Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Finally getting a chance to share some of my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks. These are all from a variety of departments and styles. Some of these, I owned prior to the sale and other items look like a good deal.

Full disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post meaning if you click and make a purchase; I receive a commission. A couple quick points about the anniversary sale:

  1. It is not clearance or end of season. The merchandise is new or tried and true best sellers just with deep discounts.

  2. Many stores have not received their full anniversary sale load (especially the Nordstrom house brands). There are many delays with vendors/manufactures/suppliers due to COVID. Have patience and keep checking back

  3. Buy Online/Pick up in Store in taking three times as it normally does. On a normal day, it would take three hours to fulfill an order; now it’s 12-24 hours or more depending on how big the order is. Check your email and have patience.

  4. Many items are already sold out; keep checking back they may be restocked. If you add them to your wishlist, you will be notified when it comes back into stock in your size.

Dress it Up

Dresses are a common staple in my wardrobe. These are a few that stuck out to me. Numbers Two and Four are by Eliza J. I really enjoy this brand because of comfort, modesty and overall versatility for any occasion. There are lots of Eliza J dresses in the sale in a variety of styles and colors. Many of her dresses are in solid colors which allows for a statement piece of jewelry to really shine of stand out.

  1. Paisley Midi Dress This screams fall to me. Paired with boots and a cardigan, it would be perfect for a fall festival, church or pictures. A similar shorter and tighter paisley dress here.

  2. Eliza J Navy and Pink Color Block Dress A great transition piece from summer to fall. Can be dressed up with heels and a statement piece of jewelry or worn down with sandals or white sneakers.

  3. Periwinkle and Magenta Floral Dress An eye catching print combined with a mock neck and flutter sleeves makes this a great fall dress.

  4. Raspberry Wrap Dress A good basic for winter. Wrap dresses never go out of style and even better; this is a faux wrap!

Bottoms up

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  1. Spanx Black Dress Pants My favorite dress pants! Hands down. They feel like your favorite pair of leggings but look like nicely polished dress pants because of the seams and cut.

  2. Commando Leather Leggings Many Nordstrom associates prefer the Commando leather leggings over the Spanx Leather Leggings. The leather on the spanx just feels weird!

Walk it Off

  1. Frye Carson Piping Bootie Frye boots/booties are always so comfortable, very versatile and last a long time (like 10+ years!). Always a good investment

  2. Vince Camuto Leopard Loafer Loafers are making a comeback! What’s not to love about leopard print shoes? I have several pairs and they actually go with a lot of outfits. These loafers are available in lots of colors such as cranberry, tan, black, etc.

  3. . Blondo Bootie a classic black bootie that is perfect for winter; it’s even waterproof.

Wrap it Up

  1. Madewell Blanket Scarf Madewell Blanket Scarf

  2. Bliss Throw You can never have enough blankets! This very soft blanket comes in lots of colors and would look great with a monogram on it (Nordstrom does this!) and is on sale for $24.90. There is also an Oversized Bliss Throw on sale for $32.90

  3. Barefoot Dreams Cardigan The perfect cardigan for lounging around the house or for sleeping in. The weight is warm cozy.

Work it Out

  1. Zella Crops classic workout crops with a side pocket large enough for a cell phone. Also available in 7/8 leggings These are always good workout staples; now is the time to stock up!

  2. Sweaty Betty Power Pocket Leggings so many fun prints in a variety of colors There is even a matching sports bra!

  3. Barbour Ran Coat This rain coat is over $100 off; a good basic

Four Eyes

  1. Tory Burch Carson Crossbody Kinda love the arugula color for Fall. Comes in black and sand

  2. Madewell Clutch Perfect for tossing in a bag or carrying as a clutch. Also available as a tall transport tote.

  3. Tory Burch Black Handbag

Pink Blazers

Spring is here and stores (I mean websites) are full of colorful spring clothing. With big sales going on, now is the perfect time to stock up on spring basics and other fun quirky pieces for when we return to the office.

One piece that I love for spring and summer is a pink blazer. Despite being a vibrant color, it is kind of a neutral in that it is versatile enough to wear with a black dress or pants (Banana Republic Sloan anyone??) but also works well with denim.

