Kate's Picks: Black Friday Edition!
Alright! In lieu of our typical monthly round up of my “Kate’s Picks” (AKA my favorite items of the month), we are doin’ it BLACK FRIDAY STYYYYYYLE *crowd goes wild*
Eeeeee, shopping this time of year is SO fun.
Such a great chance to get some gifts, treat yourself a little, invest in something you’ve been eyeing, save some money, and shop INTENTIONALLY.
While last year, I did a verrrrry comprehsnive “Intentional Woman Gift Guide” with soooo many unique gifts ideas (experience gifts, personalized gifts, etc.). That is my “master list” of gift ideas, if you will. And while, MANY of the items on there are evergreen and still relevant…
this post is a short ‘n’ sweet round up of items, sales, and gifts SPECIFICALLY for Black Friday week 2022.
These are the items, gifts, splurges, and sales that I think are GREAT ideas as gifts for a loved one………. orrrrrr a gift to yourself *wink*
(psssst: any business that has an asterisk * next to it is a SMALL BUSINESS :) :) just a reminder to shop small as much as you can this holiday season!)
clean beauty sales:
1) finally! natural products for your man*: Clean, nontoxic products for your man! From shampoo, face wash, body wash, and hair care– this brand is soooo sleek, practical, and has BEAUTIFUL, nontoxic ingredients. Adam loves this stuff! (save 40%... yes, 40% with the KATEBLACKFRIDAY)
2) ilia clean makeup: My faaaaaav clean makeup brand and 20% off this weekend with the code “WONDERLAND”. I love each + every item I’ve tried (the bronzers, the multi-sticks, the cream blush, the highlight!), but there are two products that absolutely stand out. 1) The Super Serum Skin Tint: I mean, WOW. Hands. Down. My favorite item in my makeup bag. Truly. It’s a foundation + serum + SPF 40 all in one. Annnnd 2) THIS. MASCARA: Guys, a clean mascara that actually works. Do yourself a favor and get it.I have soooo many good things to say. (Also! they have AMAZING “sets” of products that would be such a good gift!)
3) salty face clean self-tanner*: with the change of seasons, the beautiful sunshine is getting less & less… and with that, ya GIRL IS LOOKIN’ PALE. But, fear not, corpse-lookin’ complexion! Because of my faaaaav clean-ingredient self-tanner. Take it from someone who tried a looooot of nontoxic self-tanners, this is the best option i’ve ever tried. truly. I. LOVE. THIS. STUFF. Their Black Friday deal is saving 15% if you order multiple sets with the code “BUNDLEUP” (but if you don’t want to commit to buying multiple sets, you can always use my code KATE10)
4) primally pure: my fav nontoxic skincare (!!!!!!!)*: eeee! THEE sale of the season!!!! the one everybody (including me) waits for!!!! while their whole site is 20% off, my specific code will get you 20% off *and* free shipping *and* a free lipbalm set… enter BFCM-KATE20 to unlock this secret deal! You all know I LOVE this brand of nontoxic skincare, and this is the perfect chance to stock up on your fav clean skincare or buy some gifts!
(To make the most of the “BFCM-KATE20” discount, I recommend applying the coupon to the skincare bundles, taking the skincare quiz and adding the coupon onto your already-discounted set OR grabbing the starter kit!)
random small businesses:
1) unique artwork & prints*: Gosh, I loooove this etsy store. I think i have every single item “favorited.” Such fun, quirky, unique prints! I cannot wait to put some of these in our future kiddo playroom :)
2) The appointed planner*: okay, this is the planner I went with for this year! My old go-to planner got discontinued (gasps in horror!). SO, I needed to find the perfect replacement, and this is what I went with! I’m soooo excited about this. BEAUTIFUL, American-made, multiple-page formats, & made very sustainably with renewable energy, biodegradable materials, etc. I bought this with my own money (not gifted or sponsored or anything), but I have an affiliate coupon “KATEESKURI” for ya! Super excited about this planner!
3) The daily page planner*: This is also a planner BAE. while this^^ planner is what I use for “bigger picture” planning (yearly, monthly, appointments, etc.), I use this planner for individual days to help me structure my days, get organized, have a concrete place to coordinate my business, work, health, etc. Basically, this planner helps me “supplement” my real planner. I use this to plan DAYS. I use the above to plan MONTHS. (not to mention, it’s created by the most amazing woman (Hi, Dani!), made in Minnesota, and plants a tree with every purchase!) Coupon: KATE10
4) personalized address return stamp*! I have bought one of these for every house we have ever lived. It’s so fun to have a unique, personalized address stamp that we can use for Christmas cards and beyond! Did someone you know just move? this could be a super fun gift!
