It’s been a while. Sit back and relax as I answer some common questions about life and blogging. Also, just so you know. I’m going to get very real with you all. I cannot believe it but…
Today is the day! Or rather, this is the WEEK! These days, the sales go from before Thanksgiving to the weeks leading up to Christmas. You will not find me shopping in person on Black Friday, but I might pick up a couple of things online.
To me, the holidays are all about the joy and the sentimental aspects. I try not to make it too much about gifts. Although, I do love giving to others. It is the season of giving, after all. My close friends and I would sometimes rather share an experience than a gift, and those experiences I like to hold near and dear to my heart. Andy and I plan on foregoing gifts this year so that we can save the money for our special move in together, which will be the best Christmas gift of all. There may be something on this list, however, that you cannot pass up for your special friends and family. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the stores with the best deals as well as my Black Friday picks for myself or for others.
I look forward to celebrating the season with my friends and family. I know the holidays might be a trying time for some. So please, try to keep your head up and do something positive for others and remember the “good” in this season. I hope all of you have an amazing holiday season.
Deals to Check Out on Black Friday
Abercrombie & Fitch ~ 50% off entire store & free shipping, no code needed
Amazon ~ Special Black Friday deals of the day
Ann Taylor ~ 50% off everything, code: THANKFUL
ASOS ~ 30% off everything, code: EPIC30
Banana Republic ~ 50% off everything, no code needed
Club Monaco ~ 25% off $150+, 30% off $250, 35% off $400, code: SHOPFRIDAY
Kate Spade ~ 30% off with code GIVEJOY
J.Crew ~ 40% off everything, code: THANKU
J.Crew Factory ~ 50% off everything, no code needed
Lilly Pulitzer ~ Lots of gifts with purchase
LOFT ~ 50% off everything, code: THANKS
Madewell ~ 25% off, code: DONTSTRESS
Mark and Graham ~ 20% off everything, code: FRIENDS
Neiman Marcus ~ Designer sale up to 40% off, $50 off every $200 spend, no code needed
Nordstrom ~ Designer collection sale + extra 20% off selected items
Old Navy ~ 50% off entire purchase
Ralph Lauren ~ 40% off when you spend $125+, code: THANKS40
Saks ~The designer sale, up to 40% off.
Shopbop ~ 20% off $200+, 25% off $500+, 30% off $800+, code: MORE17
Talbots ~ 50% off one item (until noon Friday), 40% off entire purchase, no code needed
Topshop ~ Save up to 50% off
Tory Burch ~ 30% off your purchase of $250 or more (includes sale), code: THANKS
My top Black Friday Picks
8.Monogram Spinner Luggage Set
9.Faux Fur Collar Double Breasted Coat
There we have it! Not going to lie, definitely going to indulge in myself on some of these sales… Happy shopping!
It has been a whirlwind of the past few weeks. The last post I was able to publish on here was all about Andy’s birthday. I am still reliving that day as it was pretty awesome (you can relive it with me, here). The past few weeks I was busy preparing to have my family in town and take a few days off of work in preparation for my brother’s wedding on October 14th, then Andy’s brother wedding on November 6th. After all the time with family, I decided it is about time to count my blessings and write about all I have been thankful for this fall!
I’m trying something new this week. I decided I wanted my readers to know EXACTLY when and where to shop for their favorite styles of clothing and even home decor. With all the madness of New York Fashion Week 2017, I know this tends to be missed.
This upcoming weekend is my birthday. Normally, I go out to a bar, but last year I ended up getting sick and so to offset that phobia I have from last year, I thought I would just take things as they come. Also, with my one year anniversary with my boyfriend, he said he has a surprise planned for me. He’s usually really good with surprises so I will leave this one up to him!
My birthday always falls during fashion week. It has been my dream to attend the shows for years. As of right now, I have too much going on to even think about going. Alas, it is my goal to make it to NW Fashion Week 2018. So, hopefully, you guys can help me make it there by reading my blog more! ;P
My Top Three Best Buys
Ann Taylor – Use “FRIENDS40′ at checkout for 40% off!
This velvet flutter sleeve top is a great buy. I am starting to see a lot of velvet tops pop up at multiple stores. I can already tell this is going to be a huge hit during the holiday season. What I love about this top is that you can dress it any way you want: whether that is for the office, a casual lunch, or a nice after-work happy hour. I love transitional clothing pieces like this. And it reminds me of the trend in the 90’s. This top is conveniently priced at $69.50, but use the code, FRIENDS40 at checkout, and you can get this top at 40% off, which is a great deal in my book.
