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January 16, 2014

My First Fix! Stitch Fix #1 Review!

Back in my pre-babies days I lived in beautifully tailored suits. I would always make sure my blouses would carry over to weekend wear! I shopped non-stop and had quite the wardrobe.

When I had Kate I learned all about the "mom-iform" and quickly adapted it during my 7 month maternity leave. But come March 2011, I was back in the suit game and felt so confident about myself! A working mom wearing amazing suits and 5 inch heels to work all while keeping a tiny human alive! I was in for a rude awakening the first time said tiny human puked all over my beloved navy suit.

By the time baby #2 came around I'd already lived in the hospital for months and hung my suits up for good. Thus ending my shopping days. Yes I'd pick up a few things here or a tee at Target but my style? It disappeared.

Now that Will is on the road to recovery I feel like I deserve a bit of me time. When Kate was going through treatment my stress resulted in insane weight loss. However, with Will, it resulted in a significant weight gain. I am so uncomfortable in my skin. About 2 months ago I started regularly working out again and am finally starting to feel a bit more confident. I've got a long way to go, and many pounds left to shed, but I felt good enough to do something for me!

I've been reading about Stitch Fix for a while and always thought it was such a wonderful concept! I told myself I would schedule my first fix if I managed to stick to my workout routine for a solid 2 months. Well, I've achieved that goal and my first fix arrived yesterday!

For those of you wondering what the hell I am talking about...let me explain! Stitch Fix is an online personally styling service for women! You fill out an extensive style survey, input your size. measurements, and price points, and a stylist sends you a fun box of five clothing/ accessory goodies! There is a $20 styling fee assessed but it is applied to anything purchases you make from your box! If you chose not to keep anything, you simply mail all of your items back with a prepaid return label, and are only assessed the $20 styling fee. But, if you keep everything, not only is the $20 styling fee credited to your purchases, you also get a 25% discount on all 5 items! Stitch Fix only charges once you "check out" and you have three days to try on your clothes and make a decision!

When you first open your box, you'll notice the easy to understand instructions on the box flap! Also included is a lovely styling guide for every piece you've been sent!  I was so thankful for my personalized note from my stylist as the pictures for each item!


Maddy Point Fit & Flare Dress $78
Confession. As soon as my fix shipped, I googled all of the items included in my box. I knew I would love this dress. And boy did I love it. Not only is it a great fit for my shape, but it is maroon. And the good Lord knows any Southern girl will jump through fire to find a great game day dress. And this precious maroon dress is not only perfect for date night but would look spectacular while tailgating and cheering my Mississippi State Bulldogs on! Also those pleats? Amazing!

Verdict: 100% keep

Ivy Tulip Print Tab Sleeve Blouse $68
When I saw the google images of this blouse I was so excited, and secretly hoping I wouldn't get it in navy or any other dark color. However, I got it in navy with taupe tulips. I love the fit and style of this shirt but I am really struggling with what I would wear it with. I tend to always wear super dark colors on bottom because I am self conscious of my hips. This top is basically the same color as all of my skinny jeans and I just don't know if it looks ok.

Side note: How awkward are my pictures? Lol!

Verdict: Undecided. If the price was a bit lower I would for sure keep it. But at nearly $70 I am very torn. Let me know your thoughts!

Addison Striped Knit Cardigan $48
This was like the dress and I knew I would be keeping this item before I even put it on my body. It is perfect for Houston. Very light weight but still cozy! I paired this with skinny jeans and a tank as well as with leggings, tank, and skinny belt. I know not everyone is team leggings as pant but this girl is. I am a HUGE leggings as pants fan and this cardi is perfect for just that! I'm sure I will wear this like once a week because I am that obsessed!

Verdict: KEEP, KEEP, KEEP!


Evann Solids Maxi Skirt $58
I really wanted to like this. And if I loved everything else in my box, I would have kept it fore the sole purpose of getting that 25% discount. But I just couldn't justify the price for a skirt that accentuated the area I am most self conscious about. My hips look gigantic in this skirt. I styled it two different ways and wasn't really feeling either.

Verdict: Returned!

