You guys. I'm not exaggerating even a little bit when I tell you I've been trying to write this blog post for weeks. Allow me to explain a bit about my process. 

So, I love to read, and I love to write, and right now, I hardly have time for either. So at the beginning of 2018, I made a little pact to myself. I said, "Self, you need to get back to writing your blog. You LOVE writing your blog. And if you can blog one time a week, that will be 52 blog posts this year which will basically blow what you've done the past two years out of the water. Get back to this craft you love and write." So I decided to write. 

Before each month starts, I sit down with the handy dandy blog planning section of my planner and map out what my four-ish blogs for the month will be. I have a whole system for that which I won't bore you with, but this month, I decided I needed a fitness post. Workouts for busy moms! Yes, Angela! That's the ticket! I decided I'd make infographics to post, because who doesn't love a good infographic?! 

But I haven't done it. I've been blowing this post off for two weeks because I can't even come up with anything to say because...

Y'all. It's like FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE to get workouts in at home right now. Like, it's so hard. I teach Jazzercise one hour a week on Monday nights. And that's pretty much my guaranteed workout for the week. I'll do it once the kids go to bed, I tell myself, but by then, it's like 8:30 at night, and I'm exhausted. I'll get up and do it before the kids wake up I say, but then the four month sleep regression hit, and the baby started teething in the same moment, and the five-ish hours a night I'm scoring right now cannot be lessened without someone in our house being a grump (hint: it's me). I'll do it when the baby naps, I say. But lately the naps have been short. Or I've been holding him to ensure a long one. Or, if by the grace of God we DO get a long nap, then I'm trying to get some precious quality time with the big brother, and I don't want to give that up for a workout. I've got ten pounds of baby weight to go, and I fear it may just be hanging around a bit longer (and therefore, I'm going to have to actually buy some pants that fit again!). 

Exercise is, sadly, just lower on the priority list right now, as much as I hate that. I keep telling myself this season is short, and soon we'll find our groove, and I'll get back to normal exercise. But in the mean time, it's pretty darn tough. I MISS working out. I miss that feeling of accomplishment so, so much each day. Gah! I need more hours in the day (and maybe, like, a nanny to watch the kids for an hour!). 

So tell me, friends - when life gets absolutely positively insane, how do you still get your workouts in? Tell me your secrets! I need them, desperately! 

Stitch Fix #27: Springing into the season!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! We're inching closer to spring, friends, and that has me feeling all kinds of feels. I'm super, duper ready for warmer weather, walks with my boys, and fabulous new clothes. And you guys, my stylist Serena did NOT disappoint this month! 

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! They style both men and women, and they offer extended sizes. You pay a $20 styling fee that gets applied to your purchase, but right now, if you sign up for your first /fix through my link, your first styling fee is waived. Zero risk! And, if someone signs up through your referral link, you get a $25 credit to use toward your next purchase! (And let me tell you, that adds up to some awesome free close!) The BEST part of Stitch Fix? It comes directly to my door which means I can try it on in the comfort of my own home, pair it with things already in my wardrobe, and not have to take my brood into a dressing room with me. So much winning! 

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
Stitch Fix #20
Stitch Fix #21
Stitch Fix #22
Stitch Fix #23
Stitch Fix #24
Stitch Fix #25
Stitch Fix #26

For this Fix, I let Serena have her picks! I did tell her that I'm off real pants right now (because, baby weight), so she focused on tops and a dress (which, if we're being honest, I like tops the best anyway, because they're far more fun than basic bottoms!). Let's get to the goods, friends! I also should tell you how much my husband/photog loved that he didn't have to try to take full body shots I would approve of!

1. Loveapella Harriett Woven Hem Knit Top, $44

I love a good floral in the springtime, and this navy number is no exception! With a gorgeous little pop of pink floral at the bottom, I could easily see this becoming an easy staple piece with skinny jeans or white shorts. What do you think?

2. French Grey Darrah Knit Dress, $48

This dress is so cute! It's lightweight and easy to throw on at a moment's notice while still looking polished and like you tried. I also just so happen to love this neckline with KEEP's new engraveable Disc Necklace, so that's a total win in my book! I picture wearing the dress now as is and adding leggings in the fall.

