Travel, Fashion & Style, Petite Style, Uncategorized

Nashville Girls Weekend Travel Guide

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Nashville is one of my favorite places…. The live music, delicious food & southern hospitality is second to none. I took a quick trip to Nash with some amazing ladies & am finally sitting down to share this travel guide of how we made the most of our time during our trip. I’m including some Covid related topics in this guide, because this is our current situation & I want to share my experience so you can know how to plan & what to expect for your trip.

Nashville does have a little different feel in the midst of Covid… there were some restrictions that we stuck with to stay safe during our weekend & also some regulations that were mandated (eg: masks indoors, no more than 6 people at tables when dining out, & an 11pm curfew for bars)… but this doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your stay. Compared to my last trip to Nash, I would say that honky tonks, restaurants & Downtown in general were much less crowded. I did appreciate that everywhere we went to was doing their best to accommodate our “new normal” & I felt very safe everywhere we went.

Where to Stay:

I was so grateful that Bode Nashville hosted us for our stay in one of their enormous apartment like suites. I was so impressed by the size of the living room, family room & kitchen, as well as the 5 bedrooms in the suite. This was definitely the most spacious hotel I have ever stayed in, and having a full kitchen was also a huge perk. One of my favorite things about Bode was its awesome outdoor space. They had 2 firepits, giant jenga, corn hole & so much space to hang outside with your crew. This was the perfect spot for our last night in Nashville to relax with some wine before our early flights home. Bode was also walking distance to Broadway which is so convenient.

Exclusive Discount offer: Follow Bode Nashville (@bode.hotels) on instagram & shoot them a DM mentioning me (@fit_sedation) to receive 15% off your stay at Bode!

What to Do:

Music City Crawler Pedal Tavern: Okay, So I have been wanting to go on a pedal tavern for the longest time & finally got to have this fun experience. This was such a fun few hours spent singing & riding around Downtown with our fun driver & Bartender. This is such a fun event to plan with a group of friends to kick off a day in Nashville.

  • Just a heads up… You actually DO have to pedal otherwise you will not make it too far. So make sure to wear a comfy outfit & get ready to lose your voice from singing & cheering so much.

Walk Along Broadway: This is where you will find all the best Honky Tonks in Nashville. Walking through the streets you can hear the live music & either choose to hop around or stay at one spot for the night.

  • Some new changes during Covid is limits on the amount of people allowed in the Honky Tonks. The positive part of this is you’re not squeezed into a crowded bar fighting to get a drink…. The only negative was that all I wanted to do was get up & dance to the music but couldn’t.
  • If you do go to Nashville at this time, be sure to bring cash to tip the Band. The bands & artists that perform at venues in Nashville get paid solely on tips… with a lot less people traveling to & allowed inside the venues, they are making a lot less money. We have to support these talented artists so that they can continue to keep “Music City” alive.

Visit Painters Alley: Painters Alley is a small street downtown that gives all the feels of the 1920s with speakeasy type bars & bright signs lighting up the entire street. This is one of those places that you visit that just sticks in your head and is a must see in Nashville

Photo Tour: Although we didn’t have time to squeeze a tour of the 12 South Murals, it is another fun activity to do while in Nashville. There are a bunch of murals in this area, & you can easily book a tour with a local photographer. On my last trip I booked a photo tour with Kristen Sheft Photography, it was perfect because she knew where all of the murals were
located so we could get so many fun shots during our session. This would be a great idea to book for a Bachlorette party or girls trip to get fun photos of your group (without having to flag down a stranger to take a photo)… it’s also a perfect option to sightsee in Nashville while being outside & away from large crowds.

Shopping: No trip to Nashville would be complete without a little shopping! I was so excited to discover Molly Green Boutique in Nashville that has some fun & stylish clothing finds. We also enjoyed our trip to Kendra Scott where we got to experience the Color Bar & design some beautiful jewelry pieces! You can also find some great shops on Broadway that sell a huge selection of cowboy boots!

Donuts at Five Daughters: So I am a bit of a donut snob, & I can say honestly that these were some of the most delicious (100 Layer) donuts I have ever eaten! I didn’t take the trip to the shop, but they have some adorable & instagrammable spots to grab a cute photo while you enjoy you one of a kind donut! My favorite was the “King Kong” which had maple glaze & candied bacon!

White Limozeen: Sadly, our reservations to this spot were cancelled due to the venue closing for safety reasons in regards to Covid… but you bet your butt I’ll be making sure I get a reservation to this Dolly Parton themed indoor/outdoor rooftop restaurant on my next trip to Nash. Reservations are made on line and open up 14 days in advance (& book FAST), so be sure to plan ahead if you want to make this spot a part of your trip.

