It’s been a while since I’ve opened a blog post and boy does it feel good to be back at it. I’ve been prepping my return to the blog for weeks (really months, but you get it) and I figured there’s no time like Black Friday and CyberWeek shopping to get back in the writing mood. I have a ton of blog post ideas to share with you all and hope to be back on a regular posting schedule soon. Be sure to call me and/or beep me (dm me) with all the requests. If you’re new here, hi! Welcome to my blog. There are a ton of older posts that tackle topics like graduate school life, money and budgeting, style, and travel. Take a look around while you’re here.
On Sales, Shopping, & What’s Worth It
Now, I have to say that the Black Friday deals seem to get worse every year. I’d prefer if brands would stop trying to swindle me while I’m in a swipe happy mood. But, I think with a sound mind and strategic gifting plans, you can get all of your holiday shopping completed while saving a few dollars and maybe snag a few things for yourself.
This blog post features a sale round-up and my first round of gift guides. If this gets a worthwhile response, I’ll release some more throughout December with last-minute gifting ideas for friends, co-workers, parents, siblings, and partners. I like my first gift guides to be inspiration starters but also a peek into what I’m currently eyeing myself and things I already own and love.
This post contains a ton of affiliate links. Affiliate links are generated through platforms like RewardStyle, MagicLinks, or the brand itself. If you make a purchase at one of the retailers I’ve linked, I get a variable commission of that total sale. Affiliate sales make up a small portion of my secondary income as a content creator but are actually a pretty stable source of monthly funds. I appreciate each and every one of you that shops through my links!
Rakuten Plug-In
I always like to mention, and heavily suggest shopping with the Rakuten plug-in when you’re doing your online shopping. It’s an incredibly easy way to get cashback on all your purchases. I have the Rakuten extension downloaded onto every browser on every computer I own. One thing about me, I’m going to get cashback on my online purchases. Sometimes, you can catch up to 10% cashback on purchases you’re going to make anyway. You can use my link to get $40 when you use the Rakuten extension while you online shop!
Discount Codes & Links
10% off Folio Bookshop Code: GABBY
10% off Albany Park Home Code: GABBY10
10% off Dossier Code: GABBYWHITEN10
Now, let’s get into it.
Black Friday & Cyber Week Sales
Home
25% Off Nespresso Vertuo Machines at Bed Bath & Beyond
35% Off Ninja Foodi 5 in 1 at Target
up to 50% off select styles at Le Creuset
$99 Always Pan and $125 Perfect Pot at OurPlace
20% Off Everything at Brooklinen (love my sheets from here!)
20% Off Everything at Parachute Home
20% Off at Brooklyn Candle Studio with code CYBER20
Fashion
30% Off Everything at Madewell
30% Off at Girlfriend Collective
up to 50% off at Saks Fifth Avenue
30% Off Everything at American Eagle
up to 65% off at Nordstrom Rack
Lifestyle
30% Off at Ban.do with code SAVE30
Beauty & Skincare
up to 30% off and 50% off Naked 3 Palette at Urban Decay
30% off Athena Club with code SAVE30
30% off at Origins + Free Gift with Purchase over $75
The 2021 Gift Guides
For the Style Icon
Everyone has a fashion friend, “that girl”, the one who makes the street their runway. Clothing as gifts would be the obvious choice for this person, but their unique attention to style makes it actually one of the hardest things to gift them. My recommendation is to turn all your attention to accessories. Think jewelry, scents, belts, bags, and shoes, oh my.
Birthyear Necklace | Fashion Tights($) | Fashion Tights($$) | Chanel’s Gabrielle | Maison Francis’ Baccarat Rouge 540 | Dossier Ambery Saffron | Brown Croc Crossbody | Black Croc Crossbody | Steven Madden Howler Booties | FP Hair Scarf | Lighting Bolts x Studs | Green Flash Manucurist Gel Mani Set | Merit Lip Oil Set | Veja B-12 Sneakers | VOGUE x The Met Costume Institute Coffee Table Book | Everlane Trench Coat | Gap Wool Overcoat
For the Adventure Seeker
I’ll keep it a buck fifty. Is that the saying? I don’t know. Anyway, I wouldn’t describe myself as an adventure seeker, necessarily. But, I do love to travel and it’s one of the things I’ve missed sorely over the course of the pandemic. So, naturally, this section is for my fellow travel lovers. Travel accessories are always on sale this part of the year which makes them excellent staples to stock up on. My 5-year-old luggage (and going strong) is from the brand Calpak, but I love a ton of different travel brands like Beis, Away, and the HomeGoods luggage section.
For the Intellectual
This one goes out to all my fellow students and young professionals. It took all of me not to put a pack of solid ballpoint pens on this list. I like to have fun desk notepads and planners to keep productivity strong. You’re favorite intellectual probably loves reading (or at least readers they don’t really even need) and A24 films. My favorite business casual staples like dark wash jeans, cashmere sweaters, relaxed fit blazers, and solid loafers are probably all on sale this year. And of course, I could never forget the Nespresso machine, my one true love.
Calpak Carry On | Burberry Her Rollerball | Fujifilm Instax Square | Herschel Travel Adapter | Portable iPhone Stand | Calpak Packing Cubes | Rosetta Stone Memberships | Dagne Dover Backpack in Moss | H&M Checkered Blazer | Warby Parker Readers | A24 Crewneck | Atomic Habits | Universal Standard Cashmere Sweater | New York Magazine Coffee Table Book | Bold Move Ban.do Mug | Nespresso x Breville Vertuo Coffee Machine | 2022 Papier Planner | Madewell Transport Tote
For the Homebody
Hello, my people!!! Describe your ideal evening. A cozy night in with a red blend and a 2000s romantic comedy. I love cozy gifts with all my being ( think blankets, slippers, & cute sweaters). But, I also love cooking, having a nice candle burning, and lots of solid home decor. Also, a night cuddled up with a good book is also ideal. And of course, I have my eyes on the Parachute Home linen sheet set. It looks so so luxe.
For the New Yorker
Now, Native New Yorkers, don’t beat me up. My recommendations for New Yorkers are super basic, but I feel like there’s gotta be a reason everyone walks around in Uniqlo puffers from November 1 to March 31st. I mean that’s just pure STEM. I think passes to the new SUMMIT observatory would be a cute gift idea as well as tons of NYC paraphernalia and Nets tickets. And I’m this close to purchasing a Met membership for myself, so that’d be a fun one to gift, as well.
For The Money Savvy
Now, I personally run into trouble with these folks. We all hate to love them and definitely want to be them. There are two approaches that have worked for me. You can either gift them something extremely practical (note pads, kitchen essentials, skincare favorites, etc.) or you can gift them something they would never ever spend their own money on but is much more fun and extravagant. Everyone deserves to have a little fun here and there, ya know?
For the Athlete
I find that the conclusions draw themselves on this one. I personally feel you can never have too much athletic gear like leggings, quarter zips, socks, and sports bras. But, other active accessories, like gym bags and water bottles are also nice to receive when you’re on a fit kick (excuse me, lifestyle). I also think a ClassPass gift card could be fun if you’re pal has never tried the app!
Gifts Under $25
I guess this is equivalent to like a speed round in gift-giving. There are frankly so many good gifts under $25 for colleagues, acquaintances, stocking stuffers, or if you’re running a tight budget this year. I also think it’s a great time to raid the travel-sized/mini-sized beauty and skincare products that pop up throughout the season. If I’ve been wanting to try a product, but I don’t want to spend a full $40 on it, I’ll go straight to the checkout line at Sephora.
Books | Anthropologie Mug – Subway Tile | Anthropologie Mug – Cheetah | UO Cow Mug | Brooklyn Candle Studio Mini Candle | Public Goods Candle Set | UO PF Candle Co | Merit Shade Slick Oil | Sundays Nail Polish | Hero Cosmetics Patches | Clean Lash Mascara | Herschel Supply Beanie | MLB Tona Baseball Hat | Abercrombie & Fitch Lounge Short | Sunday Sleep Old Navy Lounge Pant | Aerie Offline Sock | Everlane Ribbed Sock Set | UO Isla Crew Sock
Aerie Offline Sock – Brown | Girlfriend Collective Quarter Sock | UO Perfume | Anthropologie Perfume | Baggu Reusable Tote | UO Square Sunnies | H&M Square Sunnies | H&M Green Sunnies | H&M Roud Sunnies | Berry Colander | UO Daisy Ceramic Colander | UO Patchwork Hand Towels | UO Crochet Trivet | Anthropologie Retro Scarf | FP Scarf | Madewell Bandana Scarf | Madewell Knotted Velvet Headband | FP Headband | Disposable Camera | Standing Taper Candle | UO Taper Candle Set | Artfully Walls Parisian Print | Public Goods Produce Bags | Flamingo Razor | AMC Gift Card | Target Gift Card | Amazon Gift Card | Uber Gift Card
& that’s a wrap on the first round of gift guides for 2021. I hope you found this helpful, or tempting even. I’ll see you next week!