Nine West – Up to 40% off select items
The Savitra pointed toe booties are very on trend right now and have some of the best reviews. They are black with a metallic block heel. These booties would be great with a pair of jeans or even a leather skirt and a leather jacket, or perhaps even the coat, below. They also come in a bunch of great patterns and colors! With the 40% off of $119, taken off in the cart, they are extremely affordable.
Lord & Taylor – Up to 30% Off
This belted trench coat, by Calvin Klein is super classic and chic this year. I especially love that it comes in black, and I love the buttons on this one. Calvin Klein is one of my favorites for coats, and have some great quality. I could see myself wearing this everywhere, from going grocery shopping (how fun lol) to a night out downtown with a pair of cute boots and jeans. Plus, this one is a great buy, marked down from $220 to $132.
Well, there you have it. I will be gawking over the beautiful Fashion Week shots this weekend, NBD. MAYBE I will be there next year? Shop the post below, and check out some of these other sale items, below:
Let’s talk about stress. It’s something that I tend to carry. We all want to appear to be all cool calm and collected, don’t we? Well, it is something I am working on maintaining. In my field of work, stress happens. I am sure it happens in your career too.
Lately, I have been working on breathing exercises, journaling, and meditation to help me control my stress levels. It not only helps me control my stress but also my anxiety, which I have pretty much had since I was born (thank you genes). When I get bad news or have a stressful day working, I pause and reflect. I do not want to react (if you read this book, you know what I am talking about).
Gathered Pleat Front Tee
Part of my M.O. is finding fashion that is comfortable and will not stress me out; we all know what I am talking about. If I am wearing heels that KILL me or jeans that SQUEEZE me, I am going to feel restricted and not myself. Finding comfortable and fashionable clothing is what I am all about, and this top is no exception. This white top is affordable, soft, and trendy at the same time. It is not your traditional plain white T but can go from casual to dressed up with some pants and heels in a moment. In fact, I can even wear it around town with shorts and sandals just as easily and STILL get compliments on this.
Best of all, it is still available in many colors even after the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Shop the post below to style it the way you want to!
Winding down my faves from the sale this week, and a couple of tops I’ve shot so far have SOLD OUT! Crazy. The bad news is, I wish I could share, but I would have nothing to link them to. So, I decided to dig back into the sale and find you some serious steals under $50.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Under $50 Shopping Guide
When I was in college, I was definitely on the struggle bus to find affordable fashion, and the Nordstrom Anniversary sale definitely saved my life when it was time to go back to school. I figure some of you may be in college or out of college and looking to save money so take a look at what I have on my list and shop the post below!
Just about ONE WEEK to go with the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, AKA my favorite time of the year! I came up with a list of my top picks for everyone to use as a shopping guide. Everything in this can come together to make the most kick-@$$ outfits you will wear this fall.
My Top Ten Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Women’s Picks
- First up, this top is effortlessly chic while still being casual, which makes it a win in my book. I am in absolute awe of this one. It is one of those pieces that can go from normal, every day to night time in no time. Pair it with either pair of denim and a cardigan over it, and you have yourself a fall staple outfit. Also, those Sam Edelman boots kick it up a notch to make it one sexy outfit.
- This convertible Rebecca Minkoff is enough said. This bag is #goals. I can just imagine stuffing way more than I will ever need in this bag, and it lasts for decades because it is timeless and perfect.
- This cardigan is called the “cozy-chic” cardigan for a reason. Another great reason to buy it. I will probably live in this cardigan for the rest of my life #thankyouverymuch. The blue color is perfect too because pretty much 80% of things I wear on a day-to-day basis are blue.
- I’ll be ordering these booties in every color. They are so affordable and look so comfortable that you can wear them pretty much every day and not get sick of them. This is good because they are well worth every penny.
- These jeans are much like my wine colored Kut From the Kloth jeans, and also very affordable as well. I will be ordering these because I am due for a new pair of chic blue jeans, and if they are as comfortable as these ones, then sign me up!
- I added this wool coat because I am in the market for a camel color coat that can be dressed up and down. And also, this one comes in petite, which is a score, because I almost always end up in petite-size coats. It is not easy finding one for me, so I am so thankful it is available in petite.