One thing that I love about blazers is the feeling of success that comes with wearing one. And when you feel successful, (hopefully) positive things will come about. Positive mindset=positive actions and results.

My pink blazer is from Talbots in 2017, but here are some other popular ones this spring.

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Holiday Inspired Outfits + Black Friday Sales

Christmas and New Years are quickly approaching and with that comes parties and get together’s. I’ve rounded up a couple of my outfits that recently caught my eye. Black Friday sales have started already; there are some great deals out there!

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  1. Banana Republic Gold Metallic Sweater I saw this in store recently and it was definitely a brighter and shinier gold than the pictures show. None the less, it would be perfect with skinny jeans and booties for a casual Friday in the office or brunch with friends. As a bonus, it’s currently 40% off!

  2. J. Crew Factory Poppy Party Skirt. This green and charcoal poppy printed skirt looks like a dressy alternative to the classic red and green that penetrates the Christmas season. I think it would be cute with a chambray shirt. And, it’s currently 50% off.

  3. Talbots Black Watch Plaid Pleated Skirt. Now, ya’ll know I’m a sucker for black watch and pleated skirts. I’ve written about my love affair with them HERE and HERE. This skirt combines a classic Christmas print on a popular skirt style. It would go nicely with a black cashmere sweater and a fun costume necklace. In years past, Talbots typically does 50% or 40% off for black Friday.

  4. LOFT Jacquard Smocked Shell A more dressy option, this red printed top would pair nicely under a black blazer or sweater for work. The cranberry color combined with the print scream holiday. Currently 40% off with code: BESTWEEK.

  5. Vince Camuto Fit & Flare Dress (Nordstroms) Hunter green’s popularity this fall continues into the winter season. Luckily, this shade of green is perfect for Christmas. The dress also comes in a merlot/burgandy and ivory colors. All three are perfect for Christmas parties! I would pair this dress with a black leather or suede moto jacket. Here are some Moto Jackets that have caught my attention. LOFT Outlet., Banana Republic , and Free People.

What does your ideal Christmas outfit look like? What black Friday Sales are you most looking forward to?

Fall 2019 Trend: Leopard

A trend that I have seen in almost every store this fall is Leopard. The tans and browns scream fall and pair well with other fall colors such as orange and burgandy. There are a variety of ways to tie leopard into your outfit such as a purse or shoes.

Here are some leopard pieces that I am loving this fall.

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  1. Ann Taylor Spotted Tie Leopard Blouse A dressier option geared towards the office, this would pair nicely with skinny black dress pants and kitten heels or a burgandy skirt and booties.

  2. Banana Republic Leopard Wrap This casual alternative would be great for Saturday brunch with friends or a trip to the pumpkin patch. Would look great with skinny jeans and boots.

  3. Franco Sarto Luca Bootie I have a pair of Franco Sarto leopard booties from two years ago and they have held up great and go well with a lot of other prints and colors. Booties are a small way to add a print to an outfit.

  4. Ann Taylor Leopard Wrap Dress black leopard on grey is always a nice dressy alternative and wrap dresses are a flattering style for every body type.

  5. Boden Mini Skirt A leopard print skirt is essentially a fall staple that is perfect for almost every occasion. Like the picture, orange or even a hunter green or burgandy top/sweater would add a pop of color.

  6. Loft Outlet Spotted Flare Dress A non traditional take on leopard in a comfortable fit and flare style. I bought this two months ago and it has been a good transition piece from summer to fall. Mixed with either sandals or tights and booties, this versatile dress is a good piece for all seasons. It’s currently 40% off!

Honorable Mentions:

  1. Loft Leopard Mini Skirt slightly muted color tones than the Boden option above make this a casual option. Now currently 40% off. Loft is currently 40% off through Sunday. View their entire Leopard collection HERE.

