the nordstrom anniversary sale 2018

#nsale2018

i am shocked that it's already time for the @Nordstrom anniversary sale! it means this year is RACING BY which is pretty dang crazy if you ask me. i digress.. this sale is all the rage (so bad that the site was down the first day for hours lol!) and what i love about it is the concept. you get to buy FALL items on sale NOW. after a certain date, everything goes back to regular price. and i should add it does seem wrong to be browsing and buying sweaters when its 100F in Texas... but i did see quite a bit of stuff i wouldn't consider fall. either way, what kinda woman doesn't love a good sale/shopping spree? gotta treat yourself sometimes ya know?! my rules for this sale never really change, so if you're new around here i've listed some of them below: 

  • you aren't really saving that much, maybe 25-30% off, so don't go nuts 
  • technically, you don't really NEED anything so be conscious of what you're buying. i.e., how many times are you going to wear it? perhaps go for more basic pieces
  • if you're unsure, buy now and ask questions later. this sale is huge so everything goes FAST
  • regret not doing the above? no worries, Nordstrom is really good at restocking during this sale so keep checking back if you really have to have it!

who | Nordstrom
what | major discounts off fall items and always FREE shipping & returns
when | 07/12/18 - 07/19/18 (early access for Nordstrom cardholders); 07/20/18 - 08/05/18 (for everyone else)
where | shop.nordstrom.com or in-store

this year, i focused on work wear. mainly dresses (surprise!) which seemed to work out because i feel that those items are the strength of the sale; and the jumpsuit selection! i was not too impressed with much else and felt a lot of repeat items from the previous year. below are my picks and i included items i bought myself & items i would buy if i had a sugar daddy. haha. who even reads this?! 

my picks after the jump!

currently on my playlist: ocean by Martin Garrix & Khalid

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dresses //

jumpsuits //

tops & bottoms //

outerwear, accessories, shoes, lingerie // 

things i personally bought for myself (who knows what i'll end up keeping!):

  • Eliza J fringe hem A-line dress in blush -- great for work, might even be a little too dressy but esp love the high neck, length & fun fringy hem. a tad on the pricey side so not sure if it's gonna be a keeper
  • Tahari tie front crepe dress in black -- also comes in other colors and petite sizing. love the tie details and elbow length sleeve. this is my first piece from Tahari and i've always been a fan of their styles
  • ASTR the Label belted jumpsuit in navy -- i don't have a navy one and this looked casual and fun!

happy #nsale shopping y'all!,
JD

top 5 sales for black friday

no fancy pictures. just SALE info.
HELLO FALL WARDROBE!!!

all the fall feels.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
navigating black friday sales is pretty.. hmm. what is the word... #OVERWHELMING! so i'm keeping it short & simple (like myself, ha) -- i linked my top 5 sales below for ya inlcuding picks that i have personally bought or are on my wishlist. just skip the rest. i won't steer you wrong. all the deets after the jump. 

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01. ASOS.com // 30% off // code: EPIC 30 (until 11/28/17)

one of my favorite places to shop online. NO TAX. FREE SHIPPING. FREE RETURNS. = winning. also, get 2-day shipping for one year for $19. sizing is a little strange, it's the one that makes you feel like you are a whale. i am normally a 4 in bottoms and a 6 in everything else. when in doubt buy both and return one. PS -- 30% off is a pretty dang good deal. i don't see this much.

02. BananaRepublic.com // 50% off // no code needed (until 11/25/17)

soo many good dresses here. especially for work if you're in the market for any! and work sweaters as well. 

03. LOFT.com // 50% off // code: THANKS (until 11/23/17)

great casual/everyday sweaters right now!! but really, i'm loving the sweater options this year over Ann Taylor, also the skirts!

04. Nordstrom.com // extra 20% off sale items // no code needed (until 11/27/17)

a hodge podge department store items! but great shoes and tons of fall/winter staples -- bags, jackets, and jewelry.

