#NordstromAnniversarySale

Style at Ralph Lauren’s Wimbledon & Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

July 14, 2023 By kimwheeler 19 Comments

On this post – stylish people and pretty surroundings at the Ralph Lauren Suite at Wimbledon, inspiring stories from the tournament, and what I’m buying at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale…

Well hello here we are in mid July ..hard to believe. The heat is coming and I am dealing with the downtime with tv tennis…I am grateful for the distraction and fun of Wimbledon in this heat!

I am enjoing every second of Wimbledon and I know a lot of you are with me. Even my friends who don’t play tennis love it…I find it so fun to have on all the time. Maybe because it’s one of the few sports that isn’t loud and- well it is all very polite and proper isn’t it? I love the tennis whites that are required, the spectator style which is much fancier than other sporting events, the strawberries and cream.. and of course Pimm’s Cups!

Pimm’s Cups

I adore Pimm’s and when you are visiting England in the summer, it is offered everywhere. Whether you are at a pub, castle, museum or cafe, you’ll find it on the summer menu. It’s a light on alcohol cocktail ( we need more of those), that tastes like an ice tea. It is usually served with strawberries, cucumber and mint as garnish and a lot of ice. It’s the perfect refreshing drink on a summer’s day. I promise you will love them!

You can make a little pitcher if you are having friend’s over- and if you are watching Wimbledon you can serve them!

Pimm’s Cup

A light on alcohol refreshing summer drink. The drink of Wimbledon that says English Summer in a cup.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Drinks

Cuisine British

Servings 1

Ingredients

2 oz Pimm's Number 1 Pimm's is a gin-based liquer with botanical and fruit notes.
4 oz Lemon-lime soda (Sprite or 7Up like), or ginger ale. In the U.K. they call lemon sparkling sodas lemonade, but they are not the same as American lemonade -so do not use that. Schweppes Lemonade is great, otherwise go with a Sprite type of soda or I like ginger ale- not ginger beer.
1 Persian Cucumber
2-4 fresh strawberries, cleaned and halved
1-2 sprigs fresh mint
1-2 slice apple

Instructions

Use the 1 part Pimm's to 2 part soda formula for a single drink. Pour over a tall glass with ice and stir. Garnish with cucumber spears, strawberries, mint springs and an apple slice or two.
To make a pitcher use the same part formula and have the extras in glasses to garnish as each person wishes.
On this photo I used Elderflower 'Lemonade' soda from the UK also excellent and found at World Market. I also used lemon or tangerine slices if I ahem them on hand.

There is also a Pimm’s Spritz recipe that is going around ( in case you’re over Aperol), and that adds prosecco to the mix in a one part Pimm’s, one part sparkling wine, and one part lemon soda.. I sort of prefer the lighter alcohol version myself.

Wimbledon chat and spectator style…

The Wimbledon weeks may be my favorite part of summer and the best years to me are always the ones with players making Cinderella runs. It’s never the superstars winning again. I love seeing underdogs come up the ranks, especially those who are older and have been hanging on the tour in the 100’s and beyond for years.

This year has been exceptional as two unexpected players had their moments in the sun and what fun.

American Christopher Eubank is a 27 year old who long lingered at the 100’s and was even a sportscaster for the Tennis Channel for a while. He played for Georgia Tech, but had not had much luck as a pro. He came to this tournament and plowed his way through some very tough opponents including number 4 Tsitsipas. His streak ended with a grueling five setter with Medvedev, world number 3, in the semis. His fun demeanor and amazing ability of a 6’7 guy who seemed surprised himself, charmed the crowd. He’s has now found a place in the hearts of tennis fans and had a standing ovation as he left the Centre Court below.. I hope we see a lot more of this late bloomer!

Maybe the most inspiring yet though is the story of Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina, who came in unseeded just having a baby in October, with a wild card entry. She mowed through opponents at this tournament in some fantastic matches. In a remarkable match she beat her friend, world number one Polish player Iga Swiatek. Her attitude during this tournament has been that of luck to be there. She was undefeated until the semi’s where she lost to Czech player Vondorousova, who will play the final with Ons Jabeur.

Elina said this after beating Iga for a place in the semi-finals ..

