Shopping

Every Saturday in the month of November, I am featuring a couple small businesses that I have either ordered from in the past six months or that I plan to order from before the end of the year. I love the quality of items that I have purchased from small shops. I also love knowing that there is an actual person on the other end of my order (quite possibly doing a happy dance).

On the first Saturday I shared baby/kids clothing shops. Next, I shared adult clothing shops. Last Saturday, I shared home decor & lavender products. Today, I’m sharing a couple of food (or food related) shops. In no particular order:

Hope & Happy Designs | Mugs

Hope and Happy Designs specializes in mugs that bring hope-filled and happy messages into your home. Additionally, they have apparel, coffee, chocolate, and stickers to help you find the perfect gifting combo! The owner, Andrea, began Hope and Happy Designs with the intent to bring encouraging, joy-filled, beautiful mugs into your home. She firmly believes that “the words you surround yourself with are the words you take to heart and find yourself repeating.” This is so true!

My favorites

I purchased the “Merry & Bright” mug and the “What a Beautiful Morning” mug as gifts for my in-laws. I love that the “Merry & Bright” mug is a Christmas mug that can easily be used year round. The “What a Beautiful Morning” mugs are offered at a discount because there is black ink wrapped around the entire mug. It’s a unique look (that I really like), just not how it’s “supposed” to be so Andrea offers it at a discount.

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Andrea offers the ability to include a pretty gift tag with a message of who the gift is from in the checkout notes and hides the prices on the receipt. I love this option when sending a gift straight to the recipient.

She has 4 mugs in her “Things You Are” collection.: Cheerful, Hopeful, Thankful, and Joyful. Each mug comes with a scripture card with the mug’s verse printed on it.

She has an Imperfect Collection where the mugs didn’t come out quite right. They’re still perfectly usable; there just may be extra ink spots, text fading, or color inconsistencies.

All of the mugs are microwave and top-rack dishwasher safe but handwashing is highly suggested to keep it looking its Sunday best.

Make sure to follow Andrea on Instagram for updates to her shop. Hope and Happy Designs is based in Minnesota, USA (Central time zone). Current turn around time is 2-3 business days. She also offers free local pickup.

Black Friday Weekend Deal

She has a number of small businesses featured on her website so you have a one-stop, support-the-small-businesses, gifting area. These items are cozy and cute and perfect for pairing with mugs.

Fresco Chocolate | Artisan Chocolate

Fresco Chocolate makes and sells craft dark chocolate from cocoa beans. They roast, winnow, grind, conche, temper and hand wrap every bar. Their products include chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, online classes, and sweet treats. All of their products are dairy free, soy free, nut free, and gluten free.

Husband and wife duo Rob & Amy are the owners of Fresco Chocolate. Rob handles the chocolate making and new recipe development while Amy runs the day-to-day operations. It is truly a family business. Each of their four children have even worked with them at various times since they started in 2010.

My favorites

I purchased the Drinking Chocolate for my mother-in-law in Montana because she LOVES chocolate. It comes in two sizes: the 10 oz family size (8-9 servings) or the 4 oz personal size (1-3 servings) and includes recipes for hot cocoa and a thick sipping chocolate.

I also drooled over the Handmade Chocolate Covered Marshmallows. They hand dip Madagascar vanilla marshmallows in their single origin dark Ghana chocolate.  These are light and fluffy on the inside with a deep chocolate flavor on the outside. Yum!

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Their chocolate bars can be purchased individually or in a tasting kit with a couple different varieties. You can also sign up for a live (through Zoom) chocolate tasting class with Fresco’s founders, Rob & Amy. Rob & Amy share their insights into the chocolate making process and teach you how chocolate gets it’s flavor.

Make sure to follow Fresco Chocolate on Instagram and Facebook for updates on products offered. Fresco Chocolate is based in Washington, USA (Pacific time zone). Current turn around time is 1-2 weeks. Free shipping on orders over $50.

Black Friday Weekend Deal

Buy 2 Get 1 FREE! Add any three items to your cart and one will be free. Discount is automatically added in the cart.

