Stitch Fix Reveal - Maternity Style

When I first found out I was pregnant, I thought of all the places I wanted to try to look for maternity outfits. To be honest, I was actually excited to dress my new bump. Of course I cannot hide my love of shopping, but this was a whole new style challenge I was excited to venture into. As I thought about my favorites, Stitch Fix came to mind. When I last splurged on a fix, maternity wasn't an option. 
As it happened, within a few weeks of learning of this pregnancy, Stitch Fix also announced their new maternity fixes. Of course I couldn't resist. I have received two through this pregnancy - the first was a successful mix of maternity and non-maternity fashion, but the sizing was off so I only kept two pieces: maternity leggings and an edgy necklace. When I wanted to try it again, I made some notes about wanting more of a romantic feel to my pieces, and they knocked it out of the park! I kept the whole box - which I have never done!

Are you interested in your own fix - maternity or not? Check it out here: Stitch Fix

Note: While this is a referral link, all opinions below are my own and I was not compensated by Stitch Fix.

Tart Shania Ikat Maxi Dress

This dress actually isn't maternity, but it's billowy and is awesome now. Also great to know that this will transition nicely into my permanent wardrobe rotation. The pattern is navy and white, so not too harsh. Amazingly enough, it is also very long. As part of Team Flamingo, my legs and I struggle to find long length maxis. All sorts of winning.

Papermoon Toland Kimono

The back on this won me over. I've worn it with and without the belt, and have found it to be suitable over leggings, jeans, or LBDs. This will also stick around outside Maternity Time.

Full Moon Dacey Lace Overlay Maternity Knit Top

Again - the lace and the detailed back sucked me in. The buttons on the back (gold!) got me, and I love the lace for work. While it is stretchy, it is slim enough that this may work outside Maternity Time, but will certainly be comfy with sweaters over the holidays.

Pale Sky Solana Pleated Maternity Blouse

I love the funky floral/herringbone mash up. Flowy and stretchy. This is will probably stay in the maternity bucket - this style top has always been in my "I want it to succeed but I never feel great in it" pile pre-maternity. It's a little different now with the bump, but I generally need more shape to my tops.

And finally...
Bay to Baubles Liberty Triangle and Tassel Earrings

An easy yes. Coral and gold? Just duh. 
 
 
 

This Pregnancy Body

I want to start by saying that I feel good. I'm comfortable in my baby-growing skin, I like what I see in the mirror, and I am only critical of the stretch marks that I cannot control despite my twice-daily applications of belly balm. I still accept them (begrudgingly). 

But I have to admit something. And I cannot be the only one. Because despite the way I see myself and the way my wonderfully stretchy maternity clothes fit, I was shocked by The Number on the scale that I saw today at the doctor's office.

The scale is something new to me. Only in the recent two years did I even own one. But I will admit that I fell into the same trap pre-pregnancy as so many women and I was worried about the number. Mostly because of planning the pregnancy, I did not want to start this baby-growing journey with a number to lose. Well, I did. And I stopped looking at the scale so much that I'm not even certain what my official pre-baby weight is. I have a 10 lb range that I think I was at. But that means that the number I've gained fits into a 20-30 lb range. As I round the corner from second to third trimester, I know that 20 lbs is fine (5-10 lb per trimester). But I struggle with the idea of being 50% over where I "should" be.

Everyone has a number on the scale that they never want to see - pregnant or not. And as I edge closer to that number, I am faced with the reality that I will pass it. It's going to happen in the next three months (probably in the next month) and I need to accept that. I am eating healthy foods - snacking outside meals with almost exclusively on fruits and veggies. Yes, I go through bursts where I eat a lot. Yes, I put down two full-sized breakfast entrees on Saturday. No, I barely ate anything else all day. Balance. And I regret nothing - NOTHING.

But I am struggling to separate my expectations around the scale from my current health. The only problem here is in my head. As much as I have enjoyed almost every other aspect of this pregnancy (including how I look), I am surprised by how much I am struggling with The Number. My health continues to do well, and the doctor isn't concerned about The Number. So why am I?

And then I remembered that today I wore a non-maternity dress, so as much as I am struggling with The Number, it is not being reflected in my body, and my brain can STFU.

Dress from Nordstroms, cardigan and necklace from Stitch Fix.

Stitch Fix Review

The following review is my own opinions, I did not receive any compensation - I just like fashion and shopping. :-)

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? You can sign up through their website, input your style and size choices, then get a box of 5 mystery fashion items to try on and buy, if you want, all from your home. I have received 4 shipments, and until my latest one, I was ready to write them off. At the end of last year (my 3rd shipment), my Fix was late, I had some rough hits with customer service, and the Fix contents were SO BAD. But then the 4th one came earlier this year and it was like fashion heaven in a box, delivered straight to my feet.

