10 Random Things I Bought Lately and Love… And I Mean Really Random
In sharing some recent buys on Insta stories, I realize how much this platform has expanded from just style and beauty to so much more! It’s been an amazing journey and you guys have become like friends to me, so I keep finding myself sharing some of the most random things! So I am embracing it! 😂 I wanted to share 10 random things I’ve bought recently and loved (and trust me, it gets really random haha). Let me know what you guys think and if I should share more of my favorite random buys on a regular basis!
When I swapped out all my felt hangers for wood hangers it made a huge difference! I’ve been wanting to do the same for the kids’ closets and finally just bit the bullet and got these to replace all the plastic hangers with these wood hangers. It really changes the feel of the closet and makes it feel like more of a boutique, which also makes it easier to keep organized. Win-win! Somebody also sent me a DM that Target is having a great sale right now, so if you need to buy hangers in bulk they have these kids hangers (haven’t seen them in person, but heard they are great!) and you can get $40 off if you spend $100 with code: COLLEGE – great deal!
This is my current conditioner and I can’r recommend it enough! It leaves your hair super smooth and the smell is amazing. Definitely a must try if you haven’t yet!
How cute is this wooden toy camera!? It got me so excited to start getting more baby toys and actually was part of my inspo for the nursery design. Beckam is going to share a room with the baby, so I wanted it to work for both boys – I’m excited to share more progress but I’m excited to incorporate some wooden accents like this cute camera. Also love this wooden rocking horse!
The kids have loved riding bikes this summer, so we just added two new family members here and here. We also got this bike helmet which has a camera mount so the kids can capture some cool shots on their rides with their Go Pro.
I’ve been living in these pajama shorts since I got them last week! It’s a really comfortable material and I love the ruching detail, plus they are under $20.
Now that I’ve stocked up on diapers and wipes, I feel like I am halfway there in prepping for baby. (Even though it’s barely a dent, it’s definitely two that will get a lot of use so I feel like it was a leap in the right direction haha.) Walmart has the jumbo packs in tons of cute prints – such a good deal! I also stocked up on these wipes.
Since our flood, we are down a lot of furniture so I found these side tables and love the price point (under $15!) and color options. Super versatile and perfect for an extra surface or for the kids’ rooms.
I just bought this self-tanning face mask and have yet to try it, BUT I thought it was such an interesting idea that I had to share! I will report back as soon as I use it and let you know how it works, but can’t wait to get a much needed glow.
You know my weird pregnancy cravings were going to rear their head at some point! This one came out of left field for me, but baby dill pickles are my favorite snack right now! It might sounds like a pregnancy craving, but you guys need to try them!
You guys last saw this set in this post sharing my beauty favorites from the Anniversary Sale and I have been using these shades non-stop since! I am a huge fan of the YSL lipsticks – they are all really moisturizing too, and these colors are so good.
Below are a few more products that I’m ready to add to my cart. Any new cult-worthy finds you guys have tried lately? Let me know below in comments!
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
Last Chance on These Sale Favorites
We are down to the last week of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and while tons of styles have sold out, they have actually restocked a few of my favorites! Even since I started writing this post, I found a few more sale pieces that were back in stock that sold out before I finished writing this post 🙈, so things are still moving quickly! Keep scrolling for details on these in-stock must haves:
Vince is one of my favorite designers for closet staples and there are so many great Vince pieces included in the sale! This top is the prettiest color and the satin makes it the perfect piece to transition from the office to date night or just into your standard outfit rotation. Also love this top that comes in both black and white.
These trousers are another great find from the sale. To take it from 9-to-5 to night, just add a lacy camisole and a stacked stiletto and you’re date night ready.
Sweater season is almost upon us! I love this wool option and it comes in two colors. This tweed skirt has also been restocked – I love all the subtle colors pulled into the pattern so you can wear it with tons of different pieces.
Another sweater that’s getting me excited for fall! I love the texture of this one. This grey wrap coat is also still in stock – it’s an investment piece but one of those classic outerwear pieces that you will use for decades.
