Friday, July 22, 2016

Thoughts For Friday + What I Bought From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Happy Friday!  Lots of randoms for you today.  We have plans for a low key Friday night tonight and we have a date night planned for tomorrow night with some good friends. 

This is a constant scene at my house these days.  The kids love to pull every single toy out.  I had to snap a picture of the mass chaos.  and I love Rodney in the background like I didn't do it:)

I went out to dinner Wednesday night with some girlfriends and we tried a new restaurant, Feathertop.   It is located on Ann Street right near the Children's museum.  They had some really delicious salads.  I loved the heirloom tomato salad and the shaved vegetable one.
 What I wore.  This dress is the best.  Super forgiving.  It comes in black, cream and green online.  I am wearing a size small for reference.  This weekend only my dress is 20% off too, no code needed.


Sterling lost his second top tooth this week.  I can't believe he starts First Grade in a few short weeks.  

A recent OOTD.  The blouse runs on the large side so size down a size.   I am wearing an XS. 
Frances Moon loves to pick out her outfits these days, quite like her Mommy at that age.  I can tell she is going to be a little fashionista.  Most of the time they are crazy and don't match but this one was really cute.  She even matched her headband.
Anyone else watching Odd Mom out?  I love that show, it is hysterical! 


Today the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public, so anyone can shop.  Check back because they usually restock items and add new items on this first day.    I will share a round up tomorrow.
Here is what I have ordered so far with sizing info.   Lots of great staples for the Fall and many I can wear now too. 

nordstrom


I ordered this in the camel color and just love it.  I ordered an XS and it def runs on the large side.  I like that it is longer so I can wear it with leggings.  If you want a less expensive option, this ONE is similar. 

I am a huge fan of the high waist Zella leggings.  I ordered these in the green color.  They run TTS.  I usually do a small in Zella leggings.
I ordered this in the black and I love it so much I am tempted to buy the purple.  I love these types of pullovers in the fall to toss on over my workout clothes.  Runs TTS, I bought a size small.

I ordered these in the lighter color.  They run on the small side so size up 1/2 a size.  I really like the zipper detail on the sides.
This is so incredibly soft and I love the open back detail (I would wear a tank underneath and not have an exposed back).  Runs on the large side so size down.  I ordered and XS and it fits perfectly.

My mom has this blouse in the white version and I always think it looks so pretty on her.  I bought the black and figured we can trade:)  We both have size XS.

I have these in the clear version and wear them often. I figured the gold would go with lots of outfits.



For the price you can't beat this blouse- only $27.  I ordered the green and it is such a great color for Fall.  I will be sharing this in an outfit post next week.  It comes in several other colors too.

I shared this Wednesday, but I love this simple tee for only $15.  I am wearing a size small. 


Under $20 and perfect for bad hair days!



I ordered this in the blush color.  For the price, $44 it is a great blouse.  It has a looser fit which I like and I also like the bell sleeve detail.  I am tempted to order the yellow too.  I ordered a size small. 




I actually bought the jeans last year but they are back again.  I am wearing a small in the tank.  The tank is made out of a soft slub knit material and it is such a great casual shirt.  Jeans run TTS.



I ordered these in the pink, I love my other pair so much. 

This arrived yesterday and I love it.  The color is actually more of a neutral pink not quite as bright as I expected but I honestly like that better.  I used the crayon and layered it with the lip gloss last night.  It is such a pretty shade of pink.  




This is the time when I buy my new workout shoes once a year.  I love the fit and style of this new pair.  Order up a 1/2 size as they run small.  I use mine for walking and light jogging.
Have a great Friday!





Thursday, July 21, 2016

Underneath it All | Lingerie Top Picks

I had a reader request to share my favorite bras and camisoles. So let's get intimate today and talk lingerie:)

lingerie


BRAS
As far as bras go I am a huge fan of Natori.  Luckily right now many of them are part of the Anniversary Sale.  I am pretty boring when it comes to bras.  I only buy neutral colors like nude and black but this way I know they will work with all my clothes.  You can't go wrong with neutral colored bars.  I denoted the ones that are part of the sale beside them.  

Feathers Bra (on sale)
I have been wearing this style for years.  I like the lace detail and it offers great support. 

This bra is a great everyday bra.  It offers more coverage than the style above and plenty of support.

Hanky Panky thongs have been my favorite for years.  I used to love the low rise but now in my old age (haha) I have started to like the original rise because they sit up a little higher on my hips.   I always stock up during the anniversary sale, you can save $5 a pair which really adds up. 
also in Mid Rise option.

