You guys know I’m a sucker for a good sale, and today, one of my favorite sales of the season kicks off. It only happens twice a year, but the Lilly Pulitzer Afterparty sale is happening today, friends. I’ve worn a ton of Lilly over the years, and the pieces I have are serious closet favorites. In general, I keep things pretty neutral, but when I want to add a little color, Lilly Pulitzer is the go-to.
The sale has a ton of styles, all for a huge discount, and when it comes to the #AfterpartySale, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Head over to the site, get in line, and get ready to shop. (Full disclosure, the wait times can seem a little long, but just leave a browser open while you’re waiting and check back occasionally.)
Here’s wishing everyone a great week ahead! Happy Monday, friends.
If you haven’t seen me whining like a baby over on Instagram this week, y’all, it’s been hot. Hot sleeps have been driving your girl nuts! (As a little background, I know that I grew up in Louisiana, but houses in Huntington Beach for the most part have no air conditioning. So, hot sleeps.)
So I’ll take any excuse possible to get my butt out of the house, and luckily, that means workouts too. I’ve been all about a little bike ride, long walk, “take in a little ocean” action, so when the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale hit a couple weeks back, I was like, gimme all the activewear.
The activewear section of the sale is definitely one of the most neglected, but hey, friends, don’t sleep on it! It’s the stuff we all want but don’t want to spend full price on. It’s the pieces we’re grabbing out of drawers ALL of the time…hopefully to work out in. And me? I was feeling like my workout drawer needed a little refresh.
Obviously, the sweatshirt above is not for right now, but it’ll come in super handy in the late fall. (I love when I can leave a workout and throw on a dolman-sleeved topper. Dolman, friends, because you know you don’t want anything touching your armpits. Just me?)
But the shorts and this tank have been my LIFE right now. They’re perfect for getting outside and avoiding that sweet, sweet capri legging tan. (I mean, it’s just not my style.) They’re both loose and comfy, and the sneakers are just as great. So if the clothing, booties, and handbags aren’t really catching your eye, scroll on over to the activewear, and live your best life outside. (And as a side note, this MZ Wallace bag is not on sale, but I’m obsessed with everything they make. So there’s that.
So who’s had a little luck with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this past week? I can definitely say that I found some pieces I LOVE this year. A few days ago I shared a bunch of my favorite picks from the sale, and today I’m dishing on the pieces that actually made it home with me. Well, so far. My main strategy this year was to focus on pieces that I could wear now rather than stocking up on sweaters and boots that will take months (and months and months) to make it out of my closet, and I’m happy to say there are a TON of pieces in the sale that are heat wave approved.
The little coral dress above may be a favorite find in the sale, but I’ll admit that I’ve probably got a few favorites. This dress is SO lightweight and comfy, and I love the ruffle detail of the skirt. It’s a color that I don’t wear often, but now I’m wondering why I don’t wear it more. This one is under $100, and you can still snag it in all sizes. Also, this bag is so good and currently over $75 off.
This Wayf dress is an updated version of one of their best-selling styles from last year, and I can see why it’s so popular. It’s light and airy, easy to wear, and currently comes in two prints plus this pretty purple color. Oh, and it’s under $50. I’m thinking it’s pretty perfect for those upcoming summer weddings on everyone’s horizons.
OK, this dress, y’all – all the heart emojis. I took this one to Boulder with me this past weekend for the Dead & Company show, and although it was definitely toasty out, this little floral number managed to keep me pretty cool. It’s under $40, and I’m super tempted to snag it in a second color. (And maybe another color in this bag?)
Every year in the sale I look for a great pair of jeans, and for me this year this pair is IT. (Although I’ve heard there is a pair of Blank NYC jeans that I also need to hunt down and try.) I’ve been a fan of Madewell jeans (and really, all things Madewell) since snagging this pair a few months ago. Their high rise is actually high, and their denim gives without stretching out so you won’t be pulling them up all day. (The sizing has been in and out of stock, but my guess is that these will be completely restocked when the sale goes live for everyone, not just card-holders, on the 20th.)
