Latest news with #RebeccaRodriguez


NBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- NBC News
BTW, Wayfair's Memorial Day Sale has sales up to 70% off
There is no shortage of sales during Memorial Day weekend — over the next week or so, you can find major deals at Nordstrom, Macy's, Amazon and more. Another major retailer having a big sale? Wayfair, which is known for selling home goods. During the sale, which runs through May 27, you can shop deals on home furniture, appliances, decor and more, all up to 70% off. There are thousands of products on sale during the duration of the sale and Wayfair is also dropping daily doorbuster deals that will last for only 24-hours. Below, I rounded up the best deals from Wayfair's Memorial Sale that are worth shopping. What to buy during Wayfair's Memorial Day Sale This large Dutch oven holds up to 8 quarts and is both dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the brand. It also has large handles on each side for easy maneuvering and comes in 8 different colors. 'There's a reason Le Creuset is a household name and I believe any one who enjoys cooking needs one of these in their home,' says NBC Select editorial operations manager Rebecca Rodriguez. 'This perfectly distributes heat throughout to provide an even cook and is ideal for slow cooking meats, making soups or stews and my favorite use case: making risotto. I'm a risotto afficionado and this Dutch Oven brought my recipe to a whole new level.' This 14-piece knife set includes six steak knives, two kitchen utility knives, a chef knife, kitchen shears, a bread knife, a Santoku knife, a paring knife and a knife block to store everything in. The knives are forged from stainless steel and have ergonomic handles for comfort, according to the brand. A cozy throw blanket comes in handy year round — it can keep you warm in the winter or when the air conditioner is blasting in the middle of summer. This one has fleece on one side and sherpa on the other for a super soft feel. It's also available in 21 colors and patterns to meet various aesthetic preferences This extra plush pillow is made with the brand's popular memory foam to conform to your head and provide custom support, according to Tempur-pedic. It comes with a removable cover and has a 5-year warranty from the brand. This upholstered bed is ideal for those with limited storage space in their home. Once you place a mattress on it, the frame's hydraulics allow you to prop it up to store things in the base. The bed is available in full, queen and king sizes. Perfect for a reading nook or anywhere else you want softer lighting than overhead lighting, this floor lamp has a gold metal stand and a scalloped glass shade that has a retro vibe. It stands 62.75-inches tall and weighs 8 pounds. This chair has a mid-century modern vibe and is currently 67% off. It has a wooden frame and an upholstered high-density foam cushion backrest and seat that comes in three different shades — beige, dark green or gray. It also comes with a lumbar pillow for further back support. This area rug comes in a variety of sizes and can be used indoors or outdoors. It has a bold pattern and a low pile, making it good for high traffic areas, according to the brand. You can vacuum it, spot clean it with a damp cloth or even hose it down if it's heavily soiled. It's best to use a rug pad with it to prevent slipping. Protect your couch from pet hair, spills or other dirt and grime with this polyester slipcover. It fits couches that are up to 70-inches long and has elastic straps to keep it in place. The cover comes in nine colors and has three slip pockets on each side to hold things like remote controls, magazines and more. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.


