happy holidays!
i hope you enjoyed my last blog post on some of my favorite small businesses to support this holiday season! this post is a more detailed gift guide, featuring not only some of my favorite brands, but also a few of my favorite products. happy shopping!
sustainable and ethical fashion
ABLE
ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that employs and empowers women as a solution to end poverty. they really focus on quality, in the products they make and the quality of life they aim to provide. their team is 95% women, and ABLE is committed to ensuring every woman receives treatment and compensation reflective of her immense worth.
use code JESSIE30 for a discount on your purchase!
product picks:
first up, the joselyne slide. i’m completely obsessed with these slides, and i even went ahead and ordered myself the same shoe in black. these are the perfect slides for being out and about, working in the office, and even running out to dinner.
i can’t recommend these enough- and they’re currently on sale! go grab yourself a pair before they sell out, you won’t regret it. they’re elevating my style so much and i’ve only had them for a little over the week, i’ve literally been wearing them around my house. oops!
next, it’s the mae drapey tee. i can’t emphasize enough how soft and flattering this tee is. it’s one of the softest shirts in my closet (and i have a lot of soft clothes). i got it in the black, because my entire closet is full of black clothes, but i’m honestly considering getting the white as well!
the last of my gift picks from ABLE is the martha tote. i’m so excited to start working in a professional environment once things clear up, so this tote was first on my list. it’s the perfect size, and has three pockets inside (the middle one closes shut) so you can fit all of your essentials- and more!
the quality is absolutely incredible, and i’ve even been using this tote as an every-day bag to toss in my car full of random things. it fits my laptop and electronics perfectly, with a bit of room to spare.
if you’re looking for the perfect tote, look no further! i’m completely obsessed (i say this a lot but it’s never a lie) with this bag, and everything else on the ABLE website. highly recommend!
Pixie Mood
pixie Mood believes that style doesn’t need compromise- styles can be trendy, functional and socially responsible, all at the same time. they make absolutely beautiful bags, paying close attention to the little details that make them amazing. the brand was founded in 2010, and continues to find the most socially responsible ways to look good while feeling great.
product picks:
the michelle clutch in black croc is one of my new favorite bags! it’s simple so it goes with absolutely everything, and the little tassel detail is the cutest.
i also love how it’s the perfect size to fit everything i need on a daily basis, and still has a bit more room to fit other items. for reference, i can fit my phone, wallet, a few cosmetics, and quite a few scrunchies in this bag without it feeling super full.
the clutch comes in a variety of colors, so make sure you check it out! i’m partial to the black croc, but i’m sure you’ll find one you love just as much.
i also love this candice wallet, and the white croc is such a classic color. my mom actually needed a new wallet, so i surprised her with this one for the holidays and she loves it. this wallet fits everything you need!
i also love how the coin pouch is divided into two sections so you can organize it if you want to! there’s so much opportunity for storage and organzation, while still maintaining a clean and polished look. the white croc pattern is also super cute, and it’s the best year-round pattern and color (and this is coming from me- and everything i own is all black haha).
all of pixie mood’s bags and accessories are so cute, you should check out the site as a whole!
MATE the label
you’ve heard me talk about MATE before- i’m definitely a bit obsessed. just to recap: they’re a clean essentials brand made sustainably in los angeles with non-toxic, natural, and organic materials. they focus on spreading love, not chemicals, and their supply chain is localized (10 miles).
product picks:
this fleece cropped sweatshirt and pants look so comfy! i own a few other pieces from MATE, and i’m so excited to add these two to my collection. comfortable and style- i don’t need anything else!
for days
for days is another one of those brands that i just can’t stop raving about. i’m so lucky to be an ambassador (which means i’m here to answer any of your questions), and to have the opportunity to continue sharing for days with you! in case you forgot, for days’ mission is to upgrade the relationship to clothing, which they do through sustainable materials, minimized waste, and a closed loop swap system.
product pick:
i did quite a few closet clean outs this holiday season, all thanks to for days and their take back bag. i was so excited to send back my first take back bag a few weeks ago, and i can’t recommend it more!
do you have too much crap filling up your closet? for days will take it and make sure it never ends up in landfill. you can fill your take back bag up with your old stuff, and send it back to for days using your prepaid shipping label.
when you purchase a take back bag, you will receive a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more. the coupon will be emailed to you after you buy your bag!
siizu
if you’re looking for the cutest pieces of jewelry (not to mention insanely high quality clothes), look no further! siizu aims to design and deliver beautiful, high-quality apparel made with sustainable manufacturing practices directly to consumers at an affordable price point. they’re sustainable from start to finish, and they also donate 10% to help american forest reach its goal of planting 2.7 million trees across 44 projects nationally to restore and protect critical wildlife habitat.
use code HAPPY2021 for buy one get one free on everything (jewelry, bag, or clothing, and you can mix and match categories). code is valid now till 12/31 11:30pm EST.
product picks:
on the left are the fleur trio earrings, and the right the bel link pearl earrings.
these pieces are incredibly beautiful and unique- you won’t find others like them. they make perfect gifts for that special someone in your life.
