Shop Small – Found it on Etsy

December 7, 2020December 28, 2020 Red Rose & HoneyLeave a comment

I’ve always loved shopping on Etsy, and it is one of my favorite websites to find special gifts. A few months ago I shared a blog post about a few of my favorite businesses to shop local. Since we’re in the midst of the holiday season, I thought it would be a great time to round up some of my favorite shops on Etsy. In this post I will share shops that I have ordered from for myself or as gifts multiple times. Be sure to check out all of these great small businesses. You just might find the perfect gift for someone you’re shopping for (pups included).

Everthine Designs | San Diego, California: This year I purchased three wooden initials to add to our stockings from Everthine Designs. These initials were the perfect compliment to our neutral-colored Christmas decor. I love that they were affordable (shipping too) and came well-packaged. Aside from these initials, this shop has a variety of items for holidays, babies, pregnancy announcements, weddings and more. Definitely a great little shop to commemorate many life milestones.

Happy Mail Boutique | Newport News, Virginia: I purchased and received the most beautiful glass ornaments from Happy Mail Boutique. The two I have on my Christmas tree are wedding-related and I love them so much. The quality is excellent and they’re actually super heavy and durable. I also love that they came with cloth bags that help to keep them safe in my ornament storage box. Sadly this shop no longer makes the style ornament I have, but she has a new style ornament that comes in a lot of different designs; 2020 themed ornaments included!

Essentially Charlie | Brooklyn, New York: If you know me, you know that I have shied away from using candles over the last year (essential oil user over here). That’s not the case for a lot of my family and friends and candles often make a great gift. A few months ago I was specifically searching for Brooklyn-made gifts for a friend when I came across Essentially Charlie. Their candles are made with beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. The shop also includes more specific details on the quality of essential oils used. “We use pure, ethically-sourced, therapeutic-grade oils that are steam-distilled from plants or cold-pressed from fruit/seeds.” I felt more comfortable knowing I was purchasing a candle made without synthetic fragrances. The shop owner was super responsive via message and my order shipped quickly. To complete my Brooklyn-themed gift, I paired this candle with a book about Brooklyn (which I am sure you could find in a local shop too!).

Maywind Market | The Woodlands, Texas: I have purchased 3 or 4 personalized makeup bags for newly engaged friends and brides-to-be from Maywind Market. I love how I could customize the text, font color and tassel color. The size, quality and price are great too, which is why I have gifted from this shop multiple times. I think personalized gifts are so fun during the wedding stage of life. These would also make great personalized stocking stuffers, teacher gifts or co-worker gifts.

A Yellow Fish | Oregon: I love stationery and especially love custom return stamps. I have purchased a return stamp for myself as well as a gift from the shop A Yellow Fish. I think these custom stamps are great wedding, bridal shower or house warming gifts. Although I don’t send a ton of traditional mail, I really love using this stamp for cards and special occasions. I think it’s a stamp everyone should have in their drawer. This shop offers free shipping too!

Qualtry | Lindon, Utah: One of the most used gifts I received for my engagement are personalized cork hot plates. They are cute and always come in handy when we’re making dinner or entertaining. I know the ones I have are from Etsy, but I am not sure which shop they were from. Last year I ordered personalized cork hot plates for a friend from Qualtry. They were pretty much identical to the ones I have. I think personalized gifts are special and these in particular are extremely practical. Hot plates don’t sound like your thing? Don’t worry, this Etsy shop has tons of different items to chose from!

BARKnBABES | Parker, Colorado: One of the first bandanas I ever bought for Henry was from BarknBabes. This shop makes both tie and slip over the collar style bandanas in tons of seasonal prints. I really like that a lot of the prints are double sided, so it’s kind of like getting 2 bandanas in one. I have purchased from this shop several times over the last 2 years and the quality has been great each time. Sadly, Henry has outgrown some of my favorites. It may be Christmas time, but I am already eyeing a Valentine’s Day print for him. I most recently bought Henry a large flannel tie style bandana. His neck is about 19 inches around and he’s a lanky 50lbs. I have to roll the bandana a few times, but I would rather having extra room versus not being able to tie it. I really like the quality of the flannel bandana and Henry has been wearing it for over a year.

Stella Mae Co. | Kannapolis, North Carolina: Another really well-made dog bandana company I have ordered from multiple times is Stella Mae Co. I have purchased a few of these bandanas for Henry and as gifts. These high quality bandanas are made with thick and durable material which is important to me because my dopey dog likes to test my patience by trying to pull his bandanas off. I most recently bought Henry a tie style bandana in size medium. Even with size medium I have to roll the bandana a few times and it fits him great. I see many more Stella Mae Co bandanas in Henry’s future.

Natural Simple Crazy | Medford, NY: The newest addition to Henry’s bandana collection is from my friend at Natural Simple Crazy. This shop makes affordable bandanas that can be customized with your pet’s name. The bandanas from Natural Simple Crazy are slip over the collar style bandanas that come in holiday prints, plaid and camo. Each bandana has a frayed edge which makes them extra stylish for your dog. I ordered a size medium in the Christmas truck print, but I think I large would fit Henry better. These bandanas would be perfect stocking stuffer for you pup!

