Fix #20 - October 2016

Hello, everyone! I know it has been awhile since I posted a StitchFix review, and I apologize. I'm a bit of a political/news junkie and, let's be honest, October was a crazy month as far as news goes. In addition, my day job was pretty busy, so I just couldn't seem to find the time to be creative and post my latest review!

I am here to remedy all of that with a double post this week. Today is my October 2015 fix. Tomorrow will be my January 2017 fix! How does that sound?

Let's get into the nitty gritty of my fixes as per the usual:

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014:

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016
Fix #17 - June 2016
Fix #18 - July 2016 
Fix #19 - August 2016

For this October fix I asked for sweaters and pants - warm clothing for the upcoming winter. I especially was hoping for some regular jeans, as a few jeans I used to wear had seen better days and needed replacing. I was also up for colored jeans, as I love my pair of red jeans so much.

My stylist has been so so good at picking out things I like and that fit well, so I had high hopes for this fix. Let's see what was in the box!

 It was a deep box with two bulky wrapped packages. I knew at once, I probably had some warm sweaters inside, which made me very happy. Here is a stack picture for you:

A great mix of patterns, materials and colors. I do get a lot of stripes, so I wasn't 100% pleased about that one, but you know my motto by now: TRY EVERYTHING ON! Never leave something in the box or on the hanger and just say, "no." Give all clothing items a chance.

1) The first thing I hung up was the Matillay Faux Suede Jacket by Tallie for $98. This looked so warm, so cozy, and so blanket-like, I was hoping for great things when I tried it on.

It was a mix of sweater and faux shearling. Just scrumptious under the fingers. A neutral gray that would go with a lot in my wardrobe and allow me to extend the use of summer or spring tops into the fall and beyond. However, when I tried it on....

 

It was a bit of a mess. A huge pile of fabric that sat on my body like a dead faux sheep. My body grew by two sizes that day. I am lost in the jacket, and it just didn't look as chic as I had hoped it would.

The side view was actually better. However, I don't typically catch glances of myself from the side. We all know it, ladies, we mostly focus on the front and what we can see easily in the mirror (as evidenced by a lot of bad back-of-head hair I've had in my day...I mean, who takes time to really style the BACK of her hair?). I also found myself readjusting the collar trying to figure out how to make it lay nicely.

This went in the "NO" pile immediately. Sadly, though, because it was delightfully warm and cuddly.

SIDE NOTE: After I packaged this up for return, I opened up the style cards that came with it. The picture of this jacket showed a much wider fold back of the collar than I had tried. Perhaps if I had worn it correctly, I may have liked it. But it was too late by that time...and I already had negative feelings about it. 

2) I moved on to my second item of the day. The Elizabeth Super Skinny Jean by Liverpool for $78. This was more like a jegging in material and style, but I hate the word 'jegging,' and I think Liverpool does, too, as they used the word 'jean' in the description. So dispel any thoughts you may have about jeggings and who wears them and why, and read my review!

They look very dark in the photo, but just to clarify: they are a dark blue jean color. Not black. I was pretty excited by this pair of pants. Stitch Fix sent me some Liverpool pants a couple of years ago, black ones, that I LOVE and wear all the time.  I was very hopeful these would be equally amazing.

As you can see, I tried them on at the same time I tried on the jacket. They fit really well. Tight, but comfortable. The fabric was stretchy, but not overly so. I have worn these a lot in the last 3 to 4 months and they have not bagged or sagged at all. They have an incredibly thick waistband that holds you in without resulting in a muffin top problem (as long as you are wearing the correct size, I'm guessing). They are a different and seemingly more durable fabric than my black Liverpools.

Here's another shot of them...please ignore my unfashionable wool socks. They are a staple where I come from! The only issue I have with these pants, as well as my black Liverpools, is the front pockets are faux. I am sure it would make the front look lumpy, so I get why they do it. Just disappointing not to have front pockets. They do have back pockets, however, that fit my cell phone, so that works for me.

These went in the YES pile (which I revealed in my description above...whoops...so much for suspense. What kind of writer am I???).

3) The next item I selected for a try-on was the Mabel Button Detail Striped Pullover by Market & Spruce for $68.00.

I will say that I was not thrilled by the stripe. I think I get a lot of striped stuff from Stitch Fix, but...I did love he button detail and the weight of the knit. It just felt good when I hung it up. Not cheap feeling. Heavy, stretchy, very high quality, fine gauge. I knew this would look great with my red jeans, regular blue jeans and even dress pants.

