Showing posts with label accessories: jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accessories: jewelry. Show all posts

Thursday, January 11

pinspiration: a fresh start [january 2017]

Once the holiday decorations have been put away, I like to really dig in to envisioning the new year, spending some time with my planner, and focusing on finding ways to simplify my life, streamline my routines, and boost my productivity. My professional goals this year deal with celebrating success and strengthening community, and my personal goals are all about getting ready to be the best working mom I can be. Today, I'm sharing some inspiration for the new year and the fun playlist I've been playing 24/7 while working on my plans for 2018.


“The need to prove who you are will vanish once you know who you are.” - Danielle Pierre


"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach." - Tony Robbins



Tuesday, December 26

Happy Un-Boxing Day - My First Maternity Stitch Fix [December 2017]


Maternity fashion is complicated. During the first trimester, I was mainly trying to disguise my pregnancy with flowy tops and waterfall sweaters. We didn't tell people we were expecting until second trimester, and then came a point, around week 16, where I wouldn't have been able to conceal my bump even if I'd wanted to! Long tees and cardigans have been a staple, along with leggings and dresses. It was pants that were becoming an issue - I can't yet fit into the maternity pants my BFF loaned me, but I'm no longer comfortable in my pre-preganancy favorites. I found some great jeans at Motherhood Maternity, but still needed some work staples, so I reached out to Stitch Fix to try their maternity service.

This is not a sponsored post. I signed up for Stitch Fix and purchase the items I keep from each of my Fixes myself. I am a Stitch Fix Influencer, and my styling fee was waived for this Fix. My opinions on this blog are always 100% honest and authentic. This post does contain affiliate links - for each new sign-up I will receive a commission towards my next maternity Stitch Fix.


In my note to my stylist, I explained where I was in my pregnancy and requested a cozy Fix with work-appropriate pants and dresses that could be worn with leggings. I was pretty excited about my Christmas gift to myself.


If you're new to the concept of Stitch Fix, here's how it works: when you sign up, you pay a $20 personal styling fee and fill out a profile with your detailed size, style, and price preferences. I usually set my price preferences to "the cheaper, the better." Your stylist chooses five items just for you, which may include shoes, purses, or jewelry, and the $20 styling fee is applied toward the cost of any items you decide to keep from your shipment. There's also a 25% buy five discount if you love everything in your Fix! For a limited time, Stitch Fix is going to waive your styling fee when you sign up using my link - that's right, you can try Stitch Fix for free - if you don't like it, you can send everything back with no shipping costs. When my Fix arrived, I was excited to see the cute Holiday '17 packaging and the small box that meant I'd received an accessory as one of my five items!


Since Stitch Fix launched in 2011, they have become more and more diverse in their offerings - their services include petite, maternity, plus size, and even a men's line. While some of the items Stitch Fix offers can be found in stores, others are exclusive and can't be purchased anywhere else. For me, the maternity service is great because I live in a rural area and most of our local stores don't have a maternity section at all. Additionally, it's been a real challenge to find maternity pieces that are also petite - just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm not short anymore! I'm going to include the prices of my items in this review so you can see how maternity items compare to regular Stitch Fix pieces.

My favorite Stitch Fix stylists are Heather and Jan. The note in my Fix explained that Jan was on vacation so Heather styled for me again this time. Her note said,
"I packed this Fix with some maternity essentials to help you look effortlessly stylish in the coming moths. Try wearing the enclosed navy Skies are Blue Blouse with the navy Liverpool Pants, the taupe Dreamers/Debut Cardigan, the Nakamol Necklace, a tan purse, and navy flats for a polished work outfit. If the pants are too long, try cuffing them by rolling them up two to three times for a stylish twist. For a different business casual outfit, pair the cardigan and the necklace with the burgundy French Grey Dress, black leggings, a burgundy purse, and black flats."


I tried on the Skies are Blue Maternity Nidra Ruffle Neck Blouse ($58) with the Liverpool Reagan Maternity Skinny Pant ($78). As soon as I saw "if the pants are too long" in my stylist note, I was disappointed - my height is in my Stitch Fix profile and I request petite items whenever possible. The Liverpool pants are made of a nice stretchy material and have a full belly panel made of what felt like swimsuit material. Although the tag says they are a legging, they had real pockets, and I'm pretty sure they were black even though the stylist note said "navy pants." I didn't like having to cuff the pants for them to fit me length-wise, and they were more expensive than I'm really comfortable with for one pair of pants, so I returned them. I thought the Skies are Blue blouse was very pretty, especially the tulip sleeves and feminine neckline with buttons. It reminded me of the Papermoon blouse from my seventh Fix. However, it's December in Virginia, so short sleeves aren't very practical, and my best friend gave me several of her short sleeve maternity blouses. I was really hoping for some cozier tops in this Fix.


I paired the French Grey Maternity Ariell Knit Dress ($48) with the Dreamers/Debut Bartone Cable Trim Cocoon Cardigan ($58). The cardigan wasn't a keeper because it was very similar to a cardigan I received in my last Fix in color and shape - and this one didn't fit; the sleeves were much too long since it wasn't a petite item. The dress, though, was definitely a hit! This is my second French Grey dress - the first came in my November 2016 Fix. This one had a similar shape but was more flowy to accommodate a baby bump. I love the burgundy color and floral print, and the price was comparable to similar dresses from maternity retailers.


Please excuse the squinty face I'm making in this picture - I'll wear my glasses in the next post! The accessory I received in this Fix was the Nakamol Angelo Fresh Water Pearl Charm Necklace ($44), a three-strand piece with silver chain, neutral colored beads, and a silver pearl charm. The necklace was very pretty but not really my style - it was very "blingy" and I didn't think it would go with my bohemian-inspired wardrobe.


Even though the only "keeper" from this Fix was the French Grey dress, I'll definitely be trying Stitch Fix Maternity again - for me, it's a chance to feel stylish while my body is going through crazy changes!


Linking Up With:


Monday, July 10

Tuesday, May 23

pinspiration: summer's around the corner

With Wednesday being the last day of school for students, Friday being the last for teachers, and Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer, kicking off next week, I'm channeling some serious summer vibes this week on my Pinterest boards. Also this week - the made-for-television remake of Dirty Dancing. Are you planning to watch? The original, filmed in Virginia at Mountain Lake, is one of my all-time favorite movies and I don't think it can ever be topped! Whatever your plans for this week, make it a bright and colorful one.






Here's what I'm listening to this week while packing up my classroom and thinking ahead to summer fun, rest, and relaxation:


Friday, March 31

my march favorites.

my march favorites.

Here's what I've been loving this month...

1. American Shakespeare Center - Did you know that the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre, the Blackfriars' Playhouse, is in Staunton, Virginia? I went with friends to see a production of the parody The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) in college, but hadn't been since. My co-teacher's parents got tickets for our whole English team for Christmas, and we had a wonderful day driving up to see The Merchant of Venice and eat dinner at the Mill Street Grill.

2. The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima - Several of my male students had recommended this fantasy series to me, so I was surprised when I finally got around to checking out The Demon King from the library, with its super-masculine cover art, and finding out that one of the main characters is a feisty princess! The other MC is a streetlord who's basically a combination of Aladdin and Han Solo. These are definitely time-consuming books to read (each one weighs in at over 500 pages), but I really enjoyed getting lost in the unique fantasy world Chima has built, which includes a matrilineal society that feels medieval, an indigenous culture based on eastern Native American societies, and a magical college.

