Friday, July 16, 2010

A strange new planet called Nordstroms

I started my new job today! I am now working for Philosophy as a "specialist" that goes from place to place helping at different Philosophy counters. Well, today was at Nordstroms at Arden Fair Mall. We were really busy the first half of the day and the second half I pretty much stood there for four hours in heels. Here is what I observed...

People at Nordstroms are BEAUTIFUL. The people who work there and the people who shop there. Even the lady who came by emptying the garbage had flawless make-up on. I kept looking in the mirror to see if I was sticking out like a sore thumb in my plainness. The girl who was selling Prada bags was so gorgeous that I had to keep looking at her. (hope she didn't notice) she could have been a model just off of a shoot.



I also noted the huge amounts money being spent today. I know it shouldn't be a surprised but WOW! As I stood there forever, I was facing a Juicy Couture counter with school supplies. No joke, binders, folders, water bottles, and notebooks etc. And mom's were bringing their girls in and actually buying this stuff. This stuff was behind glass. A girl pointed to a pack of spiral bound notebooks and wanted to see it. The man behind the counter took it out and carefully took the plastic wrapping off and handed it to her as if she were about to examine the crown jewels. It's a notebook people.... they are .88 cents at target right now. Crazy! I found a purse I wanted. Valentino shiny red leather with a huge bow on it! *sigh* Only 700 dollars on sale. What a bargain.

I couldn't help but to reflect on what I was wearing today. I had a shirt that was 5 dollars at Target, a dress over it that I got at Walmart for 9 dollars and shoes that I bought 5 years ago at Target for 12.99. My whole outfit today was cheaper than the cheapest thing I sold today which was a small body wash. I hope I pulled it off.




Also, Nordstroms really does have amazing customer service. Everyone is super polite and helpful, even to me who wasn't a customer. For instance, a lady had to return something and I asked a man who worked there to help her out and he acted so grateful and thrilled to be of assistance. It almost made me laugh but it also came off genuine somehow. It doesn't surprise me that people can get sucked into it.

But to be fair the customers were all really great ( believe me, I worked at Gottschalks... I could tell the difference) For instance the counter manager had a customer buy here a whole box of Godiva chocolates just because she sold her something... Weird! I also was taken back by these people who bought everything I suggested. It made me wonder if they get taken advantage of a lot because no joke I could have kept adding and they would have kept buying ( Well, I sold them a lot but it was good stuff that was just right for them! :)) Of course with the beautiful and sweet people, there were also the strange, eccentric ones too. A lady came in with make-up spackled on her face with three dogs on a leash, who were wearing more bling than she was. There were also the people who were just there to be treated well and tried on everything at every counter and didn't buy anything. Not that I'm complaining because although trashy, it's better than not being able to afford it all but buying it all on credit anyway. There were also some outrageous outfits but they got away with it because they are rich. Funny people...

Also, I should never try to wear heels again.... Ouch!

Also, If you have never been in a Nordstroms bathroom... you should go! I couldn't find the bathroom anywhere until I finally saw a sign that said, "Women's Lounge." I assumed that was it. I walked in to see a sitting room that is bigger than my family room with carpet and big couches, beautiful lighting and pictures. At first I backed out, thinking maybe it was a nursing room or something ( because there was a woman nursing in there) I looked at the sign again and went all the way in and at the back of this room was the bathrooms. Bathrooms that had doors you couldn't see right into (I hate that about public bathrooms) and good toilet paper... I know too much info but man it was nice!

Also, Philosophy rocks and I really had a blast selling it today!

I know that was a lot of rambling but I had a lot of time to think today

Monday, July 12, 2010

Us in our new/ my old house

My friend Stephanie mentioned the kitchen in my other pictures and I totally forgot that I never posted pictures of our new place! So here is the grand tour...

Kitchen which is just to your right when you come in


Over by the fridge is a door that leads to another bedroom and bathroom and this pantry which is so nice to have.



Once again we sacrificed our dining room for a computer area. We are able to put a small table in the kitchen area which is all we really need.



This is the living room which is just to your left when you walk in. Kind of bare but we are keeping things simple so it's not so much work to move again.




This is the hall bathroom...





And of course our bedroom...





And last but definitely not least is my sewing/ craft room! This room used to be my bedroom in high school actually.





Everything wasn't set up when I took these pictures but I'm afraid it hasn't gotten too much better so it is what it is! It's fun playing house for now I'm trying not to think about the fact that we will soon be back in a one bedroom apartment... which actually isn't that bad.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Good Sunday morning

This morning was great. I woke up early to make an Indian dish called Makahni and threw it into a crockpot for after church. Then Parker got up and made me breakfast. He made french toast with his mom's strawberry sauce on top. mmm...







I love slow mornings like this!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth of July!

We had our fourth of July BBQ on the 3rd this year because it was Saturday and all. We had invited friends we haven't seen in a long time and we were excited to have a back porch to BBQ on! Then, we realized on Friday night that we didn't own a BBQ. Nice. So we went out and bought one. Here it is!



I felt super unprepared for this party so about an hour before I started thinking that I needed something patriotic and partyish so this is what I came up with. Good enough.



Here are our friends! Kimmy and Tim Mavy and their baby Logan & Cameron and Jacklyn Schaer and their baby Raelyn ( I hope I spelled that right) & Nathan Johnson








I didn't get really good pictures but we were having a good time... no time for good pictures.:)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Best movie ever!

i have to tell ya'll how awesome Eclipse was. I thought they really followed the book on this one and it was a good thing that they did because that is my favorite book and I would have had to be angry if they had messed it up! The night of the premiere ( June29th) mom and I threw a pre- show party that was super fun. You can see pictures here. I don't know if it was more fun getting ready for the party or actually being there. Maybe equally awesome.

After the party we got in line at the theater around 10 pm and the line was already wrapped around to the back of the building. The people up front had been there since 8 am! They deserved to get in first! Other people had picnic blankets out and were really set up. Someone even had an extension cord coming out of their car powering what I think was a movie. We just entertained ourselves. Katie and I tried to start singing show tunes to see if it would catch on...it didn't.

We finally got in and believe it or not we got great seats right in the middle of the theater. That's when I felt bad for the poor people who waited all day. Haha! I think I smiled through the whole movie and when it was over we started planning on when we would go again! It was sooo good. I tried to get parker to come with me... no such luck but jokes on him because when it comes out on video, I'll probably watch it so much that he wont be able to avoid it. Now all I can do is get a count down going for the last one which I'm hoping they make into two movies. more movies=more parties=happy candice!

if you haven't seen it or read the books then DO IT ALREADY!