• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet

Northern California Style

Northern California Style

  • Home
  • About
  • Californians at Home
  • Home & Decor
    • Our California Remodel
    • Shop My Home
    • Lake Tahoe Cabin Style
    • Books I Adore
  • My California Closet
  • Shop My Home
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Five Favorites From the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

July 31, 2016 By kimwheeler 7 Comments

Another lifetime ago, I worked at Nordstrom. It began as a college job and was lucrative enough that I kept it a few years after graduating. Nordstrom was a wonderful company to begin working for and I have only good memories of how well I was paid and the Nordstrom family who believed in treating customers and employees very well. As a young person their values really stuck with me. We worked hard, but they also believed in excellent compensation and more holidays than any other retailer had. 
Back in those days one of the most exciting times was when the Anniversary Sale came. It was the brainchild of the Nordstroms to counteract what used to be the very dead mid-summer. They asked their best vendors to come up with special pre-fall items priced lower just for a few weeks, exclusively for them. They eventually did the same with the beauty companies. It worked wonderfully as people came from all over to get to this once a year exclusive sale. I remember customers even flying in from Texas just for the sale! The sale has been copied by many other retailers, but still no one does it like Nordys. I eventually moved on to a job in advertising, but never forgot what I learned working for the Nordstroms (yes we did get to meet the family and often), and I also never miss a chance to check out the Anniversary Sale either.
My past week was crazy as we had college orientation for my oldest, but I got over to Nordstrom at Stanford (my favorite location) today and did some investigative shopping just for you all! There’s so much to choose from, but I thought I’d share a few things that might be a good addition to the wardrobe, and not so trendy. The thing is, this sale is a good place to get a nicer item you might not normally spring for. In the past I’ve bought a Burberry trench, good boots and many nice bags as well as stocked up on my favorite bras and beauty items.
Some of the goodies I saw today…

Love this big ALLSAINTS tote. It’s very lightweight and has the prettiest leather and can be worn snapped closed or open. For me this is a great everyday bag as I like to carry purchases and bottles of water along with my usual stuff. I also like the size of the strap which will easily fit on a shoulder when winter comes and we are wearing coats and bulkier items. Some of the hobos just don’t have enough clearance for a coat and that makes me nuts.

There are a zillion cute booties and shoes at this sale. I was looking for something I’d wear a lot and would be new to my closet. I immediately liked these Reyanne shoes by Sam Edelman with their studs on the heel. A good selection of colors, but I love this berry color as a nice pop with fall neutrals and jeans. I have so many black and taupe winter shoes and sometimes it’s nice to have a little color. Best thing about these shoes are they are very comfortable! They feel well made. I test drove them!

Who doesn’t need another pair of black leggings especially nice ones? I love the quality of Zella, Nordstrom’s house brand leggings and also their tennis skirts. Their ‘Live-in Leggings’ are full-length, high-waisted and great for working out, or just running about with a long sweater. These don’t creep down and feel secure and comfy. A good buy you’ll be glad to have in the closet come cooler weather. The cropped ones with a sheer back calf are also cute.

This Current/Elliott Military Jacket is a good transitional piece into fall and is a stylish closet staple you can wear for many years. Love the quality of this brand and the details on this jacket as well as the color. I can see it with a cream sweater as well as a burgundy scarf or black jeans.

Lastly,  I love these Kendra Scott Elle Earrings! I have these and the stones ( a bit more neutral in real life, less peachy), seem to pick up any color you wear them with. They aren’t too big, but add a little sparkle to a day or night look. I have the gold, but they are also in silver and a cool gunmetal. The Kendra Scott long tassel necklaces are my favorites and my go to daytime accessory. Those were not on the sale, but are a nice wardrobe addition.

Have you found any great pieces at this sale you want to share? I know many friends stock up on jeans for fall and always boots as well as the terrific beauty buys. All these pieces go back to full price on August 8th!

