Stitch Fix

I received my very first Stitch Fix "fix" Friday in the mail and I was so excited! For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Stitch Fix is an online fashion retailor; but is so much better than just that! You fill out their style profile and their personal stylists will handpick 5 clothing items and accessories that are unique to your style and budget. They send you out those 5 items (with no shipping fees) and you get 3 days to try them on in the comfort of your home with your other clothes to see if you like them. You know how you try something on in a store only to get home and look in your own mirror and see a different thing?! Ugh, I hate that.  Or you thought it would work with other clothes in your closet only to find it won't? Well, with Stitch Fix you don't have to worry about all that. You can then buy any or all of the items. The items that you don't like or don't fit right, you can send back in the mail bag they supply with free shipping! So easy! If you decide to keep all of it they give you a 25% discount on your whole order! Which is great! All the items range in price. They say the mid range amount is $55 per item but I am guessing that should be a little higher.

You can also add a link for them to your Pinterest board that you can make specifically for them with clothing/styles you like and add comments to each pin as to what you like about it. That way they get a visual of what you like. Once they start putting together your "fix" (thats what they call each order) they charge you $20 for what they call a "styling fee". However, if you decide to keep at least 1 item from your fix, that $20 goes towards it. If you choose to return everything then you are out the $20, which isn't to bad. Also, if you send back items they ask you to let them know why you didn't keep them. As in, the dolman top fit really well, was comfortable and I liked the colors but I really didn't like the dolman style sleeves. That way they know what you did like so they can find similar items and then know what you didn't like so they don't send you the same thing. the more specific the better!

When I opened up my box I found the clothes wrapped in tissue paper which made it seem fancy. :) Also inclosed, was the return mail bag and a style card to give you ideas on how to wear each item.

Ok, so on to what I actually got. I will say, each piece was incredibly soft and comfortable. To my surprise the fit was really good too. I could easily tell the quality of each item was far better that I am used to from Target, Old Navy and even JC Penny's; my regular clothing retailers. Albert actually took pictures of me in all the clothes but surprisingly turned out terrible. I promise to be better next time, yes, there will be a next time!

The first item was an extremely comfortable pair of navy blue Mavi Freida skinny jeans. I am not kidding, these were so comfortable! I actually really like these and to my surprise, the fit was just about perfect! The only thing I am hesitant with is the navy blue color. I may just send these back and ask for a springy/brighter color; it seems to be trendy right now. I haven't decided yet. 

The next item was a sleeveless Fun2Fun bicycle print blouse top. Antonio loved the bicycle print and has asked for one for himself! Ha. The fit was good but both Albert and I were kinda "meh" about it. There was nothing wrong with it, I just didn't love it, so I plan on sending it back. (No, that is not a weird blue streak at the bottom, sadly, I am terrible at taking pictures and that is my shadow...)

The next item was a Market & Spruce stripped Dolman top. It was so comfortable and fit really well until I lifted my arms. In classic dolman style it had that "webbed" look from my shoulder down to the middle of my upper arm. I was so bummed. I now know for sure I am not a fan of the dolman style; I will be sending this back too. If you don't know what dolman style tops are, look it up. Apparently it's very trendy right now but so not for me.

The next item was a 41Hawthorn 3/4 sleeve navy blue blazer. I actually loved this but it was a bit snug. If it were one size up it would be either perfect or a bit big. It actually fit really good except for when I buttoned it and then it was just unflattering. It was so cozy and had great stripes on the inside. I am pretty sad I have to send it back...

(here is the side view of the buttoned up blazer with the skinny jeans on, see how the blazer gives me a very unflattering pooch?!)

And last but not least, an Octavia fuchsia-y/coral-y colored infinity scarf. Man is this thing soft! I love it. I am not much of a scarf person, except for during the winter, however, I really loved this. The one drawback is, it is in a color I have a lot of already in my closet so there isn't to much I could wear it with. But knowing I had it, may help me lean towards other colors for tops... 