I think the war made me stronger. I don’t take difficult situations like a disaster. There are worse things in life,” she said. “Having a child, and the war, made me a different person. I look at the things a bit differently.
Elina Svitolina

It’s incredible someone is dealing with the horrific war affecting her homeland and family was able to do this tournament.

I’m thrilled also to see another crowd favorite Ons Jabeur, of Tunisia, who they call the nicest player in tennis, still trying for the top women’s title. They say she has wizardry and loves to mix it up on the court. After defeating number 2 Sabalenka on Center Court Ons said ‘The old Ons would have lost the match and gone home. I am digging deep.’

She has a mental coach like many of the top players now have. She said she now uses anger to help her.

We could all use mental coach! I will be rooting for Ons this Saturday to win, but excited for both women as Vondorousova is also an unseeded player! An amazing final.

Spectator Style

Ralph Lauren hosts and dresses celebs for the game as they are the supplier of the Wimbledon uniforms. Juliet and I were loving the lunch tables at their tent..

How pretty are the flowers with baskets? I want to steal this idea.. We both said we adore this and the Ralph Lauren china..

Photos: Ralph Lauren Home and RL Polo and Wimbledon.

Ralph Lauren dresses some celebs and others and the look is pinstripes and preppy look.. Below Emma Thynn and Sienna Miller..

Other celebs spotted..There was a lot of white and eyelet and suit styles…

On My Radar- The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

For this week’s radar, I thought I’d share a few things I bought or have on my cart (hopefully still). things go crazy fast … I usually share my picks and by time I go shop they are all gone!

I do think Nordstrom has gone back to having some better things this year. This sale is a fall preview and the prices go back to full-price. They have with some of the nicest things I have seen in years I also like the catalog was resurrected.

If they would just let everyone shop on the same day, that would be better. I sort of hate the ‘people who spend more’ get priority BS. Plus I never know if I am what level.. Could be a me problem.. LOL.

I wear silver jewelry and this sterling Monica Vinader charm bracelet is versatile as links can be easily removed or added and each link opens to add charms. I was thinking of adding my mom’s old silver charms and other silver pendants I have to this to create something unique.

I mentioned these Olu Kai flip-flops that I live in on my Hawaii post. These are nearly identical. I have the black and I just ordered the silver! I can’t stop wearing them.

I feel like I wear Ray-Ban Wayfarers 99% of my life, so I was excited to see this new version in a clear frame. I love the shape of these frames and the lenses are always excellent.

The nicest robe– okay this isn’t on the sale, but I just bought it for a friend who has been needing some extra love. It’s the softest summer robe and I liked it so much I went back and got one for me too. It’s cozy without being too warm. Perfect for our cool California mornings and nights.

I always try and look ahead to fall with this Anniversary sale ( since it had it’s origins as an autumn preview), and buy a pair of jeans. I perused ALL the jeans ( there is still a load of skinny- who is still wearing them?), and choose these mid-rise straight legs from Madewell. I have another pair of their Kick Out Crops and I like the longish ankle grazing length and fit. I think this casual wash will be good paired with sweaters and so much else.

I also spotted this new Clementine dress from Rails on the sale. I adore Rails and it’s a good one to wear now, and with these tones into fall with boots and a jacket or sweater. I like that it’s cotton, not polyester…Their dresses are well made and have skirt slips already built in. This style will flatter most everyone.

If you missed it, this week was my monthly Signature Style with Cindy and this week we shared our swimsuits and coverups. If you need a good one, check out the posts. My post here and Cindy’s here.

Juliet also did a great post on white dresses– who doesn’t love them for summer?

I hope you are enjoying some lovely summer days.

Thanks for being here,

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

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Tips for the Nordstrom Sale and More!

