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Mama’s day out at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
It is one of the most wonderful times of the year- the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. This mama had a super crazy week at work and school the few days before the sale kicked off and I was in much need of some “me time”. What better way to spend the day that roaming around the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale trying on pretty shoes and clothes? I can’t think of a better idea either!
Saturday, the day after the sale opened early for cardholders, I found myself kid free and decided to use this opportunity to spend some quality time with myself and see what Nordstrom had to offer in-store at the Jacksonville, Florida Nordstrom location.
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale was the beginning of a great day that also included lunch in glorious silence at Chicken Salad Chic followed by a manicure and pedicure. This was a rare and special day full of R & R for this tired nurse mama. My wish for all of you mamas is to take some time for yourself and hit the reset button. Maybe for you that looks like hitting the Anniversary Sale too.
What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
Can I please just tell you how much I love and look forward to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale aka #Nsale??? SO MUCH! This is by far my favorite sale of the year and I look forward to it for months! Why ? Because Nordstrom does their big sale the total opposite of everyone else. Normally with sales they happen after the season is over and there you are sifting through racks of clothes that you will not be able to wear for another year and lord knows what size you might be or IF you will still like it or not in twelve months. Not to mention in my experience it is usually slim pickins’. Well Nordstrom proves to us, her faithful followers, that she is yet again superior to other department stores by allowing us to purchase all of the new items on sale FIRST before they increase to regular retail prices! SUCH. GENIUS. Nordstrom card holders are able to shop in store or shop online for one week before the general public. On August 5th prices will then increase to the regular retail price where they will remain until closer towards the end of the season when you *might* see them on sale again.
This sale is a great time to stock up on all of your favorite brands that rarely go on sale and get your closet ready for fall! Luxury brands like Tory Burch, Uggs, and many more make their appearance during this much anticipated sale and there is something for everyone no matter what price point you are interested in. The sale includes home, shoes, undergarments, purses, luggage, women’s wear, athletic wear, mens wear, kids, beauty, jewelry, and tons more. The sale can be a bit overwhelming so I have included ALL of favorites from shopping the sale as well as a list of what I scored below. You can find the entire sale here.
Tips for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
So I have a few tips for shopping this sale for ya’ll. It can be really overwhelming if it’s your first time or you are not prepared for all of the madness of the #nsale.
- Don’t take your kids. You will be miserable and they will be miserable. Just don’t do it.
- IF you can make it to the actual store I think that is a plus. There are things that I almost ordered online but because I went and tried them on I passed. Nordstrom’s free shipping and free returns definitely help if you are unable to do this but it might save you from the returns if you are able to try it on in the store.
- Only buy the things you need and really, really love.
- Take a friend to rein you in and tell you the truth because you do not need that baby pink faux fur stole.
- Don’t be in a rush. I make terrible purchases when I am in a rush and overbuy.
- Wear strapless bra so you can see how things will really look with right undergarment.
- Come up with an idea of what you can spend before you go so you don’t lose your mind.
For more awesome tips check out this video below. I agree with her every word!!
Why do I love Nordstrom so much?
There are just seriously SO many reasons to love Nordys! Nordstrom is a busy mama’s bestie ya’ll. Some of the perks of being a Nordy’s fan include free shipping, free returns, fantastic customer service both in the store and online, Nordstrom notes to reward you for shopping with them, beautiful clothes, many affordable lines, AND complimentary appointments with stylists. I previously believed the free shipping and returns were the best perk they had but the personal stylist are pretty uhmazing also.
If you are a cardholder then that really ups the ante. Now you are looking at tons of extra benefits including $100 yearly alteration credit as well as access to the Anniversary sale an entire week before non cardholders. This may seem trivial but ladies lots of the good ( and affordable) stuff sales out FAST! Depending on which level cardholder you are there are tons of other benefits such as dining credits and private shopping events ect.
This year you can even shop the sale online and Nordstrom associates will pack everything up for you and have it waiting for you at the front door so you can try everything on in the privacy of your home. Nordstrom is offering a $10 bonus if you use this option. Check out one small part of the “valet shopping” pickup area above.
Just when I didn’t think Nordy’s could make me love them more- this sale I found pair of leather spanx leggings that I fell in LOVE with. My debacle was that the leggings were WAY too long for my little stumpy legs and I live an hour from the nearest Nordstrom. I politely inquired if there was any way possible to have these altered same day in one of their busiest sales days just knowing it was likely impossible. A super sweet and efficient associate was in the fitting room measuring me within ten minutes and one hour and ten dollars later I got a text that they were ready for pickup. Talk about one happy customer!! Nordstrom knows customer service and how to build a loyal, cult following.
