I won't stress you out over listing the dwindling days till Christmas, but we all know it's coming down to the wire -- ARE ALL YOUR GIFTS BOUGHT AND READY TO RUMBLE???  I know, that was mean. The Magpie just got bumped to the Naughty List, to be sure. But I'll make up for it -- forget wrestling with mall traffic or contemplating Chia Pets for yet another year, use the magic of subscription services to make your gifts feel unique and ones that will last well into the new year! 

I admit to being a total sucker for twee little shops and boutiques lining historic old streets.  I mean, really -- who wouldn't?! For those who live in the area, I'd like to recommend a perfect, Fancy day trip/holiday shopping excursion -- head out to Snohomish for the afternoon and get your browse on!

Well? Did you survive the opening bell of the holiday season and strongarm some random stranger for that Tickle Me Elmo doll on Black Friday? Or did you avoid the shopping rush altogether and are starting to get a case of the cold sweats while looking at your gift list? Fear not! The Magpie is here to not only help you, but help you help the whole country, just by the simple look at a label. I'm talking about the label-consciousness that doesn't say whether or not something says Gucci or Louis Vuitton, it's the best possible name brand you can find: Made in the USA. 

Don't roll your eyes thinking everyone's going to be stuck with Pyrex measuring cups (yes, it's an American company!).  There are A LOT of domestic-made/manufactured products out there, and it's as easy as checking the labels. Granted, you can't get everything made in the US, but you can at least make it a point to be selective based on where an item is made, and make the choice to buy local. Even if it's a little shop that sells imported perfumes, that shopowner will be glad you made the purchase there, versus a big-box department store. With every dollar you spend for a local/American-made item, it's a way of investing in our own economy, our people, and a future aimed at growth.  

It's so easy to find thoughtful and meaningful gifts that follow the Made in the USA/Shop Local ideal -- here are some tips and ideas: 

Avoid the malls, stick to small neighborhood boutiques; there are always one-of-a-kind finds and sometimes if there's something you really want, the shop owner may be willing to work a deal. 
 
You can type in "Made in the USA" or "Made in America" on large shopping websites like Amazon, and they have a wide selection of everything from home/kitchen goods to beauty products. 
 
Buy gift cards from local restaurants or shops to give as gifts -- recipients can enjoy a favorite dish or be introduced to a new shop. 
 Look for craft shows, which are popular leading up to the holidays. It's not all lace doilies and creepy knitted dolls, you can find crowd-pleasing gifts like artisan foods, handmade soaps and candles and jewelry. 

Shop online for handmade crafts at Etsy.com - you can narrow your search by local artists and find a ton of unique, beautiful gifts for others (or yourself). Make sure to shop and order early, since a lot of the items are on short supply or might need to be made.  

Jaunty Fine Print: Graphic by Denise Sakaki, statistic from ABC News series Made in America

You always have one of those friends or family members who's a total nut for food and trying new flavors, right? Or maybe it's someone who's hard to buy for, but has an adventurous palate. Consider giving Foodzie a try. I got a bunch of tasty things from them last Christmas, tracking down unique, small food crafters, both local and abroad, buying items that would ship well and be a memorable gift for the recipient. A sweet and spicy quince jam, specialty breads and cheeses, jam made with bacon and caramelized onion! They specialize in conversation-worthy treats like this, perfect for a person who truly savors every bite of something special.

Originally Foodzie was sort of like an edible Etsy, with small businesses being able to create a mini storefront presence on their network, but they've since changed their setup -- much less products, but still an eye for interesting things. They've definitely curated their offerings, fewer items, very seasonal, so usually within 30 days, it's all new, and there's also a subscription service, for small Tasting Boxes with samples of diffferent items are shipped to your home every month. That's a nice gift idea, since it's like getting a different care package.

I genuinely like what Foodzie does, specializing in showcasing discover-worthy items, and when it comes to gift-giving, food is a nice choice. It's a way to find out more about a small, independent business who really puts their heart and soul into something handmade. These are small-batch products and they have a charm all their own, something to consider when you're doing holiday shopping and want to support smaller companies.

Jaunty Fine Print:  imnages from Foodzie website

'Tis the season, says the Magpie, to start thinking of thoughtful gestures to bestow upon our loved ones... like a bar of soap that says "Filthy Cougar." Bwah-hah-hah!! Oh, come on, you laughed. At least a giggle or two.

It's also the season for us to make the commitment to buy local, small and independent, and/or Made in America, as much as possible. The tricky thing about an economy in peril is, you can't be such a Scrooge that businesses aren't allowed to thrive on much-needed consumer dollars. We've got to do our part! Which is exactly why we should use our Jaunty Powers for Good in the form of responsible consumer choices! Think of it as an adventure, exploring new places to buy gifts for loved ones, versus that care package of Chia Pets and hot pink Snuggies. 

