Katie's Bliss

2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shopping Guide

Amy Clackner — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 20:13:06 +0000

The 2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is here! And it’s one of the best times of the year to shop brand-new fall arrivals at a discount before prices go back up in August! Whether you’re shopping for your own closet, your kiddos, or your home, this sale is full of can’t-miss deals.

Key Sale Dates

• June 27 – Sale Preview Opens (everyone can view items online)
• July 8 – Early Access: Icon Nordy Club members
• July 9 – Early Access: Ambassadors
• July 10 – Early Access: Influencers
• July 12 – Public Access Begins
• August 3 – Last Day to Shop

Pro Tip: Cardholders get Early Access. Things sell out fast, so don’t wait!

What’s Worth Buying

These are the categories I personally shop every year:

• Fall Wardrobe Staples

Cozy sweaters, denim, boots, jackets, and layering pieces.

Levi’s® Wedgie High Waist Bootcut Jeans | 2. FRAME The Seamed High Waist Wide Leg Trouser Jeans | 3. AG Saige Raw Hem Ankle Wide Leg Jeans | 4. MOTHER The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans | 5. Madewell Perfect Wide Leg Jeans | 6. Good American Good Standard Straight Leg Jeans | 7. MOTHER The Kick It High Waist Straight Leg Jeans | 8. Veronica Beard Crosbie High Waist Crop Wide Leg Jeans

• Shoes & Boots

Everyday sneakers, classic booties, designer heels. Look for brands like Sam Edelman, Adidas, and Marc Fisher.

• Loungewear & Activewear

Can’t go wrong with Zella, Spanx, Free People Movement, and Barefoot Dreams.

• Home Finds

Throw blankets, candles, and kitchen essentials—watch for Le Creuset and Nordstrom Home markdowns.

1. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Checkerboard Throw Blanket | 2. CocoBella Ian RealTouch Hydrangea Arrangement | 3. Viking 14-Piece German Steel Knife Block Set | 4. Staub 8-Piece Ceramic Macaron Bowls & Baking Dishes Set | 5. Parachute Air Organic Cotton Quilt | 6. Our Place Large Wonder Oven | 7. Capri Blue Volcano Matte White Signature Jar Candle | 8. Le Creuset Traditional 4.5-Quart Enamel Cast Iron Oval Dutch Oven | 9. Dyson V15 Detect Pro Cordless Vacuum | 10. Boll & Branch Signature Cotton Bloom Duvet Set | 11. Viski Reserve Liminal Universal Wine Glasses Set of 4 | 12. BLISSY Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Baby Gear

Big-ticket baby items rarely go on sale, so now’s the time to save on strollers, car seats, and feeding must-haves from Nuna, Doona, and EzPz. Great if you’re expecting or need an upgrade!

Top Picks: Nuna Rava Car Seat, Doona Convertible Car Seat + Stroller, Doona Liki Trike, Baby Jogger Double Stroller.

1. Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-In-1 Playard | 2. Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet | 3. SlumberPod Blackout Sleep Tent & Portable Fan Set | 4. Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-In-1 Rocker Chair | 5. Skip Hop Discoverosity 3-Stage Activity Center | 6. Stokke Kids’ BedBox 19-Inch Ride-On Carry-On Suitcase | 7. BEABA 5-in-1 Multifunction Bottle Warmer | 8. BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft with Free Flying Friends Toy & Travel Bag | 9. Stokke Flexi Bath Foldable Baby Bath Tub with Temperature Plug & Infant Insert | 10. Tripp Trapp Highchair, Baby Set, Cushion & Tray Set | 11. Maxi-Cosi Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable Highchair | 12. Maxi-Cosi Moa 8-in-1 Adjustable Highchair | 13. Maxi-Cosi Cassia Baby Swing

1. Nuna RAVA Flame Retardant Free Convertible Car Seat | 2. Romer Juni Infant Car Seat | 3. Maxi-Cosi Peri 180º Rotating Infant Car Seat | 4. Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat | 5. Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat/Compact Stroller System with Base | 6. Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat | 7. Romer Veni Convertible Car Seat | 8. Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-In-One Convertible Car Seat

1. Nuna TRVL Lightweight Stroller | 2. Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Double Stroller | 3. Doona Liki S3 Convertible Stroller Trike | 4. UPPAbaby VISTA V3 Stroller | 5. Baby Jogger City Mini® Air Lightweight Stroller | 6. Thule Urban Glide 3 All Terrain Stroller Bundle | 7. WonderFold W2 Luxe Pro 2-Passenger Multifunctional Stroller Wagon | 8. Thule Chariot Sport 2 Double Multisport Bundle | 9. Maxi-Cosi® Tayla Max Modular Stroller

Closet Basics

Stock up on everyday essentials you’ll wear nonstop—think tees, tanks, leggings, and seamless undergarments. Favorites include Spanx, Commando, and Hanky Panky.

My go-to: new socks and 100% cotton undies!

1. Nordstrom 3-Pack Everyday Tab Ankle Socks | 2. Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong | 3. Stems 2-Pack Micro Pointelle Ruffle Ankle Socks | 4. Barefoot Dreams 2-Pack CozyChic Socks | 5. DKNY Table Top Assorted 3-Pack Bikinis | 6. Hanky Panky Retro Longline Bralette | 7. On Gossamer 3-Pack Mesh Thongs | 8. Bombas Assorted 3-Pack Mid Ankle Supima Cotton Blend Socks

Handbags

This is one of the best times to grab a designer or everyday bag at a discount. Look for deals on Tory Burch, Longchamp, Madewell, and Coach—including totes, crossbodies, and convertible backpacks.

Shopping Tips

Check Out Quickly – Hot items sell out fast, especially in popular sizes.
Set a Budget – Stick to your list and focus on high-value staples.
Check Back for Restocks – Some items come back in stock mid-sale.

Stay in the Loop

I’ll be sharing real-time try-ons, styling tips, and the best deals on Instagram @katiesbliss throughout the sale. Make sure to follow along and check back here for updates once Early Access begins!

The post 2025 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shopping Guide appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

2024 Black Friday Sales Guide | Promo Codes + Exclusive Offers

Amy Clackner — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 21:43:07 +0000

Here’s a round up of all the sales and deals happening this week. Happy shopping!

