Sydney Loves Fashion

Nov 11, 2020

Sydlovesfashion Holiday Gift Guide for Girls

The holiday shopping season is here and there are endless options from local stores that will enchant and delight the little ones in your life. From jewelry to candy, cooking classes and books, my six-year-old daughter London helped me compile these gift ideas for all the sweet little girls on your list.

Rainbow Studs, Boma Jewelry

My daughter LOVES these delicate rainbow earrings. I love that they are non-toxic, nickel-free, safe for sensitive ears. These earrings also give back: A portion of the proceeds from every Boma Jewelry purchase benefits the Boma Girl Fund. Boma Jewelry is a Seattle-based brand led by a loving mother of four very sweet little humans.

Beet World Dress

Over the year's my daughter has worn and loved many dresses from Beet World. Based in Kirkland, Beet World makes timeless childrenswear and accessories with a fresh, modern twist. In addition to skirts, dresses, and tops, they've also recently added face masks to the assortment for kids. Beet World is based in Kirkland and is owned by a local mom of two darling little boys.

Cat Studs, Boma Jewelry

My husband is allergic to cats, so for now, my daughter celebrates her love of kittens with these adorable cat earrings from Boma Jewelry. Non-toxic, nickel-free, and safe for everyday wear. View more animal-inspired jewelry here.

FrogLegs Kids Cooking Classes

Give the gift of a kid-friendly culinary experience at FrogLegs Cooking School. All classes are engaging and interactive, plus, they help kids develop a positive attitude toward all types of food. My daughter has done several cooking classes and workshops at FrogLegs and has loved her experience learning how to make new foods each time. The best part of this gift is that the mess happens in someone else's kitchen. :) FrogLegs founder Laura Vida is a local mom who loves teaching kids how to cook.

Andieanderin Women's Suffrage Necktie

The Women's Suffrage Necktie by Andieanderin is inspired by the centennial of the 19th amendment and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These neckties are produced in the USA in a female-run production house and each tie comes packaged in a keepsake box with an illustrated storyboard featuring voting facts. Andieanderin is local company run by two super cool Seattle moms.

Bunnies by The Bay

Little ones will be enchanted with the Bunnies By The Bay Little Star Gift Set from Made in Washington featuring a soft, plush bunny and a bedtime board book. The theme of the book is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Do You Know How Loved You Are?" and is the perfect gift for new arrivals this holiday season.

Paint The Town

Kids who love art will absolutely love Pottery-To-Go Kits from Paint The Town. The kits come with everything kids need to paint a beautiful work of art from home including your choice of ceramics, paint and brushes. Once dry, you simply bring your pottery back to the store for a finishing glaze, and you have a lasting piece of art to cherish for years to come.

The Confectionery

The running joke in our family is that my husband won me over by leaving candy on my desk each time I would leave for meetings. It's safe to say that I've passed my love of candy on to my kids and there's nothing they savor more than a trip to The Confectionery at University Village. At the shop you'll find everything from traditional candy to artisanal chocolates, cards and gifts. The chocolate covered gummy bears are high on our list of favorites, but we can also be easily swayed by the bags of sour gummies and candy fruits. The Confectionery is independently owned by local mom Kristi Holmes.

DIY Doll Kit

Prism in Ballard has adorable DIY Doll Kits that are perfect for mini fashionistas who have their own sense of style. The 100% cotton doll comes with watercolor paint but you can be as creative as you want to be with markers, fabric, glitter, yarn, beads, or anything else that strikes your fancy.

Leopard Coat

London loves leopard print, so this Tucker & Tate Jacket from Nordstrom is perfect for her! This faux fur jacket with cute ears is fully lined so it will keep your little ones warm and is machine washable making it easy to care for, too.

Gold Converse

Both of my kids have lived in Converse for many years. I'm a big fan of the brand and love that they offer velcro and lace-free options. London was immediately drawn to these metallic gold shoes and we managed to snag a pair before they moved over to The Rack. The good news for you is that they are now a fraction of the price and there are still quite a few size options available. London also has this leopard pair that you may like.

