Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: What I Bought…So Far

July 17, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

Madewell dress; Marc Fisher wedges; Tory Burch bag; sunglasses; Julie Vos bangles

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.

Wayf dress (c/o); Gap jacket; Rebecca Minkoff heels; similar bag; sunglasses; Julie Vos bracelets

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.

Floral dress (under $40); Dolce Vita wedges; Tory Burch bag; Gorjana beaded bracelets; similar hat (and here); Ray-Ban sunglasses

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?)

Madewell jeans; Basic tee; Cardigan; Isola sandals (c/o); leopard handbag; sunglasses; Ricardo Travel luggage; Gorjana beaded bracelets

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.)

For me, these are a total win as well as the $15 tee, coziest cardigan for upcoming summer flights, and the leopard bag that will go with everything.

Pleated dress; Steve Madden booties; Leopard Bag; Julie Vos bracelets

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!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

Under $25 Striped Tunic + A Few New Forever 21 Finds

May 1, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

Free People shorts; Forever 21 striped tunic; Marc Fisher wedges (on sale!); similar hat; Sam Edelman bag; Karen Walker sunglasses (on sale!); Julie Vos bangles

Happy Tuesday, friends! Last week I shared a little recap of my recent trip to La Jolla, and today I’m sharing another look from the trip which might have been my favorite. I had one day between an anniversary trip to Carmel Valley and leaving for La Jolla, was feeling pretty uninspired by my closet, and knew I wanted some cute spring things to shoot. So I did something I haven’t done in a VERY long time: a Forever 21 shopping trip. And to say the least, I left beyond pleasantly surprised.

This striped tunic was one of the first things that I found, and I’m pretty sure I’ve already made it worth the $25 I spent. It has super high slits on the side, so I originally snagged it as a swimsuit coverup. I’ve used it in that way, but it turns out that knotted in the front with a favorite pair of denim cutoffs (that now come in 8 colors) is maybe even better. It’s also super cute worn as a kimono over skinny jeans and a white tank.

And speaking of kimonos, I then grabbed this floral pretty that’s perfect for the beach or happy hour, the cutest little gingham skirt (worn here), and these Pretty Woman inspired polka dot pants (seen here) – all under $20 each. Now I’ve got some really fun spring pieces to mix and match into my wardrobe, and I’m sitting here wondering what in the world took me so long to rediscover my love of Forever 21. I’m telling you, if you haven’t perused the site lately, there’s no better time to take a fresh peek!

xoxo

Visit Here: La Jolla, California

April 26, 2018 / Style Files, Travel / 0 comment

Forever 21 pants; Lilly Pulitzer shirt (c/o); Sam Edelman bag (also love this one); similar hat; Karen Walker sunglasses (look for less here); Kendra Scott ring and necklace Fountain at Hyatt Regency La Jolla Forever 21 blouse and kimono; Free People shorts; Sam Edelman bag; Marc Fisher wedges; similar hat; Karen Walker sunglasses (look for less here); Vasiliki Designs necklace Outdoor happy hour at the Hyatt – so good! Marlies Dekkers swimsuit (c/o); Forever 21 kimono; Brixton hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses Sushi and truffle fries at Cafe Japengo Forever 21 skirt; Lilly Pulitzer shirt; Levi’s jacket; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Ray-Ban sunglasses Marlies Dekkers coverup (c/o); Marc Fisher sandals; Cult Gaia clutch (look for less here); Brixton hat; Kendra Scott bracelets Tile at DRIFT eat + drink SheIn dress; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Naturalizer heels; Julie Vos bangles Room service breakfast from Barcino Grill – the best! Outside of Red O La Jolla. Blank NYC denim (sold out); Amour Vert tee; cabi cardigan; Gucci bag (look for less here); Ash sandals Rebecca Minkoff dress; Cult Gaia clutch (look for less here); DVF scarf; Brixton hat; Quay sunglasses

It’s been one whole week since I was taking in the sights, twirling in the flower fields, and eating ALL the food in La Jolla, and I’m already wondering how soon is too soon to go back? I’ve wanted to check out La Jolla for the longest, so when Kathleen and I got the chance to skip town for a couple of days last week and post up at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, it was a real no-brainer.

