Category Archives: Style and Design

November ’16 Stitch Fix (Unboxing + Try On)

November 10, 2016Fashion, Style and DesignAutumn wardrobe, closet basics, my style, personal stylist, playing dress up, Stitch Fix, subscription clothing, wardrobe refreshBeth Berger

I received another box from Stitch Fix!!! Wanna see what’s inside? For those that don’t know, Stitch Fix is an amazing online company that hooks you up with your own personal stylist. It’s pretty simple! First, you sign up on their website and fill out a style profile. It asks you questions about what you like to wear and your lifestyle to get a clearer picture of the type of clothing you would enjoy receiving. You can also include a link to one of your Pinterest boards for your stylist to peruse. Next, you schedule a “fix” and leave a comment with any special requests or upcoming occasions. And then WAM-BAM, in a few weeks you have a package with five unique items, hand-picked by your own stylist. You also receive a style card for each of your five pieces with two outfit ideas. This is a neat way of showing you how you can incorporate the pieces into your existing wardrobe.

For this “fix,” I asked my stylist to send me short-sleeved shirts that could be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. Because of the never-changing weather in Miami, these are my go-to wardrobe items and I’m getting a little sick of my existing supply. I was a little disappointed to discover that my stylist did not exactly heed my request! However, she did a fabulous job sending items that match my wardrobe aesthetic. Here’s a look at each item…

1. Skies are Blue shirt dress.

2. Laila Jayde cap sleeve top.

3. Kut From The Kloth distressed boyfriend jeans.

4. Market & Spruce solid quilted vest.

5. Bay to Baubles floral statement necklace.

Now comes the fun part! Deciding what to keep and what to send back. Your box comes equipped with a pre-stamped bag/envelope so you can send back what doesn’t work for you at no extra charge! However, if you keep all 5 items you receive a 25% discount off your total bill. You have three days to make your selections. I like to have a rifle through my closet, jewelry box, and shoe collection to try and come up with full outfits for each piece. This is my way of sussing out if I’ll actually wear the item or not. Here’s what I came up with…

This shirt dress is absolutely something I would wear. (I love anything with a “Prairie” vibe.) Wouldn’t this be such a cute look to rock during Thanksgiving dinner? Or to a more casual Christmas shindig? Unfortunately, the fit for this piece was just a tad off for my size. The bust and arms felt tight, causing the waist in the back to ride up ever so slightly. I know it seems a small issue but these are the annoyances that keep clothes hanging in the closet instead of in your wardrobe rotation.

Verdict: Sent back.

So I did get one short-sleeved top in this fix! The color is super cute, although not exactly seasonal, and the length was perfect for tucking in a pair of jeans or wearing loose with some smart shorts. This was the piece I debated for the longest. I did ask for it! But in the end, I decided the material was too sheer. I’m just not a huge fan of wearing camis/tanks under my tees.

Verdict: Sent back.

Jeans of any style or cut are difficult to find for my 5’3″ frame but boyfriend jeans are especially difficult to track down. What’s a girl gotta do to get a flattering relaxed fit?! I couldn’t believe when I pulled this pair on and found them to be the perfect length! No extra cuffing needed, no hemming…and they aren’t even a short or petite size. They look super cute with sandals as well as ankle boots and Converse for those colder climes.

Verdict: Keep.

sf-try-on-1

I know this is a really impractical closet addition for someone who basically lives in the tropics but I just couldn’t send this vest back. I’m in love with everything about it and it’s not like I’ll be in South Florida FOREVER, ya know? Hunter green, beautifully structured, gold hard-ware-d vests never go out of style.

Verdict: Keep.

Sometimes you can have too many statement necklaces, and I am currently in that camp. I just never wear the ones I own and then I always feel the need to get new ones for special occasions. So, the little practical voice in my head kicked in on this item. “You want this necklace but you don’t neeeeed this necklace.” Little voice was probably right but looking at these pictures, I’ve gotta admit I’m regretting listening.

