La Juicy before and that mint polish is everywhere. Hopefully next month's will seem more "new to me". This Stitch Fix box sounds incredible, though! Love the dresses you kept.

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  6. I think it's called HiLo dress style, short at the front and low at the back. It's all the rage in Australia and well, everywhere, atm, I personally hate them as i'm so short the back drags and the front is still too long and it does nothing for my figure! But that's the word :P

    Also, wow, I'm on glossbox atm but a bit backlogged myself so about to post March's in a few days once i've tried them out (I don't want to review it and it's all crap!!!)
    Ta for stitchfix update LOVE them, if only they fit my body :( but i don't think even the large would fit me! Sigh. Big girl problems :(

    xx
    http://mylittelbutterfly.blogspot.com.au/

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  7. Aw, that orange polka dot dress is so precious, it's a bummer it wasn't a flattering style for you! The one's you kept are super cute though.

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  8. Aw, that orange polka dot dress is so adorable! It's a bummer it wasn't a flattering style for you. The dresses you did keep are really cute though!

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  9. Ooh! I love that red dress! Too bad it didn't work out. :(

    I really, really want to get a Birch Box subscription! Those look like so much fun, and are definately more in my price range than Stitch Fix (unfortunately :-P)

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  10. ooh, the blue key hole dress is my fave! Look forward to an outfit post!
    Kate x
    http://memoirsofawardrobe.co.uk

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  11. I love the first and the third dresses, they are perfect!

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  12. I have a similar problem with RTW clothes never fitting, although it's my boobs instead of my hips. That's why I sew most of my clothes now haha. Standard sizing is so obnoxious - doesn't fit anyone!

    Have you tried using olive oil to moisturize your skin? It is seriously the only thing that has worked for my super dry skin - I've tried all kinds of stuff, including La Mer (which is mega expensive). And olive oil is so cheap! I've been using this method for about 2 years now & my skin has never been happier. I also recently started washing with olive oil, but definitely try just using it as a moisturizer first to see if you like it :)

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  13. I have plugs too and (sometimes) miss wearing earrings - I had to take out my extra earrings above my plugs as I got larger and my tattoo artist said he scapled his extra hole to make it above 1" which I may have to do if I wanna go larger - but I feel you on the whole plug / identity thing. I think it's that way with all body mods.

    I've been stuck at 3/4" for the last 4 years. I had a hefty collection, still pricey at my smaller size but yeah the cost is daunting to increases too!!

    I kind of sort of want the BB Dakota dress BUTTTTTTT I might have to chance it going on sale since there's (too many) other dresses I have been loving as of late. I will keep an eye out to see you showing it off though. I 2nd the Saltwater sandal recommendation.

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  14. I've been subscribed to Birchbox for nearly a year now. It is such a fun suprise to get every month for only $10! I've received some really awesome products that I would never try on my own. Unfortunately, I've also received products that I HATED or found completely useless. But overall, it's a really awesome service!

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  15. that 1st dress is my fav, so bright and fun!

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  16. I loved that Willow & Clay Dress. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

    I think the reviews together are a good idea but I could see the appeal in the beauty reviews being separate from clothing reviews.

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  17. That first dress is lovely, looking forward to seeing it in an outfit post :) I might be tempted to buy the willow and clay button dress too if I could afford shipping to the UK!
    Faye x
    dinosaurcircus.blogspot.co.uk

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  18. That BB Dakota dress is PERFECT. Yellow and blue is one of my favorite color combos of all time. I want.

    -april.

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  19. Stitch Fix looks pretty amazing.
    I currently am also subscribed to BirchBox and I like them the most. I've also tried Eco Emi for more organic beauty product samples. You get more samples from them. I also had Umbaa Box for a while, that one has products from Etsy sellers.

    Just found your blog randomly :)

    http://greyskysaturday.wordpress.com

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  20. you are wonderful!

    http://www.leslierojas.com/

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  21. I adore the striped dress! ♥

    www.boxandbrownie.com

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  22. I am a BB subscriber and have been for almost a year. Some of my favorite items have been: Joeur Body Butter (smells like honeysuckle, divine!) Chuaco Chocolates (amazing!), Zoya nail polish, Amica Hail Argan Oil, Kate Spade Twirl Perfume, Stila eye pencil in plum

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  23. Those dresses are so pretty!

    I've gotten two Birchboxes now and the first one wasn't that great, but April's is really good!

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  24. I did my first Stitchfix but haven't done my second yet. I really want to! I love that blue and yellow dress and the red one too. Too bad it didn't work for you....

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  25. "I guess I dress more like a 12 year old than a proper 20-something"

    Me too- don't worry it just means we know what looks best on our bodies/ personalities! I look really, really stupid in clothes lots of my friends wear that look lovely on them.

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  26. I so feel you about needing to mix up the beauty routine and get some "big girl" cosmetics in the mix! Def going to check out Birch Box.

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  27. love your review posts! so glad you told us about stitchfix, having a lot of fun with it. while my first box had some super adorable dresses, they were REALLY far out of my budget. hoping the next bag will be a little bit more reasonable but i thought it was great! minus the same mm couture dress you got with the last one - i got that too! haha disaster on me! =P

    birchbox was a huge flop for me! for the three months i had it just kept getting stinky grandma lotions, face creams and even a breast cream. no joke! i'm only 28 and it made me feel about 50! i'm not interested int that! =( having a much better time with myglam. =)

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  28. I read this post yesterday and signed up for Stitchfix - got my approval today! Can't wait to get my first package of goodies :)

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  29. I love seeing what other girls get in their Birchboxes. Yours looks very similar to the one my sister in law got this month. I've gotten a couple of those products in previous boxes. I totally agree with you about the Kerastase stuff being overpriced. Have they sent you the Orifluido oil? That stuff is AMAZING and smells heavenly. It's half the price of the Kerastase.

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  30. Hey, I just want to say love your blog. I also wanted to tell you that the Willow & Clay Button-down Dress you liked is so cute. I bought a dress that is very similar to it at Old Navy for $25. You should check it out to see if you'd like that one any better. It looks pink in the pictures but it really is a nice shade of red. Here's the link if your interested.
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49426&vid=1&pid=898192&scid=898192012

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  31. You may think this is kinda gross, but I promise so long as you keep it clean it really works: if you want to wear stud earrings in plugs, get some stainless steel tunnels and fill them with blu-tak, then just press the stud in. Obviously the earrings have to be bigger than the centre of the tunnel, so it doesn't work for all of them, but it's a great way of mixing up the way your ears look (especially with the cost of jewellery, like you say!) x Laura

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  32. There are lot of good stuff on many online stores. They have good variety of Men Shoes and other men related things to.

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB