Fall Fashion Love

I didn't really mention it here on the blog but we just recently got home from a 14 day trip through Europe!! We went on a Baltic Sea Cruise with my dad (and the girls) and had the chance to visit 6 different countries!  It was a fabulous trip and I can't wait to share details about it in the coming weeks.

I wanted to officially kick off September with some fashion finds I purchased before we left on our trip and arrived while we were sailing on the high seas.  And if you know me then you know my eye always gravitates to green - give me all the green I say!!  While a true bright jewel tone kelly green is my favorite I can't help but love all the Olive's and Avocado's that are making an appearance this fall.  I curated my very own "Stitch Fix" of sorts, I am only sending 1 item back and the pieces I got are all from JCP and much more affordable (plus I got some major cash back via ebates!!  I kind of need to start a wardrobe overhaul because not all of my clothes are fitting me anymore since I lost nearly 15 pounds (read about it here). 

Here are my Green Fall Finds:

First Item:

a.n.a Relaxed Fit V-Neck T-Shirt

I've been in serious need of a new plain white t-shirt that doesn't break the bank because white + kids = disaster waiting to happen.  So when I scored this A.N.A. top for just under $4 how could I not?? I love the relaxed fit, the lightweight of the fabric and the v neck is just high enough I don't have to worry when I bend down to pick up my babes.  Not to mention its also longer in the back so I'm not self conscious for when I sit down with the girls on the floor.

Second Item:

A.N.A. Roll Tab Button Front Shirt

I actually spotted this top in store as I was walking through to use the bathroom with my girls (yes I'm that kind of mom) and just knew that I was going to have to order it to try on when I got home.  As I was searching I found a second one, that you'll see later on in this post, and the color is spot on!  I have an affinity for button downs with roll tab sleeves and the fact that this one has a traditional collar was just calling to me. I knew it was a winner the minute I put it on.  The fabric is a little heavier which I think helps it to fall more nicely as well as gives the top more structure.  The color is called Rich Avocado and its the perfect neutral.

Third Item:

Alyx Long Sleeve Crew Neck Pullover Sweater - Petites

When it comes to fall I am all about the sweaters but I don't like to get overheated.  When I saw how lightweight this one was and it came with a patterned under-layer attached I just had to give it a try.  I'm a shortie and I was so happy that they offered this sweater in a Petite size so I knew it would be a better fit on me.  The sleeves are teeny bit tight at the wrist...but that's because I like my sleeves pushed up and overall I'd say this one fits pretty well.  It still looks to be fairly slimming despite the loose under-layer and the detailing on the sweater itself really adds to the whole overall look.  Honestly I can't wait for the weather to cool down here a little bit in the PNW (and all the smoke to go away) so that I can start wearing this beauty one the weekly ;)

Fourth Item:

a.n.a. Button Front Flap Pocket Shirt

I wavered with this shirt but ultimately decided that I liked the one above better.  This shirt has more of a "silk" type of fabric which wrinkles easily (obvi) and it just didn't lay right on my body.  The color Rich Avocado was the right shade and it was a super comfortable top to wear.  But I had both sent to me so I could decide in person which one I wanted to keep.  Aside from the wrinkling the fit on this one was just a bit off, it was a bit wider in the body so when I raised my hands or moved my arms around it just wasn't very flattering and I looked like I was wearing a tent.  So back this one goes to the store.

Fifth Item:

Liz Claiborne Short Sleeve Crew Neck Stripe T-Shirt - Womens

When I saw this online I couldn't get it into my shopping cart fast enough!!  I mean it has just about everything a girl wants: flutter sleeves, stripes, floral/lace, and it's green!! I mean really what more could I ask for?  I am so happy that it actually fit well and I've already worn it on repeat since arriving back home from our vacay.  Also I get comments on it each time - that's when you know you have yourself a winner!!!  The fit is great, the stripes are super subtle, the lace detailing on the yoke is to die for adorable (and its all stitched on so you don't have to worry about it flapping) and the flutter sleeves are delicate and flattering.  They actually have it in another color and I'm pretty close to grabbing it as well....I mean when you find a good thing you buy it in every color amiright??

