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Looking to spice up your boring dinners? Be sure to try ShopRite/Wholesome Pantry and their newest marinades. Yum!

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Wait, it's August already? Happy New Year, everyone!

If you’re on Instagram at all, you may have seen this:

Isn’t that how it feels?! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was complaining about how slowly January seemed to be moving, and now? The year is basically over!

But before we turn to my most favorite time of the year, let’s turn to my most favorite things of… right now.

WATCHING: Netflix Originals

August tends to be a weird month when…

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This year's Vulture Festival pick: Getting Older with the Cast of Younger. Do you watch @YoungerTV? If no, WHY THE HECK NOT?!

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The @nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over. Let's relive the good times, and check out my haul. #NSale

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Today is the last day of my birthday month. Yes, it’s a month-long affair. Part of my celebration has become getting a box from Stitch Fix, and this year was no different.

For this latest fix, I had a few things I was looking for. First, I asked for a specific pair of espadrilles from Sole Society. Then, I requested more broadly for a chambray shirt and a pair of grey work pants. I left the last two spots open for a random top and dress of my stylist’s choosing.

Before I show you what I received, here’s a quick recap of how Stitch Fix works:

Step 1: Complete an online style profile, and write your stylist a note about any specific pieces you’re looking for.

Step 2: Receive five articles of clothing (and/or accessories) in the mail on a day you designate for a $20 styling fee.

Step 3: Keep what you love; send back what you don’t. Remember those $20? You can use that as credit towards anything you decide to hang on to.

BONUS: If you click through here to schedule your first fix, I get a credit AND they’ll waive your first styling fee, basically making trying Stitch Fix out completely risk-free.

Without further ado…

(1) Alisson Chambray Top (Skies are Blue)

I had a chambray shirt for a long time that I wore with some regularity. After a few washes, though, the pockets became a bit unruly and it shrank enough that it wasn’t as comfortable as it was at first. So, I requested a new one. This is not the first attempt, but rather the first one after I got more specific: not buttoned all the way down, no flaps on the pocket. It took so long to find a chambray shirt that I liked (and I did like it), that I realized it’s not really a part of my style anymore.

Verdict: RETURNED

(2) Melina Straight Leg Pant (Lila Ryan)

I’d like to begin by saying that these may have been the softest pants I have ever tried on. That being said, no. This has been something of a recurring issue with my fixes; they just felt kind of cheap. I know that I have my price points set as low as possible, but I am willing to pay for quality and have said as much. These pants fit me strangely, were tight in the wrong places, and had an odd length – I even tried rolling them up!

Verdict: RETURNED

(3) Ampton Back Detail Knit Top (Papermoon)

Much like in my last shipment, this was the clear choice for me. The top was soft, fit me just right, and was super affordable. Plus, the detail in the back makes it just interesting enough to not be just another casual t-shirt. The only major downside of this shirt is that is does wrinkle very easily. Luckily, it’s machine-washable/dry-able, so there goes that issue. In other news, Papermoon is winning Stitch Fix for me.

Verdict: KEPT

(4) Christelle Button Down Blouse (Fortune & Ivy)

I felt pretty neutral about this shirt when I saw it. The pattern definitely works with my current wardrobe, but I’m usually wearing of button down tops due to the inevitable puckering I experience around the chest. Unfortunately, I had that very problem with this one. I didn’t love it enough to begin with for it to be worth asking for a size up and dealing with alterations, so back it went.

Verdict: RETURNED

(5) Nahara Shirt Dress (41Hawthorn)

Nope. I could have told you that as soon as I saw the picture in my handy Stitch Fix app. This dress was not for me. But I dutifully tried it on just to be sure my initial thoughts were right. The roll-up sleeves are about the only thing I was okay with. But the collar? The corset tie? Even the color? Swing and a miss.

Verdict: RETURNED

When it comes down to it, Stitch Fix is fun even if I don’t end up keeping most of the pieces I get. I can’t see myself ever walking into a department store and having a personal shopper waiting with pieces for me to try on (for several reasons), but this is a pretty great and affordable alternative.

My next fix is already scheduled for my favorite time of year – FALL! That means sweaters, and I can’t wait. What occasion could you use some new clothes for? Why not give Stitch Fix a try?

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Finally sharing part one of my first visit to DISNEYLAND!

