2020 Gift Guide

I hadn’t shopped at all last week, or really this entire year… But I woke up this morning, was blown away by all of the amazing sales, thought about how much money I’ve probablyyy(?) saved during quarantine, and spent the next 15 hours shopping. Even during class while my professor cold-called 30 people in a 60-person class. I’m a monster! I can never resist a good deal, and this year’s Cyber Week is especially good. If you’re looking for some gift or wish list ideas, here are my favorites of what I’ve ordered so far, in case you’re like me and will likely be browsing until the sales end at 3:00 AM ET. (And many of these deals will continue for a few more days, if not through December.)

I’ve wanted a dress for running ever since I lost my Lululemon dress, and the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress fits the bill! It’s so cute that I’ll probably wear it all the time as normal clothes. Honestly all dresses should come with built-in biker shorts! I got the black and navy, but the green is also nice. Currently 10% off, though students and teachers get an extra 20% off.

If you drink LaCroix every day, you absolutely need to get a SodaStream! I’ve been a sparkling water fan for roughly 20 years but never thought about getting a SodaStream until this year. (I actually thought about getting one a few years ago, but there was that whole West Bank controversy, so I wanted to see how that situation would turn out and then I forgot.) I literally went through boxes of LaCroix each week of quarantine and watched the cans pile up. A SodaStream is so much better for the environment, and the replacement CO2 cylinders are pretty cheap if you participate in one of many exchange programs available. I did consider getting the fancier Aqua Fizz instead of the Fizzi, but ultimately decided I preferred the Fizzi’s large bottles, so I can make larger quantities of sparkling water at once. Today’s it’s only $50 for the starter pack!

Dancing on my toes since the age of three has led to my calves being very athletic (read: thicc). It’s really hard for me to find nice leather boots that fit. I’ve only had two pairs in my entire life! I remember ordering Tory Burch riding boots (back when those were a thing), and being so upset when they arrived and I couldn’t even try them on. But the reviews of these Madewell Carlotta Tall Boots from people who even posted the circumference of their calves give me hope. Perfect for fall and mild North Carolina winters. The name reminds me of the diva in Phantom of the Opera. Currently 50% off. And the rest of Madewell’s website is at least 40%, including all their amazing jeans! I really went to town here.

It’s no surprise that light therapy lamps, aka happy lamps, have become especially popular this year. I was skeptical about the claim that an artificial light source could improve one’s mood like sunlight, but since therapists actually recommend them, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about… And I was pleasantly surprised! Working in front of the lamp made it seem like the shortened winter hours of daylight had been extended. I have this TaoTronics version, which is currently on sale for $26. But there are many different versions on Amazon, at different price points, and with different capabilities, such as multiple colors, timers etc.

After going through a few pairs of cheaper sunglasses inspired by the Ray-Ban Clubmaster Classic, I finally decided to get the OG. I’m assuming they’ll last a bit longer. Excited about the polarized lens upgrade! Currently 30% off, plus a $25 cashback voucher.

One of the best decisions I made during quarantine was buying a Rubik’s Cube (after watching the incredible documentary The Speed Cubers on Netflix). It has honestly been so fun learning how to solve it and then trying to beat my time. I play with it at least a couple times every day. It’s like my own fidget spinner, except I’m 100% not paying attention to the professor if I’m playing during Zoom class. Highly recommend putting a Rubik’s Cube in everyone’s stocking. The entire site is 10% off today.

The OurPlace Always Pan would be a great gift for anyone who likes to cook (which seems to be virtually everyone since Covid started). Apparently it can do a thousand different tricks, and its non-stick abilities require little to no fats or oils to cook. Also it’s so pretty! Influencers love this pan, but there was also a 30,000-person waitlist for it earlier this year, so that must mean something? 35% off today only.

I’ve been golfing more than usual, since it’s one of the few relatively safe quarantine activities. The Callaway shoes I had since high school finally broke last year, and I’ve been looking for a new pair to replace them. Unfortunately, it appears that the golf shoe trend is moving away from spikes to spikeless, even though the grip on spikeless shoes wouldn’t last long. I like these Adidas Response Bounce 2.0 shoes because they look modern, but still have replaceable spikes. Everything on the Adidas site is currently 40% off. I also had to stock up on another pair of Stan Smiths, since I’ve never seen them at such a low price!

I’ve been eyeing the Barbour Beadnell wax jacket for years, but after seeing it several times on this season of The Crown, it was finally time to pull the plug. It’s so versatile and always looks effortlessly cool. This classic style is rarely discounted, but Tuckernuck included it in their site-wide sale: 20-30% off. I ordered the sage, but it was a tough decision because I love all of the colors. I also got this adorable Urban Expressions tortoise clutch in order to meet the next level of discounts.

Really into these Token Jewelry Capsule Hoop earrings. They could easily be worn with a casual or formal outfit. Currently, 10% off orders over $25 at Prelude & Dawn.

These SPANX faux leather leggings have become a cult favorite and are definitely the trendiest clothing item I’ll buy this year. The entire site is 20% off. These J.Crew faux leather Pixie Pants are also cute for a more structured look.