Verdict: Sent back.

So there you have it! I kept two items that I truly believe I will get tons of wear out of (for years!). While the spoils of my fix ended up being more “Closet Basics” than “Wardrobe Refresh,” I’m quite pleased with my purchases.

What do you think? Which pieces are your favorites? Would you have chosen differently? Let me know your thoughts below!!

P.S. My June Stitch Fix Uboxing + Try On.

If you’d like to give Stitch Fix a go, and I SOOO recommend you do, CLICK HERE. It’s a service I’ve used for a few years now and the pieces I’ve kept become closet staples.

How to Make a Pocket Letter with Cocoa Daisy!

August 12, 2016How to's, Style and DesignCocoa Daisy, mailbox love, planner kit, pocket letter, stationery, stickers, stuff I make, washi tapeBeth Berger

I reached out to Cocoa Daisy a few months ago in the height of my planning/pocket letter frenzy and they were generous enough to send me their August 2016 Planner Kit on the house. Once I opened the package I was absolutely blown away. You can see the full unboxing HERE, if you like.

Everything inside the kit was so gorgeous that, once I set up my planner for the month, I couldn’t wait to use extras to whip up a pocket letter for a lucky someone. And I’ve gotta say, I am SO happy with how this little guy turned out. Everything in the Cocoa Daisy kits coordinates so beautifully. This makes putting together a pocket letter super easy. But there’s no shortage of choices. Prints, paper, stickers, die-cuts, washi, clips, and embellishments are all in abundance.

Do you die?! Because I die. Excuse me while I stare at this creation for the next hour or so!

Oh! And of course I couldn’t forget goodies to tuck into the back of each pocket…

Goodies from L – R

* Everything is from the kit unless otherwise specified.

divider tabs
sticky pad sample pages (from Target Dollar Spot) and To-Do banner stickers
puffy stickers
letter to recipient on a piece of coordinating stationery
planner stickers
washi samples (middle sample from Dollar Tree, bottom sample is Scotch brand from Office Depot)
Equal Exchange tea (Equal Exchange website)
2 gift tags (from Ikea)
die-cuts

I wanted to utilize some of the great prints that came with the kit so I cut the two smallest options down to fit a pocket and kept their quotes as the focus. Two other pockets were cut from larger prints (the flower and the triangles) and two more came from a set of planner pages I didn’t end up using/ The black cardstock with diagonal stripes is from my own collection and I think it provides an interesting contrast. Everything else, except the small paperclips at the top, is from the kit!

Here are some details I love…

I love how well the Cocoa Daisy washi works with these other patterns I had in my collection.

And how cute is this GET IT DONE binder clip? The clips at the top help keep the goodies from falling out!

The kit made it super easy to layer lots of different elements. This pocket includes stickers and washi and EVERYTHING MATCHES. *heart eye emojis

And Lord, how I love a copper glitter tape…not to mention the sweet quote. Sigh. Cocoa Daisy you’ve really outdone yourself.

Do you love this pocket letter as much as I do? I can’t wait to send it off to a special someone. I hope it brightens their day!

Thanks Cocoa Daisy!

What’s Your State Flower?

August 9, 2016Style and Designbeautiful mail, bloom, gold foil, greeting cards, Hometown, Lady Bird Johnson, products I love, rep your state, state flowers, stationery addict, ThimblepressBeth Berger

Have you had a browse of the magnificent paper goods shop, Thimblepress? I love the idea of their gold foil cards that feature hand-drawn illustrations of state flowers. Aren’t they beautiful?

You can buy one card (Wouldn’t they be awesome to send to someone who has recently moved to a new state?!) or a box of six. Or rep the whole U.S. of A. with a print of the whole map. Now that’s one heck of a bouquet!

The idea for Thimblepress’ State Flower Collection was born from a quote by Lady Bird Johnson, “Where flowers bloom so does hope.” I love that.

