I got another A+ fix this month from Stitch Fix (kept everything!) so decided it was time for more fake modeling. If you’re new to the blog and Stitch Fix, you can read more about it in my first post here. Otherwise, let’s get to the clothing!

Street Level Benian Easy Tote with Chain Detail = KEEPER

I made a note to my stylist that I’d like a handbag in this fix and loved her pick! I need more large totes for traveling and weekend trips so this was perfect.

41Hawthorn Presley Colorblock Button-Back Sweater = KEEPER

This is one of those pieces that prove having a stylist can be helpful—I never would have picked it out myself, but love it!

Tart Aldo Faux Suede Detail Sweatshirt = KEEPER

This hoodie is so me. Basically if something is black and there’s faux leather involved, I want it in my closet no questions asked.

Skies are Blue Emira Faux Fur Collar Knit Vest = KEEPER

It’s (faux) fur season! I know I’ll wear this vest a ton, and love that it can be dressed up or down easily.

Mavi Gold Nigel Tall Length Skinny Jean = KEEPER

These fit like a dream and are a perfect color for the holiday season.

How to Get a Good Fix

In addition to the “OMG I love Stitch Fix, too!” comments I get on these posts, I also hear the occasional complaint of a fix that was a total bust. Of course there’s a bit of luck that goes into these things as style and taste are more of an art than science, but I do think there are a few things you can do to greatly improve your chances of getting a fix you love.

1. Create a style board on Pinterest and link it to your Stitch Fix account. When you set up your Stitch Fix profile, there’s space to link to a Pinterest board. Do it! And if you don’t already have a fashion/style board, make one. It’s a great way for your SF stylist to get an idea of what clothing appeals to you. My stylist frequently refers to pins she sees on my Fashion board in the notes she includes in my fixes; I recently pinned a picture of a girl wearing burgundy pants and guess what I just got…

2. Leave detailed feedback. When you check out online after receiving your fix, there’s space to leave feedback about each item you’re keeping or returning. Hated that shirt? Tell them why. Loved the scarf? Also tell them why. Your fixes will be more accurate as your stylist gets to know you better. Last time I told my stylist I was sending back a pencil skirt because I wouldn’t get much use out of it as I don’t work an office job and tend to wear casual clothing. Based on this fix, she totally listened! 

3. Request items you like. Whether it’s an item your friend got in a fix, a piece from a blog post like this, or something you spot on Stitch Fix’s Instagram, don’t be afraid to request specific items. There’s not a guarantee you’ll get them because of availability, but at the very least, it will give your stylist an idea of what kinds of pieces you’d like to see in a fix. You can request an item by leaving a note to your stylist in your SF account, or you can pin items to your Pinterest board. All the pics in this post are pinnable for that very reason!

 Which item is your favorite from my fix? Would you have kept any of them yourself? Current Stitch Fix users–any tips to add for getting a great fix?

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent mine on the Vineyard for my cousin’s wedding and it was the perfect mix of relaxation and celebration.

Last Thursday night, I got the chance to attend an event at Be Styled (the blowdry bar I mentioned in a previous post) with Boston-based designer Daniela Corte, and wanted to share a few pictures with you guys (you can check out more at Be Styled’s Facebook page). There were delicious hors d’oeuvres (just took me a casual 15 minutes to spell hors d’oeuvres correctly) and champagne to enjoy as we got our hair done and browsed pieces from Daniela’s collection—it was pretty much a perfect way to spend a Thursday evening with a girlfriend.

And speaking of epitomizing all things “girlie”—I’m about to have an uncharacteristically Rachel Zoe-esque moment over Daniela Corte’s leggings. THESE LEGGINGS. My friend and I each tried on a pair at the event and were immediately convinced they had to be made out of magic and unicorns and whatever Beyonce is drinking. I’m talking the most flattering, stylish, comfortable things I’ve put on my body in years. I was so taken by the high quality of all the pieces in Daniela’s collection. She imports the elastic from her home country of Argentina, and while the leggings aren’t cheap, they’re well worth the investment—I could immediately tell I would wear them multiple times a week.

As for my own clothing, I wore these fun printed pants to the event. They’re so comfortable and I love that you can easily dress them up or down. The weather in Boston this fall has been awesome, so no jacket was required—which is great for me since I lose 3 to 5 jackets per winter by “hiding” them at bars to avoid the coat check line. I’m the worst.

