Best of the Black Friday Sales Online

I absolutely LOVE shopping but on Black Friday I stay as far away from the malls as possible. I hate the crowds and the lines but thankfully in the last few years the online shopping deals have really become popular. If I end up doing any shopping this week, it will probably be online...I mean 50% off and free shipping at some places...how can I resist?

Here are the best of the Black Friday sales:

Madewell: 25% off your purchase between today and Monday using code FEAST25 (free shipping on all orders

Express: 50% off every single item until noon on Friday (in-store and online)

JCrew Factory: 50% off everything plus free shipping when you spend $50 or more with code HOLIDAY50

Kendra Scott jewelry: 20% off everything and free ground shipping with code BFCM2013

Bloomingdales: Take 25% off almost every $200 you spend and save up to 50% on select items

BCBG: Up to 60% off select styles

JCrew: 30% off your purchase with code HOLIDAY

Piperlime: Extra 30% off sale items by entering code THANKS at checkout today

Please share if you've found other great deals online and happy shopping!

-Lauren

Festive Holiday Drinks

I'm not a cook so my family has designated me as the bartender of the group. This year I've been searching for the perfect cocktail to make on Thanksgiving/Hanukkah and Christmas. I'm a fan of fruity cocktails, anything with chocolate and frozen mixed drinks. Here are some of the drink recipes on my list - all of these can easily be made with or without alcohol:

Peppermint Mocha Frozen Hot Chocolate

Caramel Apple Spice

Apple Cider Sangria

Strawberry Sangria

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

What are your favorite holiday drinks to make?

-Lauren

Friday Five

It felt like a long week this week since I had a bunch of appointments and a conference yesterday. I'm looking forward to the Oklahoma game this weekend and to see the new Hunger Games movie tonight. It's going to be cold so I'm busting out the sweatpants and hot chocolate and bracing myself for another nerve-wracking Patriots game on Sunday night against the Broncos. Now, I leave you with my Friday Five:

1. Great gifts at TJ Maxx

Nars gift sets

Essie colors

2. Trader Joe's cookie butter - if you haven't tried this, it's the new Nutella, go out and get some

3. A great list of the best chick flicks

4. Definitely making this drink at Thanksgiving - apple cider sangria

5. The Lilly Pulitzer gift guide - some really cute stuff here

Have a great weekend!



-Lauren

Trend Report: Statement Earrings Under $100

TOP ROW:

JCrew crystal shimmer studs / Kendra scott earrings 

 JCrew fan drop earrings / C. Wonder crystal earrings

MIDDLE ROW: 

Kate Spade neon drop earrings / Ben Amun tassel earrings / Kate Spade multicolored chandelier earrings

BOTTOM ROW:

 C. Wonder chandelier earrings / Baublebar rose dewdrop earrings / 
JCrew glass mix earrings / Baublebar emerald stratus drops

First came the big statement necklaces so naturally now we are seeing a lot of statement earrings. I wear large studs on a daily basis but lately I love statement earrings for a night out or to give a pop of color or sparkle to a neutral outfit. It's challenging to find big earrings that don't pull on your ears so inexpensive ones can work pretty well. These are some of my recommendations under $100.

Where have you found some good statement earrings?

-Lauren

Banana Republic Sale Picks

Banana Republic is offering 35% off with the code "MERRY" today. Here are some of the things I've been eyeing:

dress / leopard Scarf / mini skirt / tartan plaid scarf / cowl neck sweater

If there's an item you're really pining for, the sale goes up and down pretty often, so put it in the shopping cart and wait it out!

-Lauren

Weekend Recap & Weekly Wish List

I feel like I haven't had much time to blog in the last week. I was in 5 states since Tuesday and I'm finally back home and getting back into the swing of things. Here are a few pictures and a few things on my wish list:

The last of the fall foliage in Boston….most of the leaves fell over the last week.

A creek in New Hampshire. 

Scored this JCrew tweed jacket at Second Time Around! Also found those J Brand jeans I'm wearing in this picture but regretfully did not buy them :(

I'm also sharing my weekly wish list:

Vineyard Vines shep shirt / Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume

Kendra Scott earrings / C. Wonder cross body bag

Lastly, a huge happy 23rd birthday to my sister Ali!! 

And a happy 35th anniversary to my parents!! (Ali's bday and their anniversary is the same day).

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week! Thanksgiving is only a little over a week away!

-Lauren

Recent Anthropologie Favorites

SPARROW white peplum cardigan / Meadow Rue tunic / Bib necklace / Crystal headband / Voluspa candle / Initial mug

I hadn't gone into Anthropologie in forever and the other week I finally waltzed back in….and ended up finding a whole bunch of things I loved. Aside from the many holiday gifts, such as mugs, lotion, jewelry and candles, they had some really cute winter things like sweaters and tunics. I didn't end up buying anything yet but I just love the experience of walking through the store and exploring.

