denim tunic

Forever 21 Life in Progress denim washed tunic; Zara skort (old but similar here in cream); Steve Madden ‘Ecentric’ leopard sneakers; House of Harlow necklace; Cara studded leather bracelet.

Forever 21 Life in Progress denim washed tunic; House of Harlow necklace; Cara studded leather bracelet.

Rebecca Minkoff ‘Dog Clip’ leather bracelet; Cartier tank watch.

I returned some of my Nordstrom anniversary sale items today. I didn’t like the Longchamp tote, it wasn’t large enough to be my travel tote even when fully expanded. I was hoping the Rag & Bone ‘Newbury’ booties would be a lighter shade of grey, but they looked black to me and I already have a black pair of booties that are similar in style. I hated the Zella leggings on me, the fit was off and disliked the stiffer fabric. I also returned the Burberry parka that I purchased 2 anniversary sales ago, which I never wore and still had the tags attached. I settled for that parka, when it was really a black Burberry trench that I truly longed for. When I spied the black trench in this year’s anniversary sale, I put it in my virtual shopping bag without hesitation. The leather accents on the trench are the cherry on top for me, they give the trench an instant cool factor.

So, I swung by Forever 21 and found this denim tunic number and a pair of denim track shorts. The tunic looks like something Joie or Vince would do. It has an easy fit, but it runs large so I bought a small (I’m typically a medium). The back hem is lower than the front, which makes it distinctive.

The bottom pic is from my Instagram, I really dig the dog clip leather bracelet. It’s been restocked online at Nordstrom, you should get yourself one before the anniversary sale is over. I also love the necklace and leather bracelet in the first and second images that are also from the Nordstrom anniversary sale. I picked up some more inexpensive jewelry from the sale, it was hard to resist.

I can’t believe it’s almost August, yikes! Are you starting to think about fall fashions? I am not, I need another month or two.

nsale reviews

Autumn Cashmere sweater; Rag & Bone jeans; Pedro Garcia bootie.

Autumn Cashmere sweater; Current/Elliott jeans; Chloé boots.

Autumn Cashmere sweater; Current/Elliott jeans; Rag & Bone boots (sold out online but similar here).

Burberry London trench (sold out online but similar here); Zella leggings.

So, I received my packages from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I am loving pretty much everything! I’m definitely keeping the Burberry London trench, the leather collar and sleeve tabs give it an edgy vibe. The Rag & Bone jeans are crazy soft, it’s the perfect boyfriend jean if you like them more on the fitted side. The Current/Elliott Stiletto jeans are the best for tucking cleanly into boots, as you can see in the Chloé boots pic above. The boots and booties are all keepers, they were flattering and comfortable. The Autumn Cashmere leopard sweater was light yet cozy. You don’t need a thick weight to a sweater if it’s 100% cashmere. This is cheaper than some of the other contemporary designer sweaters on sale, but they were a cashmere blend and not 100% cashmere (which is what you want).

I wasn’t crazy about the Zella leggings, the fabric is stiff or not as stretchy as my Lululemon leggings. Also, they did nothing for my butt, like the Lululemon pants do. The waistband folded over when I bent over, no bueno. They’re going back.

Did you find any keepers in this year’s Anniversary Sale? Have a great week! xx

sherbert

Aqua colorblock tank (old but similar here); Citizens of Humanity ‘Ava’ jeans; Stuart Weitzman ‘Alex’ wedge sandals; Banana Republic Factory Store coral/gold earrings (old but similar here); J.Crew Factory bangle (old but similar here); Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Amy’ rose gold watch.

Aqua colorblock tank (old but similar here); Citizens of Humanity ‘Ava’ jeans; Stuart Weitzman ‘Alex’ wedge sandals; Banana Republic Factory Store coral/gold earrings (old but similar here); J.Crew Factory bangle (old but similar here); Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Amy’ rose gold watch.

This tank top reminds me of the rainbow sherbert from my childhood. White, hot pink and coral orange is a classic summer combo. My tan looks darker against the light and bright palette.

Come to think of it, some ice cream sounds about right at this very moment. Keep cool!

leopard kicks

J.Crew Factory chambray shirt & crystal sunburst necklace; Old Navy shorts (old but similar here);Steve Madden ‘Ecentric’ leopard sneakers; Michael Kors tortoise watch (old but similar here).

Steve Madden ‘Ecentric’ leopard sneakers.

These leopard beauties have been on my wish list for months. My awesome sister just gifted them to me, a total surprise since I text her about countless items in my pretend virtual shopping carts. I seriously love these so much since they are: (a) leopard and (b) sneakers. The slip-on is super easy and fast, no shoelaces to deal with. I plan on wearing these well into the fall and winter.

I’m wearing another favorite, my crystal sunburst necklace. Also a gift, from a sister-in-law. She gets me, I think I wore the necklace as soon as I opened the box.

Do you have a favorite gift, whether it’s recent or not? What makes it special for you?

Have a great week!

orage

Forever 21 embroidered shift dress (similar here and here); Lucky Brand ‘Leyna’ sandals; Banana Republic leather clutch in silver (old but similar here); Cartier tank watch.

Chanel Orage and Atmosphere (over Orage) nail polish.

Forever 21 embroidered shift dress (similar here and here); Lucky Brand ‘Leyna’ sandals; Banana Republic leather clutch in silver (old but similar here); Cartier tank watch.

Butter London Jaffa nail polish.

