31 ways to make december sparkle
plus, what I'm shopping for BFCM
before we get into the fun, this edition of the sunday series is too long for email, so I’d recommend clicking out to read in browser or even better, in the substack app, where you can like and comment! your engagement on Substack means so much to me 💌
bonjouuuuur, lovers!
after a jam-packed week with family celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m writing to you from Nice, France. this afternoon, I checked into Hotel du Couvent (a property that’s been on my radar since opening this summer) for one night to recalibrate before my work trip in Cannes officially kicks off tomorrow. this is my third time to the region, though, all three visits have been work trips and two of the three during off-season. suffice it to say, I have yet to live out my South of France summer vacances dreams…but for that, there’s always next year!
the thing is, saying that there’s always next year is funny because I’m not really a plan-in-advance kind of traveler. I have no idea what next year will bring for me travel-wise at the moment; the nature of my role in the hospitality industry means I’m always adapting my schedule to suit last-minute opportunities and seizing the chance to check out new-to-me corners of the world on relatively short notice. part of me wants to get better about planning in advance, while an equally prominent part of me enjoys being open to pulling the trigger to book a flight on a whim.
all of this to say, part of my mission with attending ILTM Cannes this week is rooted in capturing updates on both beloved destinations and exciting new products around the world. this first-hand knowledge helps me be a more well-armed writer in all I do at SmartFlyer, where I’m the Director of Content and look after our editorial arm. as well as how those stories are amplified across our channels. this exposure to the latest and greatest in the realm of luxury travel also informs my own ever-changing travel priorities. so in the spirit of pretending I’m going to plan, how about I make you a promise? you can look forward to a dedicated sunday series send before the end of the year outlining some of the places that are highest on my list for 2025! it’ll include hotels I’ve long wanted to experience and newcomers to my forever-changing list.
as we dive into December, I’m mostly just in awe of what a robust year of discovery it was for me. this will be the first year I have status with both United and Delta and there’s a fair bit of strategy that was needed to make that happen! as far as flying goes, I’m constantly in pursuit of the most optimized journey possible and love that having this Substack community means I get to share some of my best hacks, like the send below where I shared everything I think you need to know for an overnight flight. I follow my own rules religiously, as seen above from yesterday when I brought sweetgreen to the Air France lounge (where I was also working on this very newsletter for you!). unless something has really gone left, you won’t ever, ever find me eating dinner onboard during an overnight to Europe. those are precious sleeping hours being lost!!
I’ve fully documented my in-flight skincare routine but this morning, I also made a silly TikTok about my pre-landing routine. can you tell I love this stuff too much?? I’m always tweaking and adapting! I’m also always observing others in their travel routines for inspiration. I was majorly crushing on this chic woman at CDG this morning…I mean, the fur coat, corduroy pants, and Bottega duster as an extra bag? MAJOR cool girl vibes. too cool for me, but one can wistfully onlook!
the Cyber Monday of it all: wellness edition
now, back to the consumerism hellscape that we all exist within. I’m going to be honest, I LOVE a good sale. I’ve tried to stay away from too much impulse shopping this season — particularly when it comes to clothing — but I did pull the trigger on a few products and services in the health, wellness, and beauty categories. I don’t have affiliate links for these things, I just wanted to share them as I thought many would align with how you want to invest your own self-care dollars, too.
laser at Thérapie Clinic: with three locations in New York and a claim to be “Europe’s no.1 Medical Aesthetic Clinic,” after some research, I decided Thérapie was the right fit for me to *finally* do laser after over a decade of being a slave to European Wax Center. I’m excited to take the plunge on a process I’ve been meaning to start for so long and I hope will save me time in the long run. the bundle I got includes 10 sessions of the two services I’m doing and was 25% off. I’ve already had my first appointment, but it’s going to be a year-long journey since appointments must be spaced six weeks apart, so I’ll keep you updated!