July 15, 2021 By kimwheeler 10 Comments

Hello friends. Our summer is in a bit of a lull here and I have been dealing with a few things .. Someone is raising turkeys in our neighborhood. The people aren’t even regular neighbors, but family staying with an elderly neighbor and their kid is in 4H, but he’s not caring for the turkeys and guess what happened? The entire neighborhood has become inundated with flies like you would not believe. They are everywhere.The parents claim they are telling the son to clean it more regularly, but when flies are waiting to get in your home at every door, and making one neighbor unable to even go in her yard anymore, or hang out her laundry, and they are all over me while I work in the garden -it’s ruining summer! I’m one of those people who will try to listen and mitigate, but it’s getting worse if that’s possible…

In better news, I hope your summer is enjoyable and you’ve had time to make a summer bucket list! One of my list items, a San Francisco trip, happened last Saturday. We had a late afternoon high tea at a cute spot called Lovejoy’s Tea Room in Noe Valley. It was something my husband sweetly found for me as I was dreaming about travel and tea rooms..

We loved it ! They have vintage mismatched china and excellent cucumber sandwiches and scones and desserts. Across the street is their Lovejoy’s Attic shop with hats, tea and china and antiques to purchase. We had a good trek around the darling neighborhood of Noe Valley, which has some cute shops and homes and restaurants. We discovered the fantastic Noe Valley Bakery and took home a wheat bread and a seeded levain bread that was so good I had probably eight sandwiches this week. I love discovering new neighborhoods when we go to the city. Parking and getting out there on foot is such a great way to know an area better.

Now about the Nordstrom Sale. Honestly it’s pushed so hard by everyone, I am sometimes a bit reticent to even mention it, but as a former Nordstrom employee I know there are some good things to be had. It’s changed a lot over the years. It was originally begun as a way to sell things during the dog days of summer when retail was VERRRY slow, and people wen’t shopping all the time, as they seem to now.

My personal tips for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale..

–Look first at what your wardrobe and if you can clean it out during summer and see what is missing – And what you keep buying that you need to stop buying!Think about it a bit and you shop smarter.

-If you can get to the store even better. They have a lot that is never listed on the sale. They also have most of the summer stuff marked down and on sale racks.

-It’s the middle of summer, but do you need another pair of booties? If you’ve put them away for the summer, maybe pull out the boots. You may have forgotten what you own. Last year I bought two pairs of booties only to realize I had two similar pairs. Take stock before you buy.

–My top things to buy at this sale are outerwear, jackets and jeans.

–Underwear is a good buy, but the bras I’ve bought always seem to be off. I’ve repeatedly bought my favorite bras on the sale, only to have them arrive and fit and cut seem off. It makes me wonder if the ‘sale’ versions are seconds. I can’t recommend the bras from my own experience.

–Cosmetics can be a good if you need a new regimen or a great gift sets.

-Ask yourself before you buy anything- would you buy this if it was not on sale?

Below are my choices of some chic classics from the sale that every closet can use..

Top of my list are this blazer by Zadig & Voltaire – a cool classic piece with a bit of rock & roll to it with the stars on the shoulder, (also this one with a skull on the back ), these Rag & Bone Boyfriend jeans -which can work for summer too and booties later, with the crop hem, this Bernardo wool coat, this Vince Chunky Wool Blend Sweater, this quilted double-breasted Ralph Lauren coat, this Claire V. Simple Tote ( I bought one at last year’s sale in green leopard), this Gorjana Coin Pendant necklace, the Simplehuman 5x Sensor Mirror (I bought this last year and I don’t know how I lived without it ), this classic and understated pebbled crossbody wallet bag from Tory Burch, and this convertible one, this cute Kurt Geiger Straw Tote is a great buy at $89, these Blondo Waterproof Slip-ons will be wonderful for winter in house and out, and I always get a few of my favorite Natori Bliss Perfection underwear.

And all the beauty special deals here– so much this year!

I plan on doing a big closet purge next week so I’ll post about it soon, and my skincare favorites I’ve been using this summer.

One other thing I wanted to share is a great recipe for making your own falafel. Max did it last weekend and it was so delicious. It was worth the extra work- making them from scratch. The key is not using can chickpeas and soaking them overnight. The falafels were amazing with fresh cucumber from my dad’s garden and tomatoes from our farmer’s market. Recipe here from Once Upon a Chef. Jenn’s recipes are always so good!

I’m hoping to do a day trip to Carmel this weekend – another summer bucket list item, in between swatting flies.

Happy Weekend!