When I put it on, I loved it. The sleeves were plenty long, the shoulder fit well for my broad shoulder problems, and it had a great length...pretty long, which meant it would do good butt coverage with lower waisted pants. A big plus! I just loved the button detail at the top, as it added a bit of extra snazziness to the overall sweater.

This was a KEEPER!

4) So far this box was looking pretty good. I hung up the next item and crossed my fingers. The Brantly Plaid V-Neck Pullover by Absolutely for $54.00 was next.

I did like the bold plaid of this sweater. It also looked warm and cozy for winter. The knit was larger than the striped sweater and made with a thicker yarn. That actually was a good thing, as it would certainly hide any lumpiness and it would work well with my black Liverpool pants! So I was excited to try it on.

I know. You think it looks pretty good. And looking at this picture now, I'm thinking: "Huh, doesn't look so horrid in the photo." Well, sometimes photos can be deceiving! The problem once I got this sweater on was the boxiness of it all. It hung pretty loosely from the body and really reminded me of those big, bulky sweaters from the 80s that you wore with leggings. Not a flattering look back then for anyone with a less-than-straight figure. The bottom band of the sweater just hung there, providing zero shape. It just reminded me too much of poor fashion decisions made in high school/college that I regretted. The knit was not as high quality as the other sweater, which also made me wary of the wear-and-tear on this less expensive sweater.

Into the NO pile it went!

5) The last item in my box was the Alverta Textured Knit Dress by London Times for $118.00. More stripes for me!

I could tell when I looked at the way the striped fabric was used in constructing this dress that it would be a figure-enhancing dress. Although I was wary of more stripes in my wardrobe, I did have some cute cardigans that could really make this a smashing dress for church or special events. Time to try!

Okay, I took 3 different photos of this dress because I really did love it. I mean LOVE it.  The way the designer used the striped fabric was quite genius, from the stripes straight down the front to the angled stripes at the waist. I mean, isn't it adorable?

 Even the side view was flattering. Sigh...

And here is an up close photo of the top part of the dress...I just loved it. Notice the darts on the bustline for the ultimate in fit! The fabric was thick with some stretch. The shoulders fit like a dream. I really did love everything about this dress....but....

THE LENGTH!

ARGH! It is hard to see in my pictures, but this was just too short for me. If I were 35 maybe I could do it...but in my mid-40s, it just seemed way too young for me. If only the hem had been about 2 or 3 inches longer, that sucker would be hanging in my closet right now. The price also turned me off a bit. Not that I wouldn't pay $118 for such a well-made dress, but the fact that it was just not 100% perfect for me. If I am going to pay over $100 for a dress, I want it to be perfect in every way.

This was the hardest NO I have had in a long time....

So, overall, this turned out to be a 2-out-of-3 box. NOT BAD! I loved both the new pants and the sweater. They would fit in quite well with my wardrobe. The only thing I could've wished for was a little more color in my selections. But not a huge gripe!

If you like my reviews, consider reading one of my books. I write fiction, as well as fun blog posts about Stitch Fix. If you like paranormal suspense, romance or science fiction, I've got a book for you. :-D

My Amazon Author Page

Thanks for stopping by, and check back tomorrow for my January fix!

Radio Guest Spot: Speculative Fiction Cantina

Join me tomorrow, December 30th, at 3 pm PST / 6 pm EST for my guest spot on the Speculative Fiction Cantina online radio show. I will be reading one of my science fiction short stories and discussing my other science fiction works. Should be a fun time:


K. J. Gillenwater on the Speculative Fiction Cantina

Looking forward to 2017 and all it will bring. Happy New Year to all!

UPDATE 1/10/17: I very much enjoyed the interview on the Speculative Fiction Cantina. If you listened, you heard that I disappeared in the middle of my reading. My landline phone died, and I had no idea until it was too late! LOL. I rarely use my landline, so I had no idea it wouldn't last more than 40 minutes with a fully charged battery!?  Embarrassing, to say the least!

If you did not get a chance to listen to the interview, it is still available at the link provided above. The first 30 minutes are interview questions posed to me and the other author guest: J.P. Robinson. The 2nd half is dedicated to our readings. My reading was first. 

