Category: Sale

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THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES I’M SHOPPING: 2023

Black Friday is a funny thing once you’ve seen behind the curtain of Ecommerce so to speak – it’s hard for me to shop a sale or visit a website without thinking of the team behind it. Spoiler: they’re working today. For most people this is a fun, long holiday weekend where they can get great discounts. For me, it’s my highest pressure work week of the year. My team and I (and we’re a small one, like a lot of Ecomm departments) will monitor/maintain our website for every waking hour until Cyber Monday. I made website changes at 7AM and have more to make at midnight tonight (it’s best to make major changes when traffic is low so you have to do it in “off” hours). This isn’t a complaint – many industries have busy seasons and it’s really energizing for my team to hit big goals and see months of our prep work pay-off. But more so to say, there’s a lot of work that goes into those fun sales – so be extra kind to customer service people this time of year and please be patient with your order shipping times. We’re doing our best.

With that, I’m sharing the best sales I’ve seen and exactly what I’m shopping or what I already own and love that might be of interest. As always, I so appreciate the support of those who shop through my links – it’s no extra cost to you but I receive a small affiliate commission – which helps me share more here! Enjoy the weekend friends.

THE SALES I’M SHOPPING:

SHOP MY TOP PICKS:

FAVORITES I OWN, NOW ON SALE:

  • I’ve been singing the praises of these wide leg trousers (shown in these pictures) to literally anyone that will listen – grab them for 50% off today and thank me later.
  • I wear these small hoop earrings at least twice a week – they’re 30% off right now and would make a great gift.
  • I’ve been burning this Votivo ‘Joie de Noel’ candle (lavender, cinnamon and patchouli) constantly. Starting this weekend I’ll break out the Sequoia Fir! All on sale.
  • My favorite jeans are 25% off right now (just under $115) – they have 0 stretch and a high waisted fit – take your regular waist size and then break them in to fit like a glove. I’m going to pick them up in another wash.
  • I’ve had a polaroid mini for about 5 years now and take it on all of our trips. So fun to have an instant souvenir photo in this digital world. We bought this one for guests to use at our wedding too. It makes a great gift!
  • I restocked my make-up bag before the wedding and Merit, my favorite clean beauty brands, is 20% off right now – I love their mascara, concealer, cream blush and highlighter. 
  • I bought these ankle boots before our honeymoon (20% off right now) and walked for a full day in Paris.. in brand new shoes.. on cobblestone.. and my feet were totally fine. I have 3 pairs from Inez now and they are all equally classic (yet feel modern and fashion-y), well-made and comfortable.
  • I own this classic cashmere sweater in about 4 colors already. They hold up so well and look great with everything. Size down if you want a more tailored/fitted look or take your regular size and it will have a little bit of drape/slouch to it. 40-50% off this weekend!
  • I’ve had my Sarah Flint black suede ‘Perfect Pumps’ for 3 years now and they still look brand new. They’re an investment but so timeless and truly the most comfortable stiletto I’ve ever worn. 30% off sitewide this weekend which is I think the best discount I’ve seen from them.
  • Completely frivolous but I bought this feather bag last year and it makes every holiday party more fun.
  • I got this long, classic camel coat on Black Friday last year and it’s back this year, 25% off again. I love that it goes easily from day to night and looks great with jeans or with dresses.
  • A few of my wear to work favorites are all 40% off at French Connection right now: this faux leather midi skirt, this bright tweed skirt and jacket set and this vest mini dress – so chic and can all be mixed and matched lots of different ways.
  • They seem specific but I’ve been wearing these silver mary janes quite a bit this fall and will be perfect for festivities this holiday season too. They’re 50% off today (just $60!).
  • I bought this classic top handle bag last Black Friday and have carried it easily 100 times since then. It looks far more expensive than its $150 sale price today.

SHOP MY FAVORITES:

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THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES I’M SHOPPING: 2022

If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know that these past couple of weeks (as usual with a career in Fashion/Ecommerce) have been peak stress. I’m at my desk working again today but in mini breaks I’ll be taking advantage of quite a few Black Friday sales I’ve had my eye on. While I definitely don’t *need* more clothes or accessories, we booked a very fun trip for the holidays and I want to pick up a few special pieces to take with me. It’s also a great time for me to grab a new wool winter coat on sale that I do in fact need and get started on a few gifts on my list!
Below – the best sales I’ve seen and exactly what I’m shopping or what I already own and love that might be of interest. Happy shopping!

