My Latest Obsession: Stella & Dot

The cat's out of the bag, I'm officially an independent Stella & Dot stylist!

In case you missed my last blog post, Chloe + Isabel announced the closing of it's doors. It took me a little time to move on and jump in to the next thing, but one day of friend of mine said, "Melanie, you've just got to do it, what are you waiting for?" That same day I started proudly talking about my new love and I'm now 100% fully immersed in Stella & Dot. I'm not gonna lie, I am completely obsessed! Come see why:

The Jewelry

I mean I'm a jewelry girl, are you a jewelry girl? I come from a long line of jewelry loving people. Even my Daddy wore jewelry. I love how eclectic Stella & Dot jewelry is. They've got all my moods covered from casual chic Monday to ride or die Saturday. My first head over heels piece so far is this rose gold necklace called "Fleur", gasp! I can't get over the $59 price tag, what a steal!

Apparel, Accessories, Handbags + More

I'd be happy with just the jewelry. But when you find a company with the style you're going for and then realize they've got your whole look covered, your heart skips a beat. Scroll back through my blog and you'll see this collaboration was meant to be.

9 out of 10 people I tell I'm moving to Stella & Dot say, "I love their handbags!" Naturally, I had to see for myself. I picked up the gorgeous "Crisscross Hobo" from the sale section. It's so perfect! Flat bottom, comfortable strap, pocket inside, pocket outside, neutral. You need this!

PS The glasses are S&D, too! Very lightweight, comfortable and stylish.

Value

Disclaimer: Almost 40 year old me is still somewhat stuck in the 90s. Remember when gas was 99 cents a gallon? Sometimes I still think I can run to JcPenny and find the perfect pair of earrings for my mom for $10. Those were the days, but let's get real! We were all shrouded in polyester and our jewelry looked like Barbies. My point is times have changed, thankfully! 2019 me wants ethically sourced, timeless jewelry that is not mass produced, and you get what you pay for. I think the value at Stella & Dot is exceptional given our in house, unique designs.

Speaking of value, our engravables are top notch and very reasonably priced. Hurry up and get this "Signature Engravable Hexagon Necklace" before it sells out like it's rose gold counterpart. It's super luxe. I was pleasantly surprised it was engraved and shipped the next day!

Value Added

There's so much more to it than a great product. To get back the "why" I do this, ultimately I value my time with family above all else. It's incredibly refreshing to find a company that empowers me to support my family by providing all that I need to successfully run a business from home. I realize a lot of women reading this are thinking about branching out into the world of entrepreneurship, but it's really quite scary. Why not let Stella & Dot assume some of that risk for you?

What will that mean for those of you coming along as customers? You can support my small business, but have all the benefits of shopping a stable, reputable, successful brand. I know you'll enjoy the fast and furious shipping and ease of returns and replacements. Did I mention killer host rewards and Style Club offers? We are going to have so much fun.

Community

And it IS fun! Is there anything better than shopping with friends? In my 3 years with Chloe + Isabel I learned that what keeps you going, gives meaning to what you do is not what you do but who you do it with. I am so happy I've found a new home in Stella & Dot.

Won't you come along with me? It just wouldn't be the same without you! Come check out my new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Melanies-Style-Lounge-106340404041143/

Please use it as a jumping off point to shop, find my VIP community, reach out to me and learn more about Stella & Dot.

See you there!

Dailylook Elite Box Review #3: Free Trial Offer

I just received my 3rd and final box from Dailylook Elite.

Click to read about my 1st and 2nd boxes.

Even though I didn't keep anything from my first 2 shipments,

I decided to go ahead with the 3rd box, given the styling fee was waived for the 3 month free trial offer. I had nothing to lose (except maybe all the time I spent taking pictures & blogging about it).

If you're new to the idea, basically Dailylook Elite is an styling service similar to Stitch Fix or Golden Tote. I plan to put together a graphic soon comparing and contrasting these various services.

For now, here are a few differences. In my humble opinion, Dailylook is a bit edgier than it's competitors, appealing to a younger audience, and likely professionals with more leeway as to what they can wear in the office. They do carry a ton of feminine, boho and classic pieces, but often with a bit more bare skin.

You have the opportunity as a Dailylook Elite box subscriber to shop the site

with free shipping both ways.

Last, you have the opportunity to add items from their collections to your online "closet"

and request specific items in your box.

Here's what came in this May's box.

Before I even took the clothes out of the bags, I was already a thousand times more excited about this box than the 1st and 2nd. Patterns, colors, and a purse!

