My Favorite Makers - A Gift Guide - Part 1
Shopping small and handmade is my jam, and since you’re here, I figured it’s your jam too.
I thought I’d take this opportunity to offer you some of my favorite products and businesses as suggestions for you holiday gift purchases. Here’s the first round - I hope you enjoy these!
Don’t tell Alexandra this - but I’ve never liked macarons - I always thought they were a little to sweet and a little too bland but when I tasted hers, well, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! They are literally the best thing I have ever tasted! (Ok, you can tell her!). If you haven’t had the joy of trying out one of her treats, you’ll be pleased to know she now has two locations: one in Ballard and one in Capitol Hill - I would highly suggest going for brunch at the Capitol Hill location as she has added some savory treats to her menu and they are the best thing since sliced macarons!
Anna (of Carter and Rose) was in a neighboring booth at Urban Craft Uprising last year. She wasn’t there when her booth first caught my eye but I made sure to go and say hello when I saw she had returned. Air plants, hand made wall planters and little ceramic snakes filled her booth in a gorgeously decorated array of goodies. It was mesmerizing and I was so pleased to leave the show with a handful of her items.
These truly are the perfect gift for the plant lover in your life. Her air plant assortment is mind bogglingly good as are the ceramics. Her little store in Portland deserves a visit too, but if that’s not on the cards, then shop online - she ships really fast - and it’s always free!
Next up is Buddha Bath my favorite shop for body butter, soap and body scrub. I was gifted some oatmeal honey Buddah Bath body butter a couple of Christmas’s ago and have used it ever since. It’s my all time favorite and I even took some to South Africa to gift to my family - who now ask for it every time I visit. After falling in love with the body butter I branched out and tried the soap and the sugar scrub and I will never go back. All of these are now staples in my skin care routine. Do yourself a favor and buy some today or better yet, gift some (Honey oatmeal is my favorite)!
Looking for some gorgeous landscapes and original art? Look no further - Evan Elizabeth Art paints gorgeous Pacific Northwest abstract landscapes right in Greenwood. Her work is colorful, strong and moody. And if original art isn’t your thing - she has prints and calendars available too!
Made in Bellingham, Quinn continues to inspire me with her creativity, compassion and courage. Her art work is minimalist and meaningful. She paints original pieces of art, creates wrapping paper and cards and will also custom paint a mural or denim jacket that will knock your socks off!
I recently got some of her wrapping paper and cannot wait to use it this festive season - she’s coming out with some more designs soon so make sure you keep a look out!
Thunderpants USA is the cutest and most comfortable underwear in the world! Made in Portland OR, Thunderpants USA uses organic cotton, is USA made and is run by a team of two. Their core values are deeply aligned with mine (they believe in ethical manufacturing, sustainable business practices, and exceptional quality) and I love their branding and philosophies. I first discovered them several years ago at a store in Portland called Union Rose and absolutely love the fit as well as the quality. Over the years I have grown my underwear collection to be mostly Thunderpants and I couldn’t be happier. My latest favs are the woman’s hipster prickly cactus.
Treat your bums this holiday season and get yourself some Thunderpants!
Oh Tuesday Shop - my favorite kimonos, tunics and scarves. Rian makes the best clothes, no joke. She creates these gorgeous Kimonos that are perfect to lounge around in, or dress up for a night out. She uses fabric seconds or hand-dyes her Kimonos which are created in the spirit of traditional Japanese kimono. Her pieces fit all body types, are super versatile and extra stylish. She’s doing new releases every Tuesday so make sure you keep your eye on her website.
My currently favs are this: Over-Dye Plaid Smock Dress Black White Buffalo and this: Print High Low Kimono Blush Polka Dots Bubble Crepe
Uphill Designs have been on my radar for a very long time; years ago my husband got one of their wallets and he still uses it everyday. Recently I contacted Dan to make me a custom belt (I have a lot of buckles and wanted a belt I could swap out the buckle on) and working with him has been a dream!
They have an inspired retail location in Ballard where they make and sell their wares, they host events and classes have the cutest cat and dog duo who welcome pets and playing fetch! What more could you want?
If you follow me on Instagram you know that I love to drink my morning coffee from my Wolf Ceramics mug. In all honesty it’s my most prized possession. I am obsessed with the look, designs and color combinations that Sarah employs in her ceramics and admire the love and care that so obviously goes into each piece. I decided to get myself and my husband both mugs when we bought our house last year, as a little housewarming gift and we have shared coffee in these mugs every morning since. I hope one day to add a full dinnerware set to my collection but in the meantime our mugs will have to do.
