Peonies and Power Tools

learning to live alone, revamp my style, my house, and love every day

How I Revamped My Wardrobe And Got Rid Of My Frumpy Style

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There came a time in my life when I simply was not stylish.  Not exactly frumpy, but not exactly stylish either.  I had been in the fashion business for many years, advising others on their special wedding attire, but here I was at 68 and my personal style had dropped into the gutter.  Almost.  Having just lost my husband, I felt like my life was spinning out of control.  Realizing that I needed to take control over something, and knowing that shopping always gave me pleasure, I decided to revamp my wardrobe.

 

This is what I did to revamp my wardrobe:

 

  • The biggest help was Pinterest.  I started filling my “Fashion Board” with everything that caught my eye.  Boy, that was a lot of pins!!  But it helped me figure out what was “in” and discover which things I liked.  I found that I was drawn to simple, solid color clothes with slim lines.  And… 
  • I signed up for Stitch Fix which really helped!  My Stitch Fix stylist sent me things I never would have picked out for myself!  And they looked good!  My best buy on Stitch Fix was a pair of Mavi high-rise skinny jeans in dark wash.  Here they are:                                                           

and on me…

 

I learned what my style was BEFORE I went shopping by

searching Pinterest and reading fashion blogs.

 

Now that I had a handle on the jeans, I could buy them anywhere I wanted as long as I remembered the lessons I had learned:

  • A high waist makes for an ultra-flattering, slimming fit on women of all ages and sizes.  Just make sure they fit correctly.  They are jeans, not tights.  The high waist tends to hold in the tummy and, most importantly, avoid the “muffin top” look we all do our best to avoid, where our waist spills over the waistband of our jeans. Horrors!
  • What color jeans to buy?  My personal preference is dark wash blue as I feel it lengthens the leg and is slimming.  Black is slimming as well and white is surprising flattering.  I don’t like the lighter blues, which to me are less flattering and more casual.  I also do not wear distressed jeans and I leave them to the younger gals.  

You can’t wear jeans all the time, of course.  I have purchased dress pants following the same rules I follow for purchasing jeans; fitted, high waist, and slim leg.  I love the “curvy fit” pants I found at Ann Taylor; a little extra room in the hip, and tapered or skinny in the leg.  Perfect!  I have these in black and in white.


                                    You can buy similar pants in many shops now.

 

What to wear on top?

So many options for tops!  I bought tee shirts!  I had never felt comfortable in them before, but I discovered V neck tee shirts which are so much more flattering and comfortable! Long sleeve blouses, camis in all colors and turtleneck sweaters all found their way into my closet.  I can wear them all under my great blazers, which I now have in black and white.  An important thing to mention is that I wear all my tops untucked, not even a half-tuck.  The tucked in look is very unflattering on me!

For color, I love neutrals; white, black, navy and gray.  For a burst of color, a great option is a brightly colored camisole. And maybe a scarf.  My go to outfit for a night out is my skinny jeans, a cami, and a blazer.  Maybe pearls, I always feel elegant in pearls.

One more thing…

When you put something on that looks unflattering, for heaven’s sake, do not put it back into the closet!  Have a “donate box” ready at all times.  Also, the great thing about being this age is that no one can tell us what to wear.  We’re euphemistically called “interesting.” We can really get away with anything.  While my style is decidedly understated, yours may be wild and free!  Go ahead and find your style!

 

 

  

 

 

 

Pros And Cons Of Stitch Fix, A Review

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I was passing a mirror and I actually thought I saw my mother in there.  My mother was a beautiful woman, but 24 years older than me.  It was then that I realized that while I had been caring for my sick husband, I had not been paying attention to me.  UGH, time for a change.

Where to start??  My daughter suggested Stitch Fix and I was leery.  I couldn’t believe that someone else, even a professional stylist, could select clothing that would look good on me!  However, my daughter was enjoying her experience with Stitch Fix, so I gave it a try.

What is Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix is a fashion clothing subscription service where a professional stylist selects items for you based on a profile you have filled out in advance.  There is no membership fee and you are not locked in.  There is a very reasonable $20 styling fee, which can be used towards the purchase of any of the 5 items in the box.  And, if you decide to keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount.  Very cool.  Shipping both ways is free.

My First Box

Exciting.  The first thing I unwrapped was a tiny pair of jeans that I almost sent back without trying on.  No way would they fit me, no less look good!  I also got a sweater, a couple of tops, and a purse.  It was 4 years ago and I am still wearing those jeans!  My first pair of skinny jeans, which I never ever would have purchased on my own.  They are high rise and extremely flattering.  The other items were OK and looked good with the jeans.  Why did they send me a purse??  I’d told them I didn’t need purses, but it was nearly free if I kept it with my 25% off.  So the first box was a definite winner. 

Going Forward

After that my experience was mixed, I kept some and sent some back.  I believe I sent the whole box back once.  I discontinued after a while.  By then I was getting a handle on my new style.  By the way, I did this review for your information.  It is not a paid review.  

Pros

  • Great way to try out new styles!  Like the skinny jeans I never would have purchased otherwise.
  • Shipping is free both ways so you can exchange for size or just send things back without paying postage.
  • You get a personal stylist.  How cool is that and for only $20?!
  • They carry all sizes, Women sizes 0-24W (XS – 3X).  They also do men and children now, but I’m not covering that as I have no experience with it.
  • Request specific items. If there’s a certain piece you want, just tell your stylist. If it’s available in your size, it’ll be included in your next box. This is new since I was a Stitch Fix customer.  I would have loved another pair of those skinny jeans!
  • Not locked into a subscription. You don’t have to choose a subscription service. You can choose “on demand” shipments. There is no penalty for doing this. This is a more affordable option if you don’t want new clothes every month. 
  • Try on new items with your own clothes. This is something I really like.  It’s nice to be able to try the pieces on at home with the proper undergarments, shoes and accessories.  That way you can see if you have items that match.  No guessing.
  • There is no sign up fee and shipping is free both ways.   

Cons

  • $20 styling fee is nonrefundable.  This is lost if you return everything.  This never bothered me.  I think it only happened once. 
  • You pay full retail prices.  If you are a bargain shopper, you may not like this.  There are no sales.
  • You only get the 25% discount if you keep everything.  This never bothered me either.  I considered it a bonus.
  • You might find it expensive.  No sales, remember?

So, In Conclusion…

Stitch Fix did exactly what I needed it to do; it got me out of my style slump.  I also found it fun!  I discovered a new and better way to dress.  And I still love those skinny jeans!

 

Stitch Fix Skinny Jeans

Me in my Stitch Fix Skinny Jeans

My Favorite Amazon Purchase Of All Time, The Best Wallet On The Market

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Surprise, it was not a power tool!

I bought this wallet from Amazon two years ago in the Pink Lotus color and it still looks as fresh and new as it did when I received it.

Every time I whip this baby out, someone says “Oooh, where did you get that cool wallet?!” I wish I had a nickel for each time!

So many places to hold all my cards, not just credit cards but store discount cards, gift cards, merchandise credits, you name it! And it still stays slim and sleek! 16 card slots, multiple zipper pockets, RFID-blocking feature, and it comes in many colors too! All for under $20.  Such a bargain. I love it.