Most people who know me know that I love supporting people, especially those who are endeavoring to step out on faith to make their dreams come true. With that said, I typically prefer to purchase from small business owners/entrepreneurs if I can, rather than from big retailers. Social media has certainly been helpful in exposing me to some quality purchases from all over. I am going to highlight some of my favorite purchases from the first quarter of this year (which all happen to be from the creative and intellectual minds of women) and I hope that you will check out what else these brands have to offer and support!
I Am Black History Tee
IG: @hypkreationz
http://www.hypkreationz.com
I can’t remember how I found out about this entrepreneur but I remember seeing a post with someone wearing this shirt and I knew I had to purchase it. I ordered the shirt and it was delivered rather quickly if I’m not mistaken. It is true to size and very comfortable (those things matter for me…lol). I wore it for the first time this past Friday and I received so many compliments on the shirt, both in person and from the picture I posted on my social media accounts. The creative mind behind the brand has a number of different shirt designs with uplifting and great representative messages, especially appealing to those who take pride in African/African American culture and history. Be sure to check the website out for more!
Don’t Tell Me I’m Pretty For A Black Girl Phone Case
http://www.custombee.com/blackgirl
Creative force behind the product: @missjia (Twitter)
I saw this phone case on Twitter one day and I knew I had to purchase it. Directly from the distributor’s page: “Help remind the world that beauty comes in ALL forms. Don’t ever tell her she’s pretty for a black girl. Tell her she’s beautiful. Period.” There are many ways that society makes the beauty of women of color as an exception to the rule. This phone case is a way of personal empowerment for me and I could not be more happy with my purchase. The case is available for a variety of phones – iPhones and Androids.
Boss Lady Mug
IG: @livecivil
http://www.livingcivil.com
First, it might be important that I mention that I am mildly obsessed with mugs. So when I saw this mug on Instagram, I jumped at the chance to purchase it. It is such a lovely mug and every time I use it for my morning tea, I feel a little bit more like a “boss lady”. I ordered the mug and it was in my hands within a week. The packaging was EVERYTHING! Not only did I receive the mug, I received a Live Civil pen and some lovely tea. It was a great example of taking the extra step to distinguish your branding. Of course there are lots of other fabulous items on the website because…Karen Civil. You should definitely check out what they have going on over there.
Faith Unraveled
Author: Rachel Held Evans
Twitter: @rachelheldevans
Since I am a lover of books, I have to include at least one good read on this list. Reading this book was healing for me. Rachel Held Evans has quickly become one of my favorite authors simply because she is not afraid to be transparent about her journey and the questions that she has. We both come from Christian households so I could relate to Rachel’s upbringing and the process she has been through in her young adulthood years as she’s found her faith shifting in some pretty big ways. This book is about her learning to ask the questions, not being afraid to doubt, and how the doubts have strangely served as a way help her maintain faith. Her writing is refreshing and not “preachy” and I believe that this is a great book for anyone who grew up in church and began to experience faith shifts as an adult. She also just released another book in April entitled Searching For Sunday. I will certainly be purchasing and reading that book as well. You can read more from Rachel (her blogs are amazing as well!) at http://www.rachelheldevans.com.
Are there some entrepreneurs/brands that I should know about? Please email me at girlwithblkpearls@gmail.com or comment under this post.
Love this!! http://www.celisedesigns.com/products has really cute mugs and totes that you may like.