This post is a little different… but I get asked from time to time what my typical day looks like, and I thought it would be fun to write a post about “a day in the life.”
Now, don’t go expecting anything exciting or glamorous.
My job has some cool perks, but at the end of the day, it’s a just job. There are parts I love and parts I hate, there is stress and there are deadlines, but I also get to shop and call it research, and sometimes I get to hang out with Alison and shoot pictures of my daily activities!
Which brings us to today’s post…
Alison was here on Monday to shoot for a brand collab I have coming up, so we decided to take pictures for this post.
Every day is a little bit different, so there is no “typical day” really, but they all start out the same way.
I always get up before the rest of the family — between 5 and 6AM. After I wash up, I go right downstairs and make my first cup of coffee. (Love my Nespresso!)
Then I usually go into the living room and have my devotions. I don’t know why I go to the living room, but I always do. I did at my last house too. I guess it feels set apart from the rest of the house. There is no TV, no computer — no distractions.
After that, I go into my office and start working.
Of course, I’m still in my pajamas at that time of day, but I grabbed this picture from last year. (My office isn’t nearly as big as it looks here!)
I take a break to get my daughter on the bus around 6:45, and then I’m back at work until I need to go somewhere.
There are days that I hardly leave my desk to eat, and others when I’m out of the house for most of the day, but I always put in a few hours of work before I go anywhere.
I’d love to say that exercise is part of my daily routine, but it’s more like 3 or 4 days a week right now. Hopefully when the weather warms up, it will be more than that.
Running is my favorite activity, but these days I’ve switched to walking until I can get this hip issue figured out. I also work out with a trainer 2X a week, so on those days, I go to her house.
After I exercise, I get ready for the day.
I try to get dressed in street clothes every day, even if I’m not going anywhere.
I’m laughing at this picture of me picking out what to wear… since I’m already dressed. OOOPS! We should have shot this while I was in my robe or pajamas. 😂
Once I’m dressed, I always take a mirror selfie before I go downstairs.
I had no idea I put my one foot so far in front of the other… seeing my rear view taking this shot is rather enlightening!
Here’s an outtake for you… haha!
On photo shoot days, I’m usually up and out early. If we’re shooting on location, I load everything into my car.
This picture only shows a fraction of the amount of stuff I usually bring to a shoot. I rarely make it to the car in one trip.
I try to have everything steamed and grouped on my hanging rack ahead of time, but that rarely happens. I’m usually scrambling to put outfits together at the last minute.
It was waaaay too cold to shoot on location on Monday, so we did what we could inside my house, and then stepped outside for a few outdoor shots.
Truth be told, photo shoots are my least favorite part of my job.
It’s super awkward to be taking fashion shots in public locations, and I’m either freezing or roasting.
Plus, all the clothes and shoes and accessories to pack up and then put away when I get back… ugh!!!
But every job has its upsides and its downsides, and happily, I only have to do a few photo shoots each month.
On the positive side, working with Alison has made photo shoots a lot more fun, and easier too. She scouts out the best locations and backdrops for my outfits and has a lot of ideas as far as posing and staging the pictures.
She usually gets the proofs back to me the day of our shoot, and I pick the ones I want her to retouch. She retouches and sends them back to me, usually within 24 hours, or even sooner if I have a deadline. She’s been a life saver as my job has gotten more demanding over the past few years, and she has never once canceled for being sick or having a sick kid. She’s amazingly dependable, and I can’t imagine doing this job without her.
Paul is still a great backup cameraman when I need him, though. God bless Instagram husbands everywhere!
If I don’t have an appointment or a photo shoot or a reason to run to the mall during the day, I’m at home working at the computer.
Writing blog posts and responding to comments is by far and away my favorite part of my job. I love the days when I can just sit here and write all day long. I spend way more time than I probably should editing and tweaking my writing, but that’s what I enjoy most. And of course, interacting with you all!
Besides writing blog posts, there are contracts to negotiate, emails to answer, comments to respond to, my newsletter to produce each day, technical issues to troubleshoot, images to design, photos to edit (I edit all my mirror selfies in Lightroom), analytics to ponder, blog posts to plan, topics to research, and products to select for sponsored campaigns. (Believe it or not, that task can take several hours!)
Actually, the steps that go into a sponsored campaign could be a post in and of itself!
And of course, there are all the tasks involved in being self-employed. I finally hired an accountant and a bookkeeper because I couldn’t keep up, and our taxes were getting more and more complex.
Then there’s Pinterest, my Facebook Page (which I neglect horribly), my Facebook Group (which is so much fun!), and of course Instagram and Instagram Stories…
If I’m not at my desk, I’m usually on my phone. For every Instagram post, I have to generate the ShopStyle widgets and link up all the clothes I’m wearing, and half the time I forget to check the box to link it to my Shop My Feed page.
When I want to share an outfit or try-on to my Story, I have to look up all the links to plug in for the swipe-ups, and if it’s for a brand collab, I have to type out the appropriate hashtags on each post. If I make a typo on anything sponsored, or if I post the wrong link, I have to delete and redo.
It may sound silly, but it’s very time consuming. Instagram is probably my least favorite part of the job — aside from the photo shoots.
And then there are all the boxes… I come home almost every day to find a stack of boxes by my back door. Of course, I have to open them all and try everything on.
Trying on clothes is a huge time suck, and it makes a gigantic mess. That’s another part of my job that I’m not fond of, but I’ve gotten better about having a system and keeping things organized.
Rather than trying things on as they come in, I try to save them up and do them all in one afternoon. Then I take all the returns back downstairs to my office, and stack them neatly in one of those foldable bins on my bookshelf until I have time to get to that task.
Anything I’m going to use for a photoshoot and items I’m not sure I’m keeping go on the hanging rack in my bedroom. And I put away anything I’m keeping, along with all the things I drug out of my closet to create various outfits.
I finally hired a college-age girl to come in and help with returns, and that’s taken a huge weight off my shoulders. I was letting things pile up for far too long because I dreaded the task.
Now, Kate comes in three or four times a month, and we bang it out in a couple of hours. She also takes all the boxes to the post office, which allows me more time to take care of the tasks that only I can do.
Some days I do live chats, and I set up my phone inside this ring light.
Speaking of which, I love interacting with you guys in various ways, and I’m excited to bring back my Facebook Lives for 2020!