2024 BLACK FRIDAY SALES GUIDE

PROMO CODES & EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

WHERE I SHOP

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH // 25% off everything

ANTHROPOLOGIE // 30% off home, clothing, & gifts

BACKCOUNTRY // up to 50% off

EXPRESS // 40% off everything + free shipping

J. CREW // Up to 50% off (almost) everything

LILLY PULITZER // 30% off sitewide

LULULEMON // Deals on favorites for men and women

NEIWAI // 30% off my favorite one-size-fits-all bras, sleepwear & more

NORDSTROM // Black Friday Deals up to 60% off select items

QVC // Exclusive Black Friday deals on KitchenAid Mixers, Vitamix Blenders, Dyson Vacuums, Dyson Hair Tools & more | New shoppers get $20 off with code HOLIDAY20

CLOTHING SALES

AMERICAN EAGLE // 30-50% off

ANN TAYLOR // 50% off 1 full price item, 40% off everything else

ASOS // Up to 50% off 1000s of styles

BANANA REPUBLIC // 40% off full price items, including cashmere

BOOHOO // up to 80% off everything

BLOOMINGDALES // Take 25% off thousands of styles

DL1961 // Up to 60% off

FOREVER 21 // 40-70% off sitewide

GAP // 40% off everything

H&M // 30% off for members (free to join)

J. CREW FACTORY // 50-70% off entire site

JOE’S JEANS // 30% off sitewide with code BF30

LEVI’S // 40% off everything + free shipping

LOFT// 50% off your entire purchase

MACY’S // Black Friday Specials up to 75% off select items

MADEWELL // 40% off everything

MANGO // Up to 50% off

NASTY GAL // Up to 50% off everything

NEIMAN MARCUS // Up to 75% off

NORDSTROM RACK // Markdowns up to 70% off

OLD NAVY // Hot deals up to 60% off

SHOPBOP // 25% off storewide with code HOLIDAY

TALBOTS // 40% off entire purchase | lightning deals added daily

TUCKERNUCK // Up to 30% off

UNIQLO // Black Friday Deals starting at $14.90

URBAN OUTFITTERS // 40% off entire purchase

VINEYARD VINES // 30% off your $125+ purchase, or 40% off your $200+ purchase

MATERNITY & POSTPARTUM

KINDRED BRAVELY // 35% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY

HATCH // up to $30 off

SHOE & ACCESSORIES SALES

HUNTER // Extra 25% off

KATE SPADE // Take 50% off must-have gifts

KENDRA SCOTT // 30% off fashion jewelry

MARC FISHER // 30% off sitewide

MICHELE WATCHES // Up to $500 off your purchase, plus special pricing on select items

MONICA VINADER// Up to 50% off daily flash deals

RAY-BAN // Up to 50% off

SAM EDELMAN// 30% off with code GIFT30

SPERRY // Up to 50% off sitewide

TORY BURCH // 30% off $250+

BABY & KIDS SALES

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

H&M BABY // 30% off for members (free to join)

HANNA ANDERSSON // 50% off every single thing

JANIE & JACK // 30% off your purchase | Up to 70% off sale styles

GAP KIDS // 40% off everything

KYTE // 20% off baby and toddler clothing

MAISONETTE // Up to 70% off

WALMART // Deals on baby gear, toys, clothes, and more

HOME SALES

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

BEST BUY// 1000s of deals available now

CB2 // Up to 60% off

CRATE & BARREL // up to 30% off

DYSON // Save up to $300 on select Dyson technology

JOSS & MAIN // Up to 70% off

MINTED // 20% off plus free shipping with code BF2024

OVERSTOCK/BED BATH & BEYOND // Save 70% off thousands of items

POTTERY BARN // Up to 50% off

SERENA & LILY // Up to 40% off

STANLEY // Up to 25% off select items

TARGET // Deals up to 60% off

WALMART // Deals up to 65% off

WAYFAIR // Up to 80% off

WEST ELM // Up to 70% off, extra 20% off select clearance, + free shipping

WILLIAMS SONOMA // Up to 60% off

ATHLETICWEAR + OUTDOOR SALES

ALO YOGA // 30% off sitewide

BEYOND YOGA // 25% off sitewide | Up to 75% off sale

FINISH LINE // Up to 50% off + 25% off select styles with code BF25

NIKE // Up to 60% off with code BFRIDAY

THE NORTH FACE // Up to 30% off select styles

OUTDOOR VOICES // Up to 50% off OV Extra | *More Deals Coming Soon*

BEAUTY SALES

COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD // 30% off sitewide

DERMSTORE // Up to 30% off with code JOY

NORDSTROM // Up to 50% off + gifts with purchase items

SEPHORA // Up to 50% off select beauty

SIO BEAUTY // 30% off everything + 40% off select items

TULA // 30% off sitewide

ULTA // Up to 50% off

DESIGNER SALES

BERGDORF GOODMAN // Designer Sale: up to 40% off

FAR FETCH // Extra 20% off sale items

NET-A-PORTER // Up to 50% off

THE OUTNET // Extra 25% off (almost) everything with code BLACKFRIDAY

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE // Designer Sale: up to 50% off

The post 2024 Black Friday Sales Guide | Promo Codes + Exclusive Offers appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

2024 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shopping Guide

Katie — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 15:58:32 +0000

Since the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is so extensive and it’s easy to get overwhelmed, I wanted to put together as thorough a guide as possible to help y’all narrow down the best buys. I noticed there are a lot of customer favorites from previous years that have been restocked and some really exciting baby gear + home products! There’s also a great selection of the expected fall clothing styles: coats and outerwear, sweaters, boots, handbags, activewear and more.

So without further adieu… I give you my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024 Shopping Guide!

1. Treasure & Bond One-Shoulder Rib Sweater | 2. Free People Take Me Home Cotton Sweater | 3. Free People Bonfire Cable Knit Cardigan | 4. Free People Sandre Cable Stitch Pullover | 5. Treasure & Bond Crewneck Cotton Blend Cardigan | 6. Free People Swim Too Deep Turtleneck Sweater | 7. Wool & Cashmere Rib Turtleneck Sweater | 8. Madewell Dedham Stripe Polo Sweater | 9. AllSaints Asha Oversize Mock Neck Sweater | 10. Halogen Open Front Longline Cardigan

1. Beyond Yoga Studio Crop Tank | 2. SPANX Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra | 3. Zella Rhythm Seamless Sports Bra | 4. TravisMathew It’s a Date Crop Tank | 5. SPANX Booty Boost Active High Waist 7/8 Leggings | 6. FP Movement by Free People Get Your Flirt On Shorts | 7. Zella Studio Luxe High Waist Pocket 7/8 Leggings | 8. SPANX Get Moving 14-Inch Skort

1. DV by Dolce Vita Kids’ Lucia Western Boot | 2. UGG Kids’ Classic II Shimmer Boot | 3. UGG Kids’ Robley Waterproof Boot | 4. Hunter Kids’ First Classic Rain Boot | 5. Hunter Kids’ Original Waterproof Chelsea Rain Boot | 6. UGG Kids’ Neumel Water Resistant Genuine Shearling Platform Chelsea Boot | 7. Adidas Kids’ Gazelle Low Top Sneaker | 8. Melissa Mel Mar Sandal | 9. Mini Melissa Kids’ Sweet Love Ballet Flat | 10. Florsheim Kids’ Jasper Strap Jr. Loafer | 11. New Balance 574 Sneaker Gray | 12. New Balance 574 Sneaker Lilac | 13. SOREL Kids’ Whitney II Plus Waterproof Snow Boot Black | 14. SOREL Kids’ Whitney II Plus Waterproof Snow Boot Mauve | 15. CROCS Kids’ Crocband Chevron Light-Up Clog Blue | 16. CROCS Kids’ Crocband Chevron Light-Up Clog White & Pink

