Stitch Fix #2

My First Stitch Fix was pretty fun so I thought I would try it again.  They said the more I try the better the clothes would fit my personal style.  I would say this box was good but a couple things didn't fit me.  Also the prices were a little higher than I like to spend, but I think that will always be the case.  

Here is my box and I got a little extra gift for ordering in November.  If you want to read more about how Stitch Fix works visit my previous post or the website.

Papermoon
Wynn Ikat Print Front Pocket Blouse

 When I opened my box I saw this shirt first.  It is a sheer shirt and would need to have something worn underneath it.  I am not a huge layering person, I get hot in lots of clothing.  But I tried it on a few times with a light tank underneath and it was pretty cute.  I decided to keep this one and I wore it twice this last weekend.

41Hawthorn
Cherise Tab Sleeve Henley

This is my first item that did not fit me, even the last box everything had a pretty good fit.  It was a little tight on the arms and in the chest but I loved the color so I was sad it did not fit.

41Hawthorn
Corinna Striped Dolman Top

I was not sure on this shirt if it was fitting properly.  The top was nice and the sleeves were cute but the bottom half was to baggy, maybe over leggings would have been cute.  I am also not a fan of horizontal lines.  I decided not to get it because I didn't absolutely love it.

Katherine Barclay
Brannan Hooded French Terry Jacket

The fabric on this jacket was super soft and felt great on.  It had really cute zippers on the sleeves and the front zipper could be opened at the bottom so you wouldn't feel like you are in a sleeping bag, because it was pretty long.  I did not get this jacket mainly because of price and I just purchased a jacket.  Also I am kinda short and it drowned me.

Just Black
Adora Skinny Jean

I have a booty and short legs so this is what I feel like I look like in a skinny jean.......

So I did not get the jeans either.

I love trying on new clothes that I would probably not even give a glance at in the store.  Also this experience has opened my eyes to different silhouettes I can try not just t-shirt and jeans.  I am going to take a Stitch Fix break for the holidays.  

I think I will try and get a box every season change so see ya in the spring for my next Stitch Fix Post.  I do post other things on my blog so come back before that.

Disclosure:  I was not compensated at all for my post.  I chose to try and pay for Stitch Fix on my own and share with all of you.  I do, however, get credit for referrals.  If you choose to try Stitch Fix yourself, please sign up from the links I provided in my post so I can get credit for the referral.

Lilla Rose has released a new flexi clip for this month.  

Check it out on My Personal Lilla Rose Website.

Spookies and Cookies

I can't say enough how much I love this time of year, fall and the holidays that come with it are just so much fun!  Pomegranates are in season and that makes me super happy also!

Another thing that makes me super happy is Carbon Leaf.  My husband, sister and I went and saw them last week.  So entertaining!  Check them out here, they have a Irish Folk, Rock sound.

My sister and I with Barry the lead vocalist.

 We have started some home improvements in our new house.  Before my husband put holes in the wall there was a counter in this corner of our mud/laundry room.  I guess it was to fold laundry on but it just collected junk.

Before

 We decided to rip it out and make it more useful by adding a bench, shelf and hooks.  Since we come through the garage mostly our coats and back packs were not ending up in the main entry closet.  Brian also moved a plug closer to the built in ironing board. 

After 

We painted the walls green and Brian built the rest and we painted it white.

We had a fun time doing this project, we aren't professional woodworkers by any means.

 There is still more we want to do with the inside and outside of the house but it all takes time and money.

Been doing a little holiday decorating also.  I was wanting to make these lanterns for a long time but did not have anywhere to put them.  But now that I have these cute windows I thought it would be perfect spot. 

 Find the tutorial here.

Spooky at night

Thought I would throw in a recipe in this mega post.  Super easy peanut butter cookie.  You could even throw them together for a Halloween Party.  Maybe frost them with chocolate frosting and sprinkle some holiday sprinkles over the top.

Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies

recipe adapted from Real Mom Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup canola oil
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Mix together until well combined.
3. Shape dough into small round balls and place on a cookie sheet. Using a fork, lightly flatten the balls making a criss cross pattern on the top.
4. Bake all cookies at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (check at 9 or 10 minutes to prevent over-browning). Makes 2 dozen cookies.

