Virtual Coffee Talk, 0.7 // $150 Nordstrom Back-To-School Giveaway

Hiya!
Three guesses as to where I am right now, and go!
Nope, not New York.
Nope, not Houston.
Nope, not San Francisco.
(Although I've been to all three in the past week and a half, crazy right?)
Actually, I'm in China at the moment! As we speak, I am holed up in a big, fluffy bed on the 49th floor of a fancy hotel in Shanghai, fresh out of the luxurious rain shower and admiring the sparkling views of the city from the window in front of me. Coffee doesn't seem fitting for this occasion, so maybe you'll sip on some tea while we chat? Or maybe a chilled glass of wine?
Tomorrow, we are off to Nanjing, that little big city two hours away from Shanghai by train that I visit almost every summer like clockwork. The sister and I are in town to hang out with our grandparents and extended family, and to fuel up on hotpot and other delicious foods, I'm sure. It's our own little sisterly end-of-summer last hurrah, I guess! Upon going back to the USA next week, I'll have a week chilling in San Francisco and then I'm heading back to Stanford to help out at orientation / to begin the end of my college career. Cue the hyperventilation. 
Over our tea, I'd talk about how 2014 has been so go, go, go. If I were to count up the numbers, I'll find that I've been on a plane, train, or bus more than I've been at home. I've been at home for a total of two weeks this year actually. I'd tell you about how as life-changing and amazing as Europe and even New York were, there's also a special something about visiting China, especially now that it's become an annual thing. Disembarking the plane in Shanghai and being met with the familiar customs line, the commute, even the hotel - it's like waking up in my parallel reality. Europe was about branching out, China is about tending to my roots. And Stanford this upcoming quarter? It'll literally be all about sprawling out on the lawn under the tree with the sun in my face and a book in my hand. (The metaphor's gone out the window by now if you didn't catch on.)
Then, finding that our conversation has gotten a little too deep, we'd liven it up by talking about our Labor Day Weekend (I spent twelve hours on a plane, and you?), and most importantly - what we have on our lists for back-to-school shopping!
To help you out, the magical Jordyn faerie over at The Fairy Princess Diaries is hosting a $150 Nordstrom giveaway to kick off the season. Hop on it, lovelies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway