A Kitchen Miscellany (Weekend Cooking)

Happy Saturday! In today's Weekend Cooking post, I talk about two books and a some delicious bread. Let's start with the bread.

Last month, the company Wildgrain reached out to me to see if I wanted a review box of their artisan sourdough breads and pasta. I did a little research, and saw nothing but positive reviews about Wildgrain's products and services. Now that I've worked with the company and baked their breads, I couldn't agree more.

Here's how their delivery subscription works. For $89 a month (which includes shipping), you receive a box of frozen goodies. A typical box includes three loaves of sourdough bread, two packages of hand-cut pasta, a bag of sourdough rolls, and a bag of croissants. Everything arrives frozen, ready for the freezer. The products are non-GMO and vegetarian, use unbleached flour, and contain no artificial colors.

My box contained a plain sourdough loaf, a sourdough sesame seed loaf, a sourdough cranberry pecan loaf, fresh fettuccine, fresh tonnarelli, chocolate croissants, and sourdough rolls. One of the really great things about the Wildgrain products is that you bake directly from the freezer. No thawing required. You simply preheat the oven as directed, place the bread directly on the oven rack (croissants go on sheet pan) and wait about 25 minutes for the magic to happen. The hardest part of baking Wildgrain bread is letting it sit for 10-15 minutes so it can cool a bit and finish baking. The bread smells sooooo good, you want to eat it immediately. Okay, so I confess, we did eat the rolls pretty much right away.

The breads and rolls are everything you want from a sourdough: crusty crust with a tangy soft interior (see my photo). The chocolate croissants (see my photo) were to die for. Seriously good and not overly sweet. Both pastas cooked quickly and were every bit as delicious as any fresh pasta I've had.

When I did a price comparison with local artisan bakeries and vendors at our farmer's markets, I found the cost for Wildgrain to be competitive both for the sourdough bread and fresh pasta. The advantage of a Wildgrain subscription is that you have the breads on hand for spontaneous baking.

I noticed on the Wildgrain website that they're currently running a special (free extra croissants for life) for people who subscribe by the end of May. Note that I get no commission if you subscribe. I did get my box for free, but my thoughts are completely honest. We loved our Wildgrain products and also loved the convenience of home delivery and knowing we could have fresh bread, even when I didn't feel like baking myself.

For more information visit the Wildgrain website and read their FAQ. Thanks again to Wildgrain for the opportunity to try their products.

Next, I want to alert you to Alton Brown's new cookbook: Good Eats: The Final Years. (Thanks to Abrams for sending me the review copy.) I loved Brown's Food Network shows Good Eats and the spin-off shows subtitled "Reloaded" and "The Return." This cookbook is very much an offspring of the television series, with each chapter linked to a specific Reloaded or Return episode.

As you would expect from Alton Brown, the Good Eats cookbook covers practical advice (like how to spatchcock a chicken), food history (all about dates), food science (how milk fat foams), and so much more. The book is amply illustrated with photos from the television set, drawings, step-by-step photos of techniques, and the like.

There is an incredible amount of information in this 400+-page cookbook. I'll turn to Good Eats: The Final Years for answers to my culinary questions and to revisit the special zaniness that Brown brings to his kitchen lessons. I haven't yet cooked from this book, but I want to point out some things of interest. Good Eats includes a recipe for a Gluten-Free Flour Mix (see below), a thorough section on immersion cooking (kind of like, but not really, sous vide), a chapter on sourdough, and a chapter on rediscovered grains (like chia, quinoa, and amaranth).

Alton Brown's Good Eats: The Final Years is recommended for fans of Alton Brown and anyone interested in the nitty-gritty of culinary techniques.

Finally, I've been enjoying Sharon and David Bower's Home Ec for Everyone: Practical Life Skills in 118 Projects, which I received as a member of the Workman Ambassador program. When I was in junior high and high school, girls took home ec and boys took shop. At my school, home ec focused on cooking and sewing and not too much on the other adulting skills. Home Ec for Everyone provides a more well-rounded approach to general life skills.

Each short section of the book explains a specific skill or a useful household bit of knowledge, complete with charming drawings by Sophia Nicolay (see the cover). For example, in the kitchen chapter, you'll find information on equipment and appliances, on basic cooking skills, on how to properly prepare and store food, and even cleaning advice. The laundry chapter includes a chart for deciphering laundry labels in clothing and helps you figure out whether your "dry clean only" shirt can actually be thrown in the washing machine. Besides recipes, activities include simple sewing projects, how to remove stains, how to make a household budget, how to make a household first aid kit, and how to fix a broken zipper.

Whether you're an experienced domestic god or goddess or you're new to taking care of yourself and your living quarters, Home Ec for Everyone deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's a great resource to have on hand next time you have to hem something or need to launder a down comforter or your curtains. I have to note, however, that in the 21st century, much of the information in Sharon and David Bowers's Home Ec for Everyone can be found via a quick internet search. Still, I like the idea of having a basic print resource.

