Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks - UNDER $100!

I'll be one of the first to admit that the hype surrounding the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is unREAL. My Instagram feed is seriously plastered with flatlays and bloggers modeling their favorite finds. And let me just say I am THERE FOR IT. I may be a sucker but this sale is basically my next favorite day of the year after Christmas (could we call this Christmas in July?)

For those that may be living under a rock, let me show you the light. The #NSale consists of all new predominately FALL items, from the freshest booties to brand spanking new beauty products and just about everything in between. Without further ado, here's what I purchased myself. I'm thinking of doing a try-on of the items I end up loving/keeping (I'm picking up a majority of my purchases tomorrow at my nearby Nordstrom store and the rest will be coming in the mail soon!) These are just a handful of things I bought and pieces I think will be awesome fall/winter staples at super affordable prices!

1. Zella Live In High Waist Leggings - All I can say is these are a must for EVERY girl's wardrobe. The high waist sucks you in. Honestly, I bought a black pair 2 years ago and just now decided it is time to replace them with a fresh pair. I wear them with tunics and tall boots in the fall/winter but they are also perfect for working out! Also loving the red color!!

2. BP Raw Edge V Neck Tee - This tee is a staple. I have a few in other colors and decided a basic black tee this year is a must for layering under the cardis and jackets I bought. PERFECT for every season.

3. Leith Ribbed Shawl Cocoon Cardigan - I bought this piece last year in light pink (and it wasn't ribbed) and LOVED it. It's super soft, and I resolved to purchase this year's style in another color that I will probably love equally as much. Just another great staple to layer with in the fall!

4. BP Lace Trim Camisole - Ok this top already seems to be one of those super popular pieces that keeps selling out. Keep checking back for restocks! I love little camis like this for layering, perfect for all seasons. Comes in other colors!

5. BLANKNYC Moto Jacket - Every girl needs a good quality, structured leather jacket! I love that this one has the option for a hood to create a more casual look. I grabbed this in black and mushroom, TBD which one I'll end up keeping! My trusty Express leather jacket from years ago finally bit the dust last year so I'm thinking a replacement is in order.

6. Dreamers by Debut Sweater - I love the length and lightweight look of this sweater. Living in Texas, I can't commit to too many heavy sweaters because our winters come late and don't last long, so I get way more mileage out of pieces like this. I grabbed it in olive green (currently not available online but keep an eye out for restocks!) but it comes in other colors too!

7. BP Kerry Bootie - Black booties were at the top of my shopping list this year and this pair fits the bill! They have just the right amount of edge with the subtle patent sheen and metal buckles without screaming "biker chick."

8. BP Brice Bootie - I wore the heck out of my taupe block heel booties from last year's sale and wanted a camel/tan colored pair to add to my fall rotation this year. How perfect are they!

9. Kendra Scott Diane Earrings / Miku Earrings / Gilly Bracelet - Kendra does it again. Y'all, I was not expecting new KS pieces in this sale let alone these jaw-droppingly gorgeous items! I've got mostly gold metals in my jewelry collection so I opted for silver to compliment some of the cooler colored clothing I purchased for fall.

10. BP Ruched Body-Con Dress - I snagged this little number in gray and have plans to wear it throughout the rest of summer and into early fall. It's cute with sandals or sneakers now and will look just as adorable with booties or tall boots and a long chunky cardigan.

11. BP Sweater - Another great lightweight option for warmer climates. Love the light pink color!

12. BP Ribbed Cardigan - This "cardigan" is actually styled as a top and that's how I'd wear it too. Cute and great for layering!

13. Socialite Drop Shoulder Sweater - Can't stop won't stop with the lightweight sweaters. This light blue color is unlike anything else in my closet! So pretty.

14. BP Ribbed V Neck and Raw Edge Scoop Neck Tee - Two great long sleeve layering options! I wear solid long sleeve tees a lot throughout the cooler months, they are another great laying piece.

15. BLANKNYC Black High Rise Jeans - I've never owned a pair of black jeans and I have high hopes for these. Fingers crossed they are amazing because they were made to be worn with my new black booties.

Summer Style for Mamas

These past 16 months have been the best of my life! A week after my last post, little man came into the world and the Mr. and I have been changed for the better. These days, I'm busy chasing a toddler around and finally feeling like I'm maybe-sorta-kinda getting the hang of this thing called parenting. One of the biggest changes that came with having a child is the way I dress and the way I view clothing in general!

While like most other 20-30 somethings, I appreciate all the cute trendy styles that all my favorite fashion bloggers wear. As a new mom, I've curated a wardrobe that incorporates some trendy cute styles ensuring they are also versatile, affordable and comfortable. If you are like me and nodding your head and thinking yes! then check out some of these options I've been keeping on heavy rotation in my closet these days (which happens to be the most condensed it's ever been, but that's another story for another day!)

1. Black relaxed tee - I could live in these basic tees! I've got several in my arsenal in neutrals as wells as a few colors. They are super easy to mix and match to create endless outfit options!

2. Striped tee - Super cute and comfy! Love love love it.

3. Sunnies - A pair of cat eye sunnies is a great way to elevate a mom uniform to something a little more #extra.

4. Texture spray - Let's face it. We can all appreciate the power of a good dry shampoo but as a new mom, this stuff has become a true lifesaver. I love that this one also adds volume and texture! (It also has a nice light coconut scent!)

