Nordstrom Anniversary Sale -- my picks

Okay ladies...the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, THE SALE OF ALL SALES, is coming mid-July.  I got to pre-shop the sale, and let me tell you the selection is great (especially in shoes)!  Unfortunately I cannot add pictures for most items, as they are not yet on the website.  You can look in the anniversary catalog to see my picks (my catalog arrived yesterday).

1)  Bobbi Brown "chocolate and navy set" $75:  5 gorgeous eye shadows, mascara, lip gloss, lipstick in Brownie, caviar ink eye liner.  GREAT deal for my favorite makeup brand!

2)  Kut from the Kloth skinny jeans $45.90 and Cookie Jeans skinny bootcut $99.

3)  Cole Haan Avalon riding boot $229.90 in chocolate (that's over a $100 savings for these high quality boots!).

4)  AGL leather flats on sale!  These sumptuous leather flats (handmade in Italy!) NEVER go on sale, but they will be soon!  They come in black/pewter, chocolate/bronze, and ivory/black colorways...and have an adorable chain detail across the cap-toe.  My best find of the sale!  

5)  Cute athletic jackets from Nike in white and lavendar and a Zella athletic jacket in green.  Great for jazzing up your workout clothes.

6)  Amazing bras (Natori, Wacoal, Chantelle) and Honeydew undies!

7)  Adorable multi-colored infinity scarf (comes in a variety of color ranges, but I love the coral).

8)  For my son:  Volcom shark hoodie (he has been dying for one of these!), faux leather jacket (only $39!), Nike tennis shoes, thermal shirts and soccer/sport clothes.

9)  What I'd love to buy, but won't (because, hey, you can't have it all!):  DKNY trench coat -- so chic! ($98.90), Kooba python bag ($349.90 -- this is an AMAZING price for a Kooba bag), Alexis Bittar hinged bangles -- an instant classic ($176.90), gorgeous Via Spiga dress pumps in snake print ($129), Elie Tahari grey and black jacket -- so cool ($218.90), Me Too Ankle bootie with hidden platform -- hot to trot! (72.90).

Adorable t-shirts for little ones!

Do you have a little boy or girl, or do you need a gift for a cool kid?  Look no further!  I LOVE these t-shirts by clothing company "10 again".  These adorable shirts come in a variety of sizes, from 2T on up.  They are $17.90 (on sale) up to $28 full price.  You can get them at nordstrom.com, kitsel.com or 10againclothing.com (this site has EXCELLENT customer service).  The t-shirts are well made, and look great on their own, or with a long sleeved shirt underneath.  That way your child will get to wear their t-shirts spring, summer, fall and winter!

My son, who is 10 years old, loves this company's "Wacky Packages" line (see the Slacker Jack picture).  He has quite a few, and these are the shirts that get the most rotation in his wardrobe.  When he wears them, they are ALWAYS a topic of conversation.  These shirts run up to a size 14.

A yummy summer cocktail

While vacationing at the Tyler Place in Vermont last week, a South African bartender made a drink aptly named "Call Me a Cab".  According to him, it is very popular in his home country...and for very good reason!  This drink is so delicious and refreshing...perfect for the summer heat.  But be careful, the name of this drink doesn't lie.  It sneaks up on you!  Here is the recipe:

1/2 shot Malibu Rum
1/2 shot Peach Schnapps
1/2 shot Apple sours
1/2 shot Southern Comfort (SoCo)
Pineapple Juice
Cranberry Juice
top with seltzer water

Don't those alcohol ingredients remind you of college!  Have fun!

Seriously cozy pajamas

I love cozy pajamas. (You know, the ones you never want to get out of; the ones you can wear even in front of out-of-town guests!)  I think these pajamas, called "Beijing" by Josie Natori, fit the bill.  Don't they look dreamy!  These pajamas are expensive at $125, so I am going to put them on my "wish list".  Maybe they'll be discounted for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (coming mid-July)!  Thought I'd share them with you all.

The gift of a book

I love giving books as gifts, especially ones that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.  Michael Pollan's book entitled Food Rules is one such book.  This compact little gem gives you and your family common sense rules for eating and living a cleaner life.  I am inspired!  Here are a few of Michael Pollan's nuggets of wisdom.

1)  Don't eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.  (This is my son's favorite rule!)
2)  It is not food if it arrived through the window of your car.
3)  Pay more, eat less.

Read this book at the dinner table and you will be surprised at the conversations that follow.

Hurry, go to JCrew.com!

Sometimes a few bargains come our way!  Doesn't it just make you smile!!!  I was browsing JCrew's website, and I found a BEAUTIFUL tote bag called the "Hockney Tote".  It comes in brown leather, orchid/lavendar and a fun coral-pink color.  This tote screams RICH and I have found JCrew's leather goods to be impeccable.  It is on sale for $228, but you get an extra 30% off (type in EXTRA30), bringing this stunning bag down to $159!  You've got to check it out.

Additionally, I found the Handcut Flower Art Tee for $19.99.  With the extra 30% off...it's a whopping $14.  JCrew's Chino shorts are  very well made.  They come in a variety of colors and three different lengths (5", 7", 9").  Snap up these sales while you can!  Happy summer!

Perfect summer dress & breezy top

Oh my goodness, this dress is perfection.  It is made of jersey, therefore it is super comfortable and won't wrinkle.  It drapes beautifully off the body, and best of all, you can wear your bra with it!  I am forever on the hunt for a great dress that can take a regular bra.  This dress comes in a soft grey color, but I am in love with the lilac.  It really is important to buy a dress BEFORE you need it!  That way, you won't buy a "so-so" dress out of desperation.  This dress would be perfect for a spring or summer wedding, a baby shower, a bridal shower, meeting your boyfriend's parents for the first time, a date night with your husband, etc.  Pair it with the new lighter fabric Spanx and flesh-colored wedges, and you are set!  Anthropologie, $158.


Safari inspired fashion is big this summer, and I've yet to find a safari top more beautiful than this one.  My friend, Stacey, tried it on and I could not believe how flattering it was.  It nips in slightly at the waist and covers that dubious upper arm area that some of us try to hide!  It is very sheer and lightweight, therefore I would recommend wearing a tank top underneath.  This top is a keeper!  Anthropologie, $88.