Thanks, Gryffin. SOOO nice to see you post. Miss you.

I just got my catalogue - and I barely look at it! It's SUCH a small percentage of what is available. But as always, I'm excited for the NAS. All preselection client apps are booked. HECTIC is an understatement.

A VB jacket, complete with grey hoodie dickey , is my dream purchase. At $1k here, it's not likely to happen anytime soon, but you never know.......

Thanks so much. I love looking through the catalog. I'm lusting after the velvet backpack.

I see what you mean about the models. Way too thin

Lisa watch the sales. The kennedy jacket is list over $600 without the dickey. I got mine for $325. I did not buy the dickey at the time. That's a second stage purchase for this month. "Patience, Iago"

Angie - You are a sweetheart as always. Can't imagine the NAS build up!! I'm sure the frenzy has begun!! Good luck and wishing you many tea and cake breaks!!

Thanks, Gryffin...I'm seriously going to consider one of these at sale prices. Maybe not this year but if not then, perhaps next.

Good luck suz. Lots of beautiful blazers. You'll know when the right one at the right time and price comes along.

Like the WIT and WISDOM jeans, other than that..looks like another baggy year of clothes.

But Russell Wilson looks might fine in his jacket.

Yes ma'am, he sure does!!!

Does anyone besides me get so overwhelmed that they freeze with indecision?

Thank you for the definition, Merwoman.

Sterling - that happens to me a lot. That's why I try to focus on what I need before I browse. Tunics, dressy high top sneaker booties, blazers always. I keep an open mind but I try to stay on track. Otherwise I'd go down the rabbit hole

Thanks for sharing. So thankful for Angie's advice.

Thanks for the link. I'm also eagerly waiting for Angie's recommendations. I know I will want a couple tops, postpartum, to go with cropped pants I have already.

Really good point, Gryffin, about reflecting on our needs before even looking at the catalogue. It can be hard at an early stage of wardrobe development or style consciousness (if that makes sense) to acquire or maintain that focus, but it's really helpful to aim towards it.

I know that my first few years of shopping the sale, I struggled to know what I needed. Well...no wonder, I truly needed everything, building from nothing to a complete wardrobe! And then for a few years after meeting core needs, it seemed equally hard to figure out what I wanted.

But now I can clearly see wardrobe holes, both the needs...like bras and workout gear and replacement essentials such as, for me, a long grey cardigan, along with the wants–for me, statement items that make my essentials feel a bit more current, yet still fit in with my overall style preferences/ persona, and that do not duplicate perfectly good things that I already have and love.

I find the catalogue more of an amuse bouche but when the pre-sale begins, that's when it is really easy to get distracted! It's much easier to navigate with a list in hand. Yes, I inevitably end up going for a wild card -- something I did not plan or anticipate. But that is okay. As long as I make sure it's not 100 wildcards in my cart!

Suz - that's a really important point. My first NAS I got caught up in the herd frenzy and I over bought and spent way too much on stuff I did not love or need. I've tried really hard ever since to remain focused although on the last 2 did I succeed on that. What looks so wonderful on others sometimes is really not our personal style and it's easy to make a judgement error in the excitement. Knowing what I wanted helped me quickly scan through the catalog and say my planned purchases not NAS were still the best. I'll wait for the big reveal but right now nothing is calling to me. It's only a great value if the pieces are the right pieces. Hard and expensive won wisdom.

Is NAS the right time to stock up in high-end brands?
It looks like the best deals are to be had in this arena, but I haven't looked in detail at the prices.

It's only a great value if the pieces are the right pieces. Hard and expensive won wisdom.

You said it. I've made some expensive mistakes, too, and some, smaller, less expensive ones that added up.

I've learned:

It's okay to order it, try it, and send it or take it back. (This is harder for me in Canada but not impossible, and if I do it relatively quickly, there's no need to feel guilty.)

Listen to Angie's recommendations about items, and read descriptions very carefully.

I do best at the sale if I focus on basics (undies, etc.) and a few, high quality items that are hard for me to source and that I could not otherwise get at this price. Examples being bags, weatherproof booties or boots, a great coat or blazer, and occasionally a designer jean (since jeans are a staple wardrobe item and updating denim is key to my style.)

Well, the good news is like the looks. The bad news is, I feel set to go. Have to wait for Angie's reviews because I have buy-itis

I found the paper catalog buried in the unopened mail stack of shame.
I fear anything I like I will not find in my size. Like the Veronica Beard blazer.
I'm still thinking about the outfit Angie posted a while ago with a concert tee & blazer
Shoes seem pretty blah. So many slip on sneakers. Though I realize there were multiple pictures of the same shoe

Oh my! I believe I will be in Florida for the sale this year - quite close to a Nordstrom actually.

shevia -- yay!!!

I got the paper catalog today; interesting how much more appealed to me -- not that I *need* a leather jacket or pleather skirt.

I like the Aquatalia Foster booties. Maybe this will be my year to get Aquatalia booties. I try them on each year but haven't bought any. Waterproof would be so useful. I wore my Blondo waterproof moto boots so much last winter! (They were not NAS, and are from a couple of years ago.)
Rebecca Minkoff front-pocket tote--in olive?!! Now there's something I had no idea I needed.
How cute are those Halogen step-hem pants in black with white pinstripe?
They brought back the YLF-ubiquitous Halogen kick flares, too, just in case anyone missed them.
I will need to try on the Paul Green loafers. I have a love-hate relationship with loafers--love them on others, but don't wear them. Perhaps I haven't found the right pair!

Oh, and I'm definitely going for some basics this year--bras are on my list.

Lots of grey here, it will be interesting to see what else is in the stores and online. I had not seen this yet so thanks for sharing the catalog!

Firecracker I love my aquatalia boots and booties. I still tend to baby them in bad weather but they hold up very well and are terrifically well made. I've never regretted those purchases!! I've also eyed the Paul Green loafers with wantsies. My neuroma does better in very fitted shoes not sure slip ons will work. But I envy those who can wear them I think they are uber stylish.

Im happy to see gray Lisa, it's black lite!! Just my speed!!

DonnaF - female our name is acquisition!! It's amazing how a wonderful piece of apparel warms the soul!!

"Black lite." l love it.

I am also a fan of the Aquatalias and have not regretted my two pair and intend to look for more!

I intend to be much more conscious this year. Last year was a wild ride. This year I'm hoping to find a pair or two of shoes and a few other items. Still considering whether to go out of the county to a store that will have my size in stock.

Not much really exciting me in the catalog, which is fine by me because I'll be mostly unavailable during the sale. I'm not in a huge buying mode these days anyway, and I'm pretty content with my wardrobe. However, a few items I wouldn't mind checking out in person:

Mackage black jacket p. 16
Ted Baker bags p. 31
Treasure & Bond black booties p. 36

Yeah the Halogen black kick flares will be back! Maybe I will get a pair. I like the Rails olive green shirt with embroidery. I may look for a pair of jeans. But I will wait for Angie`s recommendations.