Nordstrom’s Most Wanted Christmas Gifts

Nordstrom is a great department store with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Their return policy is excellent–more than fair, in fact, and they really bend over backwards to keep the customer happy. I’ve never had a bad experience at Nordstrom in all my years of shopping there. It’s a valuable resource for reliably beautiful gifts.

Here I’ve included some of my favorite Nordstrom gifts, and those of Nordstrom’s fashion creative director, Gregg Andrews.

Gregg’s favorite classic gift is a Halogen super-luxe cashmere sweater at a sweet price. “Cashmere is the epitome of wearable luxury and timeless style,” he said. “This season, the classic cashmere v-neck sweater gets updated in rich, vibrant colors that can take any woman from work to weekend…and everyone appreciates a gift that’s as luxurious as it is versatile.” They’re a steal at $79.99; I’ll take one of each please. Thanks Gregg!

The makeup maven will adore a compact customized especially for her, and Esteé Lauder’s Zodiac Compact, $70, is an ideal choice. “These golden compacts are decorated with her zodiac sign and make an elegant personalized gift,” Gregg stated. “What woman wouldn’t feel special when she takes this beautiful compact out of her handbag?” Hmmm, my horoscope predicts a purchase in my near future.

For a perfect hostess gift, Gregg recommends stocking up on the sure-to-please Diptyque candles, $32-$68. “From the rich pine fragrance of Sapin Dore to Oliban’s aromatic frankincense, Diptyque’s holiday scents add a touch of luxury to any occasion,” Gregg said. Buy a few to stash at home for last-minute gifts as you head to parties all season long. One of my favorites, Tubereuse, is in a vibrant ruby votive, perfect for the holidays. A welcome departure from wine and flowers.

For the music lovers, “headphones have become a crucial accessory for those on the go,” Gregg said. Beats by Dr. Dre Solo High Definition On-Ear Headphones, $199.95, are both stylish and convenient. “They fold up neatly for packing,” Gregg said.

And now, here’s my take on Nordstrom’s top gifts. The Clarisonic skin-cleansing brush, $199, elevates washing your face to a whole new level. Developed by scientists and beloved by beauty editors and celebrities alike, the Clarisonic brush uses a patented sonic frequency to gently yet thoroughly remove six times more makeup and two times more dirt and oil than a regular cleansing. I love mine. Therapeutic products like serums and retinoids are absorbed more effectively so you get the most out of their active ingredients. In addition, pores appear smaller and skin feels super smooth and clean. In candy apple red, this little device is perfect under the tree. Read my in-depth review here…

Esteé Lauder’s new Private Blend collection really satisfies my desire to smell awesome 24/7. Created by Esteé Lauder’s granddaughter Aerin, these expertly-crafted blends are completely addictive. Read more…

I just snagged the most beautiful pair of crimson satin pajama pants from In Bloom by Jonquil. At only $38, they’re actually made of a high-quality polyester that feels like real silk. They’ll fool anyone, even a textiles expert. And because they’re a synthetic fabric, they’ll wash like a dream. That’s my idea of luxury.