I wasn't truly caught of guard, because 1, I'd already peeked online

(just click the link from the email about the box leaving the warehouse) 

and 2, most of the items were from my "closet", items I'd picked out.

I'm sort of okay with having complete control over what they send. But then it doesn't feel like a styling service. Still, I liked the clothes MUCH more this way.

First thing I tried on was the Pleated A-Line Midi Dress.

As you may recall if you follow, I got this dress last month in a small and it was so

tight I had a hard time getting out of it. It appears Dailylook is not a fan of functional zippers.

This month my stylist decided to send me the medium.

I like the dress, and my daughter said it looked good.

But I think I'm uncomfortable having so much exposed skin in the neckline and arms.

I know I could wear a cardigan with it, but it's just a plain old black dress.

For $65 I think I could do better.

Next I tried on Zippered Woven Shift Dress in Royal Blue.

I toiled over this dress all weekend before deciding to send it back.

Unfortunately, it was too short to wear without tights (my shapewear was showing)

and it's too hot here to wear tights and boots now.

I really, really wanted to need it, because it was only $30.

But it was like 90 degrees when I tried it on, and it's pretty thick.

Thinner wouldn't have necessarily been the answer, as proven by the next dress.
I think the name says it all, "Brick House Bodycon Dress" in ivory.

To the lady who felt inclined to write a rude comment on my last Dailylook review,
I'm giving you another opportunity here.
And I'd deserve it, because I actually added this atrocity to my "closet."

Cute pattern though.

(Sigh) The next item I dreadfully regret to share having sent back

is the Fenner Top from Jack by BB Dakota.

Why, Dailylook, why? Why must I love this shirt so much but have no use for it?
The only thing I could get it to work with was this pencil skirt.

 

It's so long, ughh. I wish it were shorter so it would work with jeans.

But it just wouldn't, and I don't have $65 to spend on stuff I can't wear everyday.

I REALLY loved the color, and I REALLY loved the fabric.

I already regret sending it back.

It was downhill from there.

Just no.

This wrinkled mess is called the Faux Wrap Woven Blouse in sky blue.

And no, I didn't put it in my closet.

It is budget friendly, just $30.

Pears, beware. This style doesn't work. It just adds to the hips.

My stylist probably sent it because I did add this to my closet.

I wanted to give another Naked Zebra blouse a try, as I liked the one from my last box.

It seems broader in the shoulders, and between that and the wrap,

I thought it might create more of an hourglass shape. But it was just all wrong for me.

Part of the problem is that the sizing is a little off.

Both the blue and the black were mediums and felt too large.

I have "size up if unsure" in my notes, but I feel like my stylist

really isn't considering the style at all. She sent a small in the

Fenner top which is more fitted, and a medium in these looser styles.

I have a feeling it just has to do with what's in stock.

But if you want to sell me clothes they have to fit.

I did like that it was a sheer, lightweight material because I always wear a camisole,

and that way I could stay cool on hot days.

I'd say if it were a small I might have kept it,

but again I don't find it pear flattering. And for $50, it's got to be right on.

This one would have been nice for the same reason, lightweight and great with a camisole.

But she sent a medium, again. And the color just washed me out.

I would have thrown on some jeans with it to try as an alternate look,

but the natives were getting restless.

By the way, the skirt is one of my all time favorites from Loft, years ago.

I tried to keep things civil by including some "friends" in the photoshoot.

Here's a close up of the material.

I didn't take many Tres chic photos of the bag because I didn't want to fully unwrap it

because I had no intention of keeping it.

It was in my closet, and I loved the size (not to big, not to small)

but vegan = stinky.

For reference, it was $70. Not bad, but not that good when I consider

that I've seen this brand at Marshall's for half of that.

I think if I'd received this box a year ago, when I was dressing up 3 days a week

for work and surrounded by my super fashionable Dietitian friends, I might have kept half of it.

In fact, Dailylook did offer me a coupon this time around.

But I don't want to be that weird Mom standing by the school bus who's always ridiculously overdressed to pick up her kid from Kindergarten, or the frumpy Mom who settled on clothes that hid her tummy.

But maybe you see a gem here, need more clothes for work, or want to try Dailylook's edgier items.

In that case, I do have a referral link, should you decide to give it a go.

http://fbuy.me/cmUyq

Keep in mind, you don't have to subscribe to Dailylook Elite Box to buy the clothes.

But as a subscribers, they will ship for free, with free returns.

Love it? Hate it? Leave a comment below.

I really appreciate your feedback, both here and in our Facebook groups.

Help me decide if I should try it again, without the free trial,

or put Dailylook Elite on hold.