Stepping it Up!

I've been one busy mama. I work a full eight hour day assisting three different departments and when I get home I assist one demanding diva, my five year old daughter and oh yeah, occasionally my husband. Okay, I keed - my daughter isn't demanding, well not all the time and I treasure the moments I get in the door, kick off my shoes and spend time with my family.

Also, I entered a new dimension...elementary school. My daughter started Kindergarten today - how did this all happen? I look at new moms with there adorable newborns and I think that was me yesterday, yeah yesterday like five years ago.

I'll be exploring this topic more coming soon - I just really wanted to explain my side of the story on why I've been M.I.A. in the blog world lately - as in this blog world. I've been posting regularly on another online magazine and when it comes time to pay attention to my site, I've been acting like one bad bitchy neglecting mother!

Good news: I actually have new product to share with you guys!

SHOES...Yes, you read that correctly. The one item I wanted to review that's near and dear to my heart next to eye shadows and lipsticks - shoes. A good reason why I can't report on shoes regularly - they are hella expensive or they can be, especially the ones I wish I can prance around in.

What I really craved in my wardrobe was a wedge pump that was fancy enough to hold it's own while paired with cropped trousers and pencil skirts while being able to hang out with my boyfriend, straight leg and skinny jeans.

I allowed myself to purchase just one item from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale

I went with these:

Coach Emma Pump.

Peep toe was not a pre-requisite, in fact I wanted a closed toe. But I am a sucker for details, especially bows. How could I resist this?

It stands at 3 1/4", it's patent leather upper/leather lining and rubber sole. It's a perfect height for work and basically getting around in. 

I did the unthinkable, I walked around in these from my car, to train station, to office. It's about a seven minute walk to my office from the train station. I survived. It wasn't like walking in a sherpa lined Ugg slipper but it didn't kill me either. In fact, I walked around in these and never had to change into flats. I took a break the next day by wearing flats and my feet were not hurting. I proceeded with the break in process again the day after. 

Yes, it did rub around my feet - they aren't the most narrow, dainty feet. If I could survive in these shoes so can you. Unless your feet are wider than mine. I didn't get any blisters but I also don't wear these on consecutive days just so my bunion doesn't yell at me. These are true to size (I got these in a 9 and I can sometimes wear a 8 1/2 depending on designer). Withing two weeks, they are broken in. The one annoying thing you have to factor - there's a bit of a squeaky noise when I walk due to the patent leather. I'll get over it but it'll probably drive my cubicle neighbors crazy. 

I bought these for $124.99/USD during the sale and they are now retailing at $188/USD

I didn't stop there, I bought another. Ugh, I know I am weak. But how cute are these kicks:

Adidas Dragon Sneaker for girls. 

My daughter has to look good for school, right? The problem was I showed these to her too soon. She begged us daily to wear these. When I purchased these for her, school was at least three weeks away. Her dad was good at saying no just to preserve the clean look of these shoes. White? What was I thinking? But I am also a girl that loves shoes how could I say no? 

I allowed her to wear them around at preschool and also around when we went out on the weekends. They did get a bit dirty but they are not as bad as me wearing white shoes. I would have spilled coffee within the first five minutes of wear time. 

It has a removable insole, textile and synthetic upper/textile lining/EVA sole.

I bought these on sale for $36.99 and it is now regularly priced at $53.95/USD. These run a bit big. My daughter is currently a size 12 and I got her a 12.5. She's got substantial space but I know that is fleeting since she shoots about a 1/4 of an inch each month. 

My daughter and I are very pleased with our shoes. Seriously though, she takes after me - no surprises here, well just in cost savings. 

These shoes were purchased by yours truly at Nordstrom. 

Beauty Bash: Nordstrom Style

If you didn't know this already or hiding underneath a rock hiding with your credit cards only to resurface after August 5th, then you know that their humongous Anniversary sale is happening as I type. Well what you may not know is that Nordstrom is also hosting beauty events.

At selected Bay Area Nordstrom locations - customers will be treated to a complimentary blow-out bar, nail bar, facial bar, lash bar, and brow bar, learn the latest beauty tips and tricks from their favorite brands, and grab an exclusive goodie bar. What a great way to get a little freshen up before your date night or meet with your girlfriends, sisters, mothers, etc!

Happy Hour: Friday, July 19^th from 5-8 pm!

