These are for sure this Summer's most popular sandal. They came out around May and were sold out immediately everywhere! I got my hands on the Steve Madden Jole Embellished Slide Sandal (last pair that is) and was so excited. I took them on a trip to Colorado and put them on in the house to walk around in and hated them. Not because of the way they look, but because every time I walked my foot was sliding out of them. I wasn't going to keep a pair of sandals that cost me $70, (yes, that alone made me want to return them) that my foot was sliding out of. I sadly returned them and longed for them to go on sale.
Two weeks ago I spotted these babies at everyone's favorite store and was so excited! Finally the shoe I wouldn't care if my foot was sliding out of because they were only $25. I bought them in my regular size and they are seriously perfect. Also, the quality on them is great for the price, I was really surprised by that. They honestly look like and feel like the Steve Madden pair, materials, and everything. I would highly recommend giving the Merona Margo Pearl Slide Sandals a try.
Now moving on to something not shoe related. I bought this light weight thermal top at the surprise surprise, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. It was only $25 with I thought was a great price for a shirt that you could wear now and layer later in the seasons. The color is so beautiful and I love the texture. I sized up to a medium in this for a looser fit.
Now the original style is back in stock in both colors and most sizes. But you can get the dupe of them here only $25 with an additional 10% off with code "SHOES10". What a steal! it also comes in both colors and is fully stocked!! Let me know if you own this pair or like the style in the comments below.
It is finally Friday! This week has been so crazy. It has gone by so fast. I really wish the Summer would slow down. This weekend I am going to a drive-in movie with some friends and will probably roast some s'mores in the backyard! No other big plans, just the usual homework, and working.
My off the shoulder top was under $10, but I bought it back in April so maybe check the store? It is really cute and beachy. My bag is back in stock at the Nordstrom Sale and it comes in two colors! I absolutely love the size and style. It looks a lot more expensive than it is.
So I thought it might be fun to share a few of the pieces styled from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale today. You can check out a purchase review + size guide part 1 & part 2, to see everything I bought and kept. Well, the sale is still happening I want to share some of the pieces I bought and how you can style them now just so you can get your money's worth. In today's post, I am sharing the Love, Fire Floral Embroidered Ripped Denim Jacket ($45.90 marked down from $69), Leith Mélange Body-Con Dress ($35.90 marked down from $55), and Sole Society Ivan Faux Leather Backpack ($42.90 marked down from $64.95). I want to talk about two of the pieces that are going to be huge Fall trends.
Two Huge Fall Trends: Backpack purses- This was an emerging trend last year but now it is going to be everywhere. This was my first backpack purse and I am pretty obsessed. For the price, it is amazing quality, and the color is very nice. I think it looks a lot more expensive than it was. The bag I have styled above comes in black as well (I ordered that too!). I just really like the way this bag looks, you can carry it in your hand, throw it over one shoulder or wear it like a backpack. Plus it is big enough to fit everything! I love taking mine shopping so I can put the things I bought in it. I have linked a bunch of options below. There are more backpacks included in the Nordstrom Sale that is currently sold out, so just check back since they restock often.
Ripped Denim Jackets- So this is one of those trends not everyone is going to like, especially my mom. At first, I wasn't too sure about the trend myself because it wasn't exactly my style, but I love the little-embroidered details on this jacket. It makes it more feminine looking and adds something else to the look. For the price, I thought I give it a try and love it! The same night I wore it out to a party with a black tank and black skinny jeans, everyone loved it! Here are a few more options for you below.
What are your thoughts on these two trends? Do you love them or hate them? Let me know in the comments below. Also, in the next couple of weeks I want to share more up and coming trends that will be huge for Fall so check back often!
This post is sponsored by Tai Pei and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Black Barcode possible!
I don't know about you but Sunday has to be my busiest day. I have so much to do in preparation for the upcoming week that cooking dinner isn't really a plan in my schedule (or ever). Usually, at the end of the night, Eric and I will try and figure out what to eat (which is always left up to me since I'm the "picky" eater) and turn on Netflix, right now we are binge watching The Office.
As a college student, I am always on the go and on a budget. I don't always have time to make dinner so that results to me eating out and spending more money, not great when you're trying to save. Going to the grocery store and picking up frozen meals has helped me from eating out and saving time cooking! That's when I found the all-new Tai Pei single serve line of Asian inspired frozen entrees. The nice thing about these meals is you can cook them in the microwave for less than 5 minutes, they have infused rice so not extra cooking and your meal is served, no mess and no dishes to clean because of the convenient microwaveable packaging. They would be perfect to bring to work as well!
