Outfits

If you're reading this now, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally open to the public! Since I'm a Nordstrom card holder, I've been shopping the sale since 3 AM las Thursday (you can read all about that here). Luckily most of my online orders have come in, and I was able to make a trip to our local Nordstrom to try a few things on last night after work.....

Long story short, I came across a ton of items I love and purchased for myself. But I also tried on a few things that were just mehhhhh. I feel like bloggers only share the good, and today I wanted to share both - the good and bad. Of course this is all subjective, but hopefully it's helpful. If you see something you like, snag it now. Items have been selling out like crazy. As always, returns are super easy with Nordstrom.

So without further adieu, let's start out with things I didn't love. Just to note, I'm about 5 ft 4ish on a good day and generally wear a size 6/medium.

MISSES:

Henley Tee ($49 on sale for $32)

I ordered this in a medium and it was massive. We're talking two sizes too big. I could see it working as pajamas, but for the price it was a big no for me. The material was soft, but was thinner than I hoped. No picture because this went back immediately.

Wrap Sweater ($89 on sale for $58)

Okay, I had high hopes for this one since it was SO soft. I'm wearing a small and looking at this picture I think I'm just wearing it wrong....I did love the sports bra I'm wearing underneath but didn't end up buying one. They're on sale here for 2/$40 and I actually think I might snag two now that I'm sitting here thinking about it!

Button Front Top ($38 on sale for $24)

I'm wearing a size medium and it was just too form fitted for my liking. I definitely would recommend sizing up if you don't want it too fitted or to shrink in the wash. This was just a no for me.

Slouchy Pocket Henley ($49 on sale for $31)

This might be my least favorite thing I tried on...I could tell on the hanger that it just looked like a hot mess  (too wrinkly and thin), but I'd seen so many other bloggers raving about this top so I gave it a try in a safe darker color. It was just horrible on me, haha. I didn't think the quality was worth even the marked down price despite how cute it looks here on the model.

Throw on Cardigan  ($89 on sale for $58)

I didn't even try this one on in the store because it felt SO itchy! I wasn't a fan and there are way better cardigans that are a part of the sale...

High Knee Suede Boots ($239 on sale for $159)

Ugh ya'll, this one is tough. I wanted to love these boots but for some reason they just don't do it for me. I think if they were under $100 I'd keep them, but they just feel too flimsy and thin for suede.....Unfortunately these have to go back.

HITS:

Adidas Top ($32 on sale for $23)

LOVE this workout top. The quality is really good and not too thin. I know I'll get a ton of use out of this. Wearing a size medium and fits true to size.

Faux Leather Leggings ($98 on sale for $64)

One of my favorite purchases, if not favorite, of the entire sale. Ya'll these are as good as people say. I skipped out on these last year and am now kicking myself. They feel like a dream and fit true to size. I'm wearing a medium. Highly recommend!

Slip on Sneakers ($195 on sale for $125)

Another favorite purchase from the sale were these leather slip on sneakers. The quality is really really good, and they can be worn so many ways. Definitely a splurge, but a good investment piece! I already plan on wearing them the next time we go to Europe and will be walking tons of miles 😉 They run big, so size down. I'm generally an 8 and I'm wearing a 7.5 above.

Wubby ($78 on sale for $51)

The softest fleece pullover that makes you feel like a giant teddy bear. I can't wait to wear this all winter long. The price is right too! Definite win. I'm wearing a size large and I like the fit.

High-Low V-neck Sweater (on sale for $38)

I love this sweater so much! It's so soft and the perfect non-itchy material. I also like the longer length so that I can wear it with my faux leather leggings or even jeans. Sizes are limited, but if you see this one grab it for sure. Runs true to size- wearing a medium.

Cashmere Wrap ($199 on sale for $132)

Another splurge, but such a good investment piece. Wraps can be worn so many different ways and are perfect for travel too. This wrap comes in grey, black, dark red, and a beautiful light pink color. It was so hard to chose which one, but you really can't go wrong! I also love the fringe detailing.

Just to note, I saw a few other cashmere pieces in the store last night and I honestly thought a lot of them felt cheap.....This wrap however is great quality. So just wanted to share that!

