 I'm always an advocate for shopping small and supporting local businesses when possible. So, this year I decided to put together a shopping guide that highlights some of the amazing businesses, artists, and makers in the Pittsburgh area. There's ONE MILLION shopping guides floating around the internet this time of the year, but this one hits close to home. Literally. Shopping local helps out your co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends. It truly helps the local community thrive. I can't even begin to scratch the surface of all of the great small makers that deserve a shoutout, but here I highlight a few that have caught my attention this year. No matter who you're shopping for or what your budget is, I encourage you to consider shopping small this season! Let the shopping begin: PGH CANDLE When I started putting this guide together there was really no question if PGH Candle would be included. I ooo'd and ahhh'd over their hand-poured, soy candles for well over a year on Instagram before finally giving them a try. Now, I can now say with confidence they're one of my favorite local candle businesses. First of all, the scents are very unique. (Hello Pomegranate Cider and White Sage + Lavender) Secondly, the 16 oz. jars have an 80 hour burn time, so you can keep them around for quite awhile. The gift that keeps on giving! On top of smelling incredible, there's some other notable perks. These candles are all-natural and made from 100% soy wax. That means they're clean burning. They don't produce any harmful gases or soot and produce a stronger scent when lit. FOR WHO: PGH Candle is a great option for friends, family, a significant other, a grab bag, secret santa... literally anyone. The boys on your list might even be into scents like "Fresh Coffee Beans" or "Whiskey". WHERE TO FIND THEM: PGH Candle products are available for purchase on their website, but their also available at tons of local retailers around Pittsburgh. Check out the list here. WHAT I'M LOVING: The 16 oz. Rosemary + Fig candle INSTAGRAM: @pghcandle Gold School JEWELRY When it comes to jewelry, gold is my love language. So naturally, Gold School immediately caught my eye when it made it's debut last January. I own a beautiful pair of their tortoise shell earrings and they have easily become my favorite set in my jewelry box. Their earrings are handmade here in Pittsburgh and the brand strives to reinvent looks from the past. They've got some very groovy vibes going on and I am 100% here for it. FOR WHO: Mom, grandma, girlfriend, BFF, sister... all the ladies in your life! Gold School has some simple/minimalistic designs and bolder statement pieces as well. WHERE TO FIND THEM: You can shop Gold School's Etsy page or be on the lookout for fun pop-ups around town! Tip: Sign up for their email list to get 10% off your order. WHAT I'M LOVING: These tortoise shell drop earrings have my heart. INSTAGRAM: @goldschoolpgh OLD SOUL NEW AGE MACRAME I've been on a major macrame kick for about four years now. I can't get enough of it. (Honest moment: I've recently had to start packing away some of my macrame hangings because there's just not enough wall space in our house. A "kick" is an understatement.) So, when I stumbled upon Leah's Instagram page a few months ago, my eyes lit up. Outside of just wall hangings, the Old Soul New Age shop offers tons of out-of-the-box makings like earrings, keychains, purses, headbands, and more. Old Soul New Age is part small business, but also part lifestyle blog where Leah let's her creativity flow. Check out her blog for macrame styling tips and local adventures! FOR WHO: Your sister, BFF, girlfriend, or anyone that would appreciate something trendy and handmade. WHERE TO FIND THEM: You can shop Leah's Etsy page here. WHAT I'M LOVING: I recently bought these pumpkin covers, but heading into the holiday season I'm eyeing up these keychains (stocking stuffers!) and these cute little ornaments for the tree. INSTAGRAM: @old.soul_new.age Pittsburgh Popcorn If you've been following along for awhile now or you know me personally, you know my love for popcorn is real and true. So, it shouldn't come as a shock that Pittsburgh Popcorn Co. made the list. Between visiting friends and family and holiday parties, there's always a need for good host/hostess gifts. And who doesn't love some good popcorn?! Pittsburgh Popcorn is a great option because it's easy and highly snack-able. No mess, no clean-up, and it's not over-the-top. Plus, it's fresh and kinda of unique. I think it's safe to say the holiday party will have enough sugar cookies... FOR WHO: The party/dinner host or the office crew. WHERE