1. Little Me Colorblock Puffer Vest, T-Shirt & Corduroy Pants Set | 2. Little Me Football Sweatshirt & Joggers Set | 3. Tucker + Tate Plane Print Sweatshirt & Pants Set | 4. FIRSTS by Petit Lem Take Me Home Thermal Organic Cotton Top & Pants | 5. MILES BABY Colorblock High Pile Fleece & Quilted Puffer Jacket | 6. Habitual Kids Puff Sleeve Indigo Knit Jumpsuit | 7. Ruffle Cable Stitch Sweater Dress | 8. Little Me Hooded Faux Fur Peplum Jacket, Rib T-Shirt & Leggings Set | 9. Graphic Sweater & Pants Set | 10. Habitual Kids Stripe Puff Sleeve Bubble Dress | 11. Bellabu Bear Kids’ Football Fitted Convertible One-Piece Pajamas | 12. FIRSTS by Petit Lem Tipper Truck Print Organic Cotton Footie | 13. Petit Lem Bunny Print Organic Cotton Zip Footie | 14. FIRSTS by Petit Lem Strawberry Print Organic Cotton Footie | 15. Quilted Wearable Blanket | 16. Save The Duck Storm Bunting

1. Maxi-Cosi Swift 3-In-1 Playard | 2. Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet | 3. Veer Basecamp Pop-Up Tent | 4. Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-In-1 Rocker Chair | 5. Maxi-Cosi Cassia Baby Swing | 6. Stokke Kids’ BedBox 19-Inch Ride-On Carry-On Suitcase | 7. Nuna CUDL Luxe Clik 4-In-1 Baby Carrier | 8. BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss with Free Flying Friends Toy Bar | 9. Stokke Flexi Bath X-Large Bathtub | 10. Tripp Trapp Highchair, Baby Set, Cushion & Tray Set | 11. Maxi-Cosi Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable Highchair | 12. Maxi-Cosi Moa 8-in-1 Adjustable Highchair | 13. CYBEX Lemo Learning Tower Set

1. Nuna RAVA Flame Retardant Free Convertible Car Seat | 2. Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat | 3. Maxi-Cosi Peri 180º Rotating Infant Car Seat | 4. Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat | 5. CYBEX Cloud G Lux Comfort Extend SensorSafe Car Seat & Base | 6. Nuna PIPA RX Car Seat & Base | 7. Doona Convertible Infant Car Seat/Compact Stroller | 8. Maxi-Cosi Pria Max All-In-One Convertible Car Seat

1. Veer Cruiser 2-Seater All-Terrain Crossover Wagon | 2. Thule Courier Bike Trailer & Aion Sling Pack | 3. Gazelle S Stroller & Cloud G Lux Comfort Extend SensorSafe Car Seat & Base | 4. Silver Cross Jet 5 Stroller | 5. Thule Urban Glide 4-Wheel All-Terrain Stroller Bundle | 6. BABYZEN YOYO² Stroller Bundle | 7. Joolz AER+ Travel Stroller | 8. Nuna TRVL LX + PIPA urbn Stroller & Car Seat Travel System | 9. Thule Urban Glide 3 All Terrain Stroller Bundle | 10. Silver Cross Reef First Bed Folding Bassinet

1. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Serape Throw Blanket | 2. Marble & Acacia Wood Round Cutting Board | 3. Viking 14-Piece German Steel Knife Block Set | 4. Staub 4-Piece Mini Round Cocotte Set | 5. Parachute Waffle Cotton Throw Blanket | 6. BLISSY Pure Sleep Silk Pillowcase & Scrunchie Set | 7. Le Creuset Signature 7.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Brazier | 8. Dyson V15 Detect Complete Cordless Vacuum | 9. Our Place Wonder Oven 6-in-1 Air Fryer & Toaster | 10. Boll & Branch Signature Triple Pleat Organic Cotton Sheet Set | 11. Marble Salt Cellar | 12. Diptyque 4-Piece Candle Set

1. Kate Spade New York large carlyle leather tote | 2. Longchamp Large Le Pliage Recycled Nylon Tote | 3. COACH Chelsea Pebbled Leather Top Handle Bag | 4. Kate Spade New York small roulette slim bifold wallet | 5. COACH Hutton Box Leather Shoulder Bag | 6. Béis Commuter Duffle Bag | 7. Olga Berg Cece Straw Woven Box Clutch | 8. JW PEI Gabbi Rhombus Ruched Quilted Faux Leather Handbag | 9. Béis The Glossy 22-Inch Expandable Carry-On Roller | 10. Béis Belt Bag | 11. Monos Metro Weekend Bag

The post 2024 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Shopping Guide appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Rosewood Baha Mar Review | Bahamas Family Vacation

Katie — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 19:33:45 +0000

We took our two boys (ages 3.5 and 1.5) to Baha Mar and had the BEST time! Are we exhausted? Yup. Who wouldn’t be after spending 5 days chasing 2 toddlers around in the sun, but omg— we truly had a BLAST. The resort is brand new and has activities for all ages— especially littles!

I have a more in-depth review of our first visit to Baha Mar back in 2022 when we were just a family of 3 and took our then 1.5 year old. If you’re interested in reading it CLICK HERE.

SHOP OUR OUTFITS

Rosewood Baha Mar Resort Review

Getting to the Bahamas from Nashville was relatively simple. There aren’t any direct flights, so we first flew to Miami where we boarded a second flight bound for Nassau. The boys did really well on the flights! Nate is at the point where he’s no longer napping and completely content just watching shows on a tablet. Julian was a little trickier. He still takes an afternoon nap so by the second flight he was getting iffy, but thankfully he ended up snoozing for about 45 minutes on me. PS this post has all of my toddler travel trips + must-have products.

SHOP OUR TRAVEL MUST-HAVES

Baha Mar is conveniently located just a 10 minute cab ride from the Nassau airport. We had our travel agent Beth set up private car transfers to/from the airport for us, which included car seats for the boys! (Is there anything worse than having to lug car seats on a trip??)

There are three hotels to choose from at Baha Mar: a Grand Hyatt (where we stayed on our last trip), SLS and Rosewood. This time we opted for 2-garden-level connecting rooms at the Rosewood, which worked perfectly for our family. The boys had their own space to nap and go to bed early, while Nick and I could still be awake in our room. We loved the intimate, tranquil vibe of the property and the quick walk to the multiple private pools and beach that are exclusive to just Rosewood guests. The Rosewood also has a private entrance and lobby separate from the other two hotels, which means no waiting and a seamless check-in process.

