Author

Shalice Noel

I’ve been planning all week for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale coming up, who’s excited? I did some pre-sale shopping today and I have to say, this year’s selection is better than last years. I came back home to my Lego loving bunch who make the coolest Lego houses for hours and hours of the day. I love that this outfit is still mom-friendly with wedges, comfy jeans, and a versatile top. For warmer days, I wear cutoffs with this top. Stay tuned for more sale updates, Happy Monday!

stripe espadrilles SOLUDOS :: jeans BLANK NYC (fit tts) :: sweater CASLON :: hat :: bag CHLOE  :: sunnies CHLOE 

top FREE PRESS :: white sweater REBECCA MINKOFF :: jeans AG JEANS :: soft slippers STEVE MADDEN :: Photo’s by Tiffany Luong Photography

Our days usually are never alike but usually begin like this . . . .

pancake breakfast, play time, lunch time, park time, dinner time, and family reading and walk to get boba tea.

Tiffany Luong offered to document our day. Being a large family of 6, I thought the idea intriguing. When I saw the end product I was grateful to see angles and perspectives I would have never seen if it wasn’t for Tiffany  who captured such a raw and organic side of our family life. Including my boy’s messy room, ha. From eating donuts, little laughs and hugs, to wrestling on the floor, she captured it all. She also offers photo books to further document your day for years to come. I was grateful for the opportunity since I most likely will forget the little things I love most about family life documented right here. Learn more about her services for your next family shoot HERE. And since it is Foodie Friday, I thought I’d share 3 kid approved meals we love and use daily. Happy Friday friends!

 

For the first recipe, I’m sharing our favorite breakfast dish, originally published HERE

AMY’S PUFFED PANCAKE

What I love about this one is that it’s something you can prep the night before, then just toss it in the oven in the morning and bask in the rave reviews.

What You’ll Need:

6 Eggs

1 C Flour (If you’re gluten free, I’d chose a flour blend that has already done the math on which GF flours combine to imitate the fluffy texture you get with wheat flour. I’m a fan of King Arthur, but comment if you have another favorite)

1 C Milk (can use almond milk)

1t Salt

1T Butter (to grease the dishes)

Toppings of your choice – we like agave, maple syrup, lemon curd, or powdered sugar

How You’ll Do It:

1 Whisk the eggs, flour, milk, and salt together. If you’re prepping this the night before, cover your bowl and put it in the fridge until you’re read to bake.

2  Preheat the oven to 425°

3  Melt the butter in two 9×13 pans

4  Pour the mix into the pan and put it in the oven for 15-20 minutes. It will puff up and create some crazy wavy textures in the oven, then it will settle and flatten out once it cools. So if it looks a little wild, you’re doing it right.

5  Serve with your favorite topping and enjoy the satisfied faces.

HOMEMADE HUMMUS eat with carrots or pita bread

2 cups drained well-cooked or canned chickpeas, liquid reserved

1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste), optional, with some of its oil

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus oil for drizzling

2 cloves garlic, peeled, or to taste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon ground cumin or paprika, or to taste, plus a sprinkling for garnish

Juice of 1 lemon, plus more as needed

Chopped fresh parsley leaves for garnish

3 INGREDIENT DINNER

2 Cans vegetarian chili

1 package of hashbrowns in the shape of a rounded off rectangle

1 Package of cheese

Spread the hash browns across a 9×13 inch pan, layer chili and then cheese. Heat the over to 350 degrees and cook for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a great time to enjoy MAJOR markdowns on some of your favorite brands. To be honest, it’s one of my favorite times of year to not only get a peak at fall fashion (my favorite) but stock up on investment buys. It is brand new product that you can shop before anyone else. Insert happy dance. Think Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots, the jeans you’ve been eyeing, cashmere cardigans and cute booties. However it CAN be intimidating and even a little overwhelming, so follow along on Instagram and here on the blog in the coming weeks as I show some of my favorite looks. Let me be your Nordstrom Anniversary Sale editor. xo

Q & A

When can card holders shop the sale?  July 13- July 20

When is public access to the sale? July 21, to August 6

Is there curb side pick up? Yes, at select Nordstrom stores

Things to look out for:

Woman’s – sweaters, denim, boots, cardigan, denim shorts

Kids – stock up on gifts for your kids, nieces, nephews and friends

Beauty – My favorite lipsticks and bronzers for every look

Home – I love stocking up on candles for teacher gifts

I actually became a Nordstrom Card holder before my first sale a couple years ago. I personally don’t get a lot of store credit cards, but this one is a MUST, trust me. You can see some of my favorites from last year HERE. Stay tuned Thursday July 13, (the first day of the sale) and the following weeks as I round up my favorites from the sale for women, children, a little men’s and home. In the meantime, browse the catalog HERE. Don’t forget, become a cardholder so you can shop early before the public and stay tuned for a fun giveaway on Instagram! Happy shopping. xx

bag CHLOE :: hat :: tank :: denim skirt zara similar :: scarf :: aviator sunglasses :: photo’s by Tasha

 

Off the shoulder top Fresha SIMILAR :: Check out this $45 version! :: Jeans EXPRESS :: sandals SOLUDOS :: watch REBECCA MINKOFF

We were off to visit my aunt and didn’t plan to stop by this cute little street in Laguna Beach, but the road down was too inviting to miss. The kids wanted to stretch their legs after an hour drive from LA, and this little cove was the perfect rest stop. Never mind the fact that we parked illegally, at least it was for a short time to take in the views.