This dress is probably the piece that I searched for in my local store first. I just LOVE the jewel tone color, the dramatic sleeves, and pretty pleats. This one definitely runs a bit big, so make sure you size down.
I know I said my goal was to focus on pieces that I could wear now, but these booties were just too good to pass up. They’re about to be my staple fall footwear with dresses, skirts, leather shorts, you name it and are actually the only pair of shoes that I bought in the sale so far. (Although my plan is to scoop up a pair of sneakers today – I just can’t decide which ones!)
There are a couple more days to shop the Early Access sale, and then everything is open to the public from July 20th to August 5th. (If you’re not a card-holder and getting a little worried that things are selling out quickly – they usually do a pretty big restock when the sale opens to everyone.) Happy shopping, friends!
We had been planning the week in Palm Springs for months, and I was so looking forward to some pool time and a little tan. BUUUUT, then the day arrived and things were looking more like sweater-and-shorts weather than anything warm enough for taking a dip. So we stashed the flamingo pool floats, snapped a couple of swimsuit pics (I mean it is Palm Springs), and then settled in with ALL the snacks and a little wine and made the best of it.
We stayed at our home in Palm Springs and made sure to check out a couple of my favorite restaurants while there. You just can’t go to Palm Springs without a little food on the agenda. This time around, these are the spots we picked.
Dinner at Las Casuelas Terraza – Palm Springs has a handful of Mexican restaurants that I really enjoy, but this one is probably my favorite for a skinny spicy margarita and shrimp fajitas. The place is HUGE, but don’t be fooled – it can get packed and sometimes has long wait times. Reservations are usually a good idea – especially if you want to be near the live band.
Lunch at Melvyn’s – It’s a bold statement, but I think I’ll say that currently this is my favorite place in Palm Springs for lunch or dinner. It’s an old-school restaurant that’s been around since the 70’s, and the food is just plain GOOD. Lunch is served on the prettiest little patio (the Chinese chicken salad is my favorite), and dinner is in a swanky, dark dining room. If you’re going for dinner, the lobster pot pie is what dreams are made of.
Dinner at Tropicale – So this one isn’t exactly a rave review, but I have friends who have eaten at Tropicale and loved it. So maybe I need to give it another shot? We ordered Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Firecracker Shrimp as appetizers, and those were great. My entree though, as well as everyone else’s, was just kind of, meh. (For reference, I ordered the fried chicken salad which was supposed to be amazing. I guess I was thinking it would be boneless chicken, which to me makes much more sense in a salad.)
Breakfast at Norma’s (located in the Parker) – On our last day in Palm Springs, we figured we’d leave town on a high note. A REAL high note. Breakfast at Norma’s is pricey, but if you haven’t been, it’s definitely worth a try. We ordered a few things to split and loved every bite. The “Waz-Za?” and the Huevos Rancheros are seriously where it’s at, and taking in the pretty scenery at the Parker is a nice little bonus.
Overall it was an amazing few days, and I’ve already got the itch to go back. Eric and I are always looking to try out new restaurants in the area, so I’d love to know – what are some of your favorites?
St. Patty’s Day is officially upon us, and if you’re lucky enough to have some fun plans, then you’re gonna need some green, girl. (Me? I’m lucky enough to have some killer plans as I’ll be celebrating Jenn’s wedding in Mexico. Thankfully my dress has a little green in it so I can avoid getting pinched.)
Annnd if you’re like me and find yourself scurrying around at the last minute with no green in sight in your closet, well you’re in luck because it’s not too late. Sites like Shopbop have super affordable 2-day shipping, and even better? They’re Amazon Prime eligible, so if you’ve got a Prime account, then you can upgrade your shipping fo’ free. Not bad, right?
If Nordstrom is more your jam and you’ve got a local store, then you have to check out their in-store pick-up option. It’s seriously been a lifesaver for those times when I’m not exactly on the ball. I live pretty close to two Nordstrom stores, so when I’m in a pinch, I just find the things I need online, pay for them, and pick them up in the store within an hour or so. One of our Nordstrom stores even has an outdoor pick-up window to make things super fast.
