Stitch Fix Number Six!

I wasn't planning on another Fix, since I've been shopping like mad lately, but recently received an email offer, which waived the styling fee for new clients referred by me. I think it was for my birthday, and since I now have some credit, I scheduled a birthday Fall fix! 

If you aren't familiar with how Stitch Fix works, it's a personal shopping stye service. After you fill out a detailed style survey, they send 5 items. They offer clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories. You can request what you would like, write a detailed note to your stylist, and send a link to a Pinterest board, which is very helpful. You pay a $20 style fee, which goes towards anything you purchase. Buy all 5 items, get 25% discount. I usually buy 1-2 items, though the last time, I bought all 5! Since I've had a different stylist each time, I requested Christine again, who styled my amazing Spring Fix. Shipping is free both ways, and they send a return bag which can be dropped in a mailbox. You have 3 days to decide. They also have a phone app, which you can upload a selfie on, and for the first time, I peeked at what was coming. (You can start the check out process once your Fix ships, which shows the items coming). You can schedule fixes regularly, or just request when you want. I like to get a box by season.

Here is what my Fall box looked like:

Now, for the fashion show! I asked for long tops for leggings, some Fall colored skinnies, and Burgundy! This sweater was similar to one on my Pinterest, it's the RD Style Bliss Cowl Neck Sweater and the price is $78. The pants are a favorite brand, I discovered through Stitch Fix, Kut from the Kloth Velveteen Skinny Pant ($88). It's hard to tell from the photo, but the color is dark purple, or closer to burgundy. Love these pants! The booties are from Macys. I think these two items are keepers.

Next, MTLA Jiana Striped Cardigan ($58), styled with the velveteen pants. I'm not taking these babies off, they are so comfy! I have enough cardigans, and though this is a unique pattern, I'm not in love with it.

Next top is one from my Pinterest board, Laila Jayde Suri Knit Top ($58). So soft, and perfect for leggings and boots! Keeper! 

The final piece, Market & Spruce Elliana Zipper Back Mixed Material Knit Top ($54). I'm a big fan of mixed material, and this has a fun zipper back detail. It's a bit snug and long in the arms. I may try and size up if I keep all 5. I did style this with jeans and flats just for a change. I got these fun pink patent flats on Jane.com.

So, what do you think? If I buy the 3 pieces I love, the price difference between buying all 5 is only $28, so it makes sense to just keep it all for the discount. Here is the handy style card the Fix comes with:

If you want to try Stitch Fix for yourself, use this link, and I get a little credit. :-)

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4601297

Back to school!

Today was K's first day in third grade. Summer flew by, and I enjoyed it so much, I didn't post since our trip to Japan!

Here are some of the fun things we did over Summer break...

Annual 4th of July parade

Saw "Beauty and the Beast" musical

County Fair

Academy of Science 

Played Pokemon Go

Had mani pedis

Went to Lake Tahoe and saw Alex Ramon's magic show at Harrah's. I hired Alex to do magic at the library when he was 16! Now he's been on TV, toured with Disney, and been ringmaster of Barnum and Bailey Circus! 

Hong Kong overnight layover

While hunting for airfares to Japan, and not finding anything under $1600 with 1-2 transfers, a friend suggested flying through Hong Kong. By spending one night in HK, our flights were under $1,000 each, saving almost $2,000! I used Expedia points on a room at the airport Marriott, and it was a great hotel! The assistant manager left us a note of things to see, with an article under our door. But we didn't get it until after we went out to explore.

Here is the view from our room...

Venturing to the MTR (train into Hong Kong)

The down side... We really only had a few hours to explore, and the temps were nearing 100F with humidity at a million %. The two options suggested by friends, were to go to explore the waterfront along Tsim Sha Tsui- TST, or shop the markets around Mong Kok. I chose Mong Kok for the cheap eats, but wasn't expecting the heat. Or the crazy crowds so thick, we could barely move. Or the difficulty actually finding a place to eat that was allergy friendly. It was so muggy, I didn't feel like shopping or bargaining. The pictures don't depict the reality, since I waited for some space to take them.

Finally found a Hong Kong cafe for dinner... char siu rice and a Hong Kong milk tea for me. The mandarin drink K and hubby got was on the bitter/tart side. I felt better after eating, and even did a little shopping.

I had a fitful rest due to said tea, and we spent our last HK dollars on some dim sum and drinks at the airport, which we had to dump before boarding the plane, as no liquids are allowed on board. Bummer. Oh, and I picked up Shellie Mae (Tsum Tsum) at the airport Disney store.

Goodbye Hong Kong!

Tokyo Disney Sea

We've had a long couple of days, and I ran out of time to post. What an amazing park! I could spend days exploring the different lands. The park is celebrating 15 years. Lots of special displays. I literally walked in, and my mouth dropped open in awe...

K recognized a friend...  

Our first order of business, grab a Fast Pass for Journey to the Center of the Earth. Caught the Tanabata Greetings show on the harbor, where the characters come out on a boat.

Then, on to book lunch at Magellan's restaurant. I read to ask for "the cellar" but they didn't seem to acknowledge the request. But when we returned at 1:10, we were led to this semi private room downstairs, with a secret button to enter. Very cool!

Of course the food was amazing! They had a special allergy set menu. K didn't want it since she had read the kids menu, but it was tasty! Notice the Micky shaped potato?

I had the pork cutlet. Hubby got the 3 course set with appetizer and dessert. It was pricey, but a nice escape. They did have a fire alarm go off, which was a bit jarring.

Before lunch, we wandered through Port Discovery. M and K rode Aquatopia, and I got a snack called a Ukiwah bun. It looked like a life preserver, with Donald Duck in it, and it was warn and had shrimp inside. Yummy!

 

It was time to use our Fast Pass for Journey. I didn't know much about the ride, so it was a good surprise! Very cool. We walked through Mermaid Lagoon, and K rode the Whirlpool. She wanted to ride again, but I wanted to see everything once. 

 

Next stop, Arabian Coast, where we rode Sinbad's Storybook Journey, a meandering boat ride with a catchy tune, similar to It's a Small World. K loved this ride, and later claimed it was her favorite. Hubby was nodding off into dreamland, while I enjoyed the air conditioning.

We also rode a flying carpet ride. Each land has stunning architecture and visuals. It really is spectacular.

We quickly went to get a Fast Pass for Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull for after lunch. This ride is similar to the one at CA Disneyland, but K did fine in the scary parts. Here is a shot taken in Lost River Delta, near the ride...

Went back for another ride on Sinbad, and caught the show at the Magic Lamp Theatre. Which of course was all in Japanese. Doh! Rode the double decker carousel, and got treats at Sultan's Oasis. Strawberry milk shave ice with soft serve for K. I tried the Muscat Grape, but it was a bit tart. Hubby went to get curry flavored popcorn.

Went back to ride Aquatopia, wandered around American Waterfront in search of dinner.

Teddy Roosevelt Lounge was too busy, so we wandered around Mediterranean Harbor, I grabbed a pork rice roll at a stand, and hubby and K ate Italian. It's so pretty around the canals, just like being back in Venice. 

And the sun was setting over the harbor.

We hung out for the Fantasmic show, which K has never seen. It got a bit scary at the end, so we left.

The park is even more magical at night.

The Monorail (fee) has really cute cars. The one we caught featured Duffy Bear, who is oddly popular here, and Gelatoni the cat, Duffy's friend. Check out the fuzzy commuter rings.