• Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love #29

    Preparing our home for fall.

    Is anyone else enjoying the cooler nights? Things I love most about fall are throwing on a sweatshirt and leggings, wrapping up in a cozy blanket while reading a book and sitting by the bonfire with friends. Here are a few items that I’ve been buying to get our home ready for fall. (Click on the photos or blue words below for more information and to shop.)

    Plants – I love gardening in our yard, but I’ve never been a house plant person. I had a corner in our dining room that I wanted to fill with a house plant for years and I finally took the plunge. In early August, I bought a few larger plants and some fun planters at a local garden store. (See my Instagram for photos.) I love the look of plants in the house and I think I found a new hobby. This week I bought a couple fun planter sets that I’m excited to fill.

    Peach & Pebble Classic Ceramic Planter + Wood Stand – I was on the search for the perfect white planter on a wood stand and I found it. I bought both sizes of this pot and they are exactly what I wanted. Note: The pots have a drainage hole and do not come with a plug.

    Peach and Pebble

    West Elm Dahlia Planter Set – I’m planning to buy this set for our Chicago showroom; but I wanted to see it before purchasing multiple sets, so I ordered one to be shipped to our home. I like it so much, I’m keeping the first set. In the showroom, I plan to display the pots and tray separately. Note: The pots have a drainage hole and come with a plug.

    West Elm Dahlia Planter Set

    West Elm Calluna Planter Set – Same story as above, I’m buying this set for the Chicago showroom and wanted to check it out. However, I always had plans to keep this one for on top of our new bedroom dresser that will arrive later this month. Again, you can separate the marble tray from the brass pots. Note: These pots do not have drainage holes.

    West Elm Calluna Planter Set

    Two helpful items I discovered are these planter fillers and a water / pH gauge. Also, I created a notes page on my phone for all of my new plants with information about the light and water levels they prefer; so when I’m not sure, I can reference my phone. I did second guess my water gauge once and ended up overwatering my Split Leaf Philodendron which isn’t very happy with me. I just couldn’t believe that plant could go over two weeks without any water… I guess the humidity is higher than I thought.

    Planter Filler
    Water / pH gauge

    I love making our home cozy for Fall with candles and soft blankets.

    Nest Pumpkin Chai Candle – Nothing says fall like the smell of pumpkin. If you look back through my posts, you’ll see I’m a huge Nest candle fan and their pumpkin candle has been in my seasonal rotation for years. Side note: The Nest Grapefruit candle is amazing in the kitchen during the summer.

    Nest Pumpkin Chai

    Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte Candle – Even though I’m not a pumpkin latte fan; I am a Voluspa candle fan and I love the look of this candle holder, so I might have to order one.

    Voluspa Spiced Pumpkin Latte

    Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Throw Blanket – I bought this blanket during the Nordstrom sale for myself and a dear friend. It is so soft and cozy! John has decided it’s his new favorite blanket because it’s long enough to cover his entire body when laying on the couch. If this is more than you want to spend, there are similar styles for less here.

    Barefoot Dreams Throw Blanket

    Nordstrom Ugg Plush Throw Blanket – I have this in cream and light blue. There are several other Ugg blanket styles on Amazon.

    Ugg Coastline Plush Throw Blanket

    Leave a comment about what household items you buy each fall to make your home cozy and inviting.

    My next post will be on cozy fall clothing. If you have any favorites, send them to me and maybe they’ll make my favorites list.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.

    Comments Off on Things I Love #29
  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #28

    The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2021

    The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is this month. This sale has great designer discounts and exclusive beauty product bundles you can’t find anywhere else. So get yourself over to the Nordstrom website and start a Wish List, even if you can’t shop yet. Put everything you like into your Wish List because some things will sell out before you are able to buy.

    If you don’t have a Nordstrom card, but are a regular Nordstrom shopper, I highly suggest signing up for the credit card. If you’re not familiar with Nordstrom’s rewards program, it’s composed of four different levels: Icons (shoppers who spend upward of $15,000 a year), Ambassadors (shoppers who spend at least $5,000 a year), Influencers (shoppers who spend at least $2,000 a year), and Insiders (shoppers who spend at least $499 a year.) Each tier of the program has a different start date to the Anniversary sale. Icons were able to shop on July 12, Ambassador Level access begins July 14, Influencer Level access begins July 16, and the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to everyone on July 28, running through August 8. 