So these are some items that I've recently added to my closet and I'm so excited to start wearing them!  Have you made any good purchases lately that I need to get in on?

♥ Ashley 

Our Weekend

This was the first weekend we have been home since the end of September and it felt so good.  Being gone that many weekends in a row really takes its toll on you and things get left to the wayside...

So lets see what we were up to this past weekend.

Friday morning started with this little girl coming into the bathroom and requesting to "I want to brush teeth", okay girlfriend let's get right on that.

Ellie's Jams

Then it was off to work and we had a busy morning playing tea party, coloring pumpkins (on paper) and then off to the Library for story time - a quick stop at the playground and then back for lunch.  Babes didn't go down until nearly 1:45 so her nap got cut short with a wake up at 4:00.

First we had to do some modeling with her new sweater and she was all over saying "gootchy gootchy goo" to the baby in my arms that it was hard to get a photo of her standing still.

I shared my StitchFix outfit that is basically going to be on repeat (just add a new scarf) for the rest of Fall and Winter. Haven't tried Stitch Fix before? Use my referral code HERE to sign up and schedule your first fix!!

Then after work, Ellie and I had to stop at the feed store to pick up a load of hay and on our way home we got stuck behind a crazy driver (I think that something was wrong with the car?) that was swerving into all the lanes, not accelerating, and just being a total hazard.  It took him about 8 miles to finally move over from the fast lane to the slow lane and it's not because there was a lot of traffic.  Then the guy at the feed store was having some serious issues loading my hay and it was just "stressful" for me.  

We finally made it home and Ellie needed to have an outfit change into her Fairy Costume since we were going to our church's Halloween party - or harvest carnival I guess is what they called it.  Ellie and I met up with Nanny and Papa at the church and we had a blast watching Ellie experience it all and run around in her little outfit! *note to self - have her wear skirts/dresses/tutus more often*

She insisted on bringing her ducky with her and I've learned to just say "yes".  They had all sorts of activities for the kiddos but she loved the fishing the best, they also had pumpkin bowling, cornhole and a cake walk.  Then she wanted to go into the bounce house so she had to take off her wings and tutu to be able to enjoy jumping around.  I was talking with another mom and she asked why the tutu had to come off, and the truth is I didn't want her to jump on it and get her foot stuck and rip it - it had nothing to do with her safety and all to do with preserving the tutu!  Then we got into a long conversation about it (because she does that too) and we are learning that we need to let it go a little bit so that our girls can just enjoy their life and play.  It's hard for me because I want Ellie to have fun and play but I am a clean freak and don't like it when things get dirty (hello I never even allowed myself to brush my American Girl's hair when I was in elementary school because I wanted them to look perfect "like in the catalog"!!) It's a process but I'm getting there.

We woke up Saturday morning and the babes is finally into wearing her headphones (and everyone sang hallelujah) so she could watch her "Docitstukins" while I caught up on the news and I didn't have to hear the songs!  I mean seriously how cute is she? Thomas had to leave to go to a tennis tournament and after her show, Ellie and I headed out to the farm to feed all the animals.  Since we were both out there and the weather was decent I did some farm chores (i.e. scoop poop) while Ellie harassed the goats and then decided to help me shovel poop...which quickly turned into her falling into the pile of s***! Into the house we went but not before I stripped her, hand sanitized her and then washed her hands in the sink with soap...

Then we got ready for the day: Shopping with Nanny in our favorite place Snohomish!!!  Girlfriend was a rockstar!! she fell asleep in the car about 10 minutes before we arrived in town so we sat in the car for another 10 minutes or so to give her a little bit of a nap and then off we were for our marathon day of shopping...it's how we roll.  All of the shops are so cute and have lots of fall things (even some gasp Christmas stuff!).

I was cracking up over this eyeball headband.  Ellie was not impressed.

