A Caleigh Bird Portrait + Giveaway

After coming up for air from the Black Friday deals, the Small Shop Saturday spending, and the food and shopping hangover Sunday, I felt today was the perfect time to share something that will hold a lot more sentiment for a lot longer than the hottest deals running this week. (Though, if you stick around till the end, I do have a pretty solid Cyber Monday deal...) 

A few weeks ago I had the good fortune to work with Caleigh Bird Art for a custom pencil drawn portrait of Marcus and Julia. While I have stacks of books filled with photos of kids, a few canvas prints, and a handful of actual photos, a hand-drawn portrait is something that wasn't in our collection. I wasn't sure what to expect of a pencil drawn portrait. I mean, I can draw a good stick figure with the best of them. But, anyone willing to add  detail, dimension, depth... I'm all about that.

Caleigh was so sweet and held my hand through the process. She browsed my Instagram photos and noticed that most of my pictures of the kids are full body, and usually from a distance. She recommended doing a little searching through my photos for a closer shot of the kids. After digging, and sending a handful of photos over to Caleigh, this was ultimately the photo from which she worked:

Less than a week after sending my photo over Caleigh emailed and said to be on the lookout for my portrait. Before I knew it, I was anxiously opening a package I knew held my very first custom portrait. When I pulled the portrait out I audibly gasped.

Everything I had hoped the portrait would be, it was. And more. The details of Marcus' eyelashes, the wisps of Julia's hair, the tenderness of one very fleeting moment, it was all there. It was real, and raw, and gave me goosebumps.

After doing a little reading up on Caleigh I quickly learned why I was blown away by her work: a Bachelors Degree in Studio Art from the College of Charleston; a Masters in Studio Arts at USC in Columbia, SC; time spent studying painting at the Istituto Michelangelo in Florence, Italy, and Studio Escalier in Argenton-Chateau, France. Caleigh is the real deal, and her work speaks volumes to her training.

I fell in love with her work so much that I almost immediately placed my portrait in a frame, and promptly commissioned her to do a few more pieces for me. Those should be arriving in the mail any day. And knowing what I know now, I cannot wait to see the finished products.

Do yourself a favor today. Pull out your favorite portrait, head on over to Caleigh's Custom Fine Art Portraits, send that favorite photo to Caleigh, and see what magic she can do. I promise you'll get goosebumps, too.

Back to the Cyber Monday deal I mentioned earlier...
TODAY ONLY: Caleigh is offering 20% off your total purchase until 12 Midnight (Hawaiian time). 
Use code: TGIVE17 at checkout
Be sure to get your orders in by December 12th so Caleigh can ensure the portraits get to you in time for the holidays!

AND! Because Caleigh is the best, she is giving one lucky winner a free 9x13 custom portrait of 1-2 people. To enter, be sure to head over to Instagram to enter! 

$1,250 Stitch Fix Giveaway

Let's not beat around the bush. The post title does not have any typos. 

There is a $1,250 Stitch Fix Giveaway happening RIGHT NOW! 

If you want to skip to the bottom of this post, there won't be any feelings hurt on this end. The giveaway link is at the bottom.

But. If you want to stick around for a minute, I really wanted to share some of my favorite Stitch Fix pieces that I've purchased over the last two-ish years or so, along with one item I'm seriously kicking myself for sending back.

Let's take a peek into my Stitch Fix closet, shall we...

41Hawthorn Dawney Scallop Trim Blouse

Market & Spruce Elissa French Terry Moto Jacket

Rowson Colorblock Striped Sweater

Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean

Gilli Sebastian Maxi Dress

Loveappella Jesse Knit Maxi Dress

Gilli Arisha Striped Dress

Kut From the Kloth Dario One Pocket Top

Market & Spruce Jahana Cargo Vest

Kut From the Kloth Dayna Skinny Jean

Seychelles Laser Cut Bootie

Kut From The Kloth Laurinda Lace Detail Knit Dress

Regretting the return of this one, BIG time.

Cozy Casual Jemmie Textured Open Cardigan
Pistola Tory Distressed Ankle Zip Skinny Jean

Renee C Reyna Knit Maxi Dress

Skies Are Blue Kelsie Eyelet Halter Top
Kut From the Kloth Lonnie Distressed Cuffed Denim Boyfriend Short
Franco Sarto Grip Thong Sandal 

Free Heart Shamira Dress

41Hawthorn Cristen Shirt Dress

If you took a look into my Stitch Fix closet I'd love to know in the comments section which piece(s) were your favorite. Feel free to pin these to your inspiration boards to let your stylist know what you're loving!

If you aren't a Stitch Fixer (is that what you call it?), have I convinced you to check it out?! Be sure to create a style profile (it's totally free). I'd love you forever if you used my link (I do receive a small Stitch Fix credit if you do so).

