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!

My Favorite Summer Wines

Happy Saturday!

A glass of wine in the late afternoon light is what summer dreams are made of. My father’s side of the family is Italian, and I grew up spending summers in the town my grandmother grew up in. This little town called Filetto is southeast of Rome up in the mountains near the coast. What you can find in this quaint little town is old world charm, a culture of community and a strict adherence to the afternoon siesta schedule. You’ll also find acres and acres of grape vines.

I grew up with a love and appreciation of wine, how it’s made, and how it’s best enjoyed. My grandfather has been growing his own grapes and making his own wine his whole life. Even after moving to the states, he has kept the tradition alive. While wine is something my family believes can be consumed year round, I am especially found of the light summer whites and rosés that cool you down on a hot day.

Now, growing up surrounded by some of the best wines, I can be a bit particular in my choices; however, I’m firm in my belief that good wine can be found in any region and at any price point. I’m also a gal on a budget, so the wines I’ll be sharing today are all budget friendly, and of course, delicious!

Ruby Red Blood Orange Rosé

I found this slightly sweet rosé at my local liquor store, but you can check it out here. I like that its light, fruity, and refreshing. I’ve also tried the grapefruit version as well, which I also love. The flavor of both is unique and I almost feel like would go great in a sangria or homemade cocktail concoction!

Voga Italia Pinot Grigio

I love a good pinot (Grigio and noir) and as soon as summer rolls around it quickly becomes my drink of choice. This one is another local liquor store find that has quickly become a staple. I love how light it is, it’s really no wonder it’s award winning!

Strawberry & Raspberry Rossini

This wine tastes like a Bellini in a bottle. It’s prefect all day long, from brunch to dinner, just pick up a bottle at your local Trader Joe’s. It is very sweet, so if that’s not your thing then maybe stick to the plain Prosecco. I, however, have a wicked sweet tooth and can’t get enough of this fruity drink.

The Delicious Monster

Another great Trader Joe’s find, this wine is from South Africa. I’m not going to lie, I base most of my wine trying decisions based off the label. I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but before you taste that first sip, I find it’s pretty hard to go by much else. I love the palm print of this wine, but honestly I love the wine itself even more! Even better, it’s under $10, it’s a wine-win-win!

Anything from Chloe Wines

Unfortunately, I was fresh out of my favorite wine brand for this shoot – I literally cannot seem to keep a bottle in my house for a week without it disappearing – but here’s a fun throwback from last summer when Luca was a bitty baby pup. Some of my favorites are the Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Prosecco. They’re all amazing and can be found at your local liquor store for under $15!

If you guys try any of these let me know what you think! I’m also always looking for new ones to try, so comment your favorites below!

My Favorite Summer Jumpsuits

It’s not easy to strike a balance between looking good and feeling comfortable when choosing an outfit. That’s why simple pieces that do both are a staple in my closet. This is especially true in the summer when warm, lazy days call for even less effort.

Luckily, there’s no need to sacrifice style when you’re looking for something easy and breezy to slip on for a day exploring or a night out, because today I’m sharing some of my favorite summer jumpsuits! Even better, they’re all under $100! I love jumpsuits because one piece and you have an outfit. They look put together and stylish and no one even has to know just how comfortable you are!

My Jumpsuit | Abercrombie

Forever 21

Gap

Revolve

Lulus

If you guys like them, please let me know! I’m always trying to learn from you to figure out what content to share going forward!

Decorating My New Apartment

It sometimes feels like I’m in a constant state of packing and unpacking, moving and settling in. I’ve been moving in and out of student housing since I was fifteen, and after finally moving back home for a year, it’s time to move once again. As most of you know, I will be moving to North Carolina in August to start law school at Duke! As many times as I’ve moved, this time feels unique in a couple of ways. First, it’s a much bigger move. Before, I had roommates who would bring things, so I usually only had to furnish my own bedroom. Now I’m going in with a clean slate and will have to furnish an entire apartment. Second, the distance is a lot further this time. I was always under 2 hours away, so moving was just a matter of taking a few car trips. Now I have a twelve hour drive, which feels a bit more daunting. There a few other difference as well, like the fact that my brother is my roommate instead of a group of girls, or that i now have to also think of my pup, Luca, and how he fits into the mix. I’m getting a little dizzy just thinking of all this now, but mostly I’m just really excited to begin this new adventure!

