the elf me sweater

ALSO INSIDE: the best (waterproof) Birkenstock mule dupes, chunky vintage sweaters, and two AMAZING present ideas for the girlies

Hi friends, happy Friday!! We have made it through yet another week… which means we are one week closer to that blissful one between Christmas and New Year’s where there are no emails or news or things to do and just lots and lots of sleep 💤💤 (for my family at least!). Idk about y’all but I am holding on just barely for that lolol.

This week, I suddenly was reminded of Eli Rallo’s ( The Drama Club )’s “eff me sweater. Full definition here:

For some reason, it really inspired me to find sweaters that I thought I would feel confident and sexy in this holiday season (as a spoken-for woman, not even trying to attract the peoples – just want to feel good and cool!). Thus, I present to you my ideas of an “elf me” sweater – just the eff me sweater with a festive take lol.

the “elf me” sweater:

Some favorites from this Zeen post:

• I think the black sweater with the sheer stripes going down the sleeves from Marcella ($68) in the bottom left is to DIE for!

• Also completely obsessed with the green little bow sweater from Cotton On ($39) on the bottom right!

• I threw in some chunky earring choices because I think they pair perfectly with a sexy sweater and my particular favorites are the mixed metal multi-hoops from Heaven Mayhem ($90) and the curved rectangle chunky silver studs from Ettika ($35)!

And speaking of festive moods… next week, I want to do a deep dive into Black Friday (including how to support ethical brands and small businesses, especially those owned by woman who are also/or people of color while buying amazing gifts for your loved ones!). And btw, as I’ve mentioned, Maanika already has so many amazing videos on TikTok in this vein.

And now, onto more link :)

B.N.W.T.

• Quince has SUCH a good, high-quality due of ~those~ Birkenstock mules that are waterproof ($70) – which is an absolute must for me, idk how people are wearing mules that aren’t in the winter??

• I am absolutely in love with this “Juno” green stone ring from Erea (and the song, ofc). But seriously, the brand is new to me and so incredibly stunning.

• I cannot explain it but I have somehow developed a hyper-fixation on the SKIMS ribbed knit leggings ($40)?? I might have to snag a pair in Kyanite specifically over Black Friday (but more on that next week!).

• You all know my hypothesis that they are trying to make Aerie the next Abercrombie in terms of rebranding/vibes… and as further evidence, I present this actually very cute dark beige cropped cardigan ($50) that could kinda make for a perfect Thanksgiving outfit with wide leg, dark wash jeans (the cardi tee and the burgundy cable knit are also quite nice??).

Get Thrifty

• Y’all know I am a sucker for a preppy, well-knit, primary colors, its-giving-90s-catalog sweater just like this red, vintage Gap one lol ($12).

• But that does not mean I don’t also love a more intricate, fair-isle-ish, chunky sweater just like this one! ($20)

• I realized only this week… that there are like-new Frye boots floating around all over the place 😮 like these stunning distressed dark grey ones in size 7.5 for $30 (!!!) and these gorgeous dark brown ones in size 6 for $50.

• I think this Fendi shopper tote is SO COOL and it’s only $88?? Could also make for an amazing gift!

• Speaking of… this very adorable Louis Vuitton wallet for $92 could also be a fabulous gift (for someone or for yourself)!

Shop Small 4 Ever

• GUYS LOOK AT THIS FRAME WITH LIL CHERRIES AND SPRINKLES ($33) from Beauglyful, I’m GAGGED! I think printing out a photo of you and bestie and putting it in here… may actually be the perfect present.

• I am personally more into my “I support women’s rights and wrongs” tee now more than ever… so I found a long-sleeve/crewneck version ($34) from prettycuteapparel for winter :)

• Speaking of tees with words, I found this Etsy shop that is SO good at them – I personally love this “I can make him worse” cropped tee ($25) lol – but seriously, the whole store, Venndata, is so fun and funny.

• I may have mentioned it before but I think this dainty interlocking zodiac + initial necklace ($12) from DD Jewels is a super cool take on both necklace genres… and it is more than 50% off right now!

More Fun Stuff

• Some of my favorite Substack reads this week were this delightful interview from Link in Bio about finding joy in the content you make (icymi, Rachel Karten’s interviews are always so much fun to read), Best Friends’s deep dive on the OG queen of festive and fun clothes Liz Claiborne, and these helpful (and very thoughtful and conscious) gift ideas from Retail Diary.

• I think this TikTok linking the current political climate in the US and the future of fashion is really, really smart.

• We love a reading guide on sustainable and ethical fashion!! Personally, I really want to get my hands on Unraveled by Maxine Bedat.

• I usually can't use gift guides for my boyfriend (they just don’t usually suit him that well) but this one on TikTok for your bfs/dad/brother/friends/etc is so good!

• I am SO into the painted Vogue cover of Kaia Gerber from artist Anna Weyant.

• Last edition’s most clicked links were the grey embroidered cardigan (which we sold out so here’s a similar one from Dior for $40!), the AMELIA pebble pendant (mine is arriving tomorrow!!), and the Studs chunky two-toned huggie hoops.

That’s all for now! See you next Friday for our Black Friday edition 🖤🖤