Handbag Addict Gift Guide 2017

handbag gifts holidays christmas gifts handbags

The perfect handbag gifts for the holidays, hot IT bags from top left: classic cross body under $1000 / Gucci cross body bag under $1000 / red shoulder bag under $2000 seen on the streets of NYFW / mini cross body bag seen on the streets of NYFW / bamboo half circle bag-2017’s hottest IT bag under $300 / burgundy shoulder bag from a hot new IT designer under $1000 / classic drawstring bucket bag-IT bag that should be in everyone’s closet under $1000 / classic premiere designer top handle satchel

You knew it was coming! My gift guide for the handbag addict on your shopping list; which could very well be you! Featured above are the hottest of the hot IT bags you can give this holiday season. Below, are more handbags to covet from both established, and emerging designers; in all price points of course!

This holiday season while handbag shopping, be sure to look for the IT factor in order to make your handbag gift the most memorable, and special, gift she receives all season!

What type of style does the handbag addict on your list have? Does she like to invest in handbags she can wear season after season? Does she work in a conservative, corporate environment? Does she value function and practicality in her handbags? Then she sounds like the perfect candidate for a classic IT bag! Here are my recommendations:

Classic IT bags which should be in every handbag addict’s closet:

Is the handbag addict on your list always the most fashionable at the party? Does she always wear the hottest new designer from the hottest boutique in town? Is the sidewalk her runway? Then she would love one of the hottest IT bags of-the-moment. These are perfect IT bags for the fashionista on your list:

Hot IT bags we all need now:

There are so many IT bags priced under $1000 on the market! Is your handbag addict always reaching for the latest IT item? Does she prefer a more understated style? Then these are the bags for her!

Affordable IT bags under $1000:

Looking for a recommendation on an IT bag to give this holiday season which has been tested and loved by me? These are the bags in my closet I highly recommend to give as gifts. They have been amazing for me; and I love reaching for them time after time.

Handbags featured in this post I own and recommend:

Which handbag, or handbags, are you wishing for this holiday season? I have so many handbags on my Christmas wish list; I hope Santa hooks me up!

My Christmas handbag list:

Happy Holidays!

XOXO

Cathy

Getting cozy at home in the perfect loungewear

cozy lougewear

wearing: bold blue and gold earrings / lipstick / mug / lounge-wear gifted by SOMA Intimates, long sleeve top, bathrobe, pants (optional shorts) / nail polish / socks / slippers

This week, I am cozy at home getting ready for the holidays. Christmas will be at my house this year, and there will more people then I am used to hosting, so I have a lot of prep work to do!

I am so thankful for these cozy pajamas, which double as lounge-wear, by SOMA Intimates. They are perfect for wearing around the house, and catching some Zzzzz’s; which I am sure I will need after decorating, cooking, and getting ready for the holidays. They fabric is so soft, and extremely high quality. Love that!

They would also make a great gift! I’m getting some for my Mom, shhhh, don’t tell her. You can check out my cozy lounge-wear/pajamas at SOMA.com. They are also available in heather grey; so cute!

Are you staying cozy at home this week too?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*sponsored by SOMA Intimates, all thoughts and opinions are my own

pajamas you can wear all day be seen wearing

Black Friday tips and Cyber Monday tips

Black Friday Tips Cyber Monday Tips Shopping Tips

Have you ever wondered how to navigate the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Well never fear! My guide on how to survive Black Friday is here; packed with Black Friday tips and Cyber Monday tips!

Black Friday is one of the most popular, and crazy, shopping days of the year. It generates large amounts of revenue for stores both online and offline. This is when merchants make over 25% of their annual sales; if not more. They come out of the red, and into the black; hence the name “Black Friday.”

So many stores offer amazing discounts on Black Friday through sales, limited time discounts, and gifts with purchase. For many, shopping on Black Friday is actually a family tradition! They think it is fun! Personally, I like to avoid the malls on Black Friday altogether. I prefer to shop online, in my fuzzy slippers, with a cup of hot cocoa by my side. I don’t do crowds. No-sir-ree!

