** Click on any image to shop. **
Browsing Category
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
All You Need to Know About the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale & My Top Picks
Posted on July 9, 2023What Exactly Is The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
Each year the Nordstrom Anniversary sale perfectly plays out during my birthday week. It’s been something I look forward to shopping year after year and can chalk my purchases up to “birthday buys.” After 10+ years of shopping the sale I have lots of tips and tricks for ya. I’ve gathered up all the info you need in regards to the sale so you easily have it all in one spot.
If you’ve shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale before, you know that it’s not a typical sale where only past-season or soon-to-be-discontinued products are marked down. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: Nordstrom discounts tons of new products, current season and about to drop items and discounts them for a limited time before they return to their retail prices after the sale ends. It’s the perfect time to stock up on wardrobe staples, beauty finds, baby items, home finds & more.
Every year they add more and more brands to the sale. There are also some tried & true favorite finds that go on sale each year, only during this particular sale. It really is pretty great.
One of the not so great parts of this sale… things do sell out and they sell out quick. Nordstrom has a wonderful return policy. I suggest purchasing online and doing store pick up or shipping it to your home. You can try everything on and then return what you don’t want and quickly/easily be refunded.
How Do I Shop the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
Anyone can shop the sale during general access but if you want to score early access, you need A Nordstrom Credit Card and/or to be a Nordy Club Member.
Each year I am 100% adamant on stressing that a store credit card IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. If you are not the type to pay off the card at the end of the month…. this is not a financially wise decision for you and your family. No pair of sale shoes is worth your financial wellbeing! Period. Even as someone that makes a *tiny* commission off of purchases from links I share- I’m still here to tell you… DO NOT do this if it’s not right for you. Another sale will come along. Now that is out of the way….
If you are in a spot where you have a Nordstrom account or a card is a good decision for you-Your cardmember status will be dependent on yearly spend amounts, but all cardmembers automatically start at Influencer status, which means you’ll get an extra four days to shop the sale before it opens to everyone.
For more info on all of that.. find it HERE.
When can I shop the 2023 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
They roll out dates depending on your Nordstrom cardmember tier. Key dates below:
July 11 to 16: Icon early access
July 12 to 16: Ambassador early access
July 13 to 16: Influencer early access
July 17 to August 6: General access for all!
You can begin to preview the sale starting on July 3rd. Check out the preview HERE.
We took a much needed screen-free trip to Center Hill Lake to “glamp” in a dome. 10/10 recommend! It was truly the sweetest experience and core family memories were made.
You can book directly from the Tennessee Glamping website HERE. Dome four at Center Hill Lake was the exact one we stayed in.
The dome was air conditioned, had a toilet and large shower, a king bed, a pullout couch, a microwave, sink & a grill. It was very comfortable. The outside had a large deck, a solo stove, a grill and a hot tub. (The hot tub was the star of the show for our kids!)
We went about a mile down the road and swam in the lake at a beach area and fished. It was located close to a marina as well.
A couple things that were hits with the kids:
– Oreo S’more (You just open up the Oreo and put the marshmallow/chocolate in between.) HUGE hit with the boys!
– A glow dance party! We brought a bunch of glow in the dark necklaces, bracelets, sunglasses, etc. We played some music and had a family dance party.
– Fishing… we used a tangle free kid rod. They LOVED it!
– Magnifying Glasses- The kids could check out the bugs, leaves, etc. Kept them entertained for a long time.
– Movie Projector- we brought a little projector to watch a movie on the ceiling of the dome.
We had the boys cuddle up in their sleeping bags and put them on the top of the pull out bed.
The property we stayed on had an incredible view, but it is VERY high up with a steep drop off. We had to keep our eyes on the baby at ALL times. Just an FYI!
Our family can’t wait to go back when the leaves change this fall for another little retreat. It felt magical!
