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:

• Anthropologie: 30% Off Sitewide – We have tickets to the Nutcracker this year and I wanted to spring for something really twirl-worthy to wear. This bow skirt feels so special. Also love these festive dishes.
• Aerie: 10 for $35 Underwear – Black Friday is a great time to pick up the basics that you use and wear all year long. Case in point, underwear.
• Brooklyn Candle Studio: 20% Off – I love this New York based brand’s scents and want to grab this fireplace scent for our holiday mantle.
• J.Crew: 40% Off Sitewide – I’ve got my eye on this silky pajama set and these touch screen cashmere gloves.
• Reformation: 25% Off Sitewide – I love Reformation dresses, but try my best to wait for the couple of sales they have each year. I’ve had my eye on this Pretty Woman-esque polka dot one and this velvet one for a special holiday date night.
• Strand Bookstore: 30% Off Sitewide – I plan on getting a gift for my bookish best friend, and let’s be honest, probably one for me too.
• Talbots: 50% Off 1 Item + 40% Off Sitewide – I love these cashmere sweaters for layering – I’ve had this style in a couple of colors for 2-3 years and they still look brand new. Planning to pick up one in black or ivory.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

First thing first, I hope all of my US readers had a happy Thanksgiving and were able to relax and enjoy a warm meal with loved ones. Secondly, if Black Friday sales aren’t your thing feel free to skip this post.

In general, I’m not that huge of a Black Friday shopper as I think it can often lead to unnecessary purchases just because of a “deal”, but I certainly like saving money where I can. So I try to use this day to pick up select gifts and also stock up on any winter basics I need – like tights or cotton turtlenecks – that I know I’ll wear to shreds and can get for half price. And while I’m not in the market for any major home items this year, it’s a great time to pull the trigger if you are.

Below are my top picks from things I own and love that are now on sale and then a short list of the things I’m actually planning to buy myself.

1. By this point you should all know that Talbots is one of my favorite places to find everything from classic wardrobe staples to fun accessories. You can save 50% off one item until noon on Black Friday and 40% off everything else. My holiday capsule wardrobe features lots of favorites from them – but my top picks are this plaid blazer, this fair isle sweater, these boots (I’m so in love with my pair), and this great wool boucle coat.
2. We bought this rug from Lulu & Georgia for our living room a few months back and I’m still 100% happy with our choice. It’s 25% off right now and I can’t say enough good things about the quality and how it’s wearing so far.
3. While we’re on home items – we found our new record player at Urban Outfitters and they’re offering buy one item, get one at 50% off. This would make such a great gift.
4. You all seemed to love these corduroy overalls as much as I did when I wore them the other day (featured in my 5 Casual Winter Outfits post). Anthropologie has 30% off sitewide which would be a great time to pick up a few new fun pieces like those to freshen up your winter wardrobe. I’ll be stocking up on my favorite candles too – this one is our go-to holiday scent.
5. I’ve always been a big fan of hair accessories, so I’m all for the resurgence of headbands right now. I just picked up several including this satin one and this plaid one from J.Crew – they’d make such cute gifts for girlfriends, sisters or co-workers. And since everything is 50% off their site right now, you likely won’t want to stop at just headbands.
6. Mango has quickly become my go-to for affordable, more fashion-forward pieces. I loooove the look of this tweed blazer and miniskirt set and think I’m going to grab them during their 30% off sitewide sale.
7. It’s been a long time since I’ve bought myself a piece of jewelry but I can’t stop thinking about this oversized pearl ring. At 20% off today I just might call myself Santa.