I used to work at Nordstrom. Once in high school, then again for three years starting when I was pregnant with Jadyn, so I worked four or five Anniversary Sales from the other side of the register. Here’s what really cool about these items and why I would get excited for it: it isn’t leftover summer items. It’s brand-new fall product, marked down before the season, that goes up to full price on August 10th. The buyers would come in and talk about the fall items that were going to be on the sale and it was always a good time to buy that fall piece you were thinking about.
I was terrible with money back then, and being at the mall every shift didn’t help. I’d shop the sale before it even opened to the public and I almost always walked out with items I didn’t need, like new flats for Jadyn (I was obsessed with buying her flats for some reason).
It's easy to get caught up in all the good deals, and I tend to spend more money when I think that way. Instead, I'm focusing on items with better quality materials. I went through the sale and pulled out only what's made of natural materials: cotton, linen, wool, silk, leather, suede. I don't mind wearing polyester here and there, like for a special-occasion dress where the style is what I'm after. But for classic pieces I'll reach for again and again, I want natural. I've got 25 core pieces here, plus a few fun accessories at the end that I think are great deals!
Bedding:
If you buy one thing from this sale, buy sheets. Here’s the difference of percale vs. sateen: Both are 100% cotton. The only difference is the weave.
Percale is the classic over-under weave, the crisp, cool, matte one. Think of the sheets on a really good hotel bed, or a freshly pressed white shirt. It breathes beautifully, so it stays cool all night and never feels clingy. The tradeoff is that it wrinkles a little and feels crisp rather than buttery. If you sleep hot, percale is made for you.
Sateen is woven so more of the thread sits on the surface, which is what gives it that soft sheen and silky drape. It feels a touch warmer and cozier against your skin, the kind of sheet you sink into on a cold night. The tradeoff is that it holds a little more heat. If you run cold, go sateen.
Boll & Branch Framed Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set
The contrast trim is so chic!
Coyuchi Classic Organic Cotton Sateen Sheet Set (in color undyed white)
Coyuchi is amazing deal when it’s on sale. GOTS certified, woven in a Fair Trade certified factory.
Nordstrom 400 Thread Count Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet
We have two sets of sheets for our bed, so when I’m washing one I can put the other one on the bed, this is great for that second set.
Parachute Organic Cotton Twill Quilt
A quilt is the layer that makes a bed look finished. I’ve had our Parachute quilt since our first house in 2020. I love the cinnamon color for making the bedroom cozy for fall, but I have the cream one.
Coyuchi Classic Organic Cotton Blanket
This is great for pulling out for a movie night or when guests come over.
Kitchen
If you've been thinking about making the switch from nonstick, this is the time to invest in cookware that will last.
Our Place 4-Piece Cookware Set
The Always Pan and Perfect Pot, plus the minis. Ceramic instead of the usual nonstick coating: Our Place says it’s made without PFAS, PTFE, PFOA, lead, or cadmium. If you’re currently using non-stick pans they most likely contain forever chemicals, so it’s best to switch to something like this or stainless steel.
Madein Stainless Stainless Clad Frying Pan Set
Madein pans are fully clad 5-ply stainless, five layers of steel and aluminum bonded together and running all the way up the sides, so the whole pan heats evenly instead of just the bottom. The aluminum in the core spreads the heat, the stainless makes it last, and the magnetic stainless exterior means it works on induction and every other cooktop. I love using stainless steel to cook with because there’s no coating to scratch or wear off, nothing leaches into your food, it doesn’t react with a tomato sauce or a splash of wine, and it takes the high heat that gives you a real sear. They also rarely go on sale.
LE CONNOISSEUR 6.6 Qt. Round French Oven
This is perfect if you wanted to get started on making sourdough bread, I also use this to make our stews, I use it many times weekly it’s worth the investment.
For Baby:
These are staple items that aren’t on sale very often so I think are worth it:
I love ours, it’s what I used for Elliott and now with Clive. It folds up so you can take it on a trip too.
Nuna Rava Next Flame Retardant-Free Convertible Car Seat
$150 off, such a deal! We love Nuna in our house, no added flame retardants, which is pretty tough to find in a car seat.
Nuna PIPA Aire RX + PIPA Relx Base
Both of these are in my non-toxic baby registry guide!
WILDBIRD Aerial Linen Baby Carrier
100% linen for a baby carrier is a really good deal.
Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair with cushion and tray
We love ours, it supports correct sitting position as they grow and it’s rare to see it on sale.
For Kids:
This is also a good time to think about back-to-school items. I'm keeping fall in mind in general as I look at the kids' clothes:
Polo Ralph Lauren Kids’ Cable Stitch Cotton Cardigan
This one is so classy! Cardigans are on repeat for us in the fall.
Mini Boden Kids’ Scallop Trim Cardigan
I love the print of these ones.
Two-Piece Organic Cotton Rib Pajamas
Long sleeve PJs are something they’ll wear again and again.
I love layering a white long-sleeve like this under a cardigan. It's also great if they go to a school with uniforms.
Poppy likes short sleeve under cardigans because she tends to run hot, so this is something she’ll wear more.
What I’m loving for myself:
I tend to look for simple items I can use as classic basics:
Free People Torres Turtleneck Sweater
100% cotton and runs slightly large. I love it in the cream color.
Relaxed Fit Pima Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt
Pima is extra-long-staple cotton, which is a fancy way of saying the fibers are longer, so it's softer, stronger, and doesn't pill or go rough the way cheap cotton does. That's why it costs more, so it’s a good deal when it’s on sale.
Nordstrom Gingham Cotton Pajamas
These are so cute! I love they don’t look like typical PJs. I like the navy color combo.
Ella Rib Lettuce Trim Cotton Pointelle Tank
Such a cute trim detail on a classic tank.
Love the style of this, also breastfeeding friendly with the opening.
Free People We The Free Palmer Cuffed Baggy Jeans
Free people always has good fits, their jeans are some of my favorites!
Merino wool is something I’ll invest in because it’s warm and breathable. I love it in the cream color.
Natori Bliss Cotton French Cut Briefs
My favorite underwear, what I switched to when I was looking for cotton underwear. Pima cotton with a cotton-lined gusset, they’re so comfortable!
Handbags:
Lately I've been using two styles: either a smaller shoulder bag or a larger tote with all the kids' items in it:
The Date Night Suede Shoulder Bag
Real suede and perfect 90s style.
This is a great size for shoulder bag and I love the dark color of the suede.
This is such a classic, I love the Madewell bags, the leather always feels so nice.
Accessories:
These are fun styles I love!
Pearl Cross Necklace (I got one for me and one for Jay)
Gisele Cat-Eye Polarized Sunglasses
Pure Silk 6-Pack Skinny Scrunchies- These are perfect for ponytails, they protect my hair with real silk and don’t hurt when you pull it out.
What I’m skipping
Barefoot Dreams and the CozyChic blankets. They’re 100% polyester microfiber and something I avoid when looking for blankets.
Vegan leather.“Vegan leather” is plastic, usually polyurethane. It cracks, it peels, and it’s in a landfill in three years. A real leather bag on sale is the better buy in every way that matters. Some people do it for animal rights, I think that’s different if thats why you want to buy it, but don’t buy it thinking it’s better quality.
Anything labeled “performance,” “moisture-wicking,” or “wrinkle-free.” Those are finishes. I have this type of material for our couch, but for clothes I try to avoid.
Faux fur throws. Also plastic.
xx Brittany