Fav Canadian Brands from the Modern Mom Show Christmas Market 2018

This was my first year attending the Modern Mom Show Christmas Market and I was blown away with how amazing it was. My gal pal Emma and I had planned to attend the show months ago. We got our tickets, made sure our hubby's new they were on baby duty for the day and we drove 2.5 hours from Newmarket to London Ontario in the pouring rain to shop and support these amazing women.

I can honestly tell you I fell in love with all the Canadian brands and the women behind them. These rockstar mamas put their heart, sweat and tears into creating products that they are so passionate about. And it shows! Not only did a leave at the end of the day with an amazing bag filled with goodies but I left with a full heart and completely inspired to find my own side hustle. Talk about #mamassupportingmamas!!

There was over 110 vendors at the show but I wanted to share my absolute favourite brands with you. If you love to support small Canadian businesses I highly suggest you check these brands out and put them on your Holiday Wish List.

1. Potter & Pehar

Tina and Shelly are the beautiful founders of this adorable little company that make eco-Friendly Modern Linen Ring Slings (Baby Carriers). They are designed and handmade right here in Canada! This is their side hustle with dreams of making it a full time gig. Their booth was filled with mamas and their babes testing out the slings. After 20 mins of trying to decide our favourite colour combination, Emma and I both bought one - Emma choose the Pottery Road with Gold Ring and I choose the Bishop with Rose Gold ring. And if that wasn't enough we also got a free Spoil me beautiful lip gloss. I can't wait to start using mine with Draper and all my future babes ;)

2. House of Jude

I was drawn to this brand from the moment we walked into the show. Their booth was beautifully designed with all their different coloured towels on display. Being a cottager myself and with a trip planned to Peru in 2019 I was instantly sold on the children's ponchos. Not only were they super cute but they are made out of Turkish towels, known as peshtemals. They are super soft and absorbent, and they dry quickly. They roll up to be quite compact making them perfect for the beach and for traveling. Plus these ponchos are good for kids up to 6 years of age. I know we are going to get a tone of wear out of this one. I only wish the ponchos came in adult size. I guess I'll have to go back and get a towel for me.

3. Os & Oakes

os & oakes creates simple, stylish, unisex apparel for fashionable little ones ranging from sizes 12 Months - Size 8. All of their clothing products are made of an incredibly soft, bamboo-blend, sustainable fabric that is durable and ethically made. The moment I touched their fabric I knew I had to buy something. I got Draper the cutest Rose Brown Bamboo Beanie. I was so obsessed with my purchase that I had to go back and buy a matching one for me! haha They didn't have the same colour in adult size so I got a grey one and I am OBSESSED! I'll definitely be returning to buy more clothes as my babe gets older.

4. Little Peg People

Lets get back to the basics. Toys don’t need to have batteries or fancy colours for your children to love them. Remember, kids prefer the box anyways! When I saw the Little Peg People I instantly fell in love. I mean, how can you not love little hand painted little wooden people and accessories. Brianne creates everything from little people, cars, food, make-up and shaving kits. Heart explode!! When Draper is a bit older I'll be all over these wooden toys. I believe it will help stimulate her imagination and personally I cannot wait to play together with them - especially the make-up kit!

5. Josiah+Co

This story warms my heart. Josiah+co. started out of a desire to share the founders' story of multiple pregnancy loss, and to encourage others to not grieve alone. They make handcrafted booties in an effort to keep the conversation about pregnancy, infant, and child loss alive. I've been so fortunate to not have to experience this type of loss, but I know how real it is and I think its truly amazing what this family is doing. These beautiful booties are made with wool blend yarn, natural sheepskin insoles and leather bottoms. They are temperature regulating and wick moisture away from the skin - keeping feet warm in the fall/winter and cool in the spring/summer.

This next company is not for babies but for their badass mamas...

6. Femme Faire

Andrea, the mama behind Femme Faire had a deep need to empower her daughter and help her find connection not only to her own Canadian and Bangladeshi roots but to other women's lives, cultures and traditions all around the world. Femme Faire is all about curating quality handmade fashion from bags, bracelets and my personal favourite, earnings. Andrea's stuff is beautiful and we spent a lot of time at the show talking to the Femme Faire mamas and oogling over their jewellery. Emma even picked herself up an early Christmas present. If anyone is talking to my husband please let him know a pair of the Mary earrings are definitely on my wish list!

Well there you have it! My fav brands from the Modern Mom Show. I hope you spend some time checking out these amazing ladies and I promise you will fall in love with them like I did.

And in the meantime please share some of your favourite small Canadian brands in the comment section below.

xo

LDT