Pictured above: Goldenrod (KY), Magnolia (LA), Orange Blossom (FL), American Dogwood (NC), and Apple Blossom (MI).

***

Want to receive an extra dose of delight in your inbox? SUBSCRIBE! You’ll receive a weekly newsletter from Finding Delight chock-full of all sorts of goodies–including cool products I find. Thanks so much! xoxo

Does your decor need some sprucing up?

August 1, 2016Home, Style and Designcoupon code, dwelling, home decor, ModCloth, new look, sale, unique items, vintage inspiredBeth Berger

Great news! ModCloth has an amazing sale on decor starting TODAY. Use the code DECOR8 from now until August 4th and get 30% off all home decor delights. They have everything from dreamy bedding to unique desk accessories. If you’re on the hunt for a few affordable pieces to give your space a new + improved look,

here are 10 of my favorites on offer…

macrame wall hanging — Macrame Wall Hanging

// Thoughts? Check out ModCloth’s full range of home decor, if you’d like. //

***

Want to receive an extra dose of delight in your inbox? SUBSCRIBE! You’ll receive a weekly newsletter from Finding Delight chock-full of all sorts of goodies. Thanks so much! xoxo

Cocoa Daisy August 2016 Planner Kit Unboxing!

July 19, 2016Style and DesignCocoa Daisy, mail time, planner inserts, planner kit, planner porn, planner supplies, pocket letter supplies, stationery addict, stickersBeth Berger

I had quite the mailbox surprise awaiting me when I arrived back in Miami after the wedding. The August 2016 Planner Kit from Cocoa Daisy! I reached out to Cocoa Daisy a few months ago in the height of my planning/pocket letter frenzy and they were generous enough to send me a kit on the house. Once I opened the package I was absolutely blown away. I just had to share every little perfect detail with you guys. Seriously, if you’re into planning, pocket letters, scrapbooking, happy mail or any sort of paper crafting you’ve GOT to check out the kits this website puts together. I really love that their planner kits are customizable to a ton of different planners and planner sizes. I plan in a personal size binder I got from the Target Dollar Spot and I can’t wait to put some of these goodies to good use! (Not to mention share the love in a pocket letter or two!!)

Wanna see what’s inside?

“Enjoy Every Day” stuff sack // Planner Inserts (including week at a glance, weekly spreads, journaling pages, month at a glance, year at a glance, and double sided daily to-do pages) // floral washi tape // planner charm // pennant post-it notes // small tablet // puff stickers // hummingbird die cut // hummingbird paper clip

***

2 sheets of planner stickers // 2 3×4 notecards

***

Copper glitter tape // 6 large cardstock dashboards // 6 small cardstock dashboards // Happy Planner binder clips

***

Numerical stickers // package of small die cuts // 6 divider tabs // 1 sheet of icon stickers // 1 sheet of whimsical stickers // journaling card

Ok, so are you as *heart-eye emoji* as I am right now??? Stationery supplies HEAVEN! So, I think I’ll pop a post or two up next month about how I use the planner pages (and how I like them) and how I style the extra goodies for a pocket letter. Keep an eye out!

Thank you SO MUCH, Cocoa Daisy! This kit is so gorgeous and wonderfully curated. I could stare at all of it all day.

P.S. Is planning and paper crafting your jam, too? You might like this planner tip or this pocket letter how-to!

Spotlight: Altruist Apparel

June 16, 2016Brainpower, Fashion, Style and DesignBecause I am a Girl, community over competition, donate, female empowerment, female entrepeneur, interview, motivation, Plan International, small company spotlight, sport the look, support girls, support women, t-shirts, tank tops, workout clothesBeth Berger

Hey friends! Today I’d like to introduce you to Amy – founder and operator of Altruist Apparel. When I first found out about Altruist Apparel, a small company that believes in wellness and empowerment for women all over the world, I fell totally in love. Their designs feature words, phrases, and symbols that invoke fire within the female spirit. Across the globe they seek to help women and girls by donating a portion of all their proceeds to organizations that help women and girls in developing countries have safe access to education, health care, and living conditions. How cool is that!

