Gift Guide – A Dash of Solt

FAVORITE THINGS GIFT GUIDE: FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESSES

Published on December 4, 2020December 3, 2020 by Shannon1 Comment

I’m excited to be sharing my third and final gift guide this season. This gift guide is a round up of all my favorite small businesses, many of which I’ve had the pleasure of working with. From art to jewelry to knitwear to toddler activities to reclaimed lobster welcome mats, each of these small businesses offers a unique product that is created with so much passion and love. If you are still looking for a special gift for someone, consider supporting a small business and shop one of these brands below!

Allison Cole Jewelry: A jewelry collection that is classic, nautical, and all handmade in New England. The owner, Nicole, proudly designs and makes every single piece of jewelry herself. I wear the monogram Essex bracelet every single day. Shop her collection here.

Becky Elgart Art: Becky creates the most beautiful abstract and figurative coastal scenes. Her pieces of art invoke a feeling of peace and nostalgia for a simpler time. I have the pleasure of owning two of her pieces, one in Lilly’s playroom and one next to our piano. Both bring me so much joy. Shop her art here.

Cozy Little Prints: The sweetest collection of watercolors ranging from botanicals, architecture, animals, pets, landscapes, and fashion pieces. Sarah’s art bloomed as a hobby during quarantine and has since expanded to an entire collection on her Etsy shop. Shop her art here.

Jen Strandberg Studio: 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. She has since expanded to creating the most beautiful calendars, wrapping paper, and more. Shop her art here.

Line and Cleat: Line and Cleat offers classic accessories for everyday living. Think preppy inspired tumblers, serving trays, drinkware, wine totes and more. Shop the collection here.

Little Lavender Lobster: Little Lavender Lobster offers handmade jewelry, watercolors, custom stationary, and so much more – all created and designed by Rachel herself. Everything is inspired by coastal living in New England. The pearl stud earrings are my absolute favorite! Shop her collection here.

Lottie and Lizzie Play: These alphabet letters are a favorite in our house! Lilly is fascinated with learning her letters and Lottie and Lizzie creates the most fun alphabet sets. Many of the letters are themed, but you can custom order a set! Shop the alphabet letters here.

Mermaids and Madeleines: Mermaids and Madeleines offers the loveliest handmade coastal jewelry and art. Heather, the owner, designs and makes all the jewelry herself. I am fortunate to own the most beautiful necklace and alphabet letter print from her collection. Shop her jewelry and art here.

Sewcialite: If you love baskets, bowls, handbags, and jewelry, you will love Sewcialite. All of the items are handmade out of rope (except the jewelry) by Roula herself. The rope creations are truly incredible. Roula recently launched a coastal inspired jewelry line and the pieces are exquisite. Shop the collection here.

S.Lynch Knitwear: If you’ve been following me for awhile, then S.Lynch Knitwear will be no secret to you. I’m obsessed with Sam’s knit creations. Her knitwear are the only accessories I wear in the winter. Plus she offers Mommy and me matching sets, which is a win in my book! Shop handknit scarves, hats, gloves, and more here.

Shop Maddie and Connor: Shop Maddie and Connor offers the most beautiful classic and timeless children’s clothing. Think lovely smocks embroidery, seersucker, and monograms. Your little one will look so adorable in anything from Shop Maddie and Connor. Shop the collection here.

Somer Stay: A female owned and run company, Somer Stays offers ethically made and responsibly sourced products that you can sleep, live and play in. From house dresses to jewelry, accessories, and my favorite Turkish Towels, Somer Stay has a beautiful collection of gifts that you can feel good about purchasing. Shop the collection here.

Surcee Shoppe: The Surcee Shoppe is the cutest online gift giving boutique full of preppy accessories, stationary, home decor, and pet accessories. The Surcee Shoppe makes gift giving simple by including an enclosure card, gift wrap and shipping with each surcee. Shop the items here.

