– rearranging some bedside art (similar art here) –
– the many expressions of Hambone Hudson in a 5 minute period of his lunch –
– the most gorgeous floral arrangement from my girlfriend, Theresa –
– buying two of these blankets with the intention of sending back one, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to –
It’s the weekend! I am actually taking today off to have a mom day with my little guy, which I haven’t done in what feels like too long. I have some fun activities for us, but considering it’s going to be 100 degrees… I’m trying to keep us indoors to prevent too much exhaustion. When in doubt, I love playing giant Jenga and even setting the Jenga blocks up like bowling pins and rolling a mini soccer ball like it’s a bowling ball. They have proven multipurpose!
I was honored to be featured in this summer’s Mini Magazine in a little feature about becoming a mom and what that means to me. I have loved reading the other interviews in the issue, and find other mom’s advice and top picks really fascinating.
I’ve been trying to squeeze in one more workout per week, and let me tell you – the aftermath is what’s up. The hardest part of working out for a lot of us is just taking the time to get started. But once you’re in the middle of it, stretching and moving your body, the way you feel afterwards is everything. I’m trying to focus on those endorphins to stay consistent and just go down to the basement, turn on the TV and go for it. Always worth it!
Other than that, I’m just over here trying to water my plants without collapsing of heat stroke. How are you staying cool? Thank you so much for reading! XO –
Today is the first day of public access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! The sale will continue through August 9, and from what I can see, once an item sells out it’s gone. So my recommendation would be to act quickly and know that you can return anything you don’t love at no cost.
I have shared the pieces I own and stand behind here along with ALL of my Nordstrom Sale picks here. So today I wanted to share the pieces I have bought so far along with the ones I’m still contemplating snagging (you’ll see a star displayed next to these items).
To shop, simply click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
Every year I bought multiple pairs of this underwear (they also come in a higher waisted pair). They’re incredibly comfortable and this is the third year I’ve stocked up during the sale!
I know it’s basic, I KNOW. But these blankets always sell out before I can get my hands on one. I bought myself this one as a push present for the hospital when I had Hudson, and now our family fights over it. So I bought two more.
There has never been a year where I don’t snag the the 3-pack of Cashmere Mist deodorant. I am an actual addict, and I was scraping the barrel of my last mist. Thank the sweet Lord I got the 3-pack before it sold out!
I also grabbed these boots in suede and they’re so beautiful. A really flattering, loose style that flatters the leg.
I have my eye on these boots (love how high they are!) and these heels. I don’t need either, but dang. They are CHIC!
This tee also looks super comfortable and would be great with a little front tuck into jeans or denim shorts. I have a million white tees, but somehow new silhouettes always suck me in.
I have a mug addition, and it’s not healthy. For some reason, I always want to buy mugs and this one that stays warm has me intrigued. The reviews are so-so, but a CBL girl reached out to tell me she has one and loves it, so I’m back on the wagon!
If you’ve bought anything from the sale, I’d love to hear what you snagged! Thanks so much for reading and be sure to check out all the items I stand behind and ALL of my picks. XO –
I have now made this salad twice from The Salad Lab (you can find her on tik tok here), and I love it. Like every other girl, I love a great chopped salad but sometimes I just run out of ideas!
Apparently this is one of Lady Gaga’s favorite salad from a New York restaurant.
Ingredients (she doesn’t give exact measurements, so I just eyeball it):
shaved brussels sprouts
a few handfuls massaged kale
thinly sliced red onion
gorgonzola cheese (she uses ricotta salada)
honeycrisp apple, cut into strips (she uses pink lady)
toasted sliced almonds
optional: chopped or shredded chicken
For the Dressing:
2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
dash of salt and pepper
Directions:
Combine salad ingredients, make salad dressing separately. Toss and enjoy!
