Hey, y’all! This week is the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I wanted to share my picks for products I think are worth shopping and could potentially sell out quickly. Below are those items, but first here are some important details to know:

A lot of people are talking about how in order to view and shop the sale early you need a credit card. You do to shop early, but this isn’t necessary as the sale opens to the public on July 28th. The perk of having a card is that you can shop earlier during your scheduled time based on your level of membership. The more you spend = earlier access. I would say most people qualify for Influencer as you need to spend a lot to jump up to the other levels. If opening a card isn’t for you then you can shop later in the month without the card on July 28th. But, since you can view the items you can login or create an account and save items to your wishlist for when you are ready to shop!

DATES & TIMES TO REMEMBER:

• July 12-27: Icon Early Access 3 am EST (card needed)

• July 14-27: Ambassador Early Access 3 am EST (card needed)

• July 16-27: Influencer Early Access 3 am EST (card needed)

• July 28-August 8: The Sale opens to the public at 3 am EST (no card needed)

• August 8: Sale ends and items return back to full price
  
  

What are the card benefits?

1. Early Access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

2. A $60 bonus note when approved

3. You can log in and shop online right away without having to use the physical card in-store.

4. At least 2 points per dollar spent

5. No annual fee

6. Enjoy exclusive benefits like alterations, and a waived Trunk Club Styling fee
   
   

Why is this sale a good one to shop?

What is unique about The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is that items that are new to Fall collections are what is on sale rather than past season items. After the sale, these items are still available, but they go back to full price after August 8th. If you have a larger purchase in mind or want to stock up on favorites or gifts, now is a good time!

I only included items I would/am going to purchase myself or think are worth a purchase. To be honest, most items I wasn’t too impressed by in terms of the discount or exclusivity to the sale, but there are some winners here that I think y’all will like!

CLOTHING

DENIM

DRESSES

SWEATERS

TOPS

SHOES

HANDBAGS

HOME

BABY

jewelry

BEAUTY

Hey, y’all! Today is the start of the big Amazon Prime Day Sale where tons of Amazon items and pieces from your favorite brands go on sale! I’ve linked everything I love and use below as well as some great tech items that have big discounts. If you’re looking to shop on my Amazon Influencer Page you can visit here.

Happy shopping!

Home Items

Fashion

Accessories & Beauty

Hey, y’all! It has been a whirlwind of a summer for us already (is it even officially summer, yet?!) and we were fortunate enough to spend some time traveling for my birthday in May. After a couple weeks at our family’s home in Florida we drove to Charleston, South Carolina for a long birthday weekend. We had never visited before and it was such a treat to discover the city together! After sharing the trip on Instagram in real time, I got some requests to share the details of our trip and any recommendations for those of you traveling there later this year. Below is a breakdown of all the details of our 4 day vacation in this cutie little town!

Where We Stayed

We visited during Memorial Day weekend, but we booked our stay at Kings Courtyard Inn and loved it! Wrigley tagged along for the trip and they were so accommodating with being pet-friendly. Our room was in the old carriage house of the building and so cute! The inn was built in 1853 on one of the most iconic and historic streets in Charleston - King Street - and is one of the oldest buildings on said street. Its charming hospitality and three courtyards give a romantic and picturesque experience for guests. We chose to eat out each morning/afternoon, but the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, and cocktail hour each night.

Located steps from some of the most infamous restaurants, shops, and locations in historic Charleston, the location was perfect! We ended up walking pretty much everywhere and thought the location of the hotel was ideal. Since it was a holiday weekend we paid a bit more for the room rate, but overall our experience was awesome and we loved staying here!

