What's In My Bag Wednesday {3-28-18}

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far. I went back to work this week after being on maternity leave and am already looking forward to Spring break! Luckily it's right around the corner, and I'll be relaxing with my little crew before I know it! 

I'm back again today with the latest installment of 'What's In My Bag Wednesday.' New around here or unfamiliar with this series? Read on...


So, let me give you a little background on why I came up with the series What's In My Bag Wednesday.  Do you ever find yourself browsing your favorite websites and adding items to your shopping bag, but never purchasing them? Or, purchasing them at a later date?!? If this is you then we NEED to be friends! I am forever surfing my favorite online retailers, adding multiple items to my virtual shopping bag, and never hitting purchase. Why not? Well, for a few reasons. The first one being that I do not have an unlimited budget for clothing. Bummer! The second, I tend to be a bit indecisive. It's best for me to take at least 24 hours to "think" obsess about an item before purchasing. If I'm still obsessing thinking about that item then it probably means I should click purchase!


Well, now I get to share the items that are in my virtual shopping bag on What's In My Bag Wednesdays, and you can help me decide if I should purchase them or save my pennies! Maybe you'll decide you like some of the items, too! Better yet, maybe you'll have suggestions for me!


Without further ado! Here are the items that are currently hanging out in my shopping carts ready for me to click 'purchase.' 

This scarf popped up on my list of Amazon recommendations and it's so cute! I work with an amazing Librarian/Library Media Specialist and this will make an adorable birthday gift for her! It's hanging out in my cart for a little while longer because her birthday isn't for another few months.  


 Aren't these hangers adorable? I think they would look so cute in the boys' rooms! 




This jumpsuit {on sale for $38!} is so stinkin' cute and looks super comfy. If you like this one then check out this sleeveless option too. I am really wanting a jumpsuit but am not sure what to look for in a fit/style without trying one on. I have 'trying on jumpsuits' on my list of things to do over Spring break! 

 Ok, so this lactation massager is a pretty specific item that most people probably do not need. As an exclusively pumping mama I get clogged ducts all. the. time. and this seems like it would be a life changer! This will most likely arrive on my front doorstep sometime in the near future! ;-)

I am in need of a different breast pump bag and came across this Sara Wells 'Lizzie' bag, as well as the pumparoo pumping parts carrying bag. I love the pattern! It's so pretty for spring and summer. It's a bit pricey, which is why it's still hanging out in my shopping cart and hasn't made its way to me yet! I'm going to keep looking for a bag that's a little less expensive but if I don't find anything as big and as functional as this one then I'm just going to splurge and get it! Anyone out there purchase a Sara Wells bag yet? What do you think of it? Is it as amazing as all the reviews say?


I love this insulated tumbler by Kate Spade! It's so cute! I hope the Easter bunny drops this in my basket this year. ;-) 
Someone on my Instagram feed posted a review about this chickpea pasta and I'm definitely interested in trying it! I am hoping the Trader Joe's or Whole Foods near me carries this same brand. If not I suppose I can purchase a box on Amazon. 



Richard Scarry books are my son's absolute favorite thing to read right now {Love this one and this one}. The pictures are so entertaining and contain so many details. Sometimes I think my husband and I enjoy reading them as much as Mason does!We will be ordering more of these books! 


That's it for this week! I haven't had much time to online shop since returning to work. Please share any of your recent finds or what's in your virtual shopping bag! 

Happy Matching! 

Marcie 

Latest Confession: March 'Fix'

It's that time again, my favorite time of the month when I receive my Stitchfix 'fix' in the mail! It's like Christmas!


Please note: This is not a paid or sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included throughout the post and are used to help support this side passion of mine. Thanks for reading!}



New to Stitchfix? Let me explain. Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that sends hand-picked clothing and accessories items for a styling fee. Each fix contains five items based on your style preferences. Once your fix arrives you have 3 days to try on your items and decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. The styling fee is applied toward any purchase you make, and you receive 25% off your total purchase if you keep everything in your fix! 



Sounds good, right?!? {If you want to try Stitchfix please use my referral code: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3739434?sod=w&som=c. Thank you!}



I usually get one fix per month but have been known to get two or three because I love Stitchfix that much. {Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. I truly love Stitchfix.}



Enough of the chit-chat, let's get to this month's fix shall we? For this fix I requested work-wear items because I knew if I had a few new cute items in my wardrobe it would make returning to work a little easier. :-) I also mentioned to my stylist that the items needed to be functional because I will be wrangling a 2.5-year-old and a 4-month-old every morning before I even get to work!



From left to right: Level 99 Francis Straight Leg Pant ($88) similar options here and here//Le Lis Grenaa Knit Blazer ($58) similar option here//41 Hawthorn Augustin Button Back Blouse ($58)//Skies Are Blue Reginald Crochet Detail Top ($54)//DM Collection Laurell Jersey Shirt Dress ($108)

Of course, when my fix arrives I get right down to business and try everything on. Before I do that though I form an opinion about how each item will fit and if I'm going to like it on or not. Sometimes I'm right and other times I surprise myself. This was one of those times when I surprised myself!

Initially, the only thing I thought I was going to like was the dress. Well, boy was I wrong! 


I am now a huge fan of Level 99 pants because these are awesome! The material is so soft, it's like jersey knit. Think leggings, but with more coverage. This is personal preference, but I like the subtle zip pocket detail, too. They add a dressier touch to the pant and they lay nice and flat, which I find to be more flattering on my shape.    




I think they are the perfect mid-rise {for me} and hit my ankle in the right place. I cannot say enough about how comfortable they are! I love that I will be dressed for work but feel like I'm lounging in my stretch pants! I love these pants so much that I am going to try their denim line, too. These black jeans are on my wishlist, and at a less-than-$40 price point, they will make it in my closet soon! :-)  

My exact pants are not available online, but you can request them for your next fix! The J. Crew Pixie pant is a similar option and another one of my favorite wear-to-work pants. Another option is the J. Crew Cameron pant. I haven't tried them yet but the reviews are great! 





 The blouses actually surprised me. My initial reaction to the green one was not great. I thought it was going to look boxy and be very unflattering. To my surprise, it didn't look that bad. It was very comfortable and I was definitely a fan of the color. I really like the green color with my leopard print flats {btw these flats are the best! I actually just purchased a third pair because I wear them ALL.THE.TIME! Bonus - they are on sale right now!!!} I think they compliment each other nicely. The subtle detailing on top of the shirt added a nice touch. I love a shirt with cap sleeves for work, and this one had just that. Despite being pleasantly surprised, I did not keep this top. I'm really trying to only keep items that I am in love with and this one didn't do it for me.

I could not find my exact top online, which is the case for the majority of Stitchfix items, but if you want a top with subtle detailing this one has the most adorable ruffle sleeves and is a pretty blue color. Perfect for Spring! I love the plum color of this one from Anthropologie and it has a similar subtle crochet detail to it. It would look great with a pair of black dress pants and my favorite leopard flats. I am thinking that I really need to make room for this one in my closet because it is so stinkin' adorable! Navy is my jam and the embroidered detailing is super cute!


When I pulled this pink and blue blouse out of the package I was not a fan. After trying it on, though, I quickly realized that I liked the material and the length. Perfect for spring/summer. I did, however, think the armpit holes were a little loose. I could have exchanged it for a smaller size but I did not. This one got sent back too, and I'm ok with that. Again, trying to keep things I absolutely love, not just that I like.





 The button detailing on the back was super cute! 

Old Navy carries lots of cute sleeveless blouse options at great price points. I like how you can throw on a plain cardigan over top to complete an outfit and make it work-appropriate but can also wear this type of top with a pair of denim and wedge sandals as the temps start to rise. If you are looking for cute sleeveless top options check out this one. I LOVE this one, too, and it would look great with a pair of white denim. Another cute option here




This blazer was very soft and comfortable, but not something I fell in love with. I have this one in my closet already and it barely gets worn. I'm just more of a cardigan girl. If you are someone who likes blazers, it's definitely comfy and cute. The length was great, too.

This dress?!? I wanted to love it and I just didn't! Now I am all for a cute jersey material dress, and the material of this one did not disappoint. For some reason, I didn't feel "good' in this one.  I'm not sure why. It just didn't wow me when I put it on and I couldn't justify spending $108 dollars on something that I was just so-so about. If I'm being completely honest, I have quite a few wrap dresses and dresses that are the same awesome jersey material as this one. So, I sent this one back too.