I love a good Hyatt (like this one in Huntington Beach), and this one in La Jolla was definitely no different. The people were all so nice and accommodating, and our room was seriously perfect. We ended up getting a suite with an extra adjoining room, so we had our own space but also a little common living room area for computer and wine time at night. We also each had our own bathroom which is so great for spreading out ALL of the hair and makeup things. (If only we could have rooms like this at New York Fashion Week!) We had access to the Club Lounge for all the snacks and coffees and an honor wine bar in the evenings. (Winner, winner!) The hotel also offers a junior sized Olympic pool, a gym, and a coffee bar that kept those almond milk lattes flowing. Overall, we had an amazing couple of days in La Jolla, and if you’re headed to the area soon, here are a couple of things not to miss.

What We Did:

Sightseeing at the Cove – The Cove is the area along the coast of La Jolla and 100% needs to be on your list. It’s where you can get views like this, beach hangs like this, and a front row seat to watch SO many sea lions sunning themselves on the sand. There are also a bunch of restaurants in the area, but we unfortunately didn’t have enough time to try any of them. (We got tons of suggestions about Puesto though, so if you go, it’s probably worth a try.)

Sunny Jim Sea Cave – There’s a little place called The Cave Store, and for $5 you can access a tunnel of stairs inside the store that leads down to Sunny Jim Sea Cave. Once you’re down there, you can’t really go far, but it’s still pretty cool to see the cave up close and think about how crazy it must have been building that tunnel. (Photos in the cave were really hard to capture, so unfortunately I don’t have any.) We were hoping for a repeat of the time that a curious little sea lion climbed the steps and roamed around the Cave Store, but for $5, we felt like it was still worth checking out.

Murals of La Jolla – If you paint it, the bloggers will come. Downtown La Jolla is all about a little outdoor art, and I, for one, am here for it. Kathleen looked up a few walls before our visit, and this one was calling our names. It was just about a 10-15 minute drive from the Hyatt, and the shop owners nearby didn’t seem to mind that we were trying to park it there for a little while. Hashtag, doin’ it for the ‘gram.

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad – The Flower Fields were on our way home, so we figured we might as well stop. And we were so glad that we did. I had heard great things, but once you see them in person, it really is pretty impressive. Rows and rows and rows of the prettiest flowers, all organized by color. Red, pink, white, yellow, orange, and then some areas of mixed colors – it was seriously something to see. (And for the record, still kicking myself for not trying out the strawberry Dole Whip stand.)

What We Ate:

Breakfast at Barcino Grill – This is the breakfast grill at the Hyatt, and, y’all, it’s so freaking good. We skipped the buffet option and ordered off of the menu which I think is definitely the way to go. On the first day we split the breakfast sandwich (with bacon jam on a pretzel roll, yasssss) and SoCal scramble bowl and loved both so much that we ordered them again via room service on day two. (And added on an oatmeal, for good measure.)

Lunch at Cafe Japengo – This sushi spot is technically part of the Hyatt, but it’s actually located right across the street. And it was delish. We thought we might have a light sushi lunch before hitting the beach, but then “a couple of rolls” turned into SO much sushi, truffle fries, pork belly bun sliders, a little wine, and one large food coma. And it was all worth it – now if only we could get a Cafe Japengo in Orange County. (Seriously though – please?)

Happy hour and dinner at DRIFT eat + drink – We had dinner reservations here (inside the Hyatt) for 7:00 but thought we’d pop down earlier for a glass of wine. Well, turns out we were just in time for happy hour. As, you know, journalists, we just had to check out the happy hour, and it was a good one. There was a special on carafes of wine, so…journalism. We capped it off with the nachos and butternut squash dip, pushed our dinner back to 8:30, and headed back to the room before showing up for round two – salads. (And more wine, desert, and coffee, if I’m being completely honest.) The food was delicious, the staff was super friendly, the space was so pretty, and that tile floor was shoefie ready.

Dinner at the Red O La Jolla – The Red O is a favorite of mine in Newport Beach, so when I saw that their newest location in La Jolla was just about a mile from the Hyatt, we had to check it out. True to form, the new location is beautiful, and the food was worth talking about days later. While I love their steak and fish options, I switched things up this time with the Mariscos Chile Relleno and holy dankness. I couldn’t switch things up in the margarita department though because the Alacran has my heart. (If you like SPICY margaritas, this one is the jam.) We left FED. So full that we actually skipped the Uber ride home and walked the mile back to the hotel instead. Needed, and so worth it.

xoxo

Brought to you by Hyatt Regency La Jolla, but all opinions are my own.

