Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: My Favorite Finds

Hi guys!

If you’re a fashion lover like me, then you probably know that today is the first day of early access for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale for all cardholders. I first heard about the sale two years ago and am always shocked by how many people shop it each year. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is unique because the items included are new styles for fall, not older or last season items! This sale is really the best time to stock up on all your fall looks because prices go back up once the sale is over!

This year’s sale is a little different. Usually card members can get early access a week before, but this year if you are a cardholder with Ambassador or Icon status you get to start shopping even earlier! Wednesday was the first day I could shop so I raced home from work and headed to the mall. I was debating sharing what I found because I feel like sometimes it can be a bit much with every blogger covering it, but you guys really seemed interested in what I got, so I figured I’d at least share some of the items that I really loved!

I swore before I walked in that I wouldn’t just get a bunch of sweaters, but here we are. I think my favorite two parts of the sale each year are sweaters and shoes, so it’s hard not to get carried away when I see all the new and coziest styles. Here are a few that I really couldn’t live without!

1.Chelsea28 Cowl Neck Sweater | Color: Beige Oatmeal Light Heather | My size: XS

2.BB Dakota Up to Speed Faux Leather Moto Jacket | Color: Parchment | My size: XS

3.Something Navy Flecked Crewneck Sweater | Color: Pink Windsome Combo | My size: XS

4.Caslon Side Snap Tunic Sweater | Color: Beige Oatmeal Light Heather | My size: XS (regular – fits like a dress on me and I’m 5’3”)

5.Leith Longline Cardigan (pictured above) | Color: Pink Adobe | My size: XXS

6.Leith Longline Cardigan | Color: Beige Oatmeal Medium Heather | My size: XXS

7.Make + Model ‘Gotta Have It’ V-Neck Tee | Color: White | My size: XS

8.Sperry Crest Vibe Platform Sneaker | Color: White/Tan Leather | My size: 6.5

9.Caslon Evelyn Genuine Calf Hair Mule | Color: Leopard Print Calf Hair | My size: 6.5

10. Halogen Button Sleeve Turtleneck Sweater | Color: Pink Bride | My size: XS

If you shop the sale, let me know! Also, if you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below or reach out to me!

Fall Fanatic

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Happy fall y’all!

As soon as it was October, I fully embraced every aspect of the autumn season. I think to say fall is my favorite time of the year may be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a total water baby who loves the summer sun, but there is just something about a crisp fall day in New England that brings back years of happy memories. Some of my favorite fall activities include: asking everyone in my family at least once per day if they will go apple picking with me, taking the scenic route home (going way out of my way on my commute home to find any and all trees that have changed color), consuming apple and pumpkin products in any capacity, almost exclusively, making far too many trips to Home Goods, and repeatedly saying “Oh wow, I just love fall.” I welcome the eyerolls from those of you who think I am as basic as they come because I love this time of year and nothing is going to stop me from taking it all in every second I can.

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This fall though is especially wonderful because I now have my pup! I love having a puppy around because I finally have someone who is just as excited by everyday things as I am. Luca doesn’t mind that I want to stop every five seconds to look at a tree or some pumpkins. He is more than happy to stop with me and smell anything and everything in his path. He makes everything an adventure and I am so blessed to have a new companion by my side!

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Our most recent adventure took us to Brooksby’s Farm in Peabody. I have been coming here for as long as I remember. One of our oldest traditions is taking pictures with my siblings in the apple trees. Almost every year it seems make the Christmas card picture because it’s just about the only time my mom can get us all together. I think the only reason this seems to work is because we know that there are warm apple cider donuts waiting for us inside the little farm stand. The line is almost always to the door when we go but the wait is always worth it.

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I think I may have done every fall activity imaginable, but that won’t stop me from trying to find more. If you love fall like I do and have some fun activities to share, comment them below!

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Farewell to Fall

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As soon as September rolled around, it was all things pumpkin spice and it seemed like summer was in the rearview mirror. Now, I am breaking out my cozy sweaters and Christmas socks and playing holiday music any chance I get. Before I delve completely into winter and all things Christmas, I wanted to take minute to reflect on my favorite season: fall. Fall is such a beautiful time in nature and for me, has always been a time of new beginnings.

