Happy Friday, Gang! We’re heading into Halloween weekend, and around here that means costumes, candy, and a little chaos. Butterbean, Biscuit, and the whole crew are going as Monsters, Inc. characters this year, and I’m reprising my Pink Ladies Costume from Grease because it’s easy and festive. Trick-or-treating starts at 5:00, and then we’ll get those rascals to bed. (Still deciding on yours? Here’s what to wear for Halloween over 50.)
Once the candy’s gone, the holidays come fast, which always raises the question of when to start holiday shopping. My answer? Right now. Here’s my early list, plus the Macy’s and Sephora sales, a little Effy history, and the blackwatch plaid I reached for this week.
Step into the Weekend
Key Takeaways
- The best time to start holiday shopping is late October or early November, when the first big sales land and selection is at its best.
- Start with what you’ll use all season: wrapping paper, advent calendars, and pieces for entertaining.
- This week’s early sales: Macy’s Friends & Family at 30% off and the Sephora Sale, where Rouge members shop first at 20% off.
When Should You Start Holiday Shopping?
Start in late October or early November. That’s when the first big sales arrive, the best wrapping paper and advent calendars are still in stock, and you can spread out your spending instead of cramming it into December. My rule: the decorations wait until the day after Thanksgiving, but the shopping starts as soon as possible.
What I’m Wearing: Blackwatch Plaid and a Bouclé Jacket
Blackwatch plaid hints that the holidays are coming without shouting it. I paired these Plaid Pants with a navy Cashmere Turtleneck, so the navy in the plaid does the talking, then topped it with a blue Bouclé Jacket for texture. Black Flats and my Black Satchel pick up the dark tones, and my Lizzie Fortunato Earrings bring a little color up by the face. The trick with plaid pants is to pull one color out of the plaid and wear it on top, then keep everything else solid. It’s just as right for a day of holiday shopping as it is for a holiday lunch.
- Outfit formula: plaid pants + cashmere turtleneck in a color from the plaid + textured jacket + black flats + structured bag + statement earrings
Shop the Look
My Early Holiday Shopping List
Crate & Barrel has some fun home finds this year, and I will always love a well-dressed tree. I just LOVE wrapping paper and pick a new theme every year, so this Wrapping Paper is where I’m starting. Advent Calendars are a must. And how cute are these Appetizer Plates? They’d be adorable on the Thanksgiving table, alongside my Thanksgiving hosting essentials.
Macy’s Friends & Family Sale
The Macy’s Friends & Family Sale is on, with 30% off. Since Macy’s carries a plethora of Ralph Lauren, I’m stocking up on a few holiday pieces: this Velvet Skirt and a Relaxed Twill Shirt. A velvet skirt with a crisp shirt is American Classic holiday dressing at its easiest. Add a Kisslock bag, and it’s casual chic at its best.
Fine Jewelry: Why I Love Effy
I’ll have a full recap of the wedding at St. Simons next week. It was spectacular and flawless from beginning to end. (If you missed it, here’s what I packed for the wedding weekend.) Of course, a black-tie wedding calls for fine jewelry, and one of my favorite jewelry brands is Effy, available at Nordstrom and Macy’s.
A little history: Effy Hematian was an electrical engineer who left Iran in the late 1970s and arrived in New York with his wife and young son. He started selling jewelry in 1979 and built Effy into a true family business, now run by his son, Benny. The brand became known for colored gemstones, which earned him the nickname “the king of color,” and for the panther, his favorite animal and a motif that still runs through the Signature Collection.
One of my favorite Effy pieces: The Mother of Pearl Necklace
Now that arthritis has set in, I’m having a hinge put in this Wide Band Ring so it slips on easily. This Mother of Pearl Necklace is one of my favorites, and I’m adding this Diamond and Emerald Panther Necklace to my rotation as a nod to the panther that started it all.
The Sephora Sale Is On
The Sephora Sale is here, and Rouge members shop first with 20% off. Start with Skincare and Makeup. I’m checking out their Holiday Gift Guide and will report back. In the meantime, I’m trying the Hydrating and Smoothing Lip Gloss in three shades: Rosa 2, Rosa 3, and Rosa 4. I’ll let you know which shade wins.
The Supplements I Believe In
I shared on Instagram Stories that at 68 I don’t take any prescriptions, but I do believe in supplements. Creatine is key, and so is Magnesium L-Threonate, but not all magnesium is the same, so I broke down which kind does what in my track pants Weekend Notes. (As always, check with your doctor before adding a supplement.)
Washable Rugs I Love
Y’all know I’m a big fan of Ruggable rugs because they’re practically indestructible and, better yet, washable. The Kamran Rug is in my apartment living room, the Scalamandré Rug is in my entryway, and I’m thinking of adding this Tufted Rug or Linear Tufted Rug to my master bath. And while we’re talking about the house, Laundry Sauce still makes laundry day smell a whole lot nicer. Save 15% with my code BETH_D15.
My Discount Codes
- Laundry Sauce — code BETH_D15
- Leesa — $75 off with code BETH75
- Dermaflash — code bethstyle
- Rodan + Fields — code BETHD25
This Week’s Favorites
Here’s what you couldn’t stop adding to your carts this week. No hints — you’ll have to click.
Five · Four · Three · Two · One
What’s Good?
Now it’s your turn. What’s good in your world this week — a show, a restaurant, a remedy? And what are your grandkids (or you!) dressing up as this year? Tell me in the comments.
Closing Thoughts
Costumes on Saturday, Christmas lists by Sunday — that’s how this season goes around here, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether you’re handing out candy, chasing little monsters down the sidewalk, or getting a head start on your gift list, I hope your weekend is full of good fun and a treat or two for yourself. Happy Halloween, Gang.
Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start holiday shopping?
Late October or early November is the sweet spot. The first big sales have started, selection is still good, and you have time to spread out the spending.
What should I buy first for the holidays?
Start with what you’ll use all season, like wrapping paper, advent calendars, and serving pieces for entertaining. Then move on to gifts as the sales roll in.
Are early holiday sales worth it?
Often, yes. Early sales like Macy’s Friends & Family and the Sephora Sale offer real discounts while popular items are still in stock.
When should you buy an advent calendar?
Buy it by early November. Advent calendars start on December 1, and the popular ones can sell out before then.
Is it okay to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving?
That’s a personal call. My rule is to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to decorate, but to start the shopping much sooner.
Shop the Post
Browse my full ShopMy storefront for outfits, home, and more.
Step into the Weekend
Halloween
Holiday Shopping
Macy’s Friends & Family
Effy Fine Jewelry
Sephora
- Sephora Sale
- Sephora Skincare
- Sephora Makeup
- Hydrating and Smoothing Lip Gloss in Rosa 2
- Hydrating and Smoothing Lip Gloss in Rosa 3
- Hydrating and Smoothing Lip Gloss in Rosa 4
Wellness and Home
- Creatine
- Magnesium L-Threonate
- Ruggable Kamran Rug
- Ruggable Scalamandré Rug
- Laundry Sauce (code BETH_D15)
Amazon Goodies
In case you missed them: 10 Thanksgiving Hosting Essentials from Amazon to Make Entertaining Easier and Cozy Amazon Finds for Fall (and a Peek Inside My Bedroom). And a few more of your Amazon favorites this week:
One · Two · Three · Four · Five
Before You Go
Have you started your holiday shopping yet, or are you a December shopper? Tell me in the comments.
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