Small Shop Roundup

We get the privilege of working with so many small shops. These all have hard working moms behind them who are up until the wee hours of the morning sewing their fingers off to provide for their family and provide you and me with amazing handmade pieces! I wanted to share some our favorite shops with you so that you can pick special pieces for the special people in your lives. And maybe the shop below is already closed for Christmas or the holidays, because they need family time too…so that just means buy something for a friend or family member’s birthday, anniversary, or  “just because.”

The one thing I love about small shopping is that I know the person who made the piece that I bought. It’s not being made in a giant factory somewhere or by a slave overseas. It’s cognitive buying.I could go on a rant about knowing who you “employ” to make your clothing, but I’ll save that for another day. Just know that when you shop small, you make a big difference instead of just growing the pockets of some CEO. That doesn’t mean I do it for all my purchases. I simply can’t. But I do what I can.

Okay…here goes! The list of some of my favorites:

Mila Chic Boutique

Sofia and Belle

The Baby Bird Boutique

Brave Threads

Gracious May

Little and Luxe

Rhett Tucker

Sweet Peas Stamping

Templeton Silver

Kainku Handmade

Woodbean 

P and the Lion

Brooklyn and Grey

Shop Lulu Bunny

Ashley Rose Clothing

Charlotte’s Webtique

Gracefully Made Co.

Kaiouti Kids

Four Feathers Design

Belle and Blush 

Hudson & Heart Co.

Melina’s Bowtique

A Little Dolly

Lili Collection

Hug Me Sew

Mia Heartmade

Romper: Shop Lulu Bunny / Paci Clip: Templeton Silver

Vest: Gracious May/ Necklace: Four Feathers Design/ Dress: Rhett Tucker/ Bow: Charlotte’s Webtique

Bow: Gracefully Made Co / Romper: Kainku Handmade/ Boots: Brave Threads

Outfit: Brooklyn and Grey/ Socks: Little Stocking Co./ Purse: Four Feathers Design

Headband: Charlotte’s Webtique/ Cardigan: Mila Chic Boutique/ Romper: The Baby Bird Boutique/ Paci Clip: Templeton Silver/ Shoes: Gracious May

Romper: Sofia and Belle/ Bow: The Itsy Bitsy Bow Co/ Socks: Little Stocking Co/ Shoes: Mini Melissa from Ootza Wootza

Boots: Brave Threads

Blanket: Little and Luxe/ Kitty animal: Hudson Heart and Co.

Romper: The Baby Bird Boutique/ Bow: Gracefully Made Co.

Matching Cardigans: Mila Chic Boutique/ Hallen’s Shirt & Shoes: Gracious May

Bow: Belle and Blush/ Cardigan: Mila Chic Boutique/ Dress: Kainku Handmade/ Shoes: Gracious May

Hat: Woodbean/ Bloomers: Kaiouti Kids

Headband: Melina’s Bowtique/ Leo and Shorties: P and the Lion/ Necklace: A Little Dolly/ Boots: Gracious May

Top: Hug Me Sew/ Shoes: Lili Collection/ Headband: Mia Heartmade/ Doll: Felted Ellie

So, you may have noticed that it’s a lot of little girl shops! I confess, I love shopping for Hallen (and the new one on the way)! But, there are some women’s things in there as well. Some shops even make mommy and me pieces! Other shops from the small shop world community that I love for me and others are:

Blanqi

Pink Blush Maternity (they sell non maternity clothes as well!)

Dazi

BB Styled Boutique

Fawn Design

Cents of Style

Zoo Shoo

***On the list right above, not all are handmade, but are still small shops.

Hoodie: Brooklyn and Grey/ Leggings: Blanqi

Top: Pink Blush Maternity/ Choker: BB Styled Boutique/ Bracelets : Sweet Pea Stamping

Backpack Diaper Bag: Fawn Design/  Pants: Pink Blush Maternity/ Shoes: Zoo Shoo

Tunic: Pink Blush Maternity/ Leggings: Blanqi

Necklace: Sweet Pea Stamping

 

And there you have it! Have a fun time shopping, and picking out some fun pieces for someone you love…or just for a good present for yourself!

THIRD TRIMESTER: WHAT I’M WEARING

So, apparently your third trimester starts at 26 weeks. I could have sworn it started at 28! And that’s where I’m at now. I don’t remember feeling so achey this early on with Hallen. I guess I’m already a little more stretched out everywhere, and my joints are a little more wobbly…aka I’m old! This little girl is growing growing more and more each day, as are my thighs. I’m totally fine with that. It all just happened so suddenly. One day, it was comfortable to wear jeans and the next was terrible! I couldn’t get them off fast enough. So, I’m basically living in leggings and leggings. I used to be a yoga and barre instructor, so I’m totally cool with going back to my uniform.