Sternlines: Reclaimed lobster welcome mats, canvas totes, and New England inspired clothing for adults and children, Sternlines has the coolest selection of products. Every doormat they create tells a different story as to where the rope originated from. The brand’s story is so cool and you should definitely check them out if you love coastal living. Shop the collection here.

And that’s a wrap! I hope you found a small business you are interested in supporting this year. Happy shopping!

Slainte,

Shannon

FAVORITE THINGS GIFT GUIDE: OHIO EDITION

Published on November 30, 2020November 29, 2020 by ShannonLeave a comment

Christmas shopping is in full swing for most people and every blogger has most likely shared their gift guides. And I myself have two more gift guides I am looking forward to sharing. Today’s gift guide features all Ohio based small businesses, and later this week, I will be sharing the rest of my favorite small businesses. Although we just celebrated Small Business Saturday, we can still continue to support small businesses this holiday season and throughout the year.

I would say it wasn’t until I started blogging that I really became passionate about supporting local, Ohio based businesses. Sure I have always enjoyed shopping at the cute boutiques where I live. I even worked for two of them and working for those boutiques are part of the reason I love fashion so much. But I think it took the many collaborations and partnerships I’ve been fortunate to experience that deepened my love for Ohio brands.

Although this list does not nearly cover all the amazing small businesses in Ohio, I hope it opens the door to discovering some truly incredible brands. All of the brands I’m featuring this year are women owned and operated.

And if you are looking for even more small businesses to shop this year, I’m teaming up with my friend Sarah from Cozy Little Joys and Stephanie from Linen and Littles to share small businesses that are local to them. AND, we are sharing a giveaway over on our Instagram’s this week, so be sure to follow us!

OHIO SMALL BUSINESSES

Michelle Brunner Art

If you love impressionism and Ohio, then you have to check out Michelle Brunner Art. Michelle Brunner was my first Instagram turn real life friend! Michelle’s art speaks to my soul in a way that I can’t even describe. Her paintings bring me so much joy and they transport me to a place of peace and contentment. With a style that is somewhat abstract and somewhat impressionistic, Michelle’s focus on color and texture is just outstanding. A true reflection of Ohio Midwest living, Michelle’s paintings bring to life long summer days on the lake or relaxing car rides through Ohio’s’ farm country. Michelle Brunner Art is a perfect gift for the person in your life who loves modern art or coastal and farmhouse décor.

Click here to shop Michelle Brunner Art!

Instagram: @michellebrunnerart

Coastal Cleveland

Based in Avon Lake, Ohio, Coastal Cleveland celebrates coastal living and life on the water, specifically life on Lake Erie waters. Coastal Cleveland offers a variety of clothing for anyone who loves the water. From cozy collegiate crewneck sweatshirts, to the softest cotton t-shirts, all of the apparel designs are created by Erin, the owner. If you are native to the Ohio Northcoast, you will find shirts that give a nod to Avon Lake, Lakewood, Cleveland, and of course Lake Erie. In addition to running this business, Erin also maintains a blog where she shares her love for all things coastal, boats, Northcoast traveling, and everything in between.

Click here to shop all things Coastal Cleveland.

Instagram: @coastalcleveland

Kylie and Bryn

Handmade right here in Columbus, Ohio, Kylie and Bryn is a jewelry/accessory company with the brightest and prettiest African vinyl and wooden bead bracelets. The moment I laid eyes on these colorful, vibrant bracelets, I knew I needed a few to add to my accessory collection. All of the bracelets are handmade and the craftsmanship and quality is just beautiful. The owner, Amber, creates bracelets in the brightest of colors – from neon pink, to royal blue, turquoise, and kelly green to yellow, blush pink, and even rainbow! And, she offers school spirit inspired bracelets and customizable word bracelets. You can purchase the bracelets individually or as a medley stack. There are so many options to choose from!

Click here to shop all things Kylie and Bryn.

