August Stitch Fix Review

It’s been a hot summer – as of this posting, we have been breaking records with 27? days over 90 degrees F – and not that those days in the 80s don’t still feel pretty warm. I started a new job around mid-June, and for my Stitch Fix box I requested items that could help me be comfortable in the heat but help me get out of the rut of sundresses that once I get into the office I have to throw a cardigan over since they are strappy.

If you haven’t heard of Stitch Fix before, Stitch Fix is a monthly styling subscription service personalized for you. You go online and they ask you question to get an information on your size as well as your preferences in style. Then, based on all that and any optional notes or Pinterest boards you give, a stylist will pick out 5 pieces to ship to you that are mailed to your home for your consideration for a $20 styling fee which is credited toward any clothing purchase – return in a prepaid mailing package what you don’t want.

Here is what I got for my August Stitch Fix:

Abella Maxi Dress

Abella Maxi Dress from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Abella Maxi Dress from Stitch Fix, August 2015
This dress doesn’t look like much when I first unfolded it and put it on the hanger. But, part of the whole purpose of Stitch Fix is to try it on in the comfort of your own home with no one there to see you, no need to carry anything from the dressing room, and it’s something a stylist thought would work – so I should trust her and give it a try.

I was really surprised when I tried it on – it is super super comfy – like wearing pajamas comfy. But, it is also stylish because of a tie detail by the front I hadn’t noticed at first that lets you tighten it in to give some definition, and on both sides of the legs there are slits that also give a flash of leg/skin so it’s not just a typical maxi dress. If there was ever a fire and I had to quickly get some clothes on at night, and I might be wearing it for 24 hours as things were figured out, I would choose this dress.

And, most maxi dresses are long on me since I’m only 5’2″- so long that I have to wear heels, and it may still be almost at the floor. This dress is comfortably at my ankles, which itself is a big deal for me. All the above helped justify the cost of the dress, which I think was on the pricier side for a maxi dress (about 2x a normal maxi at a store).

I kept the dress.

Elyott Dress

Elyott Dress from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Elyott Dress from Stitch Fix, August 2015
At first, this dress looks like a basic black dress with white polka dots. The cut of the dress is very flattering in how well it follows my shoulders and is cut close to my top, but then flares out nicely to hide flaws from the waist on. And, it is actually a dark grey dress with white flowery dots. Looking in my closet, it made me realize I don’t have a polka dotty basic dress (though I have plenty of black/white flower pattern apparently) and I like that it can be styled for many seasons and in fun ways or more office or even cocktail occasions.

I kept the dress.

Stana Pleated Blouse

Stana Pleated Blouse from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Stana Pleated Blouse from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Stana Pleated Blouse from Stitch Fix, August 2015
This was my favorite of the offerings of the box because it has a combination of edginess from the black and white pattern but it’s also soft with the pleats and transparency of the flowy material. I know I can wear this to work now as is with jeans or pants or black skirts, but easily wear this into every other season as well layered with cardigans. And, I like that unlike some of my other Stitch Fix boxes where I had blouses that I had to layer tanks on, this is one that works on its own or that I can layer other things on top but finally I don’t need to keep pulling from my tank drawer with something underneath!

I kept the blouse – I wore it just a few days later after receiving the box!

Cadez Crew Neck Blouse

Cadez Crew Neck Blouse from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Cadez Crew Neck Blouse from Stitch Fix, August 2015
As soon as I saw the pattern I was already on the fence. I like the colors, but then there’s something somehow 8-bit about it with the edges. Then, when I tried it on the fit was fine- but then F pointed out that he could still see my bra and that it wasn’t work appropriate. I know there are people out there who create outfits where it is ok to see the bra – but I’m not that type of person (I tend to only have nude or black bras to even try to blend in the straps if I can) and F hates it, so this is going back. But, with a nice black bra and without my/F’s hang-up I can see how this could be a versatile piece.

I didn’t keep the blouse.