3. Old Navy Clover Necklace - I picked this dainty necklace up around St. Patrick's Day, but it's also perfect as a 4-H necklace for me :)

4. REN Evercalm Rescue Mask from Sephora - When I got back from my business trip to Indiana last month, my skin was a mess from staying in a hotel and air travel - I had acne on my cheeks, which is really unusual for me. I had a little sample bottle of this mask from Sephora, which is a little thicker than a normal day moisturizer. I used it morning (under makeup) and night (after washing my face) for about a week and it made a huge difference. The full-size version is a pricey product but I feel like it'll be worth it if used sparingly for skin emergencies!

5. Indoor Rock Climbing - The Bible study I've joined tries to have a fun activity in the community each month, and this month we visited a rock climbing gym in Roanoke. I hadn't done any climbing since I worked as a 4-H camp counselor in college and was surprised by how easy it was to pick back up. I didn't realize how much my upper body strength had improved since I've become a yoga junkie! It doesn't hurt the fun factor that the River Rock gym shares a building with Wasena Tap Room!

Friday, January 20

Style: On Pointe Athleisure

One thing about me that I'm not sure I've ever actually talked about on this blog is that I was a dancer throughout my childhood. By high school, I had multiple classes at my local dance studio every night, and when I wasn't in class I was also one of the office assistants there and taught several classes. Dance was my first hobby and my first job, and I love things that remind me of the ladylike and magical culture of ballet. Blush pink was one of the most popular colors in virtually every aspect of design in 2016, and this past fall, I started to notice that swans had become the latest "critter" to gain popularity in home decor and fashion. Now, Target had unveiled a whole ballet-inspired collection from Mossimo. Here's a winter and spring gym-to-street wardrobe for the inner Sugar Plum Fairy in each of us.


On Pointe Athleisure
1. Athleta crossback sweatshirt  2. Target ruched leggings  3. J. Crew Factory collector tee  4. Essie Gel Couture nail polish in "Lace Me Up"  5. Target wrap bodysuit 6. Target tulle midi skirt 7. Kate Spade swan stud earrings (set is actually 1 black and 1 white swan) 8. MAC Lipglass in "Signs of Spring"  9. Kate Spade Ridge Street Lance yoga bag

(Ballerina inspiration photo by Taylor and Porter via Wedding Sparrow)

What do you think of the ballet-inspired athleisure trend?

Monday, December 26

this week's clicks: happy boxing day!

get your week off to a colorful start...

  • I hope that you're all having a wonderful holiday week with your families. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to actually rest and relax with a good book (currently, The Queen of the Tearling) - that stack of papers to grade can wait until 2017, right?

LISTEN.
  • Hat tip to my hip mom for telling me about this amazing year-end Carpool Karaoke from James Corden and friends! How did he keep this a secret???

SWOON.

SMILE.


FLASHBACK.

Monday, December 19

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

  • Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste has a new holiday album out this year - love this track with Aloe Blacc.

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Monday, October 17

clicks of note: burning everything but the ice cream cones...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.
  • Soundcloud's "Discover Weekly" playlist is one of my favorite things in the world - digging this track that popped up this week and it right up my musical alley.

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Monday, September 19

this week's clicks: when i need you the most...

get your week off to a colorful start!
LISTEN.

  • If you're not following Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox on YouTube, I'll give you a minute to do that. I dig the Chainsmokers' original version of "Don't Let Me Down," but this soulful cover takes it to a whole new level - that piano! 

SWOON.

SMILE.

FLASHBACK.

Tuesday, July 5

Style - June Yogi Surprise Jewelry Box Review


Last month was my first time trying the Yogi Surprise jewelry subsciption box, and you can consider me in love! Each month's box has a different theme, and the June box was inspired by the summer solstice celebration on June 20th. The note for this month encourages members to "let these pieces be a reminder to share your own light with a glowing smile and positive energy" as we embrace the arrival of summer.