Fall is when we get to go back to school again and see all our friends. Fall is when we get to trade our shorts for cozy vests and our flip flops for riding boots. Fall is nature’s finally before everything green is buried in a blanket of snow. What a more beautiful way to mark an ending (and new beginning) than with a vibrant display of beautiful colors.

So here is my farewell to fall, it will be a whole year before we meet again and I hope that the next season of vibrant colors finds me in a new place with renewed hope for life and all its beauty.

Outfit details here.

So Many Reasons to be Thankful

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My sweater: TJ Maxx (similar here) | my vest: TJ Maxx (similar here)| my boots: Nordstrom (similar here) | scarf: Target | Amanda’s sweater: Francesca’s (similar here) | Amanda’s tights: Target | Amanda’s Boots: Marshall’s (similar here) |

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am writing this right before I have to run to sit down for Thanksgiving. My cousins are staying with us this year so we have twelve people in my house which means lots of stories and lots of laughs. My family is big on both sides, but most of my mom’s side is from the Midwest, so I don’t get to see them as often. This makes the holiday season even more special because we get to all be together again.

I got home Tuesday afternoon and my mom was already in cleaning mode. After scrubbing every inch of the house and rearranging the furniture to accommodate a larger than normal group of people, it was time to start decorating and preparing the food. The house is filled with rich smells of all the yummy food. My favorite part of thanksgiving is dessert, so its no surprise that I get even more excited with I get a whiff of of all the sweets being baked.

This year I have so much to be thankful for, but my amazing friends and family are definitely at the top of the list. I am so lucky to have so many people by my side. Knowing my mom is just a phonemail away and always willing to talk is the best feeling. She’s borderline superhuman and is always doing something for someone. She put together our whole Thanksgiving meal too, she’s really the best.

Every year we take Thanksgiving pictures (usually for our Christmas card). Unfortunately, my younger brother, Andrew, was not having it this year, so Amanda and I decided to just do them on our own (why let a silly boy spoil our fun?). Anyway, I figured I share them with you guys! I’d love to hear about some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions. So feel free to comment them below!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love Ashley

Autumn Wonderland: A Trip to the White Mountains

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My Sweater: Forever 21 (similar here) | My Vest: TJMaxx (similar here)|My Scarf: TJ Maxx  (similar here)| My Pants: Forever 21 (similar here)| Our boots: Hunter |Abby’s Shirt: Gap (similar here & here) | Abby’s Jeans: American Eagle |

This post took me much longer to write than I was hoping and that’s because I took so many gorgeous photos during my trip that the idea of editing them all was so daunting. So I kept putting it off, but I need to share them with you guys because they are truly, truly magical.

Over Columbus Day Weekend, Abby and I (and my mom!) took a trip up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. It’s about a two hour drive for me and the weather said that it was supposed to rain so we almost didn’t go. I am so glad we did though, because even though it did rain a little, the trees were still so beautiful that it made it all worth it.

While driving along the highway, we could see color bursting out in all directions. It really was something out of a dream. When I was younger, my family would always take trips up to see the foliage. I definitely didn’t appreciate the long car rides and seeing all the colors back then, but I certainly see the beauty of it now.

I hope that this is a renewed start of that tradition because the magic of the foliage up North is something I would love to see again and again.

Do you guys have any favorite fall traditions? Comment below!

Love Ashley

 

What to Pack for Thanksgiving Break

 

Thanksgiving Packing ListCollege students know the ups and downs of the fall semester. The excitement of going to sporting events and seeing your friends. The piles of work each week that seem endless. And the unmatched joy of knowing that a break is right around the corned. Fall is the best because it’s filled with fun mini breaks that help to make the semester feel less tiresome. One of the challenges though is deciding what and what not to pack. If you’re anything like me, packing can be a real nightmare that leads to your bag being stuffed fatter than the Thanksgiving turkey.

After years and years of overpacking (three years of boarding school and 4 years of college), I think I finally have found the perfect system that avoids piles of clothes and a bag that won’t zip.

The key is to try and plan your outfits in advance. This helps to alleviate the panic of “I need to pack this too because I might wear it!” Trust me, you probably won’t. Half the stuff I packed was stuff that I wanted to wear but didn’t put together in a full outfit, so it just got thrown to the side and then repacked.

