I’m excited to share a fun giveaway with some of my girlfriends for a $500 Nordstrom giveaway that will run until the sale opens to the pubic Friday, July 22nd!
Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the things I snagged from the sale (including this stack of items in the above photo) and why it ended up in my cart! Don’t forget that you can access all my Nordstrom Sale posts by clicking the “Nordstrom Sale Series” in the top navigation bar of this site.
* Update 7/21: The winner, Crystal, has been contacted. Thank you so much to all who entered!
– trying to figure out how I could smuggle all of this bougainvillea to my patio –
– a mid-week pool day –
– the sweetest water mister from my friend Miriam, perfect for me because I’ve become the plant lady! –
– this year’s birthday cake, a cookies ‘n cream cake from C (and seriously y’all, it’s soooo good!) –
You guys… am I a brat if I am so sad this week is over? Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like I soaked up the birthday love extra this year. This is the first year that I had a birthday when I worked from home… so it meant that I could do whatever I wanted to. All day. What!? That alone is the best gift I could have asked for! I woke up early to work in the morning so I could read by the pool all afternoon. Last year (while I loved my job and coworkers, no doubt about it) I was sitting at a desk with a bunch of spreadsheets.
Chase your dreams, y’all. Chase ’em hard.
BUT one of the highlights of the week hands down was the delicious cake made by my sweet. He bakes me a cake every year and this year it was just as delicious as last year’s! And there are leftover Oreos that have to be eaten. Everyone wins.
Christian is working this weekend so I’ll be working as well and trying to get ahead. I realized this week that for the month of August I’ll have guests in town or be traveling all but 8 days… so I should really appreciate this downtime in July while I have it.
Also, I was featured in this Q&A for BLND PR which is an interesting peek behind-the-scenes of CBL if you’re interested in checking it out!
Last but not least, The Real Housewives of OC is back on so I mean – Monday’s are great again. I’m really digging the new gal, Kelly. She’s funny, blunt and a little crass. Honestly I like the whole cast right now – although Shannon probably makes me laugh the most. “Bring it, sista!” Do you guys watch the show? Who’s your favorite? Oh! And RHONJ too! I literally shed tears when Theresa first came home. You know Andy Cohen watched that and was level 10 excited to record that moment. So emotional.
I hope y’all have a beautiful weekend – thank you so much for all of the birthday love. I love you guys!! XO –
It’s on! I have my Nordstrom Debit card ready (I love this card because it pulls straight from your checking out, leaving you no extra bill to pay), and I’m so excited to share my picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for those with early access! No card? No worries – the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale dates are:
Early Access for Card Holders: July 14 – July 21
Public Access: July 22 – August 7
So there’s plenty of time for everyone to shop! I think the important things to remember with the NSale are:
It’s for brand-new products, both summer and fall (great to time to get ready for the months ahead – think back-to-school shopping!).
Know that you can still return it if it doesn’t work. I’ve ordered dresses in two sizes, booties in two sizes, etc., just to make sure I get the perfect fit (I’m always in between two sizes in dresses and shoes)! You can always send back the pair that doesn’t work and you won’t be kicking yourself later.
Search by designer. If you know your favorite brands, bee-line to those first!
Think ahead. What did you really wish you had last year? A great pair of riding boots you didn’t snag? The perfect cocoon coat? Now is your change to get that item at a fraction of the price – take advantage!
SO, without further jabbering, I’m excited to share my “best of” by category! Not going to lie, I’m a little embarrassed how late I stayed up putting this together, but I wanted to have the full scoop for you guys! I will be continuing to share my picks until the sale ends August 7th, and you can find all of my NSale posts at the top navigation bar of this site for quick access.
Best of Denim & Pants:
Best of Tops:
Best of Handbags:
Best of Accessories:
Best of Outerwear:
Best of Dresses & Skirts:
Best of Shoes:
Best of Beauty:
Extra Goodness:
Thanks so much for reading! Check back in this weekend to see what I bought from the sale. XO –
Christian and I knew when we moved into our townhouse that we would take full advantage of our patio. There was a blooming bougainvillea bush there from the beginning, and we honestly treat the space like an additional room of our home.
SO, I wanted to share our 7 must-have items for a summer bbq, including the newly released Seven Daughters Moscato cans!
1. Grillin’ skills.
Someone has to be on grilling duty (preferable a person who takes pride in it so it won’t feel like a party chore). Christian really loves being in control of the marinade and grilling, so if you’re at our house – he knows this is his role! We have a small gas grill that is great for what we need, and if you’re new with this, there are all kinds of helpful videos (trust me, we’ve watched some of these before)!
2. Beverage Selection.
A great drink selection is just as important as the food in my book (sometimes I’d even say it’s more important, depending on the crowd!). Seven Daughters has always had a great selection of twist-top wines, which is great for hosting or gifting a hostess because there are no tools required to open it. Nothing is worse then someone getting half a cork stuck in a great bottle of wine!
