Guest blog: The Shop Guide
Hey, Local Laundry fam! Today we have a very special guest blog from our friend Krystal, owner and founder of The Shop Guide. Recently our team, Lil Orchard Baby Foods, and mommy blogger Krystal got together for a little collaboration. We found out Krystal is a big supporter of local business and giving back to the community!
After getting into a little trouble together we decided that the month of April 10% of our online profits will go straight to the Children's Cottage Society! Keep reading to find out more about Krystal, her blog The Shop Guide and her life as an entrepreneur and trendy mommy blogger! Read, scroll and enjoy!
Photos by The Shop Guide
I’m a busy mum on the go so trying to get my two young boys dressed, fed, and out the door on time to our daily activities is sometimes a feat. I look for ways to make our routine easier. For my family that includes where I shop in Calgary and what products I use. There are many things I love about shopping locally: unique brands, one-of-a-kind products, superior customer service, and reducing environmental impact just to name a few. But most importantly, it brings people together.
I started my blog, The Shop Guide, as a creative outlet to share my passion for shopping and to reach a community of women and men looking for shopping tips, seasonal trends, great finds, and to help find the perfect gift. I focus on baby and children’s products, home décor, and fashion for the whole family. But, my favourite part about blogging is divulging all my latest and greatest finds with those outside of my mum’s weekly coffee group whom either love to shop as much as I do or need assistance to make the right purchase when time is limited. Some may call me a personal shopper.
I’ve had my blog for just over a year and I enjoy meeting wonderful entrepreneurs in our city. In January my youngest son, Charlie, and I had the opportunity to participate in a cool photoshoot in the Walden neighbourhood with other mum’s and tots, alongside two great brands: Lil Orchard Baby Foods and Local Laundry. Amber Blaire Photography was in charge of snapping some great pictures of all the little ones. Together these companies collaborated to represent the children’s line of Local Laundry with the convenience of fresh, healthy baby food by Lil Orchard, and to raise awareness for a local charity - Children's Cottage Society. Food, fashion, and giving back…there is no better combo, we just had to join in on the fun!
Photos by Amber Blaire Photography
I first met Kristi, owner of Lil Orchard Baby Foods, through a community group on social media. She introduced me to her baby food brand which offers fresh fruit and vegetable purees that are flash frozen into perfect portion sizes along with feeding accessories and teethers. When it comes to feeding my boys, I look for healthy options. I don’t always have time to make food from scratch but I want to provide them with the right nutrition. Discovering a company like Lil Orchard Baby Foods that provides a great service for busy parent’s on-the-go is a major win in my books!! I can either defrost the cubes at mealtime or throw a fresh food pouch in my diaper bag when I’m running out the door to various activities like gym and library class with the kids.
Shopping with purpose has always been a priority for me. There’s no better feeling than finding brands that offer quality products for good value without compromising style. When I get dressed in the morning, I like selecting clothes that make me look good while feeling proud of who I support. These days, my go-to outfit is usually jeans and a great sweatshirt. Local Laundry provides practicality and comfort in their apparel which is just what I need when I’m at home or out exploring the city and chasing after my little guys. And what mum doesn’t love an opportunity to twin with her kids?
In April, Lil Orchard Baby Foods and Local Laundry are donating 10% of their profits to the Children’s Cottage Society. This local charity helps families in crisis and provides the right resources for all areas of health and wellbeing. By collaborating with these two businesses, it’s a great opportunity to teach my children from a young age the importance of ethical shopping, consumer responsibility, and by shopping locally we can support the community and those in need.
I’m grateful that Calgary provides us with more and more opportunities to support awesome homegrown brands offering unique products right in our backyard. It is companies like Local Laundry and Lil Orchard Baby Foods who work hard at bringing our community together for the betterment of our city.
Photos by The Shop Guide
Tune in next week to see what we have on the blog! If you or someone you know would like to be a guest blogger on our blog drop us a line! Chat at chaaa next week Canada - stay local!
