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! 

*********************************************************************************


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

*********************************************************************************



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. 

*********************************************************************************



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. 

*********************************************************************************

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! 

*********************************************************************************
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 





















Thoughts on Thursday {3-15-2018}

Yay, you decided to stop by again! Welcome back for another round of 'Thoughts on Thursday' where I share little bits of random thoughts that pop in my head throughout the week. New to this series? That's ok! Check out last weeks 'Thoughts on Thursday' post here

Let's dive in, shall we?

1. St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner so I couldn't resist getting this cookie for my 2.5-year-old. Confession: Hubby and I ate half of it! Oops!
2. Target had some cute St. Patrick's Day clothing options that I couldn't resist! 
These are so cute {and comfy}

Hubby actually agreed to wear this! 

3. Enough with the snow already! It's beautiful and I love it for about 4 months. Now, I'm over it. I'm sure there are others who are with me! 

4. YES, we have a trampoline in our dining room. Life with toddlers. :-)
{BTW..that's the Ergobaby carrier and I love it!} 

5. If you could back to college to be anything you wanted what would it be? I had coffee with my sister and cousin this past weekend and the topic of going back to college as 30-40 something adults came up. All three of us were able to rattle off a number of careers we would pursue if given another chance. Interesting. 

6. How many devices are too many?!? Computer, cell phone, multiple Ipads and now I want a Kindle. Is that ridiculous? 

7. I'm probably behind the 8 ball on this one, but I recently heard that Chip and Joanna Gaines will not be filming another series of Fixer Upper. So bummed! 

8. I'm excited to see Jesus Christ Superstar with John Legend and Sara Bereillis. You know where I'll be on Easter Sunday! 

9. This is definitely my toddler at either grandparents' house because of course mommy and daddy wouldn't have a chocolate bar that big! ;-) (unless it had peanut butter in it and then I would be the one in this image! LOL)  

10. Sticker chart or not? Recently I have been thinking about using some sort of external, positive reward system to help my toddler get ready in the morning. Our morning routine takes forever and I'm thinking maybe this would speed the process up. Or not. I am well aware that toddlers have one speed and only one speed: slow when you need them to hurry and top speed when they want something! 

That's all for today! Please share your own random thoughts in the comments below! 

Happy Matching! 
Marcie 



Latest Confession: What's In My Bag Wednesday

Ok, so let me start off by telling you that I love alliterations! Like, seriously, love love love alliterations. Maybe it's the Speech-Language Pathologist in me. Who knows!?!

If I had more time I would come up with a different blog post series for each day of the week and the title would, of course, be an alliteration! Some ideas that are swirling around in my head are MatchiN' it Mondays; Trendy Tuesday; Sale Saturday, etc. I already have Thoughts on Thursday and now I am adding What's In My Bag Wednesday. So excited for this!

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!

Let's get to it!

I have been on the hunt for a backpack diaper bag for the past year or so now and still haven't purchased one. I love this one by skip hop, but am not sure if I like it in the caramel or black. I want it to match my outfits, which is crazy, I know, but that's the matchinista in me! Just recently I found this adorable gray stripe one and I love it, too! It would be cute for summer...is it too small to carry stuff for two kids? Do I buy all three?!? #crazymatchinista



Skip Hop Greenwich Bag in Black















Skip Hop Riverside Bag


I had an extremely difficult time narrowing down the beauty and fashion items that I wanted to share with you because seriously, my bag is full of goodies at many of my favorite online retailers! But, I was able to narrow it down to these 9 items.