I did one on Tuesday, as a matter of fact. I just hopped on spontaneously because I saw it on my calendar, and I happened to be home at that time and wanted to share about my microblading appointment. (You can watch the replay HERE.)
I’m going to do my best to go live every Tuesday at 1PM EST. Sometimes I have appointments that get in the way, but I put my Lives on my calendar, and I’ll try to protect that time slot.
If you want to join me, be sure you’re following my Facebook Page. I do them on my Page, rather than in my Group, because it’s more public and more people can see it there. I do try to remember to give a quick heads-up in the group before going live, though.
In the afternoons, I often have to chauffeur kids around to appointments and lessons, but otherwise, I pretty much work every weekday from the time I wake up until it’s time to make dinner.
That’s when I shut it down. I pretty much never come back to my office after dinner.
I will check my phone, but mostly just scrolling social media without the pressure of work, and I enjoy that.
Most nights, we have dinner as a family, and we usually hang out in the family room and watch TV afterwards. This is, hands-down, my favorite part of the day.
My 14-year-old and I like to watch Survivor, American Idol, and DWTS during their seasons. We also like This Is Us. Paul and I like The Crown, and we were watching Victoria. I hope it comes back! When D’s around, we always watch Jeopardy, and if there’s a Philly sports game on, that trumps all.
If there’s nothing on TV, I read something on my Kindle. The dog usually ends up curled up next to me, which is pretty much the best thing ever, now that my kids are too big to ever want to be this close to me.
Around 8:30 or 9:00, I head upstairs to get ready for bed. I know, I’m a grannie!
If I haven’t done it already, I take off my makeup and apply all the lotions and potions. I have quite an extensive nighttime routine these days. #thisis47
Once that’s all taken care of, I lay in bed and read or look at my phone for a little while before falling asleep. Then I wake up the next morning and start all over again!
Or, more likely, I wake up a few times in the night, check the time on my phone, get a sip of water, and wait for 5AM to roll around so I can justify getting up. Haha!
I don’t know if it’s due to perimenopause or my newfound IF lifestyle, but I need to remedy this situation ASAP. I’ve always been a great sleeper, and I can’t stand waking up all night long.
I’ve actually been trying to cut out the phone usage right before bed because I’m sure that doesn’t help, and I just bought a canister of this magnesium powder. I’m trying to remember to drink a glass every night before I close my eating window.
I don’t love the flavor, though, so I’m having a hard time being consistent. Maybe I should give up and try a pill.
Anyway, if you have any other helpful tips, feel free to let me know!
I hope you enjoyed this post. I’m sure I forgot something, but it pretty much covers it. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments.
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photos: Alison Cornell
Great post! The sleep issues are definitely a peri-menopause thing I am noticing (I’m 52) and it’s awful. After a lot of trial and error, I finally found taking 1/2 a Unisom around 8pm a few times a week has helped a lot. Not every night, but when I knew I had a busy day coming. I never tried the magnesium thing though, mostly I was trying different essential oils. To be honest, since I started IF I haven’t had nearly as many nights like that and haven’t used the Unisom in awhile. But it got me over a rough patch, with no side effects.
I was hoping this would all even out after I get used to IF. I thought it was supposed to make everything better, but so far, the sleeping thing is a real pain.
What’s “IF!” I’m a new subscriber.
IF = Intermittent Fasting 🙂
Nancy, unisom saved me when I hit meno….I was on It for around 4 years or so…I couldn’t sleep with out it. luckily I came out of that and rarely need it now, but I’ve been in meno for almost 5 years.
Thanks for this post! I had asked on your Instagram the other week! I just started working from home/my own business (after being a SAHM) and I was definitely curious about how you make it work! I feel like something is always undone these days…laundry, workout, work, time with kids…thanks for answering! Oh and my husband was doing IF for about a year and one of the reasons he stopped was sleep! But, he didn’t try other things, perhaps shifting your fasting times?
Yes, my best tip is delegate and outsource everything you can. It is necessary if you’re going to have any sort of life with an at home/work for yourself kind of job.
I hire out my house cleaning, yard work, bookkeeping… anything I can, really. I’ve wanted to have Kate do things like the bank and drycleaner, but then she has to take my credit card, but I really would love for her to be more of a personal assistant. I need to figure out how to make that happen. Of course, now with Caroline driving, she can do some of that. Unlike her brother, she’s actually willing to run errands for me, so that is going to be a big help.
Sorry for the novel… haha! You just got me to thinking.
Fun post!
I have the same sleep issues a lot of nights, and I’m blaming hormonal changes. I’m 51 and have had difficulty sleeping for at least a couple years now. I started taking 5mg of Melatonin at bedtime, and that really helps me without making me have that hungover feeling in the morning. If I know I can sleep in later in the morning, I’ve been known to take one Benadryl at bedtime, but that leaves me with a groggy feeling if I have to be up at 5:00am. Ain’t getting older a blast?!?
I’m 58 and have definite sleep issues. Sometimes lying awake for 2 to 3 hours during the middle of the night. I’ve started taking melatonin about 2 hours before bedtime and drinking chamomile tea about an hour before bed. It’s making a difference.
Very interesting post! It’s so nice you have someone to help with returns. I usually only have one or two things to return (when I get an order which is obviously not daily, ha!), and I always put it off. It’s so nice that Amazon credits you almost immediately though! I love that!
I also have that same pair of pajamas (ordered them when you first posted about them), and I loved them so much I bought three other pairs in different patterns. I also thought they were a very reasonable price for PJ Salvage.
And I don’t blame you for being excited about your appliances! I really want a new fridge (french door with the extra drawer underneath), but can’t justify buying one since our side by side is in great condition.
Those are such good pajamas! I was just telling Alison that I wear them anytime they’re clean, and I wish I had a 2nd pair.
I have those coffee Pjs too and they are my fave❤️❤️. I also started IF this week and have been so hungry every morning. Hoping it gets better….good luck with the sleeping issue… Let us know if the magnesium helps. Thanks for all of your awesome tips!
Try Melatonin for sleep. It helps boost the natural melatonin in your body which aids with sleeping. You will find it with all other vitamins. Start with a low dose and you can always work your way up. My daughter is a pharmacist and she recommended this to my husband. Works great for him.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about that .