Tell me if you try it – would love to know what you think! You can find more of my favorite food + drink recipes under “home” and “food + drink” at the top of this site. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
– one of the things I always most look forward to: Christian’s homemade birthday cake –
– a happy week with my little one –
– the most chic stroller from Silver Cross that I can’t wait to take for a spin! –
Happy Friday! It has been a really busy few weeks, but full of sunshine and happy moments, so I cannot complain. We started last week with a birthday, and it feels like we’ve been celebrating ever since! I shared my personal feelings on having a summer birthday in this Instagram post, but formerly disliked it and now I appreciate it so much. I had the best day, and my biggest complaint is that it went by way too quickly!
However I did end up playing catch up for the rest of the week, including a little preparation for a staycation that was such a success, it had me looking forward to doing it more often. We received this stunning stroller from Silver Cross last week, and I’ve assembled it but have yet to take it out on a spin. I know Hudson is going to love it for many of its excellent features for toddlers, especially now that he has such long legs. We can’t wait to try it!
I have been prepping all of CBL’s #NSale coverage, and you can find my recommendations here and here. The sale will be available for all to shop on 7/28 (it is currently available to shop for early access members), and I’d love to hear what you have your eye on.
Thank you so much for reading – and I hope you have a beautiful summer weekend. We are right in the middle of summer, so I’ll be pulling out the inflatable pool and Hudson’s new splash pad. Can’t wait! XO –
If I still worked in a traditional office setting, this might be the dress that I bought in multiple colors. It is conservative enough for the office or church, but still fun enough to show your personality!
I love that you can unbutton both the top and bottom buttons for a more casual look, or even button them up all the way with a statement necklace for a polished outfit. I paired it with my go-to summer sandal (also recently styled here), but I also think it would be really cute with white sneakers and a crossbody bag. And a great dress for travel!
I also linked some beyond adorable statement earrings, all under $13 a piece, and one set is little champagne bottles. Trust me, there is nothing cuter.
dress, I ordered my usual size but if you’re in between sizes I would size down |heels, I sized up 1/2 size |bangles | similar earrings here, here and here | similar bag here, here and here
So believe it or not… none of these items are pieces I bought this year. These are pieces from my closet that I’ve bought or that I purchased in previous Nordstrom Sales over the years. Which means they are pieces I really stand behind because they are classic, versatile and worth the splurge.
You can find my picks in all categories in this post, but today I’m going to walk through some identical or nearly identical items I already own and would recommend. Let’s go –
I’ve had this jacket since I lived in Orange County, and it looks so cute with pretty much everything. Which is why I’ve kept it all of these years! It has a really nice weight and feels more expensive than it is. I love the faux leather version also.
I’ve had these for a few years, and they’re a great intro to the classic Levi’s style of denim. Ultra chic with a sleek bodysuit and ankle booties too! I also have these Levi’s in several washes (run TTS), and really love their ultra high rise.
I’ve had this necklace for a few years now and it’s one of the only long necklaces I consistently wear. It’s really beautiful and looks much more expensive than it actually is.
I buy a set of these pajamas almost every year. This navy pair is from last year, and I also have it in black, the shorts version and the nightgown version. I even wore them (and perhaps stretched them out) when I was pregnant!
They’re incredibly comfortable, run on the looser side (I wear my usual size but they fit loose and lounge-y) and are the perfect travel pajama because they fold up really small. A favorite and worth the price without a doubt! I would happily pay for more them, I love them that much.
I shared these joggers on stories when they first came out, and they’re such a great piece! I love them with a tee and sneakers, but they also look great with strappy heels and a simple black top. They have a jogger-like fit, so I would recommend ordering your usual pant size.
The second pair of faux leather leggings that I own that are ultra sleek and flattering. These run a little bit more snug than the similar Spanx pair, but I love them equally. They have a more faux leather look than the Spanx pair and provide this vertical shine that I think makes legs look longer. I’ve had them for about three years now and love them.
This sweater sold out in early access, but I’m a BIG fan of sleeveless sweaters. Let’s be real, it can still be hot in September and October so it’s the perfect compromise!
