The Time to Start Buying Gifts is Yesterday
Issue No. 04
This is a long email with lots of holiday shopping nuggets and gift suggestions; if you’re unable to read it all, open in your browser here or click at the bottom of your email, it may show three little ellipsis dots.
Last week I spoke about the importance of getting started on gifting and tips on doing it thoughtfully, with an added surprise element. Today, my strong recommendation is to start buying your holiday gifts yesterday.
Amazing how emphasis can change in a week, or rather, an instant. Like you, I’ve been paying close attention to the backlogs in ports, leading to traffic jams, inflation, and shortages across every layer of the supply chain. This near capsizing results in pain points for every one of us consumers; empty shelves, increased prices, cancellations post eComm purchase, shipping delays, the list goes on. The ripple is global and personal.
In response to this urgency, shopping for gifts has started earlier than ever before. According to Deloitte, 39% of people polled said: “they intend to start shopping early to give enough lead time for orders and to avoid finding items are unavailable.” When was the last time you finished your holiday purchasing before Thanksgiving? This year should be the time. Considering those who celebrate Hanukkah this year, starting on November 28, it hasn’t arrived this early since 2013.
In the past few years, I’ve created gift guides for you to shop and gain inspiration. I wasn’t going to put one together this year - my focus on creating a consistent, long-term reliable content vessel has been my priority to best serve you. But I would be doing you a disservice by not tapping into my brand and retailer relationships and delivering you excellent products to shop for this season, stock availability included, some with discounts.
Because of the national goods slowdown, I’ve put together a different kind of mini gift roundup. As I write this, I’ve received confirmed updates from all the brands on their featured products below, but they’re moving quickly like everything else. So if you love it, know it’s the right gift, then move fast. The good news is that it’s not the end of the world, and this is sure to assuage the season's stresses.
If you need extra help on gifting, send me a note and we can chat: connect@lauraksawyier.com Happy Gifting! x Laura
The Gift Roundup
Here are 13 of my favorite, trusted brands whom I currently consult with, have collaborated on projects, am an ambassador, and all that serve up quality products:
Chic coffee table books - Timed perfectly, is this week’s brand/product feature, where I interview online bookstore Maison Plage founder Kelly Croteau. Discover beautiful interiors, fashion, photography, and art coffee table books ready to stylize into a home or office. Sourced by Kelly from her global travels and relationships in book dealing. Pick your own single title to gift, or have Kelly surprise curate a custom stack of 3 books based on your recipient’s interests. Use code: STYLESUB20 at checkout for 20% off your order (valid now through Nov. 24, 2021). *Some books are rare and one-of-a-kind, while others have limited stock. Custom sets have a 2-4 week lead time to curate, source, and ship. Everything else is free ground shipping and arrives within 7-10 business days, depending on the title. No returns accepted.
A grab and go tote - a quintessential carry-all shopper by AUDRA, a WWD “Ones to Watch,” is available in limited stock: in Vegan Leather (2 in Grey, 5 in Navy), Custom Neoprene Floral Motif (7 in stock), and AUDRA Sustain Upcycled Jacquard (5 in stock). Paris-trained Audra Danielle Noyes expanded this season into bags for the first time, and they’re created with the dynamic, on-the-go woman in mind. Bags start at $225. *Local pick-up available for St. Louis residents & free ground shipping available on all orders (7-10 business days).
A pop of glitz - By now you’ve seen the feature on Monbouquette Jewelry and have learned about their stunning and fun-ctional, patented drop & hatch feature (also, they’re VOGUE-approved accessories). The Trois Bubble Earrings (currently xx available) can go from casual to formal in a drop. Another stocking stuffer is the Essential Sunny Mask Chain. Use code STYLESUB20 at checkout for 20% off your order (valid now through Nov. 18, 2021 - promo ends tomorrow) *$5 flat rate shipping, taking appx. 7-10 business days and free returns. Monbouquette offers a 45-day window for returns.
For a pep in anyone’s step - My favorite timeless and classic shoe brand, Sarah Flint, is offering a “Buy More Save More” promotion running 11/18-11/29! The most comfortable pumps I’ve ever worn (currently have 7 pairs ;)) and all-over thoughtfully designed shoes with 6mm of extra footbed padding, anatomical arch support, and steel rod stiletto heel. Handmade in Italy at the same factories and by the same artisans that make Hermès, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin’s, these are half the price, sold direct to you.
Every customer is eligible (new and existing) - $50 off 1 pair of Sarah Flints, $100 off 2 pairs, $150 off 3 pairs, and $200 off 4 pairs. Use my code SARAHFLINT-BALAURA at checkout during the dates to apply this discount tier (common sizes are starting to sell out, US Women’s 7-9, stock still reflected on most styles). Email me with your size/fit questions: connect@lauraksawyier.com *Free ground shipping on orders over $150. Returns accepted within 30 days.
Cozy stress-reducing blanket - For the snuggle-loving, book-reading, meditating, fire-sitting, Netflix-binging person - enter Bearaby. These weighted blankets bring warmth, cooling in the Tencel version, and have been “medically proven to aid naturally deeper sleep cycles.” The Tencel Tree Napper is currently stocked in various colors and weights. *Free ground shipping and free returns within, extended to January 31, 2022.
For Hermès fans without the price tag - Last week, I featured Hunting Season handbags. The New York Times coined Hunting Season as "Hermès Junior" in 2019. That's accurate (quality’s the same, but nowhere near the price). If you have someone special on your list who’s into timeless, modern heirlooms that are durable enough to wear every day, then this is sure to be their joie de vivre. Take 20%-off your order, site-wide, at Hunting Season by using code at checkout: STYLESUB20 (valid now until Nov. 25, 2021).
