My parents decided to coordinate a last-minute visit to see us in Charlotte since their travel plans earlier in the week took them to Atlanta and they figured they might as well continue driving north to see our crew before heading back to Florida. (Oh the joys of having a grandson at home to entice them into more visits!)
Our weekend plans are pretty up in the air but I don’t care what we do since two of my favorite people in the world will be here with us. Hooray! If the weather holds up, I see some boating adventures taking place in the morning and since my parents fell in love with Alino’s Pizzeria last time they were here for a visit, I’d be willing to bet a pizza night will pop up on the agenda as well.
But before they arrive and I’m all-in on family time all weekend, I wanted to share your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post with you here today! Please see below for a short roundup of some things that are making me smile this week and, as always, please join in the fun in the comments section.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Soft Shell Crabs
Soft shell crabs are not readily available at grocery stores in the Charlotte area very often so I was incredibly happy (and surprised) to find them at Whole Foods last week! As someone who could eat seafood every day of the week, there are a few specific seafood rarities I don’t find often that I love so much and soft shell crabs are one of them! Naturally I had to buy them and immediately texted my mom for cooking instructions. I simply tossed the crabs in flour, dredged them in a scrambled egg and tossed them in additional flour before seasoning with salt and pepper and frying them up in some ghee in a skillet. So simple. So delicious! (And yes, you eat the whole thing!)
- Watching Toddler Friendships Develop
This is a new one for me as a first-time mom, but lately, as Chase and his toddler BFFs all approach two years old, watching their friendships develop has been so fun. Chase loves his friends and asks for them by name all the time but perhaps my favorite thing to see is the way his interactions vary with different buddies. For some reason I didn’t anticipate this at such a young age but it’s so neat to see how his friends’ varying personalities bring out the different sides of Chase’s personality. For such young kids, sometimes they all seem like little adults to me and watching Chase and his buddies grow up truly brings me so much joy. I love these little ones so much!
After months and months of waffling back and forth about whether or not to pull the plug on this one, I finally purchased a cordless vacuum when a refurbished Dyson V6 popped up for sale on Zulily. I wasn’t sure whether or not it would be worth it but the positive reviews were encouraging so I took the plunge. I am SO glad I did because the ability to whip out the vacuum and quickly run it around the kitchen or living room for a few minutes without lugging a big vacuum all over the place and worrying about changing the cord with every room I enter has really helped us stay on top of vacuuming way better than we have in years. With an almost two-year-old in the mix, I feel like I could vacuum every 5 minutes and still need to vacuum, so this lightweight vacuum is coming in VERY handy! It’s easy to maneuver and slides effortlessly under our couch and coffee table and other hard-to-reach places.
While I’m loving this vacuum, I will say I don’t think it’s worth the brand new price for one main reason: You have to charge it for it to work which means you’re limited to 15-20 minutes of vacuuming. This isn’t a big deal for us when we’re just doing a quick once-over of certain rooms but we wouldn’t be able to use it to vacuum the whole house at once. I have no regrets purchasing this on super-sale for a refurbished price but if I was going to pay full price, I’d want the vacuum to work for a longer amount of time.
- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Finds: The BIG Roundup
As promised last week, I’m back today to share a giant roundup of awesome finds from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale now that it is open to the public! Because I’m kind of a sucker for organization (at least on the blog…), I broke up my finds into categories – My Purchases / Past Purchases I Still Love / Wish List Finds – and then subcategorized everything into Fitness / Apparel+Shoes+Accessories / Kids / Home. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to scroll to the sections that interest you most! Happy shopping!
MY PURCHASES:
- Fitness
Zella Live In High-Waist Leggings (These leggings got the BEST reviews so I ordered them last week and they’re FANTASTIC… and only $35.90! The quality is on par with lululemon, the fabric is wonderful for hiding lumps and bumps and the high waist is perfect for slimming the belly. LOVE these leggings!)
Adidas Relaxed Logo Tank (I couldn’t resist this throwback style tank for only $21.90!)
