I like to think of myself as an easy-going kind of gal. I am accepting of all kinds of people. I tolerate all sorts of personality quirks and odd behaviors. But there is one thing I cannot tolerate:
What’s happening here?This looks like a good place to leave my cartThe cart return right there on the other side of where I’m standing is SO far awayNope.
I’m especially intrigued by this last one. I just saw this in the Target parking lot today. Either the person had walked all the way over to the cart return but didn’t finish the job or was so lazy they couldn’t bring themselves to walk around and stick the cart in one of the two lanes.
I see this everywhere in every town at every establishment. Anywhere where there are carts and parking lots. Targets, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Bed and Bath, Costco, Home Goods, to name but a few. And I understand there are some very compelling reasons not to bring your cart back to a cart return spot. Possibly it’s raining. Perhaps you have a child with you or multiple children. Maybe you are very old. I understand the desire – really. But leaving your cart in the middle of a parking lot is not okay. Sticking it between two spaces is not nice. Propping it up on the curb so that half of the cart sticks into a spot is lame. Not walking the extra two steps to put it back into the actual cart return and not just next to the cart return is lazy.
In my world of pet peeves this ranks up there with spitting in public, and coughing into your hand – things I consider to be especially egregious because instead of being a mild annoyance these are things that impact the general public. Someone won’t be able to park because your cart is in the way or your cart will be blown into someone’s car. Someone’s dog or stroller or shoe will step in your phlegm. Someone’s hand will touch the doorknob that your germy hand has touched. These things are not right. These things are bad. Please don’t do them.
Today I asked myself several very important questions:
How can I motivate myself to clean the garage?
Will I ever be able to look at a cookie and not want to eat it?
How can I get in shape without going to the gym and while doing everyday mom things like pumping and cutting cucumbers into the shape of a dog?
Is 8 too many disinfectant sprays to buy at once?
The answers to those questions are not in this post. This post is about Wantable – another subscription service. I just can’t wait for Reviews on Tues. It is my goal to one day have a new subscription box of some variety to open every day of the week. (No I’m only kidding of course. Once a week would be fine.)
Wantable is, to quote them, “an online lifestyle service for busy people on the go. Providing distinctly unique products tailored to your individual tastes, needs, and wants.” There is a $20 styling fee that is applied to the price of an item if you choose to keep one AND if you keep 5 or more (of the 7 they send you) you get a 20% discount. Win! The process is similar to Stitch Fix and Trunk Club in that you fill out your style and size profile and click through a bunch of clothing options indicating items you would not like to see and ones you would like to see in your box. I wish they had an app for android but alas they do not.
I received my box:
And opened it:
I was fairly pleased with the look of this box. Not the box but what was inside the box. Everything had promise. Everything was the kind of thing I might pick up for myself if I were meandering through a store. The trouble of course is touching things and trying them on and seeing what I look like in the mirror. I once read (I can’t remember where) that you should never touch anything in a store because the moment you touch it you are some high percentage more likely to buy it. Well we’ll see.
Eventually I was able ran up to my closet to try everything on:
Elbow V-Neck Dolman by W. by Wantable
I love the dolman top – obviously. I just purchased a very, very similar one from my Stitch Fix box. Since I don’t need another black dolman top this one is getting returned. Plus it was a bit sheer.
1. Printed Pleated Shell Top Black/White Floral by Supply + Demand 2. Heather High Rise Crop in Bilbao Wash by Articles of Society
The floral Supply + Demand shirt had me confused for a little while. I like it. It’s a pretty shirt. I thought it looked fine (you be the judge) but I just thought it didn’t go beyond “meh” for me. I feel like if I’m going to spend any amount of money whatsoever I have to be moved beyond “meh.” I knew that if I were going to dinner I wouldn’t put on this shirt so it has to be returned.
The Articles of Society jeans that I have on in the second two pictures are okay if a bit snug but I just don’t need them. I need boyfriend jeans. I could use boot-cut. But I do not need another pair of jeans this tight around my legs. Returned.