- Ummm, how sexy are these boots? I already have a pair of Sam Edelman boots, but I’m needing a black pair and something tells me these are going to be a show-stopper. They are also less than $160 which makes them pretty much amazing in my book. Hopefully, you will be seeing me in these very, VERY shortly.
- I have seen pretty much everyone in this sweater with the ribbon, and I still want it bad. I am a sucker for ribbons, and pretty much live in my sweaters in the winter, so I know I will make good use out of this one. Sign me up!
- Kendra Scott is just so iconic, and I know I will be wearing this inexpensive necklace with pretty much everything. You really cannot beat that price tag, either!
- I have been DYING to pick up a pair of boot cut jeans for a while now. Especially since they are coming back, I am on board with the trend. Not gonna lie, I am kind of over skinny jeans. Boot cut is definitely more flattering!
Shop The Looks
Well, there you have it. This should be your ultimate shopping guide for the rest of the sale. I am hoping soon they will restock some of the other ones I have been wearing, but for now, I hope this settles your Nordstrom Anniversary Sale cravings. I know it settles mine!
Last month, when I was in Vegas, I had some time to kill so I hit the local Nordstrom rack and found this dress. At just $21, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. Bonus: it has POCKETS!
I feel like much of my summer wardrobe has come from Nordstrom Rack. For instance, last week’s striped dress was purchased on the same trip.
What I like about this dress is that it can go from casual to dressy based on the shoes and accessories. I wore this to my friend’s flower crown making soiree and then to the Chicago Botanical Gardens on Sunday. I decided to feature this necklace, purchased for about $20 at a new favorite boutique I stumbled upon in Evanston, Illinois called Gigi Bottega. The necklace created a nice elegant touch to my outfit. My favorite thing about this necklace is that it has little pearls, my favorite!
I had a great time at the Botanical Garden; every time I go it feels like such a treat. This time, I was blown away by the Rose Garden and the Lily Pads. It was also my boyfriend’s first time there since moving there, and I could tell he was pretty taken away by the captivating gardens. It was a fun place to shoot since there is so much scenery to be seen, and I did not want to pass this opportunity up to shoot for the blog.
I’ve wanted a pair of original Jack Rogers for a couple of years now. I must say, it is not easy for me to spend $$$ on a pair of flip flops. I usually spend less than $30 on sandals and go with Old Navy or Nordstrom Rack, something similar. However, to me, these are not just another pair of flip flops. These are more dressy sandals that I can wear for a casual night out, or to one of the million weddings I’m invited to; to throw on and dance in after wearing heels all day.
Okay, so, I did some good research on these shoes. In fact, when I was looking I almost got the Draper James version, but I don’t like writing on my sandals. I was also first looking at the strappy versions, non-flip-flop like, but I wanted a classic. I opted to buy them through the Nordstrom website because I love the way you can return items with them to any store. It’s a more flexible kind of buying that I like, especially if it is a new brand to me.
So, I looked at the reviews of the Lauren sandal, but they were not as stellar as the Palm Beach Whipstitched sandals. I wanted to see for myself.
My sandals only took a few days to arrive, and I was so excited when they came that I tried them on immediately. I happened to order them in Medium Width because my feet are sorta wide. This did my feet better justice, but at first were a little difficult to get on my right foot. Maybe I have two different sized feet? I first walked them around my apartment and up and down the stairs. It is no lie, they “clunk, clunk, clunk”-ed everywhere. I actually almost slipped down the stairs. So, at first, they don’t really have much traction. They were a bit uncomfortable/tight on my feet at first BUT, the quality really looks exceptional. I read that it may take a few times until they “break in,” so we will see. I have a feeling they will probably last a really long time, so I decided I will not be returning them anytime soon. They are super cute and stylish too, and I love how they look. Sometimes a good thing takes a bit of work to last. That’s how I sum up my purchase of my very first pair.
They were a bit uncomfortable/tight on my feet at first BUT, the quality really looks exceptional. I read that it may take a few times until they “break in,” so we will see. I have a feeling they will probably last a really long time, so I decided I will not be returning them anytime soon. They are super cute and stylish too, and I love how they look.
Sometimes a good thing takes a bit of work to last. That’s how I sum up my purchase of my very first pair of Jack Rogers.
Steph Shakes