Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

The No Skills, No Frills Approach to Decorating Kids Birthday Cakes

July 21, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 9 Comments

I absolutely LOVE this guest post from a fellow blogger, all about easy cake decorating ideas for kids’ birthday parties. This is something I personally need ideas for right about now!

“Mom, I want a Spiderman cake for my birthday.”

“Can you make a princess castle cake?”

“I’d like a cake with monkeys-and-elephants-and-zebras-and-tigers, OK?”

Sure, no problem…..you think. However, a quick search on Google or Pinterest can result in some major discouragement, knowing that those beautiful pieces of artwork are probably not going to reproduce themselves in your kitchen.

So instead of spending time searching for a specific cake, that you may, or may not be able to recreate, I’d like to teach you some super easy techniques.

There’s no crazy cake tools involved, or oddly shaped cake pans that you end up only using once. Anyone can do this! All you need is your imagination and a batch of my go to frosting.

1. Go crazy with dots

A fun and festive cake with a polka dot theme is probably one of the most simple, yet professional looking cakes to put together. Plus, colors can be customized to fit a boy, girl, or the theme of your birthday party.

To make the circles, you don’t even need a fancy tip. Just cut a small hole in a ziploc bag, and fill with icing. Then pipe your dots holding the bag exactly vertical.

The more pressure you put on the bag, the bigger the dot, and vice versa. If you’d like to use a tip, #12 is my favorite for making perfectly sized dots.

Place dots all over the cake, just on the sides, or both. And adding a dotted border only takes a few extra minutes, but makes a big impact!

Cake Tip: Sometimes the frosting will leave a point on the top of the dot. Just dip your finger in cornstarch and tap it down.

2. Add toys and action figures

Don’t let the request for Dora, the Hulk, or a barnyard full of animals, be the cause of your cake decorating anxiety. The solution is easy.

Comb through your child’s toys, or buy a cheap set of action figures at the dollar store. Just because you didn’t make a monster truck out of gum paste, doesn’t mean your child will love it any less!

For the girls, use a My Little Pony toy, a Disney Princess, or even fake tiara to adorn the center your cake. You can seriously carry out any theme, with these really easy add-ons.

If you’d like to go the extra step, tip #233 creates a grass effect around your figures. Really simple to do!

Cake Tip: Pipe a pile of frosting beneath each character to help cement it to the cake. Otherwise, the figures will topple right over.

3. Creatively use candy and other food

Candy comes in almost any size, any color, and any shape. That means you can adorn your cake with limitless possibilities!

Sprinkles can do wonders – whether you use jimmies, or the sugar crystals. Chocolate chips are readily available and versatile, either point up or down. M&M’s are really great at creating designs too.

panda bear cakefinal

This panda bear cake only uses Oreos and chocolate chips, but it’s still super cute!

4. Cut the cake into a different shape

You can easily turn a 9×13 rectangle or a 9×9 circle into a fun shape to decorate. Just use the internet to find a basic guideline to help you cut the cake.

I usually search for simple black-and-white coloring pages to print out and use as a template. Then I cut out the paper shape with scissors, lay flat on the cake, and start trimming around it with a sharp knife.

I’ve used this technique for making 3D balls, and for the age the birthday boy/girl is turning, but any shape is doable!

Cake Tip: Edges of cut cake are much harder to frost. Make sure you use quite a bit more icing than you think you’ll need, so you can avoid getting crumbs all over the cake.

Don’t look at extreme Cake Boss cakes as something you have to live up to. You can create your own unique spin, using exactly the tools you have in your kitchen right now.

Another perk? You just avoided an expensive trip to the grocery store bakery, and still ended up with a completely customized cake.

Have you ever tried making a birthday cake yourself?

Kalyn Brooke is a writer/blogger who lives in Southwest FL with her husband, Joseph, and one super adorable bunny, named Twix. Frugal living is her passion, book hoarding her weakness, and a well-stocked freezer full of ice cream an essential luxury. You’ll find her latest money-saving ideas and projects at Creative Savings.

