Les Soldes, Part 1.
Objects of desire and a bit of glitter
As you read this I am boarding my flight to Tokyo. I’ve been counting down to a much needed escape to Japan - my first week mainly work free since summer 2021. All the things I’m looking for there will never find themselves in a 20% off email: a vintage denim shirt, some tableware and glassware for my Paris apartment, and my creative juices - they got lost somewhere this fall.
That being said, It’s almost impossible to not get swept up in the chaos (and fun) of Black Friday and holiday shopping. I’ll be spending Christmas in France with my family. This year, we have decided to do a ‘white elephant’ style of gifting to alleviate the financial stress (and waste) of holiday shopping. Each family member picks one gift recipient at random and must gift this person only with a budget of $150 euros. Stocking stuffers up to $20 in value are allowed but not required (I do intend to go ham on those in Tokyo).
I picked my mom and I fully intend to cheat. I come from a modest family and while we always had enough, my parents were careful about money and rarely ever indulged in purchases they wanted as opposed to needed. I take immense joy in being able to spoil her with expensive stuff she would never buy for herself (and I would never buy for myself either - it just feels different when it’s for her). She deserves it all. My siblings will be annoyed at me for going off script, but I’m on the hunt for the pink suede Togo sofa she’s dying for.
This got me thinking about one of my favorite topics: Objects of desire, wishlists. Mine looks something like this:
A week off the grid with zero technology
Unlimited lymphatic drainage and facial treatments for the rest of my life
A farm and Spritz factory for Ghia, such that we could make everything on site without ever dealing with supply chain issues again
The flower sculptures currently in the Prada vitrines around the world for my Paris kitchen (not for sale)
But there are a few items in my carts I’ll likely clear - my best sale strategy is to only indulge in items I was already coveting when they were full price, including the Loewe incense since I’m sad to report no one has gifted it to me yet.
So here we are - Les Soldes, Part 1. Half gift guide, half wishlist.
xx
Mélanie
Perfect denim shirt. 30% off Tabis. Everything By Malene Birger but especially this vest, I would want to layer it over a dress. A stylish everything bag (40% off, comes in a few colors). THE Courreges mini (I’m a 36) - I have the white and want the red, especially combined with the denim shirt. Ballerina bodysuit that won’t give me a VPL. The damn Loewe incense!
Good Paco bags 50% off (I like the Moon shape, the other ones barely fit a phone). Birthstones friendship bracelets. Tekla pjs for Paris. Tea towels restored and dyed in France with love by my family! A chic lighter cover. The softest sweater - the sleeve detail reminds me of Phoebe’s knits for Celine. Westman Atelier’s new mascara. The Cecilie skirt I regretted not pre-ordering and still think about.
A very sparkly dress. Ghia’s new Ghianduja Crunch! Very versatile and affordable sequin shorts. Eliou 40% off (sitewide too). Frankie shop shirt. Mirrored vintage baguette. My favorite Tory skirt.
PS: If this post was entertaining you might like the Ghia gift guide we all put together last week, too.