Monday, July 13, 2015

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Since I'm not working anymore I'm supposed to be saving money, but a good sale is so hard to pass up! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts on July 17 (early access for cardmembers is going on now) and there are a few things that I'm considering picking up.

The first thing is these Hunter boots. We got a ton of rain this year, and quite a bit of snow too, and a good pair of rain boots would have definitely helped keep my feet dry. I've been wanting a pair for quite awhile, and this sale makes them too good to pass up! ;)


I've been looking for a pair of aviators and like these rimless ones by Tory Burch. I find that when I spend a little more on sunglasses I am less likely to lose/break them so I can justify the purchase.


I go back and forth between my 7 for All Mankind and Hudson jeans. There is something about the patch pocket on jeans that makes my behind look better, and that's something my sevens just don't have, so these Hudson Collin skinnies may be making their way into my cart. It seems the theme of this post is more fall clothing (now that the 100 degree temps have hit I am dreaming of cooler weather), and who doesn't love a good pair of skinny jeans and boots? 


This coat is to die for! The leather sleeves make it kind of fun and edgy, but it's black so I feel like it will be timeless and classic. It's $460 on sale though, so for now I'll just admire it from afar. There is a possibility that we'll be taking a trip to Europe in mid-October, and this would be so perfect! I wonder if I can talk Michael into it...



I'm also eyeing a few things for Michael in the men's sale to spruce up his work wardrobe. 

What are you looking to pick up at the sale?

XOXO,
Heidi
Thursday, July 9, 2015

Travaasa Austin

Michael and I were supposed to go to Napa this week for our first adults only vacation in five years, but unfortunately he had something come up for work and we had to cancel the trip. At first I thought we could just do a staycation in Dallas, but then I remembered reading about an adults only resort in an issue of Texas Monthly awhile back. Travaasa!

Travaasa is almost like a summer camp for adults. There are different activities scheduled throughout the day, most of them included with the price of your room, and you can pick and choose the ones you want to try. There is hatchet throwing, archery, a climbing wall & zipline, the prickly pear challenge course, horseback riding, chicken farming, summer seeding, geocaching, swing dancing, and the list goes on. 

We wanted to be able to take advantage of the beautiful infinity pool each day, and maybe fit a nap in, so we only did one activity a day. 


The first day we did the guided Heart Starter Hike. Boy did it get my heart started! A little too much for Michael's liking - he wants me to go see a doctor because I sometimes experience shortness of breath and tightness in my chest. I think it probably just means I'm really out of shape and need to get more active, but it's worth getting it checked out just for peace of mind. There are two trails on property. The blue trail has less elevation changes, and the orange trail has more up and down. I was okay on the blue trail, but once we started climbing back up on the orange trail I had to sit and rest so I could catch my breath. We took a hike the other two mornings as well, but stuck with the blue trail (1.3 miles) those days. 


We were both in need of a massage, so the first day we were there we both had Deep Sleep Aromatherapy Massages. It was 80 minutes of bliss that flew by way too quickly! 

Our activity on Day 2 was archery. I'd done it in 6th grade at camp, so I knew that I'd be a pro. Not exactly, but it was still fun! The instructor was great, but I really wish he'd started by taking pictures of us, because he kept telling us that we had to keep our bodies square with the target, but it wasn't until I saw this picture that I realized how much I was angling my body to the target. No wonder Michael hit the bullseye and I didn't! ;)



That night we went to The Domain to and had dinner at North Italia. The pasta is homemade and is delicious. I'd definitely recommend it.

Heading to Dinner
Travaasa has a farm and they try to use as many "home grown" ingredients in their restaurant as possible. We had dinner there one night and breakfast and dinner the other days we were there - everything was fresh and delicious! My favorite meal was dinner the first night. I had grilled shrimp with roasted tomatoes, kalamata olives, and zucchini noodles. I loved it so much that I went out and bought a spiralizer today! After trying many of the fruits and vegetables that are grown at the farm, we decided to go to a seeding class on our final day so we could actually see the farm. I want to start an herb garden, and my sister-in-law, Lisa, who is a dietician, suggested I try having Sophia and Carter help plant some fruits and veggies as well because studies show that kids who are involved in growing their own are more likely to want to try them. Carter is a little more daring than Sophia, but neither of them strays far from the standard pasta, chicken nuggets, bean burrito/quesadilla, or grilled cheese diet and I'd like that to change. Anyhow, back to the class. It was very interesting, but I can't say that it was helpful in terms of my being able to take what I learned back home and immediately start a garden. I did learn where to look to get information on what to plant and when, so that was helpful. I also ate some flowers (society garlic) and leaves (can't remember) so that was fun.

Travaasa offers an all-inclusive package that includes all food, but no alcoholic drinks, and $125/day per person towards spa experiences or activities that cost an extra fee. We chose to go with the Your Travaasa plan, which wasn't all-inclusive. Even though we did eat at the restaurant several times, and our massages were more than $125, we still saved money by choosing not to go all-inclusive. I'm hoping to go back in the next year or so and will try more activities then, but we will still probably do the same package. 

If you are looking for something a little different, and are up for trying new things, definitely check out Travaasa. They also have a resort in Maui. Someday....

XOXO,
Heidi



Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Exercise



I have never been the type of person who enjoys exercise. I wish I was! I would much rather cuddle up on the couch with a good book than be outside getting active. 

Up until the past few years my lack of activity wasn't really an issue. I was really lucky in that I didn't seem to put on much weight. And then I did. Don't get me wrong, I am still within the "healthy range for my height," according to my doctor, but I'm not necessarily in the range where my clothes aren't either too tight or really uncomfortable. It doesn't help that a sweet second grader at my school asked me if I was pregnant (totally the dress I was wearing and not the little pooch I've been sporting, right?). I have gotten to the point where I get winded when I walk upstairs with my kids. Not good. So now is the time to get out there and get active.

Luckily we have an elliptical sitting upstairs gathering dust, so a few weeks ago I decided it was time to get upstairs and get healthy! I'm not setting a specific goal for number of times a week I'll do it, I'm just going to try my best to stop making excuses. I have already worked out twice this week for 30 minutes each. Yea me! :)

XOXO,
Heidi

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Summer Fashion

Warm weather is fast approaching (who am I kidding, this is Texas - HOT weather is fast approaching!), so it's time to think about warm weather wear! 

Shorts....I needed some new shorts, so I picked up a few pair from JCrew (25% off with code SUMMERLOVE)
5" Chino Shorts (3" version here)
The scalloped hemline on these shorts from Loft - love! I may have to pick up a pair!
Loft
I picked up this white skirt from JCrew Factory about a month ago and it finally arrived (it was backordered, but it's in stock now!). I was surprised when I got it because it has two layers of lining so there is no concern of it being see-through. I wore it to dinner and a birthday party on Saturday night and got lots of compliments!
Factory Textured Patio Skirt
Tees and tanks...JCrew Factory always has the cutest graphic tees. For basic tees you can't go wrong with Target. In the past I've gotten my tanks from Gap, but it looks like the ribbed ones I used to get have been replaced by the modern tanks, which have mixed reviews. They do have a ribbed version in the Pure Body Essentials line, but it looks a little thin (more of a sleeping tank). 

Dresses....I picked up a black maxi dress from Gap during a recent sale (don't they always have a sale?), and when it arrived and I realized how comfortable and cute it was, I scored a few more on MAJOR sale! The black dress is sold out, but these are very similar (mine isn't linen, but it has the same high-low hemline).


Linen Drawstring Midi
I also picked up this dress  with a reward. I still haven't decided what I think of it - I usually wear a small or medium depending on how roomy it is up top, but for this dress I had to order an extra small and it still seems a little boxy (and very short!). I got a really good deal on it so I decided to go ahead and keep it (if nothing else I can wear it as a swimsuit cover-up).
Stripe Relaxed T-shirt Dress


I had another Banana reward, so I ordered this dress. I love how loose and flowy it is! After reading the reviews, I decided to order a small. I was worried because I have a pretty big chest, but the small fits perfectly.

Trapeze Dress

Accessories....my Louis Vuitton Neverfull is probably my favorite summer accessory! It was actually a gift from Michael last year when I didn't win Teacher of the Year (that's okay, one of my best friends won, and I got my purse!). It's perfect because I can throw everything inside and go. I may need to find some sort of an organizer, though, because it seems that things get lost in there! 
Louis Vuitton Neverfull

I love big earrings on other people, but for me the simpler the better. I stick with my diamond studs or any of my Tiffany ball earrings. 
Pearl
Sterling Silver Ball
Black Onyx

I also added this watch from Fossil to my collection - I thought the rose gold and white were perfect for summer! 


Cecile

Shoes....I wore my Butter sandals from Reef for years, but then they had to go and "update" them (I don't know why it's called an update, they didn't improve them at all, they ruined them!). For everyday casual, I wear my Reef flip flops, but if I want to dress it up a little I go for my Sam Edelman sandals.

Reef Ginger
Sam Edelman Gigi

And to top it off (sorry, bad joke) I got a fun new hat. I'd been wanting a fedora, this one from JCrew Factory seemed perfect.


Factory Open-Weave Ribbon Fedora
XOXO,
Heidi