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Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
With 2020 being, you know, 2020, I'm planning to do all of my Christmas shopping online for the first time ever.
Typically, I love bopping through the malls in December, browsing the stores for the perfect holiday gifts, but with coronavirus cases rising and an inability to easily browse (and touch) in-store merchandise, I feel a lot safer checking things off my list online.
Between coronavirus concerns as well as budgetary restraints, there are a lot of tips to keep in mind when shopping this holiday season. My main advice is to make a plan and get ahead of things. but here are some other tips on finding the best deals and completing your holiday gift list on schedule:
Full disclosure: I've featured a few affiliate links and may earn a commission on those links!
Plan Ahead
Shipping delays have been the norm since the outbreak of coronavirus, and expect delays to increase during the holidays. With cases increasing by the day, more shutdowns could be coming, and most Americans are probably looking to online shopping for the bulk of their holiday purchases. Online stores will have detailed information on shipping deadlines, but just to be safe, I would order everything no later than 2 weeks out from Christmas.
And don't forget about important shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Brands will start announcing sales details any day now, so take a look at your favorite retailers and see if any items on your list might go on sale. Just please refrain from shopping in-person on Black Friday. It's a nightmare most years, but this year it is sure to be a feeding ground for COVID. No thanks!
Use Discount & Cash Back Apps
I can't remember how I first heard about Honey, but I cannot imagine living life without it. It's a Chrome extension that automatically finds and applies discount codes to the sites you are shopping, so if there's an extra discount code you don't know about, it will apply it for you! And even if there aren't any codes that work, you can get credits toward cash back rewards whenever you make purchases.Another app that has become an MVP for me is Rakuten, which gives you cash back on purchases you make online shopping. I get cash back on everything from Madewell to Postmates orders, and it starts to add up! Don't forget to be on the lookout for special offers on their website too, like extra cash back or discount codes.
You can download Honey here and Rakuten here.
Check Your Credit Card Offers
I check my Chase app daily to see what new cash back offers have been added. With just a click of a button, I can get cash back on purchases online and in person, from convenience stores to pizza to luxury retailers. Take a look at your card and see if you have any special offers or rewards available. You might be surprised what money you could earn back just by making your usual purchases!Follow Your Favorite Brands
To entice customers to sign up for newsletters and follow along on social media, brands are hosting newsletter and social media-only discounts and special offers all the time! Make sure you aren't missing out and check your favorites' accounts every so often to discover new deals. If you're annoyed about getting too many promotional emails to your account, you can even set up a promos-only account to keep things organized (and out of your main inbox).
Use ShopStyle to Compare Retailers and Track Sales
Most people know ShopStyle as a way for bloggers like myself to create custom affiliate links and make a commission when readers purchase products, but I also love using ShopStyle as a way to research and compare different styles and shops. These days, most brands are sold at a few different online retailers, so the same item might go on sale at one store while staying full price at the other. Say I find a cute dress from Alice + Olivia; I'll usually search the product name in ShopStyle's search tool so I can see where else the item is sold and if it is available for a cheaper price somewhere else.
Additionally, you can toggle "sale alerts" for items you like so that you receive an email notification when that item gets marked down. With so many surprise sales happening right now, you never know when a favorite item is going to drop in price, so the alerts will keep you informed.
Sign up for ShopStyle here.
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What tips do you have for finding the best deals during the holiday shopping season? Comment below!
The holidays are a busy time, full of events of all shapes and sizes. It's easy to get overwhelmed, between the parties, charity events, shopping excursions, and so on.
That's why I'm here!
No need to worry about what to wear to all your holiday events, because I've compiled a few outfit ideas to help you get through the season. From Turkey Day to the New Year, I have got you covered.
That's why I'm here!
No need to worry about what to wear to all your holiday events, because I've compiled a few outfit ideas to help you get through the season. From Turkey Day to the New Year, I have got you covered.
For when you're feasting on Thanksgiving favorites...
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| Outfit One: Dress | Boots | Purse | Necklace | Lipstick Outfit Two: Dress | Scarf | Boots | Purse | Bracelet |
Thanksgiving is a cozy holiday, so why not dress the part? For most, Thanksgiving dinner is a day spent at home, cooking (and eating!) turkey and watching football while chatting with the fam, so there's no need to get too extravagant with your look. A loose-fitting sweaterdress is comfy and warm but won't keep you from stuffing your face full of stuffing.
Ankle boots are stylish but comfortable, adding a hint of trendiness to your look, and thin gold jewelry adds a bit of bling to your sweet look.
Ankle boots are stylish but comfortable, adding a hint of trendiness to your look, and thin gold jewelry adds a bit of bling to your sweet look.
For when you want to impress all your friends...
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| Outfit One: Sweatshirt | Skirt | Flats | Clutch | Earrings Outfit Two: Jacket | Dress | Heels | Purse | Headband | Lipstick |
The holidays are the perfect time to bust out the metallics! Nothing screams festive and fun more than replicating sparkling tinsel, so mix and match different metallics and jacquards for your next wintertime dinner party.
If you're a more casual dresser, an embellished sweatshirt and a sparkling midi will work wonders. If you love being the life of the party, a flirty metallic mini and animal-print accessories will make sure all eyes are on you!