Where to Eat:

Hampton Social: I loved this spot for brunch. Not only is the menu great, but the decor inside is gorgeous! This is the location of the beautiful blush pink ombre “Hey There Nashville” flower wall you see in so many peoples Nashville Instagram posts. I highly recommend the shrimp tacos that are served during Brunch, Lunch & Dinner.

Restoration Hardware: A.K.A.. the furniture store… I didn’t know what I was getting into for this brunch reservation but it sure was an amazing experience. The cafe in RH is GORGEOUS, with a beautiful courtyard feel including a fountain & beautiful chandeliers & natural light.. I felt like I was dining in the courtyard of a European villa. On top of the beautiful ambiance, the food was TO DIE FOR… I’m pretty sure the RH Scramble was the most savory scrambled eggs I’ve ever eaten. I can’t wait to go back here on my next trip to Nashville to try some of their other dishes!

Nada: Who doesn’t love delicious Tacos & Cocktails? On our last night in Nashville we were hosted by Nada for a delicious dinner. I’m pretty sure we tried every item on the menu…. and there was not one thing I didn’t like! This is also the perfect spot to go as a group to share assorted tacos & side dishes. Just a heads up… the queso is AMAZING, so make sure to plan for a double order for your group because it goes FAST!

Honorable Mention to some of my other favorite Nashville food spots from my previous trip:

  • Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
  • Bisquit Love
  • Milk & Honey

Tips for your first trip to Nashville..

My first & most important tip is to do your research in advance. Make a list of the must see sites & things you must do vs. things you can save for your next trip. Nashville is surprisingly big with so many different areas to see & things to do… it’s impossible to do it all in one trip. This girls weekend was jam packed, but didn’t include sightseeing any famous spots like the Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, etc. (You can refer to my “Nashville in your 30’s” post for details on these places I visited on my first trip to Nash). Also, it’s a good idea to reach out to spots you’d like to go to for reservations in advance as well as any information in regards to specific Covid rules.

Like my Nashville outfits?

You can find all of my Nashville fashion picks linked on the liketoknow.it app…

Is there any other spots I need to visit on my next trip to Nashville to add to this list? Please share in a comment below!

Disclosure: This Blog post contains sponsored content & affiliated links for which I can earn a small commission for. There is no extra cost to you for shopping through these links. All reviews are my honest opinion & review. I do appreciate it when you use my links to shop because it helps cover the costs associated with maintaining this blog.

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Uncategorized, Affordable Fashion, Christmas Gifts, Fashion & Style, Gift Guide, Gifts for Her, Holidays, Petite Style, Women Fashion over 30

2020 Top Style Picks for Her: Holiday Edition

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If you’re planning to dress up this holiday season, I’m sharing some of my favorite finds that are festive & perfect for whatever type of celebration you plan to have this year.

This outfit from The Pink Lily Boutique is the perfect look for holiday parties or for your holiday photos. The houndstooth print of this skirt is festive and looks great with a pair of ankle booties.

These next 2 dresses were also from The Pink Lily Boutique. The turquoise polka dot maxi dress is colorful, fun & festive for the holidays paired with a fun hat. The blush long sleeve velvet dress was also a beautiful (and surpringly cozy) dress for the holidays. I paired it with black booties, but you can mix it up with nude pumps as well, depending on how dressed up you want to be.

This beautiful black lace top & Wine colored long sleeve dress are both from The Mint Julep Boutique. Both of these looks are perfect to look dressed up but still feel comfortable during the holidays. I paired both looks with these under $50 over the knee boots.

This embroidered mini-skirt is one of my favorite affordable holiday outfit pieces & is under $20 in this color, it also comes in green, black & other colors as well. The print is actually embroidered into the skirt, which makes it look a lot more expensive than it is. I paired it with a black off the shoulder sweater I already owned & a pair of over the knee boots.

This sweater dress is comfortable & flattering. It’s under $30 & comes in a variety of colors. I love the tie waist that helps to give this dress shape but doesn’t add any weight to the outfit. You can pair this dress with over the knee boots like I did, ankle booties or other shoes to fit your style.

This outfit from Nasty Gal is more of an edgy look with the white leather zipper-detail mini skirt & fun sequin flowy top. This can be a great look for New Years Eve or any other holiday celebrations. Also, I have to note these AMAZING embellished boots that were so comfortable and totally tied this look together.

