Hi loves!
I hope everyone is doing well. Today, I wanted to talk about something that’s near and dear to my heart and that is shopping local. I say it’s near and dear because I grew up in a house that was not only where my family lived, but it was also the workplace of my mother. She owned a gift basket business (still does) and nearly our entire first-story was dedicated to components for making these gift baskets and a little home office. Seeing her balance two teenage girls and the demand of hundreds of orders going out every month, each one customized, was something that I truly admire.
This is one of the many reasons I love supporting small businesses. I’ve seen the struggle that they go through to keep the doors open. They also have unique, hand-crafted, or limited quantity products that you can’t find anywhere else. One of the things that my mom was kind of famous for was for taste-testing every product that she put in her baskets. She took so much pride in what she was creating, she wanted to make sure that the items were fantastic, because they were a representation of her. With so many of the little shops and boutiques around me, I see the same attention to detail and you can tell that someone sat and chose each and every item they’re presenting. I also love that they try to support local designers and creators. When I walk in to a boutique and see a little jewelry line that I know that someone has put so much effort and soul in to, it warms my heart and makes me want to buy something cute that I’ll cherish, knowing I’ve helped that person keep on creating. Here are some of my favorite local boutiques I’d love for you to check out!
BohoCheri Orange St. 342 Orange St, Redlands, CA
Nectar Clothing 12 E. State St. Redlands, CA
DenM 18 E . State St. Redlands, CA
Kith 5 E. Citrus Ave. Redlands, CA
MP Couture 34646 County Line Rd., Yucaipa, CA
Layered by Cake 1911 Commercenter W., Suite 409, San Bernardino, CA
And some of the delightful small businesses I’ve come across..
Gaia Bags
Martin & Co. Candles
Kindred Supply Company

This look is my second in the series One Vest, Three Ways – Pops of Color! I wanted to make it very playful, and what better to add some fun to a look than with stripes and bright shades. All of the accessories that I added I got at an extreme discount… The Kendra Scott wristlet ($12) and Sole Society wedges ($23) were Nordstrom Rack finds, and the cuff from J.Crew Factory I picked up while in Florida for the astonishingly low price of $6! I got it in coral as well, but for some reason TSA grabbed it when they searched my bags! 🙁

Suede vest / BohoCheri // Tank / Everlane // Pencil skirt / 7 For All Mankind  // Wedges / Sole Society // Cuff / J.Crew // Clutch / Kendra Scott // Necklaces / LA finds

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.