Author

Shalice Noel

similar coat and similar // january tee (only $31! And a great length) // leggings (only $19) // boots // sunglasses 
My approach to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year has been to look at it as shopping strategically. It’s so, so easy to feel overwhelmed, which is why I’ve tried to break things down into categories and think forward for fall and winter. And speaking of fall and winter, there are so many classic investment pieces on sale right now for the upcoming seasons. You know, the things you know your closet needs but always seem a little too pricey to actually buy. Now is definitely the time! Sales can be a fun time to try more trendy items at a discount, but I’m definitely shopping for those classic pieces at a discount.
If you’ve been focusing on trying to create more of a capsule wardrobe, I also can’t suggest enough taking time to sift through the sale. You can snag some great everyday basics for practically any budget. Especially if you’re a mama like me and need to grab some back to school clothes for your kids or even for the guy in your life (I rounded up all of my favorites for the guys here).

Another tip for the mamas out there reading this—curbside pickup. Of course anyone can utilize it and I highly recommend it, but if you’re running around like I am right now trying to prepare for baby number 5, it’s definitely the convenience factor you’ve been looking for.

What basics are you shopping for right now? I want to know your best purchase yet!
Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

Coats Jackets and Layers not to miss. Sad my cashmere wrap sold so fast, so look below what is still available: 

Sandals and Boots worth checking out!

Baby and Kids finds!

Men’s Picks hubby picked out, I approved:

Only two days left of the sale – don’t hesitate!

xx

Shalice

bikini set (under $70!) // round weave bag // sunglasses // hat similar / deodorant

I’ve been getting a lot of random DM’s on Instagram about what is the best deodorant to use. Most know about the dangers of aluminum in deodorant and want an aluminum free and vegan option! Most deodorants contain chemicals such as zirconium and aluminum that are absorbed into the pores of the skin. Yuk! I remember as a pre-teen, my mom telling me all this information I didn’t understand on the dangers of aluminum. I was smart enough to take her advice and at that time, a bottle of Tom’s of Maine deodorant. I really haven’t looked back other than the fact I have found a couple brands and scents I like more than others.  Now, I use Malin + Goetz deodorant. I was shocked to discover earlier this year, that my 8 year old daughter actually suffers from bad odor! I was never warned what age that would begin, but like most of motherhood, you can plan but in the end you hope for the best. Am I right? I immediately did as my mom did and handed her all natural deodorant and educated her on the dangers of aluminum and the better choices available.

So, you ask, what are the better choices available? I did some research and see my picks below! My daughters both started using deodorant, so you want to bet I’m not giving them anything that will potentially harm them. The options below are 100% aluminum free and first two used regularly but myself and my girls. As for us here in LA, it is currently 84 degrees and only 10am, so our anti-perspirent is in daily use!

It’s your turn, do you have a favorite to share, we haven’t heard of? I’d love to hear.

1. Malin + Goetz Deodorant

2. Pacifica Spray Deodorant

3. Kopari Deoderant

4. Native Cosmetics Deodorant 

5. Schmidt’s Deodorant

I haven’t personally tried The Natural Deodorant Co.but impressive reviews, read it all HERE

BP tank (only $12)// One Teaspoon Skirt similar // Adidas trainers (only $67!) // Chloe sunnies // hat similar // bag WHOWHATWEAR // sweater cardigan (from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale)// Gucci belt 

I learned in my 31 weeks into my fifth pregnancy, that in order to achieve that pregnancy chic you long to achieve, you need a couple comfy basics you can easily dress up. And dress up to the tune of a Gucci belt, stripe weekender and chic lil black and white trainers. Oh, and don’t forget the hat. I wear a TON of black and realized its really the most flattering at this point. Let’s face it, I really feel the weight of this extra 20 lbs, and feel all of my weight and width especially when I find myself stuck in between two car doors. Yikes! No wonder my back hurts! I recently tried on a light gray maxi dress and hubby even acknowledged I looked bigger in it. Complaints aside, I’m starting to think about buying more boy clothes, aka nesting, and excited to set up his room! Very exciting things to come. Don’t forget you can shop all my instagrams here on the blog – no app or sign ups required. What’s your go-to comfy basic?

Happy Wednesday!

Shalice

See more of my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale picks HERE

We kicked off our babymoon at the Langham Pasadena with cream tea time in The Club Lounge. The baby and I enjoyed cream, berries and English tea with cream and a cube of sugar, YUM!

It happened to be a really hot week here in Pasadena, so we waited until the sun came down a little to enjoy dinner at the Royce. Reid wanted to celebrate with a steak, I really just wanted a veggie burger. I ended up compromising on this one.

We had a corner room with a view over the pool and the San Gabriel Mountains. The grounds and gardens here are botanical and simply breathtaking! I mean, what would it feel like to get married here? You can’t help but notice the manicured lawns with paths that meander through the beauty. I told Reid, time stood still a little today, and that’s not a bad thing.

For day 2, we made a beeline to the club lounge for some potato and garlic scrambled eggs, a plethora of berries, fresh lattes (steamed almond milk upon request), muesli, fresh smoothies—you get the idea. YUMMY. After breakfast, we stopped by the pool and hot tub to cool down. I love the size of the hotel, it’s big but it doesn’t feel huge. They also had yoga outside for the community and supplied cold water by the pool and the staff is super friendly. I definitely will be back. Maybe with my party of 7 ;). 

My life is basically in the fast lane all the time. There’s no time to second guess, overthink, or overbuy (hello messy closet, I see you). With a house full of 6 (soon to be 7), we are decluttering to the tune of 5 bags a week to donations. While I feel like that’s not enough, progress is everything. It has also got me thinking about items in my closet that I wear OVER and OVER again. Like these Chloe Susanna Booties I scored on eBay.
I don’t like paying full price, so I utilize sites like eBay, Poshmark, and Rebag. They are great places to check first before you hand over the Amex for the $1300 boots. Trust me on this, do your research. I don’t usually have a ton of time, in between cutting hot dogs, arriving late to swim lessons, remembering to take my prenatal vitamin (or completely forgetting to take my prenatal vitamin)—you get the point. There really aren’t enough hours in the day.
However, I do manage to remember certain keywords to plug in like “Hermes Oran sandal size 40” or “Chloe Susanna Boot” or last week I searched, “New Nike Running shoe girls size 1″ for my daughter. I’ll usually skim the options, and if I don’t see anything, I’ll check again the next day. Consistency usually pays off with me saving money and a package at the door a couple days later. Yay for fast shipping via eBay! (not sponsored;)
So, with all of that said, here are 5 investment buys every girl should own, but always remember you don’t necessarily have to pay full price!
5 Investment Buys for Smart Spending

Chloe Susanna Boots (I also love the Anine Bing version)

Hermes Oran Sandals

Stella McCarney Blazer

Chloe Faye Bag

Alexandre Birman ‘Clarita’ Sandals

Bonus: I love these CHANEL slingbacks and THESE DUPES for a fraction of the price. See my post HERE on how to know you’re buying authentic.

Now, my secret’s out. It’s your turn, where are your favorite places to get used items?

Optimizer Tri-light(on sale!)// sleep shirt cc Cloth + Stone // I also love my SILK PILLOWCASE // and NUFACE for toning my skin // a FOOT FILE to keep my feet looking good in summer sandals 😉 // Mario Badescu Rosewater I spray this while driving because its so dry here! // This is the shampoo I use daily from Alterna. My stylist swears by it. // This Kiehls lotion is awesome //This Hair dryer and beach waver if you’re in the market! //

This LED mirror is awesome and in my cart! Don’t forget yummy hair oil from OUAI for styling that smells so good!

Click the pictures below to shop them!

Tools: what you’ll need

RESISTANCE RING //

I’ve been wanting a low impact workout for pregnancy and I think I found it. Hubby some of you may know is a fitness fanatic, so I asked his professional opinion and this was it. I don’t want to have to have a ton of fitness to do after baby, so I’m making attempts to stay active during this pregnancy. I’m actually using this fitness ring as I write this blog post!! I figured its an under $20 Amazon impulse buy that actually works. Read on!

Keeping up a fitness routine is hard no matter what phase of life I’m in. Whether it was in college balancing the books with free time or motherhood and the lack of any solid alone time. I must say though, having some kind of fitness habits while pregnant has got to be the hardest. But, not all hope is lost because now that I’m on my fifth pregnancy, I’ve learned a few things. First, I carry totally different between boys and girls. I held a lot more water with my girls and staying motivated was tough. With the boys (my current pregnancy is a boy), my belly literally just popped out and everything else has stayed pretty much normal, which makes wanting to move a lot easier.

As far as actual exercise and staying active goes, here are some tips for maintaining muscle and cardio endurance while in your third trimester.

  1. If you don’t have resistance bands, I highly recommend them. They are versatile for all body parts—I can do arm curls, tricep extensions, some shoulder lifts, back flies, etc., all with only the bands. The resistance is just enough to give me a slight burn, but not worry about weight, throwing off my balance, pinching a nerve or causing contractions.
  2. For my legs, I use a ring. It’s great for the inner thighs and even strengthens your birthing muscles. Knowing this can help come birth day keeps me motivated while I tone my legs.
  3. For cardio, I stick to walking. Any kind of bouncing makes me nervous. I know some woman run marathons up to nine months, but not me. I’d rather just keep my heart rate up to a healthy pace and then take a rest with a nice glass of water.
  4. Speaking of water—staying hydrated is essential to a healthy pregnancy. Make sure to carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go and don’t let the kids drink all of it.

Anyone else have any fitness tips for pregnancy? I’d love to hear them.

Resistance Bands:

Workout Gear:

 

If you know me well, I gravitate to some of the same favorites: a tee shirt dress and booties being among them. This cardigan and booties are on the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I’m hooked! This cardigan will also look great with jeans and comes in ivory and gray. Size down since it runs large. Off to Lake Arrowhead for a long weekend. Hoping to get some rest after a long week!

Happy Saturday!

Tee shirt dress // Booties // Cardigan Sweater // Sunglasses

 

bella band // tried on a medium tee (for length) // $68 skinny jeans! // sandals in “greystone suede” // drape front coat // 

body-con dress // sandals // 

shearling jacket // boots // $19 leggings and these cute faux leather ones! // thermal top 

body-con dress // sandals // 

Today is public access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! That means you don’t need a card to shop it. On may way home from the doctor, I stopped by Nordstrom. I’ve been eying this wrap and sandals, so I had to try it on in person! I plan on belting it asap over my belly bump. I’m including some faves from the sale currently available below!

 

Beauty Buys not to miss. I love my NuFace and silk pillowcase and I’m eying this mirror for my bathroom!

 

Coats Jackets and Layers not to miss. Sad my cashmere wrap sold so fast, so look below what is still available: 

Sandals and Boots worth checking out!

Baby and Kids finds!

Men’s Picks hubby picked out, I approved:

shearling coat // $11 tee // jeans only $51! // sneakers only $67! // sunglasses // similar ring //  photos by Felicia Lasala

Who’s headed somewhere cold to wear these layers? If you’re not the one that raised your hand, take heart, this is a great time to pat yourself on the back for buying now and wearing later. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale items are mostly fall items and they go back up to regular retail prices August 5. I love wearing sneakers and flats especially today carrying so much weight at 29 weeks! I surprised myself that I could still jump, haha! Jump on these pieces now before they sell out!