I love this under $25 white floral long sleeve romper paired with over the knee boots as a cute & feminine holiday outfit. The skirt has a fun ruffle hem that gives a flowy shape to the outfit. This is another look that’s also comfortable to wear & with the affordable price tag its an easy sell.

I got this dress from Abercrombie in TWO colors last year because I loved it so much, & they re-released it this year (probably because of how popular it was), so I had to add it to this years holiday outfit roundup. This dress is a warm flannel material & looks so festive in any of the plaid prints you can choose from. This is a dress you can keep in your closet for years that won’t go out of style quickly.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links for which I could earn a small commission from without any extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping via these linked items to help me to cover the costs of maintaining this blog & compensating me for my time. 

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Uncategorized, Affordable Fashion, Christmas Gifts, Fitness, Fitness Equipment, Gift Guide, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Hairstyle, Healthy Living, Holiday Gifts, Women Fashion over 30, workout gear

The Ultimate 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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Holiday shopping is hard, & this year a lot more shopping will be done online due to our “new normal”. I’m going to be sharing gift guides for 2020 in categories below to be your one stop shop for holiday gift ideas. This year I am focusing on sharing mostly items at lower price points since many of us are shopping on a tighter budget.

I will be updating this blog post through out the holiday shopping season, but to stay the most up to date with my favorite finds & sales, be sure to follow me on liketoknow.it & Instagram.

To make it easier for you to shop, I have included links to all items featured in each collage below it. This way you don’t have to search for these items I have included in this guide.

Gifts for the Ladies in your life:

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a beautiful or useful gift for the favorite women in your life. These Kate Spade & Kendra Scott Jewelry pieces I’ve shared are all under $50 & high quality, beautiful pieces.

This Revlon hairdryer is my go-to that I use on the regular.

The makeup bag shared is also perfect for travel or daily organization.

These items can be perfect gifts for women of any age because they’re beautiful, practical & useful.

When shopping for stocking stuffers for the ladies, you can’t go wrong with beauty products (ex: lipgloss, beauty blenders, bath bombs), Candles, Small jewelry pieces or chocolates.

Also, this heated eyelash curler (lower left) is under $20 & such a great tool that I use & love.

www.tula.com

Tulas products are clean & utilize probiotics to keep skin healthy. They are non-toxic, free of Parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates & retinol. On top of the clean ingredients, their products also work great & smell AMAZING. The individual products make great stocking stuffers, or if you opt for the holiday gift sets, they are perfect gifts for anyone who loves to treat their skin to great products. Remember to use my code: FITSEDATION at checkout for 15% off your order.

Gifts for the Men in your life:

Through the years I’ve noticed the best gifts for the men in my life are the ones they can actually make use out of instead of clothes or silly video games. For a fun gift idea for your boyfriend, husband or even Father, you can purchase some of his favorite craft beers & place them in this wooden beer caddy & maybe even including some snacks to go along with it.

Also, this “Bug As-Salt” rifle has been a hit for all the men in my life who I’ve gifted it to. It shoots salt out at flies instead of using a fly swatter…The best part is, men love testing their aim when using this… AND it actually works!

If you plan to purchase items for the fitness lover in your life, I suggest you do so ASAP! Due to many gyms closing & people working out at home, these items sell out QUICK, but the good news is, if you can snag any of these items for that person on your list, they will be extra excited to get these items that have been hard to come by the past few months!

Shopping for someone who loves coffee? Consider getting them a new single serve coffee machine or this espresso maker (both on sale now for under $125). Another great idea are these stainless steel reusable pods for either the Nespresso or Keurig, they’re cost effective & good for the environment as well! This set of glass coffee mugs is on sale for almost 50% off. And lastly, this coffee themed gift set is around $30 & includes everything you need to gift to a coffee lover.

Be sure to check back to this page for updates & new items added to this guide as the holiday season progresses!

Happy Shopping!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links for which I could earn a small commission from without any extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping via these linked items to help me to cover the costs of maintaining this blog & compensating me for my time.

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Affordable Fashion, Christmas Gifts, Fashion & Style, Gift Guide, Holiday Gifts, Uncategorized, Women Fashion over 30, Womens Accessories

Nordstrom Sale x Tory Burch

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Tory Burch is a very popular designer & her items rarely go on sale. This year Nordstrom has a lot of Tory Burch items included at amazing discounts for their Anniversary Sale. This is the perfect time to stock up on these items for yourself OR for holiday shopping! All items linked below as well as on my Liketoknow.it page! Be sure to shop early because these items will most definitely sell out quick!

xoxo.

