Shopping

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New Addiction

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Ching under Shopping.

Brian and I recently discovered Stitch Fix and are now completely addicted. I first discovered it through one of my colleagues in Kansas City. She is petite like me and she was wearing this super cute long cardigan one day. I asked her where she got it and that’s when she told me about Stitch Fix.

She’s been on Stitch Fix for over a year now and she has been very pleased with the service. She said the stylists actually learn what you like and don’t like based on the feedback you provide after each delivery. They know her so well now that she usually likes almost everything they send her.

My main challenge has been that I don’t really have much time for shopping and find it time consuming to find things that fit me. When I do shop and buy things that I like, I usually have to get them tailored because they’re almost always too long. I was very impressed with the fact that they send her items according to her measurements so I was eager to give it a try. I wanted to see how well they could do with me after completing my styling survey and providing my measurements.

Here’s what they sent me in my first shipment.

I received two pants, two tops and a pair of earrings. I didn’t really need a new pair of earrings but the Maryln Schiff earrings they sent me are super cute and go with literally everything. I have been wearing them nonstop ever since I got them.

I was super impressed with the two pants they sent. Not only were the pants of great quality but they fit me amazingly well. I didn’t even need to get them hemmed. They were the perfect length.

The black skinny pants are by Liverpool and the maroonish skinny jeans are by Just Black. They both fit and feel amazing on but I have to say that the Liverpool pants are my favorite. They are, by far, the best, most comfortable pants I’ve ever owned.

I also loved the Collective Concepts blouse from this shipment. They go really well with the black Liverpool skinny pants. I have worn them several times since I got them. The only item in my box that I wasn’t too crazy about was the cold-shoulder blouse. It’s just too trendy for me and really isn’t my style. It also felt a little baggy. I just didn’t think it looked great on. I was thrilled with everything else though.

I loved my Stitch Fix experience so much that I talked Brian into joining. Here are a few pictures from his unboxing of his first ever Stitch Fix delivery.

The presentation is super nice. It really gets you excited to unbox what’s inside.

Here’s what Brian got in his second box.

If you don’t like to go to the mall or are otherwise too busy to shop, this service is absolutely perfect. Shipping and returns are free and they make it super simple with a postage paid bag that you can use to return any items you don’t want to keep. The catch is that there’s a $20 styling fee. They keep the fee if you don’t buy anything but you can use the $20 towards any items you purchase.

I personally think it’s a good deal.

I do have a special offer for you guys where you can try Stitch Fix at no risk. If you use this link then they will waive the $20 styling fee for your first box so you lose absolutely nothing even if you decide not to keep any items at all.

It is really neat and so we hope you guys decide to give Stitch Fix a try. It will completely revolutionize the way you shop for clothes.

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I Finally Made It!

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Ching under Shopping, Zumba.

After years of spending hundreds of dollars on Zumba wear, I finally made it! Just in time for my birthday, too! I am officially a three-star Zumba Wear Insider!

Zumba Wear Insider is a program that launched a few years ago.

I slowed down my Zumba wear shopping because I had way too much gear already. Anyway, earlier this year they sent me a note about qualifying for two-star status, which was nice but didn’t really offer any real perks (not to me, anyhow).

However, I met a three-star Zumba Wear Insider at #ZINCON this year who told me that the three-star Insiders got to shop the Zumba Wear store at #ZINCON before it opened. Now, that’s a real perk considering that Brian and I spent at least a couple of hours of our time in line for the Zumba Wear store on Wednesday waiting for it to open. If I had been a three-star at that time, I would have been shopping instead of standing in line.

Although, I didn’t find this out after I had already spent over about $800 on purchases at the store that didn’t count toward my Zumba Wear Insider status. Blech! You live and learn.

After this realization, Brian and I agreed that I would not be shopping at #ZINCON going forward — since it doesn’t count toward my status. If I need to buy anything, I would buy it from the web site so that every penny counts. We made a pact that the only reason that we would shop at the Zumba Wear store at #ZINCON is if I made three-star between now and then and got first dibs on everything.

Of course, the universe being the enabler that it is, ended up bestowing upon me three-star status further fueling my Zumba Wear and shopping addictions.

How do you find out when you reach three-star status? Well, they send you a gift. It comes in a box similar to the one pictured above.

