it's happening stay calm!!! 🖤

INSIDE: a Black Friday sales crash course, a Hear Me Out cake, and books and crafts to get started on over the holiday week!

As promised 🥁🥁🥁… here is a quick BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL EDITION :)))))

But quickly, up front, wishing everyone a very safe and happy and holiday this week! I just did Friendsgiving with my oldest friends at home and we did a Hear Me Out cake (as photographed on my Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 which I will not shut up about!!) and it was SO fun. Highly, highly recommend if you’re looking for a lil cozy activity this week!

Ok, moving on to why we have all gathered here today: this busiest shopping day in America where we are usually already quite busy shopping (or at least I am), BLACK FRIDAY. I am trying to be as mindful and ethical a consumer as possible this year… while also, as I wrote about last week, being absolutely influenced by all of the heavy, heavy marketing last year. It’s a sometimes hard but extremely essential task, and I will also do my best to prioritize links/items here that also meet those goals!!!

In terms of structure, we’ll do the storewide sales I’m tracking up first, then incredible gift (both to receive or request), and then some random things I loved but couldn’t fit in a section lol. And then this Friday, on the day itself, we will focus on less gifting, more just things that are worth snapping up on that crazy day!

Now, onto the good stuff!

Sales I’m tracking 🕵️

**REMINDER (and we’ll talk more about this on Friday) – don’t forget to download Phia as a browser extension so you can easily see if there are second-hand/vintage versions of what you’re already shopping for. Good for the planet and the wallet and the soul :)

• Abercrombie – we have allllll been waiting for this one! Abercrombie is 25% off AND I found a stackable code, BFCMAF, for 15% off, thanks to Cleo Cards!!

  • ⭐️s: this maxi silk skirt that I just ordered lol ($60) and the off-the-shoulder long sleeve that is EVERYWHERE ($30)

• Anthropologie – another one that we all have to wait to jump on whenever they start it! They are doing 30% off generally and 40% off sale~

  • ⭐️s: the bistro tile mug I’ve been seeing everywhere ($12) and these adorable marble heart coasters ($10)

• Quince! We absolutely love her for a basic and they are doing 45% off rolling items until 12/2 (so I would say definitely grab if you see something instead of waiting for this one)

  • ⭐️s: the Birkenstock waterproof clog dupes ($70) and, ofc, their famous ridiculously affordable cashmere crewneck ($50)

• Glossier – I think this is literally their SINGULAR sale per year and it’s 25% off!!!

  • ⭐️s: the You perfume ($59) that we know and love so dearly and another all-star that I am never without lol, the Balm Dotcom ($10 – and don’t miss the limited holiday ones!)

• Gap – our dear friend from long ago who has pulled off a truly incredible re-brand this year!! And now all of those sweaters we’ve been coveting are 40% off

  • ⭐️s: these apparently very comfy baggy jeans ($48) that will most likely be a purchase for me this week! and the cashsoft sweater ($27) that people seem to really like :)

• Madewell! Another perfect one for very high-quality things! They are doing 40% off right now with code MADEBETTER

  • ⭐️s: the gorgeous leather bucket bag ($100) that apparently Katie Holmes is obsessed with and the studded mini bag ($58) that I can’t stop thinking out tbh

• NA-KD – another longtime fave doing 30% off.

  • ⭐️s: this fine knit brown zebra cardigan ($24) that I may need to grab… and these incredibly knee-high burgundy boots ($70)

• American Eagle and Aerie – who are doing 30-50% off of everything! Y’all know my theory, I strongly believe that AE is angling to be the next Abercrombie, we’ll have to see what happens…

  • ⭐️s: the fisherman’s cable knit cozy crewneck ($36) that ik some of you guys snagged woohoo and these cutie “coffee run” trousers ($42) – and, as a bonus, you guys know my hack is that their lightly-lined, smoothing bras ($30) are SO good.

Gifts I’m gifting 🎁

Sorry, these are SO random and just truly what I have in my notes app lol… but helpful I hope!

GIFT IDEAS:

• Vintage watches! this little silver heart one ($15) and this mixed metal one ($23) are both SO, so good – I am getting a similar heart one for my friend!!

• Speaking of, I love these subtle beaded friendship bracelets ($15) 🥹

• this martini peek-a-boo mug ($10) which I have somehow never seen on TikTok???? I feel like it is mere seconds from going viral lol

• the knit balaclava ($15) that has appeared in some form in both SheerLuxe’s TikToks AND Emily in Paris so she really is that girl…

• I still have qualms about Zara despite their efforts to be better about sustainability… but I simply must mention that they have a burgundy tote bag that you can customize with initials for $53!!!!!! also SHOCKED this isn’t viral

• this Gnocchi sweatshirt for the pasta-lover in your life… and truly everything from Compliments of the Chef

• I’ve mentioned this before but I am SO obsessed with the Ole Henriksen pout preserver lip gloss ($22) and I feel like doing that + a lil charm like like one ($31)!

• a cute and cozy (and still high-quality) dupe of ~that~ Acme Studios scarf ($25)

Random things I love and found while scrolling 🤳

Ok, this section is truly just lists of what’s going on in my brain and what I’m enjoying lol – including some books, movies, etc, and all the cozy things that might be fun during this holiday week :)

Small business I can’t stop shopping at: DVNE Jewelry (jewelry), Libby & My (all things vintage – and a local DC store <3), Danae and Dru (bags), Allure NL (silver jewelry), and Kanyon Shop (homeware)

Books I’m loving: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, and Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton,

Shows and Movies I’m glued to: WICKED!!!!!!!! Oh my god, it is everything and more! And also Dune: Prophercy, Silo, Industry, and Heartbreak High

Hobbies I am currently obsessed with: adult paint-by-numbers that you would actually want to put on your wall and, ofc, air dry clay kits because I am delusional enough to think I can do this!

TikToks I saved:

• Explainer if you’ve ever heard of the Wednesday Waffle (or are looking for things to stay connected to long-distance besties)

• For anyone living in or going to London! (I am also going back this winter hehehehe)

• I’ve decided that 2025 is the year that I take journaling seriously, and this Tok was 60% of the reason behind that decision lol

And that’s all for now! I’ll see you guys on Friday, sending much love this Thanksgiving 🧡