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Brandi Kimberly Style

A Fashion Blog + Lifestyle

Cabana Bay Stay During HHN30!

Hello my beautiful friends!!!

It is spooky season at Universal Studios and I wanted to share my experience staying at Cabana Bay during Halloween Horror Nights.  Cabana Bay is one of Universal’s on-site resorts.  Of all of the Universal Studio resorts, Cabana Bay is my favorite to stay at.  We’ve stayed in three different Universal Studio resorts, and they each have their own theme.  I love the beachy 1950/1960s vibes and the aesthetics of Cabana Bay.  When you walk into the lobby and common areas you hear 1950/1960 style music, it can take you back in time.  Every Friday one of the Minions from Despicable Me will come out for visit in the lobby.  

Cabana Bay Pools

Cabana Bay also features two pools with a sandy beach area to relax in, a lazy river, two pool cabanas bar with two pool-side Bars & Grills. The pool bars have a really good peach blonde beer that I am obsessed with.  The pool bar and grills serve food like burgers, nachos, kebabs, fish tacos, sandwiches, and more.  

Other Amenities at Cabana Bay

Cabrera also features an indoor bowling alley called The Galaxy Bowl. It also serves drinks and food.  There is a small arcade right next to it with ticketed games and prizes.  Let’s not forget the gym for those who love getting a good workout in before they start the day.  Downstairs you will find a gift shop, a Starbucks, and the Bayliner which is a food court that consists of a variety of food stations, serving from morning into the night.  

The Rooms

We have stayed at Cabana Bay during different times of the year and we love it every time.  The room are perfect and I love the decor. We have stayed in a room with a king-size bed or with two queen-size beds and we’ve stayed in a room that included a family room.  The rooms with a family room are my absolute favorite because they are bigger with a kitchen nook and a foldout couch in the living room.  

HHN Drinks

Right now, during Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), the resort is featuring a tribute to the Universal Icons of HHN.  Check out their themed drinks at the lounge bar. Some drinks are named after the Icons.  I tried three different drinks from their menu.  My favorite was the Swizzle-Ween Punch and the Skeleton Key was pretty good too.  I did not get to try The Director which is actually my favorite Icon of HHN.  

The Jack’d Up Experience

Another thing at Cabana Bay was featuring for the spooky season was this tour called The Jack’d Up Experience.  On the top floor between the hours of 2- 10 pm, you can go on a little tour featuring Jack the clown who is also one of the main Horror Icons of HHN.  During the tour, you can hear Jack’s story and have a photo op inside of his blender.   

Another great thing about Cabana Bay is that you have easy access to Volcano Bay with Cabana Bay’s personal entrance into the park. Also, there is a nature trail that you can take into City Walk where you will have access to both parks- Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. 

I highly recommend staying at this resort during your vacation to Universal Studios.  It is so accommodating and you will have a good time! 

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly 

Back on the Podcast Again

Hello Friends!

I am back on my Podcast Pass the Prosecco after taking a five-month break.  In the past week, I posted two new episodes.  I’ll link them here so you can listen!  

  1. Hello My Friends, Let’s Do This Again! 
  2. Before You Start a blog (What You Should Think About?)

Break from Podcast

Before I took I break, I was taking my podcasting in another direction.  In the past, I have created helpful tips on my blog by providing blog posts on the subject of influencing and blogging (Fashion Blogging for Beginners: The Mistakes I Made Starting My Fashion Blog).  It was a small How-to guide- series that I put together to help other bloggers who are starting.  Now I am taking that same inspiration and desire to help others and I am putting it all into a podcast. Besides, so much has changed since 2016-2017.  There is so much to catch up on.    

To be honest, I lost my drive to continue my podcast during the late spring because I was trying to figure out my Why.  Now I know what I want to do and I  am inspired again.  

This podcast is going to be about blogging, Instagram, and things that I am currently inspired by. 

Disclaimer:

I am by no means an expert however, I’ve been blogging since 2015.  I’ve seen different seasons of it.  I experience the different changes in blogging and social media and I truly feel like I can be a good source of information for new bloggers.  I love being a part of the fashion blogging industry.  My intention is to inspire and help the new and seasoned bloggers find their way in this space.  As a blogger, I’ve made mistakes & I’ve had successes that I would love to share.   

Podcasting is a great way to connect with followers and it’s a good pivot that can help me connect with new followers as well.  Personally, I love listening to podcasts.  This year I have discovered a few fashion bloggers just like myself have crossed over into podcasting as well.  And yes, I listen to their stuff cause I am here for it!! 

