Now that we’re all 5 pounds heavier and ready for a nap, let’s get to shopping. I’ve compiled a list of some of the top places to shop along with their discounts offered & the codes you’ll need to shop if necessary.
I went out and did a little Black Friday Shopping today and although I came home with a full wallet and zero bags, I’m ready to fill my cart online.
If you have any deals I don’t have on this list feel free to send them my way on Instagram. Click any of the store names to shop! Also check out my Holiday Wishlist for some shopping inspiration if you need it.
One more month ladies & gentleman! If you’re anything like me when it comes down to the holidays, and your parents, family members and friends ask what’s on your list this year… because let’s be honest, we’re the pickiest ones in the group even though we won’t admit it.
I wanted share what I’m asking for Christmas this year. This is my entire list plus some so If you’re one of my family members snooping for my list… ask my mom! She’s got it. 😉
I asked on Instagram what you guys wanted to see in this blog post and the majority vote was for clothing pieces. I decided to make it a “Wearables” section to include everything you could ever want to wear this holiday season. I’ll go through a wearables, home and beauty section below.
Now, since I’ll be living in an apartment next year my mom kindly reminded me I should be asking for more adult gifts (sad, but kinda fun) So to spice up my at home list I have a mix between candles, juicers, Disney+ & more!
This was another highly requested topic; my makeup and skin products. I don’t have too many on my list. Just a few staples that I don’t think anyone should live without.
I got this new dress in from Bittersweet Boutique and tried to wear it in London unfortunately it was never warm enough! Thankfully I came home to sunny and 70’s and was able to wear it running errands today. It’s a flowwy tie back dress that you can tighten or loosen however you want. I paired it with some thick black platforms, a fuzzy black crossbody & one of my favorite new chains.
I recently discovered my new favorite place to online shop. If you’re a Virginia resident you’re in luck because Bittersweet Boutique has three in store location options there. Otherwise if you’re like the rest of us you’re going to have to tough out waiting for shipping. Although I will say I ordered this top on a Friday and received it on Wednesday so I’m pretty happy with the shipping speed. As well as carrying boutique items, they also carry Free People, Amuse Society, One Teaspoon and many other high end name brand items.
Here are some of my favorite jewelry pieces of this season. They range in style and price from many different brands most of which I find and keep up with through Instagram. I’ve been super into layering necklaces and unique earpieces like huggies, hoops and especially safety pins. I tend to keep my jewelry either all metal or metal with simple crystal, and always yellow gold.
@vibeszn started in 2017 by a St. Louis native. It’s a USA based custom jewelry company with a mission to inspire individuals to express their personal style with trendy, affordable, and quality jewelry while promoting a movement that sets trends without boundaries. Use code GOLD45 for 45% off your purchase.
@gemandcompany was started by brand owner & COO, girlboss Paige Sandher in her home in Vancouver, Canada. Their focus is to keep up and create current jewelry trends. I wore the Roma set on the second day of Lollapalooza- see how I styled it by clicking here.
@strungbysoph started as just a hobby making jewelry for friends and has since taken off. Soph isn’t exactly sure what’s in store for SBS but were excited to find out. is Use Code: EMMADAUN15 for 15% off your order.
@thelastlinela is a jewelry company based in Los Angeles. Founded by Jewlery vet Shelley Sanders and Teddy Sanders. The Last Line LA is rewriting the rules of the jewelry world one finely priced diamond at a time.
Sequin is a unique, handmade jewelry brand out of NYC. Their jewelry is made with 22K gold-dipped brass with a signature antique finish, Swarovski® crystals and semi-precious stones. My current favorite piece I own from them is the Virgo Stellina Cuff Bracelet. It’s the perfect simple band to pair with any outfit.
You’ve probably seen most of these products on my Instagram story sometime or another because they really are my everyday go to’s. I’m very particular with the kinds of products I put on my skin especially my face. I don’t have very problematic skin, just slightly sensitive. I usually buy products based on personal recommendations from friends or other beauty gurus who I trust are talking about their face routine and products authentically. I also tend to stray away from strong artificially scented or colored products. About half of the items I talk about below are natural as well as naturally sourced.