Other Hotels (based on recommendations and reviews online - we haven’t stayed here):

• The Restoration

• Emeline

• Hotel Bennett

• The Mills House Wyndham Hotel

• Hotel Bella Grace

• The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor

• The French Quarter Inn

• The Spectator Hotel

Charleston Eats

I feel like all we did this trip was eat, eat, and eat some more. Charleston did not disappoint on the food front! Here are some of our favorites from our trip:

Drinks/Cocktail Hour

Bourbon and Bubbles: $$-$$$

This was one of the highlights of our trip. If y’all know me personally or have read the tagline of the blog, you know I LOVE champagne and prosecco. When I was looking at places to celebrate my birthday that had a champagne focus, this place immediately popped up. The best part? Kollin enjoyed it just as much, if not more than I did. He is a huge bourbon lover and this chic and modern restaurant and bar combined both of our favorite drinks in one spot. We stopped in before dinner and immediately loved the ambiance and vibe. We each ordered a flight (champagne for me and bourbon for Kollin: half off during happy hour!) and the crab dip to start. Y’all - it was incredible. Kollin, of course, befriended the bartender and they bonded over a bourbon he had yet to try and ended up ordering and loved while I stuffed my face with crab dip and Veuve Cliquot. Needless to say, we were in our happy place. A must-try if you are in town and enjoy either beverage! They have a fully stocked bar if you’re looking for something else too, but from the looks of post-dinner time and their Instagram, they have a good time there.

Elevé: $$-$$$

We walked here for dinner one night and loved the rooftop vibe! It was very chic and romantic. It was a Friday night and it was a popular spot so we didn’t get a seat outside, but from our table, by the bar, we still had a great view. We both ordered a drink (sparkling rosé for me and The Wentworth for Kollin - both we recommend!) and watched the sun go down and waited for dinner to arrive. I had the burger (it was great) and Kollin had the catch of the day special (personally, not a fish girl, but he loved it). Everything was excellent and we can’t wait to go back and grab a drink on the rooftop!

Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar: $-$$

We stopped in here to grab dessert one night and realized it was a full bar as well! Honestly, I don’t know why more people haven’t brought this concept to life - it is genius! Hot tip: if you check out the menu prior to visiting and order online you won’t have to wait in line. It’s very popular so you could be waiting a while. Our first time there (yes we went multiple times LOL), we grabbed a cannoli and walked down toward the water to watch the sunset. They have everything from cakes, key lime pie, milkshakes, and specialty drinks. With seating indoors and outside, it is such a cute spot for a drink and sweet snack no matter the time of day.

Rooftop at The Vendue: $$

We had one night with no reservations and a friend shared this spot with us a place to check out for a rooftop view. I’m not going to lie - it was pretty packed and the service wasn’t the best because of it, but we liked the drinks and it was a fun vibe. It had a nice view and we heard the food is good - it looked good from what we saw too! We ended up having dinner later that night somewhere else (that I won’t name because it was a fail), but from what we saw and reviews, we should’ve stayed at Vendue! They do not take reservations so be sure to account for time when visiting as you might have to wait out a spot. I ordered the strawberry basil lemonade and Kollin had the Red Moon Margarita. Both were good and we said we’d come back again!

Restaurants

Husk: $$-$$$

When we decided to visit Charleston, we both knew this would be a part of the plan. The restaurant started in Savannah, GA, and expanded to Charleston and Nashville. We’d been to the location in Nashville and LOVED it so we knew we wanted to try it here. A month before visiting we called and they were fully booked. The night we arrived we called on a whim and they had a reservation first thing the next morning for brunch! It was definitely the best meal we had in town- everything was incredible. Their menu changes almost daily, but they have a few staples that remain on the menu. We ordered the ribs, donuts, the burger, and the fried chicken. Everything was amazing and the cocktails were outstanding too! Highly recommend the Light Dragoon’s Punch - it comes from a recipe made in 1792 that was found in the archives of the preservation society of Charleston. It was delicious.

Aw Shucks Seafood: $-$$

Located steps from our hotel, we came here one night wanting something casual. You order at the counter and they bring everything out to you. Kollin had the oysters and grouper tacos and I had shrimp tacos and the frosé. Everything was so delicious and so fresh. I’m not sure if this is just the night we were there or the holiday weekend, but they closed at 7 pm so be sure to check that out if going!