5) this specific newborn onesie*: The design of this “baby bag” onesie thing is GENIUS and so unique (….annnnd 35% off!). I’ve never seen another onesie like it. It makes changes SO easy (yes… even easier than zip up onesies…. by far…), it’s main closure is a big velcro flap (AKA no annoying buttons, zippers, etc. and allows for effortless skin-to-skin without having to fully undress them) and has a “bag” bottom (instead of pant legs that feel impossible to get those little newborn legs into! They have regular leg options, but I highly recommend their “baby bags” for the newborn stage!). Miles is sooo comfy in this thing, and we loved it because of the effortless skin-to-skin and VERY easy diaper changes. I’m not sure what their plan is for Black Friday, but regardless coupon “KATEESKURI” always saves ya money!
health & wellness sales:
1) moon juice: mmmmm, my nightly magnesium drink… now 25% off. This is apparently their biggest sale ever, and I highly recommend browsing and picking out the holistic supplement, drink mix, and adpatogens that is right for YOU! i love this brand.
2) my faaav (clean!) protein powder: This protein powder is my absolute go-to for smoothies and protein. Nuzest is the protein powder you are waiting for—and it’s all 30% off this weekend (just click that link to find the deal). Allllll-natural, vegan, 19g of protein, and blends like a dang dream. And now you can try them on sale!
3) four sigmatic: I feel like the term “superfood” gets wayyyy overused but mushrooms are worthy of the title. Whether you want to boost immune function, stay calm and limit anxiety, get focused and in the zone, or just want to help your overall wellness, I hiiiiighly recommend Four Sigmatic mushroom drinks. Annnnd their sale right now is insane and I think you can throw “KE10” on top of the discounts!
4) verrrry high quality, organic CBD (huge discount!!!!) *: CBD can be way overhyped and made to sound like it is a one-size-fixes-all “quick fix” to everything. While I disagree with over-the-top claims, I will say CBD can be a great tool. I personally have used it for sleep support and managing anxious/overwhelming moods (and truly noticed a difference).
It’s important to note that all CBD is NOT created equal. There's a lot of sketchy stuff out there— fillers, synthetics, pesticide-covered hemp, so I chose equilibria because 1) they are women-owned small company, 2) they adhere to medical-grade production standards and 3) it’s produced on their organic farm from start to finish, which allows them to ensure each batch is 110% safe. AKA, they speak my language-- organic, medical-grade, AND a dosage specialist/pharmacist to help you navigate your CBD dose and experience! I am SO refreshed to find a CBD company that is doing it responsibly. They are having HUGE sales and you can add code “kateeskuri” on top! Save 35% off or more?!?!? Enjoy!
5) hilma: Clinically proven (!!!!) herbs in a pill-form that are designed by doctors and herbalists to add to your at-home pharmacy. FINALLY, an easy, natural way to help with headaches, bloating, constipation, sinus symptoms..… AND backed by research. like of it like the clean, herbal version of your fav over-the-counters. Also, you know me, I am by nooo means anti-medication— buuuuut if I can relieve pain or solve a symptom with natural remedies, I am ALWAYS going to choose that first and then move to medications …if needed. Hilma makes it SO. EASY. to use natural remedies to solve your everyday problems. (Their sale gives you a FREE tension relief (for headaches) and allergy support blend when you spend $55! Enjoy! )
clothing sales:
1) girlfriend athletic gear: Mmmmm, my fav ethical & eco-friendly workout brand. (If you haven’t tried their Paloma sports bra yet…it’ll change your life.) They are having sales on sales on sales this weekend. Enjoy
2) this [very-affordable] matching set: repeat after me, self: “kate, you do not need another matching set”, “kate, you do not need another matching set”, “kate, you do not need another matching set”….. HAHHA. we all know I love a good matching set, and I saw this one and it’s SO cute & affordable. here’s the link to the pants & the shirt!
3) this balaclava*: Okay, this isn’t for everyone… but it sure is for ME. I think this balaclava is soooo chic (and practical). It covers your ears and neck at once– so it’s basically like a 2-for-1 hat/scarf moment. AND it’s a small business. AND it’s on sale. I bought one for myself– wanna match??? ;) (ps: if that one runs out of stock, here’s a nearly identical option!)