Stanyan V-Neck Knit Top

Stanyan V-Neck Knit Top from Stitch Fix, August 2015 Stanyan V-Neck Knit Top from Stitch Fix, August 2015
I was torn between how I felt about this. It was very soft and I liked the detail at the shoulder and arms. But the main portion of horizontal stripes was boxy on me. Ultimately, I decided for the price it wasn’t worth it for me in terms of how comfortable it is, the fit, and how unique it is (or in this case, not unique enough) from what I can find on my own that it’s worth adding to my closet.

I didn’t keep the top.

My next Stitch Fix is scheduled for after my busy September of Feast and GABF trips, and my October trip to Sante Fe. I requested clothes that I can travel with for my trip to Japan in December that won’t wrinkle! If you you want to see my previous boxes, check out my last one in March and also my favorite matches from 14 boxes post.

Have you heard of Stitch Fix? What are your thoughts on the pieces I got above?

What has been your favorite piece if you are a fellow Stitch-Fixer? If you are not a Stitch Fixer, and are thinking of trying it, would you mind using this referral link that gives me a small credit? And, then become Stitch Fix friends with me!

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The Little Paris Bookshop Review

My The Little Paris Bookshop review can be summed up with the following 5 points.

  1. This book will make you fall in love with prose again. There are many books that tell a story and it is the characters and the events that are the main attraction. The words on the page or screen are there to help communicate and serve those attractions. The author of the Little Paris bookshop, Nina George, has a way of putting together phrases and sentences that you will enjoy reading a second or third or fourth time, even though you already have the message, because of how poetically it is stated.
    The Little Paris Bookshop, by Nina George
  2. Nina is adept at discerning the great range of complex emotions we live through. I love that she distinguishes and names these throughout the book via the main character Perdu. Like her protagonist, it seems Nina also wants to treat them. Perdu mentions a few of them early on –

    “The feeling that washes over you when another summer nears its end. Or when you recognize that you haven’t got your whole life left to find out where you belong.”

    Through various characters in the book, you will explore and feel various levels of peace, sadness, yearning, being disturbed, companionship and more with her keen observations. Even though you may not be in the exact same situation as those characters, the way she writes about them resonates within that makes you remember and contemplate yourself.

  3. The character and idea of this type of bookshop will make you want to visit small bookshops and wish you could find this type of bookseller who has such breadth and depth of knowledge of books that they can help you find the book for your needs. A thread that runs throughout is that books that can not only transport away from your life for a little while, but can also fill in holes in your life that are empty, even if you don’t know it, and can make you a better person. You may start questioning the types of books you normally have been choosing and now have the yearning to find these other types of books that are soul enrichment, not just entertainment or self-help/skill teaching. Now where can I find a book doctor like Perdu?

    “A book is both medic and medicine at once. It makes a diagnosis as well as offering therapy.”

    “He calls books freedoms. And homes too. they preserve all the good words we so seldom use.”

  4. Don’t be surprised if after reading this book you feel like taking a vacation to France, or at least spend some time in a small town by a river. Although the book title names Paris, at one point in the book you begin a journey through the south of France. Since I was not familiar with many of the places named, I did a Google Image search out of curiosity as I was reading. You will not be sorry if you follow my lead and I highly recommend doing this as you read. She really picked some incredibly breathtaking places, and seeing the photos helps you appreciate the journey and how the environment contributed as an important character itself to the story.
  5. You will want to eat some French food. First of all, they mention warm buttery croissants and fresh baguettes a lot. There are other important meals as well, varying from poaching fish in a pan while talking with a loved one and just eating it from the pan with wine, risotto with red wine on a boat (or somehow al fresco) under the stars, bohémienne de legumes and lamb cutlets with garlic flan or lavender ice cream (thankfully these are included as recipes at the back of the book), scrambled eggs with truffles, mussels in a herb and cream sauce with a view of the ocean. This isn’t a book about food. But, as seems truthful and honest, when you are traveling there will be some strong memories of moments that do involve food – and that happens in the book.
    Sesame Thyme Croissant, one of the many many delicious baked good pastries at Nuvrei Patisserie and Cafe Wildwood (now closed) dish of brick oven roasted mussels with bacon, leeks, cider,‎ fried sage, crème fraîche, toasted baguette. I was not ashamed to use a spoon once I had freed the mussels from their shells to eat this like a soup, including using the toasted baguette to sop up sauce. The bowl was completely empty and dry when I returned it