·         Nordstrom Hillsdale

·         Nordstrom Walnut Creek

·         Nordstrom Palo Alto

·         Nordstrom Valley Fair

That's not all...

Early Access: Saturday, July 20 starting at 9am!

Customers will get the chance to experience complimentary makeup touch-ups, learn the latest beauty tips and tricks, and grab an exclusive Anniversary Sale goodie bag – as well as an opportunity to shop their favorite beauty brands before the store opens that day.

At these locations:

·         Nordstrom Stonestown

·         Nordstrom Stoneridge

Mini M.A.C.

My daughter's birthday, my wedding anniversary, Halloween, Girl Scout Cookies...these are my favorite times of the year. Just recently I added one more - Nordstrom Triple Points weekend! 

I really try to make my purchases count at this time since you earn triple the points per dollar you spend. So I was lucky enough to have space on my account for some Chanel eye cream and this little lovely:

Rebecca Minkoff's Mini M.A.C. Shoulder Bag:

I have been craving a Rebecca Minkoff purse since the first time I laid my heavily kohl lined eyes on her M.A.B. -  'Morning After Bag' about seven years ago. Although I didn't have the funds to let me go big this time, I decided to go a bit modest with my first RM piece. 

And it is a small bag, perfect for weekend brunches, date night or any other occassion that doesn't call for stashing a large wallet filled with coupons or snacks for your daughter. I suspect that you can use this for work if you are light traveler. I think that's one of the reasons why I bought this - I need to start packing less. 

Here's a peek inside:

With two small interior pockets and a small zip pocket in front covered by the buckle closure, this is a slim purse. But don't let the size fool you - it is heavy due to the chain link strap. I read some customer complaints that long hair will get snagged easily by this strap and that hasn't happened to me...yet. It's a long strap that easily converts to a cross-body bag for hands free capabilities - when you are traveling or a parent, sometimes this is all it takes to sell a bag. 

Here's what I can stash when using this bag:

I stash my large Droid phone in the pink Kate Spade wristlet, along with some credit cards and some cash. I can also fit a small coin purse filled with change and my train pass. The chunky key chain surprisingly fits as well. And this is the biggest challenge- my touch-up makeup options. I need a mirror so a compact or blush will do. There's no room for options so I commit to a lipstick/gloss duo for the day. Not shown - my asthma inhaler, another item that needs to fit into any bag I carry with me because I never know when I'll be stuck in a car or closet with three long haired persian cats. 

I was debating about trading this in for a larger more practical RM purse when I can afford it but I really love this bag. I'm also happy I chose the Periwinkle shade over traditional black or brown. I have to give my 4 yr old daughter credit for selecting the color. 

Well she also chose the pink one but I'm not a 4 yr. old girl or Paris Hilton.

I purchased this purse at my local Nordstrom department store where I am known by all the makeup sales associates.  

Nordstrom Triple Points Weekend

Hey Nordstrom card holding fans, you knew what last weekend was, right? For those of you that don't know what the hell I'm talking about it was triple points weekend for Nordstrom card holders. Meaning that for every item purchased you not only earned one point per dollar spent - you earned 3pt per dollar! When you collect 2000 points you earn a Nordstrom note, $20 coupon off your next purchase.

So what did I buy? My purchases were pretty modest but they were items on my radar list:

From the top, a pair of classic cat eye tortoiseshell framed sunglasses by Kate Spade. I love Kate Spade shades - my other favorite pair of shades I own are my Kate Spade aviators. Also, my shades need some updating.

The bright fuchsia gloss is of course part of the recent Roses Ultimes de Chanel Glossimer/Nail collection. I love this gloss and I will post a look soon. And of course, my shadow collection is not complete without this very classic and one size fits all taupe shimmer, Safari. Such a beautiful nude on my eye that I'm kicking myself for not buying it years sooner. Also, I heard a nasty rumor that this is being discontinued - I hope the counter manager was wrong. Luckily, I snagged the last one she had.

My plan is to be responsible and pay off my bill before the next points event happens - I better check their calendar to get ready. Another great thing being about their fashion rewards program? On a day you  know you'll be making that huge purchase, you can arrange for a triple points day (you are only allowed one day).

Also, I am told that another HUGE NARS event will occur at the Westfield Nordstrom, downtown SF.

You know I have to be ready for that one!!

What did you guys score??