It’s Dave’s birthday today and we’re off to Chicago to celebrate for the weekend! Not only do I get to shower my favorite guy with attention — which includes dinner at Publican  — a weekend in the Windy City means our annual tradition of heading to the Christkindlmarket. New York was obviously full of magical Christmas spirit, but I think I would have been disappointed if we broke our four-year streak of celebrating the season in Chicago. Enjoy your weekend!

Weekend Links:

• It’s time to create your Instagram Top Nine!
• Mid-range furniture brands that aren’t IKEA.
• What’s the optimal amount of lights you should put on your Christmas tree? There’s a calculator for that. (And, uh, you might be overthinking things.)
• Common mistakes when negotiating a house price.
• The founders of Casper mattresses are now embarking on a home renovation company.
• Benefits of wasting time.
• I bought these winter ankle boots last month and finally had a chance to wear them. I’m in love. They’re comfy and warm.
• What’s behind the lip gloss boom?
• You is coming to Netflix and I can’t wait. It looks so good!
• This emerald beaded clutch is gorgeous. (Does anyone else have the hardest time finding a clutch when there’s a special occasion coming up? I might buy this to have on hand in the future.)

Finds Under $50:

• A faux fur coat at an amazing price point.
• A classic turtleneck that comes in six varieties.
• I’m intrigued by this beverage chiller that promises to cool drinks in a flash.
• Flattering oversize sunglasses.
• Get a smart plug for your Christmas tree so you can automate when it turns on and off.

Earlier This Week:

• I’m smitten with the purse in this week’s “The Coveted.”
• Gifts for cats and dogs.
• Nine of the best gifts for guys.

–
image via Unsplash

Let’s keep in touch!  Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! We woke up on Thursday to discover a dead (and decapitated) rabbit in our driveway, so that was an awful way to kick off the holiday. (Homeownership is great, until you need to deal with things like that!) Morbidity aside, I am beyond excited to start bringing out holiday decor today and spend time perusing Black Friday sales. I’m not going to include a comprehensive list of sales below. (I find those posts repetitive and I hate how they litter my feed all weekend long.) Instead, you’ll find the regular “Weekend Links” roundup, along with the sites I’m actually browsing today for gifts for myself and others. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Links:

• J.Crew must die to live.
• This documentary puts unbelievably cheap prices into perspective.
• Twenty keto dinner recipes.
• I’m hoping to travel to Stockholm next year, and I can’t wait to see the city’s subway art.
• I love the embellished heel on these pumps.
• Here’s what you should do with your Thanksgiving leftovers.
• Three easy ways to give back during the holiday season.
• The patents behind pumpkin pie.
• Mr. Big was going to die in Sex and the City 3.
• Eight ways to avoid going broke this holiday season.

Sales I’m Shopping:

• CB2 – Save 15% on full-price items with code SAVE15 and receive free shipping on orders over $29. I received this decanter last year and I can’t tell you how pretty it is in person. I’m currently eyeing up these glasses, and considering this tree skirt.
• Astley Clarke – 20% off all jewelry with code ENJOY. I’m thinking about these earrings for my mom, and I love this petite signet ring.
• J.Crew – Save 50% on your order with code TGIF. I’m disappointed this coat is sold out in my size for most of the colors. I love it in lavender. (Though, it’s not like I need another winter coat.) I think I’ll scoop up the swimsuit I’ve been eyeing and possibly the matching tunic for our January trip to Florida.
• Jenny Bird – Save 30% on everything. You know I love Jenny Bird jewelry! I have three pairs of earrings and they’re all incredibly beautiful and well made. I’d like to add this necklace to my collection.
• Anthropologie – Save 30% sitewide. I barely know where to start! I adore these monogrammed ornaments, the sleep mask everyone raves about, and a women’s march puzzle.
• Lands’ End – Save 50% on full-price styles. The brand’s linen sheets are undoubtedly my favorite purchase of the year. We’re thinking about picking up a second set. Looking for a gift for him? This cashmere sweater was a hit with Dave and the quality is so much better than what you’d get from somewhere like J.Crew.
• Paravel – Save 20% on orders over $75. It’s a great time to add the crossbody capsule to your collection.
• Lulu & Georgia – Take 25% off everything. I keep looking at this lamp. It’s so good! And, these cutting boards would make a wonderful gift.

Finds Under $50:

• This vase is gorgeous and perfect for your design-loving friend.
• I think I’m going to buy this Lele Sadoughi headband.
• A swingy dress for under $20 after discount.
• Such a perfect party top for the season!
• This colorful scarf is finally on sale.
• A wear-with-everything merino sweater that’s machine-washable. (It’s 50% off through Nov. 24.)

Earlier This Week:

• Just one post with winter-ready items.

–
image via Gray Malin

Let’s keep in touch!  Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

I’ve been trying to keep the Christmas spirit at bay until after Thanksgiving, but I’m not being terribly successful. I’ve already dug into a bag of Dove peppermint bark chocolates, put a fresh pine wreath on the door, spun a Christmas album, and added a faux garland to our banister (complete with with fairy lights). Waking up to a dusting of snow was the icing on the cake. We don’t have a lot going on this weekend, aside from the requisite house projects and cleaning. We hit up a vintage sale this morning and went out to brunch, and our beloved neighborhood bar (which is all of four houses away) is hosting its anniversary party tomorrow, so the weekend certainly won’t be all work and no play! Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Weekend Links:

• It’s the last weekend before Thanksgiving. If you’re hosting this year, here’s what you should do to prep.
• Why one of the 13 original Instagram employees deleted the app.
• How photographer Alfred Wertheimer captured Elvis Presley’s “Kiss.”
• I’m pretty sure I need these earrings.
• A roundup of places to donate to help those affected by the California fires.
• I made this apple cider and rum punch last Thanksgiving. It’s boozy, but really good.
• Tips on keeping furniture and floors free of pet hair. (I didn’t know about that rubber glove trick!)
• Strategies for dealing with difficult family members this holiday season.
• Paravel just launched an all-black colorway that’s impossibly chic.
• How to exfoliate depends on your skin type.

Finds Under $50:

• I tried this pore-cleansing mask earlier this week, and I think I like it more than the Origin’s charcoal mask.
• This notebook is too perfect for work.
• Embrace the headband trend with this sparkly version.
• These rainbow drop earrings pack a punch. Prefer something more subdued? Check out this trio of Lucite hoops.
• A cozy oversize sweater that’s on sale this weekend.
• Add some glam to your holiday decor with this pretty vase.

Earlier This Week:

• Rounding up some holiday-ready pieces.
• Six Christmas albums you need in your collection.
• Gift ideas for the hostess.

–
image via Unsplash

Let’s keep in touch!  Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’