Happy happy MONDAY, friends! I’m partnering with Nordstrom and Collective Voice today, and it’s all about NEW YORK CITY and ANNIVERSARY SALE FUN!
Every year, I am always so genuinely excited to shop the Anniversary Sale and find new items that I know I will enjoy all fall and winter long that are ON SALE! Like most years, Nordstrom (which I always appreciate!) asked to collaborate with me, but I had a dilemma…how do I actually show you guys what I bought, saw and loved if my items are shipped to McKinney, TX? I didn’t want to shop the Sale, tell you what I ordered but not actually put eyes on it, try it on, and share it with you until August (when the Sale is over and you can’t purchase the items at the current discounted prices)…and I couldn’t have the items shipped to Nantucket because in order to use my Nordstrom card during the Sale, the items would need to be shipped to McKinney (the billing address of my Nordstrom card)…so what’s a girl to do?
She’s to locate the nearest Nordstrom to Nantucket, MA and get herself there…which means, I flew to New York City 🙂 .
Once I realized my closest store was in NYC, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to invite my about-to-be-in-high-school daughter to go with me, and we could shop the #nSale and then do whatever she wanted to celebrate this special milestone 🙂 .
A few more quick things to note:
1: Getting from ACK to either JFK or LGA in New York City is really super easy. Our flight went from ground to ground in under one hour (think about it, the ferry to Hyannis takes one hour).
2: In the past, I’ve always gotten up early in the morning and shopped the Anniversary Sale online, but this time, I walked right into the store and shopped it in person for the first time ever. I couldn’t just buy whatever I wanted knowing I could take it home, try it on and then return it should it not be a good fit. Nope, I had to be very thoughtful about what we purchased because it had to make the trip back to our hotel and then the trip on an airplane to an island 30 miles out in the Atlantic and then eventually a trip across the country on a second airplane back to McKinney, TX. Every single item I purchased and walked out of the store with, I needed to love and want to travel with on two different occasions to get it eventually back home.
3: Before we left, I told Kensington that we should pack light and purchase items that could be used in the fall BUT also used right now too (so we would hopefully find things we could wear on the trip to NY!). Who doesn’t want to enjoy some of their new finds right away?! We do!
So, that’s how we ended up in NYC to shop the Sale!
Here’s a recap of what we loved and purchased and other details from our wonderful 48 hours in New York. (I apologize in advance if any of these items are now sold out.)
Settle in, friends…
Andrew and the three littlest loves dropped us off at the ACK airport where we hopped a Jet Blue flight over to NYC on Wednesday afternoon. We landed, grabbed a cab and headed to our hotel. We like to stay on Central Park South and this time, we stayed somewhere new to us and tried out the Ritz. As you can probably imagine, it was fabulous! We checked in, dropped off our bags and walked a few blocks over to…
…Nordstrom 🙂 . We arrived at 4:30 PM and the plan was to shop and check out the Anniversary Sale until 7:30ish.
This store is HUGE (spanning several buildings across the block) and a perfect place for us to see what new fall items were on sale right now.
We were very happy 🙂 .
We looked and looked and shopped and shopped…
…we stopped off at the Nordstrom cafe for fuel…
…large iced coffees and gluten-free energy bites, yes, please!
What a fun way to spend time with my girl while also finding goodies to share with YOU!
Around 7:45, we walked out with our finds and headed back to our hotel…
…we were tired and hungry and so excited to be in New York City!
So, what did we get?
Let’s start with some beauty finds that we were able to use right away…
I’ve raved and raved about BOBBI BROWN’S EYE SHADOW STICKS for YEARS! I wear one every single day as a “primer” under my eye shadow. It keeps my shadow in place without creasing, wearing off or smudging all.day.long. I literally cannot think of the last time I did not wear one under my eye shadow. It easily could have been 10 years ago. This set here gives you FOUR different shades (all nice alone or combined). Speaking of eye shadow…
…I specifically went to the beauty department just to buy THIS EYE SHADOW PALETTE! I love a neutral palette that I can use on “normal” days and then layer for nightlight/fancier events. These colors work 365 days a year too, plus it also comes with a mascara. Speaking of which…
I had never heard about this PILLOW TALK PUSH UP LASHES mascara, but apparently, it’s all the rage when you’re almost 15 because Kensington had her eye on this and knew we would love it. This set comes with two full-sized mascaras, so we could each have one. Friends, let me tell you, as soon as we got back, she showed me…
…and this is only with ONE COAT! Crazy good results, right?! I never would have purchased this without her prompting, but I’m so happy that I did!