/1/ Suede Bucket Bag - I have been on the hunt for a black cross body bag that will fit all of the items I need in it, but that's not too big. I keep coming back to this one, but haven't purchased it yet because I'm just not so sure I like the circular handle. Will I get sick of it? Is it too dressy for my casual style? I think I need 2 different ones...one that's super casual and this one. See, this is the indecisive me! I could just stick with my tried and true, all time favorite small transport tote from Madewell, but that would be too easy, right!?!
/2/ Anastasia Brow Gel - I have been out of brow gel for a while now, but have yet to purchase more. I used to use a brow gel by Mary Kay, but my MK consultant is no longer in business. So, now my eyebrows are always wacky looking! LOL! I need to just order this already!!! Has anyone tried this particular one? If you have, did you purchase the clear or a color? Please share suggestions if you have them!
/3/ V-Neck Lace Dress - I LOVE the color of this dress. I have a bridal shower to go to this Spring and this would be so cute to wear! Why haven't I purchased it yet?...What if I find something different/that I like better in the meantime?!? I have 2 whole months before the shower! #indecisive #decisionmakingisnotmything
/4/ Pom Pom Sweatshirt - I love how this looks on the model, but I'm not sure if it will be too boxy for me or not. Also, I'm going back to work at the end of the month and really need to shop for business casual clothing instead of sweats and comfy things...this does not fit the business casual attire that I am looking for! Naturally I'm drawn to items like this, though, because who doesn't want to be comfy?!?
/5/ Pom Pom Canvas Mules - I really really really need these! I also really really really need the ones listed next! Which ones do I choose???? Do I get both? :-) Because you know my philosophy on multiples: If one is good, two is better, and three is fabulous! There's that business casual work thing again, though, and these do not fit the "necessary for work" criteria. #bummer
/6/ Tassel Mules- There's tassels, need I say more?!?
/7/ Cherry Earrings - I just think these are fun and adorable. Probably a little quirky, but that's my style! Anyone else?
/8/ Steamer - I NEED this. It gets pretty good reviews and I think I would get a lot of use out of it. However, what if I don't? #indecisive The last thing I want is another gadget cluttering up my house. If you own a steamer like this one, do you use it? Please share your thoughts!
/9/ Multistripe Cora crisscross sandals - These are full of color, which I love! Paired with a cute pair of jeans and a tee in any color in the sandals and you have the perfect matchy-matchy outfit!

What's in your bag this Wednesday? Are you a chronic 'add-to-shopping-bag-without-purchasing' person like me?

Happy Matching!
Marcie

Postpartum Jean Shopping Part II

Ugh, jean shopping. Love it or hate it?

I'm in the "hate it" category, simply because I'm sorta picky, which makes shopping for jeans a lengthy process!

A few weeks ago I shared my first shopping experience since having my second baby boy. I'm happy to report it was a huge success! I found these jeans that I am in love with and that have been a staple in my weekly wardrobe since then. Missed the post? Check it out here.

This past week I ventured out to the mall again, in search of another pair of jeans. I decided to check out Abercrombie {I felt super duper old walking into the store, but I put my head down, grabbed the jeans I wanted to try, headed to the fitting room and got to work!} because I have heard other bloggers raving about their jeans now for the past few months. I figured, why not give them a try?!?

Before we dive into the try-on, let's chat a little bit about what makes the 'perfect' jean in my book.

MatchiN'ista's Guide to Finding the Perfect Jean

1. PRICE - Doesn't break the bank - this is a biggie for me. Although I would love to spend a few hundred dollars on a pair of premium denim, I just cannot. Not in this season of my life. If I can get a pair of denim that I like for under $100 then I'm satisfied. If they're under $50 then you know I'm buying multiple pairs!

2. COMFORT - Comfy, comfy, comfy - Enough said, right?!? For me, this comes down to the material. I like a small amount of stretchy material {think jegging}for softness {and for days when I eat a little extra}, but prefer the majority to be cotton

3. RISE - Mid to high-rise - Gone are the days of low-riders for me! The perfect rise for me is when the top of the jean hits right below my belly button. This way my mama's belly is hidden, but I don't look like Steve Urkel {please tell me you remember him?!? :-)}

4. LEG SHAPE - Skinny or straight leg, please - So, I know the flare leg is increasing in popularity but I am not jumping on that trend yet. It's just not a flattering look on my short legs.

5. WASH - Dark wash - I prefer a darker wash as opposed to a light wash. My thighs are a bit larger than I would like them to be and a darker wash tends to slim them out.

6. DETAILS - Semi-distressed -  I like the casual, fun, look of distressed jeans, but I don't want to look like I might as well have just worn shorts. The distressed spots must fall in the correct spot on my leg. For example, if the tears are supposed to be on the knee, then that's where I want them to fall! This one can get tricky! Sometimes petite options or even trying a different pair of the same size fixes this problem.

7. BUM VIEW - Looks good in the rear - Ok, so I have a pancake bum. Any pair of denim that gives it a little lift is perfect in my book!

8. POCKETS - I like front and rear pockets. The best fit, in my opinion, is when the rear pocket sits right in the middle of the cheek. A pocket that's too small can make the bum look bigger and a pocket that's too big can make the bum look flat...again, totally my opinion!

