Tips and Tricks – Page 2 – Collectively Kaitlyn

Gift Guide #1: Self-love

Happy December 1st! Can you believe that December 2017 is already here? Like, I’m still trying to get over the fact that 2005 was literally 12 years ago (who’s with me on that?). So, to welcome December with open arms, I’m kicking off the month with a series of themed gift guides for those special people in your life.

gift guide

Self-love is something that I take very seriously. I think it’s so important to take time out of each day to do something that fills you with joy, no matter what it is. Too often we forget to love ourselves first, we forget that we’re the only version of us that we’ll ever have. Mentally, physically, and emotionally, it’s critical to fill our souls with good energy. There are many ways to show yourself some good old self-love, I personally like to take time out of each day to decompress from the day and calm my mind. The best part is that, because there are so many ways to relax your body and mind, you’ll never have to fall into a stagnant routine.

One of the best ways to completely relax is to make a date with your favorite, local spa. I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with Mojo Spa in Wicker Park to bring some of the best deals of the holiday season to my readers. Mojo prides itself on their handmade soaps, skincare, and cosmetics that are made in small batches with good-for-you ingredients and formed into fun, creative designs! This Chicago-based beauty company has shared their ideals of merging beauty and comfort with celebrity fans and customers all over the globe. For over ten years they have been manufacturing, developing, and testing their own recipes! I’m all about handmade products that are made with fresh ingredients which makes this collaboration with Mojo a perfect fit!

I received my very own pumpkin pie bath soap, which is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The time, dedication, and attention to detail is just phenomenal! The best part about this soap is that it has anti-inflammatory benefits and is packed full of antioxidants.

With the holiday season in full swing, Mojo has launched their special Golden Ticket offer with any $200 in-store or online product purchase! A Golden Ticket could be anything from a $25 signature mani/pedi to 30% off products. This offer is only valid until December 24th so jump on this opportunity while you can!

If you’re a Chicagoland local, you can book a nail appointment at Mojo or stop by the store to pick up a few of their products. Gift sets are available for any occasion but especially for the holidays and at such reasonable price points. If you’re not local, no worries! They ship worldwide!

I am so excited to continue this gift guide series and I hope you are too! Other guides you should be on the look-out for include a gift guide for her, a gift guide for him, and a gift guide for the person who has everything! Happy Holidays!

xx, Kaitlyn

Guide to Cyber Monday!

Hey hey! I know I love Cyber Monday and I’m sure you do too! I’ve taken the time to find and link some of my favorite sales for you to enjoy. Happy shopping!

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Anthropologie — 20% off full priced items!

Asos — 30% off everything with code EPIC30

Banana Republic — 50% off everything!

Baublebar — 35% off everything with code CYBER35

Express — 50% off everything!

Free People — 50% off select items and an additional 25% off sale items

J.Crew — 40% off your purchase and an additional 10% off with code SHOPFAST

J.Crew Factory — 60% off everything!

Nordstrom — Extra 20% off selected items and up to 40% off designer collections

Red Dress Boutique — $10, $15, $20 Site Buster Deals

Show Me Your Mumu — 50% off selected items with code 50forMU

What are your favorite places to score deals?

xx, Kaitlyn

Black Friday Steals and Deals

When you think of Black Friday, some words that come to your mind are probably “chaotic” or “crazy, but I’m here to help you navigate some of the best deals you can score this year! Personally, I’m a huge fan of Black Friday. I love the thrill of finding deals, saving money, and buying gifts for others (… and myself, of course)! When I’m Black Friday shopping there are a few places I always, always have to hit up because the deals are usually unreal. I’m going to walk you through three places I know I’ll be headed this Friday.

One of the first places I head to is always Target. Target is amazing all year long, but, Target always has the best Black Friday deals. I’ve compiled a list of some of the items I’m most excited to get my hands on for friends and family this year.

