The deal.... :)

I lived the last 46 years of my life in Mesa, Arizona.

 I had my pick of like 4 different Targets and 

the best TJ Maxx Home Goods evah just 

a short drive from home.

And then I moved....

The closest Target is about 25 minutes away, and that's not

so bad. But TJ??? I think the closest one is an hour and

a half away:( :( :( and it's not a Home Goods :( :( :(

Now you have to understand, these stores were my go to places.

Ya know what I mean? Like there's pretty much nothing in the world

that I couldn't find in either of them!

You can start rolling your eyes about now...

because I was really kind of freaking out! 

Well one morning when I was walking Wallace and wondering to myself

how I was going to tackle this first world problem-

I nearly stepped on this piece of paper.

Love Carpinteria 

BE PROUD TO SPEND DOLLARS LOCALLY

Duh!!!

I seriously was laughing to myself. 

I happened to live in the sweetest town with the most 

adorable little shops full of goodies carefully picked

out by their hardworking owners:)

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday.

It's a day that encourages holiday shoppers to hit the brick and mortar

businesses that are small and local.

No one better understands this concept than the gals at 

Restylesource, a guide to all things local!!

You guys want eye candy? Oh my. Go look.

Restylesource strongly believes that supporting local businesses

keeps our communities vibrant, healthy and strong:)

And I have to agree!!

 I went out and snapped some pics of just a few of my

fave little stores downtown here in Carp:)

Whimsy Antiques:)

This store was one of the first places I went into when I moved here.

And you know what? the next time I went in, the gal there

remembered me!!!

I loved that:)

I'm kinda regretting I didn't take these lil guys

home with me:(

Soap.

I LOVE this little store!! And Daniel..what a sweetheart!

It's full of soaps, lotions, candles and some

fab robes and jammies!!

I had to take a pic of this adorable lady.

I mean, look at her collar! And just imagine this-

she walked over to this shelf and said "well look 

at these chaps!" in the sweetest accent.

I was dying. and staring. and wanting to beg her to be my friend.

Seastrand.

Oh this store...

The owners are this sweet young couple with an eye

for goodies:) and always up for good conversation.

I love that:)

And I want that sweater.

And there's a big chance I'm gonna have this someday soon.

The owner's friend makes them:)

Robitaille's Candies.

This store has been here in Carp for over 40 years.

In 1985 they were chosen the "Official Mint of the 50th Presidential Inauguration".

You walk in and immediately smell their homemade fudge.

You know what else you'll smell?

Fresh popcorn:)

Imagine me driving a stick shift while enjoying this yumminess 

on the way home:)

Bon Fortune.

Sigh....

I practically begged this woman to hire me... for free:)

This store is just so fun to walk around in and you WILL

want to have a party. I mean come on! I NEED that teepee!!

I've really come to love this shopping local. I love the chatting, 

the familiar faces of the employees, 

the experience you get when

you walk in a store and leave with a new friend:) 

So if you want to sleep in a tent in the parking lot of Best Buy to get that

deal on Friday, then do it!

But come Saturday? Think outside the box!!

Get out and hit up your local mom and pop shops.

Personally, I think it's a waaay better deal:)

Happy Thanksgiving!!