Other

I normally don’t feature things all from the same store, but the Nordstrom anniversary sale opens to the public today and there are so many great deals to be had that I feel compelled to let you see some of my favorites. It’s a great time to stock up on some fall and winter things that are marked way down from their original prices for a limited amount of time. And, just a word of caution, if you see something you love you better grab it fast because I’ve experienced the disappointment that is putting something in my shopping cart only to see they’ve removed it because they’re out of stock.

I find that ice cream helps me get over the disappointment I feel in myself when this happens. And also maybe continually hitting refresh on my browser hoping something I love gets restocked.

But, seriously, there are great deals on boots, jeans, coats, and all manner of accessories. Plus I love Nordstrom because it’s free returns and free shipping. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. blanket stripe hooded jacket

I nearly bought a coat like this two years ago and hesitated until it was sold out. It’s on sale for $41.90 and is normally $64. Which means you can totally justify it being a fun coat that you don’t necessarily wear everyday.

I can totally picture it with jeans and boots.

2. kate spade initial pendant necklace

These Kate Spade initial pendants are marked down to $37.90 and would make great Christmas gifts for your sister, niece, mom, grandmother and daughter.

3. kendra scott elle drop earrings

Speaking of good gifts, I am such a fan of Kendra Scott jewelry and adore these earrings. They come in several different colors and are on sale for $33.90.

If you happen to be an Aggie like me, you might be interested to know there is a maroon color they’re calling “grape”. But we all know it’s maroon.

4. marc jacobs polarized sunglasses

I realize I just featured a pair of $12 sunglasses last week, but some of you may be in the market for a nicer pair. These are $72.90 and are normally $110, plus they’re polarized. P feels that polarization is very important. I believe it’s important to the extent that the glasses are still cute.

I also love these kate spade nella aviators

They’re $89.90 marked down from $145.

5. tory burch reva ballerina flat

I don’t own a pair of Tory Burch flats. I don’t plan to ever own a pair because I really just don’t care for flats in general on myself. I see them on other people and think they look so cute, but they feel weird on my feet and I just can’t do it.

However, people love these and this is a great deal if you’re a fan of Tory Burch. They come in silver or gold and are normally $225 on sale for $149.90.

6. hue ultrawide waistband leggings

I bought two pairs of these last year and wore the heck out of them all last winter. I love the wide waistband because it kind of holds everything in. Plus, they don’t get all stretched out like other leggings and they don’t fade.

I plan to buy at least one more pair because they are currently on sale for $23.90 and are normally $36.00.

7. zella barely flare booty pants

Sometimes we all just need a pair of yoga pants. Feel free to use that saying on a t-shirt.

Zella makes really great yoga pants and I love these because they have a little bit of a flare at the bottom, but not too much. They’re on sale for $39.90 marked down from $62.00.

8. barefoot dreams cozy chic robe

When Caroline was a baby she had a Barefoot Dreams blanket that was the softest thing ever and I had to stop myself from taking it from my child. And then I found out they also make robes. How is life that kind? It’s basically like wrapping yourself in a cloud.

The robes are on sale for $64.90 but normally are $98. They come in three different colors but I really like the white because WRAPPED IN A CLOUD.

9. drape front duster cardigan

I’m a sucker for any sort of long sweater coat type thing. I love this because it’s super long and lightweight which is perfect for a Texas girl. It’s $49.90 regularly $78.

10. aztec knit long duster

Last year Nordstrom had a sweater coat very similar to this one but by the time I saw it they were sold out of my size. I love the aztec print on the back and I love even more that it’s on sale for $44.90 marked down from $68.

So there you have it.

Some of my personal anniversary sale favorites.

But you may want to head over to the Nordstrom site and check it out for yourself since you’re a better judge of what you might need in your closet this fall and winter. Just remember that the sale only lasts until August 4. I know it seems weird to buy a sweater in July, but think how happy you’ll be when you pull it out in November. Or, if you’re like me, January.

Have a great Friday.

1. My dear friend Kelly Minter has the best book called Wherever the River Runs that’s coming out on August 1. I read an early copy several months ago and I can’t even tell you how much of it has stayed with me.

The best part is her publisher is offering several free gifts to anyone who pre-orders the book, including a audio devotional featuring Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer and a Brazilian brownie recipe. You can find out more about the book and the gifts here.

2. Sophie and I are doing a couple of events together this fall and I’m so excited about it. I can’t guarantee that we’ll sing a medley or anything, but I can promise we’ll laugh a little.

One of the events is the Sweet Sisters Conference in Charlotte, NC on November 7-8 at First Baptist Charlotte. They are offering a discount for the entire month of July, so ladies that register by July 31st can do so for just $45. On August 1st the price goes up to $55 so you might want to sign up now if you know you can make it. For more information or to register, you can click here.