Magnolia’s: $$$

We came here for my birthday dinner and it was everything we wanted and more! Described as upscale southern, the traditional southern dishes did not disappoint. Everything was cooked to perfection and it was the home-cooked, heart-warming cooking you look for in the South. We ate here on our last night in town and it was the perfect way to end the trip. We ordered the fried mac and cheese to start, I had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Kollin had the Grouper Special (can you tell he likes Grouper lol). We ended the night with a little birthday dessert they prepared for me (so nice!) and champagne, of course. If you’re celebrating something special or looking for a quaint and picturesque meal in one of Charleston’s most notable restaurants, you need to try Magnolia’s.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits: $-$$

This recommendation came from a friend on Instagram and I’m SO glad we went here on the morning of my birthday. Known for their incredible biscuits, we ordered a biscuit sandwich and biscuits and gravy. Kollin told them it was my birthday and they gave me a special birthday biscuit with icing and sprinkles - it was SO good! I think this was one of Kollin’s favorite spots because he asked that we go here again before driving back to Nashville the following morning. Again, it did not disappoint. They have specials that change all the time so be sure to try them and even grab some biscuit mix to take home! Be prepared to wait in line for a bit - it is very popular.

Other spots to try:

• The Ordinary: $$$ - check out if you love seafood.

• Poogan’s Porch: $$ - another spot we didn’t get to try but came highly recommended. We had reservations and then got behind so we had to cancel. Definitely on our list when we go back.

• 167 Raw: $$-$$$ - they don’t take reservations and based on what we saw it is one of the most popular spots in Charleston. We didn’t make it there, but it came highly recommended from readers and friends.

• Circa 1886: $$$$ - low country cuisine, fine dining.

• Butcher & Bee: $$ - we’ve been to the Nashville location and really enjoyed it. The whipped feta is incredible.

• Prohibition: $$ - rustic-chic American menu with jazz-themed ambiance.

• Le Farfalle: $$ - Italian menu and laid-back environment. Great reviews and date night vibe.

Sights to See

Charleston is a very walkable city so if you’re up for it I highly recommend just walking around to see what is around you. Like I mentioned earlier, we stayed in the historic district so most of what we did was in that area. We walked around King Street and did some shopping, walked to the water and saw the infamous Pineapple Fountain, and also ventured over toward Rainbow Row.

Some highly recommended sights to see:

• Rainbow Row

• Waterfront Park - Pineapple Fountain

• Charleston City Market

• Fort Sumner (accessible by boat)

• South Carolina Aquarium

• Ravenel Bridge

• Gibbes Museum of Art

• The Charleston Museum

• Halsey Institute of Modern Art (College of Charleston)

Charleston is a very old, but charming city, and admiring the architecture, homes, and the colorful landscape was one of my favorite parts of the trip. As you walk around you’ll see several tours taking place. There are walking tours, horse carriage tours, trolley tours, ghost tours, and some I probably don’t even know about. My recommendation would be to skip these and just discover the city on your own. We loved walking around and just turning the corner to read about a church from the 1700s or the home of the first Attorney General of South Carolina rather than having a tour guide. That is our personal preference, but if you’re looking for a formal tour check with your hotel for recommendations.

There are several museums in Charleston, but the ones that came recommended to us are the Gibbes Museum and the Halsey Institute of Modern Art. Be sure to check schedules for when they are open as the open and close times threw us a little bit. If you have kids with you, the Aquarium came highly recommended.

Our last two days in town we ended up spending at the beach. While shopping we asked the associates their favorite spots and they recommended Sullivan’s Island. We prefer a quieter beach so we opted for Sullivan’s Island rather than the more well-known tourist beach, Folly Beach. Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms are located about 25 minutes from Charleston and a much more laid-back, secluded vibe. A couple of things to keep in mind: Alcohol is prohibited there (and most beaches) and you can get fined pretty heavily if you have it. We actually saw a couple get written up while there. The police confiscated the alcohol and gave them a citation. They looked well over 21 and I’m not sure if this is just because it was Memorial Day, but either way, it was kind of a buzz kill (literally) - locals, if you know please weigh in on non-holiday times! We also realized that dogs have specific times they can be on the beach and not so be sure to read up on the guidelines before going if bringing a pet.

