My May Favorites list is incredibly random but includes clothing, random Amazon finds, and local businesses. I love to include small businesses because they often get overlooked especially in small towns. All of the places and items on this list I personally have done the activity and have bought items from the store.
New Target Shoes
If there is one mesh or see-through shoe you have to get this summer it is these. They are so inexpensive, padded, and great for wide feet. I would size down a half size for sure as they do run quite big. They sell out almost every time they come back in stock so don’t get discouraged! I have worn these shoes for multiple miles with no break in time. They are the perfect shoe as they go with almost every outfit and they are a fraction of the price as the designer shoes.
Beside Carafe and Glass Set
At Homegoods a couple weeks ago, I saw the cutest carafe and glass set. I find when I am laying in bed reading I am always thirsty and when I wake up in the morning. These are also great for guest rooms if you don’t have extra water bottles to carry around. I just put filtered water in it and constantly reach for it on my nightstand. You can get colors that match your bedroom theme as well, I found some great options on Amazon (option 1, option 2, and option 3)
Reformation: Women’s Clothing
In an effort to buy less this year, I have been intentionally trying to buy fabrics of higher quality. I recently went to the New York Reformation store and was pleasantly surprised with their elevated basics. Their store attempts to be as sustainable as possible. Their items are not cheap and typically run between $150-$500 per item.
Online Reformation Website“We make everything from low-impact materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing. Ref products are designed, shot, and shipped at our facilities in Los Angeles. We also make some of our stuff in our LA factory, and the rest at sustainable partner factories around the world. We get to know all of our partners, so we can answer “who made our clothes” at every level of the supply chain, and ensure positive environmental and social impacts of our stuff.
Every week, we put out new, limited edition collections. We start with small quantities of each product, and only make more if we know you want it, based on direct data and feedback. This keeps our production less wasteful, and exclusive, so no one at the party will be wearing the same dress as you. We like making you feel special.”
Small Business Corner
Over Memorial Day Weekend we did a lot of driving around to explore new areas we haven’t been before. On our way to a vineyard in Connecticut we came across a couple of cute farm shops that I wanted to share. Farm shops are typically locally owned and provide fresh produce, baked goods, and variety of plants.
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is a family owned and operated apple orchard located in North Salem, NY, in Westchester County. They grow a variety of vegetables and stone fruits that are available to purchase in the store. In addition they had freshly made apple cider donuts, breakfast/lunch menu and hard cider. The farm also offers numerous events throughout the seasons including Paint Parties, Yoga, and fruit picking.
Hayfields Cafe and Florist: Apparently this cafe is an old converted gas station. They serve food, coffee beverages, floral bouquets, and have a beautiful outdoor seating section. They also have numerous classes throughout the year including flower arranging, embroidery, and other ways to socialize. The event space in the back of the building is so adorable and they offer “After Hours” on Saturdays with different events.
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards: We went with a group of 10 people to this vineyard about 1.5 hours from New York. It wasn’t super fancy like the vineyards in California or Europe but it had a very casual vibe. People were bringing their own picnic baskets for their families as well as blankets to lay on the ground. They do have 2-3 food trucks set up and offer a variety of different experiences to enjoy the wine. They have multiple events throughout the week so grab a couple friends and have fun! The casual surroundings lead to a very relaxing day.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
I have recently posted about the New York Botanic Garden which is much bigger than the Brooklyn gardens. I found the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to be stunning and easy to walk though in a couple of hours. Although the gardens are smaller, it didn’t feel super crowded even in peak season. We went at the tail end of Cherry Blossom season. I can’t even imagine how beautiful these trees are in peak bloom. Winter and early Spring I would avoid as everything hasn’t bloomed. I would wait to see online what has bloomed before you go as it is a paid entrance fee.
