The year I QUIT leggings

Okay, opinions aside with all this ‪#‎leggingsarenotpants‬ talk... let me take you back a to a few years of my life when I LIVED in them all winter long.
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After Nate and I got married, I started a slow & steady weight gain.. we'll call it the "newly-wed 15," but honestly it was more like 20 pounds- and on a 5'3" frame that was pretty significant. But this post-white dress, newly wed bliss weight gain is something I think a lot of women can relate to.
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I became so ashamed at how I neglected myself that I began to use my clothing to HIDE... the weight... the expanding curves.. and ultimately, my insecurity.
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I had tons of pants sitting in my closet that I didn't wear because either they wouldn't fit over my butt/hips (hello, hour glass frame) OR because I was so self conscious about my muffin top. -----> In came the "leggings phase" of my life.... I wore them initially because they were trendy and comfy, but eventually they became my method of concealing & all I wore...
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Last fall, I took charge of my health, fitness & over-all wellness.. I made the DECISION to try something different. I was NERVOUS that it would be too hard. I was nervous I would quit. I was nervous I'd waste money. BUT, I needed SO desperately to find my confidence again. I NEEDED to get rid of the sick-to-my-stomach feeling I had on occasion when I was intimate with my husband (keeping it real, girls). I wanted to go in my closet and throw on my PANTS for goodness sake!
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So, I got T25 and shakeology, I synced up with a coach and joined an online accountability group. I checked in with my coach every Sunday & STUCK WITH IT for 8 weeks ----> through early morning work outs.. through traveling ... CHOOSING to saying NO to dinner party food and wedding reception snacks and weekend drinks.. I ENVISIONED what sticking with it would look and even FEEL like & that's what fueled me!
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Nearly 60 days later, I finished T25/shakeology/healthy eating... and I lost 3.PANT.SIZES. I cried when I tried on pants that STILL didn't fit.. because they were too big. I felt SO healthy, STRONG and confident.. I felt proud of myself ---> and that meant so much to me.
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So yes, leggings are great & I wear them [[the right way wink emoticon kidding.. ]].. but I'm not TRAPPED in them.. I'm not HIDING anything..
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This may not speak to the masses, but that's okay. My hope is to be a LIGHT of hope and promise to a FEW. You CAN change your circumstances.. and I'd like to help you. Be free, be proud ladies. Love yourself

Click here to learn more about my health & wellness accountability groups!

stitch fix #2

I meant to post about my second fix a couple of weeks ago, but time has gotten away from me.

If you aren't familiar with what Stitch Fix is, check out my first blog post HERE.

To see what my first "fix" looked like & which items I kept, look HERE.

This go around, my stylist's name was Lauren. Lauren said that she decided to select some transitional spring pieces (per my request) based on the color pallet of my pinterest board. See really did take my notes and color schemes into consideration, some of the items just weren't "me."

Did this burst my bubble? Nope! I knew when signing up for this service, that it would take my stylist time to get to know me. I also knew that if I didn't LOVE something, I wouldn't keep it. Whether I decide to keep one or all five of the items each shipment, I still enjoy Stitch Fix for what it is:: A fun and convenient option for busy gals wanting to look cute :)

Okay so let's dive right in, shall we?

{{I apologize in advance for the lighting this time!}}

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1. Skies are Blue:: Ted Chiffon Trim Blouse

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This top I actually could have seen myself wearing. I thought the cut was cute and love the detail in the back! I was a little taken aback by the print, spoken from the simplest in me, and decided that since I hesitated, I wouldn't keep it. In retrospect, this could have been totally darling with a blazer, denim jacket or my olive colored JCrew jacket.

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2. Desires:: Hampstead Sweater

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This little sweater was actually very cute, comfortable and fit like a glove. The little snob in me had seen that many other women subscribed to Stitch Fix recently received the exact same item though...

 How do I know this? Nerd Alert: I am a member of the "Stitch Fix BST" group on Facebook. It's a group of women who share the items that thy received either for advice/feed back OR to buy/sell/trade. It's kind of genius if you receive a shipment where you love everything but ONE item. Current users know that with SF, if you keep all five items, you get 20% off your entire order. SO, you can post the item in this group and more than likely, one of the THOUSANDS of members has been waiting for that exact piece in your size. Problem solved. Five items kept. 20% discount in the bag! I digress..

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3. Octavia:: Jerrell Graphic Print Infinity Scarf

Love at first sight. Unique. Soft. Versatile. Kept it!!

Need I say more?

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4. Tart:: Maxine Knit Chevron Jacket

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This item caught my eye initially because it was so unique; however, the simplest in me (AGAIN) decided that I couldn't handle this major of a print in a jacket. This was a dress up or down kind of piece. In my opinion, it was have been better with some sort of hood or collar.

My decision: No-Go. It was more of a feeling.. hoping for a different jacket in my next shipment thought because I love layering!!

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5. Skies are Blue:: Janson Dress

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I love some chambray. I also love pockets. This dress would have been a winner, if it weren't for the box fit over my curvy body. Would have been SO cute with sandals or wedges. Layered or on it's own.

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So if you don't have quite the creative mind and are at a loss on how to wear your new items, reference over to the custom style cards for each item. There will be a dress up or dress down option for you to draw inspiration from!

