The DYI Covid Haircut and my Stitch Fix Box Experience

Obligatory Pictures of yard work in process

See Above!

So, dear friends, on Friday I reached the end of my proverbial rope. I decided I wasn’t going to take another morning shower just so my hair would lie flat (I’m an evening shower, clean nightgown type of gal).  I could not stand all the hair on my ears another single minute and was just generally tired of the hair being in my way all the time.  Which is when I reached for the clippers (actually beard trimmers cause we purchased the wrong thing, but they cut my son’s hair so I figured they would cut mine).  

Fifteen or so minutes later, with much hair in the sink and on the floor, I was finished.  Fortunately, while my finished was far from perfection, sister was on hand to help with the evening out/lying flat thing, as well as the ear and back issues (she cuts her admittedly longer hair all the time). While it’s less than perfection, it will keep me going until the first of June-which is the earliest I’ll feel comfortable in a salon-and I know now that if I have to I can do it again, with a little help from my friends. 

My vision doesn't seem different or brighter with my glasses off, but when I look at self phots, it seems like the glasses don't clear up all the way. Next prescription I may move to regular glasses and sunglasses.

In other news, I subscribed to a few of the curated clothing boxes this week, most with free introductory offers  I had planned to do it before and never got there ( and maybe talked about it briefly somewhere). I am not in dire need and traditionally tend to be a buy it used or buy it on sale kind of shopper. But times have changed. I tend to avoid in store shopping even in  non-pandemic times and figured this down time might give me chance think outside my normal "box". I wanted to both see what a stylist could do for me and check out clothing I might not otherwise have an option to see. This may seem out of the norm for the frugal retiree, but frugality is about time as well (at least in this time of life) and I tend to be an "own one really good quality item instead of ten" kind of spender. When it's affordable and a quality I care about,

So  I did a brief questionnaire on a few different sites about my measurements, and the kind of clothing I wear and so on and so forth. I shared with them my personal style (very bright retirement life casual), style preferences and color preferences and small things like the fact that I can’t wear Ponte pants and need knit and soft jeans and such. I did thumbs up and thumbs down on a variety of outfits shown to me, and I  also mentioned a specific favorite outfit from head to toe. I'm pretty sure I gave each company a short blurb about what i was looking for. I did choose a fifty dollar general range for most items. Which is more than I would usually spend. But I wanted to start mid range and see what my options were. I may adjust that down for the next time.

I did make it clear that I did want fashionably casual but did not want so called business casual as the first few things they showed me were just that, and I also (for companies that offered any such items), let them know that I would be happy to get lounge wear, active wear, and/or accessories.

Stitch Fix was the first box I received.  Stitch fix charged me a tweny dollar styling fee which could be used towards a purchased item, and allowed me to choose how often I wanted to receive a box.  My first box arrived with five clothing items tissue wrapped. Along with the five items, they sent me a price sheet, a style “cheat” sheet showing what other items (I assume of theirs) that I could wear the items enclosed with, and a large addressed bag for returning items.

Note: I do leave all boxes, including this one sitting in a special bin in my home for 24 (minimum boxes) to 48 (minimum plastic) hours before opening, and once I opened this box I let it sit open for  day. I'm aware that some people are more stringent and some more lax. I'm not in a position to let nothing come in my house, or to not shop for multiple months so this is my solution.

Since I was alone at the time, I took quick down and dirty pictures with my hall mirror (I need to improve my selfie skills, folks), of the clothing I liked and used hangar photos for the other two items. While none of these where in my specifically desired colors, and there were no pants, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved two items, and liked one. Not a bad first shipment for a quick questionnaire.  I did love the white top, as soon as I tried it on. I usually opt for more of a cream color but it fit well and would go with anything.  At thirty dollars after said styling fee,  I will keep this. I also loved the maxi skirt, which is black, not navy. I waver as to how much I will wear it right now, with social life at a standstill. I also remind myself that half of my tops at least are florals or prints. Then I remind my self that Texas is maxi skirt and dress weather for almost any occasion and tell myself that it fit well and will last. 

The  on me fit of the new Tshirt I recently ordered which tends to be more my style than the lthree quarter sleeve with ruffled look.

The green top is pretty. And cute when I wear it. But I am not a fan of the smock-ish look, I prefer things that fit like the floral T (which is in my closet already) does. And I’m definitely not a fan of the ruffle at the end of the sleeve look. I’m not a ruffle woman and will make that one clear. Then there were two absolutely not items. A blue and purple shirt (again with the ruffle sleeve) and a lavender-ish cardigan. Obviously meant to go together and beautiful, but not the right color or style for me.  

All of the items were in the forty five dollar to sixty dollar range.  The white top will be thirty dollars after my twenty dollar styling fee, which is acceptable.  But I’m going to adjust the per item cost downward most likely, moving forward. I am happy that the clothes they sent me were relaxed, and comfortable yet well made. I plan to give this plan at least one more month, updating my stylist on what worked and did not work for me, and adjusting the price.  I’ll let you know how that works.

It's supposed to be ninety degrees on Monday. I may have to uncover the air conditioner, as I work on my cards for the Meals on Wheels peeps.