Stitch Fix Maternity

Yes, yes, yes, another Stitch Fix post. When I found out that Stitch Fix did maternity clothes, I was pretty psyched. When I was pregnant with LG, I tried to scrimp and save and I bought as few maternity clothes as possible. What resulted was a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs (which I am SUPER thankful for) and clearance maternity clothes. I never felt very pretty or put together. I decided that when I got pregnant again, I would still borrow clothes from friends but also buy enough clothes that fit me well and were stylish so I would feel good about how I looked while pregnant.

Fast forward to January 2016 and the end of my first trimester, I decided to do my first maternity Fix. I let my stylist know that I didn't care if the clothes were "maternity" or not, but I did specifically ask for clothes that I'd be able to wear post-baby while breastfeeding. And I listed some maternity clothes that I already had so I wouldn't get repeats.

Full Moon: Conway Crochet Back Maternity Knit Top - $54.00

Sorry for the stupid face in the first picture but it was the only non-blurry one I took of the front. This shirt was really comfy and fit well in January but I still had plenty of room to grow. The back looked really cool and I really liked how it wasn't actually see through the whole way down so I could wear a normal bra with it. Everyone I showed it to said to get it.

Verdict: Send it back. They did a good job coming down on the price but I couldn't justify paying $54 for a mostly plain navy shirt.  Looking back on it, I'm not sure if that was the right choice.

Skies are Blue: Asa Blazer - $68.00

The blazer seemed to be of a higher quality than the one they sent me in my last Fix and it was cheaper. Both wins. BUT call me crazy (or just cold-natured) but I will never realistically wear a thick 3/4 length sleeve blazer. If its cold enough to wear a jacket that thick, I'm going to need long sleeves. This was non-maternity but could definitely be worn through most of pregnancy. 

Verdict: Send it back. I liked it a lot and it was a reasonable price for a blazer but I couldn't see myself actually wearing it so I didn't want to spend the money. 

41Hawthorn: Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse - $48.00

Another non-maternity item that would fit for a while as I grow. It looked like it fit once it was on, but there was no stretch to the material so when I was pulling it over my shoulders to put it on and take it off, I was afraid I was going to rip it.

Verdict: Send it back.

Gilli: Kary Maternity Dress - $54.00

I wasn't sure about the pattern when I first saw it but the minute I put on this dress I knew I was going to get it, regardless of the price. It just fit that well and was that soft and wonderful. Even though it is a maternity dress, you could totally wear it without being pregnant. I've only been able to wear it once since I got it in January because it is a lightweight dress but I'm super excited to wear it this spring/summer. 

Verdict: KEEP

Urban Expressions: Elle Woven Clutch - $48.00 

I had been wanting a clutch to use on a daily basis and after going to at least 6 different stores and looking online, I couldn't find what I was looking for. I gave my stylist very specific details about what I wanted and didn't want with the clutch and she sent me exactly what I'd been looking for but couldn't find in stores. Again, as soon as I saw this piece, I knew I was going to get it.

Verdict: KEEP

Overall opinion of the Fix

I really liked it. I sent my stylist very specific details on what I wanted and didn't want in the Fix and she totally followed my requests. I feel like she picked things that were my style. Yes, I only bought 2 of the 5 items but I went back and forth so many times, I thought Ben was going to go crazy on me. : )

I had a $25 referral credit from a friend scheduling a fix and with the 25% discount for buying all 5 items, it made all the prices even more reasonable. The deciding factor ended up being that every piece was gentle cycle or handwash only and as a soon-to-be mom of 2, I want to make sure I'm spending my money on things that last.

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix, please use my referral code and I'll get $25 off my next Fix! https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5983328. I'm planning on getting one more Fix before baby number 2 comes so I'll have some nice summer clothes!

Stitch Fix

After hearing friends and acquaintances rave about Stitch Fix, I decided to treat myself to a "Fix" for my birthday. The one sentence summary of Stitch Fix: After filling out an online questionnaire, a stylist sends you 5 items in the mail, you buy what you like and send back what you don't.

I got my Fix today and couldn't wait until my birthday (tomorrow) to open it. Here are the items I got with the pros and cons of each.

Bay to Baubles: Cadiz Crystal Gemstone Necklace - $34.00

Pros: 

• I asked for all jewelry to be hefty enough that a toddler couldn't yank it off and this fit the bill
• I was hoping they would send a statement necklace and they did

Cons:

•  I tried this on with a couple of shirts that I might wear it with and it hit at an odd place where it kept slipping behind the collar of the shirt and would be covered up. 
• I can't really see me wearing this necklace, although I'm not sure if its just because I'm not used to wearing chunky necklaces and don't know the correct clothes to pair it with. 