No matter what, everyone will be striking up dinner conversation over your fabulous outfit.
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| Outfit One: Gown | Heels | Necklace | Earrings Outfit Two: Gown | Necklace | Clutch |
If you find yourself attending a black tie event this holiday season, good for you, and why not go all out with a bold statement? Whether it's a festive holiday red or a dazzling ballgown embellished with gold details, don't be afraid to go all out and shine!
What does a Fashion Barbie ask Santa to bring for Christmas? Why, fashionable things, of course!
This year is all about those essential & awesomely chic items - a gorgeous palette of eyeshadows, a classic watch, a signature scent - that will last me a lifetime and keep my life as stylish as ever!
What's on your wishlist?
Last year I believe I wrote a piece about the increasing trendiness of the "Ugly Christmas Sweater" and the plethora of faux-vintage holiday-themed knits available in the "Urban Renewal" section at Urban Outfitters.
This year, even the trendiest of high-end designers have hopped on the bandwagon (pulled by reindeer, of course) and have dreamed up some perfect holiday clothing items.
Tibi, Chinti and Parker, and Markus Lupfer all have stylish updates on the ugly sweater if your friends invite you to an ugly sweater Christmas party but you cannot bring yourself to pick up some previously-worn moth eaten rag from the GoodWill (or from your great aunt's closet).
For the literary salon sartorialist, stun your friends with your erudite reading preferences and clutch Olympia Le-Tan's marvelous Grinch embroidered book-purse - not to be mistaken for a backpack, of course. It's sure to be a conversation starter: "Who is this Dr. Seuss, and what strand of postmodernist deconstruction theorist is he, exactly?"
And of course, if you've ever felt a burning desire to understand the emotions of a cat forced to wear a bell collar around its neck, Charlotte Olympia has concocted a festive version of her sky-high platform pumps by painting them in lush red suede and glimmering gold - and of course, adding golden bells along the ankle strap. You'll make an entrance wherever you go, and with your own soundtrack too!
So what do you all think of these Christmas-themed designer pieces? Would you be willing to shell out big bucks for a gingerbread-man-themed cross-body purse, or would you rather pay for the satisfaction of eating a real cookie?
Finding out what to wear to the various holiday shindigs this winter can be challenging for even the most sartorially-snobby. Luckily I've taken out a lot of the guesswork and have picked some stunners that are sure to delight even the sourest of Scrooges!
I went for a palette of black, red, and gold - the black and red scream classy, elegant lady, while the gold adds a touch of holiday sparkle (and let's be honest, who doesn't love a dash of gold?).
Fit and flare, lace, open backed, embellished - the gang's all there! Pick any one of these dresses and you are guaranteed to be the talk of the party. And these dresses are classic and therefore universally flattering, which means you have no excuses not to wear them (or dresses inspired by my personal picks, at least).
And with a fabulous dress you need fabulous accessories. A hint of leopard or a sparkly clutch brings a festive look up a notch, and bib necklaces are totally my thing right now. (P.S. can we talk about how amazing that Kotur tinsel clutch is!? It even has little ornaments embedded. Basically, the clutch is a portable Christmas tree!)
So where are you ladies off to this holiday season, and what will you be wearing? I'm sure it will be brilliant!
Thanksgiving can be a weird holiday, clothing-wise.
It is usually a holiday full of family gatherings, so we desire to dress our best. BUT there is also a lot of food involved, and no one likes a noticeable food baby, so that eliminates a good deal of dresses.
Shift dresses and empire waists were made for Turkey Day. Their loose-fitting structures are perfect for a day of indulgences, and you can wear one of these dresses without fear of looking drab or like you just ate, well, a whole turkey.
Thanksgiving dinners also tend to either be pretty casual family affairs or more dressy occasions with friends, so I've provided two perfect Thanksgiving outfits for whatever style of the holiday you celebrate!
Enjoy Thanksgiving, everyone, and don't forget a slice of pumpkin pie!
What are you all planning on wearing to Thanksgiving dinner?
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| Cute, Starbucks, but it was 90 degrees this weekend; no one wanted Peppermint (image source) |
It is now November 4th. Four days after Halloween. There is pretty much all of November still ahead of us. And then December. We have only slightly less than two months to go until Christmas day. And those two months will flash by before our eyes, yes, but two months sure does seem like a lot of time.
And yet...Starbucks put their signature red holiday cups out while Trick-or-Treaters were still counting their candy loot. Stores have sent out their holiday catalogues. Online shopping websites and magazines alike have debuted their annual gift guides. What used to officially begin in the wake of Thanksgiving weekend has now blossomed at October's end.
So, is it too early for us to start thinking about the holidays? Are we giving in waayy too much to consumeristic behaviors with our overzealous love for all things red and green as soon as the temperature starts to drop? Or does it make sense? I'll admit that I've started a holiday Pinterest board, but only as a way to keep all my Christmas-themed DIY decorating and baking projects all in one place! Is it more acceptable if I include Thanksgiving tips too?
What do you guys think? When is it appropriate to start holiday preparations? And have you made a holiday-themed Pinterest board yet?
Nothing makes me think of winter more than a steaming cup of hot cocoa and a cozy fair isle sweater.
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