Author

Shalice Noel

 

Boys Rash Guard Top // Boys Shorts 

Girls Navy Suit  // Girls Ruffle Shoulder Suit

My suit // Sunnies // Necklace

We spent the day in Laguna beach after a week at Lake Arrowhead. We stopped at Whole Foods, made some turkey sandwiches, packed them in a cooler and headed off to find a good beach!

After building lots of sand castles and escaping lots of strong waves, we went to visit my aunt’s for spaghetti and fellowship! We headed home shortly after with thankfully lots of sleepy heads. The boys suits are some of my fave and are linked above. The girl’s suits coordinate though my eldest is asking for a matching stripe so I better get on that. Hope you had a lovely Saturday!

“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” 

Jill Churchill

xx

Shalice

polka dot dress (wearing a S/M and I’m 5’9″)// heels // sunnies // necklace “All eyes on Me” only $62!

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been super tired during this pregnancy and have found creative ways to lift my mood, and keep moving so I’ve shared them below. Can you believe I have only 13 weeks remaining– but who’s counting? This sign my photographer and I found “Far better things ahead’ really spoke to me because it really is all about perspective. I’m growing this human and many more special days and memories to be made up ahead. Don’t fret! The back pain and leg pressure is all worth it when I’m finally staring at his face holding him in my hands.

Deep Breathe take a deep breath through your nose, hold it and breathe out through your lips

De-Clutter It may sound funny, but when I clean out my closet or the fridge, I can think more clearly and it gives me a sense of joy, seriously!

Take a walk or workout – this helps clear my head

Wear polka Dots – wearing them truly lifts the mood!

Get your favorite drink at your favorite coffee shop, mine is an almond milk mocha and I feel special when I do something small for myself. If you want to go the extra mile, buy a stranger a coffee too!

Have you entered my giveaway on Instagram? I’m giving away 5 $100 gift cards. Just in time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Be sure to check Instagram for the rules.

 

The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts July 12, and I wanted to give you a heads up! It’s that time of the year, I get a sitter all day, shop what I like, share it all with you. Not to mention, it’s a great time to stock up on gifts for Christmas and birthdays. This year is a little different having the Arrowhead house to furnish and having a cute baby bump! I will be sure to look for items that work both for maternity and non-maternity as well as good home finds. I’m on the search for fluffy pillows, throws and candles for house guests. One of the things I LOVE about the sale is that it includes CURRENT ITEMS for fall so when the sale is over all the pieces go back to retail price August 6.

One of the overwhelming things about the sale is that there is a lot to comb through from beauty to basics to home accessories! That is why I am here to FILTER what I consider is worth your time and include when I post on the blog, Instagram and the Liketoknow.it app! So, we sure to follow me on the LiketoKnow.it app for exclusive products and outfits that will not be on the blog and instagram.

FYI NORDSTROM card members shop 8 days earlier than everyone else and get first pick of sizes and styles. It is KEY to have the card for early access to secure your size because some years I have procrastinated and haven’t been able to find my size 4 dress and size 9 heels, soooo sad.

DATES TO REMEMBER

JULY 11 Level 4 cardmembers get to pre-shop the sale in stores only.

JULY 12-19 all cardmembers get to shop Early Access in stores and online.

JULY 20-AUGUST 5 our biggest sale of the year opens to the public. Find Your Store

Why sign up for the Nordstrom Credit card?  Get a $40 bonus Note when you make any purchase with Nordstorm on your new card the day you’re approved. Yay for free money!

Finally, I’m hosting a giveaway, from me to you!! Not sponsored, just a way to give back and give you a chance at some free money to spend at the sale. 1) Follow me on Instagram and the Liketoknow.it App for a chance to win a 1 of 5 $100 gift cards to Nordstrom! Winner chosen 7/7! Good luck and I’m truly grateful for each and every one of you!

xx

Shalice

 

Jeans // Top // Belt // Jacket // Heels

I still can’t believe we will be welcoming another kiddo this fall, I mean, I can barely say 5 kids, when I’m so used to saying 4. I’m sure I will be that forgetful mom, that after 4, i forget to bring the extra diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc, because I haven’t done this in 5 years!

