Tales from the Sales Floor: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017

photos courtesy of Nordstrom

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access is in full swing, and anyone with a Nordstrom card can "pre shop" to purchase items before the sale opens to the public on July 21st. While there are those that refuse to think fall in the middle of July, I have never had anything but love for this sale. Every year I have a list that I check off, then store my purchases away until the weather cools and go back to wearing summer dresses and sandals. What is not to love about finding pieces that you are coveting and saving a little money while you are at it? Yes, please.

I also love autumn; it has been my favorite time of year since I was a girl. When I was growing up in Montana my grandmother sewed my sister and I new dresses for the school year often, which makes us sound like we were some kind of farm girls, but really it was just the 60s and people didn't have as much stuff.  We also "got to" shop at JC Penney and pick out three new dresses for school, which I thought was the coolest. Since I am a lifelong shoe addict, picking out a new pair of shoes from Vaughn Ragsdale, a local department store, was my favorite day. And I still remember my black velvet flats with colored tear drops near the laces on the top. Shades of things to come....

This year I approached the Nordstrom sale with a smaller but specific list. I have been cleaning out my closet all spring and summer in anticipation of a closet refresh. My style always changes a bit each year and each season and I definitely have my favorite things that I love to wear...that would be a gray sweater and a pair of denim...but I also love reinventing myself each new season.

I like to think I attended the sale this year with more mindfulness in my shopping. I do have a lot of clothes already, but each season things often have a new twist. Mostly I wanted to look for new silhouettes, for well made pieces that are interesting and unique, and to buy what I actually need, not just want because they are on sale. This time of year I always feel like I have enough summer things, so I only buy pieces that will transition me into fall or fall/winter pieces that are going to make me super happy come September.

Here is what I chose from this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. There may be a lot of black, no judging please, and happy shopping!

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Parka with Fox Fur Trim

The Statement Coat

I love having one piece that stands out and this coat more than does the trick. I have been on a bit of a army jacket bender the last six months, but I couldn't resist this Derek Lam 10 Crosby Parka with its pink fox fur collar. Look for this baby on a future blog post. You can remove the collar if you like, but what would be the point of that? Pink is the surprise guest of this fall's party, so embrace it!

rag & bone Josephine Leather Front Skinny Pants

Leather Leggings

I have been wearing faux leather leggings for years but have always wanted to invest in a really great pair of actual leather leggings that were both flattering and beautifully made. The rag & bone Josephine Leather Front Skinny Pants were perfect for what I was looking for. They have a grosgrain ribbon trimmed high waist and are a split of buttery soft leather at the front and a stretchy cotton blend on the back. I consider leather leggings to be a stylish closet essential, and a great pair is always worth investing in because you can wear them season after season. Check out this pair if you are in the market....so gorgeous!

Via Spiga Gallo Platform Loafer

Lug Sole Loafers

Platforms really give the loafer a fresh perspective.  A loafer is dressier than a sneaker but not as fussy as a pointed heel. I was totally into the beautiful burgundy color of the Paul Green Natasha Loafer, so I am hoping they get that back in stock. However, my first choice was the Via Spiga Gallo Platform Loafer, which is such a cool take on a menswear shoe and the patent leather and wide strap give it some serious chic style. And I know I will wear black a lot, especially with trousers or denim, but also with tights and a skirt or dress. Bring it, lousy weather....I am ready for you...in style.

Tibi Oversized Glen Plaid Blazer
Image courtesy of Tibi

Oversized Blazer

I am a big fan of Tibi, which have a very modern feel to their pieces. The Tibi Oversized Glen Plaid Blazer hints at the 90s in a modern way. I'll be wearing it with skinny trousers or over a midi dress, or maybe with a graphic tee and denim. Since the silhouette is oversized, keep the rest of the outfit slimmer, both to show off the jacket and be certain you don't look like David Byrne from The Talking Heads. I haven't seen this kind of piece for fall in awhile so it is fun to see the 2017 update and how to incorporate it into a modern wardrobe.

PAIGE Transcent Hoxton High Waist Undone Hem Skinny Jeans

New Denim Perspectives 

I am giving big love to the Frame Le Nouveau Split Hem Jeans this year. The style is fresh and cool and I can wear these now with summer slides or in the fall with booties. And I had to have the Paige Transcend Hoxton High Waist Undone Hem Skinny Jeans, which are super hot. They are incredibly soft but hold their skinny shape, and the frayed slanted hem is a new version of the step fray edge. They are going to look so good with my new boots....

Stuart Weitzman Notazzie Bootie

Block Heel Booties

Block heels are where it's at, baby. They are not only cool, they are comfortable, which means you can do your daily marathon routine with major style. The luxurious suede covers even the heel on these Stuart Weitzman Notazzie Booties, and they come in black as well, and.....there is a good chance I may have purchased the noir color. ;)

rag & bone/JEAN Dana Cold Shoulder Sweater

Sweater Weather

I love sweaters and live in them, but found that it was time for a refresh on my selection. I do get my money's worth after all. There were a lot of bell sleeve sweaters at the sale but I ended up going a different direction. The Helmut Lang Distressed Merino Wool Pullover is the perfect combo of sexy distressed and super soft. Gorgeous. And the rag & bone/JEAN Dana Cole Shoulder Sweater is just a little hipper than your average cold shoulder piece. The cut of the shoulder is further down onto the arm, giving the illusion of a sweater and matching long gloves or arm warmers. I know you may find this description odd, but trust me, this sweater is very cool. Well done, you.

