My Little Life

Well, hello my long lost blog...how've you been?! I've missed you...and apparently, so has my family! We just returned from a vacation to the Black Hills, during which my Baby Girl said, "Mama, you should blog again." How the heck can I deny that?! ;) While I'm getting warmed up with my blogging skills again, let's start with a couple of pictures from our vacation. (Oh! And, I Instagrammed a bunch of pics also, with the hashtag #blackhillssecondedition, if you wanna check it out!) Here we are, all packed up and about to take off...we JUST missed a big thunderstorm, which (thankfully) held off so kindly until we had finished packing and were pulling out of the driveway! We did the quarter trick again this time (see details here ) and I love that one of my boys snapped this picture with my iPad from the back seat. This was the temperature when we reached the Badlands. Good golly...let me tell you that when the temperature reaches this and there is no wind...

Long time no see, eh?! So, let's talk Stitch Fix. I was IN LOVE with it when I put it on hold back in November. I dreamed of my next fix and the beauties I would receive, so when I was faced with a wardrobe debacle for an event I was helping to plan, I did what any good and level headed woman would do...I moved up my "Birthday Fix" to accommodate my need for something to wear to the "Big Event". I asked for "cute and trendy" and as soon as I got that email that sends thrills to every Stitch Fix addict ("Your Stitch Fix is On Its Way!") I peeked at what was coming as quickly as I could...and was met with a deep and painful disappointment. BUT, I tried keeping an open mind, knowing that some fixes look disappointing on paper but turn out to be pretty amazing in person. Well, let's just say my disappointment was warranted. That fix was a total bust (I mean, c'mon...how can a sweater named "Klyde" ever have a chance?!). I do...

So...Lesson 2. Remember my " Life Lesson " that I learned from when our Christmas Tree fell over? How, if a wet wood floor was the biggest of my problems then: life is pretty dang good? Yeah...I do still feel that way. (And was able to keep that perspective when a drain in our basement backed up/rusted out and created a wet, sloppy mess in one of our bedrooms. Ugh.) But today, my friends, I'm here to tell you about Lesson Numero Dos that I learned from our fallen over Christmas tree. I mentioned before that I was pretty hesitant to put a live Christmas tree on our brand new wood floors last year (well, it wasn't so much the tree as it was the gallons of water that go into keeping said tree alive for a few weeks inside of a house...) but the year came and went without (thank goodness) incident and so this year, when those thoughts crept into my mind I was all, "Well...sure. There's a risk. But LOOK!! Last year went so well!". I shoulda listened ...

As most of you know, about a year and a half ago we "completed" (in quotes because, let's be honest...it's STILL not completely finished!) a big remodel of our upper level (and, of yet I have to post a "finished product" post on). I am a DIE HARD Christmas fan and to me, if you have an artificial tree, you are akin to Scrooge. Or the Grinch. Or Satan himself, or something. So, while I was leery about putting a real Christmas tree (with which we've had mishaps before ) on my wood floor last year, shockingly, the season passed without incident and I was able to enjoy my tree in all it's pine scented glory. This year, while still having those same leery feelings, we schlepped out to get our tree from an incredibly fun and festive, but ridiculously over-priced tree farm, and set the bad boy up. We decorated it TO THE HILT with the oodles of ornaments we have and I mentioned to my husband that he should probably tie up the tree...but then he got busy ...

You know what is more exciting than seeing that your latest Stitch Fix has shipped? Nothing. Absolutely nothing is more exciting...so, when I saw on Monday that my fix had already shipped I, of course, was ecstatic and immediately peeked at my order. (How do you peek, you say? Well, you "go to checkout" and voila, there are the contents of the fix that is on its way to you! Just make sure you don't actually "checkout" yet...) As I compulsively checked the tracking information and then saw my fix was arriving one day early...then TWO days early I was giddy!! And then..."Package could not be delivered in a secure place." WHAAAAAAAAA? Quickly remedied by a phone call to the P.O. Phew. Crisis averted! Without further ado...following is the super quality fashion show of my latest fix. First up...this outfit. The Liverpool Reagan Skinny Pants were ADORABLE. Buuuuuut, kinda trendy? And for nearly $100 (well, okay, $88), I was getting cold feet about...

My latest fix came on Friday and GOOD GOLLY did I get a box full of wonderfulness!! I had asked for layering options and in my note said I was "ready for fall" and my stylist, Amy, hit a home run! Knocked it right out of the park, my friends! Before I get into the photo show of my goodies, I've just gotta say...a fashion model I am not. So, forgive the photos. :) This coat is amazing! It's called the Claremore jacket and is so stinking cute...took me a bit to wrap my head around it, because I kept thinking "sweater" but when I realized it was supposed to be roomy because: COAT, I was all over this! Flattering? Perhaps not...but cute, and warm and I want to go Christmas tree shopping in it! Also in this photo shows my Kut from the Kloth Dayna Skinny Jeans which are to DIE for! Soft and fit like a glove. *swoon* The Bolton Plaid Scarf is so cute. Fall and cozy and the colors make me happy! And the red striped "Where's Waldo" (than...

I am almost due to get my next Stitch Fix box...so I guess it's 'bout time I reviewed my 2nd fix, huh?! This fix wasn't quite as great as my first one...for a couple of reasons, but it was still "okay". Let me show you why: The Tunic. I had asked for another tunic, because I loved August's tunic so much and it killed me to send it back! Again, my family loved this (I still felt it was a tad big, but maybe that's how it's supposed to fit?), and I agreed! Cute. Comfy. Work appropriate. And the color? LOVED IT! Verdict: Kept! (Duh.) The Leggings. Confession: I peeked at my fix before it arrived. (Did you know you could do this? When you get notified that your box has shipped, you just go to "check out" and Google the items that are listed! Cheating. I know.) These leggings have a zipper on the back (rookie mistake in neglecting to take a picture of that detail) and screamed 1980 to me...I wanted to hate them. In fact...I hated them u...