Think Big Shop Small

Be a Fruit Loop in a world full of Cheerios by standing out with your gift giving. Conscious business is the future, think big and shop small! When you support small businesses you are supporting a dream. Wall Street Journalist Nicole Snow couldn’t have said it better, “a small business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in.” There is power in unity and giving our support to these businesses shows we are choosing community over competition. It is simple and convenient to select an ordinary cookie cutter item off the shelf, but convenience at the expense of the planet is not convenience at all. That’s why ethical is the new normal. These brands pave the way to new beginnings by presenting originality with carefully handcrafted products or formulations. The world doesn’t need more products, just better products and maybe better shoppers too. Shop with a purpose! Shop for gifts under $100 for ANY celebratory occasion, and trust us there is always a reason to celebrate!

Upcoming Holidays/ Texas

Fashion:

Neon Cowboys

Neon Cowboy is where tech meets fashion with products ranging from neon-infused face masks, trench coats, cowboy boots, and of course their signature cowboy hats. “If trailblazing was easy, the road would be paved”, and pioneering is exactly what CEO Asia Hall is doing with her brand. Hall stands for unification and welcomes everybody “exactly how they are especially in LGBTQ+ and black communities.” In an Essence Girls United article Asia Hall touches a little on her view of being a minority in a predominantly white field, “I’m also a minority, it was one of those things where I was like, I really wanted to embrace the reality that I was going to inevitably stand out.” Neon Cowboy wants to build an identity for what American culture “could and should be '', oneness! As a black woman Hall sees her minority presence as a chance to shake things up in the western apparel industry. Their signature cowboy hats have taken social media by storm and some of the hottest celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Missy Elliot, and Selena Gomez have been spotted with these cowboy halos on their heads. At the 2020 MTV VMAs Doja Cat’s dancers were seen reppin' Neon Cowboy’s glow face mask. Neon Cowboy’s merchandise is meant for anybody who wants to keep the party going after nightfall. Whether your shindig is music festivals like Coachella, cosplay, raves, or rodeo you’ll definitely be a radiating firefly in a crowd. With an ongoing pandemic large gatherings have depleted but the party doesn’t end until you say so! Be creative and have your own quarantine party via Zoom or FaceTime and incorporate fun props like Neon Cowboy offers. There is no time to be bored in a world so beautiful, share the joy with your loved ones. Asia Hall has also contributed to her community by donating $6,000 to Digital Undivided and Grassroots Law Project. Small acts when multiplied by thousands can transform the world. Shop purpose over profit, it’s lit! Now please tell me which friend doesn’t need this in their closet, I'll wait…

327 Clothing

If you can’t stop thinking about it, buy it! Ever since discovering 327 Clothing approximately two years ago the brand has left an imprint on my heart. 327 Clothing is a Latina owned business that sells more than clothing they “sell looks.” Founded in North Hollywood it is no wonder you’ll be looking like a star in any piece purchased. From the cutest tops to the trendiest matching sets shopping for your ideal audience couldn’t come easier and more affordably. What really separates 327 Clothing from competitors is not only the apparel but their very own CEO Kat. She is the buttercream frosting on top of a delicious cupcake. She is the true definition of being the CEO of your own life while also being relatable and approachable. She gets real, supports other small businesses, and is always willing to give tips and pointers to other aspiring entrepreneurs at zero cost. As a thank you 327 Clothing host giveaways that have involved designer purses, AirPods, gift cards, and freebies. They also provide a discount code for use in their Instagram bio and are currently hosting a sale consisting of 70-80% off of selected items. Still not sold, Afterpay is also available for those interested in making separate payments monthly rather than paying a chunk of money up front. The love is real, get a feel for the good vibes yourself when browsing 327’s social media page and website. The authenticity screams volumes through the screen and is a reflection of what persistence, hard work, and a good heart can do. Talk about working for success and not wishing for it. You can’t photoshop personality or buy confidence. 327 Clothing is the ideal present for any woman who wants to wear clothes that matter! “Life isn’t perfect but your outfit can be.”

Eco-Friendly:

Drop Bottle

After the holidays we’re all a little guilty of over indulging. People like to kick start the new year with making a resolution. Wouldn’t it be amazing to cleanse your body while cleansing the earth as well? Your quick fix is here it’s Drop Bottle! Drop Bottle is a stylish glass bottle with a fruit infuser, this company alone has eliminated 3.5 million single use plastic bottles and counting. It was also featured on Oprah’s favorites things, and we all know Oprah has good taste. “Plain old water has never been my favorite, but when I fill this infuser with slices of oranges or cucumber, the bottle becomes a party”, said by Oprah herself. Drop Bottle’s gold stylish handle not only gives a nice polished look, but does better with its overall cause. For every bottle sold $1 is donated to Drop4Drop a charity fixated on providing clean drinking water to those in need. When you purchase more than one bottle a discount is applied 10% off 2 (friends pack) and 20% off 4 (family pack). This one is truly a double whammy good for your body with BPA free materials and eliminates waste saving our water and sea life. Do something drastic and cut the plastic!