We were headed out to dinner this week and I wanted to give my new Chanel Fall 2014 nail polishes a try. The Orage color is very cool, inky and moody just like it’s name indicates. I love how Atmosphere works as an overlay on my ring finger. It has different colors from different angles, like an opal.

You can never go wrong with Butter London’s Jaffa for a vibrant and fun summer nail color. I love it for my toes or fingers.

What are your go-to summer nail colors? Enjoy your Thursday! xx

the mother lode

It’s that time of year again, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale! Early access commenced yesterday for card holders online and store locations. Remember this epic haul?

For the last couple of years, however, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Nordstrom, which is why I refrained from shopping the sale last year. But I continued shopping at Nordstrom for my husband, since they’re the only department store that carries nicer brand clothing and shoes for his hard-to-find sizes (he’s 6’6″ and a size 14 for his shoes). For me, I’ve found the way to go is to shop online exclusively at this store. It’s efficient and zero sales pressure. I was free to browse every sale item I wanted in mere minutes on my iPad. The most time spent was the editing process of my virtual shopping cart. I had to cut out many pretty things, the shopping cart kept a running tab (thankfully).

So, here’s what I ordered. Let’s hope that everything gets shipped (crosses fingers for no canceled orders) and fits. I can’t post links today since Nordstrom will only let you view the anniversary sale items if you have a Nordstrom store card. Once the sale is open to non-card holders on July 18th, I will update with links. Plus, I’ll take outfit pics and provide reviews, so check back to get the skinny.

7/18/14 update: links now work below.

Burberry London double breasted black trench (anniversary sale version sold out online, but similar here). Nothing beats this classic.

Chloé ‘Heloise’ tall boots. Love this greige color. Doesn’t the calfskin leather look like butter?

Rag & Bone ‘Newbury’ bootie in Granite. I’ve been admiring these boots for years, I couldn’t believe they were on sale, in my size and in a color I love.

Pedro Garcia ‘Samara’ perforated bootie in Dune. I regret not buying an earlier iteration of this shoe 2 years ago, in dark brown. I’ve read online how comfortable and flattering they are.

Autumn Cashmere leopard print sweater. Leopard in 100% cashmere. Sold.

Rag & Bone ‘The Dre’ boyfriend jeans. Loved the easy fit of these boyfriends, but not too baggy in the butt.

Current/Elliott ‘The Stiletto’ skinny jeans (anniversary sale version sold out online but similar here). They have a cult following, I want to know what the fuss is all about. And, I could use a skinnier leg jean to easily tuck into tall boots.

Zella ‘Live In’ cross dye leggings in Black Cross Dye. Another cult following, from converted Lululemon lovers. They have piqued my curiosity.

Zella ‘Live In’ leggings in Navy Eclipse. Same as above. These leggings have over 1,100 online reviews, most claiming their love for these leggings.

House of Harlow 1960 leather station necklace. This necklace is so 2008, but I believe it has stood the test of time. It was the first statement necklace, that I can remember. But now it looks almost minimalist compared to the statement necklaces of today or a couple of years ago (bubble necklace anyone?).

Rebecca Minkoff ‘Dog Clip’ leather bracelet (looks like the grey sold out online but my sister loves her black cuff). Tough little leather cuff, with something other than studs (I have plenty of those). I plan on wearing this on the same wrist as my watch.

Longchamp ‘Le Pilage’ expandable tote (anniversary sale version sold out online but similar here). I am a little surprised at the purchase, I was never a fan of this ubiquitous bag. But I have read many reviews that praise the expandable feature of this tote, they say it’s a travel must-have. I like travel must-haves. I’m kind of digging the inky eggplant color, it’s a cool hue. I also like the longer straps. Who knows, I may love this thing and ditch my current sorry excuse of a carry-on bag.

So, that was a wall of purchases. What do you think?
Did you partake in the early access? Anything you love or want to investigate further?

Enjoy your Friday and upcoming weekend! xx

get nauti

Madewell Gallerist ponte v-neck dress (old but similar here & here); KORS Michael Kors ‘Ace’ wedge sandals in black nubuck (old but similar here); Big Buddha patent bag in grey (old but similar here); Ray Ban aviator flash lenses; Cartier tank watch.

Pics from our friends’ wedding a couple of days ago. How gorgeous is the view from their backyard? Almost as gorgeous as my lobster dinner. Seriously, it was a beautiful afternoon and evening for a wedding. Fireworks capped off the perfect day.

Enjoy your weekend! xx

ikat & lace

LOFT Ikat Print Cami; LOFT Lou & Grey Drawstring Lace Pants in black (not available online but similar option here); Report ‘Lennon’ flat sandals in black (old but this year’s version here); Ray Ban aviator flash lenses sunglasses; Cartier tank watch.

Happy Independence Day! Hope you’re enjoying America’s birthday with your loved ones.

We just back from our friends’ wedding up in Rhode Island. They are such a lovely couple and their wedding celebration was filled with all the good things in life. It was at their beautiful home on the water and they had an authentic clambake. It was wicked good!

Luckily, we had a chance to walk around downtown Providence around our hotel, Hotel Providence (highly recommended!). It’s a charming city and the people are so nice. My outfit was the most comfortable ever for traveling in the summer. The lace soft pants are the best. The ikat cami was the perfect complement to the boho feel of the pants.

Have you worn soft pants recently? Do you love them as much as I do?

Have a great holiday weekend! xx