I was lamenting recently to my husband how much I miss blogging. I used to blog, like, a lot. Like a lot a lot, especially when I was training for my first half marathon (which, fun fact, was the original intent for this blog!). But since becoming a mom, priorities changed and shifted and the hours in the day somehow grew shorter. And blogging has largely taken a backseat. 

But I miss it. I miss coming up with original ideas and content and sharing it with all of you. I miss your feedback from the things we discuss. I miss all of the wonderful moments in life when something would happen, and I would immediately thing, I need to blog about this! 

Now, I mostly just think about how there's not enough coffee. Or time. Or energy. 

I've been reading Find Your Extraordinary: Dream Bigger, Live Happier, and Achieve Success on Your own Terms by KEEP Collective and Stella & Dot CEO Jessica Herrin. I was fortunate enough to hear Jessica speak when I went to our KEEP Director's Summit in January, and while I already respected her and her mission before that session, I think I fell in love with her a little bit during and afterward! She just - gets it! And it's incredibly refreshing to work with a CEO who encourages you to work your business your way. While this book is incredible for anyone in direct sales, I think there are SO many bigger life lessons here to takeaway... and I'll share one with you now. 

Jessica (look at me, acting all like I'm on a first name basis with her!) spends a lot of time talking about, well, time. How there are simply aren't enough hours in the day to "do it all" with any shred of sanity left intact. And therefore, you have to prioritize. This, perhaps, isn't a novel concept, but her following bit of advice is - you have to get real with yourself about what you will and won't make the time for. It's not that you don't have time - it's that you're CHOOSING to do something else. So, when I tell myself I don't have time to blog, that's not really the case. It's that I've instead made the choice to do something else. Like spend time with my son and husband. Or work on my business. Or sit on the couch and binge watch something on Netflix. Those are choices I make - bad or good - that keep me away from doing other things - some of which I love. 

Seriously, read this book. It's so, so inspiring, and I feel so incredibly blessed that I get to see Jessica again NEXT WEEK at KEEP Hoopla, our annual convention!!! 

So, this is me making a dedicated effort to get back to blogging more. 

With or without the extra coffee. 

Stitch Fix #20: Summer shirts and skinny jeans!

Well, friends, I have to be honest. This is the month that almost made me want to fire my amazing stylist, Serena...

...because if she keeps sending my Fixes like this, I'm going to keep ALL THE THINGS and go broke! If you want to know the secret to getting a TRULY great Fix, it's finding a truly great stylist who understands your style. And Serena, she's my soulmate stylist! (Seriously, please never go, Serena!)

But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's talk about Stitch Fix! 

If you don't know about Stitch Fix (<--Referral link!), let me give you a little rundown. Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription service, and you decide how frequently, or infrequently, you'd like a shipment. You'll fill out a detailed style profile about your sizes, style preferences, and budget (and it's super fun to fill out the profile to see what your style preferences are!). Not only does Stitch Fix offer clothing, but they have accessories, bags, and even shoes now! Their maternity Fixes were amazing while I was pregnant, and I've been getting Fixes on the regular just because it's so much easier than toting our sweet one-year-old to the store with me to try things on! 

And, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! 

You can see my previous Fixes here:
Stitch Fix #1
Stitch Fix #2
Stitch Fix #3
Stitch Fix #4
Stitch Fix #5
Stitch Fix #6
Stitch Fix #7
Stitch Fix #8
Stitch Fix #9
Stitch Fix #10
Stitch Fix #11
Stitch Fix #12
Stitch Fix #13
Stitch Fix #14
Stitch Fix #15
Stitch Fix #16 
Stitch Fix #17
Stitch Fix #18

Stitch Fix #19

I love Stitch Fix because it comes directly to me! This is perfect for seeing if the pieces you receive will work with the pieces you already have. Your Fix also arrives with detailed styling cards to give you ideas of how to wear each item. Each Fix costs $20, but the fee is credited toward anything you decide to keep. When you've decided what you don't want, you simply check out online and mail the items back in the prepaid mailing envelope. If you keep everything, you score a 25% discount! I love that I can work with my current wardrobe to see what will work best with what I already have. 

This Fix was once again styled by my main girl, Serena. I'd asked for great, put together outfits for a work at home momma. Serena's note this time mentioned SPECIFICALLY how she read my last blog and gave me advice on how to style the dress that I wasn't too crazy about (but kept anyway for the discount). What do you know? A brown skinny belt did the trick, and Serena saved the day for a piece I already purchased! She totally goes above and beyond, guys, and I kind of wish I could give her a hug. Is that weird? Maybe! On to the pieces! 