(Please ignore the bathroom, poorly lit, shot. :(  )

So I am in debate over the navy blue skinnies or this scarf. Albert also liked these two the best. I am tempted to send back the skinnies and ask for another color and keep the scarf. Or should I keep the skinnies and send back the scarf since I don't have a whole lot right now to wear with it? Or keep both? Oye. I was so happy with the items I received and the process so far. I would very much recommend this to any of you. I found it very busy mom friendly. Someone picks out clothes you would like and send them to you. You try them on at your convenience and the send back what you don't want for free. So easy. No more lugging around a kid(s) to pick out clothes only to drag them  into the dressing room. You can request scheduled auto shipments of fix's to be delivered to you every so often or you can log in and schedule just one at a time when you want it. You don't have to order a certain number of them either. You could order one and then never again; its completely up to you!  If you decide to try it out or just check out their website here is a link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5032174 Please use that link, if you decide to order a "fix" I get credit towards future fix's once you order. :) 

My love for EO's.

FYI. This will be my one (and only intential) "plug" for the oils. Sure, I will (and have) mention them from time to time on FB but this will be my actual "plug" for them.

I chose to purchase Young Living essential oils back in October last year and am so glad I did. It was a huge leap of faith into something I wasn't sure would even help me, never mind the chunk of change I was putting down for them. Albert wasn't as sure as I was about jumping in but he was ok with it. I chose Young Living vs the other companies out there because they are the only "seed to seal" company. Meaning they doing everything from planting the seeds to filing and sealing the bottles. All the other essential oil companies have to buy their oils from someone when YL has their own farms all over the world and has full control over the process. They are a very transparent company; you could even go to their farms and what the process if you wanted.

As some of you know I had originally bought them to help battle my anxiety and panic attacks. They have helped quite a bit. It hasn't stopped either from happening but stop both from getting worse. There are a couple oils I apply every morning and every time I go anywhere. Then when I can feel myself starting a panic attack I have my "cherry on top" that helps calm me. I still feel anxious and panic attacks still show their ugly heads, but, the oils help me battle through without either getting worse.

I have absolutely fallen in love with my oils. Not only have they helped with my anxiety and panic attacks but have found much relief in fighting illness, allergies and tummy ache's. They have helped get rid of acne, helped us sleep and have even helped Alberts very tired legs after long runs. They even broke a fever Antonio had and brought it way down in just a couple hours without tylenol; I was amazed! And these are just a few things I have found to use them for. They are amazing and I am not sure what I'd do without them now. :) I have made soap, and lotion with them too. The lotion is a tad bit greasier than I like but once rubbed in, it's amazing. The soap is great too. No more Bath and Body Works soap for us. (That alone will help the oils pay for themselves! :))

There are so many oils for so many different things. When you sign up to become a member you can get what they call a premium started kit which it includes all the oils in the everyday oils picture below and a diffuser. I had no idea at the time what an amazing deal this was! I use my diffuser every single day and quickly found ways to use all the oils.

There are so many oils for so many different things. When you sign up to become a member you can get what they call a premium started kit and it includes all the oils in the everyday oils picture above and a diffuser. I had no idea at the time what an amazing deal this was! I use my diffuser every single day and quickly found ways to use all the oils. I apply stress away frequently throughout my day. It does exactly that, it helps me relax. It is one of my anxiety staples and apply it when I start to get stressed at work or even when I help Antonio with his homework. Because all of us who have helped a kid with homework know that can get stressful. ;) After I apply it I actually find myself more patient and less frustrated/stressed. Its amazing.

I use peppermint for tummy aches on both Antonio and I and it works wonders. Pan away is Albert's friend after long runs. It tends to smell like BenGay but without all the nasty chemicals! I use purification on any acne I get and it seems to get rid of it within a day! Thieves is our friend too. I apply it on the bottoms of our feet whenever we start to feel sick, while we are sick or if someone around is sick. It helps boost our immune systems. Thieves was actually created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with clove, rosemary and other aromatics while robbing plague victims! Crazy! Lavender is amazing to help relax you and sleep good. It's also become a proven owie reliever for Antonio. Peppermint and lemon are my favorites to diffuse in the morning to help us get going in the mornings on the weekends. Lemon, peppermint and lavender are the allergy trio that help cope with allergies and help breakup congestion and sinus pressure.