They have a variety of tasty entrees made with real, pure ingredients and no preservatives or artificial ingredients. I picked up 5 different flavors to try, Beef and Broccoli, Chicken Fried Rice, Pepper Beef, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Spicy General Tso. My favorite so far is the Sweet and Sour Chicken because I love pineapple, and Eric's is the Spicy General Tso! The breaded chicken in my dish was amazing and so tasty! I get worried sometimes with meat in frozen meals because it can sometimes taste soggy, but not in the Tai Pei entrees. It was my favorite part of the dish! I also think the portion size is perfect, filled me up and not more snacking. Next time I head to the grocery store I will be stocking up again, it's an easy delicious meal to have around.
I am so glad I discovered Tai Pei single serving entrees, they are affordable and great tasting! I highly recommend you giving them a try! Save $1.00 on ONE (1) Tai Pei Entree (7.9 oz. or larger) or appetizer with this coupon and check out Tai Pei's website for additional information and to see all their meals! Let me know if you have every tried them out and what your favorite meal is!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Salejust started opened up to the public (so start shopping!). You can see the part one of this purchase review here. So here is part two of a try on haul and review of the online purchases I made. Next to each item I wrote if I was keeping the item, returning, exchanging or if I couldn't decide. This size guide will help break down some of my favorite pieces for you! I will have a size reference down below so you can get an idea of how something might fit on you! Click on any of the links to be sent directly to the item, things will be going very fast so if you like something you need to act fast to purchase before they sell out again, they most likely won't be restocking, and remember Nordstrom has free shipping and returns on all items. Happy Shopping!
Just as a heads up, I wore these jeans with most of the looks below! They are also included in the sale!
{My Sizes}
Tops: I usually wear a size 4/6 or small, sometimes medium depending on if I want a looser fit or it to be longer.
Dresses: 4/6 or size small. I will size up to a medium for length.
Bottoms: Size 6 fits me the best or a 27/28.
Shoes: 9.5 is my true size, but a size 10 fits the better in boots.
Sizing: TTS? I ordered a medium because I bought this last year in a small and the buttons kept pulling apart on my chest area. This one I am not having trouble with at all and I really love the length and color! Plus, it is a light weight flannel, super soft!
Sizing: TTS, I ordered a 9.5. I am going back on forth about keeping theses. I love the black suede and that they are skin tight over the knee boots that actually stay up. But I don't know if they look good on my and about the toe shape? I wish they were rounded. For the price I think they are really great, but I don't like the zipper on the back, its a weird place (unnoticeable in black but the taupe you can for sure see it). Also, I have a pair of 5050 style boots (leather in the front and stretch in the back) in black that go to my knee and I am not sure if I should keep both? Any thoughts?
Sizing: TTS I ordered a medium. The small would have worked but I wanted the length. I surprisingly really like this top. For under $20 if is more than just a basica tee and I love that! It is a little more edgy and super stretch and soft! Thought about order another color but the other looked a little cheaper? I think the white or mustard yellow might work.
Sizing: Runs large, size down. This is a medium but I really need a small. I bought this last year in a green emerald color and love it. I got this because the colors look very high end. I love the matte black hard wear. But in really life I don't like it that much and I ordered the wrong size. I also wouldn't wear it since it doesn't match anything in my closet so this ones going back.
Sizing: TTS, I ordered a medium. Okay, if you saw my last review I also got this in the brown and cognac color so I don't know why I ordered this as well, but I really love it in gray so I have to figure out if I really need two of the same jacket. The other issue I am having is this feels a little smaller in the arms than the cognac version does. I don't know if a long sleeve shirt would work under this without feeling like I am going to lose a arm. I am going to try it one some more and try to figure out if it is worth it. Out of the two colors (gray and cognac seen here) which is your favorite?
Price: $125.90 marked down from $188
Item: BP. Lace Trim Satin Camisole (Exchanging)
Sizing: TTS, I ordered a medium mostly for the length, but I think it was a good choice. I go back and forth about this top. I tried it on in store last week in a medium in the ivory color and passed. It didn't look as good on me in ivory. But now, I think instead of this emerald greenish color I want the black? It would go with more and may look a little higher quality than this one. Either way, if I can't snag the black, I will just return it.
Sizing: Size up for wider foot, runs TTS for narrow feet. I am wearing a 9.5. I love the color and the style these booties when I saw them on the model but they look terrible on me from the side. I already have a large foot and the point makes me look like I am wearing elf shoes. These are a no go for me. But if you have a small foot and or tall and skinny like the model than these are the shoes for you. The color and quality is nice.