This is one of those LBDs that can transition seamlessly for any occasion. Throw on a blazer for the office, sneakers for the weekend, or these cute ankle booties for a look you could take anywhere. These booties from the Nordstrom sale come in multiple colors and I love the pointed toe with the block heel so it’s both comfortable and a sleek silhouette.
Color me shocked that this leopard sweatshirt and jogger combo are still in stock! (These joggers keep coming in and out of stock, so if you are waiting to add to cart and they aren’t available in your size, keep an eye on them!) They are super comfortable and I love them each as separates too. These are also a great pair of house slippers – so cozy! I have a feeling I’ll be living in them this fall/winter.
Below are a few more of my favorites from the Nordstrom Sale that are still in stock right now! You can also check out my previous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale posts here, here, and here.
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
Cute School Supplies for Her & Boys Back To School Style
With my due date approaching, I am trying to knock out as much as possible before the baby gets here – everything from finalizing the last few touches on the house to getting an early start on back to school shopping! Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved this time of year and there’s something about getting your school shopping done early that always makes it feel like the school year is starting off on the right foot.
There are always the staple school supplies, like pencils and scissors, but I think it’s important to get some of those fun, creative items that give the kids something to look forward to. Here are a few cute items for her that will get her excited about packing up her book bag before the first day of school:
Notebooks: Students always burn through notebooks, so you can never have too many! Love this bright composition notebook. I am also addicted to writing out my schedule and to-do lists to stay productive, so this planner is a great way to get them hooked!
Something For Home: I love the idea of creating a work place at home for the kids to be able to focus and get all their homework done to help them build good study/work habits. This dry erase board would be perfect!
Post-it Notes: These are another great tool to make study time more fun – love this set that comes in multiple colors and shapes!
Brighten Up The Basics:This is one of Mara’s favorite brands for school supplies – everything they make is so bright and colorful! It’s a great way to give kids the option to add some personality to their school supplies. How cute is this ruler? Also this pink calculator!
Beckam is starting Kindergarten this year and he can’t wait to be a part of all the school year prep! He’s growing so quickly so I need to stock up on a few basics for him for the school year. I love this two pack of pants (great staples and I love the colors – they will go with everything!). I always get a couple versatile layers for the school year and some staple shoes that can be mixed and match with multiple looks like these sneakers and this black chukka boot.
Walmart has so many staples for back to school style for every age and they are all at amazing price points. They also have tons of backpack and lunchbox options (love this personalized set!) and everything you need for easy lunches and snacks (these make it so easy!). They also break down the school supplies by grade which you never fully appreciate until you have multiple kids in different grades you are trying to shop for haha. And of course the Walmart pick-up and delivery makes it even simpler.
Top Selling Pieces From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens in the public! Even though Nordstrom doesn’t state it explicitly, it seems like they are always restocking some of the best-sellers so I wanted to put together the top selling products from the Anniversary Sale, the best essentials so far this season:
DETAILS: LEOPARD CAMI (ON SALE UNDER $30 – WEARING SIZE M) | KNIT CARDIGAN (ON SALE UNDER $50 – WEARING SIZE 4-6) | DENIM (ON SALE UNDER $100) | SUEDE BOOTIES (ON SALE UNDER $100)
UNDER $50 – Would pay full price for these, but added bonus that they are under $50 right now!
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other converse all the time they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
Must-Buy Tried & True Vs. New Beauty Products on Sale
Happy Friday! The Anniversary Sale is open to the public today at 12:30 EST so I wanted to share some of my must-buy beauty products – both those tried and true products and those that are new to me that are included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I’m heading to the Beauty Bash in store tomorrow (and open to the public! Just head to your local Nordstrom tomorrow for the event!) and can’t wait to try new products, but for now I wanted to share one of my favorite beauty looks I’ve worn in a while and how to recreate it with products from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!:
This rose lip tint is one of the best selling products from Bobbi Brown so I was so excited about this two for one set for the Anniversary Sale – definitely a must-try if you haven’t yet!