Here's how Yogi Surprise works: there are two boxes to choose from, a Lifestyle box and a Jewelry box. The Lifestyle box is $44.95 each month (with a $70 average retail value) and includes 6-8 full-sized items such as organic skincare items, natural sunscreen, yoga gloves, herbal teas, and healthy snacks. All products are GMO free and vegetarian. The jewelry box, which is $24.99 each month, includes two handcrafted pieces, most often a bracelet and a necklace, and a seasonal chocolate treat. Yogi Surprise jewelry is nickel, lead, and cadmium tree, fair trade, and made with sustainably harvested materials. Subscribers are automatically charged on the 15th of each month and boxes ship out on the first week of the month. Yogi Surprise also hosts a monthly giveaway - each month, one member can win $1000 cash to go on the yoga retreat of his/her choice by posting a photo with their box on social media. This summer, Yogi Surprise is also hosting the Yoga Summer Sweepstakes, with the grand prize of a 5 night "Revive an Renew" package at The Retreat Costa Rica ($2500 value). The package includes daily yoga classes and wellness workshops, customized fresh cuisine, and luxurious accommodations in a healing environment - click here to enter!





Once again, the June jewelry box featured cute packaging and spot-on branding. I like that Yogi Surprise includes the information card explaining the significance and symbolism behind each item. This month's box included a desert-inspired necklace, stone bracelet, and chocolate energy snack. The jewelry was packed in sheer pouches that I'll be able to reuse for travel or gift-giving.


My Chakra Love necklace was made of agate and represents the sacral chakra. In this Yogi Surprise jewelry box, members could receive a variety of stones from Chakra Love's Desert Collection, representing the seven different chakras (energy points on the body that many yoga practitioners focus on). The sacral chakra (svadhishthana) is associated with emotions, relationships, sensuality, pleasure, and movement. In addition to being linked with fertility and known as the "seat of life" (as a woman with PCOS, I like the reminder of a little positive energy in that department), Svadhishthana is also considered to be connected to creativity, joy, and enthusiasm - I like having a piece of jewelry that represents those aspects of my personality, and the vermillion color of the agate stone is really unique in my jewelry box.


The second piece in the June Yogi Surprise jewelry box is a yellow and white jade bracelet featuring a silver Om charm. Yellow is obviously one of the main colors associated with the sun and solstice, and yellow jade represents purity, bravery, and honesty. According to the card that came with my box, in China, yellow jade is a symbol of "wealth, good fortune, friendship, and loyalty." 


I really like the bracelet styled with my Jawbone UP2 band, copper bead bracelet, and friendship bracelet from India. The golden color of the jade is very neutral and adds a nice bohemian touch to a summer arm party!



This week's chocolate treat was a Rawxies Mint Chocolate Chip heart - yum!

I was very satisfied with my June Yogi Surprise Box. I love being able to add yoga inspired jewelry to my everyday essentials, and Yogi Surprise is a great deal (the total value of this box was $53). The card included in the box also features a six-pose yoga sequence and invitation for friends to join (if 3 friends join, your next box is free) - if any of you are interested, click here!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Yogi Surprise or asked to write a review - I just thought this was a cool subscription box worth sharing with my readers! I paid for my own subscription and this is my honest review. This post contains a referral link.

Tuesday, June 7

Style: Yogi Surprise Subscription Box Review



It certainly does seem that there is a subscription box out there for every interest and hobby: as you all probably know, I'm a little bit addicted to Stitch Fix, and I'm mighty tempted by all of the lovely looking YA book and geeky subscription boxes that are out there. For a while, Mr. Q even got in on the action with a cycling subscription. When I started to see ads for Yogi Surprise boxes, I was intrigued - I've really become devoted to my yoga practice over the past few years as I've seen my mood become more stable and even my bone density improve (I can't prove that was because of yoga, but it certainly seems to be the case). I stalked the Yogi Surprise website and Facebook page for a while, but when I saw that a jewelry item I'd been coveting for a while was going to be included in the May box, I had to treat myself to a little early birthday gift. 