Other than the rules, we had a really nice time there and loved the beach. When we go back I think we will end up staying on Sullivan’s Island in an Airbnb or something rather than a hotel. The homes there are stunning and would be so fun for a group or bachelorette!

Things to Keep in Mind

• I’ve heard it is actually quicker to get some places by boat than a car. If you’re looking to go off the peninsula, then check out water taxis or private charter, especially to Kiawah Island, Isle of Palms, or John’s Island.

• Parking wasn’t too bad. Coming from Chicago, I was thinking it would be a nightmare, but overall we didn’t have issues with parking, and being a tourist town, they do it pretty well.

• Footwear - y’all know I’m all about a fabulous shoe - but if you’re walking as much as we did keep this in mind. You want something not only comfortable but durable. Charleston is old and sorry to say, dirty. My feet when wearing sandals got pretty dirty from walking around everywhere.

• Reservations are a must if you can - we went during a pretty popular holiday, but having reservations set up in advance will help you from having to scramble to find dinner plans. We actually were pretty amazed at how early everything closed here and the random days of the week that things were not open. Be sure to check the dates and times for restaurants and attractions for your visit. Charleston definitely has a sleepier feel and closes down earlier than we anticipated.

Thanks so much for reading! If you’re planning on making a trip to Charleston, I hope this helps in some way! We can’t wait to go back and visit again to update this list! If you’ve been comment your favorite spots below!

Kings Courtyard Inn

King Street

Sullivan's Island

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

Husk - order the Light Dragoon's Punch

Husk Brunch

Aw Shuck's Seafood

Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar

Queen Street

Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar

Magnolia's

Magnolia's

This is a sponsored post by Moving Solutions. All opinions are my own.

As some of y’all know, we moved from Chicago to Nashville this past November. While we lived in Chicago we moved quite a few times so we felt pretty prepared for this cross-country move, but things didn’t work out that way. 

While we did everything we could from a preparation standpoint, the movers we ended up working with were not the best choice. Choosing a moving service and a company to trust with your belongings is a big decision and one that we did not take lightly. We moved to Nashville for a lifestyle change and to find a home. With the pandemic and housing market changes, we are still looking for our next home, but I know when the time comes we will be checking out Moving Solutions.

In the meantime, I thought I would put together 5 tips you can use if you’re moving soon that were helpful for us! 

1. Purge & Sort Before Packing

I’m amazed at how much stuff was in our Chicago condo when looking to get everything packed. Moving can be expensive and you don’t want to pay for items that you’re going to get rid of or donate later. Make sure to purge anything you don’t need before packing. This will save on space, expenses, and overall time of moving. Fewer boxes = less time!

One of my favorite rules of thumb is to base it off the year rule. If you haven’t worn, used, or thought about it in a year then it is time to go. Of course, this is outside of sentimental items or something that can’t be ‘used’ again such as a family heirloom. 

2. Start Packing Early

Nothing makes me feel more stressed than feeling behind or not having a plan. Before our move, I set up a little schedule of dates that I wanted to have certain things packed. We first started with clothes that were in the opposite season that wouldn’t be worn for a while and bedrooms or closets that weren’t used often. Having the miscellaneous items out of the way before the big time crunch of moving hits helps avoid the decisions of ‘I don’t know about this, let’s just bring it’ from happening. 

By the time you get to items that are ready to be packed right before the move like the kitchen, you’re already ahead of schedule! 

3. Invest in Good materials

Moving in and of itself is expensive, but what is more expensive is replacing items that were broken due to improper packing or flimsy boxes. If your movers are packing for you, make sure to let them know how you’d like certain things packed or wrapped. If packing yourself, head to Home Depot or another home improvement store for sturdy boxes, and be sure to double tape everything. One of my favorite things to do to make sure I know what the boxes are and where they go once they arrive to color-code them. You can buy a pack of Post-It notes and assign each room a color. Take the corresponding Post-It color and tape to the boxes that go in that room. On move-in day you can help coordinate the movers just by the colors on the boxes and speed up unpacking. 

