Category: Decor

HOME: WHITEWASHING OUR FIREPLACE

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It’s been seven years in the making but we finally painted our fireplace! Ever since we moved in to this house I knew I wanted the brick painted. The tone of the brick was just too red and just didn’t match my blue and white aesthetic. And let me tell you, I one hundred percent wish we had done this sooner!! Painting this fireplace white makes this space feel bigger and brighter – which is exactly what I was hoping for. 

I did a lot of research on Pinterest just to make sure whitewashing was what I wanted. I will admit I was worried about choosing white (opposed to gray or navy) since our walls are already white. But the imperfection of the whitewash technique actually adds some texture and dimension and I just love how it looks against the white walls. I’m not sharing a ton of pictures because the overall space isn’t done yet. We hope to install some white shelves on either side of the fireplace so I’ll share a follow up post once that project is done (which could be many months or even a year).


In the meantime I’ll share the tools, supplies and process I used for the whitewashing! It actually was a very easy and fun project!

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

(We had a Lowe’s gift card so everything I bought I was able to find there)

Valspar Ultra White Latex Interior Paint and Primer (I went with eggshell because I didn’t want it too shiny)

2-3 paint brushes (latex flat paint brushes)

2 buckets (one for mixing paint and water and one for just water)

1-2 sponges 

Spray bottle with water

Towels/Sheets to protect the floors and wipe up any drip

Painters Tape

PROCESS

I did some research prior to painting, but really I was banking on my friend Erin (who is an artist and who has done her fair share of home renovations) to lead the way. I sent her a simple process that Home Depot has on their website and we went from there.

Step 1: Cleaning and Prepping the Space

The day before we painted I primed the area by cleaning the brick with a gentle multi-purpose cleaner (I used my Branch Basics Spray) and a rag. After I cleaned each individual brick I vacuumed the entire area with the vacuum hose. This took me about an hour.

I then set up the painters tape along the perimeter and made sure I had enough towels and sheets to cover our hardwood floors. 

Step 2. Mix the Paint

A couple minutes before Erin arrived I mixed the paint and water together. I started with a 50/50 mix but quickly realized that was going to be too opaque for my liking so I added more paint to make it about 70% paint and 30% water.

Step 3: Paint the Bricks!

I technically didn’t watch the video I sent Erin from Home Depot but she did (thank goodness!) so she knew exactly what to do. We ended up only using paint brushes and painted each individual brick and all the mortar by hand. 

We would wet a couple of bricks at a time with a spray bottle of water and then use a paint brush to apply the paint. We would immediately use a wet sponge (we had one bucket of just water) to even out the paint and catch any drips. We ended up putting on two coats and then I went through and applied touch ups as needed. In between the first and second coats we identified only a handful of bricks to keep more opaque than the others and taped those off so we wouldn’t paint over them. This allowed us to create a nice pattern throughout the fireplace.

The painting portion took us about two hours, which included small breaks since our kiddos were playing and were very curious as to what we were doing.

And I think that’s about it! If you are on the fence about painting your brick fireplace I say do it!!! Especially if you have a small space like we do. The white completely brightened and enlarged our family room and I really couldn’t be happier.

Next up: adding shelves to either side of the fireplace! 

Thanks for all the encouragement and excitement over this project! There is nothing I love more than decorating our home and making it feel like home. 

Sláinte,

Shannon

HOME: TODDLER GIRL ROOM

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One of the biggest projects we are tackling this spring is converting our current guest room/catch all room into Lilly’s big girl room.  The nursery is already blue and white, so I really don’t have to do much besides swap out some artwork and the wall of wallpaper to make it original to baby brother.  Thankfully that leaves me more time to spend on making Lilly’s room special for her.  

My inspiration for this room is really coming from two sources. The first is from Caitlin Wilson Design. This is one of my favorite interior designers to follow and in the past year she launched a kids collection that is full of preppy florals and bows. The entire collection is just darling. Because we have so many home projects and a new baby on the way, I’m trying to be economical about my purchases. I may only buy a one or two pieces from the Caitlin Wilson line, but most of the items I purchase will be inspired by their beautiful style.

