September Stitch Fix

It’s Stitch Fix time again! I just received my 6th "fix" and the excitement to open the box never goes away. 

You might be asking yourself, what is Stitch Fix? 

It's pretty simple. It's a styling service that sends you 5 items as often as you schedule them. Right now, I receive monthly shipments. They charge you a $20 styling fee up front which is then applied to any items that you purchase. If you buy your whole box, you will get a 25% discount!

You fill out a style profile so your stylist can get a better idea of your personal style and month to month you are allowed to leave a note with anything that you might be looking for.

Here was my stylist note for this Fix:
My birthday is the week after I'm scheduled to get this fix so I would LOVE something fun to wear to dinner with friends. Maybe a dress? I also need some fall layering pieces. Thank you for the asymmetrical zip last month! Maybe a black moto jacket? 
Let's get started with the reveal!

1. Rd Style- Analisa Twisted Seam Mixed Knit Sweater

I'm only 5'1" and it was too short for my liking in the front. It is longer in the back, but it's not enough to make up for the front. The material is nice and soft though.

Verdict- Sending back

2. 41Hawthorn Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse

I love this color for fall, but I'm not sold on the style for my body type. 

Verdict- Undecided

3. Le Sample Cresta Crew Neck Blouse

I wasn't a fan of the print as soon as I pulled it out of the box. Again, it's too short for me in the front and is too boxy for my shape. 

Verdict- going back. 

4. Lilah Quilted Ponte Jacket

5. Romolo Zena Crystal Palm Collar Necklace

I like the necklace, but I'm not sure that I need another coral necklace in my collection. 

Verdict- undecided

The more I look at the jacket, the more it's growing on me. I probably won't keep it though as I don't want to pay for something that I only feel ok about. 

Verdict- probably going back

So what do you think? What should I keep? Is there anything that you would want in your box?

If you want to sign up for yourself, you can click here. 

xo,

Nicole 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix, I pay for the $20 styling fee and any clothing I purchase with my own money. I do earn a credit if you sign up for a box through my link. Thank you for supporting my clothing obsession. 

Currently...

Life is busy! Summer is coming to an end for us so I have been busy trying to finish projects and organize our lives before the chaos of school schedules starts. 

I've also been taking more time to hang with the kids and doing things as a family. They are growing way too fast and I feel like our family time can be limited due to work, school, and other commitments (read- sports.) 

While I take some time to savor the last 2 weeks before we have a 7th grader and one in Preschool 2, I will leave you with a couple of projects that are currently in the works. 

I'm rehabbing an end table... (Thinking of gold dipped legs)

Trying to decide which side will look best in my living room...

And I'm refinishing the front door- which might be the death of me. 

I always feel like I have a million projects going on so this is pretty standard around here. Fingers crossed they are all finished in the next few weeks! 

Say a prayer for me! 

Xo,

Nicole

Mom manicure

Happpyyyy Friday!

Since it's so close to the weekend, I thought I would share how I get my nails polished in about 15-20 minutes. It's ideal for a little "me" time during naps or if you need to get your nails looking good quickly.

Let me start by saying that, I have a subscription box addiction. I don't typically have time to go to malls or wander the nail polish aisle at Target. I was introduced to Julep quite a few months ago. I believe I discovered Julep through another blog, but I'm not positive. Either way, it was love at first box. 

One of the main things that I really enjoy about Julep is that they select products for you based on your profile. You are also able to swap things in and out of your monthly box or add on additional products for a discounted price. If you want a different polish color? Swap. If you want makeup instead of polish? Swap. They have so many options every month. And what girl doesn't like options?

On to my August box-

I chose Julep's Oxygen bonding base coat, Suse bombshell polish, Blank Canvas matifying face primer and they sent a fun bonus of nail art stickers. I can't wait to try these this fall!

I don't typically have a lot of time in my day to wait for my nails to dry and I definitely don't have the time to go to the nail salon, but there is just something that I love about having polish on my nails.

I set out on my manicure journey. I started with the Oxygen bonding base coat. It dries super quickly which is a total bonus in my book. I then applied 2 coats of Suse bombshell polish which requires the most patience and I followed it up with 2 coats of the best topcoat that I've ever used- Freedom polymer top coat. It stands up to dishes, bath time, water parks, and anything else you can throw its way. 

