Shopping as an Event

Less than two weeks ago, I wrote about a shopping excursion I had at the Money Town mall.  (If you missed that post you can read it by clicking here.)   

Just a few days later, I was invited to a "Holiday Shopping Event."  This "event" took place at Money Town's Nordstrom department store.  The store closed down to the general public earlier than normal and then reopened for customers with invitations only.  I'm not sure, but I believe all Nordstrom stores hosted these events for their "special" customers.

I think maybe you just had to have purchased something once in your lifetime from Nordstrom's to get invited? 

Strictly for blogging purposes, I knew I absolutely had to go.  I wanted to give all of you a glimpse of the Money Town women fighting over handbags.  I snuck my point and shoot camera into my purse and drove to the mall.  I was shocked by what I saw there.

There were people lined up as far as the eye could see just to get into Nordstrom.  The people you see in the above picture were just a small number of those waiting.  The line went on and on, snake-like, forever.

Eventually I found my way to what I assumed was the end of the line.  To be honest, when I saw all those people waiting like a herd of cattle, I just wanted to turn around and drive home.  

Being the dedicated blogger I am, however, I stayed.

After quite a bit of time, I approached the entrance to the store.  That was when I realized people had to show their invitations to be allowed in.

What invitation?

I know they meant to invite me!  In fact, I think they actually did invite me, but I might not have read the invitation.  Especially the part that said I'd need to bring the invitation to get in.  

I definitely had gotten a phone message or forty saying they'd like me to attend.

I informed the lady at the door I "forgot" my invitation.

"You'll have to go to that table over there," she said, pointing me across to another line.  

I sighed and did as I was told.  After a short wait, I bullshitted my way through the door.

I may be shy, but when I'm in a tight spot I can bullshit with the best of them.  There was no way I was going home after waiting in that incredible line to get to the door.

Once inside, I was afraid if anyone saw me taking pictures I'd get kicked out.  I'm apologizing upfront for the lack of photos, and the poor condition of the ones I do have.  I had to be very surreptitious about the whole camera-taking-photos thing.

There was a lot of alcohol provided.

I'm sure the more people drank, the more they bought.

There was also music.  Nordstrom always has someone in the store playing piano to create a more exclusive ambiance, but in this case they went a little further.

   

The music was actually very entertaining.  I'm not much of a shopper, but I really like music.  I would have preferred to just hang with the musicians and get their take on life in Money Town.

More than one person brought their dog.

What's up with the dogs at the department stores?  Seriously?  I'm a tremendous animal lover, but even I don't think it's appropriate.  What if someone is allergic?  What if someone steps on your pet?  Do dogs really belong there?  Is this a Money Town thing?  Another example, perhaps, of the rich thinking they can do whatever they want wherever they are?

There were a lot of people there.  Almost all of them were drinking.

Some of the women wore amazing outfits to shop in.  I was not one of them, of course.  Also, I wasn't very successful in capturing any of them in a photo.  I did get a couple shots of more "normal" people though.  By "normal" I mean none of the ones in the photos below were at all unusual by Orange County standards.

 

There were waiters walking around with platters of appetizers too.  I saw more than one person spill a drink on sales merchandise.  I wonder if the store later regretted serving food and drinks?  Or maybe they made so much money off the inebriated shoppers, it more than made up for it?

Sigh ... there's nothing like the holidays with the Money Town crowd!

© Twenty Four At Heart   

Comments

[j. vance]

Yep Twentyfour,
It's exactly the same in Columbus, Ohio only the people are dressed better and you're not going to believe this....we have just as much plastic surgery and botox!

In the mean time, I STILL love Nordstrom, it is one of my favorite stores.
Q

[di]

I never buy anything at Nordys because even the costume type jewelry is way over-priced. Fifty bucks for plastic?? Me thinks not.

I do however love walking through their store and the piano music is always great to hear instead of dorky elevator music or crazy, loud alternative stuff that so many of the stores play. If I could afford to shop at Nordys I most certainly would.

Oh, and their shoe department has great sofas for sitting on just in case a person does get stinkin' fallling down sloshed while shopping there... hee hee

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

[Maureen@IslandRoar]

I have gotten these invites and never attended. The idea of alcohol in a department store is ironically appropriate.
You are quite the sleuth!

[Katie]

Why so many people? Was everything on sale?

Not to disagree with another reader but I've lived in Ohio and I've visited orange county. There's no comparison as far as the amount of plastic surgery. Orange County is like a beautiful but very plastic bubble. Its a world onto its own.

[Kelly]

I like Nordstrom. Everything in the store is so pretty and their salespeople are so helpful. Some stuff is over priced, but there are some good deals too. The shoe department is my favorite. So how much did YOU drink? LOL

[Michelle]

Do Orange County residents where nothing but black? Out of all the crowd shots you posted, there's barely 3 people that are wearing something other than black/dark gray! Where is the personality? This is bothering me more than it should.

[WebSavyMom]

-->I don't get the taking dogs in to stores either.

[Jack]

Looks just like Century City to me.

[Julie @ Angry Julie Monday]

My mom went to the South Coast Plaza event. We've gone the past five years. I sound like such a snob. Ironically, nothing is one sale. Everything is full price.

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Lots of black here - always. The women thinks it makes them look thinner.

Actually there WERE some things on sale. They gave each person a flier when you went in on the hot sales. Some were pretty good. I don't know if this varies store to store or not.

And Jack ... yes, I doubt if there's much difference from OC to LA.

[meadowsrm]

now what do they do if those dogs poo on the carpet??

[Annette]

Was that dog wearing a Burberry harness??!! Jeez o'Pete!

[LPC]

What's with all the gray and black? Not how I envisioned Moneytown...

[Suzi]

Oh my. Very good thing we don't have a Nordstom in WV. Picture this, Larry the Cable guy goes shopping x's 500 little cable guy clones and clonets. (yeah, I know, that's probably not a word, but whatever.) Heck, they best stock up on Budweiser and sausage dogs. Talking of dogs, we don't take our puppy dogs shopping around here, might take the pet chicken but not the dog. Yee Haawww :-)

[mama llama]

Hell, if I could drink *and* shop at the same time, I'd be there in a heartbeat!! :)
Love the pictures, 24. Thank you for that lovely shot of Santa Barbara. I vaguely remember what warmth feels like. Kinda missing it right now.

Be well, 24.

[class factotum]

A dog at a store? Ick. Inappropriate.

When I was looking for a job, I saw a few companies that proclaimed happily that employees could bring their dogs to work. "Well, that place is off the list," I thought to myself. I didn't want someone's dog jumping on me. Or peeing on me. Or sticking his nose in my crotch. Or doing any of the things that "Oh he's just PLAYING" dogs do.

Honestly, people. I leave my cats at home when I go out. I don't inflict my pets on you. Have some sense. Don't inflict your pets on me.