The best place to start is with a clean space. Clutter around you only makes packing seem more overwhelming and puts things in your line of sight that you may accidentally end up throwing in too.

Before I pack, I always tidy my room and make sure my bed is made. It gives me peace of mind and a clean spot to lay out my clothes. It’s always best to do laundry first too (that’s a big stretch though, especially if half the reason you are so eager to go home is so that you can finally do your laundry in peace without fear that some random is going to waltz by and steal your dryer).

Once you have a clear space in front of you, plan out one outfit for each day that you are home. Sometimes I start by writing out a list, sometimes I start by laying out clothes…it all depends!

When you’re planning think of what you’ll be doing that day. I know for certain that I won’t want to be wearing a skirt and heels on Black Friday, when I’m running around like a crazy person. And I know that I won’t want anything tight fitted on Thursday because I plan to eat my weight in food (mostly dessert).

As you’re going through your outfit plans, make sure to ask yourself “will I actually wear this?” If the answer is yes, then put it in the pile, if the answers no, it’s best to leave it at home. It’s also good to try and think of pieces that you can wear multiple times. I planned at least two outfits around my tan vest so that’s one less thing I need to pack.

Be sure to be realistic with yourself. You probably won’t be home for more than a week, so you probably don’t need to pack three different pairs of jeans and 5 different pairs of leggings. I try and keep it to one pair of jeans, one pair of nice black pants, and a pair of leggings. Also try to keep in mind what you already may have at home. I know that I keep extra pajamas at home so I don’t need to worry about taking them back and forth.

The one thing you can never pack too much of is socks, I always seem to need more socks! Try and keep your shoes to a minimum as well. This is where I always struggle the most! I want to bring home all my boots and flats and booties and they just take up so much space! This year I am sticking with my tan boots (last seen here), my black heeled booties, my black Tory Burch flats, and my Hunter rain boots. Even that is probably too many pairs but hey, nobody’s perfect!

Anyway, once you’ve chosen all of your outfits and consolidated as much as possible, try and find a bag that will hold everything. I sometimes pick a bag that is too small and end up with multiple. My go to for weekends are the Vera Bradley Large Duffles. They come in lots of pretty prints and hold everything!

If you need a little inspiration, here is my packing list for this year. A few more things may slip in, like my cozy blanket scarf, but for the most part this is it!

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Now that you’re packed and ready to go you can sit back and relax and think of all the delicious food you get to eat!

Do you guys have any go-to packing advice? Or any suggestions on what bags are good for travel (I’m always on the hunt for new ones!)? Feel free to share below!

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A Walk in the Woods with the Perfect Fall Vests

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My Vest: T.J.Maxx | Abby’s Vest: J.Crew Factory |My Sweater: J.Crew | Abby’s Sweater: J.Crew |My Jeans: Paige (last seen here)| My Boots: Nordstrom (old, similar here) | Abby’s Shoes: Sperry

It’s hard to believe its already mid-November. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it feels like winter is coming faster than we know it. The temperature has finally cooled down after a warm October and we are in the perfect climate for fun fall looks! Puffer vests are one of my go-to fall staples they’re the perfect bridge between being too chilly without a coat and too warm with one.

Our vests kept us perfectly cozy on our walk through the woods. The leaves were so pretty we got up early to see them before heading out on a long day of adventures. Abby was a real champ posing for all these pictures. Sometimes getting the right shot can be tricky but she made it fun and was very patient! I think I may have actually convinced her to start blogging herself…maybe.

For those of you who don’t know, Abby is my roommate. She’s a ray of sunshine. Seriously the sweetest person I know. I am so lucky that she puts up with all my craziness and still chooses to be friends with me day in and day out. I really don’t know what I would do without her.

One thing Abby and I have in common is out love of preppy styles and fun fall looks. This comes in handy because I have an extra closet to look though. Most of the vests I own are from J.Crew and J.Crew Factory.  I love them because they aren’t bulky but still keep you nice and warm. Plus, J.Crew Factory always has the best deals so you don’t have to feel like you’re emptying your wallet. Abby’s navy vest is from J.Crew and mine is actually from T.J.Maxx. I love the red stripes because they give it a fun preppy feel.