For the month of December, I will be featuring fun, independent-minded businesses or sources for gift ideas. This one is one I've mentioned before on the blog -- meet Filthy Farmgirl, a lovely little handmade soap company that's in the tropical wonderland of Hawaii. I've frequented their table at the Hilo Farmers Market before, gathering up as many soaps as I can fit into my carry-on bag. But don't worry if you don't live in Hawaii, you can order their products online and they've got Free Shipping right now! Their soaps are all natural, promising "No Yucky Stuff," made with herbs and spices from local organic farmers and the products are vegan-friendly. Since I met them over a year ago, they've expanded their cheeky-named soap "flavors" to naughty number 69, and added Smoochie lip balms. They're an example of a little company that could, growing and thriving as an independent small business that supports its community, offering a really unique product that is most definitely made in America.  

I love that you can see whole bits of the ingredients they use in their soap, like grounds of coffee in their Mocha Minx, or lavender buds in their Lavender Rose Dreamland. And don't let the saucy names make you think it's too blush-worthy a gift for your Great Aunt Maude -- there's plenty of soaps whose names are as sweetly-named as the scents they carry, like Coconut Lime Slice, Sassy Honey Oatmeal, or Awesome Blossom. But let's be honest, don't you want to give your LOL-worthy friends a bar of soap named Filthy Beaver, Filthy Cock or Filthy Ass? And wouldn't your nerdy pals love a bar of soap with a Filthy Zombie or Filthy Flying Spaghetti Monster on it? They'll think it's so awesome, and smell so wonderful, they won't even want to use it. When I give these soaps to friends, they often keep them as sweet-smelling silly showpieces in their bathrooms. And the ones that do use them are very pleased with the results, loving how they're getting clean with something Filthy.

So when you're making your list, checking it twice, put Filthy Farmgirl on the shopping list and order now, before the holidays!


Jaunty Fine Print:  photos by Denise Sakaki, soaps by Filthy Farmgirl

Guess what this little Birdie has on her brain? Food, of course! And no, it's not just because when I'm not being distracted by shiny-shiny, pretty-pretty objects, I'm penning my food blog, Wasabi Prime (shameless plug), the simple fact is, food and cooking-related gifts are always appreciated!

The Jaunty Cook felt a Food Mood come on when browsing for gift ideas. For true food nerds, the latest gadget or gizmo would be peachy keen for the holidays, but what about those looking to spice up a drab kitchen or make cooking into less of a chore? Maybe a flirty apron that makes preparing a meal more dressy and less drudgery. Or a vintage-style red kitchen phone to add a bright pop to the one room that rarely gets much decor. Even having a supply of sweet treats for an impromptu party or an easy hostess gift is a handy thing to keep around. 

When you're looking for special gifts, think of items that a whole household can enjoy and benefit from! Items that brought on this edible Mood include: {1} Pig Cooking Lid from the MoMa Store, {2} Seat-of-Honor Bottle Openers from Anthropologie, {3} Crosley Classic Kitchen Phone from Urban Outfitters, {4} Tea-and-Crumpets Apron from Anthropologie, {5} Object Tea Towels from the MoMa Store, {6} Petite Bouchee Salted Caramel Gift Tins from Foodzie


Jaunty Fine Print:  images from shops listed above

 

Despite all this Bird's crowing about how sick she is of the shopping mall craziness, I still managed to visit Seattle's central retail area, Westlake, before the retail overload eventually set in. Say what you will about how commercial the holidays are -- and yes, this Bird would agree with that -- but there's still a bit of wonder to be found in store windows, amid designer labels and price tags.

It's surely a result of our consumer culture, but there's a nostalgia in looking at store window displays for the holidays. It's like a little diorama of tinsel, light and magic, even if all they're trying to do is get you and your wallet into the store. There's an art to that method of marketing. It made me think of that old 1980s gem of a good/bad movie, Mannequin. Aside from this Bird's eternal guilty pleasure WASP-y love of Andrew McCarthy (St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, Less Than Zero... etc.), that fantastically cheesy romantic comedy stuck in my head as I was walking by all the store displays. Kim Cattrall didn't suddenly come to life, but I saw imagination and fun behind the panes of glass. Cut-paper worlds of Cinderella and the North Pole, brightly colored tinsel trees filled with ornaments, and of course the big bright star on the corner of what used to be the Bonmarche. I know, I know -- the Bon is no longer, but I still call it the Bon Star. It was one of the first things I saw lit up on my first visit to Seattle years ago, when I was considering the Pacific Northwest to be my home. The city was lit up in its holiday finery and it felt like a brightly-lit welcome sign to encourage my move to this Northwest wonderland.

