Black Friday Shopper 2.0

I don’t know about you, but I am being hammered with Black Friday steals and deals.  I’ve got to be honest, as much as I love a great sale I am not a fan of going out on Black Friday.  This probably stems from my years spent in retail; that alarm blaring at 4am the day after Thanksgiving got old real fast. I told myself when the time came for me to leave retail I would never enter a store on Black Friday again.  Does this mean I don’t take advantage of some great deals?  Of course it doesn’t.  Lucky for me, shopping has evolved. And instead of hitting the mall I just chose to shop from the comfort of my home; in my pajamas, surrounded by family, a large cup of coffee and a cozy fire.

Wearing something like this.

Athleta sweater/Hue legging/XIIX metalic cowl scarf/Pj Salvage dog mug/Ugg boot.  Links HERE

or

Pj Salvage Home top/Pj Salvage bottoms, on sale for $30.00 HERE/Anthropologie Slippers/Michael Kors snood/mug Anthropologie.  Links HERE

It’s so easy to get sucked into the madness and buy things I don’t need just because they’re on sale.  It’s gotten so crazy that retailers this past weekend were already advertising pre-black friday deals, HERE.    If what is happening is any indication of what’s to come, retailers seem to be going for it!  There is a way to maneuver the madness, and avoid the frenzied feeling that can kick in from over-stimulation.

Best strategy; have a plan and stick with it.  To avoid buying things “because they are a great deal”, shop BEFORE Black Friday.   I check out my favorite sites online now and place items I love or have had my eye on, into my online shopping cart.   I then simply check my loaded up cart (s) the night before the 28th (this year I will be checking earlier).   Often, items I pre-select have already been marked down (which is already the case this year).  If not, check back when you get up in the morning and see if items on your wish list are on sale or promo.  THEN, decide if you really want said item(s).  I find this process helps me avoid the mistake of making a purchase because it’s a deal.  If would have bought the item at full price, I must have really liked it.  By pre-shopping sites I get first pick before sites start crashing and items I had hoped to buy, disappear out of my cart right in front of my eyes (yes, I have had this happen).

Now, if you enjoy the craze, more power to ya!  Enjoy it!  Do some homework ahead of time, hit the mall, share a latte with a friend, enjoy the holiday decor and have fun. But don’t stress if that item you wanted is sold out. The closer we get to Christmas the retailers will be slashing prices all over again and plenty more deals will become available to you!

One of my favorite retailers, Nordstrom appears to have a new Black Friday strategy.  You may have read out there that this mega retailer is rethinking how they do sales.  Today, for the first time, I had an email in my inbox advertising that they will be taking an additional 20% off select sale items on 11/28, note this appears to be IN STORES ONLY. This is new for these guys so it should be fun. If you have your heart set on something you may want to decide if you want to wait.  Remember the East-coasters are up earlier than all of us out here and I often find my size gone when I check my cart. These guys have been slashing all week so plan accordingly. Anthropologie has had a a similar strategy the past few years so you may want to check up on them as well. Other retailers; Boden, JCrew, Old Navy, Gap, Banana, Piperlime, Bloomingdales etc. will all have their own versions but this one is the most intriguing to me.  One online site has listed all the advertised sales happening as of today and there are 206 sales and counting! Click HERE for the link and find your favorites!

Here are a few items that grabbed me with this last round of markdowns at Nordstrom.  I  have featured most of them on the blog this past fall. Sizes appear to be selling fast so it appears the retailers strategies are working. If you see something you love I would act fast as I noticed quantities changing as I put together this post.

 

Clockwise from top left; Joie $328.00, now $196.80 | Joie $298, now $178.80 | Trouve $71.00, now $42.00 | Splendid Poncho $148.00, now $89.00 and in gray for $103.60 HERE  | Nordstrom

 

From top left clockwise; Bailey 44 HERE $178.00. now $88.98 | Search for Sanity HERE $68.00, now $40.80 (matching skirt below) | Tracy Reese sweater $248.00, now $149.00 SOLD OUT | Bailey44 $152, now $75.98 |  for all Bailey 44 sale items HERE  | Nordstrom

From top left clockwise; Splendid HERE $98.00, now $58.80 | Splendid HERE $128.00.now $76.80 | Pleione HERE$68.00, now $39.90 | Vince Camuto HERE $93.00, now $56.00 | Nordstrom

From top left clockwise; ASTR HERE $78.00, now $47.00 | Search For Sanity HERE $78.00, now $46.80 | Leith HERE $78, now $52.26 | Bailey 44 HERE $172.00, now $85.98  I have tried this skirt on and it is darling. Better in person, but more of a sweater knit material with gray in between the pleats. For a dressier version I like this one by Trouve HERE now $59.00 on sale.

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I had a few reader requests for some Thanksgiving outfit ideas.  Thanksgiving outfits can be dressy to super casual depending on your families traditions. If I am cooking I like to be comfortable with a cute apron (Anthropologie has loads of ’em). As a guest, I like layers in case it gets warm inside and knits for comfort. For more outfit sets visit my Pinterest Page HERE

If getting dressed up is the direction your Thanksgiving goes,

 

Boden skirt on promo HERE should be going on promo 11/27 check back/ /Jcrew/DVF pump/MK watch/Kendra Scott Bangles/Ted Baker Clutch.  For set links click HERE 

 

Dressy but comfortable in a knit wrap dress 

Boden dress on promo  $103.60 was $148.00 in 3 prints and black HERE /J Crew/Tory Burch/ MK/Rebecca Minkoff/Boden.  For set links click HERE

Maybe your family is about casual and cozy

 

Nordstrom Cashmere Collection/Paige Hoxton Jean Was: $199.00Now: $149.25 25% OFF HERE/Top Shop/MK/Kendra Scott/Brass Plum/Sam Edelman. For links click HERE

 

Halogen Cashmere Sweater Was: $148.00 Now: $88.80 40% OFF HERE /  Paige Jean on sale, link above/ Accessories Concierge scarf / MK watch/ TOry Burch stud earring / Michael Kors Hayley boot Was: $324.95 Now: $199.90 35% OFF  HERE / For links click HERE 

 

Flag Football on the schedule for the day?

Sweater and Puffer H & M / Paige Hoxton, on promo link above / MK neck warmer / Hunter boot and sock/ Peets Tumbler / For set links click HERE

 

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At this season of Thanksgiving I want to express my gratitude to all my friends and subscribers who tune into Ask Suzanne Bell each week. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my blog with you, it continues to be a pleasure! Enjoy this weekend with family and friends, wherever you may be!

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XOXO

Suzanne