Now for the promised recipe. According to Alton Brown, the following mix is for cookies and "cookie-like baked goods." This is not for bread. This mix will last 6 months in an airtight container. Brown, of course, encourages you to weigh the ingredients instead of using volume measures.

Gluten-Free Flour Mix
Makes about 7 1/2 cups (1000 g)

• 250 grams (1 3/4 cups plus 1 1/2 teaspoons brown rice flour
• 250 grams (1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons) white rice flour
• 150 grams (1 1/4 cups plus 2 teaspoons) tapioca flour or starch
• 150 grams (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) cornstarch
• 100 grams (1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon) potato starch
• 90 grams (1 cup) nonfat dry milk powder
• 10 grams (1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon) xanthan gum

Combine all of the ingredients in a large airtight container.

Note: The recipe is used in the context of a review; all rights remain with the original copyright holders. The photos of the breads are my own.

Shared with Weekend Cooking, hosted by Marg at The Intrepid Reader (and Baker)

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Review: MixAndMatchBox.Com -- The Best Style Box Ever?

Do you belong to a shopping service or subscription box service? I have tried several clothing subscriptions over the last few years, with mixed results.

Well, I've now found what I consider to be the PERFECT clothing service. MixAndMatchBox.com is different from any other styling service I've tried because my stylist (her name is Alexis) is a real person with whom I've developed a relationship.

Instead of receiving clothing based on an alogrithm or based on what I've bought before (how many gray sweaters does a person need, other service?), my MixAndMatchBox is filled with pieces that were actually hand picked for me. Really.

First I'll explain how MixAndMatchBox works, then I'll tell you about my experience, and finally I'll show you what was in the box I received this week (see the photos). Keep this in mind: these clothes reflect my taste. You'd get clothes to match your tastes and needs.

The subscription plan basics will sound familiar to those of you who have tried clothing boxes before. But please, please read on--MixAndMatchBox is not the same old, same old.

• All plans: Sign up on the MixAndMatchBox website and fill out a style profile. You'll be assigned a stylist. Shipping is free both ways via UPS. You have 5 days to decide on the items in your box. A preaddressed UPS return envelope, a price sheet, and instructions are included in your box. Their sizes are 0-18 and XS-2X.
• Take a Chance Style in a Box: This box is great for those of you who like to budget. For $105.99 a month, you get 2-4 items of clothing with a value of at least $175.00. The price includes a $25.00 nonrefundable styling fee. To get this box, you must commit to a three-month subscription. Unlike some similar set-price services, you can return items you don't like or that don't fit. Your charges will be adjusted accordingly (see MixAndMatchBox.com for details).
• Go for It Style in a Box: This is the subscription I have. You can request monthly boxes or you can set up when you want to get new clothes. I opted for the latter and am happy with only three to four boxes a year. (When you work from home, you don't wear out your clothes.) Your cost will depend on which items of clothing you decide to keep, but you'll pay a $25.00 nonrefundable styling fee for each box (the fee is applied to your final invoice). If you keep 5 items, you get a 25 percent discount. The nice thing about MixAndMatch is that you get 6 to 8 items in each box, so you can usually get your discount without having to say yes to something you know you'll never wear.
• General prices for the Go for It Style in a Box: I find the prices for MixAndMatch to be much better than other services, and sometimes one or two items are on sale. Tops generally range from $28 to $45. Pants (I like Liverpool, so they're pricey!) are from $65 to $90, depending on what you're getting. The one dress I received was only $38! (These prices are before the 25 percent discount.) You can work with your stylist to get clothing in your price range. The quality has been great so far.
• Bonuses for the Go for It Style in a Box: You can get your first three boxes for only a $5 styling fee (see details on the FAQ page here). Also note that MixAndMatchBox offers a three-month payment plan if you need to budget out your box. Again, see the FAQ page or ask your stylist.

So how is MixAndMatchBox different? As I said at the beginning, your stylist is really working for you and with you. Your first box will take several weeks before it arrives, because you and your stylist will be exchanging email, clarifying your tastes, and tweaking your sizing. She also may need to order in your pieces. You also might be asked to send in a photo of yourself, so your stylist can get an idea of your skin tone, body shape, and personal style. I ended up sending two!

Before my first box came, my stylist and I discussed jeans, age, lifestyle, and favorite colors. In my first box I asked for clothes for late winter into spring. Alexis sent me seasonally appropriate tops and three pairs of jeans so we could pinpoint what fit best. I ended up keeping all three pairs, but in the long run, two fit me better than the other.

So, guess what? I emailed my stylist (because she shops for me!) and told her my thoughts so the next box would be even better.

In my second box I was looking for general summer clothes. Besides some tops, I wanted shorts but nothing too short. My stylist picked out a great pair in denim--she told me that she held them up to herself (she's an inch taller than I am) to make sure the length would be right! That's what I call personal service.

I requested a specific pair of pants I had seen on the MixAndMatchBox Facebook feed, by my stylist was quick to email me back, saying that they'd be too long for me and came in only one length. But she suggested a similar pair that she thought would fit me; I told her to add them to my box. Again, that's personal service!

