Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Is it worth it?

July 17, 2018 by Virginia 2 Comments

Everyone is talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Is it worth it? I love the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and look forward to it every year. I have written a lot about it in the past because I think it’s a great way to stock up on better quality products at an affordable price for fall and winter.

It’s easy to get the feeling that since an item is on sale, you need to buy it. There are some great deals on good basics in this year’s sale but there are also items you can get for a better price (and the same quality, or better) from other retailers.

That being said, I studied the sale when it was open to card-holders last Thursday and went to my local Nordstrom to try some things out and I’m actually not that impressed this year. I know it’s not as early as other bloggers, but before the sale is open to the public I want to give you my own opinions on what might be worth it and what to avoid.

I stand by my recommendations for teachers from last year. Much of what I will recommend below will follow those guidelines.

*This post does contain affiliate links, which means that if you click and/or make a purchase through these links, I may make a small commission. For more information, see my privacy policy. Thank you for supporting the retailers that make this blog possible.

Shoes: Worth it (all under $100)

Shoes are the best thing I think you can buy at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. These are good quality brands that will last a long time and be more comfortable. That being said, I never buy them unless I can get them at a really great price. During the Nordstrom Anniversary sale it is worth it because you can get these shoes $40-$70 off!

Booties

In this year’s sale, there are some great options for booties: *Note – Most of these come in multiple colors

1 | 2 | 3 (love this brand) | 4 | 5 | 6 |7 (waterproof!) | 8 | 9

Leopard Flats

My absolute favorite purchase from last year’s sale, included in the recommendations for teachers above, was a pair of leopard mules. I wear them all the time. There are a few options for leopard shoes in the sale. Leopard, I believe, is one of the Top 5 shoes every teacher should have in their wardrobe.

My top pick of the bunch are these Halogen Calf Hair mules. — They have long sides, making them more secure on the feet, and they were very comfortable. They don’t fit as snugly as the pair I snagged last year but I can still see them wearing really well all day. (I LOVED these rust ones too!)
I tried these leopard bow mules on in store and they are so cute, and fit well, but the bow just seemed too big to me. I would avoid.
These slingback shoes come in multiple colors in the sale. But I really dislike how they look. I think they make feet look big and clunky. I would pass on these.
The one pair I was unable to try on in-store was these leopard flats. If you’re thinking of purchasing these, size down. I find that this brand tends to be a little large on me.

Comfortable flats

I can’t give you a complete rundown on all the comfortable flats in the sale, but I will say that these Ugg loafers are AMAZING! Teachers and other professionals, you could totally wear these all day long and feel like you’re wearing slippers!
Also, I have been wanting to pick up this pair of mules after hearing such good reviews from other bloggers, and they are included in the sale!

Other shoes from the sale that I would recommend:

I was unable to try any of these on, but I trust the brand and reviews.

Pumps – Addie Pump (a great kitten heel! multiple colors) / Maxx Pointy Toe Pump (LOVE the yellow! higher heel)
Bow flats – These bow flats are adorable…what can I say? I like bows!
Open Toe Sandal – So cute! I wouldn’t recommend for work because they have a higher heel, but they would be really cute for a night out.

Tops & Sweaters: Worth it

These plaid shirts were a little loose-fitting, but really soft. I especially loved it in green and yellow!
These lace camisoles are being featured all over the internet. The white one is not worth it, in my opinion, because it is so see-through. However, this emerald green lace camisole is just gorgeous and one of the items I purchased from the sale. It has an adjustable strap but note, it is still low-cut even with it adjusted as high as possible!
- Note: As I was writing this, it sold out. However, it may re-stock when public access starts this Thursday so add it to your wishlist!
BP T-shirt – I tried a small and it is true to size. I liked the colored versions, which were not see-through.
Ruffle Neck Sweater with billowed sleeves– I loved this. It’s warm, cozy and soft. It’s a little spendy for a sweater but is a great quality sweater.
Ruffle Edge Sweater – This is probably my top pick for professionals. It’s fitted, made of a sweater material and is long enough to not leave a gap. I love the color selection too! True to size.
Fitted Green Ruffle sleeve – If the last option is still a little pricey, this is a great alternative. It’s a solid colored basic, made of a thick t-shirt material instead of sweater material. I loved the emerald green. True to size.

May Not Be Worth It

Pencil skirts – I think you can find more affordable options elsewhere.

Tops –

these t-shirts are a great deal when you think about Nordstrom prices. However, they are very thin. If you are going to buy, I would not recommend one of the white versions.
As noted above, these lace camisoles are featured all over the internet but I would not recommend the white one, especially for a work environment. It is very see-through and though it has an adjustable strap, it is still low-cut even with it adjusted as high as possible!

Sweaters & Cardigans – I wasn’t in love with any of the cardigans from the sale and few of the sweaters. You will see a lot of other blogger recommending them but most of them that I tried were rough fabric. For the price, I think you can find a more comfortable sweater or cardigan elsewhere.

This over-sized cardigan was WAY over-sized and I didn’t think it was flattering. Plus, though it looks like it would be cozy, the material was very rough.

A few extras

This Stila Eyeshadow set is a great deal. I have been in love with the Kitten Shimmer and Glow liquid eye shadow for months. For a little more than a single shadow you can get it AND two more glitter and glow shadows.
This Kate Spade bag is gorgeous and looked really durable.
These Kendra Scott earrings are beautiful and the perfect size. Not too big, but not too small.

Ok, I know that I didn’t include a lot of pictures this time, but there are a lot of bloggers out there with try-on hauls. My intention here was to give you an idea of what kinds of things that might be worth trying and what to avoid.

No matter what, if you think one of these options may be worth it, there is little risk in trying it out. Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns. The worst that could happen would be you order the wrong size and it’s sold out when you’re ready to exchange it.

Let me know what you’ve ordered and what you’re interested in trying! The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is open only for cardholders through the 19th. Starting Friday, it will open up to the public and sale prices will stay until Sunday August 5th! Happy shopping!

-Virginia

Linking up with: Pumps & Pushups | Straight A Style | On the Daily Express

White Skinny Jeans Teacher Outfit

March 19, 2018 by Virginia 25 Comments

Hello friends! Last week when I was trying to put together a cute teacher outfit I got pretty frustrated when I realized I had already worn my pair of white skinny jeans. At least once a week I put together a white skinny jeans teacher outfit. It’s one of the easiest ways to dress up my basic work wardrobe while staying comfortable. If you don’t have any, that would be my first recommendation for a Spring closet purchase.

First of all, white skinnies are great for work because you can get away with wearing jeans without having them look as casual as a regular pair of jeans. You get what I’m saying? (Somehow I feel like this is a fair way to get around the “no jeans except on Friday” rule without being “unprofessional,” but maybe I’m just fooling myself, lol) Second, as spring approaches, they are a great way to brighten up your fall or winter wardrobe pieces. This olive cardigan was one I picked up two years ago at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale (and still love). It’s definitely one of my “fall” items, but I love the way it looks with an all-white outfit. Pairing your dark tops with a pair of white skinny jeans brightens up the whole look.

Now, I will say that the hunt for the right pair of white skinny jeans can be somewhat daunting. It took me a long time to find the right pair and I’ve owned these for at least 3 years, maybe 4. For me the right pair of white skinny jeans are: ankle length perfect and a thick fabric. I find that ankle length jeans are perfect to pair with any shoe. I’ve worn these with booties for fall, with sandals for summer, and they don’t even bunch up under over-the-knee boots (see this post).

I recommend spending more on a pair of white skinny jeans just because a better quality jean is going to last and it won’t be as see-through. These were purchased from LOFT and I absolutely love the version they are carrying for spring this year with the cute double-fringe on the bottom. I tried them on in-store and they are the same nice thick fabric as the pair I own. Mine have survived the test of time and I would expect this pair to wear the same way. Sign up for LOFT emails and be ready for the next sale! They’re worth it! I’ve also rounded up some other good options of white jeans below.

White Skinny Jean Options:

Get the Look:

For a totally spring-time appropriate work outfit with white skinny jeans, also make sure to check out THIS OUTFIT.

Ok, time for me to get back to the work-week lesson-planning daily grind! Have a wonderful week! Check out more of my work outfits here!

-Virginia

My Top 5 Favorite Teacher Shoes

March 5, 2018 by Virginia 8 Comments

Well, we survived the most recent Nor’easter intact and without loss of power at our home, thankfully! When I got home from school on Friday, completely drenched from the 2-minute-turned-7-minute walk to my car from the building, I knew that it was the kind of day to snuggle up inside and write a post about teacher shoes.