Fitbit Charge 2 – $99.95 which is a savings of $50

Beats Studio2 Wireless headphones – $159.99 which is a savings of $220

iRobot Roomba 614 robotic vacuum – $199.99 which is a savings of $100

Ninja Professional kitchen system – $99.99 which is a savings of $100

Threshold fuzzy blankets – $18 which is a savings of $21.99

Google Home – $79 which is a savings of $50

*** I have a $300 Target giftcard giveaway live on my Instagram right now (ending 11/22/17). Feel free to enter here! ***

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The next store I always head to is Express. I typically stray away from Express just based on the price for the quality but Express always runs a 50% off everything deal during Black Friday. This is a great time to stock up on sweaters and other layering pieces! Here are some of my favorite items included in the sale!

Extreme Circle Hem Cowl Neck Sweater – $34.95 normally $69.90

Editor Pick Cold Shoulder Sweater – $29.95 normally $59.90

Off The Shoulder Balloon Sleeve Sweater Dress – $34.95 normally $69.90

(Minus The) Leather Jacket – $64 normally $128

I’m all about being able to buy gifts for friends that I know they’ll love and Sephora is always on the top of my go-to list, especially during Black Friday. I can find so many small add-ons to gifts that are affordable and practical. A lot of the best deals at Sephora can be found online or on their app which is where I head to avoid crowds and be an efficient shopper. Here are some of the items in my shopping cart!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – $15 normally $42

Benefit Bestseller Blowout – $15 normally $43

Bite Beauty Mini Multistick Duo – $15 normally $20

Are you Black Friday shopping? What are some stores on your go-to list? Let me know in the comments.

xx, Kaitlyn

Fallin’ for Marley Lilly

If you’re anything like me, you love summer but you’re more than ready for fall. Fall is my favorite season for a few reasons; the beautiful colors, pumpkin patches, but most importantly, fall fashion. This fall, I’m teaming up with one of my favorite companies, Marley Lilly, to bring you some of the best go-to options to spruce up your fall wardrobe (talk about a dream come true!). When I think of fall, I think of a few staple pieces for my wardrobe that I consider “must haves”. Vests are at the top of that list because you can add a vest to virtually any outfit and it automatically becomes fall appropriate. If you have never heard of Marley Lilly, you’re in luck because in this post I’m showing you the way I style my current favorite piece of fall apparel! In my opinion, Marley Lilly is the best place to shop for all of your monogrammed needs and, not to mention, they are constantly running sales or free gift with purchase offers. Marley Lilly offers a variety of styles and trendy pieces for all seasons but their fall collection this year is on point! From outerwear like Sherpa Pullovers and Rain Jackets to Monogrammed Duck Boots, there’s sure to be something on your fall wardrobe wish list.

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I’m taking this Monogrammed Puffy Vest and pairing it with a simple dress to make the transition from those hot and humid summer days to the cool, calm autumn nights a breeze. What I love most about this type of puffy vest is how light weight it is which makes it the perfect piece for layering.

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What are your favorite, go-to pieces for fall? Let me know in the comments!

xx, Kaitlyn

NASH-ing!

Hey hey! Before I get into the blog for today, I wanted to touch on something I think is so important. I took a little time away from my blog to focus on some self-love. I think unplugging and removing yourself from the internet is so incredibly important especially if being online all the time (social media included) is a huge part of your job and one of your favorite hobbies. It’s perfectly okay to take a step back whenever you feel the urge to because there’s only one of you and you need to take care of yourself! One of my favorite self-love books to read when I’m trying to detox from the chaos of the internet is Light is the New Black. I linked it for ya, so feel free to check it out!

Okay, on into the goods. One of the things I love most about traveling is experiencing the sense of community a new city has to offer. I adore the feeling of being surrounded by people who just absolutely enjoy the place in which they live. It’s empowering! Recently, you all know I visited Nashville and I saw these adorable NASH hats at a boutique in The Gulch. I absolutely needed one! In addition to hats, there were tees and tanks with the words NASH or VILLE on them, cute right?. These simple yet oh so chic items won me over immediately. I had to learn more about this brand and that’s when I knew I needed to know more about how this company blossomed.