    Here are a few things on my Wish List. I won’t be buying all of these, but this is my list to pick and choose from when I’m able to purchase. (Click on the blue words below for a direct link to the item(s) on the Nordstrom website.)

    I love stocking up on quality candle sets during the Nordstrom sale. Not only is it nice to have a backstock of candles, but they make great gifts. (Starting from top left: Nest Grapefruit & Tangerine candles, Archipelago 5-piece Botanical Votives, Diptyque 5-piece Limited Edition, Nest 3-candle set.) The votive sets are really nice if you haven’t tried these particular scents before. Here are all the candles and home scents included in the Anniversary sale.)

    Do you know someone who loves Napa, Aspen, Malibu or Big Sur? These Archipelago candles capture the essence of each of these areas and make an amazing gift for yourself or a friend.

    One last candle fave… the Voluspa tin candles are so perfect for travel because you don’t have to worry about them breaking in your suitcase. There are several scent profiles included in the sale.

    The next section is Beauty Bundles – some of these bundles are created exclusively for the Nordstrom sale and can’t found anywhere else, others are just a great deal.

    La Mer Beauty Bundle

    If you’ve always wanted to try LaMer or you just want these great travel sizes, this is a good deal.

    Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover

    This is the only eye makeup remover that I use and it takes off everything (including waterproof makeup) without scrubbing the delicate eye area. This set will last me at least a year and I love getting a fresh travel size bottle to refill.

    My favorite L’Occitane products are this foaming oil body wash and their hand and body lotions.

    The Herbivore body line is all natural and the Coconut milk bath soak is my favorite. I’m excited to try their coconut oil body polish.

    Nécessaire Body

    These were on my Nordstrom sale list last year. I LOVE the Nécessaire Eucalyptus scent body wash and usually have one bottle in my shower with a back-up in my linen cupboard. The fragrance free body lotion is really rich and if you want to add a scent, just put a few drops of scented oil in your hand with the lotion when applying.

    GloPRO Microneedling Tool Set

    I have the BeautyBio GloPro Microneedling tool and use it at least a few times every month. Microneedling gently rejuvenates skin from the inside out and it really helps your beauty products absorb into the skin. (Tip: remove the batteries from your tool when not in use to extend their life dramatically.)

    Olaplex Bond Maintenance Set

    This Olaplex set will help reduce breakage and strengthen your hair. Great for those of use who color and / or use heat to style. I use this trio on my hair at least once a week and have seen a big improvement with fewer split ends.

    Ok, onto some accessories…

    How cute are these Carson Striped Tory Burch bags? The one on the left is more of a wallet on a chain and the one on the right is a small handbag. Both have gold chain straps.

    If you need a new lug sole Chelsea ankle boot for winter, buy one during this sale. Here are two of my favorites from Marc Fisher and Tory Burch.

    This Tory Burch crossbody bag makes a great date night bag. You can remove the strap, if you prefer a clutch.

    This Kate Spade wallet comes in four different colors.

    Gorjana Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings. These are small and delicate. A simple, but dressy earring.

    A couple cozy throw blankets. There are several blankets included in the sale if the two below aren’t your style.

    This Barefoot Dreams throw is super cozy and it’s available in 12 different color combinations.

    I bought this plush Ugg throw blanket in Ivory last year (for the front porch) and I think I might get it in light blue this year (for my bedroom.) There are six different colors available.

    There’s always an Ugg genuine shearling slipper included in the sale. I like the thicker sole on this one, just in case you need to run outside.

    If you haven’t tried Tommy John, this is a great time to do so. The fabric is super soft and the sleepwear and loungewear keeps you cool for anyone who gets warm at night.

    Tommy John Pajama Tank.

    Tommy John Second Skin Lounge Pants.

    Tommy John Jersey Joggers.

    Cute Thread & Supply shirt jacket (4 different colors available) for cool fall nights on the patio or by the bonfire.

    Treasure & Bond V-neck Sweater available in four colors.

    Large rectangle Treasure & Bond Plaid Scarf available in three color ways.

    Halogen Balloon Sleeve Sweater available in four different colors.

    Open Edit Rib Stitch Crop Sweater available in four colors.

    I haven’t tried these Sweaty Betty Super Sculpt High Waist Leggings yet but other bloggers rave about them, so I’ll be purchasing a pair to try.

    Every time I look around on the Nordstrom sale, I find more items that I like; so I might do a smaller post in a day or two of additional items. If you come across any great deals or items you love included in the sale, please share in the comments.

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.

    Comments Off on Things I Love – #28