Now this…
…PILLOW TALK LIP KIT is a cult classic for a reason. It’s just the most perfect neutral-slightly pink lipstick set. I’m wearing it in every picture you see from here on out.
I also wanted to purchase some very simple, easy to layer pieces of jewelry on sale too…
…I’m really into the SMALLER HOOPS right now, plus I love finding KENDRA SCOTT on sale, so THIS NECKLACE was perfect to add to my layers, a STRETCH BRACELET and CUBIC ZIRCONIA EARRINGS rounded out my finds!
We had dinner reservations at 9:00, so after we came back to the hotel, we got ready…
…I added my new jewelry to a dress I already had, threw on my WEDGES(not a part of the Sale) and my SUPER CUTE NEW BAG (also available in TAUPE!) and we were off!
You can find KENSINGTON’S DRESS (also in two other colors) in the Sale too! Her sneakers are HERE (not on sale).
You guys, I’ve enjoyed many, many amazing meals in NYC, but NONE as much as I enjoyed our dinner on this night at…
…Gallow Green! Oh my word! Catherine was the one that suggested this spot to me, and it was MAGICAL!
This rooftop outdoor restaurant started with an elevator operator taking us to the top of the building (where they were playing very-Disney-like music) to this beautiful outdoor space with breathtaking NYC views in the most charming setting (actual lanterns and twinkle lights).
The greenery, the scenery…it was the perfect setting.
Plus…
…the food was AMAZING too! This was our very best meal of the trip! They were VERY gluten-free friendly, so we were able to thoroughly (and safely!) enjoy everything. I cannot praise this spot enough.
It was the very best way to end our big day.
That night, after I showered, I put on…
…my NEW PJS (which come in SEVEN DIFFERENT COLOR options and run TTS) and fell into bed tired and happy.
The next morning, I got up early and worked while she slept in, and then, we were ready for our day…
You can find my SOFT TEE on sale right now too! My SNEAKERS are HERE.
KENSINGTON’S TEE is also on sale, and her SNEAKERS are HERE.
We started off our Thursday with brunch…
…at The Smith (always a great meal!)…
…and then after we were fueled…
…we headed up to the Upper West Side (our favorite part of NYC).
You guys, I kept asking her if she wanted to go to a museum or see a show or anything like that, but my girl just wanted to stroll around NYC. She didn’t even want to take cabs…she wanted to walk and explore, so that’s what we did. My Nantucket-self is NOT used to this heat, so I was a super sweaty and disgusting mess (geez, it was hot!), but we walked and walked and walked. First to the Upper West Side and then…
…we headed across the park…
…we walked to the Upper East, down Lexington and over to 5th Avenue and then all the way across to…
…thank goodness air conditioning in the beautiful building in the Hudson Yards where we bought lots of water and candy.
It was such a gorgeous building! After we left Hudson Yards, we walked over to Broadway and then up about thirty more blocks back to our hotel around 5:00 where I promptly…
…took a shower, put on THIS CUTE LOUNGE SET (it is so soft!) and put my feet up until dinner.
When I had rehydrated myself and reduced the swelling in my lower extremities (did I mention it was hot outside?!), we got ourselves dressed a bit later…
…to head out to dinner. Now, my BODYSUIT is on sale right now plus…I’m a huge fan of MY NEW FAUX-LEATHER SKIRT (also ON SALE!). Here’s the deal though, when I tried it on in the dressing room at Nordstrom, the very helpful sales associate told me to “turn it around” (so this way!) as most people are preferring that to the way it’s modeled online which is…
…with the zipper facing forward. He was right! I did love it the opposite way where the zipper is in…
…the back! I never would have done that without his prompting.
And with that, the two of us…
…were off for one last dinner in NYC. You can find KENSINGTON’S DRESS also on sale!
My girl wanted sushi for dinner on her last night, so knowing that Nobu was right around the corner and gf-friendly, we headed that direction…
…and we had the most delicious dinner.
The next morning, there was rain and thunderstorms in the morning, so we took it easy and she slept in while I worked. Around 9:00, we got up…
…I added my NIKE SPORTS BRA with my LOUNGE TOP (yes, I sure did!) and RUNNING SHORTS and we…
…took a four mile walk through the park to finish off our trip (with Starbucks, of course!). Do you see my girl waaaaaaay up there?!