And, don't forget to enter the giveaway! $1,250 is going to go a long way in one lucky winner's closet!!

SPONSORED BY Stitch Fix | Macke Monologues | Chasin' Mason | Life in Pearls and Sports Bras | Emily Enchanted | The Box Queen | Still Being Molly | Crazy Together | Kim's Cravings | What's Working Here | Every Little Thing She Does is Meh | Take Time for Style | Kiddo and Soul | Sweet Purple Tulips | Jessi Living Lovely | The Mom Creative | Mom Spark | Hispana Global | Passion for Savings | The Shirley Journey | Pink Rose Mama | Sweet Pea

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For Scott {A Thoughtful Father's Day Gift ft. JORD}

With Father's Day fast approaching I found it only fitting to take a moment here to gush a bit about Scott. He deserves it more than anyone I know. It's not often enough I focus on the workhorse, the constant, the humble, steadfast center of our family.

Scott is honest, loyal to a fault, the best friend a person could ever hope for, spiritually strong, the best motivator and encourager, and so tender-hearted. Above all else, he is deeply family focused and genuinely the best dad I know. Marcus and Julia haven't a clue just how incredibly blessed they are to have such a phenomenal, strong male-figure in their lives.

When Scott comes home from work the kids light up. Scott could be gone a few minutes, or all day, it doesn't matter. The kids are thrilled when Daddy is home. And, once he's home it's full attention on the kiddos.

To Julia, Scott has hung the moon and stars. He adores that little girl unlike any other, and can make her smile and giggle unlike anyone else. I am so thankful Julia will have the best example of a good, honest, respectful man.

The way Marcus adores his dad and wants to be just like him melts me into a puddle of mush.

If Marcus is half the man Scott is (and I have no doubt Marcus will be) the world will be all the better for it. 

Scott loves those babies something fierce, and that love is easily the most appealing of all his tremendous traits.

So, for Father's Day what do I get a man who asks for little, says he needs nothing, yet deserves the riches of a king?

I didn't want some gift that would inevitably sit on a shelf and collect dust. I couldn't even fathom getting him a tie (he doesn't wear those). I've exhausted all monthly club memberships, beer glasses, and other things deemed appropriate for dads.

I wanted something thoughtful, something lasting, something classic...

Then there was JORD.
When I saw the collection of timeless, beautiful, yet not over-the-top men's watches, I knew I'd found the perfect gift.

One day when important, valuable, sentimental items are passed to Marcus, I hope this unique JORD watch is included. I hope this watch will spark memories, bring smiles, and be treasured.

To Scott: though the past few months have been pretty crazy, and we've only seen each other in passing, know that we appreciate every. single. thing. you do for our family. A simple "thank you" just isn't adequate. We wish we could give you the world. But, we're pretty fond of this gorgeous JORD time-piece, and we hope you love it.

We cannot wait to celebrate Father's Day with you. We love you so very much.

• 
  

Fieldcrest Zebrawood and Maple Watch

The JORD watches are fantastic quality gifts, and we want to give one lucky person $100 to JORD for his or her own luxury wooden watch. Please be sure to enter the easy giveaway below.

Click this link to enter!

Luxury Wooden Watch

Fix #14 + $150 SF Giveaway

It feels like ages since my last fix!

This go around I asked stylist Raquel for summer inspired pieces. I'd been pinning rompers, jean shorts, some tanks, and I specifically requested one particular maxi dress that I've been swooning over forever.

As usual, Raquel did an outstanding job paying close attention to my request and clearly sifted through my style board.

Before we get to the threads... Some pretty amazing ladies and myself are hosting a $150 Stitch Fix Mother's Day Giveaway! Entry options are available at the end of the post.

Onward to the fix!

Skies Are Blue || Rhema Romper

$64.00

I decided I'd go out on a whim and try the romper thing again. You can never go wrong with  black, so I fully appreciated the color. As with the last romper I tried, the length of the shorts portion left me so self conscious. It seems so... short. And, lets talk about the number of buttons there were just get the front opened. SO. MANY. I got so frustrated trying to button the thing back up once it was on that I may or may not have left like, six, still unbuttoned for this photo. I shudder to think what a chore it would be to get out of this thing when the need to pee strikes. The length and the buttons were deal breakers.

Verdict || Returned

FATE || Ruby Maxi Dress

$78.00

This dress was so silky and flowy, and exactly what I dreamed it would be. I love the ultra feminine floral detail. And, there are some subtle butterflies flittering around in the print as well. The slits give the dress a sexy feel that most of my dresses don't offer. My closet if void of the halter style so I appreciated that as well. I can see myself reaching for this piece for a summer date night. I can't sing enough praises about this one. I simply love it.

