Friday Favorites: Top Five from the Nordstrom Sale!

Hey There, Friday!
Everyday seems like a Friday in the summer!
Chances are if you ask me what day it is or what the date is, I have no clue!
It's good to know that it's actually Friday, so that means Friday Favorites!


As always, I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea. 

We're sharing our favorites from the week.

Grab their graphic and linkup with your favorites from the week, too.

Today I'm sharing my top five finds in the Nordstrom sale!

I've been shopping the Nordstrom sale for the last few years. 

I wasn't a card member before, so I always waited and hoped that my favorite finds wouldn't be sold out. 

Just a couple of days ago I decided that I buy enough things from Nordstrom to not be a card member!

So, from my lovely hotel room in Mexico, I applied and got approved. 

I knew I couldn't wait until I got home and chance not being able to shop the sale on the first day!!

Ironically enough, the site crashed when I was ready to checkout, and I ended up not even being able to use my Nordstrom card. 

Fortunately, they did offer 10x points for all of the chaos and confusion! 

I'm so glad and thankful because I literally tried to checkout from 9 am until 3 pm when I finally gave up, called, got through and placed my order!

I was starting to think I was doing something wrong, so I was comforted by hearing other people share the same problems. 

Here's my top five in no particular order...

NeuLASH Serum

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I started using this eyelash serum a couple of months ago, and wow does it work!

It's pricey, but it seems to be lasting a long time. 

I jumped on this set when I saw it on sale!

Wit and Wisdom Jeans

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I have a black pair of Wit and Wisdom jeans that I adore.

They are stretchy and just seem to fit in all the right places. 

I was excited to find these at just $44!

Yabba Wedge Bootie

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I eyed these booties up in the magazine. 

Wedges seem to be so versatile and easier for me to wear at school all day. 

I opted for the black at the last minute and hope I will enjoy the color. 

Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan

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I'm jumping in on the Blardigan rage!

I just bought my first Blardigan. 

I really liked this stone color but opted for the pacific blue when it sold out for a bit. 

I'm still tempted to try the hooded blardigan. 

We shall wait and see!

Sam Edelman Flats

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These are a bit pricey as well, but I'm going to try them out. 

I'm not sure I will keep them, but I've had a pair of Anne Klein flats for probably 6 years. 

This past year I noticed they were getting a bit worn and was torn. 

I always tend to grab for them, and they probably need replaced. 

I'm interested to see how they fit!

So that's my top five for the Nordstrom sale!
There are SO many great deals!
I spent way too much, but I'm excited to see what I love and what doesn't seem quite as great!

If you are looking for some great tips from the Nordstrom sale, please check out these awesome ladies. 

They are my go-to girls for any sale, but their fit tips and recommendations were spot on yesterday!

Hi Sugarplum

Sheaffer Told Me To

Have a lovely Friday!

Surprise Valentine's Gifts-MVMT Watches!

I'm a bit late sharing Alex and I's surprise Valentine's Day gifts to one another. 

The funny thing about this is that Alex asked me a week or two before Valentine's Day when it even was. 

For some strange reason he thought it was the day after he was asking me, but no no it was actually two weeks away on February 14-the same day it always has been!

Guys are so goofy sometimes. 

So, I got him set straight on what day Valentine's Day was, and then completely forgot about it. 

We don't typically do anything for it, and I had conferences that week, so I knew it would be a busy hectic week. 

I planned to bake a cake for us and just hang low with dinner at home. 

Surprisingly enough, Alex mentioned something about these watches a couple of days before V-Day. 

I thought he was joking when he said he saw them on TV, and that he actually liked and wanted them. 

He proceeded to tell me that they had matching couples watches and wanted to know if I wanted to get them for Valentine's Day. 

Wearing the same exact watch as my husband didn't seem to be quite my thing, but what I found out and saw was that the watches weren't identical; they just kind have went together. 

We rarely both like the same thing, but we both decided on the black watches. 

I was over the moon that Alex actually thought of getting each other something. 

We put in our order and waited for their arrival. 

How cute are their boxes?!

Alex's watch

Both of our watches... 

See, they just go together. 

They aren't matchy matchy but complement one another!

We haven't had a chance to wear them yet, but they're super cute, and I hope they hold up just as well!

Tuesday Talk: Swimwear 2018

Happy Tuesday! 

If you had yesterday off, I hope you enjoyed your extended weekend!

We were supposed to have yesterday off, but then we went and had 11 snow days, so yesterday was a makeup day, and I didn't mind it one bit!

We are finally in a learning groove at school, and I'm loving it! 

Today is the third Tuesday of the month and that means Tuesday Talk!

