The Tea 01.22.21

Welcome to my first edition of The Tea in 2021. The Tea is a weekly post sharing my thoughts on current happenings and weekend sales. Why The Tea? Well, tea is a slang word for gossip or information, and I have so much to share with you. It is also my go-to drink.

Actually, it is my only drink these days (except water) after giving up alcohol 27 years ago and recently giving up milk. I love milk; my skin doesn’t love it. My caffeine source is iced tea, and I drink a lot of it! Anywhoo. Without further ado…The Tea.

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Sales Spotlight

Do you have holiday shopping fatigue? Or are you ready to get back to it? The problem is even if we are whooped from the frenzy of gift-giving, there are just so many good sales right now. It is hard not to take advantage. In order for you to spend less time shopping, I have scoured the internet for the best deals this week.

Nordstrom

• Items at Nordstrom seem to be cycling on and off of sale constantly. Right now, Nordies has their clearance sale going with up to 60% off a ton of items.
  • Dreaming of warm weather? The rag & bone Colette Pants are perfect for making those dreams a reality. A flowing wide-cut leg is on-trend for spring, and this pair sports a super cool medallion motif.
  • Treasure & Bond Cotton Blend Hoodie Sweater – I am a sucker for sweaters that look like sweatshirts. This one has all the cozy vibes. Wear with leggings or your favorite jeans.
  • Have you jumped on the sweater dress bandwagon yet? The PAIGE Istus Dress is a great option. It is long with sexy side slits, and I am partial to a v-neck, especially for busty or broad shoulder ladies. If you haven’t, now is the time.
  • Women swear by the JSlides Faux Fur Platform Sneakers. If you live in a cold climate or are prone to cold feet, these are the sneakers for you. I keep eyeing them, but I live in SoCal, and I have hot flashes, so I don’t think they are practical for me.
  • I have the Free People Work It Out joggers in my cart. They look so cozy. I’m thinking pink for V-day.
  • Trust me; you need a good pair of white high-top sneakers for spring. The Madewell Sidewalk High Top Sneaker is only $58 and so darn good.
  • The distressing on the FRAME Le Original Boyfriend jeans is perfect. Yes, ripped jeans are big for 2021.

Banana Republic

• Banana Republic is killing it lately. I just picked up this Sweater Hoodie & Sweater Jogger in black. It is so cozy I want to wear it all the time. It isn’t on sale but definitely worth considering as I know you will get a ton of use out of it.
  • I am eyeing the High-Rise Sloan Leggings. Available in Tall, which makes me so happy. The split hem is definitely on-trend.
  • This layering tee is perfect for under sweaters and vests for winter. Only $20!
  • How about a cute heart sweater for Valentine’s Day? I love that the two options are black or tan.
  • The Wide-Leg SatinPull-On pants are the perfect combo of casual yet dressy. Wear these fun pants with a sweater now and then a tank top in the summer.

Anthropologie

• Anthropologie is my go-to for boutique-style clothes.  I get compliments on my Anthro purchases more than any other store’s items. For that reason, I am on their site daily looking for deals. Right now, they have 50% off their sale section but be forewarned; it is FINAL SALE!
  • The Gillian Sherpa Hoodie Jacket is a great combo of a teddy bear jacket and athleisure sherpa hoodie. Wear this hoodie over your favorite workout clothes to run errands or with your favorite outfit for lunch with friends.
  • I love picking up a good graphic tee on sale. How cute is this St. Moritz Graphic Tee?
  • I must admit I am obsessed with this Courtney Fringed Cardigan. It is one size fits all. I am tempted to try it.

Bloomingdale’s

• Bloomingdale’s is having their Buy More, Save More on Designer Items. 15% off sales $150-$299, 20% off sales $300 – $399, and 25% off orders $400 or more with Code: SAVEMORE. Eligible items will be marked with the code.
  • The updated version of my Vince Pull-On sneaker offers a slightly higher shaft perfect for all your cropped jeans, and they are water repellent. I might need to update my older pair.
  • The crazy popular Free People Sweetheart Sweater is on sale at Bloomies with several unique colors. (also available at Nordstrom on sale)
  • My beloved rag & bone Dre jeans are on sale in this amazing silver stone wash. Grey jeans are always effortlessly cool. I size down in the Dre for a snug fit. If you want them a bit baggy, get your normal size.
  • This rag & bone Alley Small Bucket Bag caught my eye. The details are fabulous.

Other Sales of Note

• Ulta Beauty – Love Your Skin Event with 50% select skincare products.
• Shopbop – Up to 70% off sale styles.
• The Container Store – Once a year, 30% off Elfa Sale.
• Ssense – Up to 70% NEW additions to the sale.
• Intermix – Receive 40% off all sale and select full-price items.

Things to Munch On!

• As a general rule, I try and keep politics off my blog. I know you are inundated at every turn with political commentary. However, sometimes staying silent seems inauthentic. When George Floyd was murdered, I couldn’t stay quiet. I feel the same way this week. I titled this section “Things to Munch On!” in hopes of giving you my unique perspective. Like all munchies, if you aren’t hungry, don’t eat.
• Joe Biden was inaugurated just a couple of days ago, and I feel like I can finally exhale. The last four years were a barrage of negative news, nasty tweets, and divisive rhetoric. Waking up to President Joe Biden means a return to civility. It starts at the top, and hopefully, over the next four years, we can heal, come together and realize we are more alike than we are different. On January 20th, I woke up hopeful.
• Of course, I had to watch every second of the inauguration: the pageantry, the tradition, and the fashion! Where should I start? Of course with the fashion! I love love loved Jill Biden’s Markarian dress & coat. It had just the right combination of classic styling with whimsical details like the sparkly tweed. TDF! If you want to know more about the designer (women-owned business) and how Dr. Jill selected her, check out this article from the New York Times.

              Shutterstock

• Michelle Obama never disappoints. She nails her look every time. For the inauguration, she chose a monochromatic look in burgundy by African American designer Sergio Hudson. The knit wide-leg pantsuit was beyond chic and likely very practical for the cold morning in D.C.

                      Shutterstock

• I cannot reduce this historic moment by commenting on Kamala Harris’ outfit. Of course, it was epic. But, the moment was HUGE! I found myself overcome with emotions as our first women Vice President was sworn in on January 20th. It was as if the glass ceiling cracked to reveal it was never a piece of glass but an oppressive facade painted with clouds & darkness. The crack exposed a bright and shining future where women are welcome at all levels of government and in all positions of power, making this world a far better place. It was just that BIG! 

• The entire day was filled with a message of hope and unity. Then Amanda Gorman stepped to the podium and dazzled us all! She delivered her poem with grace, majesty, and poise far beyond her years. Her last stanza packing a punch, “We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one … There is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” 
• If you missed it, you can check out the entire performance here.
• You can pre-order The Hill We Climb: Poems by Amanda Gorman, which is available on Sept 21, 2021.

• The day was capped off by an Inauguration Celebration hosted by Tom Hanks and filled with celebrity performances and recognition of the hard work of the average American, including teachers, delivery people, healthcare workers, and front-line workers. I was struck by the diversity of the people and the beauty of our differences. The whole event had me tapping my toe, singing along, and smiling. The U.S. has such incredible talent. We have so much heart! We can heal this country. I know we can.

I would love it if you followed me on Instagram for my everyday outfits or on Pinterest for my fashion inspiration. StyleDahlia is a fashion and lifestyle website with a modern take on midlife. We hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and live your life in full bloom.