5 Things Friday - The Black Friday Edit

All the discounts and my recommendations to help you avoid any costly mistakes.

Nov 29, 2024

It’s Black Friday, but unless you’re living under a rock, you probably know that already. Black Friday originated in the States as just one day of discounts, whereas over here we seem to be getting on for well over a week of brands reducing their prices. I have mixed views about it; as someone who has spent the entire week scrolling the internet looking at what’s on offer. I do like to look for Christmas presents, and I don’t love shopping when I have a big list I need to get through. Despite what the ads tell us, it’s exhausting, hot and sweaty work and I’d much rather look online for UGG slippers and back massagers than carry them around town.

When a discount is dangled in front of us, however, I do think there is a temptation to make unnecessary purchases - especially when it comes to clothing. I’ve made that mistake in the past, so my advice is to limit your purchases to items that you know you’ll get the most wear out of. That would be your basics or items that were already on your wish list (I’ve ticked one off my list, which I’ll be sharing next week). To stop you going astray, I’m linking my edits of what I consider to be good buys to add to your basics wardrobe below, and I’ve given some personal recommendations for pieces I’ve either tried on or own. I’ve marked those with an * in case you’re just scanning down the list.

My Basics Good Buys List (everything is on discount)

For all the links, tap on the brand name (in red bold italics). Links are affiliate, which means I earn a small commission from them. This year, I will be making a charitable donation to Zarach, The Children’s Bed Charity, from the commission I receive from the links. Founded by a local Primary Head Teacher, the charity provides bed packages for children who have no beds, so that they have the opportunity for a good night’s sleep and are therefore better equipped to engage at school and have a chance to break the future cycle of poverty. As a former teacher it’s a charity close to my heart. You can find out more here: Homepage - Zarach

The Department Stores

Liberty London Up to 30% off, plus 20% off beauty. Good if you are looking for something a bit different. I love all the own brand items, which make lovely gifts.
John Lewis Daily updates, but in general up to 20% off brands like Mulberry and Mint Velvet, up to 30% off Hush and Le Creuset and 25% off beauty. Good reductions on cookware, coffee machines and beauty gift sets.
La Redoute Up to 50% off, including on furniture and brands like Converse, Smeg, etc.

Designer

Coggles 32% off with code MEL32 (this code is live until the 1st December!!). Good for men’s gifts, Scandinavian brand Rains has excellent weekend bags (I’ve bought 2 more this week as requested for presents) and for ladies, Coach handbags have been a really popular buy. My code MELISSA15 should work on just about anything else (some exclusions).
Harvey Nichols Up to 30% off fashion, food and beauty (including Christmas).
Net A Porter Up to 50% off. There’s a huge selection (over 8,000 items), but if you’re looking for something or just scrolling, I’d use the filter to look for brands or price reductions.
The Outnet 25% off everything (with some exclusions!) with the code BLACKFRIDAY.

Fashion

Abercrombie & Fitch 25% off everything - I rate the Curve Love jeans; they give an extra 2 inches on the hips. I’d sized down one size when buying.
AllSaints 30% off site-wide. Leather jackets, coats and knitwear are all highly recommended, as are their bags and boots. My favourites are here. The Tay jeans are my new go-to going out jeans (size down, they’re generous). I wear them with the Susan buckle shoes, which are way more comfortable than they look and very cool.
Albaray 25% off. Gorgeous jumpers and dresses in particular.
*Boden 40% OFF selected full price styles and 20% off absolutely everything else. Use code T3B6. I love Boden for both good basics and stand-out party pieces. I styled up a party look with some basics and a gorgeous party skirt here and all my style edits and suggestions are here.
Cos 25% off selected styles. I am loving all the cashmere this year, but it’s not in the sale yet. I suggest coming back next week when, fingers crossed, there will be more added to the sale.
Fitflop Up to 40% off everything! Their slippers are cosy, but practical if, like me, you can end up wearing them all day when you are WFH.
H&M 20% off sitewide, with the exception of COS products (Arket is included).
Jigsaw 25% off everything. Their coats are the dream!
*Levi’s Up to 50% off a wide range of stuff and 15% off my favourite ribcage jeans.
Mango up to 50% off thousands of products - I’m tempted to buy this lounge set for when my Uniqlo one is in the wash!
Mint Velvet - 20% off sitewide.
Marks & Spencer lots of offers on brands, naming just a few,
White Stuff 25% Monsoon 25% and up to 50% off selected toys.
Nobody’s Child 20% off with the code BF20. Great dresses.
*Uniqlo Some good offers on puffer coats and £10 off cashmere.
Urban Outfitters up to 50% off. I’ve said before it’s my idea of hell, but the girls like it and it has a handy gift section with a very useful breakdown of prices. Another thing I don’t get are Stanley cups, but again a fave of my daughters, and they have £10 off now.
Warehouse 80% of everything. It's a bit of a minefield now but good for occasionwear.
WAT The Brand 20% off sitewide. Fab for hoodies, joggers and good basics.
Whistles 20% off everything (including the sale). Big shout-out to their leather range - I think you know I love it. I did a big feature on this newsletter with my edit of what’s good.
Wyse London Small brand with up to 40% off beautiful partywear and more.

