Celebrating Breastfeeding Awareness Month

  The benefits of breastfeeding are innumerable. Breastfeed babies have increased immune function, and are less likely to be asthmatic or obese. Being a nursing mother is difficult, being a Black, Latinx, or Indigenous nursing mother comes with a whole other set of barriers. If mothers and children are to successfully complete their breastfeeding journeys’ they need support. Support during this time is even more vital for BIPOC mothers and their babies who face glaring disparities in the areas of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and access to after-birth support. As breastfeeding awareness month comes to a close, we wanted to highlight some of the entrepreneurs working toward making breastfeeding and birth care more accessible and culturally in tune for BIPOC nursing mothers.    Find a BIPOC owned business for your every need here.   Milky Mama   Krystal Nicole Duhaney, a board-certified lactation specialist and registered nurse,…
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  • September 5, 2021
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Blistey’s Guide to Black-Owned Chicago

After a brutal winter filled with Covid restrictions and sheltering in place, it is finally summertime in Chicago. And if you didn’t know that summertime in Chicago, especially Black-Chicago, is a whole vibe now you know.    Chicago’s Black community has had a significant and lasting impact on the city’s culture. Today Chicago is home to so many amazing Black entrepreneurs and the city wouldn’t be what it is without them. From Hyde Park to Lincoln Park and everywhere in between, you’ll find Black-owned businesses doing amazing things and you should definitely show your support when you visit.   Now is the perfect time to plan a trip to the Windy City if you’ve been thinking about it. Covid numbers are down, lockdown restrictions are up and all my favorite places are open!    I kicked off my Chicago summer by supporting some amazing black businesses. And I’m excited to share all of these spots with you! Whatever you’re looking for these businesse…
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  • July 25, 2021
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Updated: Asian-American + Pacific Islander Owned Businesses to Support During AAPI Heritage Month

Asian-American + Pacific Islander Owned Businesses to Support During AAPI Heritage Month And Beyond

It’s Asian and Pacific Islander heritage month, and we here at Blistey are excited to celebrate the diverse cultures that are represented by that term. Asian-American-owned businesses have suffered over the last year. From difficulties surrounding Covid restrictions and racial discrimination, Asian-owned businesses have seen a significant decrease in business activity.

The wave of Anti-Asian hate crimes in the past several months has highlighted the importance of solidarity and allyship and one of the simplest ways to support any marginalized community is to support its entrepreneurs. 

The brands and businesses listed here are a gr…

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  • July 9, 2021
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7 Adorable BIPOC-Owned Baby Brands

7 Adorable BIPOC-Owned Baby Brands To Support This Summer 

      

Preparing for the birth of a new baby can be overwhelming. Between decorating the nursery and stocking up on diapers and clothes, there’s not much room to relax your nerves or wallet. With all the new babies arriving this summer, Blistey wanted to make buying BIPOC  a little easier. So, sit back, relax, and check out some of our favorite BIPOC-Owned baby brands. 

HAPPY MANGO

Best Known For: Eco-Friendly Baby Products

Products: Onesies, Tops, Bottoms, Hair Accessories, Bibs, Nursery Decor, Strollers

Price Range: $10-$10,000

This one is for my eco-friendly famil…

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  • July 9, 2021
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LGBTQIA Owned Home Decor Brands We Love

LGBTQIA Owned Home Decor Brands We Love  For Pride Month and Beyond   Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to update your space by adding things you love! June is pride month, but pride doesn't stop with one month, and Blistey is excited to highlight a few LGBTQIA-owned home decor brands that will help you bring new life into your space. It's a great time to get the scoop on LGBTQIA-owned businesses that you can shop all year long. We must support BIPOC entrepreneurs in the LGBTQIA community, who have been more likely to suffer economic hardship than their white counterparts during the pandemic. Blistey is happy to help you get started.   Pride month is a time for celebration and to honor the advancements gained by LGBTQIA activists. Supporting businesses owned by marginalized groups is a great way to show up for those communities. So if you’re in the mood to spruce up your space for summer, shop these brands for products that range from eco-friendly…
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  • June 30, 2021
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10 Airbnb Listings  Perfect for a Quarantine Getaway

10 Airbnb Listings  Perfect for a Quarantine Getaway  

The vaccine rollout is going better than expected in many parts of the US and there’s finally light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. With that being said, we’ve got to be vigilant about how and when we venture out. But if you’re in dire need of a socially distanced vacay (who isn’t at this point?), a secluded spot is just what the doctor ordered. 

