My mom and I drove 2.5 h one way over the border for NAS pre-sale appointment. Honestly it was really disappointing. It looks like Nordstrom in Sommerset Collection mall in Troy MI did not get much stuff for the pre-sale. All clothing fit into 3 curtained areas and not many items from the online catalogue which I wanted to see even were there! No Trouve shrunken blazer, they did not even get Halogen seamed pencil skirt in purple magenta and Halogen peplum sweater jacket was in grey color only!

And footwear - where do I start! I told SA that I need size 12 and asked what comes in this size from the available selection. She went to ask and told me most of them come in this size. Great! I selected 4 pairs and she went to look for my size - sorry, we do not have them in this size. OK, I selected 4 more - the same story. We agreed she will bring out ALL NAS footwear they have in size 12. Well, she came out with a total of...2 BOXES!!! Can you imagine that - out of more that 100 styles they have only 2 in size 12 even though more than half of them come in this size!
Honestly, I was ready to cry - footwear was my highest priority and even from that short online preview catalogue I have selected 9 different styles I wanted to try which were available in my size.
One was Clarks Water Row booties in taupe. I liked how they looked but unfortunately they had some defect inside and I had a slight bruise on the top of my right foot after wearing them for 5 min.
Another pair was Nine West grey taupe ankle boots. They were comfortable but I have never worn ankle boots before so I was not sure if they work for me or not. In the end I have decided to buy them anyway and ask you guys.
I have included pictures with the skirt but I doubt I can wear these boots with skirts or dresses. I like them from the side but I am not sure about the front view. Also do you think light color boots and dark pants do not work well together?

You can also see my other two purchases: Halogen yellow skirt (high five, Kari!) and Halogen pleated silk shell. I had to buy this shell in XL to get a good length and sufficient width in the hips. I will remove that silly zipper in the side (who needs it anyway?) and my mom will alter the top part for me to fit better. I am pretty pleased with this top as I do not have any patterned layering tops now and this one should work with everything I have. I have tried solid tops too but I liked patterned one much more.
As I said they did not even get this skirt in purple magenta. I already have a grey one from last year and this time I wanted a colored one (bad influence of MaryK!) I have tried this yellow, purple and green. At first I liked the purple and it would be much easier to style. However when I put on the yellow one and I had on my purple tank I was smitten with the effect. I found that having such light and bright color on the bottom is unexpected and therefore I like it! I guess I would need to work hard to style this baby but you guys will help me, right?
I made some other purchases as well but I will post them separately - this post is too long already and I need your feedback on other items.
Also my mom and I had a bra fitting and left with 2 bras each: I got a Chantelle one and Le Mystere Lace Tisha in nude and my mom got nude and black Le Mystere Tisha as well. You should have heard how SA and I tried to convince her that 34 is the maximum size she should go to (SA measured her between 32 and 34) - she only wanted to get 36 "for comfort"! We won in the end though!
P.S. On the bright note SA told me that I can order footwear online when sale starts and have it to pick up in their store. I think I will try this and hope it works - have my fingers crossed!