Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

If you're as a big of a fan of Nordstrom as I am then you probably know that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is going on! For those that are Nordstrom card holders, this means you get to shop the sale early before it opens to the public (score!). This sale is one of my favorites because unlike other sales where it the sale takes place at the end of the season, this one happens at the beginning. Some of the items I like to grab on sale for the season are timeless staples like coats, boots, bags and sweaters. I went back through the sale items I selected and made sure they were available in most sizes.

Below are my picks from the sale:

Sweaters:

Cable Knit, Tie Knot Sweatshirt, Cashmere Pullover, Cuff Turtleneck

Tops:

Classic Turtleneck, Crewneck

Pants:

Leather Leggings, Skinny Jeans, Basic Black Leggings

Coats & Jackets:

North Face, Raincoat, Blush Wool Coat, Trench, Field Coat

Dresses:

Red Dress, Chambray Dress, Lace Minidress

Pajamas:

Comfy Pants, Lounge Pants, PJ set 

Bags:

Crossbody Bag, Leather Tote, Leather Overnight Bag

Shoes:

Pink Running Shoes, Open Toe Mule, Over-the-Knee Boot, Winter Boots, Mule, Slip-On Loafer, Soludos, Water-Resistant Boots

Sunnies:

Cat Eyes, Aviators

San Francisco Sunset

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Jacket / Shirt (sold out similar here and here) / Jeans / Shoes

My husband and I spent two weeks in California this summer, traveling to major cities from south to north. Towards the end of our trip we decided to go to San Francisco spur of the moment and purchased plane tickets in the airport.

Our trip to San Francisco was quite an adventure! The first night, we decided to stay in Fisherman's Wharf area. When we got into our room, ear plugs were awaiting us as though they were chocolates on our pillows. We thought, man this is weird...in all of the hotels we have stayed in this is a first! We later found out why...the trash came through that evening making the most ear-shattering noises right outside of our window, making it impossible to stay asleep, despite our ear plugs. 

Walking around the area our first evening, we decided to try out a restaurant in the area a friend had suggested to us called The Franciscan Crab. It was incredible! Neither one of us was very hungry that night so we split the 3 course dinner option. We decided on the crab alfredo and we were not disappointed. The restaurant was not only delicious, but almost every seat in the house has a gorgeous view of the water. Every night we were in San Francisco we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

After having a not-so-great experience in Fisherman's Wharf at our hotel, we decided to switch accommodations and ended up at an Airbnb in Sausalito the second night. With crab seeming to be the go-to treat at most restaurants, we picked an outdoor, ocean-front restaurant called Fish for dinner that evening. The restaurant offers BYOB for a small corkage fee and the most amazing crab roll I've ever had!

Our hosts were only a ten minute drive away from the bridge! I found a beautiful spot that was not as crowded to watch the sunset and take pictures. 

A good friend of mine that lives in San Fran now accompanied us that evening for dinner and sight-seeing that night. "The summer has some of the prettiest sunsets in San Francisco", he told us. He wasn't lying. I couldn't even believe my eyes. The sunset started with beautiful rainbow pastel tones and as the sun went down, got deeper and deeper in color.

If you are planning a trip to San Francisco in the summer, the sun doesn't usually set until about 9:00 pm, which gives you a full day to enjoy yourself. We loved staying a little outside of the city in Sausalito and having some peace and quiet. The only downside to staying in that area is the closing time of almost all of the restaurants and bars. Most close around 9:30-10:30 pm, leaving us with nothing to do but head back to the airbnb and relax there.

Our second night in San Francisco was a dream and I am so happy we brought along our camera to have a physical image to match our memories. 

Gingham Swimsuit at the Hotel Del Coronado

Growing up in Florida, my family always preferred to get out of our home state for vacations. My mother grew up in California, so once I turned 13 we started traveling to different parts of California each year until we stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado. Once we stayed at this classic hotel we started coming back annually and it quickly became our most anticipated vacations each year. Just minutes from San Diego, this hotel is an amazing travel destination, boasting of celebrity guests such as Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant.

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swimsuit / also available in two-piece: top / bottoms / hat (similar here and here) / sunglasses

My husband and I took a trip this summer to California and went all along the coast from SoCal to northern California. Our first stop was San Diego! We had talked about visiting there several times in the past but finally got the opportunity to go. 

The Hotel Del is my favorite spot around because of how historic and well-preserved it is! It has beautiful wood ceilings, fun shops, great dining, an amazing poolside bar that overlooks the ocean and so much more. There are tons of great restaurants around the hotel just a small walking distance away. I would also highly suggest the hotel brunch if it is available during your stay. It is held in the crown room which features a wooden vaulted ceiling, chilled seafood bar, tons of delicious carving stations and fresh cheeses among many other foodie delights.

Outside of the hotel, some of my favorite places to dine near the del are: Miguel's for Mexican food, Maretalia Restorante, and Il Fornaio. There's also a great casual pizza place near the hotel called Village Pizzeria. I haven't been to that one in a few years but I remember liking it.