I’ve thought a lot lately about the best shoes for work. Recently, a number of my shoes have actually broken and having to do without them has made me see how crucial they are to my teacher wardrobe. This year’s new work environment has also added challenges that have affected my shoe choices. First, I work on a two-building campus. Twice a week I have to “make the crossing” from one building, across the quad, to the other building. This long walk makes comfortable shoes crucial. Secondly, I have to make that walk in the extremes of New England weather, which means sometimes through snow, on ice or, like last Friday, through gale-force-winds and driving rain. Friday (being casual Friday) I actually wore my Hunter Rainboots to work!

Having worked in two different work environments (one more causal and one more formal), I have a pretty good idea of what shoes have stood the test of both teaching environments.

Teacher Shoes: Heels

On most days, you will find me in heels. Every teacher has a different style and different preferences when it comes to comfort. But as I mentioned last week, I believe that you can be both fashionable and comfortable. You will never see me wearing tennis shoes to work, though I can understand why some teachers do. There’s just something about heels that I think is very professional. That being said, I get that not everyone can handle being in heels all day. Personally, I actually do better in some of my heels than some of my flats because they are built with more support.

When I worked in a more casual environment, my favorite outfit was jeans and a blazer. Adding a pair of heels took the casual outfit up a notch and made it more professional. Here’s a more recent example of the heels with blazer and jeans look.

(Original post here)

Now that I work in a more professional dress work environment, I wear them with pencil skirts, work pants, etc.

(original post here)

My key to buying heels for work is to buy a mid-heel (which is more comfortable) and spend a bit more to get a better quality shoe. A great quality shoe will last you much longer and your feet will feel better.

Black Pumps

My favorite heels for work are my black pumps. Each pair I have owned have lasted 5 or more years. They are an absolute staple. See a few ways I have worn them below.

(original post 1 | original post 2 | original post 3)

Leopard Pumps

If you’ve followed my blog a long time, you will already understand my passion for Leopard Pumps. I wear them ALL the time. The leopard pumps I own are the perfect height and go with jeans and work pants alike. I wear them with both bright colors and solid neutrals and get compliments on them all the time.

(original post 1 | original post 2 | original post 3)

Favorite Brands for Heeled Work Pumps

Some of my favorite brands for work heels are Vince Camuto, Sole Society, and Steve Madden. Sole Society, in particular, has great sales and I love their variety of colors and patterns. It’s easy to shop their sales and search by heel height.

Teacher Shoes: Flats

Tall Black Boots

It’s actually interesting that I don’t really have any pictures of myself wearing these boots. I guess I didn’t wear them as much when I was living in the Seattle area because I wore jeans and pumps more often to work. Now that I’m in New England, I find myself turning more often to flats that can handle the long walks and the weather. These black equestrian boots fit the bill perfectly. I’ve owned them for years and they’re still in great condition. Though I own both black and brown tall boots, I find myself turning to the black ones much more frequently for work.

Black Embellished Flats

I have gone through at least 3 pairs of black flats for work. I always buy a pair with an embellishment on the toe just because I think it makes them more fun. I bought my current pair during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this past fall and I love the style.

(original post here)

Mules

Though a recent addition to my teacher wardrobe, these mules have become a near-daily must-have. In fact, once our house officially closes, I want to add some more mules to my wardrobe for spring. I’ve seen a lot of great press about these beauties and just saw these last week in Ashley’s top 10 post! Mules are perfect for teaching because they’re so comfortable! It’s like wearing slippers that are appropriate for work!

(original post)

My tip for buying mules for work is to find a pair that fit snugly to your foot. For me this means the kind of mules that have a side piece going all the way to the back of the foot, as you will see in the mules I’ve listed for you below.

If you’re looking for comfortable flats like mules that have a back, I can’t recommend these loafers enough. They are SO comfortable. I have them in fuchsia and wear them often. These look similar if you want ones similar to the fuchsia ones I wore here.

Ok! Those are my absolute favorite, can’t-do-without teacher shoes. Because I tend to go for a higher-quality shoe, I recommend looking at TJMaxx, Ross, or Nordstrom Rack. These stores will sell name brand shoes at reduced prices. Another tip is to watch out for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale to get great quality shoes at a discounted price. Trust me, it’s worth it.

If you’re a teacher (or other professional) looking to build a professional wardrobe, make sure to check out my post on the Top 5 Places to Shop for Teacher Clothes.

What are your favorite shoes for work? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Virginia