For my third box, I was looking specifically for easy-to-pack and easy-to-wear clothes to take on my upcoming trip to Europe with girlfriends (more on that next week). Alexis and I exchanged a few emails, and she was ready to start putting together my box.

Alexis sent me extra items in this box because she knew I was hoping to get the bulk of my travel clothing from her. I ended up keeping a lot of pieces, but now I don't have to worry about next week's packing. Let's go through the items one by one. I'll tell you what I kept and what I didn't. Click on the photos to get a better look.

The Shirts (starting from the top of the post, moving down)

• The long-sleeved placket T-shirt (brand: Dear John) is in a pretty color teal, and I like the slightly uneven wash. It's just the kind of easy-to-wear top I wanted: the fit is great and the V-neckline is flattering. The nights where I'm traveling will be cool, so I needed at least one shirt with sleeves. I kept it.
• The peachy short-sleeved T-shirt (brand: Dear John) looked super on me and is cool and casual. Again, I like the flattering neckline, and I love the slits on the sides that close with ribbons. It's a nice little detail that makes the shirt special. I kept it.
• The deep burgundy/brown print shirt (brand: Cozy Casual) has really cute tulip/loosely ruffled sleeves and is flowy without making me look big. I love that the material is not see-through. The V-neck was a little low for me, but a white demi-cami solved that problem while also really bringing out the white in the print. This was my husband's favorite. I kept it.
• I saw the cobalt blue top (brand: Skies Are Blue) in someone else's box and immediately requested it. It looks great on me and can be dressed up or down. This is my favorite. I kept it.
• The striped side-tie shirt (brand: First Love) was really cute. I liked the tie and the pretty summer colors. It looked great with the pink pants (shown later) and I was tempted. It was, however, a little too baggy in the body, so I returned it.
• Finally, the French blue short-sleeved T-shirt (brand: Gilli) has a really cute neckline (if you enlarge the photo, you'll see the cutouts at the neck) and a surprisingly feminine fit. It's fairly fitted on top but then flares gently out in soft folds (you can kind of see this on the hanger). I loved the look. Alas, the V-neck came down too low for my comfort zone, so I had to return it.

The Dress

• The knit dress with front tie (brand Gilli) was a total surprise. My stylist took a chance, even though I never request dresses. You can see a detail of the fabric in the lower left of the photo. I really should have taken a picture of me wearing the dress because you can't see how pretty it is in real life (did I say I love the colors?). The tie gives the dress shape and is a great detail, and the sleeves are capped. The colors work now and will be super into the fall. The dress looked so good on me, my husband said I had to keep it. I wasn't planning on taking a dress to Europe, but this one would pack beautifully and a pair of ballet flats take up almost no room, right? Thanks, Alexis, I love it!

The Pants

• The eggplant cargo pants (brand: Dear John) fit perfectly. I had specifically asked for cargo pants, so I was happy to see them, and the color is great for late summer into fall. Sadly, the skinny jeans were really skinny. They totally fit me, but super-skinny is out of my comfort zone, so I reluctantly sent them back.
• The clay cuffed cropped jeans (brand: Dear John) are so cute and stylish. I love the big cuffs and the color is perfect (off-white/pale gray?). The pants have a little stretch but not so much that they'll be hot, and they're that perfect step up from basic jeans that make them super for my very casual trip. Kept them.
• The pale pink pants are in one of my favorite styles from Liverpool. They're called Buddy Trousers, and the material is soft and wears beautifully. These pants are so darn comfortable, I could live in them. Alexis sent me a pale green pair earlier in the summer, and I'm thrilled she read my email saying how much I loved them. So happy to have a second pair. Kept.

If you want to see more clothes from MixAndMatchBox.com, you'll find reviews, unboxings, and try ons over on YouTube. For some reason, I couldn't find a lot of blog reviews, so I'm out to change that!

I wholeheartedly recommend MixAndMatchBox for anyone who has been frustrated with clothing subscription boxes. The truly one-on-one service makes MixAndMatchBox a winner for me. When your stylist totally gets your style, is willing to tweak the boxes and ask questions, then you know you're going to love your clothes. Visit their site to get more information.

If you use my link -- www.mixandmatchbox.com/?ref=candace -- then we both get a discount on the styling fee, but even if you don't use my code I hope you give MixAndMatchBox.com a try.

NOTE: This is not a sponsored post; I have paid for all my boxes myself. I am just a happy customer who wants to share a good experience.

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Weekend Cooking: Try a Cuppa Plum Deluxe Tea

Happy Thanksgiving weekend for those of you in the United States. I hope your holiday was wonderful.

I ended up with a bad cold, and spent most of the week drinking gallons of tea. Although you might think it was bad timing to feel sick during a holiday, I was actually a little lucky.

A few weeks ago, Plum Deluxe Tea asked me if I'd like to sample some of their blends. I checked out their website and was impressed that their teas are both organic and fair trade.

I had a hard time deciding what kind of tea I wanted to try, but Plum Deluxe was nice enough to send me three different blends of black tea, my preferred brew. Note, however, the company sells green tea, white tea, herbal tea, chai, and a couple of others. Here's what helped me survive my holiday cold.

