Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is Here!

OK! Better late than never. I have had a serious case of the exhaustion. After a week in Little Rock for competition and all sorts of drama (why must there always be drama?) and then a lovely visit with my childhood gang, this introvert is all peopled out! However, despite my lack of sleep, I was up early Monday to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in my store in La Jolla. Yes, it is Friday and I am finally getting to my post. Some weeks just go like that. Am I right?

The frenzy of yesteryears sale is gone with the onset of Early Access which I appreciate. I can’t tell you how many items I brought home in the past just because I felt like everyone was snatching them up. As I age, I learning to stick to the items that work for me. At first my intention was to show you everything I tried on, but for efficiency and because I am darn late on this post, I am going to stick to the items I loved.

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of them I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, which allows me to keep this blog up and running. 

Outfit #1

I had every intention of picking up the Rails Jacket in the grey color when I went into the store. Alas, my store didn’t carry the grey and when I tried to buy online it was sold out. A miscalculation on my part that I could wait and it would still be available. So on a whim, I tried the army green. You all know, I am a sucker for green military style jackets. At first, I thought all the details made this jacket a bit costumish but after putting this outfit together, I fell in love. Keeping the other pieces subdued allows this jacket to shine in a good way. Wearing size Medium.

I am wearing with the Mother Denim Pixie Ankle Skinny.  These jeans are super flattering and I love the button front detail.  A good amount of stretch means the buttons on front won’t gap.  I honestly debated whether to buy these jeans or the AG The Prima Ankle Skinny. They both fit so well and are beyond comfortable. Mother Denim won out because I like the button front and the denim is more dressy than the AG and I tend to wear black jeans as a “dress up” item. I am still considering the AG’s but honestly how many pairs of jeans does one girl need? Maybe just one more pair! Wearing size 28.

The boots are Aquatalia Tilly Booties and are one of my favorite purchases from the sale. They come in four fabulous fall colors and are weatherproof. The heel is a perfect walkable height and the sock style is perfect with all your wide leg crops or your favorite skinny jeans. I am wearing a size 9 which is normal for me when I purchase high end shoes.

Outfit #2

This is the perfect So Cal (or mild climate) winter outfit: so easy and so comfortable. The sweater is Nordstrom Signature Cashmere and I am wearing a large which I generally do in cropped sweaters. This is a hi/lo style but the front on the Medium felt a bit short for me. Cashmere only works for me on the coldest of days here in San Diego but I love this sweater so much that I decided to bring it home and wait for the cold.

I am wearing the AG Jeans in size 28. You all know I am a huge fan of AG and these jeans are no exception. I decided to buy the Mother Pixie jeans instead of these AG’s primarily because of the raw hem on the AG pair which I feel makes them more casual. These jeans are the perfect cropped length for us tall girls but can easily be cut to accommodate a shorter length.

AGL has so many great shoe options on the Nordstrom sale. Sneaker are my jam but I wasn’t looking to pick up a new pair at this sale but I spotted these Stud Sneakers across the showroom and my heart went all flitter flutter.  You all know AGL makes some crazy comfortable shoes and these sneakers are no exception. I love the studded detail combined with a grosgrain ribbon. It is just the type of hard edge/soft edge details I love in clothing. From the second I tried them on, I knew they were coming home with me. Again wearing a size 9.

Outfit #3

One thing is for sure, I suck at mirror selfies. Please excuse the bad angles and funny looks. I will keep attempting to get better but so far my photo skills do not extend to selfies. Back in the Aquatalia Boots because I want to prove to you, they literally go with every cut of jean. My store only had the dark grey and I am so glad I went with those over black. The color is perfect for wearing with everything including brown and tan. These are the shoes I will travel with all winter. So much easier to pack than tall boots and weatherproof!

The jeans are Frame Le High Waist Skinny Jeans. I have been itching to try on a pair of Frame Brand denim as Who What Wear is always recommending them in articles. When I try on a new brand, I like to do it in store to access fit. I found these to run TTS and I am wearing a 28.  The waist is high rise but not too high for this short torso girl. The picture doesn’t quite do justice to the color. One thing I really like about Frame Denim is the denim fabric detailing. It has an aged quality while still appearing new and fresh. I don’t know if that makes any sense but the denim is damn cool! These are my first pair of Frame Denim but definitely won’t be my last.

This year on the Nordstrom sale they have 71 grey sweaters listed online. They clearly know, women love a grey sweater. I tried all of the options in store and fell in love with the Vince Step Hem Cashmere Sweater. But in a moment of reserve and based on the fact I have a whole drawer of grey sweaters, I didn’t bring this beauty home with me. I am kinda regretting it. I live in grey and black in winter and this sweater is a perfect weight cashmere. Oh geez, I almost talked myself into going back and purchasing it. Wearing size Medium for reference.

Another of my go to winter item is a sweater coat. I love the ones from J.Crew and I have them in every color. A sweater coat is perfect for areas with mild winters and a perfect transition piece for fall in areas that see snow.  This Theory Clairene Wool Blend Jacket has a nice tapered silhouette and the wool makes it a warmer jacket without adding bulk. I am wearing a medium in the picture but I prefer my jackets oversized a bit more. I ordered a size large to try.  Hopefully, I made the right choice because the medium is sold out.