My Plans for a Girls Superhero Birthday Party

July 20, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 42 Comments

Superhero Party Invitations

My inspiration for Darah’s upcoming birthday party didn’t originally come from Pinterest, or even from other birthday parties we have attended. It came from the creative folks at Paperflavor. Paperflavor is a woman owned business (woot woot!) that produces positively adorable stationary. It was on their birthday invitations page that I saw a really fun, customizable superhero invitation. One look at this cuteness, and the theme was settled! (FYI, if you want something even less hassle-free, I love this option on Amazon).

The stationary from Paperflavor is high quality, and the selection of cute stuff to be found there is great! I highly recommend them and wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. They even included a personal note with their package, which is something they do with every single order. Pretty nice touch, I have to say! And since the invitations have already gone out, guests have started to RSVP, and quite a few have made special mention of how much they liked the invitations. Nice work, Paperflavor!

Superhero Food

One of the reasons we are having the party at the exact same location as we did last year, is because they are really strict about the food. You are only allowed to bring cake and ice cream. At first, this probably doesn’t sound like a good thing. But just think about all the cutesy stuff you don’t have to do! FREEDOM!!!! Remember, I’m not a crafty person by nature, so making adorable signs by hand and coming up with cute ways to display 40 different types of finger foods is super stressful for me. Now I don’t have to! I will be making cupcakes for the kiddos (using Reynolds StayBrite baking cups). I’ll be putting these rings (here are similar options if they are unavailable) on top of each cupcake to give them a little extra cuteness.

Superhero Attire

Since we are at a splash park, everyone is going to be in their swimsuits. While Darah doesn’t have a superhero swimsuit, she will be sporting a pink and purple superhero cape, just for fun (purchased from a daily deal site and it hasn’t arrived yet, so pictures are unavailable).

I also found a really cheap Spiderman shirt at Kohl’s (no longer being sold, but here are similar options), so I’ll be wearing that over my suit, as well.

Superhero Favors

I found some really cute superhero masks handmade by a mom (I LOVE supporting woman-owned businesses, just like Paperflavor!). She custom made a set of 15 masks (fingers crossed we don’t get more RSVPs than that!). I paid $34 including shipping, and I think that was a steal!

I’m also contemplating getting these superhero crayons, as well. What do you think? Is the mask and the ring on the cupcake enough for the gifts, or do I need a little bit more? I’d love your input!

More ideas:

How I Tackle Back to School Shopping

July 19, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I mentioned earlier this week in my girls backpack post, it is time to start getting serious about back-to-school shopping. You may be scratching your head at this idea, as depending on where you live, school may not be starting back for another month or even more. We are 30 days, exactly, from the first day of school for Darah. While I technically could go get all the supplies she needs the week before school (or maybe even the day before…her list is still relatively short since she’s in preschool), that is not my strategy.

My strategy is to shop the sales for the entire month leading up to the first day of school. I do this because every single week from now until then there are some great items at a fantastic price. But the entire list of things I need is never on sale at one time. But by watching the sales for the next month, I should be able to pick up almost everything I need at a hefty discount. And that leaves more money in my budget to cover things like another pair of shoes or some new clothes for the school year.

One of the things on my shopping list is White Cloud Facial Tissue. I love that you can buy it in multipacks (3 or 6). This is great for those of you who have more than one going to school. That isn’t the case for us, but I happily send along some extra tissue for the classroom. I’m not in a position to make large financial gifts to Darah’s school, but I can help out by picking up some extra supplies at a good price.

Have you ever tried White Cloud tissues? They are a brand carried exclusively at Walmart (check out the White Cloud Store Locator to fin your nearest location, as they are only available in select markets). They are an outstanding value because they are priced with the budget conscious shopper in mind, yet they feel so soft, like a more expensive brand.

I also love that when you purchase this product, you can also support the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals by purchasing the limited edition White Cloud CMN Facial Tissue boxes. Why not help a great cause while taking care of things on your shopping list AND getting a great deal? Win-win-win!

Speaking of getting a great deal, there’s going to be a coupon in the July 28th Sunday paper. You can also visit mywhitecloud.com/school-supply-list/ and get a coupon so you can check this product off your shopping list right now! Additionally, you can also find the coupon in several magazines out this month, including Better Homes & Gardens (be sure to wave at me, as you’ll find me in there, too!).

And to really stay on top of the savings opportunities with White Cloud, be sure to follow them on their social media outlets, including the White Cloud Facebook Page, White Cloud Twitter Page, and the White Cloud Pinterest Page.

So what’s your back-to-school shopping strategy? Do you have to buy tissue for your classroom? Ever tried White Cloud?

Switching Up My Oil of Choice for National Grilling Month

July 19, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 7 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pompeian Olive Oil.

Is your grill pretty much on standby this summer, getting fired up again as soon as it cools down from the previous session? We are definitely using our grill MUCH more than ever before this year, and we’re also learning some important grilling temps. For example, did you know that grapeseed oil is ideal for grilling? It has a higher flash point, which means it has to get REALLY hot for it to start to burn. I’m always interested in trying new things, so I headed to the store to pick up some and to put together something simple, yet divine, for our grill.

I am SO excited about what I came up with. It may look fancy, but it is easy peasy, and frugal, too! I’d say this dish blends together Italian cuisine, Mediterranean flavor, and fresh, local flavors. What’s not to love?

Farmer’s Market Pesto for the Grill

Pesto is a very flexible and forgiving concoction, so I don’t have a hard and fast recipe. Gather together a hard cheese (like Parmesan), an oil (I chose Pompeian Grapeseed Oil since this will get put on the grill), a nut (I recommend almonds, but walnuts and pine nuts are also popular choices), garlic (for me, the more the better!) and some leafy greens. Traditional pesto uses basil and parsley. I had some basil, but the shining stars of this pesto were carrot tops and radish leaves. YES, both things are quite edible!

I ran all the ingredients through my food processor until the end result was smooth. I tasted to make sure I liked the balance of flavors, and adjusted accordingly (mine needed a bit more oil and a pinch of salt after the first tasting). This was my result!

There are pretty much endless possibilities for what you can do with a delicious pesto. I used it as a marinade for some chicken tenders and some veal steaks. I also saved some for a pasta dish later this week! But since it is National Grilling Month, we had to get outside and cook some food over a little open flame :-). Tim was a little worried when he saw the pesto coating on the meat, and asked me if I thought it would burn before the meat was done. That’s when I told him that I was using Pompeian Grapeseed Oil, which is perfect for the grill.

Grapeseed Oil: What Else Can I Do With It?

Ok, so this recipe was simple and delicious, and made me a true believer in using grapeseed oil while grilling. But I’m having a hard time thinking up other ideas for how to use the product, either on or off the grill. Fortunately, Pompeian anticipated that problem and has LOTS of simple tips and recipes that can help me out! Pompeian also offers many other great oils, including one that is at the top of my grocery list for the next trip: OlivExtra Premium Mediterranean blend. That brings some olive oil back into the equation (olive oil is our standard cooking oil of choice) but also includes that wonderful grapeseed oil and canola oil for an added unique flavor.

Additionally, Pompeian Olive Oil has partnered up with Hungry Girl (Lisa Lillien) to create several easy-to-follow, healthy grilling recipes that are inspired by the Mediterranean diet. If you aren’t quite sure how to integrate some of these flavors into your cooking, or if you are worried that this all sounds a little too complicated (isn’t grilling supposed to be easy, after all?), then have no fear! Hungry Girl will show you how to make several simple-yet-impressive dishes. So what are you waiting for? Fire up the grill, and go get some Pompeian Olive Oil (I especially recommend the Grapeseed Oil!). You’ll be so glad you made the switch!