TO FIND THEM: They have 8 locations around Pittsburgh or you can place an order online. WHAT I'M LOVING: All. of. it. I'm a popcorn fanatic and I honestly can say I love all of PPC's flavors. To keep it festive, I recommend going for the Chunky Chocolate Caramel. INSTAGRAM: @pittsburghpopcornco from the field pgh If you're looking for a more personal gift this year, From the Field PGH is the move. You'll find lots of cute Pittsburgh-centric, holiday, or special occasion wooden signs. Each sign is unique and most can be customized with coordinates, names, zipcodes, etc. The shop's mission is to create things that "celebrate memories in your life", so these handmade items would make a great gift for the people in your life celebrating a milestone. FOR WHO: The diehard Pittsburgher, the newlyweds, the teacher, or the new mom. WHERE TO FIND THEM: You can shop the Etsy page here or keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming pop-ups, workshops, and events! WHAT I'M LOVING: I'm still in the process of adding decor to my house (does that actually ever end?) and I have my eye on this mason jar vase. INSTAGRAM: @fromthefieldpgh SLP.made It's no secret that Pittsburgh winters a real bummer sometimes. It's safe to say you can't go wrong with gifting some winter weather gear. SLPmade has a great collection of beautiful, handmade beanies, as well as tassel earrings, scarves, and keychains. There's a large variety of colors and designs. (Like hearts, plaid, stripes, etc.) Plus, you can even choose what kind of pom you'd like on top. The poms are removable and interchangeable! There's no doubt these these hats are some of the coziest around. They're thick, high-quality, and bonus points: how cute are they?! FOR WHO: Sister, BFF, sister-in-law, or cousin. WHERE TO FIND THEM: You can shop the Etsy page here. WHAT I'M LOVING: I have an obsession with mustard tones this year, so this hat is top of my Christmas list! INSTAGRAM: @slp.made she papery I have a love hate relationship with stocking stuffers... I love the idea, but I really can't handle anymore nail polish and chocolate bars. (Sorry mom!) On that note, may I introduce She Papery. This local business offers a small collection of hand-lettered goods like stickers, sweatshirts, mugs, ornaments, and pins; all with the mission to "love and spread love". The stickers and pins are exactly what I would want to find in my stocking! FOR WHO: Any lady in your life! WHERE TO FIND THEM: You can shop one of two ways: You can browse products on the website here, or you can request a custom order with names or dates. WHAT I'M LOVING: *Adds 10 of the Rainbow Sun Stickers to cart* INSTAGRAM: @shepapery MORE LOCAL businesses TO CONSIDER:1. If you're on the hunt for clothes, check out some of these Pittsburgh boutiques! 2. If you're shopping for a beauty guru, check out Una Biologicals. 3. If greenery is on the list, snag a plant from City Grows or Synthesis. 4. Need some cute (or funny) holiday cards? Kards Unlimited or WildCard is the move. 5. Not sure what you're looking for? The Farmer's Daughter and love, Pittsburgh are great little gift shops that offer a wide variety of gifts. 6. Got a coffee addict on your hands? The Coffee Passport is a really great gift option. 7. Trying to figure out something for a DIYer? A gift card to Board & Brush or The Candle Lab is a great idea. 8. Everyone has a boozy friend. A bottle of cider from Threadbare or a bottle of wine from Narcisi Winery checks that box. OUT OF THE BOXAside from just material gifts, I'm also a huge advocate for gifting "experiences". Here's a few quick ideas:
IT GETS BETTERHead to the Burghologie Instagram on Monday, December 2nd to enter to win goodies from PGH Candle, Gold School, Old Soul New Age Macrame, Pittsburgh Popcorn, From The Field PGH, SLPmade, and She Papery! In total, the giveaway package is worth over $190! Keep it all for yourself or share the wealth as gifts for friends and family. The choice is yours. I'll see you over on the 'gram on Monday!
