If you couldn’t already tell, we get extremely excited for Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale every year. It is an event that we patiently wait for because all of our favorite brands go on sale. We typically wouldn’t purchase the items unless they were on sale or for a special occasion and it also gives us an opportunity to start our Christmas shopping. The NSale is another holiday for us! The sale is currently open to ALL cardholders, but opens to the public tomorrow, Wednesday, July 28th. On this day, everyone can shop the NSale, whether you have a Nordstrom credit card or not. That means today is the last day for cardholders to grab what they need and non-cardholders to add to their wish lists because items WILL sell out.
So, what did we buy and what did we return are the questions at hand. Word is in the blogger community that a lot of influencers aren’t honest about their purchases. You can’t absolutely LOVE everything, right? That’s why we are also sharing with you what we returned and why we are returning those items! This is always a bit of a longer post, but we like to share our try-ons, give our honest opinions, and tell you what we liked and didn’t like! We can promise you will always find honesty here. Get ready to add to cart or add to wish list!
So, we give you our 2021 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale haul…
What Ashley Purchased
Some of the items pictured here were purchased from previous Nordstrom Anniversary Sales. They sometimes have repeat popular items– like the always classic Barefoot Dreams blanket! I take advantage of the NSale every year– for myself, for my husband, for my dog, and for Christmas shopping! It’s always a good day when you get a great price on a high ticket item!! Here are my finds…
Leopard Print Off the Shoulder Blouse: So, this top was actually the first thing that caught my eye when I browsed the preview, but I wasn’t sure if I needed anymore leopard. Spoiler alert: I did. This is the best top. It’s TTS. I’m wearing size M and there’s plenty of room. I also love the black one!! Cece is a new favorite brand. So many cute OTS tops– which I love!
Vince Camuto Candialia Sandal: My favorite shoes I’ve ever gotten from the NSale. They’re so pretty, but also practical and can be worn with a lot of my outfits. The heel isn’t super high either, which I like! I love how different they are from my normal NSale shoe purchases.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Bae-sics Deluxe Kit: This is the brow pencil and brow gel I use every single day. It’s regularly $23 for one Brow Wiz pencil, but this NSale deal got me 2 brow pencils and a brow gel for $33. This is another reason why I love the NSale. I stock up on my favorite daily beauty items so I don’t have to pay full price later!
In the background, you may spy my Riki Skinny Lighted Mirror. This was a Christmas gift a couple years ago and I use it every single day. It provides the perfect amount of light for make-up application or eyebrow maintenance! My sister, my cousin, and I all love our Riki mirrors! They are pricy, but you can snag one for a low price as it is a part of the NSale this year!
Thread & Supply Wubby Jacket: Erin added this jacket to her wish list and purchased it first, so when it came in I had to feel it and try it on. OMG. I can’t even explain to you how soft; actually, yes I can– softer than Barefoot Dreams somehow! I ended up ordering one for myself too. It’s the softest jacket I’ve ever worn and it is at such an amazing price right now (only $32)! Good brand, high quality, doesn’t shed. It also comes in grey and some other funky prints.
T3 Single Pass 1.25″ Professional Ceramic Curling Iron: I religiously curl my hair with a 1.25″ curling iron… lol. But seriously. I curl my hair most of the time because of my hair’s natural wave and I’ve always preferred a 1.25′ barrel. I’ve always wanted a T3 iron, but they’re seriously pricy when you can purchase a curling iron for under $30. This one is ceramic and a “one pass.” It has 5 heat settings, the lower 2 creating “beachy waves.” I decided to finally give it a shot. No plans on returning this baby. It is SO nice. It is EXTREMELY smooth and doesn’t pull or break the hair. I curled on setting 3 and 3 days, 3 Peloton rides, 2 walks, and about 10 messy buns later, I still have beautiful bouncing curls! I am so in love with this curling iron. So far, I would say it is worth the price. Would I pay full price for it? Probably not. But when it goes on sale, definitely worth grabbing one!
BP Women’s Katie Organic Cotton Lounge T-Shirt: A few years ago now, I got the BP Sleepy Lounge Tee from the NSale in every color. This year, I tried out the new BP sale tee. Erin actually bought this shirt style last year in a few colors and I loved how the wide scoop neck made it perfect for a brallette! I love it by itself with a French tuck and under cardis and jackets. It’s super cheap, but good quality, as BP usually is. It’s TTS and I’m wearing a M.
BP Cozy Shorts: I got these from the NSale 2 years ago in grey and love them. I needed a black pair so I grabbed them while on sale. They’re really soft and great quality. I’m wearing a size L.
