Golden Tote Review and Giveaway May 2015

I think you'll find this May Golden Tote review is perfect timing

if you are considering a late May or June Golden Tote (going live June 8th!).

The Golden Tote Trading Group Facebook page is flooded with positive reviews,

because, who doesn't like a Puella swing dress at bargain prices?!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you've got to try Golden Tote!

Golden Tote is a wonderful little California based boutique with a few special features.

Every month they release a new tote full of women's clothing and accessories!

They have 2 tote options:

1. A large tote - Choose 2 items you love, they pick out 4 surprises for you for $149
2. A small tote - Choose 1 item and they send 1 surprise for $49

This time I went with the large tote. This option comes with free shipping, which for me turned out to be 1-day priority USPS! Because of this and the overall number of items in the tote, this is the most economical for me. I've also grown increasingly confident that I will be able to resell anything Golden Tote sends my way due to overwhelming demand in the GT Facebook trading group.

Let's start with my first chosen, my precious. The Puella Mixed Media Swing Dress in navy.

I'm going to call this the "party on the side" dress, hehe.

You know, I keep insisting I don't like boho, but then I go and buy things like this.

I guess my love hate relationship with gypsy clothes

plays perfectly into my favorite song of all time, Bohemian rhapsody.

By the way, when I started all this subscription box business, I really didn't know what to ask for.

When I googled "best dress for a pear shape" I think swing was a recommended style.

Now I just need a cute shoe with a heel to make my legs look thinner and longer,

like the ones on the style cards Golden Tote sent.

Here's a close up of the side panels. Can you tell the stripes are actually navy? This also came in a black and another shade of blue. I picked this one for the pattern, and because I'm a little obsessed with navy. Besides, I already have my black and white dress from Popbasic.

I'm wearing this dress right now! I couldn't very well show up as the mystery reader

in my son's Kindergarten class wearing jeans and a tshirt.

First time wearing it and I've already gotten compliments!

I look forward to seeing what Puella comes up with next.

My second chosen was the Colorful Plaid Buttondown in blue.

This is maybe the first time ever I've thought a buttondown shirt was flattering.

But holy wrinkles, Batman! I don't know if I can get over that!

I am loving the color combination though, blue with white jeans (from Loft).

I purposefully chose the blue over the white and mint because I thought it would look cute with my new white jeans. It also has the optional full length or 3/4 length sleeve. Don't you just love the thin bright stripes throughout it? Talk me into this folks! I was sure I NEEDED it :)

On to the surprises. 

For my style profile I chose casual, classic & feminine.

The other options were bohemian (ha!), edgy and trendy. To each her own.

I'm going to work up to my favorite surprise.

First up is this Tea & Rose Elastic Waist Maxi in pink.

The only real reason I don't like this dress is that it doesn't fit!

So...here's my size double zero daughter in this "medium" dress.

Isn't she beautiful? Can you tell she's really not into this?

She's usually on the other side of the camera, doing a pretty good job, don't you think?

Love the detail on the back of the maxi.

On the last page of the style profile Golden Tote gives you a little section for special requests.

I had asked for conservative maxi's and this fit the bill.

Kind of wish I had left pink in the "don't send me" list because this also came in blue.

But seriously, I have too much blue!

Reminds me of the Gilli I got in my April Stitch Fix.

Next up is this Chris & Carol Polka Dot Tee in black.

I didn't know what to think when I saw it in the tote.

Have you ever had something made from a material that looks like

it's already been washed a million times?

I got a shirt like that on Amazon by Lucky and I never reach for it.

I'm wondering if this will just hang in my closet.

I also wonder if it looks maternity. I've had 4 kids and I'm over that dreaded question. 

But it's so soft and buttery. I've seen people on the trading group talk this way about something and then say they are keeping it as pajamas. I never really understood that until now. I think I just need more input on how to style it. Help! I have honestly never owned anything like it.