I received a travel size oil bag for Christmas from my cousin and it has been awesome. I use it every day to carry a handful of oils I wouldn't dare leave hime without. Those being: Stress Away, Peppermint (for tummy aches and headaches), Lemon and Lavender for allergies, and my Xanax blend I made from about 5 or 6 different oils.

Yes, essential oils are a huge trend right now but I think this is one of those treads that will stick around for years, you just may start to hear less about them because people will be using them in everyday life as a norm. If any of you are interested in learning more, please shoot me an email or DM on Facebook. I would love to answer any questions you may have. I know you would love them as much as I do and find as much benefit in using them as I have and maybe even more. I know its seems "trendy" of hippie - like but these oils are amazing. They are not cheap, but in the long run can save you money and you aren't putting harmful chemicals in your body! A win-win! :) You don't have to become a member to try them. I submit a monthly order and would be more than happy to order an oil or two for you if you are interested! :)

But wait, theres more....

No, just kidding, there is no more. :)

Reverting

I can feel it in my pants specifically. I am starting to revert back to my old ways down that rabbit hole.

Since returning to work full-time after only being part time for about 2 years I rarely have a chance to run, mainly because it is dark out after work (and dinner) or raining. On the weekends its been raining so much its hard to fit in a run and well, I don't run in the rain, rarely did I before too. When I do run it is hard, like when I was starting out. I still try to get in 3 miles but it is so hard. I figure any run, short or long, fast or incredibly slow is better than no run at all. Since the runs I have gone on, I'm lucky if its once a week, have been so hard, it does not give me any motivation to go run. I know all I need is to get back in a routine and run more frequently so when I do run it isn't so hard. I miss craving the runs. I'm looking forward to summer so I can run in the evenings. However, in the meantime, I am thinking of joining a gym again so I can get back to running. A Planet Fitness just opened up down the road from me and they are pretty cheap so I may try them out. I just need a climate controlled place to run, for now to try to get back on track.

I've fallen slightly down that eating rabbit hole. The one where my pants are more snug, I feel more bloated, lethargic and over all crappy about myself so I eat and be lazy (need less to say I don't sleep nearly as well at night as I did before). You know, that busted can of biscuits feeling, all the time. And by eat, I mean more crappy food. Thankfully since we've become healthier eaters even the crap isn't so bad, but still. I find myself eating more "easy" foods instead of fruit and veggies. And dinners this past winter have lacked the roasted veggies, almost completely. It doesn't even sound good like it did last year, and all that chopping... I have no motivation. :/ So that rabbit hole where I know what I should be eating and doing but I don't which makes me feel worse so I eat worse and exercise less because I am not doing what I should, so I don't have the motivation to do what I should and so on...

Happily this time around, I have experienced the feeling good, so I know I can get there again, I just need to try to get back on track. I can only blame working full-time so much. Sure, it gives me a lot less time to exercise/plan dinners and cook them but I need to try to get back at that. I am hoping that once I get back in routine and start to feel more energy, some of it might fall back in place. I hope.

Full time

Welp, starting Monday I go back to work full time indefinitely. It sucks.

Nope. It effin' sucks.

I have pretty much every negative emotion about it. I am already having anxiety, stress and feeling sad and mad, more like pissed about it. Sure, it will be great to have a bigger paycheck and who can't use that but in reality I'd live on rice and beans, no problem, to stay home and have more time with Antonio. Going back full time means I won't able to volunteer regularly, no more bus stop drop offs/pick ups (which are always bittersweet), no more breakfast dates with him every morning, no more not stressing if Antonio is sick or daycare is closed, etc. For selfish reasons, I won't be able to run, bake, clean up and get errands done while he is at school. Weekends will be once again filled with errands and laundry instead of fun family time. Boo. We even went and saw Santa this afternoon mainly because I wasn't going to attempt that on a weekend.