Now they’re offering wine in a can (comes in a pack of four), and they are perfect for a picnic, beach trip or if you know one person will want a glass of white wine while the rest are drinking red, etc. They offer Moscato and Pinot Noir in the can and the Moscato is perfect for summer!
3. Great apps.
Everyone like a little nosh, so setting out some apps from the beginning is a welcoming touch. I usually try to serve something a little bit on the healthier side so people don’t overeat before the main course!
4. Music.
A great playlist and portable speakers (we’ve been using these for the past few months, and they really are the best) can direct the vibe of a get-together, and C’s go to is usually a Pandora station called “hip hop bbq.” I cannot make this up. If I’m in control of the music, it will probably be something more like Jack Johnson for a relaxed crowd or Jamiroquai for a livelier crowd.
5. Games.
My family has always loved any kind of group game, and it’s a great way to bring people together and talking to new people. Scrabble, cards and dominoes are great options – but everyone loves cornhole if you have the space!
6. Candles and/or Bistro Lights.
I really think that some twinkle lights and candles add so much to the ambiance of space. We had both of these at our garden wedding ceremony, so they always bring back the warm and fuzzies! Plus they just make any space feel more cozy.
7. Blankets.
Someone is going to get cold, so a few blankets lying around lets everyone stay comfortable without feeling like the have to ask for something to keep warm!
It’s one of my favorite days of the year… my birthday (insert happy dance)! C had last weekend off, so we celebrated all weekend and had so much fun. Friday night we went on a little date and I used my birthday as ammo to stop by this row of bougainvillea that has been over-the-top gorgeous the past few weeks. Every time I drive by it I think about how I want to snatch all of it up and fill my patio with all of the blooms of different colors.
I wore this look for a feature that was photographed for Z Gallerie on Friday – I can’t wait to share the Luxe for Less reveal with you guys at the end of the month! But there’s no need to keep this chambray jumpsuit a secret. It’s a part of the CBL curated collection with Morning Lavender and one of my favorite pieces! I knew I wanted culottes in the collection but I was really particular with fit. I think this jumpsuit is perfect for summer, and if you want to show off your waist this is for you.
– the sweetest summer top I plan to wear this weekend, more from this collection here –
– a clean dog gets special treatment –
– celebrating my birthday a little early with C and a sweet date in Malibu – more about this soon! –
– a box of goodies from SPANX, this bralette is my new Pilates fave –
– having an amazing facial at Kate Somerville and taking home some of the items used to try out on my own –
Everyone loves a Friday. This week was a busier one with a home project and a birthday surprise in the works (there was a sneak peek to one of them on Snapchat: CBLied), I look forward to sharing more about both of these soon!
My birthday is Tuesday (insert happy dance!), so Christian and I are celebrating this weekend and I’ll celebrate again during the week with some girlfriends at a fun lunch organized by my dears Nikki and Miriam. Lucky duck, I am! Every year I ask Christian to bake me a cake, any cake – it doesn’t have to be fancy, box cake is 100% fine by me. Of course my perfectionist husband would never go for a funfetti (tried and true deliciousness). Last year’s cake was three layers of almond wedding cake. Bomb. Stay tuned for this year’s cake surprise!
I have to share that I recently went to Kate Somerville’s gorgeous clinic and had the most relaxing facial. I’m not usually one to go for a facial because I have pretty sensitive skin, but this was (no surprise) so soothing and nourishing – I was sad when the time passed by too quickly and my session was up! If you live in the LA area, it’s a real treat, and I would recommend it. If not, their products are some of my favorite skincare go-to’s (also shared recently here).
I hope y’all have a beautiful weekend! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
I knew this look had to be a part of the #CBLxML collection because if this doesn’t remind you of a Carrie Bradshaw outfit, I don’t know what does. I was having a Carrie moment as soon as I slipped on the skirt for the first time, and I’m already thinking of all the other ways I’d like to style it!
What’s great about a skirt like this is that it really can be worn year-round. You could pair this with pumps and a black turtleneck or a casual tucked in or knotted tee. Anything fitted on the top to balance out the fluff and you’re set.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 comes in two colors! | 5on major markdown! | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
It feels like it’s been a while since I shared a weekly wish list, and it feels more appropriate than ever with my birthday around the corner (happy dance)! These wedges are on serious sale, so I actually just ordered them for myself in clay. I got this bag in the tan last week and it’s so much roomier than I realized – I really, really love it.
I have a pair of black overalls and I’ve gotta say, I kind of love them. I think this distressed white pair looks so perfect for summer! It would be cute with a tee, crop top or even a light sweater underneath. I just love overalls right now – I think it just reminds me of my childhood and when you throw in a beach cruiser – even better.
And I mean… a heart-shaped necklace that says taco? I don’t even need to get into why this is perfect. There’s also a pizza one. NOM.