Over ten years later, and I haven't regretted this choice. The holidays remind me to count my blessings, be thankful for the friends I've made and the life created here, because it is truly a good one. Not to sound like a crazy old Bird, but perhaps by the guiding light of this giant electric star, I found my way to this place, and that is a blessing worth counting.

It seems like forever ago that the sun had visited Seattle, but the Magpie was out looking for shiny things in the unique and lovely neighborhood of Ballard on one of those rare wintery days, with the spirit of the holidays and a hot latte to warm her heart. 

Nestled in the northern part of Seattle, Ballard is probably best-known for the Hiram M. Chittendon Locks, more commonly and simply called the Ballard Locks, where boats can move between Lake Washington and Puget Sound through engineering magic I'm not prepared to go into on this post. It's a charming neighborhood with a history spanning the late 1800s, which makes it an ideal place to wander for a spell, exploring the cobblestone streets, absorbing its ambience, and visiting the unique shops and restaurants.

I visited some favorite places, off the main thoroughfare of Market Street and was happy to see they did not disappoint in their holiday decor and goodies. Velouria is an absolute treasure of a shop, specializing in jewelry, accessories and clothing, featuring the talented work of local artists. Everything feels like a new discovery, and it's easy to get lost in their adorable, cozy shop. It's nearly impossible to walk out of there without something sparkly -- I managed to pick up a little treasure for a friend's holiday gift. I also made sure to visit Lucca on Ballard Avenue, an amazing shop that sells delightful stationery, books, and baubles for both home and garden. In the spring and summer, it's a treat to walk into the jewelbox garden they have at the back of their shop. Their store reminds me a bit of a Victorian cabinet of curiosities, full of fanciful whimsy and unique treasures under glass.

There was a definite holiday spirit in the neighborhood, but even when it's not Christmas, Ballard is always a treat to visit, as it's a vibrant community that is clearly well-loved by its dwellers. Walking through its streets, visiting its book shops, record stores and perusing through clothing boutiques -- it's a truly picture-perfect neighborhood of thoughtful, quirky style, and an inspired reminder to always live joyfully within the details.

The Magpie sadly missed the ringing of the holiday retail bell this weekend due to a post-Thanksgiving cold that knocked her out for several days. Boo!!! Not that this Bird had any plans to brave the malls on Black Friday, but she was at least hoping to attend the I Heart Indie Holidays event in Kirkland, which by the way, I really and truly hope it was a fantastic success.

The time spent at home put the little gears to work in my bird-brain, and while I will continue to wave the flag of independent crafters and artists, I understand that holiday shopping can be a stressful time. Sometimes we just need a one-stop-shop to find that special something, whether it's for others or ourselves. Given our busy schedules, online shopping is the way to go, so I've decided to "test drive" some popular online sites to see what Jauntiness can be put together by staying on a single site.

Holiday party coming up? A tree lighting ceremony and then a short walk to a festive dinner with friends? The events abound this time of year, so this Bird took to the interwebs to give Zappos a browse, putting together a complete outfit, from head to toe (minus undies, but they do sell those, too). Things I like about Zappos: free shipping, which is great if you're not sure on size (buy multiples of an item and return what doesn't fit); they have a 365 day return policy; orders up until 1pm PST on 12/23 have free shipping and guarantee delivery by Xmas; they have a wide variety of items from clothing, jewelry, accessories, to beauty items; and they have high-end designer labels from Alexander McQueen, to mid-range Kate Spade, to affordable Nine West -- they have a "$50 and under" price range search. Things to keep in mind while shopping Zappos: have a list or a good idea of what you're looking for, as their inventory is expansive and can be overwhelming. I've always thought their search was more clinical than other sites like department stores or online stores like Piperlime and BlueFly, which try to hold the online shopper's hand a little with product articles and features. I would look to magazines or other research to first get an idea, and then use Zappos as a resource to make the purchase once you know what you need.

That was how this Zappos-created outfit was created; this Bird created a Fancy scenario in her mind of a stroll downtown to admire the holiday lights, finishing the night off at a favorite restaurant for some cocktails and dinner: {1} Lilly Pulitzer Eileen jacket in vanilla, {2} Calvin Klein stud detail sweater dress in charcoal, {3} Juicy Couture flower headband in black, {4} MICHAEL Michael Kors short leather Astor glove with zipper in cream, {5} Juicy Couture opaque tights in cerise, {6} Penny by Steve Madden, purple clutch, {7} Fiona by Kate Spade, purple satin/flame red satin bow flats. The bow-topped Kate Spade flats were the starting point of this outfit, and the Calvin Klein dress is both festive and subtle, requiring no jewelry with the adorned neckline. If this Bird were to purchase every item on this list, it would come to a grand total of $660.95. Not an inexpensive purchase, but the main items here are investment pieces, and can be used for non-event wearing. No single item went over $200, so that gives you an idea of the price ranges on Zappos site, and keep in mind they always have items on sale.