Stitch Fix #5

Another month, another Stitch Fix box.  Overall I was happy with my box this month.

The first thing I tried on was a printed maxi dress.  It was ok but nothing special so i sent it back.  Fun fact: I think they sent me the same dress in a different color in my third Stitch Fix box.  I sent that one back for similar reasons.

The next thing I tried on was a super cute dress.  I had received a dress with a very similar shape last month that I kept so at first I was a bit hesitant at first about keeping it.  My fiancee saw me in the dress and told me he loved it and that it was his favorite thing I had receive in any of my boxes so with that kind of reaction I had to keep it.  I have worn it with a black cardigan to work and received lots of compliments so I definitely made the right decision in keeping.  

In case you haven't noticed I have not shortage of pencil skirts in my wardrobe so this skirt looked promising.  It is a bit hard to tell in the pictures but this skirt is a nice burgundy color.  I don't have a burgundy pencil skirt but I wasn't crazy about the fit so I sent this one back.

This shirt looked good from the front but then I looked at the side.  I am all for a little slit to make it easier to move but this was a really long slit that went halfway up the side of the shirt.  It was so long it kind of made the front look like an apron on me.  Of course this one went back!

This sweater was my hardest decision.  I loved the jewel toned green and the feel of the fabric but the dolman sleeves were just a bit off for me.  I didn't hate the sleeves so I really thought about keeping it but ended up sending it back to hold out for something fabulous.

For next month I requested that my stylist sent me something I could wear to my my wedding rehearsal (if I have one) so I am excited to see what comes in my next box.

If you want to try Stitch Fix feel free to use my link and try it out.  Happy shopping!

Halloween Decorations

I kept some of my fall decorations up, moved a few to different places and added some Halloween decorations to my condo this week.

My favorite new piece this year is this little guy!  How can you not love a shiny purple spider.  He is made of bells so he even rings when you pick him up.  He is sitting on a bed of sparkly pumpkins and a few of my fall gourds in my wooden bowl.

I kept my candle in my vase and changed up the other side of my counter to make it a little bit more Halloween themed.

Just a few not so scary Halloween touches as I walk in the door always make me happy.

 I found this little sign in the dollar section of Target.  I love finding little decorative touches in the Dollar Spot at Target because decorations that are only used once a year don't need to be of the highest quality to be fabulous.

I moved some of my gourds and a black wire pumpkin made their way to my TV table.

As usual instead of hanging a wreath on my door I just hang it on the door to my washing machine.

A few more touches to my condo and my house is ready for the season.

I am going to enjoy my decorations for a few more weeks and then on to some Thanksgiving decorations.

Scarf Exchange Link Up

Earlier in the year I did a Spring Cheer Exchange through Rachel at Floral & Fudge and had so much fun that when she decided to do a Scarf Exchange I signed right up.

After I signed up I got the name of another blogger to send a scarf to and someone got my name.

I went to Nordstrom and found a lightweight but super cute plaid scarf to send to Amber at Our Charmed Life.  I hope she likes it.  I liked it so much I bought one for myself.

Yesterday I went to my mailbox and there was a scarf there waiting for me from Katy at The Link Home.  I think she read my mind because these are my colors!

It is nice and lightweight which is great because in all reality it doesn't get that cold here in California even during the middle of winter so there is not really a need for a super heavy scarf.  I of course had to immediately pick out an outfit so that I could wear it the next day. 

I got quite a few complements on it at work so Katy if you are reading this my coworkers want to know where you bought this scarf!

I am looking forward to wearing this scarf with many different outfits all through the year and next time I swap comes around sign me up.  It is like having a pen pal but with presents!  So fun!

Week (end) Wrap Up

Work has finally started to slow down a bit which as been nice.  I work in county government so somethings interesting things happen at work as a result of that.

Sometimes interesting means groups of protesters in the lobby of my floor but sometimes interesting also means that pseudo-celebrities  show up on my floor.  Last week as part of a county fitness initiative to kick off the sign ups for our local turnkey trot they brought in one of the contestants from the Bachelorette.  The event was after work so he had to hang out on our floor prior to the event.  Ben is a fitness professional from my local area so it makes sense for him to promote fitness in our area.  I don't actually watch the show but I was told he was on the most recent season of the Bachelorette. I am fairly short but he really is that tall.

