Stitch Fix Box 2

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

I got another Stitch Fix haul in and I thought I would share it with you. But first, I wanted to go over the details on how to get yours if you want to try it out.

If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, let me tell you a bit about them. You pay a $20 styling fee that can be used towards the purchase of your items that are sent to you. You can create Pinterest boards with styling inspiration, you can go to the Style tab and say if you like outfits or not, you can tell your stylist what you are in the market for and you can take the quiz to give sizing/likes. Then you get a preview (this is new to me) of what is to come. If you don't like something, you can change it out or have a new box made.

For this box I asked for some dresses that could be worn to work or on the weekends. I also asked for shorts and I took a shorts quiz to let them know my style. I also asked for a few tank tops. 

My stylist came through on giving me items that I requested, but kind of missed the mark as I had taken quizzes to help with my style. I said I hated Bermuda shorts and I got one pair of those. The others were fine.

So what did I get in my second fix?

Papermoon Basima Back Detail Knit Top - $30

At first sight, I thought this was a great shirt for me. I loved the criss cross detail, the material and color. But after trying it on, it was very flowy and wide in the midsection. So it ultimately went back. RETURNED

Sanctuary Deva Button and Tie Front Cotton Tank - $48

When I saw this, I thought it was completely my style and it is. It looked great on and I was almost going to get it until I saw almost the same exact shirt, by the same company on sale at Macy for $36. $48 for a tank top is way too much. RETURNED

Mavi Gina Bermuda Short - $68

I took these out of the box and knew they would go back. I am not for the bermuda short trend. I did try them on in the above pictures and the one below. RETURNED

Lilly Pulizer Callahan Knit Short 5" - $68

I am not a huge fan of the Lilly Pulitzer trend but I thought these were actually cute and fun. Perfect for golf. They fit well, were super comfortable and didn't really feel like they were 5 inches on the inseam. But in the end, I am not paying $68 for shorts I would only wear golfing. RETURNED

Kaileigh Amandine Knit Dress - $50

I didn't think this dress was that great when I pulled it out of the box, but the fit surprised me. I think the "style/pattern" isn't that great for me, but the fit was perfect. I just wish it came in a solid color or a different print. It was also the perfect length on me and didn't show any cleavage which is a huge deal when looking or RETURNED

So overall this wasn't a very successful fix, but I did find a type of dress that I would like and now I am looking for it in a more solid pattern or a pattern that I like more. 

And since I returned everything, Stitch Fix is sending me a new box in hopes that I find something I like this time. UPDATE: I just viewed the preview and it was awful. I wrote a note on what I didn't like and what I need and was way more specific about it. I guess we will see when the new box comes in.

Have you tried Stitch Fix before?

Friday Favorites and Happenings

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

Happy Friday all! After a busy last weekend, we don't have much planned for this weekend. We have dinner over at a friends house and that is about it. Rory does have golf today with his old work (my current work), so it is just the girls and I for dinner tonight. What do you have planned this weekend?

Onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. So a couple weeks ago I told you about a pair of jean shorts at Target that Lindsay recommended to me. I got one pair, tried them on and then wore them a day or two later. They are comfy, stretchy, but don't over stretch throughout the day and are the perfect length for chasing kids around without showing anything. I am not one to turn to high rise anything, but these are amazing. They are so good that I bought another pair. I got the same size that I get in American Eagle jeans (size 2) and they fit perfectly.

Universal Thread Denim Shorts

TWO. I received the Ralph Lauren Romance perfume from Influenster and I tried it on before I went out with my friend Nathalie a few weeks ago. Upon the first time, I hated it. I felt like it smelled too much like cologne rather than a woman's floral perfume. But another blogger and friend, Missy, loved it. I thought I would give it another try since it didn't bother me that much (some perfume scents disgust me and I have to wash it off). And I liked it more the second time. Then I wore it again last weekend for our dinner out and again on Mother's Day. So I guess I found a new perfume that I like.

Ralph Lauren Romance

THREE. I went shopping at Nordstrom Rack to get another body suit that I love from there in a different color, but they only had white which I already purchased. I wanted black or a tank version of the body suit, but they just didn't have it. I did find a tank version online that I am going to order and have it shipped to my local store, so I don't have to pay for shipping. But if you are looking for a great bodysuit, this is a perfect one. 

Elodie Crew Neck Bodysuit

And this is the one that I just ordered.