  2. Boden Samford Shoulder Bag Black leather and leopard always look professional; this bag would complete any outfit.

  3. Ann Taylor Leopard Pencil Skirt I have a version from two years ago; it is flattering and comfortable and is a nice twist on a basic black skirt. View the entire Ann Taylor Leopard collection Here

  4. Anthropologie Velvet Leopard Top A more dressier and wintry option, this shirt would look nice in pictures paired with corduroy or denim.

What trends have caught your eye this fall?

Fall Prints

We've had a steady stream of hot and dry days in the village since the end of May. So when the fall lines of clothing started rolling in through catalogs, emails and advertisements, I was all over it. Anyone else kinda done with summer? It's a cool, rainy, day here, so I decided to round up some of my favorite fall prints and styles. 

1. Boden Martha Dress

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I've never been big on the color yellow (not the right skin tone to pair wth it) but seeing it mixed with turquoise makes for an interesting combo and fun print. The collar (especially on the back) is a unique and feminie touch. Pair it with a navy blazer for work or heels for a night out. 

2. Ann Taylor Cheetah Print

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One of the things I love about Ann Taylor as a retailer is their collections. With many different styles in the same pattern or color scheme, it is fun putting outits together. Their most recent collection includes a lot of cheetah print items... from blouses to skirts to scarves, it has me yearning for fall.   Jacket  Skirt

3. Boden Freya Pencil Skirt

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This rich papaya is going to be a non-tradiitonal fall color. Since this is 84% wool, I could see it working well into winter. With a cashmere sweater and statemet necklace or a chambray button down shirt, this skirt has many options. There is also a matching handbag in Papaya Herringbone .

4. Boden Poppy Peony Trellis Print

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Deep raspberry is making a comeback this fall. Mixed with navy, it become professional but still fun and quirky. Boden has this print in several styles. My favorites are the Jersey Dress and the Ponte Skirt

6. Vince Commuto Dress

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Typically florals aren't used too often in fall, but the colors and sharp edges on the flowers make this a transition piece. I imagine this would pair easily with leggings and boots for a casual work outfit. I tried it on at Nordstroms a few weeks ago in my normal size and it was slightly longer than the picture makes it out to be. 

I realized I shared several fun printy skirts here; it's kind of turned into my uniform for work. I typically wear a solid top and statement necklace with a colorful printed skirt. Some of my favorite solid or plain tops include the Original Layering Top from Dainty Jewells and the Classic Cashmere Sweater from Talbots. 

These are just a few fall pieces that I have my eye on. What fall pieces are catching your attention?

February Professional Development Books

I've read several great books relating to millennials, work and women so I thought I would do a little recap. We have a company-wide book club at work for women that has a lengthy list of books. I imagine I will pull from there in the future, but I would love to hear your picks in the comments ! 

 

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1. Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office. A great read for anyone just starting off in their career. It reveals common mistakes women have made in their careers and easy steps to prevent them. This powerful book is chalked full of insights and resources for navigating the corporate world as a woman. 

2. The Defining Decade I read this book back in high school and again just recently.  It touches on all the important issues facng 20 somethings: career paths, relationships, retirement planning and child bearing. Not to get too heavy, but many important life decisions or paths we take in the world begin in our 20's. 

3. Kids These Days A book written about millennials by a millennial. From participation trophies, to the increase in college attendance and tuition to social media. This book examines the characterisitcs that make millennials the way that we are. While every generation has obstacles to overcome, how we tackle them is what decides our future. 

" We don't know for sure when or where our crucial moments are coming, but we do know that they are. If we're lucky and brave, the generation of American Millennials will be characterized by a choice. Either we continue the trends we have been given and enact the bad future, or we refuse it and cut th knot of trend lines that defines our collectivity. "

4. Brotopia I am almost finished with this. In an insightful way, it examines how the tech industry has grown since the 1960's. Specifically, it dives into the hiring practices of why tech comapnies have near identical corporate culture: hire people just like us or from our network. The lack of diversity is a disaster for women. The book highlights several poignant stories of women in tech from Marissa Mayer to Susan Wojcicki. Published in 2018, this book is illustrates timely issues facing women in tech. 

