Stitch Fix! Or, Why I'm Not a Fashion Blogger

I said I'd do a Stitch Fix blog. I'm 3.5 weeks post-surgery so the swelling is finally pretty much gone, so I decided I might as well get it over with :)

I signed up for Stitch Fix because I have three small children and shopping with them is kind of torture. I was specifically looking for a dress to wear to an outdoor wedding that we went to last week- a cute nursing friendly dress can be hard to come by around here. So I decided to see what the stylists at Stitch Fix would send me.

If you're going to sign up for a fix, my number one tip is to be very, very, VERY specific. About everything. I created a Pinterest board and went to town pinning outfits and styles I liked. I also wrote comments under each pin about what I specifically liked about each piece- like, I love boyfriend jeans and chambray and plaid but just don't do scarves. Or necklaces. Or anything my small children could choke me with. I made sure to link to the board on my Stitch Fix profile.

I also was honest in my Style Profile. I put my correct weight and current chest size (nursing mama here!.. more on this later) and how I prefer my clothing to fit. At the bottom of the page you get to write a note to your stylist in a place called "Your Style Bio." Here is where I probably told them too much information, but whatever I did it worked because my fix was right on. I wrote about being a nursing mom so my chest is SIGNIFICANTLY larger than normal. I also shared that I have giant sprinter thighs but no hips so stretchy jeans are a must, as are a shorter inseam because I am actually not quite the 5'5" that I tell people I am. I also shared the stores and brands I gravitate towards (J Crew is my favorite everything) to help the stylist better understand who I am and what I'm looking for.

My fix came two days after my surgery- my friend Shauna was here and I couldn't wait to try everything on. So I did and then marveled at how pregnant I looked 10 months post-pregnancy ;)

Anyway, here are the outfits I was sent! Silas took all the pictures for me this morning. Because I feel like an absolute moron in pictures by myself, my first idea (thanks Claire) was to take pictures of myself interacting with our chickens but a run-in with the rooster this morning put the kibosh on that. So here's pictures of me.... and only me. Eee!

 Here I am drinking coffee because I don't know what to do with my hands in my Market & Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top and my Just Black Adorra Skinny Jean. These jeans are ah-mah-zing. The inseam isn't too long (which is a problem I often have) and the fabric is stretchy enough to accommodate my thighs while fitting to my waist. The top is a tunic length so I could wear it with leggings or jeans. The top is very close to a shirt I had pinned to my Stitch Fix board.


 Here I am vacuuming in heels and a wrap dress because isn't that how everybody spends their Thursday mornings? I had pinned a dress, once again, almost *exactly* like this. The wrap made it super easy to nurse in and it was so, so comfy for the wedding last week. This is also a Market and Spruce piece, the Paddy Bird Print Belted Wrap Dress.

Whoops, my head's cut off but eh, my photographer is 6. This is my favorite thing I got- something I NEVER would have picked out myself, a Just USA Morrie Boyfriend Denim Jacket. I am obsessed with it. I'm wearing it with a LuLaRoe Randy Tee and my Just Black skinnies. And I'm outside because wearing a jacket inside feels silly, almost as silly as posting pictures of myself on the internet. Eh.

And finally, the last thing they sent me is a Bay to Baubles Azalia Stone Bangle. I wear almost no jewelry except my wedding ring and earrings so it was fun to get this in my fix. I've worn it a few times and I like it :)

The total retail cost of all the pieces was over $300, but by purchasing all of them I saved significantly and actually spent less than $200. I have a *very small* clothing budget but I felt the investment was worth it-- I've recently weeded my closet out and reduced my wardrobe by at least half. Also, I'm now three kiddos in and my body's different than it used to be (isn't it strange how you can weigh what you did before kids but look so different? Interesting.) 

I highly recommend Stitch Fix. I've signed up for quarterly fixes but depending on where we are budget-wise (things are pretty tight thanks to lots of stupid surgeries) I may postpone the next one until spring. I'm sure I'll get a "bad" fix in the future, but for now I'm pretty happy with everything I've got. I could have never picked out and put these things together on my own... one of the many, many reasons I could never be a fashion blogger.

That and the rooster, of course.

Here's my referral link, if you feel so inclined :) Happy fixing!

Scar Tissue

The reasons for many of my scars :)

I have six scars on my abdomen.

Some are larger than others, but each of them tells a story. A few days ago I was at my post-op appointment for the hernia surgery I had two weeks ago. The surgeon remarked how he had opted to make incisions lower than normal in case I ever "wanted to wear a bathing suit that shows your abdomen."

Leave it to a surgeon to use five separate words in place of "bikini." Anyway.

I got to thinking about it. The past few years have been big for me in terms of body image/acceptance/love. Negative body image and an eating disorder are in my past- not something I enjoy discussing, so I won't go into the specifics of it, but know that there were many years of struggle to overcome some debilitating habits and, more importantly, some deeply held beliefs. For whatever reason, I had come to connect my self worth with the number on a scale or the size of my jeans or how many of my ab muscles were visible. When I got married it got a bit better, but I wouldn't say I was completely okay with myself until the last couple of years. It was probably a combination of things, but turning 30 and having my third son really seemed to mark a turning point in how I felt about myself.

As a Christian, my self worth is found solely in my savior. At 31, I have been a Christian for almost half my life now, but for whatever reason I had been unable to give up this struggle with pride and anxiety over my body image. Last time we went to Florida, I did hide my abdominal scars. Yet in recent months I've been able to step back from those negative thoughts and question their validity- the number on the scale or tag does not determine my worth. A few extra blemishes doesn't make me unworthy of Jesus's sacrifice-- I was unworthy anyway. My entire being belongs to Jesus and he chose to die for me because he loves me. He loves ME. It is finished. Previously, a doctor mentioning all the scars and how I would want to hide them probably would have made me ashamed. (For the record- my surgeon is a great guy and in no way was he trying to imply I should be ashamed of all the scars, he's just a dude saying what he always says and I'm just a woman reading WAY TOO MUCH into everything.)

Anyway, the scars on my belly used to bring me sadness.

Two are from my ectopic pregnancy, the loss of our first sweet baby.

One is from my C- section with Silas, which contributed to my PPD.

And now, three news ones from a hernia caused by carrying my children.

But where I once saw reminders of sad memories, I realized last night that I now see them as stories of strength. My husband pointed out that each of the scars comes, both directly and indirectly, from our marriage, and our children.  The ectopic pregnancy was devastating, but through it I saw miracles and have been able to share the gospel many times over. The C-section wasn't what I hoped or dreamed but it brought me Silas who now is a healthy, vibrant 6 year old. The hernia was excruciating and the recovery hasn't been all roses, but each time I look at these three new scars forming I'm reminded of how my body changed and grew to make room for my sons.

Jesus's scars have purpose- this sermon by Spurgeon explains that his scars establish his identity, they are his "glories" and precious jewels, his trophies of love. When I will look on his scars I can't even imagine the gratitude and love I'll feel.

My scars, in turn, remind me of who I am- what Christ has done for me, the graciousness of God and the blessings he's given me in this life. They tell a story of redemption and life, and I will never be ashamed again.