First NEMESIS Review! 4 out of 5 stars!

NEMESIS has received its first Amazon review. 4 out of 5 stars. Here is a short quote from the review:

"Nemesis is a good buy for the money. The book starts slowly but better stories keep showing up so keep reading. I really enjoyed Polarity and Stagnant."

Thank you so much to the reader who took the time to write about our anthology. We appreciate honesty. 

Pick up a copy today:

Buy NEMESIS!

NEMESIS Now Availlable

Today is the release date for my newest book, NEMESIS. This is a science fiction anthology of 10 different authors that I organized and edited myself. We all wrote a 4,000 to 5,000 word story based around the one-word prompt: Nemesis.

Buy now

In celebration of that release, I am offering my book of sci-fi flash fiction for free for a limited time.

Click here to download: http://amzn.to/1U4Hn9T

NEMESIS - a Science Fiction Anthology Available for Pre-Order

My latest book is now available for pre-order on Amazon in Kindle-only format. The release date is September 27, 2016.

ORDER HERE

I not only came up with the idea for the anthology, I served as the main editor for the project. It was a ton of fun, and I got to work with some great up-and-coming science fiction writers.

All of the stories included in this anthology used the same prompt: Write a short story between 4,000 and 5,000 words using the word ‘nemesis’ as your inspiration. 

Story Synopses

Star Log (K. J. Gillenwater)

Stranded on a desolate planet far outside the interstellar shipping lanes, a solitary man struggles to survive and to overcome the disturbing memories that haunt him.

Guardian (Louis F. Williams)

Reid Cade leaves New York and his badge behind when his wife dies of cancer. He settles in Montreal and quickly becomes a small-time bounty hunter. But, when Reid tries to collect on his latest bounty, he’s drawn into an ultimate hunt he can't refuse.

Disciple (Kristin Jacques)

Moll's street rat family is betrayed by one of their own and slain by the unyielding enforcers of law. Left for dead, Moll's pleas for vengeance are answered by a forgotten goddess.

Stagnant (Dave Cardwell)

In a world where nobody dies, society endures until a single death threatens it all. On the run, Skyla must follow the thread left for her where a devastating discovery awaits.

Polarity (Holly Gonzalez)

Decades after a genocidal war with human colonists, a lonely alien priestess hides to survive, believing she is the last of her kind. Taken prisoner by enemies who may be friends, she discovers the sacred ways of her people have been profaned by a mysterious usurper—and only destruction can restore the balance.

Superhero Comic Girl vs. the Litterbox (Steven R. Brandt)

Anastasia Starcaller believes she's an ordinary comic book artist. When the supervillain, Shapetwister, attacks her city, however, she discovers she has a superhero identity so secret, even she didn't know about it.

Last Walk (Jinn Tiole)

In need of a job, Rhône joins a mission to find a planet worth terraforming. As a geologist, she delves into the study of the young target planet's tectonic activity. Xenobiologist, Shea, is happy to find a possible alien life form. But then things start to go terribly wrong…

Three Shades of Black (Matthew Thrush)

Chaos rules the day and Fear the night. Humanity has lost its morality as the surviving humans resort to acts they never thought they could commit just to stay alive. Tray is the last human on the planet not inflicted with the curse. Hope still burns within him. That is, until the ones from the sky come back for the rest of them. When Tray loses all connection to the world he’s ever known, he must choose a new path.

Outwitting Alexa (Jesse Sprague)

Seb is a simple man. He wants simple things: to live out his contract and to buy his freedom. But between a worldwide catastrophe and his mistress’s state-of-the-art home security system, Alexa, both living and freedom may be far more complicated than anticipated.

Mordecai (Hannah Ansley)

After the sudden death of his lover, Mordecai is left with only the burning desire to avenge her. With his loyal companion by his side, an injured dog whose life he saved, he traverses the desolate wasteland hunting down the man who murdered his soul mate.

If you like science fiction, check it out. You are sure to find some new favorite authors in the bunch. 

Fix #19 from Stitch Fix - August 1, 2016

In the hottest days of summer, I am back again with another Stitch Fix review. This time we are on number nineteen! Hard to believe I've had almost 20 Stitch Fix boxes arrive at my door over the last 2+ years (Since 2014).

