My Ten Best Tips for Displaced Small Town Locals

Thought of this old post this morning. Might be helpful if you are a displaced Franklinite like we are! 

This week, more than any, really makes me reflect on how much I miss Franklin, how different my life is not being a part of my hometown, and (more so every year) how long I have been gone. From what I can tell, lots of people who grow up in Franklin go through this sort of thing. You leave Franklin for school, hopeful that you will be able to come back, and then you realize there are no job opportunities for you there, and essentially you can't return even if you want to. These are some survival skills I have learned in my 9 (!!!!) years away from home:

10. Be clear about your priorities- Being homesick is one thing. Figuring out what you value about life, family, and PLACE is another. Place is important, and knowing what you need from the place that you live will make life much better. Maybe you need a strong community. Or you just need to recognize the people you see at the grocery store. Or you want simplicity, stability, and safety. They are different needs, and different types of places can suit them.  I am certain now that if we move somewhere else, I would rather live in a more urban area, because you spend less time passing Costco's and Chili's and such, and you see more people because you are on foot more often.

Update- We did this! We live in an urban area and we actually have seen people we know in stores and on the street. So awkward, but really wonderful too. 

9. Go Back when you need to- Everyone will need immediate support (you need to find some people around you to have a community) and longterm support, which is usually family. Be honest with yourself about how often you need to come home without going crazy. I need to go home every 2-3 months, but I think The Boy could go much longer. At the same time, understand that this is never going to be a long term solution. If you have kids, especially ones in school, you will not be able to travel as much, so if your travel schedule is a stretch now, you may have to re-strategize again and again.

8.Talk to people who went through it- My Grammy and Grampa grew up in New England and only moved down to Franklin when their kids were in school.I like looking at how they have found a place, and in some ways chosen to remain distant, in the community, because it makes me hopeful that eventually you can make another place your (sort-of) home.

7. Be Flexible/ Ready to get Lost- This applies to wherever you are at; it is probably larger and more complex. Put yourself out there, and get lost now and then. The scarier side of this is actually you have to be flexible when you go home, be ready to feel a little lost there as well. Things will continue to change and grow while you are gone. Even though Franklin feels a bit like a living time capsule, it's not, and the more time you spend back, the more you have to come to terms with the fact that everyone has moved on without you, and that it isn't what it was when you lived there.

6. Enjoy the digital world- Skype, facebook, picture phones. They are all awesome. You can be as connected to the people you love as you want to be with technology, because at the very least you can know what they are up to on a regular basis. We love skyping with Petey and Wobby (and other family too!), because we get to talk to them and be silly with them between visits. I love seeing pictures of my girlfriends' kids, because they change and grow so quickly.

5. Celebrate your Franklin holidays, even when you can't be there- Apple Week!!!!!!!! I wonder if we could do Light Up Night. Setting off fireworks seems like a dangerous move? I wonder if I could do an ice sculpture next year? So many choices. It can be fun to think of ways to make your current home more like your hometown.

4. Read The Derrick online- It is helpful to keep up with what is going on, at least in a very basic sense. Plus, I get to read my Dad's articles.

3. Find communities where you are at- It won't be the same. You won't be hanging out with people whose grandparents were in the army with your grandparents.But every place and every person have something to teach you, so you have to take advantage of that knowledge and opportunity. I bellyache about the Bay often, and there are a lot of things about the way people treat each other that can be tough for me to understand. At the same time, I have met some spectacular people here, and we can drive to the beach whenever we want for Whaleventures. And I discovered garlic fries and the best dentist I have ever had in my life. Now, when we talk about leaving or moving, I feel sad, because I know I will miss certain things about my life here.

Update- In Seattle, we have found some really great communities with people we really really like. Having kids help, though I would not recommend that as a go to coping method. This part gets easier and easier as the years pass by, and I would be so sad if we had never met the friends we have here. 

2. Understand that you are going to do a good chunk of the work most of the time- This has been the most shocking, complex, and ever-evolving lesson I have learned living on the other side of the country. First, when you live in a small town with most of your family, and where roots run deep, people are used to a particular function of a relationship. When you leave, people assume that you chose to leave, so it is your responsibility to take care of all of those relationships when you leave. I know this is true, because I felt that when my family moved away as a kid. In the same boat, they won't miss you in the same way, because you are just a small gap in their sheet of paper, but for you, all that is left is that little shred, and everything else is gone. If you live far away, people will visit you and it will be great, but you will find yourself on planes much more often.We have lots of family members who give us a hard time about never visiting, but they have never come to see us. We have some family who talk about visiting, but they probably never will. You have decided to make those relationships a huge priority in terms of money and time, so it can be hurtful when you realize that you aren't a priority in the same way. There are multiple ways to reciprocate effort in relationships- some people are much better at calling than we are, or who send us cards (which are so exciting to get). Learning to appreciate that effort is really important.