Five Things to Love at the Hyatt Huntington Beach

February 14, 2018 / Local Love, Style Files, Travel / 3 Comments

Sail to Sable dress (c/o); Marc Fisher wedges; GiGi New York handbag; Julie Vos bracelets; Banana Republic hat; Karen Walker sunglasses Sail to Sable dress (c/o); Marc Fisher wedges; GiGi New York handbag; Julie Vos bracelets; Banana Republic hat; Karen Walker sunglasses BP shorts; Sincerely Jules sweatshirt; Levi’s jacket; Romwe sandals (c/o); sunglasses Trina Turk caftan (c/o); Julie Vos bracelets and ring; sunglasses; Kayu bag

If you were following along on the good old ‘Gram this past weekend, then you probably noticed quite a few snaps from the Hyatt Huntington Beach. Because we can never stop adding on projects for our house, Eric and I decided that we wanted to add wainscoting to a couple more walls in our living room and bar area. Sounds simple enough. Once the wood panels are up, then starts the sanding, bonding, and painting, and suddenly the entire house is covered in a thin layer of dust and SO many fumes.

So as a sort of early Valentine’s Day (and a definite way to keep from losing our minds), we used our best evacuation route and headed down the street to one of our favorite hotels, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. We’ve stayed here once before for Eric’s birthday, but this time we brought along the pup and settled in for four nights. So just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m rounding up five things to love about the Hyatt Huntington Beach.

Dog-Friendly Hotel: Like I said, we took Louise along with us, and the Hyatt was more than accommodating. When we checked in, there was a dog bed, food and water bowls, and even a few toys in our room for Weeze which was such a nice surprise for this less-than-prepared dog mom. She loved exploring around the property and was able to hang with us on a patio area where we had margaritas on Saturday. Plus, she got so much love from strangers and plenty of beach walks while we were there. Which brings me to…

Bridge to the Beach: I always talk about this in my Instagram stories while I’m there, but it really is SO convenient that there’s a bridge from the Hyatt property across Pacific Coast Highway to the beach. It’s the only hotel in the area that has one, and it made getting out on those beach walks so quick and easy. And trust me, I needed the exercise after…

Pete’s Sunset Grille – If you’re staying at the Hyatt or just live somewhere around Huntington Beach, you have to check out Pete’s. Their spicy margaritas (made seriously spicy with jalapeno-infused tequila) are my favorite of any place around here, and their Barrel Bowls are my jam. (Think coconut rice, broccolini, protein of your choice, a fried egg…) I’m not really a fish taco gal, but Eric and a bunch of our friends love them here. And if you’re still hungry…

Watertable: We ate at Watertable the last time that we stayed at the Hyatt, and we loved it. So this time, we made sure to go back. Twice. In a row. It really is that good. On Sunday night, we shared a bunch of appetizers (Get the meatballs! and the fries!), and on Monday night, we went with favorites from the entree list. Eric went with the Chilean sea bass, and I had the Branzino – both were delicious.

So Many Outdoor Spaces: We’re super lucky to live in a place that has beautiful weather most of the year, so why not spend as much time outside as possible? The pool area (there are a couple, but I prefer the quieter, more adult-friendly one) is huge with tons of seating and a yummy lunch menu. There are fire pits that we sat by at night, and Weeze loved roaming around the big open grass areas.

Overall, we had a wonderful stay and didn’t want to leave! If you’re looking for a really great place to stay in the town that I call home, you really can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Huntington Beach. Now it’s back to reality with my two favorite Valentines – Eric and Weeze, of course. Hope everyone has a great week!