Inside is a card/letter informing you of your new status and explaining the program. I don’t remember if the two-star letter came with a present. If it didn’t it wasn’t anything memorable. The three-star letter comes with an exclusive three-star Zumba Wear Insider t-shirt, which is pretty cool.

Here’s what the front of it looks like. The back has your three-star status.

Also on the same day, in a separate mailing, I received an early birthday card from Zumba. I love getting birthday cards in the mail because no one ever writes letters or sends cards to people anymore.

It’s kind of a treat when you get something besides junk mail in your mailbox. Anyway, this one is extra special because it contained the added bonus of a $30 OFF coupon for Zumba wear.

Now, that’s a REAL perk!

It was a wonderful surprise because I didn’t know that Zumba Wear Insiders got birthday cards with discounts. I’ve found out since that you do and the amount depends on your status/level. I’m so glad that I made three-star in time for my birthday! Thank you to Zumba for feeding my Zumba gear addiction!

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P.S. As a bonus for you guys, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Well, it’s not that much of a secret but not everyone knows this. I am a Zumba Wear affiliate so I have a special code you can use that will save you 10% OFF every time you shop on Zumba.com. Yes, it’s good EVERY, SINGLE time! There is no limit to the number of times you use this code so wear it out!

If you click on any of the links on this post, the discount should automatically apply to your items. If you don’t see the discount, use affiliate code CHING when you check out. That should apply the discount to your shopping cart.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

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Goodbye Bags

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Ching under Shopping, Wishlist.

I retired a couple of bags this weekend.

The zipper of my Thirty-One gym bag broke a while back but I had been enduring it because I didn’t want to have to move everything over to a different bag. Plus, I always felt that the big blue duffel/gym bag that I got from work a couple of years ago was far too big so I didn’t want to switch to it.

I finally moved all of my stuff over to it yesterday out of necessity. Although it’s a little big, it actually works out because I can fit two pairs of high-top sneakers in the shoe compartment; whereas I could only fit one pair in my old gym bag.

I also had to finally retire the Coach crossbody bag that I got from an outlet in Arizona almost six years ago. It was money well spent because it has been my everyday, take everywhere, bang-around bag from day one. It is a shame that they don’t make it anymore, otherwise I would have just ordered the exact same thing to replace it. After all, the signature print matches my wallet.

I couldn’t find a suitable crossbody from Coach. And, it seemed like they weren’t making bags in the old signature print I had. I think it might be a retired material. I had to completely switch brands.

Here is the replacement:

It’s an upgrade for several reasons. (1) It is actually bigger than my old crossbody. It’s like a full-fledged messenger bag but on a smaller scale. (2) It’s got way more compartments to hide stuff. Lots of different pockets. My old crossbody only had the main compartment and a small outside pocket. (3) It cost most more than my old crossbody. But, considering I keep bags for five years or more and I pretty much use the same bag everyday (rather than switching bags on whim or match my outfit), it’s going to get lots of mileage. I don’t mind paying a bit more for something functional, practical, and won’t be collecting dust on a shelf in my closet.

The nice thing about this is that, since it’s black, I won’t have to replace my wallet. It doesn’t match my wallet perfectly but it kind of coordinates with it. It works for now, anyhow. Unless someone gets me a wallet (hint, hint). My birthday is just around the corner after all.

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Enjoying Life as a Stella & Dot Rep

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Ching under Confessions, Shopping.

I have to admit, the only reason I joined Stella & Dot as an independent stylist a few months ago is so that I could buy their jewelry at half off. I had no intention of doing trunkshows or selling jewelry. I just wanted the discount.

My sponsor/upline Amanda convinced me to host a trunkshow/launch party in March. It was a huge hit and so I was able to earn some free jewelry and half off discounts which afforded me the ability to add to my Stella & Dot accessory stash or “sample inventory” as I like to call it.

Now, every time I want something I just tell Brian I’m investing in “samples” for my jewelry business and he doesn’t hassle me about it. Not as much as he usually does, anyway. I wish I would have thought of this sooner! LOL.

The best thing about “samples” is I get to wear them whenever I like… Yup. I love samples! Who doesn’t? If you’re interested in a way to get your husband off your back about owning too much jewelry and accessories or if you actually want to make some extra cash, contact me. Please also like my Stella & Dot page on Facebook. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!