NBC News
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- NBC News
Your summer wardrobe called — it wants these Nordstrom sale picks
As we inch towards summer, it's only natural to start craving new pieces for your warm weather wardrobe — like a stylish pair of sandals, a new dress or a beach bag for an upcoming vacation. But given that the summer season is relatively short, you may feel iffy about shelling out a ton of money for said pieces. That's where Nordstrom comes in. The retailer just added a ton of perfect-for-summer items to their sale section — and you can find deals up to 65% off. Below, we've rounded up some of our favorite sales from Nordstrom — check them out while they last. Best Nordstrom sale deals Bugatti Singapore Luggage Set Bugatti Singapore Luggage Set Got big travel plans this summer? This 2-piece luggage set can be a big help and is currently 65% off. The set has a carry-on bag and a larger spinner that can be checked. Both suitcases have hard shells, are lightweight and have 360-degree spinner wheels to make getting through the airport a breeze, according to the brand. They also have a zipper-release expansion system that can increase packing capacity by up to 20%, according to Bugatti. Rothy's The Weekend Slide Perfect with a casual dress or a pair of cropped pants, the silver sand color in this slide is currently 28% off. It has a knit upper and a plush footbed for comfort, according to the brand. Also nice: The materials are made from a blend of recycled plastic water bottles for sustainability. These oversized sunglasses can add a glam touch to any summer look. They come in five colors — including dusk apricot, smoke and dark poppy— and are currently 70% off. They offer 100% UV protection and adjustable nose pads. These sunglasses have a 4.1-star average rating from over 800 reviews at Nordstrom. On Cloudpulse Sneaker These shoes are one of our favorite training shoes because they have a wider toe box, rubber outsoles with good grip and a plastic plate in the midsole that supports lateral movements. Rebecca Rodriguez, NBC Select editorial projects manager, wears them to the gym and says they provide nice cushioning and arch support. Right now, the ivory/fade colorway is 26% off. NYDJ Marilyn Cool Embrace Jeans These jeans are made with a moisture-wicking denim to keep you cool and comfortable in the heat, according to NYDJ. They also have the brand's patented Lift-Tuck Technology, which helps to streamline and smooth from the inside. These jeans have a high rise and are cropped at the ankle. CeCe Ruffle Hem Dress Having a summer dress that you can easily dress up or down comes in handy. This one ties at the waist for a customized fit, has loose sleeves and a ruffled hem. Wear it with sneakers during the day or add heels for a fancier event. This dress is currently 40% off and is available in sizes XXS through XXL. More Nordstrom deals to shop Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.


CBS News
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Elk Grove says it's synchronizing traffic signals. So why are some drivers seeing delays?
ELK GROVE — The City of Elk Grove is working to synchronize its major traffic signals to reduce driver frustration and congestion. City of Elk Grove Public Works Director Jeff Werner said they coordinated the signal timing on Elk Grove and Laguna Boulevards five years ago and saw a travel time reduction of about 50%. The goal is to do the same, but drivers will have to buckle up during the testing period. "It's just getting busier," said Mark Fairchilds, who has lived in Elk Grove for over a decade. "Elk Grove is very popular." The city is running tests on the traffic signals on these eight main corridors to see what timing works best: Whitelock Pkwy., Elk Grove Blvd., Laguna Blvd. and Bond Rd., Big Horn Blvd., Elk Grove Florin, Sheldon Rd., Bruceville Rd. and Grant Line Rd. "I am not one of those impatient people," said Elk Grove resident Rebecca Rodriguez. "If I have to wait, then I have to wait." CBS News Sacramento timed the drive across town for themselves just before noon Monday, clocking the drive from Highway 99 to Interstate 5 on westbound Laguna Boulevard at a little over eleven minutes, hitting six red lights. Turning from a side street onto Elk Grove Boulevard timed out to a little over a two-minute wait. "You have to wait and wait and wait and there's no traffic coming the opposite direction," said Rodriguez. "That's what makes me mad. There are no cars." As the main streets sync up, CBS News Sacramento got answers why some drivers feel like they are waiting longer at side streets. "We give priority to the main lines where the majority of traffic is coming from," said Werner. "When people are sitting there thinking, wow I have been at this light for a long time, you may have been there for two and a half minutes, and you won't be there for longer than that." Werner took CBS News Sacramento inside the city's traffic monitor center. We learned that if you have felt traffic signals out of sync, it is likely because they may have been disrupted by an emergency vehicle or someone crossing the street at the signal. "It could take 15 or 20 minutes to get back into synchronization," said Werner. Some drivers, like Fairchilds, said they know ways around side streets to avoid getting caught up on the busy main streets. "Don't want to tell my side streets because that's where I get to sneak through," Fairchilds said. Werner said if any residents have any issues with a specific intersection, they want to hear from you with the exact location, time of day and length of time you were waiting. The project is funded through Measure E, which was a sales tax approved by voters in 2022. The contractor who has been testing the signals is expected to have the data from the tests in about two weeks. You can call the City of Elk Grove Public Works Department at (916) 478-2256.


NBC News
30-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- NBC News
What are sneaker loafers and why is every footwear brand making a pair?
It makes sense to be skeptical of the sneaker loafer. It's a bizarre combination: the timeless design of a loafer fused with the sporty side and build of a sneaker. And yet, somehow, it works. What started as a niche collaboration between New Balance and Junya Watanabe in 2024 exploded into a full-blown footwear trend that major brands like Hoka and Puma embraced. The original sneaker loafer, based on the New Balance 1906 silhouette, drew attention for its unconventional blend of styles — the classic loafer upper paired with a performance-inspired sole. Now, more brands are experimenting with their versions of the hybrid shoe. Below, we highlight some of the best sneaker loafers available right now. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. What are sneaker loafers Sneaker loafers are a combination of the loafer design and modern sneakers. They're part lifestyle shoe, part performance sneaker. These shoes aren't meant to replace either category, but instead reinterpret both. NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez started noticing the sneaker loafers a few months ago when she pointed them out to me after a meeting. We were chatting about how nice a pair of brown suede sneaker loafers looked. New Balance and many other brands have started jumping in on the trend with all-new models and color options. The best sneaker loafers of 2025 New Balance 1906L Loafer This is the sneaker loafer that started it all. Based on New Balance's 1906 silhouette, the 1906L blends performance DNA with a loafer-like upper — a mix that looks strange at first but grows on you fast. The design is so popular it often sells out. Hoka Speed Loafer The Hoka Speed Loafer feels even more ludicrous than the New Balance model thanks to its classic Hoka chunky sole and the clever little tassels at the top of the shoe. It's like someone asked a marathon runner to create their ideal version of a sneaker made for a black tie dinner. It has a suede trim and leather upper and refers to the Hoka Speedgoat 5, the brand's trail running shoe. The Sophyr Loafyr (yes, that's the name) features a leather upper, mesh lining, and trail-style outsole. It's rugged and performance-forward, with a logo cut-out strap that leans sporty over sleek. More aligned with hiking sneakers than business casual, this hybrid shoe features a Vibram sole and a rubberized toe cap for grip and durability. It's the most outdoorsy option here — odd but practical. G.H. Bass Buxton Penny Loafer The other sneaker loafers on this list are more aggressive in their approach to hybridization. This G.H. Bass model is much more inoffensive and easy to digest, which, depending on the person, could be a welcome sight. These have a rubber sole, breathable lining and leather upper, according to the brand. Why trust NBC Select? I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, apparel, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I rounded up my favorite sneaker loafers from NBC Select favorite brands.


NBC News
04-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
I cover beauty for a living — this is everything worth shopping during Sephora's Savings Event
Sephora's spring sale is finally here, so now is the perfect time to add your favorite products (and products you've been eyeing) to your cart. For the next few days, Sephora Beauty Insiders can save up to 20% across all beauty categories, including skin care, lip care and hair care, using code SAVEMORE. But you'll need to act fast: The sale ends on April 14, and bestselling brands and products tend to sell out quickly. What makes this sale unique is that your window to shop and how much you save is dependent on your Beauty Insider status. Below, I break down everything you need to know about the sale. I'm a beauty reporter who frequently covers sales from Amazon, Sephora and Ulta. Below, I compiled the best items on sale from popular brands like Summer Fridays, Ouai and Dyson. Many of the products experts have previously recommended in my reporting, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated items. Best skin care deals Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray Discount price: Rouge: $22.40 | VIB: $23.80 | Insider: $25.20 This daily facial spray uses hypochlorous acid to support the skin barrier and soothe the skin by reducing irritation and redness, according to the brand. Because hypochlorous acid has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, I love using this in place of my cleanser or as a toner to help clear my skin of any gunk while preventing any eczema flare-ups and breakouts. This spray is suitable for all skin types and has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, National Rosacea Society's Seal of Acceptance and the National Psoriasis Foundation's Seal of Recognition. Discount price: Rouge: $15.20 | VIB: $16.15 | Insider: $17.10 Biodance makes some of our favorite overnight sheet masks, which turn opaque after a few hours of wear. The Hydro Cera-nol masks have glycerin, panthenol and glacial water to support the skin barrier, hydrate and soothe it, according to the brand. 