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  There's something about a local boutique that just makes shopping so much more fun. Whether it's the neighborhood, the decor, the one-of-a-kind finds, or the warm welcomes, it's a special experience. With that said, I'm excited to say that I've teamed up with my friend, Meredith Kearns of The Look by Meredith, to co-create a guide to Pittsburgh's best boutique shopping spots! Meredith is one of the most fashionable people I know, so you know these shops are the real deal! From eccentric boho chic finds to unique business casual pieces, here are our top ten picks: BONUS: All ten of these local shops are owned and operated by badass ladies. #GirlPower 1. Lynn & Barrett | @lynnandbarrett Lynn & Barrett is a small clothing boutique owned by a mother/daughter dream team. The Pittsburgh-based location is tucked away in the quaint little neighborhood of Crafton; with the original location based in Wintersville, Ohio. L&B is a go-to for casual looks and unique accessories at an affordable price. The shop is small, but we promise you'll feel right at home! The family-owned vibes really carry through the business. 2. No. 14 | @no14boutique Ahhh, one of our very favorites! When it comes to Pittsburgh boutiques, No. 14 is a true gem. Nestled on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, this bright and airy little shop is stocked with everything you need to keep your look fresh all year round. Inside you'll find a super-friendly and fun staff, a seasonal clothing collection, unique jewelry, and even some custom-made hair accessories. Whether you splurge on some new looks or just happen to sneak a selfie with the infamous pink knight, there's a 100% chance you'll leave this boutique looking good and feeling good. CAUTION: A trip to No. 14 may result in croissants. The shop just happens to be neighbors with La Gourmandine Bakery! 3. Pavement | @shop_pavement_pgh Pavement, another Butler Street staple, is a boho chic DREAM. Whether it's the unique accessories and fun apparel or the enormous plants and wallpaper patterns, you'll instantly feel a little "cooler", a little "calmer", and little more "collected" when you step in the door. The shop's collection is hand-picked and most of the clothing is even made here in the US. Some of Pavement's go-to brands are Stateside, Chaser, and Three Dots. With a cozy boutique like this, you might just want to kick back and stay awhile! 4. Whiskey Moon Boutique | @whiskeymoonboutique Heading to a different corner of the city, Whiskey Moon Boutique in Southside is another great place to shop... or should we say treat yo' self! This East Carson store is owned by another mother/daughter duo and offers a wide range of apparel, accessories, home goods, and even a variety of beauty products. The shop's collection covers everything from hoodies to night out essentials. Just recently, they've also thrown an activewear line into the mix! 5. Apricot Lane | @aprictlanepittsburgh Apricot Lane is a newcomer to Pittsburgh's boutique shopping scene. Although AL is technically a national franchise, each location is locally-owned and managed... that's local enough for us! You can find this cute, extra-girly shop on Walnut Street in Shadyside. Their vibe is very feminine and flirty and their collection offers a mixture of casual and formal looks along with accessories and gifts! Make a day of your trip to Walnut Street and grab a coffee at Jitter's or stop in for brunch at Cafe Moulin. 6. Lex & Lynne | @lexandlynne Located in Sewickley, Lex & Lynne is a staple for dreamy, chic, and resort wear pieces. This high-end boutique is known for its refined womenswear, lifestyle pieces, and their recently added custom sweater line— full of cozy knits handcrafted in Mexico. If accessories are more your thing, they also carry their own line of handmade jewelry. Before you hit the beach or jet set off to your summer escape, make a stop at Lex & Lynne to stock up on those insta-worthy styles. 7. Peter Lawrence | @peterlawrencepgh Peter Lawrence is a hot new downtown boutique that offers an array of professional and casual clothing. This women’s-focused boutique is the sister store of Heinz Healey’s, a longstanding local men’s clothing store. Peter Lawrence provides customers with a mix of contemporary and traditional pieces from lines such as Jon Josef, Joseph Ribkoff, and Alberto Makali. On the upper mezzanine, the boutique rocks an array of shoes, scarves, and purses, including a few of the popular Rebecca Minkoff bags. Business ladies: hit up this new shop to freshen up your 9-5 look. 8. Boutique La Passerelle | @bout_blp Another well-known downtown women’s store, Boutique La Passerelle offers designs hand-picked from Portugal and France. Twice a year, the owner and manager travel abroad to scope out the latest trends and bring those finds back to Pittsburgh. Fun fact: Boutique La Passerelle only stocks one of each size (for each piece). Knowing it's truly rare, you can rock that buy with confidence! This downtown pick is the place to go for fun, fresh fashion that you won’t find in a normal department store. 