xoxo

Resort Dreaming: Vacay Vibes

January 31, 2018 / Style Files / 1 Comment

1. Trina Turk Flutter Sleeve One Piece 2. Leather Slide Sandal 3. La Blanca Tulip Hem Lounge Pant 4. Sole Society Panama Hat 5. THML Mixed Print Dress 6. Mark & Graham Straw Clutch 7. H&M Polarized Sunglasses 8. Croc Embossed Leather Camera Bag 9. I’m All Yours Striped Tee 10. Levi’s Cutoff Shorts 11. Marc Fisher Platform Wedge 12. Muche et Muchette Striped Crochet Coverup Dress 13. Ruffle Strap Slide Sandal 14. Set of 2 Beaded Bracelets 15. Quay Mirrored Aviator 16. Mark & Graham Resort Circle Tote

Clearly taking a SHARP left turn from yesterday’s snowy post, today I’ve got nothing but sunny weather and vacay vibes on the brain. Blame it on the springy temps we’ve had around here lately or the upcoming trips I have planned to Palm Springs and Cabo on the horizon, but my online shopping cart is currently filled with easy dresses, airy coverups, and the wedge sandals I know I’ll be wearing throughout the summer.

I first started this post thinking I wanted to create a collage of all the things I’m loving for a tropical vacation, but then it turned into four ready-to-go looks (top to bottom columns) will all the packable essentials for a long weekend getaway. And now I’m convinced that it’s just meant to be for one of my upcoming trips, no? I know it’s technically still January, but let the resort dreaming begin.

xoxo

Leather Shorts and the Cutest Metallic Booties

December 12, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Oh my gosh, y’all – what a weekend. (Yes, I know it’s Tuesday, but we decided to extend our weekend a couple of days and things are feeling pretty Monday-ish over here.) If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know that Eric and I and a couple of friends just spent a few days in Jackson Hole, WY. We had an amazing time and were pretty bummed to leave, but if you have to leave vacation, it’s nice to get home to the holidays ahead of you, right?

I’ll be sharing a few snaps from the trip as well as favorite places we visited (SO many great places to EAT) on the blog soon, but for now, it’s back to a bit of regularly scheduled programming around here and the seriously warm December we’re having in SoCal. With temps hovering in the mid 70’s for the foreseeable future, how’s a girl supposed to look holiday-ready? Welp, I’m grabbing my go-to leather shorts and a favorite new pair of metallic booties and calling it a day.

The shorts are a favorite find from last year (styled here and here), but I’m linking a similar pair here. And the booties are just plain fun. They’re metallic without being over the top, and as a bonus, they’re so dang comfortable. I’ll be wearing these all season long with dresses, distressed denim, and maybe even tights if the cool weather should ever come back. Although after four days of Wyoming temps in the teens, I guess a few days of warm sunshine never hurt anyone. Here’s hoping everyone has a great week ahead!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

A Floral Dress Is Always A Good Idea

September 20, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Charles Henry dress; Catherine Catherine Malandrino jacket (similar here); Strathberry handbag (c/o); Marc Fisher wedges; Quay sunglasses; Kendra Scott ring

A few weeks ago, I had the super sweet opportunity to meet Reese Witherspoon and see a screening of her new movie Home Again. I know, total pinch me moment. My Southern self was super stoked and had all these things I wanted to say, ask, tell, shout…basically ALL of the things. But I got my turn to say hello and barely mumbled something about loving the movie before posing for a round of photos looking beyond awkward. You know, you win some, you look like a turd in some. (The movie is actually super cute though, and you should definitely grab your girls and go see it.)

Anywho, before said meet-and-greet I realized that I had nothing to wear to meet Reese Witherspoon because, well, obviously, and found myself perusing racks at Nordstrom a couple of hours before I was supposed to be dressed and ready to go. If you’re late to something in LA, you just blame it on the traffic, right?

Since fall fashion is currently upon us, finding something that was heatwave-approved was a bit of a challenge. In the end, I scooped up this little floral dress, actually changed into it in the dressing room, and hit the road with, like, a minute to spare. No big deal, hey, Reese, sorry I’m such a hot mess, loved Sweet Home Alabama! Except I didn’t say any of that #IRL. I did, however, leave with a new favorite dress that I’ve now worn numerous times including this slightly sweaty, overcast day. A floral dress is always a good idea, right?