Have you found anything good at Anthro recently?

-Lauren

Top 5 Makeup Gift Sets

I love when the holiday shopping period begins because then makeup gift sets start hitting the shelves. Around this time of year is when you can really get the best value for your money in terms of makeup samplers and travel sets. Nearly every brand offers a set and they can make a really great holiday gift, stocking stuffer or yankee swap gift. Here are my top 5 favorite makeup gift sets:

Buxom Shimmer & Shake lip gloss set

Benefit Little Love Potions set

OPI Take Ten nail polish set

Buxom Passport Collection - Jetsetter

Sugar lip set

What's your favorite makeup gift set this year?

-Lauren

Beauty Bargain: NYX Butter Gloss

So I wanted to do a quick post to share a new beauty find that I just discovered. It's called NYX butter gloss. It's a creamy, smooth lip gloss that comes in a bunch of shades. I've never tried anything from NYX before but I had heard about it from some other bloggers and a friend of mine who loves it. I finally got around to picking one up - I got the creme brulee shade, which is kind of a coffee colored neutral - and I'm in love. It cost $5 for one or $10 for a 3-pack and honestly, now I'm wishing I got the 3-pack because I'm eager to try some more colors. You can find these at Ulta, Target or Nordstrom. 

Let me know if you try this gloss and what you think of it.

-Lauren

Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale Picks

French Connection knit dress / BCBGeneration leather sleeve military jacket / Via Spiga cuffed ankle boots / DV by Dolce Vita ankle boots / Rebecca Minkoff mini mac purse / Kate Spade earrings / Kate Spade earrings / Kate Spade scarf / kate spade tenley cross body bag

Get on over to Nordy's, there is some amazing stuff on sale. It's the perfect time to pick up a new pair of ankle boots, some Kate Spade jewelry or the Rebecca Minkoff mini mac bag you were saving up for!

-Lauren

Getting Fancy with New Frames

I've worn eyeglasses since about fourth grade. I've just always had bad vision and as my eyeglasses prescription has gotten worse, glasses have actually become more stylish. I recently got a pair of Ray Ban frames that I absolutely love and don't feel self-conscious wearing. Although I do wear contacts most of the time, I love my glasses and feel like they are current and stylish, as opposed to being something I have to wear. 








When I bought my new glasses, I went to a store and while I do love the frames I found, I feel like I paid a bit too much for them. I should have checked out the possibility of buying eyeglasses online since so many websites have good selections and better prices. 


One of those sites is GlassesUSA.com. They have an excellent choice of brands, styles and prices. They even have frames starting at around $38, which actually look very similar to my Ray Bans. In addition, the site has prescription sunglasses in trendy styles like wayfarers and aviators.


If you'd like to order a pair of frames, I have an excellent offer for Pretty Pieces readers. Just enter the discount code "Blog10" at checkout to get 10% off your purchase. Also, check out the Virtual Mirror below to try on glasses and see how they look on your face before ordering online. 

Sponsored Post

Designer Spotlight: Mac Makeup

creme blush / mineralize blush / longwear eyeshadow / cremesheen lipstick / voluminous mascara / cremesheen lip gloss / eyeshadow quad

I've loved Mac makeup for years. It's affordable and good quality and has fun celebrity collaborations from time to time. Currently, I have the creme blush, mineralize blush, eyeshadow and lipstick…and I love every single product. I mix and match with other products, but I always have something from Mac in my makeup bag. On my wish list right now is the cremesheen gloss and the mineralize eyeshadow. 

Picking up a new item from Mac every so often really doesn't break the bank and lasts for a really long time. Also, I just found out that if you bring in 6 old Mac containers, you will receive a free lipstick!

Do you use Mac makeup? If so, what is your favorite item?

-Lauren

Weekend Recap: Red Sox Parade

Saturday was the Red Sox Championship Parade and living in the Fenway area gave me the best spot to watch the Duck Boats go by. We saw almost all the players, the trophies and the coaches. They had the mascot, Wally, the Dropkick Murphys and some of the Marathon bombing survivors along for the ride as well. It was an awesome and festive day…and weather-wise it was a perfect 70 degrees and sunny. 

Friday Five

It's been a while since I've done a Friday Five so here we go:

1. This Chanel purse Halloween costume

2. As if I wasn't obsessed with lip gloss enough, this gift set has some great ones like Buxom and Nars. 

3. This picture says it all…Kate looks amazing.

4. This breakfast sandwich from Pioneer Woman looks delicious and wicked simple. 

5. I had to add in one more Red Sox picture - "Started from the bottom now we're here!"

Happy Friday and happy November everyone! I'm taking it easy tonight and getting ready for the Red Sox parade tomorrow!