Kim

Filed Under: Fall Wardrobe Picks, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks 2016

ON MY RADAR...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. La Contessa says

    August 1, 2016 at 8:10 am

    I have NEVER SHOPPED the ANNIVERSARY SALE!I just was TURNED OFF By FALL being offered in the middle of SUMMER……………NEVER felt the NEED to have it SO SOON as the SALES come soon enough.I think I AM THE ONLY ONE who hasNOT SHOPPED this SALE!As you know I even WORKED for the COMPANY as well………….I have fond memories of working there TOO!XX

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    August 1, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    So many bloggers have been writing about the anniversary sale, but yours was the best post by far! I love that you gave the history of the sale, and shared what you got from working for Nordstrom. My very first pair of shoes came from Nordstrom, a loooong time ago. Back in the day, they gave you a stuffed Nordy doll when you got your first pair of shoes. I don't think they do that anymore, but maybe they give a balloon now?
    Anyways, it is a great sale and just wanted to share that i loved your story!

    Reply
  3. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    August 1, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Elizabeth I had forgotten you worked there which one? I worked at Stanford (Palo Alto) and Oakridge, which was a beautiful store that no longer exists. They took out the marble floors and turned it into a Sears! can you imagine? What a sad day that was… xo

    Reply
  4. kim at northerncalstyle. says

    August 1, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    Jessica, Thanks so much for the nice note! I love the story of the doll! I had never heard that they did that. Maybe it was before I worked there, but it so sounds like them. I know they still give balloons. I always took my boys there to get shoes when they were small as they made sure they were going to not be too tight and last at least a season! Plus they liked the balloons and lunch with grandma who usually went along…
    I love the little memories of things like that. Nordstrom is so good at those little details.

    Reply
  5. About Last Weekend says

    August 6, 2016 at 1:02 am

    Love that tan handbag!! I will buy anything tan! I have a Kendra necklace and they are a good price and you end up wearing them loads. have you're having a lovely summer!

    Reply
  6. LRS4AMANDA says

    August 6, 2016 at 4:04 am

    Kim, I bought some booties and those exact same Kendra Scott earrings! 🙂 I love her jewelry, I have another pair of earrings and a necklace. The tassel necklace is next on my list! Isn't it gorgeous?

    Years ago in my 20's my girlfriend and I used to call in sick every year just to go to the Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale. One year the receptionist at my work knew I was playing hooky and when I came back to work the next day the first thing she said was "I saw you on the news last night at the Nordstrom sale". I was sure I was going to be busted…luckily she was just kidding.

    Linda

    Reply
  7. Heather Orr Lindstrom says

    August 10, 2016 at 1:13 am

    So many stylish pieces, Kim! I always love your selections. I'm sorry to hear that our blogger get together in Salinas was postponed (poor Mary Ann) but I do hope to see you again soon! Now that I'm retired I have some blissful freedom to my schedule. Thanks for this great post. It's so interesting to hear of your history with the Nordstrom's brand and family. I'm carrying similar pieces in my boutique so I tend to 'shop at home' first but I do love seeing your stylish choices. Hope to catch up soon, girlfriend!
    xx, Heather

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Featured Posts

Dining Room Refresh Ideas, San Francisco Homes, and Cosmetics I’m Loving Now

Spring Colors, White Jeans, and Skin Cleansers

Fun Kitchen Styling Tips!

Asian Noodles & Other Main Dish Salads

Loving Rattan and Serena & Lily

Tennis Style -Your Guide to the BNP & Indian Wells

Get My Posts by Email!

Find Me on Facebook

Northern California Style

Archives

Categories

Footer

Don’t Forget to Follow!

Blogger, writer and explorer sharing about my native California, and parts farther afield. Join me here where I chat about things to love in the worlds of design, fashion, home, travel and culture.