Rogers Asymmetrical Zipper Jacket $78
I was so excited about this jacket! I thought it would be a perfect, stylish solution to the few chilly days we have here in Houston. But, it was a disaster. It felt very binding and kept riding up. Let's not discuss how it hits me in every single wrong spot possible. It's just awful on me.

Oh and let's ignore the fact that I did not do my hair for these pictures.

Verdict: Returned. Straight back to Stitch Fix it goes!

So there you have it - my first fix! I am for sure keeping two things but y'all help me decide on the tulip blouse please!! I have also already scheduled my second fix and cannot wait for it to get here!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post; I have paid for my fix on my own and have not been given any type of compensation for this review. I do however receive a small referral credit if you follow my links. However, if you are not comfortable using my referral links, but still want to try Stitch Fix, just google their site and start the process!

January 14, 2014

2013 Fall Family Pictures



Way back in November we had a family photo session with the lovely KariBeth of KBG Photography! I started reading KariBeth's blogs years ago. She is a fellow Houston momma and we share a love for all things smocked as well as matching siblings in precious Southern clothes!

I was so excited for our session with KariBeth because I knew she would understand how hectic pictures with two kids can be! Kate was a mess because she wanted all of the pictures to be just her. Will was outside, mask free for the first time since his transplant and just wanted to run. I have no clue how she managed to get as many beautiful shots as she did! I guess she just has that mom magic!

I had every intention of using these pictures for Christmas cards. I even designed a beautiful card. But, life got in the way and they never even got printed - much less mailed out! This is the first year since Alex and I have been married that I didn't send cards out. I thought I would have been upset or stressed but I wasn't. At all. I had a very "oh well, we're busy and I can't add one more thing to my list" attitude which goes against my type A personality! Proof that maybe I am making some progress with my need to feel in control at all times.

Look at Will cheesin! And my goodness Alex and Will are such twins! I love the pictures of Al and his babies - and they are already framed and in his office! I also love seeing pictures of myself with the kids since I am normally behind the camera. We ended up not getting a picture of just me a Kate but I do love the one of me and Will!

Proof that my kids do love each other (at times)!

Sweet bubba! What a year 2013 was for him! These pictures perfectly capture his new life! Full of energy and wants to run everywhere! And my goodness his hair has grown so much in two months! He is actually about to have a haircut because his hair has come back in so well already!

And little Miss drama queen. That pout? I can't even handle it. When I received my on-line gallery and started picking my images, I knew, without a doubt, I had to have that picture. She was crying because Mrs. KariBeth wouldn't only take pictures of just Kate! But thankfully she gave us some beautiful smiles too!

We let the kids run free long enough to capture a picture of just me and Alex! I can't believe we've been together over TEN years! My goodness the time has flown by!


The best part about our session was the wonderful family picture we got! I'm talking 5-6 amazing family shots! That's never happened before!

Also please note that Will has on two different socks! I was rushing around the morning of our pictures and was so proud I picked out two socks with navy toes/ heels from the clean (unfolded) laundry basket! Then I got our proofs back and noticed that while they both had the same color heels/ toes, they were in fact different socks! KariBeth said she could photoshop the navy band out but I wanted it to stay! I know I will always look back on this picture and remember the heavenly chaos that came with having an 18 month old and a 3 year old in the house!

I can't wait to see these beautiful pictures framed in out new house...when we finally have a new house! Lol!

(I was not compensated for this post at all - I just really loved KBG Photography's work and adore all of the pictures from our session!)


January 13, 2014

Trust me, it will all be ok.

We've had quite the emotional few weeks over at the Boggan house and I think I've been more weepy these last few weeks/ days than I was with either of my pregnancies (and NO I am NOT pregnant - nor will I ever be pregnant again).

I mentioned in my last post that we are in the process of making a big move to the good ole burbs! Alex and I have worked so hard over the last month to get our current home ready. While our house is in great shape, there are always little things that need to be done, and that take a lot of time! Things like staining our decks, power washing our driveway/ walkway to the house, moving non-essential items to storage, having a contractor come in to do some minor window repair, etc. But, as of today, I can say everything is done, the house is spotless, and we are ready to list tomorrow!

