Fall is coming, fall is coming! Today was mild and gorgeous here in Northern Indiana - a perfect reminder that fall is definitely coming, friends, and it's time to update my wardrobe (and SERIOUSLY get rid of things that I don't wear anymore (Hello, clothes from high school. I wish I could tell you I'm kidding!).). So let's just get right to it!

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 18-month-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

Stitch Fix #20

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. Serena, I'm sending you like, a million virtual hugs for sending me this Fix! JUST TAKE MY MONEY! 

This time around, I'd asked for some transition in to fall pieces. I didn't ask for any specific colors, but as ALWAYS, Serena knows me and sent navy, mustard, and burgundy. She just... knows what I'm going to love! 

1. Market & Spruce Auria Embroidered Dress, $74

Full disclosure. When I saw this dress come up in my app, long before it arrived at my doorstep, I didn't think I liked the pattern. And even when I took it out of the box, I thought, I still don't know if I like this pattern. But then I put it on, and ohmigosh, it's adorable! It's adorable now for the warm end of summer! It's adorable later with a sweater, leggings, and boots for the chillier days of fall! It's just, kind of adorable! And the little embroidered detail on the bottom?! Love! 

2. Le Lis Lavania Lace Knit Top, $48 

I'm honestly shocked this shirt isn't more expensive because it's so well made! And it's lace! And it's navy! And I just... feel like I need it. Do I need it?! It's adorable for fall, and I feel like it could even transition into other seasons with the right jacket and pants! 

3. Pixley Martina Slub Knit Open Cardigan, $48

BURGUNDY! All the things this fall should be burgundy... like my new favorite Keeper! This is totally my style - open, flowy, warm, and looks great paired with jeans or over a fabulous new dress (see above!)! I love that the fabric drapes well, and I really like the added scoop detail around the front of the cardi! Oh, hi, and it can almost be pockets!

4. Eden Society Armen Lace Detail Blouse, $54

Hellllo, mustard! I actually have a really similar tank that I got from Banana Republic Outlet a few summers ago, but it's probably time for an update anyway. And the lace! I just love that it works now as a tank with my white shorts, skirt, and jeans and will work later as a fall piece with the right sweater and boots! 

5. Fun2Fun Pineda Split Neck Top, $37 

I was really excited about this piece for a few reasons: 

1. The price

2. The flannel pattern

3. The long sleeves! 

It's lightweight enough that I can easily put a sweater with it but heavy enough that I can put a tank under it and wear it around on breezy days. It's long (love) so while I would probably mostly wear this with jeans and boots, I feel like I could wear it with leggings too (maybe. If I get brave!)! 

So what do I do, friends? What pieces would you DEFINITELY keep? What would go back? Help a girl out! 

Cheers to a year!: What I've learned in my first year of Direct Sales

One year ago this very day, I was a ball of nerves. I had a lot of questions, a lot of excitement, and a lot of fear. One year ago today, I was planning to join a Direct Sales company - something I really never saw myself doing -  I loved the products, and I loved my baby, and I loved my sanity, and I loved the idea of working at home. But, I need to back up a bit. 

In February of 2015, I gave birth to the most beautiful boy on the planet. Yes, I'm completely biased. I'd spent almost ten years as a high school English and Journalism teacher, and it's a GIANT understatement to say I loved my job. I loved having conversations with my students about writing and reading and life. I loved seeing the light bulbs go off when a concept suddenly made sense or a student remembered something we'd talked about previously. I loved the connections I made as a teacher - the connections I made with students, the connections students made to the material, the connections I had with my coworkers. I loved teaching. I still love teaching. 

But I held that sweet baby in my arms, and I just knew I wasn't ready to go back to teaching. I wasn't ready to go in early or stay late. I wasn't ready to bring home 110 research papers to grade. I wasn't ready to lesson plan into the wee hours of the night and morning. I wasn't ready to leave our son. And so my husband and I made the decision that I would stay home with our little man. And I felt very at peace with that. 

But when he was around five-months-old, I started to get the itch. I missed working. I missed accomplishing goals. I missed feeling productive. I missed talking to other human adults (or teenagers, or just people who could talk back to me). So, I started looking at my options. 

I'd been introduced to KEEP Collective just before our son was born. I went to an online Social my friend was having, and I fell in love with some of the pieces because they were a part of me. There was a mom Key (charm) that I knew I wanted to have. And there was a heart shaped padlock - part of how my husband proposed, and an integral part of our wedding - and once I saw that, I fell hook, line, and sinker for this collection. I'd always shied away from hostessing Direct Sales parties, but this line was too gorgeous and my wish list was too long, so about a week before I had our son, we had a Social (me, on my couch with my computer, one hand in the potato chip bag, one hand taking occasional bites of ice cream). I kept in touch with the fabulous designer from the party, bought a few more pieces over the following months, and never really considered being a designer...

