Small Shops Worth Knowing

If there is one thing I have loved more than anything about blogging and the connections I have made in this little space, it has been the introduction to so many fun, unique, and inspiring small shops. Most of these businesses are owned and operated by mothers, and it always means so much to know that I am not just supporting a business, but helping to support their beautiful families, too. The personalization of these small shops is incredible; I have gotten to know the owners personally, and as a result want to shout it from the rooftops that I know first hand just how amazing their products and service truly are.

With the holidays just around the corner (I know I know, I just went there), I thought it would be fun to round up a few of my absolute favorite small shops. These items are all so unique and one of a kind, perfect for those most important people in your life!

1. Mcleod Letter Co.

I was so excited to finally get a letterboard this summer, and the sweet folks at Mcleod Letter Co. did not disappoint. Kimberly is one of the absolute sweetest people I have ever met, and she is also so responsive, helpful in answering questions, and invested in her products. I use my letterboard to put up fun quotes, messages for birthdays/holidays, and have let Mike take over a time or two, which usually results in something ridiculous and silly, but he seems to enjoy himself so I oblige. If you don't have a letterboard in your home, I couldn't recommend getting one more. They are the perfect piece to have available for events, to add to your décor, and let you have fun being creative.

2. Saranoni Blankets

These blankets. Oh my goodness you guys, these blankets. They are the softest, most plush blankets I have ever felt. And I don't know about you, but in my opinion a person can never have too many cozy blankets around the house, especially during those cold winter months. These blankets are so perfect for that person that isn't the easiest to shop for, because like I said-no one will say no to some extra cozy being added to the house.

3. Loopy Cases

How many loved ones do you know (or maybe just you) who have dropped their cell phone in the toilet, on the floor, or even on their own face right before bedtime? Loopy Cases have truly been a lifesaver since I got my new and improved iPhone 7 Plus. I don't solely utilize the loop when I am on my phone; it is helpful for having an extra hold on it when I have my hands full, really making me feel more secure and less inclined to drop my phone. These cases come in lots of basic colors, but I am personally obsessed with the marbling on this case!

4. Wonderbly Books

These personalized children's books are absolutely incredible. They have multiple different options, including Lost My Name and The Birthday Thief. These books are so detailed, and through filling out multiple details while ordering, every last page is customized especially for the child who it is being given to. These books are so special, and are total keepsake items. And seeing a little one light up when they see their own name and a character that looks like them on the pages of a book; magical.

5. Made By Mary

There is nothing sweeter than a personalized necklace. Whether it be for yourself, a grandma, or a close friend, there are countless ways to personalize these pretty bar and moon necklaces. I had mine engraved with 'Jax+Link', and I love carrying that little reminder of my boys with me every day. And the necklaces are absolutely beautiful-I would wear them even without the personalized detail because they are so pretty!

6. Slumberkins

These adorable snuggly creatures are some of the cutest things I have ever seen, and function similar to a lovey blanket. Each Slumberkin is developed around a social skill and has an accompanying Sleepytime Rhyme and keepsake Affirmation Card. My littlest guy is obsessed with anything soft and cozy, so these are a no brainer and are a gift I know he would be absolutely obsessed with. The shop owners are two mamas who personally design each and every piece, with the best outcomes for your children in mind!

7. Uncommon Goods

If you are truly searching for something unique, one of a kind, and out of the box, Uncommon Goods has you covered. They host unique pieces from numerous small shops, and have everything from cheeseboards to toys for kids to taco booties for babies. I love that all of the items are from small, self-owned businesses; as with all of these brands, it is so awesome to know who you are supporting when you purchase an item! This site is seriously perfect for that tricky person who you never know quite what to get!

8. Cuddle+Kind

One more gift for the kiddos, these Cuddle+Kind dolls are hand knit, and serve a greater good. For every doll sold, 10 meals are donated to children in need. This sweet company is owned by a small family who has a passion for helping children in need, and the dolls are just precious. To date, they have given over 1.5 million meals! I am constantly blown away by how generous and kind-hearted the owners of these small shops truly are.

9. Flipside Prints

Flipside prints are so much fun, and my boys are absolutely obsessed with them! They attach to a magnetic strip on your wall, and whenever you wish, you are able to flip them, which each side of the panel displaying a different image! They come on clean, white pieces, which make them perfect additions to a play room or nursery. The owner, David, is so kind and invested in his product, constantly striving to improve and build upon what he has already created.

10. Captain Sillypants

I think one of the easiest ways to spruce up your baby's nursery is with adorable sheets. I am absolutely obsessed with our Captain Sillypants crib sheets. They are SO soft, and on top of that, the pattern is absolutely adorable! The little girl options are seriously the CUTEST-I want to scoop up everything in the shop!

I really cannot say enough about all of the amazing small shops I have been able to discover through this community. So many of these people are busy parents, doing their best to provide for their families while pursuing their passions. I love shopping small!

What are some of your favorite places to shop small?

