designer bags and dirty diapers

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Shirts + Ties | Ideas for the Guys + New Markdowns for the Ladies

After I shared my post with my Dad a few weeks ago I had a request to some more men's dress shirts. I am no expert in the Men's fashion field so I turned to my dad, Matt, and my brother for recommendations.

For the price you can't beat the Nordstrom line of dress shirts. Most styles are under $50 and none are over $80. The quality is really great too. Matt and my dad both have a few of the non-iron styles in the solid colors.

ONE | TWO | THREE
FOUR | FIVE | SIX

The Nordstrom dress shirts come in 4 different fits - classic, traditional, trim and extra trim. My dad and Matt both prefer the Traditional and Classic fit. You can also have the shirts custom made as well. This allows you to choose the fabric, fit, collar style, pockets, and cuffs. A great option if you (or your man) wants something really specific.

2 other brands that came highly recommended were Vineyard Vines and Peter Miller.

TOP ROW VINEYARD VINES : ONE | TWO (my favorite) | THREE (on sale) | FOUR (on sale) | FIVE

BOTTOM ROW PETER MILLAR : ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE

Matt has 2 Peter Millar dress shirts and they are his favorites. He likes the regular fit sport shirt.

If you want a light weight shirt for the Summer, I love this one I shared my Dad in a few weeks ago.
Linen Shirt
Oh and my DVF dress was just reduced and is now 40% off!

A few tie options to go with the button-up shirts. My brother gave all his groomsman the Vineyard Vines bowties as a gift for being in his wedding and I thought that was a cute idea. I had to order Matt this shark tie for his birthday, he and Sterling are shark obsessed.
Also check out the Tie Bar, a new to me line and all the ties and bowties are only $19!

ONE | TWO | THREE

FOUR | FIVE | SIX - had to include my Panther's!

SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE

All ties above are under $90.

Nordstrom just did some major mark downs on some of my favorite designer's Summer items.
This dress I wore in Dallas is now 40% off. Reminds me my sister borrowed this and I have yet to get it back!!
Lace Dress

Everything is marked down either 40 or 60% off. There are some awesome deals. Scroll through to see my favorites. I just ordered this embroidered blouse in black.

Don't forget the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale early access starts this Thursday! With the temps nearing 100 here it is hard to think about Fall clothes but this is a great time to buy a few pieces to save. I already have my eye on a pair of Rag and Bone booties I saw in the preview catalog!
You do have to have a Nordstrom card to gain early access. This allows you 8 days to shop early and trust me the good sizes and items sell quickly. They offer both a credit and debit card option, you can sign up here if you don't have one.

Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

Monday, July 11, 2016

Scenes From Our Beach Week + Weekend + Grapefruit Habanero Cocktail Recipe

Happy Monday Friends! This week both Sterling and Frances are in camp so I am hoping to accomplish so many things on my to-do list! After being out of town two basically back to back weeks I have a list a mile long.

We had such a great week at the beach with my parents and brother and sister. This is one of the few family pictures we got with all 4 of us and I love it!

My dress I am wearing was just reduced and is now 40% off. I am wearing a size small for reference.

Dress

My mom and sister.

My sweet parents who always make this the most fun week. They fill goodie bags for the kids and always cook us amazing meals. I am still dreaming about my Dad's fried shrimp.

The cousins. It makes me so happy that these little ones are so close and love hanging out together.

By far our favorite part of the beach was the tidal pools. The kids loved playing in them and it was stress free for us adults. I am not a big ocean person (sharks and other things I can't see scare the heck out of me) so I really enjoyed just chilling in the tidal pools.

I bought this pink dress/cover-up during our shopping day in Wilmington at Monkee's. I am a sucker anything embellished, it also comes in blue. It is fully lined so technically you could wear it as a dress as well but you would need a tank or special bra underneath.

Cover-up/Dress + Sunglasses

The girls always take one day and go into Wilmington to shop and eat lunch, otherwise we really enjoy just relaxing at our beach house. One of our favorite restaurants in Wilmington is Brasserie du Soleil. I am slightly obsessed with their salads, french fries, and mac and cheese. The Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad was a special and it was so good!

This off shoulder dress was perfect for our last night. I love the fun floral print. I had a few questions about fit and I found it ran tts. I am wearing a size 4.

Frances Moon rocking her Marysia Suit.

I can't believe how grown-up Sterling is these days.

Family lunch at the pool.

The boy cousins minus Rutledge. So far Frances is the only girl.

We did dinner out one night at a place called Cape Fear Seafood Company. The food was really good. Sterling and I shared the fried flounder and osyters and both were very fresh. Their fried okra was also a favorite.

Dress | Sandals

This picture is blurry and not the best lighting but I love it of me and the kids.

The last night we watched a crazy storm roll in, the clouds were incredible.

We got back Friday afternoon and I quickly unpacked everything. I always like to unpack as soon as I get home. Then Matt made us a delicious habanero grapefruit cocktail. Several of you wanted the recipe. I don't have exact measurements but here is how you make it:

HABANERO GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL

Juice one grapefruit. We typically microwave the whole grapefruit for about 10-15 secs, this helps more juice come out. Pour the juice in a martini shaker. Thinly slice 1 habanero and place in the shaker. Add vodka and ice and shake well. Usually the grapefruits are sweet enough on their own but if you find it is not add a little honey to the mixture to cut the sourness.

wearing RT Dress (currently 40% off)

Saturday the kids and I went to the Farmer's Market. I promptly came home and made gazpacho. It was good but not great anyone have a recipe they would recommend?

Saturday night Matt and I took it easy and finished Mad Men. I am so sad it is over, I really loved that show and the characters. We are thinking about starting back up Bloodline next.

I picked up this new cookbook after the Farmer's Market and so far I am obsessed. Every recipe looks amazing. This detox face works wonders on your skin, I try and use mine twice a week.

Swan Nightgown on sale (also here) + Cookbook + Detox mask

Sunday we went to church and then worked around the house. I have been living in this Mara Hoffman Stars dress, I love the print (it also comes in a lighter version) and fit. My Annabel Ingall Tote is also reduced in a few colors.

Stars Dress (50% off) | Necklace | Purse

I love snapping pictures of the kids are these stairs on our walk to church. We saw the Secret Life of Pets Saturday and loved it- highly recommend it! That is Gidget from the movie that Sterling is holding the kids loved her character:)

Have a great day.

Friday, July 8, 2016

June Outfit Round-Up

Happy Friday everyone! We are packing up from our beach week with my family and heading home later today. It has been such an amazing week and I am sad to leave. I will share some of our pictures Monday!

Here is a round-up of my June outfits- many of these items are on sale now too.

Rebecca Taylor Dress (40% off) this was just reduced!

I wore it yesterday and here is a full view picture from a few weeks ago when I wore it out to dinner!

It seems to run pretty TTS, maybe a touch on the large side. This would be a great dress for any of you pregnant friends because it is very loose. I always liked not buying maternity clothes when I was pregnant so I could wear them again afterwards. I am wearing a size 4.