This dress is a great piece for early fall and would be so cute with a leather jacket layered or a sleek bodysuit underneath! I did order my usual size and it fits a little snug in the hips, so I wish I had sized up one size and that is what I would recommend.
The best deodorant by a landslide, I buy this 3-pack every year and I don’t think I can live without it. I don’t want to because I’m simply addicted. It smells amazing, helps prevent sweating better than any other deodorant I’ve ever tried and it glides on so silky smooth. It’s the best, hands down, no question.
These boots come in several colors and are timeless. I am usually in between two sizes in boots and I went with the larger size and am glad I did. They run a smidge narrow, so I appreciate having the extra space!
These leggings have been in my closet for almost 5 years, if not longer. You can see them styled in 2017 here! I LOVE them, they’re so comfortable and a purchase you will hold onto for a long, long time. I also own the maternity version and wore them often when I was pregnant with Hudson.
These boots aren’t exact, but nearly identical and I LOVED these last year. They are that perfect “cool girl” touch, and I know I’ll be wearing them a lot this fall and winter also.
I bought this bra last year, and it was absolutely one of my most worn bras of the year. So much so that this year I bought two of the spaghetti strap version. The pros are that it’s wireless, wildly comfortable and has a very wide height on the back which smooths out your back and eliminates any bulges.
The con is that the v-neck cut doesn’t it allow it to be worn with all tops, which is what I’m hoping the spaghetti strap version might solve!
This underwear somehow fits sizes 2-10, and it’s my favorite. Every year I buy several pairs (this year I bought 8… I’m not kidding) and they also come in a higher waist version. They’re incredibly comfortable, and while not completely 100% line-free… I think they’re as close as you’re going to get without wearing a hanky panky style.
These pants are kind of in between a pant and a legging. They are great for the office and have faux front pockets but real back pockets. They are a pull-on style and look really tailored, plus they’re very flattering. A+ for me!
I have this hat in a lighter color, but this chocolate version is really pretty and a little bit more unexpected. I’ve had it for 2-3 summers now and wear it each year! You can see it from this summer in this blog post.
I tried this product for the first time this year, and I looooove it. I talked about it more here, but it’s so velvety and smooth – it feels amazing on my skin. I may have purchased a backup bottle.
I use this sunscreen on the entire family and it’s a favorite. They have several versions that are included in the sale, and I don’t think you’ll regret it! The spray is great also.
I’ve been using this hair oil since before I was even married, that’s how long I’ve been a super fan. It smells amazing, I love all Moroccan Oil products (as does Christian), and I stand by everything in their collection, truly.
There is a hair and body perfume combo included in the sale as well as a candle set. I’m a big fan of Diptyque products and they can be on the pricey side, so when they are on sale it’s best to snag them while you can!
That’s all I’ve got for now, but I’ll continue to share my favorite products and why as the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale continues through August 9th. They’re currently still only allowing early access shoppers and cardholders to shop, but it will open to anyone on July 28! You can find my picks in all categories here.
Thanks so much for reading and happy shopping – XO –
Sharing my picks in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in different categories. You certainly don’t need everything, but there are some really great items that you can get a major discount on. You can also see the pieces I have and stand behind under “shop –> shop Instagram” at the top of this site! These are items that I’ve had and loved for years, so they are worth the investment in my book.
Let’s dive in! To shop, simply click directly on the item or find its associated number below the collage.
Many of these items I have and love, and I included a few honorable mentions in the sliding widget below. Anything Moroccan Oil, Ouai, T3, Diptyque or Necessaire is always a win in my book.
Last year moto boots were all the rage, and I don’t see them going anywhere this year. I have this pair and still love them. I also have a nearly identical pair to these sneakers and they go with everything all year round. Worth the splurge for sure! And if I was in the market for a new overnight bag, I would absolutely snag this one. Love that it’s gender neutral.
I have these jeans in a few colors and they always seem to be the pair I reach for. I love a cropped black jean with a tall ankle bootie = chic. And if I were in the market for denim, these and these would be in my cart.
