Best Birthday Freebies

Happy birthday to...me! I wanted to share with you the best birthday freebies and promos that I totally plan to take advantage on this month! I usually do a google search around this time of year to find any new birthday freebies, but the lists I find always include a ton of food deals and not enough fashion and beauty perks that I take advantage of every year.  The perks of having an inbox full of company emails throughout the year is that during your birthday month you usually get a bonus email to include additional coupon codes or better yet a freebie. If you're really committed, you could create a junk gmail account to sign up for as much as possible and check it during your birthday month or for when you want coupons 😜 

These are my favorite birthday freebies I take advantage of every year:

Tory Burch:  Every year I receive a $50 credit towards anything in the Tory Store (no exclusions as far as I know and NO MINIMUM!). A few things I've used it on in the past include this cedar wood candle that I ended up spending under $20 and still keep it as decor in my home. Two years ago I bought these Miller flats that I wear all spring and summer long. A few years back I used it on these stud earrings (again, under $20 on my dime) for these earrings that I still wear on regular rotation in my wardrobe today. This year, I'm looking at these Minnie flats for work, but I'll let y'all know what I decide. The good and bad about a post holiday birthday is the holiday sales (right now it's an additional 30% off), however the inventory is also much lower until they stock up for spring. Please note, I read you have to be signed up for a month prior to your birthday to receive the promotion.

** UPDATE: I received my promotion from TB late, and they've changed it to a $100 minimum purchase and there are a few exclusions to look at. The cute Minnie flats are unfortunately excluded!

Kendra Scott: 50% off one item (no exclusions as far as I know) when you show them your valid drivers lisence during the month of your birthday. Last year, I purchased a bracelet that was on sale and I think it cost me $10. It would also be a great time to purchase your bridal jewelry if you've dreamed of wearing her pieces on your big day! I obsessed with any piece with her iridescent druzy stone. Her Elle earrings are a staple in my wardrobe and I've had them for over three years now. This year, I'm thinking about getting these earrnings that I've been eyeing for a few months! 

Sephora: Signing up to be a Sephora Beauty Insider lets you track points towards samples and you get a free sample set during your birth month. Also, you typically get emails including a coupon usually in April and November which increases based on how much you spend in a calendar year.  I always get the first look at the new Sephora freebie gift. In comparison to years past, they now give you a two options to choose from. This year you can choose between a Tarte blush and lip mini or a Caudalie moisturizer and serum set. I choose the skincare set because I don't need another Tarte blush and the lip color was too dark for me. 

Starbucks: Free drink when you have the Starbucks app on your birthday (I believe it's a three day window), so why not make it a venti :) You also get 15% off your purchase in their store. Hello cute new coffee mug!

Sugarfina: You'll get a coupon for a free cube by signing up for their emails! I recently purchased this cute box in honor of NYE and my birthday because #treatyoself

Additional fashion and beauty birthday freebies:

American Eagle Outfitters: 15% off when you sign up to be a AEReward member

Anthropologie: 15% off your purchase (it used to be 20%, sigh)

Aveda: Free gift when you sign up as a member

Bare Minerals: Sign up for a free gift with you join their FAB program 

Baskin Robbins: Free ice cream when you sign up for a baskin robbins account

DSW: $5 gift certificate when you sign up for their rewards program

Fabrik: 20% off your purchase (you also get 20% off when you sign up for emails)

Fresh: Free gift ($25 value) - requires purchase with online order

Old Navy: 10% off coupon

J. Crew: 25$ Birthday surprise when you have a J. Crew credit card

J. Crew Factory: 20% off and free shipping on your birthday

Kiehls: Reward program sign up gets you a birthday freebie

Krispy Kreme: free doughnut when you become a friend of krispy kreme

Macys: $10 gift card during your birthday month when you have a Macy's credit card

Panera Bread free gift loaded on your loyalty card

Pinkberry: free yogurt with sign up

Redbox: one free night rental with Redbox play pass

Tarte: Free birthday gift and 20% off coupon (plus deluxe sample)

Teavana: free 1 oz of tea with the Starbucks app

The Body Shop $10 off your purchase 

Ulta: Free gift with an account (last year it was a benefit mascara sample)

Urban Decay: Free full sized eyeshadow with purchase (you pick the shade)

Victoria Secret: $10 off coupon during your birthday month

YSL: Makeup freebie

I'm celebrating today by working until 7 #adulting

xo Amanda John

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Birthday Outfit

I think the thumb brace really makes the outfit ;) Over the weekend Tim spoiled me for my birthday with dinner at the Sundial. It's a restaurant on top of the highest hotel in downtown Atlanta and rotates in a circle (1 hour for a full circle) to view all of Atlanta. Sadly, we couldn't see ANYTHING because the fog was so dense.. an excuse to go back ;) We took these photos at the hotel so the lighting is a little harsh. Yesterday I had dinner with family and we had champagne and chocolate chip cookies for dessert #dietstartstoday 

On to the outfit details. Due to the weather I wanted to wear pants instead of a dress or skirt, so I threw on my go to leather leggings from express. My top is old from Francescas but this is an identical top (just more expensive). To spice it up I added these leopard shoes (I also love these on sale). I linked the rest of the outfit and other similar options below!

Happy Happy Monday! It's the last week of Christmas break until I go back to Savannah for school.

Birthday Wishlist

I by no means want all of these things, but I thought it would be fun to put together a birthday wish list to share. The best part about having a birthday right after Christmas are all the great after Christmas sales; however it's hard to ask for things right after the holiday...

1. Every year I look forward to an email gift card from Tory Burch. Be sure to sign up for her emails (although I'm not really sure why I get this). Tim just spoiled me with this handbag I've been dying over for 34 weeks now (I looked at when I instagramed it, haha). Here is a very similar handbag on sale! I'll most likely get a new wrap bracelet because my current gold one is pretty dirty and I'm not sure how to clean the metallic leather. 

2. My roommate just got one for Christmas and loves it, and with new years resolutions around the corner this couldn't hurt to keep me motivated!

3. I'm on the market for a new bath robe. I'm not too picky about where it comes from, but I thought this soft blue color was pretty and matched the color scheme ;)

4. These have been everywhere lately. It is an adorable little way to take some instant films, but I'm not too sold on how expensive the film is. Please share your thoughts about it!

5. This book has gained some popularity on Instagram lately, and after reading I think it would be a cute decor piece.

6. Love this bracelet.... although it's currently sold out :\ No worries, I'm on the wait list. 

7. I had an unfortunate event with my iPhone last spring and have been using my mom's ever since (she's been using an old one but going from 32GB to 8GB just wasn't an option..haha). So I think it's time to upgrade for the 64GB and give my mom her phone back.

8. I received a Teavana tumblr for Christmas and tried Chai tea from Starbucks for the first time and I'm hooked. If you haven't already (cough Tim cough), be sure to sign up with their program to receive points AND a free birthday drink OR 1oz of free Teavana (which is obviously what I'll be doing). Pictured is this gorgeous tin I received.

9. After receiving the purse I told you about, I realized that I have an embarrassing about of gold accessories to go inside it, aka one of those being a gold iPad mini case. I love this mint color, and adding some gold initials to it wouldn't be too overboard..

10. Well, I definitely don't need this BUT it's a classic. I love two-toned jewelry. 

11. After losing some of my favorite stud earrings, I need to move on and find another everyday pair.  Surprisingly I found this pair in my car as I was leaving for my surgery (funny how that happens!). Anywho, I've been eyeing these from Tiffany, because it's a crime to live in GA without a pair. 

My birthday is Sunday, but I'll be celebrating all weekend long ;) Thanks for reading!