Currently, I am 26 weeks and baby is weighing in at 2 lbs and I have lately been grabbing for the same items: stripe top, black top, bella band over jeans and denim shorts. Add to that a black maxi. Even my 8 year-old makes fun saying, “oh that dress again mommy?”

I’m a believer that if its good, its good, why shelf it? Wear it daily, ha! I’ve also worn the same couple things around the house because I’m extra tired this time around. Everything is an extra effort from making dinner to even walking up and down the stairs, ha! Throbbing legs, sore back and 5 am kicks are just a little burden I bear carrying this GIFT!

Sure I’d love to be traveling, but I’m walking (or waddling) into this holiday extra grateful and okay with doing less, saying no, and staying put (on the couch) growing a human and enjoying my cuties.

Happy ALMOST long weekend!

NORDSTROM style steals under $100! Stay Tuned for a 4th of July giveaway!

JCREW use code ALLSTAR for 30% off!

WEST ELM use code JULY4 for 20% off entire purchase

LOFT 50% off sale styles

SSENSE golden goose sneakers on sale!

SOLE SOCIETY select styles up to 60% off and free shipping for orders over $50

Ps. A lot of what we are wearing happens to be on sale this week, sizes are limited

xo

Shalice

white dress // sandals  (on sale! Hurry, limited sizes!)// blazer // Milla bag // MAC lipstick // similar earrings

her overalls // tank // scarf // red sandals // her banana dress // red sandals

The biggest holiday of the summer is upon us and I have to admit, I’m pretty excited. We just wrapped up the kitchen remodel of our A-Frame cabin on Lake Arrowhead and it’s going to be so nice to have it done and ready for my family next week. Although I’m excited about family time and the cabin, I also had to get everyone’s outfit for the 4th just right!

So like I said, we will be spending the holiday at Lake Arrowhead, which means I opted for a simple white dress for myself, a blue banana dress for my eldest, polos for my boys, and overalls for my youngest daughter. I love how Nordstrom always has an awesome online selection of girls and boys clothes. My eldest is growing like a weed, so if I’m unsure about sizing I order two sizes and easily return from home. Having a large family, Nordstrom has also provided conveniences like curbside pick up. So easy! I just parked and called the number they provided and me and the kids and I waited in the car while the store associate loaded our bags. Super convenient and just another reason to love Nordstrom right? When I’m dressing them, it’s all about simplicity when you’re planning on having a low key weekend with lots of grilling and my favorite flag cake. Have you ever made a flag cake? It’s amazing! I’ve included the recipe below.

Whatever you’re doing for the holiday, I hope you have a lovely 4th of July with friends and family enjoying all the freedom our country has to celebrate.
Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!
Stay tuned for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Updates!
1. How cute is this STRIPE DRESS under $50? 2. LOUNGER CHAIR – I’ve been in the market lately with our deck at the lake. How cute is this blue one? 3. SUNGLASSES  are like SPF for your eyes! 4. A RED MAXI is a great statement piece pregnant or not. And only $68! 5. RED SALTWATER SANDALS – my girls love these, I need a pair as well! 6. A STRAW BAG is so chic right now 7. A BLUE SCARF to pair with your WHITE SANDALS and red maxi
I also love this stripe swimmy and this white cover up!
Happy 4th!

dress // flats // sunglasses

It’s been extra hard getting blog content out because one pregnancy brain, it’s affecting my mojo and two, I haven’t been feeling the greatest. Partly because I haven’t been drinking enough water and sore legs. These socks have been helping with poor circulation and trying to reach my goal of 8 glasses of water or more. Thankfully, I’m on the mend, and wanted to share a couple style steals I’ve found around the web lately.

