Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2012 Starts July 20!

I know, I know. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2012 is the sale you're waiting (not-so-patiently) for. This must-shop sale kicks off on Friday, July 20 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time online. It runs through Sunday, August, 5 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. All sale items return to regular prices on Monday.

Of course, the best items will sell quickly, and the easiest way to snag the top picks is to shop online, so it's good to be prepared and ready to go when the online shopping option opens on Friday night. New to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Well, what makes it so special is that instead of being a sale on leftovers, it's a sale on the brand new Fall fashions as soon as they hit the floor. Nordstrom also offers up exclusive Beauty items, sizes and gifts as part of this unique sale, which are always coveted. And, on top of all of this shopping goodness, Nordie's offers free shipping and returns on every order.

For 2012 the Anniversary Sale will offer deals on the must-have trends for fall. Our friends at Nordstrom have hinted that the fashion selection will include the moto jacket, peplums, signature prints, shades of electric blue, the cropped trouser and more. They've been pretty tight-lipped about the actual labels that will be on sale, but they have offered this image preview:

The Anniversary Sale will also include great deals on accessories like shoes, handbags and jewelry. The selection will include fall boots, work-appropriate pumps, and bold colored handbags. Again, they're not quite ready to spill the actual brands yet, but they offered an image of some of the sale items:

Now, when it comes to the beauty special items and exclusives, Nordstrom is a bit more forthcoming. Probably because most of these beauty specials are exclusive to Nordstrom, so they likely have much more freedom in their contracts with the participating brands. The deals will include both beauty exclusives (products, sizes, etc.) and new free gifts with purchase. The brands will include MAC, Lancome, Clarisonic, Bobbi Brown, Flowerbomb, Jo Malone and more. Check out this preview:

As soon as we know the exact items offered, we'll update this post will our picks for the best deals and must-have items from the sale. Be sure to bookmark this post and come back throughout the week to get sale updates. In the meantime, start making your wish list!