Podcast: Hello My Friends, Let’s Do This Again! 

For those who want to know my story read this blog post there:  (Fashion Blogging for Beginners: The Mistakes I Made Starting My Fashion Blog), the How I become a Fashion Blogger paragraph gives all the details or listen to my new episodes on Pass the Prosecco.  

In the spring of 2015 Fashion Adventures with Cutebeandik was born!  It started with a free WordPress for about 8 months but then when I realized that I wanted to get into the reward style program but it appeared that you needed to own a blog to send a request.  November of 2015, cutebrandik.com was born.  I kept the same title.  I was very consistent in my blogging entries, I posted once a week.  I knew I needed to build up my profile to get accepted.  I researched what I needed to do to get into the rewardStyle program.  I think things have changed over the past years, I am certain that it was harder to get affiliated back in 2015.  It took me a year and 3 months to accomplish my goal of becoming affiliated with rewardStyle.  

Between the years 2016-2019, I met so many other bloggers like myself and I established some good relationships. I went to a couple of blogger events and I felt like my part-time gig was doing very well.   I had many collaborations, though not with any major businesses.  I did some with small businesses and I had fun working with them all. 

So here I am in 2021, trying to get my blogger groove back.  

Before You Start a blog (What You Should Think About?)

In the second episode of my podcast, I talk about the brainstorming you should do before starting a blog.  There are various types of blogs out there, wedding venues, recipes, lifestyle hacks, and the list goes on.  Most likely you know what you want to blog about if you are seeking to start a blog.    

Here are the steps that you should think through during your decision on starting a blog:  

Ask yourself; Why, What, How, Where, and When

Your Why?  (Your purpose) 

Do you have a talent in something that you want to share? Do you have a lot of knowledge in something that you feel like you want to help other people with?  Do you want to monetize your blog because sometimes people start not knowing or wanting to monetize then change their minds later.  Some people don’t want to monetize.  Blogging can be strictly a hobby and just a fun place to escape into or be a part of.

Here you want to set goals for yourself, create a one-year plan or five and ten.    

Your What? (Your niche)

Focus on your niche and The plans you have for your blog.  These days you won’t bank off of one category alone like (fashion).  Most bloggers will share different layers of themselves to keep readers interested.  If you hope to make this your income you need to be innovative because this is 2021 so many other girls are doing the same things other fashion bloggers are doing.  It is hard to stand out. How are you going to give it a little unique flair to the community? 

The how (How, how are you going to do this)?? 

Will it be full time or part-time?  If it is Full time you want to make money.  Anytime you want to make a commission you need should treat your blog like a business at all times.  I suggest doing so if it’s part-time.  It all depends on how much money you do you want to make.  How much do you want to grow?  Some bloggers want to grow in the 100k, Some wish for 1M, and others want to keep it under 20k, or even smaller than that. The money you can make depends on your audience size, engagement, and the strategies you use to monetize your blog. However, some earn through investing, and for those interested in learning how to navigate this, an Online Trading Guide can offer valuable insights on maximizing earnings through smart financial decisions.

Where to do it 

What platforms do you want to use?  I remember in 2015 every blogger appeared to own a blog.  By 2017, it seemed like more bloggers without actual blogs did their influencing on social media.  Choose a platform you are passionate about and be consistent.   

When do You Launch your blog? 

Don’t make excuses because honestly, you will never find the perfect time to do it.  There are circumstances that you can wait for like a day of the year because it is sentimental.   You might have plans for the launch and certain conditions need to be met, it is okay to wait then.  I wouldn’t recommend waiting too long because it is never going to be perfect and a lot of my learning was from doing.  

Glass Of inspo 

It’s the middle of October and LTK and other bloggers are pushing holiday gift guides.   It makes sense due to shipment delays this year. 

I also share these Manolo Blahnik dupes at Nordstrom that are on sale. I bought them!!! I’ve been eyeing the Carrie Crystal Embellished Pumps from the Badgley Mischka Collection for a while.  I went for the pretty blue ones that were originally $225 and I paid $182, Unfortunately, my order got canceled over the weekend so I have to wait for them to go on sale again.  

Caitlin Covington is coming out with a fall line collaborated with PinkLily she did this earlier in the year with her spring line and she had some really cute pieces… it comes out next Friday and I will be waiting for her line to open!!!  I was also inspired by her and her witch hats that she put out on her porch and I did the same.  I noticed the floating witch hat trend last year this year I was thinking about it and I bought the bats the 3-D little bats that you put everywhere and then I saw the Pinterest idea of the floating hats earlier in the month.  I set aside three of them put them outside and then the rest of them are hanging in my dining room over my dining room table…

Thank you for stopping by and don’t forget to tune in to Pass the Prosecco.  

until next time, Cheers!