The second form of inspiration is Lilly herself.  Lilly is quite the vivacious two year old who is just so full of life.  She is such a bright light in our lives and I want her room to reflect her bold, lively nature.  Lilly and I both chose this gorgeous, bright floral watercolor wallpaper for one wall in her room.  Lilly’s favorite colors are purple and blue and this watercolor is the perfect blend of her favorite colors. The walls are currently white with a white chair rail down the middle.  I want to keep the room bright, but I do want some color.  I’m going to pull the lightest shade of pink from the wallpaper and paint the upper half of the walls in this color, which turns out is a sweet light pink – a perfect representation of Lilly’s sweet side.  

Because I feel sort of bad about kicking Lilly out of the nursery (she loves her room!), I’m trying to make her big girl room as special as possible.  So I’ve been asking her to help me in some of the decisions, like the wallpaper and paint colors.  I’ve been showing her options for bedding and artwork and I let her choose her favorites (for a two and a half year old she is very in tune to what she likes!). 

Below is a mood board I quickly created to help visual the direction I’m going with the room. Although the colors are slightly different from the Caitlin Wilson Designs, I think the direction I’m going still matches the floral, girly, and classic look of the Caitlin Wilson rooms that I love so much, but match Lilly’s beautiful personality.

Floral Wallpaper | Toddler Bed | Caitlin Wilson Quilt |  Floral Pillow | Lavender Bedding | White Dresser | Lamp | Floral Artwork 

Slainte,

Shannon

HOME: HOUSE PROJECTS 2021

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If you’ve been following along for a while, you may have remembered our laundry list of home renovation projects for 2020.  We made a pretty big dent in that list over the summer and through the fall.  Unfortunately, we did not complete all of the projects on our list so some have transferred over to our projects for 2021, making it a very ambitious list.  

But as any homeowner knows, owning a house means there is a never ending list of projects and renovations that must be done.  Luckily the 2021 list is a bit more glamorous than last year’s list (no more chimney, dry wall, or roof repairs!).  We are aware this is quite the list, but we are going to take each project one at a time and see how it goes!

House Projects 2021

  • Paint the exterior of the house (I think I’m still leaning towards navy)
  • Install a new front door (If we go navy for the exterior, I’m thinking white, natural wood or light pink for the door)
  • Install light fixtures and ceiling fans in the upstairs bedrooms
  • Install new carpet on the stairs and second floor
  • Transition Lilly from her nursery to a big girl room (I have very mixed feelings about this!)
  • Organize and tidy up the laundry room and basement 
  • Landscape around the exterior of the house
  • Plant a flower garden (I’m MOST excited for this project!)

I’m sure this list will change and evolve as the year progresses, but it feels good to have some ideas and goals written down on paper.  I’ll share the progress of all of these projects on my Instagram, so be sure to follow along! 

Slainte,

Shannon 

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: C.L. RENNIE ART AND DESIGN

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I’ve always been interested in the arts, but it wasn’t until I studied abroad in London that I really fell in love with it.  I would spend hours at the museums in London and New York, finding inspiration and endless amounts of creativity.  I’m fortunate that Toledo is home to the Toledo Museum of Art, one of the most prestigious museums in the world(!), featuring over 30,000 works of art.  

As I’ve worked to make our house a home over the past four years, I have found I feel immense joy picking out beautiful works of art to display all over the walls.  I love decorating our home with works of art that make all of us happy.  Several original pieces have been created by friends of mine and those are always my favorite pieces.   

Being a regular Instagrammer and blogger, I’ve been fortunate enough to discover so many talented artists, some of which have become friends!  I’ve been wanting to launch a new series that highlights these artists I love so much, so what better time than now.

An artist that I have long admired is Christine Lee Rennie. Based in Virginia, Christine is a phenomenal fine art painter known for her use of vivid colors and textures. She paints with Acrylic daily, creating the most joyful and expressive florals. The way she magically mixes different colors and textures together brings each piece to life in an original and very gratifying way.

In 2018, Christine launched C.L. Rennie Art & Design, a jewelry line of hand painted, one of a kind wearable art pieces . Through her beautiful website you can find sustainable and ethically sourced necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and bags. Christine is continually inspired by art, color, fashion, and interior design. Each and every piece of this line is designed and handmade by Christine herself.

