The Kitchen Gaily X In Yo Mouth Gift Guide!
It’s been a minute since I’ve written a blog post much less a gift guide but if there was ever a time to get back into it, 2020 would be it! I recently had the pleasure of inviting the one and only Dan Pelosi aka Grossy Pelosi back on my podcast to kiki, cackle and bring you the best products from small, LGBTQ, and POC owned businesses! If you tune into Episode 146 of In Yo Mouth you can hear Dan and I hysterically get deep into my list, his list, and some honorable mentions for sure!
Now, I’m sure you are wondering how I found/chose such an eclectic mix of a products. This is my third year doing a gift guide via In Yo Mouth and usually it’s comprised of the most ridiculous food and kitchen items I can find. This being a rough year for everyone, I wanted to do something extra special and different. This is where Dan Pelosi comes in. Dan had been on the podcast once before and the full STAN began. He recently released his own beautiful gift guide and I decided to emulate it as we have a love of very similar things.
Some of the upcoming business owners I know and are tried and true. The others that I may not know I fell in love with and was inspired by. It has to be said that I am not making a cent from any of the businesses listed. Small businesses were obviously hit the hardest this year and I wanted to spread the love this holiday season. If I can introduce even a small amount of people to these amazing businesses below I’d be elated!
So, enough of my jabbering! Get your clicking finger ready and LET’S GO SHOPPING!
Give Your Walls A Glow Up!
Adzi Jasari is the owner of Moss Boss and happens to be an old friend. He takes preserved moss of your choosing and then hand makes the most beautiful wall art. The best thing about it, besides it being beautiful, is that you don’t have to water it! I can’t think of a better glow up for your kitchen or any room in your house.
Felix D’eon is a self-described Mexico City artist dedicated to the art of Queer love. I own a couple of his pieces and they bring me so much joy. His classic illustrations and paintings bring you into a LGBTQ world you never knew existed and it evokes all the warm and fuzzies. HIs original yet classic style will level up any room in your home.
Dress You Up In Bianca’s Love
I have two words… SUPER GAY! Lately, and I’m sure you feel the same, we all are living in our comfy clothes. If I am gonna be in comfy clothes why not make it supes cute?! Am I right? Or AM I RIGHT? From hoodies and sweatshirts to really cute on trend enamel pins Bianca is giving us all we need from stocking stuffers to “I’m just buying all of it for myself!” The best part is that Bianca Negron is a Queer Latinx Designer that works out of Queens, NY! Hey fam!
Can You Paint My Nails? Can You Paint My Pinky Toenails?
3. Fluide
I am a Queer Guy that has been painting his nails for quite some time. Growing up my momma, Gladys, would take me to the nail salon with her all the time. To say the least, I’m a boy who knows more about nails than most! This is why I was so excited when I came across beauty brand Fluide! From, lipstick to lipgloss, glitter to nail polish this Queer run, gender-inclusive store is where it’s at!
In their own words,
“Fluide is a mission-driven beauty brand that creates vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free cosmetics designed for all skin shades and gender expressions. We believe that makeup is joyful and fun — as well as powerful and transformative — and nobody should be left out.
Through providing a platform and amplifying the voices of queer and gender expansive identities and through showcasing queer beauty, we hope to inspire others to create their identities on their own terms, opening up possibilities for everyone’s self-expression.
We Are Fluide is based in Brooklyn and is run by a small team of passionate, multi-talented, multi-taskers.”
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS! I WANT EVERYTHING IN THE STORE?!? #JustSayin’
Desserts That Do Good!
I saw this young person on television one morning and I was floored, inspired, and in awe! In the 14 years he has been alive he has done more for his community and people who are suffering from food inequality than most people I know.
Michael as been passionate about the inequities of the world ever since he learned about people being mistreated just because the color of their skin. In 2017 he decided to take on one part of that, food inequality. He sees food “as a right, not a privilege.”
He works off of the very familiar one for one model. So, if you buy one he gives one. Trying to make life a little sweeter Michael has helped a tremendous amount of people since 2017. I implore you to head on over to his site and support our future leader. We all need to spread all the love, this year especially and take a page out of Michael’s book!
