A good coffee shop

 Since we spend a good portion in coffee shops.  Some of us more than others. We thought we'd tell you our take on a good coffee shop. Besides good coffee. 

One of the big things is a good table.  One that doesn't shake when you sit down. You know the ones where you are looking for a piece of paper to put under one of the legs. Grabbing your coffee/drink before it spills.  Also a table that is large enough to put a tablet and coffee on. It doesn't have to be a four seater but not so small you're reaching behind tablet for the coffee.

Okay we are seated now coffee in hand.  A selection of pastries and a variety of other choices. We're not talking full meals but bagels, sandwiches, and maybe soup.  Oh also for the coffee we want a good mug. Not a three mouthful and gone mug. One of us judges a good mug by how many fingers she can get into the handle. Comfortable.

We're not talking a chain here for our coffee shop. Local and maybe even know the owner or servers by name.  A chain often has a set look.  If local anything goes decor wise.  We've been in a few coffee shops where they have local art.  Supporting local artists is great and love seeing that. Community supporting community. 

Also opening up the coffee shop to events.  Or showcasing other products.  To have a local coffee shop that supports the community.  Plus good coffee, treats, table and chairs.  We're good to go.

Shameless wants ! !

 This is a total shameless, not relevant to anything post.  If you want to spend a few minutes browsing through nothing majorly important here it is.  Below are some items we have come across recently that we are wanting.  In no particular order....

Inspired by Charm totally obsessed by these ghost tea lights. Want.

Want one of these essential oil diffusers.  

A friends' spa weekend. Somewhere within driving distance.

What about starting a collection of seasonal coffee mugs?

Local artisan pottery.  No link as I want us all to be shopping local for this!

Hmm....thinking I might want a vintage rug or two.

What about you?  Drop in the comments your wants so we can check them out!

Artisan Boxes

 It has been an incredible hard year plus for everyone.  Kids have been in and out of school. People are working from home that never signed on for that. Grandparents are not seeing grandchildren and travel is well non-existent.  

Small businesses are struggling. Yes things are opening up and hopefully will stay open for the summer season and local tourists can take up the slack from no out of province visitors. This will be another hard summer for small business that rely on visitors coming to cities and local areas.  

We wanted to showcase one way people can help small business and local artisans by purchasing gift boxes. These boxes are put together to showcase artisan products. These products range from jewelry, soup, pottery, essential oils, candles and more.  WOW something for everyone. So if you want to support artisans here are a few boxes we think would do the trick.

Blush Box some high-end products that are not sample sizes. The spring box had a beautiful gold necklace, earrings, candle and more. Definitely check it out.

Hodgepodge artisan box is cheaper than the Blush Box so maybe more affordable for individuals. Again local Nova Scotia products in this one.

Happy Artisan Gift Box this box is made from Alberta artisans producing small batches of products at home. 

Joy Box a larger producing box. Can also build your own box. Has seasonal and special occasion boxes as well.

We know this is a small sample of artisan gift boxes out here. They are all Canadian in different areas of the country. If you know and/or have an artisan gift box you can recommend please drop it in the comments so we can check it out. It feels good to support artisans and this gives you a taste of more than one!

Doing the holidays a little differently

 I'm sure we have all seen the ads on Facebook - support local.  They were there for you when your softball, school fair or whatever fundraiser you were doing wanted an item to raffle off.  Apparently we have no problem asking for free stuff but bulk when local businesses have to charge us more for an item we can order on-line for a soul-less big business.

We appreciate money is tight but maybe people can purchase less stuff - do your kids need ten items from Santa? What about taking the opportunity to create a lesson in giving back as part of a holiday tradition?  Local businesses need our help.  If we don't support and at least do a small part when things get back to normal they won't be around for you to ask for free stuff.  It works both ways.

This is about community.  Amazon and other on-line businesses are not part of our community.  Have they every given you something for a raffle?  Sponsored you? Your child?  Yet we are so fast handing them money because it is a deal.  You are lining big business pockets. Support community. Support local.  Be there for businesses and individuals that were there for you.  Be a good person not a materialistic consumer.