I had to stop and snap some pictures while at Nordstrom in the International Plaza in Tampa, Florida. It’s been a cool winter in Florida and the colors of the clothing and accessories warmed the mood!
I’m a dress girl. Just easy to wear ,move around in, dress up or down. Click on Nordstrom Dress Shop to see the beautiful dresses for under $100! Wonderful!
I received a catalog from Nordstrom introducing:
JIMMY CHOO
CHOO 24:7
The Collection
There’s HOPE gals! The Jimmy Choo collection is offering beautiful shoes that we can wear without breaking our necks or developing calluses! Take the IRENA or ISABEL group for example. Hooray!
Go to: WWW.NORDSTROM.COM/JIMMYCHOO
I was shopping with a friend at Nordstrom in Chicago last Fall and we were ready to splurge on fabulous shoes. We tried on shoes for 2 hours. The salespeople brought out pair after pair. Gorgeous shoes, but who could walk in them? We couldn’t figure it out. You reach a certain age or just need to actually walk in your shoes and you start to acknowledge what the “high of high” heels are doing to your body. Are the women who can afford the fabulous shoes finding what they want? A gal can wear any shoe for an hour, but with foot and back issues, we’re starting to realize our wasted dollars on 4′” stilettos that sit in our closet. Those beauties are for display, not for utility. (And that’s okay, but how many pair of those kind do we need? Tee hee!)
Some friends will say they can wear any heel height, but it’s sad to see them barefoot. We need these feet for life. Let’s be kind to them. While I loved SATC, Carrie Bradshaw almost did us a disservice with running for blocks in her Manolo’s. Is it realistic to expect there won’t be consequences? It’s not that I don’t have a closet full of shoes, but I’ve become pickier as time goes by. Comfort becomes a priority, otherwise, the shoes become a “donation.”
Check it out!
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Ruched Faux Wrap Dress
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Ruched Matte Jersey Dress
Adrianna Papell Print Piqué Sheath Dress
What’s there not to love about these dresses for the upcoming season? All three can go from work to play and take in a night on the town! They are the “canvas” for your “new and old” accessories, and the dresses are reasonably priced. They will last several “seasons” and could go through many phases of wear. Let’s briefly look at each dress:
The black faux wrap for work: pumps, delicate necklace and earrings, “splash of color” purse. Night: high heels with dot or patterned hose, bling, shawl. Day time: chunky jewelry, ballet flats, fun purse, head band.
The matte jersey dress is a great background for turquoise jewelry. I’d do a fun-design cotton cardigan for work with open-toe shoes. You could really “bling” it up for evening with jewelry and fancy scarf, silver or gold stilettos. Day time is easy with one arm loaded with bracelets, sandals, big purse, jean jacket or scarf. When the dress is worn out, wear it to “lounge” around the house or for bed, or gardening! By that time, who cares if you have to use a little bleach for stains. You’ll be looking good doing your chores!
The bottom Adrianna Papell print is a great dress. It’s so easy to go with your black, white or color cardigans or jackets. Either delicate conservative jewelry for work with pumps or “bling” for evening. Another option for casual evening is shown here, or this is good for work. ADD COLOR! For day errands, I’d wear flats and hoops, one ring or one bracelet. Keep it simple as you have a great pattern on the dress.
With dresses like these, you set the tone with shoes, makeup, jewelry, purse, hair. You usually bring along a cover-up and that would be a jacket, cardigan, shawl or scarf. By adding the right accessories to these dresses and makeup and hair, these dresses are versatile and and easy to come up with your “stylish” outfit.
So looking forward to “Spring,” here is a start to sprucing up the closet!
I’m a curious person and like to know what people think; what their habits are. It is interesting to me that some people are very rigid in their habits. They may never set foot in Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus. They won’t buy from catalogs because of returns. They only shop at Target or Macy’s because they think they can’t afford or won’t find anything in a boutique or higher-end store. I say, don’t limit your choices. There are possibilities everywhere!
I’m a big catalog or on-line shopper. I like seeing clothing on models as it’s easier to visualize the outfit on my body. The larger retailers have made returning items very easy. You usually have a return label and an amount is deducted from your return amount. When I calculate time and gas, the amount to return the item is less than what I’d spend on the streets. Just be sure to try on the items right away; keep the original packaging; package the item the original way best as possible; return as quickly as possible. I’ve ordered a lot and returned a lot. I’ve also kept a lot. It is worth it to me when the stores I’m ordering from are further away or “on-line” has so much more to offer.
I enjoy going to the boutiques on Oak Street in Chicago. I purchased items from Juicy Couture and Kate Spade when I was there last November. They are fun to visit but there is a limited amount of space available to display their wares. If your time is limited, I’d go to Nordstrom or Saks, Bloomingdales, Macy’s. They will have your favorite designers and all under one roof. When I visit Chicago, I plan my time carefully. Some boutiques with some department stores. Also, Ralph Lauren on Michigan Avenue is a must. You will see it all in their flagship store. While some labels are out of reach for the average consumer, it is an adventure to see the fabrics and designs they are offering. Believe me, you will see that filter down to your price level in a different fabric, but it makes you aware of what is out there and a better-informed consumer. Also, RL (the adjacent restaurant) has the best cosmos I’ve had anywhere!
I remember many years ago when we were in San Francisco. My daughter and I visited the “high-end” stores to relish in the beautiful fabrics and displays. She is able to fit into larger children’s’, women’s petites and juniors. We had several departments to visit and there are always sales. We ended up buying some gorgeous clothing at wonderful prices. We paid the same prices we would have at Target or Bon-Ton stores or Macy’s. You just have to have an open mind and “hunter/gatherer” intuitiveness to search out what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid: Go there! If you need help, contact me and I can help you reorganize your closet or shop for your spring/summer wardrobe.
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!
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!
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.
Here’s a great shoe to complement your holiday dress this season. It is feminine and has that “wow” factor. The heel is 4” for those who can handle that height. One thing I like about the strapping at the top of the foot; it forms a “V” instead of straight across. That “V” does wonders in elongating the leg. Your eye goes from sexy open toe up and the “V” opens the way upward. Sometimes the “straight across” strap abruptly stops the eye, even if for a split-second, it can make a difference in the look of the shape of your leg. Always the details!
Here’s another cute softer-looking fabric BP. ‘Empire’ Sandal for $69.95 found at the bottom left of the shoe shopping page linked above. Again, we have a soft “V” at the top of the foot. Great looks, great prices for both shoes. Party on looking gorgeous!