We had a little party at our house last weekend and I made these little frankies.  I pinned it on Pinterest  and it was just a picture but I think I figured it out.

Make regular batch of rice krispie treats.  Add green food coloring to marshmallow butter mixture before adding krispies.

Pour into 9x13 buttered pan. 

When cooled dump out and cut into rectangles.

Melt half a bag of chocolate chips in microwave safe mug.  I like to add a little shortening, like 1/2 tablespoon to my chocolate when I melt it.  It just makes it more flexible.  Dip the "heads" of franky into chocolate and lay on waxed paper lined cookie sheet.  

I bought white frosting in a tube and squirted little circles for eyes and put a chocolate chip in each one.  Then with a I found a Halloween frosting writing set at Walmart, it had the color black that I used for his mouth.  When all done pop them into the fridge until set.

My 1st Stitch Fix

I am not a very fashionable person.  I secretly wished that someone would sign me up for the TV show What Not To Wear.  But that show is on its last season so I won't be counting on that.  I am a t-shirt and jean girl, but I am getting tired of that.  I think I can still be comfortable just a little more put together.  No one really taught me how to dress, my mom was older when she had me and never thought about clothes.  All my sisters were older and moved out in a crucial part of my life to help me with fashion sense.  So here I am in my thirties and have no style of my own.  

I don't have much time to shop for myself.  When I am out shopping it is either for the kids or for food.  It seems when I have the money and time I wander around the store and find clothing items too expensive or too trendy.

I was blog hopping one day and I started reading a post about a woman who was talking about Stitch Fix.

 Stitch Fix is pretty cool.  You sign up here and they ask you a bunch of questions of styles you like and then you pay $20 for a stylist to put together a Stitch Fix box for you!  In the box are five items and 3 days to decide if you like the clothing they picked.  If you like the clothes you can keep them all and your $20 will go to your amount spent and plus 25% off the whole box.  If you only want to keep one or two items the $20 also goes toward your purchase.  The clothes you don't keep you send back within 3 business days in a provided prepaid envelope.  You just drop in the mail box, that easy.  

I was so excited to get my first Stitch Fix.  You can schedule your fixes or get set up for a monthly box.  I decided to schedule mine to see if I liked it first.  I could not stop thinking about what was going to be sent to me!  

Along with each clothing item is a little picture of some outfits you can compose with the one clothing item.  Because I need all the help I can get.  You can sign up for jewelry items, but I said no to that option because I need more clothes.  But if they offered shoes I would be in heaven.  

These are the items I got.  

Items were priced between $30-$88 each

  Shara Herringbone Vest with Black Piping.

This was cute, but a little pricey for me.  My girls loved it, but my husband said I looked like an old lady so this was a no!

Dashiell Raglan Lurex Sleeve Sweater

Loved the color and the sparkly sleeves.  Again above my price bracket, especially since the fabric was like rayon and nothing special.  So I did not choose this item. 

Alan Cowl Neck Asymmetrical Jacket

Loved this one, and it looks better on then on the hanger.  I love the green color and the zipper on the side.  I was on the fence if I should get this one, because of the price.  But I figured I would wear it a ton in the fall and winter.  And I think that is one of my fashion rut problems is that I see clothes and then the price tag and I don't even try them on because of how much they cost.  I am hoping from this experience that I will be able to purchase some unique, timeless pieces to build up my wardrobe.  I also think if maybe I spent a little more on clothes they might be better made and last longer, just some thoughts.

I purchased this item and wore it and felt great in it all day.

Ashor Mixed Material Sweater

Got this one for sure and the price was good.  Fun sweater that I could wear a lot.

The back is the best.  

Has a chiffon like fabric in the back looks nice 

when I am coming and going.

Shanae Printed Tie Waist Dress

I have never tried on a Tie Waist Dress.  

I liked it, but it was a little short.  

I think the price was good for a dress.

I really think that I might have bought the whole box if this dress had fit me better.  Really all the clothes were super nice and felt and fitted great.  I enjoyed my Stitch Fix experience I have already set up for another one next month.  

Forgot to mention after you get your box and try on everything you go and give the stylist your fed back on everything.  Did you like the color, the fit and style, etc.  They say the more fixes you get the better they get.