The LUV SCRUB is a long, mesh washcloth that is supposed to be much better at exfoliating and last longer than a loofah. It even won an Allure beauty award this year. I ordered one on a friend’s recommendation and I seriously can’t wait to try it! I’m all about upgrading the little things that we do every day, including showering. The scrubs also come in several aesthetically pleasing colors. They’re usually $18, but are currently only $15. A great stocking stuffer for everyone you know!

Yes, I went from owning zero leather boots to ordering two pairs. Cyber Week 2020: no regrets! I’ve seen these Blondo Velma boots or similar Blondo styles on lots of blogs, and they look fabulous dressed up or down. I appreciate that the suede is waterproof, so I can wear them around New York in any weather. I never would’ve considered over-the-knee boots for myself, but reviews say they fit over athletic calves… Wish me luck! Currently 35% off on Zappos.

The best gift for a dog owner is without a doubt the Furbo Dog Camera. This camera connects to your phone, so you can see, hear, and talk to your dog while you’re away. The best part is that you can even throw treats to your dog! So wholesome. I got this for my sister a couple years ago, and her dog actually gets scared when she talks through the Furbo, but I think her dog is an outlier. Another cool feature is the bark sensor, which sends a notification whenever your dog barks, so you can see what’s going on at home (possibly an intruder!). The Furbo is currently on sale for $134.

Four years ago I bought these Marc Fisher Yale Chelsea Boots in black suede and proceeded to wear them nonstop each fall and winter. They matched every outfit and I got lots of compliments on them. Last year, they were sadly worn to the point of no return and I think I threw them out. Since Nordstrom doesn’t have the black suede version this year, I’m trying out this grainy leather version, which is on sale for $125. As backup, I also ordered the Steve Madden Knoxi Booties and Blondo Siena Booties. I’m also considering these Nisolo Chelsea Boots.

Personally, my body is not super affected by caffeine, but I know a lot of people are sensitive to it. Explorer Cold Brew Co.’s starter pack of premium cold brew coffee concentrate is a cute idea because it includes different levels of caffeine for you to try. It’s currently 20% off. I don’t love coffee (which I think of as dirt water), but I can hang with cold brew.

These Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads 20% are supposed to be fantastic for clear, younger-looking skin. If your face has been a victim of the drier weather on top of all the stresses of Covid, give these exfoliating and moisturizing pads a shot! I’m lucky not to have wrinkles or lines yet, but if there was ever a year to start developing them… It’s probably this one! There is also a 10% version, for those with more sensitive skin. Everything at the Dermstore is currently 30% off!

Books always make wonderful gifts. There’s just something about someone picking out a book specifically for you. If you’re going to order a book online, try Bookshop, which supports independent bookstores and even allows you to order directly through a specific bookstore. Currently, many of their popular books are on sale, and shipping is free all season. I love browsing through NPR’s Book Concierge–a great way to find the perfect book! Also obsessed with this list of Elena Ferrante’s Recommended Reads. The vibes!

I could’ve spent the entire day browsing through J.Crew‘s sale of 60% off everything, and J.Crew Factory‘s sale of 50-60% off everything… Virtual insanity! My favorite find was this pair of tortoise hoop earrings for $6. Literally less than one Sweetgreen!

The best gift for a loved one or yourself is the promise to return to our most favorite activities post-Covid. I bought gift cards for my favorite dance studio Steps on Broadway, discounted at 25% off, as well as theatre ticketing platform TodayTix, discounted at 40% off. There is truly nothing I’d like more than to be back in the studio or at a show.

For more gift guides, check out previous lists from 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

Finally, it has come to my attention that some people I know are still not using Rakuten, which is stupid. It’s literally free cash for doing absolutely nothing other than shopping online. There’s no catch! I literally made $100 today through Madewell, J.Crew, Tuckernuck, etc. Use my link to start yourself off with $40. Most of the sites mentioned above are running major Rakuten deals on top of their own discounts!

Christmas Gift Guide

Exactly one month until the best day of the year! I couldn’t be more excited, after spending last Christmas in Georgia. For those of you who haven’t started your gift-shopping, consider these:Christmas Gift Guide

1. Anthropologie monogrammed mug – This limited edition of the classic has been making the rounds among blogs.
2. Izola flask – “Your everyday stainless steel flask”… Engraved with one of a dozen clever sayings.
3. Ideal Bookshelf – A print or a customized painting of a loved one’s favorite books.
4. Monkey Pod Games Wooden Four In A Row – A more sophisticated version of the original.
5. Humans of New York – Without a doubt, the most interesting collection of photos published this year.
6. Crate & Barrel Camille wine glass – Yes, these are the pretty wine glasses that appear in basically every episode of Scandal.
7. PureGear retro game case – A case that might even distract someone from the actual smartphone.
8. C. Wonder monogram glass plate – This plate, which comes in a variety of gorgeous designs, makes a perfect catch-all.
9. Essie mini cube – Essie’s winter collection is very impressive this year… And I don’t even wear nail polish!
10. Brett Cramer Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses – Possibly the greatest invention ever.