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

And Suddenly I Need More Yellow

July 19, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Blank NYC shorts (on sale!); cabi blouse (c/o); The Daily Edited bag (c/o); Marc Fisher wedges; sunglasses; Julie Vos bracelets, necklace and ring; Gorjana beaded bracelets

In the summertime (when the weather’s less than fine), there’s probably nothing, seriously nothing, I wear more than a good old pair of denim shorts. For the past few years I’ve been lucky (or persistent) enough to find a pair that’s comfy and cute and a bit more roomy than denim undies. (You know the “shorts” I’m talking about.) And this year, these are definitely IT.

I stumbled on them super early in spring when it was still too chilly out for shorts, but a good find is a good find, so they clearly had to be mine. For reference, I sized up two sizes from my normal jean size, but after wearing them a ton, they’re pretty stretched out. I probably could have gone just one size up. If you’re still looking for the best pair this year, this cuffed version is still available here in a few sizes – and on sale!

I’ve worn these 544 times at least already, and there’s definitely no end in sight. They’re the perfect partner for a basic tee, and I equally love them with a featherweight little blouse and wedges. Enter this cabi blouse which has just become my go-to. It’s the thing I wanna grab when it’s 5,000 degrees outside, and well, it’s making me think my wardrobe needs WAY more yellow. Any blonde gals feel me on that one? (Also, bonus points – throw it in the washer, hang to dry, and you’re good to go.)

And this little monogrammed crossbody bag? Well, it’s the icing on the melting summer cake. Hope you guys are having the best week!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Vincent Elejorde

Little White Summer Shirtdress (And It’s Under $35)

April 19, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Who What Wear x Target dress (also love this one and this one); denim jacket; wedges; GiGi New York bag; Julie Vos bracelets; Karen Walker sunglasses (affordable version here)

Oh hey, gang. Happy day after taxes were due – did everyone survive? Nothing hurts more than writing that doom’s day check to the IRS, so today I’m easing the pain with a too cute for school little white dress that’ll cost you less than $35. I figured we could all use a little break for our wallets, no? (Unless you’re one of the lucky ones who actually gets a refund, and in that case, what are you doing here? You should be over here shopping the Neiman Marcus Last Call killer handbag sale. I’m not gonna lie, I’ll be checking out the goods of that one today myself.)

Anywho, back to this dress and the sweet little ruffle sleeve details and its even sweeter little price tag. I have to say, it’s been a little while since I hit the clothing department at Target, but I recently ended the drought and it’s good to be back. Have you guys checked out this amazing section yet? Holy moly, so many good pieces. Snag the dress, add the jewels, and then, well, I really can’t recommend these wedges enough. (Check out the look for less here.) They’re super comfy and somehow instantly make my legs look more toned. I don’t know how, but I’ll take a little magic on this, the day after taxes. Who’s with me?!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Gabi Wells

Just Another Bell-Sleeved Dress

March 23, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Because I can’t go more than a couple of weeks without finding something new that I love with bell sleeves, well, here we go. Since fall, I’ve been all about a little flared out sleeve action, and Likely makes some of the best. Remember this little lace dress? It’s still a fave, and this lightweight navy version is a new toned-down spring go-to. Paired with comfy suede sandals, it’s a “ready for anything” look that can go from day to night, easy peasy.

Another new part of this look? This week I can’t stop smiling because I FINALLY got my teeth professionally whitened. I’ve become a little teeth-obsessed lately, but I mean, these chops are mine to keep so I’d better take care of them, right? Right. In the past, I’ve tried out the strips, the trays, the fancy toothbrush (which I still love) and had pretty decent results, but I was really looking for something with a little more oomph.

So this week I tried out the Boost in-office whitening from Dr. Mark Olson, and I can’t believe I waited so long to do it. Of all the lotions and potions and treatments I do for my skin, it’s about time my teeth get a little love. And if you’ve been thinking about it, I really can’t recommend it more. Hope everyone is having a great week! (The weekend is in our sights!)

xoxo

Photos thanks to Vincent Elejorde

Searching for "marc fisher"

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: What I Bought…So Far

Under $25 Striped Tunic + A Few New Forever 21 Finds

Visit Here: La Jolla, California

Five Things to Love at the Hyatt Huntington Beach

Resort Dreaming: Vacay Vibes

Leather Shorts and the Cutest Metallic Booties

A Floral Dress Is Always A Good Idea

And Suddenly I Need More Yellow

Little White Summer Shirtdress (And It’s Under $35)

Just Another Bell-Sleeved Dress

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