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Thinking Bigger: Serving Others and Supporting Small Businesses
Here on the blog, we've implemented a new series of talks on Thinking Bigger. Last week we touched on How Simplicity Changes Everything, and this week I wanted to talk about serving others and supporting small businesses – A topic that has really been on my heart and surprisingly, has also helped me process during this time.
My family lives in Dallas; we are so close, and it was really tough to cancel the trips we had planned to see each other, not knowing when the safe next time will be. One way that has helped me feel so connected is by sending them presents that remind me of them or fun little things for my sweet nieces! And all the while, I order the items from small businesses. You bring a company joy while sending joy to someone you love, and it doesn’t have to be big!Another long-winded, yet rewarding project we have been diving into is all things home and finishing the furnishing process! With the intension of supporting small businesses, I feel like I have entered an entirely new world of discovering some incredible companies! It makes the purchase that was on the to-do feel much more purposeful.
Fun Ideas
- Create your neighbor a bouquet of flowers from the backyard.
- Write a note to someone you are grateful for.
- Call your grandma.
- Give to a charity that provides meals to others during this time.
- Cook a meal or cookies and deliver it to someone it would help.
Gift Ideas
- Send a bottle of wine from here (it's organic and biodynamic and delicious!)
- A toy for your friend's puppy from here, here, or here.
- Send something cute from here.
- This Box of Sunshine that gives 100% of proceeds to Baby2Baby.
- The cutest organic clothes for kids.
- For new mamas.
- Healthy products from here.
For the Home
- I just got this little vase, mini lamp, and marble counter pedestal (inspo from Ashley Kane).
- These pretty water glasses.
- European linen pool towels for such an affordable price!
- A healthy way to keep the bugs away outside!
- Rugs from here or here!
- Something pretty from here.
To follow along with items I'm getting my hands on, or to see how I'm constantly learning and processing throughout this time, stay up to date on my Instagram. x
How can you serve and support others during this time? Jot down a few ideas and try to implement one this week!
Shop My Look Here: Shorts, Top, Sunnies, and Shoes [show_shopthepost_widget id="4030274"]
Cuyana: Give Better
Christmas shopping is one of my favorite activities. I enjoy it so much because it is an adventure trying to find presents that are really personal, meaningful, and high quality, yet affordable for the special ones in my life. [show_shopthepost_widget id="2929842"]
Christmas shopping is one of my favorite activities. I enjoy it so much because it is an adventure trying to find presents that are really personal, meaningful, and high quality, yet affordable for the special ones in my life. It is not always easy, but it is such a joy when those special items are found and gifted. Cue the tears on Christmas morning!
I recently discovered the brand, Cuyana, and it is one of those finds that I wonder what I did without. I recently ordered a few goodies for myself, and I immediately fell head over heels. The PJs are perfect for a cozy Christmas Eve, their travel case with embroidery is a dream gift, and the heart cosmetics case is the absolute cutest. If you have a traveler in the fam, this gift is a must + embroider it to make it extra lovely. Not to mention, the mini bucket bag is an essential for this season + a guaranteed appreciated gift.I so respect companies that have great initiative, and their philosophy of fewer, better things expresses the intention of investing in and giving designs that are beautiful and useful. I also love how each piece can be considered an essential - it is not an item that can be added to clutter, but rather, it stands as a quality piece that can be a beautiful replacement. See below for more of my favorite #givebetter gifts!
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THE OUTFIT:
dress (+ in blue plaid) | shoes | sunnies
images by felicia lasala
under $50 gift guide
Guys, are you as freaked out as I am that it's November already?! This year I am determined to start my shopping early (like, now) to make this amazing season as joyful and stress-free as possible. When you save your shopping till the last minute, you so miss out on how beautiful the Christmas season is because you're stressed and beating yourself up for procrastinating your shopping, yet again.So, I'd love to help you out! I will be sharing multiple gift guides over the next several weeks to make shopping as easy as possible for you. Today's gift round up are all amazing gifts for women, for less than $50. These would make great gifts for your best friend, co-worker, mother-in-law, neighbor, and just about any girl in your life. You can click on each "+" below to get direct links to the item! Or, everything is linked at the end of the post as well![show_ms_widget id="28537948" image_id="30810195" width="800" height="800"]
Sugar lip treatment gift set | Baies candle | Fox fur bag charm | "Santa! I know him!" pj set | Initial stud earrings | Ceramic trinket tray | Deer throw blanket | "hello" mug | Initial throw pillow | Minnetonka bootie | Stay Fancy wine glass | Blanket scarf | Printed pj bottoms (come in tons of prints!)