• The Mindful Morning Black Tea is Plum Deluxe's take on Earl Grey. The blend contains the expected bergamot oil as well as vanilla, blue cornflowers, and orange peels. They suggest a quick steep, which is what I did. This was definitely a brighter Earl Grey, and I admit to adding a shot of whiskey--just to help take the edge off my cold.
• I couldn't resist trying Heritage Blend Black Tea, which Plum Deluxe describes as Scottish Breakfast tea. I love breakfast teas of all sorts, and this one stood out with its touch of maple syrup and flowers. It was, however, a little more bitter than I was expecting, but some honey smoothed out the brew.
• Finally, the tea I was most looking forward to trying was the Brunch in Paris blend. This one was by far my favorite. It smelled so good, even before I poured boiling water over the leaves. Blended with the black tea foundation are cocoa nibs, orange pieces, and honeybush tea (see the photo at right). This could easily become a household staple.

Plum Deluxe had plenty of other organic tea blends that caught my eye. I mean, who can resist a tea called Reading Nook Blend? It contains black tea, rose petals, lavender, chamomile, and vanilla essence. The Gingerbread Chai Tea looks perfect for the holidays, and some of herbal blends also sound good.

If you're looking for a gift or want to treat yourself, check out Plum Deluxe's organic tea of the month clubs. They also sell gift sets and tea accessories.

Whenever possible, I like to buy organic, fair trade, and non-GMO, and Plum Deluxe meets all those requirements. In addition, they donate a percentage of their profits to, as they say, "making the world a better place." I love companies that give back to communities and projects in need.

Thanks to Plum Deluxe for the chance to try their teas. The photos are from their website, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
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Product Review: Wholesale Custom Flash Drives

When the nice people at Wholesale Custom Flash Drives contacted me about giving their custom USB drives a test, I immediately said yes. I love the idea of having something a little bit different to hand out at conferences and BEA, especially if it's something everyone can use.

My contact at Wholesale Custom Flash Drives was Chelsea, who was a dream to work with from start to finish. I knew I wanted my custom thumb drives to display my Beth Fish Reads avatar (the woman with a glass), and once I provided a high-resolution copy, Chelsea got right to work.

Within a day or so I had a mock-up of my logo on a couple of samples. The next step was to pick a style of USB drive. Wholesale Custom Flash Drives come in all different shapes and materials. There's even a wooden flash drive that looks like a book! With Chelsea's help, I picked the more traditionally shaped thumb drive because I thought it showed off my avatar nicely. You can see the mock-up in the scan just below.

Once I picked the style, my finished flash drives arrived within 10 days or so. Not only do the thumb drives look pretty but they work great too. I've been using one for about a month and have had no issues at all.

One very nice touch is that the flash drives came individually wrapped, so they'll stay clean in my tote bag until I hand them out. The wrapping also assures recipients that they're getting a fresh, new device. As you can see, I put my logo and blog name on one side and my blog URL on the other. I wanted a clean, simple look and that's exactly what I got.

Take a look at the Wholesale Custom Flash Drives website to see all the different styles of USB drives to choose from. Besides the wooden book, I liked the slap bracelets, the pen/drive combos, and the flip cards. Another one that caught my eye is the "butterfly," which is in a classy leather casing. Want your thumb drive in a one-of-kind shape or color? Just ask, they can make it happen.

I recommend Wholesale Custom Flash Drives without reservation. Their service is fantastic. They answer emails quickly and were right on top of the back and forth of the design process. I love that they didn't flinch when I had a couple last-minute tweaks to the final design, and I very much appreciated the help and advice I got from Chelsea. The finished product arrived at my door very quickly, and the drives were everything I had hoped them to be. I plan on keeping a stock of custom flash drives for slipping into book mail, sharing with my book club, and handing out at conferences.

I can't wait to give my Beth Fish Reads thumb drives to my colleagues at BEA this year. Custom flash drives are great way to make sure my contacts remember me. Thanks so much to Chelsea and everyone at Wholesale Flash Drives for a super product and top-notch customer service.

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Review: The New Book of the Month Club

Do you remember the Book of the Month (BOM) Club? I have been a member off and on most of my adult life, so I was excited to see they've revamped and are making it more appealing than ever to be a member.

When given the opportunity, I accepted advanced access to their updated program because I was curious about the club's new look. The current program includes an impressive committee of judges, an online forum, and an easy way to pick which book you'd like to read every month. It's great to see this book-lovers' institution enter the new century.

How does it work? On the first of every month, BOM announces the judges' five current book selections. Members then have about six days to log in to the site, read about the selections, and pick the book they want to read that month. All books (hardcovers) are shipped at the same time (on the 10th of the month). After you've had a chance to start reading, you can log in to the club forum, where you can discuss the book with other members. Sometimes the BOM judge joins the conversation and sometimes even the author pipes in! This means you can participate in the new BOM almost as you would a traditional book club, if you'd like.

