A Black Friday List

A personal, thorough sale edit + a reminder to shop consciously and use your wallet for good

This year felt particularly hard to pull together a Black Friday list. I feel more buried under a pile of sales emails than I ever have in years previous. Did anyone else feel that way this year? Amidst all of this I have also been pulling apart at the tangled basketweave of emotions I feel about this consumerist “holiday”.

There’s the part of me, of course, that loves a deal. I typically utilize Black Friday as a way of discount shopping for Christmas. It satisfies multiple parts of my personality: Online retail research and checking things off a to do list early. My Christmas gift spreadsheet getting nearly completely crossed out before December 1? Yes! Sign me up!

But there is another part - probably the part specifically suffocating from the number of ALL CAPS SALE EMAILS that I’ve received this week - that is at odds with supporting the white noise of Black Friday. A day (week? month? season?) that is designed - not to save you money - but to make brands and businesses money. In the rise of girl math and amidst a minefield of sales that crop up throughout the year, Black Friday feels more opportunistic, manipulative, and frankly not even as good as once advertised anymore. A study by Which? backs this up, finding that only 2% of Black Friday deals are actually at their lowest in the year. Add to the fact that my typical reason for Black Friday is holiday gift shopping, it’s concerning that merchandise returns in America is a $500 billion industry that funnels approximately 6 billion pounds of waste into landfills.

This week, I battled with how to approach sale content with sincerity and in a way that felt right for me. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that my participation should come with a positive net effect. Through my work, I use affiliate links. Meaning I receive a very small commission from purchases made at no added cost to you.

I’ve decided that I will be donating 50% of commissions made from Black Friday through Cyber Monday to Planned Parenthood - a cause that I believe matters.

I also wanted to be mindful about the sales that I did include. The following is not culled from the widest net of the internet possible in order to maximize or to overwhelm. If you choose to scroll through to the links below, know that the sales included (organized alphabetically for your convenience and mine) reflect the things that I have purchased (with my own money) and use (on a daily or regular basis) that bring me joy (I’m typically a picky person). I’ve also noted the sales that I have partaken in personally and purchased from (again, with my own money).

This week, and every week, please shop mindfully. For both your personal finances and the consideration of the planet. Most of all, remember that a deal is not a deal if you didn’t want the item anyway.

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TAYLOR SWIFT STYLE - up to 40% off

This list *does* go in alphabetical order … except for Taylor Swift Style. I obviously have personal motivating factors that make me put this at the top. Forgive me! I truly feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the deals for it right now are incredible. If you’ve considered grabbing a copy now is a great time to do so with gift giving season just ahead of us. I know it’s my book, but I really did design the outside with the same level of care that went into writing the inside. I truly believe this would make for a stunning gift for any Swiftie in your life - even if that Swiftie is you! (Barnes & Noble, Refinery 29, Popsugar, and The Strategist also agree!)

• Amazon (40% off right now! 3 for the price of 2)

• Target (40% off right now! 3 for the price of 2)

• Indigo (30% off)

ABERCROMBIE - 25% off

I can’t say enough about not sleeping on Abercrombie anymore. This isn’t the A&F of the dark and mysterious, suffocating cologne, club bumping past. Their outerwear and denim, in particular, are not to be missed.

• High Rise 90s Relaxed (I’ve been after a pair like the ‘Dark Rinse’ for ages)

• High Rise 90s Straight (very AGOLDE)

• Classic Trench

The Abercrombie ‘Classic Trench’ in Forest Green.

ARITZIA - up to 50% off

My high school years were defined by the iconic ‘Triangle Scarf’ of Aritzia fame. Every cool girl had one in her own signature colourway. It was *the* thing. Since then, Aritzia has branched out their offerings significantly and I shop them to this day.

• Founder Pant (the Effortless style gets more love but this is my preferred go-to trouser)

• Stedman Coat (the very first Aritzia piece I ever owned and that I still have to this day)

• Slouch Coat (perfectly oversized)

• Chisel Skirt (a ‘mini pencil’ skirt that I wear to the office at least once a week +1 to the chic belt loops)

The Aritzia ‘Founder’ pants, styled two ways.

BOY SMELLS - 30% off

I am a notorious candle snob and Boy Smells makes the most unique and memorable sensorial experiences. No other brand can touch them for their scent profiles or notes.

• Hinoki Fantôme (a classic)

• Cowboy Kush (my favourite, leathery / spicy and also available in a perfume)

• Italian Kush (Mr. TSS’ favourite, botanical and herbaceous)

• Broken Rosary (holidays only, a rose-forward woodsy scent)

CUYANA - up to 30% off select items

Their leather case goods are forever quality and I love their philosophy of “fewer, better.”

• Medium Travel Case

• Mini Travel Case

• Classic Easy Tote

My monogrammed Cuyana ‘Medium Travel Case.’ I bought mine as part of the travel set paired with the Mini.

DIEUX - up to 30% off

I trust Dieux implicitly with everything. The founders are knowledgeable, no-nonsense, and truly are creating a product and a brand that cares about the end to end pipeline of beauty (recyclable packaging, genuinely no bullshit products).

