ACMB Favorite Things 2018

Disclosure: This list is brought to you by our lineup of favorite brands. Each one of these recommendations is a top pick of Alamo City Moms Blog’s, and we personally solicited all companies for inclusion. 

 We’re so excited to share ACMB’s 2018 Favorite Things with you! From locally handcrafted leather goods and spirits, to a mom-run online boutique, we searched high and low for some of the best and coolest products and companies out there.  Check out Facebook and Instagram (#ACMBFavoriteThings) for more details and pictures AND for the awesome giveaway, in which one reader will win a stash of our favorite things! 

A special thank you to Bohanan’s for hosting the team and treating us to yummy food and indulgent cocktails. 

Bohanan's Prime Steak and Seafood

Built in the late 1800s, the iconic location has housed a gentlemen’s haberdashery, shoe store, millinery shop, ladies fine clothier and an architecture firm – and is the perfect spot for a cocktail at the bar, a date night dinner, or a special celebration–like enjoying a girls’ night out! Executive Chef/Owner Mark Bohanan has written a new chapter in the storied history of Texas steakhouses at Bohanan’s Prime Steaks & 

Seafood making it our FAVORITE  for mesquite-grilled center cuts of prime aged beef, Japanese Akaushi steaks, seafood flown in fresh, an award-winning wine list and flawless service.

Pro-Tip: Treat yourself to the Carajillo: a coffee/liquor drink that is “dessert in a glass”–it’s got expresso and Likor 43 in it and it’s only available at Bohanan’s. We thoroughly enjoyed them! 

The Bra Box

The Bra Box is a bra boutique designed for the everyday lady. Providing bra support in underwire, wire-free, nursing, sports bra and more, our fitters are passionate about bra fitting and bra shopping! Favorite Thing: The Coobie Bra is a “one size fits all” leisure bra. They come in a variety of colors, and have coordinating bottoms – perfect for everyday wear.

Stylin' Brunette

Stylin Brunette was founded by Kristel Gonzaba. A local San Antonio lady who appreciates a themed dinner party and a good craft night. By day she is learning to sew, and by the evening she is leading a lifestyle that is as fun and colorful as the clothes she wears. This Golden Girls fan is a lover of glitter, gingham, champagne, and take out! She is the kind of lady you want around when putting together a party or styling an outfit. Kristel’s Instagram feed and Etsy items are sure to bring joy to your home and life. Follow her to enjoy the adventures of Stylin Brunette, Where Do It Yourself & Treat Yo Self Collide! Favorite Thing: San Antonio Pillow

Q Thirty Two

Q Thirty Two is a handmade goods company owned and operated by Greg and Shannon Qualls. Greg’s better at making, so he builds the items, while Shannon dreams them up. We are all about building a life you love (and one we love!). From choosing long lasting materials to classic designs, our goal is to create items that will be used for years to come. We specialize in making leather products, but we like to use other mediums as well. Favorite Thing: Greg picked our minimalist wallet. He prefers to carry the least amount of items possible so it makes sense his wallet of choice is perfect for carrying some cards and cash. Shannon on the other hand, likes to be prepared for all eventualities. She selected our designer canvas and leather totes as her favorite item. Perfect for carting around sippy cups, wallets, first aid kits and anything else a busy momma may need.

The Hidden Trunk

The Hidden Trunk is a Mom’s boutique owned by a teacher and her daughters. We strive to help Mom’s feel beautiful and share that feeling with her own daughter. Our goal is to provide fashion for both Mom and daughter and not break the bank. Favorite Thing: This year we love Tassel Earrings! They make great gifts because they fit everyone. Plus, they make great stocking stuffers.

Beauty & Twine

Beauty & Twine offers a variety of custom skin care therapies to restore and regenerate, or maintain your skin’s natural healthy state in a warm, cozy, and comfortable environment. Favorite Thing: The Revitalize Facial is Ideal for those seeking to improve the appearance and texture of their skin, this therapeutic facial begins with dual cleansers to gently clean the skin surface, followed by a cream scrub exfoliant to deep clean and eliminate spent skin cells. To promote a healthy complexion, cleansing continues with extractions followed by a custom mask application that is unique for your skin type. Relax with an upper body experience that features a relaxing arm, neck, and shoulder massage. Your skin will then be nourished and hydrated with appropriate moisturizers and serums while you enjoy a gentle calming face massage.

Seersucker Gin

Seersucker Gin is a homegrown (made right here in San Antonio)  and refreshing spirit that amplifies your cocktail! Seersucker Lemonade and Seersucker Limeade use all fresh ingredients and is your perfect cocktail over ice or with your favorite mixers. 

Feliz Modern

If it isn’t already, Feliz Modern should be your go-to store for fun and funky gifts, goodies and party supplies! Favorite Things: A square Otomi inspired scarf perfect for knotting around your neck or a bag, champagne bottle ornament, a sweet elf ornament and signature “Coach Pop” and the Feliz Pups stickers.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s mission is to inspire people to connect with the plant world and understand the importance of plants in our lives.  Engaging cultural activities, practical community classes, inspiring children’s camps, dynamic school programs, critical endangered plant research efforts, and diverse and spectacular plant collections educate visitors to the many roles that plants play in our lives. Favorite Thing: A family membership so you can enjoy the garden again and again, in each of the seasons plus take advantage of all the member perks throughout the year. 

