NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE 2020 | What’s in my bag
I had a lot of fun picking out outfits from the NSALE this year! They’re LOTS of great finds that you cannot go wrong with, but I also wanted to just choose a few staples that I loved + would wear over + over again. I tried to find pieces that could mix + match with each other, as well as staples that are already in my closet.
Holy crap batman! How is it already time to start thinking about back to school. It feels like 2948304 years ago the kids had to leave school for quarantine, but also went by in a blink.
I absolutely love fall clothes so back to school shopping is one of my favorite shoppings seasons of the year! I also love going on dates with the boys to snag finds they’re excited about.
The boys are the only ones going back to school + I haven’t gone back to school in years BUT still back to school shop every year. Please don’t tell me I’m the only one. Here are a few things I’m loving now + I’ll do an updated post as new arrivals come throughout August!
I have gone back + forth about whether we should keep the living room drop down. I’ve dreamed about having a one level house for a long time. This includes the front porch – no stairs please! I like everything to feel included + everyone to feel connected whether they are inside or out.
BUUUUUUUUT.
I also love, love the look of the drop down family room + the mid century vibe it brings. I think it will add some “texture” + really make it cozy while everyone is hanging out. Imagine : a huge couch with everyone hanging out. Pretty sure this will have to be a custom couch – – – any tips?
A few people have brought some good reasons as to WHY WE SHOULDN’T DO A DROP DOWN + every single one have made me question my decision, but in the end I have to go with my gut on this one! I think it will cozy things up, make us feel more connected when we’re together in the living room + be the vibe we’re going for in the house.
Letting you guys in on a little secret of mine today! Hair straightener > curling iron. I LOVE the way the curls come out + i think it’s the fastest, easiest way to curl your hair. The style always lasts longer when I use a straightener (sharing a few other tips on this below).
PRO TIP: Be sure to let your hair cool completely before applying any finishing product to it.
HOW TO ACHIEVE A LOOSE, BEACH WAVE :
KEY PLAYER : Heat protectant. Quarantine has been a great time to use less heat, but if you’re started to use more heat I use this Redken Heat Protectant.
The number on REDKEN products show how much memory it has in it. I love the 11! This one is great to spray all over, or douse each section before you curl it. It doesn’t build up on your hair + it protects your cuticles from drying out!
Take 1/2 inch sections + curl away from your face. Turn in straightener 1.5 turn + then pull straight out. Sounds more confusing than it is. After a few tries you’ll get it down! You can see a tutorial here.
ONBASE CURL : Be sure to pull the hair straight up with the straightener from the section you’ve selected for maximum volume. I do this for the back pieces. (watch tutorial for better directions on this)
OFF BASE CURL : More elongated curl, rather than super bouncy. If you pull down on the curl with the straightener instead of up, you will reduce the volume, but still have a soft textured look.
PRO TIP TO HAVING YOUR CURLS LAST LONGER :
Let your hair completely cool before running your fingers through it + go into finishing products. Apply all products upside down to add more volume. When you sleep, put your hair in a high pony or bun, using an elastic that will not crease. I like gimme beautyones! Last tip : spray dry shampoo into clean hair, this will help your hair stay cleaner longer so you don’t have to wash it as quick + finish it off with this dry wax + this sculpting spray.
Still a little unsure of what the school year might look like this year, I wanted to buy pieces for the boys that they would be comfortable both at school and recess + at home. We were soooo stoked to find all these pieces at Walmart.
I love shopping back to school clothes + back to school supplies at a one stop shop (saves a loooot of time) + what’s a better one stop shop than Walmart! When thinking of back to school clothes you may not always think of Walmart first thing, buuuuut they’ve really stepped up their game + their clothes selection is 100. Cute + affordable outfits for the whole family.
TIP : if you want to quickly find a few quick outfits without looking through all the pages – I suggest a few of our favorite walmart brands – – – Wonder Nation + No Boundaries.
While shopping for the boys, I even found a few things for myself. You’re never too old to go back to school shopping, right?! I couldn’t believe the women’s section. Search linen pants . . . S W O O N I N G !
Hope you find something you love for both you + your littles.
The tomboy in me loves to throw on a pair of sneakers with anyyyy outfit – even nicer ones! It’s the perfect way to make the look more casual + not bad to have on in case a Parrish family basketball game breaks out! Sharing my tried + true current favorites along with a few more shoes I’ve rounded up for back to school.
I have two obsessions in the summer — lipstick + swimsuits. I love to buy new colors of both each year. I goT in the habit of buying more expensive swimsuits each year, but then I found myself buying new year after year, so I realized it wasn’t a staple.
I try to spend on staples + save on “trendy items”.
This year I’ve been hunting for cheaper options + only splurge if I know it is one that I’ll be wearing year after year!
I’ve been so intrigued by the one size fits all suits because I love the texture. I ordered this one + it’s on sale. Also comes in white for under $100. I rounded up a lot on my IG highlights that are similar for under $40! I’ll list them all here too. But the one size fits all / ribbed / textured look is a keeper + my favorite swimsuit look in 2020.
I also pair it with the Bobbi brown under eye concealer because it doesn’t seem to crease. This combo is fool proof + lasts alllll day!
HERE ARE A FEW MORE TIPS TO UP YOUR UNDER EYE GAME EVEN MORE :
Nothing makes the eyes appear even more tired than being dry. I have been using these Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford under eye patches in the morning to help wake me up + I love the results. Put them in the fridge first . . . thank me later!