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Affordable Fashion, Beauty, Fashion & Style, Gift Guide, Gifts for Her, Healthy Living, Uncategorized, Women Fashion over 30, Womens Accessories

Guide to the Nordstrom Sale 2020

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Welcome to my Nordstrom 2020 Sale Guide! This year the sale is happening a few weeks later than usual, but the sales are still just as good! This guide will include some information about the sale, as well as dates, tips for shopping, and my favorite finds. I’ll continue to update this post through out the sale so be sure to check back on finds I might not have highlighted initially. I will also link some of my favorite items to this post so you won’t have to search for the items I am highlighting.

What is the Norstrom Anniversary Sale?

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale happens once a year and the discounts are usually BETTER than Black Friday. You are able to get amazing deals on designer items and top trends for the upcoming seasons. The items available during this sale usually set the trends for the Fall & Winter seasons, so it’s also a sneak peek at what you’ll be seeing other stores and designers release in the coming months. This is the best time to stock up on heavily discounted sweaters, cardigans, outerwear, booties, boots and other cooler weather must-haves.

When can I shop the Sale?

Access to the Nordstrom sale is based on your “status” with their brand. Those who shop Nordstrom frequently and spend an annual amount of $15,000 per year WITH a Nordstrom credit card get the earliest access to shop the sale. They will be the firsts to shop on August 4. Ambassadors are those who spend $5,000+ annually, Influencers are those who spend $2,000+ annually , and Insider is those who are card holders or those who spend $500+ annually. Below is the graphic of the sale opening dates for each status.

If you are not a cardholder already and plan to become one to shop the sale earlier than the public, Apply for your card BEFORE Insider access opens so you will have your card number available to shop your top picks for the sale as soon as access opens on August 13 at 9:30 am EST/ 6:30 am PST. You can apply for your Nordstrom Credit Card Here.

What is my “Status” ?

You can verify your status & the date you can access the sale, click here and sign into your Nordstrom account.

What time does the sale open to each tier?

Access on your Tiers date starts at 9:30 am EST/ 6:30 PST.

Pro Tip: Add all of your favorite items into your cart/wishlist so you can check out as soon as the sale opens to you. This is especially important for those with insider & public access since the hottest items sell out almost immediately (sometimes even before the sale opens to insiders)

How do I Preview the sale?

You can preview the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale here. You can also shop my top picks and best finds here on Fitsedation.com or on my Liketoknow.it page where I will be updating frequently with the best finds.

Tips to get the most out of the sale:

  • Plan Ahead: The preview is the time you can pick out which items are your top choices & make a list of your must haves. Using this time helps you to not make abrupt decisions on items that are not in your budget.
  • Set a Budget: It can be easy to spend your entire savings during this sale if you don’t keep yourself on budget, especially seeing all the items that are so heavily discounted. The sales are AMAZING, but don’t overspend and put yourself in a bad situation for the future. I promise you, you DON’T need booties in every single color THIS season.
  • Don’t shop too many “Trendy Items”: When purchasing higher ticket items (although heavily discounted), you don’t want to spend a lot on items that will only be worn a few times for one season. Find “capsule” items that can be worn for years & even used during multiple seasons. Some examples are: boots, outerwear, sweaters, jeans & cardigans.
  • Mark your Calendar & Set an Alarm: Items in this sale sell out quick! Make sure to be at your computer (or smart phone) ready to click “Check Out” as soon as your access allows you to! Last year I missed out on a few of my top items because I didn’t check out until 10:30 am (total amateur move and I don’t want the same to happen to you!)
  • Don’t Overthink: The Nordstrom return period is 365 days, so although I recommend not overshopping, if there is an item you are not positive of, but still need time to decide, just order it and you have ample time to make that return.
  • Buy Multiple sizes: Since many items sell out (and sometime don’t get re-stocked after the sale), if you are not sure of your sizing in a certain item, purchase the sizes you are questioning between and utilize the 365 day return period to return what didn’t fit. Since fitting rooms aren’t available in most (of not all) stores due to Covid-19, ordering multiple sizes is your best chance at not missing out on keeping an item you love from the sale.
  • Get a Nordstrom Credit card early: I stated this above, but if you aren’t at Ambassador or Influencer status, get your card ahead of time to obtain access to the sale before it opens to the public. Some of the hottest items sell out and don’t get restocked during the sale, so being able to shop before public access gives the best chance of shopping the items on your list. You don’t need to checkout with your Nordstrom card, you just need it to access the ability to check out for early access !