There are a couple small things that bother me about the book. For instance, how the various characters logistically afforded the lives that they lead in the book. I found the Manon Travel Diary sections sometimes too overwrought, which as a personal diary I can forgive a little but the entries ran long. It also made it harder for me to understand why Manon is held on such a high pedestal – it was one of those typical people describing a character as incredible but now showing how she deserved the praise. But, I forgave these flaws because the positives that I mentioned in my 5 points made this book more than worth the read.

If you haven’t read it yet, don’t forget to have a good croissant source in mind – I tell you, you will be craving some with coffee as you are reading passages, and this craving will repeat more than a couple times.

Have you read The Little Paris Bookshop, and if so what did you think? If you haven’t, does it sound like something you would put on your book list as a to read, why or why not? And where do you get your favorite croissant (my current faves are Gabriel’s Bakery’s cheese croissants found at the Farmer’s Market, and Nuvrei Bakery which is what is pictured above)?

Disclosure: This book was provided to me as part of the Blogging for Books program, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

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Krusteaz Cookies + Free Giveaway! (Sponsored)

Have you seen the Krusteaz products in your local grocery store? They make a variety of product mixes, from their famous pancake and waffle mixes to more like muffins, cornbreads, brownies, bars (such as lime bars, pecan bars, lemon bars), breads (including flatbread!), cobblers, scones, and of course the mix that started the company, pie crust mix. They have gluten free products as well.

Krusteaz (a combination of Crust and Ease”) started in 1932 with a women’s bridge club in Seattle and their idea for an easy pie crust in which all you had to do was add water and that’s it!  From then they expanded to pancake mix with the “just add water” formula. They marketed it in the 1960s with a “Krusteaz Kurtesy Kitchen” that was a pancake and biscuit food cart that made it fresh on a grill built into cart.

#TBT to our traveling diner days, circa 1960. #krusteaz #vintage

A photo posted by Krusteaz (@krusteaz) on

All of their mixes promise to be super easy and often just need you to add a liquid (water, oil, beer or carbonated beverage for the beer bread, etc) and if needed eggs. Everything else is already in the box, be it Apple Cinnamon pancakes to Blueberry Belgian waffles to Garlic and Onion flatbreads.  The only exception is for cobblers and pies, which you naturally have to fill in yourself with your fruit of choice, but they provide you instructions based on whether the fruit is fresh or frozen. For the cookies you add just 2 things, egg and butter.

Words to bake by. #seizethekrusteaz #bakingquote A photo posted by Krusteaz (@krusteaz) on

Krusteaz also has a great fundraising support if you are looking for ideas for an event to raise money for your school, public charity, hospital, community service or religious organization. As part of Krusteaz Gives Back, they help support a Pancake Breakfast Fundraising Program that includes reimbursing your organization for 50% of the cost of Krusteaz pancake mix as well as providing lots of online tools and press kid and such to help organize and promote the event.

I have decided to partner with Krusteaz to offer a FREE Krusteaz Back to School prize pack that includes

  1. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mixes including
    • Triple Chocolate Chunk
      Krustez cookie mix - Triple Chocolate Chunk
    • Meyer Lemon
      Krustez cookie mix - Meyer Lemon
    • Double Peanut Butter
      Krustez cookie mix - Double Peanut Butter
    • Brown Sugar Oatmeal
      Krustez cookie mix - Brown Sugar Oatmeal
    • Oatmeal Scotchie
      Krustez cookie mix - Oatmeal Scotchie
    • Butter Vanilla Sugar
      Krustez cookie mix - Butter Vanilla Sugar
  2. Krusteaz insulated lunch bag
  3. Krusteaz apron and oven mitt

For this reader giveway, all you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter in the way you want. Good luck!
Krustez Back to school prize pack

I couldn’t resist some of the cookie combos that Krusteaz has created – Oatmeal Scotchie that has butterscotch chips and oats? Or Meyer Lemon cookie? F though immediately voted for the Triple Chocolate Chunk and the Double Peanut Butter, so I caved to his wishes.