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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday the 13th friends! Nothing more spooky than this day falling in the month of October! I think this calls for extra cups of coffee, snuggling up on the couch, and watching Hocus Pocus to celebrate. Also, if I see a black can today you can most definitely find me running in the opposite direction ;-) It has been awhile, so I can't wait to share some of my favorites lately!

1. Sueded Moto Jacket

Finally, on an awesome sale, I scooped up the moto jacket from Old Navy I have had my eye on! It is seriously the softest jacket I have ever worn, and it is so stretchy! I absolutely love the camel color too, it is a fun change of pace. I could not recommend it more-and it is on sale right now!

Jacket // Jeans // Sweater c/o // Booties

2. Light Wash Jeans

I am so in love with my new light wash jeans. I had seriously been on the hunt for the perfect pair for a solid month or two, and finally found them. They are a lower rise, but still come up high enough that I don't feel like a teeny-bopper wearing them, ya hear me? ;-) All jeans at AE are currently on sale, too! The current prices are some of the best I have seen, other great options are this pair and these, too!

3. Fall Themed Letterboards

I have been having so much fun playing around with my letterboard, especially now that we are into my favorite season! I decked out the little corner of our kitchen with some spooky décor (aka paper bats and fake spider webs), and smile every time I see it. I just love having a home to fill with little traditions! 

4. Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, we took the boys to a local pumpkin patch for the first time. I would actually call it less of a pumpkin patch, and more of a corn maze/activity center, but they both absolutely loved it! There was a bouncy thing (I honestly can't even think of how to accurately describe it, because it wasn't a house but also wasn't a trampoline. Jackson had an absolute blast jumping on it! Lincoln was all about running around in whichever direction we didn't want him to go, but that is what being a toddler is all about, right? ;-) I am absolutely loving being at a stage with our kiddos where we can finally start doing these fun outings!

Ghost Shirts // My Top

5. New Blankets

This past week, we got a new throw blanket for the living room, as well as some cuddly blankets from the boys from Saranoni Blankets and we are O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D. with them! I cannot put into words how soft they are. The throw blanket is the most perfect soft and neutral shade, which I love because it will allow me to keep it on the couch all of the time to mix and match with my seasonal throws I put out. I always keep two throws on the couch, because, his and hers ;-)

I hope you all have the best fall weekend! I am probably (okay, definitely) going to be making more apple spiced desserts with the windows open, and just maybe will attempt to grab some family photos outside! The trees are entering peak right now, and it is just absolutely gorgeous!

Five on Friday // Friday Favorites // Friday Favorites // High Five For Friday

*Post contains affiliate links. Thank you for support Stang&Co!

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A Little Bit Of Life Lately

Well, I continue to fall off of the bandwagon with blogging. Woops. To be honest, I have really lacked motivation to sit down and write. So often, ideas and motivation come to me, and I find myself writing a post without feeling like I have to. But lately, that just hasn't been happening for me. So often I find myself missing this little space and the awesome connections I have made through it, yet I also just can't bring myself to write if the words aren't flowing. So, instead of staring at a blank computer screen willing the words to come, I have been playing with the boys after dinner, watching my favorite fall TV shows that are finally back on (AMEN!), and spending lots of time in the kitchen on the weekends with the windows open, soaking up the beauty that is fall in Minnesota. Blogging is important to me; it has been the most incredible outlet, it has introduced me to so many amazing mothers from around the country who have become a real life support system for me, and it has been the creative outlet I need to feel like I am doing something for myself. But that is what this space is, something for myself. And so, if there is one thing I could freely spend all day talking (or typing) about, it is my sweet family which inspired this whole space from the beginning, so a life lately post is what we are going to end up with here!

I keep thinking the stages my boys in are so much fun, but I don't know if I could have anticipated just how sweet having two silly toddlers truly is. Jackson continues to talk up a storm, and has so many opinions lately. He loves to tell jokes, and will always tell me 'mommy, that's too silly'. Both of our boys are absolutely obsessed with the movie Moana lately-I have no idea how we just viewed it for the first time in the past few weeks, because the music is so amazing I listen to it even when the boys aren't around ;-) When Maui's song comes on, both Jackson and Lincoln get up and dance like fools. Lincoln is so darn precious, and he will spin around in very large, wobbly circles, and is so proud of himself. Those boys so often make me catch my breath because I am so overcome by their sweetness. Of course, they have plenty of salty moments too!

We got a bObi robotic vacuum this summer, and it has been one of the best additions to our home ever. I have it programmed to run mid morning during the weekdays, so I make it a point to clean up the living room and kitchen floors of all of the boys' toys, and come home to freshly vacuumed floors. It even knows how to find its way home, so it goes right back to its docking station to charge for the next day! Of course, after overcoming their initial fear of the thing, both of my boys basically consider bObi to be our family pet, and treat it as such. Lincoln has figured out how to turn it on, and we have now been forced to place our little bObi up and out of reach because Lincoln will abuse the darn thing all evening if we let him. In fact, he has received his first time outs due to his abuse of the bObi, and this has also resulted in some of his first full blown tantrums. We are talking arched back, hands in the air, rolling around on the floor as if the world is ending tantrums. And we aren't even halfway to year two yet; Lord help us!

