Instead of doing a ton of Christmas present shopping, I tend to use Black Friday mostly as an opportunity to stock up on my favorite consumable items (like skincare). I love getting items I use every day for a much … Read More
Here are all my favorite Black Friday deals available this year. They’re things we personally use frequently and really love, and have paid for with our own money. A lot of them are items where I stock up this time … Read More
San Francisco is a fantastic destination for families – there are SO many things to do in San Francisco with kids! We absolutely loved living in that area for years with the amazing mix of outdoor adventures, hands-on learning, and … Read More
It’s here – the 2024 Winter Holidays Around the World advent printable! Each year, our family loves learning about some other amazing holidays and traditions around the world alongside our own celebrations of Christmas and Diwali. I love the festivity … Read More
In general, our family far prefers focusing on experiences over things but there are a number of items we’ve loved over the years that are helpful both at home and while out exploring that would make fantastic travel gifts for … Read More
This post was updated in November 2024. When we found out we were moving to London, I immediately got so excited about Christmas season here. What a treat with lights and decorations. It turns out London with kids is even … Read More
It’s here – the 2024 $5 Travel Gift Guide! This is my favorite gift guide I do every year because it’s – I hope – super USEFUL for a variety of people and circumstances. While obviously it’s geared to travel, … Read More
A few years ago, when our eldest kiddo was almost 9, Dan and I decided we wanted some more one-on-one time with them, and also that we wanted to prioritize experiences together. We felt like our family had plenty of … Read More
After moving to London, I was fortunate enough to join a wonderful book club. I found out that they have an annual book club weekend trip themed around a specific author. Last year, they visited the Peak District in honor … Read More
I absolutely loved my short 3-day trip to Athens with K, my older daughter! When our kids turn 12, they get to take a weekend/long weekend domestic trip with one parent. Since we live in London now, the 3.5 hour … Read More
While I always say the best countries for you to visit depends on YOUR interests, I also know that it can feel overwhelming to decide where to go when you’re venturing to a new country, especially if it happens to … Read More
Like many of you, we try to focus on experiences over things, but there are certain items that have helped make those experiences easier and more fun over the years. These are things that are useful, durable, and stand the … Read More
Instead of doing a ton of Christmas present shopping, I tend to use Black Friday mostly as an opportunity to stock up on my favorite consumable items (like skincare). I love getting items I use every day for a much lower price!
Here are some things I’m purchasing this year (or purchased already in early Black Friday sales) – items I’ve been waiting for to go on sale either as a stock up item, or a few items I’ve had on my list and have been waiting for a sale.
I’ve been using these serums for about two years to help out my brows and eyelashes that were way overplucked and that fell out after this pregnancy, respectively. The brows, especially, have been really struggling for over 15 years – I had them done before we got married and they never recovered. I’ve seen a huge improvement since I started using this serum and I’m so grateful!
For my eyelashes, I noticed that after giving birth to baby S, they started really falling out, along with my hair. They were so short, which was a bummer, because typically I have really long lashes. This serum has been a lifesaver and they’re almost fully recovered in just a short time.
The entire site is currently 30% off, and my code PREETHI15 stacks on top of that. I’m stocking up!
I’m very excited to stock up on my favorite cleansing oil. I love that it doesn’t dry out my skin and keeps it so clear and healthy. I’ve been using it as my cleanser for over three years and it keeps my skin SO clear. My oldest (14) started using it a month ago and it’s done wonders for his teen acne, so I’m definitely stocking up now that we’re both using it!
It’s pricey so I always like to get it when they have these super sales. It’s currently up to 35% off and my code LOCALPASSPORTFAMILY stacks for an extra 20% off. This is the best sale I’ve seen! I use the CLEANSE oil cleanser.
Hulu has a great deal for Black Friday – only $0.99/month!! This is the cheapest they’ve ever done. It’s definitely worthwhile for access to tons of TV shows and movies. Crazy that it’s only $12 for the whole year! We grab this deal every year.
About a year and a half ago, I tried out one of their viral kitchen towels during a sale to see what all the hype was about. About 90 seconds after it arrived, I hopped online to see if their sale was still going – it was, so I promptly ordered enough to replace every single one of my kitchen towels. Ha! They’re the very best.