Long Sleeve Slub Scoop Back V-Neck in Avocado by W. by Wantable
The slub W. by Wantable shirt in avocado (I urge you, if you ever see an avocado this color do NOT eat it) – this was clearly not a winner. I’m not the type to let my bra straps hang out and the neck line was just not working for me. Perhaps it was just huge? Because it did not look on me the way it did in the picture. Whatever the reason it was not a nice fit for me. This will be returned.
3/4 Sleeve Surplice Jumpsuit by Lauren Helena
The Jumpsuit – I actually really like this. I got into jumpsuits during my third pregnancy and am always looking for good ones that aren’t maternity (I still break those out sometimes…) and this one almost fit the bill. It just wasn’t perfect. It was a bit plunging but a smaller size would have been too small and I wouldn’t wear a shirt underneath. Sadly, despite the fact that overall I like this a lot, it’s a return.
Ponte Fit & Flare Dress by Q&A
The dress. It’s just a no. It’s just a flat out no. Perhaps I’m the wrong age to wear this style? Or maybe the wrong size or height? I don’t know the answer. I just know it’s a no for me. Even my pretty red shoes couldn’t jazz this up for me. Look, I couldn’t even show my face in this one. Return return return.
High Waist Josefina Boyfriend in AGM by 7 For All Mankind
Last but not least the boyfriend jeans. Finally. Something I like and want to keep! Let’s ignore the dirty mirror and the fact that I clearly took this picture on a different day from all the others. The jeans are what I’ve been looking for – a bit looser than all the ones I currently own and they get slouchier with a wearing or two (and then tighten back up with washing as all jeans do.) I really like them. Keep.
So that’s my Wantable experience. You should try it – It’s worth a shot!
I am in serious trouble. I enjoyed Stitch Fix. I thought it was entertaining to get a box of clothes in the mail. I basically liked the clothes that were sent to me and ended up keeping one shirt. Trunk Club is a whole new ballgame.
Trunk Club is a Nordstrom company so the clothes are all brands you would find at a Nordstrom store. I love Nordstrom. When you sign up to receive a trunk you fill out a profile and take a quiz which informs your stylist as to your likes and dislikes, styles you would wear and would never wear, what you need the clothes for, your sizes, etc. I was able to choose from a few options to indicate that this trunk was for a “wardrobe refresh.” I also sent a message saying specifically that I have many basics and casual clothes and that I was looking for items to fill in – something with color, something trendy, something that I wouldn’t necessarily think to buy, and something I can wear on the town (rather than in the minivan).
A few days after I ordered my trunk I got a message with the items that would be delivered to me. This is different from Stitch Fix which simply mailed out 5 items. I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of getting the message ahead of time – after all – part of the fun of the whole thing is the surprise of opening up the box. After I saw the message I quickly changed my tune. First of all I didn’t realize there would be so many items in the trunk – 11! And I was able to decline more than half which were either not my style or something I just didn’t need. I was specific when I declined each item as to the reason so that my stylist can understand what I’m looking for better. A few days later when I received notification that the trunk had shipped I was able to see what had been included in the end and I was excited – it all looked much better.
So yesterday. The trunk arrived and I was SO excited. I don’t know what’s wrong with me when it comes to this stuff – I’m like a 12 year old at an *NSYNC concert 20 years ago (No idea who the 12 year olds are giddy over these days…) – I ran into the kitchen with my box and my husband was there to capture the moment:
The kids were upstairs having a bath so I had just enough time to open the box before they came down. First you see this:
Then you see this:
I even got as far as doing this:
and then the kids were downstairs screaming about who was the best listener during bath/who gets to choose the show/what’s for dinner/whatever.