Striped Tee ($17 on sale for $11)

I ended up grabbing this tee in stripe, white (x2), and black. They aren't the best quality in the world, but they're good basics to have on hand. I find I wear tees like this year round and love to update them whenever I find them on sale. Wearing a size medium.

Oversized Cardigan ($89 on sale for $59). Comes in several colors

This cardigan is everything. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was coming home with me. Out of all of the cardigans I tried on and felt in the store this was the clear winner. I love how it's oversized, but doesn't swallow me up necessarily. The olive color is also beautiful - it comes in five other colors as well. Definitely size down. I'm wearing an XS/S

Suede Mules ($79 on sale for $49)

I saw these mules in the catalog about a month ago and knew I had to have them! They're even cuter in person and I just love the light blush color. Hurry on these since there are limited sizes left in black, taupe, blush, and red. I'm wearing my standard 8, but I could have sized down to a 7.5. Oh and I've already worn these twice to work this week and it's only Thursday, ha!

Exposed Seam Sweater (on sale for $29). Comes in several colors

Okay, this sweater may not look that impressive but I really like it! It's long enough to wear with leggings, but also works with pants. It's really soft too and the price point is right. Unfortunately, it keeps going in and out of stock but I wanted to link it for you here. Wearing my standard size medium.

Also just to note, I tried on this similar sweater for $45 and actually preferred my sweater above! I felt like the quality was better, and I was really surprised at the price difference.

Okay this might be my favorite look I put together! Excuse the awkwardness, but I wanted to show off my shoes 😉

Wrap Sweater ($59 on sale for $39). Comes in a few colors

I'm shocked that I love this sweater as much as I do. I'm wearing a medium and it's a little large, but I loved it so much I had to have it. I'd recommend sizing down though. Also, it's a little on the cropped side, so I'd pair with high waisted skinnies like the ones I'm wearing above....I already picture myself wearing this out on a date night!

High Rise Skinnies ($89 on sale for $59)

My first time trying out this brand of jeans, but I have to say I'm impressed. I'm generally a loyal AG Jeans girl, but our Nordstrom was totally picked through of all designer denim. Needless to say after giving these a try, they came home with me and I can't wait to wear them. I love the dark, classic wash and the tiny bit of stretch. I'm not sure if they'll hold their shape (TBD), but so far so good. For $59 these are a win! Run true to size, wearing size 6.

Slingback Slides ($109 on sale for $72)

Ya'll, as much as I'm obsessed with these mules I picked up above, I think these slingback slides steal the show. They're SO adorable. As a short gal, these are the perfect chunky heel height and will be so comfortable to walk in. LOVE! Oh and I'm wearing my standard size 8. Apologies in advance since I'll be wearing these 24/7 starting now 🙂

Flowy Tee ($48 on sale for $31)

This Free People top is so flowy and soft! I like how the arms are more fitted, but the shirt itself is long and swingy. It definitely runs big- I tried on an XS but ended up going with the S above in case it shrinks. $31 for a tee normally seems like a lot, but the quality on this one is on point. It also comes in several colors, but I loved this dark grey!

Curve Hem Cardigan ($49 on sale for $31). Comes in several colors.

Like I mentioned above, I tried on several cardigans and bought a few different ones from the sale. I think this BP. one above is a really good budget friendly option at about $30. It's long but not too long and the perfect thickness. Based on the fabric, I think it'll also wash well which is always something I consider in my older age! Wearing a size small, so I'd suggest sizing down.

Black Tee ($17 on sale for $11)

I ended up grabbing this tee in stripe, white (x2), and black. They aren't the best quality in the world, but they're good basics to have on hand. I find I wear tees like this year round and love to update them whenever I find them on sale. Wearing a size medium.

Oversized Long Cardigan ($75 on sale for $49)

This is yet another cardi that flooded Instagram over the last week. I definitely can see why! It just looks super cozy and chunky. Unfortunately it runs HUGE. I'm wearing a size US 6 (fits like a 2-4) and it's even big on me.....So just be aware of that. The cream color above is currently sold out, but it's available in a few other colors. Seriously though, size down majorly. It really is a cute cardigan for snuggling up once the temps get cold!