Who are the judges? The panel of twelve judges consists of award-winning authors (like Emily St. John Mandel), print journalists (like Christopher Cox from Harper's magazine), and online journalists (like Liberty Hardy, from Book Riot). For those who keep track: Most of the committee are women and (based on their profile images) there is one person of color.

What is the cost? If you want to try BOM on a month-by-month basis, the cost is $16.99 per month (for a hardcover book, shipping, and access to the website and forums). If you commit to three months, the cost is $39.99 ($13.33 per month), and the yearly plan costs $99.99 ($8.33 per month).

What did I read? I picked Andy Abramowitz's Thank You, Goodnight, selected by Judge Liberty Hardy.

My quick take: After nearly twenty years as a lawyer, a middle-aged man is unexpectedly inspired to write music again and revive his once-famous rock band. Can the foursome still make a hit album? This is a fun and funny look at trying to regain one's youth.

I'm glad I picked Thank You, Goodnight because I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise. My only disappointment is that this is the only BOM August selection that doesn't have an active discussion on the forum, so I wasn't able to take advantage of that feature--although, to be fair, I didn't have to wait to see what others were saying, I could have started a discussion myself. (See below for the other August selections.)

What's my recommendation? I encourage you to check out the new Book of the Month Club. It's a terrific way to learn about newish books; to connect with other readers, book journalists, and authors; and to buy hardcover books at a decent discount. Based on my past experiences with the BOM, they have a responsive customer service and are a reliable and trusted source for book lovers. Read the Book of the Month Club's FAQ for details on how the program works.

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Le Tote Subscription Service (Clothing & Accessories): A Review

As you may remember, I've been a happy Stitch Fix subscriber for a few years now (see my Unboxing Post from last January). Although I'm still a fan, I've recently discovered a couple more subscription services that I may love even more.

Today I'm going to tell you all about Le Tote (clothes and accessories), which works differently from most other subscription services. I'm a little in love with Le Tote but am clear-headed enough to recognize some of the cons. I'll describe the service, show you my latest box, and then list the good, the bad, and the tips and recommendations.

By the way, I learned about Le Tote after seeing an Instagram photo from @Heidenkind (Tasha) and used her coupon to get my first month at about half price (you can get my coupon by clicking here, which also gives me a discount).

Le Tote is a completely different kind of clothing service from Stitch Fix. For $49 a month you can have an almost unlimited wardrobe because Le Tote is actually a rental service. Sounds weird, I know. But take a minute to see how it works.

After you sign in to the Le Tote website, you will take a short quiz about your body shape and size, your style, and your likes and dislikes. Then you'll browse through their inventory of clothing and accessories, adding items you like to your closet (making up a kind of wish list). Then a stylist puts together a tote for you, taking into consideration your closet, your quiz, and your size. Each tote contains at least three items of clothing and two accessories.

Unlike Stitch Fix, you get to see your tote before it's shipped. Once your tote is ready, you'll have twenty-four hours to swap out any items you want so you can get a box that fits your current needs. Hit the complete button, and your tote should arrive in a couple of days.

When your box comes, you get to wear the clothes. Yes, you heard me. Just go ahead and wear the items. You can keep them as long as you'd like: the whole month, a few days, a week. Then place all the items in the return bag and send them back to Le Tote. You don't have to clean them -- the laundry (and sterilization of the jewelry) is on them! Oh and you don't pay extra for shipping.

If you want to buy something, just keep it and return the other items. Whenever you buy an item, you receive an extra piece in your next tote. Like most such services, you have an opportunity to rate your tote once you've had a chance to try on the clothes and accessories.

Here's what I got in my box this week (you can click the image to see it full size): A black blazer that can be worn over jeans as easily as with a skirt or dress. A green loose T-shirt (it looks almost gray in the photo). A bright dress that has more shape to it than it looks hanging up. (I wasn't sure about it, but once I put it on, I thought it was fun and bright.) Stone/agate earrings in earthy colors. (These are perfect for perking up jeans and a T-shirt.) A batik-like blouse that fits like a dream. A pink and faux snakeskin purse that matches both the blouse and the dress.

Everything fit (really!), and although I don't think I'll buy anything from this box (don't quote me on this and see tips below), I'll definitely make sure I get the blouse, purse, and jacket in future totes. All three are super pieces that I can see wearing again and again. I really like the dress, earrings, and T-shirt too and am looking forward to wearing them this week, but I'm not sure they'll end up on my must-have-again list (but you never know).