WEARING | Blouse: Zara // Pants: LF // Shoes: Asos // Bag: TJ Maxx // Bracelet: LIT Boutique // Rings: LF & Aldo

Hair by Be Styled

For CCFA’s Pier Madness event a couple weeks ago (I mentioned the fundraiser in a previous post), I wanted to mix bright colors with some nautical details and a small hint of skank. Just kidding. But my dress ended up being a little more see-through than anticipated so there was slight risk of a Code Red when camera flashbulbs were involved. You know what I’m talking about—that bra-shirt combo looks totally normal and self-respecting as you’re getting ready to leave the house at night, and then the next day when pictures are tagged of you on Facebook, it looks as if you entered a wet t-shirt contest. You win, camera flash. You win.

WEARING…

Dress: Indah // Shoes: MIA // Bag: Madewell // Necklace: LIT Boutique // Ring: STA Consignment // Bracelets: LIT Boutique & Alex + Ani

Last Saturday I went to Boston Winter Ball at The Castle at Park Plaza, an annual event that raises money for Boston Children’s Hospital. This year, $150,000 went towards benefiting the New Balance Center for Childhood Obesity at Children’s (as well as the hospital’s general fund), and I couldn’t have been happier to contribute to the cause by purchasing a ticket, getting dressed up, dancing, and overindulging in the open bar. Charity is fun.

Up until a few hours before the event, I had nothing to wear. And by “nothing to wear,” I mean, “a closet full of perfectly good options that I refused to consider because I’d already worn them once and been tagged in pictures wearing them on Facebook.” Sometimes I hate that this is the way my brain works, but I just blame it on that second X chromosome.

I hit up Newbury Street and Copley Place to find a dress for the event, but since I have a deep-rooted inability to purchase anything practical ever, I bought these BCBG pumps instead. They’re incredible, but they’re…not a dress. With no budget left, I was feeling pretty screwed.

*Cue the choir of angels singing as I walk into H&M in one last-ditch, desperate effort to find a dress*

Sure, the leather peplum dress was a little more nightclub than charity ball, but I’ve never been one to play it safe with cocktail dresses, and given the insanely cheap price, I couldn’t say no. I finished off the outfit by OD-ing on gold jewelry. Normally I’d never pair a large, statement necklace with chandelier earrings, but I was feeling like taking a risk (aka drank a couple glasses of wine while getting dressed).

Winter Ball was a blast, and hey, if Helen Hunt can wear H&M to the Oscars, I can definitely wear it to a charity event.

dress: H&M // pumps: BCBG // necklace: Meghan Fabulous via ideeli // earrings: bebe // cuff bracelet: bebe

Pics from the event from BrianPhilipsPhoto.com

If this dress were a person, it’d be Regina George. It’s pretty and popular—seen here on Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes and some chick who, according to Google, is a celebrity as well—but it’s a total bitch.

How can a dress be a bitch? Well, the top runs big, rudely reminding me that I have no boobs, and the waist runs impossibly small, rubbing it in my face that I shouldn’t have eaten that pint of Ben & Jerry’s…

Luckily, some simple altering of the waist clasps solved the problem, and I was beyond excited to wear it to my friends’ wedding this weekend.

Weddings are so fun, but mornings after weddings are so…not. I woke up with four string cheese wrappers in my bed, so if you’re wondering if I’ll be the next to get married, the answer is no. Definitely a no.

{dress: Contrarian}
{heels: Michael Kors}
{bracelet: Twilight Boutique}
{clutch: Aldo}

A couple weekends ago I went to a bridal shower for my friend on the Vineyard. It’s crazy how through high school and college you’re pretty much on the same page as all your friends, then after graduation, everyone’s life paths seem to go in wildly different directions. Marriage? WHAT IS THAT.

This amazing Tumblr pretty much describes it: MyFriendsAreMarried.tumblr.com

Don’t take this as me being bitter—I’m not in the least. Weddings are AWESOME and I will take full advantage of being the drunk, fun, single friend at every one of my cousins’ and friends’ weddings. And while sitting in a big circle of women and ooo-ing and ahh-ing over…a salad bowl…is laughable, bridal showers are fun, too. And you bet your ass I’m going to burst open with joy at every damn salad bowl, decorative lamp and bath towel I unwrap at my (far off) shower.

For this bridal shower, I wore this fun cut-out dress from LIT Boutique. LIT is my go-to in Boston when I need a cocktail dress at an affordable price. Even better than the price tag is the skirt’s spinability (that’s now a word).

{dress: Double Zero via LIT Boutique}
{necklace: Free People}
{sandals: Steve Madden}

Last Thursday was Fashion’s Night Out, and in keeping with New York’s Fashion Week, Boston had its own rendition of the event on Newbury Street. Lured by promises of free food and champagne at my favorite stores, I headed down, only to find that I was too late. No food. No booze. No good.

The night wasn’t a loss though, as the people watching was at its all-time best. Some fabulously dressed girls and guys came out for FNO Boston, and I found myself staring and composing mental shopping lists in my head the whole time. But, lest we forget that Boston is not Manhattan (which is why I love it so dearly), I also spotted the all-too-common girl wearing baggy sweat pants and a tank top with her bra straps showing. Even during Fashion Week, Boston is Boston.