Balloon Sleeve Sweater ($49 on sale for $31)

I also saw this sweater in the catalog and knew I had to have it! It's a great trendy sweater for around $30. I actually have a similar version from last year in tan that I wore nonstop, so I knew I'd get use out of a white version to switch things up. Runs true to size, wearing a medium

Long Sleeve Tee ($29 on sale for $18)

Another basic tee similar to the short sleeve versions I mentioned above. I actually purchased the white/black combo and returned it for this tan/black combo which seemed pretty unique! I'm wearing a size medium which fits perfect, however I wouldn't mind sizing up for a more oversized fit.

Slingback Slides ($109 on sale for $72) My favorite!

OVERALL:

So there you have it! Everything you see above I purchased myself and intend to keep. I like keeping it real around here and only recommend items I 100% love.

Also, random side note but just remember that not everything is necessarily a good deal just because it's a part of the Nordstrom Sale. I think a lot of pieces really weren't up to the quality for even the sale price this year (just based on some of the misses I mentioned above and a few things that I saw in the store). My advice is to go off of bloggers you trust, as well as the reviews on Nordstrom's website which personally I find to be really accurate.

Ok so this was super long, but I hope it was really helpful for those who are shopping the Nordstrom sale or wanting to add some basics to their wardrobe. As you can see, I really went for basic pieces this year that can be mixed and matched. Unfortunately, I did buy a few other things that haven't gotten here yet (sorry Myles!), so I'll make sure to share those later. I'm going to go ahead and include them in the widget below in case they sell out, as well as everything I mentioned above that I kept.

WHAT I BOUGHT/KEPT:

Did you shop the Nordstrom Sale? I'd love to know what you bought or what your favorite is this year?!

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It's that wonderful time of year again- the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I've been shopping the sale for years, and it's one of my favorites for so many reasons. I know so many bloggers out there have already been hyping it up, but I promise it really is that good. So good in fact, I've been saving for weeks which is truly an accomplishment in itself for me. No shop June, success!

Anyways, today I wanted to share a few key things about the sale. I've also included pieces I've bought over the years, just to give you an idea of what to expect. Most are still favorites to this day!

The Lowdown:

• Early access starts Thursday, July 12th. If you're interested in shopping early, you can sign up for the Nordstrom credit card here. I'm not one to advocate credit cards - only if you can pay them off - but it really is a good perk. Otherwise, the sale opens to the public July 20th.
• Up to 40% off NEW fall/winter items. This is the kicker, everything on sale is brand new merchandise which will be marked back to full price August 6th. Generally sales are a way to push out old inventory, but not this sale! For a sneak peek, check out this year's catalog here.
• If you see something you want, snag it ASAP. Every year I'm shocked at how quickly items sell out, especially the more popular pieces that you'll see most fashion bloggers raving about. My advice, if you see anything you like place the order - Nordstrom has an awesome return policy so you can always return it if you change your mind. Same goes if you aren't sure of a size, order both just to be safe!

What to expect on sale:

Now's the time to stock up on wardrobe staples for the fall/winter. Think....

• Quality denim- AG jeans are my FAVORITE and basically all I wear
• Boots/booties/shoes in general- Expect to see leather Tory Burch shoes and boots majorly discounted, as well as tons of suede options from Vince, BP, etc. I'm eyeing these mules (under $50) and this pair of boots in black!
• Cashmere- Now's the time to splurge on quality cashmere pieces whether it's a cardigan, sweater, vest, or wrap. This wrap has my name on it....
• Basic tees- I always stock up on short and long sleeve tees. Perfect for layering and you can wear them now!
• Workout wear- Sneakers, leggings, etc. Zella leggings are pretty much all I wear, and I generally pick up a pair every year.
• Cardigans- I normally pick up several, but this year I need to limit myself to maybe just one 😉 Expect to see Barefoot Dreams marked done - like this cardigan- which honestly is the softest I own.
• Makeup- I'm not a makeup guru whatsoever, but I love snagging sets as well as any Nars palettes...
• Jackets- Now's the time to purchase a new coat on sale, despite the fact that it's 100 degrees out... I'm obsessed with the faux leather jacket I bought last year, and I'm hoping to score a Wubby pullover before they sell out!

