Where I Pretend to be a Fashion Blogger, Part II

Recently, I treated myself to a fashion makeover via Stitch Fix.

Stitch Fix is an online stylist. When you visit their website, you fill out an extensive fashion questionnaire. You look at photos of different outfits and give your opinion. You fill in your height and weight and clothing sizes. Colors you like. Fabrics and patterns you'd never wear. If you spend your days working in an office or driving a minivan. I even linked to my Pinterest fashion board. Stitch Fix collects a ton of info on your personal style.

Then, you pick a date to receive a Fix. For a $20 fee, a personal stylist picks 5 clothing or accessory items for you to try on at home. Your $20 fee can be applied to anything you decide to purchase from your Fix. I scheduled my Fix to arrive on Valentine's Day and told Mike that I might want my Valentine's present to come from my Stitch Fix. Win/Win for everyone.

I don't usually go for things like this, but a couple of things impressed me about Stitch Fix. First of all, you don't have to sign up for regular shipments. You only get a Fix when you request it. Second, shipping is free both ways. Stitch Fix includes a postage paid bag for you to ship back anything from your Fix that you don't want. They make it fun and easy.

In all fairness, the clothes aren't super cheap. You get to choose a price range for items in your Fix, but any bargain shopper could probably find better deals at TJ Maxx or Target or Marshall's. Problem is, I don't really have time to shop these days. And remember, I don't need a lot of clothes. I need a small wardrobe of things that work.

Each item from Stitch Fix comes with a styling card, showing different ways you might wear it with items you already have in your closet.

My goal was to keep one item, but only if I loved it. Stitch Fix gives you a 25% discount if you keep all five pieces, which is a great deal, but only if you really love it all.

At first it wasn't looking hopeful. There was a jacket I loved, but the sleeves were too tight. Two shirts that just didn't do anything for me. A $40 scarf -- ummm, that's never going to happen.

But then I pulled out an elegant long sleeved black tee. I would have never picked it up in the store because without trying it on, it just looked like a pile of fabric. But when I tried it on, WOW! All that fabric made a  lovely drapey cowl neck. Later I realized that it looks an awful lot like this dress from my Pinterest board. My Stitch Fix stylist took a good look at something I loved and gave me a version that worked perfectly for me. Good work, Stitch Fix.

Here's the part where I'm supposed to model all the stuff from my Fix, using my phone to take pictures of myself in the mirror.

Hmmm, not really there yet.

I popped the other four items in the prepaid mailing bag, and sent them on their way. And when I went online and paid for my gorgeous new shirt, I gave Stitch Fix feedback on why the other items didn't work. If I decide to order again, Stitch Fix will factor in my feedback. They claim their "special sauce" gets better over time.

Click here to try Stitch Fix for yourself using my personal referral link. When you get your first Fix, Stitch Fix will give me $25 to spend on a future Fix. And even better, when you sign up for your first Fix, you'll get a referral link to share with your friends, too. Win/Win//Win!