The third Tuesday of every month Ashley and Erika do a little Tuesday Talk. 

You can blog about whatever you're interested in talking about. 

Today SWIMWEAR is on my mind!

I'm over the snow and ice, and today it's supposed to be 75 in February in Ohio!!
Woohoo!

Over the weekend I was scrolling through Instagram when a swimwear ad caught my eye.
I noticed it was a company that I bought swimsuits from in the past, so I thought I would jump over and see what they had new.

That was a mistake.
There are so many swimsuits that I love!

I've posted some of them below.
Let me know what you love or don't love!

This top was on the ad that initially caught my eye!

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I love it paired with these side tie bottoms.

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Then, I saw this pink and purple color of the nearly same print.
I like the strapless top with the side tie bottoms.
Or I like it with just a plain pair of black bottoms that I already have.

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This top seems to be a bit out of my comfort zone, but it's super cute.

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Paired with the fold top bottoms below would look super cute!

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So, I'm narrowing it down and trying to determine which tops might go with bottoms I already have and what bottoms I think would fit well for me.
Let me know what caught your eye or your favorite swimwear brand!

Friday Favorites: A Dinner Meal, Pair of Pants and Book

Happy Friday!
It's a Friday Favorites kind of day!

This has been a whirlwind of a week.
We had two snow days at the beginning of the week from freezing rain/ice/snow.
Then, it warmed up, all of the snow disappeared, and now it has started raining again, will turn to ice and then snow again!
It's the second week of January, and we only have one more free snow day left! Ahh!


As always, I'm linking up with Erika, Narci and Andrea. 

We're sharing our favorites from the week.

Grab their graphic and linkup with your favorites from the week, too.

Athleta Pants

I'm so excited that I found a super duper warm pair of running pants. 

In the winter sometimes I wear a base layer pair of leggings and a pair of pants, but I recently found a pair of fleece leggings. 

They are SO warm!

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This winter I've been in the need for warm running gear. 

We've already had a week of temperatures starting in the negatives each day. 

I'm loving these Athleta leggings. 

I got them in black for Christmas and recently bought them in gray for only 96 cents!

It's so awesome to be rewarded with rewards money!

Instant Pot

On Monday I shared my first ever Instant Pot recipe!
I was hesitant to start, but it made a delicious meal, so now I'm hooked!

To see how to make taco chicken bowls in your Instant Pot, click here.

I'm hoping to make Instant Pot recipe #2 tonight!

Deebo

If you know me, you know I love the Steelers!

I'm a loyal Steelers fan and can remember cheering for them way back when my dad and brother used to play games on the regular Nintendo. 

Troy Polamalu used to be my favorite Steelers player, but once he retired I grew an appreciation for James Harrison. 

Ironically enough Harrison is from Ohio and even went to Kent State. 

He is a go-getter!
100% all of the time is his kind of game. 

He hadn't gotten much playing time this season, and you could tell that it was wearing on him, but I was shocked when two days before Christmas my dad texted me to tell me the Steelers had released him!

Little did he know that I had purchased Deebo apparel for all of us, along with Steelers tickets for their last game against the Cleveland Browns. 

I was so proud of this gift!

I was hoping it would be my dad's favorite gift ever, but two days before the big day my present was shattered. 

I couldn't let on how upset I was at the time because then dad would know his gift. 

I anxiously waited, hoping the Steelers would resign him, but they didn't. 

To all of our dismay, he became a Patriot!!!

This was painful to see.

And this might be even more painful...no more black and gold. 

While I wish him the best and still admire his talent and workout dedication, I'm saddened that he left the city that made him great. 

I'm disappointed in the stories that have been released about him, and I'm hoping that some sort of positive notion will be taken away from this all. 

It was heartwarming to see this post of his on Instagram yesterday...

 

How We

This week Erika and Shay started a new linkup for 2018.

How We...do goals/resolutions!
We went back to school on Wednesday, so I haven't had a chance to read everyone's posts, but I'm hoping to catch up this weekend.
I love a new year and new slate.
I can't wait to see all of the goals people are hoping to knock out!

Winter Solstice

I started my Monday by sitting in my reading chair, listening to the freezing rain outside and weeping a few tears as I finished this book. 

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I don't think of myself as a crier, but I've cried at the end of my two last books.
Auggie and Me last month and now Winter Solstice.

It was probably the most predicted ending to the Winter Street trilogy, but I loved every page of it.
If you're looking for a good cozy read for January, pick up Winter Street, and then get Winter Stroll and next Winter Storms and end with Winter Solstice.
The books are such an easy read.
The pages basically turn themselves.

