I had such a great time in Chicago last week! When I first booked my trip I couldn’t help but think of Jessica from Everyday Adventures of Me in the City. I’d recently started reading her blog, knew she lived in Chicago, and loved her sense of humor. So I emailed her to see if she’d be interested in meeting for dinner–and she was! She took me to the Grand Luxe Cafe which was so good I went back the next day for lunch. Not only was our meal delicious, we also had a fabulous time talking about handbags, shopping, and life in the city. I’m already looking forward to the next time we meet!
The next evening I visited the holy land for the very first time. And by “holy land” I’m sure you all know I mean Nordstrom. I must have a nose for leather because it turns out the entrance I chose walked me straight into the handbag department. Dear God–this is exactly what I want to see at the Pearly Gates! I spent more time than I care to admit running my fingers over the gorgeous bags and throwing half the stock over my shoulder. I was in Heaven! And just like everyone should be in Heaven–the sales people were so nice and patient with me. They didn’t seem to mind (at least not outwardly) that I had no intention of purchasing a bag but every intention of modeling each one in the mirror.
I could have stayed in the handbag department all night, curled up with a lovely Jimmy Choo Ramona, but I had to get on with my mission–buying a new coat. So I wandered through the store–trying to avoid eye contact with the shoe department–and found my way to outerwear. I visually pleaded with the Burberry coats’ price tags to drop a few digits, but no such luck. So I continued on and found some coats in my “still gotta pay the mortgage” price range. No sooner did I have 2 wool coats slung over my arm did a sales associate appear to offer me a fitting room. “No thank you,” I replied. “I’ll just try them on here in the mirror.” So she whisked the coats out of my arms, walked me to the mirror and proceeded to dress me up in wool like I was a mannequin! First she held the coat up for me to put my arms in (which I thought was courteous). Once my arms were in she fixed my back collar (how nice), then stood in front of me (hello) and started buttoning my buttons (whoa–watch the girls), and lastly made the necessary yanks and pulls (what the?) before presenting me to the mirror for my assessment.
Wow.
Talk about customer service! At first I was a little shocked, but after a couple of dressings I thought: I could get used to this. I rather quite enjoy playing mannequin at Nordstrom! Not only did I find a beautiful coat for myself, an onlooker also decided to purchase a coat after seeing it “displayed” on me!
I couldn’t find a picture of my new coat online, but here is one very similar, only mine is black. When fully buttoned it has a gorgeous funnel neck, which I love!
And because I’m still having dreams of the Jimmy Choo Ramona, I thought I’d share her with you as well. If any wealthy readers out there would like to show their appreciation for my storytelling, I do accept leather.
Ooh–one last thing! I did have to sprint through the shoe department to fondle some Christian Louboutins before I left. I never could have forgiven myself had I not. Who knows if I’ll ever make it to Heaven again?
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You crack me up. Nordstroms is pretty fabulous.
And I’m adoring that jacket. Great pick.
I LOVE that coat, it’s fabulous!
You are too cute — She obviously did her job well, SOLD!
I love the funnel necks (why don’t they advertise that look more often on websites?). Anyways, great find, glad you had fun!
Next time you have to try Nordstrom Rack! Its not as fabulous from the service stance but your $$ lasts a lot longer.
I admit at first I was just going to scroll through, without reading, just admiring the pretty pictures and noting that you bought a jacket. But then I thought to myself . . . Self, what would your blog be like if people did the same to you? So I read. The whole bit. And laughed.
Lol at being a mannequin! And I love that you met a fellow blogger on a whim!
I love the coat and I’m glad you had such a great time.
Love the coat! And I also love the Grand Lux Cafe…I ate there for the first time 2 weeks ago, and I love it! Glad you enjoyed Chicago. I am only an hour and a half from there.
I am salivating over that bag. Seriously. Wow, that sounds kinda gross but I mean that only in the most complimentary way.
Sounds like a fabulous trip! Love the coat.
Aww you’re so sweet. I loved having dinner with you too. I need to take that picture too for my iPhoto. See, I told you Nordstrom’s is the holy land. It is my happy place. You never forget the first time you go there and fondle the designer shoes. Oh and the leather, the leather!
FYI: I need you to tell me more about this coat you bought, super expensive?
Nordstrom is my Heaven, too. When we lived in IA, we’d drive the 4 hrs to Chicago to shop at one. In love, much?
LMAO @ “watch the girls”!!
Love it all – the bag is fabulous. You make me laugh every day.
I had to stop by and give you props for being feautured on the “This Young House” blog. You go girl!!!
BTW, nice shout-out you got from This Young House’s blog! Looks like you are now their hero, too =)
Sounds like such a fun trip D! And the Grand Lux is our fave downtown Chicago restaurant! We ate there three times in three days when we were there a few years ago. LOL
Love the coat!
You are so funny! I want that bag also, if only we did not have that mortgage payment….
Love the coat! Very classy!
Wow. Your restraint is impecable! Had I gone through the handbag and shoe department, I would have convinced myself that I NEED one thing or another.
The coat is adorable!
It’s awesome that Nordstrom is your holy land. I live super close to THREE Nordstroms, but the nearest one is almost ghetto compared to the other two. I don’t understand it.
I just found your blog yesterday, but I have to say that I am hooked, you hooker (if I may be so bold!). You are really, really funny.
jbhat
Your love for ‘Heaven’ is mine too! I got to go to Chicago a lot when I was dating my now husband. He took me to all the great places, I fell in love with all the heavenly shops. I love going back. Now we live in St.Louis …the Nordstrom here does not stack up. It should have a dif. name it’s so far off. Glad you had a good time in Chi! It’s a great city! – ps. I really heart that bag…and I am not shiny leather lover. swoon.