Tag Archives: my style

My Latest Le Tote (+ Outfits)

August 3, 2018Fashion, Style and Designbusiness casual outfits, buy used, casual outfits, clothing rental, eliminate decision fatigue, high quality clothing for less, Le Tote, my style, outfits, subscription clothing, subscription service, wardrobe, week of outfitsBeth Berger

I’ve had a subscription to the clothing rental service – Le Tote – for over a year now(!) and I realized I’ve never done a dedicated post about it. What the what!?

You can bet your bottom dollar that if I commit to anything for over a year it has the Beth Berger stamp of approval. But, in case you’re curious, let me tell you why I love it so much…

I. hate. making. decisions! Ok…so that probably wasn’t the reason you were expecting. I also love clothes, love having new things to wear, and…truth be told…HATE shopping. Le Tote curates a bunch of cool clothing items and accessories for me to add to my virtual closet. Then they select a few of these picks and ship me a box of goodies. I wear them once or twice, return and repeat! So I get new outfits on the regs without any of the work. Score!

[MORE DETAILS and FAQ’s HERE]

Where does my hatred of decisions come in? Well, not only do I not have to shop and decide what to buy…but I also don’t have to make as many outfit decisions. I just pair my Le Tote pieces with my preexisting, streamlined wardrobe and I’m out the door!

Here’s my most recent tote + a few of the outfits I put together this week to show ya what I’m talkin’ about…

Le Tote Haul —

Embroidered Blouse from Octavia

Tie Knot Tee from Summer & Sage

Stitch Detail Pants from Hayes

Fabric Ball Necklace from Ava

Turquoise Short Pendant from The Sak

Le Tote Outfits —

With this haul, I was able to put together a couple more casual outfits as well as a few biz-cas options. Now I can send back the pieces (no laundry necessary!) and wait for my next goodies to come in the mail. (Did I mention I also love mail? Add that to the PRO column, lol.)

Outfit #1

Outfit #2

Outfit #3

Outfit #4

Oh, and if you fall in love with a piece you can purchase it at a pretty deep discount for the quality of item you’re receiving! (Remember: these items have been worn by other ladies out there. So the discount isn’t due to quality, it’s because they’re used. Which I’m kinda into, but others might take issue with.) I try to keep a pretty minimal core wardrobe but there have been a few pieces I couldn’t let go of — like a high quality pair of yoga pants, a denim jacket, and that sweet lil red purse pictured above!

Anywho, enough of my rambling! If you have questions about Le Tote, please feel free to drop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them/give you my honest opinion.

AND if you’d like to check out Le Tote for yourself…

Click here to get your 1st Le Tote box FREE!

P.S. Let me know if you’d like to see more posts like this. I’d be happy to share future totes!
P.P.S. Fuh real tho…go get a free box! xoxo

My Dream Jewelry Capsule

July 19, 2018Style and Designaccessories, capsule wardrobe, everyday jewelry, jewelry, my aesthetic, my style, statement jewelryBeth Berger

*This post may contain affiliate links.*

When it comes to curating a personal look, I tend to invest most of my efforts and money into the main body of my wardrobe. You know – coats, jeans, blouses, tops, and a whole array of different shoes. When it comes to accessories, I’m a sucker for bags and scarves.

However, something that can really add a little je ne sais quoi to your look? Jewelry. Jewelry can function as a signature item that will add a personal touch to whichever ensemble you might have chosen that day. Sometimes it really is the little touches that count.

It’s these little touches that I’d love to start focusing on. And YOU KNOW I love a good capsule. A capsule helps you focus on building a collection without going overboard. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite types of jewelry and a few options for each.

Here’s what I’d include in my JEWELRY CAPSULE —

Watches

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

Statement Earrings

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

Diamonds

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

TIP: A key piece of advice to bare in mind when buying diamonds is to know what you’re talking about before heading into a shop. Take a read through VVS diamonds information at Whiteflash. A little knowledge can go a long way and will ensure that you are getting the right kind of stone for your money.

Birth Stones

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

Handcrafted Pieces

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

Pearls

Option 1 // Option 2 // Option 3

TIP: If possible, opt for artificial pearls. You generally cannot tell the difference and it makes your jewelry cruelty free!

What about you? What are your favorite types of jewelry? What dream piece would you love to splurge on if you had the chance (and the extra cash)?

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.

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

Favorite Things Friday!

August 29, 2014Every day life#favoritethingsfriday, a few of my favorite things, bagels, capsule wardrobe, clothes, cranberry sauce, Friday, lifestyle, my style, picture books, public library, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, ViviannaDoesMakeup, YoutubeBeth Berger

So, here’s a totally random post because it’s Friday and I want to talk about some of my favorite things!

1) Bagel upgrades.

A bagel from Great Bagel. Hit it with any or all of the following: bacon, spinach, turkey, mustard, swiss, muenster, grilled onions, sriracha… I will be a happy girl. I’ve talked about creating food rituals at home before but this is my most tried and true “eating out” ritual. I typically order up one of these bad boys from the Good Foods Co-op every Monday aka Bagel Day.

2) Binge watching newly discovered YouTubers.

I can’t stop watching the YouTube channel ViviannaDoesMakeup and I really have no idea why. Well, maybe I have somewhat of an idea…I LOVE HER ACCENT. She mostly does makeup videos (tutorials, hauls, etc) which I haven’t really been watching. But I’m totally obsessed with her vlog videos and her very adorable British life. Isn’t she the cutest? Most days, I get home from work at approximately twenty to 11 pm (crazy, right?) and I’ve found that I just can’t pay attention to whole TV shows that late at night but I still want to watch SOMETHING to unwind in the midst of checking my sites. Lifestyle YouTube videos have been fitting the bill nicely as of late.

3) Revisiting my youth by way of the library.

Remember this book??? I picked it up at the library the other day (along with this book of accompanying short stories–more on that later) and it has been so fun to leaf through. Writing stories based on the mysterious pictures was one of my favorite elementary school activities. No wonder so many of us grew up to love conspiracy theories!

4) Putting cranberry sauce on everything.

I don’t know where this idea came from but lately I’ve been really into grilling fish (salmon, cod, tilapia) on my Foreman and somehow I got it in my head that cranberry sauce would be a really delish addition. So I picked up a jar of this R.W. Knudsen cranberry sauce from the grocery and gave it a try. OMG, it is the perfect finish for a really simple meal of meat, vegetables and rice…tangy and sweet and you just need one little dollop.

5) My new capsule wardrobe.

So, if you don’t know, I have a really weird obsession with capsule wardrobes (I talked about my love of minimalism ogling here). In addition to my “one in, one out” rule (which I’ve been really good about! Just the other day I took a whole Trader’s Joe bag full of clothes and accessories to donate when I was initially just looking to get rid of a one skirt and one necklace) I’ve been trying to streamline my wardrobe. I finally solidified a late summer/early fall capsule wardrobe that I’m really happy with. Outfit #1 from the capsule is pictured above! Longer post to follow, I’m sure. ; )

Now, tell me a few of YOUR favorite things? I wanna know what is making you happy and giddy this Friday! Spill!

(Top image comprised of a photo from The Sound of Music and an illustration by Tyler Feder)