A quick tip: Don’t despair if your size is out of stock. Get the size available and exchange when the item is restocked after the sale. This only works on exact same item, color etc. I will hold on to the large and when they restock after the sale, exchange for the medium if  needed.

Outfit #4 & 5

I didn’t want to take the Frame Brand Denim off! So comfortable! A  good black top is a wardrobe staple but somehow I seem to be always searching for the perfect one. I found two at the Nordstrom Sale that I absolutely love.  Ok. Full disclosure the Vince Shirred Neck Silk top has been on my list for a long time. Every year, I bring a version home but it ends up in the return pile because other flashier items remain.

This year I have been wearing the heck out of my 3/4 sleeve version of the Vince top and I told myself, I am buying and keeping this short sleeve version. Honestly, I know I will get a ton of use out of it. It is a staple that kinda blends into your wardrobe but most staple pieces become your most love items. Wearing large and ordered medium. I like the loser fit of the large so keeping that one.

The Frame Keyhole Silk Tank is another fabulous black top. It is super flattering and because I am wearing high rise denim, I am not worried about raising my arms and my belly showing. I use the same rules for myself as for my children. If you raise your arms above your head and your belly sticks out the shirt is too small.  I am wearing a medium but have ordered a large to try. I think medium is the right size because I don’t like the fabric too fold to heavily at the middle. BTW – Both photos are the same size. I have no idea why the one on the right shows larger. Makes me crazy!

 

Outfit #6

I really tried to get a good shot of this top. It is my favorite top from the sale. Seriously, I would never have guessed it. Frame Brand just killed it with the Nordstrom Sale items this year. This top is the Frame Notch Collar Silk Tank in Off White. Normally, I would bypass an item such as this, as much better for work, but the second I tried it on, I knew I had to have it. The silk is thick and the double seam on the front gives the top a nice structure. It is perfect for wearing with the season’s crop of plaid blazers.

The pants are also by Frame. Full disclosure, I want to be the girl who will wear snake print pants but I am not. I prefer my animal print in shoes or belts. I tried them on to appease my salesperson and I do think they look great. The reality is I won’t wear them. But I still want to recommend them for those of you who would. I am a tall girl and the crop hits me perfectly so these might not be right for someone shorter. I am wearing a size 28.

Two Blazers

Plaid blazers are big for fall. A good blazer can instantly update your outfit. They aren’t just for work anymore. I have a great one from Anine Bing from last year so I wasn’t really looking for another one but I tried these two on and both are fabulous! The first is Veronica Beard Beacon Check Dickey Jacket (I can just hear my 13 yr. old son laughing at the name). You cannot beat the quality of this blazer but I couldn’t justify the cost. If you are more preppy this would be a perfect wardrobe staple. I am undecided about ruched sleeves on blazers but I feel like it adds a modern element to this otherwise classic jacket.

The second blazer is from Free People. I found it online and hunted it down in store. At under $120 this blazer is a great way to step into the plaid blazer trend without breaking the bank. I am wearing a small in the picture and it fits perfectly. However, this blazer is long and would be dress length on anyone shorter. Honestly, it is a great jacket but considerably oversized so buyer beware. I still picked it up because I know I can get lots of use out of it. The fabric is thick and will keep you warm in mild climates.

Somehow, I didn’t get another picture of these amazing Paul Green Bahama Slip-On shoes. They feel like butter on your feet and I didn’t want to take them off. They run large. I am wearing a size 8 but would generally wear 8.5 in loafer type shoes.

Fun Camisoles

Camisoles for fall always make me laugh a bit. Do people outside CA really wear sleeveless tops in the fall? In CA our hottest months are often Sept., Oct., Nov., and a nice silk camisole is a perfect layering piece for our crazy Indian summers. These two are fabulous options for those transitional months. The first is L’AGENCE Jane Print Silk Tank and the other is rag & bone Astrid Polka Dot Camisole. Both are a little expensive for a camisole but both are silk and impeccably made. I will link some more affordable options in the widget below.

Outfit #7

I am including this outfit because it is the only shot of these particular shoes. The AGL Pointy Toe Mules are my favorite shoe purchase from the sale. It definitely surprises me as I am not generally a girl who likes heels. However, something about these shoes is just so effortlessly cool and being AGL’s you know they are all sorts of comfortable. Like I said, I like my animal print in shoes or belts and these are perfect for the season. I am only wearing one because it is the last pair in my size in store and the mate is somewhere on display. I had to order online but I am so glad I did.

The top is Theory Crewneck Silk Top. It has an amazing drape and is surprisingly flattering on this big-busted girl despite being a crew neck. I have on the medium which I would generally consider too small but being cut tighter actually makes this a more flattering silhouette. I am not sure it would pass my “arms up” test however. The pants are rag & bone and sold out almost immediately. They are another item I have been coveting for a while. I decided they are perfect for fall and I fit in with my casual style perfectly. I have linked some similar pant options in the widget below.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is upon us. Have you shopped yet? What are your favorite items? I am sorry for delay in posting. Somehow I struggle with getting stuff done while traveling. Luckily, I am home and back to our normal schedule of things. Summer is flying buy and soon I will be back to school shopping for my kids. They wear uniforms but the girls are no longer allowed to wear skirts so the hunt for the perfect “cool” uniform pants is underway.

Check out my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale online picks here.