/ Reviews

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today for everyone! Woo Hoo! I shopped on the first day and have been adding to my cart since then for other items I didn’t find in-store. I stopped by the store again Wednesday and overheard a sales person in shoes state they would be getting more sizes and stock in on Friday. So items that may have sold out during Early Access could be getting a replenish today.

~ philosphy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion ~

This is the one item I get every single year. It’s my favorite lotion and I’m always complimented on how nice I smell. The large, 32 oz bottle lasts me about 6 months. I usually get one for Christmas each year as well. I use the smaller bottle for refilling my travel size. There’s also the shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath in the same scent, Amazing Grace. Pure Grace is another scent but Amazing Grace is my favorite.

#NSale Philosophy Amazing Grace

 ~Onitsuka Tiger Alvarado Sneakers ~

I bought a pair of the Rotation 77 (similar) last year during the sale for The Boy and he loved them. The Alvarado’s are a true sneaker and he went up a half size. The retro-looking Serrano sneaker is also on sale.

#NSale Onitsuka Tiger 3

#NSale Onitsuka Tiger 1

#NSale Onitsuka Tiger 2

~ kate spade Spencer Court Large Monday Leather Envelope Crossbody Bag ~

I have been using my Tory Burch Marion Cross-body bag daily (similar) so I wanted to find a new one in a Fall color. I went looking for this cross-body bag but never got to that section of the store. This Kate Spade Cross-body Bag was so beautiful in-person I completely forgot about the Sole Society bag.

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer

This color is Mahogany and also comes in Dusty Peony, a pretty pink. There’s also a suede and leather version where the flap is suede and comes in Black and Mousse Frosting.

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer 2

I love that Kate Spade bags have a printed lining that matches the bag and is not the same solid color of the bag. That’s where I end up losing sight of things I know I have in my bag. Particularly if the lining is dark.

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer 3

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer 4

The width is a little slim but this cross-body can still fit my cell, small card holder, powder, lipstick, keys and sunglasses but that’s about it. That is everything I carry around with me on a daily basis.

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer Items in Bag

~ Spencer Court Crossbody ~
~ kate spade Card Holder ~
~ IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+, Lipstick ~
~ Sam Sunglasses ~
~ Casetify VW Van iPhone Case (cactus, flamingo, camper)~

#NSale Kate Spade Spencer Items

And here are a few other of my picks to get you started on the sale today.


What are you excited to shop for during the #NSale?

Happy Shopping!

/ Uncategorized

You’re going to see a lot of posts from bloggers everywhere about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Early Access for card holders started July 9 and continues through July 16. Then the sale opens for everyone on July 17. You are required to validate your card before you can start shopping online during Early Access. Non-cardholders can still view the sale but only save items to purchase until the July 17 date. I like to order my items online and then pick-up in-store, if they are available. It ensures I get my items quickly. When you go into the store you’ll see white curtained areas set up where the Early Access cardholders can shop these items.

I earmarked a lot of pages when I received the catalog but my main purchase every year is my lotion.

The 32 oz alone is $55 so it’s a great deal for me. I use two bottles a year and usually get one for Christmas so the Anniversary Sale comes right on time to replenish. I will use the 8 oz as a fill-in if I run out too soon or use it to fill my travel size bottle. I wear less perfume than I do jewelry, especially since this lotion has enough scent to have people ask me what perfume I am wearing. I get that question a lot and I have asked, in the past, if it’s too strong or overpowering of a smell. I’m always told that it isn’t and that it smells nice and clean. I don’t layer it with the body wash and only rarely add a spritz of the Body Perfume. I’ve sampled the other scents but Amazing Grace is my absolute favorite and signature scent.

MamaBella saw a pair of flats by Halogen Olsen T-Strap Flats, so I’ve ordered those and they are on their way to her.

The Boy has picked these sneakers by Onitsuka Tiger. He wore his Ecco Eisner Sneakers all the time last year. I also like these by Creative Reaction.

I can’t leave out Husband. His new favorite brand of boxer briefs are on sale too. I’ll grab him a couple of pair of Tommy John Second Skin Trunks along with their V-Neck Tees. Did you know the trunks have a 4.9 out of 5 stars rating on the Nordstrom website? I spoke about them in this post as a great gift for Father’s Day. Now I can stock up for his birthday!

I’m still browsing the sale. I will probably stop in to the store today to see everything in person. I don’t really shop for Fall right now, even though there are some really good prices for boots and coats and bags.

Do you shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for anything specific like I do?

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

I am not, by any means, venturing into Beauty Blogging. There are way too many talented people out there who do a great job. But I do like to see what people use, especially on a regular basis so I’m going to show you mine.

I developed Rosacea a few years ago and my doctor recommended using a mineral foundation instead of liquid. He also put me on Oracea and a metro gel. The metro gel dries out my face so I use it sparingly instead of twice daily. One tried-and-true item that works for me is the Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar. It keeps my flare-ups to a minimum, especially when I miss taking the Oracea.

I’m still trying to find all my favorites to use but this is what I use right now. I start with Smashbox Photo Finish Color Corrector and then add my Philosophy Hope in a Jar A to Z Cream in Medium. Next is my Benefit Boi-ing Concealer. I am so happy Benefit added more shades as the Medium is perfect. Some days I’ll add the concealer under the A to Z Cream and that will be it for the day. My absolute favorite eye shadow is in the Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes. The pink alabaster shade is my FAVORITE EVER. I’ve tried to find something similar in other brands but it’s just not the right shade of pink. I use every single bit of this shadow until the container is empty. I use the second shade on my crease most of the time and rarely use the third dark brown shade. I really with Benefit would just make the pink alabaster shade and sell it separately. I’d buy it in bulk!

I curl my lashes with a heated curler and only add mascara when I’m going out. I use one of three lip items with my favorite being the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel-Ami. It is the perfect neutral lip color for me. I also use Fresh Sugar Rose’ and Benetint.

When I need a little more coverage I will use a pressed foundation that I apply with a mineral brush. Currently I’m trying out Cover FX and Studio Fix by MAC. I prefer the MAC but I still think both colors are a little light for my skin. When I take pics I can see a difference in my face color and my arms or legs or even neck. I’ve noticed that Benefit’s PoreFessional gives additional coverage to my Rosacea Flare-ups so I’ll add that on top of the Smashbox Primer when needed.

The Urban Decay Naked3 Pallette is great to keep your eyes neutral but still add a bit of fun. I don’t really venture too much from neutrals on the eyes. My go-to mascara is They’re Real by Benefit. If I’m in a hurry I can use this without curling my lashes.

See my brand new Big Beautiful Eyes! That pink alabaster will be gone in a few months. 

Right now I keep everything on the counter in a Cosmetic Organizer I found on Amazon. (similar here, here and here) I didn’t mention blush but right now I’m using Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Blush Duo in Rose Emotion. It’s coming out very pink so I have to tone it down with a little more MAC or Cover FX. I think I need to switch to Guava Glow. I had a MAC Blush I loved from year’s ago but frustratingly can’t remember it. 
Benefit’s Erase Paste does wonders to my dark circles and I’ll use that as needed too. 

So that’s my make-up routine. I would love to hear what you use. I am actually hearing great things about IT Cosmetics and their Redness Correcting Creme and Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer, my two biggest problem areas.