Eye-4-Style

I’ve wanted to blog about this night and maybe this is in time for your New Year’s Eve plans. I was invited to the Nordstrom Christmas Party at Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida, where we were met with champagne, wine and delicious hors’oeuvres . I was able tackle my shopping list and had a grand time while doing so! Anyway, what to wear to this event? I went digging in the closet. Sometimes you hold on to a dress because it’s easy to wear, easy to launder and feels great. I brought out a Laundry by Shelli Segal dress that I’ve had for …well…, let’s just say it’s been a while.  I’d been to Chicago 10 days before the party and at Nordstrom bought a great pair of black Christian Dior heels that are fabulous as well as comfortable.  Juicy by Juicy Couture on Oak Street had fun stockings and leggings and I paired these new purchases with my “back of the closet” dress. The John Hardy earrings and bracelet didn’t overwhelm the look and the little eggplant Prada purse added a nice touch. The whole outfit was a big hit and compliments confirmed I did a good job. So if you haven’t picked up a new outfit for your New Year’s Eve party, maybe it’s time to go shopping in your closet!

“Holiday” dress can be just that: it will be stored in the closet until next Christmas.  I decided to change that this year after catching sight of these beautiful Kate Spade shoes on Oak Street in Chicago.  I ended up buying the display shoes as the last size 7 in the shop and I felt like I was stealing away with a bounty of gold.  They are enough “bling” to be dressed up but look great with a casual outfit.  I wore them with a black Missoni dress for more intimate holiday gatherings;  “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” capris , a white and fuchsia-sequined tank with a navy v-neck short sleeve BCBG sweater make a great day outfit; black sheath with opaque tights and dressy earrings put together a special night time outfit. I was able to use these shoes over and over again with what I already had in my closet, and I’ll bring them out periodically throughout the year.  One pair of shoes with so many options!

If you’re up early on Dec 26th, check out your nearest Saks Fifth Avenue.  From 8 am to noon, take an additional 50% off reduced prices for a total of up to 70% off! After noon, you’ll get 40% off already reduced prices.  I’ve checked this out in years past and it’s one terrific sale!l 

In the Nordstrom men’s department yesterday, I heard they’re having a big sale on the 26th.  Also, double points throughout the store. Go get ‘em!

If you’re still looking for the perfect party dress for Christmas or New Year’s, click on Saks link to check out great options.  What is very helpful with Saks’ site: rest your curser on the dress and you’ll see front and back views.  This is extremely helpful when figuring out undergarments, etc.  Fa la la la la ! 

You’re checking over your list: CD’s; shirt; scarf; perfume; book; earrings. You shop for the item for the recipient, but you’ll choose what YOU like best, unless you are given very specific parameters.  So what can happen?  One for her, one for me!  Do you exceed your Christmas budget because you’re out there; whether scouring catalogs, internet or stores, and faced with more retail and sales than you probably encounter all year?  It’s tempting to like the “gift” so much you buy one for yourself too.  So what do you do?

Realize from the start you’re going to be tempted; retailers spend a lot of time and money to make displays attractive.  Unless you have a super strong resolve, it’s hard to put blinders on and zone in on the one particular gift you are looking for.  Also, when you’ve been out for hours, exhausted and now looking forward  to a night of wrapping, it isn’t all bad to have picked up the movie you’ve wanted (on sale of course) to watch while wrapping! Include a little extra for yourself in Christmas savings throughout the year.  If you’re on a limited budget, cut out a few shopping trips during the summer/fall knowing you’ll be out there in full force for Christmas shopping.  With a little prior planning, the “should I or shouldn’t I” will be less of an issue! 

Aren’t we getting tired?  The days of December can be so stressful as you shop for gifts and then there’s the outfits for parties or get-togethers.  I can offer you a suggestion I’ve found to be very helpful: take the lead from the mannequins.  When I approach a clothing department, I look over the displays to determine if there is something there that will work for me.  Displays are great for gift ideas too. While I would hesitate to buy someone a pair of jeans, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a top, sweater or accessory.  The visual does it for me and is a quick, easy tool for getting the job done. If you don’t see the item nearby the display, the sales staff can easily show you where to find it.  Of course, you’ll still find me scouring the racks and I’m a good “hunter/gatherer,” but the display usually sets the tone for what you’ll find nearby. 

Here at Nordstrom at Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida, you have an outfit display for holiday gatherings but I especially like the Tory Burch purse shown with those outfits.  I may not have noticed that purse in the purse department, but here it really stands out. For the casual outfit or fun gift ideas, the cardigan sweater below is a winner in my book.  The middle sweater is cute and if you have more to spend, include the hat!  

We are in the thick of it as we count down the days. Here at Nordstrom at the International Plaza in Tampa, surroundings are festive but not overdone. It helps keep you focused on your list at hand.  The sales staff is very helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or ideas. Always take advantage of the staff’s knowledge at any store. I find they want to help and are happy to be kept busy.  They also know good sale items or the best deals.   

When you have a good product, you’ll re-introduce it every year in the “colors of the season.” Target has a great v-neck sweater that I buy several of each Fall/Winter season.  It is soft, washes well, and at a great price of $17.99!  Sometimes I ponder, why re-invent the wheel? If there is a basic you need every year at a great price, put it on the shelves and the consumer will buy!  You can dress it up or down.  I have the sweater here with a Burberry scarf and Michael Kors belt. I LOVE this color and heard many compliments. I’ll wear it out this season and I’ll be back at Target next year to buy the sweater in new Fall/Winter colors! 

So, if you haven’t noticed, this is my Target week!  I’ve been to Target all over the country and it’s a great store and fills so many needs. Look at these purses! I’m a purse gal and you can usually find a great purse for a great price at Target.

For the holidays, you can showcase the “dress” or the “accessories.” Target has fun dresses that are a great basic to showcase your favorite pair of shoes, purse or jewelry. I love these options for the holiday month when you don’t want to spend a bundle for every party. Check these out gals; you won’t be disappointed!

Target is bringing great design in women’s and “young” womens clothing. Converse One*Star is a brand I look through every time I visit the store. Sometimes the “fit” is for the younger figure (go up a size), but I always find pieces to add to my wardrobe. One thing I like about the brand is the detail they add to the clothing.  A button here; a flap there; just a little something to bring it fashion-forward at a great price !