4. hire movers

I’ve moved both with and without movers and I can tell you it is worth the investment to hire movers. Not only do you save your own time and effort, but it’s a big undertaking to move yourself, let alone a family. Movers help coordinate every detail and help you feel stress-free. When we are ready to move again I will definitely be checking out Moving Solutions. No matter your moving needs, Moving Solutions can help out. From packing, residential or commercial moves, or just hired labor, they’ve got you covered. Looking into long-distance moving in Nashville ?!, then be sure to check them out!

5. grab a glass and relax

I’ve not had a move that didn’t have some sort of issue (maybe Moving Solutions will be the one!), but I know that keeping calm and trusting that everyone will work out helps keep stress levels down. If you do hire movers, there is some downtime during unloaded or packing. Take this time to relax and enjoy a glass of Prosecco (or your drink of choice) to congratulate yourself on a big step! Moving is not easy, but it is such an accomplishment. Whether it is to a new home, a son or daughter off to college, or moving into your new business space, congratulations are in order. Take a moment to be proud of all your hard work! 

Thanks so much for reading! 

Happy MDW, y’all! First, thank you to those who have served or are currently serving our country. This weekend is to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and I’d also like to thank those of you with family or friends in the service. Your sacrifice is unimaginable and you and your families are in my thoughts.

Memorial Day Weekend is one of my favorite weekends because it is not only the start to Summer, but pools are open, it’s my birthday and it usually involves poolside drinks and fun! Below is a huge list of sales happening this weekend! We are headed to Savannah and Charleston for my birthday and I’m really excited to do some shopping in person, but I’ll for sure be hitting up these online sales. They are SO good! Everything is categorized by type for you, happy shopping!

Beauty

Fenty Beauty: Up to 50% off select items

Kate Somerville: Get Kate's Age Repair Minis with any $150 purchase when you use promo code MAYGWP at checkout.

KKW Beauty: 25% off sitewide

Sephora: 50% off Marc Jacobs Beauty

Tarte: Get up to 75% off during the Secret Sample Sale through May 21.

Ulta: 50% off haircare essentials

Home

AllModern: 20% off Memorial Day Sale with code GET20

Brooklinen: 15% off sitewide

Frontgate: Get up to 20% off all outdoor furniture and accessories.

Mattress Firm: Get up to $500 off top brands including Serta, Sealy, and Beautyrest

Parachute: Get 20% off sitewide. The discount, which includes everything from bedding to loungewear, will be applied at checkout.

Serena + Lily: 20% off everything with code DIVEIN

Target: Summer savings sale - 15% off select outdoor furniture, up to 50% off home decor, toys & more

The Container Store: Get up to 25% off closet organization.

Wayfair: up to 70% off Memorial Day Clearance sale

Fashion

CLOTHES

Anthropologie: extra 40% off sale items + free shipping on orders $50+

ASOS: up to 70% off everything

Banana Republic: Get 40% off your purchase with promo code BRMYSTERY and an extra 10% off.

Baublebar: extra 20% off sale items with code SALE20

Bandier: extra 30% off Memorial Day Sale

Bloomingdale’s: extra 50% off clearance

Coach: up to 50% off select styles

Cole Haan: up to 50% off summer styles, plus an extra 20% off select styles

Gap: Get 50% off tees, sweats, and dresses.

H&M: up to 40% off sale items

Kate Spade: 30% when you spend $250+ and 30% off when you spend $500+ when you use code VACAY

Lulu’s: 30% off sale items

MyTheresa: Luxury on a budget? Check out the designer womenswear, menswear, and kids' fashion for up to 70% off on MyTheresa.

Nasty Gal: 50% off everything

RE/DONE: extra 25% off Summer Sale items

SHEIN: 30-70% off - use code 4TCBB for an additional 15% off

Shopbop: up to 50% off sale styles

Something Navy: up to 70% off

Urban Outfitters: save up to 40% off its best-selling items

WeWoreWhat: 40% off select styles

SHOES

ADIDAS: 25% off sitewide

Nike: save up to 40% on markdowns

Steve Madden: 25% select styles with code SUMMER

Sam Edelman: 20% off with code MEMORIAL2021

STUART WEITZMAN: Take up to 40% off sale styles – available in stores and online. 

