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Word of mouth is the BEST form of advertisement a business can get.   Please consider doing your own post on your own blog about places in your town.  If you're in SD, send me your suggestions.  And do your own OCCUPYing this season LOCALLY!

This Saturday is Ocean Beach’s annual Holiday Parade.  When I moved here I thought this was the best parade I’d ever seen.  The Geriatric Surf Drill team is hilarious.  This is real family fun and a great excuse to go to OB and do some SHOPPING!  I’ve mentioned OB before but here are a couple of places I haven’t mentioned:
Olive Tree Market – I used to love walking here and getting something good for dinner or just some cheese, but they have so much more including a large selection of wine for the wino I mean wine aficionado on your list. 
Dog Beach Dog Wash is the place to take your pooch after a day at dog beach.  A gift certificate for a wash is a nice gift for the pooch lover on your list.

Look no further for your candidate for 2012.  I love Amy Poehler and this character.  Available on Etsy and made in the USA. 

Book Darts – a new way to mark your passages or keep your place.   

La Jolla Farmers Market Sunday Mornings 8 am – 1 pm:  SO many vendors and wonderful items here including handmade bird houses, lavender gift items, art, too many to list but here’s a couple of their vendors:
Locally Grown retails their clothing items that send a statement literally, procured and manufactured tshirts made in the US.
Chef Betsy G  makes delicious GLUTEN FREE goodies.
Laurel Nation Designs makes beautiful jewelry.  

Radiance Yoga in Mission Hills offers a new student private session for $75.  This is an incredible value to have a very skilled and trained teacher help assess and provide for your needs.  Just check out their instructor bios, many have degrees and have been practicing yoga since the 70’s. 

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This is #3 in a series I’ve been doing about Shopping Local.  My hope is that others do this in their home town.  The other two posts are here and here. 

Mission Hills Area

Maison En Provence is a beautiful little store filled with household and other gift items hand picked by the owners from France.   Little lavender sachets to gourmet food items, there’s bound to be a nice gift for someone special. 

The Huddle doesn’t have a website.  What they have is old-fashioned diner style food.  Located at 4023 Goldfinch St, they offer no frills but it’s a great, inexpensive place to eat.  They offer gift certificates and they also sell their homemade jams and during the Holidays, PIES at $7 a PIE.  Did you miss that?  Homemade pie, the granddaughter affirmed she was still traumatized after last years experience, they roll out the dough and make them there.  And when we bought our Holiday pies, it was buy 3 get one free….

Olivetto is a cozy café and wine bar that I’ve been to a couple of times.  A great place for a girls night out, their truffle fries are delicious and I’m assured their wine selection is very tasty. 

Fridays in Mission Hills, there is a small Farmers Market that sells lovely food items for the Foodie on your list. 

Entertainment

Intrepid Shakespeare Company is offering a HUGE 50% off discount on their entire season subscription for 2012.  That’s an incredible deal when you see what it normally is (hint less than the price of movie tickets).  Offer valid 11/25-11/28 (Black Friday through Cyber Monday).  Use Coupon Code: 2012 when checking out online. 

Magazine Subscriptions – who doesn’t like a great magazine?  Just a few suggestions:  For writers or readers who like to take a walk in a different slice of life The Sun, to better living and how to simplify the everyday things Real Simple,  for those trying to incorporate healthy eating options into their lives Vegetarian Times.

Spiritual Cinema Circle sends spiritually uplifting and inspirational movies on a monthly basis and you keep the DVD.  I loved what they would send, often several short films and then a feature length movie on one DVD.  Great for families looking to spend quality time together. 

Here’s a post from a blog I follow instead of buy something, make something, includes suggestions, pictures and instructions. 

Your suggestions, comments and feedback are always important.