I hear you on the sleep thing. It’s always worse for me when I have a lot of stress going on (selling a home last year was miserable!) I tried time release melatonin which helped me a bit. It is supposed to help you stay asleep. There are few things worse than being awake and laying there! Hope you find something that works! If you do, please share!
Yes, when I have more going on, it is worse b/c my mind is constantly going. Now that our kitchen plans are set, I’m doing a little better. 🙂
This may sound crazy but I am in menopause and have been having such a difficult time sleeping through the night. I stumbled upon Benadryl I take it an hour before bed and honestly I have been sleeping through the night! I’ve been doing it on and off for the past 2 months. My doctor doesn’t see any problem taking it so I’ll use it as needed.
Loved reading about your day. I do take a magnesium tablet every night. I’m not certain if it helps but it was recommended. I had a bit of a laugh at the beginning of your post where your sweaters are stacked instead of lined up like books recommended in one of your previous posts. I have mine that way now and I like it! You are busy!!!
I don’t think I ever lined my sweaters up like books. I can see them just as well stacked on shelves. But I do like to Marie Kondo my drawers – makes it so much easier to see what’s in there. Sometimes I get lazy and those get messed up, but I try to keep them that way. 🙂
So sorry. I don’t really follow any other fashion blogger but it obviously was another post somewhere on how to fold and store sweaters on a shelf- maybe Pinterest. Thanks for your ever-present inspiration.
Oh, I didn’t mean to sound defensive. I was just confused, lol. It probably was something I linked! 🙂
I remembered reading something recently about this, too. Thinking I may have been hallucinating (LOL), I went in search of where the heck I’d seen it. It was in an article on bestlifeonline.com that Jo-Lynne shared in her January 14 Q&A in the “Home” section. That article suggested folding sweaters and aligning vertically and storing (like books).
That is too funny. Well, at least we figured out that mystery.😂
Such a fun post to read and well done! My favorite part of the day would be unpacking all the boxes with new items but I’m sure even that becomes a chore if you have to do it daily. So glad you have a helper now because returns can be very time consuming, believe me I know 😉. What’s most important is that you’re doing something you enjoy and love and that you don’t go back in your office after dinner!(My husband works from home and I hate when he does that, it’s like he can never turn work off his mind) but he’s trying to get better and work less this year.
I tend to be very much an all or nothing kind of person, which can be good and bad. But once a walk away, it’s like out of sight, out of mind. I’m done and in no mood to come back to it. Which is probably a good thing, otherwise I might be working 24/7. 😂
Hi. Great post. A few years ago I found Whoke Foods AM / PM herbal supplements, and I sleep like a lot again! The night time one has valerian, black cohan which help to fall asleep and avoid night sweats, respectively. I’m a big fan of this product.
Great post. It’s fun seeing what others do.
I’m concerned about your hip issues – I’m the person who broke my hip not once but twice since June. My breaks have been inside the ball joint & this afternoon I’m having surgery to “beef up” the socket. They will line it with a Liquid product that hardens & creates stability in that ball joint. Crazy, huh?? Sooo I say all that to encourage you to stay on top of this situation. It took an MRI to see these breaks – my pain told me something was wrong for sure. Keep talking to your doctor. Remember he works for you.
I am not a good sleeper either. I seldom have a problem falling asleep, it’s staying asleep for me. I’ve started using essential oils to assist with this. They’re helping. I may wake up, but I most often fall back asleep. So you might want to check them out. I also use them for body pain.
Have a great day. Stay warm.
JoLynne, I take Nature Made magnesium capsules (order from Amazon). Magnesium helps with headache prevention for me and also sleep. This was such a fun post!
I have a terrible time with insomnia. It started with menopause and continues. Over the counter and natural herbals have never helped me. I was taking a prescription medication, but stopped that as I was becoming concerned about side effects. I recently bought a pair of blue light blocking reading glasses and wear them after 6:00 whenever I am reading on my phone or laptop. I also make sure not to work or work out after 6:00 and am trying meditation. I think that each thing has helped a little. but many nights still find it hard to sleep.
I should get some of those glasses. Actually, my glasses might have that built in. I need to check, I know my last ones did. I guess I could wear those at night.
Thank you for demystifying the process of blogging – it sure sounds like a lot of work! I think the clutter would drive me crazy. I’m a SAHM and between the work outs, errands, housework, chauffeuring, grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, organizing, etc I feel there’s NO time left for anything else – so huge kudos to you for running a full-time business on top of all that! I’m impressed.
The clutter DOES drive me crazy. I hate it. I try to stay on top of it, but there is always more coming in….
I really enjoyed your post and do understand the misery of sleep issues. When I was in the throws of insomnia, I was desperate to remedy the situation w/o drugs and acupuncture (2 sessions) worked great for me. Sure hope you find a solution too!
Hm. Interesting. That would be a last resort for me. Needles make me woozy, lol!
Okay, I’m tired now! But this was a fun and informative post. I suspect that most of the ladies are like me, in that I had no idea what all is involved in being a blogger. There definitely is a lot more work that goes into it than I ever imagined. You look so natural in your pictures from the photo shoots, so you hide your true feelings quite well. Caroline also is a natural in front of the camera. Have a great day!
Thank you, Alison makes it fun!
Your days sound very busy, but in a good way. I think it’s like most things in life, not as glamorous as it looks LOL because we don’t see all the shipping and trying on and returning. That would get old! Thank you for sharing. I would like some info on your ring light. What brand and size is it? Would you recommend it? Is it easy to use? Can’t wait to see your updated kitchen and your new appliances! I’m wanting to put in a dual fuel range but keep dragging my feet due to cost. Always enjoy your posts and your style. Love the ideas you share for clothing for women of a “certain age” like me! Blessings from Missouri!
I definitely recommend the ring light. It’s this one: https://shopstyle.it/l/bc0lG
I loved hearing about your day. I don’t work from home, but there are definitely days I would like to, corporate contracts are so stressful sometimes. I always wake up in the middle of the night, always have, even after my kids are grown. Then I lay there and think about what I have to do, what I did and maybe should have handled better, where I am going to have lunch that day, what is for dinner, it is endless. Then it is 4:30 and my alarm goes off at 5. Argh! My problem is getting up in the mornings! I have been doing IF for about 3 years now and I have seen definite results. Have you tried reading paperback/hard back books instead of Kindle or your phone when you go to bed? I have switched to that and seem to sleep a little bit better, something I read with the screen activity stimulates the brain. My husband takes magnesium every night before he goes to bed. His doctor told him to take it because he pulled a muscle in his back that had him in bed for 3 days, and he gets AWFUL leg cramps while sleeping. His doctor recommended Dr. Best High Absorption 100% Chelated Magnesium tablets (I get them on Amazon, about $16 for 120 tablets). He has been doing that for about 6 years now and only has problems when he doesn’t take them for a couple of days. 🙂 Enjoy your posts and keep wishing I could buy everything you show us. Have a good day!