It may only be Tuesday, but there’s no better time than now to get that weekend outfit ready. (And if you’re looking for a little more inspiration, check out this post from last spring which I admittedly still love.)
Hey, hey, friends! How was everyone’s weekend? After a couple of gloomy, slightly rainy days around here, it’s finally back to the sunshine and inching closer and closer back to shorts weather. I mean, can a girl just get a little spring already? Alright, I guess it’s not quite fair to complain when we DID get a couple of warm weeks back in February, but at this point that’s just feeling like a tease. I’m ready for shorts, sundresses, and swimsuit coverups. (That’s right, coverups – my favorite part of swimsuit season.)
So a couple of weeks ago I jumped the gun on shorts weather and picked up this distressed pair from Nordstrom. They fit pretty loose in the legs (exactly how I like ’em), aren’t too short, and will set you back less than $45. The struggle to find good denim shorts can be so real sometimes for those of us above the age of 16 – who the hell is buying all these “denim undies” I see in stores every year? Not me, sister. If you like a little more coverage, the ones above are a pretty safe bet. (I sized up 2 sizes from my normal skinny jean size for reference, which just seems to be my norm these days for shorts because I do like to wear them lower on my hips than normal skinny jeans.)
Oh, and I figured I’d mention these leopard sneakers again because I knew when I got them that I’d wear them a ton, but they’ve become a real obsession. They’re super comfy for all-day wear, and pretty much anytime I wear them, someone will ask what they are or where they’re from. So if that question just so happened to come from you, you can grab a pair right over here.
I’m not gonna lie, the uniform around here lately has pretty much been workout clothes, denim, sweatpants, repeat. When I’m not trying to get a workout in or wear out my crazy pup on long walks, I’ve been living in these jeans and about five different pairs of sneakers almost everyday. (Two favorites – this leopard pair and these leather kicks.)
But every now and then I like to switch things up with something a little more ladylike and dressed-up, and this dress is IT at the moment. I picked it out on a whim and thought for under $30, how good could it be? And I am so glad that I was wrong. Look, it’s no designer quality, but the sheer flowy sleeves, pearl button details, tie-neck, and fringe tweed hem – it’s all so good.
I paired it with over-the-knee boots and my favorite classic handbag (get the look for less here), but this dress can just as easily go with a pair of pumps and a bold, colorful handbag. It’s the perfect little frock for transitioning to spring. Spring? Did I just go there? I sure did because these days I’ve got nothing but warm weather on my mind and all the sandals and dresses and swimsuits that go with it. (And may have just ordered these sandals this morning – gimme all the heart emojis.)
If you’ve been following along on Instagram, then you know that I spent a long weekend last week with Stella Artois at the Sundance Film Festival. And it was awesome. I had never been to Sundance before (or Park City for that matter), and I was super excited to get there and experience all the excitement firsthand. We kicked off the weekend with a welcome dinner at 501 on Main, and the food was so delicious.
We stayed at the Newpark Resort Hotel which was just a short drive from the Main Street / downtown area, and the rooms were so, so nice. This room was seriously HUGE and included a gas fireplace, a kitchenette, and a big balcony with a jacuzzi on it. Every morning I had my coffee in bed with the fireplace going, looking out on a snowy mountain view. It was the best way to start my day and such a cozy place to come home to at night.
The Stella Artois team had the cutest lounge set up on Main Street, and it became our sort of home away from home on the trip. It was a comfy spot to thaw out, listen to live music, grab a snack (thankfully since we could not get into any restaurants in town – everything was booked solid) and enjoy cold Stellas and Cidre hot toddies. There was also a limited edition chalice shop helping to give access to clean water to communities without. (You can find more info on that partnership here.) This was also the place where we listened in on an amazing Women in Film panel, joined in on a Sunday night hip-hop dance party, and did most of our celebrity spotting.