Zappos: up to 30% off footwear + clothing & accessories

Lifestyle

LiquidIV: 30% off and free shipping all weekend when you use code AMANDA_NAVAA

Fabletics: 70% off sitewide for VIP members

Retailers

Amazon: up to 87% off daily Memorial Day deals

Macy's: Get up to 60% off furniture, mattresses, and rugs through May 31.

Nordstrom: up to 50% off Half-Yearly Sale

Nordstrom Rack: extra 25% off clearance

Overstock: 70% off select items + free shipping

Pier 1 Imports: Get up to 50% off select items for Memorial Day.

Walmart: up to $300 off mattresses & up to 50% off Champion

Tech

Dyson: up to $120 off vacuums & hairdryers

Best Buy: Save big on TVs, computers, headphones, accessories, and more.

Growing up, I always remember celebrating Mother’s Day and feeling like it was the start to a really fun time of year. Spring weather is getting to that perfect mix of coolness and sunshine, and my birthday is around the corner on Memorial Day, which means pools are open and summer is here. As a kid, this also signaled the end of the school year. There’s something magical about this time of year so it makes sense that we celebrate our mothers during it.

2020 was a difficult time for most and while I’m not a mother, I’m sure they experienced stress and worry at an all-time high during the pandemic. Wanting to make sure everyone is healthy and taken care of is at the core of most of the moms I know so during a time when there was so much unknown, I’m sure it was hard. Especially, when for a lot not being able to visit or spend time with their children or loved ones.

I wanted to take a different approach to this year’s gift guide and share some things that bring the experience back to our relationship with mothers that many lost out on last year. While many love being pampered and taking a day to be a little selfish, many of the moms that I chatted with prior to writing this post said those aren’t things they want this year. They’re looking for spending time together, functionality, support, and appreciation. So, I tried my best to sum up those emotions and ideas into the gifts below.

MAKE HER DAY

One thing I’ve noticed about the moms in my life is that even if they love a gift and appreciate the sentiment behind it, they aren’t the type of people to put themselves above other parts of their day. What I mean is that if the gift isn’t easily packaged into their day to day to life then it tends to not really get used. So, here are some ideas to brighten their day and make them feel special. The sense of scent is such a powerful thing and something that I always remember about my mom. Certain smells of her home, perfume, or car are always scents that follow her and my memories of her. Pura is a smart diffuser that connects with your phone to create custom scent schedules, has interchangeable scents, and can be left to an automated program. I received one for Christmas and love it! I have my go-to scents and interchange them once a month (sometimes longer depending on how much you use them), and the best part is that they are kid and animal-friendly!

Fresh flowers in the home always add a warm feeling to those in the home and we all know that the moms in our lives deserve them! A reader gave me the idea (Hey, Candace!) about floral subscriptions and I recently discovered Bouqs flower subscription. You can pick from three different plans, choose your date of delivery, and get exclusive discounts by subscribing. You can pick the arrangement size, style, and who gets the delivery. The stems arrive in bud form so they last longer until your next delivery. You can choose once a week, every other week, once a month, and every other month. Check out the subscription plans here.

In 2020 we all got creative in finding ways to connect with each other and we used our devices to do that more than ever. Zoom parties and weddings, reunions over FaceTime, and drive-by baby showers - we always found a way to connect and we found the importance in it again. Below are some ways to continue to share the connection digitally - connecting on video chat, watching a show together on Netflix, or sharing images with each other.

FUNCTION & FASHION

When sharing ideas on Instagram about what my mom followers needed most, tote bags with pockets and a lot of functionality were a top request. Whether it is a work bag, diaper bag, or carry-all to travel with, functionality is important to make sure you have what you need and it’s organized to make the best experience. I’ve added some totes below at different price points, but the main takeaway from my research is this handy tote organizer. Since it comes in several sizes it can work with almost any bag for added pockets and organization.