I love mixing patterns and colors with vests, like here with stripes and solids. I also like to play around with different shirts and sweaters. Another favorite vest of mine that’s not pictured here is my herringbone print vest from J.Crew, I bought it first a few years ago and wore it all the time until I lost it. I was so bummed when I couldn’t find it, so I was especially glad when I found it on sale at J.Crew Factory.

So many brands are having great sales for the holiday season, most of the items linked above are currently on sale so go check them out! J.Crew, J.Crew Factory and Nordstrom in particular always have the best sales. I rarely pay full price for their clothes which is good because I’m a broke college student.

If you guys have any suggestions about good places to find vests, feel free to comment below! I’m always looking for new places to shop (it’s dangerous).

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Fall Reds

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Outfit Details: my shirt: Old Navy (on sale! I’m wearing an xs) | my jeans: Paige (also on sale! I’m wearing size 24)| my boots: Hunter |

One of the best things about fall is all of the color. Red is my favorite color, so naturally it is the hue I gravitate most to in fall. This old colonial farmhouse is such a pretty shade of red. I love the way Abby’s dress and my plaid print pop against it. We stopped here on our way to apple picking to catch a few fun shots.

Fall Adventures: Apple and Pumpkin Picking

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Outfit Details: my shirt: Old Navy (on sale! I’m wearing an xs) | my jeans: Paige (also on sale! I’m wearing size 24)| my boots: Hunter |

Hello from the other side…of midterm week.

I’m sorry that I haven’t posted in awhile I am going to try much harder to stay on top of writing and posting. The truth of the matter is I had no idea how much work went into blogging until I started. I am in awe of some of my favorite bloggers and how they manage to constantly come up with amazing new material!

Once I got back to school life got crazy again and blogging had to take a backseat, but now midterms are over and I feel like I can catch a little bit of a breath (finally!). So today I am sharing pictures that I probably should have shared with you guys much earlier, but hey better late than never, right?

Apple picking has always been a huge tradition in my family, my mom used to dress us up every year and make us take pictures. Actually, she still does that…I don’t know why I tried to make it seem like that isn’t still a thing. Even once I went away for school I always knew I was going to wind up back home and up in a tree for my mom to get the best shot. I love fall and all the wonderful traditions that come with it.

This year, I brought along my best friend Abby. We picked apples, ventured into the pumpkin patch, and baked an apple crisp with the fruits of our labor later that night. It was unusually warm for October but the sun was beautiful and we had so much fun.

Nordstrom Sale Picks

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Hi guys!

So with my Nordstrom Card I was able to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary sale starting July 13th. Unfortunately my family was traveling that week and the card was in one of the bags, so I had to buy everything online.

Shopping the sale online was quick and easy because the site is easy to use and you can see the full inventory. However, the one MAJOR downside was having to wait so long for my picks to come in. I was so so so excited to shop the sale that having to wait over a week for my stuff to come in felt like torture.

As a blogger, everything moves fast so having to wait for shipping was a hassle. However, if you’re just shopping the sale for some great fall picks, then shipping shouldn’t be an issue at all!

When my package finally came in yesterday, I literally jumped I was so happy. I love EVERYTHING! If you want to see videos of me trying each item on you can see them on today’s Instagram story (@BayStateBlonde).

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My first outfit features a few of my very favorite picks from the sale. I saw so many beautiful pink pieces on sale that all sold out so quickly! I was lucky enough to snag this B.P v-neck pullover in time. It is so comfortable. I’m wearing an XS and I would say that this item fits true to size. It is a little oversized, but that’s what makes it so cozy!

I like to buy all my jeans on sale, or at Marshalls, so the idea of spending more than $50 on a pair is outrageous to me. I was secretly hoping these wouldn’t fit but the second I slipped them on I knew they were staying. These Paige Huxton High-Rise Ankle Skinny Jeans are honestly the best pair of jeans I’ve ever worn. They’re soft and flexible and literally slid on. No pulling, no fighting, no frustration like some pairs of skinny jeans can cause. Best of all no feeling like you need to wear them a bunch to stretch them out. These fit like charm from that start and say that they won’t stretch. I’m wearing a 24 and they fit true to size.

