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Nordstrom National Beauty and Fragrance Director, Cheri Botiz opens her bag of beauty tricks that keeps her looking fresh and flawless while running backstage at New York Fashion Week.

Cheri’s Report:

This is always an exciting trip to pack for. Usually I travel with mini sizes of my favorite items, but this time around, I am going to try a few new items while in NYC for Fashion Week.

1 – All of my skincare essentials fit into my Clarisonic travel bag, but there are so many cute cosmetic cases out there, it’s hard to choose!

2 – I’m packing the new philosophy purity gel to try with my can’t-live-without CLARISONIC ‘Mia’ brush to cleanse my face and take off my eye makeup. I know I will love this new gel formulation; it’s already a cult favorite.

3 – My favorite deodorant is DERMAdoctor Antiperspirant. It protects me from perspiring throughout the whole day, helps reduce hair growth, and brightens the skin under my arms.

4 – I am going to test the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate. I keep hearing amazing things about it; I cannot believe I have not tried this yet.

5 – Applying the Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Lip Silk day and night helps keep my lips hydrated and reduces feathering by softening the look of fine lines.

6 – I am packing the new NARS Tinted Moisturizer (a Nordstrom exclusive). With SPF 30 and a hint of color, all I can say is that I love this item.

7 – I bring two serums (one for day and one for night)—a must for keeping my skin nourished during all the running around I do in the city. The new Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin D Serum-Oil will keep my skin glowing by day, and at night, my go-to serum is Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair.

8 – Lastly, BABYBEARSHOP Cheeky Baby Butter keeps my hands and feet moisturized all day long. I get it from the Nordstrom Spa. This stuff is amazing, and you only need a little!

Look like a jet-setting collector of the world’s treasures—even if the farthest you’ve traveled recently is to work and back.

Unexpected fabrications, details with a handcrafted look and a hint of distant destinations are the next evolution of globe-trekker style.

1 – Stone-cold style. Colorful stones and minerals in statement-making forms can take a simple outfit to Queen-of-the-Nile heights. Look for turquoise, lapis lazuli, jasper, coral agate and opal embellishments. [Pictured: Spring Street Design Group Turquoise Stone & Chain Statement Necklace]

2  – Human touch. Handcrafted designs are always the most sought-after by travelers. Beading and natural mineral accents on hand-worked pieces add just the right dash of eccentricity. [Pictured: Chan Luu Semiprecious Stone Wrap Bracelet]

3  – On the fringe. There’s something about dangling fringe and tassels that call to mind the ornate costumes and dances of ancient cultures. Chain fringe on a pair of sandals definitely puts us in a mood to do a little dancing ourselves. [Pictured: B Brian Atwood 'Cassiane' Sandal]

4 – Tribal plumage. Feathers have a long history of use in ceremonies and special occasions. These days, their soft showiness is popping up everywhere on accessories and shoes, and adds a subtle flamboyance that’s never for the birds.  [Pictured: Micha Design Feather Cuff]

5 – National treasures. The allure of faraway places lies in stunning architectural details and design accents. Rather than attempting any illegal extractions, find yourself a souvenir to cherish that won’t cause an international incident, like a Moroccan-tile-inspired pendant. [Pictured: Nordstrom 'Eclectic Mosaic' Long Statement Pendant Necklace]

6 – Python mania. We’re glad we don’t live where we’d find a python slithering in our backyard, but we’re happy to stock our closets full of snakeskin detail. Exotic and sophisticated, the look of snakeskin is showing up on everything. [Pictured: High Fashion Handbags Faux Python Clutch]

The clothes. The handbags. The shoes. The names.

If your heart rate just increased a little, we prescribe a deep breath and some quality time for a fashionable rendezvous with our Spring 2012 Designer Lookbook, now available to browse and shop online.

And check out footage from our lookbook shoot—a collaboration with Paris-based Petronio Associates, the masterminds behind Self Service magazine.

Straight from the ’50s and pastel-obsessed ’60s, these pale, watery hues of the sea are on the rise.

So refreshing! After all the bright colors we’ve been talking about, these shades—from minty green to faded aqua—are feeling like a cool alternative to blazing color.