4) my fav for fall & winter boots: This is so random, but I wanted to shout out to SOREL Footwear— so cute, so quality, so fall-y & winter-y. I love their shoes & boots for for colder weather, hiking, long walks, running errands…. These are a Minnesota staple (IYKYK). While the pair I bought a few years ago is still holding up strong, I couldn’t help but browse their newest options. SO. GOOD. here are a few of my favs: option one, option two, option three. (And don’t even get me started on their sneakers!)In a nutshell, I have found that each pair of Sorels I buy are built. to. last. and are simultaneously classic while still being trendy and unique??? Idk, I just love ‘em + have been super impressed with each pair I have! A great time to buy new warm boots for the weather changes!
5) my favorite linen clothing shops*: Linen is one of the most earth-friendly, sustainable fabrics…annnnd a few Etsy stores have become my faaaav places to shop for unique, timeless, sustainable linen pieces…annnnd a lot of them are having sales right now! I’ll tag a few of my favorites here: Love + Confuse, LineID studio, and Linenfox. Linen is sooo fun to wear because you can easily dress it up (I used to wear these pieces to work all the time) or make them super casual. This is also a great chance to support some Etsy small businesses!
kids gifts:
1) this book!* daw, this book is SO cute! So simple, so fun, and a great reminder of GRATITUDE— for both baby & parents :) We read this literally every single day
2) lovevery toy subscription: This is pretty much the only toys we have purchased for Miles! It’s a Montessori-based, developmentally-appropriate approach to play. Every few months, Loveevery sends toys that perfectly match up with his age and brain stage. This could be suuuuuch a great gift for your child, niece, grandkid, or sweet little one in your life :) (Pssssst…click here for a coupon! Not sponsored, just a refer-a-friend deal!).
3) bonsie*: again, just shouted them out above, but I TRULY love these velcrow onesies— hands down the easiest way to get a squirmy newborn dressed! A great gift for an expecting momma in your life :)
4) this customized name puzzle*: Customized gifts are always special! I’ve bought this for a few of our nieces & nephews, and I think it’s such a fun way to help them learn the letters of their name, fine motor skills, …. annnnnd it’s just cute, ha!
home sales
1) the. best. vacuum. ever. i never thought I would LoOOOOve a VACUUM…. but I love this vacuum. We bought this a year ago and it was 100000% worth it. SO light weight, so easy to carry up and down the stairs, no need to plug it in, works great, easy to store, so sleek…. I could go on and on. One of those splurge items that is definitely not overhyped. $150 for this week! They rarely have sales so I would jump on it!
2) anthropologie 30% off home sale: like I mentioned above, shopping the anthro home sale is always SO fun for me this time of year. I very rarely (if ever) buy full-priced home goods from them, but I always strategically shop when they have sales! From saving HUNDREDS on larger purchases like a coffee table & bed frame to smaller items like Christmas ornaments & cute mugs, this is SUCH a fun way to get unique, beautiful pieces in your home... on sale!
3) our TV…. that looks like art : another splurge that WAS worth it. the frame tv truly looks like a picture frame or piece of art in your house… with all the functionality of a smart TV. The full price is ridiculous, but the black Friday price IS worth it! We bought it 4 years ago and we have had ZERO regrets. I swear we get complimented on it every time someone comes over, hahahaha. SO worth it to spend a little bit more for a TV that is genuinely gorgeous and ADDS beauty to your room.
4) lulu & georgia 25% off home sale: gosh. I. love. This. brand. If there is one home decor site that encompasses my “vision board” of what I’d love my home to look like– it’s lulu & georgia. While there stuff is timeless (yet unique), practical (yet trendy), and juuuust GOREGOUS. It is also expensive… so 25% off is major. Last year, I used this time to buy rugs, furniture, and pillows… and I saved HUNDREDS. Buyin expensive furniture is never “fun”, but if you’re going to invest– it’s SO nice to save 25%.
