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In the Style Spring Collection

May 16, 2017

Hello, loves!
Today I’m sharing with you a look featuring items from a cool brand that I’ve just discovered, called In the Style. They’re a UK brand that has been around for a few years and focus on trendy, sexy pieces at really great prices. They have a straight-size section, as well as a “Curve” section, the latter of which I shopped to create this look.
It’s not like I should have been surprised when I pulled the oversized t-shirt dress out of the package… But I was, because it was short. So stinkin’ short, I was almost thinking I was going to have to send it back! After I got to playing around in my closet a bit, I thought to pair it with some patterned tights for a bit more coverage, and it totally gave me the confidence to rock this look! I’ve never been one to wear a dress or skirt that’s more than a couple inches above my knees, which this one definitely passed, but I made it work.
I paired it with a light, unlined trench coat in the color-of-the-moment, blush, along with some ankle booties and this uber cute embroidered velvet bag. The look definitely needed some sparkle, so I added this five-strand necklace that I’m obsessed with. TBH, the booties are a wee bit uncomfortable after wearing them for a while, and I think that is due to the slope of the heel. The bag I’ve worn with jeans and a cute top, and I love that the zipper glided very easily. Thankfully, we’ve had a bit of a cold front around here recently, so I’ve had the opportunity to wear this trench again. While it doesn’t offer too much in terms of warmth, as to be expected, it does add a fun pop of color to an otherwise muted look.

Dress, Trench, Boots, Bag (black version sold out but I’ve linked the blush version) c/o In the Style // Tights / JcPenney // Necklace / LA find // Barrette / Nordstrom Rack (similar) // Sunnies / Amazon

Shot by Holli Z Photography.

This post was sponsored by In the Style and contains items that were sent to me for reviewing purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

PS by Just Fab Review & Crochet Bomber Look

May 6, 2017

Hello, my dears!
Today I wanted to share with you my experience with a new styling service called PS by JustFab. I’ve been a member of JustFab for some time now, and love 95% of the shoes I’ve purchased from them. I’d been looking into their clothing selections for a bit, but noticed the reviews for clothing are much harder to come by than for shoes and bags. I didn’t want to take a chance on something, not knowing how their sizing runs, the quality, etc. When I saw that JustFab was now offering a styling service, I got super excited! I do love my ongoing subscription to StitchFix, but it can get a bit pricey. With JustFab’s more moderate price points, I took a chance and signed up for a box!
I filled out a detailed survey, paid a $20 styling fee, and within a couple weeks, a shipment arrived at my door. Inside was a statement necklace, a crochet bomber (pictured), an embroidered jacket, distressed jeans, and an off-the-shoulder tunic. Everything comes wrapped up, with a price list and return mailer. Starting from the top, the statement necklace definitely caught my eye. It’s three layers, and definitely eye-catching and unlike anything I currently owned. The crochet bomber seemed a touch baggy but I loved the color and the texture. The embroidered jacket was OK, but other than with a white or black top and jeans, I couldn’t think of anything else to pair it with. The jeans were WAY too tight, didn’t have any stretch, and I couldn’t get them up past the middle of my thighs. Lastly, the tunic was very baggy around the hips but super snug around the chest, which rarely happens to me, so the sizing on this one was very off.
I decided to keep just the necklace, because nothing else I was completely over the moon about. I sent the other items back a couple days later, and was actually looking forward to my next shipment. I checked out online, but when I looked at my receipt, it said my total was $41.50, odd, because the necklace was only $19.95 plus tax.
I reached out to the customer service department at PS by JustFab to voice my concern about the mis-charge on my account. She informed me that because the item I kept wasn’t over $20, that I was also being charged a $20 styling fee. We went back and forth about the fine print not saying $20 pre-tax, but she was not helpful at all and refused to get a manager for me to speak with. Basically, my only option was to keep another item from my box, to not be charged a separate styling fee. I guess this was sort of a blessing in disguise, because I realized how much I loved this crochet bomber jacket!
To wrap it up, due to the lack of stellar customer service, I probably won’t be using the PS by JustFab styling service again, but I’m open to purchasing solo pieces from the website. And I can’t seem to get enough of their shoes!
I’d love to know.. What are your subscription services? Do they end up sending you just the things you never knew you needed or do they not get your sense of style at all? Which ones have you tried?

Crochet jacket / JustFab // Top / Daniel Rainn at Nordstrom Rack // Jeans / Old Navy // Bucket bag / Forever 21 (similar) // Sandals / JustFab // Necklace / LA find (similar)

Shot by Holli Z Photography.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission.

Spring Box of Style Review

April 12, 2017

Hello, loves!
Let me first say how excited I was to finally receive the Spring Box of Style from the Zoe Report! It’s almost worse when you get teasers of which items will be in a subscription box; I’m starting to think I’d rather just be surprised haha! I definitely was looking forward to the “hero” item, which did not let me down.

Before I get ahead of myself, I wanted to share that this exact box is currently $20 off when you use my link here and code “FRIENDS20” at checkout until midnight on Friday, April 14th! Now, without further ado, so you can know if it’s even worth it haha, here is my Spring Box of Style Review!

First up, the “hero” item, this versatile bag from Tribe Alive. Retail is $238, which I personally wouldn’t have paid for it, just because I wouldn’t spend that much on a bag right now. It is very well made, the leather and woven material look very high-end, and I love that it has some structure to it, and is quite roomy. It did take a while to relax and had the “folded” look for the first week I had it, so don’t expect to wear this one straight out of the box. The second time I wore it out, I had a woman try to find it online right then and there so she could buy it, she loved it so much! Thumbs up to this item!
Next up is the multi-way earrings from Adornmonde (retail $62). Subscribers were given the choice between gold and silver, but I didn’t really care because my ears aren’t pierced! I reached out to Team Zoe and was informed that there wasn’t another option to choose from, so these will be re-gifted. No value in these guys for me.
The Symbology scarf (retail $50) was also an item I wasn’t quite sure about… The color (a true red), doesn’t immediately speak to me as a spring item, and the shape isn’t something I reach for in my current scarf collection. I honestly haven’t worn it yet, and might wait until summer, when I’m breaking out my brighter colors. I love the idea of it artfully tied over the strap of a bag, but I’m not one to wrap a scarf around my arm or as a necktie. Others may find this item more worthwhile.
I’d been wanting to try the Tatcha skincare brand for some time, and am happy to have received the Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (retail $65). Again, a little pricier than I normally spend for an exfoliating product, but this one is pretty cool. The packaging is gorgeous, and this very gently foamed up and scrubbed away dead skin, leaving my skin feeling pretty fresh and clean. I didn’t notice any discernable scent, but I’m completely fine with that. Perhaps not a product I’d purchase again, but glad that I’m getting to test it out.
Another item I was stoked about was the glass water bottle from BKR. After seeing these babies all over the internet, I knew that I wanted one but didn’t want to invest the $35 they go for. It is, of course, heavier than regular plastic bottles, but you also aren’t going to risk anything leaching into your water. Plus, the color is SO pretty.
Lastly, as part of the box, the Butter London nail polish in Piece of Cake (retail $18). This one I was a bit disappointed in. I did three layers, because you could still see my nail with only two coats. It chipped very easily and looked uneven and slightly chalky. I haven’t used many polishes from this line before, but it doesn’t have me wanting to search out more shades.
I did also receive, as an annual subscription member, this adorable tassel keychain, which I adore. It’s been on my keychain since the day I got it, and I love the little bit of flair it gives to something usually pretty mundane.

One thing that was pretty cool about this season’s box is that everything in it came from female-founded brands. The only thing that didn’t was the item not pictured here, the Stella Artois chalice. I still have no idea why this was included, as it seemed so out of place. It does have a really pretty etched pattern on it, just not sure it’s relation to the other products.

All in all, I’m loving the bag, the water bottle and the keychain. I value the box at about $160, in terms of the use I will get out of the items, which is not a bad deal at all! If you’re interested in subscribing, for one season, or an annual membership, use my link here to sign up!

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items through these links may provide me with a small commission. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Grove Party

April 12, 2017

Hello, loves!
Such a fun shoot this was… My lovely photographer and I snuck away for a few moments to the orange groves on a quite beautiful day. We were in the area visiting our friend Sarah at her monthly pop-up vintage shop, held at the Redlands Country Mart. The first Saturday of each month, the parking lot is turned in to a curated flea market of sorts, with local vendors offering up all of their hand-picked finds. There is everything from decanters to fedoras to beaded sweaters and all at amazing prices. I love going to support her and check out all of the new things she’s accumulated!
It really gives me a sense of pride to be in the company of some outstanding entrepreneurial ladies. Some of my best friends are doing incredible things and I’m happy to be a part of that ride and boost them up however I can. Sarah, besides being a great photographer, has started Geaux Vintage, a primarily online-based curated shop of her finds. Holli, my partner in crime and one of the most talented people with a camera EVER, has left her office job to pursue photography full-time. She also has a new product line in the works, showcasing some of her best shots. Barbara is training to become a yoga instructor and also sells oils to her friends in need (love me some doTerra!). I have many friends who are nurses, which I of course don’t need to emphasize how valuable they all are! Nursing is something I could definitely never do myself, and I think it’s unbelievable the things they get put through and still go in to work with smiles on their faces, (I’m talking to you, Clare, April, Merisa!). I have friends who are pursing a career in the arts, like Bonnie who has been doing amazing work in the voiceover and acting realm. My friends in the blogging community are striving to reach their goals, and it’s genuinely fun to build each other up.
My grandfather told my mother something years ago, and she passed the saying on to me, but I never really considered taking it to heart until the past couple of years. The line is, “Surround yourself with balcony people, not basement people.” This has nothing to do with any kind of demographic, but more so that you want to be in the company of people doing good, for themselves, and for others. I’ve been in dark places in my life before, as cliché as that sounds, but now realize as an adult that friendships and other relationships matter so much for my own mental health. When I was hanging with the crew that wanted to sit around the pool and drink all day (I’m talking every day), I wasn’t doing anything good for myself and none of us were pursuing anything except a pot belly and a hangover. Growing up (finally) has me considering the lovely things in every relationship that I have, and weeding out the people who are not meant to be a part of my growth. I have to say, it feels GOOD to know that I have a choice.
I’d love to know, how do you build up and support the ladies in your life?

I had to throw in this last shot of me being surprised by Holli and laughing. Such a fun day.
Blouse / Daniel Rainn at Nordstrom Rack // Pants / Stitch Fix // Necklace / Rocksbox (use code kristinbff320 for your first month free) // Bag / Lulu Guinness for JcPenney (old, linked similar) // Ring / Luv AJ from the Box of Style // Booties / thrifted/vintage // Sunnies / EyeBuyDirect