Verdict || Kept

Papermoon || Mula Knit Tank

$38.00

Level 99 || Josh Denim Short

$68.00

Full disclosure. I abhor my legs, and always have. So, shorts are something I don't love reaching for. Though, during the most hellacious summer days they're practical and necessary. I was really hoping I'd like these, as they fit really well. However, I wasn't sold on the large front pockets. The price didn't do the pair any favors either. For something I don't particularly love to begin with, the price needs to be a tad lower. As for the tank top... it's cute, something that looks very much "me." But, for $38.00 I feel I could find something similar for less. 

Verdict - Level 99 Josh Denim Shorts || Returned

Verdict - Papermoon Mula Knit Tank || Returned 

Spade & Heart || Clariss Embroidered Keyhold Knit Halter

$54.00

This is a tank top I wouldn't normally go to in a store. On the hanger it didn't really wow me, and the print didn't impress me much. However, on, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually liked this piece. The tank was super comfortable, the key hole was a cute detail, and the embroidered print was actually a nice touch. That said, for $54.00 I couldn't see myself reaching for this near enough to want to keep it. 

Verdict || Returned

A 1/5, though I'm not at all disappointed. For me, that dress is a unicorn piece, I could not be any more thrilled to have it in my closet. How did I do? Did I keep the right piece? Was there something I should have hung on to?

Let's get to the $150 Mother's Day, shall we?

Don't forget to check out these great ladies to see their latest fixes!

Whitney || Work It Mommy

Liz || Chasin' Mason

Sarah || Seeing All Sides

Courtney || A+ Life

Kristin || Taz and Belly

Emily || Emily Enchanted

Jessi || Jessi Living Lovely

Lacey || Perks of Being a JAP

Jess || Being Mrs. Beer

Kerry || XO Kerry

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Fix #12 + $150 SF Giveaway

Since my last fix didn't knock my socks off I figured I might as well go ahead and immediately sign up for another one. My winter wardrobe is still pretty sparse and could use a little beefing up.

Per the usual I requested Raquel, and was so fortunate to again have her as my stylist. I asked Raquel for more of the same from fix #11: warm, cozy, cable knit, along with something fun for Valentine's Day, and maybe a pair of black booties.

Raquel was able to track down all I requested, save for the booties. Fingers crossed those will be in a future fix.

Before getting to the threads, be sure to stick around... I've teamed up with Liz from Chasin' Mason, Carly from Lipgloss and Crayons, Sara from Running from the Law, Whitney from Work it Mommy, and Courtney from A+ Life,  for a $150 Valentine's Day Stitch Fix Giveaway at the end of today's fashion show. Be sure to get entered!

Ok. On to the threads.

RD Style || Paulli Cowl Neck Knit Top

The color of this sweater was perfect. The texture and thickness (which wasn't too thick at all, perfect for Southern California) was spot on. The cowl neck was a nice touch that I was fond of. But, the slits, on both sides of the top, that reached more than half way up the top were more than enough for me to immediately send back.

Verdict || Returned

RD Style || Brandon Side Slit Pullover

Again, loved the color and loved how insanely soft this sweater was. It was a tad thicker than what might be warranted for our winters, but I knew it would have made for a great piece during a weekend in the mountains. But, those dang slits again, on both sides. Nope. The point of a sweater is to keep me warm, not to allow a solid draft to my torso from both sides. Back it went.

Verdict || Returned

Emily Rose || Barb Button Back Pullover

Sooooo... I wore this piece entirely wrong. Apparently the buttons go in the back. WHOOPS. However, that said. Green isn't a color I ever gravitate towards, and the back (which is actually the front) was so short. Even had I been wearing it correctly I wouldn't have been comfortable with how short it was. And, it wasn't my idea of soft and cozy.

Verdict || Returned

Cozy Casual || Jemmie Textured Open Cardigan

Cardigan wearing dreams are made right here with this piece! The length is perfection, the color is a neutral that will surely pair with every single thing in my closet (leggings included!), and the texture gives it character. Oh. And, it's SO SOFT. I know it's pretty close to the cardigan I kept in my last fix, but I simply could not send this piece back.

Verdict || Kept

Current Air || Caspoli Cold Shoulder Blouse

Real talk. When I first pulled this piece out of the box I turned up my nose. This was the piece that was supposed to be my mink-sy Valentine top. Initially, the print didn't wow me and I thought surely there was no way I'd wear this piece in February - 60 degrees is entirely too cold for all that business (my college self is rolling her eyes so hard right now). Then I put it on. The neck line plunges, the pattern isn't overwhelming and gaudy, and I'm a serious sucker for the cold shoulder. Let's not forget to mention Scott noted how much he liked it. I then dropped him a million hints about a Valentine's Date Night. Please note, I don't care if the date actually happens ON Valentine's Day, I'd be more than happy for a date night any time.
It didn't take too much wear to convince me that I couldn't send this piece back. Plus, I fully expect to reach for this in the summer months.

