What I Purchased From The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

As y’all have probably noticed, blogging has taken a bit of a backseat this summer. While that wasn’t intentional I have to remind myself that both socially and professionally the summer tends to be the busiest time of my year and despite all the fun content ideas I have in my head the time to execute on them isn’t always there. Because of that, I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to go about sharing the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with y’all this year. It probably feels to some that it’s overhyped, but as someone who uses it as an opportunity to stock up on the holes I’ve seen in my wardrobe over the past year, it’s one I get excited for! Buying basics isn’t always a ton of fun, so I was surprised when I got on Instagram and y’all said that you wanted to see what I purchased!  

I’ve done my best to summarize my thoughts on each of the items I ordered including sizing and whether or not I plan to keep or return them! Since today is the first day of public access for the sale, I’m sure things will be going in and out of stock. As returns are made the items become available again, so if there’s something you really want it’s worth checking on more than once! 

Seam-Detail Funnel Neck Sweater

Size: Medium

Color: White & Grey

Overall Thoughts: I love the execution of this sweater, but definitely should have stuck to my normal size, small, on this one. The seam detailing on the front makes it feel different than basic sweaters I have in my closet and the short funnel neck is stylish but more comfortable to me than a turtle neck. I’m hoping to at least get one color of this sweater in a size small if any are still left in stock. 

Madewell 11-inch High Waist Skinny Jeans

Size: 26

Color: Helmsford Wash

Overall Thoughts: Madewell jeans are my favorite so it’s no surprise that I love and am keeping these. I have them in a few different washes now but somehow didn’t have a more traditional wash like this one in my closet. These are a staple for fall and winter! 

Kut from the Kloth Donna Coated High Waist Skinny Jeans

Size: 4

Color: Olive (but I kind of want to try Cognac too)

Overall Thoughts: It took getting a second opinion from a friend on these to determine that they are definitely worthy of keeping since they are a bit trendier than what I tend to gravitate toward. I love that now I have something other than just jeans to reach for in the fall and winter and think these would look especially cute paired with this shirt that’s on my wishlist. 

Barbour Sterndale Quilted Jacket

Size: US 6

Color: Tan

Overall Thoughts: This was my splurge of the sale and for Barbour was actually very affordable. I have a Spring Quilted Barbour as well as a waxed Barbour Beadnell and both get so much wear in my wardrobe. My waxed Barbour tends to be my go-to jacket and I’m hoping this will be able to be what I reach for when I need something dressier than that without wearing a peacoat. I am very impressed by the weight of it! 

Round .50ct tw Cubic Zirconia Earrings

Size: .50ct 

Color: Platinum

Overall Thoughts: I tend to wear pearls most days and after loving my Nordstrom CZ necklace so much (as in I’ve worn it every day since purchasing it in last year’s sale) I thought these were worth trying. They look real and the size of them is perfect on my small earlobes. 

Zella Run In Reflective Shorts 

Size: Medium

Color: Green

Overall Thoughts: I think I’ve finally found myself the perfect pair of workout shorts. I have that so many athletic shorts are so expensive and feel tight on my muscular thigs, so finding a loose across the butt and flowy on the legs pair feels like a miracle. I definitely should’ve stuck to my normal size, small, on these since the medium is much too big, but I’ll be ordering the correct size as soon as they come in stock even if that happens to be at full price! 

Zella Run In Reflective Stretch Woven Tank

Size: Small

Color: White

Overall Thoughts: So this piece was canceled from my order meaning I don’t have much to say about it other than it looks like a great basic workout top! If I didn’t have something similar in black then I would consider ordering it in my size in that color.

Sweaty Betty Easy Peazy Long Sleeve Shirt

Size: Medium

Color: White

Overall Thoughts: I plan to use this as a layering piece over workout tops in the fall when it’s not yet cold enough for a pullover but too cold for just a workout top. I love the cut of the piece and am impressed by how soft it is! I’ve never ordered something from this brand but would definitely try out some of their other pieces.