At the same time, it is alright to realize that a friend that still wants us to drive an hour every time we come home just to see them (after buying plane tickets and spending a day in transit) maybe just doesn't care that much. A small town allows a lot of friendships out of convenience to continue, because they continue to be convenient. Just because it is long doesn't mean it has a ton of depth or value. It's alright to stop chasing people just because you are home. Now, the only people we will go see without them asking are our grandparents, parents, and siblings. We make it clear we are coming home, and we will always say yes if people ask, but we don't worry about it much from there, and we are ALWAYS ridiculously busy. It is important to be honest about the frustration attached to this situation, while understanding that these people genuinely have never been in your shoes, and still identifying all of the positive things, love, and reciprocation that do come from coming back to Franklin.

Update- We have had a good number of visitors. Again, babies help with this. I find too that at this point, the sting of this has worn off. It's easier to not care, and I don't feel as sad about it. People are going to do whatever makes sense for them and they are able to do. If you don't get the support you need from home, instead of bellyaching about it, try to find support/ be a support to people nearby. Other people will be transplants too. 

1.Be strategic about your visits home- My Aunt Ann is really smart about this, that every time she goes home, she basically tells people where she will be at and let's people come to her. We run ourselves ragged trying to see everyone and do everything we want to do while we are home. Learn from mistakes and try to be patient with yourself when you are home. If anything, the bright side of #2 is that it gives you some freedom from feeling guilty. If I have come home almost 40 times over 5 years, and you have come to see me twice, even if I don't give you as much time as you want, I have probably still done alright. When you come home, you have to get what you need out of it (go eat Leonardo's bread, walk down Liberty Street, and visit your grandmas), and if people care about you, they will try to meet you halfway. Coming back can be tough, but this is the place that you missed, so enjoy it how you enjoy it.

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Fourth Trimester Update- 4 Weeks and the Start of Paternity Leave

When I pinterested "fourth trimester," I couldn't help but notice that every single option was either weight loss or breastfeeding related. Really? I am looking for some outfit ideas or cute posts on what the heck is normal, and all it seems a woman in her 4th trimester is supposed to care about is boobs? I know we are boobs to our infants, but are we just a set of nunjas to ourselves too? So much so that we are desperate to whittle everything else down? 

Boo. I say phooey to this. 

So I am going to try doing the Anti-Bumpwatch. The 4th trimester tends to be pretty alienating, because no one wants to talk about it, but does that really help anyone? It also tends to be treated as almost shameful- you hide your breastfeeding, you fight to get back to your pre-baby body, you hermit at home so people don't see you all discombobulated and pajamed. Where a pregnant body is seen as miraculous and beautiful (which it is), our new healing and STILL life-giving bodies don't garner much respect. 

Maybe it would be good to hear how some other people are going through the first months of their new infant. If nothing else, I can use it as a record later, and hopefully I want be too horrified what my sleep-deprived brain found relevant or funny. But know, other mothers are going through it too. You may feel alone, and maybe I won't have the same experiences because they are so individual, but somebody has gone through something similar. 

How Far Along- The Bub is 4 weeks old- one month old tomorrow!

My Weight- The same. I think the big drop off is over, though it s funny that the weight varies at least 5 pounds depending on how engorged I am. Because that glamour.

Baby Cuteness Rating- I am biased, but I think he is pretty cute, maybe cuter than his brother at this phase. He doesn't stare through us, and he has really bright and alert eyes. I know he can't see us, but it feels much more like he is looking.

You Breastfed Where?- Seattle Center, in a giant field of people (lots of whom were taking pictures), while eating a Top Pot doughnut. Once the doughnut got involved, I could have flashed everyone. Who cares, I have a doughnut! I also breastfed at the Locks, so those salmons have something to talk about.

And I am Feeling- Feeling better, but tired. The Bub seems to have a sensitive stomach, so I am cutting out dairy. We had a few nights where he just screamed from dusk until dawn, but since I gave up my beloved glasses of milk, it seems to be improving and I think everyone is (sort of) catching up on sleep, so that is a good feeling. Because the screaming was killing my soul. How do people with colicky babies do it?