SHOP OUR OUTFITS

TIP! Use a travel agent to book your stay. Not only do they take the work off your plate when it comes to booking and making reservations, but they often are able to get you upgrades and save you $$$. Through our agent Beth, we were automatically given Rosewood Elite status on our booking. This included a few extra amenities with our booking like complimentary breakfast every morning (HUGE considering food is all a la carte at Baha Mar) and a $125 resort credit.

SHOP OUR SWIMWEAR

Grand Hyatt vs Rosewood

I got a lot of questions on Instagram asking if I could compare the Grand Hyatt to the Rosewood and which property I preferred more. In my opinion, the biggest difference between the hotels is the size. I vividly remember the walk from our room in the Grand Hyatt down to the pools/beach was a 10+ minute trek involving multiple elevators and ramps. At the Rosewood, you can get the pools from your room in less than two minutes– thus why we opted for garden-level rooms.

SHOP MY OUTFIT

The vibe of each hotel is very different and I think it just depends on your preference. The Rosewood felt more intimate and elegant (reminded me of a Four Seasons) and the service was on par with other 5-star hotels we’v visited. You also get access to a private beach and pool area that guests of the other two hotels are unable to access. The Grand Hyatt is significantly bigger and busier and the vibe is very swanky and upbeat. It reminded me of The Atlantis. The casino is in the center of the hotel right off the lobby, so to get anywhere you have to walk through it. Not necessarily a bad thing, but just not something I wanted to do with two toddlers every time we left our room.

SHOP MY SWIMWEAR

When we stayed at the Grand Hyatt in February 2022 it was moderately busy. We didn’t have any trouble getting a good spot at the pool or dinner reservations at the times we wanted. This time I observed significantly crowds– I’m assuming due to summer and families traveling with school-aged kids. We ended up only using the pools at the Rosewood because the Grand Hyatt pools were just sooooo busy. I’m talking every lounger taken and long lines for the poolside bars/eateries. I think Baha Mar has gotten really popular in the last two years so I’d keep that in mind when planning your visit. If we come back we’ll definitely try and do so pre-June before school is out.

SHOP MY SWIMWEAR

And then obviously there’s a big difference in pricing. Room rates at the Grand Hyatt run between $500-$800 per night, whereas at the Rosewood at base-level room is $1,000+. Our nightly rate for each of our rooms at the Rosewood was $1,050. We took advantage of the stay 3 nights, get your 4th night free promo, which made us feel a lot better about what we were paying.

So to conclude! I would recommend both properties, but if your budget allows I’d opt for the Rosewood because of the extra amenities and higher level of service.

Activities & Entertainment

What’s great about Baha Mar is that no matter your hotel— you get access to the amazing Baha Bay waterpark. We spent a few hours there everyday! There’s a huge toddler splash and slide area, a water playscape with slides and activities for big(er) kids that my 3.5 year old LOVED + a lazy river. My hubs and I also indulged in a few of the big slides!

Other family activities we enjoyed: feeding birds in the aviary, watching the daily flamingo parade, the swim up aquarium and cliff jumping at Blue Hole pool, playing arcade games after dinner in the Game Zone and dancing to the nightly fountain show display.

SHOP OUR OUTFITS

TIP! Bring a stroller. Baha Mar is huge and you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. We recommend this double stroller! It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver and can fit through a standard doorway. We wouldn’t have survived our trip without it! I’d also suggest snagging this stroller travel bag to prevent damage on your flights.

Food & Restaurants

Food at Baha Mar is all a la carte and very pricey, BUT kids under 5 eat free, so that helped a bit. Everything morning we had breakfast at Cafe Boulud in the Rosewood. We also had lovely dinners at Katsuya, Marcus by the Beach, Costa and Pizza Lab. Just make sure you make reservations in advance for dinner—we had our travel agent do this for us a few weeks before our trip— as time slots do fill up. For lunch we kept it simple and ordered off the pool menu at the Rosewood or grabbed something from one of the casual food spots in the waterpark. Nick and I also loved grabbing cocktails at Manor Bar in the Rosewood.

TIP! if you’re traveling with toddlers: PACK YOUR OWN SNACKS. Like I said, the food is very pricey and small bite options are limited. There are a few convenience-style shops located throughout the resort, but you’re going to pay an arm and a leg. We had to buy more diapers and the upcharging was nearly 300% compared to what we would’ve paid at home. I personally packed 3 gallon-sized ziplock bags of the boys favorite snacks, which lasted us for both flights + four days at the resort.

Kids Club + Childcare Options

I believe all of the Baha Mar hotels have some type of kids club with activities and childcare. At the Rosewood, the kids club was for ages 4+ so weren’t able to utilize on this trip, but definitely would be open to doing so in the future. The concierge was also able to connect us with a babysitting service that we used to book a sitter for the boys one night while we went out to grab drinks.

The post Rosewood Baha Mar Review | Bahamas Family Vacation appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

2023 Black Friday Sales Guide | Promo Codes + Exclusive Offers

Amy Clackner — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:11:20 +0000

Here’s a round up of all the sales and deals happening this week. Happy shopping!

2023 BLACK FRIDAY SALES GUIDE

PROMO CODES & EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

WHERE I SHOP

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH // 25% off everything

ANTHROPOLOGIE // Sale preview: 30% off

BACKCOUNTRY // 25% off 1 full price item

EXPRESS // 50% off everything

J. CREW // Up to 50% off (almost) everything

LILLY PULITZER // 30% off for Club Lilly Members

LULULEMON // Deals on womens, mens, and accessories | Deals updated daily

NEIWAI // 30% off my favorite one-size-fits-all bras, sleepwear & more

NORDSTROM // Black Friday Deals up to 50% off select items

QVC // Exclusive Black Friday deals on KitchenAid Mixers, Vitamix blenders, Dyson vacuums, Sperry boots & more | New shoppers get $20 off with code HOLIDAY20