**Some of my fellow nerds in the Facebook "Stitch Fix BST" group actually laminate these and keep them in their closet! Don't judge..**

Even though I only kept one item from this shipment, I am SO excited for the next box to arrive in a couple of weeks. Typically, I will have one of these arrive every other month.. but since I only kept the scarf, I decided I should get another one sooner :)

Give it a try HERE, y'all!!!

Happy Shopping,

L

Stitch Fix #1

The Christmas morning sensation closely compares the feeling of elation I experienced when my Stitch Fix box arrived today. The thrill of wondering if the stylist would magically get a sense of my taste the first month combined with the anxiety of whether or not any of the pieces would fit were the causes of my immediate opening!

First of all, I was in LOVE the the aesthetics of the packaging. The tiffany blue lined box, styling cards and individually wrapped items in tissue paper made my heart start beating faster.. don't judge :)

My to do list yesterday was a nearly impossible feat so I bargained with myself that I would look at the items now and not stress about trying them on until tomorrow.

(insert giant laugh here)

Okay, time for a piece by piece run down!

#1. B_Envied: Laney Draped Open Cardigan

[[this is a size small & the fit was perfection]]

As SOON as I pulled this cardi out of the box, I KNEW it was a keeper. Worn night 1. Ha. Paired with black denim pants, black long sleeved shirt, black riding boots, black marc jacobs watch and gold monogrammed pendant. #classic

#2. Kensie Jeans: Johnny Skinny Jeans

[[size 0//25" waist denim, fits TRUE to size.. length was also spot on!]]

 

I am terribly cheap when it comes to purchasing denim. These pants were $88, but I could TOTALLY see & FEEL why when I put them on... these are staying in my closet. And I bet you they will out last the other less expensive pairs that I have bought in the past. Quality wins here!

#3. Mystree: Abigail Colorblock Lace Trim Top

[[size small fit like a tunic, but not in a baggy sort of way. Bottom hem sits below waist]]

So this shirt is beautiful, but I wasn't a fan of the sleeve cut on me. I have decided that unless my gut reaction is LOVE IT, I am sending it back. Side note, this top would be precious with a cardigan and skinny jeans or tucked into a pencil skirt!

#4. Fate: Kirk Sheer Shoulder Sweater

[[size small fit short because of my 32D chest.. beware big chested ladies that it will ride up above waist]]

While I liked the idea of the 3/4 dolman style sweater with multiple mediums in the fabrics, the fit was wrong for my body. Although I have a short torso, I have large lady lumps.. which means that I have to watch out for any tops that are cropped above the waist. This is definitely a piece that could be for day or evening wear, but my gut says no. Try try again! :)

#5. Bay to Baubles: Icarus Wavy Pave Circle Studs

[[this stud is about the size of a nickel with a brushed gold finish]]

 

I wear studs on a daily basis, so I am ALWAYS on the hunt for a new pair. I can't say that I would normally pick these out, but I'm on the fence about whether or not they should stay in my closet. I don't know how much I'd wear them with my casual clothes, but they do seem perfect with a couple of my skirts and jumpsuits.. Gotta simmer on these!

I was going to set up my stitch fix for every other month, but since I will only be keeping a couple of items this month, I'm setting the next one up for 4 weeks from now! I set up a pinterest inspiration board and linked it to my account to give my stylist a better idea of what I'm looking for in the future.. I can't WAIT to see what next month's fix will bring!

Feed back on the studs anyone???

Click here if YOU want to give stitch fix a try.

XO, linz

{holy} stitch fix, batman !

Over the past few months, I've heard bits about this website called::

"Stitch Fix"

[[  check it out here ]]

When I first saw posts about it on Facebook, I assumed it would be WAY too expensive.

Nate and I had looked into signing him up for "Trunk Club" in the past, until we discovered that the average trunk could cost $1000+. Woah, right? I kept on scrolling and didn't think about it anymore.

Recently, I actually saw some photos of the pieces that were sent to a gal on Facebook and figured I should at least investigate the situation. I realized that you could actually "choose your budget" for each clothing category and decided to give it a shot.

Let me walk you through how it works!

1) Take a Personal Style Quiz

~creating a profile will help your stylist get to know you~

2) Receive 5 Personalized Pieces at your Doorstep

~try on all of the goodies hand-picked according to your style and budget~

3) Keep What You Love & Send Back the Rest

~yep, only pay for what you keep!~

FYI the process of setting up your profile is SO fun..

You can get SUPER specific with your measurements, how you like your clothing to fit, pieces you need to add to your wardrobe and budget for each category (layering pieces, pants, accessories, etc). You can even link your pinterest to your account so they can SEE what you like!!

Look at My Stitch Fix Inspiration Board

I am waiting EAGERLY for my first stitch fix to arrive {on Monday!}.. so I will be SURE to keep everyone posted.

I figure month one will be more of testing the waters:: did I list my sizing correctly, have they gotten a grasp of my style, do I want them to focus on certain pieces in the future..

Feel free to give it a shot for a month, you get to choose how often you would like your "fix" :)

Give it a Whirl && let me know what you think!

XO,

lindsey grace