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The Nash Collection was started based on the lack of non-cheesey, chic, souvenir-type apparel items in Nashville. Aside from pleasing the tourists, there was a serious need for locals to feel a sense of identity with their city. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to talk one on one with Laci, the founder of The Nash Collection. Before launching The Nash Collection, Laci was able to do some recon through a boutique called Revv in Nashville to determine just how strong the demand was and, because of that, was able to deliver the products so many customers were dying to have. Their first round of NASH hats hit the shelves at Revv in July 2016 and it’s been a booming market ever since! One of the coolest aspects about The Nash Collection is most of their items are unisex so it’s not geared towards one specific gender.

While I’m not a local to the Nashville area, I do feel at “home” when I’m there. Is that weird? Do you ever have that feeling like you’re just supposed to be somewhere? Nashville is truly such an inviting city with so many quirks and a whole lot of spunk. Not to mention tons (literally because they’re building so many new buildings with tons of metal, haha) and tons of new developments popping up all over the city. Nashville is an emerging, growing city with thousands of individuals and families moving to the area each month. Talk about an awesome influx!

So, maybe you’re not in Nashville and maybe you have no desire to move there. Well, have no fear because The Nash Collection has expanded beyond Nashville and has plans in the future to keep expanding their brand. The best thing about this collection is the fact that you can sport these pieces literally any time of the day. If it’s at the gym, pool side, or throwing a VILLE tank on with a cardigan to run errands – there’s something for everyone! Be sure to check them out online and see what cities they’ve already expanded to. The Nash Collection didn’t just create a brand, they created a lifestyle!

xx, Kaitlyn

Nordy Under Forty

Nordstrom Early Access

I know, I know. You’ve seen this sale taking over Instagram and circling the internet, but, with good reason! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is a great time to stock up on the latest pieces for fall at discounted prices. If you’re a Nordstrom card holder you’re able to shop the sale before it opens up to the public on July 21st which is great because so many items on your wish list will completely sell out!

Okay, let’s get into the title of the blog post, “Nordy Under Forty”, what in the world does that mean? Well, I wanted to share with you my favorite, “need to have” pieces from this sale all under $40! Is it just me or does every company have incredible sales this time of year? I know my wallet is feeling the burn from it and yours probably is too.

First, we’ll start with a few basics. Basics are staple pieces that have to be in everyone’s closet because of the versatility each piece offers. Here are a few of the basics I snagged:

BP Pocket Tee 1890 vs 29

BP. Pocket Tee $18.90 VS $29.00 after the sale

Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee 1590 vs 24

Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee $15.90 VS $24.00 after the sale

Madewell Modern Linen Tee 3890 vs 5950

Madewell Modern Linen Tee $38.90 VS $59.50 after the sale (Madewell tees are the absolute best!)

Lush Side Slit Tank 1890 vs 29

Lush Side Slit Tank $18.90 VS $29.90 after the sale

Socialite Cozy Thermal Top 2490 vs 38

Socialite Cozy Thermal Top $24.90 VS $38.00 after the sale (skeptical at first but this is literally the softest top I own)

Next, I’m bringing you what I like to call the “I didn’t try too hard but still look put together” tops. These type of tops are my go-to when it comes to a lunch date, a casual meeting, or even to wear to work on some occasions.

Calson Stripe Bell Sleeve Tee 2590 vs 39

Caslon Stripe Bell Sleeve Top $25.90 VS $39.00 after the sale (white and black stripes + a bell sleeve = automatic favorite)

Lush Cold Shoulder Top 2990 vs 45

Lush Cold Shoulder Top $29.90 VS $45.00 after the sale

BP Lightweight Rib Cardigan 3190 vs 49

BP. Lightweight Rib Cardigan $31.90 VS $49.00 after the sale

Leith Bell Sleve Sweater 3890 vs 59

Leith Bell Sleeve Sweater $38.90 VS $59.00 after the sale

Gibson Tie Front Cozy Pullover 3990 vs 59

Gibson Tie Front Sweater $39.90 VS $59.00 after the sale (love the tie front detail!)