I couldn’t wait to break out these Sam Edelman striped heels (scored on HauteLook for a fraction of the price—woop woop!) and FNO Boston was the perfect occasion. Sure, after realizing the food and drinks were gone, I spent the night doing Saki bombs at a sushi restaurant then headed to a dive bar in Southie, but those are minor details. If anyone asks, I had the full-on FNO experience.

I’ll end this post by saying yes, I know, it’s been way too long since I’ve posted a workout. Fear not, my lovely readers, I’ve got one coming your way tomorrow!

{dress: Urban Outfitters}
{jacket: Express}
{shoes: Sam Edelman via HauteLook}
{bag: JPK Paris via ebay}
{bracelet: Alex and Ani}

Excuse me while I go curl up in a ball in a dark corner somewhere and slip into a deep depression over the fact that it’s rainy and disgusting outside today. Why the 4^th of July of all days?!

It’ll still be a fun day off with friends and family, but thanks to this gross weather, today’s outfit is coming to you straight from a screened-in porch (so exotic).

Fourth of July outfits are some of my favorites because I love all things nautical, and blue and white are, by far, my favorite colors. Half my closet is white and the other half is some shade of blue. This holiday was made for me, people!

I’m also going through a bandana phase (which is embarrassing considering I’m not Bret Michaels) so I added a red one around my neck for a patriotic accent to this low-back, ruffled star blouse.

Enjoy the holiday and I hope the weather is better where you are!

{top: Double Zero}
{pants: Zara}
{pumps: Steve Madden}

Last Thursday was the annual Taste of the Vineyard event on Martha’s Vineyard. Local island restaurants, caterers and bars serve up bites of their best dishes, wines, beers and liquor, and once everyone is done schmoozing, boozing and stuffing their faces, you hit the dance floor. It’s always a blast and one of the few occasions when it’s appropriate to get dolled up on the typically uber-casual Vineyard.

When the Taste comes to an end around 10PM, the younger crowd continues the celebrating at The Wharf, and that’s usually when things start to go downhill. And by “downhill” I mean “uphill”…in an embarrassing way.

I used the Taste as an excuse to buy three new dresses because…I suck. I ended up settling on this white, fitted dress from H&M. I figured the high neckline made it classy enough for the event, while the tightness and super-short length kept it very “me.” Not sure what that says about “me” and my style, but oh well.

Highlight of the Taste this year was Sharky’s serving up tequila shots and the band playing Call Me Maybe. Low point was my decision to get on the 6AM boat the next morning to make it back to Boston for work. By 10AM I had downed three gallons of coffee, two bagels and convinced myself that I was dying.

I snapped these pictures before heading to the Taste, but you can check my Instagram (@nicoleperr) for a couple additional pics at the event. I already can’t wait for Taste of the Vineyard 2013.

{dress: H&M}
{shoes: Aldo}
{wristlet: Coach}
{necklace: Free People}

I normally wouldn’t post on a Saturday, but Earth Day is tomorrow and I wanted to have something up on the blog to celebrate.

I realize that a far more productive way to celebrate would be to plant a tree or participate in a trash cleanup, but this Earth Day outfit will have to do.

I’m qualifying this outfit as Earth-friendly because the main pieces are recycled. Not in the sense that they were made from recycled materials or molded out of plastic bottles, but “recycled” in that I got them from eBay.

A big misconception about buying clothing from eBay is that it’s ripped, covered in pit stains and smells like a thrift store. Not the case at all. A large majority of the clothing on eBay is new (sometimes still with the tags), and being posted by boutiques and department stores because they can’t sell it in house. This could be for a variety of reasons: It has a small defect, it’s out of season, or it’s been returned (a shocking number of stores will THROW AWAY clothing that’s been returned, even though it’s in perfect condition!). By shopping on eBay you’re saving those duds from the landfill and helping out ol’ Mother Earth.

I know. I’m wearing Dolce & Gabbana and T-Bags and calling it an Earth Day outfit. I’m a douche. But the point of this is that giving discarded clothing (or anything else, for that matter) a second life benefits the environment, your wardrobe and your wallet. A win-win-win.

And before you get any perverted ideas, the underwear I’m wearing is NOT secondhand or purchased from eBay. That would just be weird. But, I did wear some hanky panky undies made from organic cotton. Boom. Saving the planet, one thong at a time.

{dress: T-Bags via ebay}
{shoes: Jessica Simpson via ebay}
{hat: LF}
{sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana via ebay}
{nail polish: chinchilly by essie}
{snake ring: Aldo Accessories }