enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Ali suggested a Day in the Life documenting adventure on Monday and I was so up for the challenge. I did this last year and hope to do it again later this spring when Paul is home. It is always interesting to compare what changes and what stays the same. I am printing many of these photos for a separate insert in my Project Life album this week (I'll be sharing it here Sunday).

This is what Wednesday, February 8th looked like for me.

7:30 : woke up "early". Checked email on my phone from bed which is realllly a habit I am trying to break. There were a few things that needed attention right away (this is why it's a bad habit) so I hopped up and to the computer to address them. ps. cannot thank you enough for all the suggestions in the comments section of my natural skincare post.

Morning

8:00 : downstairs for coffee, cereal (granola and blueberries) & reading blogs/twitter on flipboard for the iPad.

Atwork

8:30 : back upstairs to address the rest of the emails.

Pl

9:00 : print some photos and work on Project Life.

Walk

9:15 : go for a walk to stretch my legs and get some photos for Thursday's blog post. (shoes c/o Blowfish, jeans are j.crew toothpick)

9:35 : home. Deal with email, upload walk photos, prep Thursday's post.

10:15 : drive to the dealership for an oil change. Pretty sure I convince the man to not try to up-sell me any extra crap. Thankfully they have free wifi – I brought my computer just in case. Sit in the dealership for two hours and work on blog posts. I have some seriously photo and link heavy posts coming up and they are taking ages to prep. Totally appreciate the complete uninterrupted 120 minutes of work time.

Lunch

12:30 : car looks fantastic and I didn't get hassled. I am starving. Not in the plan, but I have more errands to run so I stop at Chipotle.

Wine

12:50 : my girlfriends are coming to visit this weekend so I am in need of wine and groceries. Go to BevMo and stock up on their 5 cent wine sale and decide to just get everything (specific wines & beer) Paul requested so I have it for when he's home. Makes for an exceptionally full cart of alcohol. I take the above photo and email it too Paul.

Tjs

1:15 : visit Trader Joe's next door and pick up just a few things. I am the worst grocery shopper ever and end up at the store every few days. But good news! They have heirloom tomatoes!

Gmail

1:45 : home again. Unpack groceries and wine. Check the mail – all junk. Call the landlord about the electrical outlet behind the fridge that stopped working. Deal with email. Clear my inbox down to nothing for the first time all day. Manage to keep it that way for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Always a huge deal. I hate having email in my inbox. Answer blog workshop questions, tidy up a few blog post loose ends for posts next week.

Song
Hangers

3:00 : clean kitchen & downstairs. Listen to my current favorite song and unpack the rest of my luggage from my visit to Sacramento and get bedroom picked up and closet organized. I finally have enough hangers for all my shirts. Awkwardly happy about that.

PrerunRun

4:10 : realize I need to run now to be home for a video chat with Paul. Dash out the door and loose myself for 23 minutes. (shorts are lululemon and tshirt is my favorite from the Nike half marathon.)

4:35 : home again. Gulp down a glass of water and hop in the shower.

4:50 : at the computer waiting for Paul. Respond to emails.

Skype

5:00 : PAUL. Gmail video chat has sucked for us recently. Try skype and get a great connection. 35ish minutes of chat. He sounds sick and tired. I show him how many links are left on our countdown chain. He thinks it looks like a lot. He can't believe how much money I spent at BevMo. I tell him we'll drink it all eventually. I should have told him, "think of how much we've saved while you were gone!" Man, I miss him.

Blinds Salad

5:45 : go downstairs. It's my favorite time of day because I always feel like I made it through another one. Close the blinds (which for some reason always makes me feel like an adult) and decide to use my newly purchased heirloom tomatoes to make a caprese salad. Still totally full from Chipotle, but I eat a chicken sausage (I usually cook a bunch up every few days) too because cheese and tomato does not a dinner make.

Tea Tea2

6:00 : eat dinner and start the last two episodes of Biggest Loser I have missed. Biggest Loser is beyond boring this season and so I watch with half an eyeball. Meanwhile, drink tea, browse catalogs (j.crew spring, you are killing me), email with Paul, read all the blogs that updated throughout the day and browse pinterest.

Pl2

9:00 : upstairs to print photos and do a bit more blog post prep. Pin about 15 new items from j.crew to my pinterest wishlist.

Bed

10:00 : brush teeth & wash face. Download a new book (I recently finished Divergent (loved it!) and decide to start Variant – recommended by Kayla Aimee & Stephanie) and head to bed. Read until my eyes close and fall asleep by 11:30.

When I look at it… I see a lot of email. And a lot of writing. Recently I have stopped spending a lot of time browsing online. My computer work is incredibly productive which is really good. This year is so interesting because without a lot of focus going into the shop it's harder to tell that what I am doing is making a difference and an impact on my job. But I feel really good about it. The subtle day to day work has potential for big pay off. Just keep swimming writing.