Love the colors of this palette and it doubles for both face and eyes! This mascara is also one of my favorites for a long, natural lash so it’s the perfect duo!
How pretty are these lip colors! They were one of my first beauty purchases from the Anniversary Sale and they are just as pretty in person as they are online – love that it comes in both a lipstick and a gloss!
I love the YSL lipsticks! They are always an investment, so if it’s out of your budget usually this is a great opportunity to stock up on some staple colors at a discount. The middle lipstick shown above is the one used in my makeup look!
I also wanted to share a few of my tried and true beauty products that I have been using for years!
Last night I finally sat down and started ordering stuff for the baby and it started to sink it! My due date was moved up a few weeks, so I feel like I need to get everything settled and in order as soon as possible so I’m not having to worry about the details once the baby comes (especially if he makes an early debut!)
I shared a few of my tried & true products from my first pregnancy along with some new products I’m excited to try in this post, but today I wanted to share some staple items for your baby registry and right now everything is under $25!
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! We just lost a ton of our baby/kid books when our basement flooded – they were all contaminated so we had to throw them out and even though insurance reimbursed us, it’s a little daunting to begin recollecting baby and kids books, but these are a few of our favorites:
1. OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO – Even though baby might take a few years to catch onto it, the messaging in this book is one of my favorites, even as an adult! It’s never too early to start on this Dr. Seuss classic.
2. ABC BOOK – Start with the basics with this ABC board book. This was one we lost in the flood that I knew I would be replacing.
3. LLAMA LLAMA BOOK SET : Board books are a must have with infants! I feel like they are unexpected double duty because somehow they always turn into teething toys too. Love this one!
CLOSET STAPLES. Does anyone else get just as excited about getting kids clothes as pieces for your own wardrobe? Below are a few great basics:
4. LITTLE BROTHER SET – These little brother pieces are getting me right in the feels and this set is under $10.
5. ONESIE SET – Subtle prints in the best neutrals will make the perfect pieces to mix and match.
TOYS & SENSORY SETS. What’s a nursery without a few toy additions? Love these for once they start to get to an age where they enjoy toys:
7. BALL SENSORY SET – A cute ball set is a great way to stimulate imagination and sensory development.
8. BLOCK SET – I can already picture Beckam playing blocks with his baby brother! Love the color of these and they are under $10.
9. STUFFED WHALE – Also you can’t say no to a stuffed animal. How cute is this one (on sale under $20)
10. WOODEN SHAPE MAGNET SET – This set comes with wooden shapes and magnets – another great development tool once they hit that age.
BLANKETS & SWADDLES: These are as much a comfort for babies as it is a necessity for mom! Here are my top picks for the baby registry.
11. PATTERNED PLUSH THROW– Beckam got a fleece blanket when he was a baby and he would not part with it for years! He could not leave the house without it. It’s crazy how attached kids can get to a blanket – love this neutral, unisex option on sale under $10.
13. MUSLIN BLANKET SET – Mom tip: can never have too many muslin blankets. This is a great item to add to the registry.
Walmart has endless baby products so it’s a great destination to use for your baby registry, not only for affordable finds like these staples under $25, but also for the big ticket items. (Like the Snoo! I’ve heard amazing things!) Below are a few more great pieces at multiple price points that would be perfect for your baby registry.
Plaid is huge this season, and I especially love bringing the pattern into outerwear pieces. This plaid overcoat and cape are great layering options and under $100. I also love the Natori bras – they are super comfortable and Nordstrom told me they can actually transition them to a nursing bra. Such a good tip to know for you fellow mamas to be out there! Also obsessed with the cut of these Levi’s – I couldn’t believe they were under $100 and how cute are these double hoop earrings!
Below are more great sale items under $100 that are still in stock and check out more of my outfits under $100 here.
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
15 Outfits All Pieces Under $100
Pieces are selling out like crazy at the Nordstrom Sale, so I wanted to put together some of my favorites under $100 that you guys requested in stories with outfits that still HAVE IN STOCK ITEMS! Keep scrolling to see some of my favorites, starting at under $15!
