If you follow any influencers or even just got on Instagram at all you probably know what this week is… It’s the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
Like most people, I’ve shopped the “#NSALE” for years and I definitely think it’s a sale worth shopping if you’re looking for staple items or something you’ve had your eye on for a long time (don’t cave on the trendy pieces though – that’s something I’ve learned the hard way!). This summer though, as I’ve worked on being more thoughtful of the products I purchase, I’ve tried to shift some of my shopping to smaller businesses instead of major retailers.
So this year, instead of rounding up my favorite Nordstrom Sale items, I decided to put my energy into finding some new small and medium businesses that excited me. I usually spend $200-$300 during the Nordstrom Sale, so this year my personal goal was to instead spend $50-$100 at Nordstrom and $100-$200 at smaller businesses.
I hope you’re as excited as I am about these mostly new to me brands! And if you have small businesses you love to shop – please share in the comments!
If you’re looking for trendy jewelry…
If you’re looking for dainty gold pieces check out GLDN, a jewelry company that started as personal Etsy shop and now employs almost 100 people! One reason I love this brand is they offer most pieces in either 14K gold fill or solid gold, so you aren’t priced out of a lot of gorgeous pieces if your budget is $50 and under! I just ordered this bracelet 🙂
If you’re looking for fun earrings you have to check out Humans Before Handles! I found this shop earlier this summer and ordered these gorgeous asymmetrical earrings. The tagline that brought me in was that everything is under $50! Plus, the creator is so cool on Insta – you can follow her here.
If you’re ready to shop for fall clothes…
I just discovered Oak + Fort and am now in a full on fall mood! If you usually shop fall pieces ahead of time from the NSale you’ve got to look through Oak + Fort’s pieces. Oak + Fort is more of a medium business, but I was excited as I was reading about them to see their growth from a husband + wife founding team in Canada to having 20 stores in the US/Canada. A few new arrivals I’m loving of theirs are this cozy cropped(ish) cardigan, this floral maxi that can easily go from summer to fall, and this beige faux leather tote!
If it’s time to spruce up your walls…
Finding great affordable art is honestly one of the best feelings in my opinion and Etsy is the best place to discover small businesses with affordable wall art! I’m partial to photography and this past January one of my favorite home bloggers started her own Etsy photography site, Home This Weekend, which features gorgeous photography from NYC, the South of France, North Carolina and more. Another shop I love started as an Etsy store and has since gotten it’s own e-comm is Little Folk Printables. What’s great about printable art is you get gorgeous high quality illustrations for such a low cost! Little Folk Printables has so many adorable illustrations (especially for kids rooms!) as well as beautiful photography!
If your candle stash is running low…
I always have to have a few candles on hand and there are so many incredible small businesses that make gorgeous candles! Since I’m running low on one of my favorite candles I decided to try out a new small business find, Born Indigo, and ordered their Basil + Gardenia candle. Their candles are also sustainably made in LA and are non-toxic! I few other small business candle brands I’ve saved lately are Copper Wings Candle Co, The Koop, and Brooklyn Candle Studio.
If you’re looking for a new classic handbag…
You have to check out Cuyana! Their mantra is ‘fewer, better things’ and the company was founded by two women! They’ve also made a sustainability pledge and discuss the full lifecycle of their products here. My most beloved hat (seen here, here, and so many other places) is from Cuyana, but it’s really their leather accessories that knock it out of the park! For now I’m loving their small crossbody camera bag for quick errands or going out to dinner, but I may need to splurge on one of their larger bags when we head back to the office! Their tote with a zipper is a perfect carryall or the more structured work satchel would look so stylish!
Happy Shopping! xx Caroline