Weekend Reading 11.7.26
Happy weekend, ladies. I’ve been falling down on the job of grabbing daily outfit photos, but I caught this one yesterday as I headed out the door.

I paired my cheetah cashmere sweater from Talbots with these black M.M. LaFleur jeans, which are still solidly black after years of laundering. I topped it off with an oversized Ruti denim jacket (sold out).
And the flats? They’ve become my trusty try-on shoes because they’re the only leather shoes I can comfortably wear these days. I can walk around in them for more than a few hours…which is more than I can say for some of my sneakers.
Rather than get discouraged, I’m setting aside lots of favorite shoes and booties until I can get my foot surgery next year.
Question of the week:
Have you started decorating for Christmas yet, or do you wait until after Thanksgiving? Do you have a particular day you always decorate, make a big event of it with family, or have you scaled back over the years? It seems the decorations come out earlier every year!
Bestsellers of the week – what readers loved most:
- This Frank & Eileen Mini Belfast Corduroy Jacket was a big reader favorite this week. I have several Belfast jackets, but not this corduroy, which has a more polished vibe…and I think I need it 😉. The shorter length works so well with jeans, and I love corduroy when the weather cools down.
- The Talbots Polished Wide Leg Ponte Pants made the list again! I mentioned these last week because they fit like a dream, and apparently, I’m not the only one who appreciates a comfortable pair of pants that also look nice. These are definitely worth a look.
- My Veronica Beard Shearling Lined Slip-On Sneakers were also a big hit last week. The fur makes them extra cozy, which I want this time of year.
- Remember the Lo & Sons Aoyama 2 Leather Bag in dark chocolate I mentioned last weekend? Quite a few of you ordered one, too. I already own several Lo & Sons bags and have been so happy with their quality and functionality, especially for travel.
- This Convertible Faux Fur Stole and Longline Vest caught your attention this week. I think it’s clever that you can wear it two ways. A little faux fur can be fun for the holidays, but it’s nice to be able to take it off afterward.
- I was so flattered by all your kind comments about my Johnny Was French Terry Mixed Media Jacket last week. I wasn’t entirely sure it was my style when it arrived, but you’ve certainly encouraged me to keep wearing it!
- This Donna Karan Stretch Shirtdress was another bestseller this week.
- These Wide-leg Zella sweatpants are also on their way to many readers. They have a nice long inseam for you taller ladies.
- The Dazzle Dry Mini Starter Kit was another bestseller. This is the only polish that stays on my nails without chipping on the first day!
- The Quince Lightweight Cotton Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in heathered mica teal was another favorite. I shared this in last week’s new arrivals, and several of you have mentioned how much you like Quince’s cotton cashmere.
On my radar:
- Soma has their bras marked down to $30 right now, which is a good excuse to take stock of the ones in your drawer. Their cooling pajamas are also 30% off, including their holiday styles and colors.
- Nordstrom Rack has already rolled out its Black Friday deals. I suppose there’s no point pretending Black Friday is just one day anymore! I went browsing and found a few things.
- This brown Quilted Jacket looks like just the right weight for fall when you need an extra layer but aren’t ready to drag out your winter coats.
- If you’ve got a holiday party or New Year’s Eve celebration coming up and don’t want to spend a small fortune on something festive, take a look at this Sequin Blazer under $60.
- This Bernardo Chevron Quilted Faux Fur Jacket would be so pretty layered over a holiday sweater or top with black velvet pants.
- I love this cheerful red Eileen Fisher wool sweater. It’s festive enough for December but wearable all winter, and the lower price makes it even more appealing.
- Someone mentioned Zappos recently, which reminded me I hadn’t browsed their site in ages. With their 60-day return policy, it’s a no-brainer to shop there.
- I love my Eberjey pajamas, so this Eberjey Recycled Bouclé Waffle Robe is awfully tempting. It looks cozy without being too heavy, and I think it would make a wonderful gift.
- This Birkenstock Deluxe Shoe Care Kit caught my attention. It’s a practical way to keep those cork footbeds and suede uppers looking their best.
- My HOKAs are among my favorite tennis shoes, and now I’ve spotted the HOKA Clifton 11 Sneakers in a new colorway that’s calling my name. I certainly don’t need another pair, but that hasn’t stopped me from adding them to my wish list.
- I went down a little rabbit hole at Neiman Marcus and found a few things worth sharing.
- This Hermès Nail Enamel is an outrageous price for nail polish, but wouldn’t it make a fun stocking stuffer? The bottle alone is gorgeous.
- This “The Favorite” Sweatshirt could be the perfect gift to stir up a little family drama, depending on who you give it to. I’ll leave that decision to you, but I think I want one.
- I love the idea of adding one special ornament to the tree each year. Neiman Marcus has a wonderful selection of Christmas ornaments, especially the novelty ones. Some are downright hilarious!
Highlights from the weekend sales:
- Nordstrom’s Early Black Friday Deals are here. Shop up to 25% off select fashion and 15% off select Beauty.
- J.Crew Factory is having 40% off sitewide, an extra 30% off $150+, and 60% off clearance. I went poking around and found a few things worth sharing:
- This Wool Blend City Coat reminds me of the J.Crew I fell in love with years ago. The funnel neck is a nice nod to one of this fall’s biggest trends.
- I’m seeing triangle scarves everywhere these days, and I’m still deciding how I feel about them. This Triangle Scarf is an affordable way to experiment without making much of a commitment.
- They also have an entire collection for dog lovers, with gifts for the whole family. If you have a golden retriever or doodle, you’re going to want to look.
- Talbots is 30% off all weekend. This Relaxed Tuxedo Shirt would be so pretty dressed up for the holidays, and this Snowflake Wreath Brooch adds some festive sparkle.
- Chico’s has 25% off full-price styles. If you’re looking for holiday clothes, now’s the time to get them before they sell out.
- Electric Picks is offering 25% off, plus a free hoop earring set (a $168 value) with orders over $75.
In case you missed it this week:
My Recent Reviews and Favorites
I’ve been sharing quite a few reviews lately, so I thought I’d round them up in one place in case you missed any. I’ve been putting everything from clothing to makeup to the test, and I have plenty of opinions!
- Frank & Eileen Review – I’ve collected quite a few pieces from this brand over the years, so I’m sharing which ones I reach for most and where I think they’re worth the investment.
- Lands’ End Review – I’ve worn their coats for years, and I’m sharing my thoughts on the quality, fit, and pieces I’d recommend.
- ILIA Product Review for Women Over 50 – I’ve been trying their makeup on my mature skin and sharing which products earned a spot in my routine.
- U Beauty Review – This skincare comes with a hefty price tag, so I wanted to see how it performed on mature skin and if the results justified the cost.
Have you tried any of these brands? I’d love to hear how they’ve worked for you, especially if you’ve discovered something I should try next.