I did a fashion show during dinner which I’ll take advantage of now since I’m pretty sure the four of them will burst into flames if I do that kind of thing when they’re older. I had a good time though so there’s that. But I had to wait until this morning to try everything on in front of the mirror. Here’s what I got:
Victor Silk Blouse rag & bone
Rumpled Satin Blouse Vince Camuto
Vanessa Zip Front Bouse rag & bone
Thatch Tank rag & bone
Ruffle Neck Blouse Wallis
Le Color High Waist Skinny Jeans FRAME
Classic Ex-Boyfriend Chambray Shirt Madewell
Paris Rocks Fringe Calfskin Suede Crossbody Bag Longchamp
Cherita Off the Shoulder Top Paige Denim + ‘Bridget 33’ Bootcut Jeans DL1961 + Cling Stretch Bootie Stuart Weitzman
I wish I knew how to behave when taking pictures of myself. Do I smile? How do I position my feet? My legs? My arms? My hair? My eyes? Literally every part of my body I scrutinize before taking the picture and still these are the poses and facial expressions I end up with. I ask you.
Well it’s safe to say I’m screwed. I loved everything in the box. It is all right on target in terms of my style and what I asked for. I could pick any one of these shirts to wear out to dinner, the bootcut jeans would be a great alternative to the skinny jeans I have, the boots are beautiful and fit like a glove. I mean I don’t know when I’ve tried on shoes that went on easier and felt better to wear in recent history. The black jeans with all the rips are not something I would typically try on but I have to admit I loved them. My kids were like – wait a second – your jeans are broken. And I was like – no that’s actually how they are supposed to be. It’s called fashion. They were like – they were MADE that way? But I digress. The bag – I LOVE the bag. In fact that whole outfit I put together with the chambray top, black jeans and bag – I’m a little bit obsessed with it.
But I really studied each item and had to decide whether it was really worth it. These brands – rag & bone, Paige Denim, Stuart Weitzman, Longchamp – I mean this stuff is not cheap. If I bought the whole box I was looking at over $2500! I’m pretty sure I could go back in and alter my profile to receive things at a more reasonable price point (and, by the way, a few of the items were definitely reasonable) but I really wanted to get super nice things. So I said okay, if I’m going to spend $350 on a shirt it better be the nicest shirt I’ve ever worn and also the most practical and flattering. It should tick all the boxes. And I found that with that criteria I was able to knock out a few things right away. I love the rag & bone tops – the long sleeve silk one from the first picture is beautiful but just doesn’t fit right. The Zip Front blouse is so pretty and different but again – it just didn’t feel or look exactly right when I lifted my arms or put up my hair or any number of other actions I do to determine how the sleeves of any given shirt fit.
The Boots are beautiful but completely impractical. I’m not buying black suede boots nearing the end of winter, right before the rainy season, for bust out retail. And that’s the OTHER thing. I love these boxes. I think it’s so much fun to look through it all and try it on. But if I’m going to buy a Madewell shirt, shouldn’t I just go to Madewell and wait for a sale?
The bootcut jeans are cute but too big and too long. The Bag is gorgeous but again – a suede bag? I’m afraid I’ll spill something or mark it up with pen or it’ll rub against my jeans and get discolored.
I forgot to take individual pictures of the ripped up jeans and the off the shoulder top. The jeans I’ve already said I love and the shirt I really liked too. My husband liked that shirt the most so that’s always a no-brainer. Unless I thought something was totally heinous, if he tells me something is his favorite or he absolutely loves something I’m going to get it.
Final verdict:
Victor Silk Blouse – return
Rumpled Satin Blouse – return (loved but too big and too see-through)
Vanessa Zip Front Blouse – return
Thatch Tank – return (not worth the money)
Ruffle Neck Blouse – undecided (inexpensive and a pop of color but not super exciting)
Chambray shirt – probably keep
Le Color High Waist Skinny Jeans – Keep
Bootcut Jeans – return
Off the shoulder top – keep
Cling Stretch Boots – return
Crossbody bag – probably return
All in all I am very pleased with Trunk Club and definitely feel like the stylist “gets me” better that the Stitch Fix stylist. Whereas Stitch Fix was just ever so slightly wrong in some nameless way everything in this trunk right to a T. The question is – should I continue to do it? Or should I just walk into Nordstrom and go shopping every few months?
What do you think? Am I making the right decision? (It’s not too late – I have another 3 days to decide!)