Sally Hanson Nail Polish

If you have little ones in your life that love nail polish, I highly recommend getting one that dries quickly. We like using Sally Hanson's Insta Dri nail polish at my house because it dries before my daughter has a chance to smudge it on herself or on our furniture. These polishes are available in a rainbow of colors and make great stocking stuffers!

Barbie Camping Set

The Barbies at our house have taken on a whole new life thanks to COVID. They get to live out all the adventures we can't due to the current travel restrictions. This Barbie Camping Set came home with us after a recent trip to Target and my daughter has been playing daily with it ever since. It comes with a small Barbie, mini car, camper, and accessories.

We hope you enjoyed our holiday gift picks! If you need even more gift ideas, or want to visit some local shops for EVEN MORE gift inspiration, we invite you to check out these local boutiques that stock an amazing assortment for kids.

Queen Anne

Fremont

Ballard

Bellevue

Downtown

Edmonds

Issaquah

University Village

Kids Club

Village Maternity

Holiday Gift Guide: Boma Jewelry Gift Picks

Jewelry is one of my favorite gifts to give and receive during the holiday season. It's deeply personal and most importantly, it always fits. I like to think of jewelry as one of life's little luxuries, which have become even more important over the past year as we deal with a global pandemic. This year I've been living in delicate jewelry that can be worn every day, with every outfit, but I definitely have people on my shopping list who love making style statements with bold accessories. Gifts for kids? I've got that too. Here are my top jewelry picks for the gift-giving season.

For Anyone On Your List

There are very few pieces of jewelry I would describe as "perfect for everyone", but this bracelet from Boma Jewelry is truly one of those versatile pieces that everyone loves. This Lucia bracelet is light-weight and great for everyday wear. I love the double chain that gives the illusion of layering. Available in sterling silver or gold vermeil.

For Your Best Friend

When I was a kid, I loved making my friends "best friend" necklaces and bracelets. Honestly, it's something I've never quite outgrown. These days I don't have the time to make jewelry by hand, but I've definitely been known to buy my friends the exact same jewelry that I buy myself so that we can all match. There's something special about having the same piece of jewelry that can stay with you throughout the day to keep the good vibes flowing. I love the Boma Jewelry Isla Necklace for this very reason because it's delicate enough for everyday wear and can also be layered with other pieces. Available in sterling silver or gold vermeil to match the metal preferences of everyone in your squad.

For Your Sister Who Loves Sustainable Style

My little sister has always believed in the power of sustainable style and its impact on the planet. Whether she's treasure hunting at thrift shops or scouring vintage markets for coveted pieces, she truly embraces the idea of circular fashion. Earlier this year, Boma released a mini collection of vintage pieces on its website that were originally produced back in the 90s. It's true what they say, what goes around comes around, and these Vintage Liberty Earrings are no exception. They feel timeless and yet perfectly on trend.

For Moms Who Love Little Luxuries

The Parel Hoops by Boma Jewelry are perfect for moms who don't have a lot of time to get ready in the morning but still want to look polished and complete their look. Available in 925 sterling silver or 14k gold, these hoops are made with recycled precious metals as part of the Boma Limited Run Collection designed to reduce waste and upcycle materials.

For Kids Who Love Fashion

We pierced my daughter's ears when she was just a baby and she's been obsessed with wearing jewelry ever since. Boma Jewelry is great for kids because it's non-toxic, nickel-free and safe for sensitive ears. They have a great selection of earrings for girls and teens including the Belle Heart Studs which are available with a variety of genuine stones. Check out the full gallery for kids here.

For The Minimalist

This delicate moon and star set from Boma Jewelry is great for those on your list who prefer to be suble with their style. The Lune & Etoile earrings feature genuine white topaz stones which are durable, versatile, and ideal for every day wear.