Then into this super cute clothing store and Nanny and I just about died when we spotted this little number.  So we had to pull Ellie out of the stroller to have her try it on, of course she was more into the stuffed animal than the clothes...toddlers I tell you!  After this store we were starving so we made our way to a restaurant and Ellie actually ate her meal...well just the hotdog but she ate the whole thing and I am a proud mama!

This space just spoke to me and I had to capture it.  Y'all know I am all about deer lately so that print is probably the reason this corner caught my eye.

And this tree has me swooning all over it and dreaming of Christmas this year.  I love our tree and fall in love with it every year but whenever I see these monochromatic ones I always think about just starting over - or getting a second tree!! haha

We had a great shopping day and picked up some super cute items. It was a long day but I still felt I accomplished enough things that the shopping day was deserved.

On Sunday, Thomas and I had our big clean out day.  Since we are in the Waiting Pool now we really need to make sure that #2's room is ready to go.  Originally I thought that Ellie and her sib would just share a room but now we want them to have separate rooms.  The room that #2 will be living in has been our storage room/office/playroom/junk room.  I hate opening that door because I just get SO overwhelmed.  I have gone in there more times that I care to admit to attempt to clean or organize it but it ends up just looking worse (like it could be on an episode of hoarders....).  We feel the pressure now and so we made some major headway on it.  It is just so crazy how much crap you accumulate over the years and I feel so much lighter now that we have gotten rid of a bunch of stuff.  It's not anywhere ready to set the crib up yet but it's getting better. 

This is what the room looked like by the end of the day.

I know it still looks a mess but we got rid of so many old papers, my old teaching stuff, lots of books and dvds, and just flat out crap!  Now all of my craft stuff is sorted into boxes, we've got a couple boxes of all our newborn stuff and then our important paperwork now has a place.  We're planning on tackling this room again next weekend and hopefully get the boxes we don't need constant access to put up in the attic, to dismantle the dollhouse (shelving unit) and find a home for the books we decided to keep.  I think once we get that stuff done the room will be pretty much empty and we can put the crib and changing table in.  We still need to organize the closet and I'm thinking that it will be divided in half: half for the baby and the other half for all my craft stuff and sewing supplies.  We shall see how that will all work out logistically.

Also on Sunday my Dad came up to drop his dog off since he's going to be out of town and I made the best soup for lunch. It's called Cream of Carrot soup and you can find the recipe here.  This time I paired it with some croutons I made out of some bread from Friday's dinner.  It was delish and I'm thinking that croutons need to be a staple in this soup!

I mentioned that Nanny and I picked up a few things while shopping in Snohomish on Saturday and I wanted to share!

I am all over this sweet lace and bow zip up for Ellie and I'm trying to figure out how to fit into it myself!

the back side even has a ruffle!

and the matching skirt!

This top is just too much and I love how it goes with the other items.  

and these pants have the sweetest lace detail on the ankles with some gold too

I picked up these antler sticks for our tree this year and I know they are going to be the best addition!

And I was drooling over all the blanket scarfs last year that I have been thinking about them all year.  When I saw this baby I couldn't keep walking.  I actually put it on and wore it all around the store while I was shopping...you know to test it out and make sure I really liked it.  I love the colors and that it can be a dual holiday scarf for both fall/Thanksgiving and winter/Christmas.  It was totally affordable too, so you know it was coming home with me.  It is made of the softest fabric almost like a cashmere and I actually used it as a blanket already on Saturday night!!

Then walking though another store I spotted this one and loved the colors.  I actually left the store and went into a few more but I was haunted by the memory of it, so just before we left I ran into the store a grabbed it.  I know I will get a lot of use out of both of these scarves!

How was your weekend? Find anything good? Make anything yummy?

♥ Ashley

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Fix #3

I got my third Stitch Fix in the mail just before Mother's Day and boy was I excited! 

I have to say that this was my best fix to date.  I opened up my package and immediately checked out the styling card and note from my stylist. I feel like Erika really listened to me and understands my style much better than my previous fixes.

Here is a close up of all five items

I mean perfect right? I really really wanted to love everything in this fix and utilize the 25% discount for all five items. Each item was practically something I would pick out for myself! This was a fix made in heaven...almost. 