3. Goldray Riverwood Pleated Sleeve Detail Blouse, $58 

This was a piece I saw on a Stitch Fix style quiz, and I was immediately intrigued by it. I love the little pleats on the sleeves, and I think it's totally different from anything I have. But, two kids so I don't know if the white will stay white. And I also feel like it's a little boxier than I'd prefer. Weigh in on this, would you? 

4. August Mist Siran Striped Elbow Patch Open Drape Cardigan, $48 

This little cardi had me at Kelly green. And elbow patches. And stripes. And I just feel like this is super flippin' cute. Appropriate length for leggings or jeans, and I could even put it over the sweet little dress in this Fix. 
5. LUQ Lutelli Brushed Knit Top, $38 

I wish so much you could reach through your phone or computer to feel this little number. You guys, it's SO soft! Lighter weight than fleece but just as soft, I think this is such a fun dark grey floral! What do we think? 

So that's it, friends! Weigh in on Facebook or in the comments, would you? I need to know what to do here! 

KEEP & Cabo: A recap of our trip!

I have to tell you, if you EVER would have told me that I'd be earning trips for free through a direct sales company, I think I would have thought you'd have lost your mind. I'm not a salesperson, y'all. I never took a business class in college, or heck, even a business course period. I was an English major! With an education minor! I didn't have a clue about selling. 

What I DO have a clue about is connecting with people, learning their stories, and sharing things I love with people I love. And that has led me to not one, not two, but all three of KEEP Collective's Glam Getaway trips! And this year's was extra special. 

If you were around last year, you know that Dan and I ended up having to cancel our trip to Glam because we found out just two weeks before we were scheduled to leave for Punta Cana that I was pregnant. Since Zika has been found in that area, we got the immediate kabosh from our doctor, thus leaving us at home with some FOMO and some morning sickness. So it was extra sweet when I earned the 2018 trip, knowing I'd get to go. 

But as it came closer to accepting the trip, I started to worry. Our new baby would be less than four months old when it came time to leave - could I really leave someone so little? And so my incredible husband stepped up - he told me to go on the trip and he would stay home with our kiddos. Incredible freaking man that he is. And so I accepted! 

Upon Harrison's arrival, I knew this trip was going to take a ton of prep work - not just logistically (as luck would have it, Henry had not one, but TWO birthday parties to attend the weekend I was gone!) but also nutritionally. I needed to pump at least 100 ounces of breastmilk so that Harrison would have enough to eat while I was gone. This trip was work, you guys! 

But March 1 rolled around, and I was off to sunny Cabo, Mexico for four days and three nights with my incredible fellow designers and Home Office staff. I met up with my roommate, Rochelle, in Detroit, and we made friends with several other designers in the airport (you can always spot a KEEP girl by her wrists, her Stella & Dot carry ons, and the giant smiles on their faces as they're going on a trip for free!)! We worked a little on the plane, watched "A Bad Mom's Christmas," and relaxed for a bit before the plane landed 5.5 hours later! 

And then we got insanely spoiled! The resort we stayed at, Paridisus Los Cabos, was gorgeous - palm trees, perfectly manicured landscaping, a fully stocked mini fridge, several yummy restaurants to choose from, and a pool that was begging us to come sit by it. After leaving a chilly Indiana behind, it was more than welcoming, I'll tell you that! 

Then there's the company - the best women (and man!) around. I can't tell you how special the people are that I get to work with, and seeing them a few times a year is never enough, so I have to soak it all in when we're together. Not only did I get some much needed quality time (and conversations!) with old friends, but I met some fabulous new people too -  people who quickly became new friends! 

My favorite thing about the Glam trips is that they're truly set up to just enjoy some down time. We have one organized chat and two parties, and the entire rest of the trip is just meant to celebrate by relaxing. Several ladies headed out on excursions, but I'm at a place in my life where I simply wanted to sit around, order room service, and go to bed early. Because I'm lame. And that's what my roommate and I did. And it was glorious!

But more than that, this is the most amazing gift - celebrating hard work and coming together with fellow bossbabes to make memories, exchange ideas, and plan for the future. This year, the ladies who have earned the trip all three years snagged a picture together, and it was one of my proudest KEEP moments

So, now it's back to reality. and I'm okay with that. Being away from the boys was hard. Pumping every three hours and lugging all those ounces of milk home made it a little trickier than years past. But this trip came at the perfect time, and it makes me even more excited for what's to come this year with KEEP! Stay tuned, friends!