When it comes to actual bags, I recommend two. The first is by Barrington Gifts. The one linked is specifically a diaper bag with a lot of pockets, but their brand is high-quality and carries any type of bag you could want. A fun detail is that most are completely customizable with colors, monograms, patterns, etc. I received one as a gift from Kollin and love the look and design even years later. My second recommendation is an MZ Wallace bag. I don’t personally own one, but several of my friends do and I’ve borrowed one before for a weekend trip. Not only are they chic and carry a ton, but they also have a lot of pockets and have so many functions. a gym bag, diaper bag, chic carry all work tote or weekender bag, it can do it all.

OTHER GIFTS SHE’LL LOVE

Do you ever get that feeling while shopping of ‘this is just perfect for her!’ and you have to get it. Maybe you weren’t looking for that specific thing or even that person, but once you saw it you knew? Some of the items below did that for some of the women in my life and I wanted to share thinking they could work for a woman in your life too! Whether she loves to garden and could use a cute pair of gloves or loves a bubble bath while watching her favorite show on this bath tray, there is something here for the mom in your life (including yourself!).

SHOP MY LOOK

(exact top and shoes sold out so I linked similar)

Hey, y’all! I asked on Instagram what blog post you wanted to see next and the majority of you requested Amazon favorites! My relationship with Amazon got real deep in 2020 when the pandemic happened and we decided to stay in Florida. We had only a week’s worth of clothes and essentials so Amazon was our best friend the rest of the stay. I’ve added my favorites below by category and called out some life-changing products too! I was also selected for the Amazon Influencer Program (yay!) and have an exclusive page where you can shop all my recommendations here.

FASHION

2020 showed us that loungewear is a category of its own and was a necessity during quarantine. At first, I had fun with it and got some fun patterns and all the tie-dye, but I find myself wearing the neutral sets now more often. I love this one and the puff sleeve. Amazon also had some really cute dress options!

WORKOUT ESSENTIALS

One of my favorite Amazon finds has been this active set. I love a monochromatic look in active sets and this one did not disappoint! It’s really soft and comfortable while also being supportive in all the right places. It also comes in several colors. I discovered bike shorts in 2020 (I know, I’m late to the game) and this pair from Amazon are great. make sure to check the inseam length that is right for you because some have been a bit long on me.

ORGANIZATION

When we moved in November we had some new spaces that needed an organization that didn’t exist in our old condo in Chicago, like our new desk space and having drawers in the bathroom (omg, I’m living now!). I ordered these drawer organizers for both the cabinets and drawers and love them! They come individually so you can arrange however you like. I’m all about the storage solutions lately and thought this headband stand was such a good find! You do have to put it together, but I did it in less than 10 min and love the way it displays!

SUNGLASSES

Y’all know I’m a lover of designer items, but one thing I can’t bring myself to spend more than $100 on is sunglasses. While the expensive ones are beautiful and unique, I’m pretty hard on mine and am much safer with a cheaper pair. I’ve linked my favorites below, but this cat eye pair got worn pretty much everyday this past summer and are so chic.

HOME

I get a lot of questions about our champagne flutes and ours are from Crate & Barrel, but these are really similar and so pretty! My other favorite home find was this chair. I was a bit skeptical about purchasing from Amazon when Wayfair had a similar one, but it is one of my favorite Amazon purchases to date. I use it for my desk chair and it is not only comfortable but chic and blends nicely with the rest of the kitchen and living room furniture. The quality is really great and I would definitely purchase again!

RANDOM FAVORITES

This next group is like the title says, random, but it is full of good ones! First up, this contact paper is really cool I’ve seen people use it for big projects like covering their countertops or even the top of a coffee table. When we got back to Chicago and working from home I ordered a couch desk and covered the top with this contact paper. It turned out really cute and was super easy to put together!

I have to credit my best friend, Lindsey, with this next one, but if you have a dog or cat or any animal that sheds, you NEED the Chom Chom. It picks up animal hair like nothing I’ve seen before. I use it on the couch, rug, and any fur-covered surface (thank you, Corgi).