Verdict: Sending it back

Market and Spruce: Sawyer Space Dye Dolman Sleeve Knit Top - $58.00

Pros:

• Super soft
• Super comfy
• Interesting color combinations (the back ground color is actually dark green, not black like it looks in the picture)

Cons:

• Made me took lumpy where I wasn't even lumpy
• $58! I would have paid $15-20 in a store for this shirt. And it would be the kind of shirt that I would buy a size smaller than usual so it would fit a little better.

Verdict: Sending it back

Mavi: Freida Skinny Jean - $98

And see the picture above for how they look on.

Pros:

• Correct length
• They fit really well, which you don't take for granted after having a kid. I think I have 8 pairs of jeans in my closet and none of them fit me as well as these do.
•  Super comfy. They kind of feel like jeggings. 

Cons:

• $98! I've never spent that much on a pair of pants in my life.
• The pockets don't quite lay flat. They bunch up a little.

Verdict: I don't know!!!  I'm going to try them on with other tops tomorrow to make sure the pockets aren't noticeable. I think Ben would kill me if I bought a $98 pair of jeans. Love you boo!

Pixley: Sines Skinny Lapel Blazer - $78

Pros: 

• I asked specifically for a fitted black blazer since I don't fit into mine post-pregnancy and this fits the bill
• Fits well

Cons:

• Bad quality control. There are loose threads along one of the seams. I'm not sure if that affects the integrity of the jacket but I don't want to pay $78 for a jacket that will fall apart.

Verdict: Unsure. I'm going to try it on with some long-sleeve button buttons downs to see how it looks. If it works, I'm going to contact Stitch Fix and see if they will send me a new one if I decide to keep it. 

Market & Spruce: Spencer Striped Jersey Dress - $54.00

Pros:

• Springy, light-weight material
• Fit well
• Good summer dress

Cons:

• It is a little short in the back and the material is bouncy, so I could see there being an issue with chasing around a toddler and staying... modest. 
• To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that I got this dress at the end of October since I don't need a summer dress right now.

Verdict: Might be a keeper. It could just be a good date night dress and not a chase around a toddler dress. Although I'd hate to buy a dress and just immediately put it in the attic until next year. 

As you can see, my mind isn't made up yet. I put myself in the lowest price bracket so I was disappointed to see how expensive a few of the items were. I was hoping to keep 2-3 of the items but it looks like I'll only have the budget to keep 1-2 of them. 

New Years Letter

Psalms 95:2-3

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

Dear Family and Friends,

Looking back on 2013, we can truly say that God’s hands have been on our lives. We have made many big decisions this year and we have seen God bless us in those situations.  We rejoice in those blessings and would love to share them with you.

Psalm 139:13-14a – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Our biggest news of the year is that we are expecting a baby girl around March 20^th! So far, everything looks great for Anna and the baby. Besides minor morning sickness and some sciatic nerve pain, the pregnancy has treated Anna well. We aren’t very skilled at decorating so we’re lucky that the previous owners left curtains and pictures that go with the jungle theme in the nursery!

Hebrews 13:2 – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Our second big piece of news is that we bought a house in May! The house was built in 1936 and we have had the pleasure of meeting the family that lived in the house for the first 50 years and the family that lived in it for the past 8 years. We have learned so much about the history of this house and we love the process of turning it into our home. We live in an eclectic neighborhood with many different nationalities and stages of life represented. We are trying to get to know our neighbors but that has been more difficult that we thought it would be. The neighbors we have met have been very welcoming and we are excited to get to know them better.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

Through most of 2013, Ben continued to work at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. In November, he accepted a position at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC! Ben is very excited about this job at headquarters. He is doing similar statistical analyses and projects to what he did at NASA Goddard, but for the entire agency.

Anna is in her second year teaching 7th and 8th grade science at Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School. Since she already knows the teachers and expectations of the administration, this allows her to invest more time into getting to know her students and improving her curriculum.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We are now members of Solid Rock Church (solidrockchurch.net). Our new home is close enough to church that we are able to walk there when the weather is good! We love the pastors of our church and the Biblical teaching they provide. We have been welcomed into the church family very quickly and have many strong friendships through our Bible study and married couples small groups. Once a month, Ben helps teach the toddlers of the church with games, stories and songs and Anna is able to practice her baby skills in the nursery.

We would appreciate your prayers in the following areas:

• Continued good health during the remainder of the pregnancy and a safe delivery for our baby girl
•  Blessings on our house as we ready it and ourselves for the changes that parenthood brings
• Perseverance in getting to know our neighbors and eventually sharing our life and the gospel with them
• Ben completing as much of his dissertation as possible before the baby gets here

Thank you for the love and support that you give us every day from near or far away.

Under His grace,

Ben and Anna

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Meet My Teacher: Nestork

What is this? More than one blog post in a six month period? Things are getting crazy.

I found this forum with a super smart poster whose screen name is "nestork." He apparently is a science nerd who is also a janitor. He has some very detailed posts about the science behind janitorial work. I'm not sure if all of its true but from what I know about science, it seems legit.

http://www.terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php?48224-silicone-caulk-is-not-sticking-to-acrylic-tub-surface 

In this forum he writes a SUPER long post with 4 parts:
1. How to remove old Silicone caulk COMPLETELY.
2. What silicone caulk to buy
3. How to place new silicone caulk
4. How to clean mildewed silicone caulk

This post was super helpful in evaluating both of our showers for some caulk replacement and cleaning. Our basement bathroom didn't have any caulk around it and the grout was a little grimy. I wanted to clean it before applying clear silicone caulk so I tried using normal bathroom cleaners and a sponge to remove the grime but had no luck. So I decided to try nestork's cleaning method to see if it worked!

Using the blue scrubby sponge wasn't a good idea, it just left blue stuff
behind on the grout. Wonderful, now we have grimy, blue grout.  : )

These are the supplies needed for the magic cleaning.

Mix a random amount of Borax and Bleach. It should be thoroughly wet
but not runny. I ended up using about twice the amount as shown here. 

Using a plastic spoon, scoop some up and spread it on the
area to be cleaned, using the back of the spoon to press it in.

It needs to sit for about 24 hours so covering it with plastic
wrap and painters tape will  keep it from drying out.

After it sits for 24 hours, take all that cling wrap off. 

I used a scrub brush to take off the Borax&Bleach mix although
 no scrubbing was actually necessary to take the grime off. 

A quick rinse and the grout was super white!

This ended up being very easy. I would recommend this cleaning method for anyone who can't get their caulk or grout easily clean.

The previous owners recently redid the upstairs bathroom. It looks great but the silicone caulk in the shower needed to be replaced.

What I thought was dirty caulk.

When I removed it, what I learned this: Dark gray grout + clear caulk = dirty LOOKING caulk. The caulk really wasn't dirty at all. I knew it would annoy me if I just put clear caulk back over it since it would still look dirty. So one special order at Morris Tile and a week later, my Sterling Silver colored Latasil silicone caulk (that costs 3 times as much as normal clear caulk) came in.

Again, I followed nestork's directions and the caulking turned out really well! 

Follow nestork's advice, he won't lead  you wrong!

Home Sweet Home

After just under a year in Maryland, Ben and I moved into our new house! It was built in 1934 and there are so many things we love about it, quirks and all. 

We had church, school, and Ultimate friends helping us move in and they worked FAST! Of course, I forgot to take any pictures of our friends working hard to move us into our new home but I'd like to thank Toby, Chuck, Barbara, Ryan, Aaron, Danielle, Nathan, and Andrew for all the hard work.

For all the family and friends out there who have been asking for pictures, here is a virtual tour!

Starting at the front door, you can walk straight into the kitchen, make a left and you'll be in our breakfast nook.

From the breakfast nook, you enter the dining room. If you notice, these chairs are from my first post! Just like the table and chairs, my parents also restored the china cabinet. They've been so good to Ben and me! If you're confused about the window valances, they were left by the previous owners. They went really well with the design scheme they had but we're currently deciding what to do with them.

The living room is not even close to being finished so you just get a picture of how it looked when it was empty before we moved in...

Our basement is about 3/4 finished and the other 1/4 is an unfinished workshop type area. The colors of the floor looks weird in these pictures but in person they are a cream, light brown, and bark brown. Random surprise, the floors are HEATED! It definitely was not something that we were looking for in a house but we've excited to try them out this winter! Since these old houses were only built with one bathroom on the 2nd floor, the previous owners installed a full bath downstairs. We're very thankful for more than one bathroom.

Another quirk of a house built in 1934 is that the staircases are small... and that's an issue for a queen mattress and box spring. But we give you the answer to this issue, a pulley system. Nathan guided the mattress from the bottom.

Ben and I were on our balcony with the rope looped around our waists

                                                 

And the finished product!

 As small as our one-bedroom apartment was this past year, we had gotten used to having a walk in closet so that was something that we were looking for in our home. We were very excited when we saw this cedar-lined closet. It is great!

Across the hall, we have a nursery, excuse me, dissertation dungeon. The jungle theme really gets the brain working.

There's an extra bedroom that will have a set of bunk beds thanks to a donation from Ben's family.

So that's most of the house... thanks for taking the tour. We're open for visitors so come on over yall!

P.S. We have a secret passageway but you'll have to come over to find it! Putting a picture on here will ruin the surprise!