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Last Minute Stocking Stuffers!

December 21, 2019August 19, 2020 Red Rose & HoneyLeave a comment

Hi friends! I cannot believe Christmas is only a few days away. I swear December flew by faster than any month this year – and I thought they all went fast. Tonight I thought I would share a few of my favorite Amazon finds that would make great last minute stocking stuffer gifts. I just placed my last Amazon order and my items are guaranteed by 12/24.

Fitbit Blaze Charging Stand – My husband has this and uses it all the time.

Healthy Human Tumbler – We have a few of the 12oz tumblers that we use almost every morning of the workweek for our coffee. I really like that this tumbler fits in our car cupholders.

Healthy Human Spill Proof Lid – The Healthy Human tumblers come with an open top, so I can’t wait to try this version to prevent spillage!

Echo Dot – We have the Dot and I like that it is small enough to be concealed behind a picture frame.

Fabric De-Fuzzer – I am obsessed with this gadget! It has done an amazing job of de-fuzzing throw pillows, the couch and my sweaters.

Women’s PJs – I love pajama sets and wear one every night. I grabbed this set over the summer when we went to the Bahamas. I would suggest sizing up in this set because the top runs small.

Shari Lapena’s Books – This summer I read all of the books by Shari Lapena. They are amazing! Each book is a suspenseful page turner that you won’t be able to put down. I am really hoping she releases another book in 2020.

Table Books – I have had my eye on this Cozy White Cottage decor book. Coffee table books are great pieces for living rooms, guest rooms and offices. Bonus points for the sleepy pup on the cover.

Eyeglass Cleaner – I rotate 2 pairs of glasses and sunglasses throughout the day. This cleaner comes as set of 2 and includes cloths. I keep one at work and one in my purse.

Laptop Camera Cover – This is one of the tiniest gifts ever, but very practical. These covers are magnetic and easily attach to your computer. You can slide the cover back and forth. I think this is a must-have for personal cyber security and the accidental camera slip during conference calls.

Clog Slippers – I have purchased these slippers twice. They are a great dupe for the Ugg clog slippers (which I’ve also owned). I recommend sizing up.

Kids Books – I love the idea of buying my childhood classic children’s books for the kiddies in the family. A great addition to or change up from toys.

Leggings – I recently got these leggings and highly recommend them. They are a great price and super comfy. I like that they’re high waisted, not see-through and hit just above the ankle.

Disclaimer: I am participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All opinions/recommendations are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Party Host

November 4, 2019August 19, 2020 Red Rose & HoneyLeave a comment

The season of friendsgiving, holiday cookie swaps, cocktail parties and all of the ‘official’ holidays that take us through the new year is here. Today I am sharing a holiday gift guide for the party hosts you will visit during the holiday season. Hostess gifts can be tricky. Are they necessary? When are they appropriate? Do you give them around the holidays and not throughout the year? That all depends on what you are comfortable with, but I think something small is always appreciated. In this post I will share a few ideas so you can be prepared whether you’re gifting big or small.

I think it is safe to say that most people bring a bottle of wine, small dish or dessert to a holiday party. An easy and thoughtful way to give your host a gift is to incorporate it into what you are already bringing. If you bring a bottle of wine dress it up with a ribbon, festive wine topper and wine charms. These are small yet thoughtful gifts that can also be easily stored away by your host. A cheese board or knives are a great addition to an assortment of cheese and crackers. And for appetizers or dessert, you can dress them up with a gifted platter or bowl. All of these ideas are relatively inexpensive and can be found at your local Homegoods or Target. I recommend sticking with neutral colors {if possible} so your gift fits into any home or kitchen decor.

If you’re looking for larger gift ideas for the person who loves to host I have a few suggestions in mind to share with you. I love how versatile Dutch ovens are {read my top 5 reasons to buy a Le Creuset here}, so I think they are practical gifts. Macy’s Martha Stewart Dutch oven is a great dupe for the Le Creuset. I recommend saving this link to your favorites and checking it often. You can snag one of Martha’s Dutch oven at an amazing price during a sale which makes it an affordable gift.

Two kitchen staples that make great gifts for someone who loves to entertain are a small food processor and a cast iron skillet. Food processors are great time savers for party prepping. You can use it to quickly dice ingredients, shred cheese or whip together a salad dressing. I have this one and I love that it fits in my upper kitchen cabinets. Cast iron skillets can go right from the oven to the table which is perfect for appetizers like my favorite spinach and artichoke dip. They’re also perfect for searing steaks or browning chicken on the stove top. They double as cookware and servware.

A hosting must-have that I learned from my husband’s aunt is to have at least one food warming tray on hand. They’re amazing! If you are preparing a lot of hot dishes, it can be tough to shuffle them all in and out of the oven. I think sternos are a bit if a pain and also fire hazard. Instead, I use an electric warming tray similar to this one. It is great for keeping food warm before and during a party. Help make your host’s life easier by gifting him or here one of these!