Too Many Open Tabs (08): Cyber Week / Black Friday / 2023 Sale Season
There are very literally, too many open tabs.
How is it possible that it is Thanksgiving/the lead-up to the end of the year? I feel like I blinked and we got here. I say it every year, and I know it’s a cliche, but holy crap, it went by so fast! The sales have started with a vengeance (earlier than ever it seems), and the emails/ads/stories/posts/videos are clogging up every form of media I consume.
I started out writing this newsletter by combing through my Promo tab, thinking I would cover every single sale and be your comprehensive one-stop shop for getting the most out of Cyber Week.
And then I remembered that although I love a sale, I love it most when I find something specific that fills a gap and meets a need, at a discounted price. So, this is not your more comprehensive roundup. Instead, I am covering three things in this newsletter:
My soapbox/reminders about sale season & tips to shop intentionally
A list of the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales I’m most interested in (thinking that just a list of the sales would be helpful to screenshot & then you can refer to if/as you’re shopping)
A small list of the things that I either have and love, admire / lust after, or am purchasing myself.
If you want to see an updated selection of on sale items, follow my curated list in my ShopMy page.
Reminders about Sale Season:
This can be a great time to acquire things you want, need, or are gifting to others. It can also be a time when you get overwhelmed and are easily influenced into buying things you don’t want, don’t need, won’t use, (or worse), can’t afford.
I like to give myself this little pep talk before I shop:
This is just a sale. There will be many more. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it. Just because you bought something on sale, doesn’t mean you are “saving money.” While I love clothes and getting dressed, and beauty products, and accessories, it is all just stuff and I already have lots of it. Adding something that I love and want and makes sense for me is amazing. Buying just to buy, or buying outside my budget will make me feel bad later.
Going into this time of year, I take a look at my wishlist and give it a little update. This way, I am shopping from that — it’s a helpful way to prioritize and avoid impulse purchases that I will go on to regret. It’s also helpful to think through holiday gifts, for example, many of the things I am planning on getting for my kids will be available at a discounted price in the next week or so.
Also, this is a time of year that can be incredibly difficult for many people. Not just because the holidays can be a hard time of year, but also because it is a more expensive time of year, and for many, tough and tight financial times are even tougher and tighter. I am setting aside a little extra to be sure that my family can make a charitable contribution (I’m not sure where to just yet, but we typically choose something local that benefits kids/families in need).
I hope to share things to inspire you & provide a curated list of products that you might be interested in - whether for yourself, a friend, a loved one, to save for later, add to your wishlist, etc. I will not tell you that you need anything, nor do I believe we need any of these things (if I use the term, it’s not because I actually mean it, it’s because I love hyperbole.)
Places I Shop that are Having Sales:
Clothing
Addison Bay - 30% off everything w code CYBER
And Other Stories - 25% off everything w code BF2023
Dress Boston is a favorite local shop - 20% off everything w code SHOPEARLY
Doen - Major discounts on previous collections, no code needed (my picks included here)
Jenni Kayne - 25% off everything
Kule - Up to 40% off a section of items
Lake PJs - 25% off automatically added
Mango - Up to 50% off, no code needed
Margaux - up to 40% off sitewide
Madewell - 50% off almost everything (increased for Black Friday!) use code LETSGO
Motif Skincare - 20% off w code BF2023
Net A Porter - up to 50% off a large selection
Outdoor Voices - 40% off, with code HOLIDAY2023
Reformation - 25% off everything, automatically applied
ShopBop- 25% off (almost) everything with code HOLIDAY
Kids
Good Buy Gear sells used kid & baby items that are inspected for quality & condition, and often just in an open box. It is a GREAT way to shop for kids gear, and they are offering 25% off for Black Friday. (Think, strollers, car seats, bouncers, high chairs, etc.)
Hanna Anderson - 40-50% off, no code needed
Primary - up to 40% off sitewide, discount automatically applied
Tonies - 25% off all items with code BLACKFRIDAY25
Jewelry IF you know what you are shopping for, there are some very good jewelry deals. In general, I find it really hard to browse/shop for jewelry online. I really need to see pieces in person, but I have dabbled in these brands and they have some great pieces!