I never thought I’d be waxing poetic about kitchen towels, but here we are. They’re super absorbent (I love the ribbed texture), have the cutest prints, an dry fast/don’t get stinky. Their beach towels and dinner napkins are also terrific. I’m purchasing some festive prints to add to our home!
The code PreethiH15 stacks on their sale!
I’ve loved Thrive Causemetics for years for their clean beauty products. Their mascara is the very very best – better than any I’ve ever used, including non-clean ones. I took this to a favorite things party this year and it was a big hit – and the girl who ended up with it texted me a few weeks later to say she, too, was obsessed. I’m stocking up on this one – it’s a cult fave for a reason.
Our old paint sticks are finished up, so I grabbed these to put in stockings this year. Great deal!
We got some plastic containers with snapping lids when we moved to London, but the lids mostly either don’t work or have gotten lost. I also don’t love storing food in plastic, so I’m excited to replace ours with these glass storage containers.
I’ve been waiting for this sale because a) I love Anthro and b) I’ve been waiting and waiting to get another pair of my very favorite Colette pants. These are my favorites that I’ve had for a couple years that I’m replacing since they’re a bit big on me now a couple years postpartum (I have and am replacing them in the color Holly). I’m also adding a black ponte pair.
I love multiple Glossier things, but this Cloud Paint is my very favorite. It’s a liquid blush that can either be suuuper subtle or can build up. Love it and am grabbing another in the color Dawn.
Each of our kids is getting these for Christmas as a hint for their big present – a trip that they don’t know is coming to somewhere cold. 🙂
I first tried this magic witchcraft facial oil last year when I had a singular zit – my first in a very long time since my oil cleanser is so amazing. When it appeared, I put on this blue facial oil at night and it was gone by morning. And then it happened a second time. I don’t know what sorcery they use for this stuff, but it’s a great item to have on hand, especially if you’re acne-prone. And I love that the whole line is clean beauty! They hyaleuronic acid serum is also fantastic and I use it every morning before putting on moisturizer.
Also available on Amazon (but I prefer getting it direct from them). I stocked up on several blue facial oils and hyaleuronic serum!
I got this set for M for Christmas – she loves crafts and think she’ll be delighted by the shiny, multi-colored foil. An amazing price on the greeting cards, and then she can have fun mailing them to family around the world! I’ll likely gift it with some stamps for her to use to send them.
I’ve used this lightweight foundation for years and it’s the best. Super light but covers great while not looking cakey at all. Great price on it!
I’ve waxed poetic about how I’m obsessed with this coconut oil balm for my babies and even myself. So moisturizing, smells amazing, and super gentle. This is the lowest price they’ve done, so I’m stocking up on a few. Plus, it’s an Indian American woman-owned small business!
I love the Boden style both for me and for my girls but it’s a bit pricey normally. But they currently have some huge discounts. This is my Christmas dress for this year and it’s even more gorgeous in person. (The buttons are stunning.) I also love these cords that I got recently.
I’ve been anxiously waiting for Madewell to go on sale. I’ve been needing new jeans after passing along several postpartum pairs and Madewell has been my fave for over a decade. The entire site is 50% off, which is huge.
Multiple of my kids need a refresh of socks from getting worn or losing some. We really love these and they’ve lasted maybe even better than our expensive brand name ones. So cozy, soft, stretchy, and warm. Great to put in stockings, or to split between a few kids! I also got these.
Dan has needed a new one of these that actually is comfortable, and this has fantastic reviews. I got it for him for Christmas!
I’ve heard about these earbuds for a couple years, so I grabbed a pair to see if they live up to the hype. They’re super affordable so will be great to share between kids on trips!
These are THE SHOES that I’ve adored for about 5 years. I wear them truly all the time and they are the best – so comfy, go with everything, the best for travel. I needed a new pair so grabbed them while they’re on sale.
I got some other ones of these that have been fantastic! It’s so nice to not need to switch to another ziplock at the airport. I love that this one has a full zipper with a pull and am excited to have several for different items and family members. Would also be great to fill with travel toiletries for gifting.