Things We Loved Having:
Trey’s Western Cowboy Camp Breakfast Scramble Recipe-
** We prepped this all before we left and just popped it on the grill when we got there. With the eggs we wanted to make it right before we left & kept it refrigerated the night before. **
* 1 pack of 30 oz. of frozen shredded hash browns
* 1/2 on of diced ham – we used deli
* Dice 1 large bell pepper
* 2 -3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, i like Philadelphia melted kind
* 8 eggs
* 1/4 cup of milk
* 1 tsp. of onion powder
* 1 tsp. Garlic powder
* Couple of dashes of hot sauce
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Top it with some parsley (optional)
** Mix it all in bowl, wrap with tin foil.
Put on grill at or around 400 degrees 30 – 40 min covered.
Take off foil, cook another 30-40 uncovered.
Nashville Opryland Staycation
We headed over to Nashville’s Opryland for a staycation to celebrate the end of the school year and had the BEST time! The hotel is very family friendly and B-E-A-UTIFUL. It features 9 acres of indoor atriums, an outdoor pool, live music, special summer activities such as the atrium fountain show and live performances, scavenger hunts & hotel garden tours. And of course – SoundWaves!
Typically we venture all around the resort, but this trip we couldn’t drag our kids out of SoundWaves if we tried! After 8 straight hours there, we were able to pull them out to eat dinner. They both agreed it was their “best day ever.”
After three or so staycations a year since our boys were babies, we consider ourselves “Opryland experts.” I wanted to share some of our tricks that we’ve picked up over the years and answer some FAQ’s.
Atrium view rooms are SO fun. We love watching the twinkle lights on the balcony. Grab an ice cream at the end of the night and sit out on the balcony as a family. It truly has a magical feel! Since it was such a quick stay we did the regular atrium room. When we come at Christmas we will sometimes stay in the upgraded atrium view room. We chose the two queen beds (you can also chose a king) The upgraded atrium has two bathrooms, a living area and a kitchenette. In the living area is a murphy bed (the kids think that is so fun!) and a pull out couch as well. It’s a great option to have a separate space for the baby to sleep or if you are coming with another family and need a gathering place.
If you are coming predominantly for SoundWaves this summer, I would suggest booking the Garden section. It’s the closest area to the water park.
SoundWaves is the BIGGEST hit with our boys. We decided to get a cabana this time with the baby. It was nice to get a designated meet up spot and have somewhere that Cambre could nap. (We shut the curtains while she was napping.) A waiter comes around and you can order food/drink to the cabana. The cabana is an additional expense, but it really made our trip this time. If you are worried about shade.. there are umbrellas at some of the chairs outside as well as some more shady spots inside. You would need to get there early to save those on busy days.
The waterpark has both an indoor and an outdoor section. There was a baby/toddler splash area that Cambre just loved. Most of the slides were 42″ and up to ride. Our boys could go on everything if we were with them. There are indoor & outdoor play areas with a big bucket.. they spent a ton of time in those! Food is available and drinks (including cocktails!) inside of SoundWaves.
One of the questions that was frequently asked on Instagram was about leaving the resort. We personally do not leave the resort, but you totally could! With how many restaurants and shops are on property, we find it simpler to stay put.
Speaking of restaurants… Old Hickory Steakhouse is our favorite food on property. A bit more upscale than the others and on the pricier side. If you’d like the splurge just be sure to make a reservation for that one. Cascades (near the waterfalls) features a breakfast buffet that our children love. Ask if there are available seats in the booths under the cave. Just a fun little touch for the kids! They also have an Italian restaurant, Mexican restaurant, pizza spot etc. that are very kid friendly. If you venture down to the Magnolia area there are pubs and more adult style spots as well.
Each night we also go by the arcade. Just a quick trip since it’s not too big. Always a fun way to end the night out.
Local residents… be sure to check out the deals. Right now they are offering 40% off as a local discount.
Opryland has become our children’s favorite family tradition. The memories made here are priceless to us. We consider ourselves lucky to have something so special this close to home!