5) branch basics nontoxic home cleaner*: Don’t know where to start with switching to nontoxic cleaning ingredients? Hands down I recommend starting with Branch Basics. You buy one allllll-natural set that covers EVERYTHING (laundry, bathroom, kitchen, hand soap…literally everything!). It lasts FOREVER, and is soooo versatile. I’ll stop rambling, but trust me when I say that nontoxic doesn’t have to mean noneffective. :) Everything is 20% off this weekend— enjoy! 11 outta 10 would recommend to a friend!
things I’ve personally bought this week:
1) this nightly magnesium drink: I have this [tasty] magnesium drink before bed & I truuuuuly notice a difference in my sleep quality, and I am waking up feeling genuinely RESTED. annnnnd it’s 25% off so I just stocked up :) Of course, check with your doctor, but, generally speaking, women are often deficient in magnesium— supplementation can be a greeeeeat tool in improving stress, better sleep quality, improved digestion, and reduced muscle tension. Start with a small dose as magnesium CAN stimulate the digestive system so you want to start small and advance as tolerated :) This is for sure my favorite mag supplement I’ve tried (...and I’ve tried quite a few). SO good for beautiful, restful sleep, and on sale!
2) some unique ornaments: ya know how as a kid decorating your tree at Christmas there were so many MEANINGFUL ornaments? like ones that year after year made you smile & meant something? Turns out you have to CULTIVATE that as an adult! When I looked at our tree last year, I realized that we didn’t have really any sentimental ornaments, and I made an intention that moving forward I would buy a handful of intentional ornaments that represented that year (for example, a key if we sold our house, a tent if we went on a big camping trip, etc)!
This year, I bought specific ornaments for Adam & Miles as gifts (not linked because they are surprises!), but I got some cute ones that have the letters of our name on them (only $7— such a good stocking stuffer), and I got this BEAUTIFUL gold mistletoe! (I’m totally not hanging it on the tree though— I’m putting that sucker right above our entryway so I can get a lot of smooches from Adam !)
2) unique & timeless Christmas decor: not pictured above, but I did get SO MANY GOOD deals on gorgeous, unique holiday decor on the anthro home sale. I look forward to this sale every year because anthro home decor is SO gorg (but so expensive *nervous laugh*), and saving money on a few investment pieces is so fun!
3) this homemade balaclava*: Like I said, this isn’t for everyone… but it sure is for ME. I think this balaclava is soooo chic (and practical). It covers your ears and neck at once– so it’s basically like a 2-for-1 hat/scarf moment. AND it’s a small business. AND it’s on sale. I bought one for myself– wanna match??? ;) (ps: if that one runs out of stock, here’s a nearly identical option!)
4) this bread maker! this was my Christmas gift to myself! I looooove freshly made bread, and it’s a skill I want to work on and foster! I got this one because 1) it has great reviews and seems to work great 2) it is…. GOREGOUS (is it weird to call a breadmaker gorgeous? don’t care!), and 3) it has GLUTEN-FREE sourdough settings and recipes! YAYAYAYAYY
5) this planner*: the planner I chose for 2023! I put a loooot of thought into this purchase- and this is what I went with! BEAUTIFUL, American-made, multiple page formats, & made very sustainably with renewable energy, biodegradable materials, etc. I bought this with my own money (not gifted or sponsored or anything), but I have an affiliate coupon “KATEESKURI” for ya! Super excited about this planner!
OTHER THINGS I HAVE (or am going to!) PURCHASE:
lighting for our mudroom (it looks ugly, but it’ll be a VIBE in this room I promise!),
picture frames (haven’t found any good deals yet! let me know if you do!),
gifts for nieces & nephews (not linking because I want them as a surprise!),
I might buy some discounted passes for some of my favorite gyms in the area,
a nice set of salt and pepper grinders (adulthood is WILD, ha!)
LOTS of gifts for loved ones! (again, keeping it secret!)
and potentially a new desktop computer for my home office???? We’ll see!
THEE sale we all look forward to! My fav nontoxic skincare brand hardly everrrrr does sales so NOW is the time to try! Enter code BFCM-KATE20 to get 20% off, free shipping, *and* a free lip balm set!
that’s a wrap!
I wrote this post to be short, sweet, and to the point! I hope you love these gift ideas, sales, small businesses, products, and shopping opportunities, (and get to take advantage of these amazing sales!).
Happy shopping friend!
-Kate
PS: If you want some more small businesses to shop from, untraditional EXPERIENCE gifts, unique health gifts, advice on how to create a “wish list” of your own, head on over to my very (ahem, VERY) thorough gift guide from last year! It is written to be evergreen and pretty much alllll the ideas, gift perspectives, and products links are still active & relevant :)
this is one of the best sales, in my opinion! 20% off my fav clean makeup with the code “WONDERLAND” — plus the ability to get a free multi-stick palette! WHAAAAT
gua sha for beginners! This post (and accompanying video!) will clearly show you WHAT gua sha even is, WHY it works, and HOW to do it (….and in an easy-to-understand way!)