Have you heard the news? THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE is ALMOST here. The sale officially kicks off on July 20th but Nordstrom cardholders get early access starting July 12th. This is one of the best sales ever because NEW upcoming Fall pieces are on sale not styles that are going out of season. The prices will go back up to regular pricing when the sale ends on August 5th. You can check out some of the items included in the sale in the Anniversary Sale catalog by clicking here.

To be completely honest, I feel like this is the time to pick up basic staples that you can wear year round. Not just on-trend items. But with that being said…some of the trends I noticed were white booties, backpacks and cropped pants. I am personally happy to see that white booties are sticking around because I got a pair last year and I worried that they would only last one season. They also seemed a little too go-go dancer-ish at the time! LOL! But now they are available in a bootie style, kitten heel style, mules and even knee length. Backpacks and fanny packs are back in a BIG way too. The trend I am not super stoked on are the cropped wide leg pants. They are just NOT flattering on my body type so I avoid them at all cost.

I’ve got my eye on all of the items in the top pic but since they aren’t available yet on the Nordstrom website, I couldn’t link them for you. But I promise to share all of my faves with you when the sale goes live!

P.S. If you aren’t a Nordstrom cardholder yet, you can click here to apply.

Summer is my favorite time of the year. As if you didn’t know that by  now! And one of my favorite things to wear are denim shorts and lighter & brighter colors. It did seem a little strange to make the transition from duster cardigans to these shorter versions because I was wearing the longer style for what seems like FOREVER. But this Joseph A. tangerine draped front cardigan immediately put a pep in my step and brightened up my whole day! I actually just threw it on over my swimsuit as more of a coverup. Be sure and scroll all the way down for an exclusive Joseph A. discount code!

This open stitch cardigan goes great with everything and the subtle flared sleeves make it easy to dress up as well. After a long winter, this gal sure does need a tan. A faux one at least!

Now through July 9th, you can save an additional 50% off your entire Joseph A. order with code SHW50. Plus get free ground shipping!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Joseph A. for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Southern California FINALLY got the memo that Summer is here! I am hopeful that we will skip the June gloom since the May grey was SO bad. There’s no better way to lift your Summer spirits than to update your look with a few statement jewelry pieces. I decided to let my jewelry do the talking for this look and paired the LAGOS Gemstone Cuff Bracelet and matching Diamond Lux X Ring with a casual but cute crochet dress. I’ve accumulated quite a few LAGOS pieces over the years and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they all can be mix & matched. LAGOS mixes metals seamlessly which makes coordinating looks so easy. I always know that any piece I pull out will pair perfectly!

I’m wearing the Gemstone Cuff Bracelet in white topaz but it comes in nine other colors so you can be sure to find one to match your style. It’s beautiful enough to wear on its own but you can also mix it with their many other styles for the perfect arm stack!

You can see other ways I’ve styled my favorite LAGOS pieces here, here, here and here.

LAGOS is giving away a caviar color bracelet a week for the entire month of July. Click ‏here for details and to enter to win!

Disclaimer: Thank you kindly to LAGOS for gifting me the Gemstone Cuff Bracelet.

I grew up in the 80’s and my favorite way to get a great tan was to slather myself up with a baby oil & iodine concoction. Which I learned from my mother, by the way.

Then in the 90’s, I found out about tanning beds. I’m pretty sure I made my mom sign off so I could tan before I was even 18 years old. And not only did I use the tanning beds, but I followed the twenty minutes of baking myself with a trip to the leg tanner and then the face tanner. To be honest, I don’t know how I don’t look more like the tan lady from “Something About Mary”.

It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I started caring more about my skin (and not getting skin cancer) than having a great tan. Now that I’m in my forties, I won’t leave the house without sunscreen. Actually, I won’t leave the house without my Amavara® mineral sunscreen.

I LOVE supporting local San Diego brands and today I want to introduce you guys to Amavara®. Amavara’s mineral based sunscreen uses a patented Earthwell® zinc oxide technology that rubs in clear and provides broad spectrum protection. Formulated to be worn daily, it is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic  and paraben-free. Amavara® is also reef-safe, cruelty-free and vegan.

Mineral based sunscreens, like Amavara®, use mineral ingredients to form a physical barrier on your skin to reflect and scatter UVA/UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens use harmful chemicals that are absorbed into the skin and may not protect you from both UVA/UVB rays. And let’s face it, chemicals are just not good for your skin! Especially if you have sensitive skin like me.

I’ve had time to try both the mineral sunscreen lotion as well as the facestick and both are fabulous. The SPF 50 lotion goes on smooth and works great as a primer underneath my regular foundation. I also wore it alone and it really stays put and never got oily on me like regular sunscreens tend to do. The facestick is PERFECT to keep in your purse or car for those times you don’t have time to do a full sunscreen application. I have a habit now of pulling it out just to protect the tops of my hands while I’m driving (just say NO to sunspots!). I also love it for my son since its SO much easier to get him to sit still for a reapply, especially when we are on the go! Both can be applied to wet or dry skin and are water resistant for up to 80 minutes.

So tell me…have you made the switch to mineral sunscreen? Amavara® is offering Stylish Housewife readers 10% off your purchase with code: stylishhousewife.

Disclaimer: Thank you kindly to Amavara® Sunscreen for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

I meant to share this prior to Mother’s Day and then life just got too busy and I forgot. But I thought this “ABC’s Guide to Trends Your Mom Started” article was so cute that I just had to share! I’m on my second time around with a few of these trends…and some of them I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole! I’m looking at YOU perm in 7th grade that changed my hair for LIFE. It was never the same after that! Oh, and kitten heels. You will never see me wearing them. EVER.

To read the entire article, visit Stylight.