BP Katie Organic Lounge T-Shirt

Size: Medium

Color: Every Color Offered

Overall Thoughts: I think this is my favorite purchase of the sale! I’m tired of feeling like I don’t have any shirts to wear with workout shorts and this just became my solution. It’s lightweight and oversized so I could have stuck to my normal size, but since I haven’t washed or dried them just yet I am glad to have the size I ordered. 

Calson Split-Neck Organic Cotton Blend Thermal Knit Top

Size: Medium

Color: White

Overall Thoughts: I had hoped that this would be a little bit longer in the back so that it would be easy to throw on with leggings, but I think I’ll be returning it since it hits right at the hips. The thermal feel of it is really nice and I think it comes in a few colors! 

On Cloud Cloudflow Running Shoe

Size: 8.5

Color: Green

Overall Thoughts: I had wanted a pair of shoes to wear when going on walks and running errands so that maybe my actual workout shoes would have a longer life, and I had heard great things about On Clouds. I really like these and the color of them is cute! 

Hydroflask 32-ounce Wide Mouth Cap Bottle

Size: 32 ounces

Color: Fog

Overall Thoughts: Similar to the tennis shoes above, this was a purchase to supplement an item I already own. This may be gross but I feel like I don’t wash my water bottle enough, so now that I have two maybe that can change! 

Mixed Media Cowl Neck Organic Cotton Blend Sweatshirt

Size: Medium

Color: Black

Overall Thoughts: I like this for an elevated sweatshirt look, but I feel like it’s something I don’t really need so I plan to return it. The detailing on the sleeves is really cute as is the cowl neck, but I don’t wear a ton of black so I feel like I wouldn’t reach for it as much as I should if I purchased it.

My Most Used and Worn Purchases from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

 After scouring every page of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year, I was pleased to see some pieces I own and love included in this year’s product offerings. While I may not have been lucky enough to purchase all of these things on sale, maybe you’ll be able to get a deal on them! The pieces I’ve chosen to include in this post are all items included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that are some of my most worn and used purchases. If you’re looking to narrow down your cart and happen to see the need for any of these items in your life, they all come highly recommended by me! 

CZ Diamond Pendant

I had no idea when I purchased this during last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale that I would wear it nearly every day. I am kind of an off-and-on necklace wearer or at least have been in the past. After putting this piece on for the first time now I feel naked without it. I believe it says not to shower or workout in it to keep the material looking good as new, but I do both in mine and haven’t had any problems with the material turning. I may purchase a backup one during this year’s sale to have on hand just in case. One day I’d love to upgrade mine to the real deal, but for now, you truly can’t tell the difference! 

Dyson Cordless Vacuum

My parents gave me my Dyson Cordless Vacuum for Christmas and I was so thrilled I made them skip me the next time it came to be my turn to open a present because I wanted to set it up. Once you’ve used a cordless vacuum I imagine it would be hard to switch back, and this one does such an awesome job! It holds a charge long enough for me to vacuum the areas I need it to and is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Who knew as a mid-twenty-year-old I could become so passionate about a vacuum, but here we are! 

Madewell Jeans

I have a love-hate relationship with jeans. Finding pairs that fit my legs while also fitting my waist can be a challenge. After getting a pair from Madewell a few years ago they are practically all I wear now. I will definitely be ordering a pair or two from the sale in my most worn washes to give the ones I have a bit of a break.

Barbour Quilted Jacket

Although I was bummed that there weren’t any waxed Barbour jackets included in this year’s sale, I am glad that there are a few quilted ones available. I have a grey one released in a spring collection and get a lot of wear out of it in both the spring and the fall thanks to Alabama’s milder weather. The brown color of this one would be so pretty for fall! 

Marc Fisher Booties

I’ve purchased two different pairs of booties from past Anniversary Sales, and my Marc Fisher pair is my most reached for. The colors offered and pointed toe make them chic while also being versatile. I order a half size up from my typical shoe size in most booties! 