Instagram: @kylieandbryn

Shore Society

Shore Society, another favorite coastal Ohio apparel brand, prides itself on creating pieces that are reflective of the lakefront lifestyle that encompasses the Great Lakes and the Midwest. Founded in 2012 by Rachael Koenig, Shore Society products are inspired by the nautical aesthetic of Cleveland’s coast. If you have ever seen the “Lake Erie Love” print floating around on merchandise, you will be happy to know that this is a signature of Shore Society. In the seven years since its founding, Shore Society has expanded to include sweatshirts (for Lake Erie and Lake Michigan fans), tee shirts, hats, totes, mugs, candles, pennants, art prints, and so much more. It’s a lifestyle brand that offers something unique for all coastal lovers. They also launch incredibly fun, seasonal apparel products that are hugely popular.

I’m a huge fan of Shore Society products and am happy to support such a great Ohio brand where I know the products are high quality and stylish.

Click here to shop all things Shore Society!

Instragm: @shoresociety

OntkOrganix

If you are into skincare products that are earth friendly, gluten-free, and chemical-free, then OntkOrganix is your new favorite place to shop! Based on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Erie (known famously as Put-in-Bay), OntkOrganix is a family owned business with over 40 organic products. From face wash to toners to moisturizers, to deodorant, to hair care, and suncare, OntkOrganix has something for everyone. And you can feel good knowing that every single product is chemical-free. My favorite is the Lavender Balm! And the best part is the owner, Christie, uses the lavender that grows right in her garden in the balm itself!

Click here to shop all things OntkOrganix.

Instagram: @ontkorganix

I hope this guide has allowed you to discover some new female owned, small businesses. I am proud to support all of these women and their work and I hope you are too.

Happy shopping!

Shannon

FAVORITE THINGS GIFT GUIDE: ERIE AND ANCHOR EDITION

Published on November 9, 2020November 9, 2020 by ShannonLeave a comment

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.

Happy shopping!!

Slainte,

Shannon

SHOP SMALL FOR THE HOLIDAYS – PART II

Published on November 29, 2019November 29, 2019 by ShannonLeave a comment

I was going to wait until next week to post part II of shopping small for the holidays, but I didn’t want to wait! Plus, with it being Black Friday, I figured everyone is already shopping and there are some great deals out there!

This second round of women owned, small businesses are all based in my home state of OHIO! All of these brands are so special and I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some of these ladies – and they are awesome!

ERIE AND ANCHOR

Where to begin with Erie and Anchor. One of my absolute favorite brands and products that I wear every.single.day. Erie and Anchor sells the COMFIEST apparel! The sweatshirts are my absolute favorite and I can’t recommend them enough. They also offer the best in tees, baseball hats, pullovers, mugs, keychains, etc. etc.

This is a top notch brand with an even better business model. For every purchase made, 5% of earnings are donated back to Lake Erie to help support water quality and research. The family based company is passionate about ensuring the lake will still be a place of enjoyment and relaxation for decades to come. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the owner over the past year, and to me, that makes supporting this brand even more special.

Click here to shop all things Erie and Anchor! AND: Use code NORTHCOAST for free shipping on any order!

Instagram: @Erieandanchor

MICHELLE BRUNNER ART

With a style that is somewhat abstract and somewhat impressionistic, Michelle’s focus on color and texture is just outstanding. A true reflection of Ohio Midwest living, Michelle’s paintings bring to life long summer days on the lake or relaxing car rides through Ohio’s’ farm country. Michelle Brunner Art is a perfect gift for the person in your life who loves modern art or coastal and farmhouse décor.

Click here to shop Michelle Brunner Art!

Instagram: @michellebrunnerart

SHORE SOCIETY

If you have ever seen the “Lake Erie Love” print floating around on merchandise, you will be happy to know that this is a signature of Shore Society. In the seven years since its founding, Shore Society has expanded to include sweatshirts (for Lake Erie and Lake Michigan fans), tee shirts, hats, totes, mugs, candles, pennants, art prints, and so much more. It’s a lifestyle brand that offers something unique for all coastal lovers. They also launch incredibly fun, seasonal apparel products that are hugely popular.