05. ZARA.com // 30% off // no code needed (until ???)

the ZARA black friday sale should start tonight/tomorrow. and although it isn't apart of my affiliate links, it is too good not to share! ZARA is a tad more trendy, but they have some great less trendier pieces for people like me!

happy shopping!, 
JD

nordstrom anniversary sale

the sale of all sales.

if you haven't already heard, the Nordstrom anniversary sale has arrived! one of the largest sales of the year mainly due to the concept -- buy stuff for the upcoming season ON SALE now. after the sale is over, everything goes back to regular price. pretty easy! so instead of buying things on sale after the season is over and wearing it next year, you get to buy it now.

with that said, there is A LOT of hype with this sale. so here are some of my tips...

  • DO NOT. i repeat DO NOT buy it because everyone else is. number one mistake. 
  • leads to... do you really need it? if not, don't get it.
  • is it practical? example: why yes, i would love a suede moto jacket. but in Texas? not practical. plus i would spill something on it on day one.
  • need it immediately? you can choose the 'pick up in store' option if you don't feel like dealing with crowds and fitting room lines. they even have curbside service!!
  • when in doubt go for more basic items that you can see yourself wearing at work and on casual days. double the wear. 
  • no sure on size? get two. return one.

who | Nordstrom
what | major discounts off fall items and always FREE shipping & returns
when | 07/13/17 - 07/20/17 (early access for Nordstrom cardholders); 07/21/17 - 08/06/17 (for everyone else)
where | shop.nordstrom.com or in-store

after previewing a ton of merchandise and trying things on here are some of the things i would buy if i had a money tree. all after the jump.

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clothing //

beauty //

shoes & accessories //

happy #nsale shopping!,
JD

sephora VIB rouge and VIB sale event -- fall 2015

get your shopping carts ready for the Sephora VIB sale event! 

this is a great way to stock up on items you know you already love and use often, AND, it's also a chance to try those new products that you have been eyeing (or perhaps they are already in your shopping cart?! -- no judgement here!!). instead of repeating any skincare products i can't live without, see these posts here on my skincare routine must haves: 3 makeup items for an everyday look // AM // PM.

who | Sephora
what | 20% off all purchases!
when | VIB rouge (spends $1000 per calendar year): 11/06/15 - 11/09/15; VIB (spends $350 per calendar year):  11/13/15 - 11/16/15
where | sephora.com or in store
use promo code at checkout | VIB Rouge: ROUGE20; VIB: VIB20

sharing a few of my picks with you! some items have sold out already but hopefully it'll come back in stock again or you can search for it using the store locator option. 

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01 | Kevyn Aucoin the sculpting powder in medium -- i'm surprised i haven't wrote about this yet! but it is my FAVORITE contouring powder. there are a dozen out there and for a while i was using a bronzer to do this #whatwasithinking. this is a universal color, not at all muddy, or orange and helps to give you that sculpted effect. think of Adele in her latest video 'Hello.' if you want perfectly chiseled cheekbones, you need this. (in conjunction with the celestial powder). i've had mine for almost two years now and finally seeing a peek of the pan show through! #thefeelingofhittingpan
02 | NARS Steven Klein collaboration one shocking moment cheek palette -- NARS is known for their blushes and they are great blushes to start out with. this palette features four blushes (robotic, blaspemy, luster, and dolce vita), a contour and highlighter duo, and their famous bronzer in laguna. great palette for traveling. 
03 | Burberry wet & dry silk eyeshadow -- this is a great time to pick up ANYTHING Burberry. so let's go with the Burberry eyeshadows. my friend introduced these to me and these are like butter (BUTTAH) in makeup form. i only own three of the old formulation (they were re-formulated them earlier this year) in trench, midnight brown, and pale barley. pale barley is my favorite, what a beautiful neutral brown. the packaging on these are quite exquisite, metal casing and comes with a velvet pouch. now if i only knew how to apply these like the pros. PS -- i've read that people start using these eyeshadows in the top left hand corner. :) 
04 | Koh Gen Do aqua foundation SPF 15 -- a cult favorite in terms of mineral foundation. though it comes in limited shades (use to only be like three!!) these always look amazing on the makeup artists i see wearing them. if i had time for foundation, this is what i would be getting. formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 
05 | Caolion premium hot & cool pore pack duo -- this is apart of the korean beauty feature at Sephora. i like the concept of this duo mask, "... a steaming mask that opens and deeply cleanses pores, then a cooling mask to tighten and minimize the appearance of pores." so far it has pretty good reviews, i definitely want to pick this up to try it. another k-beauty item i'd like to try is the Too Cool for School egg cream sheet mask, described as "a sheet mask infused with egg white and egg yolk extract to instantly hydrate for a bright and radiant complexion." both are formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 
06 | Kiesque liquid palisade easy peel polish barrier -- when i saw this i was like WHOA! genius. (for people who can't paint nails... like me.) it's basically a "nail tape" that protects the cuticles from stains during application!! #easilyamused
07 | Anastasia dipbrow pomade (i use this in ebony) -- while i don't draw in my brows (i actually should because one is lighter than the other! #browsnotcreatedequal) all you need is the tiniest amount. the two or three times i've used this i lightly dip it into the pot and have to take some off onto a kleenex (basically wasting product) because it is EXTREMELY pigmented. but talk about #browsonfleek! color and holding power all-in-one. when this came out, it was all the craze. for those who don't want to mess with a separate brush for application, try her bestselling brow wiz in pencil form. 
08 | belif the true cream aqua bomb -- another line from the Korean beauty feature on Sephora. i've seen this on instagram a lot and it seems to do really well. it is described as, "gel-cream that 'floods' the skin with a rush of refreshing hydration and minimizes the appearance of pores for soft, smooth, supple skin for normal to combination skin types, including oily skin, and dry skin types looking for a lightweight moisturizer." it also comes in a smaller size and formulated w/o parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 

