Black Friday 2017 | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

1. Avène Tolérance Extrême Set (on sale $27.99) 2. philosophy shimmering snowlace ($22) 3. Filorga Coffret Noël Time ($105) 4. Avène Triacnéal Expert 5. Bioderma Gift With $30 Purchase (free) 6. Benefit Beauty & The Bay ($49) 7. Paul & Joe Cat Lipstick ($21) 8. Avène Hydrance Optimale Rich set (on sale $29.99)

This is not a drill! beautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers Drug Mart has a crazy number of really great Black Friday deals on offer – from discounts on various products (like my HG skincare brand Avène!) to amazing gifts with purchase. And that’s not all – this weekend is probably my fave time of all – the Spend Your Points PLUS Event, when you can use your hard-earned points to buy presents for your loved ones (or yourself) and get points back at the same time to redeem for more presents later on. It’s just a smart way to shop!

My plan of attack is to stock up on my personal essentials like Avène products for my super sensitive skin (Triacneal Expert, Hydrance, and Tolérance), earn points on these discounted items, and then use the points this weekend to buy pretty gift sets for my friends and family, earning extra points…and then use the extra points from this weekend to buy snacks and candy for our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Sorry if it’s confusing, but I take my Optimum points very very seriously. Also, if you use the Shoppers Drug Mart app (and if you’re not, you are seriously missing out), there are lots of personalized coupons waiting to be loaded, which of course adds up to more points and more savings. And just in case this sounds sponsored, it totally isn’t…and I’m just a slightly rabid points collector and I can’t even tell you how many free Avène products I’ve redeemed for this year alone!

Are you a crazy Optimum points collector? Share your strategies in the comments and happy shopping!

If you still haven’t started your holiday gift shopping, don’t panic. Black Friday is the best time to get deals on everything from hostess gifts to treat-yo-self goodies. And since one of the biggest sale days of the year is quickly approaching, I wanted to share my fave gift ideas from my most-frequented shops. My number one Black Friday (and Boxing Day) strategy includes a bit of pre-planning, favouriting all of my must-haves in my internet browser, and then buying it all online once sales are in effect. So go ahead, check out the fun gift ideas below, save your faves for later, and don’t forget to get something awesome for yourself!

1. Shopbop

Shopbop Sale is already in effect, and you can get up to an additional 30% off sale and regular-priced items until Nov 26th with promo code MORE17. My fave things to buy from Shopbop are usually the things that never go on sale, like Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee boots, and vintage CHANEL bags, but it’s also a great time to stock up on essentials like pretty undies and luxurious pajamas.

2. Sephora

Sephora is obviously a great place to shop for beauty, but what sets it apart is its selection of fab limited-edition gift sets. If you have a true beauty obsessive on your shopping list, treat them to a chic Armani Palette or the dreamy Naked Vault Volume IV…there are so many cool gift sets to choose from! My personal fave thing to order from Sephora (for myself) are the Caudalie sets – such a good deal compared to buying each thing separately!

3. Hudson’s Bay

I am still kicking myself for missing out on one of the recent Bay Days sales on Dyson vacuums, but thankfully, more hot sales will keep coming in the next few weeks. This year, I’m picking up some beautiful L’Occitane gifts from Hudson’s Bay, HBC PJs, and holding out hope for deals on anything from SMEG!

4. Indigo

Indigo is literally my happy place – any time I need a pick-me-up, I head on over to a store near my house to find my next fave book. This year, I highly recommend Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman (the movie is a masterpiece but so is the book). There are also a ton of gifts for anyone and everyone on your shopping list – from Fuji Instax Smartphone Printer to glam Jenny Bird earrings.

5. Holt Renfrew

1. Diptyque Constellation Candles ($145) 2. Charlotte Tilbury Naughty & Nice Magic Box ($250) 3. Twilly d’Hermès Eau de Parfum ($147) 4. Tiffany & Co. Piggy Bank ($170) 5. Me To We Choker ($50) 6. CHANEL Brush Collection ($234) 7. Holt Renfrew 2017 Holiday Bear ($55) 8. Bastide Bath Oil ($65)

If you haven’t been to Holt Renfrew on Bloor St lately, I highly recommend a visit – there are so many special activations and pop-up shops to discover, you’ll have a blast while getting things checked off your shopping list. There’s the CHANEL Gifting Studio with awesome freebies and exclusive items; a Tiffany & Co. pop-up shop with the chicest gifts around; there’s the Bandier pop-up where you can find sporty gifts for your loved ones or a perfect workout outfit for yourself. Either way, you are guaranteed to find a luxurious prezzie or five for your nearest and dearest.

Happy Shopping, everyone!

More after the jump!
[Read more…]

JUST ARRIVED