"Women have been systematically excluded from the greatest wealth creation in the history of the world and denied a voice in the rapid remodeling of our global culture. That is a staggering inequality, one whose causes and manifestations this book aspires to to dissect and expose, in the hope of helping to foster change." 

On taking Chances at Work and in Tennis

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Recently. I caught up on some reading and finished "Nice Girls Still Don't Get the Corner Office." The author was an avid tennis player and used the analogy of taking risks. She talked about how women don't take risks in the game of tennis (for fear of losing the point) and at work (afraid of taking chances/messing up a project); they only hit to the middle of the court (only do what is expected/told). On reflection of this chapter, I was reminded of two situations from my college days.

My junior year of college, I was fortunate to work with a coach at the Mizzou Tennis Complex. One of the things we worked on was taking risks on the court and hitting angles. With the Mizzou Girls practicing on the next court over as my motivation, the amount of balls that landed in the strategically placed hoppers increased as winter turned into spring. I miss practicing with Brandon and Majorie but I will carry the lessons learned at Green into other aspects of life.

Lastly, I was reminded of a match on a warm Friday night in early September 2016. It was 9:00 p.m. and I was complacently hitting balls back. At the conclusion of the first set, I was confronted with, "Do you have a plan? " I took more risks by hitting to the edge in the second set and ultimately lost it; although, I did come back to win the tiebreak.

With these scenarios under my belt, I've learned that taking risks can sometimes yield worthwhile results both in work and on the court. Here's to widening the playing field and taking risks!! I hit with a ball machine regularly and think about the risks in life.

Dressing For a Holiday Party

It's that time of the year when the temperature starts changing, cubicles get decorated with garland and the annual work Christmas party approaches.  This can be tricky unless the invitation specifies what type of dress is acceptable. Often, one can tell what type of party based on the location or from asking those who attended in previous years.  The Work Christmas party is a chance to show off some personality and break from the traditional blazer/suit/pencil skirt ensemble. This winter, a hot trend is velvet. With many color options and styles available in stores, this trend is not overdone but rather classy and seasonally appropriate. 

Here are some of my picks. 

 

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A Wildberry Fall

One of my favorite colors for fall is wildberry / marsola. This shade of maroon is a little bit lighter and not quite as dark or harsh. It transitions well and goes with many dark colors. Also, this color reminds me of the Stephens College primary color.... so I'll think of my alma mater whenever I wear wildberry this fall. Go Stars!

Below are just a few pieces I have spotted in stores. I'm sure more wildberry will pop up in the coming weeks! Many of the stores are having labor day sales, so I splurged on the Boden top. There are so many fun pieces to choose from though! 

 

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1.  Kendra Scott Long Pendant Necklace in Bordeaux Tiger's Blood

2. Talbots Tie Ruffle Shell in Conetti Print

3. Talbots Two Botton Flanner Blazer

4. Boden Aurora Jersey Top  Boden also has a tweed wool pencil skirt that unfortunately did not make it into the collage. Wool is not something I am just not ready for right now, but I has me dreaming of chilly mornings! 

5. Franco Sarto Paivley Bootie

6.  Talbots Tweed skirt

Happy Fall!

A Blazer a Day Keeps the Chills Away.

My love affair with blazers began in Kindergarten. Miss Roberts wore a navy pantsuit almost every day. It was so snappy and sent a message about taking kindergarten seriously. Pantsuits were not sold in  childrens clothing stores,  but I wanted one! The next year in first grade, I received a jean jacket and matching skirt as a gift from my grandmother. I called it my own little suit and thought it was so trendy (Keep in mind that denim was very popular in the early 2000's). 

It wasn't until 8th grade that I received my first real blazer. I wore it for career day my junior year of high school to dress as a flight attendant.

My senior year of college I was a part of a student run marketing firm. Between meeting with clients, guest speakers, and other senior classes I was dressed up several times a week and eventually nicknamed "the senator" by my friends. 

As I transition into the work world, blazers have become my statement piece of clothing. Everyone has that favorite item item of clothing.

No matter how hot it is, offices tend to be chilly, so blazers are one way stay warm. 

Below are a few blazers currently in stores that I am loving as we approach the fall season.