What’s on your summer wish list? I plan to hit the mall this weekend, so I want to hear! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
I had so much fun interviewing Emily Loftiss about her tips for confidence here, so I knew my next interview post had to be a behind-the-scenes into a nutritionist’s life, and I had the perfect gal – my sister!
Sarah Thorne is a Registered Dietitian and received her Bachelor of Science from Ole Miss before wrapping up her education at Vanderbilt. She has focused her work in both wellness and out-patient nutrition in Nashville, Birmingham, San Diego and Portland.
She is that girl who somehow manages to eat a little bit of everything and never struggle with her weight (no juice cleanses or cabbages soup diets for this woman), and I’m always trying to learn more from her healthy and happy balance. So today we are sharing her tips for keeping belly bloat down during the summer months, and some of the tried and true recipes she likes to whip up in her kitchen.
***
Increase your water intake.
It may seem counterintuitive that drinking more water will make you feel less bloated, however, water helps flush out toxins and control sodium levels. A good rule of thumb is to divide your weight by 2 and drink at least that many ounces of water per day. Be sure and cut back on fizzy drinks, which produce excess gas and bloating.[1]
Kathleen: I bought one of these pitchers which makes infused water so easy! This batch is lemon + strawberries. Christian likes oranges, and I also love fresh cucumber.
Cut back on carbohydrates.
Reduce your intake of simple carbohydrates such as white bread, processed snacks and sugar (sorry Kathleen, this includes Cheetos!). Opt instead for nutrient dense whole grains such as quinoa, oatmeal, bulgar, brown rice and buckwheat. These meal bowls are a great example of using healthy whole grains-I’ve never met a bowl I didn’t like!
Limit sodium.
It is simple: sodium retains water! The average American consumes 3,400 mg of sodium per day, but a healthy diet requires only 2,300mg/day.[2] Stay away from processed and restaurant foods, and stick with fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein. This amazing salad is fresh and low-sodium. I could eat it every day this summer and not be tired of it.
Improve gut health.
Probiotics, the good bacteria found in foods like kefir, kimchi, yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh and kombucha, contribute to a healthy gut. These foods may also boost immunity and improve overall health.[3] This breakfast of oats soaked in kefir will make you want to jump out of bed in the morning!
Know your weaknesses.
Do you have trouble holding back at social events? Have a small snack before you leave the house so that you do not show up hangry. Also, try using your non-dominant hand to prevent mindless grazing. Just MOOve on! Or maybe you make poor dietary decisions after too many cocktails? Try eliminating alcohol or creating a 1:1 policy: one alcoholic beverage followed by one glass of water.
I think the most important thing to note here is that eating healthy can be full of flavor if you put in the work to add fresh ingredients. “Everything in moderation” is a term used by so many because it’s simply the truth! I wanted to share this today because if you guys are anything like me, the weekend was full of guacamole, hotdogs and brownies. No regrets – but let’s all get back on track this week.
I wanted to share a fun article that hit New York Magazine‘s The Cut this week, highlighting skincare and SPF! I was asked to discuss my summer day trip essentials, and great sunscreen would be at the top of that list. This spf has some illumination to it, which can actually be called a “glotion,” how fun is that?
Protecting your skin really is so important, and as the daughter, sister, sister-in-law and wife of doctors (I could really use some more business people) – I’m constantly reminded to wear hats and use proper protection from the sun. SO I was happy to team up with Sephora to share two amazing sunscreens they have – both the BB brush linked above and this tinted one!
– trying out the oval makeup brush phenomenon – I’ve gotta say, I kind of love it –
– the cutest Gigi New York beach bag that I can’t wait to use –
– picking our lemon tree and comparing to the pink lemons I picked up from Trader Joe’s –
– getting ready for a fun holiday weekend (and C actually has the long weekend off!) –
Happy 4th of July weekend! We are taking it easy this weekend and hanging out at the pool, riding bikes and traveling to LA to visit my brother’s fam. You know I stocked up on fireworks, bbq and watermelon – because if these aren’t 4th of July staples, I don’t know what is.
There are some great sales going on this weekend that I wanted to loop you guys in on –
SALES:
Ann Taylor: 40% off all styles and up to 60% off sale items with code July40
Anthropologie: extra 30% off sale items with code EVENBETTER
And of course, a huge thank you to everyone who has served this country, allowing our freedom. We appreciate your service and honor you this weekend. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
Summer is officially here (even though in my neck of the woods it’s felt like summer for a few months), and nothing says July like an eyelet dress! I love this ruffled hem on the skirt and sleeves. The elastic waist is super comfortable but gives the dress a little shape, and it’s still roomy enough to try out Burger Parlor, which is exactly what C and I did after we snapped these photos!
I really love a classic, clean watch, and I’ve been wearing this Cluse watch nonstop since I styled it in this post. I love that the watch bands can be swapped out. I love the mint and grey! I think this light pink one is so perfect for summer, and when I feel like switching it up, I just pop on the gray leather band. I’ll be styling it more ways on Instagram – so heads up for that!