I just got this new bra with great shape and an option to go strapless.

Also the jeans I’ve been wearing YES I can zip them up! My advice is this: size up on them if you’re pregnant, otherwise they fit TTS. Best part is, they’re only $58! And yes I just spilled salad dressing on them today and I’m not at all mad.

As for investment buys or what to ask for a birthday coming up? This leopard clutch. I’ve had it forever and it keeps getting softer with time. I’d say that’s a win.

Happy Humpday you all!

Shalice

White off the shoulder tops I’m loving:

Peasant Tops I’m loving: I just ordered this one and I kinda love the shape and balloon sleeve

 

I don’t know about you, but finding home pieces can be SO overwhelming. I’m not a home blogger and know more about where to find the best swimsuit to flatter your body than the best outdoor rug, but I’m learning. And best of all, what helps me to filter through the thousands of inspiration boards on Pinterest, a million sconces, and all the vintage rug goodness on Etsy, is I know exactly what I like. Through some trial and error shopping for our Lake Arrowhead A Frame, here are some finds too great to not share with you! How good is this art I just ordered off Etsy? Now, I just need a gold 36 x 36 floater frame. What are your faves?

Ayla throw (I love this whole collection) // Sconce (so much bang for the buck) // 6 x 9 Persian Rug // Awesome art on canvas 36 x 24 I also like this one under $200 //How do you like this Cool Honeycomb Shelving

 

Rebecca Minkoff Bag // Similar Bags Below
Cute Jeans
As you probably know by now, eBay is a place I visit frequently for lots of designer products. Because who doesn’t love an amazing deal? This mama does, that’s for sure. I’ve scored A LOT of amazing things on eBay and I’m often asked how, specifically, “how do you know it’s authentic?” This is a totally valid question, especially in the world of online shopping. You never want to be in the position where you’re expecting a specific quality of product, but what arrives at your door doesn’t match the pictures or the price you paid.
If you’ve ever wanted to shop on eBay, but have let this fear hold you back, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with five tips that’ll leave you wondering why you didn’t start shopping on eBay sooner!
How to buy authentic luxury items off eBay 101
1. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. It can be hard to turn away from what appears to be the perfect item. The best thing to do in these instances, though, is listen to your instincts and not buy the product.
2. Research the seller and read his/her feedback. This may feel a little time consuming, but it’s worth it to avoid buying an inauthentic product. Reviews from other buyers can be very telling, so take the time to vet sellers.
3. Compare pricing. Again, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I recommend browsing around and trying to find multiple options of whatever it is you’re looking for. This way you can compare what the sellers are asking for and then compare it to what it retails for. If there’s one option that’s significantly lower, be skeptical.
4. Note where the item is coming from. For example, if a product is coming from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan or anywhere international, I usually skip that seller and keep looking. I’ve only ever purchased from US sellers. The location of the seller can be a major red flag for authenticity, so pay close attention to this.
5. Don’t be shy about asking the seller for a serial number or receipt. I’ve found it really helpful to speak with the seller before I bid with any additional questions I may have. You have nothing to lose by doing this. Most are very kind and offer up any and all details about the product they’re selling.
If you’re still hesitant about taking on these tips, take a look at eBay Authenticate!
Happy bidding!
Thank you ebay for sponsoring this post!

It has been 5 months since we closed on the A-Frame at Lake Arrowhead and time has flown. As we wrap up the renovations, we’d like to share with you some behind the scenes design decisions we made to get the most bang for our buck. I will say, having an architect for a husband helped immensely. 😉

The first room transformation is my favorite—the kitchen. To give you an idea of what we’re working with, the house is a 1969 A-Frame and was built as a summer retreat to beat the southern California heat. The kitchen in the house was dark, drabby and a DIY mish-mash with dirty tile counters and a quirky peninsula. At first, we thought we could just paint the cabinets, but after opening up the doors we knew we had to completely start over.