My last and final secret to a quick, smudge-proof manicure is Julep's Ta Da! quick dry drops. Apply 1-2 drops on each nail and in just minutes you are good to go on your merry way!!

The results look like a gel manicure (don't look at my right hand. It looks like Andrew did it.) I use Julep's Clean Slate to clean it up. 

The best part about Julep's products? They can be mixed and matched with the colors you already have at home!

Curious to try it? Sign up here to get your first box FREE! Use the code FRIEND at checkout!

See you soon!

xo-Nicole

(This is not a sponsored post. I genuinely LOVE the products I have purchased with my own money from Julep. I do receive a referral credit if you sign up through my link. Thanks for supporting my Julep addiction.) 

August Stitch Fix Reveal

It’s Stitch Fix time! I just received my 5th "fix" and I'm so excited to share it with you. This box is number 5 for me so my stylist is really starting to understand my style. 

You might be asking yourself, what is Stitch Fix? 

It's pretty simple. It's a styling service that sends you 5 items as often as you schedule them. My budget allows for monthly shipments. They charge you a $20 styling fee up front which is then applied to any items that you purchase. If you buy your whole box, you will get a 25% discount!

Here was my stylist note for this Fix:

I really like the gray or navy dolman striped top from Market and Spruce. I would love a coral or light gray cardigan. No blazers. I've been looking for a vest- I love the Pixley soft moto in black or Skies are Blue Samira cargo vest in Olive. I am also looking for a new statement necklace. 

And boy, did she deliver!!

And I apologize in advance for the lack of stellar photos. I was crunched for time this month. Next month's reveal will be in much better lighting :)

1. Market and Spruce Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan

I LOVE this top. I actually ripped the tags off right away because I had to wear it to family dinner. It is so soft and I can see it being so versatile for fall and winter. 

2. 41 Hawthorn Moni Geo print top

I really liked this when I pulled it out of the box. I don't have anything quite like it in my closet so I was thinking that it would be a great addition. Unfortunately, it didn't fit quite the way that I wanted it to so back it went. 

3. Renee C Tucker Blouse

(and there's a picture of my butt on the internet. Sorry mom and dad.)

I'm not going to lie here. I HATED this top when I pulled it out of the box. I sent my friend a text that said something similar to, "I'm pretty sure this is the ugliest shirt I've ever seen." I didn't even want to try it on. I did, though, because that's the whole point of Stitch Fix. It was a little tight on top and slightly shorter than I prefer, but it started to grow on me. I couldn't see myself reaching for it often so it went in the return bag. 

4. Market and Spruce Corinna Dolman

I requested this top so I was thrilled that I was sent one. Unfortunately, it just didn't work with my body type. It was so soft and comfortable though!

5. Zad bib neckace

I thought this necklace was very pretty when it was in the box. It wasn't really what I was looking for in terms of a statement necklace though. I wish it was longer and wider. 

So, what do you think? What would you have kept?

You can sign up for your very own box to try by clicking here.

 See you soon!

xo- Nicole

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Stitch Fix, I pay for the $20 styling fee and any clothing I purchase with my own money. 

Conversations with Andrew

Let me start with saying that I can't yet understand every thing that he is talking about. There are some times that I just go with it and see where it takes us. I'm loving this stage of his childhood for the most part. Sure, some days are exhausting and never ending.. it seems like the next thing might send me over the edge- then we have a conversation or he gives me an unsolicited hug, kiss, or I love you Mama and all the stress melts away. 

Here are some recent chats that we've had:

Andrew:What's that sound?

Me:What sound?

Andrew:My hiccups?

Me:You have the hiccups?

Andrew:No, I don't have the hiccups.


Andrew found his binoculars and was talking excitedly about his field trip to the zoo tomorrow.
A: I see the penguins, the lions, the elephants
Me: Sorry buddy, there aren't any elephants at the zoo you are going to.
A: I see the monkeys. I don't want to see Sparky more.
Me: Why don't you want to see Sparky?
A: I just want to see the penguins and the monkeys. Monkeys eat butt-nanas.
Me: I like bananas.
A: No mama, monkeys eat butt-nanas.
Me: You used to like bananas.
A: No, I no like butt-nanas more. I not a monkey. I Andrew.

A:I'm not scared in my big boy bed any more. 

Me:You're not? That's great! Why aren't you scared any more?

A: I don't know. I just happy. 

I love the randomness of his thoughts. 

and his face is pretty cute too!