The best strapless bra.  I get alot of questions about which strapless bra I use and this is it.  
I also like these nipple covers if I am wearing a dress that a bra won't work with.  These work really well and you can wash and reuse them.


Seamless Bra (on sale)
I just ordered this bra to try out.  I know it doesn't offer much support but I liked the idea of it under certain tanks and dresses I have that have low arm pit holes.  This would look more like tank showing than a bra.

I bought these before my wedding and I still wear them.  They really suck you in and are great under dresses.

This may be my favorite bra.  The straps can be worn regular, criss crossed or halter style.  

I like to call these granny panties.  We can't wear thongs all the time.  These are so comfortable.  


SLIPS AND CAMISOLES
Spanx is by far my go to brand for slips and camisoles. 

These are not technically lingerie but these leggings are the best!!  I swear by these.  They suck you in and are so flattering.  You will not regret this purchase.  I wear a small in these, go with your normal size.  



I really like the Spanx camisoles for under blouses that are a touch see through.  They are totally worth the money.  They hold up well and they suck you in for a streamlined look.

I like this slip because it is lightweight.  You can adjust the straps to wear them regular or crisscross.

This is my go to slip.  I wear this under tee shirt dresses and anything else that I just want my belly and hips smoothed out.

I like this style tank for under sweaters and layering.  



A few sleepwear options all on sale!  






Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Roasted Squash and Zucchini Enchiladas + OOTD $15 Tee Shirt



Since Matt has become a pescatarian it has really inspired me in the cooking department.  He is coming up on one year of being meat free at the end of this month.  I am really proud of him he has changed his diet so much in the past year and I think he feels much better because of that.   As I have mentioned before I am not a vegetarian but I do prefer to eat mainly plant based meals.  I still eat meat I just don't cook with it that often.  Matt chose not to eat meat because of ethical reasons and the treatment of animals and I don't eat much meat because I honestly just prefer veggie based meals.  I love any and all veggies and I physically feel better when I don't eat much meat.  So at home I cook mostly meat free meals.  Now I do still sometimes cook meat for the kids.  They still eat plenty of chicken and Sterling always wants red meat so occasionally I cook him beef.  

Cooking meat free meals that are filling and taste good can be such a challenge but I have really enjoyed trying out new recipes and creating some of my own.  I always anxiously await Matt's approval after the first bite, hoping it is a winner.  We have had many flops but also found lots of great recipes that we now cook on rotation. 

Mexican food to me is an easy genre to cook filling vegetarian meals.   The cauliflower tacos I shared last week were so good I knew it would be hard to come up with something that delicious but these enchiladas sure come close!  They are full of so many amazing flavors and they are actually filling too.  Now if you wanted to add meat I think shredded chicken would be great added to these but they really are amazing without the meat.
Enjoy!


|| R O A S T E D   S Q U A S H +  Z U C C H I N I   E N C H I L A D A S ||

- 2 small yellow squash
- 2 small zucchini
- 1 can black beans 
- 1 cup refried beans with chiles
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- salt and pepper
- 2 containers red enchilada sauce (I love the Frontera brand)
- 1/2 cup cour cream
- 2 packages shredded quesadilla cheese
- small flour shells
- salsa, jalapeno, avocado, and sour cream for topping


Slice the squash and zucchini in half and then slice those halves again and dice up the pieces.  Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Place on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.  The set aside. 

In a bowl combine the black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 cup refried beans with green chiles, 1/2 cup diced onion,  1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin,  and 1 tablespoon hot sauce.   Add in the roasted zucchini and squash and one package of the quesadilla cheese and mix all together.  

In a baking dish pour one container of the enchilada sauce on the bottom.  I reserved just a little of the enchilada sauce and added it to the squash/bean mixture.  Take a flour shell and fill it with the squash and bean mixture.  Roll ii up and place it in baking dish.  Repeat until the squash mixture is gone.  It should make about 8 enchiladas.  

Take the remaining package of enchilada sauce and mix it with 1/2 cup sour cream.  Then pour this over the top of the enchiladas.  Cover with the remaining bag of shredded cheese.  
Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes until bubbly. 

Serve with salsa, sour cream, avocado, and jalapenos. 

