Day in the Life | Heads Up for Fall 2016

It's October and I'm a few days late reminding you that it's time to capture your days in your lives!

(Summer 2016 compilation picture)



The details:

Any time from today until October 16th you should record your day in detail. That gives you almost two weeks to decide on a day.

It can be as specific or as general as you want. I personally tend to record these days as a note in my phone, including specific times of day as I'm psychotic with details. Totally not necessary for you to do the same, as simple is probably better and means it's less overwhelming! I try to jot down quotes from the kids, to mention my thoughts as things are happening, and to keep track of the nitty gritty details in a day. I would probably remember enough if I just sat down and tried to type it all a day or two later but I don't trust my mommy brain *that* much. So a note on my phone is a must for me.

Snap pictures as you go along, the easiest method being with your phone but if you are feeling extra energetic, a 'fancy' camera also works for a post like this. Sometimes just taking a screen shot of your phone to remember the time of day, or an email you read, the weather forecast, et cetera is helpful as you write up the posts. I also like the seemingly random pictures of messy houses, meals, receipts, pets, the scenery from your parking lot spot, your house, and so on. Making collages for your pictures is helpful when it's difficult to choose which images to post (always a serious issue for me). Again, get as detailed or as general as you want with the pictures, but I think the mundane details are what makes these posts interesting. Don't forget to get pictures of YOU in this post, either. Get your friends and family involved. Maybe purchase a selfie stick (I just got one and you can bet your butt I'll use it this time!) but step in front of the camera for this post.

My method is that I just email myself the iPhone 'note' from the day, and then I paste it into my blog post as a foundation. I'll go back and clean it up, elaborate on thoughts/events, and make sure it's written in English instead of just abbreviations from my note. Then I will add the pictures after that. Whatever method works for you though, as there are many ways to write about a single day in your life!

It's a lot of fun to read back on my own posts, and it's also quite entertaining to read everyone else's dayhttp://julia-transition.blogspot.com/2016/07/these-are-days-of-our-lives-summer-2016.html. If you want to play along this quarter, here is what to do:

1. Record any day from now until Sunday, October 16th. Type it up and turn it into a blog post. You can do it!

2. Email me the following to mylifeintransitionblog at gmail dot com by October 16th at midnight:

*your blog title,
*your location (state or country is fine),
*the link to your post,
*attach the file of the photo you want to be featured in the round up post.
*optional: give me your Instagram name, perhaps I will attempt to tag everyone over there if extra energetic.

3. I will post everyone's link and picture by October 19th here on my blog. Get the popcorn and clear your schedule for this one!

I love reading these posts from women all around the world, and encourage you to try it even if you aren't a blogger. And it's definitely not just for mommy bloggers, either! You could turn these posts into a photo book, you could let them live online if you have a blog, or you could just look back on them and reminisce about the glory days once life settles down a bit more (ha!). Laura, the original founder of this Day in the Life link up, also records an entire week during one of these quarterly sessions. That is something I've never tackled before, but maybe someday if I'm feeling particularly adventurous. I know she makes those posts into a photo album book and her family is going to greatly appreciate the time it took to record every day events.

I will do these quarterly: January, April, July, and October. USUALLY, you can expect to record your day and post about it in the first fourteen days, send it to me, and I will continue to post the round up by the twentieth of those months.

So pick your day (or week) and get to it!
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Stitch Fix #8 | The Do-Over

A few weeks ago I received my first 0/5 box, although a few of you commented that I should keep either the dress or the jeans. In the end one of your comments that said 'if it doesn't bring you joy, send it back,' really hit home for me. I just didn't LOVE any of it so I had to return it, even though losing the $25 styling fee was annoying to me. 

Customer service emailed saying they were sorry the last box missed the mark, and they were looking forward to getting it right the next time. I emailed back and forth with one of their reps, she adjusted my profile with additional notes (skinny jeans only if they have a lot of stretch, size down on knit tops to avoid the boxy effect, etc.) This was great, but I also asked if they would waive the $25 styling fee that I lost. I said I'd be more likely to do another box right away if they could waive it and they agreed, which goes to show that it never hurts to ask!

I took Erinn's advice and told my stylist (who I love and requested to keep!) that my style can be described as a 'preppy, Lauren Conrad, California' vibe. Which is hilarious since I'm in Wisconsin, the polar opposite of California. But causal, comfortable, put-together....those are my style goals. I pinned a few new things on my Pinterest board and definitely wanted a green vest and a pair of distressed boyfriend jeans without holes. 

