Good morning!!  I am so excited for this blog post because… (drum roll please…!) i’m hosting a giveaway for a Nordstrom Giftcard!! And it’s just in time for their Anniversary Sale which starts in just a few short weeks!

Nordstrom has quickly become one of my favorite stores! It literally has EVERYTHING!  I can pick up jewelry, shoes, dresses and more in one quick stop.  And while most think “I can’t afford anything at Nordstrom..” you are mistaken!  They have items at every price point.

Here are some of my favorite items:

I seriously have this shirt in 4 different colors; white, green, blue and pink! I love it that much.. and with that price point? It’s a definite must have!

These sandals are perfect for the beach or pool! Love that they’re super comfy (after wearing them in a little bit!) and fun!

I love these earrings so much!  They are easy to throw on and are a little smaller than Kate Spade’s regular square studs.  There are so many colors and only $38.

Or if you’re looking for a cheaper pair (to throw on and jazz up an outfit) these are perfect for you! 2 pairs of earrings for only $9.98!  I have these and love the pink ones!!

I love this dress!! It’s in my shopping bag as we speak.. so many colors, the price point is amazing and it’s seriously so cute!

I just got these in the mail this past week and i’m seriously (can I say that one more time?!?) in love with these!! I love these sunnies but not the $300 price tag so these are a great dupe!

You can also purchase lots of Lilly Pulitzer items at Nordstrom!  I’m loving this dress and I’d love to add another Essie dress to my closet!

This dress is just so stinkin’ cute!! I mean, A) I can wear a “normal” bra with it (huge win!) B) it’s flowy enough to breathe in the hot summer months and C) it’s $22.80.. need I say more??  There’s a few other color selections with this Socialite dress (different brand but still awesome fit!).

Apparently I’ve been on a red kick lately because that’s seriously (again… annoyed yet?!? I’m annoying myself with this word! Promise i’ll stop :)) what i’ve been drawn to lately! Maybe it’s because 4th of July is right around the corner or because it’s a bright color but whatever it is, this top is amazing! It’s really flattering and can be put with both pants or shorts and still look great!

This dress is a definite pick of mine as well!  There are a ton of color options and you can wear a normal bra (high-five to all bigger chested girls!)!

As you can tell… I have a serious love for Nordstrom which is why i’m so ecstatic to host this giveaway so a lucky reader can pick something up that they love as well!  Remember, the Anniversary Sale starts mid-July which will feature AMAZING prices on fall and winter pieces!! Great time to stock up on your wardrobe 🙂

Click below and follow through to be entered into the giveaway! Easy peasy 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For additional entries, check out my Instagram!  A winner will be randomly selected and announced on July 6.  Good luck!

This week and weekend were a bit hectic… but what’s new in our world?! I tell you… what I wouldn’t give for a weekend home on the couch in PJs watching movies all.day.long with a glass of wine in hand and hubby next to me?? Looks like the next time we’ll be able to do that will be in September!!

Ugh- that just sounds gross.  I have this problem- where I can’t say “no” to any plans; it’s a huge problem – don’t have that same problem?  I get it, you have the power to say No to things!  So another weekend passes and i’m just exhausted! But that’s the new normal right?  Plans always seems like a good idea at the time too- when it’s months away but then when it all comes up – I just want to lock the doors, close the blinds and pretend like we’re not home… FOR A WEEK minimum! You know the saying “You can sleep when you’re dead…” well I don’t care for that since i’d like to just sleep NOOOOWWW.  It’s going to be life full of dark circles under my eyes.. lucky husband!!

Now if you’re at the point where you’re thinking “what is the point of this post…” then I’ve clearly complained enough about being tired and I’ve bored you so i’ll move on.  I’m going to show some random pictures from my recent time with my nieces in Madison!  I seriously (wow, I never knew how much I used this word until I started blogging.. but oh well- just deal!) have the cutest or I guess prettiest since they’re not at the super young anymore.. which makes me sad and miss these days….

If I can’t have them back at those ages, i’ll take these ones….

Or I guess i’ll have to settle and let them keep growing! 😦 It’s crazy how fast time flies when it comes to kiddos!! Hope the hubs and my kids look this beautiful!

