Gift Guide: My Favorite Small(er) Businesses
Let’s keep going with the gift guides, shall we? It’s been fun to put these together!
Next up is an assortment of small(er) businesses I love. I say small(er) because I’m not entirely sure if they can all be classified as true small businesses, but they’re definitely not Amazon or any of the other major retailers (though some of these brands/products are available at major retailers—an easy way to streamline your holiday shopping). I own products from all of these brands and would highly encourage you to support them if possible!
Happy shopping, friends! 🤗
SMALL(ER) FASHION & LIFESTYLE BRANDS
ABLE offers apparel, shoes, bags, and jewelry all made responsibly by women, many of whom are located in developing countries. Their goal is to end the cycle of generational poverty in women in countries around the world by providing job opportunities for them. Women make up 95% of the ABLE staff!
I currently own two pairs of earrings from ABLE but am constantly browsing the site for other goodies to add to my wardrobe. The Anika tank (pictured here) is definitely on my list. Their leather bags are particularly gorgeous and 20% off this weekend (through 11/22). Check back often for more discounts!
Also worth checking out are their multitude of gift guides—there’s even a guide for each of the enneagrams, if that’s your thing (I’m still not even sure what mine is haha)!
If you’re new to the brand, use my referral link for 20% off your first order of $75+ (and I’ll receive a $20 credit)!
Nisolo is an apparel brand known for their gorgeous leather goods and commitment to ethical and sustainable production practices. I have two products by the brand: the Lucia block heel sandals (runs TTS; on sale) and the Rosa pouch, both in nutmeg.
Next on my list? The Cleo convertible clutch shown here. Isn’t it beautiful?! (It’s also available in black.) It can be worn crossbody, as a belt bag, or alone without the straps.
Check out Nisolo’s holiday gift guide (especially for any discounts) and their ethical marketplace, which features an assortment of their favorite products by brands with similar standards, including glasses, hats, face masks, and more!
Maison Miru is home to a fun mix of simple and eclectic earrings and other jewelry. I own their tiny crystal stud earrings (last seen in this outfit post), and they’re still available for only the cost of shipping ($6.99!). I’m quite impressed by the quality. This pair would make an amazing, inexpensive gift for the simple stud earring fan in your life.
I’m also drawn to the lightning bolts, no surprise there! Their jewelry is available in nickel-free gold plated, gold vermeil, solid 14k gold, and sterling silver.
Maison Miru offers cartilage and flat-backed earrings for those of you that have or know people that have piercings on your ear in places besides the ear lobe.
Alice & Wonder is a small, Chicago-based shop that offers an assortment of fashion and lifestyle products. You may remember my vote tee, which was created by Alice & Wonder in collaboration with Jess Keys (of The Golden Girl Blog) and is still available in a few sizes!
Their holiday collection was released recently, and it’s definitely worth perusing! For this post I selected a set of seasonally-scented candles. This set comes with three candles, so you could split it out easily between friends or family members! Also check out their fun ornaments!
SMALL(ER) HOME & WELLNESS BRANDS
The Aquis hair towel is a game-changer. It claims to dry hair 50% faster than other methods—and I believe it! I purchased my Aquis hair towel a few years ago (and purchased a towel to give to a friend at the same time). I still use mine to this day and I always bring it with me on trips. I’m actually planning to purchase one of their hair turbans so I don’t have to worry about the towel unraveling if I bend over or something.
In addition to the hair towels, Aquis also created a full hair care system.
Aquis hair towels make an excellent gift for anyone in your life with a head of hair and are also available at Anthropologie, Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Revolve, Ulta, and Urban Outfitters.
MightyNest is where you can find sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to common home and wellness products. I’ve been receiving the MightyFix monthly subscription by MightyNest for nearly two and a half years now. It’s the only subscription “box” I receive! At $11 per month (or less if you grab it on discount), it’s an inexpensive way to be introduced to new products to make life at home greener.
In addition to the MightyFix subscription, you can also purchase items directly or purchase gift boxes containing a curated selection of items, like the one shown here. I’ve received every item in this box as one of my Fixes!
Read all of my past MightyFix review posts here!
I may or may not have a problem buying laundry products from The Laundress…oops. Haha. I have a wide assortment of detergents from the brand, including all of the detergents shown here. My go-to is the delicate wash, which is what I use the majority of the time, even to wash my clothes that aren’t necessarily considered delicate. I’ve repurchased it countless times!
I also own and love their wash and stain bar (got makeup stains out of the collar of an old puffer coat) and mesh laundry bags.
The Laundress products make excellent gifts for the person that has everything! They also offer a variety of different gift sets at a discount so your recipient can try a wide range of products.
The Laundress products are also available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Revolve, and Saks.
I was introduced to Brightland this past summer by another blogger. It’s a woman-founded brand that offers consciously-made extra virgin olive oil and vinegars from California. I ordered the Artist Capsule to try; it’s a set of olive oils in the three flavors shown here: lemon, chili oil, and basil. I LOVE all three flavors. Love, love!
In addition to the Artist Capsule and other capsules with full-size products, Brightland is also releasing a Mini Essentials Capsule, which includes four mini sizes—two olive oils and two vinegars!
Brightland products are spendy, but they’re a fun gift to give because not many people would think to ask for them.