I think there are some really great jewelry picks this year, and I have both this ring and this necklace and have loved them for years. I also have this beach hat and it’s been a great addition.
If I wore more hats I would buy this designer one because I have no doubts that it’s gorgeous in person. And I was going to splurge on these sunglasses in brown but they sold out too fast!
I cannot say no to a fabulous sweater dress! I have this one that is included in the sale, but I can’t deny how much I love this one. I also really love this versatility of this wrap dress, it would work for both office and play.
There are more sweaters and leather jackets I’m loving this year rather than traditional coats, but there is no coat more classic than this one. A splurge, but a coat that will have you covered for decades.
I think this kind of a sale is the best time to buy a leather jacket at a seriously fabulous reduced cost. This is my favorite real leather jacket, this is my favorite faux leather jacket and I have and love this suede one.
I also have to admit… these blankets are as luxurious as everyone says they are. Our whole family fights over it, and I’m not kidding! I’ve also almost bought this fancy mug 3x… do any of you have it?
And lastly, loungewear and pajamas. I have this pair and love, love, LOVE them. They fold up super small in my drawer which also makes them amazing for travel. I also have this bra and have loved it so much I plan to get this spaghetti strap version. I also live in this underwear and buy several pairs every year!
Thank you so much for reading. Next up is my own try on, which again, you can find under “shop –> shop Instagram.” Happy shopping! XO –
I LOVE BLAZERS. Always have, always will. It’s a shame my school uniform didn’t include a blazer like this because I would have been Gossip Girl-ing my way to school on the daily!
I paired this classic piece (I sized up one full size and would recommend it) with a basic tee, the jeans I scored on Prime Day and the strappy heels I literally have in three colors. These heels are $50 and so perfect, if you don’t have a pair by now the real question is… why though? See other colors styled here, here and here.
And did you know that Amazon Fashion also offers personal shopper styling services? Stylists will curate items selected just for you based on a completed survey with your preferences. You can choose up to 8 items from your stylist’s picks to try on in your own home for free. Returns are also free, and this service costs under $5. I mean… WHAT!? That is kind of incredible and something I feel like not enough people are taking advantage of!
– loving this woven bag so much, I’ve gotten so many compliments! –
– adding these beautiful Weezie towels to my bathroom that conveniently match perfectly –
I have a little extra pep in my step this week, and I’m writing before I go to a Pilates class and get my nails done… so I mean, what is there really to complain about?
My birthday is Monday, and each year on my birthday I reflect on the past birthdays. The blessings I have. Thinking about how if my jr. high self could know what all was to come, how thrilled she would be! I love that gift of birthdays, the chance to slow down for a day and soak it up. Writing all of this as I listen to the Sunday Service choir , so perhaps that’s why I’m a little extra delicate. 😉 I have some lunch plans thanks to a sweet friend who organized it and a dinner date with Christian scheduled. Already looking forward to them both!
I’ve also gotten back into therapy and have had two sessions so far. We are meeting virtually several times so we can get to know each other, and then I’ll probably connect with her once to twice a month, as needed. I don’t have a specific reason for getting back into it, but I LOVE the way it makes me feel. Clear-headed, mature… it is for my mind what Pilates is for my body. Afterwards I feel lighter and happier. I really enjoy having someone to talk to who can help me discover new things about myself and how to live my healthiest, most joyful life. Just a reminder that a lot of therapist do take insurance, so it really ends up being affordable and accessible if you have that opportunity in your area. I found my current therapist with a simple google search!
I’ve started rewatching Parenthood on Hulu and it’s also brought me so much joy. Who doesn’t love the Braverman family!? If you’ve never watched and have Hulu, I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try. I don’t think you’ll regret it. Think This Is Us… but so much better.
What’s in store for you this week? If you have any weeknight recipes you’d recommend, I’d always love to hear! Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –
My birthday is less than a week away, and I thought it would be fun to make a wish list of things I have had my eye on and things that I think are great birthday gifts for summer birthdays in your life!
To shop, simply click directly on the item below or find its associated number below the collage –
First and foremost, the inflatable pool. I bought this pool last summer (seen here), and it was one of the best investments I could have made. I put a raft inside of it and truthfully, get on the raft and close your eyes… you could be anywhere. Target has some adorable backyard pool goodies this summer, and I think you can’t go wrong.
On that note, yard games! I asked for bocce and croquet last year for my birthday. Christian and his parents actually played bocce over the holiday weekend. It’s so easy to play and the rules are so straightforward it’s almost impossible to mess up.
CB2 has so many new chic decor items right now, like this bust. I thought I wanted this candlestick holder but then I saw this one and pivoted!! It’s on my birthday wish list, and I’m crossing my fingers it will one day be on my breakfast table.
I bought this giant candle with 250 hours burn time, and I love it. I’ve wanted a huge candle like this for so long, and I know I’ll be able to use the container in the future once I’ve burned through it. Worth the splurge!
If you are also a summer birthday gal, I want to hear about it! Tell me how you plan to celebrate this year. Thank you so much for reading – XO –
Last year I saw this adorable top at Shopbop and then realized it came in multiple colors and occasionally a few patterns. It is my first piece from Staud, and I’ve had my eye on some of their pieces for quite some time. I love that their collections are happy while keeping the silhouettes chic.
This top comes in navy and white also and looks so great with denim for a more casual look. Or you can pair it with a sleek or pencil skirt for a more dressed up outfit or even something office appropriate. Plus it’s mostly cotton with 2% spandex, so you can absolutely get year-round wear out of it. That’s the kind of versatility I love to see!
I added in one of my favorite pairs of statement heels, that is currently fully in stock. You can seem them paired with a more casual outfit here.
Have you ever purchased anything from Staud? Do you still love it? I would love to hear. Shopbop has an amazing collection of their pieces in stock right now!
– a new linen duvet that I love so much for a refresh! –
– seeing this lamp on sale for a flash and snagging it –
– a new waterfall orchid, my last one lived for five months! –
– chic sunglasses that make me feel a splash of gen Z vibes –
– having friends over for dinner for what felt like the first time in forever –
It’s July. And yet I feel like we just entered June!! I know we are all always saying that (I’m very guilty of this), but I almost think this summer has flown by faster than usual now that we have vaccines available and are more able to travel and get out and about without as intense of worries. Which is such a huge blessing!
Christian’s parents are coming into town this weekend, and I know Hudson will have so much fun with them. He is really talking up a storm these days and it feels like he is saying new words everyday, which brings us so much joy. It does make me a little sad to see him leaving that “baby” phase and entering full toddler zone, but the talking is so much fun that I know some of the best memories are to come. I’m continuously grateful that he is so healthy and smart. Not a day goes by that I am not aware of what a blessing that is.
I usually try to cook dinners 4-5 days a week, even if it’s just grilled cheese and tomato soup. This week I’ve kind of checked out of the dinner duties and opted for takeout and date nights… and it’s been amazing. WOW the time you have back in your evenings when you ditch the meal prep, cooking and cleaning. It’s such a personal war between eating healthy and not spending your entire night in the kitchen. It’s one I haven’t mastered but will likely die trying!
I recently recognized that I tend to do a lot of frustration/baggage unloading on Christian at the end of the day, as if he doesn’t have his own decompressing to do. While he’s an amazing partner and never complains about it, I realized it might be time to find a therapist in Georgia who can hear these life frustrations and help me find healthy ways to curb them. I have my first session today and am very excited about it! Talking to a professional helps give you a different perspective and way of thinking that I find to be invaluable. The time I spent with a therapist in San Francisco (more about it here) continues to bless me today, and it helps me to process situations in a level-headed and mature way. I’m really thankful to have realized the benefits of therapy this early in my life.
That’s all I’ve got this week. I would love to hear what you’re grateful for this week or what has blessed you! Thank you so much for reading – XO –