Pinrose

Looking for a gift a little more personal? Check out Pinrose, a business that sells personalized perfume. Each perfume has its own individuality. What makes this brand a Rainbow Fish in a sea of Trout is the technique integrated. Pinrose incorporates science of synesthesia and psychology to create unique and multicolored scents for all ages. Not sure where to begin or how to choose? Take their unique scent profile quiz with 1,048,000 different combinations possible. The quiz will find your perfect match, so perfect that one even mentioned “the quiz matched me with the perfect perfume--you guys should do a dating app.” On the site variety sets are available along with customer favorites and samples before committing to a scent. Pinrose’s perfumes are toxin free and vegan friendly, all items are packaged in FSC-certified materials. “Planet earth deserves clean beauty, too. That’s why we take sustainability seriously. We’re currently working on more sustainable packaging for everything from cartons to spray pumps, and our goal is for everything we make and sell to be sustainably sourced.” Seriously the definition of clean beauty!

Self Care:

Ball Wash

“Men’s products for man parts,” body soaps and skin care aren’t products only women adore but men too. Regardless if the person you are shopping for is a lighthearted guy or a manly man, smelling fresh is something no man is willing to compromise. Ball Wash isn’t an ordinary wash, it’s a cool wash with ingredients natural enough to pronounce. It is also carefully formulated to tackle the most odor-prone sensitive areas in men. Infused with activated charcoal the wash in action “traps toxins and chemicals drawing out bacteria, poisons, and dirt in skin.” Ball Wash is ideally catered to men, but women also have the luxury of using products such as Ball Guard as a body guard instead. If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door and that’s exactly what founders Adam and Leah Hendle did. Health is wholeness and the company goes beyond just cleansing man parts but protecting them too. Ball Wash partnered with Movember, the leading charity dedicated to changing men’s health. Movember funds "groundbreaking medical research, innovative cancer tests and treatments, and game-changing mental health interventions.” Men die on average six years earlier than women for causes that are generally preventable. “Unchecked, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 15-39 years of age.” Ball Wash recently participated in “Give A Sack Ballwash'' donating 25% of all proceeds to Movember. Live less out of habit and more with intent. Whether it be through word of mouth or sharing a link help raise awareness that could potentially save a father, brother, uncle, or friend. Ball Wash is “bold and never boring, take care of your most prized possessions. Your balls are round. The earth is round. Coincidence?”

Sweet Cookie Wash

Be confident and shameless when it comes to your needs and your lady parts. Sweet Cookie Wash is a gift all women need to be acquainted with. Vagina talk can be viewed as taboo, but why considering a vagina is what got us all here in the first place. Sweet Cookie Wash is a black owned business here to educate and medicate naturally. The “all natural vagina bakery” has all the flavors a woman needs to gain confidence in all the right areas. “Looking for the goodies, keep on lookin' 'cause they stay in the jar”, Ciara knows best about taking care of her goodies! That’s why with Sweet Cookie Wash products you won’t doubt yourself when taking your cookies out of the jar. Nearly ⅔ of women have felt insecure about their vagina, but this black owned beauty has all the answers. From pH balancing, all natural washes, or vagina tightening Sweet Cookie Wash has a solution for everyone. The best gifts are the ones we don’t ask for and soon question how we’ve gone this far without it. Be a lifesaver and gift to your favorite girlfriend, sister, or any woman who cares about keeping their cookie jar spotless safely.

Little Herbs Co

Shared joy is double joy! Do a good deed and upgrade someone’s skin care routine with products that give real results. Little Herbs Co is a small black owned business that has grown a rapid Instagram following in a short four month time span. With over 5,000 five star reviews on their best seller the Flower Bomb Oil, Little Herbs Co focuses on helping people with sensitive and problematic skin. Twenty-three year old mompreneur Sirajjah Muhammad formulated 100% organic recipes using natural remedies and herbs. After suffering from Eczema growing up, Muhammad finally had enough once her newborn son was too a victim of Eczema and began crafting. Like your products like you like your people, nontoxic? This girl boss proves “problematic skin can be achieved and corrected without using harmful steroids and chemicals.” Sirajjah Muhammad’s creations are all skillfuly handcrafted and safe for all ages. Little Herbs Co has even been spotted on hip-hop superstar Cardi B’s face (Rose Water Toner and Rose Gold Oil). Her makeup artist Erika La’ Pearl even recommends Little Herbs Co’s Acne Set I trio. “Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, complexions, and skin types”, that’s why Little Herbs Co offers more than just skin care. Other items for purchase consist of hair growth serums, bath essentials, and health and wellness. Little Herbs Co creates the art from the heart with a purpose to serve those dealing with difficult skin. Finding quality products that aren’t mainstream is an awesome little secret worth sharing. Not only are you able to give a loved one skin care good for the body, you are also giving a boost in confidence with the immaculate results promised. “Be good to your skin. You’ll wear it everyday for the rest of your life!”

Miscellaneous

Top Styles Brand -Etsy

The best gifts are the ones we didn’t ask for but find ourselves using the most. Need a gift idea for an in law, sibling, bride-to-be, or any special occasion? Easy, try a personalized cup crafted exactly for your person of interest. With over 41 raving reviews this small business owner takes creativity and originality up a notch. Each cup is carefully handcrafted making every one of a kind. What puts Top Styles Brand above the competition are the creations. Competitors produce the same type of outcomes and designs but Top Styles creates styles no one else is replicating. First step is finding a design that resonates with you. Check out Top Styles Brands’ Instagram or business page for up close and personal photos of previous cups created (or request your very own customized design). Personalized cups are an excellent gift choice for all ages that can hold a special meaning. Handcrafted is heartmade. Support a small business with a big heart, we rise by lifting others.

Gifting:

There you have it, a gift guide to make us all better shoppers and better gift givers! Buy less, choose well, and make it last. Buying handmade is buying from someone who cares. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, not every man's greed. Therefore, small changes together have the greatest impact!