I love any book that makes me fall in love with their characters.
Kelley, Margaret, Mitzi, Patrick, Jennifer, Kevin, Isabella, Bart and especially Ava started to seem like real life friends.
I loved this series so much and can't wait to read more Elin Hilderbrand books.

Well, another crazy wintry week is through!
We cherished the warm 50 degree days and now are waiting for the snow and negative temperatures once again.
Stay warm, my friends!
Have a fabulously cozy weekend!

Cyber Monday- Deals!

Happy Cyber Monday and the beginning of deer season!

If you're from rural Ohio, then you know that today is the beginning of deer season. 

We even get the day off; yes, we are that serious about it!

I joked with one of my students last week and told them that those of us who aren't hunting had to go to school, and they were gullible enough to believe me for a second or two!
I won't be hunting deer, but I will enjoy sleeping past my alarm and being home all day long!

 Woohoo!

I did some serious shopping over the last five days, and by the end of today I will be done D.O.N.E. with my Christmas shopping. 

Along the way I've found tons of great gift ideas for not only others but myself as well.

Alex twisted my arm to go Black Friday shopping not only Thursday night after we had both of our Thanksgiving dinners but also Friday mid-morning. 

So today I'm sharing some gift ideas, whether it's for you, a loved one or a dear friend.

Loft

I didn't anticipate going into the Loft, but as we entered the mall, I thought to myself "We are already here, I might as well check out the deals." 

What might have been an hour later we exited the Loft with tons of new clothes and Loft Cash to lure me back into the store in not even a week later.

The Loft is sometimes a hit or miss place for me. 

On Friday it was a "hit" kind of day!

Here are some of the favorites that I snagged.

I was actually in line to checkout when I spotted one of the workers wearing this super cute top. 

She looked adorable in it, and then I turned around and saw a lady holding the exact same top, so I asked where she got it and went to get the last one on the rack. 

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This sweater is SUPER soft!

In the store, they also had it in blue. 

I was tempted to get that too, but I have Loft cash, so maybe next week I will! ;)

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Another super soft cardigan.

It comes in three other colors.

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I grabbed burgundy leggings because I liked the color. 

Once I got in the dressing room I realized I also have them in black from last year. 

I don't really consider them a legging because I wear them as dress pants, but I love hot fitted they are. 

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This dress was looking super cute on a mannequin outside of another Loft store a month ago. 

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It caught my eye, but at that time I had just bought a blue dress to wear for Christmas Eve. 

Fast forward a couple of weeks and that blue dress is now on its way back to Banana because I didn't love the neckline. 

For some reason they are now not stitching down the piece of material that's left inside of the collar. 

It actually pops up and looks messy, so even thought I love the look of the dress, it's going back. 

In return I now have the super cute black dress above. 

There are so many other Loft pieces that I would have grabbed; however, my intentions walking into the store wasn't to shop. 

50% off of everything was just too good of a deal to pass up. 

Plus, an added bonus of getting double the Loft Cash with your purchase. So for every $50 you spent, you got $50 Loft Cash.

I will be back very very soon and these are the items I have on my lookout. 

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So, if you are a Loft kind of girl... head to their site today. 

There's still 50% off, and hopefully you will get double Loft Cash too!

Ulta

I've recently become an Ulta fan. 

We don't have a ton of modern stores in our local mall, but we recently got an Ulta, and it's nice to have a place with hair and cosmetic needs close by. 

A couple week ago I was ordering some hair gel and found it was cheaper on Amazon; however, Ulta can have some great deals. 

Go check out their Cyber Monday deals here

Some of my favorites are 25% off La Roche Posay.

This is my favorite sunscreen for my face.

Sexy Hair hairspray $10.99

Sebastian hairspray $9.99

You can get $10 off any purchase of $50 ore more using the code CYBERMON17

Also, free shipping on orders of $35 or more.

 

Nest

This might be for the guys, but Alex got an email on Black Friday about Nest thermostats. 

I think we previously had one and took it back or maybe we were going to buy one, but anyways we now have one on the way. 

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Originally $249, it was on sale for $199 with a rebate of up to $100.

Nest lets you control your thermostat from the convenience of your home. 

You better believe I will have it set to 75 for when I get home from work in the winter. 

Nest also offers indoor and outdoor cameras and a fire/CO2 alarm. 

This was Alex's favorite Black Friday deal. 

I will be searching for more Cyber Monday deals today, but I think only one more purchase and my Christmas shopping will be complete!

I'm enjoying the pretty lights, cheery holiday movies, Christmas music and heart warming Christmas novels! 

It's so nice to have the house decorated and all of my shopping done, so now I can really enjoy the season. 

Have a great Monday!

I wish you the best with your Cyber Monday deals and getting a deer!