Longchamp Le Pliage Tote

I have loved Longhamp’s nylon totes since I was in 8th grade and my larger size one still gets a lot of use. Currently, it has been my workout bag if I’m going to a workout class after being in the office, but it’s also so easy to fold up and pack with you on a trip if you suspect you’ll need a versatile tote. The expandable version included in the sale looks like it would be awesome as a weekend tote too! 

Michele Watch

I wear my Michele watch practically daily and although the styles offered in the sale differ from what I own I have no doubt it would be a great everyday piece for anyone in the market! It’s a great price point for a high-quality and stylish watch.

Olaplex

I so wish I had never tried Olaplex’s products but now that I have there’s no turning back. There No. 3 product is an amazing leave-in product to revive my hair and I alternate the shampoo and conditioner with another set when my hair needs some help looking healthier! 

I’d love to know if there are any products you’ve seen in the sale that you own and love. 

My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Wishlist

 Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I use the Nordstrom Sale as my chance to fill holes in my closet for the season ahead before I’ll actually need to start wearing the items. Last year, I made it a point to pay attention to what items I felt were missing in my closet when picking out outfits in the winter and fall so that I could purchase them during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. While I wish I were good about sticking to what I “need”, this sale roundup contains a few items I “want” as well. 

Since I am able to start shopping the sale tomorrow, these items are hanging out in my cart until I have the opportunity to check out. You can click directly on the items in the image below to be taken to all the details about the piece! 

NSale Preview Favorites

 If you follow other bloggers, I’m sure you have already seen lots of information regarding the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Usually, at this point, I would have already shared some posts on the subject too, but I’ve only just had a chance to scroll through the sale to see what all is being offered. 

Keep scrolling for the clickable image! 

Keep scrolling for the clickable image! 

Access to the sale is broken up into tiers based on how much you’ve spent on the site over the course of the year and whether or not you have a Nordstrom Credit Card. Since I have a card, I will be able to begin shopping on Friday. I’m not one to open up credit cards at various retailers, but the Nordstrom card definitely has perks that are worth it to me, including shopping the sale early before items sell out. I believe if you apply now, approval can still occur in time for you to take advantage of shopping early. If you’re not interested in doing that (which I totally understand), you’ll be able to begin shopping the sale on July 28th. The sale will end for everyone on August 8th. 

The reason the sale is so hyped up is that it allows you to shop the newest pieces for upcoming seasons before the time comes to wear them. This is WAY better to me than having to wait until the end of a season to purchase items that I won’t be able to wear until the following year! 

Below you will find my favorite finds from previewing the sale! You can click directly on the items in the image below to be taken to where they can be purchased once you have access to the sale! 

My Daily Summer Routine

 If you read yesterday’s post, then you’ve already read that life has been busy (in the best way) lately. Gone are the days of a relaxing summer week with no plans, and while sometimes I would love to go back to that, I know I’m not good at relaxing and prefer to keep myself busy. In some ways, I’ve probably added more to my plate than necessary this summer, but the more the merrier, I suppose. 

Whenever I ask y’all what type of posts you’d be interested in seeing routines always fall high on the list. Since that’s what y’all seem to want to see, I’ve put together a very generalized version of my daily summer routine. It’s subject to change depending on the day and what I have going on for work since I do have a full-time job, a couple of very flexible freelancing gigs, and a blog I’m hoping to be better about keeping up with! And let’s not forget a social life and love of reading and sleep, haha! Here’s a look at what I’m up to on a given day.

Are you more of a morning person or night owl in the summer?

Step Into My Week 7.11

 After two weeks away from posting here, I am happy to be back. I always feel so guilty when I don’t have time to get posts live for y’all, but I’ve come to realize that as my schedule continues to be busy with a full-time job and some freelancing opportunities it’s best to keep this feeling like a creative outlet and not a chore to constantly post on. Since we last talked, I’ve done quite a few blog shoots, stayed busy with work, and even spent a long weekend at the lake. Since there’s no way I can remember what all I did each day, here’s a highlight reel from the past two weeks. 

from my Southern Lady Magazine Fourth of July shoot last summer - in this year's July/August issue

Supper club is always one of my favorite weeknights. Our group tries to get together at least once a month, and before the Fourth of July, we decided to make poke bowls. Since we weren’t confident in eating the tuna we purchased raw, we decided to sear it and created two grease fires that we quickly got under control. Even with that hiccup, the finished product turned out to be delicious.

I worked and worked out on the weekdays before finally packing up to head to the lake for the Fourth of July weekend. After a challenging time trying to get Hunter’s Traeger grill onto the rack on his car, we finally got down to the lake, unpacked the car, and made our way to the dock with a cocktail in hand to hang out with his siblings who had arrived before us. 

Friday was rainy in the morning, which worked out well for the girls who stayed put at the house lounging around in our pajamas while the guys golfed. We met them at the course for lunch before heading to an art show on the way back to the house. We mainly spent time on the porch in the afternoon playing board games while it rained and eventually got to jump in the lake when the weather cleared. The rest of his family arrived that night, making it a full and lively house. 

Everyone woke up relatively early on Saturday morning enjoying their coffee on the porch while our big breakfast was cooking. Hunter’s nephews were there and insisted that we play trains with them for a good portion of the weekend which was a fun blast from the past. Once we ate and cleaned up, we all changed into our swimsuits to sit on the dock. Hunter took everyone wakeboarding for a few hours, and I was shocked to be able to get up every time, although I didn’t stay up that long any time. We had lunch afterward and sent the guys off for another round of golf. The girls went back down to the dock for a while before bringing out the cornhole boards before getting cleaned up for dinner. 

Sunday was the fourth, and we ate breakfast before going to watch the boat parade on the lake. There were so many boats out and about that I think we were all glad that we drove. We spent a good part of the day on the dock while Hunter smoked a big meal for us to enjoy that night. We had ribs, wings, and pulled pork with plenty of delicious sides that had everyone full for our boat ride and firework watching that night. I wore my new favorite dress from Maxwell and Geraldine, but unfortunately, the quick pictures we took while the sun was setting didn’t turn out that great for our face, but at least you can see the dress! We drove the boat to the edge of the slough to watch the firework show taking place at Children’s Harbor. We came back to a pitcher of Mississippi Mud (basically an alcoholic milkshake) that Hunter’s brother had made for everyone and sipped those while watching the Parent Trap. Talk about ideal! 

dress by Maxwell and Geraldine - I'm in an XS

Since I had Monday off, we had another full day which really left us feeling like we were on vacation. More time was spent on the dock and the porch with a jet ski ride and a boat ride thrown in there as well. We made frozen pizzas for dinner and watched Harry Potter on the porch in our PJs that night. 

I had taken Tuesday off from work but had a meeting I needed to log on for at 11:00. Hunter and I went on a boat ride before that and then after my meeting was over made lunch. We thought we’d leave after lunch, but the sun came out, so I read on the dock for a while as Hunter watched soccer. We needed to take the boat back to the marina, so I followed Hunter on the Seadoo so that he had a way to get back. I read for a little while longer before packing up, getting clean, and folding the laundry so that the house would be ready for its next round of guests. We left the lake around 5:00, stopping for salads at Chopt on our drive back. Once I was home, I unpacked and got in bed early to read. 

It was back to work on Wednesday with a shoot for Southern Home Magazine after starting my day with an MPower workout. The shoot went by quickly which gave me time to clean up my desk a bit and get some email work completed. Later in the afternoon, I helped paint some Christmas ornaments for Amanda. I went to the grocery store on my way home and made chicken, broccoli, and brussels sprout bowls for dinner. I was able to do some work on my computer that night before going to sleep.

I got up early on Thursday morning for an MPower cycling class and came home to shower before starting my workday. With lots of shoots coming up, I needed to get organized with scheduling meetings and making to-do lists for each shoot. Later in the afternoon, I went to the Hibiscus House showroom to take a few photos and work on social media posts. I met Hunter and two of our friends for dinner at Moe’s Barbecue and then went to Hunter’s house for a bit, where we watched Modern Family before I left to go to sleep.

