France - 11/21/00

11/21/00

Tired.  Did all my laundry, wrote an essay, shopped w/ Steph [description of lingerie here], and talked to my wonderful man.  Have to sleep now.  I love you Jamie!

France - 11/20/00

1/20/00

A little bit of homework and then bed.  In the morning I'm having cereal!  (Milk is outside my window right now.)  [I was on the second floor and the windows didn't have screens.  There was a small ledge underneath each window, and the weather was cold enough that we could leave things on the ledge overnight, and they would stay cold.]  Teaching was okay, but I'm really tired.  Good email from Jamie today.  He's wonderful.  And a letter from him today!  I love you, sweetie!

France - 11/19/00

11/19/00

Thanksgiving dinner/lunch/meal today was wonderful.  They didn't have mashed potatoes & gravy (!) since it was catered by some French people, but the turkey and everything else was great.  And everyone (it was mostly Americans) brought a dessert.  So I got to have pecan pie & pumpkin pie and a few other things.  I like dessert.  Sarah and I took the 2/17 [bus number] to Jaude this morning to the 14/16 that was supposed to take us all the way to Royat's post office.  The bus driver, however, dropped us off in the middle of nowhere ("end of the line!"), near the bottom of the hill that is Royat, and told us how how to get to the post office from there.  So we walked all the way there, completely uphill and in the rain, where we finally found the church.  It's a pretty little church/chapel.  The service was very classic Catholic/Anglican, but I liked the sermon, singing hymns, and meeting all the nice people, so I'm going to go back.  Tonight, since the laundry room was more than full, I didn't get much done.  Sarah and I listened to music and played cards, I made my bed, and balanced my checkbook.  Found out I've been spending way too much money.  I knew that I was spending too much, but that "way too much" really surprised me.  I'm not too worried, though, because I know exactly how and where to cut back, and I think I'll end up doing fine.  Tomorrow I have to teach, and, as always, I'm dreading it.  I think I'm going to play Twenty Questions with Martine's classes, and they'll have to ask me questions about whatever I choose... I don't know about Jacqueline's classes.  I need to read over the stuff she gave me on American high schools and try to think up activities over that... maybe I'll play Twenty Questions with them. too.  Who knows... I really wish I didn't have to do this!  Sarah told me tonight that her parents are coming for our April break, so I need to find someone else to travel with... possible do southern Italy, Corsica, Spain/Portugal.  That would be fun!  I'm really missing Jamie right now.  33 days!  I get to call him Tuesday night (and most likely complain about teaching).  (sigh)  How am I going to make it through 173 days straight without him next semester?  I'm going to write a postcard to the Charrons now -except I don't have 3f stamps.  Guess it'll be a full letter!  I love you Jamie!

France - 11/18/00

11/18/00

Talked to Jamie for a little over an hour today.  He makes life better!  Said that right now, after counting the Florida absentee ballots (this is unrelated to the previous sentence!), Bush is unofficially ahead by 930 votes.  Jamie's absolutely wonderful.  Only 34 days until I get to see him!!  But I don't know how I'm going to make it from January - June without going crazy.  I'll just try not to think about that.  Went to Auchan today and then made a Mexican-type skillet dinner.  (me, Sarah, Aimee, Joanna, & Ramsey.)  Afterwards, all but Aimee played a game of Uno and had a blast.  Sarah bought the Beatles "1" CD today and it's really good.  Have to go to bed now - very tired.  Tomorrow is church and Thanksgiving dinner!

Stitch Fix #7

Stitch Fix #7!

Pictures courtesy of my incredible husband.  Thank you!

This box looked good from the start - all long-sleeved tops, just as I'd asked for!

The first thing I tried on was the "Alan" French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan from Market and Spruce ($68):

I loved this when it was open, and didn't like it when it was closed.  I loved it enough when open, though, to decide to keep it!  I don't usually go for anything asymmetrical, but this was so soft and had such a fun shape that it was just right.   Keeping!

Next up was La Made's "Tatum" 3/4 Sleeve Striped Tee ($48).

Alas, not quite.  I liked the color and pattern and it was really soft, but it was too long for someone with hips.  In front, the bottom hung in an unflattering way, and in back it was even longer and clung to my bum before dangling.  Just... no.

Next up, Millibon's "Mira" Striped French Terry Cardigan ($48):

I was hoping this would work because I liked the stripes, but it fit strangely.  In front, the material (french terry) kept it from laying nicely, and the back was cut a little shorter and snugger than I would have liked.


Next up was one I really, really, loved before I put it on.  This is Pixley's "Dido" Mixed Print Knit Top ($58):

From the back, I loved this!! The print, the fit, the swing of it!  If only the front had matched it.  From the front it looked like a maternity top.  I was so disappointed! I wanted this to work so badly because of how the back looked.    


The last item was the "Morgan" Mix Knit Raglan Top from Loveappella ($54):

 

I liked this one!  I was hoping for things with more color or pattern, but this fit well and had an interesting mix of textiles.  And you can almost call the sleeves printed with their nubby texture.  Keeping!

So I'm keeping 2 out of the 5!  Not bad! 

If you're interested in trying Stitch Fix yourself, I'd encourage you to check out my other reviews to see some better examples of boxes!    (Click on "Stitch Fix" under "Labels" on the right.)  My referral link is here if you'd like to try it out!

Stitch Fix #6

Stitch Fix #6 came in December, but the post is coming a month late!

These pictures are all taken from far away in the bathroom mirror, so I apologize for the quality!

Right away, I was disappointed when I opened this box.  I had requested only long-sleeved tops, and this box contained: 1 long-sleeved top, 1 distressed cardigan, 1 pair of jeans, 1 sleeveless top, and 1 dress.  Not a good start.   


The first thing I tried on was the "Fierro" Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater from Market and Spruce ($58):

I was so close to keeping this one!  It fit well - comfy and a bit loose - and I loved the elbow patches. The color was great, too!  Unfortunately, it was itchy.  :(  I was so sad, because everything else about it was keepable.  I knew I wouldn't wear it, though, with that material.  

Next up was one that I liked the look of (polka dots!).  This is Amour Vert's "Balboa" Dot Print Racerback Silk Tank ($44). 

Nope.   The pictures can't convey how ill-fitting this was.  The top had to be constantly adjusted so as to not show my bra and it sat on my hips instead of flowing smoothly.  The cute polka dot print couldn't save it.  


Next up, Sweet Rain's "Macy" Distressed Cardigan ($68):

Not my style.  The pictures can't quite show it, but the front had tears - on purpose - and the back had a chiffon insert that ruined it.  The knit part of the back ended at my natural waist and the chiffon part started below that, but the way it fell on my body was not flattering. 


Next up was a pair of jeans.  Kut From The Kloth's "Simmons" Bootcut Jeans ($78):

They weren't flattering, and - surprise! - they were too long.  Nope.  If I'm going to buy a pair of jeans, they need to be great. 

The last item was a dress, which was a surprise since I had asked for just tops.  The "Felix" Short Sleeve Space Dye Knit Dress from THML ($44):

 

(Sigh).  From the front, it actually looked like it fit okay, though it wasn't a style I liked.  From the back, though, you could see all the problems.  Not good at all. 

I sent everything back from this box.  I would have kept that first sweater if the material hadn't been so itchy, but I just couldn't do it - it would never have been worn.

I'm giving them another chance, though!

If you're interested in trying Stitch Fix yourself, I'd encourage you to check out my other reviews to see some better examples of boxes!  (Click on "Stitch Fix" under "Labels" on the right.)  My referral link is here if you'd like to try it out!

France - 11/17/00

11/17/00

Tired.  Wrote a letter to my love and one to the Pippins.  Now, just need to write to Grant, Brett, Mindy, Jamie's parents, and Mom.  Not tonight, though.  Went to dinner (Tonkinoise) with Andrew, a French girl he knows (Sophie?), Morgan, Ramsey, Sarah, and Aimee.  Joanna was going to come, but didn't show up when we were ready to leave.  After class today, Morgan and I had McD quick for lunch and then went to Etam Lingerie.  [I obviously loved that store.  Still miss it.  I'll skip the description of what I bought.]  Tomorrow is Auchan (buying stuff for the Mexican recipe Mom sent), laundry, and manicure/pedicure.  Also, walking into Habitat today (w/ M.) and spent lots of time there - decided would like to decorate entire house w/ Habitat stuff.  Have to go to bed.  Love you, Jamie!

France - 11/16/00

11/16/00

Bought stamps today - 30 of the 4.50's since they were much prettier than the bald guy on the 4.40's.  Called Jamie tonight to say "I love you" and woke him up - he sounded absolutely adorable!  I'm very ready to see him again.  Got a letter from mom today with a yummy-sounding skillet recipe, some pictures of relatives, and razors.  I wrote on the inside-cover of the little book I'm going to send to Jamie; I'm hoping to send that out next week.  I hope he likes it!  I think some of us are going to go out to dinner tomorrow, and we're going to try to get a bunch of the Americans together to go to dinner Thursday since it's Thanksgiving.  Also - found boots I like and both Eram stores are out of my size, so I couldn't try them on.  Going to bed now.  G'night, sweetheart - I love you.