Intrigued by this unique business model (and the totally kick ass slogans emblazoned on their products), I reached out to Amy to ask her a few questions…

Hi Amy! Can you tell Finding Delight readers a little bit about yourself and Altruist Apparel?

Hey Beth! I am an editorial photographer and designer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Before leaving my 9-5 to pursue my creative businesses full-time, I worked as a children’s mental health worker which had it’s good times, but in the end just didn’t fulfill me the same way being creative for a living does. Altruist Apparel was birthed from a spark of an idea — to create an online business that somehow inspired and affected change in the world. I’ve always felt vehemently about women’s issues, both at home and abroad, and I’d recently gotten the idea to design t-shirts for another startup that I’m planning with my partner. The two combined in a brain explosion that was pretty epic. It kept me up half the night thinking and planning it all out and by morning I’d already established 90% of the Altruist Apparel brand in my mind. Altruist Apparel features designs that promote women’s empowerment, resiliency, and community over competition, in an effort to help women here at home live their best lives. The other extremely important part of my business model is to donate 15% of all profits to an organization that helps women and girls gain safe access to education and health care, and addresses social issues like child marriage and gender-based violence. I teamed up with Plan International’s Because I Am A Girl project because they do such a fantastic job doing just that!

Does your background as a children’s mental health worker help you craft the sort of messages you want your company to stand for?

Absolutely. Throughout my work in children’s mental health and child welfare, I’ve had a lot of adolescent girls on my caseload who are brilliant young women with so much potential. Unfortunately many of those girls will never end up realizing their potential, due to issues with self-esteem, familial and social issues, school difficulties, drugs, alcohol, and even prostitution. Altruist Apparel’s messages of empowerment, strength, and resiliency are often inspired with them in mind; messages I wish they could internalize and believe, and that would help them combat their demons and live their best life. Some of the girls I’ve worked with have been able to do that, and they are the embodiment of these messages.

How would you describe your personal style? Did it play a role in your vision for Altruist Apparel?

It sure did! I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. As I write this, I am wearing a black t-shirt with a picture of a cat with wings on it and the caption “dreams come true.” I didn’t design it, but I wish I had! I love how t-shirts can be worn while working out, hiking, or camping, but also under a cute blazer with a pretty necklace and hot shoes. T-shirts are my uniform, so designing t-shirts seemed a natural fit for me.

Altruist Apparel is currently focusing fundraising efforts on Plan International’s Because I am a Girl project. Can you tell us a little bit about this organization and why you chose it?

Plan was founded in 1937 and is one of the world’s oldest and largest international development organizations. The focus of the organization as a whole is to improve the lives of children, and the Because I Am A Girl project focuses specifically on issues faced by girls. 62 million girls world-wide are not in school. 15 million girls are forced to become brides before the age of 18. Girls are twice as likely as boys to become malnourished. And millions of girls are victims of gender-based violence. I chose the organization because it covers the issues that are most important to me. There are numerous organizations out there that do phenomenal work, and I hope to work with more of them in the future.

When designing your apparel, who do you envision wearing the results?

Women with undaunted, unbridled spirits. Women with fire in their hearts and a will of iron. These are the women I design for, and the kind of women I aspire to be. I also design girls’ shirts and onesies so we can start them young. A lot of the messaging young girls are receiving is downright concerning. Girls are taught to place value in being pretty, in being fawned over, and in having the attention of boys. I find the whole idea of raising girls as little princesses downright sad. I think we need to raise warriors, not princesses.

I absolutely love the message behind ALL the phrases and words you’ve chosen for your shirts, tanks, and onesies. Can you tell us about some of your favorites and how you chose them?

