Note: When you click on the links the items say they're sold out since they're technically not available to purchase yet. If you click the "View Item On Nordstrom" link, you'll be redirected to the product page and can add it to your wish list there.

And just like that, we're over the halfway point of 2021 and looking towards fall with the arrival of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Last year I was in such a slump about the state of the world that I don't know if I even looked at the catalogue, but I'm feeling more peaceful now, as I hope we all are, now that I'm seeing friends and family in person once more, going out to fun restaurants and bars, even attending a music festival this past weekend; after this hellish year and a half, I'm ready to get dressed again.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is always an interesting one for me because, despite the excitement that unfolds around it, the clothes themselves are not that flashy. In fact, I look to the Anniversary Sale as my stock-up shopping time—the moment to add new wardrobe staples like jeans and boots to my fall closet. It's a good moment to take note of the fashion basics that you're lacking, or just need updated versions of, and find some new classics that you'll wear for years to come.

I bookmarked a few of my favorites from the sale, which you'll see below. I found myself gravitating towards the printed dresses, which can be dressed up for a return to the office or a night out, as well as straight leg and flare jeans. If you buy just one thing during the Anniversary Sale, I always suggest a new pair of jeans. They have such a great selection.

As always, I also bookmarked a few coats and jackets that make no sense for my Los Angeles lifestyle but are dreamy nevertheless. If you live in a colder climate, please let me live vicariously through you and try out one of these coats.

I also added a few beauty favorites that are available at special prices, including a jumbo size of my favorite Dry Bar dry shampoo.

I'll be curious to see what clothing categories succeed the most at this year's sale. Is athleisure the new dominant dressing style now that we've worked from home for a year? Will dresses and heels make a resurgence as people eagerly socialize once more? We shall see!

And heads up, the sale hasn't started just yet (early access begins on July 12, with general access beginning on July 28) but you can browse all these clothes and add them to your wish list until then.

Shop My Anniversary Sale Picks:

Wearing Aerie swimsuit top and bottoms

Summer is here, my friends. I've gotten sunburnt despite wearing SPF 70, dove into freezing cold water because it seemed like a good idea as I was sweating in the sun, and had my fair share of hard seltzers already. I've also been wearing more swimsuits than I have in quite some time, enjoying the fact that the beach and lake are at my fingertips along with the reopened pool in my apartment complex. Naturally, I've been on the hunt for some cute swimsuits to rock this summer!

As much as I love a cute swimsuit, I don't always like how expensive they can be. Seriously, why are water-friendly strips of fabric pricier than most of the dresses in my closet? I do not understand it.

So because I'm all about looking cute this summer but not spending half my paycheck on some skimpy bikinis, I've rounded up some of the cutest on-trend swimsuits that are all under $100 (to the best of my ability, I've tried to make it that full sets are no more than $100, but don't hate me if they go a little over) and grouped them by trend so you can rock the hottest styles this summer.

Pink Bikinis

Groovy Prints

As you know from my summer trends post, I'm all about the psychedelic swirls and hippie-inspired designs right now. They look so cute on swimsuits!

Vax girl summer begins...now!

It's been a weird, strange year (and some change) but we're getting vaccinated, dining out again, seeing friends and family in person, and ready to put this pandemic behind us. I for one am so excited to live it up this summer with the friends I've missed this past year, going out, going to movies (I actually went to my neighborhood AMC for the first time since March 2020 to see Cruella, would recommend!) and of course, I'm excited to wear some cute clothes while doing all these fun activities.

Memorial Day Weekend is historically one of the biggest sales weekends of the year, and the 2021 version is going to be huge! So many stores have great deals, and I know you are also probably itching to refresh your wardrobe and treat yourself to some cute new fashions after a year of leggings and T-shirts.

Check out the best deals going on this weekend, plus my on-sale fashion picks:

The Best Memorial Day Weekend Sales:

& Other Stories

Up to 50% off select styles, through 5/31

American Eagle

25-60% off select styles

Anthropologie

Extra 40% off sale items, through 5/31

ASOS

$30 off $150 with code MEM30, $50 off $200 with code MEM50, or $70 off $250 with code MEM70, through 5/31

Banana Republic

Receive 40% off your purchase, plus an extra 10% off with code BREXTRA10, through 5/31

Bloomingdale's

Up to 70% off clearance, through 5/31

Forever 21

Up to 50% off select styles, through 6/3, and 25% off swimwear, through 6/2

Gap

50% off tanks, tees, and dresses, through 6/1

Intermix

Up to 65% off the summer kickoff sale, through 6/1

J. Crew

25% off full-price styles with code WEEKEND + an extra 50% off sale items

Macy's

Extra 20% off select sale and clearance items with code MEMDAY, through 5/31

Nordstrom

Shop On-Sale Picks:

Disco Stylings

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Colorful Jewelry

1 | 2

Bridgerton-Blue Midi Dresses

1 | 2 | 3

Rectangle Sunglasses

1 | 2

Not-Skinny Jeans

1 | 2 | 3

Halter Necks

1 | 2 | 3

Halter necks are so cute for summer, and you know what, my collar bone looks great in them!

Silk Scarves

1 | 2 | 3

Shop Summer Trends: