Showing off a new outfit from Nordstrom's
The first time I ever went into a Nordstrom’s was the weekend that it opened in the Kansas City area (in Oak Park Mall/Overland Park, KS). Mom, Elyse (who was about 4) and I went to just look, but an hour or so later we came out with bags loaded with really cute dresses and outfits from the children’s department. And of course shoes!
Mom and Elyse discovered the children’s shoe department and there was no looking back, the two of them would visit that department over the years many times a year, until of course Elyse’s foot outgrew the department – then she moved downstairs to shoe heaven – Nordstrom’s Women’s Shoes.
Elyse learned to become a “strategic strike shopper” at Nordstrom’s. Strategic strike shopping is Elyse’s definition of stocking up on lots of new, complete outfits all in the span of a couple of hours. And we do this several times a year. The three of us always go together.
When she was still in the children’s department we’d head upstairs to the third floor and she would pick out several cute outfits. She would also pick out accessories to go with the outfits – a hat, bangle bracelets, a jacket, or a one-of-a-kind-to-die-for-cute-purse! Then she would look at my mom and say excitedly, “shoes!”
Elyse at the Nordstrom's fashion show.
At some point during our shopping visit, we would go to Nordstrom’s Cafe. We’d need a break from our shopping blitz, so Mom and Elyse would go sit down and I’d get in line to order three small bowls of their famous tomato basil soup (with the crostini’s!) and we’d split a ham and cheese panini sandwich with the pommes frites. This soup is wonderful goodness, and always hits the spot!
After being restored and re-energized, we were ready to shop a little for Mom and myself, but we were typically there to shop for Elyse. She was about 11 or 12 when the children’s department manager asked my Mom if Elyse would want to model in their Fall children’s fashion show at the store. Since we were frequent customers there, we were on a first name basis with Shirley, the department manager. Of course Elyse would want to model! How exciting! Plus she’d get a new outfit for doing so!
By then Shirley knew Elyse’s tastes – she was almost ready to move across the store to the BP Juniors Department, as Elyse never liked to dress little girl frilly. She had then and still does an innate fashion sense for hip, stylish well-made clothes, and she always added something with a little bit of flair.
The black velvet jacket from the fashion show did double duty with a white blouse and gauchos. Elyse tied a black silk ribbon as a belt for that finishing touch!
The fashion show was a success, and Elyse looked adorable of course. She had on a jean mini skirt with black leggings, and a black velvet jacket over a black camisole. She wore a plaid newsboy cap, and carried a black suede purse. And of course she wore new shoes – flat, ballet-style with interesting diagonal straps. All the kids (from age 3-13) came out from behind a stage, walked down a small runway, stood on a circle for a moment then walked back. Elyse did so with such confidence and charm, it was as if she had modeled for years.
Now that Elyse is in high school, she has broadened the stores we shop at – but unfortunately (or fortunately) Nordstrom’s set a high mark. While we still shop at Nordstrom’s of course, our strategic strike weekends now include J. Crew, Von Maur, Hall’s on the Plaza. She went through an American Eagle phase for a while, but when she wants to replenish her wardrobe while replenishing her soul, we head for Nordstrom’s for the day for clothes, tomato soup and shoes.
Another "Strategic Strike" outfit: dress, sweater, hair clip from J. Crew; shoes (trust me, they're cute!) - Nordstrom's!
In fact, every now and then I’ll get a text message from her on a Thursday or Friday that simply says “Nordie’s???” And we’re off that Saturday – Mom, Elyse and myself. We now usually start the day with lunch – three bowls of tomato soup of course.
Elyse then carefully selects outfits to try on. Mom sits in the waiting area, and I go to the dressing room to help out – I’m more like her lady-in-waiting, taking things off the hanger for her to try on, hanging items back up, and dividing up what’s staying at the store, and what’s going home with us.
She then goes out to model in front of her Grandma and the sales clerk (who’s magically showing up with other things Elyse “might like”). And after we’re done with lunch and shopping in the BP department, we head downstairs to shoes. And now we’re also making quick hits in the cosmetic department.
There will be other stores for shopping with Elyse, other lunch places to discover, but Nordstrom’s will always be top of the list for both. It’s a special place. It brings such a smile to her face. The joy, fun and memories we have together there are priceless.
A summer "Strategic Strike" outfit - part Nordstrom's/part J. Crew
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