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014:

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016
Fix #17 - June 2016
Fix #18 - July 2016 

As you can see, During 2015 I cut back considerably on my Stitch Fix deliveries. That first year I added so many new clothing pieces that I really didn't need a monthly delivery any more. I went to a quarterly delivery until I had a bomb of a box this June. Disappointed, I immediately scheduled a new box, knowing that if I didn't I would miss out on any new Stitch Fix summer options.

Then, once I got my July box, Stitch Fix still had me on the monthly option. I went for it. And received my 19th fix last week. I was so busy with work, I didn't have time to write up a review until today.

The theme of this box will be: Unexpected Surprises. Why? Well, I wasn't really planning on getting another summer delivery from Stitch Fix. So this 3rd summer box was going to be a bonus. And was it a good box with lots of keepers or a sad box with lots of returned items?  To the review we go!

Here is a look at the stack of clothes that was in my box:

I see a good mix of colors and patterns there. Now to hang everything up and follow my Stitch Fix motto: TRY EVERYTHING ON!

1) The first thing I hung up was the Indianan Graphic Print Mix Material Tee by Pixley for $44.00. I loved the colorfulness of this shirt. I don't know if I was 100% in love with it, but I liked it from the outset.

 Hard to tell, but the main fabric is a navy blue. Very soft material. The pattern is a lighter rayon-type fabric. The back of the shirt is slightly longer than the front, which is something I like. I thought this one might be all right. I put on a pair of jeans and went to the mirror.

 Cute. I will admit, I wasn't fawning over this top, but I definitely liked it. Love the lack of a shoulder seam, with my wide shoulder issues. So that was good. I put it in the MAYBE pile to see what else was in the box.

2) The next item I hung up was the Main Button Back Mixed Media Knit Top by Loveappella for $58.00. I have kept two other Loveappella items in previous fixes (see July 2016 for the gorgeous maxi dress I kept). I was a little surprised to see a long-sleeved top in an August fix, but we are getting into fall soon, and I'm in North Idaho, so I wasn't that sad by such an item in my summery box.

This shirt also had an interesting back with a gray, sheer fabric and some fun buttons. Navy blue is a good color for me, so I thought this might be a winner.

At first, this looks all right.

But then you get to the very sheer back...

And the odd uneven neckline...

Okay, so if you look at the top photo, it seems to fit pretty well and look cute. But something was weird about the fit around my arms and the neckline appeared crooked for some reason. As you can see in the bottom photo, there is a bit of an uneveness that, at first, I thought was the style. Then, I looked at the shirt on the hanger again and realized, no, that was not intentional. It bothered me.

Plus, the bit of tightness around my arms/shoulders (yes, the dreaded mega-shoulder was impacting the comfort levels) didn't help. The final straw was the VERY sheer back. I just didn't know what to do with such a shirt. I was thinking it would be a fall item, but the sheer back would be too cool. Was I supposed to wear this with a tank? The correct colored bra? I just didn't know. It was a confusing shirt overall that was not as comfortable as I hoped with a bizarre neckline.

Into the NO pile it went.

3) The next item was the Belissa Ribbed Detail Knit Top by Market & Spruce for $54.00. I liked this item right off the bat. The color was lovely...a very pale pink. It was not a color I had in my wardrobe. I thought of many matching possibilities in my closet for this item and how I could wear it with some of my cardigans going into the fall. It also was made out of a stretchy, heartier fabric that I knew would stand the test of time. So it would be a long-term keeper in the closet.

It also had some really exquisite detail on the neckline and shoulders going all the way around to the back. Loved it right away.

And it turned out to be very cute when on! The color was great, the fit was comfortable and flattering, and it would fit right into my wardrobe. KEEPER!

4) My next item to hang was the Kerrigan Dress by Hailey 23 for $78.00. I really liked it upon first viewing, but I was worried the length might be a little too short. The wrap effect (which you can't really see in the photo) on the top part was sure to be flattering, though.

This is also navy, if you can't tell.

I tried it on, and the miracle happened: even though the length was slightly shorter than I like, the dress was so incredibly flattering it had to be KEPT.

I mean, my goodness? How cute is this dress? Love the lace on the bottom, the wrap effect of the top. The fabric is almost like a leotard, light and stretchy. LOVED IT. I also knew I could take this into fall with leggings, a couple of different cardigan sweaters I owned, etc. KEEPER!

 

These look very wide in the waist. Hm.