Okay, I can’t let this post go live without including some of the best deals in the athletic wear category too! I’m all about buying workout clothing at a discount but still having the option to wear name brands and look cute while I’m at the gym or in the spin class sweating it out – who’s with me?! These are my top picks for workout wear during the anniversary sale:

Nike Breathe Training Tank 3390 vs 45

Nike Breathe Training Tank $33.90 VS $45.00 after the sale (love this tank for spin class!)

Zella Constellation Kinetic Legging 3890 vs 59

Zella Constellation Cropped Legging $38.90 VS $59.00 after the sale

Nike Sportswear Essentials Tank 2690 vs 35

Nike Sportswear Tank $26.90 VS $35.00 after the sale

Last but not least, I have to throw in these jeans. They’re not under $40 but that’s why I saved them for last. I absolutely love AG denim and these jeans are priced at such a huge discount it’s totally worth the splurge. These are the hands down the most flattering pair of denim I own. I typically don’t like to spend crazy (in my mind) amounts of money on jeans but these are totally worth it! I know you’ll love them just as much as I do.

AG The Legging Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jean 14990 vs 225

AG Raw Hem Legging Jean $149.90 VS $225.00 after the sale

There you have it, my list of top picks under $40 from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Items are selling out quickly so my advice is to buy now or forever wish you had. What’s on your list of “must haves” from the sale?

xx, Kaitlyn

Tanning for Pale Gals

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by the sun.

Pale Gals

We’ve all been there. Sunburnt, red as a lobster, in pain … you get the picture. If you’re lucky, your sunburn fades and a beautiful bronze glow appears, taa-daah, you’re tan. For some of us less fortunate than most, our skin burns (really badly I might add) and then fades back to the lovely shade of off white that we once were. Hey, maybe if you’re one of the chosen few your freckles will come out in full force. Freckles on fleek. I feel you. I am that person.

Now, I don’t hate being pale, I’ve learned to embrace it … for the most part. However, we can all agree that it’s nice to look sun kissed once in a while especially in the summer. So, being that I’ve had my fair share of self tanning mishaps, I thought I would share my absolute ride or die self tanning products with you! We can all always use options, right?

If it’s a self tanning product, I’ve probably tried it and I’ve probably been orange because of most of them. It’s fine, high school was hard for all of us. There are two products that I will always reach for when I’m looking for a quick, natural tan. One is a lower price point and the other one, well, you might have to sell your soul (I’m kidding) for it but it’s worth it!

I’m sure we’ve all heard the hype about St. Tropez bronzing lotion (or bronzing mousse) and I’m here to say that the hype is completely true! St. Tropez retails for around $40 per bottle and truly gives a beautiful bronze glow without that icky orange hue that so many self tanners have. This is a product I’ll use if I’m going to an event or prepping for vacation, it’s not my every day self-tanner but it’s the one I gravitate towards when I’m in need of a quick, flawless tan. Bonus Tip: Use a self tanning glove when applying this lotion because it is pigmented!

Jergens Natural Glow. Commonly found on the shelves of Target, Walgreens, etc… Skeptical? Don’t be! I use Jergens almost every day and have for over 10 years. Jergens Natural Glow typically retails for around $9 per bottle and glides on evenly like any normal lotion. I like to use Jergens for my “every day” self tanner because the subtle color pay off gives me a very natural tan that compliments my skin tone nicely. Recently, Jergens launched their Wet Skin Moisturizer in shower self-tanning lotion which is awesome because you can literally apply this product to wet skin! I jumped on that bandwagon early and let me say, I am in love with it. I like that there isn’t a wait time between showering and applying tanning lotion but more importantly, I really love the quick drying time. I’m a busy lady and I don’t have 30 minutes to stand in front of a fan or hang out in the robe waiting for my tanning lotion to dry. Thankfully, Wet Skin Moisturizer only takes 5 minutes to dry and I’m not even joking.

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So, there’s the skinny on my opinions of the best of the best self tanners on the market. If you’re new to the self tanner world or if you’re a pro, I know you’ll be happy with the results of my favorite tanning lotions!

What’s your go-to self tanning lotion?