Early Access Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019

The is here! shopping is now open and I am working like a mad woman to find my favorite deals and post them here for you.  I will be updating in spurts to get things out as quickly as possible, and I’ll also be updating as things are getting close to being sold out or actually sell out.  It’s going to happen super fast on several items.  The has been read and re-read…although frankly it was kind of disappointing to me this year, but fortunately, what is in store and online is SO much better than I thought it might be from what I saw in the catalog!! If you’ve followed the blog for a long time you know this sale is a main summer event in our house and that the is our favorite shopping day of the year.  I’m a pretty practical girl, so I always go at everything with a plan.  Along with all my favorites, I’m sharing how I shop the sale so that you can get the most out of this great sale too.  I’ll share what I think will sell out first, what will be the most popular this year and a plan to make sure you don’t miss out on those items. (this post contains affiliate links)

WHEN IS THE ?

• July 9 – Icon pre-shop in stores
• July 10-11 Icon and Ambassador Pre-Shop in Stores
• July 11 (12:30AM EST) Icon and Ambassador Pre-Shop Online
• July 12-18 (Early Access for Nordstrom Card Holders starts NOW and runs for a week…learn why this is so important below)
• July 19- August 4 Sale Opens to the Public
• August 5th Prices Go Back Up

Early Access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for cardholders starts at 12:30PM EST July 12th and ends July 18th!  Why is early access such a big deal?  The most popular items usually sell out during and many of them never get restocked! I have learned this the hard way.  A few years ago there was a bag I really wanted.  I waited until the sale opened to the public and it was GONE.  Poof!  So, if there’s something you really want… you have to become a .  After having the experience of missing out on items a couple of years in a row, I decided it was time to get one a few years ago.

I know it’s 100 degrees outside right now, but I love all these layers!!

WHAT IS NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE EARLY ACCESS AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT?

Early Access Nordstrom Anniversary Sale shopping is when all Nordstrom card holders get a few days to shop the sale before the sale opens to the general public.  This year they have decided to change things up a little bit and Icon and Ambassador level shoppers get several days of pre-sale both in stores and online.  Is it silly to want to reach a “shopping level?”  Maybe, but I want Icon status one year! Goals…lol! John is totally rolling his eyes right now. 😉

So…do you have aNordstrom card?  If you don’t, you can sign up RIGHT NOW and get approval and a code to start shopping immediately…even before your card arrives…as in right now!  And, they give you $40 in Nordstrom Notes to shop with when you sign up.  If you are planning on a big purchase, make sure to use your double points day too so you can earn even MORE notes.  That means savings on top of savings! So much of the sale merchandise sells out before the sale even opens to the general public, it is really the only way to shop this sale. So if you haven’t signed up yet, and decide it’s right for you…now is a great time!  SIGN UP HERE

MY FAVORITES OF THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

Are you ready for them?  I only get access to these items at the same time you do…so I will be feverishly updating this list as I get a chance to shop! 🙂 What do I go straight to?  Handbags, sweaters, shoes and denim, in that order. Then I shop everything else.  I have found that to be the most effective strategy for me to make sure I don’t miss out on my favorites.  So, here we go by category (hopefully that will make things easier for you to find too!) 🙂

FAVORITE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE HANDBAGS:

This overnighter is a total steal.  I love the buttery leather look of it, without the buttery leather price! 😉 The camel is the one I’m getting.  

and this cool blue leather one with a suede stripe are my favorite totes .  Very affordable but looks much more expensive.

I always love to scoop up a designer bag at this sale.  To get a brand new, in season bag for a super low price is the best deal! This is the one I’m grabbing this year. 

FAVORITE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE SWEATERS:

The color combo and color blocking on this sweater are SO cute for fall.  It’s the first one that went in my cart. It’s $64.90 now, $98 after the sale.  

I’m also picking up this cute striped one.  Love the collegiate look.

This cardigan is like wearing a snuggly blanket.  I own a few of them in different colors, and I love that this year they have the circle cardigan andthis straight cut one in a few different colors.  I am picking up the charcoal.  These SELL OUT FAST!!!  Get it for 76.90 now instead of $116 after the sale… this is a great deal!

FAVORITE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE SHOES:

I’m a sucker for snakeskin and leopard print (totally a neutral in my book!) and there are tons of options to pick up some super cute shoes this season.  I don’t wear heels often, but I LOVE this pair. 

These are my pick for sneakers this fall.  I wear through mine on a regular basis so I am always in need of a new pair.

Booties are a go-to for me now that I am living in a colder climate during the winters.  I need a waterproof pair or two and I’m picking these up for me and Ash.  We have worn our other pairs out.  Ash wears them to school almost everyday in the winter. They are comfy and weatherproof.