My 3rd surprise was this Le Sample Top with Floral Embroidery in grey and coral.

What is up with my face?! I couldn't resist sharing it. Anyway, I'm not surprised they sent grey,

my Golden Tote profile picture shows me in a grey dress. But it feels too pale for me.

Can I pull it off or do I look like a corpse?

I really do love the embroidery, it's so very lovely. 

I think I've just got to find the right camisole for it and learn to really own those jeans.

It's a big boxy, but I did say that I like loose shirts on my style profile.

I am trying to avoid tight, unforgiving materials and styles.

What do you think, should I keep it? It's light as a feather and easy as pie to throw on.

My last surprise is my absolute favorite!

If you are signed up to receive Golden Tote emails you may have seen this in yesterday's

"How we wear our surprise items" spoiler.

It's by Lumiere (a favorite), the Striped Midi Dress in navy!

(Don't you love this month's tote? That never gets old, love these!)

So, this dress is like a tent on me but I don't care!

I'm either going to attempt to alter it myself with my feeble sewing skills or ask my friend to help.

Because, I like it, and my daughter even says it pretty!

We agree it's probably more flattering with a belt, but I kinda like it unbelted.

I have no idea what I'm going to do about the strap situation but I'll figure it out somehow.

Chances are I'll be wearing a cardigan anyway.

Here's a pic of the spoilers, in case you missed it.

So, if you've ever bought a Puella dress at Anthropologie or even from the Golden Tote Boutique, you know those puppies alone cost a small fortune. Basically, for the price of 2 Puella's you get a total of 6 lovely items for $149 out the door! That's $25 a peice, folks, and I really like them apples.

I'll let you in on another little secret. You can add as many items to your tote as you want, for a fraction of the retail price. You can add a Puella swing to any tote purchase this month for just $40!

If you do decide to give it a try and sign up with my link, I earn a little credit

and you get some fabulous clothes!

And then YOU can refer your friends and earn credit, too!

Here's my referral link:

http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=176e8084e079478b

Be sure to come back and click it again on tote day, June 8th.

Better yet, follow me on facebook for reminders about the start of the sale!

I'll put up the June tote spoilers as soon as I get them!

Oh, silly me, I almost forgot.

This is a giveaway, too!

Golden Tote sent me a Jules Smith rose gold bangle

& I want to pass it on to one lovely reader!

Entry is easy, just leave me a quick comment at the bottom of this post,
along with your email or way to reach you if you win!

Please, I'm surrounded by munchkins over here folks. Entertain me :)

I will pick one lovely winner at 11:59pm on tote day, June 8th!

Can't wait to meet you and hear what you think about Golden Tote!

Best of luck, and stay golden!

Stitch Fix Review #5 May 2015

I can't believe I am reviewing my 5th Stitch Fix box!
This is also my 5th box with my Traci, my personal stylist,
and I am constantly impressed by her ability to fulfill my requests
while also surprising me.

If this is the first you've heard of Stitch Fix,
it is a subscription box clothing service for women.
While they do offer a monthly or bi-monthly subscription,
you may choose to try just one box, no commitments!

For just $20 a box (styling fee) you are matched with a personal stylist
who reviews your style profile, sizes and special requests
and puts together a box of 5 goodies.

Shipping is free. You keep what you like, and send the rest back
in the provided pre-paid envelope via USPS!
The $20 styling fee is deducted from your total if you decide to keep anything.
If you keep it all (like me) you get 25% off your total!

Stitch Fix offers tops, pants, dresses, skirts and all sorts of accessories.
For May I requested more tops and/or cardigans similar to the
Amil V-Neck Blouse and Brixon Ivy Pinson Drape Cardigan from my last few boxes,
and maybe a casual, midi dress. Traci nailed it!

I loved everything so much, I didn't know what to try on first!
For some reason I gravitated toward this.

Just recently I found out that Stitch Fix sends a camisole with sheer tops like this one.
Isn't that nice? This is the Sweet Rain Lucio Blouse in purple.
Pardon my silly face. They keep the photo sessions light with the photographer.

