Fabletics/Calaka Wear Review November 2015

Introduction

What is Fabletics?

Fabletics is an athletic wear subscription box that offers a variety of athletic outfits and items.  As a VIP member, you receive discounts on athletic wear items.  You can purchase items from the boutique or purchase entire outfits at a discounted price.  Prices for outfits start at $49.95.  However, for your first outfit you get 50% off.

To learn more click here.

What is Calaka Wear?

Calaka Wear is a new online clothing store recently established this year (2015).  Below is a quote taken directly from their website:

"Our Mission is to be a street wear brand representing the indigenous culture of North America that can help inspire the people & create meaningful designs that we connect with. Our aesthetic is modern but our inspiration goes back to our cultural symbols & teachings. We want to create, inspire, educate & give back - and to achieve this we will invest from our circles outward, take advantage of todays technology to share information, collaborate with other great Indigenous Brands + Organizations, and lastly, open a path for others to dream big & create."

Although it is not a subscription box, i decided to include it in my review since I loved the quality of their products so much.  Not to mention, I can personally relate to the culture that this clothing line represents. 

Fabletics/Calaka Review - November 2015

Fabletics

Hi everyone! I've been MIA and missed posting about a few new subscriptions.  However, I'm here today to talk about my latest Fabletics outfit, the Shawnee Peak! This outfit normally retails for $174.85, but with Fabletics VIP membership this outfit costs $89.95.  I took advantage of their Black Friday sales and got this outfit for an additional 30% off ($62.97).  This outfit includes the Salar Legging ($64.95/VIP $39.95). These leggings are super warm, solid colored (not see through), and perfect for cold weather.  As well, there was the Psyllos Sweater ($69.95/VIP $49.95) and the Snapdragon Reversible Bra ($39.95VIP $29.95).  I selected the sweater and leggings in black and the snapdragon bra in arctic print/black. 

As well, I took advantage of the Black Friday sales to get two Kemi Bras ($29.95/VIP $19.99) and the Miramar shorts in black ($29.95/VIP $19.99).  I had bought an outfit earlier in the year that had the Miramar shorts in emerald/cucumber and loved it so much.  They are super soft and perfect for working out indoors or during the summer time.  I got the Kemi bra in cobalt/white stripe and purple iris/white stripe.  With Black Friday sales, I saved an additional $31.91.

Calaka Wear

I also took advantage of Black Friday and got myself a new pair of joggers to wear over my new Miramar shorts. The Xomulzen Jogger ($38) from Calaka Wear fit my needs perfectly! These pants are fleece lined and very high quality.  I would expect a jogger of this quality to cost anywhere from $50-$70 from other places like Victoria's Secret or Gap.  While I was at it, I got the Calaka Snapback in Gray/Black - it just was calling my name.

Xomulzen Jogger

Calaka Snapback in Gray/Black 

How it Looked on Me

The Shawnee Peak outfit

The Kemi bra in cobalt/white stripes

The Miramar shorts in black

The Kemi bra and Miramar shorts paired with Calaka sweats and cap

Verdict

Once again, sizing with Fabletics was spot on. I'm an M (size 8-10) and size 8 was a perfect fit. The price on this outfit was a steal (thank you Black Friday sales!). The entire Shawnee Peak outfit ended up costing as much as the sweater would have.  Not to mention the leggings really are high quality, dark black, and not see through.  Like all other sports bras I've gotten from Fabletics in the past, these sport bras are not supportive and would likely be best for yoga or walking.  However, they are super cute and may be better suited for smaller chested women.  I've recently taken an interest in doing yoga, so they fit my needs.  In total, I only spent $98.86 with Black Friday sales for about $150 worth of merchandise.

With the gear from Calaka Wear, I was very pleased with the jogger and cap.  As I mentioned before, these joggers are a steal at $38.  They are extremely high quality and would easily cost $70 at Victoria's Secret.  The clothes at this shop is unisex and I have already bought some other gear to gift to others.  I also have my eye on the very cute beanie with Calaka logo. 

My Referral code

If you liked this blog post and are thinking about taking a look at Fabletics, please use my referral code.  As well, you can get your first outfit for $25!

Fabletics: http://www.fabletics.com/invite/50126074/

Calaka Wear: http://calakawear.com/

Be sure to follow Calaka Wear on Facebook for updates, like this limited time code for 30% off.  At checkout type the code "calaka30".

