I have talked about how I love the small towns on the south shore of New England where I live on my Instagram and on my blog frequently.
I wanted to highlight some of the small businesses that I love, with the hope of introducing you to them. Some of these summaries are taken from the shop owners own words, and some are from me!
Darilynns: I am a longtime fan of Darilynn’s, and I have bought candles, home decor, childrens clothing and jewelry for myself and for many other people over the years.
From owner Darilynn: I opened Darilynn’s 16 years ago. My husband and I both grew up in Cohasset and we raised our 3 children here as well. I strive to be a “go-to” shop for gifts – customers come in looking for gifts for weddings, showers, birthdays, holidays, new babies, mother’s day and more, and I often hear “I knew I would find just the right thing here!” Many local brides register here as well, which is so much fun. I love carrying coastal/seaside related items that are representative of the beautiful South Shore. I am the VP of the Cohasset Chamber of Commerce and I have worked for the last 4 years on the Cohasset 250 Committee developing a collection of 250 merchandise, however, sadly our 250 celebrations did not take place due to COVID. I love that our store is located right downtown as it allows me to be actively involved in many community activities and events – plus I have gotten to know so many wonderful people in the community over the years…the best part!!
The Pink Frame: Artist Becky O’Toole lives in Scituate and is a survivor of both breast cancer and acute myloid leukemia. During treatment, Becky saw how gloomy and hopeless the dark rooms of the hospital were, and she began painting as a form of therapy. Becky donates a portion of sales from every painting for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and she regularly donates her paintings to organizations who support those battling cancer and other causes. Becky makes paintings of all size, including charming ornaments, so everyone can afford something. Her hashtag is #paintingswithpurpose , and she is such an inspiration! Most unselfishly, The Pink Frame does not sell directly to customers. If you want to buy a painting, you must go to or through one of the local shops that Becky supports, who receive part of her sales.
Assembly: Assembly is a men’s and women’s retail shop in Downtown Hingham and in Cohasset Village. Their selection for women is incredible, but I especially love their men’s shop because there are so few quality, personalized small business shop options for men on the South Shore (or pretty much anywhere). Owners Matt and Evan are big into community involvement, and, even as a small business who has had challenges this year, they are going out of their way to highlight and to partner with other small, local businesses.
Shipyard Photography: I had been in touch with Anne before about hiring her, but we actually met when I was in her home town of Duxbury standing outside local business Sailor Duxbury having my boyfriend snap my photo. She took a few photos of me, including a headshot that I love!
About Shipyard in Anne’s words: I am a Photographer located in Duxbury Massachusetts. I have lived on the South Shore for most of my life and I could never live far away from the ocean! I find constant inspiration living here. Our beautiful New England beaches and small coastal towns are my muse and get me excited to photograph every day! Fun fact, I prefer to be at the beach in the winter. Walking and finding treasures from the sea with my children, is my favorite!
With my love for all things coastal, it’s no wonder I enjoy photographing interiors. I have had great opportunities to photograph the most beautiful coastal homes with gorgeous design elements and that beautiful coastal feel.
For Real Estate Agents, Interior Designers and Home Builders, my photography will capture the details of your space which make it unique.
I believe it’s the little details that tell a story. The details portray the lifestyle, the idea or image you want to capture. Your target audience will relate to how you show your space.. The details will turn that house into a home! Let Shipyard Photography showcase your home or business.
Salty Whale Cohasset: Cohasset husband and wife team Jimmy and Kara create whales, signs and other products like hand poured candles from their home. The wood that they use comes from homes, barns and other buildings in Hingham and surrounding towns, and it is often between 150- over 200 years old. The whales come with a card on the back that tells you where your wood comes from. Best of all, their pieces are super affordable, which is great for everyone looking to add a special piece at a reasonable price.
Miammiam Macaronerie: I am dating myself here, but I am an original Miammiam fan! Miam-miam means yummy in French, and can we talk about the fact that this shop is called a macaronerie?! First based in South Boston in 2014, Miammiam has moved to Quincy Center (hooray for me), appointment only due to covid. Owner Jen is always mixing up flavors, but there are staples as well. She does holiday packs, custom for weddings, client events, birthdays and just about anything else. And they now offer macaron subscriptions!
Clandestine Kitchen: I was introduced to Clandestine Kitchen when they did a popup of their healthy food at The Guesthouse in Hingham. Everything sold out pretty quickly, but everything that I tried was both delicious and healthy. Clandestine has donated over $30,000 in meals to first responders and local organizations.
From owner Courtney: Clandestine Kitchen, LLC (CK) was born in 2017 from the desire to bring total body wellness, and clean nutrition, to Boston’s south shore neighborhoods. Originally from Seattle, Washington, CK Chef & Owner, Courtney Doyle, relocated to Hingham, Massachusetts from San Francisco, California 14 years ago and longed for the fresh, organic purity of the resources regularly found in the northern California area (yes, even back then!). A self-taught culinary student on many levels, Doyle draws from her experience at Williams Sonoma, Inc (having the pleasure of working just 1 floor down from Chuck Williams and just down the corridor from the WSI test kitchen), her vast entertaining experience and her love of all food that is healthy, fresh and delicious, bringing CK clients new, innovative twists on classic dishes and creating new flavor profiles that support a commitment to gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free nutrition.