Our Favorite Holiday Tradition: Gaylord Opryland Staycation
Our absolute favorite family holiday tradition is our annual staycation at the Gaylord Opryland hotel. The hotel truly feels magical during the holidays and there are tons of festive activities for the whole family.
There are both indoor and outdoor activities. Inside the hotel there are elaborate light displays and decorations. You can stroll around to view them by foot or you can take the Delta boat ride which is always a hit with the kids!
There are tons of restaurant options inside as well. We like to have one really nice dinner at the Old Hickory Steakhouse. It is the most formal option, but feels very special at the holiday time. Cascades restaurant is near the waterfalls and that is a great spot for kids. We always do the breakfast buffet at Cascades as well.
Inside there is also a scavenger hunt and gingerbread house making. The boys have always LOVED the scavenger hunt and it’s a great way for them to burn some energy as well. Gingerbread house making is always a hit as well.
Outdoors is transported into a winter wonderland. There’s ice skating, tubing, bumper cars, snow balls, live holiday music and festive drinks. There’s also ICE! exhibit/experience. This year it’s Rudolph themed. Such a fun thing to put on the parkas and check out the millions of pounds of ice sculptures. At the of ICE! there’s a giant slide.
Between the tubing and the ICE! slide the boys had to have gone down them at least 100 times. So much!
Each of the activities you can purchase independently, but I’d recommend grabbing a holiday package.
Another tip for a really magical stay is to snag an Atrium room. It’s so peaceful at night to sit on the balcony and watch all of the sparkling lights. We grab a hot chocolate and sit out there and just listen to the music and watch the lights.
Anytime my kids are asked about what they want for Christmas, their favorite Christmas traditions, their favorite vacation, etc. they always say it’s Opryland. We have created some of the most precious memories there over the years. Hoping you can check it out with your family and feel that same magic we have come to cherish.
** Click on any image to check out the product. These are affiliate links- when you shop through them I receive a very small commission at no cost to you. It comes directly from the retailer. I appreciate you shopping through me SO very much. Hope you have a great holiday season and find the perfect gift for your loved one.. or yourself! **
Lifestyle
Baby Jogger City Bistro & City Sway- Best Baby Item Find This Nordstrom Sale
Posted on June 29, 2022
Baby Jogger City Bistro & City Sway- Best Baby Item Find This Nordstrom Sale
* This post has been sponsored in partnership with Baby Jogger. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. *
The Nordstrom Sale is quickly approaching and it’s something that I look forward to each year. It falls on my birthday week and I always treat myself to a little sale shopping to celebrate! Don’t worry, I always do the heavy lifting for you and sift through each and every page to find the best deals that are worth checking out!
This year, with our baby girl’s arrival landing right along with the sale, I put a heavy focus on baby finds.
My favorite find this year is by Baby Jogger. They have the City Bistro and City Sway combo as part of the sale. You can check it out HERE.
Baby Jogger thought of everything when it came to the City Bistro. I love that it breaks down and can be stored away at 80% smaller than when it is unfolded! We can fit it in our pantry while not being used. It’s not clunky or awkward to fold down and up either. It’s a two step fold and extremely convenient.
With this being our third baby I’ve learned how messy feeding time can really be. Cleaning is easy with this one because it has stain-resistant and machine washable fabrics. The tray insert is also dishwasher-safe.
We have also learned this third time around that you don’t want more baby items than you really need. Products that grow as the baby grows are key to save you both money and space. This highchair has four different height positions to do just that.
Travel is still a big part of our lives, even during the baby stage, so the City Sway is something I’m super excited about this time around. We did not have this with the boys and it would have come in SO handy!
The City Sway is a really lightweight (under 9 pounds) 2-in-1 rocker and bouncer. It folds completely flat and comes with a storage bag. If you have a small space or a frequent traveler this one is PERFECT. Like the City Bistro, it is made with stain-resistant and machine-washable removable fabrics.
There is a removable toy bar, battery-powered 2 speed vibration, 3 position adjustable recline and has adjustable calf support.