skincare and beauty
soon skincare
soon skincare was starting by two friends, aiming to bring korean skincare to the world. to them, skincare isn’t just part of a routine: it’s an act of honoring your body. to quote directly from their website, “after hours of measuring each other’s faces, countless trips to Korea to meet with skincare chemists, and dozens of nights testing products, we’re proud to announce we’ve created the most innovative sheet masks on the market.”
product picks:
i’ve been wanting to try these eye patches for so long! they focus on hydration, soothing, and refreshing.
these watermelon lip masks sound just as amazing as the eye patches, helping to exfoliate and soothe.
last but certainly not least, this is the micro-hole hydrogel hydrating face mask. it aims to improve the skin barrier and slow collagen breakdown with an intensely hydrating korean sheet mask designed to make skin look younger and healthier.
i absolutely love all kinds of face masks, but i wasn’t in love with sheet masks before i found this one. i can’t wait to try it and report back on how incredible it is- everything i’ve heard and read about it have been five star reviews!
prim botanicals
prim botanicals focuses on three things: making products that feel good, making you feel great, and sharing as much happiness as possible. their clean, carefully crafted products are designed to add a little spring in your step. they’re also proud members of 1% for the planet, and give back to the philippines, where their founder is from.
product picks:
first up, i got to try the debauchery detox coffee and charcoal body scrub. this scrub smells exactly like coffee, and it’s super gentle and soothing- not harsh at all.
the consistency is also amazing, it doesn’t fall through your fingers while you’re applying it, which makes it a lot easier to apply and use!
it left my skin feeling super soft and refreshed, and i’m so excited to continue using it! the instructions say to use it about once a week on your full body, which is exactly what i plan on doing. this is one of my new favorite scrubs, and i can’t recommend it enough!
next up is the full body high cbd relaxing body lotion. a little bit goes a long way, and the scent is really soft and comforting.
the lotion itself is thick and has a super nice consistency, and it’s incredibly easy to apply because of the pump bottle. it really lives up to its name- “full body high cbd relaxing body lotion.”
if you’re looking for the perfect soothing lotion to use every day, i’d definitely recommend that you check this one out. prim botanicals puts such care and intention into every single one of their products, and even the packaging is amazing!
axiology
axiology was started to make the most ethical lipstick on the planet, and is 100% evil free. they don’t think finding good makeup that doesn’t harm humans or the planet should be so complicated. axiology is one of the best lipstick brands i’ve found, and their founder is incredibly sweet and intentional with every product.
product picks:
these balmie holiday sets are definitely on my wishlist this year! on the left is fire & spice, and ice ice berry on the right.
these colors are so beautiful, and just the right shades so that they’re festive for the holidays, but you can still wear them year-round! i’m in love with all of the shades (but specifically ice ice berry), and you’ll love them too.
korres
korres is where greek tradition meets cutting-edge science. their formulas are born from a deep knowledge of homeopathy and biological research, and use the cleanest, most natural ingredients. they also aim to protect your skin and the planet, and korres products are made in greece- from seed to skin.
the korres holiday picks are some of my personal favorite products, click below to check it out!
product picks:
first off, it’s the greek yoghurt foaming cream cleanser. this foaming cream cleanser is hands down, one of my top three favorite cleansers. my skin is sensitive and tends to be more dry, so this cleanser is literally my holy grail.
the cleanser is super gentle and soothing, and i’ve recommended to it everyone i know (literally). i can’t recommend it enough- you really need to get your hands on it! in fact, i’m almost out of mine… i have to go add it to my cart asap.
this greek yoghurt nourishing probiotic gel-cream is my favorite moisturizer- it’s been saving my skin. i’m obsessed!
the greek yoghurt probiotic superdose face mask is my go-to mask!
14e cosmetics
14e cosmetics was founded by professional makeup artist, emma fortini. as a makeup artist, emma quickly discovered that the selection of truly all-natural cosmetic brands was limited. 14e cosmetics is different; every ingredient used is 100% natural. the brand creates products that aim to treat the symptoms of acne and target the beginning signs of aging skin- naturally.
shop the end of the year sale now from december 14th to 16th!
product pick:
i use this aloe nourish sheer tint every day, and i even got my mom hooked on it.
it naturally nourishes and improves skin in areas of breakouts, and provides the perfect light coverage for all day and every day. it’s completely natural, vegan, and cruelty free- what more could you ask for?
this sheer tint is the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays (and year round). it’s one of the first products i put on every morning, and i’m completely in love with it. a must have!
thank you for reading!
these are the products i’ve been shopping for this holiday season (for my friends and family, but also for myself!). i support all of these brands wholeheartedly, and i’d encourage you to as well. if you can’t support them financially, it still helps if you follow them on social media and engage with their content- everything counts!
signing off,
jess
** some of the codes and links used may be affiliate, which means i’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase using them (at no cost to you). in addition, some of the product above were gifted, meaning that the brand sent them to me to review for blog inclusion. despite the products being gifted, all opinions expressed are my own honest reviews.