BEAUTY

When it comes to beauty products I mostly use Amazon for restocking on items I love or finding a cheaper price compared to other retailers. I usually stock up on this coconut facial scrub that The Sister Studio recommended! It’s so good and lasts forever. I also love these facial razors for at-home dermaplaning. Much cheaper than a spa treatment and is super easy to do on your own! Lastly, I LOVE these tortoise hair clips and wear them basically everyday. They come as a two-pack and are so chic and durable.

WRITING AND DESK ACCESSORIES

2020 really put me back in touch with my writing and wanting to make it a habit, but I get really specific about what I use and I promise you it makes all the difference in creating a habit. There’s nothing like a pen that won’t smoothly write or scratchy paper that makes you not want to continue journaling. These pens are great and don’t bleed or transfer and I love these notebooks. They’re a great size and compact enough to carry around with you on the go. If you’re looking for some guidance to help you feel organized during the day, I love the brand Lamare (read my blog post here about their planners) and they have a weekly planning pad or daily planning pad based on their planner.

Thanks so much for reading and be sure to follow my Amazon Influencer Shop page for my latest Amazon favorites!

SHOP THE POST

Hey y’all! When we moved to Nashville and found our apartment we were so excited about the outdoor space. Coming from Chicago and sub-zero weather for more months than not, it was so fun to not only have this space, but to actually be able to use it was another level! Our families were so kind to gift some items to use for my birthday and Christmas so we needed to get a few things to finish out the décor this spring. I found almost everything at Target and love the way it turned out!

Before we jump in, I wanted to share the things that I love in an outdoor space that work no matter the design you go with!

1) Cozy seating with plush pillows: why not make the space as comfortable as your indoor space?

2) Ambiance: add some lighting or candles to the space to cultivate a vibe people gravitate toward.

3) A Touch of Nature: I kill everything and definitely do not have a green thumb, but I love the touches of greenery we have on our patio with the faux fiddle leaf fig and faux flowers. It instantly warms the space and adds a homey, yet elegant feel.

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The foundation of our patio comes from these teakwood pieces. I immediately wanted the two chairs and loveseat. They had such a unique, but still classic look to them, and the white cushions brought a crisp and chic vibe to the space. The designer Shea McGee designed a collection with Target and I wanted everything but settled for the rug that ended up being perfect for the space. I wanted a touch of contrast given the light palette of the furniture and I love how it grounds the space a bit more while also creating a modern base.

For accessories and final touches, we added some lights to the railing, repurposed a faux fiddle leaf fig from inside, and hung some affordable drapes for the outer corners of the patio to finish things off. I’ve always loved the saying that window treatments are the eyelashes of the home. It can instantly transform a space and I love the cabana vibe these created.

I’m still wanting to add some throw pillows and lanterns or smaller accessories, but until we know our next move housing-wise I’ll probably hold off on getting those! I still linked everything and put together a couple of inspiration board based on what style you gravitate toward.

furniture

I don’t think that Target sells our exact couch and table anymore, but these are very similar in look and price point. I love the teakwood and these are a great starting point for any type of aesthetic and décor.

DRAPES & RUG

This rug comes in several sizes, but we went with the 5x8 for the patio. I loved that the pattern was a stripe, but not super obvious like a block stripe. The material is similar to a rattan and durable, yet soft. We grabbed these drapes from the Target college section (lol) and went with the Command strip drape holders. They actually worked really well and have held up since we stuck them on on the wood columns of the patio. We measured the spacing of the columns and then got adjustable rods to match the Command strip holders, super easy!

ACCESSORIES & EXTRAS

If we were planning on staying for a while I would add these to the patio to create a super fun atmosphere, but for the time being I went with a fiddle leaf fig we already had. It is from Home Goods, but this one is similar and I love the pot it comes in! From there we got some lights for the railing and some flameless candles from Amazon and called it a day!

Inspiration Boards

Before deciding on what vibe we wanted for the patio I was between a few different styles and found making mood boards really helpful! I’ve put together three different moods below of some common themes that a lot of people gravitate toward. All the details and links are below each picture or you can click directly on the item to take you to the piece!

I hope this gave y’all some patio inspiration and you found something you love if you’re in the market! Thank you so much for reading and I hope everyone has a great weekend!