Letters to LA LA Land: #ShopLocal 2019 Gift Guide

Last couple years have been challenging for many people - the economy hit many people and business hard - and many of us financially. In 2019 many locally owned business, both big and small have closed their doors. This gift guide is filled with some amazing products and places to shop, eat and drink - I have compiled my wish list and sourced it locally. Regardless if you are looking for eco-friendly, sustainable, sweet treat, one of a kind, made with love gift this list is for you.

This post is also a very friendly, yet extremely important, reminder to support local friends, business and products. So this holiday season buy from the local boutiques, eat at the independent restaurants, support small businesses, support your self employed friends and creatives before its to late.

I try and shop local as much as I can.You might recognize some of thease as I talk about them all the time (like in this twitter post), but there are many others who offer exceptional products and services and don't get mentioned nearly as enough. While this will be a long post and list - I know I am missing a ton of places. Here are some gift ideas and 20 places to check out that support local:

Bell sleeve sweater $108 WORKHALL Studio is an Edmonton-based clothing design studio, founded with the mission of artistry over commercialism. Their our core focus is dedicated to improving the world around us. Thye focus our collection on plant based or plant blended fabrics; while, providing free tailoring services to reduce garment waste.

Leather Jacket $300+ You guys have heard me talk about Bano eeMee for so long. I absolutely love their jackets (I have two) and most of my friends own one too. Bano EeMee is a socially conscious fashion company based in Toronto, Canada who uses fashion to make a difference by creating fair-work opportunities in disadvantaged communities around the world. They recently introduced scarves too which are just as fantastic as their leather goods.

Prettiest ramen bowl $60 || Wine print PJ's $150 || Chocolate filled with Chocolate $52

Triple Chocolate Cookie Kit $20.00 || Pretty jewelry $70+

Gravitypope shoes $150+ Gravitypope is an independently owned boutique providing Canada with an extensive array of carefully chosen, beautiful, unique, and handcrafted collections of footwear, clothing and accessories, gathered from all over the world. I m obsessed with quality and design of the in house label. They have styles for men and women, and their brick and mortar stores are elegantly designed.

Canada vs. Everybody $74 || Girls Club $40 || Where we are from poster $35

4 Thieves Spray $19 || Radiance Facial Mist $35

This is one of my favorite subscription services. truLocal introduced simple monthly meat delivery box subscription.Not everyone has time to drive out to the butcher. truLOCAL lets you shop for clean, locally sourced meat products online, and our convenient delivery means fewer trips to the grocery store. $50+

Riversol products have been a game changer for me. Riversol skincare is created in Vancouver and they focus on solving sensitive skin needs. Dr. Jason Rivers created Riversol after more than 20 years of clinical dermatology to offer a safe, anti-aging solution for his patients with sensitive skin. $50+

SHOP

DRINK AND EAT

Ampersand 27

Wilfred's

Die Pie