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      in lifestyle and culture

      Clicking ‘Add to Cart’ Whenever You’re Feeling Down? Here’s How to Cut Back on Emotional Spending

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      You don’t need us to tell you this, but 2020 was a hard year for most. But so many years can have stressful (or euphoric) ups and downs. Maybe you found out you scored that big promotion or maybe you’re trying to forget about that argument you had with a friend or family member. All of this can result in a lot of retail therapy (whether for yourself or in the form of gifts for loved ones). Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce your stress and cut down on your emotional spending—so close that Amazon Prime window and follow these five tips to help you get through it all unscathed. 
      1. Spare your inbox the sales
      Do you really need to know about that flash sale from Old Navy for the 20th time? Probably not. Do yourself a favor and unsubscribe from the stores you know you’re likely to shop from. If you’re prone to online shopping when you’re stressed out (or bored in quarantine), not getting email alerts for every sale might save you from the impromptu shopping spree. Just because you miss a sale doesn’t mean that you’ll actually miss it—and your wallet won’t either.
       
      2. Forget your passwords (on purpose, this time)
      Credit card information already stored on your laptop or cell phone? It can be a little too easy to make a purchase with your credit card information literally at your fingertips. By removing the saved information from your computer, it’ll be one more step you have to go through to make that purchase—and who wants to get up to dig through your wallet for your credit card when there are endless movies and TV shows to watch or stream?! (Not to mention those new hobbies you’ve picked up while staying home all year to enjoy.) By creating an extra step, you’ll be less likely to press “buy” on a whim. 
       
      3. Check your list, twice 
      Sometimes a little time can help you make a better decision, particularly if you’re on an emotional shopping spree. Instead of buying something right when you see it, wait a few days to see if you think it’s actually a good idea or not. If it’s in your budget, it’ll likely still be there a few days later. If it’s not, it will give you time to decide it’s not in the budget, and wait ‘til your next paycheck or set up a savings goal. You’ll thank yourself for thinking it through.
       
      4. Don’t be afraid to get creative 
      After a year of quarantine, a pandemic, and working from home, it can be easy to justify a few extra purchases for yourself or loved ones, but just because you deserve the world doesn’t mean you need to buy it. If you’re approaching the edge of your budget or spending cap, consider choosing a lower-priced gift, DIY-ing the artwork for your walls, or opting out of plans that include spending a lot of money. Particularly during this year when finances are tight for many, your friends and family will understand if you’re on a tighter budget. 

      5. Close those tabs and step away 
      Shopping can be an easy outlet for stress because it’s something you can control in an instant. But understanding that you’re quick to press “buy” when feeling high or low also means you’re capable of finding another outlet. Consider something else you can do to resist the urge when temptation strikes, like throwing yourself an at-home spa day, reading the next chapter of a book, or testing out the perfect cookie recipe.

      What are some ways you cut back on emotional spending? Let us know in the comments below. More

    • 113 Shares

      in beauty and fashion

      20 Statement Coats That Will Instantly Elevate Any Outfit

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      We all know how getting dressed in winter goes: you could strategize your top and pants and accessories until the cows come home, but at the end of all of it, it doesn’t matter. It’s all going to be covered up by a giant, puffy coat.I know that by now our team has complained enough about Chicago winters for you to check out at the mention of them, but if Chicago winters have taught me one thing, it’s that having a cute coat can transform your entire winter. Sure, my black parka will always be hanging by my door ready to swallow me in warmth before I leave the house, but this year, I’ve decided to invest in one “fun” coat too—so when I leave the house, I don’t think about what’s underneath it… I’m just excited to show off the coat itself.
      Have a little fun with your wardrobe this winter with one of these coats that are a look in themselves—even if you’re just wearing them to the grocery store, you’ll thank yourself every time you put it on. More

    • 88 Shares

      in beauty and fashion

      21 Gifts for Your Most Fashionable Friend

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      We all have that person in our lives: the friend, sister, or cousin that you absolutely dread buying a gift for year after year. Why? Well, she’s just a little bit too cool.Finding a gift for the ultra-fashionable, on-top-of-every-trend person can be impossible to know where to start. Do you opt for a fun accessory? An out-of-the-box piece of loungewear? The possibilities are endless, but not all of them are equal. 
      We’ve scoured the depths of the internet for the coolest, most foolproof gifts to get your most fashionable friend—from a cheeky graphic tee to a matching set she’ll live in. We promise: for once, she won’t be using that gift receipt.

      Shearling Slingback Sandal

      Update your friend’s slipper game with the coolest ones of the year. Available in 8 colors, these slingback slippers from Ugg are worthy of wearing for years to come.
      (8 colors available)

      Unfortunate Portrait
      Haute Yoga Tee

      Finding a cool graphic tee isn’t easy, but this one stopped us in our tracks. A cheeky fashion pun? Sign us up.