Friday morning, I went to another MPower class. I got cleaned up and had a meeting that morning. I sent some emails out and began sourcing products for upcoming shoots before going to the Hibiscus House showroom to work there in the afternoon. I felt incredibly productive there, which is always nice, and then came back home to get ready for my evening plans. Hunter and I met up with Macy, Drew, and two of their friends at Carrigan’s that night for dinner and went over to Macy and Drew’s house afterward to make watermelon margaritas before calling it a night. 

I had to meet a shipper at the Hibiscus House showroom Saturday morning, so I was there around 8:00. That took about an hour, which gave me some time to work on computer tasks before staging some of those deliveries. I caught up with Nell on the phone while doing that, and Hunter and I met for lunch at The Garage, a bar and sandwich place that I had heard about a few times in the past weeks. Macy and I went antiquing in the afternoon before I changed and went to Hunter’s house so that we could go to a Birmingham Legion soccer game that night. I was worried it was going to be really hot, but it was actually quite comfortable, and we got dinner from the food trucks set up there. We hung out with friends afterward for a little while before I was ready for bed.

I slept in for the first time in a while on Sunday, and went over to Hunter’s house in the afternoon to watch the finals of a soccer game while getting work done. Eventually, I went to the grocery store, did laundry, and talked on the phone to my parents. Sunday night, I showered, cooked for the week, and was able to cross more things off my to-do list in preparation for the week ahead. 

I hope that y’all have had a good couple of weeks! I’ve drafted out a few other posts for this week and hope to not leave y’all hanging again. 

Fourth of July Inspired Outfit Ideas

Happy Fourth of July weekend! I felt like I spent most of the week hustling to get things done in preparation for enjoying a relaxing weekend at the lake. We got to the lake last night, and the fun has already begun, but before I get too swept up in it, I wanted to share some cute Fourth of July outfit ideas. I’m sure it would’ve been more helpful to share these a few weeks ago when there was enough time to purchase the items to wear for the occasion, but I’m in the camp for this that late is better than never. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take inspiration from what I’ve shared to recreate something similar to wear this weekend or order something to wear during the duration of the summer months. Either way, I can’t help but love dressing to a theme! 

hat // red and white striped maxi dress // blue floral embroidered dress // blue and white floral maxi dress 

I definitely narrowed down what I packed for the weekend (because let’s be honest, I pretty much live in bathing suits and coverups when by the water), but I had so much fun pulling out some of my favorite red, white, and blue pieces for the weekend’s festivities.

If there’s something you’re interested in purchasing from this post, the links to each item can be found underneath the images. 

Outfit 1:

blue and white floral maxi dress // blue and white striped bow one piece // tan espadrille slides

Outfit 2:

white eyelet blouse // jean shorts // tan sneakers // raffia earrings // ric rac headband

Outfit 3:

white bow tank // blue and white striped one piece // white shorts // woven visor

Outfit 4:

white maxi dress // blue and white striped bikini top // blue and white striped bikini bottoms // market tote

Outfit 5:

bow tie red gingham maxi dress // ruffle scoop neck tan bathing suit // panama hat // braided sandals 

Outfit 6:

white eyelet dress // floral bathing suit top // blue sandals // floral bathing suit bottom

Outfit 7:

tie dye set // navy bag // tan wedges 

Outfit 8:

blue maxi dress // blush platform sandals // colorful bracelet set // blue and white floral headband

Outfit 9:

blue and white smocked midi dress // blue and white striped sandals // tortoise rim glasses // neutral boat tote

Outfit 10:

red and pink ruffle midi dress // krewe lookalike sunglasses // blue and white tote bag

Outfit 11:

red floral dress // woven and cognac crossbody // navy statement earrings // red bow wedges 

Wishing you a safe and fun weekend!