Disclosure: I was not compensated at all for my post. I chose to try and pay for Stitch Fix on my own and share with all of you. I do, however, get credit for referrals. If you choose to try Stitch Fix yourself, please sign up from the links I provided in my post so I can get credit for the referral.

Triple Chocolate Cookies, Halloween Style

I think I have mentioned a lot that this is one of my favorite times of year!  I love all the treats that come along with the holidays.  My husbands favorite is sugar cookies, but they are so time consuming.  So here is a quick cookie recipe and I turned it a little Halloween Style.  Got this recipe from my friend Meg.

The original recipe called for semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips.  I found this bag of mixed chocolate and orange colored chips and thought it would be fun.  You see the dark chocolate cookie with bits of orange, perfect for Halloween! 

Triple Chocolate Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips 

1/2 cup white chocolate chips 

If using the Halloween mix I added 1 cup. 

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.  In a mixer combine butter, sugars, vanilla, and eggs and beat for a couple of minutes.  Slowly add flour mixture and then chocolate chips.  Roll into walnut sized balls.  Bake on  ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for 8-10 minutes.  

New Month, New Flexi

A freestyle arrangement of warm harvest colors embellish this month's Flexi. The potpourri of metals, collection of bead designs, and the uniquely-hewn centerpiece encourage the change of season. Be the first to adorn a twist this Fall with the pleasant glow of gold, copper, brass, and more!

Order Here

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake Muffins

Fall is officially here!  Now that the weather is cooling down I like to warm up my kitchen.  With Halloween and Thanksgiving coming up I think about pumpkin yumminess.  This recipe was adapted from a cake recipe that I pinned last year from the Six Sisters Stuff Blog.  I was going to make them for Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner) and I thought my kids would eat them better in muffin form.  Big hit!

The recipe did not call for chocolate chips but I threw them in for extra yum.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake/Muffins 

recipe adapted for Six Sisters Stuff 

Ingredients:

1/3 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 (18 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix water, pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.  Mix in cake mix (just the dry mix, not the ingredients listed on the box) and baking soda and mix until combined, stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into lined or greased muffin tins (makes 24 muffins) 

For topping, In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour and butter until crumbly.  Sprinkle over the top of muffins.  

Bake for 20-25 minutes or 10-12 minutes for mini muffins or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  

For the cake version pour batter into a greased 9x13 pan and sprinkle topping all over.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

When I make mini muffins is it just more fun to eat.

Here are a few more pumpkin recipes from my blog.  Just click the caption below and it will take you to the recipe!

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pepperoni Pizza Bites

School started for us last week so let the madness begin of homework and activities!  When school starts my evenings are nuts and we need some quick meals sometimes.  These Pizza Bites are my oldest most favorite and they are so easy to make.

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Recipe:

Recipe Adapted From Six Sisters Stuff

I usually half this recipe and it will fill a cookie sheet, but if your family is large, leave the recipe as is.

Ingredients:

2 cans refrigerated pizza crust (recently I tried the thin crust kind and then there is no need to roll thinner)

garlic salt, to taste

Italian seasoning, to taste

1 cup sliced and chopped pepperoni

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Marinara sauce for dipping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pizza crust.  Season each crust with garlic salt and Italian seasoning.  Sprinkle one cup of shredded Mozzarella onto each crust.  Top each crust with 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni.  Roll up each crust into a tight log.  Slice into 1" sections and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

So excited for September and Fall!  What better way to celebrate a new month than with a new Lilla Rose Flexi Clip.  I love this one!  Order yours today http://www.lillarose.biz/katrinam

Crisp Cucumber Salsa

With our garden exploding with produce it is awesome to find new and different ways to use our bounty.  My in-laws shared this recipe with me and the whole family enjoyed it and so did the 4-H girls in between sewing projects. 

Crisp Cucumber Salsa

2 cups finely chopped, seeded, peeled cucumbers

1/2 cup finely chopped seeded tomato

1/4 cup chopped red onion

2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

4 1/2 tsp minced fresh cilantro

1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 1/2 tsp lime juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Tortilla Chips

In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients.  In another bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, lime juice, cumin and seasoned salt.  Pour over cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat.  Serve immediately with chips.

Triple-Berry Cobbler and another Zucchini Recipe

With berries ripe and wonderful right now, cobblers are an easy dessert to throw together on a summer night. This was a super simple recipe and my family gobbled it up in one evening.