I sometimes read kindle, sometimes paperbacks. I think my kindle is the one that doesn’t have the bad light tho. It’s the old one?
It’s fun to see how you pull this all together (and quite wonderfully too I might add!) It does sound very demanding but I like how you make sure to turn it off at night and have family time. It’s scary how much we have in common some times! I’m turning 46 this weekend and am dealing with the sleepless nights along with night sweats:( NOT enjoying the start of peri-menopause. I wish I had some useful tips on how to get some sleep. I know working out daily helps to get me tired at night and I try really hard to not watch TV or look at my phone past 9:00 but sometimes it seems nothing helps. Feels like I just lay in bed with my eyes clothes pretending I’m sleeping lol. I hope it gets better for you! Know you are not alone!
Yes, I do the same. Just lay there and rest. At least I’m not restless and awake.
You definitely have a busy routine, but a good one. Family is so important and I love when my gang can all be together for a scheduled dinner or something fun. I completely understand what you mean when you say the photo shoots are perhaps the least fun part of being a blogger. My daughter is my photographer, so I love that it allows us time together, but I often have six to eight outfits that I am trying to haul somewhere and then change into in some public restroom. That is one reason, we often end up at her house or mine. The pictures aren’t as interesting or fun, but it works, especially if the weather is bad or we are extra tired and busy. Thanks for sharing your day. – Amy
https://stylingrannymama.com/
Yes, that is why so many of my pix recently have been at the house. SO much easier to change, I always have all the pieces I need, and I can double check myself in the mirror before shooting. But it does get boring, esp inside.
I love this post! I work from home, too, as a writer/editor, so I was speculating about what your routine was like. I don’t get up as early as you do, but I sit down at my desk as soon as I get my younger son the school bus in the morning. That’s usually when I get some of my best work done. No interruptions!
Thanks for giving us this peek behind the curtain.
Really, really great post! And what a busy job! There are so many behind the scenes components to it. Great idea to have a helper with returns, as I always dread that job as well. It’s so easy to press add to cart and place order, only wish it was as easy in reverse!! Re the sleep issues. I’ve always been a good sleeper as well but these last few months, I’ve been waking up around 1:30 or 3. I‘ll be 65, so the menopause thing is in my past, not sure what’s going on. This morning I woke up at 4, wishing it was 5 so I could get up! My daughter uses melatonin, seems to work for her sleep issues. Can’t wait to see how the cabinet painting turns out! Have a great day!
I actually got up at 4 a few days this week and got to work. Amazingly, I didn’t crash by mid-afternoon (IF for the win!) but I did go to bed at 8 or 9.
I am 59 and have battled hip issues for the last 10 years. I am sure hip surgery is in my future. I finally gave up outdoor running. 😐.I still run/walk on indoor track and the treadmill at Orange Theory fitness. For sleep issues, I find no wine in the evenings and no screens works best. 😐. I also sleep better on the days I exercise a good 60 minutes. I used to go in a panic when I could not sleep at night. Now I tell myself I will sleep all the better the next night and I always do. This year I want to try meditation before bed to settle my mind. Of course that will probably require an app and more screen time ! 😔
All good advice, and I’m definitely trying to get a walk in every day.
I’v had sleep issues for years but then I’m much older than you. It did improve when my husband went on a cpap so his snoring didn’t keep me awake! Some of the pillow sprays are quite nice and work for some people. On another note – your eyebrows look fabulous! I know you’re in the Philly area as am I, is there someone you could recommend for the microblading? My daughter had it done in Paoli but that salon has since closed.
The snoring is an issue too, b/c when I wake up, that keeps me awake. He’s actually been in the guest room lately, for other reasons (not marital issues…just to be clear!!) It’s been nice b/c I can at least rest when I wake up. It’s not a longterm solution, tho, so I hope to get sleeping better soon.
Great post. Wow, seems like a very very busy day/job. I didn’t realize how much you do. Of course you think being a blogger is just blogging and taking pics. This post really allowed me to see what it entails being a blogger , it’s not all fun and games. LOL. I always wanted to be a fashion blogger, just didn’t know where to begin or how to get the blog, started. Well, maybe in my second life. haha.
It’s fun, and it doesn’t start out this busy. But it can get this way fast if you start working with brands. But it’s also a lot of fun! You could always try it on the side. A lot of bloggers do it that way, and don’t put out as many posts as I do, and most are nowhere near as lengthy, haha!
How do you get brands to work with you? Do you have to contact them ? Maybe I’ll think about doing it on the side. I don’t even know how to set up a blog. LOL. I’ll research it.
There are a lot of networks that connect brands and bloggers that you can sign up for. That’s where most of my sponsored posts come from.
Oh my goodness, you’re a busy lady!! I love that you are so dedicated to your job. I do So enjoy your blog. You have helped me, in many ways, put me and my outfits together. And, also helped me to know what looks good on me. Thanks a million! Have a Great Day!!
……..Linda W.❤😊
Love this post! I do have something for sleep that has been life changing for me! (Or should I say “Sleep Changing”….haha!) It is from a company called Organifi…It’s called Gold. It’s a Turmeric and Reishi infused superfood tea. I drink it every night just before I go to sleep (I do have to get up and brush my teeth then but that’s not a bad deal for a good night’s sleep!). It tastes so yummy! I really look forward to it each night. I was taking a quarter of an Ambien generic before and just hated doing that! This works for me..hope it might help you!
Interesting, thanks for the idea!
Hi. I’m sorry that you are not sleeping well. That’s no good! My integrative rheumatologist has my take magnesium malate four times a day; I started at 625 mg. each time and am now up to 1,250 mg. four times a day. It really helps with restless legs and all kinds of issues. Dr. Carol Dean has some great YouTube videos about the importance of magnesium. I also like Mercola’s Sleep Aid product. Good luck! I hope you find what works for you! 💕
Yes, I’ve been reading more and more about how important it is and how most of us don’t get enough. I ordered the magnesium glycinate – I wonder how it is different from the malate. It’s so confusing that there are so many!