The thing about moving so far is that the cost of getting my furniture all packed up and moved is about as much as it costs to buy new stuff (at least that seems to be the case for me and my Salvation Army bed frame). I’m not too upset though, because I get to decorate all over again! Since before I even signed the lease, I’ve been on the hunt for cute pieces to make my new home feel, well like a home. I’ve found some amazing pieces to fill my space (without breaking my budget), so today I wanted to share them with you!

Bedroom

My decor style is pretty simple, I like light white pieces and gold accents. My style for my bedroom would best be described as feminine, modern, and glam. I like clean lines. Lots of white and gold accents. Here are some of what I’ve bought for my bedroom so far:

 

Bed: I love this sleigh bed. I was debating getting an upholstered bed, but i really likes the simple, feminine style of this one. I also like that its wood, so I can always repaint or strip it down and stain it if I need to.

 

Nightstands: Something that I was so insistent on was having two nightstands. I’ve always only had one, but I love the symmetry of having two. I absolutely feel in love with these when I say them and couldn’t be happier with my choice. The drawers are a pretty decent size as well, so I plan to use them for extra storage.

 

Bookshelf: As much as I love white furniture, I wanted to make sure that I had a little more golden glam in the mix. I really like the way I’ve seen gold etagere bookshelves styled, so I got this one to put my favorite pictures and little treasures on display.

 

Golden Makeup Organizer: I got these organizers to use in my room and my bathroom. I love how they fit so perfectly with the theme. They’ll perfect for my makeup and jewelry too! I ordered mine from Wayfair, but they don’t appear to be available anymore. The ones linked are identical ones from Amazon.

Blue

Pink

Lamps: I’ve been seeing ginger jars all over some of my favorite decor spaces. I wanted to add some more color into the space and these lamps are perfect. I still haven’t decided which to get but these are my top choices:

Rug: My apartment is all hard flooring, so an area rug was a must for my room. I debated getting something with more color, but I like that this one is so versatile and will be able to work in any space.

 

Living Room

If it was just me, my living room would be filled with a lot more white and gold; however, my brother doesn’t share my same love of gold bar carts and pops of pink. Instead, I went with a coastal farmhouse vibe for our shared space, and I actually love how well everything seems to be coming together so far.

Couch: I was dead set on getting a white couch, but the maintenance to keep it freshly white would be a nightmare. I decided to save the couch of my dreams for when I’m fully on my own and instead got this lovely light sand colored one. It’s a little more gray than beige but the color matches perfectly with all of the other upholstery we got.

Ranck Sky Blue/Light Gray Area Rug

Kalil Blue/Beige Area Rug

Rug: I’m actually using the rug I bought two years ago in the living room. I got it at Homegoods, but will link some similar ones I also love.

Ottoman: I also bought this at Homegoods, I love the weather wood look and it matches the couch perfectly.

TV Stand: I like how this tv console warms up the space with a wooden tone. The sliding doors are perfect for storage and really add to the farmhouse feel.

 

Kitchen

Table: I looked all over for a table and ultimately just bought one for $20 at salvation army. I was originally hoping for a more beachwood look, but the one we got is a darker color. I actually think it will help add some contrast to the space, so I’ll keep you guys posted on that.

Chairs: We went with these classic looking chairs for the space I think they’ll look really cool never to the darker table

Settee: A challenge with furnishing a lived in space is finding the balance between aesthetic and function. I want our living space to be somewhere we can hangout and entertain, but there really want room for more than just a couch in the space so we had to get creative. I chose this settee for the dining area because it will double as additional seating in the living room if we need. The two spaces are open and connected, so it works out really well.

Bar stools: I saw these stools and though they were the perfect way to tie everything together, The bluish gray stripes on the upholstery tie in nicely with the pillows we picked out for the living room. I also love the light wood.

 

I still have a few things here and there that I need to get, but this is the bulk of it. I’m so excited to see how it all comes together when we finally get to move in!

I Got it from My Mama

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas out there!

Today I want to dedicate this post to the most incredible woman I know, my mom. My mom is the kind of person who makes everyone feel special and loved, even on their worst day. When we were younger, she was always the mom my friends wanted to come over and see after school. I owe so muchto her because she simply never believed that there was anything in this world that I couldn’t do. No matter how much I doubted myself, she was always there to tell me that I could and would succeed. She struggles to talk about herself and her accomplishments, but I’m endlessly fascinated by what she’s done with her life. 

The ninth of eleven children from South Dakota, my mom moved to Boston on her own shortly after graduating high school. She started working and eventually fell into modeling. While out here she met my dad and they fell for each other. Being the boss lady that she is he moved inwith her and she managed to continue paying the rent on her own. Eventually, they built a house together and had me! My mom was so much on her own before she met my dad and had me and my siblings but it was once she became a mom that I really feel like she grew into a role she was truly destined for.

Anyone can tell you that being a mom is hard work, but with my mom you’d really never know. She was there for everything. Every game, recital, school fair, field trip, and that’s all continued through until now, even as all her kids are grown up. When I told her I wanted to start this blog, she never questioned it, she just jumped right into the role of photographer – despite having no prior experience or interest for that matter. Almost every picture on this site is her doing. She’s such an integral part of this process and has never gotten the full credit or thanks she deserves. 

As I stand on the cusp of where I am now and where I’m going, I am so thankful to know that no matter what she’ll always be there. Getting to move back home and live with her this past year has brought us closer than ever, and I’ll be forever thankful for all the time we’ve spent together so far. 

Despite being my favorite person, my mom and I have very different personalities. I am always on the go, hyper-focused, type-A, and have a tendency to think of myself before others. My mom on the other hand likes to take her time and is always putting others’ needs before her own. She’s taught me to look at situations from the other perspective and to ask what I can do for others instead of the reverse. I know in my heart that most of my very best qualities are what I have learned from her. I can only hope that someday when I become a mom myself that I can take on that nearly impossible role with half as much grace and patience as she has these past twenty-three years. I love you, Mom. Thank you for giving me everything in this world, and for molding me into the woman I have become. I’ll never be able to make it up to you, and I simply don’t know what I would do without you. 

October’s Mix: Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mules

Hi guys,

It’s time to share October’s mix with you. This month’s drink is similar to September in that it’s a fun twist on a popular cocktail. When I think October I immediately think of colorful leaves, fall spices, and pumpkin of course. These very best parts of fall inspired October’s drink: a Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule. After adding pumpkin flavor to almost every aspect of my diet and lifestyle, a cocktail felt like the natural next step in the progression of my pumpkin addiction.

When walking through the kitchen section of Homegoods, I saw a variety of pumpkin flavor syrups. These are meant to add a little flavor to coffees but I wondered what else they could do. Trying to imagine what this would pair well with, I decided vodka was probably one of my best bets. I also love classic Moscow Mules and figured the ginger beer would be a nice paring with the pumpkin spice.

I was a little weary at first because one of my favorite flavors in drinks is lime, so I was nervous that eliminating that from the recipe would ruin it – but I was fairly certain pumpkin and lime wouldn’t be the best combination of flavors. Eliminating this, I sought to add something else to the mix to bring out the spice and help to cut down the sweetness. Cinnamon did just the trick, but I think nutmeg could be a yummy spice to throw into the mix as well!

