Holiday spirit
Hello and happy holidays from the Midwest! We’re getting this newsletter out one day late, but it’s packed with some seriously great recommendations.
Where in the Midwest? Every other year, I head back to the motherland to participate in a 30+ year tradition at my family’s Christmas tree farm in central Wisconsin. It’s as charming as it sounds, complete with wagon rides, fresh baked Amish treats, and hot chocolate for the kids. It’s also a bit like teleporting - a refreshingly simple existence far from Teslas, tech, and frothing ambition.
Katie came up for a day to checkout the action. “A hallmark movie in the making,” as she says. We even made it to Fannie’s Supper Club down the road for a brandy old fashioned press, Katie’s preferred option between sweet and sour.
For context, my Mom grew up on a dairy farm which my Grandpa converted to a Christmas tree farm in the 80s. We’ve been selling trees from our land ever since. From age two, I was a member of a team that worked each holiday to deliver a slice of joy to families in our area. Although the Christmas tree farm is more of family tradition than booming operation, it was my first experience learning about small business. I’ve known for most my life I wanted to run my own business, and for the last decade, it’s been a dance with universe to learn how.
With that in mind, this Monday we rounded up some our favorite deals from smaller brands. From delicious food and home goods to cozy sweaters and boots, there’s no shortage of incredible small businesses to support this holiday. We actually had to cut ourselves off or this list would be never-ending :)
Have a few of your own favorites? Comment on this post to share the love.
SHOP SMALL
Shop today to catch the end of their BFCM deals. Holiday season is crucial for small brands, so if you’re in a position to participate this holiday, your dollars make a difference. Almost all of our selects are women-led and/or BIPOC owned.
Apparel
Christy Dawn- up to 70% off
Christy Dawn is known for everyday dresses made with beautiful fabrics in cuts that compliment figures of all sizes. Behind their collection of high-quality pieces, Christy and her husband Aras push the boundaries of sustainability through new practices, pioneering ideas like regenerative fashion with their Farm-to-Closet collection.
Top Pick: Scarlet Dress, 100% organic cotton in 12 colors ($166,
$238)Next Up: Nica Sweater, 100% baby alpaca in 2 colors($199,
$398)
Mate the Label- up to 70% off
Mate the Label exploded in popularity over the last two years and we know why. Made in LA with ethical practices from earth-minded materials, this leisure + basics brand creates essentials in cuts and colors we crave. They have something for everyone in the family, with a mission you’ll feel good supporting.
Top Pick: Organic Thermal Wide Leg Pant in 12+ colors ($97,
$138)Match With: Organic Thermal Boxy Crop Longsleeve ($69,
$98)
More Apparel:
Every brand in our Investment Worthy Sweater Guide is 20-40% off!
Plus checkout these brands in no logical order:
For Days- up to 70% off- comfy, affordable basics with a zero-waste mission
Halfdays- $50 off $200+ orders - really rad snowgear for women
Wild Rye- 30% off- base layers and activewear made by women for women
Knotty Ones- 20% off - colorful knits where your purchase pays it forward
Ciao Lucia- up to 40% off - super fun, stylish, and flirty made in LA
Andrea Iyamah- 25% off - incredible swim + resort unlike any other brand
B-sides- 40% off sitewide- coveted women’s denim brand, vintage rework + more
Favorite Daughter- 25% off- great everyday pieces, especially blazers and bottoms
Doen - up to 50% off - luxury bohemian made with intention
Anything on Idun- 20% off- one of our favorite boutiques for curated style
Jewelry & Accessories
Agmes Jewelry- up to 25% off
Consider these future heirlooms- handmade by small team in New York City. Founded by sisters Morgan & Jaclyn, Agmes is equal parts bold, sculptural, and timeless. Inspired by art, architecture, natural wonder, and iconic design, this collection is at the very top of my list. With materials like 18k gold vermeil and 925 sterling silver, along with freshwater pearls, the quality is next-level while the scale and shape of each piece is show-stopping.
Top Pick: Small Imogene Earrings with baroque pearls, Gold Vermeil ($465,
$620)Next Up: Mini Lee Pendant, Gold Vermeil ($188,
$250)
More Jewels:
Notte- 20% off - a whimsy, kitschy, colorful treasure trove often under $100
Anything on Local Eclectic - 20% off - great selection of small, emerging designers
Pamela Love - up to 60% off - distinct demi-fine styles inspired by the cosmos
Julia Szendrei- up to 40% off - a rainbow of gemstone styles you’ll love to layer
Wolf Circus- 25% off - minimalist with a twist, love the latest gemstone collection
Swim to the Moon- 20% off - mediterranean vibes, like these Hermoine studs
Abacus Row- 20%+ off- colorful seed beads and mixed metals, plus we love this updated spin on friendship bracelets
Footwear
Freda Salvador - 25% off site-wide (!!)
This is the most exciting one our radar and we want it all :)
Home
The Citizenry- up to 30% off
Citizenry nails so many things - color palette, textures, artisan stories, fair-trade practices, and transparency to name a few. We’ve been following this journey for years, and continue to love how their collection takes on a tour around the globe.
Top Pick: Rugs - these are not your average rugs- delivering luxury level quality for far more value. The hardest part is picking a favorite (From $130+)
Next up: Chilean Brass Ornament Set you can hang year round (3 for $75,
$150)
Jungalow - 20% off, including sales items
Justina Blakeney’s Jungalow is a high-vibe, maximalist, color-bomb with a bunch of plants in the mix. We love it. She is the go-to “for jungalicious design goods and inspiration”.
Top Pick: Kaya 3-Piece Ceramic Planter in 11 colors ($59,
$79)Next Up: Pillows, if you’re looking something fun, look no further (from $39.99)
Other Home delights:
Maison Louis Marie - 25% off- absolute favorite perfume & home scents
Maison Balzac - 25% off - as seen in our coveted glassware roundup
Otherland - 35% off- candles you’ll love to gift
Sophie Lou Jacobsen- 20% off- the ripple mugs are a fun everyday addition
Yield Design Co- 30% off - can you tell we like colorful glassware & candles?
Norden Goods- 20% off - gorgeous ceramics, including candles in reusable mugs
Food & Kitchen Things
Fly by Jing - up to 50% off
What’s not to love? Uncensored, complex and delicious flavors from one of the hottest new food brands on the market. Founded by Jing Gao, she’s re-introducing Chinese flavors through her incredibly delicious line of sauces, spices, recipes and more.
Top Pick: Sichuan Chili Crisp - yes, use it on everything ($12,
$15)Next up: Holiday Triple Threat- take a tour of the best selling trio of ($36,
$45)
Our Place - up to 45% off
If you’re looking for new cookware, Our Place is our #1 pick. They’re making room for everyone at the table, celebrating how food is used to invite people to connect and share traditions. We love their hero product, the Always Pan, for it’s reliable, hard-working features and toxic-free nonstick design. Plus, it’s gorgeous. From the stove to the table, you can’t go wrong with this high-quality, colorful collection.
Top Pick: Always Pan - 8-in-1 nonstick pan, now in cast iron too! ($95,
$145)Next Up: Gather Bowls- set of 2 gorgeous ceramic bowls ($56,
$95)
More Food & Kitchen:
Flowerhead Tea - Chronic Wellness loose leaf tea is a winter must-have
Ooni pizza oven - this will change your pizza game
Omsom - proud & loud Asian flavors
Brightland - virgin olive oil + fruit-forward vinegars made in California
Fellow - 20% off- upgrade your coffee-making ritual, we love the kettles!
Ghia- 20% off- our go-to for non alcoholic drinks, a game-changer for holidays
THRIFT SHOPS
Second-hand treasures are kind of my thing. What started out an “I need to furnish my closet and entire apartment on a dime” early 20s necessity, has turned into a full-blown love affair and a ritual that I cherish. I’ll hold the long-forming for a future newsletter (including how I thrifted a pair of brand new Fredas for TWELVE DOLLARS), but highly recommend tuning into these indie thrift shops that are running some special holiday programming. Talk about a deal on top of a deal. If you find something super special, send me a pic so I can celebrate your thrifting sorcery and fangirl you up.
1. ReLove San Francisco - Cyber Monday Curated Rack
ReLove is a re-sale boutique offering a curated mix of vintage, designer, and independent labels and hands down my favorite shop in San Francisco. Shop founder, Delila, is a magnetic force with a heart of gold and a one gifted eye. Curated Racks, their biweekly IG story sale, will be available exclusively online for the first time and includes 50+ vintage pieces from favorite designers like Gucci, Comme des Garçons, Yvest Sant Laurent, and Margiela. I’m eyeing up this beauty, get it while it’s hot.
2. PLUME - 25% off etsy shop
This was the first shop I walked into that felt like home back in Milwaukee. It has straight lady louuuunge vibes and the energy is always bustling with cross-generational regulars. Talk about holiday swag, Gimme this 🧨
3. Arlee Park - 30% off online
Another Midwest-based gem. Arlee Park has evolved throughout the past five years, existing in a multitude of mediums. Arlee Park has circled back into its new, but original founding home online with a curated array of nostalgic and modern goods.
They also restored a chic AF 1978 a-frame called Lilla Norr which ranks high on my winter retreat wishlist. Scandinavian design meets Midwest cozy - holy hygge I’m here for it. Rent it here.
DISCOVERY
Like always, we love ending our notes with inspiration. We really maxed out the links today, but we will leave you with this:
Songs that Sleigh- a Christmas album by Jamestown Revival, consider playing while browsing alllll the links above.
Thanks for being here! If you have friends who would love this, please send it on- we’re excited to expand this community. xoxo - Your Confidants, Fenny & Katie