Life outside of work has not slowed down. This weekend I headed down to Salinas for some wedding prep things.  I met up with my mom, my sister and my aunt and we went to look at cakes.  I am not a big cake fan so there will be other desserts at the reception but some people insisted there should be a cake to cut.  I ended up picking out a very simple small cake with white fondant frosting and a purple ribbon around it.  There will be some purple flowers on top and we will call it a day.

After cake picking out it was time to go pick out a bouquet.  I know November is not the best time of year for purple flowers but I couldn't have my bouquet be any other color. My bouquet will look something like this but without the picture on it.  My aunt is doing some flower arrangements for the church and to decorate my parents house for the reception. After we talked about what I wanted we all headed to lunch.

Sunday night my sister and I had our last concert of the season.  Sad face!  We saw Rascal Flatts and they were very good.  Since this concert was not on a Friday night my sister was able to come up early so we could go out to dinner first.  My fiancee was kind enough to drop us off at a restaurant down the street and then come pick us up and take us to the concert.  I think he volunteered because he doesn't like this restaurant and was just happy I was taking someone else instead of making him go.  

I don't know how someone doesn't like a place that makes a margarita and sangria swirled drink!

We left the concert a bit before it was over because we both had to be at work the next morning but overall it was a very fun evening.

A few other events made this weekend a bit stressful and tiring but I am looking forward to my short week before heading down to LA and dress shopping.   

Wedding Update...Dress News

I know I left my last wedding update on a cliffhanger so I figured I better do another update.

When I last updated I was waiting for a dress that I had ordered to come in the mail.  The dress came and as soon as I walked in the door (my fiancee wasn't home) I opened the box and proceeded to put it on.

I had ordered the dress based on my hip measurements so the bodice of the dress was understandably a little big.  I still have to take the dress to a tailor to make sure they can alter the bodice in the way I want it to fit but assuming that goes as expected I have found my dress for my November ceremony.

Obviously I can't post a picture of the dress but this is the dress.  Fiancee if you are reading this DON'T CLICK ON THE LINK!  I think the link defaults to the burgundy version of the dress so just switch it to ivory and you have my dress.  I have to find a sparkly belt to go with it but I am happy to have found my dress.

Next on my agenda to prep for my November wedding is to find some shoes and pick out a hairstyle.  I have pinned a few options but am open to suggestions!

In less than 2 weeks I head down to Beverly Hills with my sister to try on dresses at the Anthopologie Bridal store for my June wedding and I can't wait!  Planning two wedding is a bit stressful but one upside is that I do get to wear two wedding dresses.  I thought about wearing the same one at both weddings but I really want to have that wow moment as I walk down the aisle at both so two dresses it is.

In other news this week we went and got a marriage license so that is another thing to check off my to do list!

What's Up Wednesday Again!

I had fun doing this last few months so I am linking up with What's Up Wednesday again.

What we're eating this week:  I made a big pot of spaghetti sauce over the weekend and even though I froze some of it for later there is still quite a lot.  We ate it with pasta the first time but then I cooked some spaghetti squash to eat with it the other times.  Still yummy but a little more nutritious.  I am also thinking I will make a batch of my bean and veggie soup/stew thing.  I made homemade croutons over the weekend and this mixture would be great with some croutons in it.

What I'm reminiscing about: I am again reminiscing about Disneyland.  I was really hoping to be able to go down during Halloween time and see all the fun decorations but that doesn't seem to be in the cards for me this year.  One of my favorite trips to Disneyland was a trip a few years ago with my parents when we went to Mickey's Halloween Party.  If you are in Southern California and have the chance to go I totally recommend it.

What I'm loving: I am loving that finally my wedding planning starting to fall into place.  I went and got my marriage license on Monday.  It is really convenient that the recorder's office is in my building so I we just went on our lunch. There are still a lot of details to go and I am by no means not stressing about it but for the moment my big stress is gone.  More on that later in the week!

What we've been up to: Work has finally slowed down a bit but home has not so there has still been no sitting still for too long for me.  I headed to Pacific Grove over the weekend to get my hair done.  I usually add highlights to my hair once a year during the summer.  Well, summer didn't happen so fall highlights it is.

What I'm dreading: I am trying to keep a positive attitude at the moment.  There are some things happening around me that I have no control over so I am just trying to focus my energy on the positive and not dwell on what I can't change.

What I'm working on: Still working on those darn Save-the-Dates! I have them and they are beautiful so it is just a matter of writing all the addresses on them and dropping them in the mail.  I have addressed some of them and the rest should be done in time to be mailed this weekend.