This recipe did take a little trial and error, and I even had it reviewed my BSB’s very own cocktail expert, aka my mom. I underestimated how strong the pumpkin spice flavoring was. I initially used 2 oz, but it was so overpowering it was hard to notice any of the other flavors at all. Eventually we settled on an ideal mix which you can find below!

What are some of your favorite fall drinks? Comment below!

Apple Picking

Every family has their traditions. As time goes on we grow out of some, let others go, and create new ones.  Growing up, many of our family traditions were known as “forced family fun.” I can still remember the dread of having to get out of my warm bed on a chilly weekend morning to tag along on another reluctant adventure. Looking back now, these are some of my most cherished memories.

One tradition I can always remember loving was apple picking. Every year my two siblings and I climb trees to reach the best apples we can find. In recent years it has been getting harder to find a time that we can all be together but I was so happy when we all made the trip to Brooksby’s Farm, in Peabody this past Saturday. It took a little bit of coaxing and some tough negotiating (my brother would only agree to three pictures and not a single click of a camera more), but we managed to make it work.

When my mom and I went earlier in the season, the line was incredibly long so I was nervous that we would have to deal with long lines and crowds again, but it was way less busy! We go to walk right into the orchard and climb any tree we wanted. The apples tasted so good we couldn’t stop eating them.

After we had picked our share, we went over to the pumpkin patch. As kids the rule was that you had to be able to carry your pumpkin to the car. I think on those days I developed super human strength because I was always determined to take home the biggest one I could find. Now I think the little round ones are the cutest.

Next to the pumpkin patch is the farm stand where we get to the best part of our trip – apple cider donuts. Thankfully this line was shorter than usual too and we were able to grab a warm batch of donuts and some cider too. Shortly after it was time for us all to go off about our days. Life seems to be getting busier every year but I’m so thankful for the traditions that have stood the test of time and allow us to all be together again.

Do you have any special fall traditions? Comment them below!

What’s in my Mug

I used to firmly believe that crisp fall mornings were meant for sleeping in and staying in my warm bed for as long as possible. Now that I have a puppy who wakes me up before the sun even thinks to rise, I find myself enjoying a new part of the fall days. One thing that makes it easier for most people (myself included) to wake up earlier is caffeine. I have never been a major coffee fanatic, but lately I find I’m starting to rely on it more and more. Now that the fall season is in full swing, I get to bring my love of all things pumpkin into the mix. To celebrate my new fond love (need) for coffee in my daily life, I am sharing what’s in my mug through the week:

Weekday Mornings

I am up and out of the house around 6:00 on the weekdays, so caffeine is a must. To be honest, I never actually learned how to make coffee in a pot (I can imagine it’s probably a super obvious process that would nonetheless confuse me), so having a Keurig is a lifesaver. I have three different fall-themed K-cups that I use:

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Medium Roast Coffee Keurig K-Cup Pod

Green Mountain Coffee Pumpkin Spice Coffee Medium Roast K-Cop Pod

and Stop & Shop’s Pumpkin Spice Keurig K-Cup Pod

I love how quick and easy it is to have my coffee ready to go. I have really begun to appreciate travel mugs. This adorable Kate Spade one was a gift from my best friend Abby! It’s really coming in handy these days, so thanks Babs! Because my love of pumpkin is extreme. I also add pumpkin flavored creamer to cut down the bitterness a little.

When it feels like Summer but looks like Fall

On fall days that feel like they belong back in August, I stay with my pumpkin theme but keep things cool by getting and iced coffee instead. My mom and I love Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Swirl flavor. She gets it hot and black with just one pump, while I’ll take it hot or cold with almond milk. When the weather gets cooler, I tend to switch over to hot coffee, so it’s nice to be able to shake things up every once in a while.

Whenever I can find an excuse to go to a Starbucks

The Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks is one of my all-time favorite things about fall. Any time I’m out running errands or need a midday pick me up, I find myself wandering in to get one. The other day I got an extra one for free and I was so happy I wanted to hug the barista. These cups of happiness really just make my day.

