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As I’ve been blogging more frequently, I’ve also been trying to get out a little more often to meet some other local bloggers. Community is everything and it’s hard when you’re a work-from-home-mom. I miss having those connections in the workplace from people who understand what it is I do. Not to mention, I’ve had the honor to meet with and get to know some amazing women. Several of us got together recently for a little Columbus blogger Sunday Sunday event last month. It was so much fun to just relax and hang out on a Sunday afternoon. I even brought Caleb along to meet some Columbus blogger friends. It also wouldn’t be a blogger event without some great sponsors to help us put it all together. It was great to network and hear about some businesses that are really making waves around Columbus. I want so share them with you, in case you’re looking to shop for something new or want to grab a little treat the next time you’re out.
J-POPS
J-POPS are popsicles that are unbelievably good and especially perfect for summer or special events. They’re made with whole fruits (locally-sourced whenever possible) and other natural ingredients. They are also have no additives, preservatives, artificial coloring and are completely gluten free. In fact, that average popsicle from J-POPS has FOUR ingredients!
There are over 50 flavors in the J-POPS lineup, but they typically only stock four or five different flavors at a time. This is so they can use in-season, fresh ingredients. My personal favorite was the pineapple cilantro. It surprised me, since it’s not a combo I would have put together myself, but it was so yummy! If you want to check out which farmers markets and festivals J-POPS will be at this summer, you can find out where they’ll be each week right on their website!
balm skincare
We’re all about raw products for eating healthy, so why not for our skincare too? balm skincare is all about using natural ingredients and reducing the junk in the products that we use. There are so many things, from our cleaning supplies to our personal care products to our food that contain dangerous additives and carcinogens. As a mom, you know how important it is to protect our littles (and ourselves) as much as possible. balm gets it too. They take herbalism and use it to create healthier skincare products, giving those of us who strive for a healthier lifestyle a better choice than the conventional products around. I came away with a little sachet of ingredients for a customized facial steam. It smelled amazing and my skin felt so good after trying it!
You can shop for balm skincare right on their website. If you want to test some of the products out in person, you can also check out their events page to see where they’ll be next.
Salumi Couture
So I’ve actually never been a huge cured meat fan. But I’ll also admit that my exposure to it has been fairly limited. When I studied abroad in Spain, my host mother would make us little jamón sandwiches to take with us to the beach. I usually skipped the meat and just ate the bread. Chorizo wasn’t really my jam either. But Salumi Couture has totally changed my opinion. I even went back for a second taste.
Dave Lesgold, the founder of Salumi Couture, is the mastermind behind the meat. He creates each recipe and cures the meat himself. You can totally tell that he puts a lot of love and expertise into each recipe. The Sweet and Spicy Coppa was my favorite, but the Mikey brought me right back to that summer in Spain. You can find a list of Columbus restaurants and specialty shops that sell Salumi Couture here.
TRU MAN BRAND
TRU MAN is a family-owned clothing brand here in Columbus. I’m pretty familiar with many of the small shop clothing brands around and what I love about TRU MAN is that their designs are fun and unique. Plus, if you’re an Ohio native, this is the place to be shopping for your Ohio-proud apparel.
STUMP Plants
I do not have a green thumb whatsoever and my first foray into succulents ended badly. But it’s been a few weeks and I’m managing to keep my little succulent from STUMP plants alive. Woo!
They have retail shops in the Italian Village and German Village in Columbus, so you can stop in and see what they have in stock. You can also shop online, although they don’t have their full stock on the website. What I love most, though, is their willingness to help educate people on how to actually keep their plants alive. I can’t be the only plant-challenged person out there, right? Their website is full of great information from how to choose the right plant for your home (and for you!), to plant care and other important tips for beginners. And if you’re still stuck, you can actually book a consultation to have someone come out and help you survey your home and lifestyle so you can choose just the right plant. How cool is that?!
Ridiculously Good Salsa
The name kind of says it all. Ridiculously Good Salsa is really that good. Made in Westerville, Ridiculously Good Salsa is a refrigerator salsa made out of super fresh ingredients. My family is a little salsa-obsessed over here, so we don’t throw out salsa compliments lightly. But man, this stuff is good. And I say this when I make and can my own every summer. I think what really makes them stand out is that you can tell that the ingredients are fresh and the flavor is bold. Which reminds me, I need to go pick up some more.
They have three different flavors: mellow, happy medium and high heat. I like a little spice, but not too much. The mellow definitely had just the right amount of kick for me. If you’re looking to buy Ridiculously Good Salsa, they have a full list of locations around Columbus on their website. You can also order it online and have it shipped to you if you’re not local. Win, right?
Which local business on this list do you plan to check out first? Leave a comment and let me know!
I had so much fun at this Columbus blogger event – can’t wait for the next one!
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