Be still my heart: It's sale time at Nordstrom

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is just around the corner and its pending arrival has me feeling nostalgic. In better times, this was an event I loved. It's like seasonal clearance before the season begins. After the sale, it all gets marked up to full price.

Back in the day, when I worked full time with benefits (not in my own home) and wore nice clothes, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale was more than just fun. It let me stock up on fall and winter items at a discount. In Chicago, boots and tights and scarves go fast at full price, even in a recession.

How to make the best of it? Shop the pre-sale.