There Are +85,000 Items On Sale at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus Right Now. I Found 15 Pieces You Won't Regret Buying.
Plus! The best Sephora launch in ages AND sunglasses for the whole family.
Hi everyone, and welcome back. I’m personally a bit zoinked, due to the most Mercury Retrograde week ever. (Sick kid, sick husband, crazy work week, other kid had a big school presentation, tech issues galore at work (like spending an hour doing podcast voiceovers/intros, but none of it saved so I had to redo), plus the low-grade stress of prepping for a major presentation and a 48-hour trip to London for work that’s happening next week. And yeah, that’s just in my own little bubble, not taking into account major insanity around the world. And no, none of my stress is that important, everything is fine in the grand scheme of things, it’s just felt a bit much is all!) So long story long, this week’s installment is not the most thematically cohesive, but onwards we go!
PS: If you have any recommendations about what to pack weather-wise for London, I’m all ears. This is what I took on a similarly short trip a couple of years ago, and honestly I might just do it again, minus one look because I’m there for less time. Also, if you have any additional suggestions for sunglasses for kids or men (or me!), please leave a comment below. You all are always so helpful and I know readers enjoy learning from this community as much as I do.
The Beauty News I Needed: Violette FR Lands at Sephora
Am I guilty of shopping my feelings at Sephora? Absofuckinglutely. And I don’t feel even the tiniest bit of concern about it, so don’t try to shame me. (No really, don’t try; I know capitalism is bad, but I just need this one bad habit, okay? We can burn me in effigy later, I promise.) But this week, I was particularly thrilled—YES, THRILLED, I SAY—to see that one of my favorite beauty brands, Violette FR, is now available at Sephora and ready for same-day delivery in my neighborhood.
In 2023, I had the pleasure of interviewing the brand’s founder, Violette Serrat, for my podcast Second Life, and it’s truly one of my favorite episodes ever. Violette herself is so smart and charming, not to mention a true artist in every sense of the word. I love her products too, and have been a longtime fan of her Boum-Boum Milk ($43), which is a bestselling three-in-one serum/toner/moisturizer that is as popular in French pharmacies as it is on the brand’s site.
Now with the wider Sephora distribution, I felt compelled to try more of her color cosmetics products, and am mad about everything. I highly recommend her Bisou Jelly Sheer Shine Hydrating Lipstick ($29), which is without a doubt my favorite lip product right now. It comes in four colors—I own Pomme d’Amour, which is cool candy red, and Aissa, a cool berry—and I am deeply smitten. The product is a wild one; the outside of the bullet is a jelly layer and the inside is the pigment, so you end up getting this soft, blurry wash of color that makes your lips look like you’ve been making out for an hour. Dreamy, non?
Also, and I know this probably doesn’t matter to most folks, but I love the packaging. Looking at that Yves Klein Blue tape that closes the packaging? Uggggh so chic.
Sunglasses For The Family
As spring break is around the corner, I’ve been thinking about sunglasses more than usual, and realized that I have an absolute lack of knowledge about shades for the rest of my family. Longtime readers know that I traditionally wear Ray-Ban Oversized Wayfarers ($180) and my new faves Sardine’s Demi Sunglasses ($147) in Verde Palma. (Oh! And the latest iteration of my old J.Crew Cat-Eye Sunglasses ($44.50 now) in red are on sale, currently.) But when it comes to my kids and my husband, I am starting from nada.
Thankfully social media came through, and I had a number of kind folks share suggestions. For kids, folks like Roshambo Sunglasses ($28 on sale), as they’re flexible and have polarized lenses and swear by Babiators, which are available at Target and Nordstrom.
For men, lots of votes for Krewe (which are designed in New Orleans!). Now, this is my trad side/childhood showing, but I also personally like American Optical, which is the brand that made the first aviators for US military pilots back in 1935, were JFK’s go-to shades makers, and designed the glasses that were worn by the entire Apollo 11 crew. So yes, the first sunglasses on the moon, which is a flex. Their classic shades—the Original Pilot Sunglasses ($255) were also worn by De Niro in Taxi Driver, if that matters.
