The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

I may be new to blogging, but I am not new to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I look forward to this sale every year - probably more then I should. This sale is not about mark downs on last season's items that didn't sell. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is all about what's trending for fall and markdowns on your favorite staples and new drops. Excited yet?

Every year I anxiously wait for the arrival of my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Catalog. I comb through the pages over and over compiling my perfect list. You may think I'm crazy, but I've scored so many awesome Anniversary Sale finds in the past, I'd be crazy not to do my research.

Speaking of research - This year's sale is a little different from year's past. Sure, we all got the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog, but that was only a glimpse of what items were actually on sale. The complete list was exclusively online and made available only to a select few... until now.

This year Nordstrom has decided to make the entire Anniversary Sale list available to everyone. EVERYONE! Why is this important? Because things sell out. FAST. You need to be on your game and ready to pounce when your day to shop arrives. The sale opens for you based on your individual Nordstrom card holder level. So, from Icons to Insiders, your day to shop the sale will vary from August 4 through August 18. And if you're not a Nordstrom card holder, you will have an opportunity to shop the sale starting August 19. So game on!

Trust me... You need this!

Some of my past Anniversary Sale favorites are back on repeat. Trust me when I say you need to check these items out! Seriously - how cute is this Missoni poncho as a swim suit cover up?!?! It's back on Anniversary!

Also let's talk Stuart Weitzman and his over the knee boots. I wear these all the time and for me, are considered a closet staple. Another closet staple - my Spanx faux leather leggings. I actually have a blog post on different ways to rock these leggings.

And Eric Javits hats. They are excellent quality and so good. These hats are a splurge, but worth every penny.

The Rails military jacket is back, and this year is offered in several colors. It's a great lightweight jacket that pairs well with shorts, sweats, denim... My favorite is wearing mine with a lace skirt, knotted T, and my golden goose sneakers. Effortlessly cool.

Missoni Poncho

Stuart Weitzman OTK Boots

Eric Javits Fedora

Spanx Faux Leather Legging

Rails Military Jacket

T3 Ceramic Curling Iron

Gotta Love the Staples

Everyone has their own staples that they've grown to love. And this year's sale does not disappoint. A few things I'm so excited to see on this year's sale are the Free People Bralettes, Natori Feathers Hipster Briefs, and Slip Scrunchies. Tom Ford body shimmer smells like a dream and adds just the right amount of glisten. And once you try Commando thongs, you won't wear anything else. They are perfect under leggings for no lines whatsoever. Also, On Cloud athletic shoes are my newest workout obsession... and guess what - totally on Anniversary Sale! I'll be buying these for sure, as well as some of my other favorite staples listed below.

Turtleneck Pullover

Free People Bralette

Shimmering Body Oil

Slip Scrunchie Set

Lace Plunge Bra

Commando Thong

Cloud X Running Shoe

Hipster Briefs

NEST Reed Diffuser Duo

I Can't Wait to Check These Items Out!

Every year there are those items that you weren't expecting, but can't wait to try. Here are my top picks I'm most exited for. ATM, Fendi, Veronica Beard... this is going to be good!

Fendi Cat Eye Sunglasses

Colorblock Cashmere Hoodie

TOPSHOP crop sweatshirt

Frame Ripped Jeans

Band Graphic Sweatshirt

Crystal Platform Boot

Skate Glitter High Top

Half Zip Faux Fur Hoodie

Merino Wool V-Neck Sweater

This post is only a glimpse of what this sale has to offer, but hopefully this gave you a place to start. Know when this sale opens for you and mark your calendar. I'll be hitting up the sale on August 4th!

Happy shopping!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme

Love Emily.

Why I love my recipe cards

I'm not the best cook, but I can follow a recipe. Actually, following a recipe is the only way I know how to cook. I find a ton of recipes on Pinterest, grab some favorites from family and friends, and I have a couple tried and true recipes out of cookbooks. But for my favorite go-to recipes, I reach for my recipe box.

I started building my recipe card library a few years back when I was trying to get more organized with meal planning. I had recipes everywhere, and I remember struggling to find that soup I made a few weeks ago... or that coleslaw I made for Christmas last year. Was it in a book? Did I find it online? Or did my mom give it to me... seriously - I just needed an organized system.

I'm a scrapbooker at heart. So when I decided to start making recipe cards, I treated them like mini scrapbook projects. I started with an index card. On that, I layered patterned paper, images from books and cards, and of course, I wrote the recipes in my own handwriting. PLEASE - USE YOUR OWN HANDWRITING! Because the truth is, someday when you're gone, your handwriting will mean the world to your loved ones.

If my recipe is from a friend, I'll include her name in my recipe title. If the recipe is from my mother, I'll try to incorporate her handwriting. My recipe cards spark memories and reek of nostalgia. And I love it that way.

After I create my recipe card, I pull out my trusty laminator. My recipes are ALL laminated - mostly because I'm super type A and I want to keep them clean. Ha! But seriously - the lamination makes them so durable!

NOTE: When you're creating your recipe cards, be sure to use flat embellishments - stay away from dimensional decorations like gems and chipboard. You want your created recipe cards to be as flat as possible when feeding them through your laminator.

Besides the cuteness factor, let's talk convenience. I can't begin to tell you how many times I pull a recipe card and take it with me to the grocery store. The ingredients list doubles as my shopping list. Easy and done.

I store all of my recipe cards in an actual recipe card box. I found mine at Macy's, but you can find cute recipe card boxes at a variety of different retailers. Most of the time, recipe boxes include an index to organize and sort all your favorite recipes... so all you have to do is create your recipe card and file it away. When choosing your recipe card box, just be sure it is big enough to hold a standard size index card.

So there you have it. Pull all of your favorite recipes, grab some scrapbook supplies, and get crafting... You'll be so happy you did. Happy cooking!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.

My Family Calendar

As a family of five, life around here is busy. My three boys are 11, 13, and 16 and they are constantly running in different directions. We each have our own agendas that keep us on the move... from work to volunteering... sports to just hanging with friends... our personal calendars are full. And that's ok.

Trying to keep track of everyone's schedules can be exhausting. And I mean exhausting for everyone! I remember when my boys were little they constantly asked when their friend was coming over to play... or what day the babysitter would be here... or where we were heading on the weekend. This is when I created our family calendar.

I took a large poster frame, and in it, created a blank calendar with areas to jot down notes or schedules. I used a poster frame because I wanted this calendar BIG. Big enough to write specifics on different days. I needed room! I love that this calendar is big and easy to read. People walk by and at a glance can see what's on the agenda for the week. Yes, my calendar even includes 'bedtime' and 'rewards' because I made this YEARS AGO when my kids were small. AND WE ARE STILL USING IT TODAY! That says a lot. We all use this calendar as a supplement to our own personal agendas.

This calendar is essentially a gigantic dry erase board. I fill in the calendar and add events with chalkboard markers. I use different colors, I add decorations, and I just make it fun. This acts as our family's FYI board. Birthdays, family parties, grad parties, doctors appointments, practices or games... it's all added to our family calendar. This calendar is even more useful during the school year when I include things like day's off, late starts, choir concerts, or when major school projects are due. The kids know when they're getting their hair cut, when the family is going out of town, or when they can expect to be home alone. It keeps us informed and organized.

In our old house, our family calendar hung over the kid's homework desk. When we moved, the calendar came with us and still hangs in our kid's homework area. It's amazing how a small organizational DIY project became such an important fixture in our home.

I encourage you to create your own family calendar. Happy crafting!

Remember to check out my Instagram @smalltownme and TikTok @small_town_me

Love Emily.