My enchilada from Miguel's...it was delicious!

If you go to Miguel's, ask for the spicy carrots. ;)

Aside from spending all day at the beach, you can rent bikes, walk around the cute island of Coronado and admire the beautiful homes, or take a day trip to San Diego.

Porch Makeover

Recently my husband and I decided to repaint our porch and buy some new items to add the finishing touch on our favorite spot in the house. We entertain outside a lot and wanted out porch to feel cozy and inviting.

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BEFORE

When we moved in the porch floor was painted barn red and the sides were dark tan. No matter how bright it was outside, our porch always felt dark and gloomy to me. I was apprehensive to paint the porch white because I thought it would get dirty so quickly, but decided to try it out anyway. I'm so happy we did!

AFTER

The floor and walls make the space so much brighter and set it apart from the rest of the house. Having a separate color makes the space feel like it stands on it's own, yet the color scheme ties it into the rest of the house.

As a die-hard lover of blue and white, I wanted to add delicate touches to the porch to make it feel pretty and relaxed. Once I found these plates and bowls, the rest of the design fell right into place.

One of my favorite new pieces from the collection is this champagne bucket. In the past I have used a traditional metal bucket, and it 'sweats' like crazy, creating a big puddle on whatever surface I put it on and it ruined a piece of furniture of mine. This new porcelain bucket doesn't let condensation through and holds the ice very well. My ice didn't melt for about 4-5 hours in it. Not to mention, it looks beautiful and has a timeless look.

The first-ever piece of furniture we purchased for our porch was this daybed. The daybed has been a fabulous investment. Everyone who comes over goes right to it and lays down. I'm switching out the pillows this month to match our new dining collection and will be grabbing this blue pillow and this floral one to tie the space together.

Always a fan of candlelight to warm up every spot in my house, I added two these large hurricanes to the table with giant pillar candles. The candles put off a good amount of light and create a very relaxing atmosphere.

We are so happy with all of the updates we have made to the porch. You can find either me or my husband out there and some point during the day relaxing and listening to the little birdies sing in our backyard.

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-EMILY

Red, White & Blue Dresses For Summer

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The 4th of July is right around the corner. I love this time of year because summer is in full swing! It has been especially hot recently in Georgia which has me searching for anything breathable to wear. Since the 4th lies on a weekday this year, I wanted to do something simple for the holiday. We usually host an event or go visit my parents in Florida for the holiday, but this year we decided to stay local.

I rounded up some patriotic pieces that are nice and breezy to wear for this time of year. Rather than wearing all red, white and blue, I like to wear some variation of the color scheme and pair it with fun colorful earrings or shoes.

I'll be sharing my porch decorations and outfit Saturday that I plan to wear for the 4th!

Monday Blues - Blue Gingham from Daytime to Happy Hour

Outfit Details:

Scarf (sold out), other scarves shown below

Happy Monday! We got back from California on Friday and have been attempting to catch up on sleep ever since! We spent almost 2 full weeks on the west coast and we had the best time! When we travel and try to see a lot of one state, we like to hop around rather than staying put in one city for a week.

California was absolutely beautiful. The weather was perfect! It was warm during the day and with a cool breeze at night. I kept laughing at the fact that I was able to wear jeans with a jacket in the middle of summer! In Atlanta, it gets so hot and unbearably humid it's hard going outside in just a tank top and shorts.

While in Sausalito, we stopped at a cute flower market called Nancy Ann's. They have everything. I built an arrangement to match my outfit, took it inside and had them wrap it for me. Even while traveling, I love to have fresh flowers around. It makes the hotel room feel more homey.

I've been buying some new pieces for the summer and have recently been swooning over the gingham trend. I just love all of the soft pastels and how easy they are to match with other items in my closet. My favorite things to wear in the summer are light and airy tops that are breathable. I found this particular top by Rebecca Minkoff at a Nordstrom Rack while we were in La Jolla.

This top is so lightweight, it almost feels like you're wearing nothing. It's tight around the chest so it doesn't gape open and breezy at the bottom so you can eat as much as you want in it. ;)

 

As for accessories this summer, I have been sticking to tropical/straw bags and using my new favorite purse by Kate Spade. It matches just about anything I put on and carries more than what I need.

I always love one solid pair of sunglasses as my staple and I tend to go for tortoise shell because they look good with my skin tone.

When we were in LA, we found the best little restaurant right outside Hollywood to stop off for a little bite and cocktails called Edendale. I am an absolute sucker for cheese, so when I saw a cheese board on the menu, I immediately ordered it. 

Now THIS is what you call a cheese board. They did not skimp on the meat or other accouterments. They topped our board with dried figs, little pickles, various shaved meats, a few cheeses and fresh cut herbs.

This blue top is so versatile. It looks great tucked in or as I am wearing it here. I think it is a classic and can be worn for years to come because gingham, like a good cheese board, never truly goes out of style.

