This past year has been both fruitful and challenging. It’s been a year of personal and professional growth, grief and thankfully joy. But for this moment, let’s stick to growth and joy. I’m pleased to present a gift guide of my favorite makers, clients, and friends. When we shop small, we make a lasting impact in the lives of dreamers everywhere.
Coffee for the soul
If you know me, you know that Ethan & the Bean has been my salvation. It is my refuge and a beacon in our community. When I joined the team, I realized our primary mission was to create employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In creating this space, we also realized a need to cultivate relationships and creativity. To that end, we have been working on developing art centered programming and hosting pop-ups to showcase artists in our beloved shop. On December 5, we will have a holiday marketplace featuring the following smaller businesses and makers who have given of themselves and their time to bolster our mission. Hope you will join us!
Daniela Zangara Moran: Jewelry and small paintings
Jilly’s Arts & Crafts: Hand painted birdhouses
Mom Bun Candle Co: Holiday scented candles
Rising Above Bakery: Decorate your own cookie and packaged granola
Rei’s Reys: Canvas Totes, notebooks and handbags
Lois Conrad: Sewn bags, mug rugs and assorted holiday projects
Love and Flow Studio: Sage, totes, and assorted items
Extra Lucky Moms: Merch and more
Pastabilities: Fresh pasta by the portion and a demonstration by Chef Lisa Britting
Bloomed by Cait: Ornaments and hand burned wooden novelties
Ethan and the Bean also developed a darling candle collaboration with local business, Mom Bun. The available scents are Hazelnut Coffee and Banana Bread! YUM.
These stickers make great stocking stuffers too and look adorable on a water bottle or tumbler.
Honoring our heritage
It’s been the honor of a lifetime to work with my sister friend Rossella Rago as she expands her business and honors our Italian-American heritage. She finished her third! book in the Cooking with Nonna series and I had the privilege of working closely with her throughout the process. The culmination of the project was surely the 6 day photo shoot with an exceptional team. It was an experience I’ll cherish.
While you can’t get your hands on this book until next holiday season, you can shop some of her splendid imports I share below and support this group of stellar professionals: Evi Abeler Photography and Debbie Wee Food Styling & Recipe Development. Prop Stylist, Paige Hicks also has the most profound prop studio in Brooklyn should you have use for her services.
Everyone needs their very own Pastina Bowl.
Where are all my Sicilians? La Bottega della Nonna sources the best of what Sicily has to offer.
And who doesn’t love all things Dominick the Donkey!?
Home is where the art is
Through my work with Ethan & the Bean, I met a literal “Rei” of light, the artist Regine Jean Louis, and we’ve begun work together. Born in Haiti, she celebrates her origin story. In her words, her first memories of life and the power of art come from when her toes touched the soil of her homeland…She followed her father’s footsteps as an artist and found her escape through the canvas. Her stunning works are available on totes, handbags, journals, and more. They are truly one of a kind. Shop HERE
A meal for the family from a family
I’ve been graced to meet yet another family who is working to make a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sorriso Kitchen located in Chatham is run by the Bellas family and has been open for 3 years! On their day off, Mondays, the Bellases started a job training program for high school students with I/DD. I am tickled to spend my Mondays mornings with these exceptional individuals at a beautiful space aptly named “Smile” in Italian. Shop HERE or visit for a delightful meal!
