A few days ago, Gulley and I got an email from our friend Steph. She asked if we wanted to meet for breakfast and then go to the grand opening of the new Nordstrom Rack store.
Sure, count me in. By the way, what exactly is Nordstrom Rack?
Turns out it’s a fancy name for a Nordstrom outlet, otherwise known as the store where dreams come true.
So, yesterday after breakfast, we headed to the big grand opening.
Apparently we weren’t the only ones who decided to attend. There were women everywhere grabbing clothes off racks, waiting in long lines just to get in the dressing room, and balancing four boxes of shoes and eight handbags at the same time.
It was a sight to behold. Honestly, it brought a tear to my eye to see the dedication to shopping excellence.
Gulley, Steph, and I started off as a merry little band of shoppers.
We went straight to a rack full of Ed Hardy t-shirts and True Religion jeans. That was our first clue that we were in the midst of some seriously discounted prices.
Pretty soon, we all went our separate ways as we searched the store for bargains.
This is where I need to let y’all know that I am a fabulous shopper. Truly, I am like a bird dog in a field full of quail. (P will be so proud of me for that analogy, even though I really don’t know what it means other than I have skills for finding things.)
I have a sense of what will look good, what is truly a good deal, and the ability to skim merchandise quickly to ensure someone else doesn’t beat me to the last of anything. Honestly, I am a little prideful when it comes to my shopping ability and am even a little picky about who I shop with because I don’t need any dead weight holding me back.
And I mean that in the most loving way.
Steph left me in the dust.
From the moment we walked into the store, Gulley and I watched her eyes glaze over. She handed us each a Nordstrom Rack bag and began barking orders like a drill seargant, “DON’T OVERTHINK ANYTHING. JUST FILL THE BAG AND MAKE FINAL DECISIONS LATER!”
While I was standing by a rack full of sweater dresses, marveling at the incredibly low prices, she had already made her way through half the store and abandoned her tote bag for a full-on shopping cart.
Every now and then, she’d circle back to where we were with her cart full of things she thought we needed to see. Scarves, t-shirts, boots, and handbags. With dizzying efficiency, she’d say, “Gulley, you need this jacket because you can wear it to an Aggie football game! Mel, I found this pink shirt that will go with the scarf I showed you earlier! Girls, you need to get to the shoe department IMMEDIATELY and check out these boots! GO! GO! GO!” It was unlike anything I have ever experienced.
And just when I thought I’d seen the height of shopping excellence, I glanced up and saw her standing next to a rack of coats while talking on her cell phone. Not only was she simultaneously looking for bargains for Gulley and me, but she was on the phone with her mama describing various items that she thought she might like.
By the time we stood in a twenty minute line to check out, she had finished her Christmas shopping, bought three jackets for her mama and her mama’s best friend, found incredible sale items for Gulley and me, and become friends with most of the sales staff. She’d even befriended a lady whose shoes got stolen after she took them off while trying on a new pair.
I humbly bow to her shopping prowess. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever witnessed.
Sadly, I didn’t have my camera to document any of this in photos. P had the camera because he needed to take some photos for his landscape portfolio.
Whatever, like that’s important.
I desperately needed to take photos of all the mass shopping chaos and the cute scarf I bought. Oh, AND I saw Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs? Married to Eva Longoria?) getting out of his white Ferrari. But the important thing is that P was able to take photos of someone’s Southern Wax Myrtles.
So while I can’t show you photos of my bargain purchases, I can tell you about them. I bought a JWLA shirt very similar to this one for just $30.00. I found a darling multi-colored scarf with a ruffled edge. I bought a long, plaid tunic-type shirt that will look great with a belt and a beautiful sweater coat that was 75% off its regular price, otherwise known as dirt cheap.
It was one of the best shopping experiences of my life. The savings! The clothes! The realization that I am friends with the most proficient shopper in the San Antonio area and perhaps the southern United States!