I know lots of people who have been disenchanted with the Fixes, feeling that the stylist never quite "got" them, or maybe the sizing was consistently a bit off. While I was never completely displeased with my box (except for shipment 3), I had never loved EVERYTHING until shipment 4. For the first two shipments, I kept a 2 pieces and set the rest back. Bit of a mixed-bag experience...

The Brands: I haven't seen many of the brands in big retailers. There are a few I've seen at Macy's or Nordstroms, but never the same pieces there that Stitch Fix provides. I've been able to update my wardrobe with a few unique pieces, and I get compliments on them every time I wear them. I like the conversation pieces. And since everyone's Fix is different (depending on timing, size availability, price preference, and style choice), there's still a big of a surprise every time!

The Price: The pieces I have received have ranged between $28 and $88 (website lists their average at $65) for all types of tops, bottoms, dresses, and jewelry. Now, let me start by saying that this far exceeds my normal clothing budget. However, for a few fun pieces, every now and again, I think it's worth it. The pieces have all been high quality, so I still feel like I'm getting value (even if not cheapness).

The Style: Because I so thoroughly loved and lost my mind over my 4th Fix, I wanted to share it here! Now, it hasn't all been winners...

Exhibit A: Failure from Fix #3

Exhibit B: Like, it was so bad.

My latest fix was 5 keepers. And the bonus is that if you keep all 5 pieces, you get a 25% discount on the entire purchase! 

Top #1: Royal blue with lace detail

#2 Dress: Teal, jersey cowl. The belt is my own, but I love the dress so much

#3 Top: Olive Jersey Tunic. I love the shirring and length on this! It is so soft and comfortable, but still styled enough for the office with a pencil skirt

#4 The Jewels: A long, delicate, rosey/bronze necklace that is so versatile (and a better look at the olive top)

#5 Top - a royal blue silk tunic-peasant with cut-out detail on top. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!

The other fun thing about the style is that each piece comes with photo and fashion layouts with two different options to wear each piece. I've kept these for the pieces I keep, although I normally love the pieces so much that I don't need much inspiration to keep wearing them.

I wear these pieces quite a bit, and have considered them an investment in my professional wardrobe. You can get more casual, or even fancier options if you list it in your style profile, too. 

I will probably sign up for another for my birthday before taking an extended break (my closet is pretty full), but I so enjoy the surprises!

Are you interested in trying Stitch Fix for yourself? You can sign up here through my referral link!


Do you have a favorite wardrobe staple?

Monday Fashion

Not that I owe the blog an explanation, but I've been sick. Started as a strong cold, something I hadn't truly gotten over since Thanksgiving, and ended with a bronchitis-like cough. Luckily, it is resolving much sooner than bronchitis and just as my 7-days-sick-call-the-doctor timer ran out, I started to sleep through the night again, and to breath without wheezing.

Coughing fits are hard to work through. They are so draining. But I'm sure my abs got a good workout from all the fits! As a result, I have not been eating much. Or cooking for that matter. Frankly, barely functioning is accurate until this weekend. And I felt better just in time for a mini-Mommy-visit.

Stay with me as I get back into my routine - I have a few posts coming this week, and I am trying to get some Passover experimentation out of the way before my Israel trip in 12 days (maybe some packing narratives, as well).

For now... Here's my Monday fashion. I work in a business-casual environment, but have been concerned that chambray is even too casual. Today, I paired it with nice slacks, heels, and a chunky necklace and it was perfect for the work place.

How do you feel about chambray?

This post is a test... In FASHION.

Apparently, I've been living under a rock. I just figured out that I can post from my iPad. This must be a new app. Anyway, if this is weird, it's because I'm finger-tapping.

I'm thinking about starting to do a new type of post... An occasional Kvetchin Kloset post. As many of you know, I have Alopecia Universalis, which leaves me balder than a new born babe. I rarely wear wigs. I wear scarves less frequently now because as my eyelashes have recently fallen out, my contacts are difficult to wear all day, and glasses don't cooperate with scarves. Thanks to Country Cleaver for giving me the boost to do this, even if I'm technologically/bloggy inept.

I try to dress in a way that (I hope) compliments my condition. I do a bit on Instagram (@KvetchinKitchen), but I was thinking about sharing some of my favorites here on the blog.

So if this posts... This is what I wore today! I like the conservativeness of the dress with the "nakedness" of being bald. Also, it's cold in my office. The navy is more complimentary on me than black, and I am really warming up to belts. And for as blousey as the dress was, I still thought it was flattering (especially with the contrast of the belt).

Earrings from Forever 21 (Summer 2012)
Dress from Target (Dec 2012)
Belt from Kohls (sold with another dress)
Boots from Chinese Laundry at Nordstroms (from 2011)