The Class: I’ve been doing The Class both digitally and in-studio for nearly five years. it’s one of my favorite workouts for its unique approach to mindfulness through movement. they’re doing 20% off digital memberships, plus I was able to snag their in-studio Holiday 5 Pack (usually $190) for $125. if you’re based in New York or LA, couldn’t recommend in-person enough for the full impact! or, if a studio isn’t accessible, the digital streaming option is also fabulous.
Y7 Studio 45 Pack: last Black Friday, I purchased a class pack at Y7 and, since then, have loved the fact that I haven’t had to throw money at a full-priced yoga or sculpt class all year. on Friday, I snagged 45 more classes at 60% off, which seems like a no-brainer since I’m going to go anyway! if you’re based in NY, their sculpt classes are my new fave — still in an infrared heated room and dark like their yoga, but the three flows are replaced with movement using Bala bands, light weights, and a resistance band. they also have a streaming option!
Glowbar: I’ve been getting monthly facials at Glowbar since the pandemic and am such a believer in how investing in your skincare makes a difference. I obviously worship many Caudalie/french pharmacy products (you know I’m hitting the pharmacy this week while in France and you can see a previous post I dedicated to this below for what I’ll be snagging!) but I still have many tried and true products I exclusively buy from Glowbar. members always get 15% off products, but BFCM, Glowbar is offering 30% off their online store to everyone! I snagged the Environ Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil, the iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum (30 mL) which is a lifesaver in dry winter months, and the EltaMD UV Broad Spectrum SPF 46 (tinted). I experiment with new products often, but these three never leave my rotation!!!
Cyber Monday odds and ends
in my last category, I’m rounding up some final items to keep on your radar. it’s a mix of things I already own and love as well as things I’m adding to my own mix and thought you might be interested in, too considering the insane value with some of these sales!
Stuart Weitzman 5050 Boots: after sharing this link yesterday in my Instagram Stories about how these boots are 30% off (savings of $240) and remain one of my favorite purchases of all time, it’s the most clicked-on item in my ShopMy! you cannot go wrong with these classic boots as an investment piece. I’m a year into owning them and still just as obsessed as the day I got them after YEARS of pining…truly a timeless addition to your wardrobe. you can see them on below!
Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer: another practical pick, I held out on getting a Dyson for a long time since I had a T3 hairdryer that worked great until it didn’t! after scouring the internet, $100 off was as good as it was going to get, so I opted to get it right from Dyson as I felt it’d be easiest to enact the warranty should I ever need to.
REFORMATION | Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Jeans - Chesapeake Studded: easily my favorite jeans I’ve gotten in recent memory, I got way too lucky and found my first pair at Housing Works with the tags still on. but, I love them so much I just bought another pair in a different wash. a great time to stock up as everything at Reformation is currently 25% off!
Anthropologie | Primrose Mirror: I’ve had this mirror since the day I moved into my studio and I truly feel like my apartment wouldn’t feel the same without it! you can see how I styled it last Christmas below. Anthro is running 30% off which is a huge savings on this one since depending on sizing, the mirror ranges from $548-$1,598 at full price. I’ve also linked a few other key Anthro pieces I love in my apartment collection!
ICYMI: gift guides top 10
in last sunday’s send, I shared my gift guides across seven categories. I’ve loved seeing what has resonated with you all and am savoring every message I’ve received with feedback on the items you’re snagging! below, I’m linking the top 10 most clicked links for the products that remain in stock. and with that, we are officially done with the shopping of it all! thank you all so much for your support as I delve into my first foray at affiliate linking with these products — it means so much to me that you’re supporting me in this new way by shopping through my links! xKD
31 ways to make december sparkle
to wrap today’s newsletter, for paid subscribers, I’m sharing 31 ways to make december sparkle. what exactly does “December sparkling” mean, you may be wondering? well, to me, the final month of the year should be about feeling effervescent. in order to sparkle from the inside out, I think the best remedy is to return to what really fills up our cups on a soul level, and there’s no better time to uncover what that means than when the streets are lined with lights and a generosity of spirit unites strangers. personally, my goal will be to cross off one thing from this list each day of the month and I’d love if you’d join me. none of the things listed here are incredibly difficult, but they do require slowing down and leaning into JOY. so, shall we?
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