Golden Tote Review - April 2015

Introduction - What is Golden Tote?

Golden Tote is a fashion subscription box founded by designers Sarah Becker and Sarah Sweeney.  Both Sarahs are also the owners of the Puella clothing line, and their items can be found at Anthropologie.  Golden Tote offers a variety of different designer/boutique clothing items.

To learn more click here.

Golden Tote Review - February 2015 

This month my mom and I were able to order a two $149.  My tote was a slam dunk. Mom's was both hit and miss with some sizing issues.

Regarding the tote purchasing experience, the new website had some unexpected issues that resulted in tote day being changed.  When tote day was relaunched the processing speed of the server resulted in duplicates being put in our tote and check-out issues. Luckily, the new car feature allowed us to save our items and remove duplicates.  For the first time, I was able to purchase both of our totes in one order (AMAZING!).  However, it did take me a half hour to get that purchase in -- at least we got our first picks for items. This was due to the new timer feature which lets you know how much time the items in your cart are saved. Each time you add something to your cart, the timer resets. 

Picked items

$149 Tote: My picks

Easy Sundress
Paired with Embroidered Jean Jacket from April Golden Tote 2014

Floral Crochet Blouse
Paired with Just Black Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

Both of these beautiful items are perfectly dainty and girly.  I get lots of compliments on both of these items. The Easy Sundress was also perfect to wear for mother's day. It's a very comfy shift dress. The floral crochet blouse is very pretty, but also requires a tank since it's see through. I've also just worn a bralette underneath. 

$149 Tote: Mom's pick

Springsteen Shirt
Paired with Distressed Boyfriend Jeans in White

Chevron Print Maxi Dress

Mom loves the Springteen Shirt. It's very soft and the medium fits us both. Length wise - I think its perfect, but some people have mentioned that it runs short if you have a longer torso. Now, the Maxi dress, its so pretty, but also heavy.  My mom is too short to wear this dress, but she was hopeful that it would fit. I will also say that the top is roomy - even on me and I'm a curvy size Medium.

Add ons:

Distressed Boyfriend Jeans in white

We both have these Distressed Jeans in dark wash, light wash, and now white. We sized down two sizes so they fit us fitted. We obviously hate these jeans :P

Surprise Items

My Tote: I genuinely loved all four picked items. I especially liked the two blouses I received - very springy and office appropriate.  I only had sizing issues with the Hem & Thread dress. Although it is size medium, it runs small.  I can squeeze in and out of it, but I am curvy and prefer things slightly oversized.  I'll be FSOT this item. 

Embroidered green blouse
Paired with Distressed Boyfriend Jeans in White

Blue blouse with Lace embellishment
Paired with Distressed Boyfriend Jeans in White

Puella Maxi dress

Hem and Thread crochet dress

Mom's Tote:  Mom loves the black tunic and maxi skirt. The blue tunic/top and white top however weren't her style. In particular the blue tunic was too large for her. Those two will be put FSOT.

Black tunic with embroidery
Paired with geometric patterned leggings

Blue tunic
Paired with Distressed Boyfriend Jeans in White

White Lacey blouse
Coral and grey stripped Maxi Skirt

Verdict

Our stylist for this session was AR.

My tote: Was a perfect Match and my style. And 3/4 items fit perfectly.

Mom's tote: Mom liked 2/4 items. Being petite it is difficult for her to find maxi dresses that fit. We were surprised that the tunic/top choices were so oversized. We hope that in the future GT includes a style profile option for petites.

April Tote Design

If you want to see pictures of Golden Tote items, be sure to follow my instagram account: alexmariahboxes

My Referral Code

If you liked this blog post and are thinking about taking a look at Golden Tote, please use my referral code. There's no obligation to purchase and sign up is free! [Note: I receive $10 in referral credit if you sign up and make a purchase using my referral code in the same browsing session.]

Golden Tote: http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=e2bc5413cfd9f65f

Golden Tote Review - September & October 2014

Introduction - What is Golden Tote?

Golden Tote is a fashion subscription box founded by designers Sarah Becker and Sarah Sweeney.  Both Sarahs are also the owners of the Puella clothing line, and their items can be found at Anthropologie.  Golden Tote offers a variety of different designer/boutique clothing items.