STANLEY // Up to 60% off select items + free shipping on orders $65+

CLOTHING SALES

AMERICAN EAGLE // 30% off

ANN TAYLOR // 50% off 1 full price item, 40% off your purchase

ASOS // 50% off almost everything

BANANA REPUBLIC // 40% off your purchase

BOOHOO // 40% off everything

BLOOMINGDALES // Take $25 off every $100 spent

DL1961 // Up to 60% off

FOREVER 21 // 40% off everything

GAP // 40% off everything

H&M // Early access: 30% off for members | More Deals Coming Soon

J. CREW FACTORY // Extra 70% off clearance with code SAVE70 | More Deals Coming Soon

JOE’S JEANS // 30% off with code BF30

LEVI’S // 40% off everything + free shipping

LOFT// 40% off your purchase

MACY’S // Black Friday Specials up to 75% off select items

MADEWELL // 40% off your purchase

MANGO // Up to 50% off select items

MODA OPERANDI // Up to 50% off select items

NASTY GAL // 50-80% off everything

NEIMAN MARCUS // Up to 50% off | Extra 30% off sale

NORDSTROM RACK // Markdowns up to 70% off

OLD NAVY // 35% off your order | Additional deals added everyday

REBECCA MINKOFF // Up to 35% off

SHOPBOP // 25% off storewide with code HOLIDAY

TALBOTS // 40% accessories and shoes

TUCKERNUCK // Up to 30% off

UNIQLO // Black Friday Deals starting at $14.90

URBAN OUTFITTERS // 25% off entire purchase

VINEYARD VINES // 40% off everything with any $200+ purchase using code BFNOW

MATERNITY & POSTPARTUM

KINDRED BRAVELY // 35% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY

HATCH // 30% off sitewide with code CYBER30

SHOE & ACCESSORIES SALES

HUNTER // Deals Coming Soon

KATE SPADE // 50% off select items | Extra 25% off new markdowns

KENDRA SCOTT // 30% off fashion jewelry

MARC FISHER // 30% off sitewide

MICHELE WATCHES // 30% off select styles | 40% off select Apple styles

MONICA VINADER// 30% off everything

RAY-BAN // Get up to 50% off sitewide

SAM EDELMAN// 30% off + free shipping

SPERRY // Up to 60% off select styles

TORY BURCH // 30% off $250+

BABY & KIDS SALES

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

H&M BABY // Up to 60% off select styles

JANIE & JACK // 30% off your purchase | Up to 70% off sale styles

GAP KIDS // 40% off everything

KYTE // Deals Coming Soon

MAISONETTE // Up to 70% off

MONICA + ANDY // 40% off sitewide

WALMART // Deals on baby gear, toys, clothes, and more

HOME SALES

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

BEST BUY// 1000s of deals available now

CB2 // Get up to 40% off + up to 60% off clearance

CRATE & BARREL // up to 30% off

DYSON // Save up to $300 on select vacuums & more

MINTED // Get 20% off with code BLISSHOLIDAY23

OVERSTOCK/BED BATH & BEYOND // Save 70% off thousands of items

POTTERY BARN // Up to 50% off

SERENA & LILY // Up to 40% off | Up to 70% off clearance

TARGET // Deals up to 60% off

WALMART // Deals up to 65% off

WAYFAIR // Up to 70% off Black Friday blowout sale

WEST ELM // Up to 70% off + free shipping

WILLIAMS SONOMA // Up to 40% off

ATHLETICWEAR + OUTDOOR SALES

ALO YOGA // 30% off sitewide

BEYOND YOGA // 30% off sitewide | Up to 75% off sale

FINISH LINE // 25% off select items

NIKE // Save up to 60%

THE NORTH FACE // New deals added everyday

OUTDOOR VOICES // 40% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY2023

BEAUTY SALES

COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD // Take 30% off everything with code CYBER

DERMSTORE // Up to 30% off | Gifts with purchases of $250+

NORDSTROM // Up to 50% off + gifts with purchase items

SEPHORA // Up to 50% off

SIO BEAUTY // 30% off everything

TULA // 30% off

ULTA // Up to 50% off

DESIGNER SALES

BERGDORF GOODMAN // Designer Sale: up to 40% off

FAR FETCH // Extra 20% off sale items

INTERMIX // Deals Coming Soon

MATCHESFASHION // Up to 50% off

NET-A-PORTER // Up to 50% off

THE OUTNET // Extra 25% off everything with code BLACKFRIDAY

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE // Designer Sale: up to 50% off

The post 2023 Black Friday Sales Guide | Promo Codes + Exclusive Offers appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Our Outdoor Oasis | Outer Outdoor Furniture Review

Katie — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 20:07:41 +0000

I’ll be honest… When we first bought our house I was really bummed about having a deck. All I could think about was a toddler attempting to climb over the railing or falling down the stairs and it just wasn’t a place where I could see myself spending a lot of time.

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Fast forward two years later and I have officially become a deck person Thanks to a much-needed makeover by my husband, it feels like a completely new space! Nick spent most of his free time this past spring replacing the floor boards, railings, staircase and privacy wall. He gave everything a fresh coat of black paint, installed a custom baby gate at the top of the stairs and hung bistro lights. It was an extreme labor of love, but so worth it. He did a fantastic job and saved us so much money by doing everything himself! Bravo Nick!

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Every outdoor living space needs all-weather furniture and our deck has become the perfect home for our 5-piece Outer wicker sofa with armless chairs and teak coffee table. We loved using this set the first year we were living in our house and now with our deck makeover complete, the entire space feels completely transformed and like a natural extension of our living room and kitchen.

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

I love how the warm brown wicker of the seating feels traditional, while the steel framing and modular configuration adds a modern touch. The couch and chairs are also incredibly comfortable (yay for multilayered memory cushions and super soft performance fabric!)

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

But what I think really sets Outer furniture apart is the built-in perks which make it so family-friendly and easy to maintain. For starters– the cushion covers are removable (via a zipper) and fade-resistant so you have the option of wiping them down by hand or throwing in the washer. As you can imagine, we’ve had to do this quite often with two littles.

Each cushion also comes with a built-in zippered OuterShell® Cover for protection. When we’re using our furniture, we just keep the grey shell rolled up behind each cushion (you can see in the photos below.) When we do cover the cushions it takes just seconds to pull over top and velcro closed. This is all we use to keep the cushions dry when it rains during the warmer months. I LOVE how everything is all together and we don’t have to use any separate protection.

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

Each cover has a handle too, so if you do need to store away your cushions it’s easy to just pick them up (we keep ours stacked in our screened in porch during the winter.) Since the wicker framing on the seating is truly “all weather” and rust-proof we leave these outside uncovered year-round. We’re going on 1.5 years of ownership and everything still looks the same as the day it was delivered!

A few notes about the coffee table— it’s made of Grade-A Teak, which is a very high quality and durable wood. The natural oils in the teak repells insects, shields against UV rays, and protect the wood from moisture. We’ve also left this outside exposed to the elements for the past 1.5 years and couldn’t be more impressed with its resilience.

As another summer comes to an end I find myself feeling so grateful for this space and for the memories we’re making here

Outer Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa with Armless Chairs | Outer Teak Outdoor Coffee Table
use code KATIESBLISS for an extra 5% off

The post Our Outdoor Oasis | Outer Outdoor Furniture Review appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Random Products I Love As A Mom Of 2

Katie — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 20:06:04 +0000

One question I’ve frequently been asked since becoming a mom of two is if there any new products I’ve found helpful that I didn’t previously have with just Nate? While we’ve thankfully been able to utilize nearly all of the clothing and gear that we amassed during his first year (yay for same gender siblings!), there are definitely a few items I’ve purchased within the last few months that I’d now consider must-haves.

