Christmas time in New York City is my all time favorite. There are so many great activities to do during the holidays and spending the day at the Plaza Hotel is at the top of the list. If you’ve never been to New York or visiting here soon, I highly recommend putting the Plaza Hotel on your bucket list. You literally could spend all day at the Plaza which is exactly what Krista, Lauren and I did the other weekend!
Tea at the Palm Tree Court
My number one recommendation when visiting The Plaza is tea at the Palm Court. This is a serious must honestly any time of year but especially during the holidays! You could also just grab a glass of champagne in the Palm Tree Court as well on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Visit The Plaza Shops
I visited The Plaza a few times before ever realizing there were numerous shops in the basement! Not only is there an Assouline book shop but you can also find a local flower shop, leather spa and a Krigler fragrance shop to help with your holiday shopping.
Brunch at the English Food Hall
Also located in the basement is the English Food Hall. We had lunch here the other day and the food was delicious. From oysters to sliders to brussels sprouts, the English Food Hall is a perfect spot uptown for brunch during the holiday weekends.
Messages at the Spa
One thing we did not get to the other weekend is the spa!! However, I would highly recommend making an appointment when spending the day at The Plaza as it would be the perfect activity. What better way to wind down from the hustle an bustle of the holidays than with a message?
Cocktails at the Hotel Bar
Separate from the Palm Tree Court there is also the hotel bar located at the left of The Plaza when you all through the grand entrance. I didn’t get to snap a photo but the backdrop of the bar is a huge shelving unit full of Veuve Clicquot Champagne bottles. Grabbing a drink at this hotel bar is definitely on my list over these next few December weekends!
gifts
Have you ever visited or stayed at The Plaza Hotel before? Would love to hear how you spent your day there! Xo. Lauren
Alas! Black Friday is finally here. The best thing about Black Friday is that you can really shop these sales all week long. By the time Black Friday and Cyber Monday come around, they either increase their sale offer or extend the sale so needless to say there is plenty of time for us to get our Christmas shopping done this year!
Today I’ve highlighted the Top 12 Black Friday sales to shop this weekend. If I had to choose out of these 12 sales, I would say the three sales you can’t miss include the J.Crew sale – they are offering 40% off for the first time ever – seriously. Me and all of my girlfriends have done so much shopping on J.Crew. The best part about shopping this J.Crew right now is that if you don’t like what you end up getting, you can always return. Take a peek at their gifts for him and her.
If you need any additional gift ideas this year, take a peek at my Holiday tab which includes my latest 2016 gift guides which I’ve also linked below. Happy shopping! Xo.
Furbish Studio is offering 20% off sitewide from 11/24 – 11/28 with code HOLIDAY20.
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barnis offering 25% off everything + free shipping on all bedding with code MERRY.
L.L. Bean
L.L. Beanis offering 20% off when you spend $50 dollars or more + free shipping! Use code THANKS20 at checkout. Me and my mom did some shopping yesterday. Now’s the time to pick up your duck boots! They’re only $119 dollars + the 20% off brings them below $100 dollars. I personally love the Women’s 8″ Bean Boot and picked up the traditional tan/brown version. My mom picked up the Women’s Tumbled-Leather Bean Boots – 7″ Lounger in classic tan/brown. If you don’t have one of L.L. Bean’s tote bags – I highly recommend! I go through these canvas tote bags like water. I literally use them all the time – for weekend getaways, for carrying gym clothes to work, you name it. I like the large or extra large totes in Navy. I also love the leather handle option, just a little smaller.
Lands End
Lands Endshop 50% off all outerwear + 40% off everything else with code SAVEBIG. I love shopping Lands End for big comfy turtle necks and sweaters. Love this one and this one.
Mark and Graham
Mark and Graham is offering 25% off + free shipping + free monogramming + free gift wrapping! Yes, please. I got my mom this plaid tote bag.
Asosshop 30% off everything with code THANKFUL20 at checkout.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is offering 50% off one item, + 40% off the rest of your order (11/24 – 11/26). Use promo code BRFIVE.
Lilly Pulitzer
Lilly Pulitzer is celebrating “Colorful Weekend.” You can receive gifts with purchases all weekend long (11/24 – 11/27). Earrings with a $75 purchase, a bracelet with a $150 purchase, and a super cute jewelry box with purchase of $500 or more. I love stocking up on Lilly this time of year for upcoming weddings, rehearsal dinners and parities for next summer. A few of my favorites include: this Lena Dress, this tunic dress, and this off-the-shoulder dress.
When it comes to holiday plaid, there are a select few retailers I visit first: Mark and Graham, Tuckernuck, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. If my mom taught me anything, it’s that the more plaid – the better. Did you see my roundup of holiday plaid blankets and pillows for your home? So many goodies! From plaid blankets to tartan plaid coffee mugs, your home can never have enough holiday plaid during the holidays!
I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite products you can incorporate into your decor as well as your wardrobe.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approaching you better believe I’ll be stocking up on some of my favorite beauty gifts! I love gifting skincare or makeup over the holidays because the price points are typically on the lower end, beauty products make for great stocking stuffers, and for the most part – if you stick to a great brand, the person on the receiving end is always more than pleased when they open a killer new lipstick or eye shadow!
What I love most looking back on my beauty gift guides is that I continue to feature many of the same products year after year. That’s how you know they are good! You can see my 2014 beauty gift guide here and 2015 gift guide right here.
This year I broke out this gift guide by face, eyes, lips, my everyday basics and Caudalie must-haves. It’s no secret that I love and have blogged about the Caudalie brand over and over so I thought the brand deserved their own category. Many of the products included in the collage and under my everyday basics are products I use religiously.