I got so many questions about this top I posted on Instagram, I thought I’d give you a couple selections below. I’m always surprised how much bang for the buck a red off the shoulder top is. It looks great with blue and white denim and even a fresh out of the shower wet braid.

Shop my faves below. How was your weekend?

5 Jeans Under $100

Today is one of our favorite days of the year, watermelon, the smell of hamburgers on the grill, and a picnic at the park. I still can’t believe this marks our second summer in California. It has been a whirlwind, but I’m grateful for the endless summer and new friendships we have made here easing the distance from family. So grateful!

5 Things I love about Summer

1 the beach – a no brainer. Manhattan Beach is our favorite! 2 the pool is so chill and no sand clean-up! 3 cold drinks like kombucha and matcha with boba taste especially good when it’s super hot out. 4 Ice cream, we love scoops in Highland Park! 5 Dressing for 4th of July – I love all things red, white, and blue

5 Things I’m loving at Nordstrom Rack:

1 kids flipflops and shoes (A friend of mine told me Nordstrom Rack is the best value for kids shoes, and she was right! Stock up on snow boots)  2. Anything FRAME 3. VINCE 4. RAG & BONE 5. Denim Shorts

 

sweater FRAME similar and similar (size up!) I also like THIS :: jeans FRAME :: sunnies CHLOÈ :: sandals I also like THESE  :: photo’s by Felicia Lasala

Fourth of July has to be one of my favorite holidays to dress for. Who doesn’t love red, white and blue. Here, I’m showing some of my hand-picked favorites from graphic tees to a fray skirt (I just ordered) to the comfiest red sandals to the essential wrinkle blocker straw hat. Happy fourth of July to you and yours! Shop my picks below:

3 FRAY SKIRT  I also like these $60 cutoffs


Hubby said to me tonight, wow you’re really obsessed with stripe dresses lately. Haha and yes, he’s so right. Blame it on the fourth of July or maybe the fact that they are super versatile and act as a closet neutral. Not only do they double as chic swim coverups but great layered with a denim jacket, white button-up or cardigan. Here, I paired it with a distressed denim jacket and red accessories. Today, we are headed to Laguna Beach and as much as I’m looking forward to the change of scenery, I’m not looking forward to the sand clean-up. Happy stars and stripes! More stripe on stripe looks here.

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a safe and fun family weekend.

xx Shalice

my stripe dress ATM :: my sandals AGL SHOES :: sunnies CHLOÈ :: denim jacket SIMILAR :: hat SIMILAR

his shirt BURBERRY :: cutoffs LEVI SIMILAR :: sandals SALTWATER SANDALS

More must-have stripes below:

Thank you Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

To those who know me, know I’m very minimal when it comes to beauty and skincare. However, using great products is no exception. This is not sponsored, just an informative post for those who asked what I use on my face and skin. All of which are stashed in my lovely Maxwell Scott toiletry bag (Reid secretly wants one too). I have some product that didn’t make it into the picture, but linked below.

What’s in my Maxwell Scott Toiletry Bag?

R+Co shine + texture spray (who doesn’t need radiance, shine and sea kale to wake up tired hair?) :: L’Occitane Divine Youth Oil (don’t you love the name? It smells amazing and I’m crediting my glow to this baby) :: L’Occitane shea butter hand lotion (quenches thirsty skin and the result is baby skin soft):: Le Labo parfum musty and clean :: Elizabeth Dehn Vitamin C Brightening Facial Serum  vitamin C to combat stress and leave skin glowing and even-toned.

Not pictured but honorable mention: Milo skin body brush for better circulation, NuFace facial toning device (like an at home facial) :: MUSQ face and body exfoliant (gets rid of old skin, hello new skin!) I linked a similar below :: SUNDAL RILEY TIDAL brightening enzyme water cream (no scent and refreshing). And I’m using this mask tonight 😉

While Reid and I both complain how long my cleansing routine takes at night, I see a difference. Sounds cheesy, but when I feel great, I’m a better wife and mother. I used to think I was a 4 product no-nonsense girl until I left some of the above products at home during our road trip this summer. I was scrambling for another exfoliant and moisturizer. I quickly realized that trial size doesn’t work for a two- week vacation. Noted. Now, its your turn, what are your tips and tricks from ACV to hemorrhoid creme? I’m all ears? Comment below.

lace OTS top STORETS :: cutoffs FRAME similar for $60 size up HERE :: heels VINCE CAMUTO and SIMILAR :: MAXWELL SCOTT TOILETRY BAG 

 

 

 

 

kimono ANTHROPOLOGIE :: jeans NSF  and SIMILAR for $70! :: Aviators CHLOÈ

Flashback to our date night in Omaha! I totally forgot to post this on the blog. My in-laws usually take the kids and we enjoy a night on the town. Its super relaxing and who knew Omaha, NE has such an amazing music scene? Shop my fave kimono (I was drawn to the stripes) and jeans below. What is your fave date night city?

If you are in search of a dress for Friday’s date night and your friend’s wedding, this dress fits the bill. I’m loving that this dress is not only under $60, but looks great with a headscarf and lace-up sandals. Its been so hot here full of that dry dessert heat that I admittedly love, but also love to hate. Nothing better than a light ruffle dress for day dates and nights out to keep cool. Just don’t forget the sunblock. Also this dress comes in 5 colors, which is your fave? See also here for a dress for every occasion.

dress NORDSTROM  (dusty rose) :: Ghillie heels FRYE :: silk scarf JOHNNY WAS   :: sunnies CHLOÈ :: photo’s by TASHA