After our walk, we showered, got dressed, packed up…
…and took a cab back to the airport to head back to Nantucket. I am SO thankful that instead of going to NYC by myself, I asked my oldest girl and made it a special trip for the two of us. She’s going to high school, y’all. HIGH SCHOOL. I’m not ready…but she sure is 🙂 .
Okay, we bought Kensington several items at the Sale that she’s saving for back to school, and unfortunately, many of them are already out of stock, but these few here are still available if you want to check them out. Just tap and click on the item to see more info:
Now because I had to fly my goodies back to Nantucket and eventually fly them home to McKinney, I was really picky about which “fall” items I purchased. I decided to go with one really cute outfit in my favorite neutrals 🙂 .
These right here…
…were an absolute no-brainer. I have been buying a pair of BOOTIES at Nordstrom for YEARS during the Anniversary Sale and wear them ALL FALL AND WINTER LONG! This year, I bought THIS PAIR in chestnut suede (seemed totally “fall-girl” to me), but it also comes in two other colors as well.
My new booties worked really, really well with…
…MY NEW JEANS and SWEATER 🙂 . You guys, my jeans are under $100, have such a nice stretch to them and are so comfy! They run TTS too. I’m so thrilled with this purchase!
How cute are MY JEANS with MY BOOTIES?!
And one more little find…
…a great ZELLA JACKET to throw on over workout wear/casual wear/wear to a soccer game/you name it 🙂 .
Now, don’t forget, these are…
…items I’ve already purchased and own and love that you also might want to check out:
#1 Ab’Solution High Waist Ankle Skinny Jeans
#5 Soft Curl 1 1/4-Inch Curling Iron
#6 Double the Sun Bestseller Set $56 Value
#9 Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush
#12 Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra
#15 V11 Extra Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Plus, I have these two new categories for you today too…
#1: Kids’ Piqué Polo
#2: Kids’ Ruffle Dress
#3: Kids’ Mountain Crest Hooded Jacket
#4: Kids’ Quilted Hooded Jacket
#5: Kids’ Hooded Puffer Jacket
#6: Kids’ Denim Trucker Jacket
#7: Kids’ Exclusive Half Zip Pullover
#8: Kids’ Long Sleeve Shirt & Dress Set
#9: Baylee Chelsea Boot
#10: Kids’ Ruffle Shoulder T-Shirt & Faux Leather Pants Set
#11: Kids’ Salister Fashion Sneaker
#12: Kids’ Swift Run Sneaker
#13: MILES THE LABEL Kids’ Cactus Print Stretch Organic Cotton Sweatshirt
#14: Kids’ Chase Tech Quarter Zip Hoodie
#15: Kids’ Plaid Ruffle Dress
#16: Kids’ Lucia Western Boot
#17: Air Max Dawn Sneaker
#18: 574 Sneaker
#19: Kids’ Buster Boot
#20: Kids’ Moto Jogger Pants
#21: Kids’ The Rocker Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans
#22: Kids’ Stretch Cotton Terry Cloth Joggers
#1: Always Pan 2.0 Set
#2: 11-Inch Wood Serving Bowl
#3: CozyChic™ Throw Blanket
#4: Set of 4 Waffle Kitchen Towels
#5: In the Wild Throw Blanket
#6: Marble Serving Board
#7: 2.6-Quart Tea Kettle
#8: Volcano Grey Blue Signature Jar Candle
#9: Finn Chunky Knit Throw Blanket
#10: Marble Lazy Susan
#11: Bliss Plush Throw Blanket
#12: Pure Looped Decorative Pillow
And that, my friends, wraps up this year’s coverage of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!
Nordstrom is always been my go-to for summer finds! As you know, I always love shopping there because not only do they have everything my family needs from beauty to shoes to home, clothes, bath and more, but they have impeccable service, free shipping, free returns, and curbside pick up (all so handy for the busy lady!). You can catch all of their services (including alterations, gift wrapping, style help and more HERE!).
What an amazing 48 hours with Kensington. She’s about to be diving into a busy schedule, demanding classes, and very full calendar as she embarks on high school. I will treasure this time with her walking and talking and just being in the moment together for the rest of my days.
