I finally got the results from my MRI, and it turns out I have a small disc bulge at the very bottom of my spine that’s irritating my right L5 and S1 nerves. It’s not dangerous, just a bit painful and wildly inconvenient (from a running standpoint). My doctor advised me to continue physical therapy, but since I can’t take much more time off for appointments, I might switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield’s at-home PT program, which is included in my plan.

He also emphasized that this kind of issue is highly likely to recur, and the best way to prevent it is to strengthen my core. Ok, fine. But I will never sign up for SolidCore again!

Then he suggested epidural steroid injections in my spine to help with the pain. No, no, no.

Absolutely not. If you know me, you know I’m needle-averse. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve never gotten Botox or fillers—well, that and the fact that every woman I know who’s pumped lots of fillers into her face looks, well, like every other woman with fillers.

Also, my body loves being dramatic and reacts badly to about 80% of prescriptions, so I’m convinced Botox would freeze my face permanently, and I’d walk around looking like Sloth from The Goonies for the rest of my life. Hey, you guys!

P.S. I've got some stories for you at the end of the review!

WHAT I’M WEARING THIS WEEK: Armoire

Welcome back to What I'm Wearing This Week: Armoire. For the newbies, every Friday on WIWTW I'll recap the clothing rentals I wore for the week. I’ll take you on a trip through my life, where I’m going, what’s missing in my closet, my current obsessions, what I’m excited to try, and maybe even buy. We’ll explore designers and trends, and a variety of styles and brands. And each week I’ll fill you in on why I chose each item, the total value of the rental compared to the retail price.

Armoire, which is a clothing rental company for women, is all about female empowerment. From the hand-selected and curated inventory of styles that are designed by the Boss Lady, for the Boss Lady, to their involvement with female-powered brands, and their partnership with Dress for Success Seattle, they’re a brand built for today’s woman. 

This is a review of the Unlimited Plan for $249/month.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)

WHAT I RECEIVED 

All three items by Farm Rio, Black Halo, and Avec Les Filles arrived fresh from the dry cleaner, neatly folded, and sealed in a shipping bag.

Farm Rio Ravenala Puff Sleeve Mini Dress, Retail Value $280, Armoire $252

About the designer: With over 20 years of history, FARM is Brazil’s most beloved clothing and lifestyle brand. The story began in 1997 in Rio at a local independent fashion market called Babilonia Feira Hype where founders Katia Barros and Marcello Bastos took their chances on launching a clothing line that embodies the feminine spirit and vibrant colors of Rio.

Brazilians quickly fell in love with the brand, the booth became a store, which grew into more stores, and now FARM is Brazil’s most recognized brand.

Why I rented it: Because it's FarmRio and brand new with tags.

How I styled it: I ordered a medium, but it fit more like a children’s small. The V-neckline has a hook-and-eye closure, which refused to stay shut and eventually tore off. I was at Inverness Brewing with my family... talk about an unplanned wardrobe malfunction.

I paired it with Tecova cowboy boots, a fedora, Les Belles tights, the Chanel 19, and an Yves Salomon shearling jacket.

Size and fit: Crafted from soft cotton, this floral-print dress features puffed shoulders, bishop sleeves, a front button closure, an empire waist, and a flared skirt. It’s adorable… until it tries to suffocate you. It's small everywhere!

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Super cute and frilly, totally FarmRio, but the sizing is inconsistent. It runs tiny, so consider sizing up (or two). FR’s sizing is the ultimate fashion gamble: you never know if you’ll get a perfect fit or a wardrobe fail.

Black Halo Leonadra Jumpsuit, Retail Value $495, Armoire $446

About the designer: Black Halo Founder and Creative Director, Laurel Berman, has transformed the way women dress today with the iconic Jackie O dress; known for its versatility and ability to enhance a woman’s figure, it laid the foundation for the brand’s success as a leader in the contemporary dress market. Laurel's architectural designs summon a natural inner beauty and confidence that are both liberating and empowering.

In 2012, the brand debuted a cocktail and evening wear collection, Black Halo EVE by Laurel Berman, broadening its appeal to existing clientele while reaching a new audience. The brand has grown to include jumpsuits, two-piece dressing, and separates.

Why I rented it: I’m a huge fan of Black Halo jumpsuits. They’re always long enough, always flattering, and somehow always fit me perfectly. So when I saw this one available (and brand new), it was an immediate yes.