Footwear - Shop my LTK edit here.

*All sole - I bought these this week, I was looking for a brown, pointy, flat boot and voila! I also spied some really good Chelsea boots at 30% off.
Footlocker Up to 50% off. Great range of brands including New Balance, Adidas and Converse.
GRENSON British-designed classic footwear and home to the beloved Nanette hiking boots. Up to 60% off selected lines.
UGG 30% off selected items, but not the ones my daughter requested of course!

Online Stores

*Amazon Lots of Black Friday Deals. After some feedback from followers, I ticked a few things off my NEED list. I bought this hairdryer and a back massager . I can highly recommend our no-nonsense coffee maker. We make 2 pots every morning and it has lasted a good 6 years so far!
ASOS It’s scarily massive, but up to 70% off. Use the filter tabs to narrow it down.

Jewellery

Missoma 40% off everything and 20% off solid gold - my girls like the brand.
Daisy London 40% off, another fave for the girls. The jewellery boxes are very cute.
Monica Vinader My favourite! 30% off the entire site with 50% daily deals. Free engraving makes it perfect for gifts too.

Beauty and Skincare.

It’s a bit of a minefield, so I’ve linked my personal recommendations here that I use in my daily skincare routine.

Aveda 25% off almost everything and a free full-size gift on orders over £70.
Charlotte Tilbury 30% off orders over £150, 25% off orders over £100 and 20% off everything!
*Current Body - 20% off LED masks + Ziip Halo with my code MELISSACB. I really rate this - it’s helping with the meno-skin breakouts.
Clinique Up to 25% sitewide.
*Dermalogica One of my absolute faves! Six minis for free on all orders (great for travel) and lots of other discounts.
Elemis 25% off Plus receive a FREE 6-piece gift when you spend £120. Another favourite (see above). Use code CYBER.
GHD up to 30% off all products, plus free gifts dependent on purchase size.
Kate Somerville 25% off sitewide. Use code Cyber25. I love the KateCeuticals range, particularly the Lifting Eye Cream.

L’Occitane 20% off all full-size, including Immortelle and Christmas specials. Love the Verbena range.

Look Fantastic up to 50% off a huge range of products. It’s vast, but worth looking at for daily deals.
Murad 30% off and get a 6-piece gift when you spend over £100. I really rate their Resurgence range; the eye cream lasts around 18 months - impressive for that small pot!

Leisure

Adidas Up to 50% off selected styles.
Nike 25% off for members. Use code GOBIG24 when you spend £50 or more
Sweaty Betty 30% off sitewide and 50% off 200+ items including Power Leggings, which I always wear. My picks here.

Home, Interiors and Lifestyle

Anthropologie Extra 40% off sale, 25% off sitewide. Love all the mugs and Christmas decorations.
*The White Company 20% off sitewide with code WHITE20. Candles, gorgeous bedlinen, slippers and hot water bottles are my favourites. The winter candle and this bedlinen are on their way.
*Neom Organics 25% off with code SWEET. Gorgeous wellbeing products, candles, bath products and the Neom electric diffusers are all fabulous. I upgraded my diffuser to a larger one.
Oliver Bonas 25% off many items. Good for stocking fillers and unusual gifts.
*Our Place Highly recommended cookware brand. Daily deals and up to 40% off. Last year I bought the pan for Mr A and this year my daughter requested it!