For Hoop Fans

Boma Jewelry recently put out an awesome Hoop Guide to help jewelry fans shop for their next pair of earrings. So what makes a good hoop earring? Well, in our opinion, it's one that is high-quality, ethically-made, and designed to be worn for years to come. Boma Jewlery has hoops for everyone on your list, but these Huggie Hoops with genuine white topaz stones are a classic in my book. Small enough to be practical for everyday wear and versatile enough to dress up or down depending on your mood and the occasion.

Good to Know

One cool thing to note about shopping with Boma Jewelry this holiday season is that you have the option to offset your carbon at check-out. Boma has partnered with CarbonClick to help neurtalize the carbon emissions from your purchase. For $2 at check-out, you can contribute to a fund that helps restore forests, plant trees, and fund renewable energy projects that fight climate change. I encourage you to take advantage of this at check-out to help make the planet a better place for generations to come.

View more Boma Jewelry Holiday Gift Guides here.

Photo credit: Demri Rayanne Photography

5 Takeaways from the Boma Jewelry x Marie Claire IG LIVE

Suzanne Vetillart, CEO of Boma Jewelry, recently went LIVE on Instagram with Marie Claire Accessories Director Julia Gall to talk in-depth about sustainability in the jewelry industry and explore the future of ethical production. The conversation was part of the Sustainable Fashion Forum’s latest series, “Fashion Horror Stories” which looks at the dark side of the fashion industry and examines the impact on both people and the planet. In case you missed it, here are 5 takeaways from the IG LIVE conversation:

#1 - THE PANDEMIC HAS GIVEN BOMA JEWELRY AN UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT

The pandemic has forced many brands to press pause and think critically about how they are conducting business and question whether or not it aligns with their core values. For Boma, the pandemic has offered a chance to step away from the usual pace of business and be more intentional about strategic planning for the future. It has also given Boma a chance to streamline internal processes to ensure a higher level of operational efficiency. “At the end of the day, our goal is to bring joy to customers. We feel confident that we can achieve that by having a strong mission and doing business in a way that leaves the world a better place for generations to come,” says Suzanne.

#2 - SUSTAINABILITY IS THE VALUE SYSTEM FOR WHY BOMA EXISTS

While there are many definitions of sustainability, at its very core, sustainability is the value system for why Boma exists. “My job as a leader is to think about what Boma is going to look like in 20-30 years from now,” says Suzanne. Sustainability should be part of a long-term vision for your brand and be done so in a way that consumers can connect with. “We realized that although we’ve done many things over the years in an effort to have a positive impact on the planet, we weren’t necessarily bringing our customers into the conversation,” says Suzanne. Communication about sustainability should be accessible and what brands are doing to address sustainability in their business should be transparent. "At the end of the day, I want to be able to tell my kids that I did everything I could. We stepped up and wanted to go even further,” she adds.

#3 -BOMA JEWELRY CONTINUES TO BUILD ON VALUE AND EXPAND AS A COMPANY

Boma Jewelry is turning 40 years old next year and current CEO Suzanne Vetillart is a second-generation owner. Her parents founded the company in 1981 and grew the business year over year in a way that was thoughtful, sustainable, and built to last. In 1986, the company opened its own factory in Bangkok, Thailand to streamline production and ensure transparency within the supply chain. As a family, they have always been invested in taking care of their employees by offering living wages, long-term employment opportunities, and community support. In 2016, Suzanne officially launched the Boma Girl Fund, which sets funds aside for things like education scholarships, book drives, and community programming. “There are people behind everything you consume,” says Suzanne, “We want to ensure they are happy and have recognition for their hard work.”

Fact: Every piece of Boma Jewelry touches the hands of 21 skilled workers, artisans, and silversmiths from start to finish. Learn more about Boma’s factory here.

