Monday Memo No. 110
Four sleeps ’til Christmas…
Owning The Interview
As you may have seen on my Instagram, Rich and I recently launched an online interview course ideal for anyone looking to really level-up their job-hunting skills. Owning The Interview is the premier, comprehensive training program that will give you the skills and insider strategies to land the job you’re looking for. Right now, through 12/31, we’re offering a special discount ($50 off!) in honor of our launch, so be sure to sign up if you’re planning to job hunt in the new year! Also, since we’re all scrambling for last-minute presents, this course makes an amazing gift for any recent grads or loved ones who are looking for new professional opportunities.
Replacements, LTD
Memorandum readers know I love china—in fact, I just shared our Christmas table on instagram over the weekend. Since many of you share my love for special tableware, I figured it’s high time I let you in on one of my all-time favorite shopping destinations: Replacements Ltd. Honestly, shopping on this site is basically a sport for me at this point. You can find great deals on all of your favorite china, dinnerware and serveware pieces, but Replacements is perhaps best known for their incredible collection of vintage and discontinued patterns. You can find pieces you’re missing (or that have broken—sob) often in mint condition and at a huge discount. Hunting for treasure on this site is addictive, fair warning.
Last-Minute Gifts
Look, if it’s not in the mail at this point, let’s just let it go. HOWEVER, if you’re still a few gifts shy of a whole sleigh, don’t stress! There are plenty of last-minute gift ideas in my Out-Of-The-Box gift guide that don’t require ordering ahead, particularly if we’re talking about things like fun subscriptions! If you are truly stuck and have your heart set on giving something tangible, I am a fan of printing out a photo of the belated gift and adding to a card with maybe some treats or baked goods for them to unwrap on Christmas. This year has been a DOOZY and anyone who makes you feel bad about any shopping snafus can simply chill out.
Halfbaked Harvest’s Cookie Box
I’m fairly certain Tieghan Gerard is trying to ruin me. She does an annual Holiday Cookie Box post and it never disappoints, but maybe this year, when we REALLY NEED A COOKIE, is her most magical baked good extravaganza yet. When times get tough, BAKE.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner Pencil
In super fun news, pregnancy is inexplicably making my eyelashes shrivel and wither away into dust. AWESOME. To compensate, I’ve been wearing more eyeliner because it makes me feel like… I’m taking control of the situation? The Urban Decay pencil is my current favorite because of how smoothly it glides on and how well it stays ALL DAY. Seriously, it doesn’t budge and it’s also waterproof. The pencil comes in a super wide array of the absolute best colors, but my personal favorites are Whiskey (a matte dark brown) and Bourbon (a shimmery dark brown).
PROVEN Skincare
I’m sharing a full blog post with you tomorrow about PROVEN, the revolutionary, science-backed skincare company that’s truly changing the face (pun intended?) of the skincare world. The company provides a fully customized skincare regimen that’s rooted in science and the largest beauty and skincare database in the world, their proprietary Skin Genome Project. Here’s how it works: You take an online questionnaire that mimics the evaluation you’d get at a dermatologist’s office and based upon your unique skin concerns, lifestyle and environmental factors (they even take into consideration the hardness of water where you live), PROVEN formulates a custom three-product (that’s it!) skincare regimen specifically for you. Instead of loading you up with 18 million different serums and toners and creams, they put every active ingredient you need into a cleanser, daytime moisturizer and night cream—encompassing everything your skin needs and nothing it doesn’t. PROVEN makes an AMAZING last-minute holiday gift (for men and women!) because it can’t be bought in advance (your giftee needs to take their own skin questionnaire before products can be formulated). Stay tuned for more tomorrow but remember to use code MARY10 for 10% off + free shipping!
Everlane Unitard
Yes I said unitard. And I’m hear to tell you that everyone needs one. Specifically speaking, we need this one right here. Everlane’s unitard is so incredibly versatile, especially in winter. It can be layered with a cardigan or chunky sweater to make the easiest winter uniform ever. You can also work out in it if you want, but you can also not do that, too. FYI, first-time customers can get 15% off at Everlane with my code ORTON15. If you’re looking for more Everlane loves of mine, this utterly perfect beige twill blazer is hanging in my closet and one of my favorite purchases of the season.