For splurgy sunglasses for men, lots of votes for Oliver Peoples old Hollywood frames like the Cary Grant Sunglasses ($545) and Gregory Peck Round Sunglasses ($486), Ahlem sunglasses, and the chicest, most expensive Jacques Marie Mage, which are truly dreamy. I also learned about Masunaga frames, which were new to me, but they’re so cool and have a phenomenal backstory too.
Nordstrom + Neiman Marcus Spring Sales
Right now, there are a mind-blowing 62,097 pieces on sale at Nordstrom, across every category you can imagine, and 23,685 items on sale at Neiman Marcus. That’s enough to make me feel totally frozen with fear. However! For shopping sales of this size and noteworthiness, I always start with a game plan. I think about key pieces in my closet that I’m currently missing, and begin my hunt with these items. Next, I consider my most loved essentials: Is there anything that’s on its last legs? Might be a good time to scoop up that exact item while it’s on sale.
Then I think about upcoming events or occasions that might require something I don’t already own, and if there’s a clear need and I don’t have something in my closet, that would be the next search. Finally, and this is the most dangerous piece for me, I take a spin through my favorite brands, to see if I’ve missed anything. This is obviously where one can get caught in nice to have shopping, which I try to do less of, but obviously still happens.
For example: Do I need an amazing little cardigan with mushrooms all over it? Uh, no. But do I really want an amazing little cardigan with mushrooms all over it? I think you know the answer to that.
As a longtime fan of everything Larroude makes, I was thrilled to see so many summer styles on sale right now. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with the brand’s Valerie Kitten Heel Slides ($135, 55% off) or Mini Annie Sandals ($236, 25% off), which will work for spring and summer parties and look great with white jeans. Also there are so many fun mules in the collection, all of which are at great prices right now.
Mansur Gavriel Everyday Soft Leather Tote ($596, 25% off) in Avorio/Cream
As someone who owns a number of Mansur pieces, I can recommend every bag they make with 100% confidence. This one creamy colorway is on sale right now, and I adore it, especially the blue interior. The leather is incredible, and the style is timeless.
Oh how I love this brand, and it’s always exciting to see so many styles—particularly in black, my favorite—on sale. I’m into the brand’s Weekender Jeans ($186 on sale) and the Mid-Rise Rambler Ankle Jeans ($171 on sale), the latter of which is also available in petites.
Polo Ralph Lauren Oversized Fit Cotton Striped Shirt ($126 on sale)
Polo Ralph Lauren has been so excellent under creative director Michael Rider’s leadership, and this shirt is just another example of getting the staples right. Rider recently moved to Celine (an excellent promotion), but I have confidence that PRL will keep on being excellent. Aside from industry chat, this is a perfect oversized shirt.
A.L.C. Aurelie Printed Midi Skirt ($262.50 on sale)
I’ve long written about my love of A.L.C., so when I saw this printed skirt on sale, I immediately got excited. It’s a good work piece on its own with a slim sweater or cardigan, but also will be perfect on the weekends with a tank or t-shirt. You can wear it with tights and boots in the winter, slingbacks in the spring, and sandals all summer long. It’s great as a stand alone, but you can also get the matching top to make it look like you’re wearing a dress, which is one of my favorite tricks. The print is timeless and classic, and won’t date you to a season or year. Win win!
La Ligne Mini Striped Toujours Cashmere Sweater ($243 on sale)
I have yet to regret a single purchase from La Ligne, and their cashmere sweaters are simply divine. I’m unsurpisingly obsessed with this one, as I love olive green. It’s a basic, but better, due to the elevated colors.
Staud Wells Midi Dress ($221)
There is a reason this Staud dress is a bestseller the brand keeps making in endless fabrics and colorways. I’ve purchased it a number of times over the years, and can say that it is wildly comfortable and fits like a dream. The toile is fab too, as I cannot resist a well-executed peacock print. It also comes in a ballerina pink, if you’d prefer.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Bookmarked these lipsticks for the Sephora insiders sale. 💄
I always feel a little spark of joy when I see your column (or whatever we call a substack) in my email. It is something I look forward to reading later when I have a minute to relax. So I appreciate that you put this out, even though you have a lot going on.