#4 - THE DEMAND FOR SILVER, GOLD, AND PRECIOUS METALS OUTPACES OUR ABILITY TO SUSTAINABILITY RECYCLE THEM

Part of the reason there’s a lack of truly sustainable jewelry brands is because the recycling process is inefficient and expensive. The system is fragmented which means it’s harder to find recycling solutions that can be properly maintained. Boma Jewelry has worked to recycle its precious metals back into the supply chain for decades and has made it a priority to reduce its environmental impact whenever possible. For this season, they use recycled silver instead of mined silver in their jewelry pieces.

In addition, Boma works with recycling centers that have environmental controls to manage their precious metal recycling process. This involves a controlled facility that monitors air-pollution control and air-handling systems to effectively manage emissions. Last but not least, Boma has developed a recycled stone process that reuses the leftover pieces of genuine stones to be reset and used in new pieces of jewelry.

#5 - GREENWASHING IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY.

“There’s a big difference between brands that are inspired by sustainability and brands that are actually doing something about it,” says Marie Claire Accessories Director Julia Gall. If brands are vague about what they are doing when it comes to sustainability, that’s usually a big red flag. Transparency is important to consumers and companies should be able to showcase the work they’ve done to move toward their sustainability goals. Boma Jewelry publishes its Environmental Management System which provides consumers with data on how Boma is managing its operational environmental impact. In the future, consumers will demand this type of information to be readily available. Brands that are moving in the direction of staying accountable to their sustainability goals will be in a better position to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Learn more about Boma Jewelry.

THE FINAL WORD

“Support these brands so that they can be the standard of what we do. ”

— JULIA GALL, MARIE CLAIRE ACCESSORIES DIRECTOR

The gift-giving season is upon us and now is a great time to support the amazing female-founded businesses in our community. Although we may not be able to spend the holidays in person with our loved ones this year, we can show them how much we care with thoughtful gifts that are locally made with love. This season I’ve partnered with Made in Washington to highlight women-owned businesses making amazing holiday gifts for everyone on your list.

Did you know that 80% of the brands sold at Made in Washington are founded by women? It's true! Made in Washington stocks products from more than 250 local vendors, making it fun and easy to shop for products from female-founded brands that are made right here in the Pacific Northwest.

Here's a look at my favorite gift picks for the season from Made in Washington:

For The Traveler

This multi-use, carry-all tote by Chalo features a screen printed Seattle Boarding Pass on durable, laminated fabric. Perfect for transporting all your favorite things whether you're staying close to home or hitting the open road. This tote features twill handles, a top zip closure, and secure interior pockets. It's been a while since I've had the chance to use my passport, but as someone who loves the adventure of travel, I know that this tote will be the perfect gift for fellow travel fans.

For The Fashion Fan

Give the gift of safety and style with the Chalo "Hang in There" Mask featuring stylish original artwork. The fabric for Chalo masks is screen-printed by hand right here in Seattle. Since we know that we'll likely be wearing masks for the foreseeable future, we might as well be wearing masks that are fashion-forward and fun! Chalo was founded in Seattle by Danielle An-Shukla and focuses on travel and lifestyle design. Her line of masks make great gifts and would also make great stocking stuffers, too!

For The Party Girl

The Girl Meets Dirt 4-pack sampler of Sweet and Sour Shrubs is the perfect way to gift someone you love a taste of the Pacific Northwest. Each bottle contains super concentrated heirloom fruit syrup that can be mixed with sparkling water and a splash of liquor to create the perfect pairing. Featured flavors include Lemon Lavender, Island Pear, Island Plum, and Ruby Spiced Apple. Founded by Audra Lawlor, Girl Meets Dirt sources all the fruit for its product line straight from the San Juan Islands.

Party Tip: Planning a virtual girls night? Split up the set. Give one bottle to each person and sip your creations during a virtual holiday happy hour.