Nike Muscle Tank (Another flowy muscle tank that called to me. Comfortable and cute worn loose or tied into a little knot.)
- Apparel / Shoes / Accessories
Cutaway Bootie (I ordered these booties for the fall because I hate the way most booties make me look like I have cankles and this pair is much more flattering due to the cross-foot cutaway style.)
The Shorts Version of the Nordstrom Moolight Lingerie Pajamas (The fabric of these pajamas = Heavenly!!)
Leith Cold Shoulder Dress (I am still waiting for this one to arrive and have high hopes for this feminine and breezy dress!)
- Kids/Baby
Converse Chuck Taylors (I couldn’t resist! Toddler Chucks!?!? Too stinkin’ cute!)
Nike Free Sneakers for Chase (I ordered the next two sizes of Chase’s favorite Nikes to hopefully get us through the next few months!)
The Honest Company Baby Arrival Gift Set (I received two of these for my baby shower and they were wonderful! I ordered two to have on hand for future baby showers/sprinkles.)
ITEMS I ALREADY OWN AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND
- Fitness:
Nike Free Run Distance (My current go-to shoe for boot camp workouts, short runs and general fitness.)
Nike Free Focus Flyknit Sneakers (Nike Flyknits are THE BEST. I have three pairs and LOVE them so darn much.)
- Apparel / Shoes / Accessories:
Leith Ruched Bodycon Dress (The magical dress that somehow flatters every body type! This one isn’t part of the sale but still worth mentioning! Shipping on this dress is free!)
Orly Laceup Sandals (Awesome pair of strappy flat sandals you can dress up or down. Love them with shorts and a casual top for a little extra pizazz!)
Marc Jacobs Mini Biker Backpack (I have this backpack in solid black and use it every single day! Perfect for storing everything from diapers and snacks to my wallet, a small book for Chase, car keys and my phone!)
Rails Hunter Plaid Shirt (I received this top in a StitchFix delivery and while it’s a splurge item, I am so glad I kept it because the fabric is flattering – not overly bulky and thick – and it’s so versatile. I wear it buttoned up, tied around my waist or tied up crop-top style.)
Nordstrom Moonlight Lingerie Pajamas (The minute you touch these pajamas you’ll understand why they have so many positive reviews.)
- Baby/Kids:
Aden + Anais Swaddling Blankets (Our absolute favorite! So soft.)
Freshly Picked Moccasins (Chase’s go-to shoe for months and months!)
- Home:
Cable Knit Cotton Throw (A wonderfully soft blanket perfect for snuggling anytime of the year! Light enough for summer but cozy enough for winter and available in a ton of colors. Great gift idea!)
Voluspa Mini Tin Candle Set (I received this as a gift one year and the candles smell amazing!)
ADDITIONAL SALE STANDOUTS / WISH LIST:
- Fitness:
Zella High-Waist Crops (Since I love the leggings version of these crops so much, I may need to order these, too!)
Nike Juvenate Sneakers (I bought a floral print of Nike Juvenate sneakers during last year’s Nordstrom sale and they’re SO comfy! Love the solid black look of these sneakers.)
- Women’s Apparel / Shoes / Accessories :
Cozy Chic Circle Cardigan (This makes me want winter to come NOW so I can cuddle up in this cozy cardigan with a mug of hot cocoa!)
Converse Chuck Taylor Slip On Sneakers (Great color for the fall.)
Sole Society Foldover Clutch (Such a gorgeous bag.)
Rag & Bone Skinny Ankle Jeans (My favorite length for denim! Perfect for pairing with booties this fall.)
Finnegan Faux Leather Crossbody Bag (The cognac color is beautiful!)
Mustard Crossbody Bag (I LOVE the way mustard seems to go with everything in the fall and this bag is only $29.90!)
- Baby:
The Honest Company Diaper Bag Backpack (A backpack diaper bag is the best thing going, especially as little ones become more mobile.)
- Kids:
The North Face and Patagonia Fleeces + Winter Jackets (Boys / Girls)
- Home:
Chloe Duvet Cover (I am DREAMING about this duvet cover in white!)