For me this sale was about finding pieces from my list that I know I will wear again and again in different ways. And I love Marianne, the salesperson who is a rockstar at Nordstrom Flagship. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, like many throughout the year, do not dictate my style, but enhance it. It is a bit of a treasure hunt, really, and I hold the map.

Happy Shopping! xx

Postcards From Paris: Street Style Report

I am back from a week in Paris where I was fortunate enough to spend time with my daughter in my favorite place in the world. It was magical, and I know that sounds so silly, but it is the only way to describe it. It is my fifth trip to the City of Light, and each time it becomes more familiar, more lovely, more magical to me. I can't wait to go back. 

The weather is much like Seattle, beginning my trip with crazy rain storms that changed into beautiful sunny evenings, and ending with 95 degree days that were steeped in humidity. Not exactly a place where air conditioning is common, I nevertheless told myself I was not complaining because I was in Paris. And what could be more lovely than that. 

During our time perusing the shops and walking the neighborhoods I took note of a few of the repeating trends in the hope that I could capture some of that Parisian chic upon my return. Here is my list of what I saw:

Director Theresa Wingert and my daughter Gracie wear the sneaker trend perfectly

Sneakers 

Five years ago you saw Converse on everyone you saw, then the white Adidas took over and had their big moment. I still saw plenty of those, but more designers and companies have gotten into the sneaker game now. The popularity of athlesuire continues and with that come many cool sneaker choices. White sneakers still seem to rule over all. I am a big fan of sneakers and dresses in the summertime, which ups your style game but makes the look approachable. 

Shrunken Jackets

Moto jackets, denim jackets and more, the look was cropped and fitted. The fitted jacket feels very fresh looking to me, especially when many tops, sweaters and dresses are oversized. The close fit is sophisticated, even when it comes to denim pieces. 

Wide Leg Pants

This made me super happy since I had bought these Topshop Embroidered Leg Trousers at Nordstrom for my trip and love them! I actually traveled in them since they were both comfortable and chic. Wide leg pants were everywhere, both in cropped and full length styles. Also, striped wide leg pants were huge, and I have become somewhat obsessed. I did purchase these Alice + Olivia Paulette Striped Wide-Leg Pants before I left, so I am high fiving myself for having a bit of fashion foresight. :) 

Stripes

Stripes, along with the scarf, are considered quintessential Parisian. They dominated the street style scene. Stripes were everywhere, on off the shoulder tops, blouses, t-shirts, dresses and pants. The blue and white striped top with a pair of army green skinny pants or wide leg denim showed the perfect casual chic. 

Bohemian

I think Bohemian is tricky. It can look like a costume if you aren't careful. The fringe, smocking, tassels and embroidery details are hallmarks of the boho look, but it is good to remember that one main piece with these details best tell your story. I found this great off the shoulder blouse at Intermix on sale, but I also love this one. Boho is also the perfect summer attire, and this is where we get into that territory of how the French know how to do things so much better than you and I. It is the art of being thrown together with the utmost care. The store Bimba Y Lola in Paris had cool girl boho pieces that were amazing, but I ended up with the below featured shoes...

High V Opening Shoes

The high V opening is definitely the hallmark of a super chic shoe. This style, also called a "glove fit", is showing up in pumps, boots and flats. The Bimba Y Lola Ballerina flat from this shop has this very look, which is why I bought them. And a pointy toe....always gorgeous. 

Wicker Handbags
Style icon Jane Birkin's wicker basket bag is the inspiration for the Lindroth Design Blue Small Birkin Basket, which I found on www.shopbazaar.com.  I love the details of the stitched leather handle, and I saw versions of this bag in many of the boutiques and small shops we went into in Paris. You have to be ok with being casual about your belongings, because the handbag top fits loose, but that is part of its charm. It is not all buttoned up and structured but loose and free, just like summer.

Fringe and Unfinished Edges
From high end stores to small boutiques and fast fashion chains, unfinished and fringed edges rule. This sophisticated way of being a little bit undone is captivating because it breaks the rules. Cut off hems and torn fabric makes for interesting and unique, and I love it.

Dior at Musée Des Arts Décoratifs 

One of the highlights of the trip to Paris was visiting two fashion exhibits: Balenciaga at Musée Bourdelle, an absolutely gem of a museum built around the artist's studio and gardens. While we were there the 70th Anniversary of Dior Exhibition at the Musée Des Arts Decoratifis opened. Gracie and I attended the opening day of Dior and it was one of the most beautiful exhibits either of us have ever seen. It was especially exciting to walk the exhibit behind Anna Wintour, who was being toured by a small party and mingled among we mere mortals. My daughter even spoke to her, and she was far from The Devil. She was lovely to her.

The sales or soldes are regulated by the French government, and we happened to be in Paris during these fabulous sales. I spotted a pair of Fendi Pink Bug Flats in my size in the uber sale section at The Bon Marche and scooped them up. There is nothing more fun than finding an item you have coveted on sale in your size. It's the little things... ;)

Paris window shopping

Until we meet again, Paris. xx