I first discovered Christine through Instagram. Her bold use of bright colors instantly caught my eye. I’ve always been drawn to bright, colorful florals (no shocker there if you’ve seen me styling my Lilly Putlizer pieces) and Christine’s fine art paintings are a feast for my eyes. They are absolutely gorgeous. I could stare at her paintings for hours.

When Christine reached out to partner on a project together I was thrilled! I knew I wanted to showcase her and her art on my blog. AND give a little something to my followers. That’s why Christine and I are teaming up to give TWO lucky followers an 11×14 print of their choice! Head over to my Instagram for the details on how to enter!

And don’t forget to check out Christine’s Instagram and website! Her artwork and jewelry would make the BEST Christmas gifts. 

Slainte, 

Shannon 

HOME: HOW I KEEP OUR HOUSE ORGANIZED WITH A TODDLER

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I love to clean and organize.  It’s probably one of my favorite pastimes and definitely my favorite chore.  Before Lilly, I would spend our entire Saturday morning deep cleaning our house.  Cleaning and organizing has always been my activity that de-stresses me, allows me to process whatever is going on, and it genuinely brings me joy.  

Before kids, I always used to say, “my house is going to stay clean even after I have kids.” And guys, so far that’s been manageable with one kid (I can’t say what will happen if we have more). Below are some tricks that help me keep our home organized and clutter free.

Invest in Quality Baskets

Baskets are my best friend. I can’t have enough baskets. Baskets are so good at hiding clutter. We have diaper baskets in almost every room – that way we can have quick access to diapers, wipes, lotion and whatever else a baby and toddler needs. I love to store baskets under coffee tables and on shelves because it looks pretty and it hides the chaos inside the basket. I also use baskets in our kitchen to hide our aprons and cookbooks (we just don’t have enough counter space, wall space, or cupboard space). I also use baskets in closets, under sinks, in L’s playroom – literally everywhere. I also love to leave them out in the open and fill them with magazines, books, or blankets.

Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Pottery Barn have some excellent options.  I also love the Serena and Lily ones, but those are $$$.  Here a few styles that I love: 

Pottery Barn Beachcomber Handwoven Seagrass Large Tote 

Pottery Barn Havana Handwoven Seagrass Utility Basket (I have about 8 of these all over the house!).  It also comes in a lighter shade.

Pottery Barn Metallic Woven Wool Storage – we have one similar to this in pink and it’s my favorite basket! 

Target Decorative Toy Storage Basket – we have this in pink in Lilly’s room and I love it!  

Target Large Woven Storage Basket – we have four of these in white under L’s changing table.  They are perfect for storing diapers and blankets! 

Colonial Mills Boca Raton Basket – we love this for storing L’s stuffed animals! Amazing quality. 

Tidy Up Before You Leave a Room

This is something I try to do, and it does work 90% of the time. Before we leave a room where we’ve been playing, I try and put everything away and in its rightful place. This might seem silly, but it’s so much better than spending a half hour going all around the house, picking everything up after L goes to bed. It truly makes a huge difference. Plus, we make a game out of it. Luckily Lilly is a helper so if I ask her to help me with something she is always willing and ready.

Designated Play Area

Fortunately we have a designated playroom in our house. Keeping her toys, books, and stuffed animals all in one area of the house certainly helps with keeping the rest of the house organized. And it helps that this room is separate from the rest of the house (it’s right off of our entrance from the garage and there is a bathroom connected to it. I think it’s technically a downstairs master, but we use it as the playroom). Even if you don’t have a playroom, you can set aside a space in your house for the kiddo’s toys (use those baskets!) and it will definitely help with keeping things tidy.

Always do the Dishes 

This can be an annoying task for sure, but my mom always taught me to clean all the dishes before you go to bed.  If we use dishes after dinner, I always make sure I hand wash them and put them away before we go to bed.  Most nights I do not want to do this task because I’m so tired.  But every morning I wake up and I’m so glad I did.  It truly makes a difference in the morning! 

And that’s it folks.  These are things I do every single day that keeps our home tidy and organized, something I very much value.  Hopefully one or more of these ideas will be feasible for you.  Happy organizing!