Some favorites from HS include The Saddle bag in Brown & Cognac (1 of each color available), The Top Handle in Lizard (2 in stock), The Small Table Lighter (3 in black, 2 in brown), The Large Voyage Case (3 in black & brown, 2 in Oyster). Limited stock available to shop at Hunting Season now. *Free ground shipping in the US. Returns accepted within 15-days of purchase.
Self-care for you and someone special - Whether it’s stocking stuffing a bath scrub, or slipping an intimate gift to your special someone, Maude has you covered. Top selects from the thoughtfully-made intimacy essentials for self and partner-care brand include the Burn massage candle Trio, discrete re-chargeable Vibe (multiple colors available), and nourishing Soak bath salts. *Free ground shipping on orders over $20 - new customers receive $5-off first order. Maude does not accept returns on any open or used products. Gift returns are case by case. See policy here.
For outdoor enthusiasts and mobile care - Shark Tank featured Phoozy, which is known for making protective cases for mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and more out of materials made in auto racing and space suits. Their signature Phoozy (phone koozie) keeps your phone safe, protected and preserves battery life by protecting again overheating and low temps, Drop-Proof and Sink- Proof. They include clips or loops to secure safely to your self or gear. Currently available in limited stock in the colors/sizes below. XP3 Thermal Phone Case, Ultra Rugged Phone Protection (shown in black); Apollo II + Antimicrobial Insulated Phone Case (shown in gold diamond and seafoam); Apollo II Upgraded Thermal Phone Case (shown in camo). *Free ground shipping in the US on orders over $49. Returns accepted with original packaging within 30 days or order.
Wrapping paper, gift tags, stocking stuffer galore - From the chic stationery house in NYC, Dear Annabelle brings joyful prints and sassy sayings on notecards, place cards, and all the special little paper touches. Fun favorites for the season include Naughty Notecards, holiday tags for Hanukkah and Christmas, Dandy Candy Wrapping paper, Tasty Place Cards, and to keep holiday dinners and brunches interesting, the Superlatives Place Card. *Free ground shipping on orders over $125 - faster shipping options are available here. Unused and unopened products are accepted within 30-days of purchase.
Travel’s back, and so are new packables - Truffle is the place to go for clear TSA-approved cases for beauty, tech, and go-to necessities made from vegan options and biodegradable materials. The Large Clarity Clutch is a thin envelope where I slip my phone, charger, lip balm, tic tacs, and keys directly into travel a tote (currently stocked & marked down - multiple colors and sizes available). The Clarity Jumbo Jetset Case (currently stocked & marked down -more colors) is just the right size to fit cosmetics for carry-on-only flyers (currently stocked & marked down - multiple colors and sizes available). Bonus, if you know someone in the market who loves sporting events, Clarity Convertible Belt Bag (navy is almost sold out) is an easy, see-through crossbody/belt bag. Truffle makes the *Free ground shipping on orders $150 or more (arrives in appx. 7-10 days). Returns accepted until January 15, 2022; unused, new condition, and tags attached.
Top off a beauty look - Lashes from LoveSeen are the latest accessory to glam up a moment or simply replace mascara. They’re also a petite-sized stocking stuffer. Co-created by style icon Jenna Lyons (ahem, J.Crew), and makeup artist Troi Ollivierre, the Classic Kit is the right size sampling of two lash colors/styles (brown and black) with the right glue and application tool for a turnkey try. It’s also on sale at the moment and fully stocked. *Standard ground shipping is free for orders over $25 (7-10 business days) + express shipping available. Returns are accepted within 45 days of your purchase.
For discoverable hidden gems and home objects - Forsyth Art has got it going on. A collection of curated, created, and cultivated l’objects, furniture, art, and soft goods, Saint Louis-based company hosts a cabinet (actually, warehouse) of curiosities for all the unique finds you weren’t expecting. Discover what Forsyth has to offer. *Shipping and return policy dependent on items purchased. Learn more on shipping and returns here.
Time to upgrade the everyday water bottle? BKR makes fashionable and functional reusable no-leak, phthalate-free, BPA-free glass bottles that are dishwasher safe. BKR is currently running a pre-Thanksgiving sale on their website. Two top selects include the Big Spiked Tutu Kiss Kit (shown below in pink & 6 available) with a snap on lip balm and the Give Cool Kit includes 3 separate bottles (8 kits available)… I hear stocking stuffers! *Free ground shipping in contiguous 48 US states on orders over $50. Returns available - learn more here.
One last thing to keep in mind: over the coming weeks, I will continue to feature quality brands and products as normally scheduled, while keeping you posted on their current stock availability and shipping updates in case you find something that catches your eye.
The Latest
If you want to see “inflation first-hand”: 60 Minutes reported this past Sunday on the backlog in the major West-coast ports and rail yards in Chicago. You may be tired of hearing about it, but worth a watch to stay in the know and also be informed of the shocking number of container stacks and 80+ vessels docked off the coast of the Port of Long Beach.
Clean up your shoes: Receive 20%-off your cobbler repairs at Jim’s Shoe Repair/Cobbler Concierge by using code at checkout: StyleSub* (case sensitive). Text 74637 to start a repair order now. Restrictions apply. Offer valid through December 31, 2021. More details here.
Stay warm out there: In case you missed it last week, I highlighted my selects for quilted jackets and down puffers to keep you cozy this winter. Zip up and go!
