Shop Small Gift Guide

I’m so excited to share this gift guide with you! I love to shop small, mainly because, the mall. It used to be my favorite spot to shop in middle school! Claire’s, Sanrio Surprise, Deliah’s!?! Come on right?? I couldn’t get enough of the place that shaped my 90’s adolescence!

These days its quite a different experience. More of an over crowded, headache inducing, soul sucking plaza where I have a hard time finding anything unique or quality. So just as I matured from my low rise, 28 inch wide JNCO jeans, thankfully so have my shopping (and style) habits! Buh-bye mall, hello high waisted skinny jeans! I started to shop small, local and you can to!

When looking for a gift, instead of heading to the mall, why not support makers + artisans? Actual love, care + creativity is put into each item and that makes any gift ‘next level’ special! Don’t know where to start looking? I’ve made it SUPER easy for you by compiling this amazing list of some of my absolute fave small shop creative businesses!! I own something from pretty much all of these makers and wanted to share their goodness with you! By shopping small you empower them to keep doing what they love, it helps the environment + you get to give (or keep!) something truly unique! Here we go:

FOR THE PLANT KILLER WHO IS A PLANT LOVER

You know, the one who has good intentions but can’t keep a plant alive to save her life. Give her the gift of joining the Plant Killers Club! Tierra Sol is a husband + wife duo who create happy and minimal hand formed ceramics AND they studio grow all the cacti! Formerly plant killers themselves, they have unlocked the mysteries of how to become a seriously bulletproof plant lover. The caticorn planter is on my wishlist for obvious reasons!

 FOR THE COOL MAMA + MINI

She hates “kid stuff” because it’s too colorful and just doesn’t fit her monochromatic ‘aesthetic’. Her IG is always on point and her kids look like they could grace the cover of Babiekins magazine! Tyger Alexis handmade has you covered! From our stylish chewy bead necklaces that can be worn by all ages, to heirloom wooden tiger toys, to modern bedroom decor + accesories. All easily blend into any cool mom’s dream style.

FOR THE CERAMIC LOVER

Bright colors. Unique textures. Fun shapes. High quality. And always functional! Not much you could ask for honestly! All of the cutest ceramics are designed + handmade by Lauren Sumner in her Raleigh, N.C. studio. My personal favorites are her cat ring dishes (I have one in white!) and her green philodendron leaf bowls. Each piece is one of a kind and oh so cool!

FOR THE MINIMALIST

Looking for that ‘go-to, every day’ piece of jewelry your friend will be obsessed with? FOUND IT! Windblown is known for making effortlessly perfect accessories for any look. I seriously wear my warrior necklace almost every. single. day. Not exaggerating! Each piece is lovingly handmade and the packaging is on point! So many simple designs, you may have to get something for yourself too. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!

FOR THE NATURAL BEAUTY

I don’t think I have EVER used better skin care than Good JuJu Herbal! Honestly, my skin loves me more since I started using her mini skin care kit + dead sea clay mask. All Good JuJu Herbal products are vegan and vegetarian friendly too! They contain no parabens, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate or synthetic dyes/pigments. BOOM! Not tested on animals and hand created in a solar powered studio! How amazing is that! Not your typical cheap holiday ‘spa’ kit! These are the ones your friends wont re-gift!

FOR THE SUSTAINABLE ONE

Finally. Healthy, handmade products that reduce household plastic waste! And Non Toxic?!? Yaaassss! Fillaree sources ingredients with one thing in mind: environmental responsibility. Their small batch, handmade products are 100% vegan and made with high quality, fair trade essential oils. I am crazy over the Clean Dream all purpose cleaning spray! I feel so safe using it around my girls and it smells like heaven. If you’re local, you can actually take your empty containers to refill stations all over the triangle. Nothing cooler. Make your eco-conscience friend giddy with excitement over these amazing smelling products!

FOR THE MINI FASHIONISTA

Have a little cutie in your life that is always on the go and never has time to sacrifice style? Yeah, my 4 year old too. 😉 She lives in her Olive + Lou skater dress and I love it so much that I wish I had one in my size! It’s the softest, most durable + adorably flattering design. Comes in so many colors and patterns, you will be considered a fashion hero for life in the eyes of that little model with any pick!

FOR THE ECLECTIC

Only the coolest of the cool rock Peppertrain’s handmade beads! And I’m pretty sure you know all the coolest people – Because YOU ARE ONE! Peppertrain has got something for the friend who likes things out of the ordinary when it comes to style. From statement necklaces to bold earrings, using a broad array of colors she accents her pieces with “unexpected elements such as pipes and elbow brackets from the hardware store”. Her jewelry is incredible, we are huge fans and want one of everything in her shop!

FOR THE WRITER

Cat Call Collective, making offices cuter, one desk notepad at a time! And not just with notepads, but all sorts of custom letterpress prints + stationery lines! Bekah Bohlen + her husband have made quite the impression (See what I did there?? Impresssion…she does letter pr…*cough*) with their mobile tiny shop! Featuring goods from tons of local artists. It’s the cutest! Check out their shop, grab something for your avid note taker and a little something for yourself!

FOR THE ADVENTURER

Chocolate, Cardamom, + Rose lip balm! Need I say more?? This flavor was inspired by Beard + Lady’s first year of marriage in Cairo, Egypt. While living there, they became acquainted with the smells and tastes of cardamom + rose that are often ingredients in Middle Eastern desserts and drinks. So the obvious next step in life is to make an all natural lip balm inspired by their travels. DUH! I don’t leave the house without this stuff. It’s my all time favorite lip balm on the planet. Send your adventurous friend off with one of these in their back pockets and keep one for yourself since they are sold in a two pack! Say what!

For more gift ideas…

Check out my Shop The Wishlist page! It’s my giant list of amazing brands and products I am crazy over and it’s totally shoppable! Just click on the image and it will take you directly to the item for easy check out. You’re welcome.

Happy Shopping!

xo,