Holm Made Toffee Co. | Homemade Premium Toffee

I came across Holm Made Toffee Co. while reading an article in my sorority’s quarterly magazine. The article was about 40 outstanding women under the age of 40. Randi, Chief Toffee Officer and one of the owners of Holm Made Toffee Co. is a Gamma Phi Beta (like me) and local to Bend, Oregon! Randi has had an interesting career path working for three different minor league teams and one major league baseball team, the Seattle Mariners. In 2013, she took a leap of faith and joined her mother-in-law to grow a business of their own. Holm Made Toffee Co. is a play on Randi and her mother-in-law’s last name.

Toffee has been a tradition in their family for over thirty years. They’ve been crafting artisan toffee for family and friends to celebrate the holidays, life’s special moments and whenever they felt the need to bring a smile to a friend or neighbor.

Their homemade, premium toffee is available to purchase online and at more than 300 retailers nationwide. The recipe contains no gluten, no soy, and no corn syrup.

My favorites

While the Original Hazelnut Toffee is still my favorite, I’m excited to try the S’mores Hazelnut Toffee. I’m also curious about the Candy Cane Hazelnut Toffee and the Gingerbread Hazelnut Toffee. I’ll sample them all next week after I pick up my order.

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Like them all and can’t decide what to get? I recommend getting the 6-Pack. You can try up to six different flavors and you save $5!

Make sure to follow Holm Made Toffee Co. on Instagram and Facebook for updates on their products. Holm Made Toffee Co. is based in Oregon, USA (Pacific time zone). Current turn around time is 3-7 days. She offers free local pickup and free USPS Priority shipping on orders over $35.

Black Friday Weekend Deal

Use code SHOPSMALL20 for a 20% discount on all Holm Made Toffee products through Monday, November 30, 2020.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for following along with my small business series. If you missed the first three weeks, you can read about them here: Part 1 –Baby/kids clothing shops, Part 2 – Adult clothing shops, and Part 3 – Home Decor & Lavender Products.

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are genuinely my own.

Every Saturday in the month of November, I am featuring a couple small businesses that I have either ordered from in the past six months or that I plan to order from before the end of the year. I love the quality of items that I have purchased from small shops. I also love knowing that there is an actual person on the other end of my order (quite possibly doing a happy dance).

On the first Saturday I shared baby/kids clothing shops. Last Saturday I shared adult clothing shops. Today, I’m sharing a couple of shops for home decor or personal items. In no particular order:

Lindsey Jane Co. | Home Decor Signs

Lindsey Jane Co. makes well designed quality farmhouse signs. The owner, Lindsey also owns Jane Thread Tees that I talked about last week. She offers a new sign every Friday that’s only available for one day. Yesterday, she offered this beautiful Merry Christmas sign. Her blog, LindseyJaneCo.com, is a great place to get inspiration to affordably create a stylish and livable home.

Make sure to follow Lindsey on Instagram for the item of the week as well as DIY home update tutorials. Lindsey Jane Co is based in Utah, USA (Mountain time zone). Current turn around time is 2-3 weeks before shipping. She also offers free local pickup.

Black Friday Week Deal

There is normally only one sign available at a time in Lindsey’s Etsy shop. For the week of Black Friday, you can shop every item of the week, plus there will be new signs available to order. All signs will be ready in time for Christmas! Make sure to follow Lindsey on Instagram for updates.

Dolphinitely Designs | Disney inspired 3D printed Charger Charms & Nightlights

I am a huge Disney fan. So when my sister sent me a photo of one of these nightlights, I knew I had to get it. Ashley, the one woman show behind Dolphinitely Designs, has a background in the zoological field and a love of Disney. She restocks on Friday’s at 7:00 pm Eastern. You want to be online and logged into your account on her website because her items go FAST!

The night lights are my favorite product of hers. I have the Pumpkin Mouse (out of season and not currently available) and the Christmouse Tree night lights. I also have the Enchanted Rose and the Let it Snow night lights that I will be giving to my daughters for Christmas. She has a Midnight Castle (Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World) night light that just came out yesterday. If/When she comes out with a Disneyland (Sleeping Beauty’s Castle) version, I will snap it up in a heartbeat.

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For her charger charms, my personal favorite is the Sleepy Castle (Disneyland’s castle). The charger charms are compatible with Apple cubes, the Samsung adaptive fast charging adapter and the Apple USBC. Double check which charger you are using so you don’t order the wrong one.

