My Favorite Things (and Shops) for 2023
Gifts and shops I love, with an emphasis on makers & small businesses
If everyone else can do a holiday favorite things gift guide, well, so can I, right? I’ve focused this list on products that I have used and love, as well as products and businesses made by/owned by BIPOC, women, and/or LGBTQ+ folks. If I have a discount code, I will share it, and I will include disclaimers for when I have a personal relationship with the maker/owner.1
My Favorite Things for 2023
Bon Bon Bon Dark Chocolate Box of Bons (starting at $21)
Five years ago, on a cold winter night, I sat with friends in their Baltimore shop and ate Bon Bon Bons—and since then I have become a raving fangirl for this woman-owned business out of Detroit.2 I’ve tried many flavors, but I have to say that the dark chocolate Bons are my favorites. If you’re in the Detroit area, stop by one of their shops to create your own box, or order online.
Jinji Chocolate Liquid Dark Chocolate ($8)
This Baltimore-based chocolatier makes chocolate products that make me feel self-righteous and morally superior because they are vegan and organic. One of my favorites is their Liquid Dark Chocolate: squeeze some into hot milk for cocoa, drizzle some onto a warm cookie, top off a frozen dessert. Their bars and truffles are also delicious, and Jinji and her father, Guy, are some of the kindest, funniest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Note: this product is currently out of stock, but you can get on their list to be notified when it’s available.
Meet Haus Forest candle ($25)
The company founder, Jon-Michael Moses, is a friend of mine, and when I found out he’d started this new company, he gave me a sampler of Meet Haus candles to try out. The Forest candle is by far my favorite: the scent is fresh and long-lasting without being cloying or heavy, and the soy wax burns cleanly. Definitely start following Meet Haus now, because he’s planning to release some very cool items, and you want to be the one saying you shopped there long before Oprah and Reese.
Mincing Mockingbird journals ($8.50-$32)
Yes, I love me some notebooks, and the ones from Mincing Mockingbird come with some of the funniest labels on them. The Creative Ramblings of a Restless Mind could have been the title of my memoir3, but instead it was my October 2022 journal. If I hadn’t already committed myself to another planner, I would get the undated one with This Planner Allows Me to Feel Some Sort of Control over My Life on the front. The paper is great for all sorts of writing tools if you like writing with fountain pens, pencils, gel pens, or whatever is handy.
Mt Royal Soap Co. Magic 8 Balm ($9.99)
Several years ago, I met Pat, Sam, and Matt, the founding trio of Mt. Royal Soap Co., by way of Write Notepads. While I’ve tried many of their products, the Magic 8 Balm is by far my favorite as it’s so versatile. Emulsify a little in your hands and apply all over face, then remove with a soft clean cloth to gently remove makeup, including waterproof mascara. Dab some on your kisser for a quick lip balm. Rub into dry skin for moisturizing. Keep the tin in your backpack or bag and you are ready for anything!
Pencil Revolution Press hardcover journals ($25)
My dear friend Johnny Gamber is the brains behind these handcrafted hardcover journals at Pencil Revolution Press. I have received several of his journals as gifts, and my favorites by far are the hardcover journals (aka casebound). These notebooks come in a smaller, A6-ish size (what he calls “café size”), perfect for carrying in a pocket for on-the-fly sketching or journaling, but he also offers A5-sized journals if you like something bigger for daily writing. He will take custom orders if you have something specific in mind, too.
Skinsational Scents Whipped Avocado Butter ($15.99)
Last November, I found this whipped avocado butter at the Skinsational Scents shop near me and fell in love. It’s thick, but melts into the skin and lasts all day long. This company offers an unscented version, which is great if you don’t want your skincare products to clash with your favorite perfume (like me), but you can also get it scented with one of their many fragrance oil options. Note: If you have an avocado allergy, they also offer aloe, shea, cocoa, and almond butters.
Write Notepads & Co. Landscape Ruled Notebook ($20)
I have been a raving fangirl of this company for over five years now, and have worked for Write Notepads in the past. Their Landscape Ruled Notebook is by far one of my favorite notebooks they make, as it’s perfect for taking notes while on the computer during a webinar or Zoom call. Left-handed folks love it because the spiral binding doesn’t get in their way while writing. Comes in several different colors. Use my code to get 10% off your first order.
Two Shops Well Worth a Virtual or IRL Visit
McPherson Local (Saline, MI)
I first learned of this general store based in Saline, Michigan, from my cousin who lives nearby. Owner Jen sells only Michigan-made products, from hot sauce to jewelry, soaps to home décor, stickers to tchotchkes. As the product of two Michiganders, I am a fan of the Great Lakes State and a huge advocate for its makers (see also: Bon Bon Bon), so a store like McPherson Local is an absolute gem. This store is a delight to visit in person, and following Jen’s posts on Facebook and Instagram is sure to make you smile.
Pandora’s Box Boutique (Baltimore, MD)
I had been following Pandora’s Box Boutique on Instagram for a while before I actually made it into the Baltimore shop, where owner Monisha greeted me with a friendly smile. I have been known to howl with laughter over the sassy, sometimes profanity-laden products she offers in store and online, and have purchased gifts here for friends and family. She’s got quite a few products from Baltimore makers, such as Tiny Dog Press, Row House 14, and Pangea Printing. Swing by the shop in Federal Hill or check them out online.
What’s on your favorite things list this year?
I’ll be honest, there are quite a few on this list where I have a personal relationship with the owner/maker.
Back in 2018 or so, the owner of Write Notepads, Chris Rothe, created a custom notebook for Bon Bon Bon, and he received a selection of Bons to try out and share, which is how I found out about the chocolatier.
Or one of my memoirs, anyway.