THE SALES I’M SHOPPING:

FAVORITES I OWN, NOW ON SALE:

  • These jeans are the absolute best – there’s 0 stretch though and a high waisted fit so expect them to fit tight at first or size up. 25% Off right now and I’m considering buying a back up pair I love them so much.
  • This clean beauty mascara – now 20% off. A perfect time to restock.
  • I love this classic cashmere sweater and own it in about 4 colors already and they hold up well for years. 40% off this weekend!
  • These knee high black leather boots are such classics and SO comfortable. I’m talking 10 hour work day, commute to the office and out to dinner after, kind of comfortable. 30% off right now!
  • 30% off these gold and crystal simple hoop earrings at least twice a week.
  • One of my favorite purchases of the fall (and will be so good for holiday) – these suede Mary Jane Pumps are 30% off right now.
  • I live in these pajamas in the winter, not too heavy and so comfortable. They’re 50% off right now.
  • 30% off this fir & firewood scented candle that I burn all December long.

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THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES I’M SHOPPING: 2021

I try to be really strategic when it comes to Black Friday/Cyber Monday – because honestly (and I say this as someone who makes their full time living in Ecommerce) marketing surrounding these sales can really push you into buying things you don’t need just because they’re on sale. That being said – I use this as a time to pick up gifts and a handful of selects items that are either classic wardrobe staples or pieces that I otherwise wouldn’t want to pay full-price for (like a fun holiday skirt that I will only wear a handful of times).

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and may the discounts be ever in your favor this weekend.

THE SALES I’M SHOPPING:

FAVORITES I OWN, NOW ON SALE:

  • I have a few nice wool overcoats for winter, but I needed another heavy duty puffer and this Lands End one is perfect for casual weekends. In fact, every time I’ve worn it so far I’ve been too warm – which is a good sign that it’s going to actually hold up to a New York winter. Their whole site is 50% off + free shipping.
  • I just got this long cardigan (40% off right now) in and am swooning – I’m going to share two ways to wear it this weekend. But suffice to say it’s the new (slightly unexpected) standout of my holiday wardrobe. Plus – this velvet blazer, these jeans in a simple straight leg, and this cute plaid bag – are all wardrobe favorites of mine and they’re all 40% off too.
  • This gold mirror (we have it in our room at the lake house) is nearly $100 off right now. It can be hung vertically or horizontally and I love that it is simple enough to fit with almost any decor.
  • I shared the Sarah Flint Perfect Pumps in my last blog post and I truly can’t say enough good things about the quality, comfort and fit. They’re a definite ‘splurge’ – but when you factor in how often you’ll wear them and how long they’ll last, the cost per wear feels quite practical. My code SARAHFLINT-BASTEELE gets you $50 off 1 pair, $100 off 2 pairs, $150 off 3 pairs or (if you’re feeling wild) $200 off 4 pairs.
  • This Grecian bust pot I bought last year is 30% off – it looks great on it’s own or filled with flowers.
  • This plaid wrap dress I wore on Thanksgiving is an extra 25% off its sale price – along with all the rest of the discounted designer styles at The Outnet.
  • My new favorite clean mascara is 20% off right now in the brand’s only sale of the year. I’m thinking of trying their brow gel too.

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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: 10 NYC BASED BUSINESSES TO SHOP