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father's day gift guide
As much as I love shopping, and LOVE my dad...I always struggle with Father's Day shopping. I'm not sure about your dad, but mine isn't the easiest to shop for. In case you also have a hard time with this, I've rounded up a few gifts that would be great for almost any dad, and they are all under $50! You can hover over the images for the links to shop! (The bathing suit on the bottom right...you can get 2 for $50! what?!)[show_ms_widget id="21817170" image_id="23180625" width="800" height="800"]Other great places to shop for Father's Day gifts:
- J.McLaughlin (amazing swimsuits! I got my dad this one, but don't tell!)
- Jack Spade (take 20% off with code "TOPPOP")
- Nike
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Amazon (great deals. plus what can't you find on Amazon?!)
Shop the post:
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mother's day gift guide!
Ya'll! Is it just me or is it so hard to believe that Mother's Day is already this Sunday? If you're anything like me, this holiday snuck up on you and you might need some help with your shopping. I've put together a little gift guide of great gifts that I think any mom would love! They are all also under $100 and free shipping! You can hover over this image to get links, or you can shop the post at the bottom! xx[show_ms_widget id="19589360" image_id="20692670" width="800" height="800"] [show_shopthepost_widget id="710385"]
valentine's day gift guide
Hard to believe that Valentine's Day is now less than a month way! Everyone has different opinions on this holiday, but here's mine: it's the greatest day ever. A day to celebrate love and eat chocolate and everything is red and pink. Lo & I have put together a little gift guide for anyone who needs some ideas for their man!1) gin rummy glass // "they are so cool and masculine // jase loves ours" - Lo2) steak knives3) whiskey rocks4) Habanero Escobar Beef Jerky5) the yummiest coffee6) for the photographer7) a cool duffel bag for weekend trips8) a new pair of running shoes
I am also in love with this new pullover we got for Michael this weekend. It's Patagonia - so it's super sporty and athletic, but the buffalo check makes it so on trend and great for a casual date night too!Shop our Valentine's day gift picks here, or check out my gift guide on Pinterest![show_boutique_widget id="214280"]
The ultimate SALE shopping guide
For all you online shoppers, the tock is ticking on your Christmas Shopping! You've only got a few days left to make online purchases so you know they get here in time for Christmas. I've rounded up the best sales going on to help you wrap up that shopping!Nordstrom's markdowns right now are AMAZING, and they truly have gifts for everyone on your list. Here are a few of my faves from their sale: (hover over the + signs to get links to shop!)[show_ms_widget id="10607352" image_id="11115288" width="800" height="800"]Other incredible sales going on, for your Christmas shopping (or shopping for holiday outfits!):
- Banana Republic: 35% off your purchase ONLINE ONLY with code "BRMOMENT"
- LOFT: Extra 50% off all sale styles + 50% off sweaters and tops!
- LastCall.com: Extra 30-50% off everything!
- J. Crew Factory: 50% off everything online!
Still need more gift ideas? Check out some items I've purchased recently for girlfriends or added to my own wishlist![show_shopthepost_widget id="448452"]
How to: deck the halls
To quote the greatest movie of all time: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear". And also...putting lights, trees, and garland anywhere and everywhere!Seeing as this is mine and my husband's first married Christmas, we are pretty low in the Christmas decor department. Also, we live in an apartment, so no outdoor decorations for us...meaning we must go all-out on the inside of our little home! If you're like me and live in an apartment, or its your first Christmas to be in your own place...you may need a little kickstart to purchasing your first Christmas decorations. So, I've rounded up a few of my favorite Christmas decorations for you! I love all of these pieces because they are so cheery, and will instantly give your home/apartment a warm and inviting Christmas spirit. Hover over the image to get links to each item![show_ms_widget id="10198332" image_id="10670896" width="1200" height="1200"]
10 gifts < $40
Guys - this week is THANKSGIVING! Meaning these next few days are your last chance to be ahead of the game and get some "early" shopping in. With all the online shopping I do, I come across great deals all the time that I want to share with ya'll! All of these amazing gifts are less than $40, and most of them are in the $10-20 price range! Not only that, but they're all super unique, fun gifts than any girl would be thrilled to open!Don't procrastinate, knock out some of that shopping before Thanksgiving! (Hover over the image to get links to each product!)[show_ms_widget id="9732188" image_id="10163584" width="1699" height="1280"]