Slainte,

Shannon

HOME: FALL-ING FOR BLUE & WHITE

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I love our home in the spring and summer.  The blue and white color scheme always feels so fresh and calming.  I love the peaceful vibe that the coastal details provide.  But, come fall and winter, I struggle big time with decorating.  I enjoy the cozy aesthetic that these two seasons bring, but sometimes I struggle to combine the darker and muted shades of fall and winter with my bright blue and white.  

When it comes to fall decor, I will spend hours studying Pinterest for ideas. I’ve tried so many times to decorate using the traditional orange, yellows, and reds that come with fall, but it just never looks right in our home. And the same goes for Christmas decor – the traditional red and green just don’t spark that joy for me.

So I’ve completely switched to fall decor that is blue and white (I’ll occasionally throw in a mini orange pumpkin, mostly for L).  This post is for anyone struggling to find a nice balance of mixing your vibe with seasonal decor, I’m providing some ideas that have worked for me.  Please remember, I am not an expert in interior design – I just enjoy decorating our home and making it aesthetically pleasing to my eye.  

Ideas for Blue and White Seasonal Fall Decor

Patterned Pumpkins: This year I made patterned blue and white pumpkins using a little Mod Podge and cocktail napkins and they turned out so cute! A fellow Instagrammer who I follow posted how to do this easy DIY project and you can find it here.

Colorful Pumpkins: Consider switching to ceramic pumpkins. Many retailers offer pumpkins in different colors and it’s a lot easier to find blue pumpkins than in year’s past. I’ve also seen green, pink, gold, purple – the options are endless!

Candles: Candles can easily transform your space into the cozy vibe that we associate with fall. I prefer to use tall, skinny candlesticks in varying heights. I have a few of these types of candlesticks in white, but purchasing some in gold or brass would be perfect for fall.

Colorful Plaid: As I learned in Scotland, plaid doesn’t have to be your traditional reds, dark greens, oranges, or browns.  Plaid comes in so many different color options.  Consider finding a plaid blanket with blue, gray, or even purple.  Like the candlesticks, it will add an extra element of cozy. 

Wheat Sheaves/Ornamental Grass: If you aren’t big on fall florals, wheat sheaves and ornamental grass or even a eucalyptus plant are a good alternative. Find some beautiful pottery or a vase in shades of blue, gray, and white and you are good to go.

A few other thoughts.  I actually think that seasonal decorations can be expensive and some years I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on pumpkins and gourds.  My mom always tells me to add a few new pieces to our collection each year and eventually we will have enough seasonal decor to fill the house.   We’ve been in our house for four years now and I have enough fall decor to decorate our living room and dining room (the two rooms we use the least haha!).  

Another idea – Target and Amazon offer bulk plastic pumpkins in white for super cheap. I bought a few bags of these and I love to throw them in a decorative bowl. This year I actually found some nautical rope pumpkins so I ordered two for our family room!

And finally, I like to decorate our bookshelves with blue and whtie pumpkins. But it can feel crowded, so I lay out all my pumpkins and take everything off the shelves and completely re-style them. Anything left over goes into a plastic tote and I’ll bring it back out for spring and summer. Having the pumpkins mixed in with the books adds an unexpected touch.

Now, if someone could help me decorate our fireplace that has a baby proof foam edge protector surrounding it, please send your ideas my way!!

Happy Fall! 

Slainte,

Shannon

HOME: PLAYROOM GALLERY WALL

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If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen me talk about the gallery wall I’ve been working on for L’s playroom. This has been a summer project very near and dear to my heart. My goal with this gallery wall was to be very intentional with the artwork I was selecting. From the beginning, I wanted all of the artwork to be created by artists I admire and/or an artist I have become friends with. All six pieces that I have picked out so far fall into both categories and I’m so excited to share a little info about each artist and their work.

Becky Elgart Coastal Watercolors

Based in Connecticut, Becky Elgart finds endless inspiration from the Atlantic. You immediately can sense her love for the coast in all of her work. For me, each of her pieces of art invoke a feeling of peace and nostalgia for a simpler time. Her abstract coastal seascapes are some of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen. Her piece “Forever Summer” is the piece that inspired me to create this gallery wall for L’s playroom. The lady in the hat reminds me of long, hot summer days playing dress up at my Bobo’s (grandma) house with some of her dresses and large sun hats from the 1940s and 1950s. I loved frolicking around in these vintage pieces and I really think it’s one of the reasons why I love fashion and fashion history so much. I chose this piece because it reminds me so much of my childhood and the endless amounts of imagination and creativity that comes with being a kid.