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50 responses to “day in the life / february 2012.”

  1. melissa Avatar

    I’ve always been wanting to take this challenge…but my life seems so boring! Holed up in this office all day….loving that song too!

    Like

  2. jen Avatar
    jen

    I love to see “day in the life” posts – it reminds me that other people are out there just doing the little things too. It is too easy to compare ourselves to the polished image of others we see without remembering that other people shop for booze and get bogged down with emails too.
    Of course, I’m sitting under 3 feet of snow and am super jealous that you can wear shorts where you are!

    Like

  3. Leah Noble Avatar
    Leah Noble

    Is that “We are young” by 3Oh3? I’d never heard of it so I googled it.

    Like

  4. Alyssa Byron Avatar
    Alyssa Byron

    like like love!

    Like

  5. sydney Avatar

    what a great idea! Loved it, sounds very productive, and very impressive your email is down to zero! I commend you for your wine purchases, well done!

    Like

  6. Katie Avatar

    love this type of post! it’s so fun to see what takes place in other people’s lives on a daily basis. looks like you got a lot accomplished!

    Like

  7. Jess Avatar

    thanks for some serious inspiration lady! i’m going to give this a shot tomorrow 🙂

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  8. elise blaha Avatar

    It is by fun featuring janelle monae 🙂

    Like

  9. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    I loved reading your “day in the life” post. I mean to do that someday but it hasn’t happened yet. I, too, am loving doing “Project Life” and it is fun to see how you do yours because it gives me different ideas. I so enjoy your blog and it is one of the first things I do each morning!

    Like

  10. Val Avatar

    I loved Divergent too! Can’t wait for the next one to come out. I just started reading Toni Morrison books and they’re rocking my world. Your day seems incredibly productive! I wish I could join you for a run on the beach 🙂

    Like

  11. Rose Avatar

    It’s always an accomplishment to clear out the email.
    I thoroughly enjoyed this post! It’s always great getting to see what another person is doing who gets to the experience the “outside world” during the day. I think us office-dwellers are jealous 🙂

    Like

  12. Jessika Avatar

    Paul looks tired. Poor guy… but soon enough, he’ll be home and have you!

    Like

  13. Sara Avatar

    Ah – I’ve been totally bored with BL this season too! Except now that there’s some drama with the Blue Team being back and my strong dislike of Conda’s attitude, I’m getting a little more into it. I’m really looking forward to Tuesday’s episode!

    Like

  14. Michelle Avatar

    Love the day in the life posts!! It’s amazing how just an average day can be so beautiful.

    Like

  15. Rose Avatar

    haha I’m with Melissa…my daily life includes 8 hours in an office and an hour commute. Probably not noteworthy.

    Like

  16. Nathalie Hardy Avatar

    I feel the same way about closing my blinds 😉

    Like

  17. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    you’d be surprised to realize how interesting your day ACTUALLY is. i work in an office full time and commute by train. i tried this “day in the life” once and i was amazed at what i captured. try it!

    Like

  18. Mademoiselle Avatar

    I love day in the life posts – they always remind me that other bloggers are just humans too. Your week in the life posts last year have inspired me to try it too… I’m excited for april! 🙂
    Do you drag your DSLR everywhere with you when you’re doing a day in the life post or do you use your phone for most pictures outside the house?

    Like

  19. Jessi Avatar

    I LOVE TJ’s heirloom tomatoes! I used to get the container of the cherry sized ones and eat them like grapes. I say used to because sadly there is no TJ’s where we live in Texas.
    And I’m trying to get to that point too, of less browsing and more doing and writing. I’m so much more creative when I’m working on my own projects and ideas!
    Always enjoy your day in the life posts!

    Like

  20. Bella Casa Avatar

    what a busy life you lead …I seem to have lost this past week somewhere and I have a mountain of things left to do BEFORE Sunday arrives. Love your shoes too! I’ve got the same-type of print on a pair of pumps and I wear them everywhere too. They are such fun shoes and I always draw a complement when I wear them. Have a great weekend.

    Like

  21. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    We do not have a bevco…..what is a five cent wine sale? Do tell?

    Like

  22. Jenn Avatar

    I’m kind of surprised about how often you use your ipad during the day, I’ve had one on my wishlist for a long time! Do you consider it one of your best purchases?

    Like

  23. elise blaha Avatar

    Thanks! For out of the house shots, I use my iPhone 🙂

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  24. elise blaha Avatar

    buy one bottle, get a second bottle of the exact same for 5 cents. 🙂

    Like

  25. elise blaha Avatar

    I really love it. I did not think I would get that much use out of it, but I really do. I hate typing on it, so I do not usually respond to emails there, but I watch TV on netflix and hulu plus, good search, read books and browse all the time. 🙂

    Like

  26. Kate S Avatar
    Kate S

    I love seeing this kind of post! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
    And I LOVED Divergent! I can’t wait for the next book to come out. Do you like YA books? If you do, you should totally check out the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld (and of course Hunger Games, but I’m guessing you’ve already read that). There are so many good ones out there! Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver was really good, too.