Thank you for another great post! You do such a good job of mixing up the content to cover a wide range of topics and I appreciate it. Can you tell us more about your devotional with She Reads Truth? Did you sign up for the monthly subscription, and if so, do the books provide questions about the daily reading plan? How much of a time commitment is it each day? I ask because I’m involved in two studies right now and would like to know if I could fit this in also. BYW, L-Theanine has been a tremendous help for me with sleep issues since I entered menopause. One capsule about half an hour before bed 🙂
Thanks for the very interesting post! Since you have so many returns and stores seem to flag people who have excessive returns, do you have to tell the store of your occupation so they don’t black ball you? Thanks again for giving us the sneak peek!
I haven’t had a problem so far, but yes, ShopStyle would let the retailer know if there’s ever an issue.
BTW I made the Bacon and White Bean Soup you posted recently- delicious! It’s definitely a keeper and I passed it on to several people as well.
YAY! So glad!
Hi Jo-Lynne, I enjoyed hearing about your day. Very similar to mine! Hahaha! I just wanted to leave a little suggestion for the sleeping. I have trouble staying asleep a lot of nights, too. And some nights I even have a hard time falling asleep, but less frequently. Anyhow I found an app a few months ago that really helps me. It’s called Abide and it’s really a Christian meditation app. But it also has loads of adult (Christian) bedtime stories on it. Most of them are about scripture passages, but some are about other things like C.S. Lewis, for instance. You can turn on the bedtime story and set it for how long you want it to play – 15,30,60 or 90 minutes. I always set mine for 30 I think, but honestly I don’t think I ever make it past 5 minutes! It’s just so soothing; I fall right asleep. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard much of the actual “story.” I usually just hear the preamble where they’re telling you to relax, yada, yada.
But here’s the thing. I actually sleep better on the nights I use this app. So it doesn’t just help me get to sleep. It helps me have better dreams (I dream EVERY NIGHT of my life!) and it helps me rest better and usually all night long.
So I just thought I’d share. I have the paid version because you get more access. Let me know if you try it!
Thanks for the tip!
Now I know why your blog is the most detailed and informative one I have come across. Plus you always reply:). You really put a lot of effort into this business and it sure isn’t just all the glam that comes out in the photos. Thank You!!! I am currently dealing with the sleep issue and have been for a few years. I will be 52 this month. I don’t have any problem falling asleep its just to stay asleep. Any disruptions at all seem to wake me and than I am awake… as of late ( last 3 weeks) I am experiencing some night sweats( Not really bad) but feel like my forehead is sweaty and I feel clammy.. Its blankets off and blankets on.. Then I am freezing… I just went off the pill ( I know very late) so not sure if this is part of the withdrawal or YUP most likely pre-menopause which the doctor feels is where I am at… If it continues I am going to the health store for something naturopathic. I would like to be waking up more refreshed, plus I seem to dream all night long, which does not help. ( I heard Melatonin can cause dreams) so I don’t think ill be taking that… Sounds like there are quite a few of us all in the same boat…
I dread the nightsweats… I’m not there yet.
Thanks for giving us a little peek into your daily life. It’s always interesting and fun to see how different people do things, and so nice to get to “know” you a little more. As for the sleep thing, I’m on the other side at 56, and yeah, it’s probably hormones starting to fluctuate for you. Sometimes just the littlest things can tip the balance to better (or worse) sleep, so I’d recommend not looking at phone/computer (blue light waves) for a couple hours before bed, make sure your room is plenty dark and there’s not some little bit of light that used to not bother you but now it does, and be sure you’re not sleeping too warm. If I ate something very sugary or super carby with supper, it made my sleep worse. Overall it wasn’t too terrible, but I quickly learned I had to be very careful to make sure I was comfortable at night—like too danged bad if my husband was cold, and too danged bad if he needed a little light careful! He survived! Quality sleep is priceless, and I hope you’ll find what works for you.
So sorry about the sleep problems. When I started menopause (10 y/o ago) I used Benadryl. (Don’t think it’s an ideal solution) If I have trouble now I use Melatonin, nothing stronger than 3 mg! Costco sells it in a chewy form. Other ideas that are part of “life style” solutions that I’ve incorporated are black out curtains /blinds in the bedroom, if that isn’t possible I use a sleep mask. Also, if I’m trying to avoid a pill, I’ve found listening to a gentle voice & topic pod cast through ear buds is helpful.
Sorry you’re struggling with sleep…#IFeelYourPain. I find that looking at the time when I wake up is a big DON’T as my brain starts churning, so not looking at the time does help me fall back asleep most of the time. Hope this helps!
Sorry about the sleep issues! I experience them too with menopause.
This isn’t really related specifically to this post but I remember from a while ago that you were a Rodan and Fields rep. Do you still use their products? I don’t hear much about them lately and do hear about several other products you use. Why the switch? I have used the Lash boost and love it but not sure about the other products.
I don’t use them anymore, not b/c they’re not good products, but I tried some others and ended up moving on to those, and then to other new ones. I’m always trying new things, so it didn’t make sense to rep one brand. 🙂
Very fun learning about your day and how much is involved in your job. I have taken magnesium glycinate at night for many years which seems to help me with sleep. Some other forms of magnesium can be stimulating or laxative to me so I have stuck with Magnesium Glycinate.
Magnesium Glycinate Chelate from Nested Naturals 2 or 3 capsules at night is what I use currently. It doesn’t have a lot of fillers and 2 or 3 capsules wouldn’t be over the RDA for magnesium.
Also, if you take a separate vitamin d try to take it earlier in the day because it may interfere with sleep from what I was told.
Thanks for that info. Not currently on Vit D as my labs were good, but that was summer, so… probably should get retested.
I know this is just the tip of the iceberg in what you do, but boy….what an eye opener!! SO much WORK goes into your business. Thanks for giving us a peak under the covers. I really enjoyed it.