'Not only was it instantly calming on my skin, but when I took it off after sleeping in it, the redness and rough texture I was struggling with had improved substantially and I had no irritation,' says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. Discount price: Rouge: $31.20 | VIB: $33.15 | Insider: $35.10 Remove makeup, dirt and more with this NBC Select staff-favorite and expert-recommended cleansing balm. Suitable for all skin types, this gentle and fragrance-free balm turns into a milky lather that easily and gently removes debris from the surface of your skin without leaving behind a residue, according to the brand. 'I have super sensitive skin and this cleansing balm removes all of my makeup without causing any irritation,' says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. 'It also leaves my skin soft and hydrated, which is exactly what my dry skin needs.' Discount price: Rouge: $36.80 | VIB: $39.10 | Insider: $41.40 I apply this eye cream and serum hybrid every two to three nights, and when I wake up, my under eyes look smoother, plumper and way more hydrated than the night before. It has ingredients like glycerin (to lock in moisture and soften the skin), licorice root extract (to soothe irritation and reduce puffiness) and retinol (to improve the appearance of fine lines), according to the brand. You can use this serum nightly, but I use it every two to three days to avoid potential irritation from the retinol. Best hair care deals Discount price: Rouge: $24 | VIB: $25.50 | Insider: $27 I use this styling cream to achieve the perfect slick back buns and ponytails. The cream has enough hold to keep my hair sleek and tame without any hardness or leaving behind white flakes. Once I take down my hair, it still feels soft, so it almost acts like a leave-in treatment instead of a hard gel. Discount price: Rouge: $44 | VIB: $46.75 | Insider: $49.50 Reviewers say they love using this lightweight hair mask because it hydrates, softens, strengthens and adds shine to their hair without weighing it down. The mask also helps repair damage and combat frizz, according to the brand. This mask, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,260 reviews at Sephora, is available in two formulations — one for fine to medium hair and the other for thick hair. Discount price: Rouge: $25.60 | VIB: $27.10 | Insider: $28.80 This hair oil, which you can apply on dry or damp hair, helps strengthen, smooth and reduce hair breakage while also doubling as a heat protectant, according to the brand. 'Every time I style my hair, I apply the oil on the ends and it leaves my hair unbelievably smooth and soft,' says Godio. 'It's lightweight, so it doesn't weigh down my super fine hair. Plus, it smells amazing, and that scent lasts all day.' Discount price: Rouge: $22.40 | VIB: $23.80 | Insider: $25.20 To extend the time between wash days, I've been using this dry shampoo, which uses finely milled powders to mattify my hair and absorb excess oils. I prefer non-aerosol dry shampoo like this one for vacations, but they tend to be messier than sprays. This one has an attached compact puff that allows me to apply the powder to my hair and scalp easily without causing a mess. This dry shampoo is available in a translucent version for all hair colors and a tinted version for darker hair tones. Discount price: Rouge: $22.40 | VIB: $23.80 | Insider: $25.20 This hair gel helps define all curl types and adds shine, humidity protection and control, according to the brand. 'I've tried other hair gels over the past few months, but none have performed better than this one,' says NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, who uses it daily. 'Like other gels, you have to be mindful of how much you use (especially with very short hair), but this one never leaves my hair looking flaky. It also keeps my second and third day hair looking cute as well.' All you have to do is apply and scrunch a small amount into soaking wet hair and let it dry; once it's dry, scrunch it again, according to Curlsmith. Discount price: Rouge: $39.20 | VIB: $41.65 | Insider: $44.10 Kiehl's released this body cream last year, and I simply can't live without it. It's by far one of the most moisturizing lotions I've ever tried and it helps soothe and combat dry, itchy skin. The best part is that it's thick and rich, so a little goes a very long way. L'Occitane Shower Oil Discount price: Rouge: $23.20 | VIB: $24.65 | Insider: $26.10 This multitasking shower oil can act as a shaving cream replacement, bath soak or as a body wash. 