I’d like to take a brief pause in all this fitness and nutrition talk that has been going on to alert you all to the fact that Christmas has yet again come early this year. That’s right, today is the last day to take advantage of Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale Pre-Sale. So get shopping.
For as long as I can remember, Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale was the year’s best excuse to spend too much money on clothes and shoes and jewelry and bags. As a child, mom would dress me up in “shopping clothes” and take me to the Flagship Nordstrom. We would buy anything and everything, certainly doing substantial damage to her beautiful silver Nordstrom card. Lunch always followed, as did dinner and ice cream and sometimes even a movie or Mariners game. Anniversary Sale shopping with mom is one of my all-time favorite childhood memories. There were no limits, only good times. As I grew older, Anniversary Sale excursions were the best excuse I could think of to invest in yet another pair of Prada pumps or Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes. I’d throw a few hundred dollars down in Savvy on jeans, sweaters, and party tops (which I needed quite a few of between years 22 and 26). Having earned a beautiful silver Nordstrom card of my own, I would march out of the Flagship with an armful of bags feeling like I’d finally made it in the world.
Standard Anniversary Sale Fare
This year, I had to face some brutal facts regarding my annual Anniversary Sale binge. For the first time in 28 years, I do not want to throw down on 4″ pumps, designer jeans and sweaters. Before you panic, let me assure you that I am not sick in the head. Quite the opposite actually. The problem? I never have a chance to wear the pumps, jeans and sweaters I already have. In a striking change of routine, I put on a pair of designer jeans today for the first time in two months. All I wear these days is compression running pants, sports bras, tank tops and a polyester tuxedo. I hardly recognize myself and am determined to start dressing like a “real adult” instead of a sweaty fitness bum. Accomplishing this goal required me to focus my Anniversary Sale purchases on something I have spent my adult life adamantly protesting against: flat shoes.
This year’s revolutionary haul
In the most practical move I think I’ve ever made, I bought two pairs of flat shoes to spend the rest of summer, fall and winter in. One pair are Tom’s flats and the other are riding boots by Corso Cuomo. I’m deliriously happy with them and the look that I’m putting together for my first non-academic fall in what feels like a million years. Building my business will feel easier if I look the part: skinny jeans, wool trench coat, eyelet blazers, denim blouses, pencil skirts and cardigans. Lots of big jewelry. Flat shoes. Sorry stilettos and pumps… you’re just going to have to wait until marathon season is over to hit the streets again.
