July Golden Tote Review

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This is my second Golden Tote order. What is it you ask? Golden Tote is an online store with a twist. You purchase either a large or small tote for either $149 or $49 respectively. Once you choose which size tote you'd like, you get to pick 2 items for the large, or 1 item for the small. A stylist at Golden Tote will surprise you with the rest of your items. The large tote will have 3-4 additional pieces, and the small will have 1-2. You fill out a very in depth survey about your likes and dislikes and your stylist uses those answers to curate your tote. Obviously due to my shopping problem and need to get the best deal, I opted for the large tote.
I had mentioned last time that Golden Tote is all or nothing. So if you don't like an item in your tote, you have to either return the whole thing or keep it all. However, they have since altered this policy. You can actually return partial totes now, but you will be charged $35.00 for each surprise item kept and whatever the boutique price is for the chosen items. So it may actually work out cheaper to keep items you don't want. Plus you can always trade or sell them in the Facebook group.
So let's see what I got this month!

Chosens:
Pink Owl Ladylike Maxi

I don't wear maxi dresses. I'm a short girl with wide hips. Maxi's are not designed for people like me. I even have in my profile with Golden Tote NO MAXI's! But the whole point of Golden Tote is try things I normally wouldn't pick out. So I decided to take the leap and try this dress. And I have to say... I kind of like it! It's too long, I need to have it hemmed for sure. But I like that it doesn't make me look huge like I expected it would. I think I'm going to keep it and find someone to shorten it a little.

Special A Classic Denim Skirt:

Ok, well this isn't thinking outside the box at all... But I was in need want of a new denim skirt. I used to wear them all the time, but the skirts I have are a bit snug currently. And also a little shorter than this one. I was thinking it was time to let them go, and this is the perfect replacement.

Surprises:
Mak B Cardigan

This is one of those items I would never purchase for myself, but I actually really could use it. I'm always cold at work. Or when I go out on summer evenings and it gets cool after the sun sets. Perfect go-to for either scenario!

Lumiere Knotted Tee:

Meh. This one doesn't do it for me. It's just a plain t-shirt with a weird knot in it. I like the color though.

Le Lis Anchor Top

At first I wasn't sure about this top. It definitely doesn't work with the skirt! But I wore it the other day with a pair of dark denim skinny jeans and it looked great!

Orange Creek Butterfly Dress:

I should have grabbed a photo of this in better lighting. The colors are fantastic! I love how it fits too. Easily my favorite item in the whole order!

Add ons:
Buttefly Shoes by Soda:

Love these! I'm pretty sure everyone who ordered the shoes also got the dress. They don't match each other, but that would be a lot of butterflies if they did! These are super comfy for everyday.

Anchor wrap bracelet:

This is super cute! Yes, I probably could make it, but it was inexpensive enough to not feel guilty about buying it.

Giraffe Dress:

So.... I actually ordered this in a size medium and in black. They sent a small beige version. I really wanted the black which is why I sized up to a medium. But I tried this on anyway and realized the medium would be too big. And in person, I really like the beige! So I'm keeping it as is.

Heart on My Sleeve Beige Pullover:

Why yes, yes that is a black button down sweater. It is not, in fact, a beige pullover with teal green hearts on the elbows... This is what I actually ordered:

I think this is where my short lived love for Golden Tote starts to wane.  Golden Tote takes quite awhile to ship. That's just part of the deal. So I ordered on July 6th. My tote shipped on the 16th. Since Golden Tote is located on the west coast, it took a full week to arrive. And then BOTH add on clothing items I ordered were wrong. Granted one worked out, but the other did not. I emailed customer service early afternoon my time (so before lunchtime CA time) on the day my tote arrived (Thursday). I didn't get a response until this afternoon (Monday). I will say they did ship my replacement out today, and sent me a return label to cover shipping back (as they should). But I'm not sure this much waiting is for me. Customer service complaints should be addressed within 24 hours. At my job, we address problems immediately. And definitely not more than 24 hours after receiving notice of a problem.
But errors aside, I did enjoy most of the items in my order. And I liked all but one surprise which isn't too bad! What are your thoughts? What's your favorite piece? Least favorite? Think you'd like to try Golden Tote? Click here to sign up!

Truthful Tuesday

Today's truth... I've been shopping like it's my job lately. I just can't resist the end of season, after holidays sales. I mean, $485 boots for $150? How do you say no? Seriously, LOOK AT THEM!

Right? Yeah, I can't NOT get them. They're on their way. I'm sure they'll be featured soon on Thursday's Threads.
I've stocked up on new sweaters and a few pairs of pants too. And ran completely out of closet space. But I've begun The Purge! This past weekend I cleaned out the coat closet and went through all the sweaters. I filled 6 shopping bags with things to get rid of. And that was just sweaters and coats! I'm trying to decide what to do with it all. I was half thinking of having a blog sale. Some items still have tags on them! What do you all think? Would you be interested in shopping my closet? I will have purses and potentially some shoes to get rid of as well as tons of clothing in all different sizes. Maybe even some riding stuff. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

So that's today's confession, being a shop-a-holic. There's worse things though. I shall leave you with a collage pic of my adorable outfit today. Just because I love it:

Boots: Lucky Top (kids), Pants: Forever 21 (last year), Black sweater: Express (super old), Purple cashmere: Ralph Lauren

Thursday's Threads

I have a two-fer for you all today! I actually woke up early and met my friend Vanessa for a run this morning, so that means TWO OUTFITS already today!

We'll go in order, so here's my running outfit:

I love mint. I a little bit wish I had mint colored running shoes... hot pink and mint would be awesome. Hear that Newton? Mint and pink shoes please! I can't do cost breakdowns on today's outfits, because I can't remember what anything cost... Sorry!