(Margaux Pointe Ballet Flats)
  • Strand Bookstore – While I have a solid handful of bookstores in this city that I truly love, the Strand will always feel like my home base bookstore. They’ve been around since 1927 and I’ve been visiting for over 13 years, since I first interned in the city. Like most indie bookstores this year, they need more support than ever this holiday season. Right now if you buy $100 in gift cards you’ll get an extra $20 gift card.
  • Margaux NY – If Audrey Hepburn needed a modern-day source for the perfect ballet flat, she would come to Margaux. I was kindly gifted the pointe ballet flats and I feel approximately 25x more chic every time I wear them. Their shoes come in wide, narrow and regular or custom options and the Italian leather continues to mold to your feet over time. Like I said.. perfect. They’re 20% off sitewide this weekend, but if you miss the sale – code: STEELE10 will get you 10% off your first pair.
  • The Koop New York – A Black, female owned business out of Brooklyn that makes some of the best selling candles I’ve tried. They’re offering 30% off right now and while things tend to sell out quickly, if you sign up for their newsletter you’ll be the first to find out about restocks.
(The Koop New York candle)
  • East Olivia – I’ve followed Olivia on Instagram for a few years now and am always blown away by her incredible floral installations around the city. She’s since opened her own shop and also sells dried arrangements online that are so, so pretty. A thoughtful gift for a flower loving friend spending lots of time at home right now.
  • Madame Matovu – My favorite vintage store in the West Village. Go for the beautifully curated clothing, accessories and artwork – stay for the conversations with Rosemary, the owner and a longtime New Yorker.
  • CW Pencil Enterprise – This female-owned specialty pencil shop on the Lower East Side is a writer’s dream with pencils from around the world plus stationary and other bits and bobs to outfit your desk. The kind of niche place that makes me love this city so much.
  • McNally Jackson – If the Strand is the original NY bookstore, McNally Jackson is her slightly more literary older sister. They’ve got 4 locations including a new spot in South Street Seaport with a beautiful cafe, but also take online orders – and with sales down 70% this year, every order counts.
(Outside of McNally Jackson, at the Seaport location)
  • Dobbin St Co-Op – An expertly curated Brooklyn-based vintage store with two locations. I’m partial to the one in Greenpoint), where I’ve had good luck finding cool, mid-century homegoods.
  • Gigi New York/Graphic Image – a Long Island based company that carries beautiful handbags and leather accessories. I’ve been carrying this black leather crossbody bag for 5 years now and I swear it still looks as good as new. They were also kind enough to send me a leather 2021 planner which would make a beautiful gift this season to those of us looking forward to a fresh page in the new year (ahem.. everyone).
  • Fishs Eddy – Nearly 12 years ago when I first moved to New York I remember reading about this quirky Union Square home goods store and taking the 6 train down to visit. Now I’m just a short walk away and still love stopping in to find unique dishes and gifts.
(Vintage embroidery artwork via Madame Matovu)
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THE BLACK FRIDAY SALES I’M SHOPPING

First, a few disclosures. If you’re not in a position to shop this holiday season, please skip ahead. I hate the way that Black Friday sales can feel like they pressure you to buy all the things. It’s perfectly okay to tune it out. That being said – I’ve still got a small handful of gifts to buy and I’m also using this weekend as a chance to buy myself some basics that I need and have been setting aside money for – knowing that they’d go on sale right now. So that’s my approach.

And lastly, I’m going to be sharing 10 great NYC-based small businesses tomorrow to consider. I encourage you to try and come up with a shopping strategy this holiday season that includes small businesses – here in New York or in your own local community. They truly need the support more than ever right now.

Okay – on with the show. Here are the online sales I’m shopping this weekend and what I plan on picking up:

Aerie (40% Off, Free Shipping + 10 for $35 undies): Aerie is my go-to for everyday undies and you can’t beat the price of these right now. Some of the novelty prints skew a little young, but I just go for the solids.

Anthropologie (30% Off Sitewide): I’ll likely be looking for a few unique gifts here and I haven’t fully decided on those yet – mainly because I keep getting distracted by this Grecian bust plant pot and their selection of Christmas tree ornaments.

Boden (30% Off Womenswear): I really love this British brand for classic, quality pieces. I have my eye on this corduroy blazer, these wide leg pants and these jeans. All pieces that I know I’ll wear and love for a long time to come.

J.Crew (50% Off Sitewide + 60% Off Sale): Another one of my favorite go-to places for the pieces that I wear everyday. I am grabbing a fresh white button down shirt and maybe trying these vintage-look faded black jeans.

Sandro Paris (40% Off Sitewide): I have swooned over pieces from this French brand for ages and this sale finally has things in a somewhat attainable price range for me. It’s still a bit of a splurge compared to my usual purchases but this dress is a forever piece to me and between the classic fit and the ‘S’ (for Sandro.. but also Steele!) embroidery – I think I may finally finally treat myself to it.

Talbots (50% Off Sitewide + Free Shipping): You guys know how much I love Talbots for classic, well-made, everyday pieces. I plan on picking up this reversible leather belt and another one of these cotton turtlenecks (I love that the neck doesn’t scrunch down too much).

True & Co (20% Off Sitewide): Why does buying bras always feel like such a pain? I’m determined to have a drawer full of ones I actually like and this underwire free, smoothing, long-line bra has great reviews.

WHAT I’M BUYING:

FAVORITES I OWN, NOW ON SALE:

(Sweater shown above is 50% off here)