A message from Pompeian Olive Oil:

Pompeian Olive Oil, a leader in olive oils and vinegars, is here to help you celebrate July for National Grilling Month! Pompeian products give you a taste of the Mediterranean without leaving your backyard.

By using Pompeian Grapeseed Oil and OlivExtra Mediterranean Blend products you can make grilling healthier and more flavorful in a Mediterranean way. For more information about Pompeian Olive Oil, please visit .

And if you are looking for recipe inspiration, be sure you do not miss the below Hungry Girl recipes!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pompeian Olive Oil.

Creating an Outdoor Oasis for Kids: Magic Cabin GardenFort (Giveaway!)

July 18, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 94 Comments

My husband did most of his growing up in the Pacific Northwest. Home to lush greenery, mild temperatures, and very few icky bugs. Heading outdoors was a joy to get to do, and as a result, he has a deep love for nature.

I was raised in the muggy deep South, where stepping outside 6 months of the year feels like taking a bath, and the bugs are as big as your fist. I, therefore, detested going outside, even as a child, and never really developed that love for the great outdoors.

Encouraging a Love of the Outdoors

I hope for something different for my girls. While the weather in Chattanooga is more similar to my growing up years than to Tim’s, it has enough differences to convince me to give outdoor time some priority in our daily schedules. And my girls both love to get to go outside. I’ve been thinking about what I can do to encourage that love and not squelch it with my own personal preference for being inside. Lately I’ve been considering adding a swingset to the garden. The kids need ways to get their energy out and I think a swingset would help immensely with this need. But this is something that is going to require a bit of saving up for, so I need a simpler solution for the mean time.

Want to see one of my main solutions? It is a work in progress, as it needs time to “grow” but here are the bones of what is going to surely become a source for many great memories for my girls:

This is the GardenFort, available exclusively through and sent to us by Magic Cabin. It takes about 45 minutes to get completely set up, and it is ideal to have 2 people working on it, especially as you work to get the netting secure around the frame. The kit also comes with 3 varieties of seeds that will turn into lush, blooming vines. The end result is going to be something truly magical. Here’s an example :

As much as I disliked being outside, if something like this had been in my backyard, I would have had a very hard time resisting it. My girls already love to play inside of it. Darah calls it her secret fort (though it is not exactly “tucked away” in the backyard!). We are enjoying bringing blankets, books and toys outside and sitting inside of this special space. I can only imagine how magical of a place it will be to my girls when it is covered in vines and truly starts to feel like a little secret garden.

Magic Cabin is, without question, my very favorite online source for imaginative play. The GardenFort is just one example of the imaginative finds there. Here are a few of my other favorite garden related items that would be ideal for encouraging more outdoor time:

1. Swing Seat

2. Child Size Garden Planters

3. Elfin Garden Accessories

What do you think about the GardenFort or these other great outdoor items? What do you do to encourage a love of nature and of being outside? Is it something you struggle with, personally? I’d love to hear!

My Favorite Little Girls Backpacks (All Under $20!)

July 17, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

I know it is hard to believe, but it is already back-to-school shopping season! We’re getting a jump on things by looking for girls backpacks for the year. But this mama is on a budget, so I need something cute AND affordable. I found several options, and thought I’d share them with you!

(Affiliate links included. Your support helps my family sponsor a child in need!).

1. Miss Ladybug Backpack ($8.63)

2. SugarBooger Zippie BackPack ($15.00)

3. Zebra stripe backpack ($14.96)

4. Zebra light up backpack!($12.88)

5. Little Mermaid backpack and lunchbox ($17.99)

6. Lalaloopsy Crumbs I’m Sew Cute Backpack ($18.50)

7. Flower Mini Bag Backpack ($17.99)

And don’t forget to check Ebates for extra savings at many of these stores! 🙂 Happy shopping!!!