...until I did consider it. I started to think about what I loved about teaching, and it was helping people tell their stories. And that's what KEEP does - it helps people show off what they love - whether that's something incredibly meaningful, something fun, or something really pretty. KEEP could help me still tell stories while allowing me to be at home with our boy! So I took a GIANT leap of faith and decided to do it! 

A year ago today, I had NO idea what to expect. I was a giant ball of nerves as I started to prepare for my business venture. I was worried about so much - epic, giant failure being at the top of the list. But I knew that if it I was going down, I would go down fighting because I believe so strongly in KEEP's mission - to give women the chance to design their one-of-a-kind lives through flexible entrepreneurship. Whether it failed or it flew, I would make the most of this business. 

And business... it soared! My friends and family were incredibly supportive (and integral!) in helping me to get my business off the ground! And through them, I've met the most amazing customers, many of whom I now call friends. Yep, that's right - running a business has brought me some AMAZING friendships. 

So here's the short list of what I've learned in my first year of doing Direct Sales. But truly, there's so, so much more. <3

1. Having the flexibility to work from home has changed my life. And I'm a better mom because of it. 

I'm not one to feed into the mommy wars of what's better for children. Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home-mom, or an in between mom, I firmly believe we're all doing the best we can. But I know that for me, being able to work from home has made me a better mom. I love being with my son. But I also really love working. And so having the chance to do both has made me more patient, more conscious of how I spend my time, and more invigorated with my life. And in turn, all of those things are passed on to my son. I'm truly living my best life because of this opportunity. And that makes me incredibly grateful. 

2. Direct Sales aren't bad. They're kind of awesome. 

There's been some negative press and posts lately about people who do Direct Sales. People think DS consultants are pushy. Or don't care about them. Or only want to sell a product. Or only want to talk about their products. That couldn't be further from the truth. While there are probably some bad apples of consultants out there, you'll find that in any field. The Direct Sales people I know are inspired. They love their products. They love what their products can do. And they want to share that others! And I kind of love it. Whether you're ever a customer of mine or not, I still love you... which leads me to my next point. 

3. Not everyone will love what you sell, and that's okay. 

Do I think KEEP rocks? Umm, yes. Do I think there's a piece out there that I can design to make every single person happy? Umm, yes. Does that mean every person is going to be as jazzed about these products as I am? Umm, no. And that's okay. I fully accept that some people don't like my product, just as I probably don't like things about their businesses. That's okay! It doesn't make me love someone less if they don't like what I sell. 

4. The relationships and friendships I've formed through this business sustain me in so many ways. 

I am so blessed to have built a team within KEEP, a team that inspires and motivates and encourages one another. I'm also so blessed to be on a larger team within KEEP - a community that supports, loves, and motivates one another. I've "met" amazing women through KEEP - and I say "met" because so many I've never even had the chance to meet face-to-face. But I've nurtured friendships and mentorships and met some of the most amazing soul sisters I've ever known. NONE of that would have happened without this company, and I pray that someday I get the chance to meet each and every one of these women so that I can give them real, in-person hugs! 

5. The pieces I design make me cry... in the very best way. 

It has been a privilege, and I mean that, to work on pieces with my customers. Whether they're wanting to represent being a sister, friend, daughter, mother, believer of God, yogi, or something else entirely, it's a joy to work with people to design things they love or things that mean something to them. 

There are so many stories that come to mind this year - a mom who fought infertility for years and finally had a rainbow baby to represent. Another mom who at 24 weeks pregnant, suffered from brain trauma, fell into a coma, delivered her son, and had to work her way back to doing, well, everything, again (mom is totally fine, and that sweet baby boy is NINE now!)! But the story that touches my heart the most is one I want to share with you. 

A former coworker of mine retired and moved to Florida, but she and I have remained in touch on Facebook. Tragically, her son was murdered in a robbery gone tragically wrong in Portland. Their family suffered an incredible loss, so when she reached out to me about a Keeper, I wanted to make sure we made the perfect one for her. The saying adopted by her son and his friends was Hug Life. All of her son's friends got tattoos, but mom wasn't quite ready for one yet, so instead, we put together a gorgeous Keeper that she can wear daily to keep her youngest son close at hand. 

That's why I love this "job." This is what makes me excited about what's to come in the future of this business. It's not just that I get to work from home. It's not just that I get flexible working hours. It's not just that I get a paycheck for doing this (and sometimes, I really can't believe I get paid to do it!). It's not even the amazing trips, incentives, or people. 

It's that there are so many stories to be told, and I get to help tell them. And I can only imagine what stories are to come in the future. Cheers to year one, cheers to all of you who helped make it such an incredible year, and a bigger cheers to all the years left to come with KEEP Collective!

Inconsistent blogging AKA there's not enough coffee

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?