And just for fun, here are a few favorites I've purchased throughout the years:

Leather jacket / Leopard scarf / Black mules

Cashmere vest / Tory Burch flats

Cashmere cardigan / Striped tee / AG jeans

Cashmere cardigan / Suede booties / V neck pocket tee

Lace top / AG denim / Suede booties

Topshop cardigan

Scarf / BP cardigan / AG jeans / Striped tee

Suede boots (favorite purchase!)

Barbour jacket / Zella leggings

Tory Burch leather boots

Leather jacket / Leopard scarf

As well as a few things that are on my list this year:

Waterproof Suede Boots   / Cashmere Wrap / Slingback Sandals / Quay Sunglasses / Striped Sweater / Suede Mules /  Wubby Pullover / Swiss Dot Sweater

Be sure to check back Thursday and I'll be sharing all of my favorites from the sale, as well as what I've purchased. Happy shopping!

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One of my favorite memories from our time in Hawaii was walking along the Wailea Beach trail every morning as the sun would rise. I'm a night owl, always have been, but something about Hawaii always seems to turn me into a morning person.

I loved getting a few miles in while the world seemed to still be asleep. So peaceful. Plus, all the cats along the way were SO cute ....

The morning of my birthday, Myles asked if I wanted him to take some pictures for the blog. Of course I couldn't say NO, especially because I'd been hoping to catch some shots of the sunrise with my DSLR.

 

I had a few minutes to get myself together before the sun came up, and I decided to throw on the easiest outfit I could think of.....

Kimonos are my jam - year round. They're super easy to style and can be worn so many ways. I love throwing them on over a plain tank/tee with shorts or jeans, but also as a cover up when I don't feel like wearing a dress.

Plus, there's something about the flowiness of a kimono that looks so effortlessly chic....

Floral kimono / Favorite jean shorts (AG on major sale!) / White tee / Sunnies (favorites!)

It's safe to say, I wore this kimono nonstop during our two week stay in Hawaii. The price point at under $16 was such a steal. You definitely don't need to splurge on this style my friends! Save your $$ for a few mai tai's 😉

Shop my faves:

I've linked a few other kimonos above that I'm loving. Show Me Your Mumu makes beautiful prints and the quality is SO good too. Which reminds me, does anyone remember when I wrote this post a few years back about styling kimonos? Time flies!

 

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As I mentioned in Thursday's post, our adventure to Mt. Pilatus was a highlight of our trip and one I can't stop raving about! When I initially decided on staying in Lucerne, I knew I wanted to do some sort of day trip to the surrounding mountains.

Luckily there were three main choices to chose from: Mt. Rigi, Mt. Titlis, and Mt. Pilatus. After WAY too much research I settled on Mt. Pilatus- mostly after seeing these pictures. Seriously, SO cool right?!

Well I'm here today to share that this day trip was WAY worth the hype and by far exceeded my expectations. It was also really easy to navigate with our trusty Swiss Pass. With the pass, the trip is free and you don't need to buy any tickets.

I'll break it down for you in easy details below. There really is no need to buy any sort of group tour since you can do this on your own. I have faith in you 😉

We decided to start the 'Golden Round Trip' with a boat ride on Lake Lucerne. The boat was docked next to the train station which was super convenient, and the ride took us to Alpnachstad about an hour away.

To avoid crowds, we left around 9:00 which ended up working out perfectly! The boat itself was pretty large and there were so many places to get picture perfect shots.

*If you look hard enough, the little building up top is the summit!  Just check out these views of the snow capped Swiss Alps and Mt. Pilatus!

Once we docked in Alpnachstad, we boarded the world's steepest cogwheel train to take us to the top....

Oh my gosh ya'll was this SO cool! It took about 30 minutes to get to the top, which quickly went by since the views were absolutely breathtaking. I'm still in awe that a train like this even exists......

7,000 feet up!

Once we got off the train, we explored the top for about a bit. There's several places to eat, as well as a hotel. No idea how they even built that, the Swiss people are geniuses! We weren't hungry for once since we'd had a huge breakfast earlier, so we decided to set out on the hike below not really knowing what to expect.........

Miles upon miles of beauty as far as the eye can see........

We even found someone to take our picture!