This not so little girl and I hit up Target and Cabella’s (because clearly we’re outdoorsy people…) while Trinity was at volleyball.  This little one is a total mini-me! Goodluck to my Sister!!

We got some ice cream after Rocky’s when Trinity was done 🙂 Gosh I love these girls! Stop growing up though, seriously… how is Trinity going to be 14 years old…?????

We’re both obsessed with pineapple’s and flamingos.. and just so happen to have the same shirt… #twinning

We played a lot of this… they literally have 5 different kinds of monopoly- missing Boo-opoly and I can’t even think of the other one.. T and S LOVE to buy up the most pricey properties and then put houses and castles (or whatever they are after houses??) on each of them.. one of them was literallly $2,000!! I lost every time.

Was soo happy to squeeze in a few hours for dinner with my good friend from college, Niki! She’s going to be a Mama in just a few short months (she’s due in August- doesn’t she look amazing?!) and it’s so funny to see her in this new role!  She will be an incredible Mama but it makes me miss our carefree nights out on Water Street!

Clearly i’m in love with flamingos.. have you read my blog? If you answered no, then you better go back and read each and every blog post.. Promise it’s worth it 😉 We were lucky enough to have one nice day to enjoy in their pool and we took full advantage of the swan and flamingos! We were also having a full on photo-shoot in case you didn’t notice!  Also, this was the first one-piece swimsuit I’ve worn in a gazillion years.. not going to lie I always thought they were more “Mom” type suits but- i’m enjoying this trend!!

We were also able to get lunch with my Dad on the lake and some Culvers ice cream after but I was too busy chatting to take pictures!

Hope you all had a great weekend.. Join me on Wednesday for an amazing GIVEAWAY!!! Make sure to sign up for emails so that you don’t miss out.. it’s going to be a good one!!

Kristi

Hi y’all! Today, i’m linking up with a few other bloggers for her Show and Tell Tuesday!

Today’s topic is about pets!  We have two pups; Leinie and Destin who are actual siblings (from the same parents) just different litters!

To say i’m obsessed is a little bit of an understatement 🙂

Leinie is 4.5 years old and such a sweet girl!

This was her as a puppy- tan with lots of dark brown and CURLY! Imagine that… 🙂

And this is her now.. 🙂 All white with very LITTLE black/brown!

This is little Destin 🙂 He’s 1.5 years old and such a playful little one!

Don’t mind the overload of pictures of our sweet little ones!! We clearly need babies SOON!! 🙂

Such sweet little puppies!! We couldn’t love them any more than we already do!!

The hubs would KILL me if he saw I posted this picture of him but Leinie just adores him 🙂

Fun fact: our puppies are from my in-laws!  Leinie was from the very first litter they bred and they’ve had about 8 litters since then! My sister got Luna, from their last litter and my brother-in-law (the hubs bro) and his girlfriend got one from the last litter as well, Penney!  So funny we’re all a big family of puppy siblings! 🙂

Thanks for the link-up, ladies!! Enjoy your Tuesday!!

Interested in what we’ve been doing with our lives the last few weeks?? Check out my life lately post here!

Kristi

It has been an insane few weeks of traveling, working, weddings and more traveling!  I thought i’d share a little bit about our life lately!

this bag.. though… 🙂

I recently bought this dress at Banana Republic Outlet… it was seriously $11.. and it’s amazing to just throw on and run errands or meet the girls for lunch 🙂

I spy with my little eyes… puppies!  They love to watch me while i’m planting more flowers!

I recently bought this dress from Lilly Pulitzer, and it’s a definite summer favorite!