Triple-Berry Cobbler
recipe adapted from Kraft Foods

what you need

4

cups  assorted fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries)

1/4

cup  sugar, divided

1

pkg.   (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

1/2

cup  water, divided

1

cup  baking mix

1/4

cup  Sour Cream

1/2

tsp.  ground cinnamon

3/4

cup  thawed Whipped Topping

make it

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

COMBINE berries in 2-qt. round microwaveable casserole. Microwave on HIGH 1 min. Reserve 1 tsp. sugar. Stir remaining sugar, dry pudding mix and 1/4 cup water into berry mixture.

MIX baking mix, sour cream and remaining water. Drop in 6 mounds (mounds should not touch) over fruit mixture. Mix reserved sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough.

BAKE 35 min. or until fruit mixture is hot and bubbly and biscuits are lightly browned. Serve warm topped with whipped topping.

Since last week I talked about zucchini, I thought I would throw this recipe in real quick.  My friend Wendy and I were talking one day and she mentioned my post last week and how I did not like zucchini in savory dishes.  She told me about this great recipe and I had to try it.  Thanks to my friend Barb who brought me some zucchini last Sunday I was able to throw this together one night. We had some mixed reviews at the dinner table, but I thought it was pretty tasty.

Baked Zucchini Fries
Recipe adapted by Our Best Bites 

About 1 lb. zucchini
1/2 c. Italian-seasoned panko bread crumbs*
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese (the crumbly stuff, not shreds)
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.

Whisk 2 eggs together in a shallow pie plate and set aside.

Cut the ends off the zucchini and then cut the zucchini in half so you have two short, stubby pieces. Set one piece on its end and cut it in half lengthwise. Cut that half in half, making 2 planks. Repeat with the remaining halves (so you’ll get 16 planks per zucchini).

Stack 2 planks on top of each other and cut into strips. Thicker strips will yield “meatier” fries with more zucchini flavor while thin strips will be crispy and taste virtually nothing like zucchini. When all the fries are cut, blot the pieces with a paper towel.

Working with a small handful at a time, dip the zucchini sticks in the egg, shake them to remove any excess, and then roll them in about 2-3 tablespoons of bread crumbs at a time, adding more as needed; you just don’t want to work with all the bread crumbs at once because they’ll soak up moisture from the egg and won’t stick to the zucchini. Place the coated strips on the prepared baking sheet and repeat until all the zucchini strips have been coated.

Bake for 10-12 minutes in the prepared oven then remove from oven, flip the fries, and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the zucchini is not soggy and the coating is crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately with Pizza Sauce or Ranch Dressing Serves 6-8 as a side dish.

*If you don't have or can't find any Italian-Style Panko Bread Crumbs, just add 1/2 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp onion powder to 1/2 cups plain panko bread crumbs.

New month so there is a new Lilla Rose Flexi clip check it out at my personal website.

Banana-Zucchini Muffins

We have a little garden and it is starting to produce wonderful vegetables, green beans, cucumbers and I have even picked a few tomatoes but I have never planted zucchini before and I probably never will.  I was talking with my mother in law today and she said if you have friends then you will never have to plant zucchini.  Always my mother or friend or neighbor has given me plenty of zucchini to get just what I want out of it.  I don't like zucchini in very many savory dishes but I do love it in the form of cake, bread or cookie.  Last week a friend gave me some zucchini and I had some ripe bananas and I thought the two would go great together.  Found a recipe on allrecipes, it was for bread and I adapted it for muffins and here ya go!  Below I also attached some other zucchini recipes and I still have a few on my Pinterest Board I would love to try.  

Banana-Zucchini Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

3 eggs 3/4 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 1 cup grated zucchini 2 bananas, mashed 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F , Line or grease muffin tins.
2.	In a large bowl, beat eggs until light yellow and frothy. Add oil, brown sugar, white sugar, grated zucchini, bananas, and vanilla; blend together until well combined. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the cranberries and nuts. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.
3.	Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 22-25 min for regular sized muffins or 10-12 min for mini muffins.

Yields 12 regular muffins plus 36 mini muffins 

To make it into bread pour batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans and bake for 50 min.

Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cupcakes

Tacozagna