Most Bizarro Quirk of the Week- VBAC's take so long to heal! Totally thought I would be back to normal by now, but one of my friends told me it can take like 8 weeks just to walk right, so the bizarro thing here might be my expectations. Thought I'd be doing cartwheels  and splits by now, but I need to stop stewing at my lady parts for not being back in tip top shape.

Best Moment of the Week- I can think of a couple of good ones. We went to Ballard Locks, and that gave me that feeling that we can still do things. I love that feeling. If you can take two tiny people out on a serious outing, what can't you do? Watching Wall-E for movie night and having everyone cuddle was also pretty great.

Also, God bless the Mercy reflex- no matter how tired and miserable you are, it's impossible to not be melted by the little fingers wrapped around yours. What a weird, awesome miracle that babies are designed to grab your fingers. It's like the first sign that they love you, and I know it's all involuntary, but I love it.

Favorite Tool in my Arsenal- I love Aden and Anais swaddle blankets, but now that I know how they are made (and just how many are already in consignment stores), I would never buy one new. We have a mismatched collection, but I bought two more this week, so now it is that much more varied. A pack of 4 these much coveted blankets is about 50 dollars. Used, I have bought 4 for under 20. Used is the only way to get these blankets.

And We are Watching- Stranger Things, and I am obsessed. I honestly don't know what I will do when we finish it tonight. I know everyone says it is really good, but it is really good!

And the Boy?- Killing it at paternity leave. Mastering his baby wrap booty dance and catching lots of Pokemon while taking the toddler on walks. I can already see the dangerous combo of toddler fatigue and cabin fever setting in, so we are coming up with lots of activities to keep everyone busy and sane.

Looking Forward To- Season 2 of Stranger Things. It's a serious problem, but the third episode! So good!

This week is Applefest here, which means we celebrate our hometown festival a very long way from our hometown, Looking forward to Apple pancakes and changing leaves. and just doing fall as a family of four.

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Quote of the Week- Life is Art

Love this month because people tend to have creative ideas on their mind leading into Halloween. Also, with instagram and snapchat, we are all documenting and representing ourselves more than ever. How can we reinsert more creativity and making into our lives by cutting down our shopping?

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Halloween Costumes for Baby

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

As a side note, you can find costumes for little ones in all sorts of consignment stores, and it makes so much sense, because especially when they are this little, costumes can't get much reuse. If you are going to buy a super original and adorable (and probably expensive) Etsy costume this year, get something in consignment next year. Alternating between these routes will even out to be comparable to buying those plastic bags filled with polyester from Target, K Mart, or Walmart. It's a different approach, but it might reap some cool rewards.

from Creative Dragonfly

Creative Dragonfly (Florida) makes crotchet costumes, but the clear bread and butter here is little mermaid tails for newborns. I mean, come on. This business is cute and actually takes advantage of your child's immobility AND their inability to say no. Bwahaha. Enjoy it, because you gave them life! Don't have a merperson in your household? How about a hungry little caterpillar? They have this too, and it is so genius and cute.

from The Wishing Elephant

If you are looking for cute, but you want to see a lot of options, try The Wishing Elephant (New Hampshire). And its clear they have amazing designs and tons of positive reviews. They have such a wide bunch of baby costumes- the Staypuff marshmallow man, a pineapple, C3P0, and a swan tutu (it's so good. Somebody dress their baby at Bjork). Lovely choices and sparkling reviews! My favorite is their flamingo dress. The fatter the baby, the better.

from Boo Bah Blue

Boo Bah Blue (Washington) sells the kind of costumes you imagine you would make if you actually sewed things. They kind of look like costumes from old 70's Halloween pictures, and in the best way. Plus, a toddler dressed as an ewok can't be denied.

from The Costume Cafe

The Costume Cafe (Austin, TX) is popular enough that they are done taking orders for Halloween a month in advance (crud!), but if you want to dress your spawn as food (and who can blame you?), I would start here. Their costumes sometimes look simple, but they have really thoughtful and funny details sure to make their getups a huge hit. Plus, the hats. The hats!

from KidHub

Last year, I bought one of these dinosaur hoodies from KidHub, and it is so well-made and adorable. The Bub wore it out all the time. Even better, the costume is incredibly low key and non-fussy, so if you have an uncooperative toddler (or very cold weather) this could be the ticket. Also, I think it would look damn cute with a tutu, which is really the best part of having a little girl.