Currently Pinning

  • Have you tried smashed potatoes? | Most Lovely Things
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Signature Style- Resort Looks and Packing Tips
  • Creative Wall Decor Part 1: Art and Gallery Walls
  • Why We Love Our New Solo Stove | Most Lovely Things
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
  • Weekend – Cool Readers, Spring Things, J Crew’s New Direction & More
A little spring in the kitchen while another storm A little spring in the kitchen while another storm rages. Met a friend downtown and we had to dash as the storm hit and power was out minutes later. Stay safe everyone!
I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room I thought I’d reshare our pool bath/powder room today as my builder @mikemccloudconstruction shared it too. I still love the way it came out! I had saved many inspiration pictures of how I wanted this to look. I was lucky Mike helped me make this happen. A good builder who listens and has ideas as well, helps so much. I’m sharing some of  the extra details up close. 

I loved this blue sort of organic watery tile for a pool bath. I also knew I wanted an open shelf for all the pool towels so people could grab them on the way out the door. The @serenaandlily mirror definitely has that nautical almost porthole, sort of look and picked up the unfinished oak color. I used an RH pendant light and the sink is Victoria and Albert. The counter is from a slab of @vadaraquartz that I spilt and used in the laundry as well as the boy’s bath. I choose an inexpensive cement tile for this space and the connecting laundry/mud room which works with drippy pool feet!  It’s been almost four years and all still looking great! 

DM me if anyone wants details I left out! I thought I did a post on this, but maybe not! I need to do that with all the baths. 

Hope you all have a good week and get some nature in the first day of spring! 

#californiaremodel #poolbath #poolbathroom #powderroom #serenaandlily #mikemccloudconstruction #northerncalstyle #lunabaytile #vadaraquartz
On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore i On the Weekend post.. Do you love toile? I adore it and I am sharing some pretty toile pieces, beautiful woven leather bags in fun colors, cute sweatshirts, a trench coat that stands out, the new book about the story of J.Crew, and more! 

Juliet and Elizabeth have great things to dive into this weekend too…

Stop on by our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

Have a great weekend! Hope you got a little sun while it was out. ☀️

#weekendpost #bayareablogger #paloalto #evereve #toile #cos #madewell #jcrewbook #northerncalifornia #californiastyle #trenchcoat
Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and Do you stress about what to pack for getaways and resort vacations? This month’s Signature Style is for you! Cindy and I are sharing our tips and favorite sources for warm weather looks.  You need a few good pieces like a great linen jacket, a swimsuit you love, a couple of coverups, and a pretty dress and you’re nearly ready. More ideas and suggestions on our blogs! 

Hope there is a sunny getaway in your future!☀️
As always links are in our bios and stories..
@northerncalstyle 
@cindyhattersley

#resortwear #resortdress #resortpacking #whattowearresort
Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks se Just a little clip of some of the stylish looks seen at the @bnpparibasopen . I always love to see how people mix it up including the guys! Nice to see so many cute looks and cool hats. Loved the Day Glo brights and florals the best. Hope you get some ideas if you are going to this tournament or doing something fun in the sun soon! ☀️

Thank you to all the sweet people who kindly let me share their looks ! 

Also, due to weather..the Signature Style resort dressing post with Cindy is postponed until tomorrow. Sorry I had no Internet here in Los Gatos yesterday and 89 mile an hour winds so I have been unable to work! Back at it today. Hope you all are doing okay after yesterday’s storm! 

#bnp #bnpparibasopen #tennisparadise #whattowearbnp #tennis #tournamentlooks #indianwells #northerncalstyle
How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of lo How beautiful is this? We are the embodiment of love in our actions.  This is a wonderful account and @yung_pueblo ‘s book ‘Lighter’ is top of the NYTimes list too. 