What I love and some tips

• You can have unlimited boxes each month. Once your return envelop has been scanned into the USPS system, your stylist will begin putting together your next tote. I got four totes in my first month, keeping each one for a week.
• If you really love something but don't want to buy it, you can tell your stylist to send it again (or you can swap it back in a tote yourself). So in theory you could wear, say, a dress a couple of times of month without having to buy it.
• If you return something and begin to regret it, you can always buy it outright for the discounted membership price.
• Every once in a while Le Tote puts selected items on sale, so you can buy something you were on the fence about for an even deeper discount.
• Did I mention that you don't have to do the laundry?
• One of my most favorite things: all the clothing at Le Tote is shown on a model, and you can view the items from front, side, and behind. This means you can see how the clothing (as well as most of the accessories) look when worn. No surprises that a shirt is too sheer or a skirt is too flouncy. I loved being able to fill "my closet" this way.
• Le Tote subscribers sometimes upload photos of themselves wearing their Le Tote clothes or accessories, giving you another way to check out items before you add them to your wish list.
• Although Le Tote's quiz is shorter than the one I filled out for Stitch Fix, in four boxes, there has been only one item that didn't fit me perfectly (including dresses, sweaters, shirts, skirts, and jackets). And that shirt, though a little loose, was still wearable. This is HUGE, everything really fits.
• I like surprises just fine, but I love that I can see my tote before it ships -- just in case I want to make a swap.
• I've discovered that my opinion of clothing and jewelry can change once I've worn an item for a while. Sometimes a shirt or skirt looks great in front of the mirror but is not so great after I've worn it for six hours. So instead of buying such a garment (like I would have with Stitch Fix or in a store), I get to simply return it.

The not so good

• On the negative side: When you buy an item from Le Tote you pay a discounted price, but you are paying above and beyond your subscription fee. So to get a true cost, you have to take into consideration the money you're spending on the subscription as well as the price of the clothing.
• On the other hand, unless you simply can't live without the piece, there isn't a reason to own it. You can always rent it again.
• Although I recognized many of the brands, the quality is not high-end designer. If this is important to you, you might be disappointed. (I, however, am fine with mid-level brands for everyday garments and fashion jewelry.)

Final tips and recommendations and thoughts

• If you're used to Stitch Fix, you'll be tempted to buy something from each box (at least I was). For Le Tote to be cost-effective, you need to keep only what you absolutely MUST have. If you aren't totally in love, then let it go and rent it again.
• If you work outside your home or live in a city where you're out and about a lot, then Le Tote seems like a no-brainer. For about $50 a month you can have new-to-you clothes and accessories every single week and you won't have launder any of it.
• Although I'm sure all the clothes and jewelry I've gotten from Le Tote were pre-worn, everything looked new. The quality was good, and I recognize many of the brands.

I guess you can tell that I am whole-heartedly recommending Le Tote. I have only one reservation: because I work from home and we don't go out a lot, I'm not sure whether Le Tote is going to be a good deal for me in the long run. I plan to keep going with Le Tote for now, but I'm going to have think long and hard about it over the following months.

This is a big dilemma for me -- I really love the clothes, accessories, and service, but I'm just not sure if I'm a good candidate. If you have to look nice for work every day, Le Tote could be a life-saver. If you'd like to try a month of Le Tote for about half price, you can use my referral code (which will also give me a discount). If you do decide to try it, let me know what you think. I hope you fall in love too.

Note: This is not a sponsored post. I paid for my own subscription.

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Stitch Fix Styling Service: Unboxing Fix 11 Plus Tips & Info

Although I'm hardly a fashion maven (okay, friends, stop laughing hysterically), I'm going to tell you about a fashion shopping service that I love and that I'm sure you've heard of: Stitch Fix.

I'm going to tell you a little bit about myself and a little bit about Stitch Fix, then I'll take you through my latest shipment (arrived yesterday), and give you some tips on how you can have success getting great clothes that fit your personal tastes.

About me. Back in 2012, my younger friends (women around age 30) were talking about Stitch Fix and the great clothes and accessories they got from the service's stylists. I was hesitant; after all I'm closer to (or even older?) than their parents, so what would Stitch Fix have for me? Right before BEA that year, I decided to give it a shot, if I hated everything in the box, the most it would cost me would be $20 (more on that in a minute). I filled out the Style Profile, scheduled a fix, and crossed my fingers. To my delight, the box contained several items I liked. I kept one blouse. Since then, I've scheduled a box each season, and the selections have been getting better and better -- fitting my tastes and budget. This month was the second time I kept every single item they sent me! How about that for good service?

About Stitch Fix. For the complete rundown, check out Stitch Fix's FAQs, which give you a clear idea of everything you can expect (including the size range). In a nutshell, you fill out a Style Profile, in which you tell the stylists everything about you: age, weight, height, tastes in clothing, budget, lifestyle, and more. Then you Schedule a Fix and add a note to your personal stylist, telling her if you have any special requests (for example, you might need new dresses for work).

For each fix, you pay a nonrefundable $20 fee; you pay no additional fees (including shipping) and are charged for only what you keep. Each box contains five items (clothes and accessories). When your box arrives, you have three days to try on the items, make a decision, and return unwanted items in the prepaid, preaddressed return envelope. Once you've decided what you want, you check out and leave feedback. If you buy all five items, you get a 25% discount on the entire purchase.

My latest box. For this fix, I had specifically told my stylist that I wanted a tote or a bag, if there was one she thought I'd like, plus tops to get me through the rest of winter. I said that I didn't want pants, skirts, dresses, or jewelry. My stylist listened to me, and I love everything I got. Click the image to see the photos full size

The first thing I opened was the Eperia Clarita black messenger bag. It's a cross-body bag with an extra handle that's big enough for all kinds of gear when I'm out and about. I love the zippered main compartment, the cute lining, the matching zip pouch (not shown), and the details.