See you soon!

xo,

Nicole

Great Wolf, Wisconsin Dells Room Review

Happy Monday!

We've been home just over one week now from our trip to Great Wolf in Wisconsin Dells and I'm here to share our experience with you! 

We chose Great Wolf for several reasons with one of the main reasons being price. When I set out to find a resort to take the boys, I had several items on my wish list- water park, restaurants on-site, kid friendly activities, location, and budget. 

We decided on Great Wolf because it fit all of the criteria listed above AND it was SUPER budget friendly! Today, I'm going to give you my honest review on the suite that we stayed in. 

From the exterior, Great Wolf has a lovely cabin feel to it. 

We left Sunday afternoon after Jayden's baseball tournament and arrived in Wisconsin Dells around 5:30pm. 

We checked into a suite that they have named the Royal Bear Suite.

(photo below taken directly from GreatWolf.com)

The suite features: 

• Master bedroom with a king bed featuring recently upgraded mattresses and bedding
• Main portion of the suite includes a queen bed featuring recently upgraded mattresses and bedding
• Full-size sofa-sleeper, full bathroom and a flat-screen HDTV
• This suite includes a private balcony or patio (the balcony or patio type is determined at check-in and is based on availability)
• Microwave
• Mini fridge
• Coffee maker
• Hair dryer

My feelings on the room are overall good; I would chose this suite style again. I loved the separate rooms. We had the 3 kids (Jayden 12, Landon 8, and Andrew 3) in the main portion of the room and my husband and I stayed in the master bedroom. 

Pros: 

• The separate rooms were fantastic at bedtime. We broke our normal rule of movies at bedtime and let the kids put on a movie (we brought a dvd player to connect to the tv) to wind down before they fell asleep. We were able to watch movies (we brought our iPad,) play card games, or have an adult beverage in the master bedroom without disturbing the kids. 
• Great Wolf has pack and plays available for the littles. It was one less thing to pack. 
• The suite had PLENTY of room for all of us. 
• The mini fridge allowed us to pack fruit, milk, juice, yogurt, and some lunch options to eat a little healthier and save money throughout the week.
• The patio was a nice area to relax in the morning with coffee or in the afternoon during nap/rest time. Ours faced the water park. 
• The room includes a table and chairs which makes it so easy to eat in the room. 
• Our room was located super close to a door to the parking lot which made it easy to come and go as we please. 

Cons:

• The "recently" upgraded mattress was very firm and left us waking up with back pain in the morning. 
• For a family suite that sleeps 6, I wish it had another bathroom. It was hard after a day at the water park or out and about to get everyone bathed and showered before bed in a timely fashion. 
• The sofa sleeper was so uncomfortable that we ordered a pack and play for Andrew our little guy which is not ideal for a 3 year old. 

Like I said, overall, it was a nice room. It was close to MagiQuest and close to the water park. I will be sharing more about our experience at Great Wolf Wisconsin Dells later this week. 

See you soon!
xo- Nicole

Not a sponsored post, just sharing my honest opinions. 

Give me all the Gold!

TGIF!

We just finished up a week of vacation on Sunday so this week has been tough for us trying to settle back into a routine... I'm sure you know how that is. We spent 5 days in Wisconsin Dells at Great Wolf with our boys and our nephew followed by 2 days of just me and my husband in Duluth, MN. I plan to do a full review of both get-aways soon!

Anyway...

I have been IN LOVE with all things gold lately. I want to buy everything gold or paint everything gold. Luckily, I had some amazing luck garage-saling earlier in the year. I had been searching for a mirror to hang in my living room that is big enough to fill the space above my desk. I didn't want to pay a lot and of course, I wanted to paint it gold.

I found this beauty at a garage sale for $5!!

And we already know that I wanted to paint it gold so I taped it off and used wax paper to cover the rest. 

At the same garage sale, I found an adorable lamp that I didn't even know that I NEEDED.

(I had taped it before I thought to take a before picture.)

I think we all know where this is going to go...

GOLD!

I use Rustoleum Metallic Gold spray paint.

(contains an affiliate link)

I absolutely love how both of the items turned out!!

I have another item in progress and I'm so excited to share it soon!

Do you love gold accents in your home as much as I do? 

Share your thoughts below!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission. Thank you to anyone who chooses to click through and support my GOLD spray paint addiction.