My point is that if you find yourself in San Antonio, you need to head out to The Rim shopping center and get yourself to the Rack. There are some serious bargains to be found.
You might even see Tony Parker. And maybe you’ll be fortunate enough to have your camera with you.
Okay, don’t I usually answer some questions or something?
1. Heather asks: “Am I allowed to wear leggings if I’m 36? I’m wondering if I could pull off leggings with my boots? Obviously, I’d wear a long sweater or whatever on top, but are they too trendy?”
I may be slightly biased because I am 37 and don’t think I’m too old for leggings.
Yes, it’s a trendy look but I am a fan. It’s all about finding the right pieces. A good pair of leggings, a nice sweater dress or tunic top and boots. Plus, I think you need to be a little tall so that the look doesn’t overwhelm your figure.
You can find leggings everywhere right now, but these are really inexpensive. I’ve also seen these at Target.
For the top, you could do something like this. Or this. Or this from Old Navy is cute and affordable.
When it comes to boots, you can find them in all colors, sizes, styles and price ranges. I really like these. Or these because I have been dreaming about them for the last year or so.
And don’t forget, even skinny jeans are okay if you wear them tucked into boots. It’s like the boots are miracle workers that redeem even the worst fashion travesties.
2. Hollie asks: “I just bought these UGGs, they are really tall or you can fold them over. What would you wear with them to look like you bought them with some sort of clue? Please help.
Hollie, please see answer to question 1. Those boots would be perfection with leggings or over skinny jeans.
And I’m only about 98% envious that you own them.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll find my very own pair for 150% off next time I go to the Rack.
Which may be tomorrow.
Y’all have a great Friday!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011
There’s a Rack in northern Atlanta at the Mall of Georgia for all you Southeastern girls!!! Come on over. LOVE it!!!!!!
Oh the scene you painted at the store… I am cracking up still and actually out loud and it’s so early.. Oh I miss Texas, the shopping and he mexican food!
We have the RACK here in PA and I love it! You have to get there early in the morn before everything is picked over and tossed about, but so worth standing in the cold on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open…with a hot cup of STARBUCKS of course
I desperately need the Rack!
I wish I lived close enough to go shopping with you, you and I would have a blast.
Yeah, your friend Steph and I sound like kindred spirits. Except I am like that every time I go shopping – a sale or a new store doesn’t have to be involved. Y’all should have had whistles like in that one episode of “Friends” when they shop for Monica’s wedding dress.
That’s it. When we come down to San Antonio for THanksgiving, The Rack is on my to do list. We had one in California, and I LIVED there. Did you check out the kids section? GREAT bargains there too.
And I thought I was a good shopper because I can now tell when a sweater is made from acrylic BEFORE looking at the tag. I am not a fan of acrylic.
I remember when I lived in the San Francisco Bay area in the late 80′s they opened a Nordstrom’s Rack. I remember going to the grand opening and experiencing the same shopping madness. Woman were everywhere grabbing what they could before someone else could get what they maybe wanted to buy. I remember my red sweater purchase that I wore till it could be worn no more. I had to pull it off of a manaquin. Enjoy!
I could so hang with you. We’ve had a Rack for quite some time at the Mall of America. It is my must stop. For over 10 years. I bought shoes when I was in high school. Last year I went in and bought some dress I’ll never have anywhere to wear, but DUDE, it was $13.
I’m raising one too: http://themommylogues.blogspot.com/2008/11/my-mini-fashionista.html
Have I mentioned before that we have a Wal-mart? We are very happy to have it for our daily needs, but it really isn’t good for clothes, especially for short, fat grandmas!
Of course, I love living in a small town, and when we get to a big city, we can shop if we are so inclined!
Love your blog!
I have The Rack close by me too. Many a fashion find to be had there. The latest score is my daughter’s prom dress (A Calvin Klein cream colored silk sheath – exactly what she wanted) for $14.99. Yes, $14.99. Gotta love The Rack.
