Happy Monday! I’m here at Bald Head Island and definitely on turtle time as you can probably tell from my posting schedule! The weather has been off and on, but yesterday was absolutely beautiful with highs in the low 80’s and the humidity was relatively low which is very unusual for this time of the year at Bald Head!

I’ve still been making some fun videos and definitely active on social media, so be sure to follow me on Instagram and check out my stories to see what I’m up to! Amos and I have been doing a lot of walking and enjoying the beautiful weather…I’ve been cooking yummy meals, drinking some great wine and enjoying this time before the fam gets here!

Even though July seems like the middle of the summer, it’s always been the month when I start thinking about fall because the magazines are showing fall clothing and sweaters start to appear in stores! I’m by no means ready to start wearing fall clothes because it feels like it’s just now getting consistently warm but I do enjoy planning because fall is my favorite time of the year!

I think I’ve mentioned that the whole family will be here with us at Bald Head next week…all 11 of us and 2 golden doodles…Amos and John Wayne, our daughter’s dog. It will be a house full, but we’re going to cook and spend days on the beach, and enjoy being all together for the first time in a while! We’re going on an afternoon sail, and on the 4th we’ve entered the annual July 4th parade where everyone decorates their golf cart and prizes go to the best cart! I know it will be the most amazing memory for my grandsons and I’m so excited! I ordered every imaginable July 4th decoration from Amazon so we’re ready to go!

I know I’ve shared this dress in a previous post, but…I remember trying it on and at that time, I knew that I wanted to wear and photograph it on the beach! It’s the perfect, timeless summer dress and I couldn’t resist posting again! Yes…I did get the bottom wet, but it was so much fun and I’ve been wearing it around in the afternoons feeling very much like a Victorian seaside lady!

My Beach Reads…

I’m reading two amazing books at the same time…they are both so different and unlikely beach reads, but I’m really enjoying them both! The Neville Collection by Neville Goddard is a collection of essays written by Neville Goddard and first published in 1932. The essays were put into one volume and re-published in 2020! It you’re interested in metaphysics at all, this book is fascinating, but admittedly not the easiest read! I’ve been reading it first thing in the morning when my mind seems more receptive to comprehending the deep ideas! I actually am really loving this book!

The second book I’m reading is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, who also wrote Rules of Civility, which I loved! This beginning of this book is set in Russia…I’m only on page 178, and it’s so descriptively beautiful that I can see in my mind the beauty of Russia in the early 1900’s! However, at this point, I can tell it’s taking a turn and it’s going to get somewhat dark, but I am thoroughly captivated by the story, so, of course, I will keep reading! If you haven’t read Rules of Civility, you really should pick up a copy!

I’ve read many books at the beach and some of my favorites have been Educated by Tara Westover, The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale…also by Kristin Hannah, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, The Fountainhead by Anne Ryand (I stood in the pool and read this one for the most part because it was so hot that summer), The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave and Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver! I’m sure there have been many more but that’s a pretty good start!

When I first started blogging, I remember every blogger I followed being obsessed with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. At the time, I didn’t know what a big deal it was but now, I know what a big deal it is! The items included are fall items that are only on sale for a short time and the prices go back up when the sale is over so it’s really a great time to buy things that you need/want for fall. It’s also a great time to get a jump on holiday shopping!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

HERE IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE EPIC NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE 2023:

WHAT:

The Nordstrom Anniversary SALE is an amazing sale made up of NEW FALL ITEMS that go on SALE for a limited time, until August 7TH at which point the prices will go back up. This is a great opportunity to purchase new fall items at a discount and get a jump on your holiday shopping! The discounts are amazing and you don’t want to miss out!

In order to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale EARLY you must be a Nordstrom card holder.  You can apply HERE.

If you’re not sure what level card holder you are you can check by logging into your account on the Nordstrom website and clicking on MY ACCOUNT.

 IMPORTANT SHOPPING DATES: 

SHOP ONLINE STARTING AT 12:01 AM ET ON THE FIRST DAY YOU’RE ELIGIBLE TO SHOP THE SALE:

ICON STATUS:  JULY 3RD PREVIEW, YOU CAN START SHOPPING ON JULY 11TH ONLINE AND IN STORES

AMBASSADOR STATUS: JULY 3RD PREVIEW, YOU CAN START SHOPPING ON JULY 12th ONLINE AND IN STORES

INFLUENCER STATUS: JULY 3RD PREVIEW, YOU CAN START SHOPPING ON JULY 13TH ONLINE AND IN STORES

PUBLIC STATUS: JULY 3RD PREVIEW, YOU CAN START SHOPPING ON JULY 17TH ONLINE AND IN STORES

SALE ENDS AND PRICES GO BACK UP ON AUGUST 7TH

Favorites to Shop from Nordstrom (Not necessarily in the sale because no one knows until July 3)!

Wine…

By now, I’m sure you know that I love my wine and I’m always looking out for new ones to try! I’m pretty much a white wine drinker and summer is such a great to drink white wine! I’ve discovered two wines that I’m enjoying right now and I’ve also found a wine subscription that I’m going to join as soon as I get home!

The two wines that I’ve been enjoying since I’ve been here are Overstone Sauvignon Blank and Rumor Rosé! The Overstone is a well priced New Zealand Sauvignon Blank and the Rumor is a French Rose! I like to have a few bottles of something reasonably priced for an everyday drinking wine that goes well with cheeses and lighter summer fare and Overstone is great for that!

The Rumor Rosé is a little more expensive but still at $30 a bottle, it doesn’t break the bank! I typically am drawn to a French Rosé because they are light and dry and perfect for afternoons on the porch…at the beach or at home!

The wine subscription that I’m planning to join is Dry Farm Wines. Dry Farm Wines has a very specific criteria for the wines that they sell which I absolutely love… these criteria are - sugar free, not toxic additives, lower alcohol, organic farming, lab tested and vegan, keto, non GMO and paleo friendly! Dry Farm Wines has partnered with over 600 small farms that nurture the land, organically cultivate healthy soils, and grow wines with a beautiful sense of place.

Summer Recipes

As some of you know, I’ve recently partnered with Heritage Foods and have been busy cooking/grilling/eating their fabulous meats! They recently sent me an amazing box filled with pork tenderloins and pork chops. The farmers that partner with Heritage Foods grow 100% heritage breed animals that are raised humanely, outdoors, on pasture.

This collaboration is thrilling for me as it’s my first one as a “food blogger”! The Brown Sugar Roasted Pork Tenderloin above is a recipe from How Sweet Eats and I’m planning to make it soon!

Frozen Lemonade Pie was something my mother made when I was growing up! I loved it so much and I especially loved the graham cracker crust. I was scrolling through Instagram recently and saw this recipe from The Domestic Rebel, and summer memories of eating this pie came right back! I can imagine the tart lemon combined with sweetened condensed milk and it makes my mouth water! I cannot wait to try this recipe, but there’s no way you can go wrong!

On My Radar…

I’ve know about the brand & Other Stories, for a while now, but I’ve never really looked into it…what in the world was I waiting for! There are so many pieces I want! I would describe the aesthetic of & Other Stories as updated, well made classics…things you’ll keep for years to come and always feel stylish wearing them!

I would pair this striped sweater with these beautiful linen pants for a sophisticated beachy look! I also have my eye on this striped midi dress as well as this gorgeous tiered midi dress! I’m obsessed with this jumpsuit which would be great dressed up or down! Lately, I’ve been wearing long sleeve blouses in the evening because I get cold and this one is perfect for chilly summer nights. I’m loving this gorgeous blouse paired with these shorts!

I really hope you’ve enjoyed reading today! I’m including a boutique below with everything in the post to make shopping easier! PLEASE…leave a comment and tell me what you’re cooking, reading, drinking and shopping for this summer!