Two-Tone Straw Basket (Perfect for everything from towels and blankets to hiding kids’ toys!)
Recipe Box (This screams Anthropologie to me! I think it would be such a cute bridal shower gift!)
PomPom Canvas Bins (How cute are these for a kid’s room or play room!?)
- Friday Flashbacks
Best Ever Morning Glory Muffins (The BEST morning glory muffin recipe straight from Sunflour Baking Company, a Charlotte-area favorite! I made these again earlier this week to share with a neighbor and they are just so darn good.)
Leg Workout: Three Circuits + A Challenging Finisher (At first glance this workout might not seem that bad, but a few minutes into the first circuit, I really had to dig deep to complete this one! Check out the full post for the killer finisher, too!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing that is making you smile today?
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I love seafood, but I don’t know how to cook most of it (other than fish) so I get intimidated. Those crabs look delicious!
OMG! We have the Dyson V6 Motorhead and LOVE it. I had our first one for about 2 years and I think I used it so much I wore it out. The head stopped spinning. I got it at BBB, packed it up and they exchanged it out no problem. I got the next version up. I love it. I’m also glad I got it at BBB since they have such a great exchange policy. Yes, it is so expensive, but I feel it’s so worth it since I reach for it multiple times a day. I always have enough of a charge to get my whole house done and j was worried about that. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to corded. It’s great for people with hardwood or tile, too. Have a great weekend. Happy birthday to your mom.
That’s great to know about Bed Bath & Beyond. We’ve had to exchange our Keurig there twice now and I didn’t realize their policies extended to other items as well!
They exchanged it at the time, plus I had the receipt. But they never questioned me about anything, so I wonder if they would do the same if I hadn’t purchased it there. Plus, I want to add, we have a smaller home, so the charge lasts. I guess if it was larger, we’d need something else.
Zella leggings are everything! Also obsessed with the pjs and Leith dress, so good! I love the Nordstrom sale, ha!
I absolutely adore soft shell crabs! I live in the NY area (but am originally from VA and used to eat them straight out of the Chesapeake Bay) and was always hesitant to order them at restaurants b/c they tended to either overbread them or throw on some aggressive sauce that completely masked the delicious crab!
Yours look delicious!
I love a cordless vacuum with all my heart!
How nice and fun that your parents are coming up! I know it’s close to Chase’s birthday as well so it’s nice you can celebrate both your mom and potentially an early birthday for Chase! Have a great weekend Julie 🙂
Have such a fun weekend!! I want to try that workout 🙂
So many good Nordstrom finds! Those crabs look delicious as well. Hope you have a great weekend!
We have the same vacuum and love it! We got it brand new and the charge lasts a long time. Maybe you need a new battery?
I wonder if the fact that ours is refurbished make a difference! How long does yours run before the battery drains?
Honestly we leave it off the charger for a few days and are able to use it to do clean ups here and there as we need it. Rarely ever dies on us unless it has been a few days without charging and we use it a lot.
Have a lovely time wth your parents. You have me craving crab now! Sooo many great finds at the sale! There are some great deals there.
I’m so excited to check out the Nordstrom sale at the mall tonight!
Those softshell crabs look delicious! I need to step up my seafood game 😉
I have a shark vacuum and love it (it was a wedding present to myself!) isn’t it sad that we’ve reached a point in our lives where we are excited about a vacuum?
Have a great weekend! Happy birthday to your mom!
That Leith dress is adorable; it reminds me of something similar I got at Target! And happy birthday to your mama! I hope you have a great weekend. <3
I hope you have a fun weekend with your parents visiting.
I NEED that Kate Spade cross body purse… I really shouldn’t splurge on it right now with a baby due in 2 months, but part of me is like if I don’t do it now, I probably never will!
Oh man, we have been going back and forth on buying a Dyson lately, too. Since we have cats, I feel like there is fur everywhere and I would love to just be able to do a quick little vacuum every day instead of making it a whole process and lugging our huge vacuum out.