That being said, I completely understand why many of you love to head out to the malls and shopping districts on Black Friday. You can get a ton of shopping done, grab some fabulous deals, and feel the Christmas spirit. So, if you are a seasoned Black Friday shopper, then these tips are mere entertainment for you. On the flip side, if you are venturing out on Black  Friday for the first time, I hope these tips will help you stay fresh, focused, and able to find all those great deals!

Black Friday Tips at the mall

  1. Wear a cross body handbag: You are going to be reaching for gifts and juggling bags. The last thing you need to worry about is your purse. Wear a cross body bag. Oh, and I could care less that fanny packs are allegedly back in style. Fanny packs are a cruel joke. Just say no.
  2. Wear your athleisure shoes: This is not a day for prancing around in your new sparkle pumps. Wear your Addidas sneakers, or slip on sneakers. You will be able to outrun the other vultures trying to grab the last TV, and your feet will thank you.
  3. Bring your own reusable shopping totes: You have to pay for bags anyway, why not bring your own? Your shopping bags that you bring to the supermarket have long straps you can wear over your shoulder. Free up those hands! Plus they are more comfortable then the handheld bags you pay a quarter for at the store.
  4. Eat a big breakfast and bring snacks: This isn’t ordinary shopping, this isn’t even cardio, this is intense interval training level shopping! Eat a big, hearty breakfast, and pack some snacks in your purse. Everyone is out, and you will be standing in long lines. Plus, the restaurants will be full and if you don’t have a lunch reservation you might have to wait, and wait, and wait. Is that your tummy growling? Eat big at home before you leave! Your tummy will thank you.
  5. First in, first out: Yes, this is when FIFO comes to life! See, you can use Econ in real life! Arrive before the stores open, and have a master plan. Know where you are going first to shop, second, and so on. This way you can get in, get out, and get on with your life. Let’s face it, the early bird catches the worm! (Bonus points if you count all the  cliches I just used!)

Black Friday Tips: Black Friday online shopping tips

  1. Get comfortable: Put on your fuzzy slippers, have a warm drink, and have your credit card nearby. It is time for some shopping!
  2. Check my Black Friday Sales post: My post will come out on Wednesday, so be sure to check it out for the best sales!
  3. Have a list and check it twice: Make a list with the people you need to shop for, and what you want to buy for them. As you buy each gift, check it off your list!
  4. Take a deep breath, you are not with all the crowds, and it is sooooo relaxing!
  5. Get gift ideas! Check out my Gift Guides online here.
  6. Visit the websites early: If you already know what you want to buy, place it in your shopping cart and wait for the Black Friday Sales to start. Then all you have to do is check out as soon as the deals begin! Easy peasy!

Cyber Monday tips

  1. Get your credit card ready-some of these online deals are better then the ones from Black Friday!
  2. Check out my Cyber Monday deals post, which will go live on Sunday and highlight the hottest deals on the web.
  3. Have a list ready of what you want to buy.
  4. Visit the websites early: If you already know what you want to buy, place it in your shopping cart, and wait for the Cyber Monday Deals to start. Then all you have to do is check out as soon as the deals begin!
  5. Be sure to check out my Gift Guides: They have great gift ideas for the holidays!

There you have it! These are my Black Friday tips and Cyber Monday tips to help you get the most out of all the sales and deals you will find on the biggest two shopping days of the year! Stay tuned for more gift guides this season; and be sure to check out my Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales posts! They will list the best sales and deals for all the brands and stores we love! I will be also be sending this to my subscribers, if you don’t already subscribe, scroll down to my footer and subscribe for my weekly newsletter!

I hope you enjoyed my Black Friday tips and Cyber Monday tips. Have a fabulous Black Friday and a fun Cyber Monday! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