A Local Friday

Today I stuck to my commitment and shopped locally for the day. I went to three of the five great local toy stores that we have. I commented about my trip on Twitter and someone responded that they only have one where they live. I realized how lucky we are in this area to have so many great choices.

I went to Wonderment and Creative Kid Stuff in Linden Hills (South Minneapolis) as well as Kiddywampus in St. Louis Park but as Katie mentioned, there is also Peapods in St. Paul (source of many of M's toys) as well as The Green Goober also in South Minneapolis. Beyond toys specifically, we also have great kid's bookstores. (Wild Rumpus, Red Balloon, and I am sure there are others I haven't found)

If you want to go to as many cool stores for kids in the smallest space, Linden Hills (Wild Rumpus, Creative Kid Stuff, Wonderment) in Minneapolis or Crocus Hill (Wonderment, Creative Kid Stuff, Red Balloon and Peapods just up the road) in St. Paul are the best. However, if you love custard and hat Wisconsin (sorry, couldn't resist) right across from The Green Goober is Liberty Frozen Custard.

I'm lucky, and I know it. I only have a few things I need to get this year that require either going online or going to a larger store (mostly electronic items).

Thanks to everyone who has shared their local favorites. Keep doing it, and I'll keep linking. Just give me a URL or name. Small businesses thrive on word of mouth, and putting it in writing on the Internet may drive more business their way, making them that much stronger.

What local places do you love?

I should have reminded everyone of this again, especially with IComLeavWe going on, but I was apparently too caught up in my own pity party to remember.

I am giving away a book. One Yard Wonders. Written by my friend Patricia Hoskins, owner with her husband Matt of the amazing Crafty Planet and her friend, Rebecca Yaker. All you have to do is tell me something original that you like. Post about it, even better. Comment here, really good. Email me, sure that works too. I'll post it over there on the side bar. Does it have to be local to where I am, heck no.

The idea is that in this tight economic time, instead of supporting the big box retailers and a craziness that has left people dead (last year a security guy at Wally World), that you can focus this black friday on supporting businesses in your community. Not giving up on the post Thanksgiving kick off to the holiday shopping, but maybe doing a bit more in your own hood.

The book I am giving away, autographed by the authors. Purchased with my own money because well, I just think Trish and Rebecca are that kind of awesome. Also, my copy of the book, the one I have been using to make oodles (we're up to two) of cute little fabric houses out of, not autographed. I saved that one for you.

PS. Thanks everyone for the comments on my last post. Proof yet again that the Internet rocks.

Local, Original, Lovely

I'm totally stealing Robin's idea for a name for my little local holiday project. Likely the best part of this whole thing is seeing that the places I love, are the places other local people love, as well as finding new places. For instance, Robin's suggestion of Lily's, I would have never tried. However, seeing as Robin really does live a hop skip and jump away from me, it is close enough I really should. Who knows, I might even run in to her there.

I also realized in my rush to get the thing posted, I didn't put enough guidelines around it. My bad.

Post, email, comment, between now and the end of the month. I'll put links to your posts, your blogs, and the places you suggest (depending on how you send them my way) over there on the right. At the end of the month, I'll random number generator draw a person to get the book. And depending how productive the crafting is, maybe something else too.


In other not even remotely related news, I worked out. It has been... awhile. I apologize for falling off the wagon. However, know that I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for the fact that I do NOT want to let the Internet down. You rock, and my pants were getting tight again.

Green Friday

Before the plague descended on my house, I had this whole other idea of what I was going to do with NaBloPoMo. I finally think like I am well enough to get started on it.

Every year I wait with dread for the mass commercialism that is Black Friday. While I am all for finding a good deal, the absolute craziness that overcomes some people on that day confuses me. After all, is it really worth all of that stuff? People have died because someone wanted more stuff. However, I'm not really a person of extremes. I don't think that being a consumer is bad, I just think that more thoughtfulness in our consumption is warranted. Combine that with the need to support local and small businesses in this struggling economy and I came up with yet another answer among many about what to do on the day after Thanksgiving.

On the day after Thanksgiving (in the US) and perhaps that whole weekend, or the whole holiday season, support local and small businesses. We hear repeatedly how hard it is for small businesses during a down economy. When everyone is trying to get the most for their money, they have the hardest time trying to compete. What you do to support them has the most direct effect on your community. Supporting a local business owner means that the money they make goes in to paying themselves, or local workers, who then buy their gas, groceries, etc. in your community. Establishing relationships with local businesses pays off in all kind of intangible ways. Local businesses our support schools, sports teams, and charities. They may also become your friends, or introduce you to your future husband (that one is for you Kristen).

I wish I had a catchy name for it, but I don't. (anyone want to help with that?)

For the rest of November, and depending on how this goes, I will be posting regularly about some of the small businesses and local businesses that I love. Some of them I have already written about, some of them I have wanted to, all of them deserve it. My challenge to you is to do the same. I've seen the power that blogs can have when it comes to this. I know I've introduced some local readers to things in the area, and you could do the same thing. It doesn't have to be local, just a small business that you love. You know you have secret Etsy crushes.

This wouldn't be a good challenge without a prize, so I'm offering one. If you post, leave your link in the comments, or email me (ameliasprout at gmail dot com) and I'll link to it in this post and on my sidebar. Each post gets you one entry to win a signed copy of One Yard Wonders (which I am purchasing myself). Posts cannot be sponsored.

If you haven't heard of One Yard Wonders yet, it was written by local artists Trish Hoskins (owner with her husband of Crafty Planet) and Rebecca Yaker (of Sock Monkey Wedding Dress fame). I haven't seen it yet, but I have heard wonderful things about it.