Holiday Gift Guide [+Giveaway]
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YA’LL!!!!! WE MADE IT TO DECEMBER!!!!!
2020 has been rocking all of our worlds since January and does not seem to be letting up chile.
But we are here. Still Standing! Adjusting - Growing - Healing - Learning - DOING OUR BEST!
Normally in December I take a few weeks “off” to unplug from social media and my regular routine. My birthday is also on New Years Eve so the holiday season is often a great time for me to reflect on the past year and recharge.
“When You Support A Small Businesses You Are Supporting Someone’s Dream”
Introducing the “Pink Box” by simplyshakera.com
Another end of year tradition is my annual Holiday Giveaway in collaboration with one of my brand partners. This year will be a little different!
Introducing the “Pink Box” by simplyshakera.com. The color pink represents compassion, nurturing and love. In 2021, I will be releasing a goodie box filled with items that are meant to cultivate joy and practice self love. Stay tuned for when the “Pink Box” is officially released. HOWEVER, just in time for the holidays I will be gifting one lucky winner with a special edition Pink Box filled this time around with items from some of my favourite Black owned businesses. I have each company listed below in my Holiday Gift Guide. Know them - Support them - Amplify them!
The Simply Shakera Holiday Gift Guide
I am so excited to share with you a few of my favourite small businesses offering products and services that you can support today. Grab something for yourself, book an appointment/session, or purchase a gift for someone else. Christmas is exactly two weeks away - happy shopping!
Orijin
small batch luxury jewelry
Orijin is a Toronto based brand creating small batch, quality investment pieces that are real gold and guaranteed to become heirlooms. The first piece, designed by founder Candice, was the iconic OM bead bracelet, symbolizing the meeting of a deep connection to self with a nod to a nostalgic trend. Ten percent of the proceeds from the OM collection goes towards supporting the work of BIPOC artists and wellness entrepreneurs. Other notable collections are the essentials collection and the paperclip collection.
Personal Review: I love how sophisticated the pieces are! Simple and stylish! I own the mask chain which also can double as a chain for my glasses!
Sea Moss N Tingz
home of the real wildcrafted sea moss gel
@seamossntingz
www.seamossntingz.ca
Seamoss N Tingz provides the highest quality wildcrafted gel made with Alkaline water and no additives or preservatives. The gel can be added to your food or drink as well as topically for multiple skin ailments including facial masks to tighten and rejuvenate your skin. Sea moss contains 92 of the 102 minerals that the body requires daily. It is jam packed with Protein, Fiber, Selenium, Iodine, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc and powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids, iodine, potassium chloride, antiviral and antimicrobial compounds. Some benefits include: strengthened immune system, improved energy, supported mental health and more.
Personal Review: I am new to the sea moss world! Two months to be exact. My journey started as a means to decrease inflammation in my body. The most noticeable benefit for me so far is an increase in digestion. I eat a spoonful raw once a day; but you are recommended to add it to food or apply it topically for skin care. During this holiday season, SNT will be donating $5 of every purchase to the Pinball Clemons foundation.
Sarah-Naomi’s Hair Care & Beauty
protective & natural hair styling
Sarah-Naomi’s Hair Care & Beauty “where the beautification of the whole woman is the focus and purpose”. Sarah is a natural and protective hairstylist and has been maintaining crowns for over fifteen years. She believes knowledge and love of self is the key to the unlocking of new and higher levels of our existence. Hair education is also a deep passion of hers. Sarah is currently enrolled at Art & Technique in Oshawa to obtain her hairstyling/cosmetology license with a mission to style, serve, instruct and educate all women about the crown they wear daily.
Personal Review: Sarah is awesome and pretty fast. She is my go to person for protective styles such as single braids or twists. My new favourite style she has done on my hair were the knotless braids I did in October! She’s based in Durham but is also mobile. Kid friendly as well.
Georgie Porgie Cakes & Gifts
cakes, cupcakes, cookies & sweet tables
@georgieporgiecakesgifts
www.georgieporgie.ca
Georgie Porgie Cakes & Gifts is a vibrant, rapidly growing company. Founded in 2004 by Georgette and her mom Carol, Georgie Porgie is now famous for their red velvet rum cake with cream cheese filling. Georgie Porgie is your sweet boutique offering homemade specialty and artisan desserts made daily with the highest quality and fresh ingredients. At Georgie Porgie, they believe that every event and celebration should create a story-book ending. They would love to help plan your next blockbuster with their experienced team.
Personal Review: When I have a celebration coming up I purchase my sweet treats from the Georgie Porgie team! Check out HERE the carnival birthday cake that was made for my 30th birthday surprise birthday! I still get chills looking at it.
Koko Rose
professional skincare
Koko Rose Natural Skincare, founded by Marsha Rose, is a complete facial skincare brand for both women and men. The skincare products are made with the finest natural ingredients and made in Canada. They consist of naturally formulated products designed to treat all skin types, address skin conditions and individual skincare needs. All products are paraben free, vegan certified, formaldehyde free and contain naturally sourced fragrance.
Personal Review: Marsha is super knowledgeable in all things skincare. She not only a licensed aesthetician but she also a registered nurse! I have been healing from hormonal acne for years. Since I have been going to her spa for regular facials I have seen a significant change in my skin. There is also a organic line and mens line among her skincare products. She also offers a variety of other services at her spa including waxing!
In My Own Skin
Canadian-made active wear
Founded by Mohogany Brown in 2016, "In My Own Skin" is a lifestyle brand aimed at promoting self-love amongst young women. In partnership with Dance With Me Corp, the brand extended to provide fun, cute and comfy activewear that everyone can feel beautiful in. The company wants their community to not only showcase people of all body types, ages, ethnicities and walks of life, but to also ensure they are a brand that truly represents everyone. They especially hope you fall in love with yourselves all over again, and feel confident... IN YOUR OWN SKIN! Xo
Personal Review: The apparel side of In My Own Skin comes in three different collections - the sizes are body positive too! I work with Mohogany frequently for dance based initiatives and she truly is a force. For good vibes and fitness inspo, check out her personal acccount @mohoganyxo.
Carnival Spice
fitness & entertainment with a Caribbean carnival twist
Carnival Spice an award winning fitness and entertainment company devoted to showcasing Caribbean Carnival. Here aspiring artists of colour are welcomed to a platform where they can further develop their talents through Caribbean dance. Founder Shakera Martin and her team have been featured on Cityline, CP24, CTV, Breakfast Television and most recently Season 12 of the Real Housewives of Atlanta." The company currently offers a variety of virtual Caribbean Dance & Fitness programming and host initiatives to maintain the connection between their global #SpiceFam community.
Personal Review: Despite a whole pandemic and all carnivals around the world being cancelled until further notice. Carnival Spice has consistently been pumping out content and resources to showcase and uplift Caribbean culture. It is amazing to witness in front and behind the scenes. Tickets are now available for the 2020 Holiday Lime and Workshop event.
Holiday Giveaway
As mentioned, one lucky winner will be gifted with a “Pink Box” that includes a prize from EACH of the brands featured in my holiday gift guide. A value of over $350!!!!
Enter Here Now - contest closes Friday, December 18th!
Happy Holidays To You & Your Loved Ones!! xo
