Far be it from me to suggest Nordstrom is a regular shopping destination for those of us on a budget… but twice a year, they put on a sale, and they do it up right. Starting today it’s the big women-and-kids Half-Yearly Sale, and that means it’s the right time to check ‘em out and pay Target prices on Nordstrom items.

Twice a year I shop at Nordstrom, and twice a year I come away feeling quite smug. Try it. See if you don’t feel a little smug, too.

It’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays, either….

OK, I’ll say upfront that these are NOT for every office — you have to work in one where there is some sense of humor. A colleague recently brought these in and lots of fun and funny moments have been had. Work + funny moments = more bearable work.

$16 at UrbanOutfitters.com

I love salt-rimmed drinks, but I loathe dipping the glasses into a plateful of chunky salt. For one thing, I always end up wasting salt. For another, half of the salt from the plate ends up on the counter instead of the rim of the glass. But now, I let The Barmaid do it for me. Or, rather, The Barmaid lets me put just the right amount of salt — or whatever spice I want — on each rim with the touch of a button. Perfect for a summer-in-the-wintertime Margarita, or a salty-and-spice rimmed Bloody Mary at brunch.

$39.95 or $44.95 (including salt) at Limetreecove.com.

I’ve just come back from a business trip where I wished I’d brought a few more pieces of jewelry with me. I like wearing earrings and funky rings but I didn’t have a great way to carry them with me, so just brought two in a plastic bag. This jewelry case has multiple compartments so your necklaces won’t get tangled up with the earrings and it’s still small enough for travel.

$36.50 at Delight.com

Add a little flair to your dinner table with these contemporary salt and pepper shakers. The sleek, stainless-steel design goes with any decor, and look cool enough to stay out on the table in between meals.

$36 at Out of Gray.

One of my favorite ways to treat myself when I am feeling completely overwhelmed is with an interesting and relatively inexpensive piece of jewelry. Lately I’m really into funky rings, like this awesome one I found on Etsy.

$75 at Etsy.com

Looking for a fun, funky, functional wedding gift? This fruit bowl’s open design allows air to circulate, keeping fruit fresh. But it’s also intersting enough to sit out on it’s own, as sculpture.

$38 at Chiasso.

I love making things together with our kiddo - from arts and crafts to baking cookies. Doodle Bread is a bit of both: It’s a kit from which you and your kids can make bread with unique designs in it. Fun, creative, and tasty!

$30 (converting from British Pounds, so approximate) at Doodlebread.com

While the world has focused on the epic love story of Cleopatra and Marc Antony, little has been written about their children, who were left to the mercy of their father’s enemy, Octavian Caesar, after their parents’ deaths. Michelle Moran, author of “Nefertiti” and “The Heretic Queen,” revisits ancient Egypt to tell their story. Twins Selene and Alexander are brought to Rome in chains, their futures uncertain. Surrounded by secrecy and danger, the children grow up witnesses to the brutality of Rome as seen from within a gilded cage of Octvian — later called Augustus — Caesar’s inner circle.  Moran skillfully weaves into her story plenty of political history without ever weighing down the story, which is fast-paced, intriguing, and beautifully written. She has a knack for bringing long-lost historical figures to life, and “Cleopatra’s Daughter” is full of characters who ring true. This moving and vivid novel brings the reader back in time to the brutal and stunning realities of ancient Eqypt and Rome.

$25 at Amazon.

My bath is my sanctuary. It’s where I go to get away from it all, at least until I run out of hot water. This gorgeous bath caddy is made from sustainable bamboo, has a pop-up book holder and — glorious! — a special slotted holder for your wine glass. I figure the soap holder can hold a small plate of delicious snacks instead.

About $30 (regularly $44) at Amazon.com.