Two weekends ago, we attended one of Logan’s good friends’ (from high school) wedding near Oshkosh, WI.  The couple are seriously THE.SWEETEST so we were happy to come help celebrate!  It’s always a good time when we can all get together; and it certainly doesn’t happen often enough! 🙂  It was 103 degrees that day and we all melted- ok… i’m exaggerating a little bit but it was in the 90’s and they had an outdoor ceremony.  We weren’t sure what to expect but it was actually cool enough out there and everyone was so focused on the perfect couple that no one could tell if they were melting or not. My husband definitely was 🙂

I’m working on a fun little DIY beach bag dupe for this bag since i’m obsessed with it but don’t like the $98 price tag.. let me know if you want me to post a step by step after I finish 🙂

this sweet little nugget was so tired out by the end of the weekend, he could barely keep his eyes open 🙂 Although to be honest… he didn’t do much all weekend! It’s so funny when we go to my in-laws – they have Leinie and Destin’s Mama and Dad (and a sibling) at their house and while you’d think they’d all want to play and have fun together when we’re there, it’s the total opposite!! Leinie would prefer to stay in her kennel (she doesn’t understand she’s a dog.. guess that’s our fault.. whoops!) and Destin LOVES to play.all.day. but not with other pups- he simply wants you to throw the ball for him… continuously.. Did I mention all day?? He has so much energy all the time!  And the other pups don’t care to interact together either.. so they all just do their own thing 🙂

Last weekend, we found ourselves back in Oshkosh for Logan’s cousin’s wedding!  I enjoyed some time on their deck in the sun, and Destin joined in!

New puppies were born at the end of May and they are just the cutest! My sister and nieces came for a quick visit over the weekend to see the new pups!  They got a puppy, Luna from my in-laws last year so we all have sibling puppies! 🙂

We spent some time shopping at the Outlet.  I can’t believe how big my nieces are.. especially T!  She’s so much taller than me and she’s only 13! She’s got legs for days 🙂

Sydney insisted on our usual selfie 🙂 puppies included this time!

We celebrated a late birthday for my sister-in-law, Dee!

Gosh, my hubby’s family is beautiful 🙂 And so are their significant others.. so thankful to have them all in our lives!

My wedding date for life… 🙂

Jenny and Anthony’s wedding was so much fun and so pretty!! So glad we were able to be back in town for it! Wouldn’t have missed it 🙂

Looking a little rough at the end of the night… all that dancing did everyone in!!

This is how I feel after the last few weeks.. I could sleep for days!!

I’m headed to Madison soon enough to spend some quality time with my nieces while my Sister and her husband go on a mini vacation 🙂

Hope you all have a wonderful week!! Sleep enough for the both of us, please!!

Kristi

 

Hi Friday- I am so happy to see you!!  The hubs and I have big plans for the weekend that will be taking place in Oshkosh, WI.  We have a wedding involving good friends and some catching up to do with the in-laws!

As like every other Friday- i’m linking up with some fellow bloggers to share my favorites for the week!

One

This week is Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale  and they have some great deals!  Usually, the bras are still a little more spendy (and for a large chested girl, they aren’t usually practical- I do not want OR need the push up.. ok??) but they were all marked $19.99 or less!  To me, that was a no brainer- especially when they still had my big size in cute and realistic bras!

There were so many options to pick from – bras, panties beauty products and even some Pink items are on sale!  Definitely check it out while it lasts!

Two

I shared my Brother’s Couple Shower on the blog yesterday which featured homemade Oreo treats/gifts along with some homemade cookies!  You can read all about it here.  Their wedding is July 30 so we are all counting down the days!  He’s the last of us to get married so i’m sure it’s a little bittersweet for my parents!

Three

I promise this is the last time i’ll mention this bag (I won this bag in a giveaway featured on Girls Meets Bow a few weeks back and was SO SO happy to receive it!!!) on the blog.  Well, I can’t make any promises it’s seriously one of my favorite items since I got it in the mail this past week!! I am using it this weekend for the first time… and SERIOUSLY there is SO much room in it!! I usually use my Vera Bradley weekender but this is seriously so much bigger.  And anything with a monogram is right up my alley 🙂

Four

I recently came across this post and was so excited to learn of the places where the hubs, myself and friends could watch a few movies in the park under the stars!  If you’re in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area, you should definitely check this out!

Ever since I saw The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, i’ve always wanted to watch a movie in the park! It just seems so magical and fun!  I’d definitely have to bring along some popcorn and other treats/drinks as well… umm hello, you want me to go 3 hours WITHOUT eating and snack?! No thanks… Anyone do this in their area?! I’m already checking our calendar for nights we’re free to do this!

Five

I have a serious obsession with Kendra Scott Jewelry.. I mean… her earrings, necklaces, bracelets… all of it!  I have quite a few pairs of her Elle and Danielle earrings and could seriously have one in every color.  They go with so much and make such a statement.  But with that said, they aren’t the cheapest earrings to purchase!  I’ve been obsessed with her Rayne necklace for the past year or two but I don’t love the price point and am always looking for a better deal!  While in Charming Charlie the other day, I came across these necklaces that are almost identical to the Kendra necklace mentioned above!  And Spoiler Alert- they’re $10!!

Kendra Scott ($90)                      Charming Charlie Dupe ($10)

Yes you read that right… $10!!  I’m sure there’s a bit of a difference (of course!) but for me, i’ll stick with the $10 ones!

Let me know if you like this feature on the blog- where I offer some great “dupes” for more pricier pieces?!

Six

I just bought this CC Cream in the travel size (better to give it a try and LOVE it than buy the big one and HATE it!) yesterday and surprisingly I really like it!! It’s a lot lighter than my foundation and it still covers all the pigmented/blemishes perfectly!

On a side note- whoever thought of offering travel sizes was a GENIUS!  I also bought this bronzer in the “mini” travel size to give it a try and ended up falling in love with that one as well!

Hope everyone has a fabulous and fun Friday 🙂 I’ll be back next week, recapping our weekend and sharing a yummy (healthy) treat recipe!  And if you’d like to get my blog posts straight to your inbox, feel free to click the “Subscribe by Email” at the top!

Kristi

This past weekend, my Sister, Mom and I threw my Brother and soon-to-be Sister in law a couple’s shower!  Holla!!  We invited only my Mom’s side as my brother’s fiance is having one on her side next weekend!

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a GREAT turnout from my Mom’s side… which wasn’t much of a surprise for us since there’s been some apparent issues with half of them since my Uncle passed away a year and a half ago.  It’s just an unfortunate situation that no one wants to discuss in order to move forward..  But it was nice that at least a few of them could make some time to celebrate my Brother and Anne-I know it meant the world to them that it was more of a priority to some of the family!

Umm how did this become so sour and a personal talk?! Moving on… like I always say – life really is too short to be anything but happy! I’ve had a lot of not so positive experiences in my life and you just have to move on and move forward!  So hopefully one day we’ll figure all our mess out but for now.. i’m focusing on the positives in my life…  so onto the shower… Spoiler Alert- there’s A LOT of pictures 🙂

 

We had the shower at Loopy’s in Chippewa Falls which is right on the river and has bean bags and volleyball! My Brother and Sister in law to be had only one request – there be no awkward bridal shower games.  Now, it was my full intent to play a fun rendition of the Newlywed Game (I would love to see all those answers!!) and also a few other silly games BUT I listened and stuck to just a nice hang out!

We hung around and played a “nail” game- I didn’t really see the hype but it seemed like a big highlight of the day! 🙂 You literally just use a 3 lb hammer (mallet?? who knows!) and see if you can hit the nail (down and up quick!) one handed and you play until someone’s nail is completely in the wood.  #amiboringyouyet

We had date night Popsicle sticks out for everyone to fill out (with very interesting ideas added!) #myhusbandhasadirtymind  and also played the clothespin game (where you can’t say Anne or Alex, Bride or Groom otherwise someone can steal your clothespin.  Winner has the most clothespins).

We, then snacked on some nachos, chicken, cheese curds and more and drank a little bit to clear it all down 🙂

Bags were played afterwards and then it was gift opening time!  They got so many wonderful gifts that will start to make their newlywed life a lot more fun (or so you’re supposed to think!)! #domesticated #whycantiregisterforclothes #orjustmoney

We had a cute little table set up for treats and thank you gifts 🙂 I made some Oreo desserts in mason jars for cute little gifts along with some pastel cookies (since their colors are pastel!).  The Oreo dessert is one my cousin makes for every Holiday and seriously… I could eat the whole entire pan of it EVERY.TIME!! Yum!