I have been part time for almost 2 years and it has been amazing and I am very grateful for it. It has been so fun and heart filling bonding with Antonio. We've done so many fun things together and because of being part time he was able to go to Pre-K which was so, so good for him.

Why am I going back FT? Well my job share partner, Manny, is retiring tomorrow, Wednesday. Good for him but that the same time, damn him. :) I need to find a job share partner who isn't so old next time. Heck, I just need to just find a job share partner.

I'm a true introvert (this is a great explanation and spot on for me being an introvert!) and have a hard time being "on" for long periods of time. Down time is very much needed to "regroup" regularly. Starting Monday I will be back full time at work and my in-laws will be in town. It will be a long, exhausting (and hopefully fun) week. I am so excited for them to be in town; its always good for the soul but just wish I wasn't going back to FT hours the same week. Oh well.

Please pray the week goes well and I survive. Come Sunday, you'll find my house a mess and most likely me on the couch, still in my pjs not caring and having anxiety about going back to work that next Monday. The following week our new schedule will start where Antonio will be back at daycare full time. So mornings will come early and probably be rushed. I worry Antonio will struggle with the change. He already complains on Thursday's and Friday's about going to Ms. Rosemary's because he has to get up early. Sigh... We'll need even more good vibes then and that the change in routine goes smoothly. :)

Oils

So it's been 3 weeks since my last post and I've been feeling great. I have had very mild everyday anxiety symptoms and only once did I really start to have a panic attack and one other time did I really feel anxiety kick in to really high gear. The one panic attack I had was random, as they always are, and nothing really helped, I just had to go through it. However, it was very short lived and not to the extreme as others. The time I had high anxiety I was able to apply some oils and breathe my way through it. My everyday anxieties have definitely lessened. My running has been very sporadic so I can't credit it to that and my eating habits haven't changed but I have continued to use the essential oils. I'd like to think it has something to do with them. A lot of people have questioned me about them. Are they really working/helping or is it just in my mind. Well, if they aren't and it's completely in my head then, they are working! :)

A couple weeks ago I started to get a cold, sore throat, congestion etc. As soon as I felt the symptoms come on I started applying my oils and within a day and a half the symptoms were completely gone! I was amazed. Then Friday, I started to get a sore throat and runny nose at work. I only had my regular oils with me so as soon as I got home I oiled myself up! The next day, yesterday, I woke up feeling terrible. I was out of a couple of the major oils I would use to help with my symptoms but happily they were on order and were delivered yesterday afternoon. Yay! This morning I woke up not much better. I continued to apply my oils and everytime I applied them I felt better. It is just like taking medicine, I could feel my nose drain, yes it was/is that fast, and I could breathe again. Ahhhh....  And with the draining of my nose my sinus pressure lessened and I felt some energy come back. I still feel badly but also better. However, just like medicine about an hour or 2 later I start to feel terrible again so I repeat the process. Don't get me wrong, the oils did not cure me, I still feel like I am in the middle of a cold but I can feel the benefits of the oils.

I have come to realize my expectations of the oils were to high. All the people who use them, swear by them and use statements like, "they changed my life" and "we keep the illness's away". So when I did indeed get this cold I am in the middle of, I was discouraged, I thought if I used the oils somehow I wouldn't get sick. Ha! I also thought, "ok, I am sick so lets "cure" this with these amazing oils". They are amazing but I should not have expected them to instantly make my cold disappear, because they won't. The are an alternative to over the counter medicine and everyone (that uses them) has their own testimonials on what worked for them. Sadly, it's trial and error, but it is so nice knowing I am not putting chemicals in my body. I do however, feel like the oils work faster and more effectively than cold medicine. And as an extra bonus, when I look like I feel (yuck) I also smell good (peppermint, lemon, and lavender)! ;)

However, the fact I do feel the benefits from them makes me a believe in them for what I have used them for so far.  They seem to be helping with my anxiety and depression (I have felt happier lately and had a better outlook on life too) and do temporarily relieve my symtoms of my cold. Peppermint has been my absolute go-to for when my tummy starts to feel funny. I just apply some on my stomach and within about 5 min my tummy feels better! Peppermint is the one oil, so far, that I will swear by. It is AMAZING. I am still learning a lot with them and trying out new oils but so far, I love them!

