Monday, December 8, 2014

T Stands For Small Business Saturday

I realize that many who live in Europe had never heard of Black Friday until this year.  It's obviously the biggest American shopping day of the year and starts the Christmas shopping frenzy.  Always held the day after Thanksgiving (a very American holiday), many businesses in America rely on Black Friday to bolster their 4th quarter sales.  To go along with that, in America, at least, we have what is called "Small Business Saturday," the day after Black Friday.  This is where you honor and shop at small local businesses.  To add to that, we also have Cyber Monday, where shoppers can go online and find many bargains.

However, I shopped at only local places this year for the gifts I don't intend to make.  Along the way, I visited
this wonderful boutique called Bungalow 26, where you can buy just about any and everything handmade by local (and some not so local) artists.  While there, I took a few photos of the tea gifts they have to offer.










Deb pointed out the other day that she would rather buy at the big box stores.  Granted, these are things I would either choose to make myself or buy at less expensive places, but there were lots of other gifts I would never have been able to get anywhere but in a boutique similar to this one.










Whether you are a coffee or tea snob, or somewhere in between, please join Bluebeard and me for a cuppa this, cuppa that by linking below for T this Tuesday.



I just read my blog may require the capcha robot words.  This is NOT my doing, so please let me know if it's happening to you.  I have checked and this is NOT coming from my end.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Bridget Larsen said...

I've never heard of black friday either except if it was the 13th day of the month that falls on a Friday. Our sales bolster day is 26th December or Boxing day. Love those pyramid tea bags, never seen them here. That store is just amazing, wish we had a store like that, I'd be in there every week lol
Bridget #1

Bridget Larsen said...

I tried to reply to you via email but I dont have your email address. It always reverts to noreply comment. What do you mean by you have to fill in numbers, please email me more bridget.larsen@gmail.com oh BTW so is yours

Krisha said...

I don't normally make purchases at these small boutiques, but once in awhile I find something that is so unique, or something that I KNOW was meant for a friend......then I buy it!!! LOL

Even though I'm not an avid tea drinker, I like those pyramid looking tea thingies (very technical verbage don't ya think?)

Bridget Larsen said...

ok you need to set your comments to embed to remove the recaptcha house number verification

Halle said...

I love small boutiques. They always have such unique goods.

dawn said...

Happy Tuesday Elizabeth! I will be back later to read your post, only had time to write mine and link it up here. Make sure Bleubeard reads my post, there is a surprise.

Robyn said...

As a small business person, I thank you for lifting up buying local and putting your money where your mouth is (pun intended !)

Robyn said...

no capcha on my end!

froebelsternchen said...

What a lovely shop! Thank you for sharing! Happy T-Day dear Elizabeth!
Big hug to Bleubeard!
xxx
Susi

Helen said...

I've known about black friday for some years, but this year was the first that the UK seemed to really embrace it, and it only made news headlines because of a few isolated places where there was trouble in the stores.
The shop looks fabulous, with lots of tea-related goodies to sigh over (although maybe not the "weird" flavours - I like my tea "normal"! )

Darla said...

This looks like the kind of small shop I would enjoy. I didn't shop on Saturday but do try to support small businesses whenever I can. I like the interesting tea's you showed but I would really like to have a look at all those old pieces of silverware. When is the last time you used a fish knife or a berry spoon? I like the old odd pieces.

Darla (no robot today - thanks!)

Divers and Sundry said...

We need our small business! I support them when I can, but we don't buy as much as we used to.

johanna said...

thanks for all These wonderful photos! they Transport the cozy mood in These small Shops!

Dianne said...

I adore shops like this! yes, a bit more expensive but they nearly always have a mark down bin. I love the way they display their wares, and I can get ideas for ways to bundle gifts together and for 'wrapping.' gorgeous silver tea spoons...I have a few, but mine were handed down in the family or bought at an antique mall. clever idea to imprint phrases on them! Love your post today....happy T day! ♥

~*~Patty S said...

Hello E! Happy to be back in blogland and I see I have lots of catching up to do.
Your small business posts are great and this shop looks really fun. It's neat how altered cutlery has taken hold and I enjoy those silky tea bags and the little wired leaves that come with each tea forte !
There is a lot to be said for small shops and their charm.
Happy T Day oxo

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I love to browse in shops with unique and unusual things. It was fun to see those pyramid tea bags and all the cutlery with stamps words. I liked the server that said "piece of cake"! Very clever. Happy T Day!

jinxxxygirl said...

Happy T day Elizabeth AND Bleubeard! I just LOVE those pyramid tea bags Elizabeth....Love them so much infact i might just drop a pretty penny on them to have them. I'm gonna have to see if i can find some for my daughter for Christmas . She would just LOVE them. I love to browse these shops i just rarely if ever , ever buy... Thanks for taking us along. Hugs! deb

Rita said...

I've always wanted to try those fancy pyramid tea bags just because they are the coolest looking things. Those kind of shops usually have items you can't find anywhere else--like those spoons. Neat little shop. Happy T-Day! :)

Anonymous said...

I've already discovered a couple of places like this close to home. I love to shop local and support my communities. My new favorite little gallery all handmade and local is called tulips! xox

dawn said...

Hello and Happy T Day on Thursday, sorry I'm late. Computer is being really sllllow right now, hoping nothing serious with it.
What a cute place this is, I enjoyed it all. You always have the fun places to visit, either my area doesn't have any or they are well hidden. Great place to share on T Day.

Read through your posts above and enjoyed them too. Again, so nice you have places to visit. Your cards are awesome!!

I am sorry if I upset you about the DLP. No worries if your not up to it, you do A LOT of projects already and do them so well. My thoughts were just because your so imaginative and creative and I love all your art. I am very sorry if I upset you in any way, was not my intent.

On the same note, I'm hoping not to spend any money on DLP next year. Just for the book I will use, not using a planner like them. I just like the prompts, that will be all I do in my book.

Have a good rest of week and weekend. Stay warm!