*The banner says Future Ballwegs but unfortunately it’s too far away to see!

While the turnout wasn’t huge, it was still a really fun day and it was nice to do something to celebrate the happy couple!!  It’s always nice when we can get all of us together! We were lucky the rain held off until about 4:00 so we were able to still do everything we wanted!

Their wedding is July 30 and will be here before we all know it!!!

Thanks to everyone that came out- you definitely added a lot to the day! 🙂

See you tomorrow for Friday Favorites!!

 

Kristi 

Today, i’m linking up with Erika and Shay for a fun topic: Stranded!  What 3 Netflix series would I take with me if I were on a stranded island..??

It’s hard to pick only 3… I mean, it literally has SO many options and choices!! I feel like i’d like to take a few that I haven’t quite seen so I could be surprised… although if i’m stranded and have to continually watch them.. I better LOVE them!!

So let’s get to it…

One

Friday Night Lights of course!! I love this show.. my wonderful husband introduced it to me about 6 years ago.. I know,late to the game but it is SO good!! The drama, the heart and the love, I just can’t even describe how good this is.. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it!! I could watch this over and over!!

Two

Fuller House… My only complaint about this is that the episodes are SO short!! Can they please make them longer for season 2?!  Growing up, I watched Full House ALL.THE.TIME. and was so stoked to start watching the second season!  #iliterallywatchedthewholeseasonin1day #noshame

Three

Hart of Dixie.. When I started this show, I wasn’t hooked right away.  I mean, the guys are gorgeous ,I love Rachel Bilson and the cute little town of Bluebell but I just couldn’t get hooked!! Until the second season… then it all went downhill after that.. I mean, it’s normal to sit and watch tv for all hours on end when it’s Winter right?! Definitely start this how if you haven’t already!!

We’ve also started watching Breaking Bad again!  We’re on the third season and I’m not in love with the show, BUT I of course need to see how it ends so we’ll keep watching..

We also re-watched the whole Office series again as well.. We’ve seen the majority of the episodes but stopped watching after Steve Carroll left the show.. we loved him so much it was hard to imagine the show without him!! BUT we finally watched it all and while it wasn’t as good as when Michael was there.. it was still pretty good!  And of course, I cried like a baby when it was all over!

I could honestly watch this show over and over!!

What shows are you watching on Netflix?! Is there anything i’m missing out on?

And just a quick photo- we hosted my Brother’s “Couple’s Shower” on Saturday in Eau Claire and for some reason Leinie was VERY clingy #shethinksshesachild #literally  I couldn’t even wrap a present without her trying to get on my lap..

i’ll share more on their shower later this week 🙂

Hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday!

Kristi

 

We were completely blown away (and ecstatic!!) when one set of our engagement pictures were featured on Midwest Bride!  As I mentioned before, we had two sets of engagement pictures done because I’m crazy and obsessed with pictures – one in Winter and one in Spring! I could seriously have pictures taken with the hubs everyday if he’d let me!  #hethinksiminsane #iprobablyam #justwaituntilwehavekida. Both were done by friends of ours and honestly.. They turned out so wonderful- we couldn’t have been happier! 

Here are a few favorites of (mine) ours:

These were taken by our dear friend, Jason who dabbles in photography every once in a while- although it looks like he’s been doing it for years! This was so fun to do because we actually cut down our Christmas tree during it… which made me even MORE excited for this day!!  It also helped get us warmed up a bit for pictures since we hadn’t had any taken previously!

These were taken by our amazing friend, Jess.   She is a wedding photographer on the side and she’s incredible! Definitely check out her work!  She took some pictures of us in our wedding attire after our wedding (our pictures from our actual wedding didn’t turn out very well.. at all! *Don’t think that just because you’re paying a TON of money for a photographer/company, they will automatically be good… lesson learned!) and the pictures turned out phenomenal!  I’ll share those another time 🙂

It was so fun to get some in downtown Minneapolis and some in more of a natural environment.  It was also great to bring out two different sides of outfits – per usual! 🙂

Be sure to check out our engagement session featured on Midwest Bride!

Have a fabulous Thursday.. it’s almost the weekend!

Kristi