Oh that takes me back to the days of my childhood when my mom would take us to the Macy’s Bargain Basement. The crowds were CRAZY! So my mom would make me and my sister wear our swimming suits under our clothes and would have us try on clothes right there in the store. My mom is a serious bargain shopping .. no time for dressing rooms! I miss that store!
So the big question: once you got home and tried everything on, did it all fit? Were you still happy with it? That’s my problem at these blow-out sales–I’m like your friend, grabbing everything in sight, and then when I try it on they make me look like my hips extend to another state!
But you have several lessons learned: Shop with your friend. Bring your camera. And go to the bathroom beforehand!
Doesn’t shopping make you realize how much we have in this country, too? I know after I’ve been on missions trips I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude about it.
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
What a blast! Where are we going next month? Have a great weekend & please say a prayer for my hubby on Sunday for the marathon.
I am having a hard time believing you’ve never been to Nordstrom Rack before. Really? How can this be?
There’s one like two minutes from my house–and other than the LONG LINES it is a marvelous thing. That and the Loehmann’s just minutes away too. Not to mention the big Nordstrom at Park Meadows, which is just across the street.
I’m a lucky gal!
So funny! I’ve seen her eyes glaze over like that — and what comes next is a sight to behold! Wouldn’t she be a great personal shopper?
We don’t have “the rack” here, but that’s not surprising because we don’t have ANY GOOD SHOPPING HERE!!!!! I have to go to Nashville AT LEAST to get some good shopping in! I’m seriously jealous – I could give your friend a serious run for her money!
I jsut have to give a shout out to Hollie’s question. I litteraly laughed out loud when I read “look like I bought them wiht some sort of clue.” Too funny!
I laughed so hard I had my chocolate milk laced coffee in my nasal passage. Thank you for that. I think you should teach a shopping class. I think I have decent skills, but not compared to what I just read.
Love the Rack so so much. We call it the Crack actually.
My first NR experience came shortly before my wedding more than six years ago–I purchased a nearly-$200 pair of blue suede dress shoes (my something blue)for 17 dollars! And I still wear them today, because they are by some fancy Italian who makes great shoes!
Oh,Melanie! Isn’t the Rack amazing? For the last several years, we always had to wait for my husband’s annual business trip to Seattle at which time he would load up on great deals for me and kids. But then, MIRACULOUSLY, one opened in our area THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY! Oh, yes, we went on a birthday shopping trip and I scored THREE awesome pairs of boots. And yes, I did have to snag one pair of WICKED AWESOME (I live in Boston) Franco Sarto grey suede boots (because, as I told my husband, grey is the new black)because there were SEVERAL other fellow shoppers eyeing the same, last pair!
I’m going back today with my birthday money.
I work right by a Rack, it’s literally two minutes from my office. I only allow myself to go on Wednesdays (that’s when they get their shipments in), and I actually WALKED AWAY from a winter white, leather Kate Spade the other day.
I would say that it was an exercise in self-control but it’s really only because I bought a Trina Turk dress last week.
Good to know that there’s one in San Antonio now!
I’m famous! I’m so happy you chose my leggings question for FF, and I’m happy you’ve decided they’re OK for an aged lady like myself to wear. Luckily, I’m tall and fairly thinnish so I am going to put them on this weekend and wear them with pride. And with my cute new boots from Anthro!
P.S. Thanks for all of your Compassion work. It’s because of you that I’m sponsoring a little girl from the Dominican now.
I’ve gotta admit, I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but have never commented, and I thoroughly enjoy it. I laugh daily and sometimes call my mom and read her the really funny parts! This post has given me shopping fever. I’m about to get myself and my son dressed and head to our Rack in Dallas. I NEED an Ed Hardy shirt. Thanks for the humor!