Having a newborn in this southern heat is no joke so I really appreciated that it features a plush infant insert featuring OptiVent™ fabrics allows your baby to stay cool and comfortable.
I was so excited to get my hands on these two items and share them with you. The convenience and usability are top notch.
Be sure to stay tuned as I continue to share more Nordstrom Sale finds throughout the week. Happy Shopping!
Newborn Cart Essentials
** Click on any of the below images to shop. **
This is the best hack for new mamas to keep newborn life a little easier and more organized-
a newborn essentials cart that can be wheeled around the house and you can visually see when any items need to be re-stocked.
I like to separate each tier by category, but you can organize however best works for you. The diapering tier I also use a diaper caddy. It’s easier to just take that out for diaper changes and you don’t need to move the entire cart.
Mine is organized like this:
Tier 1: Diapering
– Diapers
– Wipes
– Diaper Rash Cream
– Changing Pad
( I also out a tray with a bunch of pacis on this top tier.)
Tier 2: Feeding
– Breast Pump
– Haaka
– Nursing Pads
– Extra Nursing Bras
– Burp Cloths
Tier 3: Sleep
– Swaddles
– Extra Night Clothes (My favorite are gowns at night for easy access to diaper changes- we absolutely love this brand for gowns, easy access sleepers and sleep sacks. SO soft and well made. )
This would be the absolute best baby shower gift. Several people could go in together to stock a mama up on all the essentials and make her life easier!
Hope this is as helpful for your family as it has been for ours!
What I Am Packing In My Hospital Bag- From A 3rd Time Mama
I will preface this post by saying you don’t NEED to bring anything (other than a car seat to be allowed to leave.) Everything you need as far as postpartum care supplies, diapers/wipes for baby, etc. are all provided by the hospital. Most of these items are for your (and babies/significant others) comfort. You could wear the hospital gown and baby the blankets from the hospital and be totally fine.
As a third time mama I’ve realized that you just don’t need as much as you think! With my first I brought all of the postpartum supplies… I will not be doing that this time. Be sure to have some ready at home, but it’s just easier to not bring all of that.
A lot of the hospital rooms don’t have a ton of extra room. So having a bunch of extra stuff can make the space feel too crowded. A tip with this is also the car seat. Leave it in the car until you are about to leave. Your significant other can run out and get it then. It takes up too much space in the room otherwise.
FOR BABY
I love these little newborn hats that look similar to the hospital version, but with a bow. They come in several color options. I ordered the white for baby girl and it’s adorable and super affordable!
FOR DAD
Keeping it simple for Trey this time too. He made sure to have loaded movies/shows on his computer so we could watch them and a good playlist ready on his phone too. You could add a little speaker if you wanted to, but we never used it the last couple times.
FOR MAMA
Keep in mind that some of these items are personal preference of what will keep you comfortable.
For example, if you need a sound machine to fall asleep then pack that! Some women really love a handheld fan, etc. I personally try to keep mine pretty minimal. With George I completely overpacked and never pulled out 75% of the items that I brought.
This little fan is perfect to wrap on the side of the hospital bed to keep you cool. Later you can reuse it as a stroller fan.
Button front (nursing friendly) super comfy pj’s are a must. I splurged on these ribbed onesgo around. They run long.. just FYI. Also, these pj’s come out each year in different patterns/colors. They are perfect. You’ll get a bunch of use out of pj’s in the early post partum days as well.
George’s Star Wars Themed Birthday Party
Gone are the days when I can pick the themes of my kid’s birthday parties. George is completely Star Wars obsessed and requested a party to match that. We typically like to do “experiences” over parties, but this year we decided to do both. He was so excited to scroll through Pinterest with me and come up with ideas for his party.
I’ve gathered up everything we used to pull this off so you can easily re-create.
Vender List:
Balloons: Cavender & Co
White Bounce House: Vlance House Nashville
Cake: Copper & Whisk
Light Up 6: Alpha Lit Nashville