9. Make & Matter | @shopmakeandmatter Where my crafty girls at?! This Lawrenceville newcomer is for you. True to its name, Make & Matter specializes in ethically-made clothing, accessories, jewelry, and gift items. Their Butler Street shop hosts a rotating group of designers every two months. Some of those makers have even found a more long-term home and are now permanent staples in the shop. Rebekah, one of the boutique's founders, really upholds the essence of Make + Matter with her zero waste clothing line, Flux Bene. Each item is made of up-cycled garments and second market materials. (This just means the clothes won’t be worn again in their normal condition.) How cool is that?! Whether you're shopping for yourself or treating someone else, we guarantee any item you buy from Make & Matter will be sure to impress. 10. Kristi Boutique | @kristiboutique15215 And the final act: Kristi Boutique! This Aspinwall shop live by the tagline "Authentic Style for Authentic Women." (We'll cheers to that!) The owner carefully curates a collection that includes everything from jeans and sweaters to handbags and accessories. The coolest thing about this boutique is their loyalty program. For every dollar you spend, you gain two Kristi points. After reaching 2,000 points, you receive a $20 gift card. That's a pretty awesome perk! If you're on the hunt for some professional styling advice or just looking to refresh your wardrobe, Kristi is your girl and Kristi Boutique is your spot. As you can see, Pittsburgh is actually much more stylish than you might think. It's not all Steelers jerseys and baseball caps. It's certainly not an NYC, but we've got a little something going on and it's only up from here! Over the past couple of weeks, we stopped into a few Lawrenceville boutiques to spark some inspiration for this guide. Be sure to check out some pics in the gallery below! Side note: If you have an event coming up and could use some styling help, hit up my girl Meredith. She's truly talented! Shoot her an email at thelookbymeredith@gmail.com!    Whether you're a newbie in town or you've called Pittsburgh home your whole life, there's just something special about The Strip District. It's an up-and-coming neighborhood with historic charm, what isn't to love? I've been to The Strip more times than I can count, but I still find something new to appreciate with each visit. From diner eats and espresso to flowers and fresh produce, here's a few of my favorite stops. DELUCA'SDeLuca's Diner claims to be home to the "best breakfast in town" and I would have to agree! This Strip District staple is certainly nothing fancy, but it has an old-timey feel and the food is delicious. With pancakes, waffles, french toast, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and even a variety of lunch eats, it's true "good mood food." BEFORE YOU GO: You should know that DeLuca's is strictly cash only! ALLEGHENY COFFEE Four words: Chocolate! Covered! Coffee! Beans! You cannot make a stop in Allegheny Coffee without grabbing a handful of choco coffee beans and taking a moment to take in the amazing smells. This local coffee roaster is a Strip District must. Swing by and grab your favorite roast, a micro-brewed draft coffee, or just a quick wiff! ROXANNE'SFor all of the flower lovers out there, this one's for you! Roxanne's Dried Flowers is a shop filled with gorgeous and totally unique preserved flowers, wreaths, arrangements, and handmade goods. The vibe is natural and organic and the whole place is one giant photo opp. Tip: Check out the garden in the back! penn mac If you're a fan of Italian food, you may have just discovered your new favorite spot. From fresh meat and cheese to every shape of pasta you can imagine, Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. has been helping Pittsburghers carb load for well over 100 years. If you're thinking of chefin' up an Italian meal, swing by to snag some authentic ingredients... and a little culinary inspiration. LA PRIMAIf you haven't been able to tell by now, I'm a bit of a caffeine addict. And there's really nothing better than strolling the Strip on a chilly weekend morning sipping a hot latte from La Prima. This small espresso spot tucked away off of Penn Ave. boasts THE BEST espresso in Pittsburgh... in my opinion. Bonus: You might just catch an adorable group of elderly Italian men sipping their coffee and enjoying a game of cards! STREET VENDORSI've rambled on about a few of my favorites, but there's sooooo many incredible bakeries, restaurants, storefronts, shops, and specialty stores that have called the Strip District home for decades. From fresh produce and flowers to homemade pierogies and hot pepperoni rolls, you'll need one big ass tote bag and an empty stomach for your stroll down Penn Avenue.  |