To learn more click here.

Golden Tote Review - September and October 

I have been busy with work and graduate classes, so I haven't had time to write a review for my September tote yet. My October tote just arrived this last friday (10/17) and so this post is a review for both months. For both months my mom and I split the totes we ordered. This October, Golden Tote teamed up with the Keep A Breast Foundation to create unique clothing items and accessories. Be sure to check out the KAB Foundation to learn about breast cancer prevention, donating, and how to get involved in the #CHECKYOURSELFIE movement. 

Picked items

'The Dude'

September - $149 tote & $50 tote.  Picked: Favorite Cozy Cardigan ('The Dude'), Merrick Golden Tote Swing, and Boyfriend Jeans in dark denim.

I picked The Dude cardigan (one size) and Merrick Golden Tote Swing Dress (size L - they were out of M).  My mom picked the Boyfriend Jeans in dark denim. We both regularly wear our chosen items regularly since we got these.  The Dude Cardigan is so comfortable, and the Merrick Swing is perfect to wear to work.  I also ended up trading for the Merrick in Cobalt since I loved it so much!  For mom's Boyfriend Jeans, we originally bought in size 29, but traded for size 28.  They fit us both perfectly!

Striped Merrick Swing Dress

Boyfriend Jeans and Le Lis blouse

October: $149 tote and add ons.  Picked: A-line swing dress in wine, Printed Anorak Jacket, Nordic infinity scarf, and Boyfriend Jeans in light wash.  (Boyfriend Jeans were the add on.)

A-line swing dress in wine & Nordic infinity scarf

Mom with her keep a breast bracelet and light wash Boyfriend Jeans

I picked the A-line swing dress in wine and Printed Anorak Jacket - they're perfect to pair together.  Mom loved the Boyfriend Jeans so much she had me order a second pair and has literally worn them all weekend - she loves them!  Since I picked the Printed Anorak Jacket the $149 tote was a 5 item tote. Fit wise, I typically order jackets a size Large, but had trouble at checkout and settled for an M. Luckily this jacket runs on the large size and it fits fine.

Printed Anorak Jacket paired with A-line swing dress

Surprise Items

September

Under the skies blouse (Mom's surprise)

Traded

Le Lis striped grey sweater (For Trade)

Promesa speckled grey maxi skirt and Jolie striped sweater (My Surprises)

Cobalt Merrick swing dress purchased from the Facebook trading group

Ivory Fringe Kimono (Boutique purchase in August

October

Back of the Le Lis Blouse (My Surprise)

Fantastic Fawn black swing dress - criss cross back (Mom's surprise)

Mom's Black and White Cut & Sew Cardigan & Keep a Breast bracelet (Both Mom's surprise)

Verdict

Surprise Scarf - Unexpected 5th surprise item for my 5 - item October Tote

September

We loved our picks and liked our surprise items. Mom selected the under the skies blouse as her surprise. I selected the promesa speckled grey maxi skirt, Jolie striped sweater, and Le Lis sweater as my surprises. We sold the Lily dress in blue and black - the pattern did nothing for us but we liked the cut/shape of the dress). To date, I haven't worn the Le Lis sweater yet and currently have it up for Trade. Only including items we are keeping (i.e., not trading) we liked 6/8 items. Not our favorite tote, but we really loved our chosen items. Our tote curator was 'KB.'

October

In terms of our October tote, we received 7 items in our 5-item tote.  The ladies at Golden Tote really out did themselves in their item selections this month.  Surprise wise, I loved the Le Lis blouse in black and tan.  It's so elegant, perfect for Fall, and work appropriate.  I was already prepared to trade for this blouse if I didn't get it.  As well, I absolutely loved the unexpected surprise scarf (pictured above). I'm a scarf person and love the knit and soft texture of this scarf.  My mom kept  the black and white cardigan, Keep a Breast bracelet, and Fantastic Fawn black criss cross dress (for reference the arms were too tight on me, but perfect on her petite frame). My mom kept so much from this tote I would say this is her favorite one yet.

The one item I wish our tote had included is this Le Lis sweater (I'm convinced Le Lis is amazing -- I've liked 2/3 items).

