2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

Stripe Colorblock Cardigan // Lace Yoke Tank // Raw Hem Ankle Jean // Genuine Calf Hair Pumps

It's here, it's here, it's finally here! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access is live, and I feel like a kid on Christmas morning. This is one of the most, if not the most, anticipated sales of the year - and it's goooodd. I was able to preview some of the sale items in store yesterday, so I got a good grasp of what I liked! I'm going to highlight some of my favorites and why.

I actually woke up at 4:00 AM to write this post, because I wanted ya'll to have first dibs on the best items before they sell out. So let's get started!

Active Wear:

Zella Turning Point High-Waist Crop Leggings // Blush and gray are the newest color combo of Fall, ya'll! This combination was all throughout the store in just about every brand. If you watched my IG Live session last week, you already know that I'm a fan of Zella, their quality, and price points. These leggings, paired with the Zella Illusion Sports Bra and this Sheer Hoodie are perfection for a morning at the gym, or for simple comfort and style around town. Add these sneakers to polish off the look.

Cardigans:

 The Madewell Ryder Cardigan is by far my favorite this year! I can't even put into words how soft it is. I found some of the others in the store to be a little itchy, but this one was like heaven. It comes in three colors, and is currently marked down to $64, down from $98. If you're looking for a similar option at a better price point, this cardigan is similar to last years most popular item and comes in at only $31. Cardigans are always something I keep a good handful of, they're easy to throw on over just about anything for layering and are the perfect staple item for fall. Be sure to pick up a few!

Dresses & Skirts:

I think my "must-have" out of this category is the suede skirt. This is a trend we saw last fall as well! Suede skirts are perfect when it's that odd time of year where the temperatures are still too warm during the day, but it's technically fall. I like to pair them with a blouse like this one and you can even add a cardigan to the look from above!

Leggings & Jeans:

These leggings are back this year and I'm so excited about it! I bought these last year in two colors, and wore them non-stop, so much so that I actually bought a second pair of them incase they didn't come back this year. They fit TTS, and look great with oversized sweaters, or longer shirts like this one. This is a killer price for them as well, so snag them while you can! See this post for details on how I styled them and pictures of what they look like on!

In terms of jeans, I was also really excited to see these High Waist Skinnies! I bought these last year in a dark blue wash, and they are still my favorite jeans to date. So I added theses to my cart! See this IG post for reference on what they look like in blue.

Boots, Booties & Shoes:

Shoes are probably my favorite thing to buy from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale each year. They last for years, and you just can't ever have too many shoes! I love them all, but I think I may finally be taking the plunge on these. I'm also really loving these, these, and these.

Blouses & Tops:

There are a few tops that really stand out this year! But I never fail to leave a good plaid top like this behind. Again, going back to purchasing basics, I think every closet needs a couple plaid button down tops in it for fall. I'm purchasing this one (great quality and soft), and this one this year, and layering them under some of the cardigans from above.

Workwear:

This is a topic you guys have asked me to cover a few times, so I wanted to be sure I included it in my top sale picks! There are a couple items that are back from last year, that I still wear to work everyday! I have this skirt in Dark Camel, and am picking up the black one this year. It's stretchy and super comfortable, and I pair it with these tops. I also bought this skirt from the sale last year, and pair it with the same tops! See here and here for pictures!

Outerwear:

If you're in the market for outerwear, now is the time to buy it! Coats and jackets can be so expensive to purchase, and everyone needs them eventually (unless you live in Florida). My sale pick this year is a splurge! I just can't get over the beautiful color, and the trench inspired design. This is perfect for work, and paired with anything khaki or camel colored!

Handbags:

Another weakness of mine! I love a good bag, and especially one that fits all my stuff for work! That's why I'm choosing this leather tote for this years handbag sale pick. It's versatile, comes in three colors, stores a laptop perfectly and the metal hardware on the straps provides durability.

Paradise Palm Strappy Playsuit

MINKPINK Romper (Under $100) // Diff Sunnies (25% off with code "CHEEKYBEEN") // Cleobella Shoulderbag // Kendra Scott Cuff // Watch // Julie Vos Link Bracelet // Vanessa Mooney Earrings // Dolce Vita Sandals // Hat

Happy Sunday funday! I'm currently vegging in bed while writing this post. We had brunch at George's this morning with a few of our friends, and I think it threw me into a food coma.

Anyway, I'm really excited to talk about this romper because it's been sitting in my closet for a hot minute and I'm finally getting around to posting about it! To be honest, I wore this romper in Charleston for dinner one night while we were there for the Fourth of July, and just really hated the pictures we took in it. So I wore it again yesterday for shopping with my girlfriend Bailey, and snapped a few blog worthy shots along the way. I'm a little obssessed with the strappy details at the top of it, I feel like it makes it unique and fun to look at! It also fits perfectly (I'm wearing a small), and has an elastic waist under the popover. Initially I had this on with white flats, but I felt like the block heel sandal added some flare to it. I also just got these sunnies in the mail from DIFF eyewear, and couldn't be more obsessed! They're only $85, but you can get 25% off of them with code "CHEEKYBEEN"! Trust me when I say you won't be disappointed in them. I don't think I'll ever go back to buying designer sunnies. 

We had a super relaxing night Friday, and went out with Bailey and her husband for dinner and drinks last night! I'm loving being at home for a few weekends. I took a peek at what's coming up in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this week while at the mall, don't forget to check back here for this years #Nsale picks on Thursday! And in case you missed it, I wrote about the most popular items from last years sale here. 

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017: Guide To Shop

Can ya'll believe it's already July!? Time is flying by. With that being said, the 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is right around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited (it's like Christmas in July)! This is by far, my favorite sale of the year. With only eight days left until early access starts, let's chat about best practices for shopping the sale. 

For starters, here are some common questions about the sale:

What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

 The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, nicknamed #Nsale on social media, is Nordstroms biggest sale of the year. For a limited period of time, Nordstrom offers brand new fall styles at deeply discounted prices. During the #Nsale, no promo code is needed - you will see the original price listed under the item of interest online, as well as the #Nsale price below it. 

When is the 2017 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

Card holders can shop the sale starting July 13 - August 6! If you're not a card holder, but would like to be, you can apply for either the Nordstrom Debit card or Nordstrom Credit card here until July 9th to still receive early access! The sale opens to everyone (non cardholders included) on July 21, 2017.

Why is early access beneficial?

Early access is beneficial because the hottest items sell out first. Access for card holders starts (July 13th) a full week before the general public (July 21st) can shop the sale, so sizes and selections are still fully stocked. In addition, the day you sign up for a Nordstrom debit or credit card, you get a 20 Nordstrom note that can be used towards you purchase. Other perks of the card include personal triple points days where you have the opportunity to accrue additional $20 notes. I had early access last year, and wanted to wait to see a purse I spotted in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog in person, and by the time I had a chance to do that it was sold out in store and online. Womp, womp. So, this year I will be purchasing everything online, and using their free returns policy should the items not work out. 

What kind of deals can I expect?

A preview of sale items for both women and men can be found in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog here. Some of the most popular discounted items include shoes (my personal favorite), tops and blouses, cardigans and sweaters, jeans, jackets, undergarments, purses, and dresses. You can expect discounts of 25-30% off, and in some cases more. I usually stock up on pricier/designer items during this time as they traditionally either don't go on sale at all, or not with these types of discounts. The Tory Burch riding boots have been one of the most popular finds in years past. 

What were the most popular items last year?

The most popular items last year were:

- AG The Legging Ankle Jean

-BP Open Front Cardigan (no longer linkable, was similar to this)

-Lush Deep V-Neck Tee 

How should I shop the sale?

I recommend previewing the sale products via the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Catalog prior to the sale date, and starring items you are interested in. I also tend to shop for staple items first. Last year, I had the most success, and got the most use out of staple items I purchased like fall booties, Nike tennis shoes, cardigans, work wear, athletic gear, and simple tee shirts! I also really recommend shopping for these online. Most Nordstroms have an "in-store pickup" option, so if you're worried about fit, you have the opportunity to scoop up the most desirable items and sizes via their website, and going to the store when it's convenient to try them on. If they don't fit, you can return them right there. 

To see my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks from last year, click here and here. 

Stay tuned for a full round up of my favorite items in the sale on Thursday July 13th! 

Grand Velas Riviera Maya Review

BB Dakota Dress // Steve Madden Strappy Sandals // Bamboo Bag // Baublebar Earrings // Michael Kors Watch

Grand Velas Riviera Maya, I love you. But really though. Let me begin by saying, if you haven't been to this resort, you need to. I have had the great pleasure of traveling all over the world, and getting to experience new hotels in each location, but this hotel blew me away. Below you will find a complete and honest review of my recent stay with Grand Velas.  

