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Its Friday! Hurray!

This week was super busy for me, so I am really looking forward to some r & r this weekend! How about you? Well grab your coffee, and lets chat a bit! It’s “Fashion Friday”, and I wanted to share a little treasure that came across my radar. There are a number of companies I’ve discovered recently that provide a personal shopping service that you can connect with online and have trendy clothing delivered right to your door! I now have tried three different companies that provide such services, and today I want to share with you about the box I received this week! Its called “Stitch Fix”, and I now have received 3 shipments from them. I thought I would share with you what I experienced in case you might be curious and want to try it for yourself.

So first you contact “Stitch Fix” (stitchfix.com) and they have you complete a survey about your preferences, your budget, styles and colors you like as well as dislike. They charge a $20 styling fee, which can be used toward your order. They really try and get a feel for what you like, they even offer a way you can set up a Pinterest Board so they can see the types of things you like. Then they send you a box with 5 items selected by a stylist for you to try at home.  Also, if you choose to purchase all 5 items, you receive a 25% discount on your entire order.

This is what my box looked like when I opened it up this week. Can I just tell you my heart started pounding with that “Oooh! A present for me?” type of feeling. Honestly, I feel like a little kid when the box shows up at the door!

Inside are the nicely wrapped items, a note from my stylist with ideas for outfits, prices, and instructions, (my stylist is a lovely lady named “Staci”), and  they include a prepaid return mailing envelope/bag. From the time I receive it, I have 3 business days to put the items I want to return in the mail. Its very easy.

And so I opened the package, and oh my oh my I just loved that red and white stripe shirt!

Displayed here (in my bathroom- sorry!)  are the 5 items that came in my box. A red and white stripe long sleeve tee, a turquoise sleeveless blouse, a pretty gold statement necklace, a pair of distressed jeans, and a dark green knit top with a strappy neckline. Well, I tried everything on, and the jeans were a little too tight (more Zumba!). The dark green top was a cute fit, but not a great color on me. But I loved everything else!

However, I try to limit myself to choosing 1 item, and only if I absolutely love it! Well, I knew I had other necklaces that were similar, so I put it back in its pretty box to break the spell of temptation. The stripe top or the turquoise? I love red, and I love turquoise! Now the red top was almost $20 cheaper than the turquoise one… and I really loved those happy stripes! So guess which one I picked?

I had been wanting something bright to put with my denim vest I had gotten last spring. And just for fun, I thought I would try it with this super dazzling statement necklace! I just love wearing happy clothes! I know, I look a little like “Where’s Waldo”, I just need one of those hats with the pom pom on it!

I will let you know how it washes up, but its one of those super soft, comfy tops, and it cheers me up just looking at it! Yay! And then when I’m sitting next to my BFF glamour doggy Kasey, well it doesn’t get much better than that!

Honestly though, the real treat in these types of services is having someone select things for you to try. They are not outrageously expensive, though you could probably find things comparable or on sale for less. But its really a treat to get that package and wonder “ooh what could it be this time?”

I will also tell you, they are available in pretty much all sizes, including petites, plus sizes, maternity, and now they are also offering a mens line. They also will occasionally put in a pair of shoes to try or a purse or coat or jewelry. So you never quite know what you are going to get! Its a really fun way to try some new things!

As I said, I have a few other companies I have also tried that provide personal shopping services, and I love them all. I will share on these other companies the next time I receive a shipment from them.

Finally, I wanted to share something that has been on my heart for awhile now. This picture above shows me with a few of the truly beautiful women from my family. My sister Susan is next to me, then my sister in law Shannon, my sister Stacey, and my Mom.  This was snapped at my nephew’s wedding this past December. All of these women have experienced the joys and the heartache that life delivers. You may or may not realize I have been on a journey to intentionally “choose joy” for about 2 years now. It seems the messages we get in our ears today can be so negative and I found myself almost suffocating from it, when I decided I had to “choose joy”. Writing this blog is one fantastic way I can choose joy, and I hope it may help someone else to do the same.

But perhaps one of the simplest yet most lovely blessings for me has been to take the time to stop and notice how truly beautiful people are, all people. I delight in looking around and seeing a mom pushing a grocery cart with 3 kids, and seeing the beauty in the face of a woman who adores her children. I love sitting in Fantastic Sam’s and hearing the buzz of happy chatter as men and women, young and old are getting spruced up and feeling light hearted as they take a moment to primp up a bit. I love seeing young people choose a special baseball cap or jersey to wear to “represent”,  it shares a little about what they like! Even in graffiti, I see the spirit and heart of the young person compelled to convey a message. I love seeing the older couple leisurely walking around the neighborhood with their doggy just enjoying the fresh air. Or the runners out there, running in all kinds of weather, and all ages and stages! Or at church, people who come in all kinds of clothes from sweats to a 3 piece suit… but they come in search of hope and encouragement, and in their faces, in all of their faces whether they are 3 years old, or 93 years old, I see beauty. Even in the faces of those experiencing pain, whether emotional or physical, there is still incredible beauty in those eyes.

And I see beauty in you. Even now I am smiling thinking of you, my friend, and how precious you are. You are a masterpiece! And I am saying a prayer that you will believe it, and a smile may come to your lovely face at the thought of what a living, breathing miracle you truly are!

Have a great day!

Love Always,

Amy

“You’re a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds, and you’re covered with the fingerprints of God”

~Steven Curtis Chapman