A Special Weekend, A YEG Gift Guide & A Giveaway
Happy small business saturday everyone! This weekend is a big weekend in the world of Christmas shopping. No doubt you were inundated with Black Friday madness yesterday (myself included) and on Monday you can expect the same with Cyber Monday deals up the wazoo but today is a special day and my favourite day of this whole shopping weekend extravaganza - it's small business Saturday. Sometimes called Shop Local Saturday today is a day to feature and highlight some of the small businesses who make amazing products and are creating wonderful things. These are people who pour their heart and souls into what they do. They work hard around the clock building their businesses, creating with their hands and their hearts and they are so deserving of your support.
If you've been following the blog for a while now, you'll know that every year I feature a shop local Edmonton gift guide. Check this link for my first gift guide and this one for my second.
Every year it's my favourite gift guide by far as I have a tremendous amount of respect for Edmonton's business owners. This year, I am doubly excited about my gift guide
A) Because I'm hosting a giveaway for EVERY SINGLE ITEM IN THIS GIFT GUIDE!
and B) Because every business in this gift guide is either woman owned and run or co-run/ co-owned by a woman. How freaking fabulous is that?!
Today my girl Kristina is talking about the importance of shopping local so make sure to go to her blog for that but for now, let's get started with this years' gift guide, shall we? (Then read below for details on the giveaway!)
one. Top Knot Style
Amanda makes the most luxurious knit goods that you never want to take off once you've felt them. She sells blankets, cowls, headbands and more in your choice of a range of stunning colors. I wish you all could feel how luxurious these knits are. If you're a knitter or crocheter yourself, she even sells her signature wool for you to use in your own projects. Amanda has generously donated a cowl and headband set in the most beautiful pink coral blush for the giveaway!
two. Justine Ma
Oh you guys, words cannot express the love I have for Justine. She is absolutely the sweetest soul plus she's freaking hilarious. We both share the same cheeky sense of humour so her "I Want To Jingle Your Bells" card became my absolute favourite when I bought it last year for James. I asked Justine if she'd be open to donating one this year and she happily agreed! So one of you will be walking away with this hilarious card to give to your favourite person! In addition to her cards, Justine makes adorable onesies, prints, mugs and more - she's such a talent and as a city, we're lucky to have her here in Edmonton!
three. Veil Beauty
Veil Beauty became a fast favourite of mine after sitting down the ladies behind the brand, Amy and Kerris. I still wear their lipsticks almost daily and they've become my favourite lipstick brand for their great formula and universally flattering colors. In addition to their lipsticks and lipgloss, Amy and Kerris are makeup artists and hairstylists who offer full services including makeup tutorials if you want to learn how to give yourself the full glam treatment on your own. The gals of Veil Beauty have donated their "Perfect Pair Lipstick and Lipgloss Duo". Trust me, you'll love this!
four. Natural Kitchen Delights
Ooooh you guys!!! This is a good one. Orrey, Bruno and Keia are the dream team behind Natural Kitchen Delights, a local company making the most delicious chocolate you will likely ever try. Take my word for it! NKD makes raw chocolate, that is free of dairy, gluten, artificial sweeteners or additives and is made with natural and organic whole ingredients. You can read all about the benefits of raw chocolate and why NKD chocolate is LIFE CHANGING (and no I'm not exaggerating lol) here and our lucky giveaway winner will win one of their sweet holiday gift sets! (Check here for local shop locations)
five. Plaid Dot
Kim and Chris are the dream design duo behind Plaid Dot - an AMAZING online destination for the most incredible decor finds. These ladies have impeccable taste and source out the coolest pieces for their shop. When I moved into my new home I fell in love with this candle and these matches (because cute matches are the best! haha) and these ladies are giving away a candle and set of matches for you to enjoy too!
six. DUVAL
In only a short time DUVAL has made a huge splash in the #YEGFashion scene. Esther Duval is the designer, business owner and style maven behind DUVAL. She designs, sources, creates and hand makes these products with love and they are gorgeous! One of you will win this choker which I've been wearing on repeat. Chokers are a huge style trend right now so this couldn't come at a better time for you to rock this look all holiday season long!
seven. Forge & Fell
Forge and Fell is a newer business to the Edmonton scene but they have wasted no time making a huge impact. Nicole, a dear friend of mine, and her family create, build and design stunning furniture and home decor and accessories. Forge and Fell has generously donated a set of two STUNNING cutting boards/charcuterie trays. You guys - I wish you could see these in person and feel them. The photos do not do them justice. These boards are so beautiful I don't want to give them away to you (true story haha) but whoever wins these boards is going to be a very lucky person and I am going to be very jealous haha.
eight. Love Pizza
If you're in Edmonton and you haven't made it to Love Pizza yet, you are missing out! Braede and her husband are the dream team behind the wildly successful Love Pizza. Their story? They went for pizza on their first date, fell in love with each other, love pizza and now, they own Love Pizza. Their pizza is not only delicious but they're an incredible support in the community, generously supporting multiple charitable organizations and making such a great impact in the community. Whoever wins this insane giveaway, is going to walk away with a $30 Gift Card to enjoy Love Pizza!
nine. Fringe and Feather
Last but definitely not least is Fringe and Feather. My good friend Chantelle is seriously one of the most talented ladies I know. She makes the most beautiful weavings and wall hangings as well as necklaces, bracelets, bag charms and more! She's giving away one of her new designs that's not even in her shop yet! A gorgeous howlite bag charm from her SIMPLICIT LUXE collection- how pretty is this?! Love it!
So now - the giveaway...
Kristina and I are giving away EVERYTHING you see above - that's a prize worth over $350! Whether you choose to give those items away as gifts or keep them all to yourself one thing for sure is this is one amazing giveaway. To enter and for full rules and details head to my IG page and as a bonus entry, leave a comment on mine and Kristina's blog posts and let us know what you'd be most excited to win! One comment on each blog = 2 extra entries so these majorly increase your chances to win! Good luck and have a great weekend!