5) The last item in my box was the Freddy Printed Capri Jean by Liverpool for $78.00. I really liked these. I've been wanting to add some capri-length pants to my closet for a long time, and haven't been able to get a pair from Stitch Fix that work for me. The pattern was also very interesting and would match a lot of items I already had.

Below is the picture of the pattern, sort of blues and greens. I thought this might work for me. I also had a pair of Liverpool pants I got about 2 years ago that I LOVE with a passion. They are very comfortable, very flattering, so I thought these might end up being just as supremely awesome as those.

I tried them on with the navy top from earlier (my chance for a 2nd look at that shirt). At first, I thought, hey, these are working. They are comfortable and stretchy. See?

Sadly, there was a problem. The waist was too large...much as I had feared when I saw them on the hanger. Or possibly, you could say the shape of the pants was not correct in order to accommodate my oft-told 'ample backside' in sufficient fashion.

Argh! I wanted to get some new capri pants so badly. These seemed to be working. Everything else about them was dandy. But NO! They had to go and do this:

Waist gap of the most unflattering kind

So the precious capri pants that I have been seeking since 2014 had to go back into the return envelope as a NO.

After reflecting a bit about whether or not I wanted to keep the Indianan Graphic Print Mixed Material Tee, I tried it on for a second time, decided I loved it and wore it the same day! LOL.

So all-in-all a successful haul. 3 out of 5 is a GREAT box. I am very very pleased with what showed up this month. It's almost like my June dud box didn't even happen.

I also received a nice style card showing me all the fun ways I can style my new pieces (I forget to post these from time to time...sorry about that).

If you have not yet tried out Stitch Fix, you can use my little code below to sign up:

stitchfix.com/referral/3587901

I will get a $25 credit when you make your first order, just to give full transparency. Even though I've been doing these reviews for over 2 years, I haven't gotten much in the way of credit (not a complaint, just honesty...I write these reviews for the fun of it...not for the $$).

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your comments on what I kept and what I sent back.

Also, if you are a reader, I just published a small collection of science fiction short stories on Amazon called SKYFALL. Check it out!

Fix #18 from Stitch Fix - July 1, 2016

What? Back again so soon with another review?

I know. It's crazy. A new Stitch Fix Review only a couple of weeks after my last one.

If you didn't read my June 14th review to find out why I have another Fix only 2 weeks later, please take the time to read about that here:

Fix #17 - June 2016

If you are entirely new to Stitch Fix, please read up on the service here:

My Very First Stitch Delivery and Stitch Fix Explanation - Fix #1

You can also check out a whole bunch of Stitch Fix reviews below. I've been writing them since May 2014:

Fix #2 - June 2014
Fix #3 - July 2014
Fix #4 - August 2014
Fix #5 - September 2014
Fix #6 - October 1, 2014
Fix #7 - October 29, 2014
Fix #8 - November 2014
Fix #9 - December 2014 
Fix #10 - January 2015
Fix #11 - February 2015
Fix #12 - March 2015 
Fix #13 - June 2015 
Fix #14 - September 2015
Fix #15 - December 2015
Fix #16 - March 2016

Now that you understand where this Fix is coming from, let's delve in, shall we?

This time around I had a single bundle in my box. No purses or jackets in this Fix. And look at all the pretty colors and patterns!

I had a little bit of everything in this box. And no gray or black! I hoped that my beloved stylist, Sari, had found me some good pieces after the fiasco of my last box.

For those who don't know my methods, I hang up everything first and then TRY EVERYTHING ON. Yes, even the things that I believe I won't like or are 'ugly' from first appearance. I have been surprised numerous times by the clothes in the box looking different on my body than on the hanger.

Here we go, people. Keeping my fingers crossed for success!

1) The first item I hung up was the Jessica Printed Flare Skirt from Renee C for $58. I really liked the funky, boho pattern. I'd pinned a similar looking skirt to my Pinterest board, so give Sari an A+ for effort! I had high hopes for this one. The waistband was soft, which is good for aging waistlines with a bit of extra pudge on the sides. Tight waistbands make for pretty ugly silhouettes in the over-40 set.

I tried this on with a blouse I'd also received in my fix.

Not bad. But I remember feeling like the skirt made me look very wide. In the picture on the left, I look a little waistless. I am not sure why. The length was good, but in order for this to be flattering at all, I'd have to pair it with a more form fitting top, and I really didn't have one that matched the skirt. Hm, not so sure about this one.

