When I started working in the corporate world, I fell in love with Ann Taylor’s classic and elegant styles. Now, as a mother, I also appreciate that the styles are comfortable, well fitting and stylish. If you follow Ann Taylor, you know that they have great sales, including the current Friends of Ann event for 40% off your purchase (use code FRIENDS40). Today is the last day so get clicking! 🙂

I’m sharing my latest finds and my wish list here for you, and if you are in the Twin Cities area, come join me at the Ann Taylor Ridgedale Center pre-holiday shopping party for style, treats and fun! It is taking place Tuesday, November 13 from 5-7pm.

 

LINKS:

Crew neck cable knit sweater

A-line pocket skirt

Pochette Satchel

Skyler Tweed Bow Pumps

Boatneck Tunic Sweater

Ponte 5-Pocket Leggings

Floral Ruffle Flare Dress

 

 

A few other faves I’m currently loving! Click the photos to shop!

 

 

Early access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on and sizes are already selling out! The pre-sale started this morning for Nordstrom cardholders (if you don’t have a card – you can sign up any time for access to the sale! Non-cardholders have access to the sale on July 20 and it runs through August 5, when prices go back up.

The unique thing about this sale is it is not based on old items that the store is clearing out – it is all fall/winter items from the newest collections! I am super excited to head into the store to shop in person tomorrow morning and I have already made several purchases on-line. Below, I am sharing with you my top picks. Click each photo to take you to the Nordstrom website to purchase. I get credit when you shop through my links so I appreciate when you support my blog by using my links. Thanks lovelies!

Coats – If it’s long and ladylike, sign me up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoes – Pretty boots and girly pumps!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dresses and rompers – ladylike, floral, and of course pink!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denim – loving everything slim and cropped!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tops & sweaters – just a few pretty picks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy shopping lovelies!

For Christmas I received a generous gift card for Nordstrom. Some people think gift cards are an impersonal gift but for me, they are the best gift because I love to shop! Nordstrom has a selection of clothing from J.Crew which is perfect because I spotted the J.Crew ruffle v-neck sweater online in white and went in to the store to scope it out. I’m all about girly details! I was disappointed to find they didn’t have it in stock. However, I did find the same sweater in the prettiest shade of pink! It is soft, versatile and beyond adorable! Below are three ways I style the sweater.

You can find it at J.Crew and at Nordstrom.

If you’re going for casual, I think it looks so cute with distressed jeans and a pair of converse sneakers. Add a simple necklace and you’re good to go!

Outfit details: Abercrombie jeans | Converse sneakers | Kendra Scott necklace

This sweater is just so versatile. It also looks incredibly cute dressed up with a skirt and heels. I couldn’t resist working in this amazing faux fur leopard print jacket. I get compliments on it every time I wear it!

Outfit details: Cupcakes and Cashmere faux fur jacket | The skirt is from Anthropologie and it is old but I found a similar option at boohoo.com | The pumps are also J.Crew but they are old too. I couldn’t find anything similar at J.Crew but a couple other cute options are these Cole Haan pumps and these Salvatore Ferragamo pumps.

Back when I used to work in an office I was always cold, so I love a professional layered look. This sweater looks adorable with with a blouse underneath and a blazer on top. I love it tucked in to a pencil skirt and paired with my favorite Tory Burch pumps.

Outfit details: Not including the sweater, everything in this outfit is old, but I linked some similar options. The blouse is from United Colors of Benetton and I have had it since high school! Talk about standing the test of time! It is cream with a small floral print all over. I found a couple similar options at Forever 21: this button-front shirt and this  top. | The blazer was from Dry Goods and I found one almost identical at Modcloth.com. | The skirt was from J.Crew. It is wool with a cute zipper pocket detail. They don’t have it anymore, but they do have a couple options for pencil skirts in wool and cotton | I looked everywhere and as far as I can tell Tory Burch doesn’t make these stacked heels with the logo on top anymore, but these pumps are a similar shape and super cute.

There you have it. A girly, ruffly pink sweater that can be styled for almost any occasion!

I was a cross country runner for six years throughout high school. I was never super into it. Mostly it was just something to do since I was never very good at team sports like soccer or basketball. When I started college I got lazy stopped running and pretty much all other forms of exercise.

It was several years later when I picked up running again and I decided I needed to set a goal and go for it so I signed up for a half marathon. I set a time goal and found a training program online at trainingpeaks.com. It was HARD. There were countless workouts when I regretted signing up and wanted to quit.

The day of the race, I had to get up very early to get to the starting line (my sweet dad dropped me off – thanks Dad!) I didn’t have anyone running with me so even though I was surrounded by people, I felt all alone. It was still dark out, cold and raining. I questioned my sanity for signing up for this. When the gun went off, the rain had stopped and the sun was coming up over the lake. The sky was pink and there was steam rising from the water. The beauty was breathtaking. I felt strong. When I crossed the finish line I knew I had surpassed my time goal by several minutes and I felt proud. Really proud. And happy.

My husband met met at the finish line with our new baby puppy. Several years later, I ran another and he met me at the finish line with our son. After the birth of my daughter, I felt my body had been through the wringer so I wanted to train for and run another half marathon to prove to myself that I was still strong. The training was more difficult this time. With a baby and a preschooler, I didn’t have as much time to train properly. My finishing time, while respectable, was my slowest yet. I felt sick and drained by the end of the race (although you wouldn’t know it by my finish line photo to the right – I was just so happy to be done!) but I did it.

If there is one thing I have learned from all of this it is that you have to push past the tough stuff to get to the good stuff – to accomplish things, to be proud. I discovered the beauty of nature again in my early morning runs – the quiet, the sun rising, the birds and animals. What a wonderful way to start the day!

I am a firm believer in the saying “if you look good, you feel good.” In my first two races, I wore a skort from Athleta, because why not be a little girly? In the finishing photo above, I’m wearing some adorable running shorts I found on the clearance rack at Athleta in the prettiest shade of coral. I love Athleta so much because of the diversity of its styles. I’m covered for everything from running to hiking to travel to just being lazy. I have a GAP Visa card which I use for a lot of my shopping and earn points which I can use toward future purchases at all the GAP brands, including Athleta and I take full advantage.

I’ve linked my outfits from the photos above and a lot is on sale right now so check it out!

Far left: Responsible Down Vest, Daybreak Sweater (one of my favorite, softest, non-itchy sweaters), Metro High Waisted Legging (with pockets in the back – so cute!)

Middle: Modern Sweatshirt, Restore Jogger(the softest pants you’ll ever own)

Far right: Speedlight Top, Stronger Hoodie (comes in a ton of colors), High Rise Metro Drifter Tight (these have a cute zipper detail on the sides)

This post is not sponsored. I love Athleta. And as usual, the pup had to get in on the action. Did you know Athleta also sells shoes online? This photo is a favorite pair of Asics I bought last fall. My next purchase might just be these rose gold Metallic 2750 Sneakers by Superga!