Skip to main content

Special Christmas Gifting

Yep, it's official... the Christmas shopping season is well underway.  Right now there isn't a single major chain out there that isn't COMPLETELY decked out in Christmas cheer, but while they are all gearing up for their holiday profiting, I'm reminded that supporting our small business folks is probably the greatest gift we can actually give to our struggling economy this Christmas.  I believe it is the greatest gift we can give OURSELVES!!!

And the Institute For Local Self-Reliance agrees with me.  As published in their December 24th article from LAST Christmas, Top 10 Reasons To Support Locally Owned Businesses, they site some pretty great reasons that benefit us all!  My favorites on the list are building community prosperity and creating competition to ensure innovation and lower pricing over the long term.  I also feel pretty good about supporting someone's kid going to school rather than supporting some no-name "CEO purchase a 3rd vacation home" as I heard it put on facebook.  The other benefit that I'm JUST NOW understanding is the quality you get from someone who puts their love and care into a business they NEED to survive.  If it's one thing that drives me crazy about putting hard-earned dollars back into the economy is the lack of service and quality I receive for those dollars.  Small business owners are trying to survive and typically give you far better service and quality at far better pricing.

So, in the spirit of supporting my own local small business owners, I want to give a shout out to a couple of local East Valley businesses (in Chandler, AZ) who have given me AWESOME products and services this week:

First up I would like to thank Kevin and Christy of Baldwin Brother's Automotive who saved me THOUSANDS on my car repair.  My car dealership quoted me $3000 to repair my car, Baldwin Brothers did it for $750 and had my car back to me the same day.  They also inspected my whole car, finding a couple of issues the dealership didn't include in their $3000 estimate.  I have WAY more confidence in my mechanic (Kevin) and am SO MUCH happier with my service.  If you live in the area, I HIGHLY recommend Baldwin Brothers Automotive!!!  Click HERE to check them out.... not to mention I think they have the COOLEST website I've ever seen with the COOLEST logo!!!  Seriously, check them out just for that!!!

NOW.... I SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST!!!  CHECK OUT MY NEW BLING!!!



Aren't they GORGEOUS!!!  I just bought them from my crafty friend Patty who, by the way, just opened a new Etsy shop!!!  She makes incredible jewelry (be sure to check out her soldered pendants) and is selling it at an incredible price!!!  Honestly, I've been eyeballing jewelry JUST LIKE THIS at the mall for 10 x's the price AND she customized it for ME!!!  I am so thrilled with this set.  RUN, don't walk, to Patty's Etsy store HERE!  Bling just doesn't get any better!!!

Really everyone, in both of these cases, not only did I support a local business, I ended up making out "like a bandit"!!!  I got SOOOO much more for my money and from people I call friends.  Could shopping this holiday season be any better than that?!?


Comments

Unknown said…
Thank you so kindly my friend. You'll look like a Queen wearing them as well. Enjoy!

etsy.com/shop/DesignbySimplydv9
November 10, 2012 at 3:47 AM
Julie Tucker-Wolek said…
I totally AGREE!!! We especially shop on "Small Business Saturday" :) PS ... can you email me??? bmwgirl@cox.net ... want to set up arrangements for Thursday!! Was hoping my friend could give me a ride??? Pretty please with a gluten-free cherry on top??? :) Of course when I tell you HOW early we are gonna be there ... lol... you might be running away from me!!! LOL!!!!!!
November 10, 2012 at 6:45 AM
Alison said…
This is a great post, and I totally agree with what you've said. And I think it's awesome that you gave a shout out to some of your favorite local small businesses!
November 10, 2012 at 8:46 AM
Post a Comment

Past 7 Days....

My Favorite Things Birthday Give-Away!!!

IT IS ON! Ok... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! I get to give stuff away! And not just ANY stuff.... MY FAVORITE STUFF!!!! Well, not ALL my favorite stuff, but certainly my favorites for at least ONE of my obsessions: NAILS!!! Maybe next year for my birthday I will be giving away craft supplies and exercise equipment... that would be AWESOME!!! But, this year's birthday give-away is HUGE with my favorite nail and beauty products and is open to ALL my followers. You guys are the best and deserve the best, so here is what ONE lucky winner is going to score: The Prize Haul: Konad Nail Art Stamping Set - Coraline I (I am addicted to Konad and I LOVE this set) Konad Nail art image disc - M63 (A little something extra from Kathleen... thank you) Fragrance Oil Set, types: China Rain, White Linen, Obsession (I love these for my relaxing baths) Nail Aid Nail Treatment Set including: Pink Natural Growth Therapy, Instant Wrap, Clear Liquid Bandage, Cuticle Cure, Peeling Nail Intense Repai...
202 comments
Read more

Ultra Rapid Growth - Day 5

Yesterday was my final day for the Nail Aid's Ultra Rapid Growth nail treatment that is available at Walmart (STILL NOT AT MINE THOUGH... UGH)! Yep... this one gets many, many high fives!!! This product not only worked as a nail treatment, I will continue to use this product as a base coat. You guys can judge for yourselves as far as the growth goes. Below are the day 0 and day 5 pics.... but that "rubbery" base layer is the "GETCHA" for me! I haven't used anything like this product. My nails feel stronger and the polish goes on sooooo smoothly. As far as using this product as a topcoat... well, if I'm trying to grow my nails out quickly, then ABSOLUTELY I will use it as a topcoat as the directions tell you to do. I couldn't master the top coat application so that I didn't get ANY bubbles though, so as soon as I get my desired length (which for me is NOW) I will be switching back to my beloved Seche Vite (which I did today). The pic at the top s...
2 comments
Read more

Draw AND Cut An Image With Your WONDERFUL Cricut

Today I would like to walk you through my adventure to draw and cut the ice cream cone on this card using only my Cricut Expression. But first, I would like to say "Thank you" to Provocraft and the moderators of the Cricut message board for deleting my request for assistance with gel pens from their board. I appreciate the lack of customer service that goes into just about every issue I have had with Provocraft products inspiring me to solve problems on my own and create much more than solutions, but works of art. I would like to believe THAT is the reason that Provocraft neglects me as a customer... not because they are greedy and require that ONLY their products be discussed on the message board while failing to establish cooperative relationships with companies that work to improve upon their products... no, let's believe it's because they are trying to inspire our greatness through poor business practices and that their bottom line is not their only concern. And i...
3 comments
Read more