Shit I Bought and Liked: The Shitter's Declassified Black Friday Survival Guide
Shitters! The Hunger Games of shopping is upon us!!! This time of year, every brand and their mother is vying for your credit card info with wild Black Friday discounts, and it’s far too easy to get overwhelmed by options. In the hopes of helping you find great things at the best prices of the year, here are the sales I’m shopping that are worth your time!
J.Crew: There are amazing options here for you—our beloved basic cashmere crew/ the shrunken version/ this perfect PJ set chief among them (don’t sleep on the monogram for an extra $10)—but there are also SO MANY GIFT OPTIONS at such good prices. I’ve been grabbing these cashmere socks for everyone this season, this cashmere wrap is at the top of my personal wish list, and my family has already placed a bulk order of these perfectly soft/tech-friendly cashmere-lined leather gloves (they also make a men’s version if he needs a pair too). Those all make great gifts for hard-to-shop-for moms/MILs if you’re in need. This cashmere hoodie is a great option for men/you to steal from their closets, and if you can’t resist dressing your boyfriend up like he’s in a Ralph Lauren catalog, this fairisle sweater and some cashmere socks of his own may be in order.
Reformation: Ref’s 25% off sale starts on Wednesday, but I wanted to make sure you all had the rundown ahead of time because there is nothing better than being prepared! I used last year’s sale to grab these knee high black leather boots (they also come in a shorter version that look just like Khaite), but I can’t help but love this variation too—they remind me of Gia Borghini at a more manageable price/heel height. If you’re not a boot freak like me, this is also the best time to grab sweaters. I’m most excited about this oversized cashmere v-neck in white and this oversized cashmere crew in navy, and even though their basic cashmere crew didn’t win in my overall search, who could resist the cherry red version? I’m also eyeing these gorgeous green silk pants (I tried them in person and was quite impressed by the fabric—fit was true to size), this easy knit tank, and this beautiful brown suede bag—one of the few that can actually bridge the gap from day to night.
SkinStore: I discovered this sale last year and it will forever be a part of my BFCM rotation. They have staples from so many brands at the best prices (30% off!), and it’s the perfect place to restock on your essentials. My picks are this micellar water (the world’s best makeup remover), this fantastic eye cream by BeautyStat, this derm-favorite sunscreen, and of course, my beloved NuFace Mini (which makes a fantastic gift for yourself or your mom/sister/best girlfriend, if I do say so myself!). If you do buy the NuFace, know that all you need is this ultrasound gel via Amazon rather than their name-brand version when you run out of the bottle it comes with. I also snagged this Christophe Robin hair mask as a little treat for my dry winter hair.
BlueMercury: I am a recent BlueMercury convert after a delightful in-person shopping experience, and now they’re running one of the best beauty/skincare sales out there (between 20-30% off) with every pricey brand that’s worth the splurge. Think UBeauty (feel free to read the entire first half of this newsletter if you’re on the fence about their Resurfacing Compound), Augustinus Bader (so many people rave about the Rich Cream), and 111Skin (if you have dark circles, these are the most splurge-worthy eye masks I’ve ever tried). They are also VERY generous when it comes to samples with purchase, which is how I discovered this perfume that I just can’t get enough of—highly recommend sniffing around the line if you’re in the market for something unique. For the people considering giving the Dyson Airwrap as a Christmas gift (DO IT!!!), you can also grab it here on sale!
Jenni Kayne: JK is known for their beautiful sweaters and not so beautiful prices, but at 25% off, this is the best sale of the year to shop if you’ve had something on your eye. I’ve worn my cashmere cocoon into the ground over the years and still love it, but this year I’m going for the candles. They’re gorgeous, the scents are AMAZING, and at 10 ounces, they have way more burn time than other brands (Diptyque’s are 6.5oz, for reference). My personal favorites are Musk and Santa Ynez, but there’s not a single one I don’t like (plus they make for great gifts so grab a few to have on hand). Sweater-wise, I snagged this oversized crewneck to wear with trousers and cosplay the Rowification of Jennifer Lawrence for a fraction of the price. It’s cut generously, so I took the smaller of my two sizes.
Alo: I’m a sporadic Alo shopper these days, but they are responsible for a few of my staples. This supersoft pullover is my favorite over workout clothes on chilly mornings, these sleek leggings are the brand’s best IMO, and these sports bras will be a forever go-to for my fellow racerback haters. OGs have heard me sing the praises of their thick and grippy yoga mat for years, and I love these simple basics to upgrade a boyfriend or brother’s workout wardrobe while we’re at it!
Shopbop: It’s interesting to see how must-shop sales change for me over the years. With 25% off of any purchase with no minimum spend, this will always be a good sale if you’ve had something on your eye, but I continue to be more impressed with their men’s selection lately. On the women’s side, this linen dress and straw hat have been along for the ride on every vacation/beach trip I’ve been on (the black version is on super sale for $50). Shopbop also has a fantastic beauty selection—I’ve heard too many good things about this shampoo + conditioner to miss out, and same goes for this Goop instant exfoliator.
Other sale items in my cart/heart: My go-to white/black tees from Re/Done are 30% off (they also make my favorite jeans—I wear the washed noir and white versions all year round—size up in the tees, jeans are TTS). Salt and Stone’s candles are SO GOOD and so worth snagging at the sale price. These Intimissimi Long Sleeves are a chic/affordable winter base layer, and sexy on their own for a night out. OSEA’s Mega Moisture Duo is great to give or to keep for yourself (PRIYANKA10 gets you 10% off). Is it just me or is everyone wearing this ring? If you need a bedding refresh, these are the best linen sheets money can buy. This cutie cashmere henley has been a daily wardrobe staple for the past couple months. Fara Homidi lip products have been on my eye for far too long. I have blown too much of my Black Friday budget to go for a red light mask this year, but if you haven’t, these two are on my wishlist (1, 2).
OK! I know it’s A LOT, but hopefully this helps you navigate everything that’s out there! My advice? Do your best to be discerning and strategic about what you buy AND what you keep (and look out for those return policies before you check out!). Here’s to getting everything you want—in Black Friday and in life!
xo,
Priyanka
Priyanka don’t make me spend $37 on a candle 😭😭😭 have been sooo tempted by that one since I read about it in your interview in Leslie Stephen's newsletter (at first thought you introduced her but I guess she found it first!)