The Instant de-bagger I love is Kiehl’s avacado eye cream. Apply 10-15 mins before you start to apply any make up.
This is your fool proof solution to getting rid of dark circles under your eyes. If you can only start with one products I would choose the Laura Mercier Eye Brightening Cream! Let me know how you like it!
With everything that has been going on in the world the last few months, we’ve all had some anxious patches. The boys, me, Juan! Lots of unknowns of the future + guilt of the past. A lot to work on, a lot to CHANGE!
Jon + I have stayed up much passed bed time unlearning things we’ve known. We believe these changes happen in our home. We are planting new roots, working towards new goals. We are a ‘quality time’ family + set out in 2020 to spend more intentional time together – – – not just going through the motions + falling back into routine. We’re grateful to Backcountry for always encouraging us to Find Our Backountry. To unplug + connect with whoever you’re with + to explore your own backyard.
We love to head outdoors with our boys. It’s both calming + peaceful to get outdoors with zero distractions. I believe teaching awareness is a great foundation for building strong little humans.
We’ve been having fun finding places to paddleboard all along Northern Utah. We take time on the drive to do the exercises from the book Mindfulness for Kids. This helps us all get in the right mental space for being outdoors + connecting as a family. We wanted to share some of the spots we love to go with you + the gear we bring with us.
okay maybe 4 – – – one is in Southern Utah, but it’s one of our all time favorites, so we’re sharing it again!
PINEVIEW RESERVOIR | a gem we didn’t spend near enough time at when we lived in the city. It’s a more popular spot to go in Northern Utah + tends to get busy on the weekend. Buuut it is beautiful. It is so green right now + the drive alone is breathtaking. I would say a must go to! You can pay to go to the city beaches or pull off along the road to one of the side parking lots + beach it for free! If you aren’t as into water sports, you can bike around the lake as well.
CAUSEY RESERVOIR | this is the perfect place for paddle boarding + kayaking. No motor boats are allowed so the waters stay pretty peaceful all day. The views are amazing + lots of spots to stop + cliff jump. It can get crowded for parking, be sure to get there early + pack a lunch. We take our yeti cooler for day trips!
TONY GROVE LAKE | this is a hidden gem not far from Logan – on your way to Bear Lake. It’s 5-6 minute drive off the path in Logan Canyon. Totally paved, you can drive right up to the Lake. There are wildflowers alllll around the lake + campground in the summer time. Be sure to stop by the poppy field at Box Elder Campground if you’re going up from Salt Lake soon!
ADAMS RESERVOIR | this is a local sort of secret spot that our our friends told us about. Not a lot of people know about it, so it’s perfect for a mellow day paddleboarding + simple living. The boys have been asking to go fishing. We plan to go in the next couple of weeks.
IVINS RESERVOIR | you can see our paddleboarding adventures at Ivin’s here. Ivins is down south, near St George. This post about Ivins includes our recipe for a perfect day at the lake!
We encourage you to get outside! Take a picnic + connect with your loved ones. We need it now more than ever. Let us know if you have any other hidden gems in Utah that you have been to + don’t forget to shop local at Backcountry. Use code : GINGER for 15% off your first purchase (exclusions apply).
Do you buy themed outfits for the 4th of July or let your family wear whatever?! I love a good themed 4th of July roundup, but Juan prefers redneck tanks + cut off shorts. Remember my reality last year?
WHAT I THOUGHT I’D WEAR
WHAT I WORE
Hahaha.
I prefer basics that will look good day of + alll summer long. If you are going to buy a one time wear piece, I recommend keeping your budget down! You can keep it as casual as levi’s + your favorite white tee. Throwing on a pair of Converse or a denim jacket instantly makes an outfit more patriotic.
Here’s a roundup of my favorite 4th of July outfits for the whole family!
Makeup wipes are an essential part of my beauty counter + I love them because they are easy to take with me when I travel. I think I love them so much because they make life easier! who’s with me?
I’ve tried + tested a lot of different wipes over the years from drugstore brands to higher-end + found my all time favorite. I love Ole Henriksen’sTURTH On the Glow Cleansing Cloths the MOST + have stuck with it for years.
WHY OLE HENRIKSEN IS MY FAVORITE :
Much better texture + quality than any other wipe. They are not the cheapest wipes you can buy, but they are big so I recommend cutting in half to get more bang for your buck – – – use half to remove your make up + then save the other half back in the package for morning to wipe your face before applying moisturizer, spf etc. Just be sure to close the lid all the way so they don’t dry out! Or if you don’t wash your face twice a day, save it for the next day!
They leave your face glowy, but clean – basically a built in toner!! TWO IN ONE. I’m all in for saving steps.
They smell amazing, like some sort of citrus. Betchya a package of wipes that your husband will love it.
They stay moist so you don’t have to use more than one. Usually one swipe will completely take off my make up.
I recommended them to my sister with acne prone skin + she doesn’t break out at all!
If you struggle with dark spots, discoloration or dry skin, this is a great fix!
It will help tighten your skin! BOOM BABY!
It’s clean at sephora.
I am the pickiest person about make up wipes, so be warned of getting hooked before you try them!!
From jumpsuits | pants | dresses + even bedding – – – I loooove everything linen!! It’s the fabric of summertime : lightweight + breathable, but on comfort level they could pass as sweats. Linen can easily be dressed up or down. I love pairing linen on linen. Tribe alive has tons of cute sets!
Linen has become a staple in my wardrobe, that I surprisingly wear all winter. Easy to throw on linen pants with a sweater + jeans with a linen top.