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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9 Things for the Last 9 Days- Starting the Fall with the Bub

 1. Baby Handprint Ornaments-  We did these with the Bub too, and what I like most about them is that when I look at them, I can still hear the screams. I kid, sort of. Wow, my children hate doing them, but I didn't much enjoy labor, so it seems fair. They both produce something cute, and I like that these are basically the first of many sentimental art projects they will hate doing. Sorry boys, I am your mother and you are stuck with me.

2. Show me your Mumu- I am in a wedding later this year and have been on the hunt for a flattering dress, Made in America, of a certain length and color. Easy right? Well, I have found a bunch that fit the bill thanks to this company Show me your Mumu that still manufactures in the USA and has dresses so flattering and chic your bridesmaids might actually love them. I wish they had been around when we got married,

 3. This Year's Walk to End Alzheimer's- I didn't think I would be able to go, so I was especially glad to be there. I was also happy to do the walk with my in-laws, because the tradition is really about my husband's family, so it made it more special to share in the chaos with them. I also thought this year was in the nicest spot so far in Seattle, and it felt like it had a really enthusiastic and positive energy (last year didn't, but it was a much wetter and greyer day).

4. Breastfeeding in Seattle Center Surrounded by People- Just add it to my list of weird places where the boobs have been out. I don't think people cared, and I love my covered goods breastfeeding cover for being a nice scarf to just wear as well as a cover for everything. I can already see how people with 2 children lose steam for getting out in the world, but I want the new baby to keep getting out there too, so tools like these really help.

5. Fall- I could not be happier that fall is here. For me, this season feels like a fresh start, everything smells good, and the world is covered in color. I get to wear layers and put decorations up, so I can't complain about life right now. Seotember October, and November are the best. Excited for The Baby Bear's first fall, because his bright eyes just drink everything in.

6. Wall-E- You hear a lot about little ones liking Finding Nemo or Cars, but The Bub has just been captivated by Wall-E. You know that Pixar rocks what they do when a two year old is totally enamored from the first minute. I love that movie in general, but I love it even more now.

7. Green Onion and Recycled Plastic- Who would have guessed we would have a kid so granola that he likes sitting, eating his garden green onions, on that all-recycled plastic bench. Different than the life I thought my kids would have, but I like when things are happy and slow like this. 

8. Our First Homemade Pesto- The Boy made it with his mom, and it makes my life. I feel excited and proud that at the end of this summer, we weren't totally defeated by the "growing your own food" garden experiment. We certainly aren't self-sufficient, but it is still cool to make applesauce, pesto, chimichurri and more with the plants from our own yard. If nothing else, everyone should have a herb garden. It has saved us so much money!

9. Barb- Yes, we are finally watching Stranger Things. Yes, it is as good as everyone says. We are only halfway, but the third episodes is one of the best episodes of any television show I have seen ever. People talk about the show in terms of Spielberg and nostalgia, but you could also bring iconicity into the conversation. How do you choose details that are striking enough that they stick immediately? Because that is what is happening here, and the icon of my heart is Barb. In a world full of Nancies, be a Barb.

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Little Green Dress- What Works to Wear While Nursing

While you are pregnant, you hear over and over that you look beautiful and that you are doing something miraculous. Fourth trimester, not so much. The only real impulse we see toward the fourth trimester is to render it invisible- the idea is that infant mothers should stay home, put their boobs away, and get back to their "pre-baby bodies" as quickly as possible.

Well, excuse me for existing. Let me just put on my invisibility cloak.

 If 4th trimester mamas have any kind of fashion profile, I would guess it is old pajamas with baby puke on it and unwashed hair. I can still remember going to our infant care class, and while watching the movie (made ten to fifteen years ago), being horrified at the ridiculous black hole of sexiness that were the women nursing. I mean, nipples take on a new role after you see them in a nursing diagram. Also, God bless all participants for being willing to be filmed in their sad pajamas. Now, the second time around, I know there is some truth to the horrors of the sad jammies, but not as much as you would think.

The fourth trimester is not the sad, banal pass through people make it out to be.

Women in their 4th trimester are still pretty damn miraculous. They made a person, they got that person out, and now their body is healing and changing all over again. Not to mention their body somehow can make enough food to be the only thing their baby needs to start their life. Did you know breast milk can actually help heal the baby? Forget hiding- those things deserve their own parade!

I don't want to spend the next six months feeling like a walking nipple diagram, and I am not going into hiding either.I have done this once already, and I know some of this is inevitable, but I don't think I spent those post-partum months looking like a dirty pile of laundry. That's just a bummer. I also don't want to leave my house looking like I am sleepwalking, even if that isn't that far from the truth.