Item One: Mavi Aiden Skinny Jean $98

 Okay so I realize that this picture quality is horrific and I have many apologies for that. I am also realizing that the lighting is horrible in my bathroom (it's almost done btw) which might explain why my makeup always looks so drastically different when I go into another room....a story for another day. 

I have been asking for a great quality pair of denim that actually fit me because I am learning that my $15 Ross finds just aren't that flattering. These jeans have been the best yet, nothing funky like holes or weird ankle zippers (although there was a zipper in the penny pocket). They might have been a bit snug at the waist but were super comfortable and the material was really soft and stretchy. 

The more I look at them the more I like them but once again, they are a bit long and give me slouchy ankles. I know I'm pretty picky but when you stand just 60" tall finding jeans (that are not in the girls section) that are short enough are hard to come by. But ultimately as much as I liked these jeans I didn't love them and for $98 I just couldn't take the plunge. 

Verdict: sent back

Item Two: Pixley Colibri Heart Print Tab-Sleeve Blouse $48

I actually requested this blouse after seeing it on another blogger (It fit her much better). I love the style of this blouse and actually have one similar in a green and white chevron. I love the length and that the sleeves can roll up. It was really comfortable on and I actually liked how it looked on me. 

But...

There is just something about how the neck fits me. I'm all about being conservative these days and all but I just don't like how the neck doesn't state open on me, I kept trying to fold it down but it wouldn't work. And the. I tried to take it off....that was a struggle. I also got a little dizzy looking at the pattern, isn't it a bit blurry.  I'm not too big on hearts and I've already stepped out of my comfort zone with a heart pattern sweater in my first fix that I'd rather go for a pattern I love. I think I will ask for this blouse again and see if I can't get a better pattern/color. 

Verdict: sent back

Item Three: Skies are Blue Harley Lace Detail Top $48

When I saw this in the box I loved it. I mean the color alone is one of my favorites right now, Coral and then it was lace so it shoulda been out of the park. Except that it looked horrible on me. The sleeves fit all sorts of weird and I feel like it makes me look like a box or a line backer - take your pick. Not to mention it was see-through so I have to wear a tank underneath (which I do on the reg anyways but still...) I was so sad that this was so bad because it looked so cute, it even had a cool zipper detail on the back! Don't let me forget to mention though that the tag nearly took my nose out while trying it on, not that that would have changed my mind at all. Apparently I have a real hard time trying clothes on?!!! 

Verdict: sent back

Item Four: Skies are Blue Page Flutter Sleeve Blouse $48

Finally! I have been asking for a floral top since I can't remember when. Both of my previous boxes sent me a floral top but they were just plain awful. I finally learned that I needed to use the phrase "romantic floral" to get what I wanted!  This top is see through as well but I love how flowy it is and it doesn't make my arms look fat!  It has some great colors and a fun floral pattern.

Verdict: kept obvi 

Item Five: Bancroft Wendy Layered Branch Necklace $32

 Honestly I didn't even bother taking this out of the box. First of all because it was $32 and I ain't going to be spending that much on a necklace and second of all they sent me another necklace. Truth be told I didn't tell them to not send me jewelry I just thought they would be able to send me something better. I will be taking that out of my produce because so far in the accessory dept they are 0 for 3. 

Verdict: sent back

Even though I only kept one item I really loved this fix and think they are understanding my style preferences much better. I had so much fun with this one and am really hoping that they will knock it out of the park next time!

Have you tried Stitch Fix before? It is so much fun! If you haven't already you can click here to sign up with my referral and I'll get a nice little bonus on my next fix!

♥ Ashley 

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The Stitch #2

So I got my second fix in the mail this weekend.  I was getting all excited about it because I am loving what some other bloggers are getting in theirs! I so loved my last fix and was hoping for an even better one this time.