How I styled it: I wore this stunning jumpsuit multiple times — including to our conference in Boston — because it’s just that good. I styled it with:

• A vintage studded belt for some edge
• Charlotte Olympia pumps
• My Chanel 19
• Alexis Bittar Solanes Hoops.

Size & Fit: I rented a size 6 and it fit beautifully. It’s definitely long, even for me, with a 34" inseam — which is rare and glorious.

The Leonarda Jumpsuit combines stretchy mesh with sharp, clean tailoring. The high mock neckline and geometric illusion paneling create a modern, sculpted look. A fitted bodice flows into fluid wide-leg trousers, subtle ruching adds dimension, and the lined interior keeps everything structured beneath the sheer overlay.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: I kept this beauty for about six weeks and seriously contemplated buying it. But even with all the discounts in the world, it’s still a major splurge. Stunning? Absolutely. Worth it at full price? My wallet said no.

Avec Les Filles Cheetah Mesh Midi Dress, Retail Value $148, Armoire $133

About the designer: We’re AVEC LES FILLES, or “With the Girls”, en français. We launched in 2017 with a mission to offer trend-driven fashion that is distinctive and personal, yet versatile and accessible.

RETRO ★ STREET ★ RUNWAY

Our aesthetic style is based on three pillars: retro details, street influence, and runway inspiration. We are sure to have something that speaks to your authentic style. We are the culmination of “je ne sais quoi” style that Parisians innately possess. Born in LA, living in NYC, and inspired by Parisian chic, we were made for the world. We’re constantly evolving to fit your lifestyle, but we’ll always remain true to our values. 

Why I rented it: I liked the design and print.

How I styled it: I paired this dress with my Altuzarra flats, a vintage Matthew Williamson coat for a burst of color and drama, and the Louis Vuitton Capucines to elevate the whole look. Effortless, chic, and perfectly layered.

Size and fit: I rented a medium, and this stretchy dress hugged my body perfectly—sleek, smooth, and sculpting in all the right places.

This wild, body-skimming mesh midi dress in a spotted cheetah print brings instant allure to nights out, gallery openings, and downtown dinners. The high neckline and long sleeves offer balance to the curve-hugging silhouette, while subtle ruching down the back adds shape, movement, and that effortless “I didn’t even try” vibe. It features a back-zip closure and is lined.

Condition: Brand new with tags.

Honest review: Cute, comfy, and stylish. I bought it, y'all!

DID THEY DELIVER? 

• What items were most helpful and versatile to own this week to ensure I got the most out of my rental and completed the look I craved? I got equal wear out of all three pieces!
• Did they meet or exceed expectations? Met expectations.
• What’s the return process like? Place the items in the bag, seal it up, and that's it!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have a little life update!

When the pandemic hit, everything in my life collapsed at once. I was laid off, and suddenly found myself trapped in a house with my abuser. The world outside was unraveling, and inside my own walls, I was terrified.

It took time, educating myself, and a lot of psychological untangling to fully understand what was going on. But when you’re living with gaslighting, love-bombing, intimidation, manipulation, and threats, your reality becomes a distorted funhouse mirror. Nothing makes sense. You question every thought, every feeling, every instinct. Your brain becomes scrambled in ways you don’t even recognize until much later.

During the first six months, I applied for hundreds of jobs. Not one opportunity panned out. My confidence evaporated. I felt useless, hopeless, and trapped, and the darkest thoughts started circling repeatedly. I lived in constant panic.

WonderFrill: A Lifeline

Desperate for a lifeline, I created one. I started a designer clothing rental and resale business to regain a sense of control. My days were spent scouring eBay, Poshmark, and The RealReal for deals I could flip on my own website.

With nothing but time and adrenaline-fueled survival mode, I brainstormed names. I landed on WonderFrill—inspired by Alice in Wonderland’s white rabbit and my love of all things frilly. I checked the USPTO and found the name available, so I hired a lawyer. I filed a trademark before I even had a functioning business... something only someone running on trauma, sleep deprivation, and sheer desperation would do.

A girl with brain damage and severe CPTSD. That girl was me.