 

Jackson is all about anything festive, and it has been so fun to whip out all of the pumpkins and fall décor and watch him get so excited about it. His favorite piece of clothing (today, at least), is without question his ghost shirt. I got one for both him and Lincoln and I have had to do emergency loads of laundry because he wants to wear it every. single. day. While it may not be good for the wear and tear of our washing machine, I just absolutely love having the opportunity to see all of the little joys in life through the eyes of a child. They truly bring the magic back into everything. It's so true when people say the only thing better than holidays AS a child are holidays WITH a child.

 

 

 

So that is life lately. Lots of lazy days, lots of snuggles, and lots of pumpkins ;-) Thank you to everyone who continues to follow along, you keep me coming back to this precious little corner of the world!

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Date Night Look

*This post is written in collaboration with Pink  Blush. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Stang&Co!

I don't know about you, but I always end up gravitating towards the same pieces for my closet. Basics for work, cozy things to wear around the house, and casual jeans and sweatshirts are my go-to items. I always have a hard time justifying the 'fun' purchases, because my current life just doesn't allow me to wear them all that often. But when I saw this pretty lavender number, I couldn't help but scoop it up for a fun date night look! We don't get out often enough, but with both of our birthdays and our anniversary all falling within a one month window, this time of the year allows us a few extra opportunities to go out. And when they are MY big days, I am able to demand we throw on something a little bit fancy, even though my hubby prefers to wear a hoodie 99% of the time ;-)

Top // Pants // Clutch (old, similar here, here, and here)

 

 

I love everything about this piece, from the tie detailing in the back, to the cutout shoulders, to the fluttery details on the sleeves. Confession time: this is actually a dress! But at 6 feet tall, it ended up workout perfectly as a tunic top for me, and I love how it looks tucked into the waistband; it completely changes the look and feel of it! It could still be used as a dress/tunic with a pair of leggings and booties, too.

What is your favorite look to wear for date night? And what is your favorite thing to do when you get a night out!?

 

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Friday Favorites-Mid September

Well, it is Friday, and it is mid-September, and it is supposed to be nearly 90 degrees today. For you southerners I suppose that isn't saying much, but my Minnesota soul is just not equipped to handle temperatures that high, let alone at this time of the year! Of course, after today it is nothing but 60s and even some days in the 50s! Fall, I see you coming, and I am so ready for you!

1. A New Phone

Well, I finally bit the bullet after literally months of waiting and finally got the iPhone 7 Plus! You guys, I am so obsessed! After my very sad story of washing my iPhone 6 shortly after moving into our new house, I was rocking my old iPhone 5 until I was finished making the payments on my nonfunctioning phone. Kind of depressing, right? I told myself I had to wait until I could get the 7+ at the same amount as my current monthly payment, and that number finally happened, YAY I am finally working with a phone that takes pictures that actually look amazing. I wanted this phone for the camera features, and they truly do not disappoint. That, and the battery has a life longer than four hours which is a plus ;-) Now, wish me luck in not letting this thing anywhere near a washing machine, ever.

 I am seriously so obsessed with the portrait feature on this phone!

 

 

2. Vivora Niko Chair

This week the boys were so excited when this adorable vivora niko ball arrived. Jackson thinks the bear face on it is about the coolest thing ever. He has been loving using it to sit when he is at his chalkboard, and Lincoln prefers to drag it around by the ear ;-) It is a great tool to help kids with better balance, and even functions as an exercise ball. I love how cute it looks; it is such a great addition to the play room that really adds to the space!

3. Blush Sneakers

Do you all remember the coveted DV blush sneakers from Target last spring that sold out absolutely everywhere? Well, they are back in stock! I have seen then in my local stores, and it looks like all sizes are currently available online! If you had been wanting these, I would suggest buying them now before they sell out again!

Jeans // Shoes

4. Fresh Palette

So I think I managed to fully skip mentioning this (what kind of blogger am I?) but it was my birthday two weeks ago! The big 2-8! My sweet sister surprised me with a new eyeshadow and highlighter palette, and I am LOVING IT. I had been using the remnants of my old Naked palette and was definitely due for something new. It is designed by Carli Bybel, and I love the blush and gold tones to this one, and have been having a lot of fun mixing and matching the new options! I highly recommend it! 

5. Toddler Talk

I shared some of my favorite things Jackson says earlier this week, and I have to say, the nipple comment is by far the one that people seemed to laugh at the most ;-) I cannot say it enough, but sometimes I forget that a year ago at this point in time, we were having him assessed for speech therapy and were so concerned as he essentially said five words, at most. Now, we literally cannot get him to stop talking. He tells stories, plays make believe, and wakes up every morning and immediately needs to know where the last toy he was playing with before bedtime the night before is. I just love hearing his little voice so much. Head over to read up on the funny things our little man says!

I hope you all have a fabulous Friday. You guys, we are only a week away from the most magical month of the year!!

Five on Friday // Friday Favorites // Friday Favorites // High Five For Friday

*this post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Stang&Co!

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