links + small things
2025 Holiday Gifts: my Perfect Gifts by Maya Brenner
For most of my life, I never wore brown because I didn’t think it complemented my hair and skin well. Now I can’t stop wearing it, especially a super dark, chocolate brown.
How was your week? We had one of the busiest weeks of our lives last week, so I’m feeling very grateful that we can slow down a bit this week!
Around this time of year, I start thinking through my goals and dreams for the following year. I like to set some time aside at the end of the year for reflection, but undoubtedly, I start thinking through what those can look like a bit early. I’ve actually already chosen my word for next year, but I’ll wait until 2026 to make it official.
I want to share something with you next, that there is no natural transition for…
About 2 weeks ago, we received some terrible news that involved two friends of ours, Trevor and Natalia. We received a text from a mutual friend that Trevor‘s fiancée, Natalia, was involved in a tragic accident and succumbed to the injuries only a few hours later. Natalia was an assistant professor at North Carolina State University, and she and Trevor were only a few weeks away from getting married. It’s an unthinkable loss, and Justin and I have been devastated for Trevor while trying to support him in any way we can. I wanted to share the GoFundMe Trevor set up in Natalia’s honor, which will be used to create a scholarship at NC State. She was deeply passionate about animals, had a true love of learning, and was a kind soul. Thank you!
Recent blog posts:
Don’t shop Black Friday or Cyber Monday (month) until you check my sales round-up here!
Shop Kate’s curated Maya Brenner Holiday Gift Guide: Use the code KATE20 to get 20% off select items. Purchase any item from the gift guides, and receive a FREE Kate × Maya travel jewelry case while supplies last.
And here are a few things I mentioned on Instagram Stories recently that you may have missed:
Women’s Sherpa Fleece Quilted Mixed Media Parka
FeatherFree Insulated Diamond Quilted Maxi Coat
Smocked Volume-Sleeve Mini Fit-and-Flare Dress
Metallic Maxi Fit-and-Flare Dress
Inside Out Style Sweatshirt from Walmart
Miranda Frye Ellie Huggies
Have you seen something on IG Stories that you want to reference? It may be in the last links + small things blog post if it’s not above.
Do you have a question for Kate or want to reach out? Write to Connect@thesmallthingsblog.com, and someone from the team will get back to you!
Ongoing Promo Codes – not eligible to stack with most BF/CM Promos:
Use code K8Holiday to get 20% off stationery and gifts at Minted until 12/31
Miranda Frye: 15% off and free US shipping with code SMALLTHINGS until 11/26
BK Beauty: custom discount code SMALLTHINGS10 for 10% off
Stakt: Use code SMALLTHINGS15 for 15% off
Tower 28: Use code KATE 15 for 15% off
Sardine: Smallthings15 for 15% off
Monica Vinader: KATEBRYANMV will get you 20% off
Barefaced: 10% off for new customers – use code KATE10
Dermstore: 15% off all of the brands on this landing page with code: ‘SMALLTHINGS15’: https://www.dermstore.com/c/offers/welcome/
YSE Beauty: 15% off at ysebeauty.com using code SMALLTHINGS15
SWEED Beauty: Code Kate-5 will get you an additional 5% off on top of current sales.
Tommy John: Use code KATE30 for 30% off
Loopy Cases – Code smallthings10 will get you 10% off of anything on their site
Sanctuary – SMALLTHINGS15 for 15% off
Splendid – Kateb20 for 20% off
Jouer Cosmetics – 20% off using code SMALLTHINGS20
Paige: SmallThings15 for 15% off sitewide – active again after BF/CM
comments
Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear about your friends. That’s devastating! Sending love.