Feeding Booster Seat

Julian may just be 10 months, but he thinks he’s 2 years old. Little man wants to be involved in everything, including meals at the dinner table. I saw this feeding booster seat at Walmart and knew right away it would be perfect for him. A few things I love about it– the feeding tray is removable and dishwasher-safe. You can also take out the liner to clean. It can be used from age 6 months-33 months, so it’s the type of product that grows with your child. You also can’t beat the $38 price tag. We’ve been so impressed with this!

Baby Hip Seat Carrier

Earlier this spring when we were traveling back from the sister-in-law’s wedding, I was struggling to hold up Julian on my hip in line at the airport when another mom tapped me on the shoulder. She motioned to the baby hip seat carrier she was using to carry her little and was like, “YOU NEED THIS and I promise it will change your life.”

Fast forward a few months later, I finally ordered one for myself and now I don’t know how I lived without one. Julian is the definition of a wiggle worm and will throw a fit if I try and carry him in a traditional baby carrier, so this just works so much better for us. He can be up in my arms and see everything that’s going on, while I don’t have to feel like I’m lugging around a sack of potatoes. I found my Baby Hip Seat Carrier at Walmart— the price was under $30 and it takes just seconds to put on. J loves it so much!

Car Gear // Seat Protectors | Backseat Organizer | Window Shades | Baby Mirror | Car Seat Pad + Cover

You can 100% file these under Products I Wish I Bought Sooner. A few weeks ago when I was cleaning out my car, I noticed some significant wear and tear to my back seats from spills, dirty toddler shoes, etc. I added one of these seat protectors underneath each of the boy’s car seats and then this organizer to the back of the seat facing Nate so he could have a place to keep snacks, books and toys.

This is another product I wish I would’ve bought sooner. We take a lot of neighborhood walks and would consider these stroller lights a necessity for safety! The lights come in a pack of two, one for each side of the stroller and easily attach via a silicone strap. Other must-haves on my list: a stroller organizer, snack tray and ride board for big bro!

Stroller Accessories // Stroller Lights | Stroller Netting | Stroller Organizer | Stroller Stand + Ride Board | Snack Tray

Highly-distracting musical toys have become my “secret weapons” when I need a break or need a few extra minutes to cook dinner or fold the laundry in peace. Julian LOVES this musical crawling crab toy and will hustle around after it for 15+ minutes. Nate is a HUGE water guy and would spend hours in the tub if he could and loves this Cloud and Rainbow Showerhead and Musical Bubble Crab. PS Walmart has a great selection of toys from brands like Bright Starts and Baby Einstein— two of my faves!

Bath Toys // Swimming Turtles | Fountain Toy | Fishing Pole | Cloud and Rainbow Showerhead Toy | Musical Bubble Crab Bath Toy

Big thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post!

The post Random Products I Love As A Mom Of 2 appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Black Friday Sale Guide

Amy Clackner — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 04:09:58 +0000

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Here’s a round up of all the sales and deals happening today and through the weekend. Happy shopping!

2021 BLACK FRIDAY SALES GUIDE

PROMO CODES & EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

WHERE I SHOP

ANTHROPOLOGIE // Get 30% off 1000s of items including furniture, decor, and more + free shipping on orders over $50

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH // 30% off entire store!

BACKCOUNTRY // Up to 60% off Sorel boots, Patagonia, The North Face & more

NORDSTROM // Black Friday Deals up to 50% off select items

LILLY PULITZER // Up to $90 off your order

QVC // Exclusive Black Friday deals on Vitamix blenders, Dyson vacuums, Sperry boots, Isle of Paradise tanning drops & more

EXPRESS // 40-50% off everything

J. CREW // Get 50% off your order with code SHOPEARLY

CLOTHING SALES

AMERICAN EAGLE // Select styles 30% off

ANN TAYLOR // Up to 40% off with code GLOWON

ASOS // up to 60% off

BANANA REPUBLIC // 40% off your purchase

BOOHOO // 60% off or 50% off with free shipping

BLOOMINGDALES // Take $25 off every $100 spent

DL1961 // Up to 60% off

FOREVER 21 // Up to 70% off everything!

GAP // 40% off your purchase

H&M // 20% off sitewide + free shipping on orders over $75

J. CREW FACTORY // 50-70% off everything

LEVI’S // 40% off sitewide + free shipping

LOFT// 40% off your purchase

LORD & TAYLOR // Extra 40% off

MACY’S // Black Friday Specials up to 75% off select items

MADEWELL // 40% off your purchase

MANGO // 30% off everything after spending $200

MODA OPERANDI // up to 50% off select items

NASTY GAL // 50-60% off everything

NEIMAN MARCUS // Up to 50% off

NORDSTROM RACK // Markdowns up to 65% off

OLD NAVY // New holiday deals everyday

REBECCA MINKOFF // Up to 40% off

SHOPBOP // up to 50% off

TALBOTS // 40% off entire purchase

TUCKERNUCK // Up to 30% off

UNIQLO // Black Friday Kickoff Deals starting at $9.90

URBAN OUTFITTERS // 25% off entire purchase

VINEYARD VINES // 30% off family sweaters

SHOE & ACCESSORIES SALES

HUNTER // Up to 25% off

KATE SPADE // up to 50% off select items

KENDRA SCOTT // Get 30% off

MARC FISHER // 30% off sitewide

MICHELE WATCHES // 30% off select styles

MONICA VINADER// 30% off everything

RAY-BAN // Get up to 50% off sitewide

SAM EDELMAN// 30% off

SPERRY // Get up to 70% off select styles

TORY BURCH // Get 30% off select styles + 50% off sale

BABY & KIDS SALES

H&M BABY // 20% off sitewide

MONICA + ANDY // 30% off entire site

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

BUY BUY BABY // Up to 50% off select products

MAISONETTE // Up to 50% off

HOME SALES

AMAZON // Exclusive daily deals

BED BATH & BEYOND // 25% off your purchase

BEST BUY// Shop 1000s of deals right now

CB2 // Get up to 40% off

CRATE & BARREL // up to 30% off

DYSON // Save up to $200 on select vacuums & more

MINTED // 20% off orders $150+, 15% off everything use code BF2022

OVERSTOCK// New deals daily up to 70% off + free shipping

POTTERY BARN // Up to 50% off bedding, gifts, furniture, and more

SERENA & LILY // 25% off everything with code GRATITUDE

TARGET // Deals up to 60% off

WALMART // Deals up to 60% off

WAYFAIR // Up to 80% off Black Friday blowout sale

WEST ELM // Get up to 70% off

WILLIAMS SONOMA // up to 50% off

ATHLETICWEAR + OUTDOOR SALES

ALO YOGA // 30% off sitewide

BANDIER // 30% off orders of $100+

FINISH LINE // 25% off select items

LULULEMON // Deals on womens, mens, and accessories

NIKE // Free shipping + exclusive products

THE NORTH FACE // Pass members get 25% off

OUTDOOR VOICES // 70% off select styles

BEAUTY SALES

COLLEEN ROTHSCHILD // Take 30% off everything with code BF22

NORDSTROM // Tons of items 60% off + insanely good gifts with purchase

SEPHORA // Up to 50% off + free shipping

SIO BEAUTY // 40% off + free shipping with code BLACKFRIDAY22

TULA // 30% off sitewide + free shipping, use code KATIESBLISS for 15% off

ULTA // Up to 50% off select beauty buys + free shipping on orders over $35

DESIGNER SALES

BERGDORF GOODMAN // Designer Sale: up to 40% off

FAR FETCH // Enjoy up to 50% off

INTERMIX// 40% off flash sale

MATCHESFASHION // up to 50% off

NET-A-PORTER // Up to 50% off

THE OUTNET // Extra 25% off with code BLACKFRIDAY

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE // 50% off select styles

The post Black Friday Sale Guide appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Budget-Friendly Holiday Outfits