Nordstrom Shoes
There were SO many shoes in this year’s sale that I loved. There were so many really good ones that it was really hard just to pick a few pairs. I can tell you that each year I buy several pairs of shoes at the sale and each year they are always some of my favs and most worn shoes. In fact- this year I wore one of my favorite pairs I picked up at the sale last year.
These chunky BP wedges are a MUST! They come in three fun colors ( I snagged blush) and they feel so good on your feet. At $49 they are definitely a no-brainer. They will go up to $79 post-sale. I bought a similar pair by BP in last year’s sale and I wore and wore them and got tons of compliments.
These Blondo wedge sneakers really caught my eye. This style is one that is already really popular and I think we will see lots of people rocking these or a similar look. I snagged the mushroom color but the leopard print are super cute too. These cuties are $79 but will go up to $119 after the sale. One fun thing about this brand is that these shoes are water proof! They feel and look like suede but will stand up better than suede. These feel so good on and I really love them with ankle length jeans. They are very versatile and I can’t wait to wear these this fall.
If you have to pick one shoe from this sale I can tell you from personal experience it is hard to beat these Converse Shorelines. I grabbed some creme ones at last year’s sale and I have worn and worn and worn them. This year’s sale features a sweet pale pink and a gorgeous grey color that will literally go with everything. These are one of my favorite pairs of shoes in my closet and I take them on almost every single trip we go on. At $39.90 during the sale it is hard to get more bang for your buck at the #Nsale than these babies. These will go up to $60 after the sale is over.
I have been eyeballing these Ugg slides since I don’t know when. At $54 I had to snag a pair. I got the camel but there were a lot of cute colors this sale. I can’t wait to wear these around the house and probably out of it too. The shearling lining inside these babies will keep my toes toasty all fall and winter. This pair of slides is probably one of my favorite purchases from the sale.
I also love these Steve Madden studded loafers pictured above. These are $59 but will go up to $89 after the sale. These are available in black, grey, and a beautiful mustard yellow color. All of these have studs all over them and they look very luxurious and expensive. Steve Madden shoes are hard to beat between their aesthetics and affordability.
Every girl in the world needs a pair of nude colored scrappy heels in her wardrobe arsenal. Seriously. This is a fool proof way to freshen up your wardrobe asap! These can be worn with jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses you name it! They go with everything and they make your legs look instantly longer and leaner in my opinion. I take my nude heels everywhere I go. At $64.90 for Vince Camuto this is a steal 9 ( increase to $99.95 on August 5th)! There are tons of colors if you already have nude or want something else. At this price grab a few pairs. There is also an animal print and a gold version that really caught my eye. But if you must pick one then definitely go nude!
Nordstrom Purses & Bags
This Madewell leather bag was one of my favorite bags from the sale. At $111.90, it comes in several great colors including blue and a pretty mossy green. I think this tote is perfect to hold all of your essentials and still look very polished. This bag comes with a crossbody strap so you can wear it several ways. This bag will increase to $168 once the sale is over on August 5th. The caramel brown was definitely my favorite and I think it would be a staple piece for a fall wardrobe.
I could not resist the charm of this Sole Society bag. Sole Society has a reputation for producing bags that look much more expensive than they are. This purse/backpack looks much more luxurious than it’s $40 price point. This bag is offered in several different colors and I think you can not go wrong with any of them. I have recently converted to a backpack style purse and it is a hard habit to kick. The backpack style is one that I am quickly becoming accustomed to.
If you are in the mood to splurge on yourself, and lets be honest we all deserve it from time to time, then definitely check out this Tory Burch signature crossbody bag. It is beautiful and a SUPER HOT item this sale. This also comes in a pretty baby blue and a pretty pale pink but the black is just so versatile. I am a neutral girl and so it is so hard for me to gravitate towards color. I think you can not go wrong with any of the three though and at $165.90 ( will increase to $248 post sale) this is a steal for Tory Burch. If you are going to splurge I think it’s important to pick an item that will get lots of use and a good crossbody style is one of my favs.
This sale Sole Society, a favorite brand of mine, has really outdone themselves with this beautiful duffle. At $55.90 ( going up to $89.95!!) it is definitely one of my favorite items in this sale. Snag it for your upcoming trip or grab this for gifts ya’ll. I can not think of anyone that would not be thrilled to have this duffle bag. Sole society items always surpass my expectations on quality and they look MUCH more expensive than they are. I think these bags work well for a long weekend or mix and match with existing luggage. This bag is much larger in person and will hold all of your vacation essentials for that next giveaway!!