FAVORITE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE DENIM:

We are jeans people…we wear them pretty much everyday in our house no matter the season, so I am always on the hunt for a great pair of denim.  Now that Ash is in women’s sizes too it makes it fun to shop for both of us.  There’s no doubt that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of the best places to find some new jeans.  Here are our favorites this season:

I am obsessed with distressed jeans and I love the hem on these.  Just the perfect amount of distressing…they are so cute. 

I can’t stand to spend a fortune on jeans….especially for Ash who hasn’t stopped growing yet. These are $41 during the sale and she loves them.  We also got this pair.

Wit and Wisdom knows what they are doing when it comes to denim in my opinion.  Comfy, affordable and holds you in in all the right places.  Love this pair of jeans. 

A few more of my favorite picks:

FAVORITE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE ACCESSORIES:

I have been waiting for this sale to buy some new sunglasses.  I am notorious for scratching them…they always fall off my head and land straight on the lenses. 😉 So, every year I grab a couple of new pairs on sale.  And every year it’s for sure a tortoise shell, an aviator and a great black pair.  The really round ones don’t look great with my face shape, so here are my picks. 

This is .  I love the shape. 

I remember as a kid thinking my dad’s aviators were too cool.  Now I love wearing a pair and these are my pick from the sale. 

I’m having these ready for in-store pick up so I can take them on vacation.

A few other favorite sunglasses:

Plaid scarves WILL sell out.  They do every year, and this year there are fewer available for some reason, guaranteeing that they will disappear faster.  Here are the couple that I like: (the first one is my fave)

I always pick up at least a few pairs of earrings and a necklace at this sale.  My favorite Gorjana jewelry is part of the sale this year.  I am for sure getting this necklace .  These earrings are super cool.

A few more of my favorite pieces:

WHAT SELLS OUT AT THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE?

The most popular items are things that you think of when you think of fall.  Denim, activewear, sweaters, BROWN booties, sunglasses and plaid scarves.   I always think it’s interesting that it is brown booties in particular.  And then there are always the hot boots, leather jackets, and handbags (my personal fave) that go like hotcakes!   

The best way to ensure you still get what you really want from the is by ordering your favorites right away! Even if you are planning to shop in store, (which I always end up doing several times throughout the sale period) if you are worried something is going to sell out, get it now and choose the pick it up in store option, or have it shipped right to you for free.  You can always change your mind, but I’m telling you, these things go FAST!  I feel like I need to shop this sale like I do HomeGoods.  Grab it, buy it and take it home to think about it.  If I decide I don’t want it, return it.  If I wait, and think about the item and then try to go back for it…it’s always gone.

Denim is a staple for everyone, so the best deals go fast!  I am picking up several pairs for Ash and John this year for sure.  There is always a ton of great denim at the , which makes it the best time to stock up on all your favorites!

You can always find a cute pair or two of Nike’s during the sale. I always nab a pair of during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  There are some cute silver ones that I am eyeing this year and I can’t wait to get my hands on them in a few hours.   

HOW TO SHOP THE

So, what’s the best way to make the most out of this sale?  Here’s how I like to do things. I shop in waves.  Make a list of needs and wants and have it handy. 

What needs a refreshing in your closet?  Jeans, booties and maybe a cute new sweater for fall?

Is there something that you really want?

A cute new pair of boots or some sunglasses?

Whatever you really need, get those first. Put them in your cart and check out. 

Then, prioritize your wants.  Handbags are some of the first things to go, and are often one of those items that once they are gone, they are gone.  They don’t get restocked.  If you want one, I would make it a priority, and again…whatever those wants are, put them in your cart quickly and then check out. 

WARNING: Just because you add something to your cart, doesn’t mean it will still be there when you go to check out.  Shipping is free, no matter how many orders you place.  You can check out and then go back and shop again, placing several separate orders. That is one of my strategies to make sure I get what I really want.  If I waited until I was done shopping to check out…which is often a couple of hours, many of the things in my cart wouldn’t be available anymore.  We all know that the return policy at Nordstrom is top notch, so really, if you decide once your items arrive that there is something you’ve changed your mind on, it’s no problem to return it. 

All of this might sound a bit out of control, but it kind of is…this sale is crazy good, so people act a bit crazy about it.  Great prices, limited quantities, and thousands of women counting down to buy.  Nuts…but I’m one of them, so I can’t judge. 😉

I hope you are feeling prepared to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale like a pro!  I will be working hard all day today and for the upcoming two weeks to update and bring the best to you, so check back and send me any questions you have!