What I'm excited about: Next Friday I head to LA with my sister to go the the Anthropologie wedding dress store.  The only two locations on the west coast are in Seattle and Beverly Hills.  My sister has to go to LA anyway for a conference so we are making a weekend out of it and trying on dresses.  There dresses are so pretty and very much my style so I have high hopes of finding something I love.  The nice thing about the particular weekend is I already have Monday off so by taking Friday off I have a four day weekend!  We are coming back Sunday so I will still have a whole day to relax at home and by relax I mean get stuff done.

What I'm watching/reading: I am happy that for the most part all my shows either came back last week or come back this week.  There are only a few shows that my fiancee and I consistently watch together so I am looking forward to curling up on the couch with him and watching.  We watch Agents of Shield, Blacklist and Grimm at this point but we could always use another show or two if anyone has any suggestions.

What I'm listening to: Mostly whatever comes on my Pandora which is usually a mix of country and a random mix of 90s-00s pop music.  Everyone needs some Britney in their life every once in a while.

What I'm wearing: I am loving this super colorful dress that I got on sale at Anthropologie recently.  It is sleeveless but looks great with a cardigan over it for work.  I was a little worried when I ordered it that the keyhole would show off a bit too much but it actually is very thin so nothing shows.

I have not actually worn this outfit to work yet but I am looking forward to wearing it.  I have this same skirt in black so when I saw it in navy I decided I needed to add it to my pencil skirt collection.  I didn't actually have a navy pencil skirt (I know! Hard to believe) so it was a welcome addition.  I also have this shirt in a redish color an it fits so well that when I saw it in navy and white stripes I bought it.  It looks really great with the skirt so I am sure I will be wearing it quite often.

What I'm doing this weekend: This weekend I am meeting a friend for dinner Saturday night at Mimi's Cafe.  I know it sounds like a random place for a girl's night but it is kind of a tradition with us.  We met in grad school and always went to lunch there after our Saturday classes.  Sunday night I am heading to my last country concert of the summer with my sister.  We are seeing Rascal Flatts.  Since the concert is on a Sunday night instead of a Friday night like most of the rest we are meeting for dinner beforehand.  There is a Mexican place near my house that has good food and really good margarita/sangria swirl drinks.  My fiancee hate the place because it is always crowded and there is no parking so instead of subjecting him to taking me he has agreed to drop us off and pick us up from the restaurant.

What's Your Favorite Halloween Tradition?: I am sure that once I have kids I will love dressing them up and taking them trick or treating.  I am always a fan of dressing up so don't be surprised if I join in on the dressing up fun with my kids.  A couple of photos of my friends and I all dressed up in college.

Favorite Scarves

I am linking up with Andrea's and Erika's Favorite Things today.  The topic is favorite scarves.  Despite the warm weather outside it is plenty air conditioned inside my office.  I have worn a few of my favorite scarves over the last few weeks and pretended that the weather outside matched.  

This is one of the older scarves in my collection.  I bought it in BP at Nordstrom a few years ago when I still worked there.  Hello discount! I debated the practicality of a an off white scarf but I ended up getting it anyway.  I am glad I did because it really does go with lots of things and is actually quite warm. I don't generally need something terribly warm in California unless I venture to Lake Tahoe but it does getting chilly sometimes waiting at the lightrail station.

This pretty floral scarf is lightweight and though I generally prefer infinity scarves I wear this one quite often.  My sister bought it for me at a store in Ireland called Primark.  If you are every in Ireland or the UK I definitely recommend checking out Primark.  It has all kinds of basics and trendy things for super cheap prices.  Not the world's best quality but for fun trendy pieces it totally serves its purpose.  Tip: If you go to the one in London go right when it opens because it gets crazy crowded and chaotic fast.  

Another fun scarf from the BP department at Nordstrom.  I bought this scarf recently to send to another blogger named Amber as part of a fun scarf exchange but I liked it so much that I ended up buying myself one too.  Come back on October 7th to see what my scarf exchange buddy sent me!  

My other sister bought this scarf for me last Christmas.  She knows me well so of course it is purple!  This picture is from last winter and I can't believe that I can actually see the difference in my face since I lost a bit of weight.

I have this scarf in a really pretty teal color but I couldn't find any pictures of myself wearing it.  It is a nice warm infinity scarf that is a great color with my hair and skin color.

Looking forward to seeing what scarves other people are wearing.