I've never been a huge fan of Black Friday...voluntarily throwing yourself into a really angry mosh pit really early in the morning for vaccum cleaners and tvs. No thanks. Today is a different day- it's Small Business Saturday, a campaign begun in 2010 by American Express in order to encourage consumers to shop locally, educate people about the benefits of local shopping and to provide resources to small businesses. American Express provides incentives for its customers to follow through with local shopping at qualified local businesses, when using the American Express credit card, of course. Find businesses here. And read FAQ here.

With my parents being small business owners, shopping small is very important to me. There are so many small independent businesses throughout the country and they need our support and patronage to compete with the chains and big boxes. Happy Shopping y'all!

Small Business Saturday & Look Local (preservationinpink.wordpress.com)
American Express' Small Business Saturday - Shop Local on 11/24 (outwardmediablog.wordpress.com)

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emily hines

Raised in the South with a love of Spanish moss, craftsman bungalows and front porches, I am Emily Hines, writer, dreamer and beer drinker. You can find me strolling down a century old city block snapping iPhone photos of colorful facades and searching for flea market treasures.

With my burly husband Ryan, I enjoy searching for edible mushrooms to escape the hum of the city. He proudly donned the beard and man bun way before it reached the masses – a critical point he’ll remind you of whenever he sees an Urban Outfitters.

Dog mom to two wild black lab pups: Junebug, in honor of the summer beetles she’d follow around as a puppy and Lula, my swimmer who was named after the Tallulah river in Georgia. Both constant companions.

My traveling goal is to find the hidden gems. There are stories everywhere, you just have to find them. Let’s hit the road.

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