The next item was the Splendid Delanie knit olive vest. I was not in love with this at first sight because I wasn't sure about the collar. But once I put it on, I knew I'd get a ton of wear out of it; it's soft, warm, and a great neutral color. Next out of the box was the silk Amour Vert Halton Blouse in navy and pink. I love silk because it's comfortable most of the year, and this cheerful blouse fits me perfectly and can be dressed up or down.

I'll get a lot of wear out of the two Olive & Oak sweaters--the Bernette Mixed Knit in teal green and the Glenn Cable Knit in fuchsia. They are soft, warm, and comfy on their own but would work well under a jacket or over dress pants as easily as over jeans.

Each item fits my style and my body. Note too that the styles are fairly classic and ageless but still up to date, which is exactly what I wanted. If you like frilly and girly or trendy and urban, you'd get those styles in your box instead.

Two notes. One thing to understand about Stitch Fix is that they do not send you outfits, not that you couldn't wear some of the items together. Instead they are sending you pieces to augment your wardrobe. Second, for each clothing item, you get a style card (at right), which shows you two suggested outfits, so you have some help in how to put together your own look.

Tips. I know that, as with any service, some people who've tried Stitch Fix have not been happy. I don't know if I've just been lucky or if it's because I've tried my best to represent myself and my wants clearly. Here are some things I think have helped me have such good luck:

• Style Profile: I filled this out as accurately as I could. I didn't lie about my weight, age, height, or clothing size. I was very clear in the comment section about what I like to wear and what I don't like. I have revisited this section often and made changes when needed.
• Pricing: In the profile, you'll have a place to set your budget. Although I don't want to make mine public, I will say that I didn't pick the lowest price range for any of the categories. Only once in 11 boxes did I send something back because I thought the quality was bad.
• Pinterest: Create a style board at Pinterest (here's mine) and link it to your Style Profile. Although I haven't made notes on every photo I've pinned, I do try to say something helpful so my stylist can look over the pictures and get to know my tastes. For example, in the note she included in yesterday's fix, my stylist said she noticed I had pinned several vests, so thought I might like one.
• Feedback: Here is the key. When you check out after you've decided what to keep, you have a chance to leave feedback on each item and then on the box as a whole. Do this! Keeping in mind that you don't want to be mean, you still must be very honest for both the things you keep and the things you return. I say up front that something doesn't fit, isn't my taste, or is a bad color. Sometimes I love something but I already own a similar item. I try to be very, very clear about what I love and what I don't love about each item, whether I keep it or not. I think this is key. Your stylists can't read your mind.
• Requests: Finally, when I schedule my fixes, I add a note to my stylist saying exactly what I want. For example, each box before BEA, I mention my trip to New York and ask for something that will take me from convention floor to a dinner out. They always come through.

I've been getting a box every eight weeks or so, and each time I love Stitch Fix more and more. So there you have it. If you have further questions, just ask and I'll try my best to answer.

I actually hate this kind of thing, but I'd be dumb not to mention it: if you'd like to try Stitch Fix, and you use my referral link, then I get a small credit to my next fix. Note that this post is entirely mine: not sponsored in any way.

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Product Review: BudStraps

When the nice people at ChicExecs PR offered to send me a sample of something called a BudStrap, I said, "Sure. I'm always struggling with tangled earbuds when I'm out and about." I was hoping for a helpful product, but I wasn't expecting to find a godsend.

So what's a BudStrap? The video you'll find at the end of this post shows it better than I can describe it, but it's essentially a nylon-coated neoprene strap with a clip on each end. You put the strap around the back of your neck and place the clips around the wires of your earbuds, and you'll never have to worry about knotted cords again.

Before I put the BudStrap on, I was a little worried about how comfortable it would be. But, honestly, I don't even notice that I'm wearing it. In fact, I haven't taken my earbuds off the strap in three weeks. Here are the two situations in which I really love having the BudStrap:

• When I'm listening to a book and I need to turn it off to talk to someone, I can just take the buds out of my ear and let them hang there -- no worries about having to hold them or stuff them in a pocket.
• When I'm fitness walking or hiking and my buds fall out my ear, I no longer have to worry about tripping over the cords or stopping my workout to retrieve and untangle them.

If you're used to listening to music or a book whenever you have the chance, then you know exactly what I mean. You're walking along, and you stop to talk to a neighbor. You take your earbuds out, and no matter how careful you think you've been, they always end up with a knot. The BudStrap totally solves that problem.

I received the red strap you see in the photo at the top of the post, but the BudStraps will be available in a number of colors. Will be? you ask. Yes, at the moment the makers of the BudStrap are running a Kickstarter campaign so they can purchase an injection mold for the clips and to help fund the development of a lighter sweat-resistant neckband. If you support the campaign, you'll get a BudStrap or two in March 2015.