Try lighter or sheer fabrics in pale tones for breezy, flowing silhouettes, and more saturated tints with tailored pieces. Keep this color looking easy and extra-fresh by pairing with warm neutrals or a mid-tone blue.

Pictured:
Sanctuary ‘Leotie’ Crinkled Asymmetric Maxi Skirt
Yves Saint Laurent ‘Manicure Couture’ Duo
Sibilia Square Statement Necklace
Elizabeth and James ‘Adrienne’ Slub Knit Dress
Fossil ‘Sydney’ Colored Dial Bracelet Watch
Wit and Wisdom Color Denim Skinny Jeans (Nordstrom Exclusive)
Caslon V-Neck Textured Sweater
Botkier ‘Valentina’ Shoulder Bag

Join fashion’s elite as we take you front row to the Jason Wu runway show at New York Fashion Week.

You’re invited online and in store* on Friday, February 10 at 1pm Eastern (10am Pacific) to a Nordstrom-exclusive live stream video of the Jason Wu Fall 2012 runway show. Beforehand, read our interview with Wu where he gives us the scoop on his favorite trend for fall, how to create your own personal style and more. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #NLive.

Afterward, check back February 15 to pre-order some of our favorite runway looks and selected pieces from Jason Wu’s pre-fall collection. And if you just can’t get enough Wu (we can’t!), check out his spring 2012 collection available for pre-order online now.

*Participating stores include Downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Palo Alto and Tysons Corner. See these stores’ events pages for more details.

Inspired by and in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, the John Hardy ‘Naga’ collection is now available at Nordstrom.

This distinctive collection showcases Hardy’s meticulously handcrafted detail with dragon heads or scales gracing each piece. Named after a legendary Balinese dragon that dwells in volcanoes and dives into the sea, the ‘Naga’ collection infuses the symbols of love, prosperity and luck of the dragon into a signature John Hardy look with ornate gold and silver craftsmanship.

Whatever your plans, our Editor’s Picks are sure to please you and your Valentine. Whether you’re more sugar or spice, these looks will make everything nice—the romance is up to you.

This flirty, color-blocked Jessica Simpson dress goes prim with a frilly pink clutch, all accessorized by a hint of dazzle. A sophisticated nude pump, not to mention that croc-embossing detail, keeps this look sophisticated while still satisfying your date’s sweet tooth.

Pictured (clockwise):
RED Valentino Leather Bow Clutch
Jessica Simpson Sleeveless Chiffon Dress
Alexis Bittar ‘Otto’ Encrusted Ring
Alexis Bittar Crystal & Lucite Drop Earrings
Dior ‘Miss Dior’ Peep Toe Pump
Alexis Bittar ‘Smoky Dust’ Small Hinged Bracelet (Nordstrom Exclusive)

A neutral, sequined shift dress is the perfect palette for layering on your own personality. Try going on a gold rush to infuse the sequined sparkle with individuality—think unique accessories in similar tones and materials with just the right amount of edginess and texture. A black high-heeled sandal, street-wise enough to ground all that gold, pulls together a crush-worthy look that’s urban and sleek.

Pictured (clockwise):
Jewelry Fashions Statement Necklace
Alexia Admor Sequin Shift Dress
Jewelry Fashions Wide Cuff
B Brian Atwood ‘Clio’ Sandal
Rafe New York ‘Maryanne’ Minaudiere
Daly Bird Diamond Cut Leather Earrings

Check out more pieces for a Valentine’s Day outfit, and take our Lingerie Personality Quiz to find something comfortable to slip into when Valentine’s Day turns to night.

We’re making it easier for you to find a scent that’s just right for you. We offer over 600 fragrances online, but you can’t judge a perfume by its bottle (no matter how pretty), which is why we’ve launched the Fragrance Finder.

Do you like a bright character with hints of lemon, bergamot and orange? Done. We’ll show you all our perfumes with fresh citrus notes. You can also compare fragrances based on the ones you already know and love. Not sure what you like? With our Fragrance Finder, we’ll guide you