Tag Archives: Nordstrom

The (Second) Most Wonderful Time of the Year

July 20, 2015

I used to make it a birthday tradition to hit up the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Clarification: I still honor that time-honored treat but this year I’m doing it solely online. I mean, it’s basically the birthday party that Nordie’s throws me every year. I can’t not. The beauty exclusives are killer and if you can bear to buy fall and winter clothes, then you’re the smart one come November with your 40% off wool and Frye boots. Guys, I’m not one of the smart ones this year. Because, 100 degrees on Friday. Though, there’s plenty of other stuff to get excited about.

I can get behind a Deborah Lippmann pastel palette every day of the year. I’m really feeling the lilac hues and mauve undertones in this set of six.

This kimono bathrobe. I’m certain wearing it in the early a.m. would make being awake more tolerable and it’s way sexy, too.

The Clarisonic Opal is your best pal, even if you don’t know it yet. This tiny device, meant for around the eyes, pulsates at high speeds and helps infuse your eye serum/cream (you can use any product you currently have!) deep into your pores. I’ve had my Opal for YEARS and it is one of my favorite beauty tools still.

Kiehl’s has a few awesome sets, all bundled up in a cute and useful bag. You basically get a full-size cream gratis.

This NARS Lip Pencil set is so baller that it already sold out online! I’ve got to get my lips on the Velvet Matte (the far right color) – called Provocative Red and only available with this set. At least they still have this trio!

It’s not a proper Anniversary sale without some Rebecca Minkoff. I love this soft pink Love Crossbody Clutch. Perfect mix of girly edge with that black chain strap.

The handbags and accessories are really where it’s at this year. This vegan leather tote looks SO similar to the Madewell totes, for only $30. This is a must!

A supersized designed tube of the famous Touche Eclat? Obviously.

That’s What Makes Her Larger Than Life

July 7, 2015

Charlotte Tilbury is a larger than life figure; the most famous makeup artist in the WORLD. Besties with Kate Moss, decider of the trends, artist to Gwyneth, Rihanna, J-Lo — she is a fashion and beauty legend. And, after spending an hour sitting across from her at a table getting a personal introduction to her makeup line, I decided this would be the first thing I said to her: “you have amazing cleavage.” To be fair, she really does. The plunging neckline and rocker chic wardrobe is her signature and she rocks it like a boss. She’s utterly fabulous and meeting her was a thrill and honor. Charlotte made a pass through Chicago recently to introduce cult-followed makeup line at Nordstrom. I absolutely love when makeup artists develop products. Everything has such a personal touch and is rooted in practicality. In the case of Charlotte Tilbury’s luxe beauty line, she packaged up 20 years of makeup artistry and beauty secrets into a range of 100 products.

She’s known for her Magic Cream – a blend of oils and vitamins that instantly brighten skin. She started mixing this on her own for clients and backstage at fashion shows. As she was working on her line, she joked that she wasn’t sure she should bottle it, “this is why people book me!” Thankfully for everyone, she did and it lives up to the hype. When it first launched in the U.S., it sold out in six minutes!

As Charlotte explains, textures and products may change (they improve with time) but the looks remain the same. She believes in the transformative power of makeup — even tells a hilarious tale of how her husband has never seen her without eye makeup — and that it should be as simple to use as it is to buy. She designed 10 colour (see what I did there….) wardrobes based on the lifestyle and personality of 10 women. There’s the Gisele-inspired Golden Goddess, ScarJo’s Bombshell, Rock Chick ala Kate Moss and my personal fav, The Uptown Girl. The transformative nature is evident when you realize she uses the same model to showcase all 10 looks. It doesn’t even look like the same girl!

Ultimately, Charlotte wants to empower all women to be their own makeup artists. With her line, YouTube videos, she assures us that she’s holding our hands every step of the way.

Finding the Perfect Red

September 20, 2013

I’m over on The Garmenteur this week talking about red lips. Can we all agree that a killer red is a must in your lipstick wardrobe? I think the hardest part of wearing a red lip is finding the right shade. So many different options but not all are universally flattering. (except for this one – I’m convinced it may be everyone’s power red!) I tend to get lost in the process of determining skin undertones by checking out the color of your veins. Rather than running all sorts of diagnostics on yourself to figure out if you’re warm or cool or pink or yellow, take a look in your closet. That’s exactly the concept behind the Jouer Perfect Red collection. Two simple questions: what colors dominate your wardrobe and what color is your hair? According to this, my perfect shade is Sophia, a creamy rose red. This is so my type of red! What’s yours?

For my 312 ladies, Jouer Founder Christina Zilber will be at the downtown Nordstrom helping you find your perfect red. Remember when she admitted right here on this blog that she’s always been “red-lip shy”? CZ has got our back! If you happen to swing by Nordstrom, make sure to stop by and say hi to team Jouer. Trend show is going on, so the madness starts bright and early at 7am.

Pretty Picks: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

July 23, 2013

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale puts all others to shame. Next season’s boots on sale? And a whole host of beauty exclusives? Done. It also happens to fall on or around my birthday, so I usually find myself with a few new Nordstrom gift cards burning a whole in my pocket. I did some sale scouting this past weekend and pulled together a few of my top picks!

I have a tradition of checking out NARS fall collections at the start of every anniversary sale. The soft neutral matte shadows — Yamal and Namibia – majorly struck a chord with me as did the ‘Baiser de Feu’ Lip Bag, which was created for the Anniversary sale. The colors span neutral, pink and red and the tote with some sage advice from Francois is too cute!

The Anniversary Sale is the smartest time to buy a watch. I haven’t for a few seasons since I wear my silver Michael Kors constantly, but this chain link rose gold bracelet watch is really tempting me! After sale, the price goes up by $75 so I should probably make that decision soon.

I have my tradition with a visit to the NARS counter, and my husband has his own in menswear. He always buys jeans and the process is always ridiculously easy. I should know better that it won’t be that way for me, but I’m always inspired to try on jeans after watching him fit into every pair he brings in the fitting room. While I struck out with a few, I tried on this skinny dark rinse by MOTHER at the urging of the sales consultant and loved them. They hug all of the right curves and give me a skinny feeling.

This Deborah Lippmann ‘Space Oddity’ trio is maybe my favorite thing at the sale! The rose gold glitter completely did me in. And little Lippmanns are the cutest bottles of polish there ever were.

My first Sultra Bombshell changed my hair game forever. It’s definitely a splurge, but worth every penny. Even sweeter when Nordstrom decides to put it on sale for a few weeks. The new 1.5 inch barrel Bombshell is a must-shop for me.