3. My friend Annie Downs released a new book yesterday called Let’s All Be Brave.

It’s funny, engaging and so honest about the struggles we all face when called to do hard things. It’s a great read.

4. Several weeks ago I mentioned that a reader named Heidi has a boutique called The Ikat Elephant on Facebook. She always posts new things for sale on Wednesday nights and so I like to check in to see what’s coming up. I was excited to see a skirt that looks like one I’ve been eyeing for a few weeks now.

And also this great bracelet.

Both of these things will go on sale here at 8:00 p.m. central time Wednesday night.

5. I have no five. Which seems like a great excuse for a gratuitous picture of my best girl with one of our best dogs.

This happens to be Piper because she’s a much better poser than Mabel who tends to get a little antsy when asked to hold still for the camera.

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

Sophie and I recorded this at the crack of 8:45 a.m. yesterday morning. I was barely awake. Consider this my apology.

Also, on a non-podcast related note, I’m on Focus on the Family again today. You can listen here. After the airdate passes, the program will be permanently found here AND here.

Anyway, to listen to the podcast and hear what I sound like when I’m barely coherent, you can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here.

Or, as always, you can subscribe on iTunes.

Summer, summer, summer. It’s like a merry go round.

See?

This is what happens in summer.

One minute you’re sitting on your couch trying to come up with something to write about and the next minute you’re remembering a song by The Cars that you loved in 1984.

And then you end up searching for the song lyrics and wind up on Wikipedia where you learn that the video for that song was shot in the pool at the Hilton’s house. As in Paris Hilton’s parents.

And then you wonder why you never hear anything about Paris Hilton anymore other than the fact that she was famous for absolutely nothing other than being a wealthy, blonde heiress.

And then you think about the Cars’ video for You Might Think I’m Crazy which was so bizarre and featured Paulina Porizkova who was actually married to Ric Ocasek.

And then you wonder if they’re still married and it takes all your willpower not to consult the Google right this very instant.

It’s like a forty-two year old woman’s version of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.

(For the record, it appears that Ric and Paulina are still married and have two children. To which I say, well done you crazy kids.)

Anyway, that should serve as a clue that not much is going on here, yet at the same time I feel like we’ve been really busy. But the truth is I think we’ve been busy doing nothing.

Last week flew by because Caroline had soccer practice every evening from 5:30-8:00 which meant that our days kind of revolved around that. And then I accidentally made plans for just about every night in addition to soccer practice which meant I looked up on Friday and realized P and I had spent all of about five minutes together since last Monday. This is what happens to us in summer. I revert to my full-fledged night owl ways and he is going to bed and getting up earlier than ever because he’s so busy with work which means we are two ships passing in the kitchen as I settle in to watch a late movie and he’s heading to bed.

Then I drove up to a friend’s lake house on Friday with Gulley for a girls’ night with my birthday club friends. There isn’t much I love more in the summer than sitting on a dock looking out at a lake, especially with friends who make you laugh. So that was a good time. It also caused Gulley and I to get into a discussion about whether we’d rather have a beach house or a lake house. We never came to a definitive decision although my first impulse was to go with a lake house because it doesn’t seem like it would require as much upkeep and maintenance as a beach house.

I’m tempted to ask P right now which one he’d want but I think he’d just tell me he doesn’t feel like playing pretend and we won’t ever have either one so it’s a moot point. But if I had to guess I bet he’d say a beach house.

Feel free to share your opinion on this very pressing, non-existent, pretend matter in the comments.

Well.

I haven’t been a great blogger this week. But that’s just how summer goes. On the upside, we’ve been having a lot of fun and sleeping late.

Here are a few cute things this week.

1. free people austin embroidered dress

I got the new Free People catalog in the mail this week and this caught my eye immediately. Love thinking about it with leggings and boots this fall.

2. butterfly sunglasses

A few of you asked about the sunglasses I was wearing in Monday’s post. Here they are. Be warned they are very fancy and cost $12 American dollars.

3. gap pleated eyelet stripe skirt

I was in Gap this week and saw a lady trying this skirt on and fell in love with it immediately. The picture really doesn’t do it justice. It’s much cuter in person.

4. gap faded v-neck tee

I don’t know why I can’t get this picture to upload, but just envision a great v-neck t-shirt in a bunch of great colors. On sale for $13.99.

5. jane drop waist lace dress

I think this would look great paired with leggings and a great leather jacket in the fall. Or with skinny jeans and sandals right now.

6. flora vignette dress

My hairstylist is pregnant right now and she had this dress on the other day and I just thought it was the cutest. Not that you have to be pregnant to wear it, but it’s pretty versatile. And it’s on sale.

