Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - Sale or Bust of the season?

First of all, sorry everyone for my absence.  The 5th grader in my yearned for a summer vacation - and since my "pay the bills" job does not offer this benefit my blog had to take a back seat. 

Now back to the good stuff!  Normally, this is the one time of the year that I'm willing to pull out the plastic and splurge a bit on my personal wardrobe.  Why?  Because the Nordstrom Anniversary sale offers a preview of what's to come for fall and you get the latest styles for 33% off!  It's the time when I start yearning for a cool breeze so I can break out that new sweater and pair of boots that I've been dying to wear.  For a shopper like myself, it's a National Holiday. 

The preview book that comes out in early July is like the Sears toy catalog that I coveted so many years ago.  I get my pen out and start circling all of the items that I know will be just perfect for work and that fall wedding.  So, imagine my surprise when I got all nestled onto my favorite spot on the couch and anxiously began turning pages only to gasp - everything was...hideous. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of reusing trends.  Thank god jeans with a little more of a rise came back in style because this girl's getting a little old for her butt crack or undies to be playing peek-a-boo.  However, do we really need to go back to grunge?  Don't get me wrong Kurt Cobain, you pulled it off wonderfully.  However, some of us have office jobs and can't wear flannel inspired boots.  And wedged rain boots?  Really?  I find rain boots as more of a functional item...why don't we bring back heeled jelly shoes while we're at it (I should be careful what I wish for...).

After scanning through the catalog front to back 3-4 times I was shocked to see that my pen was still capped.  Nothing, and I mean NOTHING struck my fancy.  If you're pregnant this is the season for you.  I mean, I can't really think of anyone else who might be able to pull of the poncho. 

On Friday, July 15th when the entire sale was released online I told myself that I would be able to find something.  There were some decent flowy blouses...but they made the 34-24-34 measured model look a little curvy.  I can only imagine what that would do this girl...I mean, some of us do have a chest.

So, after waiting 11 months for the sale of the year, I became discouraged.  Where oh where will my fall clothes come from?  Honestly, I wish that I was Eva Longoria or one of those celebrities that can still fit into kid clothes.  Joe's Jeans for $38.90?  Count me in!  Not sure I can squeeze into a child's 14 though...

If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself...in my opinion, this sale is a bust.  With reused styles (mostly jeans and shoes) and cowboy/grunge inspiring the fall runways, here's hoping to a more fashionable 2012!

END OF SEASON SALE - on net-a-porter

For those of you who have been yearning for a luxurious Prada bag, a cashmere Burberry scarf, or J Brand jeans - at a fraction of the price you are in luck!  Head to net-a-porter for end of season savings of up to 50% off.  You certainly can't beat that.  Here are a few of my favorite sale items.

Burberry Studded Cashmere Scarf

Was $495

Now $247.50

Ralph Lauren Black Label Cashmere Sweater

Was $400

Now $240

Michael Kors Skorpios Leather Messenger Bag

Was: $995

Now: $497.50

Tory Burch Tevray Braided Leather Wedge Sandals

Was: $325

Now: $195

63 pages of high end sale.  Glorious! 

Perfect Bags for Less

Yesterday was a big day for me.  In case you haven't noticed - I have expensive taste.  When it comes to clothes or trendy items...I can normally control this taste.  However, when it comes to handbags I have a hard time settling.  Perhaps it's because I love the smell of the real leather and the soft feel of it.  And I love all of the little details and the wonderful compartments.  Handbags make the world go round for me.

I blame the Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis for this.  The mall (my go to spot for everything great) is filled with fabulous shops and anchored with Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue - i.e. a recipe for disaster.  When I moved to Memphis, one of the most disappointing aspects was that there was no longer my Fashion Mall - and therefore none of my favorite shops.  My husband and mother seemed excited about this; they both like to give me a hard time about my champagne taste.

Well, since I'm here in Memphis by myself and need something to do, I sometimes go to the nearby mall.  It's a nice, roomy mall with an amazingly huge food court and some common stores like Forever 21, Ann Taylor, and Gap.

While I was at the mall yesterday (looking for goodies for my April Giveaway) I walked by the Aldo window and did a double take.  In the window was this fabulous looking bag and I just had to go in and look at it.

Aldo EREKSON Crossbody Bag 

I picked up the bag from the store display expecting to be disappointed with the quality.  However, I was shocked with how buttery and soft the leather felt and how well done the hardware was.  "Great," I thought, "even great stores like Aldo are carrying expensive bags now."  - Right?  I mean, I assumed for a bag that looked and felt this nice had to be at least $150 - if not more.  So, that's when I nearly passed out when I saw the price tag - $45....$45!  You don't even want to know the last time I spent $45 on a handbag!  I was flabbergasted and bought the bag right away before they decided that the bag was worth more.  

Doesn't the bag look familiar?  I thought so too.  So when I came home from the mall I immediately got online and found the below - one of the structured bags I mentioned in my post a couple of months ago.  The price tag?  $365!  And I have seen this bag in person...and from the horse's mouth...no noticeable difference in quality.  

Badgley Mischka Melissa Bag

So, I learned a big lesson today (that I'm sure some of you savvy fashionistas already knew) - some stores offer the same fabulous looks as the higher end brand at a similar quality level for 1/10 of the price!  Man...now I can buy like...10 handbags!

XOXO, Allison