If you need a great jersey material shirt dress, check out this one by Lily Pulitzer. It comes in solid colors and a few adorable {true to Lily} designs. After coming across these dresses I might be able to convince myself that adding another jersey dress to my closet isn't such a bad idea! ;-)


Loft has some adorable dress options if you are in need of one for Easter or for work. I love this one! This one is such a pretty blue color and could easily be dressed up or down, with a cute denim jacket. This one is perfect for Spring and has the cutest little flutter sleeve.


Overall I was pleased with my fix. Even though I only kept the pants, I enjoyed being pleasantly surprised by the other items. 

I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Happy Matching! 
Marcie 


Thoughts on Thursday| {3-22-18}

Hello, there and welcome back to another round of 'Thoughts on Thursday.' New to the blog or perhaps this series? Let me fill you in! I started 'Thoughts on Thursday' as a way for me share all of the random thoughts I have during the week. Nothing awe-inspiring or earth-shattering, just a little bit of this and that for you. Between raising two tiny humans, being a wife, and working out of the home full time, I have a lot swirling around in my brain and sometimes I just need to get it out! That's where this series comes in handy! I do hope you will consider sharing your own bits of randomness in the comments below! 

If I'm being completely honest, the thoughts that have been at the forefront of my brain involve my return to work next week after being on maternity leave for the past 4.5 months {cue the sobs}. Although I absolutely love my away-from-home job as a Speech-Language Pathologist in a middle school, I am going to miss my own kiddos something fierce! So naturally MOST of my thoughts this week surround this upcoming change.

Thoughts such as, how am I ever going to get out of the house with two kids?

And, will my toddler kick it into high gear when he's getting dressed so we can actually make it out the door on time?

Better yet, maybe I should dress him the night before instead of having him sleep in his jammies! Then we could skip the whole chasing and tackling shenanigans that occur while trying to get him dressed in the morning. Of course, he thinks this is hilarious! 

What can I do to keep my 4-month old from spitting up all over me?

Just how many days exactly can I go without showering? Does wiping down my body with baby wipes count as showering?

Yes, I have a toothbrush at work just in case I forget to brush my teeth at home.

How exactly am I going to consume enough caffeine at work in order to function throughout the day? I need my own Keurig!

I apologize if this post was boring for some of you, as it may not be relevant to your current season of life, or maybe you've already experienced this stuff and would like to leave it behind you! But, I had to share since these really are the thoughts that have been on my mind this week, and I want to be as completely open and honest as I can be!

Happy Matching!

Marcie

Latest Confession: What's In My Bag Wednesday {3-21-18}

Hello, there fellow MatchiN'ista's! I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday. It's great to see you again!

I'm back today with the second installment of the What's In My Bag Wednesday series. Missed last week's post? Check it out here.

So, let me give you a little background on why I came up with the series What's In My Bag Wednesday.  Do you ever find yourself browsing your favorite websites and adding items to your shopping bag, but never purchasing them? Or, purchasing them at a later date?!? If this is you then we NEED to be friends! I am forever surfing my favorite online retailers, adding multiple items to my virtual shopping bag, and never hitting purchase. Why not? Well, for a few reasons. The first one being that I do not have an unlimited budget for clothing. Bummer! The second, I tend to be a bit indecisive. It's best for me to take at least 24 hours to "think" obsess about an item before purchasing. If I'm still obsessing thinking about that item then it probably means I should click purchase!

Well, now I get to share the items that are in my virtual shopping bag on What's In My Bag Wednesdays, and you can help me decide if I should purchase them or save my pennies! Maybe you'll decide you like some of the items, too! Better yet, maybe you'll have suggestions for me!

Without further ado! Here are the items that are currently hanging out in my shopping carts ready for me to click 'purchase.' 

I've broken up this week's items into different categories: Items for the home, fashion and beauty, and kid-related. 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions are 100% my own and I only share items that I truly love. Thanks for supporting this little side passion of mine. :-) 

Items for the Home

Isn't this doormat just the cutest thing you ever did see? I LOVE it! It's so fun and would make any guest smile before walking into a home. Side note: I found this on Worldmarket.com, which is a new-to-me website. I cannot stop finding items that I love on their site! They have such nice, affordable things. 