The Le Lis sweater that got away... [Photo credit: Facebook Golden Tote Trading Group]

The only issue I am currently trying to fix with customer service is that I was charged full price instead of the add on price for the Boyfriend jeans (the pants did not appear as available in either totes until after I had purchased -- otherwise I would have ordered a 6-item tote and added on the Anorak Jacket).  I think the person who curated our tote this month forgot to read our comments (in their defense I did make a boutique order the night before, tote order on tote day, and another boutique order after). However, I am 100% that the ladies at Golden Tote will fix this ASAP :)

If you want to see pictures of Golden Tote items, be sure to follow my instagram account: alexmariahboxes

For Sale or Trade (FSOT)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I have for sale or trade.

In Search Of (ISO)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I am in search of.

My Referral Code

If you liked this blog post and are thinking about taking a look at Golden Tote, please use my referral code. There's no obligation to purchase and sign up is free! [Note: I receive $10 in referral credit if you sign up and make a purchase using my referral code]

Golden Tote: http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=e2bc5413cfd9f65f

Golden Tote Review - July 2014

Introduction - What is Golden Tote?

Golden Tote is a fashion subscription box founded by designers Sarah Becker and Sarah Sweeney.  Both Sarahs are also the owners of the Puella clothing line, and their items can be found at Anthropologie.  Golden Tote offers a variety of different designer/boutique clothing items.

To learn more click here.

Golden Tote Review - July

This July, Golden Tote had something extra special in our tote. Meet my new niece, born at the beginning of July.  As you can see, this month's tote design had cute rope wording and an anchor added to the tote design.

Picked items

This time I bought a $149 tote for myself and a $49 tote for my mom.  My mom picked the Dots and Stripes Tee in red (her favorite color).

I picked the Open Back Boheme Blouse (size L) and the Puella Swing Dress (size M).  I also added on the garden dress (size M) after seeing how beautiful it was on someone else in the Facebook group.  The fit is very similar to the open back dress from either april or may's tote -- I have already forgotten the month in which I bought it, Oh dear!  All of our picks fit us perfectly and we can't wait to wear them on vacation this coming week!

First up, the Open Back Boheme Blouse

Back view of the Open Back Boheme Blouse, absolutely breath taking. I've also seen some ladies on the trading group undo the top button and wear this blouse backwards as a cardigan. 

Puella Swing Dress with a belt

Garden Bloom dress with Jade Camera bag 

Surprise Items

My mom's surprise item was the Jolie Linen pants in white.  My mom loved these pants but they were too small around the hip and too long (she's petite).  Naturally I tried them on too and also found that they ran small.  Luckily I was able to purchase a size large on the Facebook Trade Group and will be selling these pants for the same price I bought mine for ($35).

Jolie Linen pants with Roly Poly blouse in navy

My surprise items were: the sew and cut floral blouse (size M or L), Celebrity Pink Jean shorts (size L), red and navy Priddy dress (size M), and the Roly Poly Lace top in navy (size M).  I love all of these surprise items, but will be FSOT my Roly Poly blouse since I was able to trade another GT item for the same blouse in mint.  That color has been calling to me ever since the spoilers came out!  And also since it was all the rage when I went to study abroad in France in 2012.

Sew and Cut Floral blouse and Celebrity Pink Jeans

Back of Roly Poly Navy blouse

Surprise Priddy Dress in Red and Navy

Verdict

Both totes were absolute hits for my mother and I. She loved both of her items, but will be FSOT the Jolie linen pants since they didn't fit her.  I loved all 6 items in my July tote and my garden dress add on. However, I will be FSOT the Roly Poly blouse in Navy since I was able to trade for a mint.  I'm also keeping an eye out for the elusive striped Priddy dress (same cut out as my red and navy one).  It is my favorite pattern of this dress, although I love the red and navy one too!  This has been the best Golden Tote I've received yet!

If you want to see pictures of Golden Tote items, be sure to follow my instagram account: alexmariahboxes

For Sale or Trade (FSOT)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I have for sale or trade.

In Search Of (ISO)

Click here for a link to my Pinterest board to view items that I am in search of. 

My Referral Code

If you liked this blog post and are thinking about taking a look at Golden Tote, please use my referral code.  There's no obligation to purchase and sign up is free!

Golden Tote: http://www.goldentote.com/index.php?route=common/referral&referral=e2bc5413cfd9f65f