The quote “Fate whispers to the warrior, you cannot withstand the storm. The warrior whispers back, I am the storm” gives me chills every time. I absolutely love it. I want to get it tattooed on my body. It’s not an original of mine, it’s an older quote that is of unknown origin, but damn it packs a punch. I also really dig the warrior shirt, because I’m really into the idea of the modern day warrior. A couple of years ago I shot a fashion editorial with a warrior girl theme. We had bows and arrows and really awesome war paint for the models’ faces. It was an incredible, creative experience and helped me form this idea of the modern day warrior woman that I love. I also love the thought of women enduring adversity in their lives with the strength, determination, courage, and pride worthy of the warrior title. My warrior shirts really resonate with me for that reason.

What do you hope Altruist Apparel will look like in one year’s time?

In a year’s time I hope that Altruist Apparel is solidly established with a huge following. I have three additional t-shirt lines in the works to be released over the next year, and will be adding totes, pillows, prints, and iPhone cases in the near future. The more money the company makes, the more I can give to help girls and women in developing countries. I would also love to take some of the profits to fund a volunteer trip for myself abroad so I can provide hands-on help and photography for NGOs. I have huge dreams for this little company. 🙂

Thank you so much, Amy! Your story, company, and products are truly inspiring. Wishing you and Altruist Apparel the best of luck. ❤

P.S. To keep up to date with news and products, you can follow Altruist Apparel on Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE.

June Stitch Fix (Unboxing + Try On)

June 10, 2016Fashion, Style and Designmy style, personal stylist, playing dress up, pre-wedding activities, Stitch Fix, subscription clothing, wardrobeBeth Berger

I received a box from Stitch Fix this week!!! Wanna see what’s inside? For those that don’t know, Stitch Fix is an amazing online company that hooks you up with your own personal stylist. It’s pretty simple! First, you sign up on their website and fill out a style profile. It asks you questions about what you like to wear and your lifestyle to get a clearer picture of the type of clothing you would enjoy receiving. You can also include a link to one of your Pinterest boards for your stylist to peruse. Next, you schedule a “fix” and leave a comment with any special requests or upcoming occasions. And then WAM-BAM, in a few weeks you have a package with five unique items, hand-picked by your own stylist. You also receive a style card for each of your five pieces with two outfit ideas. This is a neat way of showing you how you can incorporate the pieces into your own wardrobe.

For this “fix,” I asked my stylist to send me dresses or outfit pieces that I could wear during the events leading up to my wedding — bachelorette party, bridal luncheon, etc. She delivered some really beautiful pieces that totally fit the bill! She even wrote in her accompanying note where she envisioned me wearing each item. So sweet and personalized! Here’s a look at each item…

1. Pixley embroidery detail cami.

2. Brixon Ivy textured knit dress.

3. Kut From The Kloth printed maxi skirt.

4. Adrianna Papell lace dress.

5. Zenzii tassel drop earrings.

This cami looked super cute paired with a little black cardigan and I love the pretty detailing peeking out. However, I’m not a huge fan of thin straps (curse of big boobs), and June in South Florida means I’m not in need of a shirt that requires an extra layer in order to wear with confidence.

Verdict: Sent back.

Unfortunately, this dress didn’t fit. I still wanted to play dress up in it but *spoiler alert* it is NOT zipped up all the way in the back. Haha! While I like the unique print, and think it would be a lovely option for my bridal luncheon, I wasn’t entirely sold on that neon yellow color. Kinda looked like a highlighter in person.

Verdict: Sent back.

Pulling this number out of the box I gotta admit I was a little hesitant, but once I put it on I fell in love. I absolutely love the print and colors, and the slits up the side are perfection! I also was super impressed with how well it fit. Being a little height-challenged, I was nervous about a maxi skirt being way too long. But my stylist totally took that into account and sent it in a petite size. Score!