 

The Rooms: We stayed in a Zen Grand Suite with a Nature View. This room was a little over 1100 square feet and felt extremely spacious and roomy for two people. Our beds were super comfortable, the room was clean and the amenities were amazing! I'm a big coffee drinker, so the highlight of the room for me was the Nespresso machine. Upon arrival, our room had welcome drinks and chocolate covered strawberries, the bar was stocked with desirable snacks and alcohol, and a bottle of complimentary tequila awaited us. Like the bedroom, the bathroom was also spacious and complete with a giant jacuzzi tub. Mornings on the terrace were extremely quiet and peaceful with a view of the Mayan jungle. We also got to experience the presidential suite, which if you have a little extra pocket cash, is extremely worth it! Holy beautiful! 

In Bloom Paisley PJ Shorts (comfiest set of all time!) / In Bloom Paisley PJ Top // Dolce Vita Sandals 

Food: I love good food. Go ahead and call me a food snob, I'm totally fine with it because I'll own it. For me, food can either make or break a trip. Prior to my Grand Velas visit, I had experienced another all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya a year ago. That trip actually ruined my perception of all inclusives. The food was awful, the drinks were watered down and I just never looked forward to a meal there. This trip, totally different experience. I was completely blown away by the quality of the food! I had read a few reviews from people ahead of time who stated the food was good, but me being my food snobby self, had speculations about their taste buds. They were absolutely right! The food was top notch at every place we tried! So much so, that I may or may not have ordered three different entree's at a few different meals (not sorry). Let me break down the restaraunts we experienced:

• Frida: I don't know about you, but my mom tells me she thinks I should have been born to a Mexican family because I can literally eat Mexican food every day of the week. So why not start off our Mexico trip with none other than Mexican cuisine. We were traveling with a group of 8 girls, and basically everything looked amazing on the menu. So, we made the executive decision to order one of each appetizer for the table. Afterall, we were at an all inclusive - so why not? The yellowfin tuna was my favorite, but they were all good. My favorite entree of the trip actually came from this restaraunt, I had the fish fillet which happened to be Halibut that day! I also can't go without mentioning the chocolate ice cream! I'm simplistic when it comes to dessert, and prefer a scoop of ice cream over a piece of cake or something more extravagant. The chocolate ice cream at this resort was second to none!                                                           

• Piaf: Welcome to Parisian luxury! This french restaraunt was romantic, dripped in crystals, and off the charts exquisite. If you like a more intricate meal, this is the place for you. The bread here was unbelievable, I had some sort of croissant puff filled with melted blue cheese - bye summer diet (worth it). Here I had the french onion soup (duh), short ribs, and obviously another bowl of chocolate ice cream. Although, the molten chocolate soufle was pretty tasty too!

• Cocina De Autor: This was by far the most elaborate meal I've ever had! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that it was an 11 course meal full of surprises. Each course had a "not so traditional" flare to it, like quesadillas made out of mushrooms for instance. It was designed to be creative, playful, and bring new flavors together in what we would normally recognize as a traditional taste pallette. 

• Chaka: Chaka was located near us in the jungle section. I ate breakfast here during out last morning and ordered room service the other two mornings (I'm not a morning person.) The breakfast buffet featured a wide variety of international foods, including everything from donuts and french toast to breakfast quesadillas and soups. 

• Zen Pool: We ate lunch here two days in a row, and if I'm honest, I would have been totally content eating every meal here! The food was unbelievable. I couldn't get enough of the Tuna Tostadas and the fresh chips and guac. Everytime we ran out, we would just reorder another set of food! The drinks here were also great quality and delicious! If you're looking for something a little spicy, the Jalapeno Margarita is a great choice. In the mood for sweet, the Mudslide was my favorite indulgence!

Becca Swim Top // GRLFRND Jean Shorts 

Service: Again, above and beyond. We were greeted with smiling faces from the moment our transportation made contact with us at the airport, throughout our stay, and right up until they dropped us off. The staff at Grand Velas is truly customer service oriented, which is a breath of fresh air as I've experienced otherwise elsewhere! Francisco was our 24-hour personal concierge, which is standard at Grand Velas with any room. A group of 8 bloggers is a handful to handle, let's be real. However, he accomodated our every request with pure grace, including blowing up our Funboy pool floaties that were double the size of him. I know I have raved about a lot of things in this blogpost, but the service was truly top knotch and deserves to be recognized and applauded. 