      Boy Smells
      Hypernature Neopêche Scented Candle

      Not only is this one of the most popular scents of the year, but the gorgeous packaging from this up-and-coming brand will be something the cool girl in your life will have front-and-center in her apartment.

      Wool Blend Beret

      “Emily in Paris” made it popular for the season, but berets are here to stay. This is a perfect, safe accessory to gift, and will be a perfect thing to swap out their go-to beanie for.

      Brinker & Eliza
      Booyah Mask Chain

      Masks aren’t exactly the accessories we were hoping for this year, but until they’re gone for good, we might as well be making them as fun as possible. This chain can be attached to any mask to make it a little more fashion-forward.

      The Gracey Bag in Croc Green

      It’s not easy to find a cool bag that not everyone has yet, but this one from a small, Black-owned business is worthy of wearing everywhere. It comes in every color under the rainbow, but we vote for this emerald green.

      DEZI EYEWEAR
      On Read Sunglasses

      Desi Perkins’ eyewear collection was one of the coolest accessory releases of the year, and this pair from her most recent release is at the top of our wishlist. You can’t go wrong with these.

      Abercrombie & Fitch
      Vegan Leather Mini Puffer

      This cropped puffer comes in every material and color under the sun, and anyone who needs to wear a coat this winter would be thrilled to have one in a faux-leather or faux-fur option. Dressing for winter just got a lot more fun.

      Stella and Haas
      Circle Initial Necklace

      You can’t go wrong with a gold piece of jewelry, and this initial necklace shows that you went above and beyond with a little customization, plus can be layered and worn with just about everything.

      Jennifer Zeuner
      Carmine Enamel Ring

      Depending on the type of girl you’re buying for, this fun enamel ring can be bought in a neutral, or used as an opportunity to gift a little pop of color.

      Etsy | Flawless Drips
      Purple Satin Face Mask

      You don’t know how much of a game-changer a satin mask is until you have one, and this is the gift that will keep on giving (hopefully not too far into 2021). We currently have our eyes on this fun, lilac color.

      Oma The Label
      The Simone Ring

      Give the gift of adding to your friend’s ring collection with this one from one our favorite Black-owned brands. It strikes the balance of being a statement, but also being classic enough to wear for years.

      Custom Clear Watch Band

      Anyone who wears an Apple Watch knows that it isn’t easy to make them particularly fashion-forward, but this clear watch band is one of the coolest we’ve found.

      Siren Teddy Faux Fur Coat

      Everyone and their mother is on the teddy coat bandwagon this year, but we love shorter, sweatshirt option that can be worn day in and day out.

      A Hot Pocket of Conversation Knit Lounge Set

      The matching set unintentionally took over this year, and this one with a slouchy sweater and wide, knit pants doubles as both loungewear and something your fashionable friend will love to style when she leaves the house layered underneath a go-to jacket.
      Our editor loves this plus-size lounge set too!

      Sam Edelman
      Laguna Waterproof Chelsea Boot

      The shoe of the year? The chunky boot, and this chunky (but not too chunky) choice is impossible not to please with.

      x Atlantic-Pacific Faux Leather Trousers

      One of the best trends of 2020 was faux leather, but given the nature of the year, we didn’t wear them nearly as much as we wanted to. This timeless pair will be worn for years to come, and we love that they’re a camel color, rather than a go-to black.

      Mauve Beanie

      The number of beanies you can have? It doesn’t exist, especially in this muted, dusty rose color.

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    • 100 Shares

      in beauty and fashion

      10 Last-Minute Gifts You Can Save Big On

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      My biggest flaw in life is that I wait until the last minute to do everything. I could come up with a million excuses as to why my holiday shopping isn’t done yet (i.e., waiting for that paycheck to hit, standing by for certain giftable items to go on sale, or placing blame on my cat who chewed up my credit card, making it unreadable for future purchases), but at the end of the day, the truth is that I perform best under pressure. Thankfully we’ve found the perfect hack to all of your last minute “oops, I forgot about that person” gifting. Gilt City, an online shopping and lifestyle site, has our backs. They offer a variety of unique gift ideas at some incredible prices that are almost too good to be true. Even if you’re unable to meet this year’s holiday shipping deadlines (a real 2020 problem), Gilt City makes it easy to buy vouchers for everyone on your list, which means you won’t even need to feel stressed about trying to find something that’ll ship on time. Here are 10 Gilt City sales you’ll want to shop now to save big on your holiday shopping—even if you’re gifting at the last minute.