Verdict: Keep.

To be honest, if this dress had shown up on my doorstep BEFORE I settled on a wedding dress it would be a STRONG contender. Ugh! Looking at these pictures makes me love this dress so much. So boho, so cute! SUCH a hard decision to settle on in a couple days but I just couldn’t justify the $138 price tag on this beauty. Mostly because, while it would look stunning for my pre-wedding activities and/or photo session, I’m not sure I would actually ever wear it again. And I already plunked down a chunk of change on a one-time wear dress. No need to make a habit out of that. I’ll probably try and find a similar dress for a cheaper price now that I know I like this look.

Verdict: Regretfully sent back.

I didn’t get a great shot of these in my ears but you get the idea. They looked super cute with the accompanying cami. They’re very on trend (tassels!) although I’m not in desperate need of new earrings.

Verdict: Sent back.

So there you have it! While I only decided to keep one item, my stylist’s notes and the outfit cards really helped me nail down the types of pieces and ensembles I could wear for the pre-wedding events. A brightly colored dress (I have one from a previous “fix”!) with pearls would be well suited for the bridal luncheon and a sweetly detailed tank with a cardigan and shorts would make for a nice option to throw on for getting breakfast the day after the wedding. I’m excited to grab drinks out on the town in the maxi skirt I kept and I know to keep my eyes out for a white dress with a boho vibe (maybe one with a more moderate price tag). What do you think? Which pieces are your favorites? Would you have chosen differently? Let me know your thoughts below!!

P.S. My November Stitch Fix Unboxing + Try On!

If you’d like to give Stitch Fix a go, and I SOOO recommend you do, CLICK HERE. It’s a service I’ve used for a few years now and the pieces I’ve kept become closet staples.

june stitch fix box

Derby-Inspired Accessories

May 6, 2016Fashion, Style and Designall dolled up, Churchill Downs, Derby Day, horse racing, Kentucky, KY girlBeth Berger

As I was born and raised in Kentucky, I couldn’t resist doing some sort of Derby round-up. While I would probably feel ridiculous with a fascinator strapped to my head (even though I’d love if that weren’t the case!), here are a few other Derby-inspired accessories that I think are just as swank and sweet!

First row: Gold horseshoe stud earrings, rose print cardigan, mint julep cup set

Second row: Galloping horse necklace, Breeder’s Cup crossbody, bow hat

Third row: Louisville racehorse shirt, oxfords, KY home earrings

Thoughts? Will you be tuning in to The Run for the Roses?

A Cute Guest Room Round-Up!

April 18, 2016Home, Style and Designbedroom, choose your favorite, home decor, interior design, round-up, visitorsBeth Berger

There’s something about a guest room that feels particularly “adult-ing” to me. Friends rolling through town? Not a problem! Family dropping by for the holiday? Mi casa es su casa and all that. While our space for guests is technically Chet’s office that doesn’t stop me searching for inspiration amidst my favorite home decor corners of the internet. Here are a few of my top picks…

via All Things Thrifty

via Studio McGee

via The Daily Nest

via Miss Alice Designs

via Dear Lillie

via Style Your Senses

What do you think? Which room would you like to lay your precious head?

Roy G. Biv – Spring Shoes Edition

March 21, 2016Fashion, Style and Designcolors of the rainbow, dress your feet, happy feet, shoe inspiration, spring style updateBeth Berger

Red // Orange // Yellow // Green // Blue // Indigo // Violet

Do you have a pep in your step for all things Spring? If so, it may be time to treat your feets to a little style update! I turned to the colors of the rainbow for a little shoe inspiration so that whatever you’re up to this season — from jumping in mud puddles to strapping on your Easter bonnet — your feet will be covered (and stylish)!

Which pair would best suit your springtime pursuits? Have anything fun planned to mark the new season? A 5k race? A road-trip some place warm and tropical? A special conference? SHARE BELOW!