While at the Mall of America last week I dragged my whole family in for another trip to Nordstrom. These Vince Camuto beauties were sitting pretty in the shoe section and calling my name. I had already order a similar pair (see picture below) but wanted to make sure I had ordered the right size. These shoes were a little tricky to get on, they definitely need to be broken in, but they fit well and are so pretty. Honestly they are the perfect fall boots! Mine are a 6.5 (fits true to size) and in the color is called Foxy.

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Next up on my picks is this cozy cream cardigan. It is on sale for $52.90. I ordered an XS in the color Heather Oatmeal. It has an oversized fit but is true to size. What I love most about this style is the length, pockets, and hood! You can’t see the hood but its a cute detail that adds a uniqueness to the style. Its also incredibly soft which is great because no one wants to waste money on a scratchy sweater!

This Shiraleah Lyla blanket scarf I’m wearing makes me want to devote a whole post to the style. It is a great fall piece that I know I will wear all the time. Oh, and it’s only $24.99! Last year I was on the hunt for one just like it but I had no luck! This one is absolutely perfect. I love the cream color and the deep red and blue tones. Also, it’s massive. You can see in the top photo that it totally takes over the end of my bed. It really is blanket size, perfect for the chilly autumn days!

My jeans are JOE’s Honey Curvy Skinny Jeans. They are also a size 24 and the same price as the Paige jeans above. These jeans fit true to size and have a little extra room in the hip and butt are for curvier girls. Since, I wasn’t blessed with any real curves they are a little baggy in those areas but nothing too bad – plus it’s nice to not have a pair of jeans digging into you. These jeans are incredibly soft and comfortable!

These boots are also Vince Camuto. They are a lower heel and they are a bit taller and wider of a style. I love over the knee boots and these are great, the only thing to note is that smaller girls like me (I’m 5’3″) may find that the boot come up a bit high. These on come up a little higher that I would like but they still look very nice! I ordered them in the color Brown Suede.

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Naturally the first items I looked at were the pajamas and loungewear. I mean, who doesn’t like being comfortable? This sweater is the same as above. I love it and have been wearing it since it arrived in the mail yesterday. I like how it is nice enough to style and wear out but comfortable enough to throw on with a pair of comfortable sweats.

I was so excited about these pants when I ordered them! They are called ‘Lazy Morning” pants so that probably tells you all you need to know! They are so soft and I love the gray and ivory stripes. They’re warm but lightweight. I know I’m going t practically live in them from now on. I ordered an XS and they definitely fit true to size.

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I was warned that the black and white striped B.P. Pocket Tee would sell out quickly, but I didn’t realize it would be gone by the second morning! Nordstrom shoppers are committed to say the least, but I can’t blame them it was a total classic and only $18! I had it in my cart and thought I had gotten to it in time, but unfortunately the order was cancelled. So, to style this look I used a basic striped tank from H&M (a hand-me-down from my roommate, Hannah).

These pants are Make + Model Good Vibes joggers and on sale for under $30! I order an XS an they fit perfectly. I don’t really own any other jogger style pants but I really like how I can wear these as capris or full length. They are also incredibly soft. I like them because they are very comfortable but they look stylish enough that you could get away with dressing them up and wearing them out.

I love converse, you guys may have seen them featured in my Shop Your Color: Pink guide. They are such a classic. I have a couple different pairs but my favorite ones are white. However, the white canvas was no match for my messy life and even though I’ve done everything possible to salvage them, they’re beyond help. What I like about these Converse All Star Shoreline Sneakers (on sale for $35) are that they aren’t canvas. They are an off-white color and they are supposed to be a twill material but they feel like a soft sort of leather (I’m not the best with textiles). The material is great because its not as absorbent as canvas so they are easier to clean! I also really like the low top style!

Unfortunately, some of my picks are sold out, but there are still so many good styles on sale until August 7th! You can shop the Nordstrom sale online and in stores and they have a great return policy so don’t be afraid to order multiple sizes if you are buying online! I’d love to hear about some of your top picks and any favorites from my post in so feel free to comment below or reach out! Happy shopping!

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