I made the Triple Chocolate Chunk, which boasts 3 kinds of chocolate, first. It took only 5 minutes to mix the butter and egg with the mix by hand, and then the cookies needed to be baked for only about 10 minutes so it was very fast from desire for cookie to eating cookie. I was pleased to see the size of the chunks in the mix.
Krusteaz Triple Chocolate Chunk cookie mix really has nice big chocolate chunks in it! Just add butter and egg Krusteaz Triple Chocolate Chunk cookie mix is best mixed by hand to fully get the dough to come together Krusteaz Triple Chocolate Chunk only add butter and egg, takes 10 minutes or so to bake

I also made the Brown Sugar Oatmeal – I used olive oil instead of butter, and these were wonderfully soft and chunky
Krusteaz Brown Sugar Oatmeal cookie mix, made with olive oil instead of butter Krusteaz Brown Sugar Oatmeal cookie mix, made with olive oil instead of butter

And Krusteaz offers great ideas if you visit their Recipes website for more creative ways to use their cookies as part of their #SeizetheKrusteaz campaign. For instance use their Brown Sugar Oatmeal cookie mix to make Cookie Topped Baked Apples, or the Double Peanut Butter Cookie Mix to make Double Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding.
Krusteaz recipe, use their Brown Sugar Oatmeal cookie mix to make Cookie Topped Baked Apples Krusteaz recipe, use their Double Peanut Butter Cookie Mix to make Double Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding
Images from Krusteaz

One idea for their Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie mix is to use it for a Cherry Topped Cheesecake with Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie Crust or for a fun colorful dessert, use the Butter Vanilla Sugar Cookie mix for a Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza.
Krusteaz recipe, one idea for the Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie is to use it for a Cherry Topped Cheesecake with Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie Crust Krusteaz recipe, use the Butter Vanilla Sugar Cookie for a Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizza
Images from Krusteaz

Kudos for their many creative ideas and working with so many great ambassadors – their Facebook and Instagram is pretty mouthwatering! You can stay informed of their ideas by checking the Krusteaz Facebook or Instagram @Krusteaz or the Twitter @Krusteaz or hashtag #krusteaz.

What are you favorite kind of cookies? Do you have a creative way of using cookies similar to how Krusteaz offers those ideas to #SeizetheKrusteaz? Have you tried any of the Krusteaz products before?

Don’t forget to enter the giveway, and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a goodie package of cookie mixes from Krusteaz for this post, and the Back to School prize pack is also being provided by Krusteaz. I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

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The Bruschetta of Shift Drinks

It goes without saying that the spirit forward drinks of Shift Drinks, located at SW 12th and Morrison and open late from mid afternoon around 4 -5 PM to 2:30 AM are tasty.
Shift Drinks exterior Shift Drinks interior Shift Drinks interior Shift Drinks interior

This is a place whose purpose is after all, all about after a hard’s day work liquid refreshment.
Shift Drinks Shift Drinks

They have light fare to snack on while enjoying your drink, but it’t not meant to be a full meal. The best thing I think to eat on the menus are their bruschettas – and I’ve had them all.

The garlicky vegetarian Paamb Tomaquet with garlic, fresh tomato, salt
Shift Bruschetta - Paamb Tomaquet with garlic, fresh tomato, salt

PLT with Prosciutto, arugula, tomato, aioli
Shift Bruschetta - PLT with Prosciutto, arugula, tomato, aioli

My favorite the classic Bruschetta with fresh ricotta, tomato, and basil
Shift Bruschetta - fresh ricotta, tomato, and basil

The rotating seasonal based on what’s fresh, which could vary from Grilled summer squash with cherry tomato and basil pesto to Mushroom and Pesto and more
Shift Bruschetta - Grilled summer squash with cherry tomato and basil pesto Shift Drinks Bruschetta - mushroom and pesto

With it’s airy feel of high ceilings, big windows letting in light, simple black and white furniture and photographs on the wall, the simplicity of Shift feels sophisticated.

