Last year I deleted my Nordstrom card from my online account. I cut up the card. And by the end of the year, I paid off the entire balance. Nordstrom was my weakness, they had my size, they shipped quickly. I'd get a box, pour a glass of wine, try on, take my time with returns.
Well, it's the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and I decided I didn't really need anything. But then I got a random perfume sample in the mail with a Sephora offer - Black Orchid by Tom Ford. I received several samples, of course the one I fell in love with and even my family fell in love with was the crazy expensive one. And of course, I looked around to find the lowest price and found a Black Orchid set part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
I can't pull up my account number. My online banking only shares a few numbers. I thought I had saved it in my Safari browser but nope, it's not there. I tried logging in online but come to find out I never created a username or password to manage my account online. I searched my file cabinet, no old statement. Receipts don't have card numbers.
If I want my Nordstrom card number, I need to call.
I spent 40 minutes clicking around my email, my browsers, two different computers, and digging through files but I won't call them. Calling them somehow is admitting that I am doing what I shouldn't do. I am stating aloud that I broke a contract with myself. I might as well go to the grocery that sells wine on Sundays and buy one of those big bottles of Sav Blanc and with it a bag of Tostidos and a jar of Doritos queso and while I'm in line read US or OK and pretend to feel better by judging others while chewing my cuticles and then go home and consume all of it while ordering $600 worth of things swearing I WILL return most of it but then it arrives and I justify to myself 80% of it and wear it all only once.
I don't write a lot about my "life change" because it wasn't turning on a light switch and changing. I have days where I hit snooze and spend those eight minutes trying to think of a good lie to text my trainer to get out of going to the gym that day. I take a longer way home from the hair salon after an appointment because my old ritual was getting a Slurpee and nachos from 7-Eleven and enjoying them on the ride home. I'd stop at the bus stop as soon as you enter my neighborhood and toss the remains in that trashcan, using a Wet One wipe to remove any traces from my licked fingers and sticky mouth. I don't allow pasta in the house, and the only wine that has been in the house lately has been for a paid campaign (both I still consume but keep for special occasions and dinners out). I threw out my face wipes to force myself to properly wash and moisturize my face before bedtime. I have bought 10 different water bottles in the past two years so I never have an excuse to not stay hydrated. I've blocked certain URLs and Instagram profiles from my apps and browsers that make me judgy and snarky and I get powder dip nails every 2-3 weeks so I can't nibble on my hands.
Some of this has been a true life change. If I miss the gym more than two days I feel achy and disgusting. Since I work out, I have different cravings. Since I've had the time to find out, I've learned many issues regarding stress, sleep, health, and creativity can be solved with the right amount of water and sleep. That taking vitamins and supplements and eating whole foods can do all kinds of good for my skin, hair, digestion, back, brain, and more. But gosh, let one drop and I'm looking for an excuse to go run errands so I can get a venti Frappuccino and wander around Target trying to heal myself with a cart full of things I don't need.
When I reminded myself I don't need this and getting my account number would be a slippery slope into 2016 Alison, I decided to scroll through the Nordstrom sale for the first time and see if I'm missing out on anything. I found that a good percentage of the sale is junk - cheap brands, items made just for the sale, mediocre things at a sweet spot pricepoint to make you think you're getting a deal. The rest are the same damn things in every single Nordstrom sale. I said I wouldn't do a sale post but I had to share my thoughts on what everyone swears you should buy, and the few things I actually think are worth it for this sale.
But there is NOTHING, I mean NOTHING in this sale that is such a good deal you should open up a Nordstrom credit card. No roof repairs, no cars to get to work, no appliances with 12 months interest-free so it's like layaway while still being able to cook dinner or heat your home. You know what smells better than Black Orchid by Tom Ford? The sweet smell of not having Nordstrom debt.
What Everyone (Except Me) Says You Should Buy
- Spanx Faux Leather Leggings - sure they're cute on many, but they are there EVERY YEAR and they often have them on sale at the end of the season. It's a deal if you already love them, but honestly are you wanting them because they go with your wardrobe or yours wore out or because every blogger is saying how versatile they are? If you truly love them, I support you and I have a guide on how to style them.
- Stuart Weitzman Suede Over the Knee Boots - Same as the Spanx leggings. Not a bad buy, but if you don't already own a pair are you doing it because you need them or because you feel you should have them?
- Barbour coats - Unless you live somewhere where the climate requires such a coat and you make enough money that you can afford it, there's no need for this coat in your life. You can find cheaper. Check Lands' End, check LL Bean, check Bernardo.
- Barefoot Dreams cardigan - I have one. It's navy, it's at least three years old. My first year I wore it a lot, even out of the house with faux leather-front leggings and a white t-shirt. I saw pictures, and I always looked a bit... comfortable. You know what I mean, like that guy in the ad on TV with the v-neck that became a u-neck. So I decided to keep it as home fashion. Then I got the flu and wore it straight for a week. Now it has become my Sick Day cardigan because each time I see it I think of when I was last lying on the couch with a Kleenex stuffed in each nostril watching Wendy Williams. I know a lot of you love this cardigan but I just don't think it's streetwear.
- Beachwaver - You're saving $63. That's a good deal if for months you've wanted one but it's just a bit too expensive. But if you're getting by with your current hair routine and appliances, keep in mind it's still $133. If it was always $133 would you buy it, or are you buying it because it seems like such a good deal? Not going to stop you, but I want you to realize the price.
- Chantelle Rive Gauche and Natori Feathers bras - Both of these bras are in the sale every year. You can find them cheaper on Amazon all year round, and usually you can also find matching undies on sale. Don't buy them during this sale unless you're already a fan of the style and they have a color or size you can't find elsewhere.
- Rebecca Minkoff bags - Rebecca Minkoff is a Scientologist. I know, it upsets me as well. Use that information as you wish. If you don't believe me Google it.
- The Kendra Scott jewelry in this sale - This trend ship has sailed for grown-ass women. Unless you personally love this brand and have wanted it forever and saved up, pass on these pieces. Kendra Scott's pieces like this are going to be this decade's equivalent of the bubble necklace. This isn't all Kendra Scott, just the "signature" pieces that are part of this sale. I still like her more unique items.
- Electronic facial devices - Will you really use it? Be real with yourself. Sure it's cheaper than going to get a facial or getting a procedure done. But will you truly use it on a regular basis? Will you still be using it in a year, or will it be collecting dust in the cabinet under your sink? I see purchasing facial devices like buying treadmills and exercise bikes. Best intentions but less than half of the people who buy them use them enough to justify their price and the space they take up in the home. As for the NuFACE, I bought it twice. Here's my review, spoiler alert it's possessed.
What I Think Is Worth It
- Zella leggings - As I shared in this post, I like Zella leggings. And this is a good time to get current colors and styles at end of season prices.
- Spanx - If you use them, it's a good time to stock up on styles they always have, not just created for the sale.
- Hanky Panky underwear - Same. This underwear isn't cheap, but it's durable, cute, made in the USA, and a great price to stock up for the year.
- Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - I personally love this stuff. I ran out. I can't afford more, even at this price but if I could I would take advantage.
- Any beauty products you already use - If you know you love Living Proof or or Alterna then stock up. If you're using this sale to try new products I don't think it's smart. Buy a smaller bottle when you're not all hopped up on sale. Then if you fall in love, next Nordstrom sale, stock up. For if it's in the sale now likely it will continue to be part of the sale.
- Bernardo coats - I got a packable black parka with a hood several years ago during the NSale. It fit when I was a 16, fit when I was a 12, it washes well, it's quilted to create an hourglass effect, it's not too trendy, IMO it's worth it. If the one I had didn't still fit well enough for this winter I'd take advantage of this sale and get a new one.
- Smartwool Hide and Seek Socks - I love them, this is a good price. Here's my initial review of this product, here's all the time I've raved about them.