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other Converse all the time – they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
These pants are soooo stretchy and comfy – they are $38 and fit for the bump which is a shocker and of course no bump too! They mix and match with so man things! Pattern play is a big thing this season!
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other Converse all the time – they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other Converse all the time – they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
DETAILS: LEOPARD CAMI (ON SALE UNDER $30 – WEARING SIZE M) | KNIT CARDIGAN (ON SALE UNDER $50 – WEARING SIZE 4-6) | DENIM (ON SALE UNDER $100) | SUEDE BOOTIES (ON SALE UNDER $100)
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other Converse all the time – they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
WHY I LOVE IT: The high tops of my dreams! Love the crisp white with the graphic black swoosh.
Below are a few more of my favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale under $100!
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: His & Hers
Today marks the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for card members! It’s open to the public next Friday, but now is definitely the time to buy before pieces sell out, so if you haven’t already, sign up for a Nordstrom card here!
One of the biggest requests in my poll about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale was his and hers style, so I wanted to kick off the sale with some of my favorites for both him and her! Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite looks with sizing and pricing information on each of my pieces and why I love them. Also a lot of these looks are dresses because I can’t fit in a lot of jeans right now 😂 #pregnancyproblems! But I am still going to do a round up of my favorite denim in another post!
Obsessed with this bag and the size! It’s u under $50!
UNDER $50 – Would pay full price for these, but added bonus that they are under $50 right now!
WHY I LOVE IT: Obsessed with the bronze metal detailing and slight platform. I wear my other converse all the time they are just a good basic sneaker to have.
CODY: PINK TEE (ON SALE UNDER $50 – WEARING SIZE L – COMES IN 5 COLORS) | BLACK SHORTS (ON SALE UNDER $50 – WEARING SIZE L – COMES IN 2 COLORS) | WHITE NIKE SNEAKERS (ON SALE UNDER $100)
WEARING SIZE 7.5: Adidas usually runs big; sized down a half size.
UNDER $100: This is another sneaker I could see myself paying pull price for – aren’t those the best sale pieces?!
WHY I LOVE IT: You can never go wrong with grey sneakers – will be wearing these nonstop!
Below are some more of my favorites from the sale for both him and her! Also if you missed yesterday’s post you can see more things I bought here.
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 Pieces To Add To Your Cart
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of the biggest retail events of the year – it’s like a holiday 😜! With all of the hype leading up to it and all the tease of getting to catch a glimpse of all the sale pieces in store that are roped off, it’s no wonder that the first day of early access (for Nordstrom Card Members 🙂 is one of the biggest days of the sale. There are thousands of products included in the sale! If you aren’t familiar with the sale they are upcoming season items (so not items that have already been around they are throwing on sale, these are new season items on major discount) Every year there are specific pieces that sell out the fastest, so I wanted to share some of the first pieces that you should be adding to your cart before they sell out in your size!
WHEN DOES NORDSTROM EARLY ACCESS START:
The sale starts for Nordstrom card holders on Friday the 12th. If you haven’t signed up for a card you still can so you can get early access to the sale before it opens to the public on July 19th. Sign up for a card here. Also if you haven’t checked out the catalog yet, take a peek here to see some of the pieces styled.
If you are in between sizes, order two sizes – especially if it’s a popular item – Nordstrom has free returns and there have been times I debated and only ordered one size and then when I went back to get other size it was sold out 😩
If you’re on the fence just add it to the bag – this kind of goes with the last point – but stuff really sells out so quick, if you kind of like something but aren’t sure about it, just order it so you can try it on at home before it sells out! I’ll say it again FREE RETURNS FREE RETURNS. I do this all the time, I like to try stuff at home so I can mix and match with my closet.
Know the essential items you are looking for before it starts: New jeans, booties for fall, new luggage, etc, have a general idea of what you want or it can be overwhelming!