 I opened the box and immediately went to the style card to check out what was in my box.  I loved my sweet little note from my stylist, when I realized I had a new one....I was a little perturbed because I wasn't sure how great of a box this would be with a new stylist. On the style card were jeans, two tops, a cardigan, and a necklace. I knew for sure I was going to have to try all of these on before having any opinions....I was disappointed in this fix :(

andplusalso the lighting in my room is horrid

Just Black Dean Ankle Zip Skinny Jeans $78

GREAT, I have been on the search for a great pair of denim.  I loved the fit of the last pair but wasn't a fan of the distressing and holes everywhere.  This pair has a zipper at the ankle.  I am not quite sure what you are supposed to do with it.  If the jeans are too long you can't really roll them up (like I normally have to do) and won't the zipper be uncomfortable in boots? and see they are a bit long...slouchy ankles are in, right?

Market & Spruce Memphis Lace Overlay Knit Shirt $58
I need another grey clothing item like I need another hole in my head.  But the thing is...I love grey. I am all about grey lately: our bathroom is 3 shades of grey, I want our bedroom to be grey, eventually our home exterior will be grey (this summer!!) and I even mentioned that maybe we should paint Ellie's toddler room grey...to which Thomas replied - do we live in a black and white film??? So of course I have some love for this top. I love how its fitting me, soft and loose around the belly - gone are the days I loved them skintight clothes!, its a great length, super soft and a great fabric weight too.  The detail of the lace is just the right feminine touch. It's on the maybe list because $58 not so sure but with my $20 styling fee and a $5 off I might be able to go for $33. IDK.

Market & Spruce Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan $68
I have cardigans in every color in my closet, including two black ones.  So I don't think that another one is really needing to be in my life. At first I was all like HELL NO! I don't like the zipper detail or that it zips on the side (I know that's kinda "in" right now) but I had to try it on.  Its heavier than any of my other cardi's and actually falls nicely (despite my facial expression).

I like how it drapes in the front due to the cut of it.  The sleeves are a bit long on my 5' frame. I was iffy about it.  So I thought I would try it on with the other top.  It looked a little better.  Then I found the POCKETS!!! I love pockets and usually are the selling point for me.  So I started to consider this cardi.  But I had to zip it up first and you know what happened? 

The zipper gets all cock-eyed-katie on me and I can't even zip it up! (is this an omen?)

Finally after about a minute of wrestling with it I get the damn thing zipped and it looks even worse!!

Of course this photo sucks too...but I hate it.  Its going back just like I thought it would when I first saw it.

Kensie Jordan Floral Print Sleeveless Blouse $38

I have several Kensie items in my closet - back when they used to have a store in the mall I used to work at. So I am familiar with their funky fits and out of the box styles.  At first glance I figured this would probably the one item I would for sure keep. I liked the blousiness of it, it was light weight and I was "okay" with the blue floral.  I have A LOT of girly floral prints on my Pinterest board so I was really hoping for something along those lines...but nocando.  It was all fun and games until the bust/underarm seam was poking out all funny. Apparently this top was made for someone with boobs like Dolly Parton. It's something I cannot get over and putting the cardi over didn't make any improvements.  So this was another fail and is going back.

Rita Teardrop Bib Necklace $42
I have absolutely no idea how this thing even managed to get into my box.  When I filled out my profile, I specifically said NO jewelry. And then they send me something my 80 year old grandma would wear.  It's only saving grace is that it is Gold and Coral two of my favorite colors right now.  But this thing is BAD. I didn't even want to take it out of the box, let alone try it on - but sometimes these things surprise you.  Not this time.  It was even worse on. Sent Back as fast as I could get it in the return shipping bag!!

in the photo below you can see the weird bust seam poking out.  This outfit was a fail!

I know it sounds like I trashed this whole box, which basically I did.  I still have faith in Stitch Fix and know that each box will help them understand my style and ability to get out of my comfort zone more.  You have to fall before you can succeed, otherwise your success won't mean as much.  I am looking forward to my next Stitch Fix.  If you want to take a chance on it I highly recommend it.  You can sign up through my referral here and then I will get a nice little bonus on my next box!

Have you tried Stitch Fix? What do you think of mine?

♥ Ashley

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