She sometimes has limited quantities of magnets, ear sets and ornaments. She also sells Oops and Tester versions of night lights, magnets and charger charms so definitely check that section of her website as well.

Make sure to follow Dolphinitely Designs on Instagram for updates on the designs offered. Dolphinitely Designs is based in Florida, USA (Eastern time zone). Current turn around time is 1-2 weeks before shipping. I’ve received my order as soon as 1 week after ordering.

The Lavender Lady | Lavender Lotion & Other Products

I came across The Lavender Lady at the farmers market in Coos Bay, OR while on a family trip 5 or 6 years ago. I purchased her lotion and have loved it ever since. The owner, Sherri, planted Merritt Lavender Farm in September of 2005 and using organic growing practices started a wonderful lavender adventure. She now creates a line of 16 natural lavender products trademarked under The Lavender Lady brand name. I have also tried her Lavender Spirtz that I spray on my pillow before bed.

Make sure to follow The Lavender Lady on Facebook for recipes and updates on her lavender products. The Lavender Lady is based in Oregon, USA (Pacific time zone). Current turn around time is 1-2 weeks. She offers free Priority shipping on orders of $35 or more.

More small businesses to come

Next week, I’ll be talking about food shops (and a mug shop too). Check back here for my last post featuring small businesses.

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are genuinely my own.

Every Saturday in the month of November, I am featuring a couple small businesses that I have either ordered from in the past six months or that I plan to order from before the end of the year. I love the quality of items that I have purchased from small shops. I also love knowing that there is an actual person on the other end of my order (quite possibly doing a happy dance).

Last week, I shared baby/kids clothing shops. Today, I’m sharing a couple of adult clothing shops. In no particular order:

Blair Lamb Design | Made-to-order screen printed + embroidered items

Blair has a beautiful line of screen printed and embroidered items including short-sleeved tees, long-sleeved tees, and sweatshirts. Blair’s husband is a full-time screenprinter at his shop. She designs everything for her Etsy shop and he prints it. Each item is made to order, so any design can be printed on any garment. She launched her Christmas line a few weeks ago and there are so many cute designs, I am having a hard time choosing a favorite! I’m partial to the embroidered designs but the screen printed designs are fun as well.

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I love the embroidered Believe design. It is simple and magical. She has it in both short-sleeved and long-sleeved tees as well as a sweatshirt.

I go home to my parent’s house for Christmas every year so of course I love the embroidered “Home for the Holidays” shirt. She has this design available as a short-sleeved tee, long-sleeved tee, and a sweatshirt. Similarly, she has a screen printed sweatshirt that says “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays”. This design is also available as a long sleeved tee.

I love the simplicity of the Christmas tree that she has embroidered on this hat. It’s a way to be festive without having your clothing scream Christmas. Let me be honest though. I love Christmas and would probably rock this hat ALL. YEAR. LONG.

Make sure to follow at Blair Lamb Design on Instagram for updates on designs offered and Etsy shop opening and closings. Blair Lamb Design is based in Texas, USA (Central time zone). She offers free shipping within the United States with a $50 purchase from her Etsy shop. Current turn around time is 2-3 weeks before shipping so make sure to order early if you want to purchase for Christmas.

Jane Thread Tees | T-Shirts for makers, woodworkers, and crafters

Lindsey Jane is the owner of Jane Thread Tees. She makes crafty tee shirts for the DIYer in your life (including if that crafter or DIYer is you). I definitely consider myself a crafter so her shirts speak to me. There are so many fun designs. My personal favorite is the shirt that says “I can totally make that.” So many times I have been in a craft store, or on Pinterest and thought those exact words. She also offers this design on a long-sleeved tee. I haven’t gotten into woodworking or using power tools yet but when I do, there is a whole line of shirts to choose from.

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Not a crafter or woodworker? That’s okay. She has other shirts like this Create A Life You Love tee. This saying can be applied to anyone, not just crafters and makers. Make sure to follow Lindsey on Instagram where she shares DIY wood craft tutorials and well designed, excellent quality farmhouse signs (more on the signs next week). Jane Thread Tees is based in Utah, USA (Mountain time zone). Current turn around time is 2-3 weeks before shipping.

More small businesses to come

Next week, I’ll be talking about home shops (decor and lotion). Make sure to check out my next 2 posts featuring more small businesses.