Sizing: I ordered a medium (8/10) for length but the small (4/6) may have had a slimmer fit but I wouldn't have liked how short it was. This shirt is amazing, probably one of my favorites from the sale. It is a piece you can wear now on its own or with a jean jacket then in the Fall you can wear it with a leather jacket or cardi.
Sizing: TTS, I ordered a 9.5. I love the color of these since I don't have any gray shoes in my closet. The heel height looks on the taller end up it is really only a 2.5 inch heel. This booty comes in 3 other colors and is easy to walk in. The reason I don't know if I am keep theses is because I don't know if a gray pair of booties in my closet will get more wear than a cognac pair or similar? This is something I have to think about.
Sizing: I loved this bag so much! It looks like a designer bag but for only $52.90! The issue I am having is I don't know if I like the color? It kind of is a gray but also a tan/taupe and I am not sure if I have things, more specifically shoes to match it. I ordered the same bag in black last night so I will debate between the two. I took the shoulder strap off the bag for the photo, but will put it on when I keep it because the shoulder strap is an essential for sure!
Sizing: This runs TTS. I ordered a medium but the small would work if I wanted a tighter and shorter fit. I personally love the over size look because I feel better in it. I actually wore this yesterday for my workout (both high intensity work out and walking the dog in the hot sun) and I love it! The length is great and the fit is great for me. It is a little thicker than the muscle tanks I usually wear, but it wasn't that bad, just made me sweat more haha! I highly recommend this!
Sizing: Runs a little small? I ordered a small in these (recommended on the size chart) but I feel they are a little snug for my liking so I am trying to figure out if I wanna try ordering up a size. The issue right now is they ride up when I am walking, and I hate that! If you are smaller around the hip, leg and butt area than this would probably run TTS for you, but if you're larger size up.
Sizing: TTS. I bought a 28 in these and they are a great fit! I bought these because they looked like a pair from Madewell I saw. I had not intention of keeping these, I just wanted to try them out, but they fit amazing, super stretchy and I love the details (button front and raw hem). These are a keep for sure!
Sizing: TTS. I bought a small and loved it on the model but don't really like it in real life. The material and texture isn't my favorite, but I love the color and idea of it.
Sizing: TTS. Not sure why I ordered this in a medium, I think it was a mistake. The small would be the perfect fit and what was recommended to me by Nordstrom. I am just ordered the smaller size and can't wait. I think this is such a cute top!
Sizing: TTS if you are smaller chested. I bought this in a small but it is to tight in the chest area and when I lift my arms up. I love the style of this and was very excited to try this out with a pair of black skinny jeans, but am exchanging it for a size up for a better fit. I am hoping it works!
Sizing: TTS. I bought this in a medium and its a great fit. I love how light weight and soft this is. Perfect for working out! Might even have to buy in black.
Sizing: Runs TTS if you don't have much of a chest. I got a medium and it looks fine, but it's a little shorter than I like my dresses and the buttons at the top are pulling apart/ it is tight on my chest area. I love this dress (It really needs to be steamed) so I ordered a size large and hope that works!
Sizing: This is a one size fits all. I wish it actually came in regular sizing because I feel like it is a little to big on for my liking. I love everything about this cardigan but the fit. I am going to keep it and try it out, but it may not work.
Sizing: This runs TTS I wanna say, but I am going to exchange it for a size large instead of the medium pictured. I want more length and I don't like how tight it is around my stomach. I am in love with this color and am also going to try and get this in the black color.
Sizing: Runs small. Size up one size. I got a medium in this when Nordstrom recommended the size small. I love the color of this and it also comes in black and a cool burgundy color that I was also interested in. Super simple dress but really like it.
Sizing: TTS. I ordered a medium because that was what was suggested and the fit is great. It is suppose to give an oversized look but the sleeve length and tightness is the perfect fit. Still iffy on this style of jacket, but it is a huge trend and not that expensive. A piece you can wear now and wear later!
Sizing: I have never owned a backpack purse before and loved the color of this. I just can't decide if I like the black or this taupe color better. The black style is on it's way to me. Overall I think it is great for the price, just not sure if I am a backpack purse person.
Sizing: TTS. I ordered my normal 9.5 and they fit great, only issue is they are tight in the calf area and I don't even have large or wide calfs. I read the reviews and they said similar things. It isn't bugging me that much and I am going to think about it. I really like these but decided that black would be a better color and I will return the Steve Madden OTK pair at the beginning of this post. I like the gray, I just don't know if they will get that much wear compared to a pair that's black. I love the low heel, so easy to walk in and they stay up!