Check out Becky’s Instagram and her website for more of her beautiful work.

Cozy Little Prints

Cozy Little Prints and the story behind its formation is perhaps one of my favorite’s to share.  My friend Sarah (who I virtually met through Instagram) started painting watercolors at the beginning of COVID-19 as a way to ease anxiety during this incredibly stressful time.  Sarah first started painting watercolors of botanicals and has since expanded into architecture (I commissioned her to create a watercolor of my sister-in-law’s new house!), animals, pets, landscapes, and fashion pieces.   When I saw her share the watercolor she created of an elephant, I knew it had to be a part of L’s gallery wall.  L LOVES elephants – it was the first animal noise she made and she sleeps with her JellyCat Elephant every night.  The elephant print that Sarah painted is the sweetest, most precious addition to the gallery wall and nothing brings me more joy than to see L point to it and make an elephant noise.  

Be sure to follow Cozy Little Prints on Instagram and check out the Etsy site!

Jen Strandberg Studios

I discovered Jen Strandberg Studios through Cozy Little Prints! Sarah shared Jen’s artwork in her stories one day and from then on I was hooked.  Based out of NYC and Nantucket, Jen Strandberg Studios specializes in colorful coastal watercolors.  Full of coastal scenes, summers on the water, and hydrangeas in full bloom, Jen’s artwork makes my nautical loving heart so very happy.  As soon as I saw the colorful buoys that Jen painted, I knew they would be a part of the gallery wall.  They are so fun and playful – the perfect addition to a child’s playroom. 

Be sure to follow Jen on Instagram and shop her Esty site!

Little Lavender Lobster 

Rachel is the genius behind Little Lavender Lobster and perhaps one of the nicest and most supportive artists I’ve met through Instagram.  Founded in 2016, Little Lavender Lobster offers handmade jewelry, watercolors, custom stationary, and so much more – all created and designed by Rachel herself.  I love the simplicity and sophistication of her work.   One of the sweetest products that Rachel creates are personalized watercolor pennants!  Rachel and I worked together to create this customized piece for the gallery wall and it’s so perfect! It’s fun, playful, and the perfect amount of nautical.  I asked Rachel to use an “S” for Solt (in case there are more little Solt’s in the future) and watercolors in blue and white.  I’m so thrilled with the final piece and seeing this sweet pennant in the middle of the gallery wall makes me so happy.

Definitely follow Little Lavender Lobster on Instagram and check out Rachel’s website!

Michelle Brunner

Michelle is my first ever Instagram friend turned real life friend.  Michelle and I met over two years ago and she is one of the most beautiful humans.  Michelle actually teaches with my sister and that’s how we were introduced! Michelle creates the most gorgeous impressionistic paintings of Lake Erie and Ohio.  Claude Monet has always been my favorite artist and Michelle’s artwork reminds me so much of Monet.  I absolutely love her use of color and texture and I find myself getting lost in her paintings.  I am honored to have several of her pieces hanging in our home.  I knew I needed another nautical painting of Lake Erie to include in the gallery wall.  And this one with the little sailboat and the colorful patchwork detail is so perfect for inspiring creativity.

Be sure to follow Michelle on Instagram and check out her website and Etsy site!

Bittersweet Farms

For those of you who know me on a personal level, you will have known that I worked at Bittersweet Farms for five and half years, doing their marketing and social media. Bittersweet Farms is a local nonprofit that provides services to adults with autism. They employ a working farm model that helps individuals with autism live a life filled with purpose. One of my favorite programs is the Creative Arts Program. The Creative Arts Program provides adults with autism art therapy, art production, and art for intrinsic value. It has been a joy to get to know all of these artists and I am honored to have a piece of original art in my home. Before I moved on from Bittersweet, I saw one of the artists had painted this scene titled “Water Lilies.” I had just given birth to Lilly and I asked if I could purchase it, as it was the perfect addition to our room. This piece has been hanging in the playroom for many months, but it is now part of the gallery wall and the bright colors, coastal feel, and Monet inspired style makes me so happy.

Be sure to follow Bittersweet Farms on Instagram and check out their website for more information about this non-profit!

I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to some new artists. I am truly honored to have so many of their pieces displayed in our home. It has been so wonderful getting to know each of these individuals and I hope you will take the time to visit their sites and give them some love.


Slainte,
Shannon

HOME: PLAYROOM UPDATE

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We learned long ago that home projects take time, money, and lots of patience.  One of the items we realized we need sooner than later in the playroom is an adult sized chair.  No joke, there is no furniture for an adult. I’ve been scouring the internet for some comfy and stylish chair options that won’t break the bank. Below are the pieces I’m currently eyeing.  

BEST ROCKING CHAIR

The DaVinci Adrian Swivel Glider in Cream is one I’m eyeing for style, color, and the simple fact that it has an ottoman.  This chair is very similar to the chair we have in the nursery and we love it. I want something that will be comfortable and practical.  This option would definitely be a good option for all the snuggles and reading. ($429.99)

BEST OPTION FOR EXTRA STORAGE

The Million Dollar Baby Classic Sadie Swivel Glider is another great rocking chair option that comes with an ottoman.  The ottoman top opens for extra storage, which is always a win in my book.  This option comes in three different colors and I think the white linen would match the aesthetic of the playroom the best. ($599.99)

MOST LUXURIOUS

The Newton Chaise Lounge from Birchlane is my dream chair.  I’m eyeing this one for the playroom and our living room.  This chair would be insanely comfortable and provide plenty of room for all the snuggles.  The color is also perfect. But it’s definitely the most expensive option and quite a bit more than we want to spend for the playroom. ($827.50)

BEST PRICE

This ivory feather filled chair from World Market is definitely the best deal.  And even though the color is ivory, the material appears to be pretty durable and able to sustain spills, crayons, and everything else that comes with a playroom.  Crafted of pine solid wood frame with polyester-nylon performance upholstery, feather filling and swivel base, this chair looks like it will be so cozy.  I’m happy with the reviews and price point on this one. We could potentially even purchase two of these which would be a win. ($279.99)

BEST IN PRICE AND STYLE

The Joey Armchair and Ottoman from Joss and Main is also a great option.  It’s priced extremely well, has exceptional reviews, and is very stylish.  It appears to be slightly oversized, so reading with L will be cozy and comfortable.  This is definitely high on the list as a possible contender. ($299.99) 

I might spend some more time looking, but these five chairs have so far been my favorites.  Leave me a comment below with your favorite or send me a few other suggestions if you know a great chair for a playroom! 

Slainte,

Shannon

HOLIDAY HOMEMAKING WITH WAYFAIR

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It’s that time of year where magic seems to be in the air! Christmas is such a special time for gathering with family and friends and what better way to celebrate the season than with some festive and cozy decor! 

When Wayfair reached out to partner with me for their Holiday Homemaking Series, I was more than happy to share how I transform our home for the holidays.

I’m not the traditional red and green Christmas decorator. I never have been and I don’t know if I ever will. I tend to vibe better with shades of blue (shocker), silver, gold, and as of late, forest green.

My inspiration for our Christmas decor definitely comes from our current decor. Because our color scheme is already 90% blue and white, my holiday decorating typically takes on a coastal vibe. I love to decorate using shades of blue, gold and silver.

Every year I add a little more decor items to my collection. This year I was yearning for simple, so I’ve added no fuss mini wreaths, faux snow coated trees, and fresh greenery. The touches I added this year actually ended up taking on a colonial vibe and I’m totally loving the colonial, coastal mix.

Christmas is all about adding subtle touches to your space to make it feel warm and inviting. Adding in a soft throw blanket or some fun pillows (loving this ski inspired one right now) can instantly soften a room and make it feel welcoming.

One of the things I love about Wayfair is the variety they offer! Sometimes it’s hard to find Christmas pieces that vibe with my style, but Wayfair has an entire section dedicated to Coastal Christmas. I’m loving this Aegean Key Jute Tree Skirt and these white poinsettia flowers for my tree. Adding white sparkly flowers and stringing nautical rope as garland on our tree definitely gives it that coastal vibe that I so love.

In addition to its variety, Wayfair also offers tips for decorating, such as what size Christmas tree skirt you need, how many ornaments to use on your tree, and how much garland you need for the size of your tree!  They have some really helpful resources if you ever need some inspiration! 

Below I’ve rounded up some of my Wayfair Christmas favorites for this year.  Definitely be sure to check out my picks and let me know what you find for yourself! 

Sláinte, 

Shannon

Special thank you to Wayfair for partnering with me on this post.  All opinions are my own.  

SHOP SMALL FOR THE HOLIDAYS – PART 1

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I can’t believe Christmas is one month away!! This year’s holiday season totally snuck up on me (I think I was too busy planning L’s birthday party!).  Before life gets too festive though, I want to share a two part series for shopping small for the holidays.  This two part series isn’t going to be your normal gift guide.  I’m not focusing on actual products, but focusing more on my favorite brands.  

Personally, I love shopping small for the holidays – the gifts are more meaningful knowing someone poured their heart and soul into creating something they love.   This week I’m sharing some of my favorite women owned, small businesses and next week I will share my favorite Ohio based brands! 

S. Lynch Knitwear

If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen me sporting the coziest accessories from S.Lynch Knitwear. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a cozy knit piece for someone on your gift list. S. Lynch Knitwear products are hands down my favorite winter accessories! The craftsmanship is beautiful, the products are WARM, and they fit perfectly. Plus, there are several styles that are “Mommy and Me” so you and your little can twin!

Click here to shop hats, scarves, mittens, and more!

Kate Hammer Art 

If art and watercolors is your thing, then Kate Hammer Studio is your shop. Kate Hammer Studio offers the most beautiful watercolor botanicals and acrylic landscapes. Kate specializes in gorgeous paintings of fruit (lemon and peaches), herbs, landscapes, wildflowers, and my new favorite – blue and white plants! She also accepts custom orders. I personally own three of her art prints and they are all hanging in my kitchen.

Click here to shop Kate Hammer Studio!

Sewcialite

I discovered Sewcialite on Instagram on my maternity leave and have been obsessed since. Inspired by the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire, Sewcialite offers modern, handmade accessories that are created out of rope. Yes, rope! Sewcialite can take ordinary clothesline rope and turn it into functional art. From rope clutches and satchels, to planters and wall baskets, Sewcialite has one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone! I am fortunate enough to own one of her beautifully woven rope bowls and the craftsmanship is top notch.

Click here to shop unique conversation pieces!

Anchors Aweigh Supply Co.

Hands down my favorite hand towels. EVER. Anchors Aweigh Supply Co. is a Turkish-American business that sells luxurious seaside inspired essentials. This woman owned and run business sells high quality, handmade towels (beach, bath, kitchen, etc.), baby bibs, bathrobes, and more! Not only do I LOVE the look and quality of the products, but I also love that all of their products are 100% Turkish cotton, free from harmful chemicals, and all of the items are handmade by Turkish women using safe and ethical working conditions. AMAZING! The owner has real relationships with the women who make the towels and I absolutely love that.

Click here to shop luxurious, ethically made towels.  

THOM KELLY

If I was still working in the fashion industry, working at THOM KELLY would be my dream job! Using only sustainable materials and created right here in the United States, THOM KELLY creates classic, comfortable, and stylish clothes that are no fuss and easy. Each piece is designed to be effortless and built to wear for any occasion (running errands, wearing over a swimsuit, or heading out for date night). Button-up shirts are available for women and men and they recently launched some amazingly cozy and flattering sweatshirts for women (you better believe one is on my Christmas list!). Plus, they are members of 1% for the Planet, which means that each time you make a purchase, you will be making a positive impact on our planet. WIN.

Both photos courtesy of THOM KELLY

Click here to shop American made, sustainable, classic clothing!

I hope this list provides you with some options for shopping small.  I’m a huge advocate of shopping small and I love supporting women run brands. 

Come back next week for a guide for shopping small in Ohio!

Slainte,
Shannon