Top: Aeropostale

This one is made from moisture wicking fabric, and fits loosely. I love this top. It's super comfy!

Shorts: Umbro

These are those fantastic two-in-one shorts I got from TJ Maxx online. They totally give me a bubble butt and really aren't very flattering, but they are comfortable and quite possibly my current favorite running shorts.

Shoes: Newton Energy

I keep going back and forth on whether or not I love these running shoes. I think I do. Except sometimes I don't. They have done a great job in helping to correct some of my form problems. But sometimes my little toes fall asleep in them. Not always. It's very strange. If you're a runner though, I recommend giving them a try!

Watch: Garmin Forerunner 110

I love this GPS watch! It was a gift from my brother, and it's pretty amazing. It has a heart rate monitor also, but I've never tried that feature out. (Bonus that it has pink on it!)

Ok, on to my normal outfit!

Pink! And a rather unflattering photo... I swear I don't really have a giant belly roll as it appears I do here... I mean, I have a small belly roll, just not a giant one.

Top: NY & Co

The color is hard to see in these pictures, but it's a pretty pale pink with just a little shine to the fabric. Very pretty and delicate!

Pants: Forever21

Candy striper pants! I got these in the clearance section last winter and couldn't wait for summer just so I could finally wear them. Pink and white stripes?! Yes please!

Shoes: Vince Camuto

How cute are these delicate little sandals?! I got them during my accidental shoe shopping binge with my mom a few weeks ago. I think they're super pretty, and oddly enough, very comfortable!

Arm Party!
Left:

I was feeling the turtle love today... The first one was from a store that I think is out of business, next is my watch that you've seen 10 million times now, and the last one I strung myself.

Right:

Righty is wearing a couple bracelets from my Little Black Bag hoarding shopping days. The first is by Nakamol, and the second is from ETK (which I'm 99% sure is Ettika).

So that's what I've worn so far today! One more outfit change when I ride later, but I won't bore you with that one.
What are you wearing today? Have a favorite item from above? Talk to me below in the comments!

Thursday's Threads!

It's ALMOST like a spring day today, so I managed to trade in my warm wooly sweater for a lighter cotton version. FINALLY.

The sweater is by a brand called Oh MG! (Really? Who picked that for a brand name?!) It came from Marshalls. I love the pink and black striped hearts! My necklace I put together a couple of weekends ago when I was feeling crafty. You can see see more here.

I can't remember if you've seen the pants before. But they're by Seven Jeans. I love the shimmery stitching and pockets details! They're too long for my flat shoes, so I had to fold them under a little.... It's not easy being short!

 The shoes are by Restricted. I got them during that fantastic Little Black Bag shoe sale. Not the best photo of them, but you can also see them here. The shoes are super comfy, and they work perfectly with the hearts on my sweater!

On the wrists today:
Left has a pretty heart bracelet from LBB, my trusty watch, and another heart bracelet. This one was handmade by me!
Right has a pretty stone cuff bracelet also from LBB, a pink and black beaded bracelet made by me again, a rhinestone wrap bracelet from Baublebar, and a bungey cord bracelet which I think came from Claire's.

That's it for today! What are you wearing today? It if finally feeling like Spring where you are?
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Thursdays Threads!

So I overslept for work this morning. Not like your typical 15 minutes either. I woke up at 10 am! That would be an hour and half late. Plus whatever time it took to get ready. Ugh. Thankfully I had picked out my Thursday's Threads last night! Phew.
Unfortunately, I STILL do not have a lovely spring time ensemble to show off. It was snowing this morning when I finally woke up. Again. Just a dusting though at least. (Spring, where are you?!)

Yep, still bundled for winter. Let's start at the bottom!

The boots are by Penny Loves Kenny. I got them from Little Black Bag as you may have seen here. They're really great boots! Really comfy, and not as difficult to get into as they look (they have a zipper down the inside of the leg thankfully). Though they're not real leather, they're very soft and truthfully makes me more likely to wear them in inclement weather. The snow doesn't damage faux leather! Also, the soles are actually rubber and have great tread making them better for walking in the ice and snow.

The jeans are by 1st Kiss. I've had them awhile, I think I got them from Marshalls? Hard to recall. I love the studs on the front pockets! The back pockets are plain, which I think is best. Probably much too busy with back pocket detailing as well. And you wouldn't want to sit on those studs!

The sweater is by Pink Rose. I got this one at the VF Outlet, which I think is the company that owns Levi's. I'm no expert though, I might have made that up. Anyway, it's a nice olive green color which is a little tough to see in my not great photos today. And the studs on the shoulder are cute and thankfully not pointy.

Now, on to the accessories! (My favorite part!)

 My necklace today features a tiny little pug bead on a green cotton string. I made him this weekend as you may have seen here. I've been dying to wear him all week!

Arm party!

Righty up on the top is sporting from left to right: A handmade by me bracelet with copper colored beads, a pretty friendship bracelet from Etsy, another handmade by me bracelet that's just braided with a heart, and lastly a gold bangle/cuff from Lydell that I got from Little Black Bag awhile back.
Lefty has on (from right to left just to mess with you a little) my trusty gold watch, a pretty arrow bracelet from Ettika that I think I actually got from Gilt, and my handmade pug bracelet that goes with the necklace.
All my craftiness this past weekend inspired me to don some of my own pieces again.

My bag today is one of my favorites from Emma Fox which also came from Little Black Bag:

I swear this bag only gets better with use. It's so buttery soft! I love it!
I guess that's it for today. What are you wearing today? Has it warmed up where you are? Let's hope (again) for spring outfits next week!

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