Elodie Ribbed Spaghetti Strap Bodysuit

FOUR. But I did grab two tank tops for the Summer at great deals. I got this Madewell Muscle Tank and a Halogen Blank Tank. I have the Chealsea28 tanks from Nordstrom that I love, but they are starting to pill and fade. Plus the Halogen tank was only $9.97. Now to get one in white to replace my white Chelsea28 tank. Oh and these tanks are form fitting, soft and a new favorite.

Madewell Vintage Muscle Tank

Halogen Favorite Sleeveless Tank

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

Haha, I feel like this sometimes.

Classic.

I get hangry and it isn't fun to be around me when I do.

Yep, I love these kinds of texts from my girlfriends.

YES!

Haha.

Oh geez. It is awful that people are this dumb.

Have a great weekend. I am linking up with A Little Bit of Everything.

Mother's Day Weekend Recap

I rarely do weekend updates, but Mother's Day weekend was pretty busy and a lot of fun. 

Let's rewind to Thursday when I watched my nephew for a bit while working. He was just so happy being in my arms and he is smiling so much now.

Friday I worked, then went to lunch, read a book out in the sunshine and ran a few errands including getting my nails done. Then we had dinner over at my cousin's house and caught up with a bunch of family. 

Sadly, my nails changed colors on Monday. We are not sure what happened, but they were the color of the tips and I am going back this morning to get the color fixed.

Saturday, I cleaned, we took a walk with Walter, we ran some more errands and then my in-laws came over, so Rory could take me out for an early Mother's Day dinner. But since my in-laws came over early, we headed to the wine bar and had a glass of wine (and a cocktail for Rory) and sat outside hanging out and enjoying the sunshine.

After our drink, we headed to dinner where we enjoyed Italian. My favorite.

Pesto, Salami and Fennel Bruschetta

Spinach, Pear and Parm Crisp Salad (this was my portion. We split the salad).

Spaghetti Carbonara (this was my dish. I never order carbonara, but this was so good and I had the leftovers yesterday.)

Risotto with Octopus and Sausage (Rory's dish. It had a chimichurri with it that was soo good.)

Tiramisu

After dinner, we headed back home, got in our pjs and watched some more Life in Pieces.

Sunday was Mother's Day and I was hoping for a sleep in, but my kids had other plans. Ha. We got up, Rory made me coffee, I showered and got ready in peace and then we took a walk and took some pictures. The girls also gave me their sweet homemade gifts which are now proudly displayed at work. And Rory got me a massage and facial!!

These are always my favorite. Some highlights from Sutton's...I will gladly take the age 23. I do like to go shopping, but prefer online. And the sitting on the couch to relax....ugh. It is true, but I mostly read and prefer a massage for relaxing. I love that she loves my cooking so much. And the because she loves me just melts my heart.

14 is a bit young. Ha. The girls did ask my real age and now remember it. But I said that is ok to say other ages. Avery and I rarely swim together as she does this mostly with her dad, but I still thought it was sweet. And she is spot on with spaghetti and homemade pizza. And I loved the she is good at golf. Rory laughed. Not cool.

These handmade gifts are the best. I love looking back over the years and seeing how much they have changed and how much they have learned.

Sutton captured this.

Pretty flowers in the area we took our walk in and took some pictures.

Then we went to brunch and it was a bit of a disaster. The food was incredible, but the service SUCKED. And that sucks when it is Mother's Day. We ordered our food and drinks and still an hour later, we didn't even have our drinks. Our waitress kept saying they were coming, but she never put our order in. I think she was super hungover. The manager ended up comping almost the entire meal. We never complained, but she knew that the waitress totally messed up. But the good news is the food was good.

After brunch we headed home, packed up some items for Lake Tahoe and then headed up there to just be in my favorite place. We shopped a bit, walked around and had ice cream. Oh and the girls napped on the way there.

The cutest little art pieces at the ice cream shop.

As we were heading down, we ordered to go pizza. When we got there to pick it up, they were very disorganized and I had to sit and wait 20 minutes inside while Rory and the girls sat in the car. They were just too busy and totally messed up our order. So needless to say, food was a bit of a let down on Mother's Day, but at least I spent it with my little family!

Then we took Walter on a walk per my request to get out and enjoy more of the beautiful sunshine together. I walked with a glass of wine and just enjoyed the rest of my evening. Once we got back, the girls and Rory headed outside to play with some kinetic sand. I called my mom to wish her a happy Mother's Day and then I settled in for some time to myself and watched my new favorite show Million Little Things. It was the best ending to a beautiful day.

Show Me Your Books - April

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

I hope you all had a great Mother's Day. I have a recap coming Wednesday, but in the mean time, books. Or as I read, a book.