Alev Jewelry - 25% off site wide
Dana Rebecca Jewelry - up to $200 off your purchase (tiered by purchase amount)
Things I Love:
I will continue to update my ShopMy page with all the best pieces I have seen on sale. If you want to browse a huge selection at your own leisure, that’s the place to go. Also, if you’re shopping for something specific, leave a comment & let’s see what we can find!
And Other Stories - is a favorite spot for great basics, especially workwear, like these trousers. I also love their winter dress collection (hello!?!?). This would be amazing for a winter bride. I have this sweater and am eyeing this coat.
Doen is one of my favorite stores. I have and love this dress (seen here). This is a dress you would wear ALL THE TIME.
Margaux makes a beautiful shoe, and I am devoted to their demi ballet flat (I have the navy blue).
I love Lake PJs. Especially their long sleeve / short Pima set, short sleeve / long pant Pima set, and robes (anything from Lake makes a great gift). I am giving this set a try! Their kids’ PJs are great too, just be sure to size up (I just ordered my troop matching holiday ones!)
The Net sale is worth a browse if you are looking for something specific (use filters!) I love this bag. Perfect satin tuxedo blazer. Love this purse! This Ulla dress is great for pregnancy & postpartum!
Madewell: I love this slip dress. This is a cute Mini Sweater Dress. This belt looks like Khaite. They also have a good Men’s selection!
Mango has a huge selection on major sale! I got these boots and will report back. These are so fun for the holiday season, without being too intensely holiday. Such a cute dress for a little girl. This houndstooth Blazer is so chic.
Outdoor Voices makes great tops. Specifically, this t-shirt is great to work out and wear day-to-day I have it in three colors; it’s the perfect crop. I love the look of this fleece jacket. Plus, the great exercise dress.
My beloved Replenix tinted eye cream is 30% off. This is a holy grail item for me!
The Motif Skincare Abundance Cleanser is a cleanser for all skin types that repairs and enhances your skin, and doubles as a brightening mask. I have pretty sensitive skin, but also am a recovering St. Ives Apricot scrub addict, and I love that the cleanser has a teensy bit of grain to it, but is so gentle on my skin. I typically use it after my favorite oil cleanser (which gets off all makeup), and leave it on for a little bit while I brush my teeth. Use code BF2023 for 20% off. I am planning to try their serum!
ShopBop is my most frequented shopping destination. This looks like a great coat (especially if you need a very warm one!) My favorite jeans are in black. I have this blazer in a different colorway, and it’s a very good one. These boots are sold out in my size but have been on my wishlist for a long time. A few sizes left in this beautiful navy sweater. If you have a winter wedding or big NYE party, look no further! This sweatshirt is so luxe (I have and love it!)
I have been waiting for the Reformation sale, and my cart is already ready to go. This is my brown sweater for the season, and I’m also giving this style a try. I’ve heard great things about this simple tee, and I need a white t refresh. As far as things I have and love, I am a Cynthia Jean devotee. I would love another wash, but have recently bought several new pairs of jeans so need to slow down. I have and love this cardigan (purchased from this sale last year), it’s fantastic. Tempted to also try these boots!
My kids love their Tonie boxes, and they are a great form of entertainment, especially when they wake up early in the morning before they are allowed to leave their rooms. A new tonie makes a great stocking stuffer. Also, their headphones are EXCELLENT because they fit little heads (have fit my daughter since she was 2), and then come with an extra aux jack that you can plug any aux cord into - so your kids can share a tonie box (or anything you would plug headphones into!)
Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Thanks so much for being here and reading along with me!
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Amen to this message. I am absolutely overwhelmed but I just keep reminding myself that the deepest discounts haven’t even hit yet, and there are many more sale seasons coming in my lifetime lol. I also keep a list in the notes app, and while I have strayed on a few impulse purchases, generally I’m sticking to it. Shopping online can be a PITA though; so much of what I bought hasn’t worked out and is going straight back to the store!
Loved reading this and the thoughtful reminders. I've been giving myself the same pep talk because the deals are definitely overwhelming. I keep a similar list in my Notes app with things for myself, the kids and other holiday gifts I need to get - it's so helpful to keep myself on track.