Championing the makers, artists, and wanderers in all of us.
I found some really neat gifts for the traveler in your life that I wanted to share with you. Spoiler alert, they’re all on Etsy!
While I am an affiliate and may earn commission from purchases, it’s really not about Etsy as much as the individual makers who use it as a platform to sell their creations.
We’re right smack dab in the middle of Sonoran Restaurant Week, when around 100 (!) restaurants in Tucson and surrounding cities offer special prix fixe menus for $25, $35, or $45 (plus tax and tip). The price often includes several courses that would regularly cost more.
The idea is to encourage diners to try restaurants they haven’t been to, as well as revisiting old favorites. You many need to ask for the Sonoran Restaurant Week menu if you’re at a participating place and don’t see one. Find participating restaurants and menus on TucsonFoodie.com.
I’ve paired 7 of these Tucson restaurants with something fun to do (relatively) nearby that complements them.
Continue reading “Sonoran Restaurant Week Pairings”
[My sister-in-law Dinah always gives such fun gifts and beautiful handmade cards. I’m excited that today she’s sharing some of her ideas here with you! –S]
I enjoy giving presents under normal circumstances, but during 2020, I felt it was more important than ever to send fun surprises in the mail for my friends and family – for birthdays or just because – since I wasn’t able to see them as often (or at all).
I try to seek out local companies here in Arizona or, at least, small businesses.
Derek is a teacher and a father of 5, who lives in Tempe, Arizona. He loves coffee and decided to start roasting beans himself as a side business. We shipped out bags of his coffee to several family members this year (and also to ourselves)!
For my chocolate-loving friends, I discovered this company located in Scottsdale. They specialize in small batch, single-origin craft chocolate that’s beautifully packaged. I love how they come up with new flavors regularly.
The original Cartel Coffee Lab location is in Tempe. I was pleased to see that they offered this “Stay at Home” blend, which was perfect for my friend Robin, who is coffee-obsessed and works from home. Plus, 10% of the profits go to a Navajo Nation COVID-19 relief fund.
This company is located in Queen Creek, Arizona. I purchased some bottles of flavored olive oil for my brother’s and sister’s birthdays this year. It was a useful gift for them, as they like to cook, and it lasted awhile. I enjoyed hearing which foods they paired the olive oils with!
In addition to standard olive oil offerings, Queen Creek Olive Mill has unique flavors like vanilla bean and dark chocolate. There’s even a set called “Quarantine Essentials!”
My husband Daniel did part of his Navy training near Saratoga Springs, New York, where this company is located. They offer a holiday pack of different kinds of peanut butter. I can’t wait to try more of their flavors in 2021!
For several birthdays this year, I put together boxes full of goodies of the same hue.
I sent my brother a “box o’ sunshine” with yellow items, since his birthday falls right after Christmas, the dreariest time in Montana’s winter. My sister-in-law’s birthday is right before St. Paddy’s Day, so she received all green gifts. And a few people received some “Out of the Blue” birthday boxes.
Hopefully, I can try it out with some other colors this coming year!
We received a lovely gift in our mailbox of pre-measured mix to make Dalgona coffee drinks from a friend. We loved the idea so much that we copied it, making our own Dalgona coffee mixes send to other friends and family.
Once you have the dry mix, all you have to do is add boiling water and beat in the mixer until it turns into coffee-flavored whipped cream! Drink it with ice and your milk of preference.
This was a great way to make a “fancy” coffeehouse-style drink, while staying safe at home.
Lately, I can’t seem to ignore this charming yellow hue that’s a bit more orangey than mustard and more opaque than just plain honey. I’m calling it “honeycomb.”
You can find this sweet shade on artisan goods, as well as things you can make, wear, or eat.
1. Honeycomb with fresh nectar reflecting the tree canopy. Photo by Max Westby, a beekeeper and honey producer in Burgundy, France. (CCL)
2. Dreamweaver lampshade made-to-order by Pop + Scott, $980. / Similar DIY project: rope-wrapped hanging lamp.
3. Nipomo picnic blanket, rolled up and ready to go, with leather carrying straps, $86. (Shown unfolded in the top/featured image.)
4. Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo by Kelly Graham, taken during a trip in 2013.
5. Peanut Butter Creamed Honey made and bottled (and occasionally overfilled) by True Love Honey, Tucson, Arizona, $30 for 3 jars. / HT Freight Train Coffee (their 4th Ave. neighbor!)
6. Sweet Bee + Floral Wreath: Embroidery Pattern by Emillie Ferris. Digital download and tutorial available on Etsy, $17.
7. Ampersand design by Priscyla Falkenburger for Letterpress Brasil.
8. Aimilios dress by Mara Hoffman, modeled by Adeng. $395. / HT SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT auction for aid to the Navajo Reservation.
9. Honeybee tassel earrings handmade in Murrieta, California by Letter and Thread Co, $10.
10. Coffee Bear, part of San Francisco street artist fnnch’s series of Honey Bear paintings.
11. How to add a pocket to an art journal by Craftnomicon.
12. “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” Stephen King quote on stickers (and t-shirts) by Bookshelf Tees.
13. Tips for choosing the best dog chews.
14. Pipit Loungewear Set digital sewing pattern by Common Stitch, $15.
15. “Cozy Up” art by Ash Elizabeth. Digital download, $3.
Photos link to their sources. All images via their respective artists / vendors / creators.
While COVID-19 has thrown us all off balance, people are helping each other get back on their feet in some lovely ways – sharing their art, connecting people with resources, checking in on family and friends, donating where they can, helping the “helpers” on the front lines, and buying from their local mom-and-pop shops and restaurants. (All from a safe distance, of course!)
I’ve rounded up a list of various goodies to help you stay well, support independent artists and businesses, and give back.
Adobe: Resources for creativity at home!
Badge Bomb: Fun stay-at-home-themed coloring pages, activity sheets, and stickers you can print and color.
Bluprint: Patterns for sewing face masks and instructions for folding no-sew masks.
Native Seeds/SEARCH:
Why I Love Where I Live:
Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Founded by Debbie Allen of Fame fame, DADA is a non-profit organization with programs to expand young people’s access to dance + theater.
Lisa Congdon: A couple of free online classes from an artist whose work always makes me smile.
MyIntent:
Rohit Gijare: Virtual dance classes on Sundays…
Arts and Artisans: 40% off everything through April 30.
Badge Bomb:
Bookman’s: For every $25 gift card purchase, Bookman’s will add a $5 reward. For every $100, get a $25 reward!
Doggie Drawings Shop: Artwork by Lili Chin 20% off. This includes Dogs of the World prints and cute enamel pins of different dog breeds.
Dogs and Donuts: Free delivery in Tucson for orders over $15.
Downtown Tucson Partnership: DTP Gift Card Incentive Program…
Hotel Congress: Additional $25 when you purchase a $100 gift card.
L.A. County Yarn Crawl Shops:
MAST (at Mercado San Agustin): Free shipping on U.S. orders with promo code MARCHON. Or 25% off any one item made by Mellow, Sofie, or Tasha with code LEANON.
Spirit of the Artisan:
Cartel Coffee Lab, Tempe:
Crown Public House, Phoenix: Weekday specials on green chili mac, wings, pizza, and more.
Peixoto Coffee, Chandler:
Republica Empanada, Mesa: $2 beer or $10 mix-and-match six pack with any order.
Several Tucson restaurants are offering $30 takeout meals for two, as part of Tucson To-Go! Even though it’s presented by Sonoran Restaurant Week, this deal is ongoing.
Agustin Kitchen (at Mercado San Agustin): Burgers and sandwiches (a.k.a. “handhelds”) are buy one, get one free from 2-4pm daily. Walk-up or call-in orders.
Beaut Burger (at MSA Annex): Buy one, get one free vegan burgers weekdays from 4-5pm. Walk-up orders only.
Cartel Coffee Lab, Tucson:
Cup Cafe (in Hotel Congress):
Check out Tucson Foodie’s takeout guide or the lists that Brunch Babes Tucson has aggregated of current food, coffee, and alcohol options!
Julieanna’s:
What is helping you find a sense of community during this time?