Just like how they transformed basic bruschetta into something simple yet complex for your enjoyment, expect your drinks to be the same way. And, their late hours are perfect to end any evening.

Click to add a blog post for Shift Drinks on Zomato

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Eat for a Cause August 29 and Help Women!

On Saturday, August 29, there are two opportunities where you can Eat For a Cause and help women at the same time! Don’t let the weather predictions for some rain and wind deter you.

Ruby Jewel Hawthorne, benefiting Raphael House

First, there is the Grand Opening of the new location of Ruby Jewel Ice Cream at SE Hawthorne, in the Mount Tabor neighborhood. The 4707 SE Hawthorne location is right between Por Que No and Apizza Scholls, both famous restaurants that will be open for lunch (as well as dinner). So then come on over for dessert because as part of their Grand Opening, a percentage of the proceeds goes towards Raphael House, a Domestic Violence agency.

Founded in 1977, Raphael House of Portland is dedicated to fighting the causes and effects of domestic violence. They offer emergency shelter in a confidential location, a 24-hour in-house crisis line, transitional housing and advocacy programs, non-residential advocacy in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, and also work to bring an end to violence through community outreach and education. Raphael House is the largest domestic violence shelter in Multnomah County. Annually, Raphael House provides 10,000 safe nights for women and children in their emergency shelter and support as many as 5,000 callers on their 24/7 crisis line.

Ruby Jewel Hawthorne will be open noon – 11 PM, so you have plenty of time during the day to make your way here. As part of the celebration, they will have live music by Mo Phillips from 2-4 PM and also a special Mt Tabor Volcano Sundae which you can see previewed by Drew Karney of KGW here and you can see posed here… The Mt Tabor Volcano Sundae is a 2 scoops of ice cream (your choice) with an upside down “volcano” cone, hardening chocolate sauce, double chocolate cookies, and fresh strawberry sauce and whipped cream.

Special flavors above and beyond their regular flavors include
Ruby Jewel Ice Cream flavors for September 2015

September Seasonal Ice Cream

  • Chocolate Chip Squared– Singing Dog Vanilla ice cream with mini dark chocolate chips and chunks of housemade chocolate chip cookies.
  • Double Chocolate Toffee Crunch– Ruby Jewel’s classic Double Chocolate ice cream studded with house-made, chocolate-topped toffee.
  • Coconut Cream Pie– toasted coconut based ice cream filled with swirls of marshmallow fluff, candied coconut and vanilla wafer cookie crumbs.
  • Hazelnut Latte– Nossa Familia’s Full Cycle Blend coffee is paired with Oregon hazelnuts for a smooth coffee treat.
  • Honey Pistachio– Bee Local’s Oregon High Desert honey and pistachio ice cream with roasted pistachios.
  • PB & J Sandwich– Peanut butter ice cream with housemade Concord grape jelly and challah bread croutons.

Dairy Free

  • Portland Soda Works Root Beer Ice– Indian sarsaparilla and warming spices of Portland Soda Works root beer syrups used for sodas, cocktails and now a refreshing, nostalgic ice!
  • Reverend Nat’s Revival Cider Ice– Bold, crisp and full of apple flavor.

