Oh Friends, the time has come for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I don't know about you but if y I could buy it all...I totally would.

I don't know if you've been perusing around the Nordstrom Sale but if you haven't give it a peak, it's worth a look...or seven.

There are SO many great deals going on right now. I wandered around the sale for a good hour seeing all of the fun things to buy. I kept thinking "that's cute" "BOOTS, LOOK AT THE BOOTS" "I didn't know this sale could make me feel like it's Christmas...maybe Christmas can come twice in one year". I kid you not I was happier than a fish still swimming in the sea.

I was even happier when I made a couple of awesome purchases from the sale that would normally cost me 50-65% more.

So this is the entire haul, minus a certain special something (I am saving the most exciting for last). 

But let's talk about these gems, because I am in love with them all. 

1. Philosophy Purity face wash - $93 value - you get it for $52. I have been eyeing this face wash for quite some time now. I have heard so many people rave about Philosophy products, and I now understand why the people be raving. Purity has a very light fragrance to it and it's an all natural smell (so it has no added fragrance). I have very strange skin, meaning, I get these weird dry splotches on my face that hurt, some face washes actually add to the irritation and this face was actually eliminates the dry spots. Plus they give you a huge bottle and then a normal sized bottle so you technically get the little bottle for free and who doesn't like free?

2. Clarisonic Mia 2 - $201 value - you get it for $149. Okay so here's the hoe down throw down on this gem. If you didn't know the actual price for the Mia 2 is $149...however, you get a ton of free goodies with the anniversary sale. Such as, an extra head (valued at $27 for one), a full bottle of face wash (valued at $25) and a fun bag to put your Clarisonic in (because it needs a holder for traveling). On the face wash: I didn't try it but I read tons of reviews saying the fragrance is not good for people with sensitive skin and it burns your eyes, so beware. Moving on...I have wanted a Clarisonic for such a long time, and let me tell you, it was 100% worth the money and the wait. My skin is so much smoother, my pores are getting smaller, and I am noticing a big difference in how my skin absorbs my moisturizer and foundation (if you know what I mean?). I have used many other face washing devices but this one by far is the best one. A total investment but totally worth it. 

3. Lorac Skinny Pallet - you get it for $16 (It says its worth $103 but meh) - anyways, I just picked this pallet up to see how pigmented it was, and it shocked me, the pallet is so unbelievably smooth and pigmented. Real talk, this pallet makes me want the Lorac Pro. (I see you Lorac giving me a run for my money over there). [sadly this pallet sold out]

4. Tory Burch Flats- $269 value - you get it for $179. Here's the deal with Tory Burch flats kids, if you get them they are a jerk and a half to break in but so worth it once you do. I had my old tory flats for 4+ years and after I realized I was developing holes at the bottom of them (and this weird green coloration at the bottom) I decided it was time for a new pair. I found these at the sale and not only were they on sale but they can be dressed up or down. (I was sold at that point). But I am also loving that the logo is a little smaller, compared to my old ones. You get what you paid for with these shoes. 

Okay, get ready, I am super excited about this find and I hope you are too!! 

Frye Boots- $417.95 value - You get them for $279.90. I have wanted a pair of riding boots for so long. I went into Nordstrom actually looking to buy the Tory Burch Boots, but realized that I didn't like the way they fit my legs. Seriously, why is buying a pair of boots so difficult. I kid you not, I tried on 8+ pairs of boots before I found these and LOVED them. This homegirl is not about to pay almost $300 for boots I just kinda-sorta like. Plus these boots were totally made for walking, and by that I mean they last forever (or so I hear). 

Do you have your eye on anything at the Nordstrom Sale?? Any products you want to show me, I love seeing all the fun things the Nordstrom sale has to offer. 

Keep Calm and Carry on

xoxo 

Melissa

This weekend has left me feeling magical and refreshed. I can honestly say that I feel good coming into this week (especially because school is over for me on Wednesday!).

Anyways, friends as you may have read, it was mine and Bears one year anniversary Friday and it was absolutely wonderful. I could not have asked for a more perfect celebration.

It really summed up our relationship, David did have planned a fancy dinner at this fancy restaurant but I didn't want him spending a ton of money and since I am trying hard to lose weight I didn't want to go crazy eating at a buffet style restaurant (I can be such a child). But, he did come home Friday with Roses in hand, and my mom being the absolute gem that she is got us a balloon and a cake.