'It never feels oily or greasy, and the smell is absolutely incredible — it has a clean scent that's subtle and not too overpowering,' says Godio. 'But my favorite part is how soft and smooth my skin feels after using this product. Simply, no other shower oil does it better.' Discount price: Rouge: $8 | VIB: $8.50 | Insider: $9 'I never leave home without this hand sanitizer spray because it smells amazing, never dries out my hands, and the spray is so much more convenient than a goopy or runny hand sanitizer,' says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. Our editors also love the Touchland Power Mist Hydrating Hand Sanitizer because of its small compact size. 'The shape of the container makes it easy to fit in a backpack or shoulder bag because it's flat instead of round,' says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez. Discount price: Rouge: $28.20 | VIB: $30.60 | Insider: $32.40 After shaving your face or body, you can apply this solid stick serum to combat razor burn, reduce ingrown hairs and brighten dark spots, according to the brand. I use this the day after shaving and love how easy it is to use because it essentially melts into my skin when I roll it on without making a mess or staining my clothes. And although it uses chemical exfoliants to target its three key concerns, it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. Discount price: Rouge: $17.60 | VIB: $18.70 | Insider: $19.80 Our NBC Select editors love Laneige's lip products, including its lip mask and balm. The brand recently launched this serum that hydrates and protects your lips while leaving a glossy, tinted finish. Reviewers say they love how it leaves their lips looking and feeling, but call out their love for its donut applicator, which makes it easy and comfortable to apply. This lip serum has a 4.5-star average rating from over 560 reviews at Sephora. Discount price: Rouge: $11.20 | VIB: $11.90 | Insider: $12.60 This lip balm combines mango seed butter, avocado seed oil and jojoba seed oil to hydrate, soften and plump your lips while simultaneously reducing any flakiness and discomfort, according to the brand. 'It's not too thick or thin; it feels really nourishing and the texture is smooth,' says Brown. Discount price: Rouge: $11.20 | VIB: $11.90 | Insider: $12.60 When NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider needs lots of moisture for her lips, she gravitates toward this lip balm — specifically the sheer, citrus version. 'It's thicker than a standard balm or oil but isn't quite as thick as some overnight masks and it's genuinely effective at keeping my lips from cracking or chapping,' she says. 'If I put it on in the morning or even at night, I can still feel it on my lips hours later.' Discount price: Rouge: $22.40 | VIB: $23.80 | Insider: $25.20 Immediately upon applying it, this lip balm quickly became one of my top five lip care products because it's hydrating, non-sticky, thick and leaves my lips feeling and looking luscious. It has an angled applicator that follows the contours of my lips and helps the balm glide across them smoothly. Discount price: Rouge: $239.20 | VIB: $299 | Insider: $269.10 NBC Select social media assistant Caitlin Cusack loves this hair dryer and blow dryer brush because it helps her achieve the perfect salon-like blowout in half the time it normally takes her to do it at home. The multi-styler, suitable for all hair types and textures, comes with two auto-wrap curlers, a styling concentrator, an oval brush and a round brush so you can style your hair however you choose. Discount price: Rouge: $364 | VIB: $386.75 | Insider: $409.50 This Dr. Dennis Gross face mask uses LED light therapy to treat skin care concerns. It has red light to help improve fine lines and boost collagen production, plus blue light to prevent and target acne. Depending on your needs, you can alternate between the two options or use the third setting, which combines both red and blue light. NBC Select Ashley Morris received a mask from the brand and loves how easy it is to use. 'By the end of the testing process, I could also see a noticeable improvement in my skin's texture,' she says. Dyson Airstrait Discount price: Rouge: $399.20 | VIB: $424.15 | Insider: $449.10 Our experts recommend Dyson's Airstrait flat iron because it reduces your risk of heat damage since it uses hot air to dry and straighten your hair instead of traditional hot plates. You can choose from two modes (wet to dry mode and dry mode) and three airflow and speed settings to help achieve a sleek, shiny and smooth style, according to the brand. Why trust NBC Select? I am an associate reporter at NBC Select, who frequently covers beauty and wellness sales at Sephora. I've covered the retailer's fall Savings Event, as well as competitor sales from Ulta, Target and Amazon. I also extensively write about beauty and wellness and have been shopping the Sephora sale for eight years.