Kim

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My Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

August 19, 2020 By kimwheeler 6 Comments

I’m away in Utah moving my son in to college, but I wanted to share some of my own picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which begins for the general public today. This is a once a year event and the best time to get some great pieces to add to the wardrobe. I usually buy a few of my favorite bras and panties, a pair of jeans and any cute fall thing that might catch my eye..

Tops on my list are theses cute Madewell jeans. I have these in black and have lived in them the past two years. This wash and mini-flare of these Cali-Demi Boot Jeans will be cute with ankle boots as well as flats and sandals come late summer. I love the quality of these jeans and how they hold their shape.

I’m also a fan of these cropped black Kut from the Kloth jeans for fall with their raw hem. I know I would wear these a ton with white button ups and big sweaters in cooler months!

This ALLSAINTS drape top has cool details and would be a chic with jeans and cool sandals and work for fall with its pretty russet tone.

I also love ALLSAINTS sweaters and I noticed this cashmere Tara Sweater in many lovely colors. It’s oversized, so I would order a size down. Their sweaters are like butter and last for years. The two I have have been my favorites forever.

I really need no shoes for fall, but I have been missing a black bootie in my wardrobe and the Cole Haan Val Bootie has have cute details and the right heel height. They also come in a pretty rust and off-white.

I also love the Vince Camuto snake print which is a good neutral…

These Soft Brand Slipper Mules would be my daily go-to come fall. I love the ease of slide ons!

A pull on bootie is another thing I know I’d wear a lot and would be super comfy as well as a modern update to my closet. This Blondo Bootie is a good buy, so cute in this color- and a few others. People say this runs narrow on reviews..

This Sam Edelman Trench has lovely details and it’s single breasted – something that’s not always easy to find and a lot more flattering on most people that the double-breasted trench. It reminds me of my Burberry I bought on this same sale many years ago and sadly lost.

If you can splurge for the Burberry they have this Kensington Trench on the sale in a tan or black taffeta which is a nice lightweight coat for all seasons especially good for travel. The Burberry Trench run tight and smalls so you should order up if you haven’t tried one on before.

This Sam Edelman dress is a pretty cute piece for the price..

I also spied this cute pair of leather Adidas. If you don’t yet have a pair of white leather sneakers, these have that tennis look and a reflective heel and logo for a little flair..

Another great buy is this set of Diptyque set of 5 Travel Size Candles. Cute for holiday gifts too!

All the beauty exclusives – many made just for this once a year sale for Nordstrom can be found here.

Hope you all are having a good week. I’ll share about our four day Tahoe trip and all about Utah coming soon!

Kim

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Five Picks from The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

July 25, 2018 By kimwheeler 1 Comment

I’ve been trying to buy less and really what I need so hyping another sale seems wrong. However, I have always loved the Anniversary Sale as I used to work at Nordstrom in college and I know how this is a good chance to grab a nice piece for you fall wardrobe before prices go back to full price. I mean a piece that is worth spending some money on and more like an investment.

I haven’t been shopping too much this summer, and I honestly haven’t even had a chance to read anyone else’s posts on this sale, so I hope I’m not repeating what is already out there. I popped over to my local Nordstrom with a friend yesterday and here is five items you may want to check out now that the sale is public that I thought were worth highlighting..

These grey Frame jeans caught my eye and are a nice addition to the fall wardrobe that will pay for themselves over time in cost per wear. Frame is my favorite denim brand and if you haven’t tried them you will not be disappointed. The quality is top notch as is the jean material which always feels so nice on. This blue version with cool trouser pockets is also part of the sale.

This Veronica Beard jacket is a good price for one of their unique jackets. I love this leopard version of the army jacket and it would be so cute in fall paired with a chunky turtleneck sweater or a white ruffled blouse with jeans and loafers.

This James Perse Jacket is another cute style for a California cool fall. I love the stone color though it also comes in khaki and black.

Speaking of loafers, I have been looking for a slide on pair. The Gucci Princetown slides are so beautiful, but still really a lot of money. Tory Burch has this darling mule in a color called Desert spice which I can see wearing a lot come fall. It also comes in a beautiful navy. The Nordstrom brand Halogen also has a good choice slide in rust and the recently popular white. Either would be a nice accent for autumn clothes and all those beautiful muted fall colors.

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