Once I find products that I know mesh well with my skin type I usually tend to stick with them. I’ve been starting every morning with the same seven products for the past few weeks now.
CLEANSER
The first thing I’ll do to my face each morning during my shower is use some type of cleanser. I’ll sometimes use the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser but have since switched to one of my new favorites: C’nu Skincare; a monthly subscription box filled with just skincare products. I use the Diana Rayls x C’nu Charcoal Cleanser. The activated charcoal helps detoxify your skin while keeping it clear from imperfections.
FACIAL TONER
I started using a facial toning astringent about a year and a half ago after I noticed an unevenness to my skin. It wasn’t as smooth as I’d wanted it to be. I took to the Internet to find out what I could do to fix this and they recommended a facial acid. My favorite is the Clean & Clear Facial Astringent. This is a Salicylic Acid. If you’re looking for a more natural route to using an acid you can also try Witch Hazel which can be found at most grocery stores in the beauty isles. Within a few weeks, gradually increasing the number of times I applied it a week getting up to once a day (in sparing amounts) I could visibly see a difference as well as obviously feel a difference. It’s like when you see those people who have naturally dewy, shiny, but not oily skin. This product helps that. It tightens your skin while decreasing inflammation.
FACIAL SPRAY
I LOVE facial sprays. I honestly don’t think they serve that big of a purpose in my facial routine but they help wake me up. After using facial cleansers and the astringent, I find my skin is usually dry. Between that dryness as well as just waking up, your skin hasn’t been stretched like it has during the middle of the day. I like using a facial spray to quickly hydrate my skin after a cleanser, and get it loosened up before I apply any other products. I use Mario Badescu facial spray in the scent aloe, cucumber, and green tea. This one’s the most refreshing and natural smelling to me.
FACIAL GEL
This is the biggest difference in my morning and night routine. I add in a lightweight, refreshing gel to again add moisture into my skin. Instead of just hitting the surface level like the facial spray does, where it’s almost all dead skin, the aloe reaches to the 7th layer of skin. I use the Diana Ryles x C’Nu Hyrda Nourishing Gel. I apply 3 pumps to my hands and then massage into all areas of my face and neck. It’s made of aloe, tomato seed oil, grapefruit extract, and a few other natural ingredients. This whole line is in the scent of Eucalyptus and Rosemary and handmade in small batches (one of the reasons I love this brand).
OIL
I used to stray away from facial oils just because oils get a bad rep and at first thought who wants an oily face? Most people don’t understand the importance and hydration oils offer. My favorite oil I use each day as well as whenever my skin is feeling especially dry during winter seasons is Teddie Organics Rosehip Seed Oil. As well as moisturizing, it also helps get rid of the appearance of fine lines and the big thing for me was helping to get rid of redness. Overall it gave me a more healthy, even colored skin look.
FACIAL ROLLER
If you know me you know this is my all time favorite step of my routine. I use my jade facial roller religiously. Jade rollers help boost blood circulation, reduce under-eye swelling, and calm inflammation. If you suffer from tension headaches, I love to use my roller along my temples and forehead to relieve pressure. I got my first roller from a small health and wellness shop in Lake Geneva, WI called Balance, Bath & Body. If you’re ever in Geneva definitely visit their shop. You can even create your own oil blends there. You can also find rollers on Amazon, T.J Maxx, Ulta, Sephora, etc.
LIP CARE
If you follow Maggie MacDonald, which you totally should, you know she raves about the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask. I use this morning and night to hydrate my lips. I find my lips get much less dry and chapped when using this. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants it helps lock in moisture and reduces fine lines on your lips.
Share some of your favorite facial products with me below.
C’Nu partners with differ skincare lines each box to ensure great new facial discoveries. They offer four to six full-size luxury skincare products every month in their subscription. All products are cruelty-free, chemical free, and sustainably sourced. For every subscription purchased, we donate a subscription in your name to Dress for Success! Every box holds an average value of $180. All this can be purchased for $52 a box. If you’re looking for more information on C’nu’s subscription box click here.
Emma Christine Daun 