Fun post! Definitely a hormonal issue as far as the sleep thing goes. I started having sleep issues about 5 years ago & although I know some people are not in agreement with this – I am on a hormonal plan. I go to a great hormonal specialist & when I was tested, I was basically empty on everything! My stats were alarming – just because we get older, we shouldn’t have to put up with itchiness, mood swings, sleeplessness, etc. We had a certain level of hormones in our 20’s & 30’s & I felt great! After extensive (about 2 years worth!) research, I decided a hormonal specialist was for me. Now that I am on a plan, along with vitamins & minerals I sleep great. Now & again I will take some benedryl a couple of times a week if I had a busy, stressful day at work – just enough to relax me. But whether you go the natural route or see a specialist, I really feel from experience that there is no need to suffer any of the issues our mothers had to deal with when they were our age. So, good luck with your sleep issues – whatever you decide to do, I suggest a lot of research & I’m sure you’ll find the answer! And thank you for all the fun posts – I look forward to reading your posts every morning (at work…shh!)! Have a great rest of your week!
Yes, it’s probably time to talk to my doctor. She takes a holistic approach, which I like.
What a fun post! Thanks for sharing such an intimate view of who you are and what you do.
Oh. My. Gosh!! I had no idea what was involved in your day. I always just see that you’ve sent an email with new content and I pop over to check out your blog with all of the goodies that you’ve posted. Wow! I would just like to Thank You for going to all of this work. I wouldn’t know half the things I do about fashion, and I’m sure I’d still be wearing those ‘Mom jeans’ if not for you!!
Haha, thank you! Or, you’re welcome. 🙂
This won’t be a welcome suggestion, but try cutting caffeine out and see if that helps your insomnia. I’m extremely sensitive to caffeine and if I have more than two cups of coffee in any given week I can’t sleep.
Ha! I’m sure you have a point. I’ve been drinking more coffee lately… hmm…
I have trouble sleeping too. I take 500 mg magnesium pills every night an hour before bed. I don’t know if it helps with my sleep as I still wake up often but it sure helps keep me regular. I changed my IF time to 4:00 -10:00. That way I can have a yogurt cup or glass of milk before bed. I believe a little something helps me sleep.
What a great post! I suspected being a blogger took a lot of time and work, but never did imagine all the tasks involved. Know that your work is valued and appreciated.
I struggled with sleep during peri-menopause. Most nights I got 3-4 hours of sleep. It was exhausting. I followed the sleep hygiene recommendations with no improvement.
Eventually, I took magnesium tabs. The nutritionalist I saw said I could take up to 4 capsules a night. I’d say they helped. I also do IF and if anything it really has helped my sleep. For me, staying away from sugar and processed foods also seemed to help me sleep better. I hope your sleep issue gets resolved soon. Little to no sleep can make for a long day.
Thanks, Deb!
Love this post! You are a busy lady keeping us all in the know : ) I am a photographer myself and one of the reasons I love your blog is that you have Alison photograph you. So many other bloggers’ photos are blurry or have terrible lighting. I think it makes a huge difference and makes you the consummate professional. I occasionally take a ZZZquil pill as a sleep aid….it’s the same antihistamine med that’s in Advil/Tylenol PM minus the pain reliever. I probably take two or three a week, depending upon how noisy of a sleeper my husband has been : ) I don’t have any caffeine after noon either : (
Thank you for this look behind the scenes as it is very interesting. As for sleep, I wish I knew the answer. I have had sleep problems for well over a decade and have tried everything imaginable, including stints at a sleep disorder clinic. At least twice a week you will find me in the guest room reading between the hours of 2 and 5! Then I can sleep for an hour or two. (I move to the guest room so I don’t keep my husband up. Two sleep-deprived people are worse than one!)
Thank you Jolynne for the enjoyable post . I have been an avid follower for years now and always appreciate your positive ness and grace . Keep up your amazing work !
Thank you so much!
This was such a fun post to read! Thank you so much for sharing. I always love reading “Day in the Life” posts. You do such a great job being real and I definitely think you’re a gifted writer – you have an engaging, genuine and upbeat vibe to your blog. Hugs-S
Hi! I’ve loved your blog for years–helps keep me fashionable! My suggestion for sleep is to get your hormones checked, if you haven’t already. My dr says progesterone puts you to sleep and estrogen keeps you asleep. Worth looking into. I, also discovered that if I eat a tiny snack when I wake up, I will go right back to sleep. I keep a few chocolate almonds by my bedside. I guess my sugar is dropping a little(not diabetic). The magnesium is helpful too–as is chamomile tea. My husband uses a product called Midnite. It has natural herbs and a little melatonin.
Thanks for the tips!
I absolutely LOVED this post. My husband and I are also small business owners, and I do the bookkeeping/all things financial for the business from home. As a #thisis47 also, I’m finding that my body upkeep is taking more and more of my time. Between going to the gym for workouts, doc appointments, PT several times a day for a nagging injury, showering, prepping and making dinner etc., I feel like 1/2 my day is spent on my body! This along with managing all of the family’s finances, kids’ activities and all of the emails, calendaring, etc. that go along with it, I find it hard to carve out time for BIG projects that need done. How do you tackle the big things on your list….you know the ones that can only be done by you but will take time to think about? I find myself putting out fires and going after the quick fixes first, which leaves no time for the big projects (I’m looking at you digital scrapbooking). Do you have a system for that? Time of day that works best? Time blocking? I need to experiment with something new….something to propel projects forward. Love your blog so much!
Wow, you definitely are busy! I do put off some of those projects (hi, scrapbooking!) for far too long. Sometimes you just have to put work and everything else on hold, and do it. I put off my 2018 photo book (I do one each year) until November of 2019. Over Thanksgiving weekend, I had some downtime, and I banged it out, and then I kept going and banged out most of 2019. I spend New Year’s Day wrapping that up and getting it ordered. It feels SO GOOD to have those both done!!!
But my other coping mechanism is outsourcing. I mentioned this to someone else – I outsource everything I can. I’ve even been known to call in a professional organizer to help me tackle big organizational tasks (like our basement storage, or organizing my kitchen or office when we moved in.) It sounds silly, and could I do it myself? Yes, but I won’t. If I have an appointment, and I am spending money, it will get done, and then I can move on, and it isn’t hanging over my head and sapping my energy for other things.
It probably sounds indulgent to a lot of people, but I’ve read a few books and articles for entrepreneurs over the years, and that is always the first thing they will tell you to do if you’re overwhelmed – outsource the things you hate to do and the things you don’t have to do, so you have time and mental energy for the things you do well. I hope that helps!