Lo Well Jewelry
If you love your Chanel or Gucci bag but feel it’s a bit inappropriate to wear it on your body 24/7, look into Lo Well’s website, which is now my favorite jewelry destination thank you very much. They create “lux repurposed” jewelry pieces featuring buttons and finishings from all of your favorite high-end designer brands. I could spend days on this site. DAYS.
NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra
I love my Laneige, but I also just ordered a jar of NUXE Lip Balm too. We’re in prime winter-wind-chapped-lips-uncomfortable season (it’s a thing) and this balm packs some serious efficacy into one little luxe pot. Check out these ratings you guys, it HANDLES THINGS.
Coffeehouse Christmas
If you’re struggling to really get into the spirit of the season this year, you’re not alone. However, I find that having some easy listening holiday music on during the day can be a big help. This mix on Spotify is effortless to listen to and enjoy, and there are even a few classic favorites mixed in with the more modern, chill mix. You can also turn on the fake fireplace “show” on Netflix if you’re so inclined…
NARS St Germain des Prés Eyeshadow Palette
Is it possible to have romantic feelings for an eyeshadow palette? This limited-edition NARS eyeshadow palette has six warm and neutral shades in a variety of finishes, and the rich colors and French names for each hue have me absolutely longing for Parisian travel once again. Someday my friends. SOMEDAY!
Coco & Eve Hair Mask
Yes, this conditioning hair mask is very “Instagram ad where everyone raves about it,” but there’s a reason for that. IT’S SO GOOD. Coco & Eve’s Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque is a major boost of hydration and nourishment for dry, frazzled, and all-around needy strands of hair in absolutely every hair type. The mask uses coconut, fig, shea butter, linseed and argan oil to strengthen and restore your hair—plus it’s a super-concentrated formula, so a little goes a long way (this tub will last you forever). Once you try it, you’ll tell everyone about it, too. It’s one of those products.
The Strand Bookstore Gift Cards
If you’re looking for a last minute gift, this one helps you support a local NYC legend. The Strand Bookstore is offering a really solid deal on gift cards. Spend $100 and you’ll get a gift card for $120! Readers can be hard to shop for, and despite my personal love for my kindle, many devoted readers still prefer an old-fashioned, hard copy book (i.e. my husband and my mother). For these people in your life, the smart move is to do something like this, and let them pick out enticing titles for themselves!
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Treatment System
On a recent zoom date with several girlfriends, the topic of maskne came up. Two of my most-trusted skincare guru friends (who have to wear masks more regularly than I do simply because they’re spending more time outside of the house for work) claim that the La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar system is THE SOLUTION. If you’re suffering from maskne, especially winter maskne, definitely check out the highly-rated La Roche-Posay Effaclar system which includes a face wash, toner, and spot treatment that take their jobs VERY seriously. There can be some redness and discomfort when initially using the system, but according to my trusted sources, patience pays off big time. Also, it’s always a good idea to do a small skin test with the toner and spot treatment specifically, but the cleanser is gentle enough for daily use. All three products are medicated to help clear up stubborn maskne where other products have failed, so if you’re struggling with breakouts, give this a try.
Champagne Candles
Listen, it’s going to be New Year’s Eve in like ten seconds, and 2020 has been a LOT. If all you can get together in terms of sparkly celebrations is this gorgeous champagne scented candle from Jonathan Adler, consider me very proud of you indeed. (It’s on sale right now, too!)
Mango 50% Sale
If you haven’t seen it, make sure to check out the current Mango 50% Off Sale. Per usual, I can’t visit their site without adding approximately 73 items to my cart. Seriously, try to scroll through their knitwear section without crying tears of joy. It’s impossible. I mean, just look at this sweater. And this! AND THIS!
Blondo Waterproof Boots
While I’ve Blondo waterproof boots with you many times before on my instastories, my DMs continue to blow up with tons of requests to reshare them, so I figured I’d immortalize them here. If you haven’t heard of Blondo footwear before, they’re a brand that’s somehow magically achieved shoe nirvana. Their boots are stylish, actually comfortable, and completely waterproof. I own the black croc-embossed, mushroom suede, and black combat. This audience was also quite interested in the Blondo slippers I shared recently which sold out within about an hour of me posting them to my stories, so make sure to stalk the brand here to keep tabs on when they’re back in stock.
Shop The Look +
Leave a Reply