There are many types of mother. I am of the suburban, stay-at-home variety and I can only speak for myself but some days I just need to escape. Of course an extended getaway would be impossible and so I have to find little ways to get a little alone time. Here is a list of some of the places I’ve gone to have some me time:
Target
Mall
Coffee shop
Bathroom (not always foolproof as any place within the four walls of the house is fair game to a child)
Supermarket
Those are my go-tos. Sadly, those places are dangerous places to be as every person with a wallet knows. Even the bathroom because, let’s be honest, if i’m escaping into the bathroom for solitude I’m doing it with my phone and if I have my phone I’m either on Facebook or Amazon. Honestly, anywhere that sells things especially home things is a place I should not be left unattended. A few weeks ago I went into HomeGoods to buy a birthday present and walked out with $100 in wrapping paper. Every Target experience is the same – go in with a small list (toothpaste, diapers, gallon sized ziploc bags) come out with something from literally every department because there’s never a wrong time to redecorate the powder room or stock up on crayons. At least when I go to Target I can feel good about myself for using the Cartwheel app and my red card. At least I know I’m getting a deal. These days I can even feel good about myself at the mall because I earn rewards dollars at certain stores by shopping with my American Express. (You earn the kind of dollars that only work when you spend even more dollars, but I’m willing to take any dollars someone is willing to give me for doing something I’d be doing anyway.)
Today I didn’t go to the mall and I didn’t go to Target (Well I did go to Target but mainly for a return and diapers. And boogie wipes, sippy cups, a diaper genie, wipes, puffs, and baby prunes.) Today I decided to go to the little strip mall on Rt 10 with – brace yourselves – a Container Store, Shake Shack and drive-thru Starbucks. Can you even?
I had two things on my list at the container store – a couple of stuffer things for my bags so they keep their shape and a few (3?) containers for the pantry to hold cereal or nuts or whatever.
And then I saw this display:
And so it came to pass that I walked up to the register with 11 containers for the pantry, 5 stuffer things, a bright pink plastic tote that I thought could be useful for holding files in my command center, a garment bag and two deluxe wedding dress garment bags. It’s a sickness. I literally cannot stop myself when I walk down the aisles of these places. I was looking at the elfa closet systems despite not needing a closet system, a drawing table for the kids despite having 3 perfectly functional kid-sized tables downstairs, and pet food dispensers despite not having a pet. Everything is so attractively packaged and I’m just a sucker for good marketing. Yes, I buy books based on the cover, wine based on the label and just about anything with twine, burlap and a rustic font.
In the end, the wedding dress bags were a bit of a to-do because the system wouldn’t let the lady ring them up without entering a wedding registry code. She had to call over a manager (who couldn’t help) and finally called the resource center. 15 minutes later I decided against spending $60 each (despite the fact that the dresses cost way more and it’s probably worth it to keep them in good condition…ah well, it’s always good to have a reason to go back…)
I had timed it all perfectly because I still had time to eat lunch before making my return at Target (factoring in the extra 30 minutes just for perusing the aisles ha ha) and picking up the boys. So I walked outside and actually, I’m ashamed to admit this but feel I must, drove my car over to the other side of the very small parking lot to this glorious structure:
I love this place. There’s nothing to make a suburban stay-at-home mom feel like she’s still in her NYC glory days than a visit to Shake Shack. Well anyway there’s nothing to make THIS suburban stay-at-home mom feel like she’s still in her NYC glory days because I spent my NYC glory days eating burgers and fries from Shake Shack. Anyway, this was my first time to this NJ location and I almost couldn’t contain my excitement when I walked in. Grinning at the girl behind the counter I ordered a burger, fries, and why-the-hell-not-might-as-well-live-it-up a salted caramel milkshake. (I go by the well-known rule that as long as you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you can eat literally all the food and you’re good.)
So I did.
And there you have it, folks. That’s how I escaped today. I had a lovely time buying things I wasn’t expecting and eating an entire meal without standing up to get someone seconds/milk/water/a napkin/that toy/fruit/dessert/more pasta or bending down to pick up some item the baby has thrown from his highchair.
Then you see this:
I even got as far as doing this:
and then the kids were downstairs screaming about who was the best listener during bath/who gets to choose the show/what’s for dinner/whatever.
Mama Mader at Home 