5. Summer jeans - Y'all. I finally bought my first pair of Madewell jeans and I'm obsessed. I wear them probably 5 times a week! Get your regular size -- they may be a tiny bit snug at first but they will quickly stretch out just a little to fit you perfectly. Love the flattering high waist on these!

6. Earrings - Another great way to elevate basics is to add fun statement earrings. I am super into the bright red fringe on these! So festive for summer.

7. Shorts - These are high waisted but far from "Mom shorts." The neutral stripes are perfect to pair with solid tees in virtually any color. These come in a pretty charcoal gray stripe as well!

8. Dress - In the summertime, I am all about throw on and go breezy basics. This sleeveless shift is a must and is so easy to change up with different jewelry and shoes to create new looks.

9. Pouch - Who says baby supply carrying pouches have to be boring? This fun leopard print pouch would be a great way to contain diapers/wipes, pacifiers, travel size diaper cream, etc and throw in your purse for weekend errands. So chic!

10. Red swimmie - I love that one pieces are so in right now! This one is perfect for mamas that want something a little spicier than a basic black swimsuit. The side cut outs add just the right amount of interest without being overly revealing.

11. Sandals - These affordable sandals are also comfy and a great basic shoe to pair with just about any outfit! They are slightly dressier than flip flops but just as easy to throw on and chase a baby all day in.

12. Romper - This romper is another fantastic, chic number to add to your mama wardrobe! I love the olive green color. Dress it up with wedges and fun jewelry or keep it simple with flat sandals (see #11!)

Top 10 Things I Miss During Pregnancy

Well it's the final countdown 'til baby boy arrives in just a few short weeks and I've been thinking a lot about things I'm excited to reintroduce in my life once he is here and all those pesky restrictions are gone!

Here's a list of the top 10 things I am looking forward to:

1. Wine // This is a no-brainer. I was extremely proud of myself for putting it in the back of my mind for the first 6 months or so, but once the holidays and the third trimester simultaneously rolled around, all I wanted was a nice glass of red once in a while. I've reached a point where I won't even be picky on the type of red.

2. Advil Liqui-gels // It may seem like such a silly and minor thing, but these have been my go-to pain medication for years and years. I'm not one to pop a pill for every little ailment but when I found out I was pregnant and told I couldn't take Advil, all I can think about is how much I wish I could take it to cure all those little aches and pains that tend to accompany these last 9 months. (Tylenol gels just never cut it for me.)

3. Sushi // While I've indulged pretty often in sushi lately, it's been the cooked variety that consists of crab and shrimp. What I'm missing is my salmon and tuna rolls!

4. Spicy food // This isn't on a ban list but any pregnant lady could tell you that heartburn/acid reflux is pretty typical, especially when baby starts growing and pushing up into your stomach. I have always LOVED spicy food and luckily never really experience negative effects such as upset stomach or heartburn. But during this pregnancy I've been popping Tums like it's my job. And even when I try to go for milder foods, many things will still stir up heartburn (sometimes in the middle of the night).

5. Pre-pregnancy clothes // How I miss my collection of fit and flare and wrap work dresses, high heels, skinny jeans, and virtually two-thirds of my closet. What I'm left with at this point are a few loose-fitting Gap and Nordstrom tunics (that I LOVE, by the way) and a minimal selection of dedicated "maternity" tops and dresses. Something about spending money on things I really only get about 2 months of wear from was a big turn off for me, so I've made do with flowy non-pregnancy tops, stretchy pants, and a belly band to make most of my pre-pregnancy clothing do double duty. I'm ready to wear all my old favorites again, though!

6. Working out // As the bump has grown it's gotten tougher to keep up a good workout routine. I took barre classes here and there for most of the third trimester but even those started to get a little difficult. Prior to pregnancy, I typically worked out 30-60 minutes a day, 6-7 days a week and look forward to reintegrating into that kind of routine. I know it will take time and commitment but mentally, I'm ready!

7. Travel // From prior blog posts, you may have guessed that I love to travel. It's been quite a while since I've jet-setted anywhere and I'm pretty excited to plan a trip or two this year! As of now, the hubs and I are thinking a return trip to St. Helena is going to be just what we need later this summer.

8. Stomach sleeping // I was always kind of aware that I preferred sleeping on my stomach (and sometimes back) but I've noticed it the most once I was unable to do it! I basically spend 1-2 hours every night these days flipping back and forth between my left and right sides, trying to find a comfortable position. Back sleeping impacts my breathing and of course stomach sleeping is just plain impossible at the moment. I'm ready to regain my freedom of movement!

9. Lifting heavy objects // This probably sounds crazy--you might be wondering why this makes the list. Over the past few months as the hubs and I have been settling into our new home, we've of course been acquiring various furniture pieces and rearranging rooms. Lifting heavy objects is generally not recommended during pregnancy and I've been surprisingly annoyed that I have to stand by and watch my hubby or others move things for me.

10. No more symptoms // I'm going to lump the last few things into this category because they are all pretty small and insignificant on their own, but overall I'm just looking forward to not experiencing them for a little while. Nose bleeds, not being able to bend over and tie my shoes, taking the stairs without being completely breathless, bladder control, no more pain in my back and ribs.... I could go on.

Here's to finishing out these last 2 (to 4) weeks with a bang! Or maybe a POP of champagne :)

xo