This house has been an amazing blessing to our family for so many reason. Most importantly it's allowed us to be 5 miles from Texas Children's during both Kate and Will's treatments and recoveries. That alone is worth its weight it gold. It has also been a unexpected investment. We bought into this market before it took off and we are selling during a time where homes are going under contract in a matter of days, above asking! We know what a blessing this truly is. But it also presents the hardship of selling our home but not really having anywhere to go.

Alex and I looked at 20+ houses last week and we thought we found THE house. Friday night I was so confused, torn between two homes, not knowing what we should do. My bestie reminded me to never make a decision alone. To actually give it over to the Lord, not just think I was giving it over to Him. (That bestie of mine is a smart one - I am so blessed!) I spent a lot of time in prayer Friday evening and by Saturday morning I knew with confidence which house we needed to make an offer on. After struggling and questioning, I heard the much needed "Trust me, it will all be ok." from the Lord. I needed that guidance and I felt so sure. Alex felt the same way.

(Ok I'm getting all teary just writing this out...deep breath...push through.)

We put in a very aggressive offer on a home Saturday afternoon. It was perfect - on a big lot like Alex wanted and had an out in the country feel yet was zoned to the top rated Woodlands schools. It had an amazing play room/ game room on the first floor (which is hard to come by here - most are over the garage) right off the kitchen! It felt right when we walked in the front door. I saw Christmas morning there. I saw post Friday night football game get togethers in the game room or media room. I saw our future.

Unfortunately we found out last night that there were 3 other offers on the table and the sellers went with someone else. Logically I get that the more cash you put down and the higher your offer, the better you look on paper. I get that. And Alex and I will be making similar decisions very soon regarding our current home. So hearing that the sellers went with the offer that was basically a full cash purchase makes sense on paper.

But it sucks emotionally. I was so attached. And I am so sad. It felt like God was slamming a door in my face and yelling "NO!" at me. And last night all I could think about was every other time I've had "NO!" yelled at me.

"Lord please bless us with a family." "NO!"

"Lord please let everything be ok with Kate." "NO!"

"Lord please let this surprise baby be ok." "NO!"

"Lord please let us find a donor easily for Will." "NO!"

"Lord please let this house become ours." "NO!"

I went to bed mad last night. Mad that I feel like we just can't catch a break. Mad that we very well may be stuck in an apartment as we either build or wait for something to come on the market. We've seen everything in our budget that meets our criteria and the houses either didn't work out for us for various reasons or are all under contract already.

I woke up this morning sad and weepy but with a bit more clarity.

I know, deep down, that the Lord has never yelled NO in my face. He has always kindly said "trust me Lindsey. It will all be ok. It may not take the path you think it should. But it will be ok. I am here. I love you. I will continue to bless you. Just trust me, ok?"

I can boldly say I was blessed with a beautiful family. Yes it took years longer and tens of thousands of dollars to achieve. But it happened and I am fulfilling my lifelong dreams of being a mom.

I can boldly say that as of today everything is ok with Kate. Was it always ok? No, not at all. But it is now and that's what matters.

I can boldly say our precious surprise is on his way to ok as well. Was it the path we wanted? No. But he is recovering and will be ok in time.

I can boldly say we found a donor for Will. Did it take heartache and patience? You bet. But Will currently has donor cells floating around his body healing him.

While I cannot boldly say the house we loved is ours, I am slowly coming around to this bump in the road. Do I wish things would be going differently? YES! But I need to refocus my faith, look at my track record of blessings, and trust that everything will be ok.

A dear friend of mine (that I met on twitter of all places) texted me this scripture last night and I am clinging to it:

"Because you know this, you have great joy. You have joy even though you may have had to suffer for a little while. You may have had to suffer sadness in all kinds of trouble."
1 Peter 1:6

Oh how I have suffered. But my joy? My joy is huge. We've been blessed and faithfully carried over the past 5 years, He won't let us down now.

So today I'm going to cry and be sad. I'm going to be a bit annoyed and get it all out. But tomorrow I am going to pick myself up, look at my past struggles that have turned into amazing blessings, and continue to trust in His plan for my family!

(Apologies for coming back from my blog hiatus with such and emotional post. But writing and blogging has always been a release for me and today I just needed to get it all out! And I loving knowing that so many will be supporting us as we move on to this next phase of our family journey!)
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