W2WW News Flash - Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts on Friday, July 20th.

Image from nordstrom.com.

In the middle of beach and sun and fun, a great opportunity for fall clothing presents itself each summer.   I'm talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  It happens each July, and for a limited time, fall clothes (yes, current season!) are on sale for a limited time.  They return to full price once the sale is over.  This year, prices are marked down starting Friday, July 20th and return to full price on August 6th.

Usually an annual rite, I use the benefit of my Nordstrom credit card and shop Early Access; if you have a Nordstrom card, you too can log in and have early shopping access!  Here are some of the items that intrigued me for this fall (although you might not be able to click on the provided links until Friday if you are not a Nordstrom card-holder).

This Diane Von Furstenberg investment clutch is less of an investment at $298.90, rather than the regular price of $465.  The black version is timeless, and of course, I'm completely drawn to the tassel!

Image from nordstrom.com.

If you were wanting to get a new pair of jeans at a great price, these AG 'Hope' Jeans (a slim bootcut fit) are a great buy at $109.90 (original price, $175).

Image from nordstrom.com.

Stock up on our favorite Hanky Panky thongs - $14.90 a pair rather than $20 each.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Or dabble in fall's hot colorblock-ing trend (more on that later!) with this Vince Camuto dress, originally $160, but $105.90 during the Anniversary Sale.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Whatever it is you'll be craving this fall, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale kicks off the season this Friday!  ~ JH

...you have a fabulous leather skirt. (Could also be entitled: Demystifying personal shopping - Part 5.)

You may remember reading that I picked up this fabulous 3.1 Philip Lim caramel leather skirt earlier this season and have been wearing it with black mostly.  

Photo from net-a-porter.com

I want to wear it into spring and don't really know what to put with it besides the obvious white T-shirt to lighten it up for spring.  Enter Personal Shopper Amy Swartz at Nordstrom!  A really great personal shopper knows her store inventory and can all sorts of options to work with a favorite item you already own, marrying it with all sorts of unexpected pieces to create whole new look.  That's just what I need for this skirt.  Something fun and unexpected.  

My appointment was right in the middle of February school vacation week, so I brought my own personal photographer (9 yo daughter) and her assistants (5 yo brother and sister) along for counsel.

Here's what Amy had ready for me...

And some of the looks with the skirt and lovely Yves Saint Laurent navy patent wedges.

Here's a casual look with silk tee and denim skirt.

Another casual look with a Vince Camuto striped top.

Another Vince Camuto silk top...a bit more reserved.

Navy is always good with caramel.  Here's a silky top from Parker.

And another fun, colorful top from Diane Von Furstenberg.

A cream silk tee, from Joie, always looks good.

This was AWFULLY frumpy and the color was horrid on me.

A crochet tank from Vince that I've had my eye on for a while.

This jacketed look from Elizabeth and James is pretty hot.

Can you believe all the combinations that Amy thought of for one great skirt?  So, which ones do you like?  Which should I get? ~ LB

Unless otherwise noted, photos are Lisa Bida's.