......................................................................................
Yesterday's OOTD.
I ordered this tee shirt on a whim with my other sale items because well it was $15.  I was pleasantly surprised, I love the loose fit, longer sleeves and it so soft.  I had a stiff itchy tee shirt.  This one is so incredibly soft.  It comes in 6 other colors too.  I am wearing a size small for reference.  
My hat is also on sale for only $19.  I have just recently become a hat person.  I love them especially on bad hair days!  The hat also comes in gray and black.







Tuesday, July 19, 2016

A Few Must Haves ReStocked + Beauty Favs on Sale

Today I wanted to share a few different things. 

My Topshop Off Shoulder Dress from a few months ago was finally restocked in my orange color and a light blue.  It is only $75 and I love the style and fit.   It reminds me I need to get it back from my sister, she borrowed it for a few events she had awhile ago!  Runs TTS, I am wearing the 6US size.



I have this purse in the neon colors and love it.  The neon version sold out pretty quickly.  It is now available in a new color option for late Summer.  I like that these colors are more subtle, it will go with more outfits.   You can carry this as a clutch or cross body.


I have been having quite the obsession with sunglasses lately.  Lespecs has become a new favorite of mine because they are not crazy expensive and they just fit really well.  A few of these sunglasses were sold out but now back in stock.  The top four pairs are under $80 and the last pair is part of the Anniversary Sale.

Pitusa, the cover-up line I am addicted to just restocked a new style cover-up. I love the V-back and detail down the arms.  These always sell out fast.  I will let you know if they restock my shorter version.  



 I also wanted to share a few Beauty favorites.  Most of these are part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, so it is a great time to try them out while they are reduced. 


beauty favorites


I have had mine for about a year and 1/2 and I love it.  I use it 1-2 times a week.  It uses spinning disks to slightly suck your skin, which helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells.  A great time to buy it now and save $55.
I had my make-up done for a photo shoot last week and the make-up artist used these blenders.  They worked really well to seamlessly blend in your concealer and foundation.   They are softer than your fingers so it causes less wrinkling of the skin.  I promptly went home after the shoot and ordered them.  You can wash and reuse them.
I have used this shampoo and conditioner for awhile now and really like it.   I was just introduced to the dry shampoo and it changed my life.  I have tried so many dry shampoos but this is the best one I have tried.  It absorbs all the grease in my hair and it actually makes my roots less noticeable too, and it smells amazing!  This set is such a great deal, it is basically like getting the dry shampoo free.
You all know I love a face mask.  This one has had rave reviews.   I bought mine at Sephora a few months and really like it.   I like mud masks because I feel like they really detox my skin.  The whole Glam glow line is pretty awesome.  This set is almost half price.
Also available in a Gravity Mud Glow Option

I love these for the days that I am lazy and don't feel like making my green juice.  You just drop them into water and they dissolve.  They contain 8 greens  spinach, kale, wheatgrass, aloe vera, blue algae, barley grass, chlorella, and spirulina.
My favorite candles ever!  The Tangerine and Grapefruit Scents are so fresh for the Summer.
I love a bronze eye.  I really only wear neutral eyeshadows so I can't wait to try this set out.  I love that it comes with mascara and eyeliner too.


I love pink lipstick, I ordered this last week and I can't wait to try it.


Every single color in this set is gorgeous. Perfect for year round wear.
The best hair straightener.  It works great to make loose waves too.  you can save $75 off the original price.
These are currently on sale at Target.  I love them for me and the kids.  The kids and I both take the Superfoods Multi-Vitamin (they have a whole kid's selection too), and I also take the Vibrant Skin Vitamins.  They taste good too which always helps when taking vitamins.  Next I want to try the restful sleep and balanced belly.  Anyone else have a favorite in this line? 



I love Jo Malone Perfume.  These small bottles are a great way to try out her scents.  I actually prefer the smaller bottles because I can throw them in my purse.  This set contains 3 of my favorite scents- Peony and Blush, Wood Sage and Sea Salt, and Lime Basil and Mandarin.  The scents are all so different but super fresh and not over powering at all which I like.
This is a product I have not tried yet but really want to.  I have heard amazing things about it.  It is serum that you apply that helps your eyelashes grow and fill in.  It is clinically proven to show results in 30 days.
This is a more compact version of the Clarisonic.   This cleans your face 6 times better than using your hands.  The brush head moves more than 300 times back and forth per second allowing all the impurities like dirt and oil and to be removed from your skin.  I ordered one of these, I think it will be great for travel and nightly use.


I also wanted to share this awesome Beauty Counter deal.
Two of my all time favorites the Enlightening Pads and Body Scrub are part of this deal.  Use code 2FOR1 to get the discount when you check out!