We recently purchased a new rug for our living room and I'm not on the hunt for new curtains. I like these ones, but am not 100% sold on them...yet. It is difficult to tell from the picture, but the design is a burnt orange color, which is typically not my color of choice. But they will match our new rug so perfectly! So, they will sit in my shopping cart until I decide what to do. :-) 

See? New rug! Yahoo! The burnt orange in the curtains above would look nice. 

The color on the walls is similar to the blue in the rug, otherwise, I would probably look for curtains in this color family instead of the burnt orange. 


Fashion and Beauty


I keep hearing about Living Proof's dry shampoo and I have yet to purchase it. I currently use this dry shampoo, in the unscented and I love it. It's also much cheaper at $5.99 per can. Have any of you tried the Living Proof products? Is this one really the holy grail of dry shampoo's? Do share! 

Ok, so I'm returning to work pretty soon after being on maternity leave for the past 4 months {cue the sobs} and I'm looking for a new cosmetic bag to add to my work tote. Let's be honest: I will probably be putting my makeup on AFTER I drop the kiddos off at daycare, just so I don't accidentally forget to put eyeliner on one eye, or blush on only one cheek...because that's what happens in the morning rush!  This one is the companion to my Vera Bradley tote that I am in love with, that my mom gifted me a few Christmases ago {thanks, mama!}. Honestly, the only reason I haven't purchased this yet is that I DO have a small makeup bag, but it doesn't match my tote.  :-/ 


These boyfriend jeans are super cute...on the model! I love the distressed look, but I'm not entirely convinced that as a 30 something-year-old mama I should be rocking these jeans. Whenever I see other moms wearing them I think they look awesome, but for some reason, I'm not so sure they would be that great on me. We'll see! 


Both of these overalls need to make it into my closet already {black AE overalls & Denim Overalls}! I'm guessing by the end of this week one of these will be on my doorstep. :-) 


Every year J. Crew Factory store carries these sweaters and I always buy them! You know my philosophy on buying things in multiples: If one is good, two is better, and three is fabulous! I'm pretty sure I own them in every color, EXCEPT this pretty blue one and the olive colored one. 

Confession: I'm a Trunk Club Fan!

I'm sure you all know that I LOVE getting my monthly 'fixes' from Stitchfix! Well, I decided that I could no longer hold off on trying Nordstrom's personal stylist program: Trunk Club.

 Please note this is not a sponsored post. I love Stitchfix and am now a fan of Trunk Club and want to share my love with all of you! Affiliate links may be included throughout this post, which helps to support this side passion of mine. :-)

If you are new around here or aren't sure what Stitchfix is, let me explain. Stitchfix is an online personal shopper of sorts. The sign-up is free and the styling fee for each 'fix' is $20. The sign-up process includes a description of your personal style, which your stylist will use to help find the perfect pieces for you! Your 'fix' will contain 5 items that you can try-on in the convenience of your own home. After you've had the chance to try on all 5 items you decide what you want to keep and send the rest back. Included in your neatly packaged box is a bag with prepaid postage. If you decide to keep all 5 items you receive 25% off your total purchase! {P.S. Please use this referral link if you decide to try Stitchfix. It helps support this side passion of mine. Thank you!}

I digress. Back to the reason for this post, which is that I tried a new {to me} clothing service by Nordstrom; Trunk Club, and I am a fan! The idea behind Trunk Club is similar to that of Stitchfix, with the exception of a few things. You sign up and create a design profile, but you have the opportunity to communicate with your stylist throughout the entire process. Once items are selected for you based on your style profile and wardrobe needs, you are given the opportunity to accept or reject the items. You have 5 days to try on everything from your 'trunk' and decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. Included is prepaid postage for an easy return process! There is no limit on the number of items that are sent to you, which is nice. The styling fee for this service is $25 and can be applied to any of the items that you decide to purchase. {P.S. Please use this referral link if you sign up for a Trunk! Once again, this helps support this side passion of mine.} 

For my first trunk, I requested a few staple items and things that would help transition my wardrobe into Spring. Justin, my stylist, was very attentive and conversed with me throughout the entire style selection process. I was able to see the items he selected for my trunk before it actually shipped, and I'm happy to say that most of the items he selected were a perfect match! The items I opted to leave out of this trunk were simply things that I had in my wardrobe already, otherwise, I would have kept them! So, what did he send!?!