7. sleeveless dot print blouse

I’ve featured this before but now it’s on sale for $33.60.

8. frye jenny leather hobo

Okay. The Nordstrom anniversary sale started yesterday and there are some great deals available for a limited time. If you’re a Nordstrom card holder then you can have early access from July 10-17 and then it opens to the public from July 18-August 4th. The best part is you can do what I did and get a Nordstrom debit card that comes right out your checking account and gives you the chance to earn reward dollars from your purchases. This is not an ad, I’m just sharing information.

Anyway, this gorgeous Frye handbag is on sale for $285.90 and is normally $420. It’s just one example of incredible savings during the sale.

I’m also just saying that it would match my boots and I have a birthday coming up soon.

9. boden rainy day mac

Boden is having a big sale on all their summer merchandise. Personally, I’m always drawn to these rainy day macs, but there are some great skirts and tunics and dresses on sale too.

10. gap stripe fold over skirt

Gap is also having a huge clearance sale and this darling striped skirt is on sale for just $21.99.

That’s it for today.

Have a great Friday.

I was talking to Gulley yesterday and we were discussing how many books we’ve managed to read in the last few weeks. I must confess that there may be some pride involved for both of us. We agreed that part of what has been so helpful were all the book suggestions we got from the comments you left a few weeks ago when I asked for a good book to read.

I mentioned this last week but I’ve read Mrs. Poe, What Alice Forgot and Looking For Alaska in the last couple of weeks. I’m in the middle of finishing Mennonite Meets Mr. Right and then I’m planning to read The Husband’s Secret next. I’ve also ordered Roses and Somerset, both by Leila Meacham who happens to be a fellow San Antonio author. A friend recently read both of her books and highly recommended them.

Also, I’m sure many of you are familiar with Goodreads. I have known about it for years but have only recently become a little obsessed. If you’re interested, you can find my bookshelf here to see what books I’ve read and have on my “to read” list.

Anyway, I took the time to compile a list of your suggestions from the comments a few weeks ago. The first twenty or so books on the list are ones that were recommended multiple times and then it’s the ones that were mentioned at least once. I stopped the list at 75 because I need to go to bed and that comes out to more than a book a week for an entire year which seems sufficient.

Finally, (I’ve worn myself out with explanations) there is an asterisk in front of the books I’ve already read and I have to say I enjoyed them all.

Here’s a list that you can file away or put on Pinterest or print out and hang in your laundry room. Whatever works for you. Please keep in mind I haven’t read the majority of these books so I can’t vouch for their greatness, but I’ve learned that y’all rarely steer me wrong. I think there should be something here for everyone no matter what you like to read. All of these should be available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I didn’t actually link to them because I don’t have that kind of time or motivation.

I’m also throwing in a bonus suggestion written by a reader named Willow Feller. It’s called The Epic Undoing of Haley Ann Ewing and it looks delightful.

*1. What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

2. The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

3. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

4. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

*5. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

*6. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

*7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

9. The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

*10. Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

11. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

12. Sycamore Row by John Grisham

13. Garlic & Sapphires by Ruth Reichl

14. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

15. Open by Andre Agassi

16. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

17. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

18. The One and Only by Emily Giffin

19. Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

20. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

*21. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

22. Serena by Ron Rash

*23. Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan

24. The Gift of An Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison

25. Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

26. Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers

27. Delicious! by Ruth Reichl

28. The Yada Yada Prayer Group Series by Neta Jackson

29. The All You Can Dream Buffet by Barbara O’Neal

30. The House Girl by Tara Conklin

31. And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

32. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

33. Wild by Cheryl Strayed

34. A Southern Family by Gail Godwin

35. Through A Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen

36. Defending Jacob by William Landay

37. The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani

38. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

39. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

*40. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

41. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

42. Watermelon by Marian Keyes

43. Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble

44. Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian

45. The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes

46. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

47. I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution by Rob Tannenbaum & Craig Marks

*48. Bossypants by Tina Fey

*49. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

50. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

51. The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher by Rob Stennett

52. The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

53. The Professor by Robert Bailey

54. The Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy

55. Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman

56. 11-12-63 by Stephen King

57. Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey From Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray

58. Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

59. My Reading Life by Pat Conroy

*60. Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

61. The Century Trilogy by Ken Follet

62. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

63. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

64. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert Edsel and Brett Witter

65. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman

66. Lower Than the Angels by Margaret Symmank

67. I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

*68. Half-Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

69. Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale by Ian Morgan Cron

70. The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett

71. Heft by Liz Moore

72. Handling Sin by Michael Malone

73. White Gloves and Collards: A Memoir by Helen Pruden Kaufmann

*74. A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

75. One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Please feel free to leave any other can’t miss suggestions in the comments. Happy reading!