Clandestine Kitchen is a “total body wellness” brand, fusing together clean nutrition with other important facets of healthy living such as fitness, beauty, fashion and surrounding oneself with good, positive vibes. By bringing community leaders together to provide a one-stop resource for complete and total health and wellness, CK’s mission to promote a healthy and positive lifestyle is applicable to all people, in every town, that seek to embrace a lifetime of nutrition and wellness while staying true to the “everything in moderation” mantra that allows for the moments in life to live freely and indulge. CK is not a diet or a quick-fix – it’s a commitment to fostering total body wellness including mental health, self-care and to give the body the opportunity to recover and heal itself through clean eating and nurturing the body, mind and soul.
The CK 6-week home and corporate meal delivery Wellness Club programs have skyrocketed in popularity since the brand’s inception and CK will soon be expanding to accommodate all clients that seek to incorporate clean nutrition into their weekly meal preparation goals. In addition, CK’s mission to bring total body wellness to communities around the globe, in partnership with the CK Wellness Editors, an elite group of community industry leaders that provide guidance and expertise in many health and wellness fields, and through CK clean nutrition programs.
La Petite Maison: La Petite Maison is a dream for Francophiles like me! Over the years, I have picked up French kitchen items and jams, French linens and soaps, antiques that owner Nan has sourced from French markets, rugs and childrens’ items for my nephews and for my niece.
From owner Nan: La Petite Maison is a French inspired boutique offering the finest in imported linens, antiques and decorative accessories for the home. The Proprietor travels to France to shop the markets for unusual antique and decorative objects. The staff are La Petite Maison prides themselves in one-on-one personalized service and design consultation.
As soon as you walk into La Petite Maison, the scent of French soaps fill the air. The sounds of French music will bring you back to Paris. Your eyes delight in the inspiring displays throughout the shop. Customers frequently remark on the loveliness and ambiance the shop evokes. A visit will inspire you to return again and again.
Mainland Gift: This new store is the stuff of preppy decor goals and dreams. They carry many things lobster, whale and oyster, as well as some of my favorite preppy brands like Sailor Sailor!
From owner Sarah: Mainland is new to hingham but certainly not new! Having started on the Main Street in Chatham as three buoys in 2005 Sarah has taken the business to Harwichport, Duxbury and now hingham! Excited to share this holiday season with everyone and will be open year round at both south shore locations so come visit us in quieter times 🌟
Winter sales going on!
Strand Duxbury: Another new shop in Duxbury that has the cutest clothing and accessories. I love their hand knit hats, oyster bags and sweaters and dresses from Sail to Sable, Marine Layer and Two Bees Cashmere, to name a few.
From owner Caroline: Strand is a women’s clothing & accessories boutique located in Duxbury, MA – a quaint coastal community outside of Boston. We love our oysters and we love our beaches even more! Our goal at Strand, the Boutique is to bring fun, fresh & exclusive fashion to our customers for all of her life’s occasions! We love finding new and upcoming designers as well as offering trusted and true brands. Have a look around and hopefully find some pieces that bring you joy during this crazy time! We are continually updating inventory as it arrives so make sure to follow us on Insta and FB for shop updates. Insider Tip: STRAND means BEACH in German!
Nautical Collection: I got to know Kat, a true dog lover, when I was first starting out on Instragram. Her nautical photography stood out to me immediately, and I have two of her smaller pieces about each of our nighstands and two larger ones in my hallway and my stairs.
From owner Kat: The Nautical Collection was founded by Kat Hanafin in 2015. As a lifelong Scituate resident, Kat has strong ties to this special seaside town. She treasures all of Scituate’s beauty, and captures the essence of the town–from its working waterfront, unique lighthouses, and also its beach, ocean, and seaside happiness. Kat’s love of the ocean (and love of her hometown) comes shining across in every photo; she brings it all to life in her studio, just outside the harbor in Scituate. What makes her the happiest though, is sharing all of that with everyone, and she does so by pricing her art at attainable pricing–small framed pieces are $59, medium works are $125.
Kat also does lots of large custom wall art for clients, and those pieces start at $500. Also in the Holiday shop are nautical and holiday cards for under $5, magnets with Scituate landmarks, plus her famous Scituate Calendar which is $35. She also has a series of watercolor paintings (sold as prints) of all the historical landmarks of Scituate. Come by this holiday season, or contact Kat for an in-home consultation for custom work.
If you are local to Massachusetts or if you are visiting the South Shore, I highly encourage you to visit these wonderful shops and people. And if you are not local, please check out their websites and their social media.
Happy shopping, because the shopping does not stop after the holidays.
xxoo, Jen @preppyfrancophile
