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Just as I promised, it just keeps getting better. One week from today you will see exactly what I mean when you bust through the doors of the Nordstrom near you and shop til you drop at the… wait for it… yes, it’s here! The ANNIVERSARY SALE.
Remember when I told you I shopped via stroller as a baby? I have a feeling this is where the passion for fashion really began. When the stroller days were long gone, I have memories of setting my alarm for 6am in elementary school to go shop the sale the SECOND the doors opened at 7:00am sharp with my mom, aunts, grandma, whoever I could sucker into going with me.
Nothing beats this sale. Nordstrom is the only retailer in the industry who does it – fall product for women, men and kids EARLY at a discount for just 17 days every summer, starting the third week in July. This year, D-Day falls on Friday, July 17th. Then, August 3rd, everything gets marked back up. This is why it’s a marathon, not a sprint, fashionistas! (Personally, I hate running, but I feel as if this analogy works with almost anything.)
Now – for the really juicy news. For the first time ever, the coveted catalog (which you should be receiving any day in the mail if you’re a Nordstrom subscriber… if you’re not, don’t even tell my why; just get on the mailing list quick!) is online. EVEN BETTER – the online catalog has even more product featured in it than the hard copy, including tons more shoes, denim, hosiery, handbags, and more. Instead of just a snapshot of all the sale has to offer, this little devil can really give you the details! (You can even circle items and bookmark pages – heaven for an organizational freak like me.) Get your wish list ready before you go by checking it all out here.
Fortunately for you, I’ve had a sneak peek at most of the merchandise that will be featured on the Anniversary Sale. Here are the fall-must haves I plan on picking up on the 17th:
*boyfriend blazer (there will be several price point options; you can pick one up in BP, TBD or Via C… I haven’t decided on my favorite yet)
*boots (TONS of great ones on sale… but everyone is going crazy for the Fryes already, see page 36 and 41a)
*statement necklace (check out the Cara necklace on page 44 – AMAZING! I’m going to wear it with everything from an LBD to a white t-shirt.)
*black skinny pants (I am absolutely purchasing the Joe’s seen on page 45; they are comfy like a legging but have the details of a real pant – the best of both worlds)
*cosmetics (this is the only time they really go on ‘sale,’ so definitely stock up, because they have lots of special sizes and values. I ordered the Trish McEvoy planner and makeup card in the cute pink cases! See page 58)
*delicates (my favorite Honeydew panties will be only 4/$34 – steal of a deal! Check out the pages of panties on 50-51.)
That’s just a yummy little slice of the transaction that could easily take up the majority of a paycheck. Ah, Anniversary. You are worth every penny.
Well fashionistas, we’re in the midst of sale season, which we all know keeps us busy enough, but now we are in the dead heat of my other favorite season – nope, you know me better than to think it would be something as trivial as “summer.” Wedding season is officially in full swing! I kicked it off on Saturday, when one of my nearest and dearest friends (you may remember her as the sparkly Vegas bachelorette) wed her high school sweetheart on the 4th of July. Fortunately for me, she chose a darling sunshine yellow dress, and the nicest-bride-ever let us pick our own shoes! Of course, I went with the sky-high Charles by Charles David camel colored heels with gold accents. Perfect for looks, not so perfect for my walk down the bumpy grass aisle… never mind that. (However, if in the market for something that will take you from 5'1 to 5'6, visit his website.)
However, most times we attend weddings, we are not part of the privy bridal party, and must get dressed on our own. Here is where I come to the rescue…
A few helpful hints to help you look almost as cute as these people from Martha Stewart Weddings magazine (see pic above - they are adorable):
1. Select your outfit sometime other than the DAY OF the wedding. Picking something out an hour before is an obvious recipe for disaster. I've been there, and ended up frantically buying duct tape at a gas station to hold my dress to my chest... try waking up with that situation in the morning!
2. While you’re behaving as a good fashionista, creating the perfect ensemble a few days prior to the big event, do your research! Most of the vital stats can be learned from the invitation – so make sure your husband/lover/roommate/mother/dog/whoever does not throw that precious piece of paper away! The time of the ceremony is a major hint; afternoon = more casual, after 5 = more dressy, probably cocktail-ish. The location of the reception is another giveaway; outside = more casual, downtown hotel or venue = more dressy. And, since you are a few days out, if you are super confused, you have time to call someone who would know the answer, but would probably be too VIP on the day of the wedding to talk to you.