Nordstrom Beauty Finds
Some of the best items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale each year are the beauty products and tools. There were SO many amazing beauty items from this years sale that it is hard to narrow it down to just a few. Everything from shampoo & conditioner sets, to fragrances, to hairdryers, styling tools, makeup tools, skin care regimens, and makeup galore. I have pointed out some of my favorites below.
I am a huge Stila fan and there were several great gift sets at this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I loved this kit with three full sized liquid eyeshadows by Stila. The colors were neutral but very pretty and shimmery. I loved that these colors were neutral enough to be worn daily and during any season. This kit was a bargain at $35 during the sale but this will go up to $72.
I loved this Stila eye set too and could not leave it behind. For $20 you get a full sized eyeliner and a small liquid eye shadow. I love buying these kits because you definitely get more for your money and you are able to try new cosmetics without shelling out huge bucks. I always try to grab a few each year to try new items for cheaper.
MAC cosmetics definitely have a enormous fan base so it is not a surprise to see them produce an awesome kit for this year’s sale. This was another must have item that I had to buy. This kit included a full sized neutral lip liner, lipstick, and lipgloss for $36.50, a $54 value. I think neutral lips have been very popular and I like having the neutrals to mix and match with other colors. This was by far my favorite beauty item this sale and a MUST in my opinion if you are looking to beef up your makeup collection for fall.
I actually first discovered Mario Badescu by accident a few years ago at Ulta. It was in the section with the higher end facial care products but for the size of the products they were definitely some of the more affordable options. Well everyone has caught on to the awesomeness of MB and it has made an appearance at this year’s #nsale much to my excitement.
Mario Badescu produced two awesome kits for this year’s sale and having used this stuff I actually recommend both. The facial cleanser set here , $25, will literally last you FOREVER as it only takes a small amount. The essentials set which includes three different products will set you back only $23. I think MB products are especially great if you have problem or acne prone skin. They have so many more items than these but these kits are a great way to experiment while keeping it very affordable.
My little sister turned me onto beauty blenders at last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I have been extremely happy with these sponges and was thrilled to see them show up again this year. These little babies are awesome at blending and contouring and last forever. You get two blender sponges and a carrier for $35 which is a $54 value. I use mine almost daily and highly recommend them.
Nordstrom Home Sale Finds
These barefoot dreams blankets were one of my favorite items at the Nordstrom Anniversary home sale. I discovered barefoot dreams brand at last year’s anniversary sale and fell in love. I can’t even think of any way to explain the fabric they use on their items except to say that it is silky, soft, luscious heaven. These are not cheap, $96.90 during the sale, and definitely not a blanket I would let the kids eat Cheetos on but if you are looking for something special to spoil yourself or someone else this is a great deal. These will increase to a whopping $147 after the sale so if you think you want one now is the time.
If you are looking for an awesome yet more affordable alternative (raises my hand) then this beauty is a great option. A steal at $25.90 and SO gorgeous in person. These will increase to $39.50 after the sale is over so grab several now. In the store they were also offering in store monograms on these. They come in a ton of gorgeous colors and would be perfect for a dorm, teacher gift, birthday & Christmas presents, for the kids, and basically any present you might need to give. Also would be perfect for the living room or end of a bed. I love this blanket and this price. I plan to put a few in my gift closet for last minute gifts. If I have to pick my favorite home sale item then this blanket is it!
Is anyone else obsessed with candles or is that just me?? OBSESSED- like I burn them ALL the time. I have some of your average run of the mill candles and then I have my special candles that I save for when family and friends come over. These are those beautiful and special candles!! The containers are gorgeous tin and these smell delicious. The picture is deceiving but they are actually a very nice size. I would say they are comparable in size to bath and body works 3 wick candles. At $32.50 (will increase to $48) this is a great deal and would also be perfect for yourself or for gifts. There is also a 3 pack of the mini size as well for $17.90 (will increase to $27).
I love to diffuse essential oils in my bedroom at night to help me sleep and relax. I saw these diffusers at the sale and they are so simple and pretty. These are perfect for your home and will blend in perfectly with any decor without sticking out like a sore thumb. I thought the price point on these were great at $25.90 but these will increase to $39.99 after the sale. Again- another great gift option for anyone on your list.
This decanter set caught my eye because it was something my husband would love. This is a beautiful decanter set for the your home, your guy, or a girlfriend who likes to entertain. This will be beautiful on a buffet or cocktail cart. This set is $55.90 but will go up to $84 after the sale. I am thinking about snagging one now as a Christmas gift for one of my favorite guys.
Nordy Sale Clothing
My absolute favorite part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is always the clothes. There are always tons of cute and affordable options in every sale. I always spring for practical things that I know I will really wear over and over and that is what I have included below. I see lots of other posts with gorgeous ( AND expensive items) but I try to post things that I think real moms who work, stay at home, and raise kids will wear and buy. So that is what you will find below- my practical and affordable picks that you will be see me in on any given day.
I loved this Caslon plaid button up. If the items in this sale are any indication of trends for the fall then I would say plaid will be big this fall. There were several plaid options at this sale but I thought this Caslon button up was the best value at $45.90 ( will increase to $69.00 after sale). Caslon is one of my favorite brands at Nordstrom because it is quality, stylish, and won’t break the bank. This can be worn a TON of different ways so I think it’s a great purchase. There were a few colors in this shirt but I loved the yellow and navy in this one. Which reminds me- seeing alot of yellow as well across the board so embrace this sunny color because I think we will be seeing it everywhere this fall.
And here we have another Caslon fav. I have SO many of their basic tees in my closet right now. They are so soft and well made and really hold up well to wear and tear. I always grab several of these because they are perfect with shorts, jeans, and layered under other shirts. If you are trying to stay on a budget for this sale ( aren’t we all??) then I can’t recommend enough snagging a few of these at $15.90 each to update your options in a way that won’t be super expensive. As a reminder these will increase to $25.00 after the sale. These Caslon tees are some of the most worn items in my closet.
This is the same Caslon tee from above but in a different pattern. I grabbed the one above as well as this striped pattern. The stripes are even cuter in person and again some hints of yellow to brighten things up a bit. Loves it. Right now in South Georgia it is 1000 degrees and will not cool off for several months. I love that I can wear this now and then transition it over to fall and winter will pullovers and sweaters over it. Win win.
I am obsessed with this halogen t-shirt. It feels like butter. For reals. I love the long length that covers your bottom and makes this the perfect top for layering this fall with leggings and under long sweaters. The ivory is always a no-brainer for me because it is perfect for mixing and matching but this also comes in a few other colors. At $18.90 ( will increase to $29) this is another one of those items that is great for sprucing up your existing wardrobe without spending a fortune. I loved this tee with the skinny jeans and the blondo bootie wedges I was crushing on. I also intend to layer this halogen tee over my new leather spanx.
Another great Caslon find. At $18.90 I HAD to check this cute raglan out. This shirt is so thin and airy BUT not so think that you need a camisole as I am not wearing a tank underneath. This shirt comes in two cute blues shades including the navy above and also available in a light blue which I also grabbed. I loved this with the skinny jeans but I think this also would work with cute shorts or under the above plaid button down when it cools off. I love the easy preppy-ness without a lot of money or effort. I can’t wait to pair this with my converse shorelines.
I have been on the lookout for the perfect denim button up for awhile to wear with white jeans, shorts, and over tank dresses. Insert my new fav denim button up! Caslon does it yet again at $45.90 ( will increase to $69) and I am not upset about it. This awesome chambray shirt is super thin material and not overly bulky or hot like some I have owned. This color and style shirt is so versatile and I can think of about 100 different ways to style this. I won’t bore you with that hear but I will say that for me this shirt is worth every cent because I will wear this one over and over. I also like that it can be easily dressed up and down as you can see above with casual blondo booties and the BP mules too.
This Halogen animal print top is one of my favorite items from the sale. This shirt is very thin and dressy and hugs everything in a flattering way. This is the perfect date night shirt that can be easily jazzed up with a camisole, skinny jeans, clutch, and mules or office casual with black pants or a pencil skirt. I also think it would look great layered under a black cardigan or sweater as it gets colder. This shirt comes in several colors but the animal print is my fav. Animal print is all over this sale from shoes to purses to clothes so I anticipate it will be big this fall/winter. Snag this cute shirt at $45.90 but it will increase to $69 on August 5th when the sale ends.
I have eye balled these faux leather spanx forever! But I have never been able to catch them on sale until now! These babies are what I consider ” an investment” at $64.90 but I do feel this is something I will wear again and again. Each fall/winter leather items are so “in”. I have dreams of long tunics, long sweaters, long t-shirts, and sweater dresses over these babies with some cute booties. I think this will end up being one of my fav purchases from all of the sales. I don’t need to sing the praises of spanx because unless you have been under a rock then you have probably heard about this life changing shape wear that was basically created for us mamas. These babies hold in everything!! I would definitely suggest sizing up though because in my opinion they run small.
Also- if you are petite like me then go ahead and expect to have them altered. I am 5’2 and found them to be very long. I opted to have Nordstrom altered them in store using their same day alteration service. The alteration was $10 and they were ready within the hour. Mind. Blown. If you think you want these I would not wait because anything spanx is always HUGE at these sales and sell out quickly!
Nordstrom Dresses
There were like 100 dresses I could have included because there were just SO many I loved at this sale. Check out all of my favorites below that are pretty and at an excellent price point!
I am dying over this Leith dress! So hot! Leith is one of my favorite Nordstrom brands and there were so many Leith winners this sale that there is no way I can talk about them all. But I think this dress deserves a shoutout for a few reasons. At $38.90 I think you can not go wrong here girls. They also offer this dress is hot pink and of course classic black. I think this dress could easily be worn to work or a more conservative even with a camisole under it or a blazer over and some heels. OR you could definitely turn heads as is with some stilettos and fun jewelry. Either way at under $40 I think all of us need a smoking cocktail dress we feel good in. Amen!
This Halogen wrap dress was a wild card. I always try to grab something I wouldn’t normally choose but this dress was actually really cute. I am 5’2 so on me it is more of what I would call a midi length but it could easily be hemmed and I probably would for my height. On a taller girl it would certainly be shorter. This print is a great transitional option that works for summer into fall and is very pucci-esque as a WAY cheaper price point. This comes in a few other colors as at $58.90 is definitely super affordable.
I love this midi dress by ASTR. At $58.90 this is a great deal ( will increase to $89 after sale). This comes in a TON of cute colors and this is also a great piece to transition from summer to fall. This would be great for vacation, date night, parties, or a wedding. This is one of those dresses that you can wear over and over again.
Leith is another one of those Nordstrom brands I adore. I own several of their dresses and I love for their style and affordability. There were tons of wrap dresses this sale and Leith is on point with trends as always while still being extremely affordable.
While the price point is low on this leith faux wrap dress the quality is not! I adore this pattern above however this dress comes in a few other colors including a pretty turquoise. This Leith faux wrap dress is a clear winner at $45.90 ( will increase to $69 when sale is over).
Pajamas and Athletic Wear
At $35.90 , I had to grab these babies because my PJ game has been a little on the raggedy side as of late. I am super hot natured plus it is literally stinkin’ HOT down in South Georgia ya’ll so mama grabbed some cute new PJs. These are SO soft and breathable and I loved the rich navy color. I am thinking of having these monogrammed too because you can never have enough monograms. These come in several other colors also and will go up to $55 at the end of the sale. Winner. Winner.
For all my Northern friends, for winter, and for you lucky cold natured people these long pjs are the same as above but long. I think the grey stripes are adorable but also offered in other colors. Again a monogram would be adorable on these also. At $42.90 these were one of my fav PJ finds for price and comfort. These will go up to $65 post sale so grab them now!
Barefoot dreams has to be one of the best Nordstrom Brands period. Check out the blanket featured above in home section. You have to touch their fabric to really understand the awesomeness but I fell in love with this brand at last year’s #Nsale. My sister and I could not get over it and so much so that I ended up buying several of these. These cardigans make amazing gifts too and are on sale right now for $88.90 but will go up to $134 after the sale ends on August 5th . This is a fantastic sweater to snuggle in on the sofa or wear outside in fall and winter.
This sweater looks SO cute with skinny jeans and leggings. I plan to live in this and my uggs all fall and winter long this year. They also offered several sweaters, cardigans, pants, shirts, blankets, pillows, socks, and more at this year’s sale. There is something for everyone and I can guarantee you will be a huge fan from here on out. Just don’t be mad at me when you become a barefoot dreams junkie ok?
And…. that’s a wrap for this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The non-cardholder sale will open on July 19th and prices will go up to the regular price on August 5th. I hope you enjoyed my guide to this year’s sale. Check out my list below for everything that went home with me from this sale. I would love to hear what you loved or bought so drop me a comment below. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for giveaways, alerts, tips, hacks, and more that I only share there.
With love & travel,
Laci
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