(please note: the cake did say Happy 1 year anniversary, but a bear was foraging through the fridge and ate part of the cake. The bear who ate this cake has yet to be identified.)

We have been teaching my mom how to play Magic the Gathering (a wonderful card game you should also learn how to play). So we went to Friday Night Magic and played each other while Bear kicked some serious butt. 

Homegirl kicked my butt. For a beginner, that's pretty impressive. 

So, this is a true story kids. David and I got each other the same type of gift. The only difference was the size and how many pictures were put together. When I found out we made each other the same gift when I opened it, I thought to myself "this boy knows me incredibly to well". We of course had to take a picture of it, because duh it's our one year and I felt like if I didn't take a picture of this moment, I'd be a silly human. 

This week salads have been my go to lunch and dinner, they are seriously so addicting. Plus I can have all the lettuce because it's ZERO POINTS. GIMME ALL THE LETTUCE. 

Annnyways, how was your week/weekend?! I want to hear all about it!

Keep Calm and Carry On
xoxo
Melissa

This week I am so excited to be co-hosting the Weekly Wrap-Up Rachael and Lisa!

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<a href="http://www.therachaelway.com" title="The Rachael Way"><img src="http://www.i.imgur.com/ukbpiBA.gif" alt="The Rachael Way" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I thought of all the ways that I could begin this post for ya'll but it was really difficult because there are so many ways to start off this post. Today, July 18th, marks a special day for me and two people in my life. This may sound really weird but if it weren't for Rachael I most likely would have never gone on a date with David. And, I know that I don't really go into David's and my relationship here on le blog (except for this one time) but today is different. Because today is my one year with David and Rachael (does that sound weird? yes? well, let me explain).

Story time kids, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and be prepared to read some of what I call good old fashioned story time.

So, I went on my first Blate with Rachael the same day that I went on my first date with David. David asked me out on a date when I was hanging out with Rachael at Starbucks (typical blogger meetup place...even if you hate coffee, it's like THE place). Anyways, I told Rachael about David and she got SO EXCITED. Not a drill homegirl was ready to hear all about David and what he was like and what we talked about, and of course I told her.

Our VERY FIRST PICTURE TOGETHER. 

So our blate continued and I realized I had gotten ready in LITERALLY 15 mins, I had not done my hair, my dress was old (it had a hole in it), and I did my nails and my makeup in Sephora and Macy's in the mall (that's bucky). Rachael died laughing as I was freaking out, also calming me down as I freaked the freak out for at least 30 mins, because I didn't have the time to buy a new outfit that looked awesome so I just rocked the dress.

(this is what I looked like when I left the house...) 

Moving on, I went on my date with David, and I went in with an open mind and I went in basically super nervous but also very myself. We talked about everything and anything, we drank coffee (I was up until at least 5AM). So much talking happened during that date it even felt natural and easy. I texted and called Rachael and told her all about it, to which she said "I think he's legit". I didn't want to get my hopes up because spoiler alert I really liked him. I felt like it was all too good to be true. But, obviously our first date went well and so did our second, third, forth and so on, because here we are a year later and we are still head over heels for each other. 

Getting off of our first date and on to all of the things past the honey moon stage, David has turned into one of my best friends. We do so much together and we try so many new things together. He has brought out my inner nerd and I have shown him that I can be a nerd and a fashionista. 

There are so many wonderful memories that a year can bring, we have really, really, really grown with each other. We have shown each other love, and that love is indeed unconditional (I am sorry I am trying really hard to not make this post super cheesy to the point of where you actually do want a huge glass of wine). 

So I guess let me leave it at this, this has been one of the best years of my life. David is an amazing person and and an amazing best friend. Without Rachael I would have most likely never have gone on that first date, and for all I know I would have never had coffee with David after that first opportunity. I think Rachael will always be the person to say "I know David and Melissa the best because she has been there since day one". 

David came into my life out of no where and I am so thankful that he did because he is my other shoe and I don't feel bucky for saying that. 

It has been one year of pure joy, happiness, love, laughs, cries, and great, great, memories. I don't know where I'd be today, if none of this never happened but, I am really happy that I went on a Blate with Rachael and a date with David. They have become forevers in my life and without both of them I'd be one lost bear. 

Life is good when you have the best of people in your life. 

(also if you don't know what bucky means shoot me an email and we can talk all about bucky)

Keep Calm and Carry On 

xoxo 

Melissa