This is the season to share our love, and for many, this means gift giving. There is great power in how we spend our money, we are voting for what we believe in. When we shop small, shop local, and shop brands with big hearts and even bigger missions, we make a difference. Below is a list of brands and products I believe in. I’m so grateful to everyone listed for sharing their talent and doing the hard work to slowly change the way we purchase and thus, the way we live.
Almost all shops are exclusively owned by women, with ethically sourced new products and environment-friendly upcycled goods! Some shops are KCMO based, but most offer online sales. Happy shopping!
Unbakery and Juicery: the best damn restaurant in KC. They have incredible nut milks, baked (and unbaked, duh.) goods, bone broths, vegan salads, basically something for everyone! Also, much more than a cafe (and you will wanna visit – and take pix of all the gorgeous plants and bright light), they also carry local body care from lines, herbal tea blends curated by Robin the owner (aka goddess), and amazing raw honey, and local sprouted crackers. Buy their goodies, or a gift card to delight!
Matchaful: ceremonial grade Organic Matcha powder! This is my favorite matcha brand ever, and they offer 20% off your first order with the code, “ABBIMILLER”! They even have cutie travel-sized small packets, perfect for stocking stuffers!
Check out my favorite way to upgrade your matcha game! Click here for my recipe using Matchaful!
Simple Science: Organic juices and paleo noms. Dragonfruit smoothie? Count me in.
Everything they serve is Organic and gluten free! This is my life-saving grab n’ go juice spot. Perfect for gift cards to nourish your busy homies who wanna eat clean, but don’t have time to prepare the food of their dreams (free same-day delivery anyone!?) Check their website for locations. Santa will be ditching his milk and asking for green juice this year, fo sho.
Lastly, they also have kombucha on tap, guys! ‘Nuff said.
Sweet Destructor: I am a total fan-girl of these gorgeous handmade ceramics for ceremony, decoration or meal time! These are GORGEOUS and magical and super interesting additions to your shopping list.
Sex and Ice Cream: This shop is Girl-Power incarnate! Truly a femme gem! The owner and in-house designer Nicole Leth (who is just 23!) curates this pastel heaven. Amazing for fun and playful clothing, and accessories!
Theresa Robinson: this local ceramic artiste makes beautifully quirky creations (and creatures!). If your dishes were made in a factory, you are missing out on these one-of-a-kind works of art! Her new “people” are an absolute must-see, check out a few sneak peek on her site!
WildWash: an amazing skincare line with the most seductive scents! The owner, Sarah Preu started making natural soap and skin care products because most of the products available in stores contain ingredients we don’t want to put on our skin or into the environment. Everything is small batch, palm free and made using local or sustainably harvested herbs from trusted sources! ::swoon:: Her new skincare line is on it’s way to the website, so definitely email her to ask about the 3-step cleanser set that includes the most delicious floral hydrosol for calming winter sensitivity!
My obsessions are her creamy bar soaps (below) facial mist (mentioned above) and her lavender-cedar deodorant, it’s the best natural deodorant on the market! It’s the pits! GET IT!?
Skin KC: a local non-toxic and juicy natural skin care line. If you read my blog, you know I have NO patience for all the toxic shizz that is put in mainstream skin care products these days. So, I’m super stoked that Skin is the brand that is kicking all kindsa natural arse, and offering up a line that is not only natural (read: minus all the ingredients that many “natural” brands still allow), but juicy and formulated with specific healing components in mind. You will want to eat everything.
Read more in my recent ode to Skin! My favorite skincare product is their Daily Greens nourishing & hydrating cream, it’s your best friend this winter! I also love her juicy orange body wash, so yummy!
Etiquette: this shop lives up to it’s tag line: thoughtful beauty. I got my first eyelash extensions from Amanda (the beautiful owner) here years ago and was immediately in loooove; with the sweet femme studio, the mellow vibes and mini-meditation of their beauty care (they also do custom facials!) and how glam I felt with my new low maintenance lashes!
This just in –> They are undergoing a revamp and are now serving up a clean beauty apothecary that has fresh lines curated by expert estheticians (read: makeup without the junk and toxins!). I love how they focus on an Organic, minimalistic approach to beauty. I can get down with their intention to elevate their client’s skin rather than teach them how to cover it up. Check out the array of indulgent services they offer. Perfect for a gift card!
Cartwheel Jess: incredible textiles, artwork prints, baby clothes and other goods often from repurposed materials (you’re welcome, Mama Earth!) hand-made by my dear friend here in Kansas City, and available online. Expect bright colors, dreamy patterns, and everything you’d ever wanna wear / buy / own. **Baby is not for sale, believe me, I’ve asked.