what did you HAUL?! 

Nordstrom anniversary sale

have you heard? the Nordstrom anniversary sale is going on!

in my opinion, this is a unique sale because you are buying items at a discount to wear for the upcoming season. with other sales, this is usually not the case. after this sale is over, everything goes back to regular price. and suddenly, you might regret not making that purchase while it was on sale! don't let it happen to you! Nordstrom is very strategic as it only grants early access to this sale to their cardholders--online and in-store. this is GENIUS. makes you wanna sign up for their credit card before all the goodies are gone! as the early access comes to an end, i have gathered my picks based on what is left from the sale. 

tips on shopping the sale:

  • if you are debating it, get it now while it is at a discount then decide later. my BFF always tells me "buy now, decide later." LOL. 
  • unsure of size while trying to buy online? buy both. then return the other. 
  • shop smart. don't buy it JUST BECAUSE IT IS ON SALE! 

who | Nordstrom
what | major discounts off fall items and always FREE shipping on Nordstrom.com!
when | 07/09/15 - 07/16/15 (early access for Nordstrom cardholders); 07/17/15 - 08/02/15 (for everyone else)
where | shop.nordstrom.com or in store

my picks for the LADIES:

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01 | Rebecca Minkoff chevron quilted love crossbody bag in port -- wow, this bag is gorgeous. it screams fall. (and my name...hmm.. somehow it is making it's way to my house... not sure how that happened... lol.) i love the fact that is very similar to a CHANEL boy bag--from the chevron leather to the gold chain. this is a must. also available in a clutch in this beautiful blush/latte color.
02 | Clarisonic Mia 2 cleansing system -- i've already raved enough about the Clarisonic in my review here. this is a great time to pick one up if i haven't already convinced you to! in addition, the pack of brush heads are also on sale here. 
03 | Steve Madden staarz ankle fringe sandal in taupe suede -- now this isn't normally my style, but it's good to branch out and try new things. i really like the taupe suede and the fringe.. oh, the fringe!
04 | Paige skyline skinny jeans -- mid-rise skinny jeans? yes please. 
05 | Zella live in-out of bounds leggings in black -- a spin on regular black workout tights with mesh cut-outs. too bad it is already sold out in my size! 
06 | Kendra Scott hazel stud earrings in gold & iridescent slate -- i am a total stud girl. studs over anything dangly any day. also love the rose gold & navy.
07 | Marc by Marc Jacobs take your marc hobo in bright tangelo -- this color is great to wear year around. it's similar to my Foley + Corinna that i get a ton of compliments on styled here.

my picks for the GUYS:

01 | Cole Haan cambridge wingtip dress shoes in british tan leather -- wingtips are a MUST for men. a well dressed man will always have a pair of wingtips. this color is excellent for formal and casual wear.
02 | Nike fly 2.0 dri fit knit training shorts -- Nike makes some nice dri fit material, these have pockets too!
03 | North Face apex bionic softshell jacket -- available in a variety of colors. also windproof and waterproof. i can see this as a good gift that will come in handy.
04 | Anthony Logistics face saver kit -- great brand of skincare for guys. not many guys take care of their skin and what better way to do so with a starter kit?!
05 | Skagen hald multifunction mesh strap watch in silver & grey (Nordstrom exclusive) -- wow. this watch. i love wearing men's watches. especially my dad's watches. this Skagen is beautiful, the neutral against silver and the blue dial is icing on cake. 
06 | Ted Baker London cotton pocket square in green -- we've talked about pocket squares and i am liking the subtle print on this one with the hint of green. i can see this going with many different colored suits. 

LOFT friends & family -- fall 2014

lovveeeee LOFT. it is the best place to pick up work friendly clothes (and then some) at a great price. and didn't i mention that their petites selection is amazing?

who | LOFT
what | 40% off all purchases. free shipping on $125. 
when | 11/12/14 - 11/16/14 (online & in-store)
where | loft.com and in-stores 
use promo code at checkout | SHAREIT

my picks:

01 | Zip sweatshirt jacket -- a french terry (soo soft) comfy casual jacket. also comes in black.
02 | Coatigan -- a coat? a cardiagn? yes, an all-in-one. and a good kind of all-in-one at that. 

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03 | Paisley jacquard flare dress -- the fit and flare dress is always a good pick. normally i am not a fan of paisley but it is looking pretty good here in black. 
04 | Drapey velvet romper -- rompers aren't a summer thing anymore. here it is for the holidays. maybe you'll freeze a little but at least you'll be looking fabulous in the velvet. of course, i do not suggest wearing a romper to work.... 
05 | Delicate jeweled sweatshirt -- my first jeweled sweatshirt, and i can already tell there will be more. 

sephora VIB rouge and VIB sale event -- fall 2014

it is that time of the year again when Sephora hosts their VIB Rouge and VIB sale event. a few years ago this used to be a friends & family affair, but now it is only available to those who are beauty insiders (their loyalty program, free sign up) who hold a VIB Rouge status (spend $1000 per calendar year) or VIB status (spend $350 per calendar year). know anyone with that kind of status? ....take them to lunch, then casually stop by Sephora..... 

who | Sephora
what | 20% off all purchases online and in-store. 
when | 11/06/14 - 11/10/14 (online & in-store)
where | Sephora.com and in-stores 
use promo code at checkout | GIFTVIB

if you are a friend of a VIB Rouge or VIB member, you can... 1) ask to piggyback on their online order, or 2) accompany them in-store. both member types should have received a coupon voucher to use in store as well. 

this is a GREAT time to buy gifts! that's right. START EARLY. Sephora has released a ton of gift sets to jump start the season so check them out! gift sets are always a good way to try a few bestsellers from a particular brand. in addition, there is a gift set for any beauty product lover--nails, hair, lips, eyes, fragrances etc... again, if there is something you can buy off Beauty.com's F&F do that first since you can get it tax-free. 

i tried to order this morning and the site actually crashed a few times due to the amount of traffic! 

here are my picks: 

01 | Bobbi Brown mini long wear cream shadow stick trio in  smokey topaz (brown heather mauve), espresso bean (rich black chocolate shimmer), pink sparkle (light pink sparkle) -- great for the quick and easy eyeshadow application, or even liner! 
02 | Formula X the X look: holiday edition in obsessed (opaque classic merlot), impassioned (purple pearl), thrilling (opaque heather grey), temptation (iridescent gold pearl) -- gorgeous holiday colors!

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03 | NARS digital world lip pencil coffret in two velvet matte lip pencils in Cruella (passionate scarlet red), Iberico (intense coral), and three satin lip pencils in peach coral, shocking pink, yu (shocking pink) -- haven't tried these but love the range of colors.
04 | Hourglass opaque rouge liquid lipstick -- i picked this up in the travel size tube in icon, a blue red. haven't tried it but i'm sure it won't disappoint considering it is by Hourglass
05 | Radical skincare skin perfecting screen SPF 30 -- this is a new brand to Sephora, i've read a lot about it and picked it up to try. SPF is ALWAYS A MUST.