Whew, I am tired for you! Just a quick comment on your magnesium powder – I use the same and believe me it is the better tasting of what I have found in that brand. They do offer gummies but there is added sugar. I began with about half the recommended amount and I dissolve in warm water and take it at night at the end of my window also. Maybe this will work for you?
Thanks for the tip, I think I’m going to try the magnesium glycinate in pill form. Although I would do the gummies… good to know about that option.
Thanks for the fun read! You could try magnesium glycinate. It is a form of magnesium that “promotes rest”. I know many people that swear by it. (My perimenopausal self included!)
I take magnesium glycinate too. 500mg every night and I sleep great. I like the SolarRay brand.
Thank you! Ordered.
Thanks, ordered!
4-7-8 Breathing Technique is a life saver for me!! Breath in 4 seconds through nose (I think with tongue touching behind top front teeth) Hold 7 seconds, Breath out 8 seconds through mouth. Repeat a few times.
Once you get the hang of it, it is very easy to do and you will drop off back to sleep right away. I do it when I go to bed, and if I wake up in the night. #gamechanger
Oh yes, the old Dr. Weil breathing exercise. i did try that last night when I woke up at 3am. Fell back asleep till 5:15, which is practically unheard of these days. YAY!
Yikes!! I extend the breathing out when I’m extra wound up….. plus no coffee after 12pm… that will cause me to wake up in the middle of the night
Shew!!! I am tired after reading all that! LOL I appreciate all the time you put into your blog. I enjoy reading it!!! Can you please tell me what color nail polish you have on? The white nail polish?
We combined two colors, and I don’t remember them, lol! I know the top one is CND Studio White.
I’ve been taking 300mgs of magnesium glycinate ( pill form) religiously. It helps with sleep ( I do take it at bedtime) but it’s just a wonderful supplement in general for women. I started taking it to help with heavy periods but even though I had an ablation last year ( BEST THING EVER!!) I continue to take it. I also take CBD oil and bio identical progesterone. It all helps wonderfully with sleep!
Thanks for the tip, just ordered the magnesium glycinate.
Sleep: I am a life-long insomniac. At 30, my body decided I needed some sleep. I have a regimen that I have been following since then that works 95% of the time. However, recent hormone fluctuations thanks to perimenopause have disrupted my sleep to the point of no sleep so I added something that fixed the problem.
Regular regimen (all taken at night): Calcium, Magnesium, 5-Htp, Melatonin and 1 prescription that makes me feel sleepy for about 10 minutes and I have go to sleep during that 10 minutes or else…. NO electronics/tvs in bedroom or 30 mins prior to sleep.
Recent addition: Organic and NC sourced non-HTC CBD oil (Green Compass: https://kpate.greencompassglobal.com/enroll/)
I keep hearing about CBD oil, guess I should read up on it more.
I drink a heaping teaspoon of Calm every night. I typically make it and then come back and drink it after it has un-fizzed a little (maybe wait 15 min). It not only helps me sleep it also helps have a pleasant morning by helping me “go” 😉
I do think you’re probably experiencing the mid throws of peri menopause….all the other little things you’ve described from time to time make it seem so. It can be super icky and yucky at times and however you choose to manage it is what is best for you! I choose to motor through and just know that my body is doing what God designed it to do. I did try bio-identical hormones for a brief time and just felt like I messed things up. If you haven’t already- get your hormone labs done so you at least have a bench mark to see the changes as they come. Then you’ll know what to address rather than just going by the standard bell curve available with our blood test results. I also will sometimes apply cedarwood oil at my brain stem to help as well. Oh gosh… IT’S NO FUN.
Yeah, sounds like time to talk to my doc.
Enjoyed your post. Regarding sleep, I go to sleep easily but used to wake up several times each night. This has been my sleep pattern for years. However, when we were staying at a hotel this past November, a pillow spray sample was left, so I decided to try it. Honestly I wasn’t expecting much, so l was shocked how well it worked for me after I used it the first night. I told myself I was probably simply more exhausted than usual due to all of my Thanksgiving preparations that day and that had been probably been the reason I slept so well in the hotel. The following two nights at the hotel were also nights I slept well, which isn’t typical. At home, I always use a fan to drown out snoring noise, but I never have my fan when we go to a hotel. The snoring didn’t awaken me at all.
I decided to order some of the pillow spray on our trip home and have been using it ever since it arrived. I purchased my first bottle on December 1 and it is almost gone, so I ordered two additional bottles last night. I use it every single night. It doesn’t always help me get a perfect night’s sleep, but using it has changed my life. I don’t particularly care for the scent and my husband doesn’t either, but that’s a trade-off I’ll make.
The spray is Deep Sleep Pillow Spray by This Works. Got mine through Nordstrom.
Interesting! I’ll check into it.
As a pharmacist I caution you about using any product that metabolizes into magnesium Citrate as the product you are currently using does. You may wind up with GI problems! If you want to use a magnesium product, magnesium glycinate may be a better alternative. I use it and buy it in capsule form from amazon. Just be sure to read the product description closely, as several make claims they are glycinate but really are either the sulfate, oxide or citrate.
Hi Beth, thank you. I know there are several types, and it sounds like magnesium glycinate is the right one for my needs. I ordered one off Amazon last night.
Loved reading this day! It’s been fun following along all these years with you and since I work in healthcare I’ve often what your day looked like. It definitely looks like time and detail oriented work. You’re good at it though and such a great resource for all of us. I was looking at all the return boxes and thinking ugh, I wonder if she’s like me and lets those pile up! Can you send Kate my way?
Seriously. She’s a life saver!
Lavender (roll on) from Edens Garden always helps me to relax and fall asleep
Thanks for the tip – I tried some lavender in a diffuser last night, seemed to help some!
50 yrs old & sleep issues here too! I do believe it’s kicked in with perimenopause…. I take that same magnesium powder! I switched to the “flavorless” version, you may want to try if you don’t like the taste of this one! I first dissolve a spoonful of it by adding it to a bit of very hot water, then add cold water to fill my glass and drink. It breaks down really well that way and much better taste than the flavored version. Not sure how much it helps with my sleep though. Results seems inconsistent.