Love the colors, pattern, and style of this top! It reminds me of confetti.
Had to show you a close up since the other photos just didn't seem to be doing it justice.



Unfortunately the seam at the bottom of the top had zero give, which resulted in
a sort of parachute effect at the waist. I sold it in my facebook buy, sell, trade group
in less than 10 minutes.

I was a little sad, but the other 2 tops worked out perfectly!
I am particularly fond of this Pixley Ivy Petal Print Blouse.
This is one of my favorite color combinations: navy, coral and white.

This is the perfect solution to my floral print problems.

I want to love florals, but sometimes they look like they belong in a museum.

I think it's really more geometric than floral.

I wore it for mother's day. I realized after seeing these pictures

I cannot wear it with my favorite jeans.

I wore it with some orangey-red boot cut corduroys I had from back in the day,

but they were too matchy and yet way off.

So, it being mother's day, I ordered myself some white jeans.

Yes, I said white. I can't take it anymore, everyone else is doing it!

They go with everything! I ordered my usual Loft, curvy (also love modern) straight jeans.

I'm sure you'll see them in many pictures in the future.

I told Traci I needed a long sleeve navy cardigan and I got the same one my Mom had in her 2nd fix!
She says she regrets sending it back, so even though I am not sure I love it, I am holding onto it.
It's just a little tiny bit long.

This is the 41Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan.

 I do love the drape, it lays perfectly. And it definitely works with my next top!

If it were any shorter the "tail" would stick out,

which I didn't realize until I looked through my photos.

The cardigan also passed the "over-the-sleeve" test.

Who needs a cardigan that looks like a sausage casing? Not me.

This one has plenty of room, without feeling baggy.

Enough about the cardigan, isn't this Skies are Blue Avila V-Neck Blouse cute?

There are so many reasons this works for me.

It's light colored, which usually washes me out, but it has enough print to balance it out.

I love the pops of color, and the long lines are flattering.

It fits perfectly, and it's a great weight for summer.

It works with the Pinson drape cardigan, too, don't you think?

I wish I'd had as much luck with this Le Lis Nene Striped Midi, but the sizing was off.
Regardless, the stripe wasn't bold enough to offset the white, and I looked extra pasty.
I don't think the length is particularly flattering, but I did ask for it.

I love the concept.

It would have looked great with a bright belt or cardigan

or some cute red shoes.

And if you can pull it off, it's a great length for moms (always bending over)

It was easy to sell, I had several offers.

Altogether I was very pleased with this month's box of goodies!

The prices were reasonable, especially after the 25% discount for keeping it all.

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix I'd love it if you used my referral!

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/melanierhoades?sod=w&som=c

I receive a small amount of money if you order a box using my link,

which I will happily turn around and spend on Stitch Fix next month!

Please feel free to pin my photos to your style boards on Pinterest
to share with your Stitch Fix stylists!

If you'd like to read about my past fixes or other subscription boxes click here.

Be sure to leave your comments below.
I'm considering a Stitch Fix giveaway, what do you think?
Who wants to try Stitch Fix for freeeee??!!

Stitch Fix Review: Mother's Day Edition May 2015

When you love something, you want to share it with everyone.

It seemed only natural to share my new favorite place to shop with my Mom.

When she finally decided to try Stitch Fix, she said she was really excited about it because she was getting pretty desperate for new things to wear.

If you're new to Stitch Fix and wondering how it all works, 

you can read about it in my past reveals here (but feel free to ask questions):

#1 December 2014

#2 February 2015

#3 March 2015

#4 April 2015

In short, for just $20 (the styling fee) Stitch Fix sends you 5 items based on your personal profile in a fun little box. Keep what you like and send the rest back! If you keep all 5, you get 25% off the total! If you keep any item, the $20 fee goes toward your purchase. Shipping is free both ways. It's a great way to try things you would have never have thought to try before!