Have a wonderful Monday! I’ll see you here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth says
What a wonderful memory and trip for the two of you!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
polly pover says
There isn’t still Nordstrom’s in Burlington, MA? I think a few others around Boston? Anyway, looks like fun in NYC!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
There is not a Nordstrom in Boston. When researching the easiest ways to get to a Nordstrom, one flight to NYC was easier (and cheaper) than having to take the boat, get a car, and drive to the nearest one in MA. The only flight options the days we wanted to go into Boston right now from ACK are on Cape Air (and I’m not emotionally or physically ready for that), and I would have still had to rent a car and make a drive.
Kayla Bruce says
Oh my goodness, how fun! Random, but can you remind of Andrew’s favorite cologne?? I think it’s LV?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s L’Immensite!
Sheaffer says
What an amazing and special trip. Core memories made for sure!!! Also, Kensington is so beautiful. How i the world are our babies headed to high school?!?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s just wrong. So wrong. We were literally JUST having McDonalds playdates like yesterday.
Caitlin Davies says
What a special trip, I love this. Any idea if Nordstrom restock sizes throughout the sale?
Mix and Match Mama says
They typically don’t restock until after the sale is over (going into the fall!).
Dana P says
What a fun post! I especially love that little brown floral dress Kensington was wearing. I think you’re getting a little glimpse of the future with her. 🩷 My older girls have become my best friends! I don’t know when we made that transition, but your little trip with her reminds me of some of the first times that I realized how much I enjoyed spending time with them. (Interspersed with some bad attitudes that just come alongside with teens and tweens…those do eventually mostly go away!)
Also, CT mascara is great and I’ve always been surprised that more people don’t talk about it!
Linda Riley says
You can always use your card to order and shop anywhere. I do it every year
Mix and Match Mama says
It won’t let me. It always makes me ship it to my home address when I shop early. I don’t know?
Andrea says
Def call Nordstrom! I live in 2 states and always switch where I ship depending on where I am. Never an issue. Can always ship to home from the store for free, too!
Mix and Match Mama says
But can you during the Icon/Ambassador days of the Sale? I think that’s the difference. I can ship all over on normal days, but on those first days when only certain cardholders can shop, it will not let me change my shipping address (and hasn’t in years when I’ve tried).
Kathy says
Looks like a really fun trip! Plus you have lots of great photos of the two of you, which are not easy to get when they’re teens—as you know! 😆
Mix and Match Mama says
As I certainly know! 😉
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
What a sweet trip together!! I always love it when I can spend one on one time with my mom and I’m sure she feels the exact same way about you! Also, I may need to order that mascara–wow!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
K.K. says
Oh, looks so fun! Memories made. 🙂
As far as the clothes shopping on trips go, it made me remember when I did a fellowship in DC for a few months right out of graduate school, and I found the best little shop for clothes there. Before I left, I found it was cheaper to box and ship them than to stuff them in my already heavy suitcase – or get another suitcase. That was a long time ago, but I was shocked that it only costed about $12 to do it! I’m sure you’ve looked at all the options, but just in case you hadn’t. (Of course, today’s prices are probably not the same at all…)
Thanks for sharing this trip!! I loved the pictures of both of you.
Kara says
What a super special way to school clothes shop going into HS! 🥰 question-did you find anything good for the little girls or the guys?
Mix and Match Mama says
I decided not to shop for them this time around. I typically always get so many great things, but I don’t really want to ship it to mckinney and not get it for a month or ship it here and have to take it back.
Elizabeth H Valenta says
Love seeing this special time with the two of you! We are leaving Thursday for NYC where my daughter picked to do her Bachelorette party in NYC, with her mom, yes her mom. I am so excited to share in the fun, as we started our mother/daughter trips when she was in high school too. 🙂 BTW, gotta have the booties!
Ellen says
K could not be any cuter! So glad you enjoyed your trip, and thanks for that restaurant recommendation. I have a teen who loves a “beautiful” restaurant. 🙂
Kelly says
Hey Shay! Great post! What is the white gauze shirt for your travels back to ACK? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
JCrew!
Lynn T says
Great post. Love seeing all of the great deals and fun pics.
Gbea says
Thank you for this! I’m about to take my niece to NYC for our first visit – we’re both excited and nervous and I really appreciate these travel (or, uh, specifically shopping/eating) recs!
Mix and Match Mama says
You girls are going to have THE BEST time! What a special trip!