Probiotics, essential oils and anxiety

As some of you may have read in a previous post, here I have been battling anxiety for awhile but it had gotten really bad over in the last year or so. I finally talked to my doctor about it and she perscribed me on two meds, Zoloft and Prozac, separately of course . Both gave me awful side effects even after trying them for a couple weeks each so I stopped taking them. I was desperate to find something else that would help. My friend Trisha on FB commented to me a few times that essential oils are amazing and that they will help with it and a lot of other things, blah, blah, blah (thats what I read then, ha!). Essential oils are the big trend right now and I was not jumping on that bandwagon. I don't know what it was she sent me that made me really take notice but something did and the fact I was desperate to find something that would help battle it probably helped. So I looked into it. Albert, being the vegan and SUPER "clean" and also very against me taking meds, gave me a few studies to read/watch. Of course diet is a big one a but also probiotics, essential oils and massage. I haven't convinced him to let me frequently get massages but I was interested in that the studies he was having me read were also mentioning oils. So I asked Trisha to give more info on these oils as I also asked around and did a little more research. To try them I'd have to buy a "starter kit" that included a diffuser and oils. I wasn't ready to put out the money for something that I wasn't even sure would do me any good so I thought about it awhile more.

I finally decided to take the plunge and order one. People that use them swear by them and there are SO many other ways to use the oils I figured that if it didn't help with my anxiety I'd use it for something else. Well, I am here to say I am glad I did. I am not "swearing" by them yet but I'm starting to believe. The main thing I have really noticed is the peppermint oil that comes in the kit has helped calm my stomach. At work the other day I started to get an upset stomach and remembered I had my oils with me so I rubbed some on my stomach and within about 5-10 the stomach ache was gone! Maybe a coincidence but maybe not, regardless I felt better and thats all that mattered. The morning before my first time volunteering in Antonio's class I put some of the Peace and Calming oil blend in the diffuser and "put on" some other oils and went in. I had some anxiety but not nearly like I thought I would. Wow! I was impressed. Again, I'm not completely sold yet but it seems to be helping. I don't expect anything to get rid of my anxieties I just want them lessened and so far the oils have helped. There's a liquid Xanax blend (I am not kidding!) of oils that I am looking forward to trying. I just ordered a couple of the oils that didn't come with my kit that I need for it and can't wait to try it out. There are so many things they say oils can help with so I am looking forward to putting them to the test. Now I just have to get in the mindset to try the oils before meds!

Also, I got some probiotics and have been taking them for just over a week. They also seem to have helped. So far the main thing I have noticed is my morning coffee doesn't give me a stomach ache like it so often did before. A lot of the studies say the stomach is your second brain and a happy tummy makes a happy brain. The probiotics are very inexpensive compared to the oils so I did not hesitate on those. My friend Christina said she had been taking them, then stopped and within a short time could negativly feel the difference. I've had stomach issues my whole life that have only gotten worse with age and in the past week my tummy has generally been very calm and happy. :)

So far I'd say both the oils and probiotics have helped. It's only been about a week using both but so far I have noticed a positive difference which I'm impressed with. Thank you both Trisha and Christina for the suggestions and help. For those of you who care, I will try to write another update in a few weeks with how its all working, or not working. :) I'm praying that it does work and I'm not just in some sort of "honeymoon" phase with it. I would highly recommend the probiotics to anyone and the oils as well, especially if you want to naturally medicate yourself without medication. If you're at all interested I can tell you which probiotics I have (there are tons of different kinds). If you want to try to oils, let me know because if you mention my name (if/when you order a starter kit) I can get a $50 "credit" from the company! :) YAY!