9. LENGTH - Right at the ankle bone for me. I can cuff them when I wear booties or leave them as is when I wear flats.


Ready to shop?!?

I selected a few different styles to try and I was pleased with 2 out of the 3 that I chose.

I was absolutely shocked when I tried the High-Rise Super Skinny Jean on and discovered how comfortable they were. Super soft; the right amount of stretch, and a great wash! They hit my ankle in just the right place, too!

I loved the high rise fit because it covered my mama belly! 






Next up was the High-Rise Ankle Simone jean in Dark Wash. I like the medium wash, too, but they didn't have it to try in my size. I think the distressing hits me right where it should: at the knees. The ankle length is just right.   



The pockets fell in the right place and gave my bum a little boost! 




This next pair, the High Rise Super Skinny Simone jean in Dark Wash, was my least favorite. There were too many rips and tears for my comfort level. I did not like where they hit my ankles, as they seemed a tad short. I did, however, love how comfortable they were. The material was soft and there was the right amount of stretch.



.
Overall, I can say that I was pleased with the selection of jeans that Abercrombie had available. I did not try on any of the low rise options because I just knew they would not be the right jean for me.

Size tip: I took a size 27 in the regular length (I'm 5'4'' and about 125lbs.) which is equivalent to a size 4. This is TTS for me. 


Thoughts on Thursday {3-8-2018}

February flew by and now we're into March and I can't believe it! Hopefully, it means we'll be seeing Spring weather soon here in the NorthEast. As much as I LOVE snow it means we're limited to indoor activities, which can make everyone a little stir crazy. Especially my 2.5-year-old!  😊

I'm back today with the usual Thoughts on Thursday post where I share a little bit about the random thoughts I've had throughout the week. My mind is always racing thinking and getting all of those thoughts out on paper {hypothetically speaking} is the best way for me to make room for new ones! I won't be sharing anything too earth-shattering or even enlightening, just a little of this and that.

I hope you join me in sharing a bit of your own randomness in the comments below.

1. I am really hoping the portable bottle warmer I purchased earlier this week is a game changer for us. I am exclusively pumping milk for my 3-month-old due to latch issues {more on that another day}, so anytime we go anywhere we bring a bottle with cold milk as a back-up. If we know we're going somewhere we time it around a feeding and leave immediately after he's finished, but that doesn't always work. Sometimes he gets hungry in the car if we've been out for too long. So, enter the solution: a travel bottle warmer.


2. I finally purchased a beauty blender sponge. Pretty sure I'm the last person on earth to purchase one, but the foundation brush I had been using worked perfectly fine so I saw no rush to switch. I'm not sure if I notice a difference in my makeup application or not. The jury is still out on this one...

3. Why is it more appealing to complete weekly "intentions" as opposed to weekly "goals?" Hubby and I started jotting down our intentions for the week and somehow they don't seem so stressful/daunting when I refer to them as intentions. In case you are wondering we set intentions for these different areas of our life: Health/Wellness, personal, household, and family.
I need daily reminders of this!

4. Go Kansas Jayhawks! We are avid fans in this household. March Madness is always a fun time around here!

5. To move or not to move? That is the question we are thinking about right now as we approach house selling/buying "season." Our house is a bit on the small side, with a less than stellar layout. We can either re-do the basement and possibly put on an addition, or move. Such a difficult decision!

6. Dairy Queen is open around these parts! Not sure if you have one near you or not, but they make the BEST oreo cookie blizzard ever!

7. I'm anxious to start my spring cleaning. Anyone else?
I found these Spring cleaning guides on Pinterest to help me.

I love the simplicity of this checklist I found on inspirationformoms.porch.com. The tasks are easy to accomplish, too, and the list is comprehensive, but not unrealistic. 

I also like this 28-day challenge from Simple Green. Some of the items listed I already do on a weekly basis, but overall the tasks listed are a great start to a freshly cleaned house! 

This next checklist is from simplystacie.net and it is extremely comprehensive! I love that it is printable. 


8. Cleaning out the microwave is such a pain, but I discovered a new trick! Use a paper towel and wipe down the inside after steaming veggies! My usual way to clean it is by microwaving a bowl of water for about 5 minutes to loosen up all of the residues, then wiping it down with a cloth or paper towel. My new solution kills two birds with one stone: veggies for dinner. CHECK! clean microwave. CHECK!