Kelley sent me a very personalize note, as always, and really dug into my profile more than I had done myself. She likes to read these posts, so 'Hi, Kelley!'. 

1. Cut From the Kloth Kate Boyfriend Jeans | $88


I just realized that I pinned these exact jeans on Pinterest! And I really do love them----I love them so much that I have a pair nearly identical to this wash and style that I'll show you in a few more pictures. I styled these with a basic black tee, long necklace, and my pink Converse sneakers. Very 'me'. ;) Also, photoshoot took place in our bedroom instead of family room since our queen air mattress was taking up space by the mirror downstairs. Love having Memaw and mom visit and will gladly move my super important fashion show out of the way!

So yes, great fit and wash, and for being a 'boyfriend' cut they aren't exactly baggy. But they aren't horribly tight and uncomfortable, either. Great amount of stretch and I like the roll at the bottom, unrolled they were pretty short for me. I wore them for a few more outfits during my very fancy photo shoot and thought I'd probably keep them.

But in the end, they are just too similar to the other jeans I have from Loft. Right??


Verdict: Returned

2. Paradigma Vidal Henley Blouse | $58




I love me a Stitch Fix henley top, nice and flowy, they usually have button up sleeves, and a fun print is a bonus. I know that I love these tops because I have about four from SF in my closet right now. Enter this top:

Nice length, flowy, pretty floral print. I could keep the sleeves down or button them up, and I like them buttoned and shorter, personally.

I had this set aside to 'keep' but when I tried it on once more, both Nate and my mom said it looked pretty wide at the bottom. And actually, the side seams appear to angle out away from my body as they get closer to the bottom of the shirt---sort of like a trapezoid. I am all for loose fitting tops but this seemed just a little off for me. Very picky moment, for sure, but I think if I'm on the fence about something I really should NOT buy it. Must love it to keep it, right?

Verdict: returned

3. Tinsel Odensay Cargo Vest | $88

Squeeee, she found me a green vest! Oh no, it has a furry lining and collar. But wait!! Trying it on made me a big fan, yet again.



Kelley told me to pair it with the boyfriend jeans and the henley top, so I obeyed. Really love it all together so much. Then I removed the collar and liked it even more. Then I paired it with a denim top, black leggings, and my brown booties. YES.


It's a keeper and I've already worn it to Truman's soccer game, no collar. But perhaps for the cooler months the fuzzy collar will make it a little more versatile. I don't know but I really love it---score a point for pinning something, receiving it, and actually liking it!

Verdict: Kept and love it.

4. Liverpool Colleen Straight Leg Jean | $78


Kelley said these dark gray jeans are very hot right now, replacing the dark denim look with a more modern vibe. They are called straight leg but seemed almost boot cut to me, probably because most of my jeans are pretty fitted at the bottom.

I paired them with a SF scarf, a simple gray tee shirt, and my bronze Yosi Samra flats---a brand that SF does carry but I bought them way before my SF days. The jeans look pretty good, I think, but just didn't make me excited. I guess I don't mind the 'straight leg' that is more of a boot cut, but I think they'd be cuter as a skinny jean. Good stretch, fun color, but pass.

Verdict: Returned

5. Loveappella Malbec Elbow Patch Knit Top | $58

Teeth clenched emoji because of the length. I know I need to move away from every.single.shirt being long but this basically shows my stomach. Especially when I lift an arm to take the picture. Oh, and those are the Loft jeans I think are a lot like the Kut From Kloth. I guess more whiskers but whatever. Love the elbow patches and stripes and baseball tees in general are a big yes for me. But this one?

Weird sleeve length and not a fan of the bottom being a little tighter and really short (for me). Also, my mirror is disgustingly dirty.

Verdict: returned

So, this box ended up being a 1/5 for me, which seems bad but it was actually really great! The overall style was spot-on for me and I am admitting to being quite picky with these items. Probably would have kept everything except for the baseball tee if I wasn't in a 'must be obsessed with it or send it back' mood. So a 4/5 turned into a 1/5 but that is seriously fine by me---I think the goal for each box is to keep one or two items, and that's a win. It doesn't need to be a 5/5 to be successful for me and is definitely easier on the budget this way.

Think I did it right??

As always, you can find my referral link here if you're curious about Stitch Fix and want to feed my addiction with more fixes. Thanks to those that already have!

Stitch Fix #7 | Transition to Fall

I haven't received a fix since April, and that box was a home run by my stylist Kelley. I had referral credits to use (thank you, blog readers!) and decided once the temps cooled down, I could use a few new Fall pieces in my closet. I didn't give a ton of guidance to Kelly, but said I'd love a pair of white jeans (not very fall-like, I know), I don't want any sweaters or wintery-things just yet, and I'd like to focus on everyday casual style.