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly 

Nordstrom anniversary sale 2021 Early Access 

Hello, Friends! 

Currently, everyone who has Early Access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale can shop it!  It opened up to the last cardholder tier group last Friday, but did you know that Nordstrom mailed out a little promotion catalog to cardholders allowing its members to shop it early with the tier group above them?  I am an Influencer status who had to wait until the 16th to shop but I could’ve shopped the sale early on the 14th with the Ambassadors. All I needed was the Golden ticket below.  

It blew my mind that I did not check my mail sooner!  I saw it on Thursday the 15th and went shopping immediately!!! If you followed me on my IG stories you saw my excitement. I did a poll asking who knew about this ticket? Some said no, one person said yes, ha! I am going to asks the same question here. Who saw this ticket and shopped it early?  

Today, I am sharing some of the new items I got and I am styling some of the old items I already have that is part of this sale.  Let me know if you have any questions about any of the items.  

This cozy sweater is like the NSale uniform of the year. I see so many other bloggers rocking this look and all with good reason. Everything is here part of the sale this year.

This Moto Jacket is part of the sale this year and I believe I have seen it last year too. It is such a classy staple and it feels so soft.

This button up cardigan with balloon sleeves is actually from Target and it was $25.00. I could not link it but Target is where I bought it from, recently. I linked another Target brand that is similar but it is open knit. So this style cardigan is part of the Nsale this year. They are more pricey, but if you are interested, I linked those too.

This skirt is not from Nsale 2021, it was from last year. Same with my mules. Nordstrom (Steve Madden), came out with an updated version of mules. The brass detail is bulkier. This top was from last year’s sale and it is part of this year’s sale too.

You can always expect a cute sweater dress to be apart of the Nsale. This one was from last fall and I see similar sweater dresses with bubble sleeves. I love the cute detail to it. Also this Tory Burch bag is apart of this year’s sale.

Lastly, I adore this leopard sweater with the bubble sleeves. As you can see it is my favorite trend. I used to have a cute leopard sweater from Target a few years ago. It was time for me to upgrade.

I am 39 years old so I am 5’3 and 130 lbs. 

Normally wear a medium in tops, sometimes a large.

I’m a size 30 in bottoms/ Large

& I wear a size 10-12 in dresses/ Large 

What item do you have your eyes on this year for the sale??

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly

Items That May Sell Out for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Good morning, friends!!!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has begun for the Icon card members. While the rest of us impatiently wait, we see those very few influencers who get to shop it early. They are quickly putting out that content because tomorrow, the doors will open for the ambassadors. I noticed that most bloggers/influencers must wait for the Influencer card membership shopping day, 16 July!

Sale past details

Dear Nordstrom, Why do you torture us???
In my last blog post here, I talk about the reasons why bloggers and shoppers aren’t shopping for the sale. You can find some of my favorites from the sale here.
I mentioned that the tier system started last year, but a fellow fashionista reminded me that it all began in 2019. During that year, I was in the field so I bought things and got them sent to the house once my hubby got home from his TDY trip. This was almost one week after the sale opened for me. I remember it not being a good shopping year for me, lol! Today, I am sharing some items that are part of the Nordstrom anniversary sale that I believe will sell out fast.

Items You Must Grab Now

This is just an assumption, and I am basing everything on the popularity of the items and the usual demand I see every year. Best of luck with grabbing the things you want!
Down below is a Shop My Page for each item that I think will fly off the racks; just click on the image that you want to shop!

I hope this information is helpful to your shopping for the NSale!!

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly

Are people over the NSale?

Hello, Y’all, 

Two more days until the Nsale 2021! Due to the reviews on Instagram, it appears that shoppers and bloggers alike are over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  I am going to dive in and get into the reasons why.  I will share my perspective.  Also, I am going to share some of these basics that are part of the sale, and the basics that made a came-back for 2021.    

Reason 1 People are Over The Nsale 2021

Reason 1// Last year Nordstrom Anniversary Sale started this new way to shop their annual sale for the cardholder.  I am with you guys, I hate it!  As mentioned in my last two Nordy blog posts, cardmembers need to be Icon status to shop first.  Then you wait two days and the Ambassadors can shop.  Wait two more days then it opens up for the Influencers.  Last year, by the time it got Influencer status so many things were gone.  

You have to spend a certain amount of money in 7 months (Jan-Jul) to reach each status or tier:

$10,000 for Icon

$5,000 for Ambassador

$500 for Influencer

So you can see why things were practically sold out for cardmembers and public access last year.  

My point, the sale became even more exclusive.  I did not mind allowing all cardmembers access to shop for one week before it opens to the public.  I understand this tactic, It helps them with their sales for credit cards and it influenced a lot of people to want to be a part of the inclusion during anniversary sale time.  But this new system does not encourage me to spend more at Nordstrom in 7 months.  I don’t need $5-$10,000 worth of items in a 7 month period all at Nordstrom.  I am a loyal customer but I am also an influencer and I see the need to explore fashion in both big and smaller businesses.       

2nd Reason for Nsale 2021

Reason 2// Influencers bombard social media with all kinds of content related to the Nsale.  Customers and followers start to see the same items over and over and it can become draining. 

I understand this reason, all influencers start wearing and promoting the same items, and it is annoying.  However, this sale is truly my favorite because it is filled with good stuff for the fall.  I will be honest, I do earn the most money covering this sale than any other time in the year as an influencer that doesn’t care about the money, (I have another source of income).  I don’t promote it because it’s the best time for extra income, I promote it because I do genuinely love the items that come out of the sale.  I will wear the items again and again.  

Three

Reason 3// They bring back the same items every year.  

I will confess, they do bring back either the same items or a newer version of it.  Certain Items might stick around for two anniversary sales, sometimes three.  

I love the fact that things come back because then I get to enjoy the things I bought in the past a little bit longer.  Like I stated earlier, Nordstrom is full of staples and basics.  Featuring them in this sale benefits a blogger and their customers.  Overall, I think this is a good thing. 

The 4th Reason People are Over the Nsale for 2021

  Reason 4// The things that go on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale will go back on sale during and after Labor Day.  

I have noticed this!  The things that are left over will go back to regular price for a short period of time and then go on sale again right before fall actually hits.  I didn’t like this either, it was frustrating to see.  I am going to pay more attention to this.  Also, a thing to note is that not all beauty product that gets promoted in this sale is actually on sale.  That is something I noticed too.  It is doesn’t have a regular price next to the “sale price,” it isn’t on sale, it is just a promotion.    

So there you have it, the reasons why people are over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  For me, it has its flaws but the good outweighs it.  The most frustrating thing for me is the tier exclusion thing.  I can’t see why Nordstrom does it, and how it benefits them.  It upsets everyone, including influencers.    

I think it would be really cool if they hosted another similar sale just like this one but in January for Spring items.  It would be hard to use the tier system because everyone’s status would reset.  

I am sharing some basic that has returned to this sale, keep an eye out for them, good luck to us all and happy shopping.  

Be sure to check out my IGTV @pass.the.processo.blog

I posted this morning that explains this blog post in further detail.

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Preview 2021

Hello Friends! 

Today, was the release of the upcoming Nsale Preview.  I cover this sale every year because it is my favorite.  I totally understand that some people have mixed feelings about the sale.  The content push can be overwhelming to your feed.  I am a diehard Nordstrom fan, I shop there all year long.  I truly believe it is the best time to grab staples and good basics for fall.  

Why is this sale my favorite?

Various brands collaborate with Nordstrom every year for this sale.  These brands will release brand new fall items at a discounted price.  Then after the sale, the price will go back up.  I also notice that they discount so many wonderful staples that you may have been eyeing all year.  You can get some great merchandise from this sale like boots, sweaters. jeans, handbags, workout clothes, beauty items, accessories, the list goes on! 

Nsale Preview Details

If you remember my most recent Nsale blog post; I provided important dates to take note of.  Nordstrom is using the tier system like they did last year.  I am not a fan of it.    

Early Access: 

Icons (spend $10,000 Jan 1st – now)  Shop 12-27 July

Ambassadors (spend $5,000 Jan 1st – now) Shop 14-27 July

Influencers, ME!!! (spend $500 Jan 1st – now) Shop 16-27 July   

Public Access (Everyone) 28 July – 8 Aug

As you can see, I will be shopping the sale early Friday morning.  You have to have the Nordstrom Card to shop the sale early.  I love being a part of the Nordy Club.  There are so many opportunities to earn points while you shop and eventually they turn into Nordstrom Notes.    

My Favorites from the Nsale Preview:

I added some of my favorite items from the preview.  I sorted and organized them so that you may reference this blog post during the sale or shop through my Liketoknow.it. Be sure to check out my Liketoknow.it account right here! I have more collages and shopping ideas on my account!   

If you have any questions about the sale leave me a comment below!

XoXo 

-Brandi Kimberly

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