Years ago, when I was running Big White Farmhouse, my online gift shop, I would often lament that there was just no way I could compete with the “big guys” who could provide rock-bottom prices and free shipping rates. Retail is a hard business and I never felt like I had a fighting chance. Fast forward to today as I make yet another order at the “Big A” (you know who I mean) and I realize my hypocrisy. It’s time to put my money where my mouth is.
My new motto is “Less But Better.” I’m willing to save up a little longer, pay a little extra and wait more than two days to receive my order if it means a better product from a hard-working entrepreneur. Admittedly, this takes a little more research, but if that’s not a first world problem, I don’t know what is!
To keep me accountable, I’d like to share seasonally the businesses I found and purchased from. Sometimes half the issue is that we don’t know any other options, so I’ll share some with you and I hope you’ll share some hidden gems with me! Here’s what I bought this spring:
1 // MERCY HOUSE GLOBAL
Mercy House Global provide homes for pregnant girls in Kenya and has an online marketplace to support those efforts. I bought a bag of coffee and these mini notecards to add to my Poshmark packages. Mercy House also has a huge selection of jewelry, many made by the girls themselves! This bracelet would be fun to add to snail mail for a friend and look at these bracelets! Beautiful.
2 // LONDON LITTLES
London Littles is run by Janssen from the blog, Everyday Reading. I bought the Kensington Navy Rain Boot for Sophie and oh my goodness. I was so impressed with the whole experience – the packaging is amazing and the quality of the boots is great! If you’re looking for a unique children’s gift that isn’t another toy, this is the shop for you.
3 // POTTING SHED CREATIONS
I used to carry Potting Shed Creations’ products at Big White Farmhouse. I got the Songbird Habitat Scatter Garden Seeds and after planting a few weeks ago, we are just starting to see growth. Exciting! This company has tons of great products – I have this saved for a gift idea.
4 // FAT BRAIN TOYS
I needed a few birthday gifts for family members and found Fat Brain Toys after a Google search. I love their story! I bought the Lego Duplo Numbers Train, which has been a big hit at our house. I also got Aqua Pals, which I thought would be fun for the bathtub or for playing in the plastic pool this summer. Definitely saving Fat Brain Toys for upcoming birthdays and Christmas.
5 // BEAUTYCOUNTER
I have been slowly replacing my makeup with better options at Beautycounter and always shop through my friend Stephanie. This spring, I replaced my blush and got Melon. Love the color.
6 // SECOND SPIN
Because we live in such a rural area, our Internet can be spotty, especially in inclement weather. So while everyone’s streaming and keeping their movies in the cloud, we’re kicking it old school and buying DVDs! Mark found Second Spin and we bought a few movies for the kids for super cheap.
Those bracelets, so pretty and so affordable. I love how perfect they are for every day wear. Squirt toys are always a hit here I may order some since I recently trashed our moldy bath toys – gross! The DVDs! We have no internet access where we live either and have been stockpiling the DVDs as well. I had never heard of that site and will be checking it out immediately.
Thanks for all the great tips. I appreciate you taking the time to research and share. I too love to support small businesses especially Americans but have to be honest and admit that I've been falling into a rut of one stop shopping.
I definitely recommend Second Spin! Their selection is huge, they frequently have promotions and shipping is only $3.99. We just got our second order and were so pleased.
I just bought those same boots for Audrey! Was very impressed with the packaging and quality too.:)
They are too cute, right?!