Hi dear friends! I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! I am still full, I think I will be full until Christmas! My mom and dad came up for dinner yesterday, and my brother came over, and my sons and husband were there, so it was a lovely day! When you see me in any picture nestled between my mom and dad, there isn’t any gift you could give me that would beat that feeling! My heart is always full when I am with them! One very grateful girl here to get to be with mom and dad anytime!

Well, Its here! The biggest shopping day of the year! And the kickoff of the holiday season! Decorating, Christmas concerts, parties, baking, gifts, travel, so many fun things! Ok, for you shopping friends, lets look at some of the sales which of course some started in the wee hours of the morning. The list of sales keeps growing by the minute, too! Lets take a look!

Please note many of these are for Black Friday only, and some end at specific times of the day, but there are some seriously good deals out there! Lets Shop!

Alex and Ani – 20% off everything plus free shipping!

Amazon – Boy they are offering so many deals – thousands – on everything from technology, luggage, kitchen items, fashion and everything in between!

Anthropologie – 30% off everything! (oh my stars! I love Anthropologie!)

Banana Republic – 50% Regular Price – that’s a lot of bananas!

Bloomingdales – Take 20% off $200 or more, 15% off $100 – $199, plus many additional sales throughout the store! Free shipping through 12/20!

Chicos – 40% off your entire order, use code 29037

Dillards – Take an additional 50% off clearance, plus 20% beauty/fragrance, 30% off Mens dress shirts, 40% off mens sportswear, 30% off Christmas Trim a Home dept.

Evereve – Everything in store is on sale!

Express – 50% off plus free shipping!

JCrew – Your entire purchase 40% off, use code THANKU Free shipping too! (Shazam! That’s a great sale!)

JJill – 30% off entire purchase

Kate Spade – 30% off everything! Use Code GIVEJOY

Kohls – Amazing Doorbusters on hot items like Keurig Coffee Machines, Instant Pot, KitchenAid, Sonicare, Ninja, Garmin, etc plus an extra 15% off (Code SAVEBIG15) + Kohls Cash, honestly everything I clicked on looked like amazing deals! Like 60% and more on so many things- the first top I clicked on- regularly $16 on sale for $4.99! Worth the shop!

Loft – 50% off everything! Use code FRIYAY- in stores and online!

Lord & Taylor – Extra 50% off Women’s Clearance, 20% off regular and sale priced items- use code FRIDAY, $20 off purchases over $175 – use code BONUS

Luckybrand – 50% off everything! Its Go Time!

Macy’s – Take an extra 20% off everything, use code HURRY (that’s a bit stressful for a code!) Plus doorbusters galore including for every purchase of $50 or more, you can purchase a pair of diamond earrings for $29.99 regularly $200, and lots of juicy sales in every department including handbags!!! And Free Shipping!

Nordstrom – Extra 20% off selected sale items, plus tons of new things added to their sale, and always free shipping.

Old Navy – 50% off entire purchase- no code needed!

Rebecca Minkoff – 25% off orders off orders of $100 or more (code BLACK25); 30% off $250 or more (code BLACK30)

Sephora – Huge selection of special prices and gift sets at $20 and under, including from Tarte, Benefit, Urban Decay, Bite, Clinique and more!

Talbots – 50% off one item until noon, plus 40% off entire purchase! Oh Mylanta!

Target – Lots of Doorbusters, Plus spend $50 today on Black Friday, and get a coupon for 20% off a future purchase to be used 11/28-12/10

Tory Burch – 30% off purchase of $250 or more Use code THANKS

Vince Camuto – Incredible sales- 50% off select items (code STEAL50) and 40% off everything else! (use code BLACKFRIDAY40)

White House Black Market – 40% off entire purchase! Use Code 65045

Ok, I have a few fashion items to share – these are some I really love! A special thank you to my husband Troy and my son Jake who took these pictures last night while we all were in food coma!

This first top is a Two By Vince Camuto plaid flannel top with bell sleeves! Even plaid flannel can get in on the trends!

I purchased mine at Nordstrom, but it sold out, so I linked it to Bloomingdales where it is still available.

