I will always have a soft spot for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I know, I know — it’s just a department store. But during the peak mall-culture years, exploring Nordstrom’s carpeted halls was one of my first initiations into tastemaking; when I made an annual jeans pilgrimage there with my mom in the 2000s, we exalted every cloched candle and linen throw blanket; we pillaged Brass Plum and the M.A.C. makeup counter, pausing only for communion: the storied grilled cheese and tomato soup combo at the Nordstrom cafe. If I close my eyes, I can still hear the live piano playing a jazz rendition of “When Doves Cry.”
Today, the digital sale racks of Nordstrom’s home section are still a well-curated smorgasbord of Le Creuset tea time bundles, flights of Diptyque candles, and a double decker drink dispenser that would have been right a home in a 2005 Martha Stewart Living spread about the importance of making a dedicated drink station at parties. Meaning, if you are looking for the best glassware, knife sets, and other impactful means to improve your cooking and entertaining chops, Nordys still punches above its weight.
This year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is live from now until August 3, so let’s waste no time in finding you the perfect charcuterie board.
This set of Viking knives is $100 off
German-made stainless steel is renowned for its high carbon content and durability, and this set by Viking includes all the essentials: a chef’s knife, bread knife, carving knife, utility knife, paring knife, kitchen shears, a sharpening rod, and a set of six steak knives. If you’re looking to upgrade from the Dull Knife Drawer life, this set’s a steal.
Get $46 off this trio of Diptyque candles
As a proud devotee of the cult of fancy candles, Diptyque’s bougies remain some of my all-time favorites for their chic graphic design and romantic, truly room-filling scents. This trio of its popular Baies (a blackcurrant scent), Figuier (a not-to-sweet fig scent), and Tubéreuse (a heady green floral scent) candles sure would make for a great host gift — but I’m tempted to keep them for myself.
This just-down-to-earth-enough serving board is 45% off
Leave your heavy-duty garlic mincing to a John Boos cutting board and dedicate this decorative-leaning acacia wood board to serving cheese, prosciutto, and snack foods; it’s for those moments when you need to chop something small and don’t feel like lugging out a giant cutting board.
This expensive-looking set of hammered glasses
This set of hand-blown glasses feels like a stateside alternative to the vintage-style glasses from the Paris-based glassblowers at La Soufflerie (no need to pay for exorbitant shipping from Europe), which always make me feel like I’m sipping my beverage of choice on a Mediterranean terrace.
This charming Le Creuset kettle and mug set bundle
Where was this deal during Mother’s Day? No matter. It’s always a good time to bring some of Le Creuset’s heritage French swag into the kitchen.
Save $40 on this set of 9 Viking mixing bowls
This set of nine stainless steel bowls includes 1.5-quart, 3-quart, 5-quart, and 8-quart bowls, as well as four lids and strainer. But the winning design feature for me is the non-slip silicone bases, because I always end up sliding steel bowls around the counter during a feverish baking session.
Get 29% off this Staub bakeware bundle
The French cookware brand’s most iconic, deep blue colorway is on sale for Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale in the form of a robust bakeware bundle that includes an oven-safe rectangular baking dish, oval baking dish, and a square baking dish with a lid.
The double-duty drink dispenser is a perennial must-have
You could fill one vessel with iced tea and another with water; one vessel with Four Loko, and another with Celsius. The possibilities are endless.
Shop on, my fellow Nordstrom hunter-gatherer — and remember, the sale only lasts for about two more weeks.