With all of the writing on what to wear while pregnant, you can't find much at all about how to rock the new mom phase (true for non-nursers as well). I think the general sentiment is that it is ok to give up at this juncture, but I refuse! That being said, most of the last month and a half, I have looked like this:

The trick is to find a balance between that comfort/ convenience and to treat yourself as beautiful, because you still are. If pregnant bodies are beautiful and miraculous, so is the body you have now (maybe even more so).  I have learned some things  about what works for nursing and transitioning other than my eeyore pajama pants (super sad. also, I am wearing them as I write this). Nursing poses all sorts of challenges, so I would love to hear what works for you as well! These are my best tips for dressing in those first few months:

1. Thred Up is your New Best Friend- The first time around, I bought a pile of cheapo clothes from Old Navy in a larger size to get me through. It makes sense- your regular clothes and most of your maternity stuff won't work, but you will be back to something more familiar before you know  it, so why waste a bunch of money? A couple of reasons. First, the phase might go longer than you think (or you could be back here again), so the jeans I bought (and a few tops) fell apart so much that I can't use them again. Secondly, Old Navy's clothes are so cheap because they take advantage of cheap and unethical labor- it's just not worth it.

Instead, I highly recommend buying anything you need for this stage at the thrift store. Don't have a good one nearby? Or (more likely) don't have the time for excessive browsing now? Then try Thread Up. I bought every piece for this phase from them this time. I love what I got, it's well-made, it was cheaper than a lot of what I got last time, and I can feel alright if it comes to an untimely (or pukey) end. Fit is going to be a moving target anyway, so I highly recommend buying your new mom wear used,

2. Embrace the Button Up- In the previously mentioned nipple horror film, the new moms were whipping themselves out from the bottom of their shirts. I refuse to give gravity any help, so my boobs only travel upwards. Because of this, there are two options- low cut tops and button-ups. I also have ginormous unruly boobs, constantly trying to find my babies as if he is Sauron and they are the ring. So I have found Buttons are a nursing woman's best friend, that she can free herself in minutes while flashing slightly fewer people. So far, my favorites are long tunics with buttons and soft stretchy jeans or leggings. I even do dresses with buttons.



3. Belts- Yep, they still help. A good investment that can move through sizes with you. Waists are everyone's friend. Just make sure they are easy to get off so you can be comfy while nursing.

from https://www.etsy.com/transaction/238927482

4. Nursing Covers Masquerading as Scarves- Have you seen most nursing covers? They look like puppet theaters mated with seafood restaurant bibs.I don't want to fight with them,  but I would like there to be at least a few people on this Earth who I haven't flashed. Even just one. I found nursing covers on etsy that on first glance just look like infinity scarves but are big (and thin) enough to make really great covers. I also love these ones from Covered Goods, which have a little more stretch (perfect at certain moments).

Even though I am not new at nursing, the Baby Bear is, so I like being able to see him and help him.Plus, these minimize our baggage, which is the key to active and sane parenting. So, if I want to breastfeed in the middle of Seattle Center while eating a doughnut, I can.

5. Hats and Boots- I don't skip showers often, but they do sometimes land in the evening and both boys have  started his day by spitting up in my hair (and the Mom haircut suddenly makes sense). Hats really help cover that mess up. Both hats and boots can make any outfit look like you did it on purpose.In the right, I am literally wearing pajamas, but I look moderately functional, right?

 

5. Stepped Up Sweats- Modcloth has a series of sweater/ sweatshirts in a bunch of colors called Airport Greeting Cardigan that I swear was designed for nursing.  It has a nice drape so it looks more like you aren't wearing cozy home clothes, the zipper means you can get it off quickly (and it still looks nice open if you aren't quite there yet), and it fasten off the center of your body, so your spawn doesn't get uncomfortable zipper face. It's not cheap, but they always have it in some colors, and lower selling colors are often on sale. I got a charcoal one and liked it so much that The Boy got me an oatmeal one for Christmas.

 6. Long Tank Tops- The last thing you need to mess with when nursing is your butt hanging out. They can also be nice to just feel like everything is held in. I love the tank tops from M Rena; they are soft, extra long, and made in America! Nothing like a practical buy that helps an American business.

 7. Don't Be Too Quick to Turn in your Maternity Clothes- Everybody loses weight in different ways, and there is no shame in getting a little more of your money's worth out of what you bought before digging through what has long been put away. When planning for the fourth trimester, assume you will use the 2nd trimester clothes again (if you are really on point, buy pregnancy clothes that will work for nursing.