Amy Clackner — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:50:11 +0000

OUTFIT DETAILS // Red Sweater Dress | Black Booties

Tis the season for all the holiday outfits! Since we’re not traveling this year, I personally plan on keeping it comfortable and rocking sweater dresses. I recently found a few really cute options from Walmart— all priced under $40. If you haven’t browsed your local Walmart store or Walmart.com recently, I highly recommend doing so because the holiday fashion selection is fantastic. Whether you’re into sequins or prefer to keep it casual in your comfies like me, you’re bound to find something at Walmart. For those of you who may have plans that call for dressier looks, I rounded up a bunch more options that won’t break the bank below.

OUTFIT DETAILS // Stripe Dress | Black Booties

OUTFIT DETAILS // Red Sweater | Faux Leather Leggings | Black Booties

OUTFIT DETAILS // Black Sweater Dress | Black Booties

Big thank you to Walmart for sponsoring this post!

The post Budget-Friendly Holiday Outfits appeared first on Katie's Bliss.

Julian’s Birth Story

Katie — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 02:57:52 +0000

I can’t believe that Julian is officially one month old! The last few weeks as a family of four have flown by and it feels like yesterday that he was making his debut. He arrived at 4:25am on Tuesday October 4 after 9.5 hours of unmedicated labor. I promise I’m not crazy

Let’s rewind a bit. My first pregnancy fell during the thick of the pandemic: shutdowns, masks, social distancing, constant testing, partners not allowed at appointments– there was so much unknown and the rules were always changing. After a terrible scare at 20 weeks, my pregnancy was deemed high risk and I had to see an MFM for regular ultrasounds up until Nate’s arrival. Having doctors tell you they aren’t sure what they are seeing and not knowing if your baby is going to be born healthy is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

In the end, I was blessed with a physically healthy pregnancy, an overall positive hospital birth experience and most importantly a happy healthy baby. But every moment up until the second Nate was placed on my chest had been filled with stress, anxiety and fear. As soon as we found out we were expecting again, I knew that I wanted this pregnancy and birth to be different.

The first step in doing that was opting to see a midwife vs a OBGYN. I went to a traditional large OBGYN practice my first pregnancy and remember feeling completely unheard at all my appointments (always with a different doctor) and that I was nothing more than a number on a chart. My care during my first pregnancy really opened my eyes to the completely backwards, overly-medicalized way pregnancy and birth is treated in the United States. This time I wanted to find a provider that had a more hands-off, holistically-minded approach and it was clear that a midwife was the best option for me.

I also decided that as long as my pregnancy was deemed low risk, I didn’t want to give birth at a hospital. I won’t lie– it took some convincing to get Nick on board with the idea. Hospital births are pretty much the standard in the US and since we’d had a positive experience at Nate’s birth, why not just do the same again? Thankfully Nashville is home to the region’s only standalone, out-of-hospital birth center: Vanderbilt Birth Center. It checked all of my boxes: staffed by midwives, personalized prenatal care, a no-intervention approach to birth, located separate from a hospital with beautiful, home-like birthing suites. It also checked Nick’s box: top-notch medical care affiliated with a renowned hospital.

My experience at all my appointments this pregnancy felt like night and day. I never felt rushed, pressured or judged and was always given time to ask questions. I had an appointment during my first trimester where the only purpose was to discuss my diet, mental health and physical activity– nothing medical. I remember asking my midwife, “Wait, this is all you want to talk about today? You guys actually care about this stuff??” LOL. Overall all my prenatal appointments were very laidback and hands-off, which was a breath of fresh air compared to my first pregnancy.

As expected, my October 2nd due date came and went. I had Nate at 40 weeks 5 days so I was 100% mentally prepared to go late with Julian as well. I had an appointment with my midwife the morning after my due date (a Monday) and at the time was showing 0 signs of labor and felt for sure I’d be pregnant for at least another few days. She offered me an optional cervical check and a membrane sweep, but I declined both and felt confident that my body would do its thing when Julian was ready.

Well it turns out Julian decided he was ready later that evening. I started feeling mild sporadic contractions in the afternoon that steadily became more uncomfortable by 7-8PM. I remember having to stop and focus on my breathing while we were putting Nate down for bed and Nick being like, “omg is it really happening this fast?!” My early labor with Nate had been a slow 24+ hour crawl and while we knew that this time things were likely to happen faster, we were still taken by surprise at the quick progression and consistency of my contractions.

We called my midwives around 9PM to get their thoughts on if/when we should come in to the birth center. My contractions had continued getting closer and more intense and I had started laboring in our bath tub for pain relief and to help myself relax. Based on what I was experiencing, they told us it was time so we packed up the last of our things and called our nanny so she could come over to watch Nate. Part of me had hoped I’d go into labor during the day so we could say goodbye to him, but ultimately I’m glad he was asleep because I think I would’ve been wayyyy too emotional.

I remember the car ride to the hospital during my first labor feeling like complete torture. It was one aspect of birth that I really had been dreading, but thankfully it ended up being not as uncomfortable as I’d anticipated. I just continued breathing through my contractions trying my best to maintain a calm mindset. I think it helped a lot knowing that we were heading to a place where I knew I’d feel safe and comfortable. When we arrived at the birth center, my midwives were already waiting for us at the door and we were quickly ushered in to one of the birthing suites. A few minutes later my doula Anna also arrived.

I’m incredibly sensitive to my surroundings (lights, sounds, smells, colors, strangers’ energy) and remember feeling such a heightened sense of fear and anxiety at the hospital during Nate’s birth. Looking back, I was definitely in fight or flight. Walking into the birthing suite, I immediately felt such a sense of peace. The lights were dimmed, a diffuser was on and the bathtub was filled with warm water. It was as if we’d never left home.

Right away I was able to jump back in to my deep breathing and continue working through my contractions. I was shocked when my midwives told me I was already 6cm dilated! I barely made it to 3.5cm my first labor before asking for an epidural, so hearing that I was more than halfway to 10cm gave me such a confidence boost. Like OK I can do this.