Bea says
It may be you need to address it to someone else besides you? Maybe you can’t have two addresses tied to your name (which would be a glitch given the number of people with two homes). So ship to Andrew or K. I ship to different addresses addressed to different names at midnight on my shopping day every year. NYC in-person shopping though was a great idea! 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
Here’s what I know, in the past, my mom and my office manager have had to drive to my house to pick up their Anniversary Sale finds because when I shop early, it won’t let me ship them their items (using my card) to their homes. It makes me ship it to my house in McKinney. Even this year, they drove to my house and picked up their items because when they shopped on Day #1 of the sale, it made them ship it to my house. I don’t know if that’s just when you shop early for the anniversary sale because I certainly send people gifts from Nordstrom all year long and have it shipped to their house (using my card).
Susie says
You need to call as this is not true. I’m Icon and was able to ship to 5 different places.
Mix and Match Mama says
Just called! I gave them my card number, and they said during my Icon Day (when only I could shop), I had to use my Icon card and ship to my shipping address. I’ll have to try again next year on that day and see if I can override it, but they told me this is what happens on those days. I don’t know? I legit had to send my items for my office manager to my home and she got them off my porch bc it wouldn’t allow me to ship it to her address.
Amy Ms. Azza says
Aww Shay, what a special trip and memories to last a lifetime. I have been reading your blog since Kensington was a baby and she has grown up into a beautiful young woman. My oldest daughter Emily is headed to college in the fall ( eek) and I’m trying to soak in our last summer together before she leaves. Sending you and K so much love..
Mix and Match Mama says
Amy, you’re one of my favorite blog readers. I have all the feels for you as you send Emily off this fall. I wish I could give you a hug! xx
Amy Ms. Azza says
Shay thank you so much! It’s so much harder than I thought it would be to see her off to college. I mean, she’s 18, she’s ready and so happy.. and a small part of me is like ok I did my job I raised her she should be ready for college.. and then the large part of me is like no no no she was just 5 stop!!!!! Truly alll the feels. I will say though that I will not miss waiting up till midnight or 1am for her to get home. 🙂
Haley says
I absolutely love this! Do you care to share where your sunglasses are from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Those are from Louis Vuitton!
Debbie says
OMG! I love this post and hardly ever comment but I had to today just to tell you how adorable Kensington dresses for her age! I love the cute dresses she wears with her tennis shoes! So appropriate for her age. What a wonderful trip you took with your daughter! Certainly a memorable one! 🩷🩷
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you for your sweet comment, Debbie. xx
Jessica says
Did you do a post of items you ordered that shipped to McKinney? Would love to see your other purchases!
Mix and Match Mama says
I didn’t purchase a single item online this year! I only shopped in person.
Tina says
Okay, first of all, this post has me tearing up. Our bigs (yours and mine) were SO TINY when I started reading your blog.😭 What a special way to spend time together.❤️ — Second, did you “shop” online beforehand to have an idea of what you were looking for? Shopping in person sounds so fun, but I get so overwhelmed with all the options in front of me. I guess I’ve gotten spoiled to filtered searches and seeing things on the models instead of the hangers.☺️
Mix and Match Mama says
I did not shop online at all this year, only in store which was totally a first for me. I didn’t get to take advantage of all of the options and certainly missed shopping online, but it was special and fun to do this one time. And thank YOU for reading my blog for such a long time, Tina. I’m so grateful!
Allison says
Kensington gets it. Seeing the city from a walking point of view is best way to experience it. Good for her.
Kimberly E Kilduff says
My cousin is the head chef for The Smith….its my fav!
Kimberly says
I bet Kensington loved having time just the two of you. Sounds like y’all had a blast! ❤️
Kristen says
The first meal you showed…how did you ensure those fries are fried in a separate fryer from anything with gluten? My daughter has celiac and we NEVER eat out because of the cross contamination risk. I’m just amazed at how often y’all eat at restaurants with her allergy. It’s just too risky and the unknown is too great for us to get our daughter “glutened”
Mix and Match Mama says
That was one of the reasons we selected this restaurant! Catherine’s bestie lives in NYC and is also g-free. Catherine told me this place was very gluten-sensitive. All of their fries are fried separately in this place without cross-contamination. The very first thing we say when we go out to eat is that we have a gluten allergy (we find people are more careful about cross-contamination when you say ‘allergy’). This is one of the reasons that we tend to eat at the same places in McKinney (Hat Creek, The Yard, Cadillac, and Gloria’s) because all of those places have truly proven to be safe for us. Here on the island, I feel like we’ve only had success with places being gluten-free, but it did take research and asking a lot of questions up front.