9. Baby gear has taken over every inch of our house. Seriously!

10. Peep Oreos? I am curious to try these. Anyone else?!?


That's all for now!

Happy Matching!

Marcie


Confession: I Can't Resist a New Coat!

I'm, always on the look-out for a new coat/jacket. Not because I need one, but because I believe that if you have a coat closet in your home then you MUST fill it! See my last confession of my obsession passion about coats here.

Please note this post may contain affiliate links, which means when you click on a link I earn a small commission that is used to keep my blog up and running. Please know that I truly appreciate your support and I only recommend and share items that I love. 

Even though Winter is on its way out the door, there is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing a few end-of-season coats! In fact, why not stock-up?!? Which is exactly what I did on a recent trip to the mall with my hubby. Who, by the way, had no idea what he was in for when I told him I just wanted to check out a few coats. ;-)

I'm a huge fan of The North Face and Patagonia. Living in upstate New York requires warm outerwear for winter and both of these brands do the trick without breaking the bank.

 When I spotted this white Patagonia I immediately fell in love. It's lightweight and perfect for casual day to day wear. The mom of children with sticky fingers in me second-guessed the decision to purchase this in the white option, but I ended up buying it anyway because it's machine washable. 

I came across this Patagonia vest that seems to be popping up all over in the blogging world. I must say it is super cute! Ultimately I did not end up purchasing it because I'm not sure if it will still be in style next year or not. 


vest//similar hat//C9leggings {dark grey} 

I am looking forward to wearing this jacket as we transition from Winter to Spring! It's the perfect outer layer to wear over a simple tee with jeans and my favorite New Balance sneakers

Patagonia jacket similar here //simlar hat//C9 leggings {dark grey}

Northface zip-up similar here and here//hat {old}//C9 leggings//Sperry Powder Valley Snow Boot

This zip-up was a close contender, but I wasn't crazy about the ribbed material in the arms. I loved the two-tone color, though! Another great option for transitioning from Winter to Spring. 


This fleece was very warm and the softest material ever. I was not crazy about the fit, though, so that was another one I left behind. The color is beautiful and it would be perfect for warmer winter days. 

What coats, jackets, or vests have you had your eye on this Winter? Is it still snowing in your neck of the woods? Do share! 

Happy Matching! 

Marcie 


Current Confessions: Camo Inspiration

Hey there! I'm back today to share my new favorite print: Camouflage! I confessed my passion obsession with funky, colorful, quirky prints to you a while back and I thought I should add another one to my list of favorites.

Check out my last post on Plaid, Polka Dots, and Prints Galore to see the other prints that I adore!

I purchased the most adorable and comfortable twill camouflage jacket from LOFT this Fall and I am in love! To me, camo print is fun, edgy, trendy-but-classic (not sure if that makes sense but it does in my mind), versatile, sporty, and neutral. I love the varying shades of the traditional camo green. Camo can be worn with warmer tones in the Fall and lighter shades (I love it with blush pink) in the Spring. Such a versatile pattern!




I don't know about you, but I have been living in comfy tees and sneakers for the past few weeks, and my camo jacket is the perfect piece to top off my outfits with! Warmth + style = perfect match!

Sadly, my exact camo jacket is no longer available, but I found a few that are pretty darn close.


This one is almost an exact replica of mine. It has the adjustable drawstring at the waist, which is a nice fit. 

Camo Twill Jacket {It's 60% off right now!}

This one is cute, too. Based on the fit description I think it is a little boxier fit and seems a bit shorter than mine. It's almost like a new version of a jean jacket! 


I just ordered these overalls and cannot wait until they arrive!! They will look cute with a plain tee and my favorite sneakers!



...And this outfit speaks my love language! 
ONE//Jeans: LOVE these! 
TWO//Camo Scarf: outfit inspiration! I love how it combines a few different colors
THREE//Tee: The color is evening sand, but it has a blush hue to it.  
FOUR//Loafers: I tried these on in store in a beautiful blush color and could kick myself for not purchasing them! They only have the nude color online, which is still a great option. 
FIVE// Twill jacket: Such a great staple item. I love the drawstring cinch waist. 
SIX//Belt: Great neutral addition to any wardrobe. 


And I can't resist sharing a closer look at my new tee. It's from Target {high five}and it's super duper soft! It's only 12.99, which is a major steal!



Sometimes it's fun to be silly! :-)

Happy Matching!
Marcie