Wowza. I thought you guys would be into my #613giftguide but HOLY SMOKES. On Friday alone over 1000 of you visited AmyIn613.com, and the blog comments, tweets, and Instagram posts just keep rolling in. I'm blown away. Thank you for being so awesome and so supportive of our local businesses!
Since awesomeness begets more awesomeness, I thought to myself, "Self, let's do another giveaway. What the heck!" I mean, there is so much talent here in the 613 that it kinda boggles the mind, am I right? So here's one more all-local gift guide and another whopper of a giveaway to go with it.
the amy in 613 gift guide: part ii
1. GIFT CARD FOR NORTH & NAVY, $50
Give the gift of a full belly! North & Navy is easily the prettiest restaurant in Ottawa and the Venetian dishes Chef Adam Vettorel pumps out night after night are Italian food like you've never seen or tasted. Their house-made pastas are some of the best I've had, and their cichèti (Venetian small plates) are both creative and affordable. They're open for lunch, after work, and dinner, and gift certificates are available in just about any denomination. A $50 certificate will be enough for a couple glasses of prosecco and a whole slew of cichèti.
2. PICK-ME-UP PACKAGE FROM DAYA ORGANIC SPA, $120
I adore Daya Spa. I've been a client since they opened back in 2007 and for a few years I lived just a block and a half away... that was dangerous. But I digress. Daya is a lovely organic spa tucked into the North Dal neighbourhood, right across the street from Goods Shop and Victoire (Dalhousie at St. Andrew). At Christmastime Daya offers some pretty unbeatable spa packages, and my favourite of the bunch is the Pick-Me-Up: for $120 you can treat your ma/bestie/other half to a 30-minute massage, a 30-minute facial, and either a 30-minute manicure or pedicure. How amazing is that?
3. MOOSE AND FOX MUGS FROM UPROAR INTERIORS, $18 EACH
Uproar Interiors is part interior design firm and part home decor boutique, and I don't think I've ever left the shop emptyhanded. Their collection of magazine-worthy toss cushions, apothecary candles, and cute coasters is pretty dangerous, and I'm a total sucker for their mugs too. I kinda flipped out when I spotted these woodland mugs in the shop recently: wouldn't they be the perfect secret Santa gift with a sachet of hot cocoa? I think so.
4. SUNDAY DRY GOODS "FAMILY TOWEL" TURKISH THROW FROM JV STUDIOS, $70
I'm totally smitten with these Turkish towelsI found at JV Studios; they're so versatile! Visit JV Studios in Welly West or online and check out this newish Canadian company called Sunday Dry Goods. My favourite style of Sunday's towels is called the "Everyday Family Towel": at 6 feet by 7 feet it's actually a beaufitul throw you can drape over your favourite chair, then cozy up with a book and a cup of tea in one of those cute Uproar mugs. Heck, it's been so warm lately you could use the Family Towel as a picnic blanket! Don't need a big one? JV Studios also carries the "Everyday", which is about the size of standard bath towel.
5. GOLDIE NECKLACE BY COUNTRY MEET CITY, $30
Full disclosure: I fangirl over pretty much everthing Country Meet City does. Their photography is gorgeous, their styling is effortless, and they SLAY with their brow game. And their egg nog game. Kay and Lacey are the two talented women behind this fantastic local fashion blog, and recently they took their first steps into the jewellery business. Using unconventional materials like naturally shed and foraged antlers, their collection is unlike anything else in my jewellery box. With plenty of options around the $30-mark (like the "Goldie" necklace above), it's an affordable gift for the gal on your list who has everything.
6. CHRISTMAS WREATH FROM BLUMENSTUDIO, $40 AND UP
Meet Kat Kosk, owner and floral designer at Blumenstudio. That's Kat and her pup Klaus above! I first met her back in 2010, months before she opened the doors at Blumenstudio. In the five years since, Kat has built a business that's become a neighbourhood fixture for those of us nearby, and a design destination for those further afield. Christmas is my absolute favourite time to visit Blumenstudio because it's busting at the seams with greenery, festive centrepieces, and egg nog lattes (the best in town BTW). It's never officially Christmas til one of her wreaths is on my door, and they make for a super thoughtful hostess gift too. Give one of these and you'll score points for sure.