For The Mindful Mama

Give the gift of beautiful, clean-burning candles with a Lavender Orange candle from Thea Candle Co. Made from ethically sourced materials, these candles are sustainable, non-toxic, and hand-poured in Seattle with care. Each candle features a biodegradable wooden wick, clean-burning coconut soy wax, and natural fragrances. Thea Candle Co. was founded earlier this spring by undergraduate students studying Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington. (Go Dawgs!) Upon discovering the dark secrets of the candle industry and seeing so many people experience hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the team knew that they wanted to make a meaningful and positive impact on both the planet and the community. That's when classmates Jennifer Em and Olivia Baddeley turned Thea Candles from a group class project to an official business. Help support their business debut this holidays season at Made in Washington. Their candles make the perfect gift and 15% of their proceeds benefit a rotating list of non-profits and social justice organizations.

For New Parents

Made In Washington has partnered with Bunnies By the Bay of Anacortes, Washington to bring you an adorable Little Star children’s storytime gift set featuring a plush bunny and a durable board book to remind the little ones in your life how much they are loved. The theme of the book is “Twinkle Twinkle little star, do you know how loved you are?” and it is the sweetest gift to celebrate a new arrival this holiday season.

Bunnies by the Bay was founded by two sisters who grew up listening to whimsical stories told by their grandmother. During the long fishing season while they sewed together, their Grandmother tickled their imaginations with tales of bunnies who survived many hardships and now thrived in her garden. Every item is designed by heart, one stitch at a time on Fidalgo Island, where Bunnies by the Bay was dreamt into reality.

For Chocolate Fans

Take chocolate fans on a tour of the city with the Tourist Gift Box from Seattle Chocolate Company. This set pairs perfectly with wine and includes an adorable Ferry Boat Truffle box, a quartet of Seattle Chocolates Season Bars including Rainy Day Espresso, Overcast Sea Salt, Brisk Mountain Mint, and my personal favorite, Sunny Salted Almond. The gift set is complete with a perfectly packaged box of assorted truffles.

Seattle Chocolate Company was founded in 1991 and started with a small assortment of meltaway truffles and bars. In 2001, the Nisqually Earthquake destroyed the original factory in Seattle and the following year investor and local mom Jean Thompson took over as owner and CEO to help move the company forward in a new direction. Their chocolate bars and gift sets are perfect for the gift-giving season and I love seeing the whimsical artist collaborations on their packaging.

Independent Seattle brands need your support now more than ever. Whether you have $50 or $150 to spend, every dollar counts. Please shop local this holiday season at Made in Washington and help support women-owned businesses in our community. Flat rate ground shipping is available for only $4.99.

Stay tuned for information on our Instagram giveaway launching on Black Friday!

Photo credit: Demri Rayanne Photography

Launch Alert: Boma Jewelry x Moonlit Skincare Holiday Gift Set

Two of my favorite brands, Boma Jewelry and Moonlit Skincare, have partnered on a limited-edition holiday gift set! Say hello to the "Self Love Rest & Relaxation" set that is guaranteed to give out good vibes this season. The gift set features a pair of Boma Jewelry's genuine Rose Quartz Waning Moon Earrings, designed to encourage self-love and new beginnings, a full-size bottle of Moonlit Skincare's lavender-scented facial oil, Midnight Shift, to help you wake up rested and radiant, and Moonlit Skincare's new Rose Quartz Facial Roller, perfect for enhancing blood flow and reducing puffiness.

This gift set is perfect for anyone who needs a little self-care this season. After all, it's been a crazy year and it's not over yet. Here's an overview of the gift set contents:

Boma Jewelry Rose Quartz Waning Moon Earrings - The waning moon represents letting go, clearing away, and releasing old patterns. These delicate earrings are ethically made at Boma's factory in Bangkok and contain genuine rose quartz, a stone known for its restoring self-love and inner healing. All Boma Jewelry is nickel-free, hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive ears.