I put it in the MAYBE pile.

2) The next item I tried was the Plato Lace Inset Blouse by Creative Commune for $54. I thought this was lovely in color and style.

A very pretty pale blue with gorgeous lace detail and a nice pearl button in the back at the neck. Very feminine. Not something I would pick out for myself. I had no idea how this would look on me.

I really did love the pretty lace on this blouse. But as you can see from the straight-on photo, it turned me into a boxy blob. I wanted to have the top half of this blouse, but a different bottom half. Also, in the side photo you can see a low armhole that reveals underclothing. Not my favorite look.

Sadly, this went in the NO pile. On a narrower figure this really would've been pretty. Or, if I was a tuck-it-in kind of person or someone who wanted to layer this under a sweater or jacket.

3) Moving on, I decided to try the next top - the Semani Drape Front Blouse by 41Hawthorn for $58.

This had a lot going for it. I love the color. This kind of vibrant, electric blue looks very good on me. I also like drapey tops, as they seem to be flattering for me. I didn't take a picture of the back, but I should have. It had a pretty split back with an interesting detail near the top. Just trust me, it was neat.

But the trying on revealed this was way too big for me. I needed a size smaller. I was lost in a puddle of blue fabric, which somehow reminded me of Violet turning into a blueberry in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the 1971 original). The sides puffed out in an unflattering blob-like way. So sad!

This was dumped into the NO pile, and I never looked back.

 4) The next item I hung up was the Carlita Knit Maxi Dress by Loveappella for $78. I just recently received a Loveappella item in my March 2016 fix that I loved, so I was hopeful this would be another winner.

Fabulous Loveappela floral top from March 2016 Fix!

This dress was hard to get a full photo of because of its length, but here we go!

 

 Fabulous, colorful pattern. Wide straps. I really hope this fits well...

People, I have found the clothing MOTHER LODE! This dress was incredibly flattering, fit like a glove, and was just all over awesome. The waistline hit me perfectly (hard for me because not only am I tall, I'm short-waisted) and the straps and neckline hid the bra perfectly. Hello new favorite dress, welcome to my wardrobe.

A definite KEEP!

5) Last item in the box was the Emer Printed Straight Leg Pant from Margaret M for $98. I have received two other pairs of Margaret M pants, both of which went back to Stitch Fix. One for pattern problems (the 'clown pants' of July 2014) and one for fit (green pants were a tad too tight in the rear/hip area).

I had wanted a pastel pair of cropped pants, if possible. This hit both marks. However, I have my reservations about any pants labeled "straight leg," as I have anything but straight legs, plus I've got an ample backside to boot. But, hey, stretch fabrics are miraculous, right? I tried them on....

Be glad you are only seeing the front of these pants!

You are so lucky I'm sharing the best photo with you. The other two, oh holy heck, the pantylines were just atrocious. I couldn't do that to you, my audience. This front pic is bad enough. Yes, I could get them on. Yes, they were actually comfortable. But they were TOO tight and the fabric TOO thin for me to wear these in public. Which is such a shame, because if they had fit me well, I could've used a pair of pants like this.

This was a big NO. I even wrote in the comments for this particular designer that if she sends me anything else in the future, to give me a size larger. Clearly, I am not fitting into the sizes I usually have success with when trying on Margaret M pants. This is a zero-out-of-three for Margaret M!

So that is my entire box. I thought about the skirt. I just wasn't rah-rah-rah about the skirt. The price was reasonable, but I just didn't think I'd wear it very often. The skirt turned into a "NO," and I ended up with a 1-out-of-5 box. But a VERY VERY awesome 1 item it is!

I decided to get another fix at the end of July. Then I will be back on the once-a-quarter plan. Hoping I can still end up with some capri pants. This is the 3rd summer in a row I've wanted some. We'll see what my stylist can come up with!

If you have yet to try Stitch Fix, consider using my referral link below. I will get a $25 credit when you make your first order, just to give full transparency. Even though I've been doing these reviews for over 2 years, I haven't gotten much in the way of credit (not a complaint, just honesty...I write these reviews for the fun of it...not for the $$).

stitchfix.com/referral/3587901

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your comments on what I kept and what I sent back.

Also, if you are a reader, I just published a small collection of science fiction short stories on Amazon called SKYFALL. Check it out!