1. Papermoon Rutland Swing Knit Top, $38

This top is so fun! I love the floral pocket detail and the floral trim around the neck. It's super lightweight and perfect for summer, and I really love it paired with black leggings (perfect length to cover the bum!). This normally isn't a color I would ever go for, but I like the light pink for summer! 

2. 41 Hawthorn Shalley Split Neck Blouse, $48 

Now THIS color... this is my jam! I love the coral-y-red color in this top! I love the nautical rope pattern. I love that Serena suggested I can wear it with white jeans OR the white eyelet skirt from my last Fix. I just like the whole thing. Except I think my pose here is a little awkward. But I'll let it slide... because the shirt is adorable! 

3. Unpublished, Gaililee Crochet Overlay Top, $54

Do you see why I might have to fire Serena?! This shirt! THIS! It's just - GAH! It's perfect! I love it with white jeans! I love it with white shorts! I love it all by itself because it has stripes AND lace. It's like all of my favorites in one top! 

4. Papermoon Bart Scoop Neck Blouse, $48

Yet another top I absolutely love! The top is very airy, and I love it for some of the cooler Indiana summer days we've been having! The accent colors on the top are adorable too - brush strokes of pinks, blues, and whites. The color is eerily similar to the color of our bedroom wall... which makes me love it even more because I picked that color (and also, perhaps I can camouflage into the wall in the event I need to hide while I try to eat something from mommy's secret cookie stash?).  

5. Tinsel Kamala Skinny Jeans, $68 

This is the only picture I could use for these pants. Why, you ask? Because my photographer extraordinaire (aka my husband!) kept making fun of my feet and referencing our son's book Waddle with duck. Apparently, I was making duck feet, and then in the other pictures, I was laughing too hard at the duck comments, so, alas, a headless photo. These jeans are a gorgeous olive green color, but I feel like they don't photograph all that well! Dan LOVES these pants, though, and I really liked the stretch factor in them. Plus, they'd be perfect with boots for the fall! 

Alright, friends, what do you think? What are the absolute keepers? What can go back to Stitch Fix land? 

And have you been thinking about trying Stitch Fix at all?! You gotta do it! I feel like shopping is finally fun again! Check it out here! 

Stitch Fix #19: Shoes, shirts, skirt and a shift dress!

Oh my word, guys, this Stitch Fix might be my most favorite to date! How is that possible?! But wait! I'm getting ahead of myself! Let's talk about the past few weeks, shall we?! 

It has been a whirlwind of a month, and I don't know how we're sitting here at almost the end of May! We've started our Summer of the Home focus, and we've been doing a LOT of yard work. Okay... my husband has been doing most of the yard work, and I've been doing a lot of standing around idly not-so-secretly hoping there's nothing I can help with. But I digress. 

We've cleaned up our guest room (guests welcome!), and we've started to tackle our storage area. So, as the month went on, I felt like it was time for a little treat! 

Enter Stitch Fix. 

If you don't know about Stitch Fix (<--Referral link!), let me give you a little rundown. Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription service, and you decide how frequently, or infrequently, you'd like a shipment. You'll fill out a detailed style profile about your sizes, style preferences, and budget (and it's super fun to fill out the profile to see what your style preferences are!). 

Then, you decide when you'd like to receive a shipment! Stitch Fix will send you five clothing items or accessories to try on in your own home (they have SHOES now!!!)! This is perfect for seeing if the pieces you receive will work with the pieces you already have. Your Fix also arrives with detailed styling cards to give you ideas of how to wear each item. Each Fix costs $20, but the fee is credited toward anything you decide to keep. When you've decided what you don't want, you simply check out online and mail the items back in the prepaid mailing envelope. If you keep everything, you score a 25% discount! I love that I can work with my current wardrobe to see what will work best with what I already have. 

And, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! 

You can see my previous Fixes here:
Stitch Fix #1
Stitch Fix #2
Stitch Fix #3
Stitch Fix #4
Stitch Fix #5
Stitch Fix #6
Stitch Fix #7
Stitch Fix #8
Stitch Fix #9
Stitch Fix #10
Stitch Fix #11
Stitch Fix #12
Stitch Fix #13
Stitch Fix #14
Stitch Fix #15
Stitch Fix #16 
Stitch Fix #17
Stitch Fix #18

This Fix was once again styled by my main girl, Serena. She just... gets me. Her note this time said she wanted to help push me just slightly outside my comfort zone, and so she chose the pieces according to that. I'll admit, at first, I was mildly concerned about that. But then I saw her selections, and, oh my heart, they were wonderful! Let's get to it! (And, side note, sometimes your photos are taken quickly... like really quickly with a camera and timer function stacked up on two upside down laundry baskets...)

