 We’ve got some big days coming up. Tomorrow, we don the stretchiest waistbands we own, spend some quality time with family and friends (and food), and reflect on our blessings. But starting Friday, we enter the biggest shopping weekend of the year. In 2015, 74.2 million shoppers shopped on Friday (35 million shopped on Thanksgiving itself), spending over $100 million- and that’s just in store. Not to mention that there have been 7 DEATHS and 98 injuries from the craziness that ensues around the same holiday that is all about gratitude. Let’s be honest- who doesn’t love the feeling of scoring a great deal this season?! Especially when you’ve got a huge gift list to fill. And while the stats I just mentioned are truly alarming and saddening, there is another way to participate in this weekend while doing some good- conscious consumerism. We all know about the incredible deals big brands will have this weekend – but they don’t always have the best ethical record. What if we use the power or our dollars to support local, ethical, small businesses that are doing their part to make a positive impact on their community and the world? I’ve connected with some really great people in Minnesota to bring you this shopping guide, full of local, small businesses, and deals that you won’t want to miss- all in one place! You can shop local, conscious small businesses… WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR COUCH:  EVERART DESIGNS Handmade eco conscious jewelry. $$ Chris gets sustainable style – she makes beautiful handmade jewelry out of recycled materials. If you already love the stuff she’s got up in her Etsy shop (like I do), then you’ll be excited to hear she’s adding a ton more items for the holidays starting Friday! THE DEALS: Small Business Saturday – 20% off sitewide with code “SBS2016” Cyber Monday – 20% off sitewide with code “CM2016” Follow her on Instagram for more flash sales, pop-ups, and promos in the upcoming weeks! My picks:
 MINNBOX Green. Delivered. $$ Love discovering sustainable and ethical brands but don’t have time to read long shopping guides? (Ha.) MINNBOX is a Duluth based subscription services that sends you food, household items, beauty finds, home goods, and more made by small businesses in Minnesota. They also don’t use single-use plastics, all of their products are recyclable or compostable, and they donate to environmental causes. Plus—they add a surprise green item to every box for free! Talk about Minnesota Nice. THE DEALS: Anytime: Return your cool cardboard MinnBox to select partners in Duluth and Excelsior so they can reuse them for another order and receive a special discount. My picks:
 SECONDHAND SUMMIT Affordable access to quality outdoor apparel + gear. $ -$$ Are you a lover of all things outdoors? If so, you know that gear doesn’t come cheap. Sarah is the one-woman team behind Secondhand Summit, collecting, diligently evaluating, and selling gently used, premium brand outdoor gear and apparel. So affordable, no extra deals needed! My picks:
 WANDER MN We were all born to wander. $ - $$ Jennie is a copy queen by day and vintage home goods and furniture curator by nights and weekends. She rescues, refashions, and finds other ways to bring beautiful and unique pieces back to life. Everything is one of a kind, so if you love something—snatch it up! THE DEALS: Some great sales on the website right now!
IN YOUR SLIPPERS OR SNOWBOOTS:  ARC'S VALUE VILLAGE The Twin Cities' best thrift store. $ Do you want to be green by thrifting, but get overwhelmed by digging through racks and bins to find something you want? Arc's Value Village is the solution for you. They pull staff picks into special racks, stock the latest trends, high quality items, and more. Plus, the treasures you find help support Minnesotans with intellectual and developmental disabilities through The Arc Greater Twin Cities' programs. THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday: Save 30% on purchases storewide at all 5 locations Plaid/Black Friday: Richfield location - LEGO event with vintage + discontinued LEGOs - a collecter's dream! St Paul location - NEW and better quality purses and shoes $17.49 and up New Hope location- 50% off "Merry Thriftmas" items (blue tags) Small Business Saturday: Follow thriftstylist for the chance to win a personal shopper appointment at an Arc's Value Village location and 30% off your purchase Check out some of my previous trendy, thrifty picks from Arc's Value Village.
 BAM ESSENTIALS Good for your body. Good for everybody. $ Beth wants to help us have better, healthier skin, while helping young women from disadvantaged backgrounds here in Minnesota have better and successful lives. I can get behind that! She's got all your essentials covered - from deodorant and bug spray to lip balm and lotion - made with natural and nontoxic ingredients. THE DEALS: Small Business Saturday - 20% off sitewide with code "BAM20" Free shipping sitewide - no code needed! Holiday Gift Box for $50 (originally a $67 value, limited quantity!) FIND BETH HERE THIS WEEKEND My picks:
 FAIR ANITA Women investing in women. $ - $$ Started by a rad (Minnesotan) lady, Joy, to create opportunities for women and girls around the world, this fair shop lets you buy pretty products while directly supporting the amazing women behind them. THE DEALS: TODAY (Wednesday) through Tuesday – 20% off sitewide with code “INVESTINWOMEN” Make sure to check out their “under $20” section for some gorgeous jewelry and accessories for your gift list! EVENTS YOU'LL FIND THEM AT THIS WEEKEND My picks:
 HAZEL & ROSE Shop Thoughtfully. $$ - $$$ When Emma made the shift to ethical fashion, she did it in a big way - she left her corporate retail job and started her dream shop, with beautiful, handmade, well-made, and fairly made fashions. You'll find clothing, shoes, and accessories you'll love- plus, she's got some amazing natural/nontoxic scents and goodies, too. This Friday, she’s also taking a stand by keeping her shop closed spending the day relaxing with family - read more on her blog. Why splurge on sustainable goods? THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday – Cyber Monday : 30% off when you use code “blackfriday2016” online, Free Shipping over orders over $100 Small Business Saturday – Sunday : 25% off + 10% off what you spend comes back as a gift card! (EX: Spend $150 and get a $15 gift card) My picks:
 THE HERBIVOROUS BUTCHER Eating meat free is green. $ - $$ I’m literally eating their “Italian Sausage” as I type! This brainchild of brother-sister duo Aubry and Kale Walch made headlines nationwide for being the FIRST vegan butcher shop ever—and it’s right in our back yard! It’s so delish, you’ll rethink every thought, fear, or dream you’ve had about “faux-meat.” And if that’s just not your thing, they’ve got some pretty darn cute holiday goodies that you don’t have to eat this season, too. THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday and Small Business Saturday - First 50 customers who visit on get free tote bags My picks: Korean BBQ Jerky in store!