This month I only read one book. I had other books come up in my library holds, but I was savoring this book. I read the third installment of You. I love the books and I really love the show. I can't wait for season 3 to come out. I know it will be very different than the books because season 2 veered way off from the books. But nonetheless, I took my time reading the book even though I probably could have torn through it in a coup of days.

You Love Me - Caroline Kepnes

This book has very mixed reviews, but as I said, I really enjoyed it. When I am reading it, I hear Penn Badgley's voice. And I love how much the word You is used in the book. It just brings me back to the previous books. 

Joe moves to a small town near Seattle to start his life over. He volunteers at the library in which he made a sizeable donation to. He meets you. Everything seems perfect until you find out about her past. Does Joe stay? Does Joe go back to his old ways of "getting rid" of the people who get in his way?

The ending (before the epilogue) got a bit weird and uncomfortable, but overall the book was still good. If you are a fan of the previous books and the show, I would read this. I would give it four stars.

Here is Amazon's synopsis:

Joe Goldberg is done with the cities. He’s done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cozy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.

He gets a job at the local library—he does know a thing or two about books—and that’s where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco. Librarian. Joe won’t meddle, he will not obsess. He’ll win her the old-fashioned way . . . by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they’ll both heal their wounds and begin their happily ever after in this sleepy town.

The trouble is . . . Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend. She’s . . . busy.

True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support, Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.

What have you read recently?

Friday Favorites and Happenings

*This post contains affiliate links. When you click a link, it is no cost to you and I make a small commission (pennies) from it. Thank you for supporting Sparkles and Lattes.

Happy Friday all! And happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there (including fur baby mommies). We don't have too much planned this weekend other than I am getting my nails done, date night on Saturday night and then Rory and the girls have things planned for me on Sunday for Mother's Day. My fingers are crossed for warm weather and sunshine all weekend.

Anyways, onto Friday Favorites and Happenings.

ONE. I realized that I never talked about the new cookie/baking sheets that I got while I was in Vacaville. I have these in the full size and another in the corrugated cookie sheet size. I love them all. They are non-stick, clean beautifully and last for years. I have had my other ones going on 8 years and they still are amazing. So when I was in Vacaville, I picked up the quarter size. It comes in a two pack and these are perfect for cooking leftover pizza, chicken strips and many other things. Point is, Vacaville has better sales tax rates than us and I got them on sale.

Williams Sonoma Gold Touch Quarter Sheet

TWO. Last weekend we took the girls to two birthday parties on Sunday. One was at an athletics center where the girls got to jump on a trampoline, do tumbling, an obstacle course and more. I didn't get any photos from the first party as I was talking with the moms most of the time. We were exchanging phone numbers so that the kids can have playdates this Summer and still hang out after in case some of the kids go to separate schools. The girls have been in a private school this year due to the pandemic and next year they will be going back to public school (I think). But it was so good to meet and hang out with the girls friends parents.

Then we had a break of time before heading to another party at a trampoline center. This is one of my best friends daughters party, so we were all involved and took more photos. Here are a few highlights. And yes parents wore masks the entire time and kids under 10 did not have to wear them.

The birthday girl jumping

Sutton jumping

Avery's face. Ha. And that cake was made by my best friend, Stacey. She makes most of our cakes!

THREE. After the second party, we stopped in Scheels to see if they had something that Rory had been eyeing. Of course the girls and I headed to the women's clothing where I found so many new items that I wanted. From O'Neil to Billabong to BB Dakota, they had so many cute clothes. I tried on two dresses per the girls request and they said I had to get one for Mother's Day. So I got one. It is super cute, flattering and not revealing, but yet perfect for Summer.

BB Dakota Barbara Ann Dress

FOUR. Here are a few photos from our life lately.

Walter had a groomers appointment, so Rory and I grabbed a sushi lunch while we waited for him to be done (it was a Thursday).

My best friend Nathalie (the girl in shorts next to me) came into town and I spent all weekend with this crew. It was one of the best weekends and soooo needed.

Rory had a softball game on Tuesday (and another on Thursday), so I took the girls to Thai food. They are obsessed with Thai food and always want roti, panang curry and pad thai.

Sutton is one happy girl!

I have so many more photos of my nephew, but I picked one cute one from this last week!

I had a Board meeting this week, so I did business on the top and fun on the bottom. 

FIVE. Weekly funnies.

This is the worst and happens all the time.

Were they drunk?

And this is why you don't tattoo names on yourself (says that as I have my kids names on my rib cage, ha)

This couldn't be more true right now.

I loved that movie and this made me laugh.

Have a great weekend. I am linking up with A Little Bit of Everything.