Holiday Gift Guide && Cyber Monday Sales Guide

I hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving filled with delicious food and shared with their loved ones! With Black Friday over and Cyber Monday upon us, I figured it was high time I posted this year's gift guide. Below you will find some of my favorite gifts (all under $45!) from my favorite stores plus links to the store's gift page and Cyber Monday sales long with each site. Now is the perfect time to buy that expensive gift you've been thinking about for that special someone! Happy shopping!

J.Crew: Additional 30% off with code HOLIDAY

Snowflake Fair Isle trouser socks // Colorblock leather luggage tag

Colorblock leather passport case // Gilded-edge pearl necklace

Bar-stripe tee // Hello tee

Tommy Hilfiger: 50% off everything with code: TH50

Chainmail Frame Pouch // Foulard Scarf

Tartan Scarf // Hilfiger Women Pear Blossom

Charm Necklace Key Lock // Perfect Lounge Pant

C. Wonder: 40% off everything with code: GIFTS40

Monogram Mug // Cable Beanie with Fur Topper

Ornate Initial Pendant Necklace // Chevron Tea for One Set

Polka Dot Latte Mug

Design Darling Boutique: 20% off everything with code: THANKS

Tortoiseshell Bangles // Link Bangle in Coral

Bright Hair Ties // #WhistleWhileYouWork Pencil Set

Get It Done Notepad

Swoozie's: Free shipping and 20% off of everything with code: CYBERMONDAY

Pencil Case/Cosmetic Bag // Monogram Acrylic Keychain

Monogram Acrylic Necklace // Infinity Scarf

Personalized Tumbler with Straw

Amanda Catherine Designs: free shipping + a free gift on orders over $45 with code: ACDHOLIDAY

Audrey Hepburn Pencils // 'May Your Days Be Merry and Bright' print poster

'Happy Holidays' print poster // 'She Loves Frosted Holiday Cookies & Ugly Sweater Parties' print poster

BaubleBar: 20% off with code: CYBER20

Ice Bowtie Pendant // Pave Initial Letter Pendant

Lucite Jewel Links // Queen Bee Strand

 

What gifts are you excited to give this year?

 

xoxoxo

The Girl in the Argyle Sweater

 

*** Kate Spade has 30% off everything today only with code: CYBER30 ***

**** Lifeguard Press has free shipping and 20% off ****

***** Tuckernuck has 15% off with code: CYBER15 and more! *****

The Art of the Written Word

I watched a Hallmark movie last night about how meaningful letters are. Be it a first letter home from college, a birthday card with $20 in it from your dad, a love note, or a last letter home from Afghanistan, letters are priceless. They have their own personality. They carry messages of holiday cheer, mournful comfort, or thinking of yous. They come in all forms. Today's modern letters are short, in Times New Roman, and automatically "corrected", but they still hold that same spirit of the old fashioned handwritten letter.

My first year of college, three of my close friends and I decided to exchange handwritten letters. We went on a special shopping trip before we went our separate ways and gathered up monogrammed stationary, colorful cards, and stamps. We bid farewell promising lengthy letters detailing our college adventures. I sent out 3 letters my first week of classes and received 3 back a week later. But that only lasted for about a month. Life got in the way. The wait between letters seemed too long and we'd forget whose turn it was to send one. The hardest part was waiting for the Pony Express to deliver.

There is definitely something special about opening the mailbox and finding that letter you have been waiting for. I also found that we talked about things that we wouldn't talk about over text. Things that simply can't be condensed to 140 characters or translated into "text speak".

 

My friend's personalities really came across in their handwriting. Throughout the long letters, I could tell which parts were hard for them to write, which parts they wanted to emphasize. Some letters jumped from one thought to another, while others were very structured and had correct grammar.  The communication felt much more real. Another thing about hand written letters- there's no spell check. Or back button (if you write in pen like I did). I know my letters were filled with little doodles in the margins.

 

Below are some of my favorite cards:

Items featured:

Fresh Monogram Folded Note Card // Chevron Monogram Folded Note Card

Betty Pink Personalized Folded Notecard // Whale Repeat Navy Personalized Folded Notecard

So take the time today to write that letter you have been waiting to write. If you don't have anyone to write a letter to, address one to your future self.

 

Do you still write handwritten letters?

 

xoxoxo

 

The Girl in the Argyle Sweater

***ShopBop has 25% off with code: INTHEFAMILY25 until tomorrow***