Also, I love your anniversary sale overview! We went last weekend and I got a bunch of accessory options for my wedding, which was a big thing checked off the to-do list.
Something making me smile today is getting our wedding invitations in the mail! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Great purchases! How do you like the athletic muscle tank?
p.s. I think you mean “flour” not “flower” 🙂
Omg how embarrassing! Clearly I did not proofread this one! Thank you… Editing the post now
I really like it! But I would highly recommend sizing down!
softshell crabs are one of my favorites!!! my parents always make them when we’re at our beach house in the outer banks so i’m counting down the days until our annual trip!
enjoy your weekend, hope the weather holds out for you 🙂
Have a great weekend Julie! I am super pumped about a date night tonight with the husband! We aim to have a date night, once a week. but missed our typical date night last Friday, which makes tonight even more exciting! Happy weekend!
Those cutaway booties are too cute! I seriously need them in my life!
Oh I’m so glad you love that vacuum. I spotted one on Prime Day and wanted to order it but didn’t. I love the idea of not having to lug a heavy vacuum all over the house. I’ll be on the look out for a refurbished one!
I took advantage of the Nordstrom sale this morning! I got my son some Nikes and me these adorable Toms booties. I like the cut out ones you have here but will you just wear them without socks??
http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/toms-deia-block-heel-bootie-women/4613994?cm_mmc=email_tran-_-072117-_-order_confirm-_-proddescr2
yes!! probably through the fall but since NC winters are fairly mild, i think they’ll work during many weeks of the winter as well. love the booties you picked!
They will look so cute like that!
I’m from the south (New Orleans, specifically) and we have the BEST seafood. My step-dad actually is a part-time fisherman and used to catch softshell crab regularly. Gosh, do I miss it! Crabs in DC are good, but they’re usually doused in Old Bay which I’m not a fan of. Now I’m tempted to head to Whole Foods and see what I can find!
Something that’s making me smile this week is my reawakened sense of gratitude. I’ve been feeling kind of wonky and uninspired this week, but remembering to feed my soul with what nourishes it has set me on fire again. It’s a really nice feeling!
Such great finds!! I’m so sad, I had several items on my wish list to order when the sale went live today but they’re all STILL sold out! I was so bummed they didn’t restock!
Hi. I have the Dyson in my Amazon cart for $270. Is that a good deal or should I keep looking?
that’s a pretty good deal, especially if it’s brand new! i paid $199 for a used/refurbished one.
Thanks for sharing about the vacuum! We have been in the market for a new one, does the Dyson clean well? We have a bissell and it has already started to not pick everything up! Ugh.
What size did you order/do you wear in the Zella legging? Some reviews do true to size others say size down.
Small and I’m usually a medium. I would recommend sizing down as well.
Loving this Nordstrom round-up! Zella leggings are AMAZING! Definitely a much more affordable option to LuLulemon.
Hi Julie, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog! I visited Lake Norman this weekend and appreciated your local tips. I hope you had a great time with your family!
thank you, gillian. i really hope you enjoyed your visit 🙂
Julie, I apologize for going off topic on this post, but I had taken a break from your blog back when I miscarried at 15 weeks in November (I was going to have a little boy and it was too painful to see your beautiful little boy in my blogfeed, knowing I”d never get to meet mine.) I had a D&C and tried to get on with my life.
Well, I was finally feeling ready to come back, and I see almost at once that you had a miscarriage in January. I am so terribly sorry that you had to have that experience, too. If you’re like me, you probably have good days and bad days, with good days slowly outnumbering the bad ones, but the sadness still hitting you from time to time. I know from the comments on your original post that you know that you are not alone in either your experience or your grief, but I just wanted to say it again.
I don’t believe that things happen for a reason, but I do believe that when bad things happen to us we can find meaning in them, become stronger, more loving, more open hearted. I see that happening with you. Much love to your family and to you.
Hi Julie! What activity (ies) do you recommend the Nike Free Focus Flyknits for? I appreciate that you specified what you love about the Free Runs and was just wondering about your other Nike pick! Thank you 🙂