Friday Favorites // August 4, 2017

I'm linking up again with Erika, Andrea and Narci for the Friday Favorites!  I love reading everyone's favorites too!

{ 1 }

This sippy cup is so good.  One day I took a drink out of Carolina's plastic sippy cup to see if it was cold and I couldn't believe how bad the water tasted!  My kids have been drinking nasty plastic flavored water their whole lives.  This one keeps the ice cubes in there forever and the water cold.  The only problem is that this one is pretty small.  Definitely get the next size up.  I'm waiting for a sale to buy another one for Nico and probably for myself too because they don't leak when I throw them in my purse.

{ 2 }

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale has officially gotten on my nerves.  I should say I have gotten on my own nerves.  The website and shopping experience was so glitchy that I ordered multiple sizes and colors of things instead of being able to try them on in the store.  I have been to the store several times and it just seems like the salespeople are fed up too.  I love Nordstrom but I think that this sale makes everyone stressed out.  We act as if it's the only time we shop the whole entire year.  Last call! Prices go up!  Fire sale!  I mean, I think some perspective is needed.  

{ 3 }

It's almost back to school.  This is going to be the shortest summer in history for me.  My baby is going to kindergarten and I can't even take it!  And my baby baby Nico is going to be in school 2 days a week.  I don't even want him to go.  Boo hoo!!

Carolina went to a birthday party where they put makeup on her.  That was the first time she wore makeup and she made sure you could see that blue eyeshadow!

{ 4 }

Around here, I have been shredding things, selling things and cleaning things out! This is the picture of the office.  I finally went through so many files.  

Yesterday, was books.  What is up with all these books I haven't read?  I mean, it's time to read them or let them go.  I like to keep books I love but it was time for me to be realistic about what I will read again.  

{ 5 }

This candle is so amazing.  They are even better than Voluspa or Capri candles.  I got the lavender but there were other amazing scents too.  Check out the website.   The girls also post designer handbags for sale that were donated to them.  There are some great deals on there! 

The candles are made by teenage girls rescued from sex trafficking so you are doing good in the world by buying them.   Houston is a major hub for sex trafficking and many of the girls are underage. This organization gives them jobs and confidence to find another job eventually.

Nordstrom Anniversary 2017 Top Picks

Anniversary Sale Catalog 

This is my favorite sale of the year!!!  I'm a total fall lover and even though it doesn't even begin to reach cooler temperatures until November, I like to live in optimistic anticipation knowing that it is coming.  Fall is just so thrilling with back to school supplies, plaid and the feeling of a fresh start.  

I went through the catalog and here are my favorites for now.  There's always more that isn't in the catalog.  Also, I usually end up doing lots of switcheroos because I see someone else's picks or just don't like mine.

This Halogen pant is an updated leg style and I like it because it's a nice change from jeans all. the. time.  I need to see the colors before I decide which one I'll choose.

 

This shirt appeals to me just because it says French, but I'm not sure the message it's sending will be appropriate for me.  So cute though!

I have one of the knock off Madewell transport totes from Nordstrom that I have used as a diaper bag and carryall for a couple of years.  I just ordered a crossbody from Madewell so I probably won't splurge on this, but I do love the stripe.  

I am going to compare this one to the Barefoot Dreams one and see which one I like the best.  The pockets are a big sell for me.

I got the Vince Camuto booties that are similar to this last year and if you are on the fence, just do it!  They are so versatile and can be worn while it's still hot!  I was wearing mine well into spring too.  

I've been waiting to get some of the frayed hem jeans and there are several options, but I'm going to start with this.  I don't have any Caslon jeans.  I usually wear AGs so we'll see how they compare.  They basically need to feel like pajamas for me to keep them.

I got my white Converse all stars recently but these were so cute.  I ordered these first and then returned them so Carolina and i could match.  I wear mine all the time.

I usually get a pair of workout Zella leggings in the sale and they are honestly the only ones I want to wear every time.  These aren't my favorite pattern but I'm going to see if they offer more online.

One thing that is a must buy for me is a new bra.  I've been wearing a nursing bra for years, the same one.  It's dreadful and belongs in the garbage.  

I like this one because it doesn't have wires and I'm still nursing.

These are a few other options that I will try.  I also always get a few Natori panties because they are the best.  