On Sunday we went on a snowmobiling excursion, and it was SO MUCH FUN. I’ll admit that I was a little nervous at first and maneuvering this beast machine was a little aggressive, but once I got the hang of it, I was hooked. It’s really a shame that Orange County’s weather doesn’t support my new favorite hobby. Guess it just means I’ll have to make my way back to the snow a little more often.
And then there were the movies – it was Sundance after all. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not much of a movie buff and don’t even watch much TV these days, but seeing movies in a tiny theater in the presence of all the people that helped make that movie possible was totally cool.
Kathleen and I saw Search together on Sunday night, and we loved it. It was like a Dateline murder mystery (one of my TV faves) on the big screen set in this crazy cyber world we live in. It was so cool to hear from the film’s director and cast during a Q&A after the movie, and afterwards we walked over to Twisted Fern for dinner. This was definitely my favorite meal of the trip – the brussels sprouts appetizer, house red wine, and the lentil-mushroom burger were all amazing. (Thankfully we could get into restaurants that were a bit out of town.)
Overall it was an amazing trip with some pretty great people, and when it came time to leave, I was pretty sad to go. Sundance was such a cool experience, and Park City was so beautiful. But after one last delicious bite to eat at the High West Distillery in the Salt Lake City Airport (thanks to this recommendation from Female Foodie), it was back home to the husband and the pup.
Here’s hoping everyone has a great week ahead!
xoxo
Thank you so much to Stella Artois for the amazing trip. All opinions are my own.
While scrolling through Instagram over the last couple of days, I’ve noticed that we tend to chat a lot about the hectic pace of the holidays, how busy we are, so much shopping to do, parties to attend, meals to prepare, blah, blah, blah. Maybe sometimes we forget – it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the season I look forward to all year long. So this year, I’m not letting that holiday to-do list get me flustered. I’ll be taking it all in stride with a coffee in hand, Christmas tunes in my head (and in my car), and comfy kicks on my feet.
I’m excited to team up with Famous Footwear to share a little inspiration to “do it all in style” this holiday season. And my holiday footwear of choice? Well you can find me in sneakers, girl. And specifically, THESE new sneaks from Famous Footwear. They’re seriously so comfortable, and the grey and rose gold color combo? Get outta town.
They’re actually running shoes, so they come in REALLY handy when a certain puppy grabs an ornament and runs with it. I’m not naming names. But for running errands around town, I love these comfy kicks paired with faux leather leggings, sweatshirt dresses, and distressed denim. I’ve now had these on my feet for four days in a row, and the compliments just keep on coming. How’s that for fueling some holiday happiness?
Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season so far!
Ahh, gifts for the guys. I must admit that even on the rare year that I actually get a good head start on my holiday shopping, I tend to save the guys for last. Occasionally I’ll come across something great for Eric or my dad, but in general, I just have more fun shopping for the girls. (Maybe because it’s easier to throw in a little something for myself along the way? Guilty.)
But this year I’m determined to change my ways and get a jumpstart on shopping for the boys. This year’s list of potentials includes a flannel shirt or two, new sneaks, Eric’s favorite cologne, and Stance socks to replace a few pairs that have recently gone missing. (Eric loves Stance socks and stocked up on them a couple of years ago. Unfortunately these days there is someone in the house who loves them just as much as he does – a guilty-looking puppy named Louise.)
Perhaps this is finally my year to be done, cool, calm and collected by December 23rd. Maybe, but then what’s the fun in that? Happy holiday shopping, friends.
Lilly Pulitzer pants and cardigan; white tee; similar Cole Haan sneakers; Ray-Ban sunglasses
Lilly Pulitzer romper (c/o); Rebecca Minkoff heels; Henri Bendel clutch (sadly sold out); Julie Vos bracelets; Ray-Ban sunglasses
It’s really not that often you get to have a laugh-filled girls’ weekend in someplace sunny, and this month, somehow I managed to have two. I’m fresh off of an amazing long weekend in Mexico (more on that coming soon), but today I’m throwing it back to a 
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