Some of my favorite pieces are super versatile, can can be worn during pregnancy and after birth.

Cute, comfortable sweatshirts for my growing bump, and stretchy jeans and leggings. Although, like I said, it’s mainly leggings. I can still fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans, but I only wear maternity jeans when I do have to wear jeans.

These are mommy and me matching hoodies from Brooklyn and Grey. Super soft material, and easy to throw on with your favorite jeans or leggings for the winter. I’m also wearing my beloved Blanqi leggings. They feel SO good for my belly in my third trimester. I got them in my second trimester (pictured), and liked them then, but now that I really need support, I can feel a big difference when I’m wearing them and when I’m not.

Hallen’s outfit: Bow- Sassy Bow Shop // Pants – Mila Chic Boutique // Loafers – Lili Collection

This sweatshirt. It’s like an adorable cloud that you get to wear all day and still look put together! I ordered it one size larger than I normally wear from Posh Little Peanut. It’s already slouch, so it’s off the shoulder for me. I paired it with my Blanqi support tank, which is just as amazing as their leggings. Sometimes, I don’t even wear a bra under it, because let’s be honest, bras just aren’t comfortable when you’re pregnant (or maybe ever)! Jeans are from Pink Blush Maternity (linked in this post ), and the only jeans I’ll wear right now. They have great stretch to them, and I honestly like the fit of them better than some of my pre pregnancy jeans. They’re the perfect skinnies. Boots are from Zoo Shoo a couple months ago (also in previous link). 

THIS OUTFIT is my favorite outfit right now. I feel put together and still super comfortable. Again, I’m wearing my Blanqi leggings. They go with everything…that’s why you have to invest in a pair. I juts got my postpartum pair from their Black Friday sale! Jacket and boots are two recent finds on Amazon. Both are really affordable, comfortable, and well made. My tunic is from Pink Blush. It’s maternity and women’s wear, so you’ll get a lot of wear out of it. The jewelry that’s in all the photos is from Sweet Peas Stamping. I have several personalized pieces form her that I’m excited to put on every morning when I wake up. It’s almost like I’m missing a someone if I forget a piece! 

Hallen’s outfit: Bow – Gracefully Made Co// Romper- Sofia and Belle// Boots – Gracious May

One other brand I wear A LOT right now is Lularoe. No, I’m not a consultant. Yes, I’d love to be. But, I’d probably keep it all for myself! I’ll do a whole other post on their clothes. I know a lot of consultants do that too, but I just love their clothes too much to keep you out of the know! They really do work for every shop and size, and their leggings….goodness gracious! They’re perfect for pregnancy! 

Lula Obsessed

I told myself I didn’t need another “thing.” I didn’t need to fall in love with another brand, another line, another designer…. I held off on going to parties for the longest time, because…well…money, and I fall in love with clothes so easily! The way certain textures feel, the nostalgia a certain piece has, the colors that make me feel sexier and younger. I just love clothes. There.

But, I finally went to a Lularoe party a couple weeks ago with my friend. We both said we were going to just hang out, chat, and have fun. Yeah right. I can’t do that when there are racks of beautiful, buttery clothes in front of me! I started to try some things on. Look at myself with only one eye open, trying to make myself look weird in the clothes. It didn’t work. It was love. Everyone else that has been telling me how great these clothes were, were right! I hate admitting when I’m wrong, and I hate being late to the party (no pun intended). I scooped up my first piece that night, which happens to be perfect for my growing bump. The Julia dress.

Hat, scarf, boots: all in my closet from last year. Diaper Bag: Fawn Design Bracelet: Sweet Peas Stamping

That’s a pretty cute dress, right?! You can also inch it up to be a tunic/top, but I won’t show you that without pants on! I styled it a few different ways as a dress. Maybe next week, I’ll style the same dress as a top

This next outfit is so fun with the faux fur vest. This was a last year’s pick from Target, but I’ve seen new ones for this year. I really wanted to show you how to make one new piece in your wardrobe last with other pieces you already love from your closet.

Boots, vest: closet picks.

Also chose to wear another favorite necklace from Sweet Peas Stamping.

And last, a simple cardigan from Mila Chic Boutique. A favorite of mine to throw on with everything. Simple, sweet, out on the town look

Boots, earrings: Closet picks Necklace: Belle and Blush (my daughter’s, but I stole it!)

I had such a great time at my party, I decided to have one. It was so great to have a “girls’ night out.” No kids or husband (love them both dearly, I swear). There was seriously zero pressure to buy anything. It really was just about going to see friends and meet new ones. There was no sales pitch, no marketing plan that they took us through….nothing. Just shopping, eating, and drinking (obviously water for me). You can find my great consultant here. Her name is Nicole, and she’s a blast! If you happen to be in the Charlotte area on November 9th, you’re invited to my house 😉 You can try on some of these buttery clothes…or not.