What are some of your go-to drinks?

I wanted to hear all about what’s in you mug too, so comment below!

Fall Fanatic

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.

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!

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.

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!

The Monthly Mix: Prosecco Paloma

Hi everyone!

I am so excited to share my new little project with you guys: the Monthly Mix! Each month I will be sharing a new drink recipe on the blog. I honestly can’t wait to find new drink recipes myself because I’m getting a little tired of the same old cocktails and am definitely ready to shake things up a little (see what I did there..).

September is a tricky month because everyone starts gearing up for fall but the weather is still warm most of the way through. This seems especially true this year in Boston because most days have been in the mid-70s and above! Because of this, I decided to choose a fun new twist on a classic refreshing drink, the Prosecco Paloma.

This new concoction came to me recently after discovery two great things in this world: 1. The Paloma and 2. Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Prosecco. The only thing I don’t like about this drink is how long it took me to find out about it. I have lived 22 whole years of my life never having heard the word ‘Paloma.’ Granted, up until a year and half ago it didn’t pertain to me much, but now that I’m feeling 22 and living out my life as a post-grad, I knew it was time to find something to order out at a bar or restaurant.

Before I get into this drink, I’ll give you some background on the classic Paloma.  Let my preface this by saying that I am an avid tequila lover. To some this is a deal breaker, so if this is you, don’t be alarmed, I’ve found this recipe works great with vodka too! If you are like me and a big tequila fan, or even a moderate tequila fan and don’t know what a Paloma is, then you’re in luck because I’m about to blow your mind. Conversely, if you are far more sophisticated than me and have known about this drink forever,  then sorry, but stay with me because this isn’t your typical Paloma here.

So I’ve ordered just a regular Paloma a few times now, – you know, making sure I did my thorough research and all – and I’ve discovered a few things. First, there are a couple different ways to mix up this classic. Some make it with grapefruit soda, while others opt for grapefruit juice and soda water. Personally, I like it best with fresh grapefruit and lime juice and seltzer, I think the soda is too sweet. Second, the tequila used plays a major role in this drink. I feel like this is may be and obvious observation and true with all drinks, but especially in this case, get the good stuff. I am certainly not an tequila expert, but I pretty much exclusively drink Patron because its clean and doesn’t make me want to curl up in a ball once the sun rises the next day. So as far as your typical Paloma goes, here are the main takeaways: stick to the good stuff- fresh juices, clean clear tequila, and seltzer are all you need, may be a little simple syrup if you like things on the sweeter side.

A Paloma is also a great lower calorie alternative to other drinks like margaritas and fruity cocktails. It really just depends on what you put in and without the added sugar of soda there isn’t much “bad” in it. You can find my favorite classic recipe here. Now onto my own twist…

I am a big grapefruit fan, again something that people seem to either love or hate. I am also a big Prosecco fan. Putting this all together, I was beyond ecstatic when my darling mother came home with a bottle of grapefruit Prosecco from Trader Joe’s. I instantly dreamed up a way to combine it with my newfound favorite: the Paloma. I think the Prosecco strikes the perfect balance between the bubbles of the seltzer, while adding a little more sweetness without being too much like the soda. Given all the ingredients, I guess you could argue this is more of a summer drink, but I personally love it and think it can be consumer year round…where there’s a will there’s a way!

This drink is perfect for parties and I am just in love with the color of it. If I’m being completely honest, the color alone would have probably been enough to entice me and was one of the things that made me fall in love with Palomas before I even tasted one. I added some cute straws from Target to complete the look (they were $1 for the pack, so I couldn’t resist). I had a blast sipping this drink. I hope you guys like this recipe and be sure to let me know what you think below in the comments section! I would also love to hear if you have any suggestions for upcoming monthly mixes, so if there is anything I should true, comment below!