Becca Swim Top // Becca Swim Bottoms // Ray Ban Sunnies

Grounds: The property the hotel is situated on is absolutely stunning. There are three hotels located on the grounds, each with a different feel. We stayed in the Zen Ambiance building, which was fringed by the Yucatan jungle and really lived up to it's name. It was one of the most calm and peaceful places I've ever been too, and if you appreciate nature, there are all sorts of interesting birds and wildlife around to watch and listen too. 

The Ambassador is located right on the ocean and is the more family friendly hotel on the property. This pool was much busier and crowded than the Zen pool, so if you are looking for the party, hop on a shuttle and head to the main pool. If you're feeling adventourous and want to go for a walk, you can also follow a beautiful enclosed wooden pathway that will lead you to the Ambassador lobby. My only piece of advice would be to bring a flashlight or light of some sort if you have one as it is very dimly lit!

Show Me Your Mumu Salty Tee // GRLFND Denim Shorts // BP Hat 

Spa: The spa is also located within the Zen Ambiance and we were fortunate enough to spend Saturday morning there for a Hydroptherapy sessions! See the full review on our experience, here. 

Overall, you can't go wrong at Grand Velas Riviera Maya! There is a reason why they won TripAdvisor's Travelers Choice Award, and rightfully so. We had such a great time, and it was by far the best all inclusive I have ever been too. If you're booking a trip, or you've already booked a trip here - stuff me in your suitcase please, because I'm jealous! Shane and I have already been talking about going back as a couple, or potentially exploring another one of their amazing properties next! 

*In partnership with Grand Velas Riviera Maya. 

Grand Velas Spa Riviera Maya

Hello, relaxation! It's not a vacation in my book, without a trip to the spa. I recently visited Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico with a group of blogger friends, and part of our stay included a hydrotherapy session at the resorts spa! 

 I love going to the spa. Fun fact, I actually never experienced a spa until I met Shane! Crazy, I know. But since then, I visit the spa on every vacation we take and we make the occasional trip at home, too. With that being said, I think it's extremely important to take a little time for yourself. For me, going to the spa means I can finally disengage from my day job, social media, blogging, and the million little things going on in my head at one time. I think it's the only place I know how to do this at. I leave my phone in the locker, grab a mimosa (or in this case a delicious mango juice), and enter the beautiful state of tranquility. 

The spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya was nothing short of amazing. Upon checking in, we were greeted with a smiling employee and a delicious glass of Mango juice (I drank four of these.) After a brief tour of the facilities, we were introduced to an eight step process known as Hydrotherapy. I've actually experienced hyroptherapy a few times, so I was familiar with the process. Prior to starting the journey, we rinsed off in their Experience Showers which were outfitted with multiple jets above and beside you. 

The Eight Steps in Our Water Journey:

Sauna: We began our experience with a 10 minute visit to the sauna, complete with cold towels and cucumbers over the eyes!

Ice Room: I'm a warm weather person, so the thought of an ice room traditionally isn't appealing to me. However, after experiencing the heat of the sauna, my body actually really appreciated the temperature change. Research shows that there are many benefits from exposure to quick temperature changes.

Color Therapy Steam: The steam room is probably my favorite place to be after a spa treatment, so I really enjoyed this step in the journey. If you're anything like me and have terrible allergies, the steam room really helps relieve the discomfort associated with that. It's also amazing for your skin, and can help boost your immune system!

Clay Room: This was one of the most interesting steps of the process for me, and one I had not experienced in prior hydrotherapy sessions. Upon entering the clay room, we were handed a tub of clay to rub all over our skin. After about 5 minutes, we rinsed the clay off with hand held jets and my skin felt soft and rejuvinated.

Polar Pools: As mentioned above, I am such a baby when it comes to cold anything (I can thank living in Florida for that). So, I was reluctant to switch from a hot pool, to a cold pool multiple times. However, I put my big girl pants on and was actually glad I followed through with this as the benefits far outweigh the few seconds of cold!

Waterfalls: After the Polar Pools, we moved right along to three waterfalls located inside of a large pool that massage your back. This actually feels really great if you have tense muscles. I personally have a ton of issues within my neck, shoulders and upper back - so sitting under these always help loosen my muscles back up.

Bubble Volcano: The Bubble Volcano is also located in the large pool. This part of the process is meant to stimulate circulation in your legs, similar to what jets in a hot tub do for you.