Thankfully Reid was up to the challenge of designing my dream kitchen and started sketching some conservative ideas. We started the design process thinking we would keep everything as is and only update cabinetry, countertops and appliances. But as we continued to sketch (and re-sketch), my desire for an island started to change things and Reid just couldn’t make it work with the original layout. To bring this 1969 A-Frame into 2018 we knew the kitchen belonged in the main living space, under the amazing ceiling and across from the stone fireplace. So, Reid re-planned the space from scratch. The good news is, the sink is all that needed relocated. The fridge moved to a corner with an existing outlet and the stove location only rotated 90 degrees, so the gas line only required minor modification.

Reid stayed true to general rules for kitchen design using the “working triangle.” If you’re not sure what that means, it’s when the location of the stove, sink and fridge form a triangle and create an easy flow for working in the kitchen. As a bonus, the sink aligns perfectly on center with the fireplace and the view from the sink is beautiful—something I’ve never had in a house before.

To maintain symmetry, we flanked the stove and fridge on opposite sides of the sink. This gives us uninterrupted counter space, and with no upper cabinets, the space doesn’t feel crowded. The sloped ceiling made upper cabinets nearly impossible, but we did discover we could create an open shelf that would have been lost behind a wall if we hadn’t sketched everything out accurately. I would definitely suggest not skipping the sketching phase of planning/designing your space, even if you don’t have an architect or contractor in the family.

For materials we decided to go with a modern IKEA cabinet door called Ringhult. The description said it was easy to clean with kids, so we were sold! If I had to do it over again, though, I may have picked the cabinet that has the integrated door pull. Hardware is just another step and additional cost that prolongs finishing a space.

We debated on countertops for weeks. But as we were purchasing our flooring from Lumber Liquidators, we saw they had maple butcher block counters and we were sold. The price was good and the install was simple. We used the butcher block along the counter against the wall. The contrast of the natural wood and the glossy cabinet doors softened the contemporary aesthetic.

For the island, we wanted drama. After many pins on Pinterest and several Instagram saves, we looked into getting natural marble with waterfall sides. We shopped some marble yards in LA but found the prices to be ambiguous and seemingly deceptive. We came close to purchasing a couple marble slabs but had a suspicion we weren’t getting what we were paying for. My instincts (and Reid’s) said run. So we did. We ended up going with a quartz counter based on advice from some of my blogger friends. We also looked outside of LA and got a much better price for both the slabs and the fabrication. It’s a nerve-racking process, but once installed, we got the drama we were holding out for.

When it came to the hardware and faucet, we wanted modern sophistication so we chose a sleek black Moen faucet and brass half moon door handles (yet to be installed!). The Turkish runner between the cabinets adds a rustic vibe and some color—a nice balance for the more modern island. It is a cabin after all.

And finally, you may remember this post where we were deciding on his and her light fixtures. Well, guess what? We went with his choice. The round white globes float above the kitchen peacefully and offer plenty of light. The strong geometry of the spherical shape also compliments the harsh angles of the A-Frame. So, Reid was right! And a fun fact—they’re Louis Poulsen light fixtures, which is the mid-century designer behind the famous artichoke light! 

Now I’m on the hunt for black Bertoia bar stools. Keep an eye out! Who wants to cook in this kitchen? Wait till you see the banquet. That will be next!

To rent our cabin on Airbnb, click here

 

Sources

Light “Wohlert”  Louis Poulson // Stone Quartz from Stone Systems LLCPolarStone Quartz 2CM – 120″x63″ Calacutta Manhattan 5111″ // Bar Stools 

// Flooring Whitewashed Engineered Hickory from Lumber Liquidators // Runner rug Etsy // Butcher Block in Maple Lumber Liquidators // IKEA cabinets “Ringhult” // Moen Matte Black Faucet //  Stove 30″ Range Bertazzoni Italia // Oval Marble Table