I’m experiencing sleep issues sometimes too and I chalk it up to perimenopause – some days are better than others. You need to check out a YouTube skit called baroness von sketch about perimenopause – it is hilarious …
Didn’t realize how much work goes into your day…I’m exhausted!
LOL, well, that’s not necessarily every day! That’s more like what goes into each week. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your sleep issues! I have a couple comments and suggestions…along with everyone else. My first comment is about taking Unisom or Benadryl. They are both “bad” for the brain and can be a factor in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, especially with prolonged use. Use of electronic devices can contribute to insomnia, especially getting to sleep. I am trying to get off my Kindle an hour before I go to bed…sometimes hard when the book I’m reading is really good!!! The other suggestion is to take a very warm bath an hour or so before you go to bed. There’s something about your body temperature dropping after it that helps you fall asleep. That’s the last thing I do EVERY night before I tuck in. I’d not heard of taking magnesium for sleep but I do take it every night to prevent leg/feet cramps. Hate having to jump out of bed to stretch one out. Good luck. Oh, and I keep wanting to know if your Bible study is Community Bible Study (or BSF). I’ve been in CBS for 15 years, most of it in leadership. I stepped down this year from the Associate Teaching Director role, and I’m “just” a member now.
Yeah, I don’t want to take meds. Even when I’m in and out of sleep, I can rest, and I have plenty of energy the next day. Going to try the magnesium glycinate and also discuss with my doc at my next appt.
Oh, and I’m in CBS! 🙂
Try magnesium lotion. I find it works great. I just rub some on my legs before bed. I also take warm baths with magnesium salts in the pm. Not getting complete rest at night is awful. Hope you find what works!
thank you!
Love your posts! I just wanted to pipe in on the sleep issue. I am also 47 and this started happening to me once I started doing IF. I didn’t know whether to blame it on that or perimenopause. I finally stopped doing IF and my normal sleep patterns came back.
Yeah, I am too happy with the other results of IF, so I’m hoping to find another solution. But that is interesting, and confirms my suspicions that IF is a contributing factor.
Jolynne,
I agree with all the others. Your restless sleep patterns are most likely linked to peri menopause. Sorry. Welcome to the club. If you have a good a Naturopath, they can do a full-panel hormone test and see what’s going on with the hormones, which are probably causing the sleep problems. The magnesium before bed is a great step. I always appreciate your honesty & transparency. I call it living in the fish-bowl:)! This was a fun change to the post.
Blessings to you!
Haha, fish bowl is right! 🙂
Thanks for sharing a day in your life and letting us take a peek behind the scenes. Every job has its pros and cons for sure. You make it look so easy and effortless! We know there is a lot of behind the scenes work that has to take place. You just make it look darn easy!
I am in good company about the sleepless nights. I am 45 and have noticed a pattern of 1 – 4 nights per week waking up at 3:00 a.m. like clockwork for one year now. If only I was that awake at 6:00 a.m.! The joys of perimenopause! Oy……What helps me a bit: lavender essential oil on my pillowcase, a hot bath 1-2 hours before bedtime, going to bed around 10:00 p.m. when our natural circadian rhythms drop, wearing a black out eye mask, listening to Christian podcasts while falling asleep and reading old school paper copy books rather than reading on iPad or phone 1-2 hours before bed. Melatonin stopped working for me after a month of use. I have also let go of some of my anxiety of “will I get enough sleep” and “will I function at work tomorrow”. My family doctor suggested trying cognitive behavioral therapy strategies. It has helped with not stressing out quite so much before bed time and avoid catastrophizing before bed. I have had sleepless nights in my younger days and still functioned, maybe not optimally, but do okay. It helps me from panicking and staring at the clock and getting riled up. If I do wake up, I go to our spare bedroom and listen to podcasts or audiobooks in the dark. Sometimes I fall back to sleep after 4:00, sometimes I am just dozing. Hope this helps! Thanks for opening up this topic for us to all to share, vent and learn from each other.
Thanks for all the tips – I tried lavender in a diffuser last night. Maybe I’ll also put some on my pillowcase.
Why not get a separate credit card for your assistant to use on errands? That’s what we do for my mother in law for her caregiver. That credit card is given to her ( its in mother in laws name) but isn’t used for anything else. We have text alerts on it so we see immediately every time it’s used for anything.
That’s what I need to do! I wasn’t quite sure how that would work. It doesn’t have her name on it? Does she ever get asked for ID?
No it has my mother in laws name and she doesn’t get asked for ID. And if you are not asked for ID at the places she is going then it is highly unlikely she would be. I can’t think of any place I go that ask for ID anymore. At most the store never sees or even touches your credit card since one uses a machine yourself
One more way to handle it that a friend who uses a personal assistant does is to set up a separate account at your bank and have a debit card with no overdraft permitted. She keeps only a few hundred dollars in that account and just transfers when necessary. This limits any risk without getting a credit card involved.
True, good point. Thank you!
Enjoyed reading about your day. Thanks for sharing a window into your daily life. I didn’t see anyone mention the possibility that wine could be a factor in your sleep problems (I saw there was a glass in one or two pictures, but they may have just been props). I’ve had so many friends tell me they had to give up wine because it affected their sleep. Other alcohol didn’t seem to be a problem. So far I haven’t had that problem but thought I’d pass that along.
Do you use the ring light for photos or just live shoots? What is the brand? Thanks!
Just for the live video. We don’t use lights in our shoots.
I found this post interesting. You are very talented at what you do! I can appreciate all your time and effort you put into it! You’re engaging, adorable, and so informative! I often save your posts until I’ve read all the others — kind of a save-the-best-for-last strategy!
On the sleeping front, it certainly could be perimenopause related. My sleep is really suffering due to night sweats/hot flashes. I’m a few years older than you, but I can tell the poor sleep is really taking it’s toll. I look constantly exhausted & feel it! I’m trying to be patient with myself, but it gets tiresome (no pun intended!).
Thanks, Jennifer! And yes, patience may be the only answer. Last two nights were a little better. Still woke up but twice but was able to get right back to sleep.
I’m 41 and haven’t hit peri menopause (that I’m aware of) yet, but I have had trouble sleeping at times. I take magnesium supplements in pill form, and that typically helps. Also, I got a new pillow. I can adjust the softness/firmness and it has a cooling cover. The brand is Coop Home Goods and I got it from Amazon. It’s similar to the My Pillow. That’s helped a ton!
Thanks for the tips!