Until then, keep the praying and positive thoughts going, I am sure that has helped too!

first race

Today was my first actual "race"; The Biggest Loser Run/Walk 5k. There wasn't nearly as much "pomp" as I thought there would be. Which in some ways, was disappointing but oh well. The race itself, was fun. There was also a half marathon. There were some "serious" runners that were going to run the whole thing and appeared to have been running for a long time. There were also some who, clearly were not, and hadn't been running long. I actually saw a runner toting a Mc Donalds bag while eating an egg mc muffin, or something similar. I felt badly for them knowing it was probably not going to settle well once they started running.

Some people had pictures of themselves ( much heavier self) pinned to their shirts to remind themselves how far they had come. Some were pretty impressive. Some people appeared to have a lot more to go, yet there they were, getting ready to run (or walk) a 5k and some, even a half marathon. Props to them because I have no intentions of running a half marathon. The half marathoners went first, then it was our turn. There were SO many of us. And such a wide variety, big and small, old and young. Some in running attire, some in jeans and tennis shoes. Just when you thought they were going to be a spectator you'd see their bib. So different from the races Albert runs.

 This is the crowd that had to go before me, what you don't see is that it also goes around the corner!

I had to wait about 7 minutes after the 5k started before it was my turn to go. They let about 100 of us at a time go every 30sec.  When I realized how long the line really was I wished I had gone and stood in line prior. There were still a bunch behind me as well. By this point I was ansy to start, however I was not nervous or anxious at all, which I was very grateful for.

Finally my turn and I was in the front!

The air horn sounded and I was off. I "darted" off in front of the pack along with about 5 others (while leaving the rest in the dust. lol), then all of a sudden we caught up to the previous group who were walking. There were a lot of them and it was like a traffic jam of people. A handful of us ran zig, zagging through the group until we reached the next group which, by then had thinned out. It was kinda empowering running past all the walkers/slower than me joggers. 

Then I'd see a very overweight person walking and feel overcome by emotion. So much pride (for them) and I was so proud (of them). I knew how hard it was to get out there some days, and how much harder it was before I had lost some weight. On top of that, if I were their size or even half their size I would never have had the guts to do it.  I so badly want to cheer them on as i passed them but the lump in my throat stopped me. They were actively trying to get healthy and it was hard work, both emotionally and physically. 

There was one water station and Jackson from season 14 (of the biggest loser) was there. Since I had regretted not getting a picture with him at the expo I stopped and took a selfie with him, he wished me good luck and I the continued on. In the brief 5 sec, he was so nice and I felt so silly. :) 

selfie with Jackson

After my selfie, I had about a block to go before we were to make a u-turn and head back to the finish. At one point I had to stop and walk but then I felt a group of people coming up behind me while I was walking in the middle of the road. I glanced behind me and sure enough there were, which made me want to start running again. Every time I felt them creep up on me I pushed harder, they, without knowing, were great motivation. Finally, I could see and hear the finish line, finally! Then I saw Albert and Antonio waving at me about a 100 yards from the finish; I had done it! Phew! I ran 98% of the way, better than I normally do! It felt good. As some of you know. I had been feeling sick for pretty much all of September and only ran 3 times that month. I was in no way ready for this. In the 2 runs prior to this race I had been slow, much slower than usual. But I knew I could walk the whole way and still not come close to being last so I was determined to do it regardless! So I was so proud of myself for running pretty much the whole thing and feeling good! Turns out I did do good, I ended up placing 5th for women in the age group 35-39!! And 110th overall for age groups.  Happily, it also doesn't tell me how many of us were in that age group (or overall) so I can just assume there were hundreds! HA! :)

waving at Albert and Antonio at the end!  

It was a perfect morning for a run too; cloudy and 55 degrees. Maybe next year I can recruit my mom and cousins to walk/run with me! Now that I've gotten my first race under my belt I might now want to do another 5k. We shall see.

Finished and I got my medal! :)