So this is when things got dicey.......I had NO idea we'd be climbing grated stairs on the edge of this mountain. No joke, there was a complete drop the entire time. Long story short, I learned the hard way that I'm NOT a fan of stairs when we're 7,000 feet up.......So just keep that in mind if you're afraid of heights in the least bit.

Death gripping the railing....

Thankfully Myles talked me out of turning around and I made it past the worst spots without having a complete panic attack. I wish I had gotten some pictures, but I think Myles got video? More to come... My legs were visibly shaking, but the views were worth it!

After we completed the loop, I was more then ready for a glass of wine and a snack.

We decided against the other loop to the highest point on Pilatus because...we'll just take a look at the picture below. Brave, brave people...

Pretty sure the 'stairs' were made of wood and dirt....Not happening!

Once I finally didn't feel like my heart was beating out of my chest, we decided to do one more hike that looked a little less intimidating (flat with no stairs!)

My favorite moments of the day (entire trip?) were here with the Swiss Alps in the distance. I really felt on top of the world! It was so quiet and peaceful, all we could hear were the jingling of the cow bells below. I can't even believe this type of beauty even exists in the world.....

Needless to say, Myles and I were both in awe and spent some time sitting on a bench trying to take in everything <3 We even decided next time we visit we might attempt the hike below... Kidding!

We even took some outfit pics along the edge that you might recognize 😉

Gibson Top (similar) / Favorite stretchy jeans (the price is SO good and they literally have elastic in the band!) / Nikes (sold out, similar) / Favorite sunglasses

Myles and I pretty much had to drag ourselves down from Mt. Pilatus. I'm pretty sure we could have stayed up there ALL day.

After a few hours on top of the world though, we decided to take the gondolas/cable cars down to Kreins. These run very frequently, so it's easy to hop on, hop off. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves on this one.......

Through the clouds we go!Half way point- the water is SO clean in Switzerland! I really wish I could have bottled it all up and taken it home.
Once we made it to Kreins, it was a quick 10 min walk to the bus that brought us back to Lucerne. There's signs, but pretty much you just have to follow the people and you will find the bus stop!

We got back a little after four and decided to rest a bit in our hotel before setting back out for the night. I think we both were just SO overwhelmed with our day adventure that we were exhausted. Overwhelmed in the best way possible just trying to soak up what we'd just done!

If there's one piece of advice I can give you, it's to put Mt. Pilatus on your bucket list, as well as Lucerne! You will NOT be disappointed 🙂

Stay tuned - Friday I'll be sharing some of my favorite things we did in the town of Lucerne, as well as a review of our hotel.

XOXO

 

 

 

 

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Happy Wednesday friends! Since I've been on a roll with the blog as of last week (see my travel posts from California here and here), I figured it was time to catch up on everything thats been going on lately!

It's been a long time since I've done a post like this (January maybe?) so it's totally overdue. The last two months were absolutely hectic, in all the best ways possible though. So I thought it would be fun to share what I've been up to via my iPhone pics. Some of these pics you might recognize from Instagram, but others never quite made it on there.....

Grab a cup of coffee because this is a long one, I hope you enjoy!

My sister and I took a trip to Upper Shirley Vineyards towards the end of March. It was my first time visiting, and I couldn't get over how beautiful it was! The food of course was delicious (hello ham biscuits <333), but the property itself was just lovely. For those who live in Richmond, this vineyard is just a short drive away and worth the trip! And for those planning a wedding...this place really is a dream!

My sister's homemade acai bowl <33333

The first weekend in April, my friends and I met up for a MUCH needed girls day. We went to brunch at "Supper" (which is TO die for...please check out how big that biscuit is above!) and brewery hopped around Scotts Addition. Of course we all were twinning in white....

When Myles and I weren't bouncing around all weekend, we were spending a lot of time with my sister and her boyfriends' dogs. Dogsitting is literally the best of both worlds. Zeke especially is such a clown!

If you don't already, be sure to follow me along on Insta - I'm always posting videos of these pups!  I especially can't wait for our trip to the Outer Banks in 1.5 weeks. These two have no idea the fun they have ahead!

We toured a few rehearsal dinner options and I think we finally found a winner.  More to come later this year once everything is finalized....

