Small Business Saturday

I spent Black Friday in Larchmont—shopping, yes, but sans sales-driven hysteria. What I wanted was quiet, and what I needed was to surround myself with the smell of newsprint and freshly lined magazine racks. If there’s one thing I miss about home (besides my boyfriend and parents’ home cooking), it’s how commonplace bookstores were in the city. A newsstand at every block, a used bookstore every few corners, The Strand pop-ups in between. This was not the case—nor a priority, as expected—in L.A.

Luckily, Above the Fold was within walking distance. I sipped on an overpriced matcha latte and stocked up on magazines: ELLE, for old times’ sake (and because Kamala Harris was on its cover), Harper’s (it’d been a while, and Lena Dunham’s feature piece was circulating the interwebs with voracity), and a new-to-me publication, Les Femmes Publiques.

In theory, that haul (which included a few books from another neighborhood haunt, Chevalier’s Books) should’ve been enough to satisfy any desire for stuff—but I’m no ascetic. I’m not immune to the flood of sale emails either, and when temptation is coupled with a love for things, it’s near impossible to resist the sales.

So, I won’t. I’m shopping small businesses this Saturday (and to be honest, all weekend long). Here are a few you’ll feel good about supporting. Good, and guilt-free, too:

FASHION

• NORBA activewear has been on my radar for at least a year now, and this just might be the weekend I bite the bullet. Minimalist lines and feminine silhouettes have me drooling—and while I haven’t taken a (physical) dance class since lockdown, much less roll out a yoga mat in months, I can’t help but add a catsuit to my cart. They’re running 20% off everything, ladies and gents.
• THE LINE BY K will always make it to any round-up of my making. Although TLK isn’t offering a sale on their direct website, you can find discounted pieces through the brand’s distribution partners (like Verishop and Net-a-Porter). Shopping through major retailers may not be ideal, but you’re still supporting an indie by giving it recognition in a sea of so many other brands.

BEAUTY

• LONDONTOWN is offering 40% off all nail color and care with the promo code CYBERDAY. I can’t rave enough about their kur nail treatment line because it has categorically changed the way my nails look and feel. Their Illuminating Nail Concealer, Beauty Sleep Nail Mask, and Whipped Cloud Hand Cream are staples.
• SAIE isn’t small, per se, but I’m making a concerted effort towards spending exclusively on indie, women-owned businesses. I haven’t yet tried the products but used their first-ever sale as an opportunity to indulge on some cult-favorites.
• STARFACE has a 25% off sale running. I already restocked when I ordered the limited-edition Hello Kitty collaboration so I won’t be shopping this weekend, but the hydrocolloid pimple-protectors are worth keeping on hand for just-in-case moments. I always go for the rainbow Hydro-Stars; all US net sales are allocated towards the Black Led Movement Fund and the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQ+ youth. UK profits will be given to Black Thrive.

HOME

• SUNDAY FOREVER is a brand I’ve talked about. Time and time again I return to try a new candle or repurchase a forever favorite; the love and adoration the team has for their craft are worth supporting alone. And of course the products are beautiful, too.
• OUR PLACE‘s cult-favorite Always Pan has been on my wishlist for months now—and now that it’s on “super sale” and comes in lavender, I’m putty. Yes please.

WELLNESS

• GOLDE I love on principle alone—and it certainly helps that the latte blends are delightful, too. Matcha Turmeric is their most popular powder, Original Turmeric is my personal favorite.
• ZIZIA BOTANICALS (a recent discovery) is an L.A.-based company founded by herbalist and artist Abbe Findle. I’ve tried my fair share of tinctures and wellness treats, but Zizia is where I found the first that actually work for me. The lollipops are a necessary indulgence after late nights or for weekends, and the Nerve tincture has become a non-negotiable step in my post-work, pre-winding down routine. Now, they’re offering 25% off everything, no promo code needed. (Of course I already stocked up).

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xx