Water Bubble Bed: This is the last step in the process and these are amazing! It's a cement bed shaped to the human body complete with jets at the neck and bubbles that rise up around your body. Also located in the main pool, it's a great place to relax and enjoy the serenity of the entire experience!

Overall, this was such an amazing experience! I really can't rave about it enough. The employees are fantastic and extremely accomodating, the facilities are up to date and luxurious, and the experience as a whole is well worth it! If you're planning a trip to Grand Velas Riviera Maya, mark this down on your "to-do" list. It doesn't disappoint, and it's also worth noting that this experience is included in any 50+ minute treatment. 

Privacy Please Swimsuit (love this print too) // Mar Y Sol Beach Bag

For additional information on what the spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya has to offer, click here! Also, stay tuned for a full hotel review coming up this week!

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In partnership with Grand Velas Riviera Maya.

5 Healthy Foods In My Refrigerator

Striped Dress // Kendra Scott cuff // Watch // Link Bracelet // David Yurman Bangle

It's finally Friday! Being that we are six months from our wedding date, and that the first "official" day of summer happened this week, I thought it would be fun to chat about five things we keep in our refrigerator at all times. 

We've made a conscious effort to start pushing towards a totally clean diet, and I plan to cut all indulgences out three months from our wedding date (say a prayer for me, the sweet tooth rules the roost around here.) I am a very goal oriented person, so I wanted to be able to follow some sort of structure without shifting towards pre-made meals. I follow the Kayla Itsines BBG workout program, so I figured it was only appropriate to start her 28 day healthy eating plan, too. With that being said, there are a few items her program consistently uses in it's meals!

Water (OVI Hydration) - You're probably thinking, "okay, Vanessa - stating the obvious here." Yea yea, I know. However, drinking water for me is much harder than it sounds. Unless I'm working out at the gym, I simply don't get thirsty. This probably sounds super weird to you, but if it isn't coffee, - I'm "babysitting" my drink, or just not drinking at all. Insert my introduction to OVI Hydration. I talked a little bit about OVI on Instagram a few weeks ago, but I want to elaborate. Part of training and developing the regrowth of your muscles, is hydration. OVI makes drinking water interesting. It's low in calories, made of 10 ingredients, tastes good (Mango is my favorite), and simply put - easy. As pictured above, our refrigerator is stocked to the brim with different flavors, and I grab a couple each morning on my way to the gym and to work. It's available at big box retailers like Walmart, Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter. Since my Instagram post, I've also received a few messages from you guys about how much you like it -- so I think most would agree with me! 

0% Fat Plain Greek Yogurt - My greek yogurt of choice is Stonyfield. I like Stonyfield because it's not nearly as chalky as some of the others I've tried, and blends easily when used in recipes as a substitute! Yogurt is also an important part of your diet because of it's calcium content. Calcium allows our muscles and nerves to function, and eating yogurt is one of the easiest calcium sources out there! Kayla's program reccommends 2 1/2 servings of diary daily so we always have one of these in our fridge! 

Chia Seeds - I add Chia seeds to basically anything I can (including my above mentioned yogurt)! Chia seeds are a superfood in the nuts and seeds category, that are full of fiber! Adding Chia seeds to my smoothies, yogurt, and energy bites (ICYMI that recipe is here) helps increase my feelings of fullness after meals. 

Fruits and berries - Specific berries, like raspberries, are also a superfood! I've been a fruit and berry lover since my childhood days. Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries contain a high level of natural antioxidants and are great for giving your skin a healthy glow and protecting your immune system! Not to mention, they're super yummy in Kayla's smoothies and yogurt!

Veggies - last but certainly not least, veggies! Traditionally I buy a ton of veggies. Spinach, Kale, Brocolli, Asparagus, Green Beans etc. One of my favorite things to do with veggies, spinach in particular, is add them to juices! Spinach doesn't contain a strong taste, so adding it to a fruit juice doesn't alter the taste yet you still reap the benefits like its B vitamins! A little bag of veggies like the one pictured above is an easy "go-to" after a long day of work. I like chopping up some chicken, throwing it in a pan with a veggie mix, and calling it a day! Simple and healthy. 

Thats the scoop on my fridge sitch! I'd love to get your feedback on wether or not you are interested in additional content in the healthy eating space in the comments below! 

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"Written in partnership with OVI Hydration. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible."