I can’t believe it’s Friday already. The days somehow are very long but also fly by at the same time. We don’t have much planned for this weekend except for a few household chores, which nowadays is about all we can handle as we still adjust to being a family of four. Below are a few things that I’ve been thinking about this week.
Now that Fall has arrived and the temperatures are quickly getting cooler, I’m looking to add a few cozy sweatshirts to my collection. My favorite sweatshirts are my Erie and Anchor ones. They are seriously the softest and comfiest sweatshirts I’ve ever owned. I wear them ALL the time. I’m loving this one, this one, and this one for me and this one for Lilly. Last year I put together a holiday gift guide of all my favorite Erie and Anchor styles. You can find there here.
I’m still on the hunt for a pair of postpartum jeans. After Lilly was born I was back in my normal clothes very quickly, but I’m pretty sure my entire body shape has changed after having Teddy so I can’t seem to find jeans that fit this new body. Currently looking to try these three styles: Denim Jean 1, Denim Jean 2, Denim Jean 3.
The Morning Show started last week and I’m so excited for this second season. We absolutely loved the first season so I have high hopes for this one.
Although there isn’t much time for reading these days, I try to carve out twenty minutes before bed to read a little something. I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea and I highly recommend if you like magical and whimsical tales that end happy. I’m also reading the 123 Magic Book which is about parenting toddlers (a recommendation from my friend Stephanie from Linen and Littles) – we definitely need all the help we can get in that arena as our precious toddler certainly has a spirit of her own lately.
If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen that I’m running a giveaway with Bits and Bows, Duffield Lane, and two of my favorite mommy bloggers. Be sure to check it out to enter to win a matching Mommy and Me baseball hat set and $100 to Duffield Lane!
It’s that time of year! The days are getting shorter, the wind is getting colder, and homes will soon begin twinkling with Christmas lights. To kick off the holiday season, I’ve put together a Favorite Things Gift Guide: Erie and Anchor edition. In this gift guide you will find seven of my favorite Erie and Anchor items. There is something for the entire family in this gift guide, which makes for easy shopping! Now more than ever we need to support small businesses and I’m always happy to support Erie and Anchor. This family owned business not only provides products for a coastal lifestyle, but they also give back. Erie and Anchor makes sure that 5% of each purchase is donated to help preserve and clean up Lake Erie. My family loves this small but mighty Great Lake and I’m proud to support a company that feels the same.
So without further ado, here is my Favorite Things Gift Guide, Erie and Anchor Edition.
Classic Crosswinds Crewneck
The classic Crosswinds Crewneck is probably my most worn E&A sweatshirt. I love all my E&A sweatshirts, but this one is the comfiest sweatshirt I have ever owned. It’s incredibly soft and cozy and it’s the sweatshirt I reach for time and again. It’s perfect for layering (I like to wear mine with a navy blue gingham button up underneath and my navy blue puffer vest on top). People talk about comfort food often, but in all seriousness this is my comfort piece of clothing. If I’m needing an extra dose of comfort, this is the sweatshirt I want.
Gift For: EVERYONE
Sizing: Unisex (Rob and I both have this sweatshirt and are often found twinning in it)
Price: $42
Colors: Kelly Green (although mine is an older version that is gray with navy blue details)
Quilted Sailboat Pullover
Of all my Erie and Anchor pieces, the navy blue quilted pullover is the one I receive the most compliments on. People always comment on how cute the style is – especially the white sailboat detail. Like all my E&A pieces, this pullover is warm and so comfortable. If you own a boat or live a coastal life, this pullover is going to be your go-to for cooler evenings on the lake or beach days in the fall. It’s the perfect transition piece. (Note: The bottom band does fit snug, so I recommend sizing up).
Gift For: Mom, sister, aunt
Sizing: Unisex
Price: $78
Colors: Navy Blue
North Coast Kickback Silver Long Sleeve
First of all, I love the simple “North Coast” design on many of the E&A shirts and I proudly wear two sweatshirts with these words written across the front. The North Coast Kickback Silver long sleeve though is the perfect pullover. The weight of this long sleeve is in between a sweatshirt and a t-shirt, so it makes for an amazing piece when the weather is transitioning (this is the piece I always grab on summer evenings). I also love the hem of this long sleeve – it’s a little bit longer so I love to do a front tuck in my jeans for a different look. It’s truly a must have piece for your cozy collection.
Gift For: EVERYONE
Size: Unisex
Price: $42
Colors: Silver and Navy
New England Striped Rain Jacket
If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen the New England Striped Rain Jacket make MANY appearances. I love this jacket. Not only for the classic navy and white stripes, but also for the fit and quality of this rain coat. I actually look forward to rainy days so that I can wear this jacket. And it’s actually a perfect jacket for the cooler temperatures of spring and fall so I often wear it even when it’s not raining. Definitely worth it if you live in a climate with lots of rain! Plus it has the cutest light blue E&A anchor detail on the front. Oh and zip pockets. And a hood. Need I say more!?