My seventh fix arrived on the same day as my half-marathon, and because I had already peeked at my five items online, I didn't even un-box them for a few days. The horror! I felt very 'meh' after looking at my shipped items and unfortunately, I feel just as 'meh' after trying them on in person.



Kelley's note was super personalized and she read my blog to see that we're knee deep in back-to-school mode. She tried to keep things effortless and fun for me to wear when walking the kids to/from school, attending school functions, date nights, etc.

1. Loveappella Whitnee Knit Dress | $68

Okay, a knit dress in fall colors? Cool. I like elbow patches just as much as the next blogger, but this just seems less than impressive on me.


Nice colors, stripes rule, etc etc but I don't know---I just don't think I will wear a long sleeve dress in a casual setting. Especially because the skirt feels pretty snug! I thought about pairing it with gray leggings but got too hot to deal with it anymore. It's really not special enough in general and definitely not for nearly $70.

Truman and Cecelia took turns taking pictures for me in this post, btw. They are obviously pros by now. Tried and true selfies in the mirror were somehow quite rusty for me this day!

Verdict: Returning


2. Papermoon Phel Suede Detail Knit Top | $44

This one just looked boxy when I peeked at the style card online. It's a nice, stretchy material and has some suede detail at the shoulders. But? Meh.

Not feeling it. I think three-quarter sleeves on me are fine and a nice cop out to deal with the arm length issue, but this just didn't float my boat at all. I could probably find something similar at a chain retail store, and yes---it would probably shrink, but this one doesn't seem to fit that well to begin with anyway!

Verdict: Returning

3. Skies are Blue Lawler Two Pocket Top | $58

I was pretty excited about this one at first because I do love plaid tops and thought the contrasting plaid on the neckline was cool. But in person, it's really thin and kind of itchy. Not terribly long, and the sleeves have to be rolled to be appropriate length.

Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? When you roll up sleeves that have buttons at the cuff, how in the world are you supposed to keep them buttoned together? This shirt was sent with the wrists buttoned up but already rolled up inside the yoke-thing. I could not get the buttoned up sleeve over my forearm (?) so I had to unbutton it and then roll it up higher, hoping the sleeve would stay together somehow and not flop open. Does this make sense? Anyway, this isn't my favorite because a $60 price tag means it needs to be thick and fit like a glove.

Verdict: Returning


4. Market & Spruce Cosimo Lace Up Tunic | $68

First thought: Robin Hood with the lace up neckline.

I do love navy all of a sudden and anything with the word 'tunic' makes me happy (although this is decidedly NOT tunic-like on me, go figure). I wanted to hate this top for the laces, but the material is actually really flowy but not sheer and the length is perfection. It's three quarter length for the sleeves and also has a button, so I guess I could make them even shorter, like to my elbow? I didn't even try that part, so I wouldn't know.

My only pair of booties that I love are also very 'Robin Hood' with an ankle cuff. You'll see them with this shirt in the next part of this post, but I just don't think I can pull off this look from head to toe. I couldn't wear it with dark jeans or I'd be one giant navy silhouette, and I am lacking in lighter wash jeans. Also: the price is killing me. And I'm not sure that lace up tops are even trendy right now, but I guess I trust Stitch Fix on this one.

Verdict: Very likely returning


5. Liverpool Adele Skinny Jean | $88

They didn't have any white jeans for me because I'm constantly a season or three late with trends, but they did have these 'rich dark purple' jeans that are very hot for Autumn (says Kelley). I thought colored jeans were out a few years ago but what do I know?

So Kelley told me to pair the jeans with the top and my floral scarf from the last fix, along with booties. ROBIN HOOD!!!! But I do kind of like the entire outfit together, I suppose. I actually like the top with the scarf since it covers up the iffy laces.

These jeans were difficult to photograph as my professional photographers grew restless after about five shots. They are tighter than tight, giving 'Skinny Jeans' a new meaning. Kelley says they have a 'rear enhancing design' for the butt, so I *had* to take a picture of my backside in these guys. I suppose it does look pretty awesome and not so 'mom-flat', but still. They aren't ultra stretchy, they are quite tight, and the color is pretty but not exactly timeless. I'm trying to picture what kinds of tops would work with these plum jeans, assuming I don't keep the navy top.


Verdict: probably sending back

Thoughts? I have to check out ASAP and kind of want to send it all back, but I hate to lose the $25 styling fee. Anyway, here is my referral link if you are curious to try this service for yourself.