1. FFC New York Brooke Two-Tone Flats, $39

2. Unpublished Jordanna Pleated Aline Skirt, $58

3. Loveappella Stazi Lace Shoulder Knit Top, $48

Ever since becoming a momma, ballet flats are my go to! They're so easy to throw on but they give a polished look (so, you know, it looks like I tried that day!)! I was THRILLED to see I'd gotten a pair of shoes this time around, and I put them on first. And they're ADORABLE! I love the two-tone look, and the pop of coral is so on trend for summer! My one caveat - they're just a wee bit snug, but I'm also sort of wondering if I could stretch them out a bit over time! 

My first thought upon taking this skirt out of the box was, "It's white. And I have a little boy." While I normally would have gravitated toward this in the past, all I could think of was that sweet little peanut butter and grape jelly face flying toward me for a big leg hug! But, I decided to set my penchant for all things dark colored aside and give it a whirl! Serena suggested I pair it with the Stazi Lace Shoulder Knit Top, and although I wasn't sure how I felt about a pattern with a pattern, I reminded myself that she hasn't steered me wrong yet! And I actually kind of love the look together! It's casual but chic, cute, and summery. I REALLY love the top, and I've been thinking recently about how I need more cute, casual pieces like this now that I'm not getting dressed for work 5/7's of the week. So this might be a real keeper! 

4. Skies are Blue Bowes Button Down Top, $58

True talk: I might be the only woman on the planet who doesn't own a Chambray shirt. I know what you're thinking. How is that even possible?! And the real truth is, I don't know! So this was exciting to see! BUT, it was even more exciting to FEEL! This is literally the softest piece of clothing I've ever touched. Dare I say... it's softer than LuLaRoe leggings! It's SO darn comfy, and I love that it's slightly longer in the back. The picture seriously does it no justice, because it's pretty darn cute. I feel like this has to happen, right? Mostly because I can't stop feeling it! 

5. Skies are Blue Mariette Dress, $68

Okay, haaaaaaalp! I really need your opinions on this one, because I honestly don't know what to do here! I want to like this dress, I really do! I think it would be cute for our KEEP Collective convention later this summer, but, I sort of feel like it does nothing for my shape. It just sort of hangs... and maybe not in a good way. So what do you think? Keep it? Send it back? 

Okay, clearly I desperately need your help, so weigh in here (or on Facebook, Facebook friends!)!  

2016: The summer of the home

As a former teacher, I used to treat summers like gold. Not because I got a ton of down time (because there was still a whole lotta teacher stuff that went in to summers!), but because it gave me time to focus. Relax. Rejuvenate. And get something accomplished. 

There was nothing worse, though, than going back to school in the fall and having people ask "What did you do this summer?" Because while they were always so, so busy, I felt like I never had a good answer. 

So when my friend Jerra told me about her themed summers, I knew it was something I wanted to do too! No matter what, when people asked what I did over the summer, I'd have an answer! My last several summers have been varied, awesome, and exciting. 

2009: The summer I ran in to things (I started running!)

2010: The summer I saw things clearly (LASIK eye surgery) 

2011: The summer of all things happy (I worked on being happy mind, body, and soul) 

2012: The summer  I fell all sorts of in love (Dan is the BEST!)

2013: The summer of wedding planning (Self-explanatory) 

2014: The summer I tried not to vomit (Mostly I just tried to get through first trimester without losing it) 

2015: The summer of survival (We had a three-month-old. 'Nuff said.) 

And even though I'm not teaching this year, I still like the idea of having a summer theme - something that at the end of the summer, I can say, "Hey, we accomplished this!" 

This summer, the writing was on the wall for us (yep, I'm dragging Dan in to my theme too!). Our house needs some work, inside and out. The weeds are out of control. The landscaping isn't so much scaped. The clutter has taken over. The closets and basement storage are bursting with things we don't feel like finding places for. 

Summer 2016 is the summer of the home. 

It's no surprise that things have gotten a little bit overgrown. Two summers ago, I was so nauseous, I didn't really do a whole lot. Then we had a baby, and our focus shifted entirely. Yardwork and housework just lost priority. But now, we want to make our house a sanctuary - something that's calming and restful, not stressful and unkept. So this summer is the summer of the home. 