What are your favorite finds for the sale?

This year I will be rounding up my favorite finds separated into groups. As I publish more, I will link them in this section so you have a single spot you can look for my updated lists and finds based on your interests:

How can I thank you for sharing this information?

I love taking the time to share this information & researching for the best finds from this sale and others. The best way to thank me and allow me to continue to share this information is to shop through my links within this post as well as my Liketoknow.it page. Shopping via these links allows me to receive small commissions for the items you shop and costs nothing on your end.

I would also love if you can share this post as well as my Instagram Page with your friends & Family!

Happy Shopping!

xoxo.

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Affordable Fashion, Athleisure, Beauty, Fashion & Style, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Petite Style, Women Fashion over 30, Womens Accessories, workout gear

Nordstrom Sale 2020

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Athleisure Favorites Round Up

The Nordstrom sale only happens once a year and is full of big deals on designer brands. It’s the perfect time to shop for wardrobe essentials, Fall style picks, accessories, beauty products and more. It’s also the perfect time to kick off holiday shopping (that’s right!). Nordstrom has a return policy of ONE YEAR, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to return unwanted items once the holidays pass.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Athleisure finds from the 2020 Nordstrom sale here and am linking all items here as well as my Liketoknow.it page.

All items linked here:

Some Notes about these finds:

Nike Indy Sports Bra – I ordered this sports bra from the N-sale last year and it has become my favorite. It’s super comfortable & supportive. I wear this for Running, Spin & other workouts and will be ordering more this year!

Nike Fleece Pants- These joggers are also one of my favorite buys from last years N-sale. They are the softest sweatpants I have ever owned (honestly!), and this is another item I plan to purchase some more of this year.

Adidas Swift Run Sneaker- THESE WILL SELL OUT QUICK! I purchased these last year in the winter time and always get complimented on them. They are comfortable & light. I won’t be surprised if they sell out within the first few hours of the sale going live, so if you have your eye on these (on sale for less than $50) then be sure to put your order in as soon as the sale opens!

Spanx Biker Shorts- I don’t own these yet but they are on my list because I have been impressed with my Spanx leggings in the past so I know these will be high quality.

Patagonia Zip Up (& half zip) Sweatshirt- I have been eyeing a Patagonia zip up for a while now, on sale for under $100, I feel this is the best time to purchase an item that is a winter staple and can be used for a long time.

Other items: The other items I have added are on my personal wish list and seem to be the best value for the sale.

Disclosure: Please note that this page contains affiliate links, which will direct you to partner sites. If you purchase items via these links, @Fit_Sedation may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you)

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Affordable Fashion, Fashion & Style, Gifts for Her, Holiday Gifts, Holidays, Petite Style, Women Fashion over 30

Abercrombie Try On

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Nov. 2019

Being in my 30’s, when I think of Abercrombie I think of High School, popped collars, ripped jeans & flip flops. But recently I made an order of a TON of A&F tops & dresses that are totally age appropriate (and seriously all so cute). It seems like my favorite store of the past has grown with me & might have regained my love ! Check out the pieces below and let me know which ones are your favorite!

This buffalo plaid shirt dress is so amazing for the fall. This will likely be my Thanksgiving outfit…

The best part of this dress is that it comes in petite sizes so its great for the vertically challenged ladies like me!

This satin cami is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. It has a great button detail, as well as a tie front so there’s no need to awkwardly tuck it.

This top was another surprise to me. I love how its light and loose, but the tie front and v-neck keeps the shirt from looking too loose/unfitted.

This off the shoulder sweater is SO SOFT & cozy. It’s the perfect blend of comfy & cute. It comes in a few different colors, but I’m LOVING this neutral zebra print design.

If you’re looking for a great long sleeve body suit this one is it! The keyhole back is super cute and adds a little extra style to the otherwise basic piece.

The best part about this is even though the back is open, you can still wear a normal bra with it which is amazing!

This is another bodysuit, but without sleeves. It has the same thicker material, but a keyhole design in the front. The material is thicker so you won’t have to worry about it being see through in photos.

This body suit seems more like one you would get from express, so I had to try it. Its a good option to wear to work or a date-night / holiday party. If you have a larger bust, I would size up so it falls correctly.

This shirt also has some detailed buttons on the sleeves which I loved.

This neutral zebra print cardigan is so soft and cozy. I also loved that it has pockets! The length was also great even though I am only 5 foot tall.

All products are linked below (or you can follow me on the liketoknow.it app to get all products & details!)

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