I can’t believe it’s nearly December. For one thing, it means Wallace is almost ONE, and of course it means the holidays are officially happening.
This year I wanted to share a collection of gift ideas for all the kids in your life- some are favorites that our kids love and some are brand new finds. A little something for everyone! Take a look 🙂
This time of year has evolved for me as I’ve gotten older. I take stock more, thank more, and I buy…. less. What I do buy, well, I try to support small and independent shops as much as I can.
I’ve done the thing where I buy the super clearance deals from the big boxes and we end up with piles of (cheap) toys under the tree that I wind up donating (or trashing the ones that break) within 6 months. Now, I focus on quality over quantity (though I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a cyber deal every now and then). The extra warm and fuzzies that come from knowing my purchase is helping a friend pay their bills or buy their own family holiday gifts is the icing on the gingerbread cookie.
I’m fortunate to know so many tremendous people in my life who are making a living off of shops that sell stuff we need and want. Cotton Babies is just one of those, and I’m thrilled they are sponsoring this post.
Cotton Babies has been immensely supportive of me over the years, and it’s no secret we have a long-standing working relationship. But also? They are just plain ol’ GOOD people who treat other people well.
And they were the very first company to step up to sponsor the Warrior Mom Conference for survivors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I can’t even express how much that means to me and so many other people.
You may not know that Cotton Babies sells so much more than diapers! Here are just a few of my favorite items you can get from them, in the spirit of celebrating businesses I want to support, and who support me.
Have and love any of these items? Let us know! And don’t forget to support the small businesses you love this holiday season.
Every year, I intend to put something  like this together. I always forget until, like, the day before Mother’s Day, though. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been making more #grownupchoices lately or because my baby is mostly sleeping through the night, but LOOK AT ME SO ON TOP OF IT.
Anyway, with Mother’s Day coming up in a few weeks, I thought I’d share with you all 10 things that I would personally love to get and give.
Samantha Levine introduced herself and her jewelry line to me about a year ago when she sent me a personalized initial pendant necklace. It’s become an accessory staple in my wardrobe, so I was thrilled when she offered to send me another necklace this year- 3 minis with the kids initials. Minis on a chain start at $58 each.
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Every piece from Auburn Jewelry is handcrafted by Samantha. She is a true ARTIST. And if you’re looking for something unique and special, you can commission a custom order from her. How lovely is this for a dog lover? These Color Dot Stacking Rings are her newest line. So perfect for Mothers Day with a great price point of $28 each.
I have 3. THREE! And I love each and every one. They are quality, gorgeous, like fine handbags that you’d be happy to wear with any outfit. They are real leather, with beautiful hardware, and they come in amazing colors.
If the mom in your life (or you, let’s be real, you’ll probably be the one doing the recommending and sending this guide along to someone) is not a hardcore photog, this is STILL an awesome line of bags. The organization inside makes them GREAT diaper bags, with the option of becoming a legit camera bag down the road if that’s something you think you’ll want to take on.
My favorite right now is the Journey. It’s big enough to hold A LOT of stuff, and has this perfect pocket in the front for a water bottle. Isn’t that vivid cobalt blue stunning? Bags start at $249 (this is real leather, friends!), but they also have gift cards available.
I adore all things from FEED, and they have something for just about any budget. Their bracelets start at $5 (so fun for stacking), and this bag, made in Guatemala that provides one child micronutrients for one year, is only $40. I carried one similar to it all last summer.
Every product sold has a measurable donation attached to it and, to date, the social business has been able to provide over 87 million meals globally through the WFP and Feeding America. FEED has also supported nutrition programs around the world, providing over 3.6 million children with Vitamin A supplements through the WFP and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. – FeedProjects.com
I met Kilee Nickels, founder of N&S, on a media trip last fall, and she gifted me a pair of earrings like I have never had before. They are made of leather and are SO light that I forget I’m wearing them. I’ve fallen asleep in them more than once.
 What I love most is that this is a business built by a hardworking couple who took a chance on a dream, and they’re making it. I LOVE watching them grow! As much as I love their new mom & me sets ($35). Â
5. Stitch Fix
My love for Stitch Fix, a personal styling and shopping service, is no secret. I began receiving boxes about a year and a half ago at a time when I felt frumpy and defeated when it came to fashion. Now? I feel confident in what I wear, and comfortable! My closet is full of stuff that I LOVE. You can read more about my love for Stitch Fix here and here (just to start).
AÂ Stitch Fix Gift Card makes an AWESOME gift!! Â
This is another great company that does good work with the money you give it. The Giving Keys employs people experiencing homelessness, giving them opportunities to transition into permanent housing. They hand stamp old keys with inspirational messages, giving them new life. And they encourage you to pass on your own key when you come upon someone who needs it’s message. Then tell your story of how and why the key found another to wear it. Oh, I just love it all. If you have time, you should read the stories from others, and the stories of people they’ve employed. Such good stuff. Pendants start at $35. Â
Admittedly, I don’t like to cook, and I’ve never used these spices, BUT I still want to buy them for everyone in my life who does love to cook (and I did for my dad and brother for Christmas). I can’t even remember how I found these, but once I read the story behind them I instantly felt connected and like this was a company I wanted to support. 
Gneiss Spice was created by a mother and teacher. She started making these magnetic, organic spice kits as gifts for friends, and eventually turned it into a family business. She sources spices and herbs from sustainable practices, pays her employees fairly, and tries to run things as eco-friendly as possible. Not to mention, the magnetic spice jars bring visual interest to any part of your kitchen that you can hang them. The basic kit of 7 herbs and spices starts at just $37.50. Â Â
I’m in loooovvvvveee with these soy candles! And honestly, if my husband gave me some of the Mrs. Meyers cleaning spray in Lavender, I wouldn’t be offended. I buy this stuff for myself as a treat!Â
The Mrs. Meyers website is offering free shipping right now, but you can also buy them at Target (though I’ve only ever seen the small candles there ~ $7).
9. Fair Trade Felt Flowers from Global Goods Partners
Instead of giving mom some needy flowers that will eventually die no matter how well she takes care of them, how about some beautifully crafted felt flowers from an organization that is working to alleviate poverty and promote social justice in 20 countries?
I know I would be thrilled to get these fair trade felt wildflowers. They’re $8 each and made by women artisans in Nepal.
Okay, perhaps I’m very late to this boho-hipster trend, but I picked up a pair of Minnetonka moccasins in California out of necessity (the shoes I brought with me would not stay on my feet and the mocs were all I could find at the closest store in downtown San Fancisco).
I am OBSESSED with how comfortable they are! They are all I want to wear anymore, and they didn’t need breaking in. They come in a ton of fun colors, including a Hello Kitty pair. OMG. I’m ridiculous for loving those. They start at $43 on their website, but I found my pair at Ross for $35.
There you have it. 10 things I think would be pretty cool to get for Mothers Day. Of course, it’s certainly not an exhaustive list, and sometimes the best gift is just silence and the chance to pee alone for 24 hours.
Feel free to pin this to a board titled “Here is stuff to buy for me” or whatever. I seriously started doing that for Scott last year and, like it’s crazy, but he’s been actually buying me great stuff. IMAGINE!
Some of these brands have sent stuff to me before, the Stitch Fix link is an affiliate, and some of it’s just stuff I have found 0n my own. Nobody paid to be a part of this list.