 MOSS ENVY Eco Products for your Home and Life. $ - $$$ The founders and small team over at Moss Envy are truly committed to finding you eco products for all parts of your home and life - you can find makeup brushes, hair products, baby products, mattresses, furniture here...and the list goes on! Definitely takes the stress out of finding multiple places to buy products you can trust. THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday, Cyber Monday - 20% off (almost) the entire shop with code "BLACKFRIDAY2016" Free Shipping on all orders over $99 My picks:
 MY SISTER $ - $$ Fighting Sex Trafficking One Shirt at a Time. The small but mighty team at My Sister has big dreams - to help prevent sex trafficking through creating and selling ethically made t-shirts, and empowering previously exploited women with our help. Their t-shirts also promote strong-women anthems that are sure to be a hit with your girls. THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday, Cyber Monday - Free shipping on all orders! My picks:
 SPOILS OF WEAR A fight against “profits over people.” $ - $$ Every fashionista can connect with Jill – she’s gone through different fashion phases through her life, and who hasn’t? After discovering and dedicating herself to conscious consumerism, she’s brought her killer style to life with local, fair trade, organic, and other socially responsible fashions, accessories, plants (!), and more in her cute St. Paul store. Plus, you might be greeted by her cute little pug! THE DEALS: Plaid/Black Friday, Small Business Saturday - 20% all bottoms, 15% all tops and dresses, and 10% off all accessories + gift items in store My picks:
 TRUE ETHIC $ - $$ American Made + Fair Trade. Laura often hosts other local businesses with pop-ups and cool art classes (like a calligraphy lesson I’ve been dying to try!) at her beautiful space in the Northrup King Building. From homemade candles, essential skincare and beauty items, wall art, ethical fashions, and more, it’s hard to find things in her shop you don’t want. This weekend, she’s closing her store, putting on her hand warmers, and posting up with the Minneapolis Craft Market at Sociable Cider Werks. Visit her there and you’re sure to find something you love! THE DEALS: Black/Plaid Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday - $20 and under table at Sociable Cider Werks Free shipping on all USA orders until Christmas! All “Synergy” brand clothing on sale on website FIND LAURA HERE THIS WEEKEND. My picks:
 WILD RUFFLE Life is good for the Wild Ruffle girls. $ - $$ Cate's dream of a boutique with handmade and locally made items combined with Tammy's passion for fun, affordable fashion bring together this cute, chic shop. They feature upcycled, handmade, and fair trade items, and donate 20% of online profits to different charities throughout the year. Together they blog, run their store, have fun with their families, stay true to their faith, and more! This duo is one you'll want to support. THE DEALS: Thanksgiving to 12/4 - Use code "DRESSINGWELLDOINGGOOD" for 10% off all online orders Small Business Saturday - Spend $50 and get a $5 gift certificate, spend $100 and get a $10 gift certificate in store My picks:
BY MARKET HOPPING:  Meet with local makers, feast on local eats, support local brands, and listen to live local music at holiday markets this weekend! Here are just a few to stop by at... Plaid/Black Friday Minneapolis Craft Market @ Sociable Cider Werks | 12 PM - 6 PM Small Business Saturday Minneapolis Craft Market @ Sociable Cider Werks | 12 PM - 6 PM 50th and France Holiday Market | 12 PM - 5 PM Shop Small Holiday Market | 10 AM - 3 PM Sunday Holiday Pop-Up at Sgt Peppers Grille and Bar | 11 AM - 6 PM Linden Hills Holiday Market | 10 AM - 3 PM Are you pumped to do some conscious shopping this weekend? Love another local/ethical business not listed here? Let me know what you think of the guide and other thoughts/questions below! Thanks for reading! XO Sameena Sources: Black Friday Sales Statistics Black Friday Death Count
4 Comments
11/24/2016 08:08:45 am
Love many of these pieces, specially the first few accessories you picked!
Sameena
11/27/2016 09:30:11 am
Roop, thanks so much for reading!! I'm so glad you like it. <3 11/26/2016 02:04:36 pm
Wonderful and thoughtful post-Sameena, thank you so much for putting this all together! It must have taken a while! I have a few favourite businesses of my own but I am trying to only buy eco-conscious gifts this year and this helps me a lot! I am so excited to explore them a bit more. First I am heading out as I can hear some Jazz playing on my road which is a haven for small boutiques. Everyone there is celebrating Small Bussiness Saturday. Once I'm done there I'm definitely hitting up Wild Ruffle :) My recommendation to you would be LA Relaxed, very cool company :)
Sameena
11/27/2016 09:29:35 am
Thanks so much for stopping by Jessica! I love that you have so many local businesses right down your street. :) And I'm glad you liked the guide! I'll definitely check out LA Relaxed! Leave a Reply. |
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