An Affair Of The Heart 2018: My Recap!
Still pinching myself that my Gift Guide was printed in every AAOTH show program!!!!!!!
I was supposed to publish this post yesterday but with today being Small Business Saturday, it just seemed more fitting to make it live today and after reading it, I know you will agree!
As soon as I returned from Boston I was so happy to kickstart the holidays at An Affair Of The Heart in Tulsa. If you haven’t heard of An Affair Of The Heart, it’s a truly unique event that happens several times a year in Oklahoma and a few surrounding areas. And if you have been following me for a while, I featured ten amazing gift items in a holiday gift guide for you to discover at the show in this post and also this post. An Affair Of The Heart brings together the creators of the world who have an especially strong sense of community, creativity, and soul, and all of the exhibitors I got to talk to were incredibly friendly and talented. While I was there I spotted some amazing entrepreneurs that I thought I’d share with you today of course with huge emphasis on the ten I have already included! I hope you enjoy the pics from the event too as well as pics from the blogger event I co-hosted with Lisa and Kristin! I feel confident your other favorite Tulsa bloggers will be working with An Affair Of The Heart in 2019 too!
Plus it’s almost holiday time everyone, which is personally my favorite shopping time of the year. It’s so exciting, and everything sparkles! Sugar and spice and everything nice! Lights! Trees! Of course, the holidays also means making a list of who you need to buy presents for; family, friends, bosses, significant others, your neighbor, your favorite bartender, your bestie… etc.).
I really hope to make that shopping list easier to fill out once you read this!!!
I must first say that I had only met two of the ten vendors I featured in person prior to An Affair Of The Heart so meeting the other vendors in person was just so heart warming to me. I feel like I have made some lifelong friends throughout all of this!
There is truly something for everyone!!!
So let’s get started, shall we?!
Sara and her momma from Original Brooks were there looking as adorable as you may have expected and showcasing an array of hand sewn journals and notebooks made from repurposed and vintage materials. These journals are truly one of a kind. And I love the little pieces of art Sara’s mom creates.
I met the fabulous mother daughter duo behind Leopard Grove and am so stoked to have connected with them-one of the many reasons why I just love AAOTH. They have the most unique apparel items which I really have an eye for. Their pieces are quirky and slightly off-kilter and possess that je ne sais quois that takes a certain kind of person to pull them off. I of course wanted one of everything!! They carry the gorgeous Yochi NY pieces too which I had to snag the little killer bees velvet booties! They are embellished with crystal rhinestones (not acrylic rhinestones) and embroidered with beads. The rhinestones are clear, black, yellow, and Bordeaux. Each rhinestone is individually set too!! I also snagged the Yochi butterfly bee necklace. It’s so incredibly lightweight and just gorgeous! This gold plated necklace is the same necklace seen in People Style Watch August 2013 issue.
Of course I tried so many delicious samples-another perk of attending An Affair Of The Heart. You should totally come hungry btw!! And a few things really stood out to me as I sampled so I ended up buying a few things like Salsa in a Snap. You just literally mix of scoop of their salsa with a small can of petite diced tomatoes and it is soooo good ya’ll. I also could not resist Willis Chile. OMG- so easy and so so comforting and delish. I love a simple savory Chile and this mix is everything! If you are local to Tulsa, you can find it at Harvard Meats too or order on line here. And of course you cannot forget about Scott Farms Gourmet Foods who I have been raving about for months!! From soup mixes, dip mixes to Cajun specialties and Southwest specialties, they cater to your love for chilies, Mexican food, special spices and gourmet food. They specialize in "just add water" soups and unique soup recipes. And Larry is just the nicest man you will ever meet!! Talk about perfect stocking stuffers! Who doesn’t love to eat??!
I was so happy to have found Raines Clayworks too!! She does the loveliest small-batch pottery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And the sponge holder is just pure genius!! I love the minimal esthetic in her pieces so much!
Loving my two new statement necklaces from The Purple Hat & Friends. They have some super unique accessories and were just the sweetest ladies! I was so pleased to meet them and look forward to seeing the new inventory they post on their facebook.
I also stopped by the coolest little booth featuring Ron Miller who is a western author. He was signing his new book Along the Pecos! And him and Gail also collect and sell rare unique magazine prints. They had some great prints of Natalie Wood and Elizabeth Taylor and of course I just had to have the Elvis one! I talk about my newfound love for The King is this post. I have been Elvis obsessed ever since Memphis.
And of course I stopped by JL Concepts and was so happy to finally meet in person. I just love their bowls and cutting boards! The craftsmanship is just exquisite and you just have to see these beauties in person to appreciate the details in every piece that is created. I love the bowl they gifted me so much. It’s truly an art piece in my home as you can see here.
And of course it’s always such a joy visiting with Nina from Farm Sweet Farm Oklahoma! I am forever a fan of her goats milk soaps and lotions and just cannot wait to gift these to family and friends. Her holiday scents are so delightful.
And seeing Penny again was just fab!! She borrowed the portrait of Henry for the weekend and I heard he got a ton of compliments! I love the idea of something personal and sentimental like this as a gift. It is just so meaningful! And these portraits will be cherished forever and ever. (Penny is honoring 20% off your purchase if you mention you are a Go French Yourself reader. (all orders must be placed by December 1st for the discount)
Really excited to have met Jared from C2 Woodworks. I was so inspired by him that I will be featuring a Q & A with him on the blog soon!!! So stay tuned for that! This is one maker you are going to want to support.
And of course you cannot forget scrunchies from Coral Lane, candles and aromatherapy products from Soy Candle Cottage, and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from PS:121 Jewelry.
An Affair of The Heart is such a special event. I look forward to making it a tradition every year! Shopping from small businesses and getting a chance to meet the people behind them is so much fun for me. And I really hope the companies I have featured here helps you cross someone off your Christmas gifting list. I have linked the ways to get in touch with them and hope you consider shopping small this year!
And go ahead and reserve the 2019 show dates now!! They even added two additional shows!!! It’s just the best time and not just because of the shopping but because of the traditions and memories you make!!
Oklahoma City:
Feb. 8-10, 2019
June 7-9, 2019
Oct. 18-20, 2019
Tulsa:
March 29-31, 2019
July 12-14, 2019
Nov. 22-24, 2019
Springfield:
Sept. 6-8, 2019