Not typically, but people do return items and the stock reflects in store and online, so if your favorite item sells out, bookmark it and check back each day to see if one popped back in stock.
Year after year, this is one of the first products to sell out fastest! It comes in 7 colors, I have it in 3 colors and I just bought the leopard one they are launching this year to add to my collection. They are an amazing price point, super versatile, and the best layering piece with cardigans and jackets. This sold out in minutes the first year I posted it so get it quick!!
The Topshop cardigans are another piece that always sells out quickly. This year they have this beautiful camel knot cardigan. It’s the perfect layer to transition into fall and you can layer over everything from dresses to shorts and denim.
KNIT CARDIGAN : Regular Price: $68 / Sale Price: $44.90
I was actually excited to see they had a lot more options this year for suede boots and a great variety of price points. These boots are one of my favorites from the sale and come in three colors and also love this taller option.
SUEDE BOOTIES: Regular Price: $129.95 / Sale Price: $86.90
Suede Boots: Regular Price: $ 239.95 / Sale Price: $159.90
Coats are always more of an investment, so the anniversary sale is the perfect time to snag that style you have been eyeing. Leather jackets and long overcoats are always some of the fastest selling items since everyone is stocking up for fall. I have a feeling these three options below will go quick.
Barefoot Dreams Blanket: My best friend got me hooked on this brand. Their sweaters are so soft so I bought the blankets for some of the girls I work with but I just got one for myself! Regular Price: $147 / Sale Price: $98.90
Chanel Perfume: I love the smell of this perfume and it comes in this cute travel size for your travels or pretty sitting out on your vanity or bathroom counter. Sale Price: $122
Below are a few more pieces from the Anniversary Sale that I think will sell out fast! Is there anything you guys already have your eye on? Let me know and comment below!
XX, Christine
xo, Christine
3rd Trimester! 5 Things Update
Love this bra! So comfortable and the perfect mix between bra and bralette.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a 5 things post, so here we go. ❤️
I’m officially in my third trimester! 💫The first trimester was rough, second trimester honestly just felt really up and down – I was emotional and not myself. The end of the second trimester and beginning of my third, I have been loving! I definitely feel very pregnant, but I love feeling the baby kick. I kind of know what to expect when I’m going to get heartburn and when my back will start hurting, but I’ve just felt connected these last couple weeks, more so than the rest of my pregnancy. I’m loving this stage right now!
I watched season 3 of Stranger Things and fell asleep in almost every other episode. I loooved the first two seasons but felt like this season they had too many things going on and it felt more depressing. 🤷🏼♀️
I’m in a major nesting phase. I really love being home right now!
As I get ready for baby to come, I’ve been wanting to stock up on comfy clothes Especially because I’m due in the fall, I know we will be hibernating more. A lot of my old loungewear and bras are too small so I ordered a few new bras from Jockey (I have like 3 off their sports bras and love them!) They are so comfortable. They are from the Jockey Forever Fit Collection and all of the pieces in the collection have the support of a bra but all the comfort of a bralette. They all have a stretchy infinity underband and are wire-free like bralettes, but they also have the hook and eye closure like a standard bra so you can get the perfect fit. I got this one in white and also love this teal option. Also have to mention these grey sweats I got too because they are the softest, comfiest thing every. Probably going to be living in those.
I keep waking up in the middle of the night craving pancakes. Especially McDonald’s pancakes 🥞but I haven’t had any weird pregnancy cravings, like random things paired together like they talk about in movies – I haven’t experienced this with either of my pregnancies actually. Did you guys?
Below are a few more of my favorite loungewear pieces from Jockey that have been getting me through my 3rd trimester:
The Easiest Way to Plan a Trip to Europe on Any Budget
One of my favorite family traditions is our two week trip we take every summer with all the kids. We try to explore at least one new destination every year. I could spend hours on pinterest or Google trying to research and plan to try to make sure I hit all the best spots and don’t miss any of the highlights. This summer, with being pregnant and working on the remodels of our house, we didn’t have as much time to plan. One of my friends had told me about this travel service called Noken that helps plan and customize your trip. I have only used a travel agent once and we had a really bad experience so I was kind of nervous, but Noken seriously exceeded every expectation we had and made this trip the easiest trip we have ever planned!! Now that I’ve used it, I don’t think I could ever go back! It was such an amazing service so I wanted to share how it makes traveling abroad so seamless!