We're starting outside (at least on the nice days!) and working our way in. Part of me just REALLY wants to pay someone to do all our weeding, rock removal, mulching, planting, and landscaping, but I also feel like it'll be a really good experience for all of us. One outside is accomplished, we'll move inward (especially since we can do a lot of it at night or on really hot weather days this summer). I'm equal parts excited and terrified to take on a giant project like this, but I'm hoping the reward will be huge. 

What does the summer of 2016 hold for you? What do you hope to accomplish this year? 

Make someone's day: Sponsor a Chemo Care Pouch!

Today is my 33rd birthday. 33! 33 years of growing, loving, laughing, crying, and learning. I have been so incredibly blessed in my lifetime, and this year in particular, I feel the need to give back. 

Nine months ago, I took a leap of faith and joined KEEP Collective. I knew this business would be a game changer for our family. It's allowed me to stay at home with our sweet son while still having a creative outlet (and fabulous income!) for myself. I've been blessed and honored to help women (and men!) tell their stories and represent what they hold closest to them. KEEP has been so good to me, and deep down, I had a huge itch to give back. 

So when another designer posted her idea to create and donate Chemo Care Pouches this month, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in too! 

The premise is simple: Customers purchase/sponsor a pouch. They can choose to donate a plain pouch, or, they can add Keys (aka charms!) to their pouch to personalize it a little more (awareness ribbons, a message of believe or faith, a cute little ice cream cone or butterfly charm for kids, etc.). The pouch itself is $29, and the charms range from $7-19, depending on what each person chooses. Once the pouch is purchased, it gets shipped to me. 

Then, I take all of my commissions on the pouches (and more, if necessary) and fill the pouches with things that patients going through chemotherapy might like - coloring books, crossword puzzles, hard candies, chapsticks, scarves, hand sanitizer, hot tea packets, iTunes gift cards... you name it!)! The pouch will have a tag with the name of the sponsor on it, or, it can be an in memory of or in honor of card too! 

At the end of April, I'll be donating these pouches to Memorial Hospital in South Bend. I spoke with the patient care coordinator earlier this month, and she was over the moon excited to know they would be receiving these gifts! I can't wait to deliver them! 

I know these pouches might seem small in the grand scheme of cancer. But if for one minute, we can make someone smile or feel better or know that a total stranger took time out of her day to think about them, that makes it oh so worth it to me! 

So what do you do if you'd like to help? Contact me at AngelaPuttDesigner@gmail.com, or, visit my KEEP website (there's an option to email me through there too!)! We'll choose the items you love most and put them together in a cart. It's really that easy! 

To date, 30 pouches have been sponsored, but my goal is to sponsor 50 or more, and I would LOVE to have your help to get there! 

Transitioning my work to home wardrobe

After my most recent, super successful Stitch Fix (P.S. I kept ALL of it!), I started thinking about paring down my closet. One of the blessings (and curses) of not dramatically changing sizes (with the exception of pregnancy!) since high school means I have a LOT of clothes that still fit. That doesn't mean they're in style anymore, or that I like them anymore, but, gahhhh, they fit, so I have to keep them right? 

Wrong. 

Additionally, I have a LOT of work wear that, well, I just don't wear any more. Tons of dress pants, button down shirts, and other teacher-y things. These days, my outfits consist mostly of jeans, yoga pants, leggings, and comfy, functional shirts. And I'm okay with that... but sometimes it makes it hard to justify getting new clothes when we, for the most part, spend time at home and with other moms and kiddos! 

Now when I shop, it has to have a specific purpose in my life. Is it functional for every day use? If not, is it functional to wear to KEEP Collective Socials and events? If not, I just can't justify it right now! 

So, in scouring the web recently for all sorts of necessities (read: Cancun clothes, new, fun pants, shirts that don't need to be nursing friendly!), I've come across a few favorites that I want to share with you today! 

1. Dress Pant Yoga Pants by Betabrand 
You had me at Yoga Pants, but the fact that they're Dress Pants too takes the cake! Betabrand  is this cool, new site I found that's out of San Francisco. Their clothes are co-designed and crowdfunded by their fans, and everything is put in to production within a matter of weeks! The Dress Pant Yoga Pants and Dress Pant Sweat Pants by far have me the most intrigued, and I'm hoping to snag a pair soon! I figure this can justify me getting rid of all of my work dress pants, because, well, yoga pants. Aren't they gorgeous?! 

Seriously, they're necessary for days when I have meetings or need to look professional! 