Moonlit Skincare Midnight Shift - This is one of my favorite night-time facial oils to use because it's infused with lavender and helps me fall asleep. I also love adding a few drops to my evening bath if I'm feeling especially indulgent. I also put it on my kiddos to help them fall asleep and they love it too!

Bonus points: Moonlit Skincare products are vegan, cruelty-free, and made from natural ingredients.

Moonlit Skincare Rose Quartz Facial Roller - This roller is perfect for gentle facial massages when you want to increase circulation and reduce puffiness. It also helps with increasing blood flow and aiding in product absorption. I find that using a facial roller in the mornings helps to contour and wake up my face. Plus, the cold quartz makes me feel like I'm at the spa, even if for just for a moment.

The Boma Jewelry x Moonlit Skincare Self Love gift set comes packaged in a Boma box that is ready for ribbons or wrapping and is available for pre-sale starting today for a special price of $89. The set goes up to $99 on November 2 and is expected to sell-out due to limited quantities.

I love it when like-minded brands come together to do something amazing and these brands are no exception. They're both female-led, sustainably-minded, and actively working to make the world a better place through their social responsibility initiatives. This holiday gift set is perfect to give or receive, and honestly, we could ALL use a little R&R in our lives right about now.

Shop the Boma Jewelry x Moonlit Skincare Gift Set

A Candid Conversation about the Future of Fashion in Seattle

Fall fashion is here and I recently had the chance to sit down with Sable Talley of Stylishly Made to go over my Summer Retail Report and talk more about the state of fashion in Seattle. It’s no secret that COVID has been a major catalyst for many of the store closures around town and we haven’t hit the bottom yet. In our chat, Sable and I talk about everything from the spring cancellation of our signature Style Summit to how I’m coping with COVID as a business owner. PLUS, we offer up our best tips for brands on how to survive the holiday season.

Watch the Future of Fashion Retail View Now

It all started a few weeks ago when Michelle Obama proudly sported a gold necklace at the Democratic National Convention with the slogan “Vote”. That moment was a catalyst for many fashion fans to seek out stylish Vote merch in an effort to remind people to make their voices heard in the upcoming election. As Mrs. Obama points out, “Democracy continues with or without you.” Here’s a round-up of some of our favorite Vote merch from around town.

Boma Jewelry VOTE Collection

Boma Jewelry launched a special VOTE COLLECTION featuring earrings, necklaces, peace signs, and empowerment slogans. Sterling silver Vote studs start at $20 and 14k gold necklaces are $75.

andieanderin Women’s Suffrage Pussy Bow Necktie

andieanderin recently launched a new tie to commemorate the 19th amendment and women's right to vote. The Suffrage tie features a fashion sketch by artist Amber Vittoria and the slogan "Votes for Women". It is 100% silk and is Made in the US by a female-run production house. Available in 2 sizes.

Oiselle Vote Tote

The Oiselle Vote Tote is made from heavy canvas and has an adjustable cross-body strap for complete versatility. Plus, it has a bonus inside zip pocket to securely hold valuables. Limited quantities are available. 20% of all sales from the Vote Tote go to Run 4 All Women.

Splash Fabric Cotton Face Mask

Rock the vote with a Splash Fabric face mask. $5 from the sale of each mask goes to When We All VOTE - Vote by Mail campaign. One size fits all. All masks are hand-sewn in Seattle.

Viaduct Vote Tee

Viaduct is a Seattle brand that was born the same day the actual Viaduct saw its final passenger: January 11, 2019. Their products represent a specific time and place in the story of Seattle, both past and present. The Vote Tee features a traditional Vote slogan with the state of Washington perfectly nestled into the letter “O”. Available in black and white colorways, in sizes S-XXL.

Bonus

We the People Gift Set from Knack

Get ready for civil discourse over a glass of whiskey in November. Knack has the perfect “We the People” gift set featuring a set of glasses etched with the Preamble to the Constitution. Also included, wool coasters and a leather-bound miniature copy of the Constitution.

Thank you BOMA Jewelry for this great graphic!