If you’re looking to take a little getaway to ride out the rest of Covid-19 you’re in luck, these gorgeous Airbnbs are perfect for your next self-isolation staycation. So grab your suitcase and go! And be sure to follow all travel guidelines recommended by the CDC, and get in touch with hosts to verify what precautions have been taken before you travel. 

The Modern Balinese Style Villa - Los Angeles, CA, USA

Indulge in all the…

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  • March 30, 2021
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BIPOC Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season

If you’re reading this, chances are you know the obstacles faced by BIPOC business owners. Systemic racism has erected so many barriers for BIPOC entrepreneurs and by extension the communities that they live in. Local businesses are the lifeblood of communities they keep wealth circulating, and create a tax base that funds services and contributes to the overall wellbeing of communities. 

Often discrimination prevents minority owned businesses from securing funding that’s needed to scale their businesses. On the other hand consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of the total US economy. Only 14 percent of that money is recirculated into local communities by big box stores compared to 48 percent by locally owned businesses. 

If we want to see Black and Indeginous communities thrive, economically supporting businesses in those communities is a necessity. Spending money with these businesses is the most tangible way you can show your support for…

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  • February 17, 2021
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10 Black-Owned Businesses to Shop This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and the world around us has shifted dramatically. From protesting social injustice worldwide to bearing the harshest brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US, the black community, and our allies, globally have dealt with a lot this year. I know many of us are looking forward to the holidays. The time of year when we can reset, rest and reconnect with our loved ones either virtually or safely in person, and one of the ways we do that is gift-giving.  

We here at Blistey are exceedingly passionate about supporting black-owned businesses all over the world, and we hope you are too. Forty-one percent of black-owned businesses have either temporarily or permanently closed their doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic in the US. We should all be uplifting the black entrepreneurs in our lives, especially now. With that in mind, check out Blisteys’ gift buying guide below, these amazing businesses won’t disappoint. You can spoil t…

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  • February 17, 2021
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Our top 10 picks for Chicago

Tis the season to all things jolly, and with the holidays coming up there, will be many holiday festivities, Christmas carols, and tons of holiday shopping to find the right presents for loved ones. In the season of giving, shopping locally is one thing many consumers will try to do. Not only does it provide the opportunity to get a special gift that you can't find anywhere else, but it provides a chance to learn more about the businesses in your area. 

When in Chicago, the Black culture there is amazing and livens up the city, and with many Black-Owned businesses from restaurants, bookstores to clothing boutiques and so on, there are many places to check out, and we've listed a few. 

1.) Soap Distillery

When looking to embark on a self-care day, soaps are an essential factor. Soap Distillery is a small business that specializes in making the area cocktail scented. From scents like Mint Mojito and Honey Whiskey, the bath will sure to …

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  • February 2, 2021
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Our Top Picks for Tokyo

Minato City

Getting off at the Shiodome metro stop you can start your day at Tokyo Tower and a stroll through Shiba Park. After your walk you should absolutely check out Calabash for some akra (croquette of beans) as a quick snack.

Calabash

Entering Calabash is like journeying to West Africa without leaving Tokyo. The menu is divided into three countries: Mali, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast. Try Senegal’s national dish thieboudienne (made with fish, rice, and seasoned with tomatoes), couscous from Mali, or maafe, a peanut stew with origins in Senegal and Mali.

After having a snack at Calabash you can make your way and walk around Shibuya and after some window shopping you can walk over to Queen Sheba for some authentic Ethiopian food in Nakameguro.

Addis Restaurant 

Once satiated on some  smoked ducked and mustard make your way over to Addis restaurant to complete your tour of Ethiopian …

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  • February 2, 2021
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