Lauren in Dallas
Great post! Just had to mention that i own a pair of the Frye harness boots (just like the ones you show) and I LOVE them. Have had them for two years and never tire of them. Worth every penny.
Big Mama,
I just had to share with your readers on Fashion Friday that I found the PERFECT pair of jeans that are under $100!
I have a hard time finding jeans that don’t gap in the waist because while I have a smallish waist, my backside is curvy, so to get a jean to fit my backside, they gap in the waist, but to get them to fit my waist, they suffocate my booty!
The old school brand Calvin Klein saved me this fall! I highly recommend this pair of Lean Boot-Cut Jeans. They can be found at Macy’s:
http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=256054&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results
Nordtrom:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2986056/0~2376780~6009391~6016524~6016539?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6016539&P=1
They come in varying inseams and an array of waist sizes. I just had to share the wonders of this jean. All ye women of the small waist and ample booty, go forth and try on these jeans, you will not be disappointed!
I am totally surprised you hadn’t experienced the Rack before. Shocked, even, that there is a store that I would have been to that you had not.
Congratulations on your oh so successful shopping experience. I’ve got to get over there and find me some boots now that you mention it.
Oh, and here’s hoping for victory in Waco tomorrow… what are the odds?
~Donna
I wish I had this fevor for shopping. I honestly don’t like to shop for several reason:
- I worked retail for 17 years and that is enough to do anybody in.
- I never have any extra money these days
- I’m not good at it.
I wish I had your knack for it.
Impressive day you all had hitting the racks! I consider that a workout and so now you can skip exercise for at least the weekend.
I went to a NR just a few weeks ago in Seattle. We don’t even have the REAL Nordstroms in Nashville. Anyhoo, I bought my niece a pair of Lucky Brand jeans for $39.00!! And yes, I will be getting the best aunt of the year award.
I have just a little bit of envy for your shopping skills right now…I have the ability to go into ANY store and find only things that are identical to what I already own.
I have never been to the Rack – surely there’s on in Atlanta somewhere haha . . .
I have a little fashion friday post over on my blog too . . .
Jayci’s Guide to Style
You are a HOOT! I enjoy every post you enter!
AHH! shopping… It truly does something to the soul. Bad mood, wander around Anthropologie. That store makes me feel young again….like when I wore all of my favorite things at once.
We have a Nordstroms here in Columbus but no RACK. I wonder if I could put a business case together and make them open one here..????(smile)
Ohhh!! I LOVELOVELOVE the Rack! The bargains are so spectacular! I have a difficult time finding shoes (size 12 N…the Lord blessed in many awesome ways, but for a shoe-a-holic a size 12 shoe makes for a bit of a crimp in one’s style!) So anyway, I can try on shoe after shoe in a size 12! It’s heavenly! Just yesterday I had on a pair of size 12 chocolate patent leather stilettos with those cute rounded toes so trendy right now and nearly bought them because they were only $35! Thirty-five dollars! I haven’t worn stilettos since I was 19 but that’s completely beside the point! There is much shoe joy to be found at the Rack! Amen!
PS – there’s ALWAYS a 20 minute wait at the check out at my Rack! But it goes fast and you get to look at all the strategically placed bargains in the sheck out line!
Living in the Pacific Northwest, home of the flagship stores of both Nordstrom and Starbucks. I have been a Nordstrom girl for 40+years and have Rack shopped for 20, I’m sorry you’ve had to wait for so long to experience the pure joy! My two favorite things about the Rack are Linea Paola shoes $29 and waiting a couple of months after the Anniversary Sale to find the thing I coveted at the Rack. Enjoy!
I miss the days of shopping. I hope to get back to that one day. Big sigh.
I miss the days of shopping. I hope to get back to that one day. Big sigh. So glad y’all had great luck. I hate going out and not finding anything.
Glad you had fun.
