Being small business owners ourselves, DH and I try to make an effort to patronize local and small businesses whenever we can. But honestly, it is difficult and getting more so all the time. I actually had to look up where to spend our credits for Small Business Saturday last weekend (we ended up at our fave local sushi place and produce market to spend both), since it was not usable online like last year.
Even though it is super close, Wal-mart is already on the "avoid if at all possible" list and Amazon is working hard to get itself on there too because of their sketchy business practices. When you have two small kids, online shopping is nothing short of a godsend, but so is the chance to get out of the house once in awhile, even when it is with said children.
Where we live is adjacent to the largest single retail area in the state (i.e. the mall is somehow/sadly the largest tourist attraction in all of IL.) While this means that conveniently pretty much every store has an outlet within minutes and many of my faves: Costco (double carts, samples), Whole Foods (underground heated parking), IKEA (dark chocolate, and soon Smaland), Target, Buy Buy Baby, Baby Gap, Anthro, Starbucks, Janie & Jack, etc., etc., it is also heavily dominated by chain stores. After living in Wellesley (Natick), Brighton (Chestnut Hill), and downtown Chicago, my mom still jokes (only half jokingly) that I choose where to live based on the local shopping. One of my fave kid's stores is Land of Nod, which started as a small business, but was then bought by Crate and Barrel (a Chicago institution), which the Segals have since sold to a German retail conglomerate.
One of my fave new finds this year has been The Honest Company, which was co-founded by Jessica Alba (probably the least interesting thing about and best thing for marketing the company). Their stuff (natural and adorable diapers, baby and beauty products, and household cleaners) is not cheap, but it is really nice. We've been happy with everything we've tried, and we've tried almost everything. I highly recommend it if you are inclined to such products, shopping small (if not always local), and patronizing responsible companies.
Even though it is super close, Wal-mart is already on the "avoid if at all possible" list and Amazon is working hard to get itself on there too because of their sketchy business practices. When you have two small kids, online shopping is nothing short of a godsend, but so is the chance to get out of the house once in awhile, even when it is with said children.
Where we live is adjacent to the largest single retail area in the state (i.e. the mall is somehow/sadly the largest tourist attraction in all of IL.) While this means that conveniently pretty much every store has an outlet within minutes and many of my faves: Costco (double carts, samples), Whole Foods (underground heated parking), IKEA (dark chocolate, and soon Smaland), Target, Buy Buy Baby, Baby Gap, Anthro, Starbucks, Janie & Jack, etc., etc., it is also heavily dominated by chain stores. After living in Wellesley (Natick), Brighton (Chestnut Hill), and downtown Chicago, my mom still jokes (only half jokingly) that I choose where to live based on the local shopping. One of my fave kid's stores is Land of Nod, which started as a small business, but was then bought by Crate and Barrel (a Chicago institution), which the Segals have since sold to a German retail conglomerate.
One of my fave new finds this year has been The Honest Company, which was co-founded by Jessica Alba (probably the least interesting thing about and best thing for marketing the company). Their stuff (natural and adorable diapers, baby and beauty products, and household cleaners) is not cheap, but it is really nice. We've been happy with everything we've tried, and we've tried almost everything. I highly recommend it if you are inclined to such products, shopping small (if not always local), and patronizing responsible companies.
Divali
So skinny, but such a strong girl
And busy, and into everything
Visiting with great G-ma G over Thanksgiving
Don't let the innocent face fool you, she's trouble...
Real life with a sensitive child...
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