Can you get an epidural at a birth center? I got flooded with this question after revealing that Julian’s birth was unmedicated. Answer: nope. At least not where I gave birth. A lot of you are probably wondering why I, or anyone, would want to go through labor without having the option for pain relief, especially considering I’d utilized it successfully during my first birth.

There were a few different reasons why I was drawn to an unmedicated birth.

The primary reason was my desire to give birth outside of a traditional hospital setting and be cared for by professionals whose #1 goal was for me to have an intervention-free birth. From the moment I saw the labor suites at the birth center, I was sold. The rooms were so peaceful and home-like and truly made me feel excited to give birth. Unmedicated births are the bread and butter of the midwives and nurses at the birth center and I felt from the beginning that everyone was on “my team” and that my birth plan would be fully supported.

At the hospital, there’s really no way to know in advance what you’re going to experience. Is the OB and nurses on call going to be supportive of an unmedicated birth? Will I be forced to push laying on my back? Would I be pressured to get Pitocin, other interventions, etc. if they felt I wasn’t progressing fast enough? Would there even be a room available where I could labor in the tub or shower? Would I be allowed to eat real food? I could list so many other common hospital birth practices and scenarios I knew I didn’t want to encounter for this birth.

I also just had a lot more confidence in myself as a second time mom knowing my body had already given birth once and that statistically my labor would go a lot faster. Another reason is I wanted a quick recovery.

I want to say we arrived at the birth center around 10:30PM and for the next 5ish hours I labored through my contractions with the support of Nick and my doula Anna. To keep things moving along, Anna had me change positions every 30 minutes or so. I would go from the labor tub to the bed where I got on my knees and laid with my belly against this large triangular pillow. I also found sitting on the toilet to be incredibly relieving and a great place to breathe through a contraction LOL.

One thing that surprised me was that I somehow was able to truly relax and even fall asleep in between contractions. Prior to going into labor, i’d listened to a ton of podcasts and positive birth stories where moms who gave birth unmedicated mentioned how with the right deep breathing and relaxation techniques they were actually able to sleep during the late phases of labor. It sounded completely crazy to me and I thought there was no way I could do that because 1) I’m a total wimp about pain and 2) I’m a naturally very anxious person. But it happened! Nick told me that when I was probably 8cm+ dilated there was a period of 15+ minutes where I dozed off between contractions and that he and Anna were like, wait how is she sleeping through this right now??

My contractions continued to gain intensity and eventually got to the point where I really was only have a minute or so break in between. Having Anna there to apply counter pressure to my hips and back was everything. No matter what type of birth you’re planning, I’d highly recommend hiring a doula if you’re able to. I didn’t have one with my first birth and wish I did because 1) they can act as your voice and ensure your birth plan is being followed and 2) they’re experts at providing support during childbirth for both mom AND dad. Overall Anna added such a calm presence to my birth experience. Throughout my labor she was there making sure all my needs were met and offering helpful suggestions (she’s literally attended hundreds of births.) She also acted as a guide/mentor for Nick and made sure he was involved and felt included.

After a few hours of laboring, I remember feeling like time was passing so slowly and even got a little frustrated that I wasn’t progressing faster. I asked one of my midwives why things weren’t happening faster especially since I was a second time mom and had in my head that labor would be quick and her saying to me, “I know you feel like this is going slowly but I promise you it’s going much faster than you think and you’re making amazing progress.”

From that point on I tried to get the idea of time out of my head and just kept telling myself that every contraction was one step closer to meeting my baby. They continued to gain intensity and eventually got to the point where I really only had a minute or so break in between. By then I’d gone totally primal– moaning low tones, crouching on the bed on all fours and I couldn’t have cared less about who was seeing me basically naked. It’s true that during birth all your inhibitions go out the window. I’m a very modest person– aka the girl that changes in the bathroom stall at the gym because God forbid anyone sees my underwear. During birth? GET THESE CLOTHES OFF ME.

One thing that I had prepared for with unmedicated labor that ended up happening a lot differently was the transition phase. This phase of labor is when you progress from 8-10cm dilation, just before it’s time to push. Transition is typically very noticeable and intense, but also short (under 30 minutes.) I weirdly never noticed any difference between my active labor and transition phase. There was never a moment where I felt an intense jump in contraction pain– they just continued to grow in intensity.

Then things got REAL. My water finally broke at 10cm and that’s when things went 0-100. The calm demeanor and deep breaths that I’d been able to maintain during active labor and transition completely went out the window. I had been on my knees on the bed laying with my chest against the large triangle pillow, but what I was feeling was so intense that Nick had to get on the bed in front of me and physically hold me up while I pushed.

I won’t lie. The contraction “pain” I’d felt previously was peanuts compared to the ring of fire. This was the one and only moment of J’s birth where I felt fearful and like things could get out of my control. I definitely screamed a few lines that you’d probably expect to hear in a movie. I also somehow ended up putting Nick in a chokehold LOL. I was pretty much gripping on to him for dear life.

In total I pushed for about a half hour and I want to say the ring of fire lasted about 5-10 minutes. During pushing I thought for sure that I was tearing because that’s exactly how it felt. Thankfully that wasn’t the case. My midwife informed me after that I had a small cosmetic interior tear and that my perineum was completely intact. BIG sigh of relief. During pushing she and the nurses continually applied warm compresses and coconut oil “down there” to protect me and help my skin stretch. I remember at my hospital birth asking the OB if they could do similar and pretty much getting laughed off by the OB. I’m VERY grateful that this time I had a care team that prioritized this without me even having to ask.

Giving birth unmedicated was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life, but then it was OVER! The pain and discomfort immediately went away as soon as Julian was placed on my chest. I think for that first hour after I was still in disbelief that I’d actually birthed a whole human without any pain relief or medical intervention.

I even cut his cord myself! Once it had finished pulsing (we did delayed cord clamping) I remember my midwife asking Nick if he wanted to do it, but since he was still feeling a little squeamish from the birth he was like “noooo that’s OK” LOL. She then proceeded to ask ME if I wanted to and obviously I said yes, so I literally cut it right there as he was laying on my chest. It was so surreal!

The entire experience just felt so… normal, I guess? Laying in the bed in the birthing suite during that first golden hour Julian felt similar to being at home. I just remember feeling very relaxed and at peace while the midwives and nurses gently tended to Julian and I while we soaked up cuddles and he nursed for the first time.

So Julian was officially born at 4:25am on Tuesday October 4. We ended up being able to head home within a few hours after his arrival. I think we left the birth center around noon– 7 hours after he made his debut–and since then our lives have changed in the best way! We’re still working on getting into a new routine and groove, but I know that will all come in time. One thing I can say is that so far going from 1-2 kids has been vastly easier than going from 0-1. I was a little worried we’d “forget” how to do all the newborn things, but it came back to us almost immediately. Julian is the sweetest boy– super snuggly, BIG appetite and a great sleeper We’re obsessed!

The post Julian’s Birth Story appeared first on Katie's Bliss.