Happy Monday. 💛
Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got Are you watching the @bnpparibasopen ? I just got back from three whirlwind days with pals and we had a ball. It was so good to be in the sun and and warmth -with snow capped California mountains as a backdrop.  We went in the beginning part of the tournament which we always do, and got to see Andy Murray, Sabalenka, Zverev, Raducanu, and so many fantastic other players. We basically eat, slept and breathe tennis for two days straight and we loved it!  You can still catch play on the @tennischannel 🎾

I will share another Reel of all the stylish people.. Something about tennis brings out the sharpest dressers and there was excellent people watching. 

If you love tennis, this is a bucket list tournament. They call the fifth slam and it’s getting crazy popular so plan a year ahead of you want to go. We reserved our hotel that was walking distance a year ago. More tips on my BNP post that I update each year. 
Link in bio! 

#tennisparadise #bnpparibasopen #indianwellstennisgarden #bnp #bnptips  #andymurray #zverev #raducanu #sabalenka #tennis #californiatennis #discoverpage #tennislove #tennisgirl
I separated the sectional and sort of like it apar I separated the sectional and sort of like it apart. This RH couch is a LOT of maintenance and can look pretty deflated after a weekend of hanging out. In hindsight, I’d buy a couch that does not require so much fluffing and cushion alternating. I snapped this pic because it was one of the times I had the pillows looking nice on it. You also need a lot of pillows to not get swallowed up by it. I call it the great white.

The local RH actually has a cleaning team that steams and fluffs their couch and I’ve seen them before the shop opens. I found it hard to get reviews on this couch before buying because RH does not have them online and if you notice they don’t do social media… so I’m just putting it out there. I will share what I love here,but I think it helps to be transparent about what is a disappointment too. 

#rhcloud #whitecouches #livingroom #californiahomestyle #thecaliforniahouse #cloudcouch #restorationhardware
The weekend post is up and I’m sharing things on The weekend post is up and I’m sharing things on my radar this week -like cute ballet flats and a darling spring bag, an eye brightner with sunscreen, and cool readers. Also the new head of design at J.Crew @olympiamarie and her fun account with styling inspiration and vintage J. Crew gems. Plus what to do with those tangelos, and lemon almond scones.

It’s all on the blog! 

Don’t forget to stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s..our blogs- links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns
Have you ever made a rustic style scone? These are Have you ever made a rustic style scone? These are the only kind I’ve ever made and it all started when I had one in Paris at the @rosebakeryparis years ago. My sweet mom later bought me their cookbook. I was thrilled and have made scones with their fantastic recipe ever since. 

I was missing my mom and thinking about her as today is her birthday, (actually tomorrow she was a Leap Year baby) and made these yesterday.  She also loved lemon so I tried a variation adding Meyer Lemon zest and juice and lots of almonds and it was SO good!  These are a great treat for a rainy afternoon with tea. ☕️ Recipe is on my story.. and I’ll add it to my cookery highlight. The Breakfast Lunch Tea book from Rose Bakery is a treasure if you can still get it with many delicious recipes using whole grains and healthy ingredients. 

It’s raining cats here! Def scone weather!

#sconeday #sconerecipe #rosebakeryparis #breakfastlunchtea #teatime #sconehome #lemonalmondscones
Daffodils.. so much spring packed into a tiny flow Daffodils.. so much spring packed into a tiny flower. Loving these $1.99 bunches at @traderjoes and seeing the little guys on my walks too. 💛 

We have more storms this week! Winter 2023 is feeling very long to this Californian.
On the weekend blog.. I’ve got spring on the bra On the weekend blog.. I’ve got spring on the brain even though we are freezing here in California! 

Hoping warmer days will be here soon and I’ll be ready. On this post I shared some great home books to inspire, a new foundation I am loving, a pretty blouse, the cutest lamp - a great blog post to read and more!

Don’t forget to stop by Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs too.

Stay cozy and think spring thoughts! 💛

 Links as always, in our bios or stories:
@northerncalstyle 
@makemineaspritzer 
@pineconesandacorns

Copyright © 2023 · Northern California Style· Blog Design by Little Blue Deer