Mom's first box came in April and she had a lot of fun trying it on.

There were a few sizing and fit issues, which can sometimes happen with a first run.

But she loved the clothes enough to try again.

I scheduled her 2nd fix just in time for Mother's Day, hoping she'd find a couple of new favorite pieces because she deserves a treat. After all, she has tolerated me for 35 years!

Her box came a few days early, which was nice because it came on a Friday (was supposed to come Monday). She has until Thursday to try everything out with the clothes in her closet and decide what to keep and what to return.

Her stylist, Erika, really listened to the feedback we left last time. Several of the items from the first box were in the highest part of Mom's price range, and this time around the clothes were a little more economical. If she decides to keep all 5, the total is about $200 after the 25% discount.

If she decides to keep 3 or 4, I'll likely sell whatever is left on my

Facebook Stitch Fix Buy Sell Trade Group. This way, everyone benefits from the discount!

On to the box. We asked for tops, outerwear and/or pants

and opted out of dresses & accessories. 

Last month Mom's stylist sent the Margaret M Emer pants everyone is going nuts over.

And of course, my Mom loved them. But they just weren't the right fit.

So we asked for another pair of pants to try. They also sent a cute cardigan last month,

but it was too plain.

This month she sent the Liverpool Collen Straight Leg Jeans & this really unique

Market & Spruce Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Cardigan. Both were a hit!

My mom can't get enough of black, and she loved the weight of this sweater.

She kept saying how heavy the box felt, and this sweater alone probably added a solid pound.

Erika also instinctually sent this sleeveless top, the Collective Concepts Malibu Blouse,

which pairs very well with the cardigan.

Here's a pic of the sweater on a hanger, in case you feel the urgent need to pin.

Here's a link to the pants, too, which you might recall seeing in my last fix.

In April's Stitch Fix, Mom received a dolman shirt which she loved (so much that she couldn't remember why she didn't keep it) but I remember her saying it was tight in the arms.

This time around they sent the Market & Spruce Sawyer Space Dye Dolman Sleeve Knit Top in a really pretty dark green, and my mom absolutely loved the material and the color.

Unfortunately it was too long, and I think maybe even too big. If only these items had been petites!

She and I both often buy tops in petites when the fit just doesn't seem right.

I should stop for a minute and just say how much I appreciate my Mom.

I really miss the days when she and I had time (and probably more money)

to shop together and talk about clothes. If she hadn't become a pharmacist,

she would have made a killer designer, she has great sense of style.

Sharing this experience with her was like old times.

Love you Mom.

Last thing to show you is the Pixley Bixby Dot Print 3/4 Tab Sleeve Blouse.

Funny thing was, I had created a Pinterest board for my Mom to share with her stylist and this was on it, but I never linked it to her profile. Her stylist totally read our minds!

My mom asked for more prints, and loves geometric patterns.

This is another one that would have been great in a petite. Love the navy and green!

Isn't my Mom pretty? I think so.

If you'd like to treat your Mom to Stitch Fix for Mother's Day,

I'd love it if you used my referral:

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/melanierhoades?sod=w&som=c

I receive a small commission, but wouldn't recommend it if I didn't totally love it!

I'm getting my next fix this week, just in time for a little Mother's Day reward myself!

By the way, if you try Stitch Fix and refer your friends,

you'll get $25 in credit towards your next fix for every friend who orders a box!

My Mom mentioned that after getting her first box she found herself trying new things out

when she went shopping. Just yesterday, she wore a top very similar to one she got in her first fix, and I know she wouldn't have given it the time of day before she tried Stitch Fix.

Wish I'd gotten a picture, she wore it well!

Instead, here's a cute little picture to look at.

Baby legs, courtesy of my Mom's 9th and final grandchild.

Thank you Mom for being a good sport and letting me blog about you.

I can't wait to see what you get in your next fix!

Happy Mother's Day!