1. Choose your destination: Noken has 7 different countries available to book right now. 5 in Europe – Italy, France, Portugal, Iceland, and Ireland – and they also have trips available in Japan and Australia. They are always adding new countries so if your bucket list destination isn’t on their list yet, keep checking back 🙂 They are so detailed and spend lots of time getting each country’s experience perfect. We knew we wanted to do the northern coast of Italy and Florence. I had been dying to take the family back to Florence where I studied abroad in college.
2. Customize: Our entire trip was planned out before we left. We sent them our dates, cities we were interested in, budget, and any hotel preferences (I said I wanted at least half of our stay to have hotels with pools because the kids LOVE to swim, 4 star accommodations and above, and at least one with a view of the water when we were in Cinque Terre. This is where you can really set any budget! If you want to save and have a price point you are trying to hit you can let them know that too!) They did all the research on what hotels and sent us a couple options to choose from and we selected our favorites! Typically when we go on trips I spend HOURS reading reviews trying to find the best spots, and I was so impressed with their selections!! We loved every hotel! We stayed at Villa La Calvane in Tuscany, Best Western Tiguillio Royal in Rapallo, and The First Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre. Also this was huge – you don’t pay any more for your hotel then you would if you booked on your own! You also book the entire trip in one transaction which, if you’ve ever booked like 4 different flights and hotels for multiple people, you get the appeal haha. They coordinate everything – it really is life changing!
Our view from our room in Cinque Terre overlooking the cutest town. Facing the other direction, you could see the ocean. We loved just sitting and watching the sunrise!
The pool views in Tuscany! The kid’s favorite part 😉 They went swimming every morning and night and the Tuscan Hills in the background. 😍
3. More than Hotels and Flights: Outside of your flight and hotel, they can also book your car rental, plan activities and excursions in the different cities you visit, and make restaurant reservations (especially in peak season you want to book reservations for popular restaurants some are weeks out). We rented a boat when we were in Rapallo and it was one of our favorite parts of the trip! We got to see all the pretty coastal towns along the way and the kids even got to drive for a little bit 😉 I can’t recommend doing this enough!! Noken can suggest things in your area or you can tell them what you want to do and they will book it.
4. A Personalized App: This is really what sets Noken apart from every other travel service out there. Before your trip, Noken creates a 100% personalized app with your itinerary. It has everything you could think of – from packing guides, your hotel, car, and activity confirmations (if you travel a lot you know how nice it is to have it all in one spot!), directions to each location, your daily itinerary with suggestions of sites to see, restaurant recommendations (and directions so you don’t have to flip back and forth between apps!). One of the suggestions in Cinque Terre was Ristorante Miky which is where we got the best spaghetti I’ve ever had! It also gives you an idea of costs for each activity or restaurant. Then each day your itinerary is set out, with your destinations, and travel tips, you just wake up and EXPLORE!
Had tons of questions about the cost, and I was seriously shocked when I found out. It’s ONLY $5 per person, per day. So for our family only $25 day! So worth all of the planning, research, and time it saves you, and the convenience of having a personalized app for your family for your specific trip! You pay the same price you would pay for hotels and other activities, so there aren’t any markups for anything. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about traveling abroad, it’s that you never have enough time to see everything but Noken saves you so much time planning and putting together the perfect itinerary so you can tailor the trip to make the most of your time! Can’t recommend it enough! Now if it could only help me unpack my suitcase too… haha.
I’ll be sharing more from our trip over the next few weeks with travel guides for each city so comment below if you have any questions about Noken or our trip! Noken and I are also hosting a giveaway for a chance to receive $500 towards their service – details for how to enter are on my IG so be sure to check it out and enter!!