Gift For: Mom, Sister, Aunt, Friend, Yourself!
Size: Women’s
Price: $94.00
Colors: Blue and White Stripe
Signature Anchor Baseball Hat
The Signature Anchor Baseball Hat is an everyday staple in the Solt house. I have this hat in white with a navy anchor and Rob has it in navy with a white anchor. We both wear it ALL the time (Lilly tries to steal both of ours). This is the perfect classic accessory for boating on the lake, taking a walk down by the river, or just hiding that hair you haven’t washed in a week! It also has an adjustable brass buckle so it’s one size fits all.
Gift For: Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Cousin, Boyfriend, Girlfriend, EVERYONE
Size: Unisex
Price: $25
Colors: White or Navy
Youth Anchor Hoodie
Lilly has the Youth Anchor Hoodie in gray and it’s the CUTEST. I love how soft it is and I love that the hood doesn’t have any strings. I have always loved the signature anchor design of E&A so I love that it’s extra bold on this sweatshirt. I actually have the adult version of this sweatshirt in navy, so you can often find Lilly and me twinning in our hoodies.
Gift For: Kiddos, nieces, nephews, baby sibling
Size: Youth
Price: $35
Colors: Gray or Kelly Green
Anchor Coffee Tumbler
This is the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life! The new Anchor Coffee Tumbler has the signature E&A anchor and you can choose from navy or white. I have one of the E&A tumblers in the crosswinds design and it’s my favorite tumbler! I’ve gone through many a tumbler in my life and these ones are the best quality (in my opinion). They keep beverages cold for hours (I wake up in the morning and I still have ice in mine!) and vice versa they keep coffee or tea hot for hours, which is perfect if it takes you three hours to drink your coffee like me.
Gift For: EVERYONE
Size: One size
Price:
Colors: Navy or White
And there you have it. There are many more products from Erie and Anchor that I love, but these are my tried and true favorites. Extremely high quality and stylish, you seriously cannot go wrong buying a gift for someone from Erie and Anchor. And the best part? By shopping Erie and Anchor you are supporting a small, family owned business and helping to save Lake Erie for generations to come.
Almost one year ago, I sat at my computer and drafted up an email, mustering up the courage to hit send. I had been following an Ohio based brand for quite a while and was pitching them an idea to collaborate with me. It was my first time ever reaching out to a brand and I was so nervous.
Within a couple of hours, the owner of the brand replied to my email and was just as excited as I was about the opportunity to work together. After an hour long phone call we set up a day to get together for lunch and thus began my journey working with Erie and Anchor.
Fast forward eleven months, and I’ve had the joy of watching my favorite Ohio brand open their first brick and mortar store. I remember sitting with Micah at our first lunch and talking about this dream of hers to someday open her own retail store. When she told me she was going to do it in the place that inspired Erie and Anchor, I knew without a doubt I wanted to be there for the opening.
This past weekend, Rob, Lilly and I hopped in the car for the hour long trip to Vermilion, Ohio for the soft opening of the Erie and Anchor flagship store. We had never been to Vermilion, but let me tell you, it is a coastal gem. It’s described as the “crowning jewel of the south shore of Lake Erie” and it’s 100% accurate.
This enchanting seaside community has all the charm of a New England coastal town. It’s full of quaint shops and restaurants, beautiful old “Lake Captain” homes, spectacular beaches, and an adorable lighthouse and maritime museum. It’s the perfect setting for an Erie and Anchor store and I’m already planning many more trips back to enjoy all the delights this coastal community has to offer.
The Erie and Anchor store is situated on the corner of Main Street and Liberty Avenue, right in the heart of “Harbor Town” (what the locals call the downtown). It’s the perfect location!
The inside of the store is absolutely gorgeous. Everything from the window displays, to the hardwood floors, and shiplap wall are just stunning. No detail was overlooked and it has such a cozy, easy going, lake vibe atmosphere.
One of my favorite parts of the store includes the back wall which boasts five rowing oars and two floating shelves with nautical rope. So simple, yet perfectly preppy and right on brand. I also love the large wooden sign behind the checkout desk that is a beautiful replica of the logo. It’s one of the first things you see upon walking into the store and it’s just stunning.
Micah will be selling not only Erie and Anchor merchandise, but also merchandise from Coastal Cleveland, Shabby Shore, and a few other Ohio based companies. It’s truly a store that embraces coastal Ohio and the community that loves the lake.
I had no idea what this brand would come to mean to me and how much working with Micah would change my blogging life. I’m so grateful for her support, encouragement and friendship. I don’t know where A Dash of Solt would be without her. I’m so thrilled that I have been able to watch her grow her brand, not only across Ohio, but across the country.
The Erie and Anchor store will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6:00 p.m. until the grand opening weekend on March 21 and March 22. If you aren’t local to Ohio, you can always shop their merchandise online. And as always, a percentage of each purchase made is donated to the research and cleaning up of Lake Erie!
Congratulations on a beautiful dream coming true, Micah!! Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
A Dash of Solt 