Then, a miracle: I finally landed a new copywriting job. No one there knew it, but that job was my escape plan. I couldn’t get an apartment while unemployed, so I worked, quietly plotted, and waited. A few months later, I secured a place near my office, packed up Mr. HGL and just the essentials, and we escaped while my ex was out of town. Friends came and whisked me away as fast as possible. My life was in danger.

But safety didn’t bring peace. Once he realized I was gone, the threats escalated. The terror followed me, even behind the secured doors of my new building. He convinced the concierge to let him up. He'd follow people in and walk up 16 flights of stairs and bang on my door. Notes were slipped underneath. I called the cops and went to the magistrate to file a restraining order, but multiple people warned me that restraining orders can sometimes put women in more danger, so I didn’t complete the process.

---

Trauma Meets Drama

Instead, I locked myself inside my new apartment with Mr. HGL… and that’s where this column began. When MSA approached me about reviewing Rent the Runway and Armoire, I was thrilled. I had no idea RTR expanded from gala gowns to full, everyday wardrobes, and suddenly I had access to designers I had admired only from afar. It became the perfect distraction: a bright, whimsical escape from my traumatizing reality.

To the outside world, my life looked fluffy and fabulous. But inside, I was slowly dying. My company knew about my escape plan and supported me, but once I was out, I couldn’t function. My brain was mush. So, I quit—leaving myself with no income, no health insurance, and no purpose. Just lots of credit cards and a dwindling savings account. Genius.

They tried to intervene and get me to change my mind, but I was so damaged and depressed that I couldn’t think straight. Most days were spent lying on an oversized grey bean bag, staring blankly at the ceiling beside Mr. HGL. I hardly moved, barely ate, rarely listened to music (my great escape), and never turned on the TV. I was a living, breathing corpse. I went into hiding and essentially put myself into solitary confinement. (For the record: that 4.7-star teal couch felt like wooden planks wrapped in cotton balls. Zero stars.)

I hid my pain so I wouldn't worry family and friends, and I was able to pull off forced smiles and laughs, but it was all an act. Whenever people asked me how I was, I shrugged and deflected by asking how they were. I'd say something along the lines of: life's been better, but it could always be worse.

Once a week, I’d smile in my fashion rentals for this column and then collapse the second the photos were done. I picked up freelance work where I could, but nothing stuck. Everything was dark; my thoughts were darker. I was slipping. When you feel like you have nothing to live for, nothing else matters.

The only thing that kept me tethered to the world was Mr. HGL. And honestly, this column became my therapy. Thank you for being my unintentional therapists!

---

The Turning Point

By late 2022, a new mindset finally took hold. I understood that I had only two options: keep going, or give up entirely. I chose to keep going. I began educating myself relentlessly on narcissistic abuse—how it works, how it hides, and how to spot the warning signs. At this point, I feel like I’ve practically earned a PhD in it.

I forced myself to go to the gym every day. I started looking for full-time work again. I realized that sharing my story might help other women escape similar situations. I started rebuilding WonderFrill and even decided to write a book about everything I’d survived.

But trauma recovery is whiplash: one day you’re motivated, the next you’re curled in the fetal position with a bottle of Kim Crawford. High highs, low lows. And then my hair started falling out. Great!

Meanwhile, my lawyer kept bugging me about the WonderFrill trademark. It was practically approved, but every tiny tweak seemed to cost nearly $1,000, which was hilarious since I didn't even have a job. And I didn’t even have a real business to trademark. So, after dropping thousands, I abandoned it. A total money pit. I paused the entrepreneurial dream and focused on rebuilding my life and returning to corporate America. Finally… a good decision.

Over the last two years, I’ve been piecing myself back together. Processing what happened. Making sure it never happens again. And facing new pain along the way: my dad’s dementia diagnosis, and the devastating loss of Mr. HGL.

---

My Angora Angel

Looking back now, I know one of the only reasons I survived was because of my little Fluff. He was there through every distraught collapse onto the floor, every weekend spent sobbing with Thai delivery containers piling up, every sleepless, panic-ridden night where I questioned my life decisions.

Every bang at the door sent me into fight or flight mode, and he’d hop over to check on me like the tiny emotional support hero he was. And on mornings when I couldn’t find a single reason to get up, he became the reason—nudging me awake, reminding me that he needed me to keep going.

Every breakdown ended with him curled up beside me. Nearly every rental photo included him. He was always there: watching, waiting, comforting. My tiny angel in a tiny Angora fur coat.