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are genuinely my own.

Every Saturday in the month of November, I am going to feature a couple small businesses that I have either ordered from in the past six months or that I plan to order from before the end of the year. I love the quality of items that I have purchased from small shops. I also love knowing that there is an actual person on the other end of my order (quite possibly doing a happy dance).

Today, I’m sharing a couple of baby/kids clothing shops. In no particular order:

Sweet Leaf Lane | Handmade Girls Dresses

These are the cutest hand-made dresses and pjs. Kali, the creator and seamstress of Sweet Leaf Lane started this shop when she had her first baby girl. Now, having 2 girls, she specializes in sister sets. In her own words, sister sets are “coordinating girls dresses that complement each other like peanut butter and jelly.” Kali had her holiday launch yesterday (November 6, 2020). Many of her Christmas dresses are in non-traditional colors but are still festive for the season. The dresses are so beautiful that I had trouble choosing. I narrowed it down to the Christmas Gingerbread Pocket Dress and the Christmas Gingham Wrap Dress and let my daughter choose. She chose the Gingerbread Pocket Dress. Who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?!

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But wait, there’s more…

All of last year’s items are discounted 25% (no code necessary) through Sunday night, November 8, 2020. They are only available until she runs out. I have trouble resisting a sale (especially when I’m already placing an order). I ordered the November 2019 Dress of the Month for my oldest and the Christmas Rudolph dress for my youngest. It was perfect that she has leggings in her shop as well because it’s currently snowing here! I ordered the Candy Cane Stripe Leggings.

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Make sure to follow Sweet Leaf Lane on Facebook and Instagram to find out the Dress of the Month (DOTM). These dresses are $29.99 and can be found in the “New” category on her website. The November 2020 dress is the dress below.

Sweet Leaf Lane is based in Idaho, USA (Mountain time zone). Current turn around time is 2-3 weeks. If you post a picture of your girl(s) in one of her dresses, make sure to tag her on Instagram @sweetleaflane and use the hashtag #sllsweetie. At the end of the month, she draws a winner for a $50 shop credit!

Wooly Monsters | Handmade Baby Leggings

Wooly Monsters are adorable 100% wool hand knit pants made for babies and toddlers with a fun monster face on the bum. The wool is both breathable and warm at the same time, making it suitable year-round. It also works amazingly as a cover for natural cloth diapers but can be used with disposable diapers as well. My personal favorite was the Rainbow Monsters because I love the bright colors but also for Arynne’s story behind them. Arynne, the creator and knitter behind Wooly Monsters, was courageous enough to share her story with me and allow me to include it below.

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The Story Behind Wooly Monsters

I asked Arynne why she made these baby leggings. She shared the following story with me and allowed me to share her story here. “Knitting is a very calming and therapeutic process for me. Back in the summer of 2019, my little family decided to expand and we started trying for a baby. I knew I wanted to cloth diaper with natural fibers like cotton and wool, as I had with my teenager years ago. So I started looking into wool pants and covers and was saddened to see there was a lack of colorful and fun hand knit longies available. So I ordered some wool yarn and made a plan to make my own. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in miscarriage before I could start making anything.”

“Fast forward to 2020 and the crazy new world we all found ourselves in, and another pregnancy loss that I couldn’t explain. I had made a few wool things that time while I was pregnant, based on patterns available online, but they were all just a little off.”

“As we decided to keep trying for a successful pregnancy, I also decided I need something to keep my hands busy. So I made a pattern and knit a pair of rainbow longies as a gift for a family member’s rainbow baby. And I perfected my pattern and sizing, allowing myself to imagine our baby one day wearing these little monsters. As I shared my creations, I realized a lot of other mamas out there would like something fun for their little ones and opened Wooly Monsters. My favorite are the rainbow stripes, they just make me so hopeful for the bright futures of the babies who wear them.”

I am so grateful to Arynne for sharing her story and I hope her dreams expanding her family come true. Make sure to follow Wooly Monsters on Facebook and Instagram. Wooly Monsters is based in Utah, USA (Mountain time zone).

More small businesses to come

Next week, I’ll be talking about adult clothing shops. Make sure to check out my next 3 posts featuring more small businesses.

This post is not sponsored. All opinions are genuinely my own.