From left to right: Jagger Skinny Jeans by Vigoss ($68)// Langley Swing Coat by Madewell ($168)//Maisy d'Orsay Flat by Halogen ($89.95)//J. Crew Perfect Stripe Stretch Bodysuit ($78)//
J. Crew Classic Stripe Stretch Cotton Shirt ($69.50)//'Foxy' Bootie by Teva ($129.94)//J. Crew Stripe Twist Back Tee ($39)//Button Detail Long Cardigan by Wallis ($63)//J. Crew Toothpick Jeans ($110)

 Vigoss Jeans ($68)//'Foxy' Bootie by Teva ($129.94) **These have been marked down to $60.31 on the Nordstrom website!**



My thoughts and impressions: 

Vigoss Jeans: I really really really wanted to like these jeans, but they were too baggy in the waist. It's difficult to tell that from the picture, as it was more of a comfort issue. The thigh area fit very well which is a win for this MatchiN'ista because that is usually my 'trouble' area. The material definitely hugged my calves, but they were still comfortable. I could have requested a smaller size (26), but then they may have been too tight in the calves. Loved the wash and the material was perfect! 

Teva booties: (On sale!)Hands down, the most comfortable booties I own. And they are on major sale at Nordstrom. I feel like I am walking on clouds when I wear them, they are that good! The dark brown color goes with everything I have in my closet, making it a very versatile shoe. I like that there is a low heel - enough to add a little height but still maintain comfort. These. are. awesome! 

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My thoughts and impressions: TOTAL MISS! I don't think I need to say much, as the picture speaks a thousand words! :-) 

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My thoughts and impressions: 

Flats: I LOVE LOVE LOVE these flats! They are perfect for work and are so comfortable! Great price point too. 

J. Crew Toothpick Denim: I did not like how these fit. Remember how I shared my denim buying criteria in this post?!? Well, these jeans did NOT meet the criteria on my list!  The rise was great, as it covered the tummy, but they were a tad too snug. I wasn't crazy about the material either; it was a bit too stiff. The pockets hit the bum in just right the spot, which was a definite plus. 

J. Crew Stripe Bodysuit: As for the bodysuit; adorable! Love it! It's the perfect french blue color and stripes are such a classic pattern. I thought the fit was going to be awkward, with it being a bodysuit and all, but it's not. There are snaps at the bottom to make trips to the bathroom easy peasy! I am wearing a size 4 in the picture but ended up sizing down because it was a little loose on top and you could see through the buttons from a side angle. 

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My thoughts and impressions: 

Flats & denim: I already talked about the flats and the denim above, so you know how I feel about those. Just in case...Flats were a hit and the jeans were a miss. 

Classic stripe shirt: As for the shirt, I liked it. This is one of those staple items that everyone should have in their closet. I own two very similar shirts, so I did not end up keeping this one. If you are in need of a similar shirt, I highly recommend this one, as it was super comfortable, great material, and the fit was spot on. 

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Vigoss Jeans ($68)//Foxy' Bootie by Teva ($129.94) **On sale for $60.31!**/Button Detail Long Cardigan by Wallis ($63)



My thoughts and impressions: 

Vigoss Jeans & booties: Both are reviewed above, but just in case...I did not end up keeping the jeans because they were a tad baggy in the waist. The booties are awesome! 

Cardigan: Sadly, I could not find this anywhere. I did not end up keeping this and I could seriously kick myself! It was the most beautiful blush color and would look perfect with denim or leggings. At the last minute I decided not to keep this because I thought I had something similar in my Spring wardrobe (which is packed away in our basement) and come to find out, I don't! I definitely should have kept this because it is perfect for transitioning into Spring! 

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Vigoss Jeans ($68)//J. Crew Stripe Twist Back Tee ($39)**On sale for $24.99!//'Foxy' booties by Teva ($129.95)**On sale for $60.31!**


My thoughts and impressions: 

Vigoss Jeans: As shared above,  I loved the wash, the material, and that these covered my mama tummy. I did not like how baggy they were in the waist. I could have sized down, but I felt they would have been too tight in the calves. 

J. Crew. tee: (On sale!)LOVE this! I can't wait to wear this as the weather gets a little nicer outside. The material is so soft and stretchy and will be super cute with a dark or light pair of denim. Adore this! 

Whew! That was a long post! Kudos to you if you stuck it out with me. I hope you found some great items and were inspired to try ordering a trunk for yourself! 

Happy Matching! 
Marcie