He saved me. And when the time came, no amount of money could save him.

---

WonderFrill Presents: THE BUN-PIRE UNIVERSE

Writers get strange creative bursts—those lightning-strike moments when you can’t type fast enough and everything feels brilliant. Like Jack Torrance in The Shining, that momentum never lasts, so when it hits, you strike.

A few months ago, I decided to self-publish the children’s book I wrote about Mr. HGL in 2017. I reread it, made edits, and updated the storyline to fit today rather than “yesteryear Mary.” However, the story still takes place in NYC because I lived there for 14 years, and despite now working in finance, my experience in the corporate fashion world has defined a large part of who I am.

Then, I tried sketching again. Despite winning childhood art awards (shoutout to my iconic D.A.R.E. poster era), my bunny drawings now look like fluffy crime-scene outlines. So I taught myself AI illustration and spent $150 on OpenArt credits before realizing that was another money pit. Maybe self-publishing just isn’t the answer.

So, I randomly hopped on Fiverr and hired a children’s book editor with decades of experience at Random House. He only made a few tweaks, gave experts advice, and recommended the traditional publishing route—so that’s where I’m headed.

Then, last week, I received a text from a “patent lawyer” claiming that someone had filed for WonderFrill. Excuse me? No. That name is mine. It lit a fire! I screenshotted it and uploaded it to ChatGPT, and Chatty (we're besties) immediately confirmed the scam and showed me how to check USPTO myself: WonderFrill is still abandoned. Still available. #winning

Feeling energized, I pulled out the list of literary agents from my editor, double-checked everything, updated contacts, and this week I started pitching them. Say a prayer that one out of 150 responds. I could really use a literary agent right now!

If things move forward, I’ll refile the WonderFrill trademark with a brand-new purpose—children’s books, toys, and maybe bunny-themed everything (and donations to rabbit rescues, of course). But for now, all I want is to get this story off the ground.

After all… It’s been chilling on my computer for nearly a decade.

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It’s a Bunderful Life

I’ve pondered next steps for years. Do I focus on fashion or personal trauma? But honestly, I’m exhausted by my own story. It shaped me, but it is my past, and I SURVIVED. Plus, after following countless bunny rescue groups for years, I’ve shifted my focus because they need help.

My feeds are filled with heartbreaking stories of people dumping and abusing their rabbits. It’s beyond cruel. Domesticated bunnies should never be dumped outside. But people see Little Bunny Foo Foo hopping through the forest, scooping up the field mice and bopping them on the head, and think that must be where an Angora (or any other breed) belongs. Spoiler alert: it's not.

Domestic rabbits cannot survive in the wild. They are not wild animals! They do not belong in the woods—they are exotic pets that will get eaten by a fox, snatched by a hawk, or hit by a car.

An Angora belongs in a castle, your highness. Fun fact: in the 1700s, Angoras were basically the emotional-support fluff of French royalty.

Soooo, Dolce is technically a Lionhead, but let’s be real, Lionheads and Lops deserve bunny castles, too.

I’ve debated unfollowing all of these groups for my mental health, but I’m too passionate about rabbits to look away. Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the U.S., but they are also among the most abandoned and abused.

If I can open even a few people’s eyes—if I can help save even a handful of bunny lives—then my purpose is totally worth it. Yes, they can be messy, tiny terrors, but they’re also some of the gentlest, sweetest, cutest animals on the planet. They deserve our help.

And who knows, maybe someday they’ll all get together and start a furniture bun-struction and redesign company. Judging by their renovation work on my walls and on the couch (that replaced the teal cotton balls), they may be really successful.

For example: What the FLOOF! This couch now belongs in a haunted house, but the artists are very proud of their work. I had to remove the entire lining because they were getting stuck underneath, and I was afraid something bad would happen. And now they're just continuing their interior design project. RIP couch, literally.

Anyhoo, Ms. ADHD over here. From rentals to real life, and heartbreak to healing—you’ve been here with me through it all. I’ll keep you in the loop as this wild and woolly adventure continues. Hopefully, things get bunderfully WonderFrill.

XOXO,

Mr. HGL

VALUE BREAKDOWN: The Unlimited membership costs $249/month and so far, I've received styles with a retail value of $136,958!

What are your thoughts about Armoire and rentals in general? Let me know what you think down below!