    Like

  27. elise blaha Avatar

    LOVED hunger games. Have not heard of the other two! Thanks!!

    Like

  28. Skye Avatar

    So jealous of that wine sale! I love these glimpses into your daily life. You’re so productive! 🙂

    Like

  29. Michele H. Avatar

    I read Variant on the recommendation of Stephanie too and oh my…LOVED it! Devoured that book in a few days. Divergent is next on my list.

    Like

  30. Lauren Avatar

    Day in the life posts always fascinate me. It’s interesting to see how other people spend their time during the day. Great job getting your inbox down to zero. I have always tried to do that, but either get bored or sidetracked.

    Like

  31. Amanda S. Avatar

    I didn’t do the Day in the Life this time around, but seeing yours makes me wish I had this time! Maybe I’ll just have to pick a day next week and go for it… 🙂 And those tomatoes look so GOOD!!

    Like

  32. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    i loved divergent too. i’ll have to check out variant. you should try under the never sky by veronica rossi and/or delerium by lauren oliver. i really enjoyed both. love your project life posts 🙂

    Like

  33. schlumpfinchen_79@yahoo.de Avatar
    schlumpfinchen_79@yahoo.de

    This Biggest Loser season has to be most negative house ever. All the bitching and smacking and arrogance. Gosh! I almost want to stop watching, because I couldn’t care less about 70% of the contestants this time. I know they always try to pick people to get some tension, but whoah. Did they reeeally need to put in THAT many?

    Like

  34. Amanda Avatar

    Just wondering, do you set an alarm each morning or just let yourself wake up naturally?

    Like

  35. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Thankyou so much for sharing your day! I really enjoy your blog and it’s interesting to see how much “back office” time might go into it.

    Like

  36. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I love these day in the life segments. I a) learn about new things like Bevmo (considering a cross-country move to CA for a job, so this was especially happy news) and b) they get me off my butt to run. Happy to see this feature return.

    Like

  37. Katie Avatar

    Love these day in the life projects 🙂 I did Week in the Life last year and loved it but couldn’t quite get myself together to do Day in the Life this week!
    Anyway, I have what may be a weird or possibly daft question…looking at the photos it looks like you use Gmail and you also mention that you empty your inbox…how do you do this? I use labels but all my emails since the beginning of time (or the start of my account) still all sit there…would love to know if there’s a way round this (other than downloading them to email software like Outlook as I like to have them available online). Thanks 🙂

    Like

  38. Shirley K Avatar

    I’m definitely a fan of that We Are Young song too! Nate Ruess has a great voice. Have you ever listened to The Format? He was in that band (local to Phoenix! :)) before Fun and We Are Young totally brought me back to high school/early college when I went to their concerts. You might like The Format if you liked We Are Young.

    Like

  39. meg Avatar

    Um… love that!

    Like

  40. meg Avatar

    honenstly, it’s these posts that make me feel so inspired. you elise are one fantastic and inspiring lady. you really have made a wonderful home and little life for yourself.
    thank you paul for your service. may the paper chain shrink quickly. : )

    Like

  41. Laura M Avatar
    Laura M

    the uglies series is so good!! i ditto that recommendation!!

    Like

  42. dad Avatar
    dad

    Oh, oh! Gettin’ pretty close to sunset in that one picture… Dad

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  43. elise blaha Avatar

    I archive every important email and delete all the rest.

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  44. elise blaha Avatar

    Usually wake up naturally but I set a back up for 830 just in case.

    Like

  45. noomiy Avatar

    love it soooo much!
    I have to try it on my blog some day! 🙂
    Love your post!

    Like

  46. amanda*rose Avatar

    What a day, mamasita!
    I was probbaly one of those e-mails you were weeding through! Haa haa!
    …but the post went up today HERE:
    http://amandaroseblog.typepad.com/my_blog/2012/02/amandarose-talks-love_eliseblahacripe.html
    amanda*rose talks love with EJBC 🙂
    Thanks so much again!
    You’re truly a sweetheart!

    Like

  47. Lorna Avatar

    Hey Elise, I have a quick question. I love how you capture details in your photography. How on earth did you capture the picture of your feet and your DSLR. I mean, your camera was in the actual picture. Thanks, Lx

    Like

  48. atouchofdomesticity Avatar

    I’ve tried very hard but I just can’t stop thinking about your tablecloth (seen under your breakfast above!). It’s gone on pinterest and on a yellow post (http://atouchofdomesticity.blogspot.com/2012/03/yellow-fever.html) but I am having to come cap-in-hand to beg you to tell me where it’s from! Thank you in advance.

    Like

  49. elise blaha Avatar

    thanks so much! its Williams Sonoma.

    Like

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