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The next day of our trip was wrought with adventure… two very different kinds of adventure.

It began like most vacation days do. We slept in as much as we could while suffering from pretty major jet lag. We had a delightful breakfast courtesy of our hotel. We hit the road for the longest drive of the trip, along the Pacific Coast Highway.

From what I understand, perfect weather in California is…

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It's almost time! Looking to plan your own girlfriend getaway this year? Here is some of my best advice.

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I’m going to go ahead and put it out there; I have a horrible memory.

Case in point, my husband had surgery when we were dating, and I rode the bus and subway with him deep into Brooklyn to get it… or so he says. I literally do not remember a single thing about that day.

I’ll tell you what, though. I definitely remember the time my mom chaperoned my class on a field trip to the zoo. Sure, that might be because she fainted from the heat and we got to ride around the zoo in a golf cart, but I digress.

You never know what memories are going to stick, which is one of the reasons it’s so important to me to be there for as many of Miles’ big days as I can, including his class field trip to the zoo last week.

First and foremost, my appreciation for Miles’ teachers grew exponentially from the moment we set foot on the bus. Twenty-eight five and six year olds are no joke!

Okay, back to the zoo.

If you’re in New Jersey, Turtle Back Zoo is a good one, especially if you have young children. It’s large enough without being overwhelming. (I’m looking at you, Bronx Zoo.)

The class stayed together for the day, and were able to take in most of what the zoo has to offer. Above you’ll see a sleeping hyena (they’re huge!), along with some penguins, a giraffe, and a peacock.

My guy had a great day… until it came time for the afternoon ride on the zoo’s train.

I guess he was hoping to sit with a friend because he promptly let me know that I had “ruined his life,” and reminded me that “no means no” after I sat with him despite his pleadings.

#worstmomever

He got over it pretty quickly afterward, but not before I considered trading him in for this guy from the petting zoo.

All in all, we had a pretty great day. We even followed it up with a little shopping and a stop at Menchie’s for froyo.

I know it looks like he’s been crying, but this kid suffers from seasonal allergies just like his dad. 🤷‍♀️

Do you have a good memory? Do you remember any of your field trips as a kid? Did your parents ever chaperone?

I recently chaperoned a field trip to the zoo for my son's kindergarten class. To all you teachers out there: bravo! 👏 I don't know how you do it!

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I’m going to go ahead and put it out there; I have a horrible memory.

Case in point, my husband had surgery when we were dating, and I rode the bus and subway with him deep into Brooklyn to get it… or so he says. I literally do not remember a single thing about that day.

I’ll tell you what, though. I definitely remember the time my mom chaperoned my class on a field trip to the zoo. Sure, that might be because she fainted from the heat and we got to ride around the zoo in a golf cart, but I digress.

You never know what memories are going to stick, which is one of the reasons it’s so important to me to be there for as many of Miles’ big days as I can, including his class field trip to the zoo last week.

First and foremost, my appreciation for Miles’ teachers grew exponentially from the moment we set foot on the bus. Twenty-eight five and six year olds are no joke!

Okay, back to the zoo.

If you’re in New Jersey, Turtle Back Zoo is a good one, especially if you have young children. It’s large enough without being overwhelming. (I’m looking at you, Bronx Zoo.)

The class stayed together for the day, and were able to take in most of what the zoo has to offer. Above you’ll see a sleeping hyena (they’re huge!), along with some penguins, a giraffe, and a peacock.

My guy had a great day… until it came time for the afternoon ride on the zoo’s train.

I guess he was hoping to sit with a friend because he promptly let me know that I had “ruined his life,” and reminded me that “no means no” after I sat with him despite his pleadings.

#worstmomever

He got over it pretty quickly afterward, but not before I considered trading him in for this guy from the petting zoo.

All in all, we had a pretty great day. We even followed it up with a little shopping and a stop at Menchie’s for froyo.

I know it looks like he’s been crying, but this kid suffers from seasonal allergies just like his dad. 🤷‍♀️

Do you have a good memory? Do you remember any of your field trips as a kid? Did your parents ever chaperone?

I recently chaperoned a field trip to the zoo for my son's kindergarten class. To all you teachers out there: bravo! 👏 I don't know how you do it!

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Miles is graduating kindergarten in just a few weeks. It's high time I share his birth story!

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