Random- but I finally caved and purchased a Chanel classic flap bag from Snobswap. This has always been a dream bag of mine, so when I saw a used (but practically new) one on sale I took it as a sign (ha!) Needless to say I'm in love, and I can't wait to carry this bag for years to come.....

Cold Shoulder Top / Ripped Denim (on sale for $36!!! Use code SUMMER. I can't get over the price for these) / Favorite Espadrilles (similar under $60)

Hot Pink Bell Sleeve Dress ($55 and super flattering!)

Myles and I made the trip to Atlanta one weekend in April for the most beautiful wedding! Everything from the hotel, to the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and reception was beyond perfect.

We're so excited for the happy couple and so glad we got to celebrate them all weekend. I really wish I could share some of the pictures I took, but I'll let the professional pictures speak for themselves. (I seriously can't wait to see them!) Congrats to the Carrolls!

While Myles was off hanging out with the groomsmen, I brunched with my bff from college. Hey Stro!

Wedding #ootn: LOVE this dress! I can't speak highly enough about it. The fit is true to size and it was super comfortable all night. Two thumbs up!

The space was to die for!

City views.....

Road trip #ootd- Free People Top (majorly on sale for $28- I own it in two colors!) / Favorite Denim / Miller Sandals

Sneak peek of some of the crafting I've been up to 😉 More to come with a wedding update! BTW I told my mom this is the ONLY crafting I'm up for .... Michaels/Hobby Lobby/etc stress me out .... (I think I'll stick with accounting....)

April showers bring May flowers....

Bow Flats (seriously how cute are these? only like $20! They also come in taupe, black & blush ) / Tie Sleeve Sweatshirt

We celebrated Mother's Day with a big brunch at my parents house. It's always so nice to get everyone together. Of course the meal wasn't complete without more fresh flowers and key lime pie 😉 Love you Mom!

I took off work on a random Wednesday to celebrate my 28th birthday with my parents (in Lilly of course!) Our birthday lunch tradition at Brio might be one of my favorites (the salmon is SO good!) As always, my mom gave me the cutest gift-  how adorable are these signs?!

Love my 'new' monogram Yeti from such sweet friends!

#ootn: Blush top ($42 and the perfect wardrobe staple. I own it in black as well) / White Denim (great quality for the price!) / Favorite Espadrilles (similar under $60)

No birthday's complete without a birthday dinner 😉 Myles and I celebrated at one of my favorite restaurants, The Boathouse, and as always it didn't disappoint.

I'm not going to lie, you might see my birthday outfit on repeat all spring/ summer....

What dreams are made of...Hayley Paige <33333333

And to continue on with the birthday celebrations.... My college bffs visited from ATL and DC for a weekend of catching up and wedding dress shopping! I can't even explain how blessed I am for these girls in my life, as well as my mom and big sister <3

We had the best day full of champagne, dresses on dresses, lunch with views of the James, visiting the most gorgeous boutique I've ever seen (seriously, that chandelier deserves all the heart emojis), and of course pizza 😉 I'll be sharing more on my dress shopping experience later....but all I can say is I'm pretty sure we found the one!!! The day honestly couldn't have been more perfect- basically as cliche as that sounds. So thank ya'll for making it so special!!! Can't wait until 5/5/18

And last but not least, lately I've been addicted to Jcrew/Jcrew Factory...

Top (sold out but love this one) / White Denim (great quality for the price!) / Favorite Espadrilles (similar under $60)

Tie-Waist Tee / Striped Midi Skirt (even better, the waist is elastic!)

I had to throw in some Lilly Pulitzer because it wouldn't be spring without it 😉

Tie- Waist Tee / White Shorts ($10!!!) I have these in a few colors / Nikes (similiar)

Well friends, I think that's about it. I hope you enjoyed this post and I can't wait to get back into the swing of blogging. I have so many fun things planned ahead that I want to share - including the rest of my California travel posts, a family beach trip this month, wedding updates (I'm thinking of doing these monthly?), more J Crew Factory finds (I definitely did some damage...), as well as a big trip Myles and I have planned for early September!!

It's going to be a great summer and I can't wait to have ya'll along for the ride.

Thanks for reading <3

XOXO

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