2. I love Jesus but...
My friend Tiffany actually found these tanks and tees as we were preparing our Cancun packing lists, and these are too good not to share! Dentz Denim has these awesome I love Jesus but... shirts! Here's the one Tiffany picked for our trip - perfect for four days at an all inclusive resort! 

3. LuLaRoe everything
In the event that you've somehow been able to miss it, LuLaRoe is the in thing right now in direct sales businesses! Think boutique shopping but right in your home! They were made famous by their buttery soft, funky patterend leggings, but all LuLaRoe pieces are AMAZING. I'm a sucker right now for the Classic T, and I really want to try out their dresses too! You can't shop online, unfortunately, but you can use their site to find a consultant near you! You can also get added to a whole slew of Facebook groups for LLR designers - and if you're local and wanting to host a Social, I know a few great consultants I can hook you up with! How adorable is this arrow pattern?! 

So now I need to know... have you ever gone through a wardrobe transformation? What are you wearing these days? I always love a good tip! :D 

Stitch Fix #18: A Cancun dress, wardrobe staples, and should I keep it all?!

Last week brought so many AWESOME packages to our house! I'm working on a fundraising project with KEEP Collective right now to donate Chemo Care Pouches to our local hospital (blog on that coming soon!), and so loads of pouches and Keys started pouring in for that! AND, my most recent Stitch Fix box arrived - Oh happy day!!!

If you don't know about Stitch Fix (<--Referral link!), let me give you a little rundown. Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription service, and you decide how frequently, or infrequently, you'd like a shipment. You'll fill out a detailed style profile about your sizes, style preferences, and budget (and it's super fun to fill out the profile to see what your style preferences are!). 

Then, you decide when you'd like to receive a shipment! Stitch Fix will send you five clothing items or accessories to try on in your own home! This is perfect for seeing if the pieces you receive will work with the pieces you already have. Your Fix also arrives with detailed styling cards to give you ideas of how to wear each item. Each Fix costs $20, but the fee is credited toward anything you decide to keep. When you've decided what you don't want, you simply check out online and mail the items back in the prepaid mailing envelope. If you keep everything, you score a 25% discount! I love that I can work with my current wardrobe to see what will work best with what I already have. 

And, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! 

You can see my previous Fixes here:

Stitch Fix #1

Stitch Fix #2

Stitch Fix #3

Stitch Fix #4

Stitch Fix #5

Stitch Fix #6

Stitch Fix #7

Stitch Fix #8

Stitch Fix #9

Stitch Fix #10

Stitch Fix #11

Stitch Fix #12

Stitch Fix #13

Stitch Fix #14

Stitch Fix #15

Stitch Fix #16 

Stitch Fix #17

Stitch Fix #18 was styled again by Serena (girl knows my style to a fault at this point!)! For this Fix, I specifically asked for a dress I could wear on our upcoming trip to Cancun! And I also mentioned that jewel tones were always popular with me. And I'm really debating keeping the entire Fix for the discount, but I need you to weigh in! What do you think? 

1. Loveappella Lolla 3/4 Sleeve Woven Back Knit Top, $58

Okay, so, the front of this shirt is really nothing to write home about. It has a shallow v-neck and is just pretty blah. But the back. Ohhhhhh, the back. I LOVE the floral pattern! And I really love that I could wear this with jeans or leggings, dressed up or down! But I can't decide if the lackluster front makes it worth keeping! 

2. 41 Hawthorn Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse, $48

3. Rune Porter Legging, $38

4. Octavia Jolene Flap Crossbody Bag, $48

So, I'm a sucker for jewel tones, and these pieces don't disappoint in the slightest! I love color of the green top (so much so that I actually have a similar chevron top like this), and I love that it's tunic length so it can be worn with the leggings. Basic black leggings are always a safe bet, and I even love the pink purse with all of it! But, will I get enough use out of all the pieces to justify keeping them? 

5. Gilli Shay Maxi Dress, $78

You'll have to excuse the terrible lighting in this photo (it was snowing in Indiana today. On April 9!), but the top is a really pretty navy. The pattern on the bottom is fun and funky, and like Serena pointed out to me in her note, I can pair it with cute wedges while in Mexico or throw on a denim jacket when I'm home and running around here. I have it pulled a little funky here (go figure, my photographer didn't tell me!), but it's seriously cute and super flattering! 

With the buy five discount and a little bit of product credit I have, it would make each piece average out to roughly $30... but I can't decide if I should do it or not! What are your favorites? What would you ship back? Or, do I keep all five? Weigh in, and help me decide!