Both times in the first few weeks after the birth, I lost more than half of the weight I gained (we'll call this the Baby and Support chunk), the other bit didn't budge (I will guess that is the cookie weight, and it was worth it). This time, I know once I hit a certain point, the weightloss will be slow and just happen as I can be more active. It would be great to bounce back into my normal clothes, but that's fruitless energy to worry about. It turns out that my maternity jeans are way more kind to c-section scars, and a couple of my stretchy, buttoned maternity tops have been the best for yanking out the nunjas. I also like the feeling of my tummy being supported right now. I won't retire my maternity jeans for at least 3 to 5 months.

8. Bras make all the difference- Do not buy anything that looks less powerful than your regular bra. Medela and others sell "Night" bras that basically are built like a training bra. That's nonsense. I had one, it was horrible on all counts. Save your money.

Snaps in the straps (no one needs to struggle here), snaps in the back (don't fall for the sports bra business, because your boobs will resemble James's Giant Peach), and don't have an underwire (ow).  This has been the magic formula for me. I like Bella Materna bras, though I think most are imported now.

9. Maxi Dresses- Comfy and you look put together with minimal effort. I recommend wrap dresses for work or more formal events where your boobs still need an easy exit. I still wear my Breezy Night Stroll dress every week.

10. Bring Yourself a  Change of Clothes- Trust me. Just go get a dark colored maternity t shirt, put it in a bag with back ups for everyone else, and put it in the trunk of your car or basket of your stroller. You will get puked on. Just be prepared.

I hope this helps some poor souls like me who want the internet's help in strategizing their boob cover.  I know I said I am trying to avoid excuses, but if you just had a baby, you just had a freaking baby. If you aren't a celebrity who creepily bounces back into their bikini, or you have a colicky baby, or you just don't care, more power to you- you just had a freaking baby.

You aren't obligated to look pretty or disappear or do anything regarding your looks- you just had a baby for goodness sakes!

 The most important thing, I think, is not forgetting about yourself in all the craziness. I like putting a little thought into this, because it is easy for me to let self-care slide completely. Everybody gets through this phase in different ways, so I would like to hear your strategies!

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Five Favorite Etsy Stores- Keeping Warm

I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So starting a series to focus on the greatest stuff we have found. 

It's getting colder! Yay! If you are like me, you have been dying to get back to your fall clothes, layers, and warm blankets. If you are looking to replace something, or you need to buy a gift, Etsy has you covered. Let's do this.

from The Knot and Chain

The Knot and Chain (Portland, Oregon) sells adorable knit hats with bear ears on them. Maybe too cutesy for some, but I think it is just the right amount of adorable. I would wear this, because I think the neutral colors help them ride that line. I love Yokoo knits as well, because they are also highly stylized and modern. 

from Iris Mint

There are so many gorgeous knits and crotchet pieces available on Etsy, so I won't possibly be able to point even to all of the great ones. I do especially love Iris Mint knits out of Boston. Their scarves have the perfect balance of coziness and style. They look consistently chic, and I don't know how I would pick one!

from Mad about Mittens

Mad About Mittens (Montana) sells really adorable mittens made from reclaimed knits. The style of these are really cute. They look great and use recycled materials, double win! Perfect gift. You can also try Made Again Mittens (from Minnesota) or Miracle Mittens (Pennsylvania) for more styles and maybe a shorter shipping distance.

from Lily and Peabody

Lily and Peabody (San Diego) sells gorgeous chunky knit blankets that look perfect for a cozy netflixy day. I feel like throw blankets are the kind of thing you can buy kind of willy nilly, but finding one with great style can make a space. These ones from The Prairie Boutique (from Arizona) is less stylish, but looks just as cozy. Check Nursey Knits and Colorways Gallery as well. '

from ABC Crochet

Lastly, I love the cozy ABC Crochets, though it's hard not to recommend the crochet bikini tops in their store, because they just make me smile! I want to meet the ladies who have warm nunjas and cold everything else!

Want more warm and fuzzy? Of course! Check out these stores as well- Designs by Elena, Knitting Wonders, Unique Knit Designs, Smitten Kitten Originals, Rosehip Lane Knits, Avaneska, Gypsy Street Stuff, and Knit Couture Co.

Want even more eco-friendly and local shopping inspiration? Check out my Giant List of Ethical and Eco-Friendly Shopping Lists. 

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