Shop future: sexy minimalist denim and beyond. This online boutique is total babe-dom, and owned by my soul sister, Lane Leavens, in Los Angeles.
Lane has an amazing gift for picking items that fit perfectly and are an instant hit. Check her out, or buy an etsy gift card to buy for a friend!
Images by Jordan Daniel.
Dear Society: This is a shop where you’ll wanna linger, in person or online. Dear Society started as a collaborative vision between two women who are passionate about classic staples & beautiful items for you, your family and your home. I love their selection of local artists goods, PLANTS (!!) and their gorg vintage collection.
image in chair by David Pugh // shop image: by Ashley Parsons
MADI: America’s most impactful Intimates! For every pair of underwear we buy, they donate a pair to women’s domestic violence shelters! See the owner stand on the street in her undies, or check out their online or KCMO shop! Ya’ll may know that I am soooooeee not into buying undies made by slaves in countries far from here (read: this is ALL the undies from mainstream department stores), hence my love for this brand and it’s values. MADI is founded upon the principles of American manufacturing, self-sustaining fabrics/packaging and socially conscious global impact through underwear donations. We believe in our world’s women – we aim to impact the lives of these women, one undie at a time.
Sage: a carefully curated apothecary of goodness. Expect oils and elixirs to heal and excite. This apothecary is connected to their healing arts center for all kinda holiday healing such as yoga, chiropractics, massage and all the reasons you’d ever need to stop by. My parting words: Lavender Chocolate. Yup.
Hand and Land: This instagram–ready shop is full of whimsical and delightful treasures.
They feature a variety of hand picked organic beauty products and emerging niche brands in natural skin care, hair care, botanical fragrances, jewelry and home goods, such as the treats pictured: Kansas City Canning Co. ancho date butter with Fracture Goods paddles, Mr. B’s Luminaries soy wax and pure essential oils candle, and Marble & Milkweed Organic cardamom butter. Owned by two Kansas City cousins, double girl power!
Core Continuum: This busy Pilates studio in the trendy Westport neighborhood is owned by a total dynamite badass. Whenever I leave class, I feel taller, stronger and aligned. Psst: not sure what Pilates actually is? Check out their Instagram and Facebook pages.
Located inside of a juice bar on 40th and Broadway, this hidden studio offers private and small-group training to KC‘s insiders as well as group Pilates Mat, Reformer, Barre, and Rebounding classes. previously mentioned Owner, Courtney Collado, has made it the eeeeasiest studio in town for which to book classes – download the Core Continuum app for iOS or Android from iTunes or Google Play and get right to class!
Urban Provisions: A general store that offers “Modern Americana for you and your home”. Aka: This is a one-stop shop for all things delightful! They’ve got it all, Lady swag gifts for your girlfriend like this exclusively locally made Jewelry:
Or Herbivore Botanicals, all natural apothecary products! As well as stuff for the dudes, like these Coasters by 928 Woodworksmade, they are produced with out of commission pallets from Boulevard Brewery! Way to repurpose what would otherwise be thrown away!
Fabulous gifts for your favorite Kansas Citians, like their Tea Towels, hand printed in KC.
I am deeply obsessed with their, “succulent bar” where you can create your own plant scheme, complete with handmade ceramic pots and recycled earth-friendly plant holders! <3
The list goes on and on, jewelry, natural perfumes (for him + her!), hand poured candles and Mud Cloth Pillows, sewn in Oregon from ethically sources African mud cloth! Check them out, for sure.
Life Equals, Vitamins that give (they are like the Tom’s shoes of vitamins!) For 75% off everything + free shipping, use code ‘MIL50’! You can even buy a subscription for a gift, and your honey will get vitamins in the mail, monthly!
Rawxies: the ultimate vegan cookies + the most amazing paleo crunch! Both make a perfect stocking stuffer! Get 15% off your order using promo code, ‘AM15’.
I’m here, too, if you’d like to gift a holistic nutrition, yoga session or dream life business coaching session with moi! Just send me an email!
And last but SO not least, consider adding some altruistic gifts in this year’s stockings:
- Donate to Standing Rock legal defense fund to support our global family that is currently protecting our land. Even $10 helps!
- Donate to the American Civil Liberties Union. Current political climates nationally and abroad could threaten the rights of many minorities on this planet.
- Anti-sex trafficking is a huge passion of mine. Nobody should live in slavery in sexual service to strangers. Please donate to International Justice Mission to help end human trafficking.
- I also love this list of larger shops and their political stance, thanks to Bust Magazine. Most importantly:
Use your dollars towards girl power and equality for all! Love you guys. Happy gifting.