My bag is such a fun satchel from Chelsea28 at Nordstrom, and its on super sale right now! Regularly $99 on sale for $39.59!

I don’t know why but I am a little bit obsessing over the color black right now! It just seems so chic! I tried out this packable quilted coat by Ralph Lauren (I purchased mine at Lord & Taylor, but it sold out, so I am linking to the same coat at Nordstrom)

The fabric feels like silk… and the long lines are so feminine and elegant!

The collar stands up tall for extra warmth, and there is a hood! And the extra length provides a great barrier against the cold winter winds!

And finally, I tried a Criss Cross Sweater by Free People, from Nordstrom.

Its also available in a mauve color and in wine. It has these pretty sleeves with a split in the bell, giving an airy flowy feel. I’m wearing a medium, and there was plenty of room, so I think they are generous in sizing.

And lets talk about this bag, I love it!  Its a Ted Baker of London Small Quilted Tote. 

Ted Baker of London started as a Men’s Shirt Company in 1987 with a commitment to quality but also known for style and sometimes a little bit of whimsy. Now the company carries menswear, womenswear, accessories, watches, fragrances and skincare to name a few. Hannah and I had a blast in the Ted Baker of London store in New York City. (Hannah had her eye on a dress and a piece of luggage! I will keep you posted!)

The bag is also offered in a larger size as well. I just love how it incorporates the quilted fabric, glossy patent trim, and the rose gold! Honestly, I really love this one!

I have to tell you, Jake shot the above pic, and he was goofing around speaking in a British accent saying, “Now let’s try the Dutch angle,” I kept saying, “but it will be crooked!” He just laughed and kept shooting!

Because I love rose gold and the rose trim on my cute bag, I pulled out my rose gold bracelets from Stella & Dot. This one is on sale! And it sparkles like crazy!

My watch is by Olivia Burton, from Nordstrom, (though they are sold in many department stores) and if you haven’t seen her collection of watches, here are the ones Nordstrom carries, they are so lovely, with so much personality! And most of them are under $200, which makes a nice price point for a really lovely piece! I was looking for a watch with a black band and face, and rose gold, which several watch makers have this year, but I just liked the style of Olivia Burton watches.

Finally, I want to encourage you as the holiday season kicks off to feel free to rewrite the script this year, tailor made for your life today! It doesn’t have to look the same every year, in fact, its better if you always keep it fresh! Every year brings new circumstances, whether you are in a season of health challenges, or financial or relational challenges. So please be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to shake up the formula!

Maybe this is the year you simplify and only decorate a little bit. For instance, some decorations I don’t do every year. Some foods I don’t do every year. The point is, to make it functional and fun! So if you like the shopping but hate the baking, its ok! If you really want those cookies, maybe look for someone local who is trying to make a business of it, and simply purchase them!

I’ve heard of more and more people going to a nice restaurant to celebrate over the holidays or simplifying the meal to much more casual. Or skipping gift giving and doing an activity together like board games, and eating casual foods like submarine sandwiches, chips, and brownies! It doesn’t have to be a formal sit down every year. That relieves all kinds of pressure!

On the flip side of that, some folks might be in a way that they could really use a hand with decorating or some baked goods, if they have had illness or simply getting older can make tasks that use to be easy much more difficult. I remember when I had my Grandma Hammonds, the last few years one of us would go help her get her tree down from the attic. She simplified to a 4 foot tree, and would put it on a little table. It brought her such pleasure to see those pretty lights! But just helping her get the tree down from that attic was such a big help to her!

The point is to make this Christmas something you love! Not something you dread! Fill it with things that bring you joy! And that may mean cutting out a few things that are no longer fun for you, and that is ok! Its about sharing love and joy at Christmas like we have been blessed with, and creating a lovely memory and that means you need to find it lovely! So if you hate gift wrapping, get gift bags or let someone else wrap it, or just stick a bow on it! Just “gift yourself” this year with the gift of making it a Christmas you love!

I’ll be back next Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday!

I love you guys and gals!

Love Always,

Amy

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, its Christmas.”  ~Dale Evans