I love this even more than Black Friday, while yes it is good to stock up on basics and grabs some electronics and big ticket items, Shop Small Saturday mean so much more. Following the trends these deals are usually available all weekend long! It is so important to support entrepreneurs and local people, whether you know them or not you are making a huge difference in their lives.

I have come from a family that have owned their own businesses so I guess you can say I appreciate it a little bit more. I am making a pledge this year to get all of my gifts for people from small businesses and handmade! These make your gifts so much more thoughtful as well. Some of my favorite places to find these unique gifts are gift markets like the one in Dilworth Park in Center City Philly, I walk past this everyday now and know I will be getting a lot of gifts from this little market! Another fun one in the suburbs is Peddlers village, honestly I have never been there yet but I have heard great things and it is on my bucket list this year.

Etsy is the best for an online market place and you can literally find anything on that site!!

So take a look at some of my favorite boutiques and small businesses to support below! Also please share your favorite small businesses in the comments! I love learning about new local people and places to support!

xoxo Carlita

As I am still in State College with my family enjoying the kick off of the holidays I am sharing my favorite stores around here:

1 . Emporium Market- in the Nittany Mall.

This little shop collects handmade items from people all over Central PA and beyond to give them a creative space to sell their goods. My mom has some of her handmade necklaces, dream catchers, and candles for sale as well as a ton of her house plants! Tons of good deals for Shop Small Saturday thru the cyber sale weekend.

2. Connections Clothing- Downtown on Allen St., State College

This little boutique has been my favorite place to go shopping in State College since I was in middle school or high school. I remember getting my first pay check ever and spending about every dime of it at Connections, because I could and it felt so liberating to buy things I actually worked for. One Free People jacket in particular I bought that day I still own and wear every Fall. They are having 20% off for the weekend, which is huge for a small business!!

Now onto Philly,

3. The Geisha House- Old City

This little boutique (as you know if you have read previous posts or looked at the boutiques I love page on my blog) has been an all time favorite since I moved to Philly almost 5 years ago, and they just had their 7th birthday anniversary! They are having mind blowing deals for the weekend including $10 racks, 25% off select brands, and 30% off the entire store! I am so sad I am not in Philly to actually go shop this sale myself I will definitely be checking out their online selection.

4. The Ritual Ritual now Ritual Shoppe-in Northern Liberties but in the process of moving I believe!

This little shop spoke to my soul the first sunny afternoon I ever strolled in with my friend Marisa when she moved to Northern Liberties a couple years ago. They have so many empowering things for the mind and soul it is such a perfect gift giving store. From tarot card decks to crystals and sage sticks this is a store

5. Smak Parlour- Market St. Old City

I was dying to be able to bring a toy donation for their Toy Drive they were having yesterday in Philly but was still in State College relaxing with the family still. I hope they had an amazing turn out as they were giving you a $30 gift card just for your donation! I have been dying to actually visit this little boutique in the city but just simply fell in love with them over Instagram. They are having 40% off all their online orders this weekend and even sweeter deals in store this weekend!

Last but not least think about all your wonderful friends you can support this holiday season. For instance so many in my family or friend circle are entrepreneurs I am going to try my best to support my inner girl gangs. Consider buying that holiday outfit from clicking through someones blog post. Join that community you can really believe in and support whether it is Young Living Oils, Lularoe, Rodin & Fields, or any of those platforms!!! The possibilities for shopping small are endless.