7. GIFT CARD FOR SHARE FREEHOUSE, $75
Share Freehouse in Somerset Village is one of my favourite after work watering holes ($5 pints of Beyond the Pale from 4-7pm!), and I love popping in for dinner too. Share is the polar opposite of small plates: think generous family-style portions that can be scaled up and shared by as many people as you like. You ain't going home hungry after one of their meals. Share's bison tartare is off the charts and they also have tons of veggie dishes since the co-owner himself (hi Thom!) is vegetarian. The menu changes often enough that you can go weekly and find something new to try. I'm betting anyone on your list will have a good time at Share, and a $75 gift card is enough for a full dinner for two with drinks, or a whole night of sharing plates among friends.
8. TEAL BROOKLYN BEANIE AND TEAL RAYNA INFINITY SCARF BY T'S CROCHET SHOP, $82
Last month I introduced you to T's Crochet Shoppe because I loved her #MyOttawa toque, and the gals at Country Meet City are fans of her work too. This is T's first Christmas in business and she's been expanding her line, adding new colours and styles that'll keep you and yours cozy all winter long (it's coming guys, we know it is). Treat your sis or your bestie to her stylish Brooklyn Beanie, $32 (how great is that pom pom?!) or her super soft Rayna Double Loop Infinity Scarf, $50. One of you folks is gonna win them both in teal!
9. 1.89L BEER GROWLER FROM BEYOND THE PALE, VARIOUS PRICES
Oh Christmas beer, oh Christmas beer! How lovely are thy suuuuudds... okay, I may have gone too far with that one. I love beer. You love beer. And most of us could use a cold one during this absurdly busy season. Tuck a Beyond the Pale growler into those stockings hung with care and you'll be everybody's favourite niece/buddy/uncle/in-law... you get the idea. Top tip: just don't drink it all first. Beyond the Pale's delicious local suds are available all over our town, here's a list of locations to get you started! My lucky winner will take home one of their 1.89L growlers, and I promise it'll be full. Pinkie swear.
10. SILKSCREENED TEES FROM WORKSHOP AND FLOCK BOUTIQUE, $39 EACH
I first noticed this collection of silkscreened tees this summer at Workshop (in North Dal) and Flock Boutique (in Welly West), and pretty much fell head over heels for them. Since I'm a crazy cat lady and a huge David Bowie fan, I legit flipped out over their Kitty Stardust tee and bought one immediately. The team at Workshop and Flock have launched a whole slew of tees for both gals and dudes, and all are silkscreened by them right here in Ottawa. My top picks for gift giving: canoes for the boys and snowshoes for the girls. Get them in-store at Workshop or Flock, or online at Workshop's shiny new online store! My lucky winner can pick their choice of design and their size too.
11. OTTAWA CRAFT BEER CALENDAR, $20
Think of it as an advent calendar for your brewskies -- all year long! Ottawa's very own Indie Calendar Co. produced its first Ottawa Craft Beer Calendar last year. When they sold every copy they printed and still had people looking for it in August, they knew they had to make it again. This is a must for the beer lover on your list! The calendar includes the Ottawa Craft Beer Map, lists Ottawa's top beer events each month, is 100% local and printed in small batches on premium paper. The 2016 version includes December 2015 as a bonus, because you're going to want to put it up right away. Pick one up at MakerHouse Co. in Hintonburg, online at Brew Donkey, or on-site at oodles of local breweries.
AN EVEN MORE MASSIVE 613 GIVEAWAY
Initially I'd planned for this second #613giftguide to be a smaller one, but amazing local businesses kept coming forward. When I first launched this second guide this morning it was worth over $400. But a few hours and a few more local businesses later, I've got over $600 in 613 goodies to give away! Can you even believe it?!
The same rules apply:
Since this is a 613 giveaway, only local Ottawa-Gatineau residents are eligible.
Since this is a bulky prize you *must* be able to meet me in the downtown core to claim it. This prize will not be shipped. If you're the winner we'll find a date and time to meet up.
If you're good with those rules, it's time to enter! Here's how to win almost $500 smackeroos in locally crafted gifts:
1. Like Amy in 613 on Facebook.
2. Post a blog comment below telling me your favourite gift in the gift guide.
Want some extra entries? Sure you do!
3. For an extra entry, post your favourite gift on Instagram and tag @amyin613. Double points if you tag the designer or business who sells it too. Triple points if you tag your post with #613giftguide.
4. For another extra entry, tweet your favourite gift and tag @amyin613. Again, double points if you tag the designer or business too. Triple points if you tag your post with #613giftguide.
5. Share this link on Facebook and tag the Amy in 613 Facebook page in your post.
So there you have it: just like before, you've but a bunch of ways to win! Contest closes this Friday December 18, 2015 at 7:00pm EST, and I'll announce the winner shortly after. By entering the contest you accept the terms: local residency and central pick-up of the prize.
Good luck everyone!