Check out the Kickstarter site for details about the level of donations still needed and what you get for each dollar amount. Note that I have absolutely no vested interest in this project or product. But I am hoping the BudStrap people get their money, because I love, love, love their product. Click on the Kickstarter link for detailed information and more videos.

For a clearer idea of what the BudStrap looks like and how it's worn, watch the short video.

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Product Review: Beam N Read Reading Lights

If you're like me, you are always on the lookout for a decent book light. I've tried many different versions, so when the nice people at Beam N Read offered to send me a couple of reading lights, I quickly said yes.

The first thing I noticed when I took the lights out of their boxes was that they are made to be worn around the neck and come with an adjustable elastic strap. Honestly, I was unsure how I'd feel about wearing a light, so I was surprised by how lightweight and comfortable it was. And, in fact, having the light beam come from my chest meant fewer shadows on my book and no light shining in my face. I've never liked clip-on book lights because they add weight to the book, sometimes fall off, make it awkward to hold the book, and interfere with page turning. The Beam N Read has none of these problems, making them a pleasure to use.

Next, I saw that the small light came with a red snap-on filter and the large light came with both a red and an amber filter. The red filter cuts down on glare from the LED lights and maintains your night vision. But more important, the filter meant that my husband was not bothered by my reading in bed. The amber filter on the bigger Beam N Read also cuts down on the glare and produces a softer light. I'm not sure which I like better, but I've gotten used to using the red filter on the smaller light as my first choice.

The smaller Beam N Read has three LED lights, and the direction of the beam is adjustable (three settings). The larger version has six LED lights, but a switch allows you to choose between lighting up just three lights or all six. It too has an adjustable beam and doesn't weigh significantly more than the smaller light. The bigger light also comes with a clip-on magnifier, which can come in handy, even though it's not meant for reading. (My husband used it when he had to remove a splinter.)

On a recent car trip, I slipped the smaller light into my tote bag. My husband noticed that the red light was much less annoying while he was driving than either the car's map light or the small flashlight I usually use when I need to find something in the car at night. If you can read in the car (unfortunately, I can't read for more than about three minutes without getting motion sick), you might want to give the Beam N Read a try; your driver may thank you for it.

I haven't yet used the light for needlework, but I bet the Beam N Read would make a great crafts light. My husband immediately thought of how much use he'd get out of the lights on our next camping trip, especially when using the red filter, which preserves night vision. And, finally, the company literature mentions that Beam N Reads are great hands-free lights for emergencies and power outages.

Thanks to Beam N Read for the chance to use their lights. I particularly like the filters and the shadow-free light for bedtime reading. We've gotten a lot of good use out the Beam N Reads, and we both feel comfortable recommending them for reading, camping, and general tasks.

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Product Review: The Snugg's Real Bamboo iPhone Case

When the nice people at The Snugg asked me if I'd like to review one of their products, I gladly said yes because they have a reputation for making quality tablet, phone, and eReader cases with a hard-to-beat guarantee.

For almost a year, I had been protecting my iPhone with a clunky blue plastic case, and I was ready for a more elegant choice. The Snugg makes a range of leather cases, but when I saw their Real Bamboo Wood Case, I fell in love immediately.

The Real Bamboo case is silky smooth with a semi-gloss finish and nicely rounded edges. Even Mr. BFR (woodcraftsman extraordinaire) was impressed with the quality.  Not only does the case look fantastic but it's well made down to the details. For example, as you can see in the photos, the case is made from a single piece of bamboo, so the split in the back is barely noticeable. See how the grain is perfectly lined up?

One of my concerns about getting a nonflexible case sight unseen was that the holes for the speakers, camera, and so on might not be lined up correctly. The Snugg took great care in designing the Real Bamboo case, however, and all the openings are exactly right.

I tested the recharging cord and headphone outlet and had no issues at all. I took photos, turned the phone on and off, and adjusted the volume. I even listened to a song or two without headphones and can attest that the speakers are not blocked by the bamboo.

The Snugg Real Bamboo Wood Case is easy as can be to slip onto your phone It comes in two parts that go together together smoothly. The inside of the case is covered to prevent scratching, and once on, the case fits, well, snugly!

My practical side loves that the Real Bamboo Wood case comes with a lifetime guarantee and The Snugg's "quality promise." I appreciate not only the sustainability of bamboo but the way it feels in my hand.

I realize not everyone is into the look and feel of wood, and so does The Snugg. They make beautiful leather pouches in natural and fashion colors as well as more protective bright plastic covers. And don't think The Snugg is only about the iPhone. They make covers for many brands of smartphones, including Samsung and Blackberry.

I love my new iPhone case so much I've been looking at The Snugg's tablet and eReader covers. There are quite a few styles and colors available for many brands, such as the Nook, the Kindle, Nexus, and iPads. I think families would love the tablet cases that come with a headrest mount so kids can watch a movie in the backseat of the car.

If you're looking for a great Christmas present for the gadget-lover on your list, be sure to check out the The Snugg's website. There's a case for everyone in your family.

Thanks to The Snugg for giving me the chance to provide my honest opinion of one of their products.

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