Verdict || Kept

And there it is. Did I keep the right pieces?

If you haven't signed up for Stitch Fix give it a shot, sign up here.

Now. Don't forget to enter the $150 Valentine's Day Stitch Fix Giveaway! Entering is easy peasy, just use the Rafflecopter prompts below!
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Fix #10 + $1000 SF Giveaway

Fix #10 could not have happened at a more opportune time. Not only did I ask for pieces to get me through the holiday season, this fix also happens to have a $1,000 Stitch Fix Giveaway to go along with it!

For this fix I requested (and got) Raquel! Instead of asking for certain types of pieces (tops, bottoms, etc.), I asked for a color scheme; all black and white (or cream) pieces were on the agenda.  

If you're in the market for an amazing stylist I cannot sing enough praises about Raquel. Seriously. She puts so much thought into each fix, takes the time to read my blog, and pays close attention to my Pinterest board. 

My fix arrived three days early (holler!!!), and I couldn't wait to tear into it.

The holiday tissue and gold foil sticker were a fun holiday touch and made the anticipation of what was inside that much greater. 

Let's get to the goodies!

Market & Spruce || Clove Twist-Back Striped Cardigan 

Pistola || Tory Distressed Ankle Zip Skinny Jean

I paired most of this fix with my Seychelles || Laser Cut Botties, which I received in my last fix.

At first glance I really liked the look of the cardigan. In my book, black and white stripes are right up there with navy and white stripes. While I appreciated how lightweight the cardigan was, the fabric reminded me of a leotard. The twist in the back was cute enough, but I just didn't love this piece.

Let's talk about these Pistola jeans for a hot minute. I've been dying for a pair of good distressed jeans for some time. When I pulled these out of the box I was a little leery. The zip at the ankle isn't something I've ever worn, so it was slightly out of my comfort zone. BUT! The second I pulled these on I didn't want to take them off. The jeans are a bit sturdier than most of my skinny jeans, which I love. The bottom of the jeans hit above the ankle, which makes for perfectly pairing with booties. The zip at the ankle makes for the greatest bit of detail my other jeans don't have. The distressing was exactly what I've been dreaming about. These jeans have easily become my favorite pair, and have been in constant rotation since I got them. Once again, when it comes to jeans it's Stitch Fix for the win!

The verdict:

Clove Twist-Back Striped Cardigan : RETURNED

Tory Distressed Ankle Zip Skinny Jean : KEPT

Skies are Blue || Brecken Mixed Material Top

Immediately when I pulled this out of the box I knew it was going back. This shirt fit well, but the detail on the neck instantly turned me off, and the stripe across the top of the chest wasn't winning me over either. I really liked the tab sleeves, and the mixed material on the back (I totally forgot to take a picture of the back, but it was all black) was cute. The pattern of the shirt itself was nice, but all the other details missed the mark for me.

Verdict : RETURNED

Kut From The Kloth | Laurinda Lace Detail Knit Dress

I'm on the hunt for the perfect LBD, and I was hoping that this one would be it. At first glance I really, really liked it, and I think it photographed quite well. However, when I put it on the waist hit me kind of wonky. I have a really long torso, and from the side this dress made it seem like I had a pooch where I don't want or need one. I came back to this dress a few different times hoping maybe things would change, but alas, that pseudo pooch would not go away. Looking at this pic though, I'm starting to have return remorse (is that a real thing?).

Verdict : RETURNED

Daniel Rainn || Shanon Mesh Detail V-Neck Top

When I pulled this top out of the box I was totally underwhelmed. It seemed like just another black top. But then I put it on. The tab sleeves (I didn't realize I was such a sucker for those), the mesh detail, the fit, it was all just perfect. I feel I could really dress this top up, or down like I did with the distressed jeans and booties.

Verdict : KEPT!

If you're keeping track this fix was a 2/5, but had serious potential to be a 3/5. Either way, I'd consider this one a success and I can't wait to see what Raquel has in store for me for the next round.

Currently my Christmas wish list looks something like this (Scott, if you're reading, this is where you take notes):
Stitch Fix Gift Card
Stitch Fix Gift Card
Stitch Fix Gift Card
So, hopefully the next round will have a gift card, or two, to use at check out.

And while my holiday shopping list is near complete there are still a couple of hard-to-shop-for people whom I know a Stitch Fix Gift Card will be perfect.

If you haven't tried Stitch Fix, or know of someone who has yet to jump on the SF wagon, the holidays are the perfect time to gift or receive gift cards to try it out!

Now, don't forget to enter the $1,000 Stitch Fix Giveaway (use the Rafflecopter below), and drop me a line in the comments letting me know if you think I kept the right pieces!

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