What you ACTUALLY need for your New Puppy…

If anything good has come out of the year 2020, it’s that many families finally had the time to add a fur baby to their families due to decreased vacations & more time working from home. I brought home my first puppy this year & want to share the items you ACTUALLY need to be prepared to welcome home this new member of your family & make your transition to “Pawrents” easier.

Are you ready to be a “Pawrent”??

Before deciding to adopt a dog, make sure your lifestyle, schedule & budget can accommodate it. You don’t want to bring home a lovable puppy, only to find out that you can’t afford it or are too busy to give it the time & attention it deserves. Having to re-home a puppy after getting attached could be heartbreaking; especially if you have children; so be sure to be honest with yourself about if you can realistically handle the responsibility of a puppy.

Are Dogs expensive?

Many people don’t think that dogs are expensive (especially if you adopt from a local shelter), but even if you’re not spending thousands of dollars on a pure-bred dog from a breeder, dogs still can get expensive in their daily needs & bills. Some of the costs that are associated with having a dog are:

  • Dog Food & Treats
  • Veterinarian Bills ( I highly recommend getting pet-insurance, I’ll elaborate later in this post)
  • Grooming (depending on the breed, this can be expensive)
  • Dog Walker or Doggie Day Care (if you don’t work from home)

Is pet insurance worth it?

I did a lot of research on pet insurance before bringing my puppy home. Most pet insurances cost about $25-$50/month based on the plan you get. Many pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so it is best to get your pet insured as young as possible to prevent paying high vet bills if your dog is hurt or gets sick. Puppies especially have a way of getting into trouble & can easily run up a vet bill for tests and procedures. Some people opt to make a savings account for pet related costs, but after hearing stories of friends who had veterinarian bills that were thousands of dollars, I decided that pet insurance was the best choice for us. I opted for a plan that includes “wellness checks” so annual vaccines and check ups are covered as well.

What do I need to have for my puppy when I bring it home?

Just like a baby, it’s so easy to be sold on every fun item you see at the pet store or online for your fur-baby. But to save you some money & stress, these are the items that I felt were MUST HAVES when I brought home my dog:

  • An appropriately sized dog crate: I was never a fan of the idea of dog crates, but after doing a lot of research, it seemed that this was the best way to get a puppy trained quickly & also give them a “safe space” within their new home. Crates aren’t very expensive, I ordered this one which was under $20.
  • A Cozy Dog Bed: When I purchased my dogs bed, it was honestly because I thought it was cute because it was furry… but when she came in the house and found her bed she was so happy in it. I actually bought a second one so I leave one in her crate, and one where she likes to sleep during the day.
  • A Snuggle Pup: The Snuggle Pup is a stuffed animal that has a sound box inside that has a heartbeat sound. Put this in your pups crate at night to calm them down (it sounds like their moms heartbeat) & keep them from crying while transitioning to sleeping in their crate in their “New home”. I made sure to have this on hand before bringing my dog home, and she never had a night where she cried while in her crate. This is probably the best $40 I spent in preparation of bringing my puppy home.
  • Bully Sticks: I will warn you now, these dog treats STINK (& they’re literally made of a Bulls private parts), but dogs LOVE them. The trade off of the stinky and odd dog treat is that dogs will learn to chew this and not acquire bad habits of eating your shoes, trim on the walls, carpet, or other items that you don’t want to be ruined.
  • Training Bells: You want to start potty training your dog the day you bring it home. I ordered these inexpensive bells to hang on our door handle to teach our pup to ring the bell when she needs to go potty. Starting the day I got her, I would tap her nose on the bells before taking her outside to relieve herself. Within a week she caught on and would ring the bell if she wanted to go out & she had very few accidents in the house… I attribute it to the bell training. She is now 6 months old and has mastered the art of ringing the bell to let us know she wants to go out.
  • A Dog Carseat: This is something many people overlook, but even if you’re not taking your dog for joy rides, you will have to bring them to places like the vet or groomer. Having them sit on your lap when you drive can be unsafe for both you and the dog. I tried a few carseats when I got Paisley, but this one was the easiest to put in the car & take out, & also lets the dog look out the window & attaches to their harness to keep them in place if you stop short.
  • Toys: I might have purchased too many toys for my pup, but 2 or 3 is more than enough to keep a new dog entertained. Think squeaky toys & balls. These are some of my pups favorite toys:
  • Waste Bags & Dispenser: You don’t want to be unprepared if your dog leaves a little surprise on one of your neighbors lawns… so having waste bags readily available in a dispenser on your leash is the best way to prevent being rude & not picking up after your dog.
  • Stain & Odor Eliminator: Your new pet will DEFINITELY have some accidents while getting used to their new home. it’s best to be prepared with a product that will deter them from having an accident in the same spot again while also keeping your home clean.

Checklist of other items you will need when your pup comes home:

  • A collar (be sure to order the correct size. If you are taking home a small puppy, you might want to purchase a small sized cat collar instead of a dog collar)
  • A harness: Again, with a small puppy, you might want to purchase a more affordable cat harness to use until your puppy grows a little bit.
  • ID Tag: I made sure to have an ID Tag ready on a collar before I got my puppy so that I could put it on her right away. If you are waiting to name your pup until you get them, maybe consider getting a more affordable tag with your contact information just in case.
  • Leash: Don’t forget a leash so you can walk your pup!
  • Food & Water Bowls: I found some cute bowls at Target, but you can pick whatever style dog bowl fits your home decor or budget. You can also find a bunch of options at TJ maxx, Marshalls, & other stores.
  • Dog Food: If getting a puppy from a breeder, it’s best to start off with the food that your dog was eating there, and then ease them into the brand of food you wish to feed them regularly.
  • Training Treats: Make sure you have healthy dog treats available that you can use for teaching tricks and rewarding your pup for doing good things (like going potty outside!)
  • Blanket: I bought a cozy sherpa throw blanket at TJ Maxx to use as the dogs blanket so she had something else to snuggle in.
  • Misc. Items that I found useful: medicated ear wipes, doggie boots & jacket for cold weather, brush & grooming kit.

What I bought & wasn’t impressed with…

I went a little crazy purchasing everything I could find for my pup, but there were some things that were unnecessary, so I’m going to share them so you don’t waste your money as well!

  • Bitter Apple Spray: For some reason my dog LIKED the taste of this stuff… I don’t know how because I actually tasted it and it was AWFUL. Some people do swear by it, but for me, it was a waste of money.
  • Wee-Wee pads & Holder: I initially thought I would use these, but decided that I didn’t want to confuse my dog that she can go potty inside. I think this is why we were able to get her housebroken so quickly. In my opinion, if you are able to avoid using wee-wee pads you will make potty training (and your life) a lot easier in the long run.

Is there any thing I forgot on these lists? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: This Blog post is not sponsored, but does contain affiliated links for which I can earn a small commission for. There is no extra cost to you for shopping through these links. 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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2020 Top Style Picks for Her: Holiday Edition

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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The Ultimate 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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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Guide to the Nordstrom Sale 2020

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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Nordstrom Sale 2020

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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Abercrombie Try On

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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