Travel Tray

After extensive searching of stores, internet and patents we realized that a real all-in-one solution did not exist, so we created Travel Tray! Our patent pending universal design accommodates on-the-go cups and bottles, fitting inside all child cars seat cup holders as well as in standard and larger car cup holders. Favorite Thing: A Travel Tray! Great for the front seat OR the back, you’ll need several in each car. 

Belle and Union, Co.

Everything you’ll find here is steeped in Southern hospitality — from the deepest grooves of our letterpress greeting cards to the very (literal) fiber of our signature tea towels — all proudly American made. We’ve got a soft spot for vintage American wit and wisdom and goods that tote a bit of a foodie twist. To us, nothing says home and comfort quite like the scents of Mawmaw’s kitchen; it’s the heart of the home and the memories made in it feed our souls. Favorite Thing: Signature tea towels and salt spoons that make your kitchen feel like home and are as useful as they are pretty! 

Detox Water

detoxwater™ is a ready-to-drink beverage made with vitamins, electrolytes, and the highest quality aloe vera. Founded by Kenneth Park in 2015 under the umbrella of his company, Superleaf LLC, detoxwater is committed to promoting wellness from the inside out. With only 30 calories per bottle, detoxwater delivers the clinically proven benefits of pure aloe juice – an ingredient known to support immune function, healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, and improved skin elasticity. Certified USDA Organic, OU Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free, detoxwater is available in five delicious flavors: Original (Lychee & White Grape), Mangaloe, Piñamint, Peachberry, and Appleberry.

gimME

gimMe Roasted Seaweed Snacks are made with premium organic seaweed, salted and seasoned to savory perfection. Naturally low in calories and sodium, these crunchy snacks are the perfect blend of nutritious and delicious!  gimMe Roasted Seaweed Snacks come in five delicious flavors: Sea Salt, Teriyaki, Toasted Sesame, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Chili Sriracha, and Wasabi.

gimMe Seaweed Thins are crunchy, nutrient packed wafer-like snacks. They are made with premium organic seaweed harvested in a protected bay in South Korea. Each seaweed sheet is roasted to perfection to achieve just the right crispy texture and brushed with a blend of spices and Tamari sauce then layered with sliced almonds, coconut and sesame.

gimMe Seaweed Thins are available in three delicious flavors: Almond Sesame, Sriracha Almond, and Toasted Coconut.

Stryve Biltong Snacks

Better tasting and better-for-you Biltong Beef Snacks, packed with protein and ridiculously low in sugar. Stryve Biltong is an all-natural, clean-ingredient meat snack that is low in sugar, extremely high in protein, and free from additives. Differentiating itself from jerky and other meat snacks, Stryve Biltong is never injected or soaked in sugar-laden marinades and it is air-dried to retain more of the natural nutrients. It was founded with the passionate purpose of creating delicious and nutritious high-protein snacks that help curb cravings and achieve fitness goals.

Beautycounter with Michelle Head

Beautycounter is on a mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone.  With a list of over 1500 prohibited potentially harmful ingredients, they’ve set out to create high performing skin care, make up and body care.  Their products are indulgent, high quality and long lasting.  Believing the mission and story is best told person to person, Beautycounter is a direct sales company.  Local consultant (and ACMB team member) Michelle Head provided holiday lip glosses to the ACMB team.  The holiday lip gloss vault contains 10 beautiful shades with a subtle peppermint scent.  

Wandering Bear

New York-based Wandering Bear is an organic, Fair Trade certified cold brew iced coffee, with no preservatives or sugar. The ready-to-drink brew is bold, yet uniquely smooth with a bright, chocolatey finish. Wandering Bear is available in both on-the-go and multi-serve “on tap” sizes, that can be purchased in-store, online, or as a recurring subscription for home or office delivery.

Flavors range from straight black coffee, to mocha-coconut, to vanilla-coconut.

Thank you to contributor and photographer Anna Angenend for taking pictures at the event! We appriciate you! 

See the Facebook Album here! 

Amanda
A fifth-generation San Antonionian - who happened to spend her formative years in Austin - Amanda loves the SAT from the confetti in her hair to the bluebonnets under her feet. Never one to miss a reason to host a party or decorate for a theme, Amanda revels in the 'mas Fiesta' attitude of the city. She's mom to Vivi (2012) aka #HurricaneVivi, Mac (2020) and wife to Francois, whom she met at Texas A&M (FTAC '05). She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Making it Up As She Goes - which means she's a sometimes-fun-mom. You can find her on Instagram . She loves confetti, croissants, and a cold Ranch Water. Favorite Restaurant: Piatti's Favorite Landmark: Johnson Street footbridge in King William Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Medals