• Deliverance (I couldn’t tell you exactly what this all-arounder serum does but I know that my skin is more dull, more sensitive, and more red without it and that’s all I actually need to know)

• Instant Angel (for my fellow dry skin girls)

• Forever Eye Mask (the number of times I’ve used these in hotel rooms after a TSS book signing)

EVERLANE - up to 50% off

If I am wearing clothes, there’s a 95%+ chance that at least one of the items on my body is from Everlane. I’ve been building up my collection with them for years and can’t say enough good things about everything I’ve ever had. Solid basics, fantastic quality. From denim to sweaters to tees to blazers and shoes. I have tried everything but the below are my most worn / reached for.

• Oxford Shirt

• Box Cut Tee

• Scoop Neck Tee

• Barrel Pant

• Day Sneaker

An entire outfit by Everlane. Cashmere Crew over the shoulders, Box Cut Tee, Barrel Pants, and Day Sneakers.

GLOSSIER - 30% off

Really the first makeup brand I ever “bought into” holistically. I drank the Glossy Kool-Aid what can I say. It’s been years and there are so many items that I keep coming back to.

• Boy Brow

• You + You Doux (very happy for the successful expansion of their fantastic fragrance line, particularly with ‘Doux’)

• Cloud Paint (specifically ‘Storm’ and ‘Dusk’)

• Lip Line (I like ‘Graze’)

J.CREW - up to 50% off

Timeless, preppy classics that are heirloom quality.

• Emilie Lady Jacket (I love this worn open or closed)

• Demi-Boot Kickout Jean (my go-to airplane pants for the stretch and casual kicky cut)

• Cashmere Crew

The J.Crew ‘Emilie’ jacket ft gigantic smudges on my mirror. And, relevant to the below, the Madewell ‘Perfect’ belt.

MADEWELL - up to 40% off

Use the code ‘MADEBETTER’.

• Bucket Tote (for my fellow petites, aka <5’4”, I tested this out in store and I think the Mini is the better size for our frames)

• Kline Blazer (I tried this on in store and still think about it every single day)

• Medium Perfect Belt (I own this in black and brown and, as the name implies, they are perfect and classic)

• Perfect Vintage Wide Leg Jean

• Mary Jane Flats

Don’t cry for me Madewell blazer the truth is I never left you (in my mind). Also spotted: Perfect Belt in brown.

MEJURI - 25% off orders $150+

Unlike other brands that seem to performatively put on sales every other week, making their Black Friday offerings moot, Mejuri is genuinely one of the few brands that only does one sale a year and that sale is Black Friday. I have been building up my Mejuri collection since, I want to say, 2017. My solid gold pieces are as perfect as ever and I’ve written dedicated posts to my collection HERE such is the depth of my love for this brand.

• All my favourite Mejuri pieces are in a convenient shop page HERE

MERIT - 20% off

I held off on Merit for the longest time because their aggressive (and seemingly effective) influencer marketing felt too good to be true. But then I took the plunge and can genuinely say I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried and look forward to picking up more. I think they do no-nonsense, minimalist “no makeup-makeup” really well. They’ve found their niche and I have to say their cream products have been clutch for travel.

• The Minimalist Complexion Stick

• Flush Balm

• Signature Lip in Satin (Satin formulation > Matte)

MONOS* - up to 40% off

I recently worked with Monos in a gifted* capacity to upgrade my luggage (Psst: Thank you for supporting the brands that support TSS). I’ve been travelling *a lot* for the Taylor Swift Style book tour so I’ve become an expert in the carry-on. As a Canadian author it’s a thrill to partner with a Canadian brand for travel must-haves.

• Carry-On Pro

• Packing Cubes (I was already a carry-on packing expert but these have made me unstoppable)

• Metro Backpack (my daily work ‘bag’)

• Hybrid Check-In Medium (though I’m a devout carry-on only girly, I recognize the infrequent need for larger luggage - like the honeymoon Mr. TSS and I *just* booked this week for Spring 2025 *squees*)

The Monos ‘Carry-On Pro’ has a lot of smart storage / zippered compartments.

REFORMATION - 25% off

A long-standing Taylor favourite brand and for good reason.

• Prudence Ballet Flat (these were a BF 2024 buy so I’ll let you know how they are - but I’ve been on the lookout for a new #leopardisaneutral ballet flat and these looked great!)

• Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan

• Aubree Linen Dress (petition to bring back summer immediately)

SEPHORA - 30% off

We are fresh off the fall edition of the bi-annual VIB sale so I truly didn’t think I’d see any Sephora deals but it looks like they have select things 25% off including a few scant items I use and love.

• Sunday Riley ‘Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment’ (new to my beauty arsenal but I really really enjoy it)

• Clinique ‘Take The Day Off Balm’ (my holy grail balm cleanser)

• Tom Ford ‘Ombre Leather Eau de Parfum’

Happy shopping (if any)!