Thinking About My Aging Parents and How to Pay for Caregiving

July 17, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post on caregiving is brought to you by Genworth and Brandfluential. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

I’m one of 4 kids in my family. My brother and I are much older than our two younger siblings (who are 23 and 17, respectively). I have a lot of guilt thinking about the younger set having to give this issue such serious thought, already. I wish they had more time to just be young before having to worry about it. My older brother and I have already been worrying about how we are all going to care for our parents as they age for several years, now. My father has suffered more than one stroke, already, and my mother has health problems that cause her to need expensive medication, as well. They do not have anywhere close to enough money set aside for their retirement, and this problem is compounded by the fact that we anticipate that they will likely need more hands-on caregiving as they age.

Fortunately, our parents live in Alabama, which has a relatively low cost of caregiving as compared to many other states (click on the map below to find out the average cost of care in your state).

Unfortunately, those costs still equal MUCH more than my siblings and I could pay in the forseeable future. My brother has a son, and I have two daughters. We both have our own families that we need to care for, not to mention our own retirements that we need to save for so that we aren’t a burden on our own kids later in life. Neither one of us live near our parents, either, so being able to provide some of that care that they might need on our own wouldn’t work unless one of us moved back home (a prospect that is extremely unappealing to both of us!). Additionally, my younger siblings will also one day have families of their own, and I don’t want them to feel as though they have to live nearby, even if that isn’t what is in their own best interest.

Caregiving Support

photo credit: sashamd via photopin cc

To be perfectly honest, it sort of feels like we are waiting for a train wreck. One that we can see coming, but that we don’t know how to stop. Articles like this one on the cost of caregiving to adult children show that we aren’t alone with our fears, or with the reality of how caring for aging parents (and/or paying for that care) can be devastating to your finances. It can even set you up to repeat the cycle with your own children when it is time for you to get some long-term care or daily living assistance.

Genworth is actually a great resource for information on caregiving and caregiver support. They offer resources to help you develop a suggested care plan with your parents (such a great idea to do BEFORE the need arises). They also offer information on local care providers, public resources to help with the costs, and tips on negotiating for discounts. I know my brother and I are going to need all the help we can get to put together a plan that makes sense for our parents, and that doesn’t leave us financially strapped, ourselves.

Readers, have any of you either had to deal with caregiving issues for your aging parents, or have you already developed a plan for when the time comes? How do you help loved ones who lack the resources to cover long term care costs without sacrificing your own plans to save for your later years?

A Day in the Life of My Iced Coffee (Giveaway!)

July 16, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 105 Comments

Anyone who knows me knows that a cup of iced coffee is usually within reach of me, wherever I am. If I were the Olson twins, iced coffee would be my oversized handbag. If I was Kim Kardashian, iced coffee would be my junk in the trunk. And if I was Angelina Jolie, iced coffee would be my adorable brood of kids. Iced coffee is my signature accessory. I carry it with me throughout the day because I love it. LOVE IT, I tell you!!!!

I recently hung out a bit with the folks at Keurig (you know, those awesome single brew coffee machines) and I learned something epically awesome: they now have a line of K-Cups that are meant to be brewed over ice so that the end result is a cold drink. They have non-coffee beverages, for those of you who are misguided and don’t adore coffee, but more importantly, THEY HAVE ICED COFEE!!!!!! Keurig sent me a brewing system and some Brew Over Ice K-Cups to try out, and my old coffee maker has been kicked to the curb. I also have already ordered more iced coffee K-Cups from the Keurig store. Basically, Keurig and I have fast-tracked our romance and are already exclusive. I can make what Darah refers to as, “mommy’s special drink” in 4 minutes flat (that includes turning the entire brewing system on…it goes much faster if it is already on when you make your coffee). It tastes fresh, cold, and absolutely delicious. It does not produce the same effect as brewing a regular K-Cup over ice. That results in something VERY watered down. The Brew Over Ice cups perfectly intereact with the melting ice to give you just the right flavor! They are awesome!

Here’s a sneak peek into how my Keurig Brew Over Ice coffee and I get started in the morning. You’ll see that my ~~BFF~~ drink never leaves my side!