      Calling all wine lovers! This Üllo Wine Purifier is the perfect gift for the vino-obsessed in your life. This game-changing, must-have item purifies and restores the natural taste of any type of still wine and pairs well with any socially-distanced reality-TV-a-thon. It’s BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and a sleek tool to add to any wine collection. Shop through Gilt City now for wine purifier packages that are up to 36 percent off! A total steal if you ask us.

      A lot of us love espresso, but let’s be real—espresso pods aren’t cheap. Enter these L’OR pods (compatible with the Original Nespresso machines) that are up to 50 percent off if you purchase through Gilt City! Gift your loved one the pure indulgence of high-quality espresso without the hefty price tag. Because nothing says “I care about you” quite like the gift of caffeine.

      This gift is the perfect package for the person who has everything and/or the one who is looking to try something new. These online video courses from The Skills are a to-do that your loved one will actually want to check off of their list. The Skills offers one-of-a-kind sports education courses from world-class athletes like Michael Phelps, Shaun White, Maria Sharapova, and more. Enjoy up to 57 percent off of master courses when you purchase through Gilt City and let the good times roll.

      Adding to your loved one’s beauty collection has never been more empowering. This year, gift REALHER—a brand that’s redefining the beauty game while offering high-quality, cruelty-free products. Beyond the incredible packaging and formulas, REALHER takes pride in its mission to inspire women, evidenced by their self-affirming product names like “Embrace Yourself,” “I Will Succeed,” and “I’ve Got This.” Thanks to Gilt City, you can enjoy 50 percent off on products you can feel good about gifting.

      Luxury beauty and wellness treatments are the ultimate way to treat yourself, but we all know that one person who just won’t splurge on themselves. The solution? Give them a gift they won’t give themselves. In this case, help your loved one treat themselves to an at-home teeth whitening treatment from GLO Science. Buy now through Gilt City to snag 50 percent off of whitening packages. Now that’s something to smile about.

      Luxury meets comfort meets affordability with Blush Lingerie which makes Blush the perfect gift for the feminine person in your life. Designed by women, globally sourced, and ethically made… just the way we like it. It’s daring yet refined and, with 50 percent off via Gilt City, it makes for the most affordable luxury gift of all time. 

      Buy a gift that the fashion guru in your life will fall head over heels in love with. And we’re not talking gifting this season’s “it item” that everyone already has… we’re talking something greater. Enter DESEDA, a Chicago-based, women-owned silk scarf company that collaborates with artists around the world to come up with limited edition designs. Their scarves are a versatile item to add to any wardrobe and 40 percent off when you shop through Gilt City. 

      Cheese lovers, unite! Gift your loved one (and yourself) the experience of a cheese making class from Big Mozz. Through Gilt City, the on demand or in person course includes a mozzarella-making kit, shipping, and taxes for 23 percent off. Gift one to a friend and one to yourself to set yourself up for the perfect at-home zoom date!

      I don’t know about you, but being gifted sweet treats is the most direct way to my heart! What if we told you that you could gift that special someone irresistible designer cookies for up to 33 percent off? It’s not too good to be true… with Gilt City, you can gift Duchess, home of the designer cookie and one of the tastiest cookie experiences on Earth. With a deal that sweet, you have to take advantage!

      Give your favorite foodie the luxury gourmet gift they didn’t see coming. With California Caviar Company, you can do just that. CCC has uncompromising reputation and brand integrity that focuses on sustainability, innovation, and education. It’s the food gift that can make any night in extra special. If you purchase through Gilt City, you can score 30 percent off of caviar gift sets and give them a gift they’ll never forget.

      This post is sponsored by Gilt City, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
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    • 188 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      I’m a Health Coach and This Is the #1 Goal I’m Focused on This Month

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      I love health goals: the only type of books on my nightstand are self-improvement, my step tracker is my best friend, and I even built a career out of helping other people reach them. But as we near the end of the worst year, I don’t know, ever, there’s only one health goal I’m focusing on. You see, no matter what New Year’s resolutions you make or even what feels best for you throughout the year, health is not supposed to be restrictive or definitive. In fact, you’re supposed to change how you take care of your body based on the seasons, years, and what’s going on in your life.Most of us are wrapping up the year with pressure at work, pandemic anxiety, and even stressors about the little, normal things like finding a budget for all the gifts you need to buy or scheduling every social gathering (even if those social gatherings are over Zoom). Add in the sad moments like not being able to hug your grandma, foregoing your favorite yearly traditions, or making a Christmas Eve dinner for one, and it’s easy to start letting stress take over your life. So my only health goal this month? Restoration, relaxation, and stress reduction. After all, I believe the only point of physical health is for mental health; eating nourishing foods and moving our bodies are simply tools to help us live the happiest lives possible. Here’s how I’m rethinking all of my healthy habits in every area of my life to focus on reducing stress:

      Source: @jesskeys_

      With exercise: trying stress-relieving yoga challenges
      Listen, I love a good HIIT class or sculpt session as much as the next girl. But “health” does not mean working out hard every single day; it means finding balance, depending on what your body needs. My body needs stress relief and relaxation this month, and exercise is no exception. Since I still love a good “challenge,” I’m embarking on Obé Fitness’s Yoga Deep Dive as my form of movement. This 15-day program explores yoga’s most foundational practices while helping you gain new tools to improve your flow. It will basically be like taking a mini retreat in between work meetings, so sign me up! Yoga based on stress reduction will help me find balance and grounding through an extremely stressful month, while the “challenge” aspect will keep me focused and motivated to prioritize myself.
      Use promo code “TEG50” to get 50% off your first month of Obé Fitness.

      With diet: eating intuitively 
      Even if you think diet rules like “no sugar” or “no processed food” is healthy for you, restrictions are stressful. Period. While I like to think I’ve ditched outdated food rules years ago, I still stick to a plant-based diet and prefer to feed my body with whole foods from the Earth that make me feel good. The problem with this is that when it’s time for holiday dinners and festive goodies, believing that you need to stick to any one diet or way of eating can cause guilt, and guilt will cause stress.
      Instead of sticking to my plant-based way of eating 24/7, I know that since I nourish my body with fruits and vegetables most of the time, sugar cookies or Christmas Eve fettuccine alfredo won’t do any harm to my body. There’s plenty of room for mindful indulgences, even in a healthy diet. I will consistently check in to identify what my body truly needs: am I feeling sluggish and need some more veggies to nourish, or will I enjoy this slice of pumpkin pie? Forget eating for perfection; I’ll be eating with the #1 priority of self-compassion.

      Source: @gabbywhiten

      With morning and evening routines: making extra time for myself (whatever that means)
      I live for a morning and evening routine. I love a warm cup of lemon water and gratitude journaling in the a.m., and I look forward to evening stretches, skincare, and meditation all day long. However, routines feel more difficult to fit in during the holidays (or any other busy time). My clients often come to me around this time of year, frustrated that they didn’t make time for a morning meditation or that they binged Netflix instead of taking a bath. My answer? The goal of a routine (or any self-care practice) is not to check items that you’re “supposed” to do off of a list. Instead, the goal is to do something that makes you feel good, whatever that looks like to you, and for however long you can.
      Sure, I love an entire hour for a wind-down routine, but some nights, it looks more like five minutes of sitting alone and reading my favorite book before bed without even washing my face. And guess what: that’s OK. In other words, morning and evening routines should not feel like something else to check off your to-do list or another chore on the calendar. Instead, it should feel easy and something to look forward to. Make time for yourself every morning and night, but be OK if what that time looks like changes.

      With work: prioritizing self-compassion and enjoyment
      At this time of year, we’re having end-of-year reviews and setting goals for next year. You probably have a long to-do list of what needs to get done before holiday break or are working long hours to set your business up for success in 2021. I find that I put the most pressure on myself during this season: I want to make myself proud of how the year went, but also want to feel ahead in the new year. While ambition and hard work are great, putting pressure on yourself makes you forget to prioritize yourself. I actually can be more productive and successful overall in my work life if I allow myself to take breaks, am strict with cut-off times, and remember that the point of life is to enjoy it (that means in your career too!). This month, I’m responding to what I can’t accomplish with self-compassion and spending more time on the jobs that don’t even feel like work (like client sessions or writing articles like this one). 

      Source: @kayla_seah

       
      With holiday activities: finding balance between alone time and time with loved ones
      Through seasons of Christmas past, I tried to fit in everything: holiday parties, gift exchanges, happy hours, limitless shopping trips. “Balance” was the last thing on my mind, and “alone time” felt more like a far-off memory than a priority. This year, of course, I am indulging in and enjoying the family traditions (although they look a little different in 2020). However, instead of doing it all, my goal is to find a balance between family time and making time for myself to decompress and relax.
      If you are spending the holidays with family, make sure you’re still fitting in alone time to prioritize yourself. Go on a jog in the morning, take a bath at night, or find any time you can to recharge. If you’re spending the holidays alone, try to schedule a socially-distanced gathering outdoors or a virtual holiday party with your closest friends. Having social events on the calendar will give you something to look forward to, but scheduling it will also ensure you’re spending time with people you love, even if it is virtual or socially distanced. Alone time to prioritize ourselves and time with loved ones to laugh and connect are equally important, so focus on finding the balance of both, depending on what you need more of.

      This post includes a sponsored inclusion of obé, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More