Zella Restore Soft Pocket Leggings: Er and I both love the original Zella High Waist Live-In Leggings. They always go on sale for the NSale. This year, we were so excited to try Zella’s new leggings– with pockets! I loved the grey ones best, but black and baby blue are also really cute. This was one of the first items we added to our wish lists. They do run TTS. We both liked size M best! You do not need to size up with Zella typically.
Slip Sunset Hair Tie Set: Made by Slip–the makers of my favorite pillow case that Erin bought for me! These are the BEST hair ties ever. Easy on your hair, no breakage, minimal creasing if at all! An NSale must-have for us!
Cozy Chic Lite Long Cardigan: I love Barefoot Dreams cardis! It’s like wearing a soft blanket out and about! This one is from the CozyChic Lite line so it’s not heavy! I totally fell in love with this new ice blue color! The taupe color will always be my favorite one that I own though (see Erin in a different color below)!
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Leopard Pet Bed: Charlie girl finally has a Barefoot Dreams bed that matches our living room. She loves it so much and has been spending all of her nap times right here.
Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Round Leopard Print Pillow: Grabbed the matching pillows and am loving how they tie everything together with my Barefoot Dreams In the Wild Blankets. No matter who comes to my house, they always reach for the Barefoot Dreams blankets! Nothing compares! Charlie also has the sweater from last year’s sale! She wore it for our Christmas card photos to match her mom. 😉
BP Moonlight Short Pajamas: TWINNING! Erin and I got this PJ set for an upcoming trip. We will be matching in our leopard PJs– which by the way are the item I’ve been wearing the most from this NSale haul! SO comfy! I paired them with my leopard slippers from last year’s NSale. They are on sale this year too!
AllNighter Setting Spray Set: AMAZING deal alert!! Through trial and error over the years, I have found that nothing keeps your make-up in place like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray. It’s $33 for one full size bottle regularly. This set from the NSale is $44 for 2 full size + one travel size! Great deal! Major $ saver! These will last me forever.
Adidas Crewneck Sweatshirt: Last year, I bought the Nike crop in almost every color and wore it so much throughout the year, so when I saw this Adidas crop in neon yellow/green, I knew I had to get it! Totally loving the oversized fit of this sweatshirt! The neon blush/coral is also really pretty and I’m considering it too! I have such a thing for neon colors and Adidas! I paired it with the Zella High-Waist Live-in Leggings I purchased a few years ago. They are also a part of the NSale.
Waffle Cocoon Cardigan: Newly released BFD Cardigan and it’s soooo cozy. It lives up to its cocoon name! This one is a little heavier, but will be so amazing this fall/winter!
Free People Leo Henley Tee: This shirt was last year’s NSale purchase. I still love it! It has low inventory, but if you watch for restocks and returns, you can totally still get one! This year it is offered in white, black, olive green, and cocoa.
Initial Pendant Necklace: LOVE this necklace so much. I am so glad I got one! I’ve been wearing it every day. It’s great quality for the price and really pretty!
Good American Good Legs Chewed Hem Skinny Jeans: Erin and I both bought these jeans last year. They are definitely a closet staple if you don’t have a pair– extremely flattering.
Vans Chambray Classic Slip-on Sneakers: I love chambray so I had to get a pair of these. They sold out very quickly in smaller sizes, but there are still some available! Such a good price for these shoes! Erin and I both went crazy over them!
French Terry Boyfriend Sweatshirt: The comfiest Free People sweatshirt! I have it in 4 different colors and wear it all the time! I added olive green to my collection this NSale! I’m wearing it here with the Good American jeans above.
Steve Madden Finn Chain Pointed Toe Mule: Loving these Steve Madden beauties! The color goes with so many items from my wardrobe! Classy and timeless look.
Set of 4 Monogram Marble Coasters: I’m a sucker for marble. These were the perfect addition to my kitchen and will match my future home’s kitchen perfectly!
Shop ashley's purchases
What Erin Purchased
Printblock Plaid Button-Up Shirt : I have been seeing shirts like this making more of an appearance lately and I always purchase one unique piece from the NSale. To my surprise this flannel was was authentic flannel which I loved. I could have gotten away with a size small but stayed with the medium for an oversized look that I will feel comfortable wearing leggings with. I also loved the sleeve detail as they are a little “puffed” and it gives it a girly feel.
Thread and Supply Wubby Jacket : I was in need of a Winter White jacket that would also keep me warm! Got this piece in a Medium so I could wear long sleeved shirts under it comfortably!