There are two Yogi Surprise boxes: a Lifestyle box and a Jewelry box, both centered around a monthly theme. The Lifestyle box is $44.95 each month and includes 6-8 full-sized items such as body oil, organic skincare items, a neti pot, yoga gloves, herbal teas, healthy chips, granola bars, and peanut butter cups. All products are GMO free and vegetarian. According to the website, the boxes have a $70 average retail value. The jewelry box, which is $24.99 each month) includes two handcrafted pieces, most often a bracelet and a necklace, and a seasonal chocolate treat. Yogi Surprise jewelry is nickel, lead, and cadmium tree, fair trade, and made with sustainably harvested materials. Subscribers are automatically charged on the 15th of each month and boxes ship out on the first week of the month (June boxes shipped yesterday). On top of my box, I found a card explaining the May theme and explaining the monthly giveaway - each month, one member can win $1000 cash to go on the yoga retreat of his/her choice by posting a photo with their box on social media.





The first thing I noticed about this subscription box was the cute packaging - even the outside of the box was well branded. Underneath the information card was a cute packet of chocolate candies and nice jewelry pouches that I'll definitely repurpose for traveling.



The flip side of the card gives information about each piece and the candy. My two jewelry items were a sandalwood, pearl, and amazonite mala (the yoga jewelry of my dreams!) and a labradorite and jade bracelet.


Here's a closer look at the 'Balance' Sandalwood, Pearl and Amazonite Mala. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that tassel jewelry, especially necklaces, is a major trend this summer. Until recently I didn't know that most of these pieces are actually inspired by the tradition of 108 bead malas (thanks to Kara from Boho Berry for the education!). 

While, as a Christian, I do not believe that stones or other natural materials have healing powers, I do think that being reminded of nature is a positive thing! I've been a little bit obsessed with minerals and gemstones since elementary school, when my truck driver dad used to bring me samples of rose quartz, pyrite, amethyst, and tiger's eye from the Southwest (just like this commercial that gives me major ugly cry face). I think that by associating a specific intention, like living a more balanced life, with a specific material, we can help remind ourselves to work toward those goals. Sandalwood is associated with calmness and mental clarity - and it smells really nice. I couldn't resist the combo of natural wood beads with pearl and amazonite when I saw the preview of this Yogi Surprise Box, especially when a mala alone can cost around $120 on Etsy or in stores. I like to wear this mala necklace with my chambray shirt (from last week's style post) or even a t-shirt and jeans to step up my "preppy bohemian" style.



Since the mala was teased on the Yogi Surprise website, the 'I Am Healed' Labradorite and Jade Bracelet was the real surprise for me. I wish this photo was a better representation of the beautiful gray-green color of the labradorite beads and how luminescent they are in the light! It's a stone associated with protection and strength. White jade is connected to focus and clear decision making. Featuring pretty silver beads, rhinestones, and a lotus charm, this bracelet is a great reminder to have faith in my choices, and looks great dressed up or down.



Finally, the chocolates, which went way too quickly during exam time at school! These  all-natural "Chocolaty Fudgee Rolls" by the Lovely Candy Co. were chocolaty indeed without the waxy texture associated with other rolls which shall remain nameless.

Overall, I really loved my first Yogi Surprise Box. My only complaint about this subscription box is that it follows a traditional subscription system - boxes are sent each month unless the subscriber cancels; there's no way to pause a subscription or skip a month. While I love yoga inspired jewelry, and Yogi Surprise is a great deal, I'm still not sure I could justify buying 24 new pieces each year - or find room for all of them in my jewelry box! The Yogi Surprise Box was a nice treat to myself at the end of the school year, and I also think it would be an awesome gift for a yoga-loving friend.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way by Yogi Surprise or asked to write a review - I just thought this was a cool subscription box worth sharing with my readers! I paid for my own subscription and this is my honest review. This post contains referral links for Yogi Surprise.