Now I want you to appreciate the other side of your shopping experience. My very first job in high school was being a stock girl at Nordstrom. That meant that I had to remove all the clothes from the dressing rooms, attempt to make them look presentable again, and put them back on the floor in their appropriate racks according to size.
The scenario you described was my worst nightmare. During the Half-Yearly sales those crazed women would carry armloads of clothes into the dressing rooms. They would try them on, leave them in a wrinkled heap on the floor, step on them, take one piece of a two-piece set, etc.
Believe me, my 40-percent discount was not worth the torture of those sales events.
The moral of the story is: Be kind to the stock girls. Hang up what you try on. If you change you mind before you head to the dressing room, at least make a small attempt to put the item on the correct rounder. And never steal someone’s shoes.
That scene at the Rack that you just described reminds me a little too much of my sister and I in TJMaxx. Oh how I wish I didn’t live so far from her…
Anyways, I’m going start looking for a Nordstrom Rack here in Phoenix!!
happy weekend to you!
Marilena
This reminds me of the Friends episode where Monica took Rachel and Phoebe shopping for her wedding dress and she gave them specific instructions a whistles and then shouted “GO! GO! GO!”
You CRACK me up. Every.time. I read your blog. Every.day.
You are a GIFTED writer.
Thank you for always putting a smile on my face!
Oh, I am so not worthy. Y’all totally rock at shopping!
I would be one you’d have to leave in the dust. However, I would make you laugh at my ineptness.
And seriously? Leggings are really back? I bought some for our nine year old’s birthday this year. But I truly had no idea that they were in style for us. Next thing you know, I’ll need to pull out my cordouroy shorts with tights.
I fell in love with Nordstrom Rack at the Mall of America last year (must say I am so fortunate that the corporate headquarters of my job is only 20 minutes from the Mall of America–so I had an all expense paid business trip, and go to shop every evening)…I cannot believe I missed the grand opening here. Thanks for the info, I see a trip to the RIM in my near future! P.S. Can Steph go with me?:-)
Sounds like a great day of shopping! I love a bargain. Just wanted to say I enjoyed your posts of your trip with Compassion. Also, I bought the Ring the Bells cd because of your recommendation, and I love it!
I used to live 10 min away from the MOA and went to the Rack there a time or two. Ah, the old days.
Do you happen to wear a size 8-8.5 (or an 11)? Piperlime has the Frye boots in those two sized and I have a 30% off code which will work. No shipping. $60 off. Let me know if you are interested–its good until Sunday the 16th.
I know its not quite 150% off, but its something!
I was shopping with my friend earlier this week. She was looking for a pair of skinny jeans for her daughter who is 10. The daughter had told her, “Mom, I need a pair of skinny jeans to wear with my Uggs” (the real deal). Her mom said, “Honey, listen to that sentence–you HAVE Uggs. Be happy with that”. After I left her I had called her when I got stuck in traffic (in Des Moines, Iowa–who woulda thunk?). She had just bought her 3 year old boy a pair of Uggs. Lucky boy. He actually has a pair from last year that are my daughter’s size so I’m going to “rent” them for a few months.
Kristyn
If only there were marketable skills for those who loved to shop and can actually do it well.
If you lived in Phoenix, AZ you could experience the greatness that “Last Chance”. This Nordstroms one and only last chance outlet. All damaged, returned and unsellable items from both The Rack and the regular store end up here. The bargains are unreal (UGGS 29.99) and the shopping pace is high octane. If you are ever in the Phoenix area be sure to put Last Chance on your to do list. Sadly though you can not return so you have to be sure of each purchase.
A few years bag several shoppers were permanently band from LC because they were buying and reselling on Ebay, they became known as a notorious group of shoppers and their pictures were on the news and are posted in the store. It’s insane…but fun!
A tip I learned today…my friend Angie wears a size 6 woman’s shoe. The sales lady at a Dillard’s in the big city of Paducah, KY told her to buy the kids’ size 3 in Uggs. They are $40 cheaper & fit! I witnessed her buy another pair today at our Nordstrom’s. So for all you girls with small feet, buy the kid size.