3. Please dress your mate appropriately. Whoever is the “true” fashionista in the relationship (and I know there are many men who fill this important role), make sure your outfits coordinate. For example, when you go with the girl in the sunshine dress, you don’t wear a dark, dreary winter suit. (I am proud to report that this was not us! The husband showed up dressed to IMPRESS this time, and I have pictures to prove it! I just can't figure out how to get them off the camera.) You can take a cue from my best-dressed hubby; summer, outdoor wedding, accompanying a date in bright cotton dress… boy’s outfit translates to: cute khaki-ish pants (not straight, old fashioned khakis, but ones with a slight pattern or texture – I love any of the chino styles from j.crew), light-colored striped button-shirt, brown leather slip on shoes, and brown belt. Effortless.
4. Yes, wedding season can be stressful, chaotic, busy – like I said, it can overtake your summer, just like our treasured sales! However, under NO circumstances should you attend a wedding with overlapping guests in the EXACT. SAME. OUTFIT. That, my fashionistas, is a faux-pa we just cannot forgive. So make a note on the calendar, take a Polaroid, do what you must, but when you are celebrating this summer, you better be doing so in something different each time around. (With resources like your friend’s, sister’s, mom’s closets, Target, H and M, Forever 21… trust me, you can make it happen.)
And this, my fashionable friends, is how it's done. Instead of struggling with style, you will SAIL right through the beloved wedding season, making me proud along the way.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of travelling to Las Vegas for a dear friend's bachelorette party. Wait, by party, I mean, paaaaaaarTY! But, it's not true what they say; what happens in Vegas, does NOT stay in Vegas. Because I have to tell you - that place was fashion faux-pa central! I interpreted the general rule there as "less is more," and when people were actually dressed, that was just as scary of a sight! However, our little bachelorette party was definitely more creative... The one thing all 8 of us agreed on throughout the weekend was our obsession with SEQUINS.
In couture fashion, sequins are referred to by their prettier, fancier, french name: "paillettes." But, in Vegas, they're just plain old sequins, and we wanted lots of them. The first night out, our very own bachelorette donned a brown sequin tank dress by Free People (this sassy little number also comes in a dark purple and champagne-ish gold. However, as I am seeing it online, I am noticing it is sold as a shirt and not a dress...that's what I thought! Oh well, the insane little bridezilla just gave it a whole new look, and a very Vegas-y one too! I have seen this shirt/tank/dress/whatever you want it to be worn as a top though, with boyfriend jeans - which you should have by now! - and gold flats, and it was quite cute. So there you go). Not to mention, the lovely bride-to-be accessorized her ensemble with the ever-important blingy bachelorette tiara and a pink sash just in case anyone beyond the vacinity failed to hear the squeals, laughs and constant shouts of "She's getting MARRIED!"
The next night, I threw on an oldie-but-goodie from Urban Outfitters in the form of an all-over short sleeved silver sequined little number. What a tongue-twister. (If you are ever desperate for sequins, Urban is a great place to check, especially online.) And, thinking of my newly-learned "less-is-more" Vegas philosophy, I belted it with a wide black belt to take it up just a notch. (Don't worry - only a little!) Speaking of, a wide black belt is absolutely an essential, and I love this one. For the mere price of $68, I think this totally looks Givenchy or Balenciaga inspired, and in a good way! I am also needing a skinny black belt, and I think this one is a great deal and super chic.
Long story (and even longer weekend!) short - every girl needs a little sparkle in her life. Whether you are living it up in Vegas, going out and about in our own town, or just need a pick-me-up one day, I tell you, sequins = success.
Hello my faithful following fashionistas! I am playing with my blog to try and make it a little more aesthetically pleasing... I'm not going to lie - it is rather difficult to make a blank web page look "fashion forward," but I'm doing my best here... and I would love any feedback and/or suggestions! Please let me know what you think, and watch for a new post about my weekend in LAS VEGAS soon!