Note the “brew over ice” marker. This is what you want to snag for the perfect iced coffee using your Keurig!

My coffee an I got started around 6:30 this morning. I’d been up for an hour, already (a late start for me, actually). And I was getting a little mean, which told me that I needed to stop everything and get my coffee going! Good thing it only takes a few minutes! With wake up helper #1 in hand, it is time to employ wake up helper #2: the shower! My drink waits patiently for me while I suds up. If there was a way to successfully bring my drink in the shower, I probably would. Just being honest.

Time for a little makeup and lotion. My drink gets prime counter space right along with my beauty products! I don’t have time to put on much, so I keep it to the necessities! And yes, iced coffee is one of those necessities!:-) Now to choose my outfit of the day. It is a work day for me (Mondays and Wednesdays the girls are away from home for most of the day so I can work on the blog and run errands). Here are my work clothes! Note the perfect accessory for the t-shirt and yoga pants combo I’m rockin’…iced coffee, of course! Now it’s time to get the girls in the car. But of course my coffee is going with me for the commute! Finally, I’m back home and ready to get started on my work. My iced coffee sits on my nightstand (I work from my bed…very glamorous, I know). It’s been hanging out with me while I wrote this post, and now it is empty. Time for a refill! 🙂

Win it!: I’m excited to share that one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win 2 packages of Brew Over Ice K-Cups for your Keurig! You are going to love them!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my site.

Stitch Fix Review: That Time I Hired a Personal Stylist

July 15, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 29 Comments

This month I hired a personal stylist. True story.

But before you go thinking that Stuff Parents Need must be paying the bills and then some, let me explain a little bit! I learned about this styling service called (referral link) Stitch Fix thanks to my blogging bud Kayla of KaylaAimee.com (go subscribe, she’s a delight to read). Anyway, in the not-so-distant past, she got rid of most of her clothes and sort of started fresh, building a more intentional, more grown up wardrobe. Stitch Fix was an important part of her rebuilding process.

I did something a bit similar, though more over time. In the last 8 months I’ve gotten rid of about 60% of my clothes. I was finally ready to let go of all that stuff taking up room in my closet that was old, worn out, didn’t look good, wasn’t my style, etc. It felt really good to do it, and I have yet to miss a single article of clothing that I parted ways with.

I have, however, noticed that I wear about 4 things all the time now. And there were some gaps in my wardrobe, especially for those occasions when I needed to wear something that could pass for business casual. I may be a working woman, but I get to work in my yoga pants while sitting in my house! I needed a fresh look, and I had zero interest in going to the mall or scouring the internet for ideas.

And that, my friends, is why paying for a stylist at Stitch Fix to pick out some clothes for me actually made a whole lot of sense. You actually pay $20 for the styling service, but that money serves as a credit toward whatever you want to purchase from the box. So unless you hate everything in the box, the styling service is actually free. Make sense?

For my first fix, I filled out a fairly detailed style profile so my stylist could get to know me better, and then I waited for my box to arrive (I signed up for a particular day, and it actually arrived right on time!). It even came with a special note from my stylist, Margaret.

When your box arrives, you have 3 business days to try on the clothes and decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. It even comes with a prepaid mailer for super simple returns. You can also provide more feedback to your stylist she she can get a better sense for what worked, what didn’t, and why, and use that knowledge when she styles you again (because I’m telling you, you’ll want to do this more than once!). If you happen to love all 5 pieces in your box, you get a 25% discount off the total price. Woo hoo!

So, would you like to see what was inside my fix?

Let me tell you something, it is REALLY FUN to get a box full of surprise clothes and accessories picked out just for you. Highlight of my week, no question!

I already showed the first dress to Facebook followers, but in case you missed it, here it is. It got quite a bit of lively discussion happening (which taught me that you all love to talk about clothes!). And let me just go ahead and say it now…my shoes are all wrong. I wasn’t even thinking about them when I put them on for all the clothes that morning. Shows what a rookie I am at fashion photo shoots!

Piece #1. Sheila Beaded Collar Detail Dress by Mystree ($58.00)

Most folks online thought the dress was cute, and I agree with them. What is so fun is that I would never had picked this dress off of a rack. The cut is VERY me, but the color is one I never ever wear. I go for the blue reds, not the orange reds. But guess what? It worked! 🙂 Stitch Fix is a great way to be forced out of your comfort zone. Final verdict: KEPT.

Piece 2. Floral Pendant Necklace by 41Hawthorn ($32.00)

I thought this piece was very on-trend, and Darah absolutely adored it, declaring it the world’s most beautiful necklace. I liked it more than I thought I would at first, but ultimately, I didn’t feel I could justify the price for a piece I would likely wear only once in a while. I also know that this “giant jewelry” phase will be over before we know it, and I’d rather buy things with a bit more lasting power. Final verdict: RETURNED. Also, just a head’s up, if you are looking for statement pieces like this, I see them all the time for a song on Jane.com!

Piece 3. Ivy Solid Tab Sleeve V-Neck Blouse ($58.00)

At first, I thought this blouse was completely forgettable. And then, the more I wore it during the shoot, the more comfortable I felt in it. And when I looked back at the pictures, I thought it looked like me…like something I would choose and wear a lot. I was just about to say yes to this piece, when I checked the washing instructions and noticed DRY CLEAN ONLY. Final verdict: RETURNED (I HATE going to the dry cleaners!).

Piece #4. Adora Ankle Length Jean from (ironically) Just Black ($58)

When I pulled these out of the box, I was like, “Yeah right! I’m not putting skin-tight turquoise on my bottom half!” And then I tried them on. And they were soft. SO soft. And kind of fun to wear, too. And I started looking through my closet, and I noticed a surprising number of pieces that would actually look cute with them. And did I mention how soft they are? This is yet another piece I would have blown right past in a store, but thanks to Stitch Fix, I gave them a chance. Final verdict: KEPT.

Piece 5. Noel Crochet Detail Sheer Sleeveless Top from Collective Concepts ($68.00)

I thought this top was cute, and it was suggested to pair it with the turquoise pants (by the way, all of your pieces come with two specific suggestions for ways to wear the clothes, which is VERY helpful!). I thought the top was very cute and looked like something I would wear, but the colors weren’t doing much for me. And the price tag, for a sleeveless top, was a little hard to swallow. Final verdict: RETURNED.

I got some feedback on Facebook that the price points for the clothes seemed a little high. You can actually select a price range for the clothes, in order to ensure that you aren’t sent something that is too far out of your desired budget. I chose the $50-100 price range, but for my next fix, which I have actually already ordered, I selected “the cheaper the better. ” I think in general, though, the prices will be higher than what many of us, myself most definitely included, might be used to (shout out, Target clearance rack!). BUT…you don’t have to spend any time looking for the right clothes or figuring out what to pair them with. You also get access to brands that you won’t find in the mall, and certainly not in Target. It is refreshing, and oh-so-perfect for anyone whose wardrobe could use a little pick me up.

I was also impressed with the ability of the stylists to work with my “curvier” body type. I tend to imagine that dressing folks who wear size 4 and 6 is easy breezy (I’m probably wrong but it’s still what I imagine) but when you are dealing with women with larger chests and/or more curves, fitting can get really tricky! I’m also quite short, so that adds another layer of complexity. But I was pleased to see that this company is equipped to dress me well, and not simply to send me stuff that is only going to look good on women who are 3 sizes smaller than me.

I absolutely loved it, and like I said, I’ve already ordered another box. I have a video shoot coming up in a month and I have to supply 5 (!) tops that are “bright, seasonless and have no patterns or stripes.” I could spend hours and hours looking for these tops, or I could just let my stylist do it for me. 🙂 You absolutely can make specific requests like I did for this next round!

What do you think about the concept of Stitch Fix? Is it something you’d ever try? Do you think I made the right decisions with what I kept and what I returned? Chime in!