I LOVE the Rack, but can’t leave without three or four pairs of shoes, which is why it’s a good thing there isn’t one in Austin.
Oh yes, my friend, the RACK ROCKS! There was a great wail and gnashing of teeth in Hurst (between Dallas and Fort Worth) when the Nordstroms Rack near Northeast Mall closed their doors THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS! I mean, seriously, why didn’t they just kick us in the teeth and tell us Santa wasn’t real? I took it hard. Really hard. And I don’t even LIVE in the DFW area (it was a major draw – that and oh, my grandchildren…) My pride and joy from that shopping era was a pair of Brighton heeled sandals – in size 11 (my initial reason for the long term relationship with NR – they had SCADS of size 11 and 12 shoes which these huge excuses for feet I have require) – for only $34.95 (reg. $175…I outdid myself, seriously…we’re talkin’ annual Christmas newsletter bragging rights here…)
Anyway, they closed Dec. 26th, 2008. We mourned. We wept. We decided we had to go on. It was hard but we muddled through somehow.
Then my daughter called me two weeks ago to let me know the EXCELLENT NEWS! Another NR was going into Southlake area.
Prayers had been answered and the bells rang…
The Rack is one of my faves and you should really move up here cause it is always dead. I don’t know what the problem is.
I probably should enable you, but you should consider getting a charge. Cause you get gift cards when you spend a certain amount. Can’t remember what it is, but I am thinking 100 or 200 dollars. Sweet!!
This really has nothing to do with today’s post, but I just had to tell ‘ya . . . ever since your post about the secuity team ride-on vehicles that your Target store has, I can’t stop chuckling about what you said. About how you hope that the day they have to fire one of those bad boys up to chase down some stolen Mossimo goods, you’re there to witness it . . .
I crack up every time I think of that comment! And, every time I go into my local Target, I’m scanning the entry area looking to see if my store might have one of those bad boys too : )
Girl, I covet your shopping prowess. And no, that is NOT a sin. Okay, I will pray for forgiveness tonight.
Any-WHO. I need your shopping prowess now. I have two pair of boots (to wear over skinny jeans (I’m not brave enough for the leggings and dress – maybe next year) and I can’t decide which ones to keep. And actually, there is another pair in contention that I did not purchase. Why do I feel the need to purchase things before I am sure about them?
Anyway, I’ll email you the links. I’m trying to follow Tim Gunn’s advice and think for myself and not consult others, but that just goes against every fiber of my being.
OK, so I thought I was a bargain shopper! Whew! My pulse was racing as I read your post!
I am mostly relieved that there are others in the world who experience total nirvana when it comes to scooping a great deal! My guy chuckles when I tell him about my finds, because I can’t do so without making sure he knows what the full price was, and what I actually ended up paying! I even break down per unit prices in the grocery store to make sure we’re getting the most for our money. I’ve told him one day he will truly appreciate this about me…but for now, he finds my shopping prowess entertaining!
So was Tony Parker at The Rack scooping up bargain Ed Hardy’s for Eva?
Seriously,you could have been describing my shopping skills-I don’t like any dead weight holding me back either…
Rock on, Girl!
just reading this. your friend Steph is my hero.
we have a nordstrom rack here too and it is heavenly. thank goodness it is somewhat out of the way for me to get to, or else it would take all my money. and then target would be jealous.
YOU SAW TONY PARKER??? was he handsome in person??
This week, 40 Miss Texas contestants and 38 Miss Teen Texas contestants competed in Heck, even if we don’t win, let’s go to Vegas together,” Julia Anderson, Miss Grapevine
Rebecca Robinson, Miss Longview 200 8 with Julia Anderson, Miss Grapevine 2008. Rebecca and Tara have both held the title of Miss Teen Texas.
Related story on Miss Teen Texas