Samples of sundes in mini size at Ruby Jewel: Chocolate Chip Squared Ice Cream with Caramel Sauce and Pralined Pecans with Whipped Cream Ruby Jewel's Ice Cream cocktails with Portland Soda Works Root Beer Ice with rum, root beer syrup and orange liquor and Reverend Nat's Revival Cider Ice combined with Prosecco

Potential Ice Cream Sundae Combos

At a media preview, I also got to try some great sundae combinations if you are looking for some ideas. For instance a Chocolate Chip Squared Ice Cream with Caramel Sauce and Praline Pecans with Whipped Cream and an Oregon Strawberry Ice Cream topped with Housemade Marshmallow Fluff and Crisp Chunks (these are mini sample sundaes, the ones you get will be much bigger ;D ). I didn’t try this myself, but there is also for your consideration the combo of Hazelnut Latte ice cream with chocolate dip, whipped cream, and espresso caramel sauce
Ruby Jewel sundae combo of Chocolate Chip Squared Ice Cream with Caramel Sauce and Pralined Pecans with Whipped Cream Ruby Jewel mini sundae sample of Oregon Strawberry Ice Cream topped with Housemade Marshmallow Fluff and Crisp

Winning Cookie Sandwich!

They also debuted the winning social media contest winner of the #betweentwocookies suggestions from the public: the winner is chocolate chip fudge chunk cookies with fluffernutter ice cream submitted by Chris Zales.
Ruby Jewel #betweentwocookies winner, the chocolate chip fudge chunk cookies with fluffernutter ice cream submitted by Chris Zales

Dairy Free Ice Cream Floats

They also had two wonderful ice cocktails (aka the dairy free ice creams float): Reverend Nat’s Revival Cider Ice combined with Prosecco (YUM) and the Portland Soda Works Root Beer Ice with rum, root beer syrup and orange liquor (quite a bit stronger than prosecco).
Ruby Jewel's Ice Cream cocktails with Portland Soda Works Root Beer Ice with rum, root beer syrup and orange liquor and Reverend Nat's Revival Cider Ice combined with Prosecco   Ruby Jewel's Ice Cream cocktail of Reverend Nat's Revival Cider Ice combined with Prosecco Ruby Jewel's Ice Cream cocktail with Portland Soda Works Root Beer Ice with rum, root beer syrup and orange liquor

EastBurn, benefiting Portland Women’s Crisis Line

Next, hop on over to Eastburn at 1800 East Burnside Street for their 2nd Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational! 9 establishments throw down at EastBurn to see who has the best grilled cheese.
Eastburn Grilled Cheese Invitational 2015

Participants include so far

  • Meat Cheese Bread
  • Bazi Bier Brasserie
  • Brunch Box
  • Big Ass Sandwiches
  • Gaufre Gourmet
  • Zeek’s Cheese Grill
  • The Blue Plate
  • Gil’s Speakeasy

It’s 5-11 PM and all ages. A $20 ticket gets you a scorecard, where you will then go to each competitor’s hole (apparently it’s set up like a golf course, thus the golf club with a grilled cheese in the poster) to try each grilled cheese. Then, you rate their grilled cheese based on taste, originality, presentation and best overall.

All proceeds go to the Portland Women’s Crisis Line. The Portland Women’s Crisis Line (PWCL) was one of the first five sexual violence crisis lines in the United States. PWCL provides services to the Tri-County area made up of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties, and its toll-free number can be called from anywhere in the state. PWCL provides social services such as crisis intervention, in person response for survivors of sexual violence, emergency housing resources, danger to safety transportation assistance, safety planning, advocacy and support, and agency and community support groups, as well as being a social change organize to not only empower those who experience violence, but also to end the oppression and violence which causes them to seek out our services.

If you can’t make the invitational, at least stop by during the month of August (I know, only a few days left) because every $5 Grilled Cheese at Eastburn this month also has the proceeds go towards PWCL.

One of my favorite things about Eastburn are their swing seats, which you can find by the front windows when you first walk in and also in their back patio!
Eastburn Exterior Eastburn Exterior EastBurn bar
EastBurn front window tables with its swings for seats at the tables! EastBurn back patio with its swings for seats at the tables!

I hope you can join me in eating for a cause in supporting both of these very important and worthy non profits and help them continue to make a difference every day.

Disclosure: I was invited to a media event for Ruby Jewel Hawthorne’s Grand Opening to preview the September flavors and menu offerings, but I was not asked to write this post, and I threw in EastBurn as well because I think both are amazing events that you might consider for Saturday. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

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