Sunday Sips-November 22, 2020

Happy Sunday!

I hope you’re doing well and are looking forward to the fun upcoming holidays (if you celebrate them). I’ve got some of my favorite small shops to share with you today. But first, a cheers! Let’s enjoy our sips.

Because i forgot to cancel my last Sipsby subscription (I love them, i just buy one box at a time usually), I got another box of new teas this week and I’m so excited for them. Mainly because three out of four of them are high caffeine and I’ve been dragging all week so I could use the pick me up for sure. That’s why I’m drinking this Superberry Samba by *ZEST TEA* today. It’s coffee-level caffeine without the jitters or crash. Um, yes please. That’s exactly what i need right now. With young hyson Chinese green tea, natural passion fruit flavor, safflower petals, natural strawberry and acai flavors, it tastes like a sweet strawberry. I still sweetened it with my usual real maple syrup but let out the splash of milk. I typically don’t add milk to fruity flavors. If you end up wanting to try some for yourself use code SIPSBY15 for 15% off.

Now, let’s talk small shops. Some of these are bookish but not all. Some are on Etsy but not all either. If you don’t know, I sell watercolor bookmarks on Etsy (one of my bookmarks is pictured above) so I’ve made a place within the Etsy community and fell in love with some amazing makers as well as their products. With that said, I too am a small shop. I guess I’m technically two since me being an author is its own business and my bookmark shop is another. Good news is starting today my entire bookmark shop, with the exception of clearance and signed paperbacks, is on sale for 20% off through December 2nd for Cyber Week. All bookmark orders come wrapped and ship for free within the US.

Greeting Cards- My good friend Alison makes Amazing greeting cards and prints. They’re done on this incredibly thick, gorgeous handmade paper that’s just so unique. She even does custom orders as well so you can do a definition that speaks to you, a quote, vows, lyrics, whatever your heart desires. She does it all and she does it well.

Fun T-shirts-my number one shop i order t-shirts with sayings on is LC and Co Designs. The owner is such a sweetheart and will work with you as well on any saying you’re looking for. She’s quick, shipping is free, and the shirts are soft and great quality. I’ve ordered so many from her I lost count I think. I love her so much I like to keep her to myself lol but i’m sharing now since it is the holiday season and all.

Mugs-the uber important accessory for any bookworm—the mug. And boy, do I have a shop for you. One of my very good friends runs the mega-successful shop, SheMugs. Her products have been featured in magazines galore. Seriously, her mugs are legendary. They’re sassy, they’re beautiful, and she even does custom orders too. I have several from her and have given away even more over the past couple years on my various social accounts. I cannot get enough. And what’s even more is she’s been busy branching out to other amazing products as well. The biggest contenders are make-up bags but I adore her totes as well. She even does decorative pillow cases that are featured in many influencer photos across the web. And everything in her shop comes with Free US shipping!!! Check her out and purchase mugs before December 13th to receive by Christmas.

I’m newly addicted to the wildly popular show Julie and The Phantoms on Netflix. It started with one of my girls being into it and it spread to my other daughter then me. And i am not mad about it. That show is spectacular. Truly. Well there’s this one scene were Julie is singing and she’s got butterfly clips all over her hair and shirt and even her shoes and i absolutely love it. Cannot get enough. And it just so happens I recently found these adorable little butterfly clips and they actually glow in the dark which is fun for kids. (Our pink and purple one is pictured above in tea photo) My daughters love their clips and get such a kick out of them glowing. The shop owner is a delight to work with. I also bought a fun butterfly wing cape from her which i find endless entertainment in. Quarantine gets boring, okay?! Flutter gallery is on a short break until November 24th so make sure you favorite their shop and come back once they return! iF you have little girls this shop is a must.

*Storiarts* reading gloves are always a fave gift idea and I have a couple pair myself. Even my 10 year old loves hers.

*Frostbeard* is so great for bookish candles. I’ve gifted so many over the years I need a loyalty stamp card from them probably.

*Sew Happy Stitch Happy* does book sleeves that are quality and unique. *Power In Pages* also does wonderful book sleeves and has a little more variety sometimes along with some handsewn totes and bookmarks. Both shop owners are the best kind of people to work with—kind and gracious.

*Literary Blooms* make these incredible flowers made from book pages. They also do custom orders and bridal bouquets! Love them and need to have them make some bouquets out of my own book babies one day.

*Cutting Boredom* makes these awesome bookish coasters out of wood but they also make serving boards for charcuterie trays in the shape of books. And they can do custom orders!

*Over The Clipbow* is my go-to for drink cozies and paperclip bookmarks I use for my 37 planners. And the owner is fantastic and a sweetheart.

I’m not sure if this one is considered a small shop but I received a beautiful “Be You Bravely” leather bracelet as a gift and the tag was from *Laurel Denise*. I absolutely love it and the meaning card included. It makes a wonderful gift for anyone that needs a gentle reminder. The website says free shipping on all jewelry too.

Let me know if you have any small shops you love around this time of year! I’d love to find some new ones. Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving if you’re in the US and celebrating.

Stay safe and I’ll see you next week.

Ashley