This is the Barefoot Dreams one.  I'm not sure about the hood and maybe they'll offer more selection online.  I think they usually do.

I definitely need some new pajamas.  These have mixed reviews so we'll see.

I've really been wanting to try some Charlotte Tilbury because I hear such good things about it.  You know I'm trying to reduce makeup so it will have to be something I'm totally going to love and use up.

This is interesting.  I could use some facial toning and I'm willing to see if it works!  It has pretty good reviews.

That's all for now!  What are your picks for the anniversary sale?  I love to see what stands out to other people that I didn't even notice.  

Linking up to Themommyhoodmoments.com today!

Nordstrom Anniversary Preview 2010: Behind the Curtain

Maybe you've heard? The Nordstrom Anniversary sale starts tomorrow and all the buzz has been about the preview for the last week and a half. The Anniversary sale is special because it puts a certain selection of fall items on sale for a month of so, then raises the prices again. Last year we did not go because we were not a certain level of Nordstrom cardholders. If you are excluded from the preview, you will know that The Wizard of Oz imagery is not very far off. Everyone wants to get to the preview! This year, we caught a break though because our local store decided to let all Nordstrom cardholders in instead of just a certain level that would typically qualify. I think that was smart of them.

Let me take you behind the curtains to what we saw. Essentially there are two separate curtained off spaces, one for women and one for men and accessories. You have to make an appointment so that you are accompanied by a salesperson, and you get two hours to shop. At first glance, the partitioned rooms seem to be small and unimpressive. Imagine a retail yard sale with racks of clothes along the wall and metal tables full of shoes and purses. There are an impressive amount of items jammed in there though. The small rooms are deceiving because there is only one size of each item. That is why you need the salesperson to assist you, so you can get the correct size to try on your items.

Last year I went on the first day of the Anniversary Sale, which is when I had my personal shopping experience that you can read about here. The preview could potentially take this experience up one notch by not only having an appointment but by not being a part of the frenzy that occurs during the sale days. The dressing rooms are right next to the preview so they really make it all very comfortable for you to shop. I would bet that you can make an appointment with the personal shopper department to pull it all together for you. (If you are in Houston, call Scotty!)

When I went last week to the preview, I had it in my mind that I wanted to not want anything, so I looked at everything with a very critical eye. It turns out that I didn't need to worry because I really didn't like much. There were a few things that I had in mind that I was looking for, like a purse and some tall boots. They had a huge selection of purses and shoes but nothing really wowed me. I tried on a dress like one this except in pink and I liked it, but the material was a very wrinkly cotton and I try to stay away from high maintenance fabrics.

Since last year G also felt the burn of being excluded from the preview, he wanted to find out what all the fuss was about too. We journeyed back down there to see if there was something he loved. He really didn't need anything, but he did find a white shirt because who doesn't need a new white shirt? It's egyptian cotton and a blessed non-iron fabric! Now when I neglect to iron his shirts for months, he'll have something to wear besides polos. We came away with him thinking he needs a leather jacket, which is the first I had heard of it, so the power of suggestion works on men too apparently.

What struck me as I looked through the racks of clothes is that I really just don't like the fall fashion options. There is so much 80's influence right now and it's just not me. There were so many chunky, long sweaters that I suppose balance out skinny jeans. There are some years that the fashion trends just don't appeal which is when it's great to fall back on your current wardrobe and save some money.

I don't want to neglect to mention that the preview is especially great if you are looking for a hot item or hot brand because those items sell out first. There are some Tory Burch flats which always sell out fast, and certain brands of handbags will go quickly. How quickly, I don't know, but since the anniversary sale is unique because it's putting items on sale before fall gets here, I bet there is a lot of frenzy over these items because of the discount.

I'm sure that I could have found something if I really was in the buying mood, but to be honest, I had already bought a couple things for fall and needed to wait to buy anything else. It was fun to be a part of the preview and I would do it again next year. Fall is my favorite time of year because I look forward to sweaters and the cooler months. Since I'm from North Carolina, fall always meant the turning of beautiful leaves, crisp mornings, sunny days and one never forgets the importance of the back to school wardrobe. In Houston, I'll just look forward to cooler days and the energy of back to school shopping, even though I'm not in school.

What about you all? Have you been to the Nordstrom preview? Did you buy anything? Do you feel that it's just more exclusivity marketing hype, or that there is real value there?

Image here.