Kitchen Items I Am Loving

If you caught my Instagram stories over the weekend, you know that I am in the midst of a major kitchen transformation! If you missed it, be sure to check out my story highlights to catch up on the progress there (once I am completely finished I will be posting the full tutorial).

My style is classic and timeless. I like to mix basic white dishes with fun pops of color in my glassware, linens and server pieces. I wanted to share my top 25 favorite items in my kitchen with you all.

1) Chargers

These chargers are great for all seasons. The natural color makes them easy to mix and match various colors of plates and napkins. They easily transition from summer to fall to spring and are a classic.

2) Scalloped Plates

These pretty scalloped plates add a soft feminine touch and interest to your tablescape. Mix and match them with basic white dishes and smaller plates/bowls that have a pattern. In the holiday months, I will mix these with gold and white plates.

3) Blue and White Border Plates

If the feminine scalloped touch isn't your thing, add a pop of blue with these gorgeous dishes! They just scream "oh, just these old vintage plates I found on my trip to Italy." The price tag doesn't hurt either.

4) Marbled Glass Tumblers

These glasses are just fun. Serve lemonade with circle lemon wedges on the side for a summery drink on your porch.

5) Napkins

Blue and white is my favorite color combination and always a classic. It creates a soft look and is very peaceful. Even if I am serving food with plain white dishes, I like to add a pop of color with fun napkins. Cloth napkins can set the tone and theme for your dinner party.

6) Melamine Server

When I first spotted this beauty I couldn't believe that it was melamine. We eat so many meals on the porch, I like to use plastic when I can so no one gets injured if there is an accident. This piece is an example of form and function working harmoniously to create the perfect hostess gift.

7) Kitchenaid Mixer

If you like to cook, you will love owning Kitchenaid. Despite all the rave of the wedding industry pressure to own one, these bad boys really are a great investment. Once I finally purchased mine it made my life so much easier. I used a hand mixer before, and this machine allows me to multi-task seamlessly while cooking.

8) Copper Utensil Caddy

I love European decor influences, French and Italian in particular. Originally I wanted all copper cookware until I was gifted a copper pot and realized just how tedious the maintenance is. This caddy is the best of both worlds. It provides the look of copper without all the clean-up. I love mixing in copper and gold where I can to illuminate a space.

9) Wooden Salt & Pepper Mill

Not only is this mill gorgeous to look at (seriously beautiful with all tablescapes), but you can adjust the grind from fine to coarse, allowing you more control of your spices when cooking.

10,11,12) Plain White Dishes - Dinner, Salad, Bowl

I like classic white dishes for everyday use. No muss, no fuss. They are inexpensive and easy to replace if you break one and they go with everything.

13) Amber Spray Bottles

These might seem silly to you, but I like my entire house to feel like it flows together, even the little things like cleaning products. I have been using these spray bottles for certain grocery-store cleaning products as well as homemade cleaning products. I make a homemade insecticide and bug spray using essential oils and these are great for holding them. 

14) Magnolia Table

I think I am with most of America in my love of Chip & Joanna Gaines. Their story is very inspiring and their lifestyle is oh-so-appealing to me. This cookbook's photography is beautiful and the recipes are great for "gathering" as the description says. I like to display it in my kitchen.

15) Paper Towel Holder

The devil is always in the details. I love this gold hammered paper towel holder. It makes a utility item look so much prettier.

16) Soap Pump

This soap pump is so easy to use one-handed when you've got food on your hands.

17) Gold Flatware

Illuminate your table with this gorgeous set of gold flatware. I have looked long and hard for the perfect shape and color gold and this one takes the cake....oh and did I mention it's on sale?

18) Bee Tumbler Glasses

These are so cute and classic. I love the detail of the bee. It takes a what would be plain glass and makes it chic and interesting.

19) Utensil Crock/Vase

With the laurel insignia, this stoneware crock/vase easily fits into farmhouse style or a classic patina-inspired kitchen.

20) Keurig

I love the color of this keurig, so much so that we swapped out our black one for this. It helps keep the color scheme of my kitchen alive and also pours a great cup of joe. This color is being discontinued so grab yours before it's gone.

21) JK Adams Cutting Board

I'm slightly obsessed with this cutting board. When I found this collection I started purchasing all of the various sizes and shapes for a collection.

22) JK Adams Rectangular Cutting Board

You may have to search a few different places to find each one, but I've linked where I found all of mine. I love this giant rectangular cutting board as a serving board for cocktails.

23) In-Drawer Knife Holder

In an effort to clear my countertops, I finally ditched the traditional knife block and purchased this. It always felt aggressive to have large knives on display anyways. 

24) Expandable Utensil Holder

I love this piece because I can expand and contract it as I please for whatever size I need. 

25) The Most Glorious Soap EVER

I talked about this soap when I first started my blog and got a few people HOOKED. It smells amazing. I have a very strong sense of smell, and this soap puts me in such a good mood every time I use it.