Cozy Hooded Faux Fur Jacket : I can’t get myself one and not get Ava one to match! Of course, hers I purchased in the tan specifically because she tends to get messy! Ordered this so she can wear it all winter long! I absolutely love the little ears on the hood!
Zella Restore Set Pocket Leggings : I got these in a Medium and they are seriously so comfortable. They are tight but give a different look than regulars leggings. Purchased them in Black but loved the Gray, too. I ultimately chose the FP Joggers over the gray pair to add variety to my closet.
Adidas Crewneck Sweatshirt : This purchase was last minute and purely by accident. Ashley had ordered a few sizes to try and I tried it on and ended up loving it. We have a Nike one that is similar and lived in them all year last year. Plus we are here for the bright color.
Adidas Edge Lux 4 Running Shoe : Ashley and I absolutely love our Adidas tennis shoes, so when these went on sale they were too good to pass by. I got them in this rose gold color and I am in love with them.
Habitual Girl Tie Front Top & Pants Set : You know that I am raising a little fashionista! I couldn’t get over this adorable outfit. While I got it for her to grow into the quality is fantastic and Ava will be able to rock this all winter long!
Zella Amazing Crewneck Sweatshirt : It is a little different this year – softer it seems! But I am here for it! Still has the classic pockets and I ordered it in the Large again for that oversized look. Also, I am loving this color!
Free People The Way You Move Joggers : Okay, it was a tough race between these joggers and the Zella Joggers in gray but I ultimately chose something that I don’t have anything close to. When Ashley and I are struggling with a purchase we both have mental notes of each others closets so we will say things like “you have a lot of things similar” or “you have I nothing close to it, keep it!” Ash has a few things from FP that I love but I couldn’t find my piece until now.
Tucker + Tate Hooded Denim Jacket: Okay, how adorable is this jacket though? Ashley stumbled upon it and said “Ava needs this!” She really did. Future Blogger, maybe?
Vans Chambray Classic Slip-on Sneaker: When I first saw these at Ashley’s house I immediately fell in love. I missed them the first time around but she ended up scoring them for me. I tried them on and they are so comfortable. I am a sucker for a good slide on shoe!
BP Moonlight Short Pajamas: We both got a matching set for an upcoming trip and we basically live in them. They are seriously the best pjs I have ever put on!
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Long Cardigan: Ashley basically convinced me that I needed this, though convincing me wasn’t hard. I love everything Barefoot Dreams and the fact that you practically feel like you’re wrapping the blanket around you is a total bonus! I love that I can wear it over my pajamas or out and about! It it so versatile that I got it in beige, too!
Initial Pendant Necklace: Admittedly, I did not make this purchase. Ashley gifted it to me for my upcoming birthday snd just like me, she can’t keep surprises to herself. I love it so much and the mission behind it!
Shop erin's purchases
What We Returned
These are some of the items that didn’t work for us for certain reasons or maybe we just chose a different color choice. We explain why we returned them and provided links because some of them might still work for you!
Good American French Terry Boyfriend Sweatshirt: We didn’t like the bottom band on this sweatshirt. It was not as oversized and comfortable as it looked in the photo. This one went back for us!
Free People Windy Meadow Pocket Joggers: Ended up not liking the fit of these joggers. They were comfy, but too baggy and big. To be honest, they were too much like a pair of Hanes sweatpants from Walmart to even pay the sale price for. Returned!
Barefoot Dreams Namaste Two-Piece Lounge Set: This wasn’t as comfy as other Barefoot Dreams items we own. It was kind of a weird look– almost like a lady’s pants suit. lol. This item is sold out, but we returned ours!
Steve Madden Tangible Sandal: Loved this shoe, but decided to keep the Vince Camuto sandal instead. These ones have a super high heel. Ultimately, sent them back.
Free People Metti Crewneck in Mauve: Had a hard time deciding between the two colors, but decided on olive green because this one wasn’t as bold. It was a little bit “blah” and not as pretty as shown on the website.
Free People The Way You Move Short: Weird fit. Very wide leg openings. They made the booty area way too visible. Returned!
Caslon Drape Collar Knit Blazer: LOVED this, honestly, but it was way too short. It was so unique and fun and also really soft, but I just don’t like wearing short blazers to work as a teacher. I prefer longer in back! If you’re OK with a shorter blazer, definitely grab one. Reluctantly sent it back.
We hope you enjoyed this year’s NSale round-up! Remember, the sale opens up to everyone on Wednesday, July 28th! Cardholders can still shop exclusively until then. Prices go back up on August 9th so be sure to get your orders placed by August 8th! We hope you enjoy our try-ons and honest reviews and found something you loved here!! Happy shopping!♡
xo,
Ash & Er
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