Spice Up Your Life!
I truly believe that NY Shuk found me. I found a recipe for a Thai inspired meatball that I was excited to try but in reading the recipe it felt like it was missing something. Me being a person who can’t leave well enough alone headed down the spice aisle to perhaps find some curry or other warm spice. Enter NY Shuk.
NY Shuk is owned by the most adorable husband and wife team and focuses on Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines. As two Israeli-natives, living and cooking in New York City, their mission is to elevate and share the vibrant traditional foods that they grew up eating.
The packaging is gorgeous and the flavors exceptional! I know! I know! I’m sure you’re saying to yourself “Weren’t you making something Thai inspired?” Yes, I was. Upon NY Shuk jumping out at me and reading the ingredients on two of their spice bottles, I knew that it was going to elevate this dish to where I wanted it. I was right.
Head on over and try something new, like the preserved lemon harissa. You wont be disappointed. This is the prefect gift for the foodie/cook in your life.
Wine Up!
Jennifer Leslie is a certified Sommelier who much like many people during this year had to pivot ball change after losing work because of the pandemic. I love her story because an idea that was started in her grandmother’s garage has now fully blossomed into a delicious business for her. What’s even better is that her extensive experience and knowledge has provided her the know how to take the art of wine making to a different place. In her own words,
“With Vitis Jenifera, we are trying to make every step forward more conscious, whether it’s recycled materials, making the packing reused/reusable, supporting causes and nonprofits with proceeds from sales. Vitis Jenifera aims to create great wines with good values and move the wine experience towards something that is good and feels good too.”
How can you not love this? Plus if you’re anything like me, the wine has been flowing this entire year by the gallon at this point! So go over, order some bottles and put an extra one in your cart for me!
Lookin’ For Some Hot Stuff?
Run by friends to my podcast, Chef Mavis-Jay & Chef Sicily Sierra, these two beautiful women are also on the front lines fighting the food inequity fight. Their mission is to provide you access to quality foods that you can simply cook! To help them achieve that goal they have released a line of curated and delicious products. From pancake mix to fried chicken mix and even hot sauces, these ladies have you and your foodie friends covered this holiday season.
Make sure you tell them Muñoz sends his love!
Like A Candle In The Wind…
8. Keap Candles
I received a Keap candle last year for Christmas and I was instantly obsessed! Upon further research I loved the fact that Steve & Harry, (friends in my mind,) wanted to create a product that would bring us back in touch with ourselves and “restore our balance with nature.”
We have been stuck inside for most of 2020 and self-care has been of utmost importance. These candle are so, dare I say delicious (no you can’t eat them,) that you’re going to want to buy one for yourself and your loved ones. My favorite scent is the Wood Cabin. It makes my 120 sq ft of Times Square smell like I have a fresh wood burning fire going, surrounded by pine and roasting chestnuts! Perfection!
YAAAAS QUEEN!
With the legalization of marijuana happening across America you may just need these in your back pocket. Hell, I hear that everyone is smoking CBD these days just to keep the anxiety at bay. Whatever way you are relaxing these days if you are partaking in a CBD or THC moment these are the papers for you. I would say they are the Goldilocks of papers. Not too big, not too small, but juuuuust right! Plus they are run by LGBTQ fam who are also doing great things for their community.
I highly recommend these for your stoner friends or your mom that smokes on the DL.
I have to mention that if it is not legal in your state or if you are underage I do not advise you try this. Always consult your doctor before putting anything new into your body and be responsible.
This Too Shall Pasta.
10. Dan Pelosi Merch & Philanthropy
Dan and I became instant sisters the minute he appeared in my Zoom meeting. He has been a huge cheerleader of mine and I of his. This list would definitely be incomplete if he wasn’t on it.
Besides the fact that all of his merch is really really cute, (my fave is the Forward My Mail t-shirt & hoodie,) he also gives back to the community in a major way. All sales from his This Too Shall Pasta initiative go directly to SAGE, the country's oldest and largest national organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT elders. All proceeds from these sales go directly towards helping this community as they face their second pandemic in this lifetime.
I mean… I’m not crying, your crying! Head on over, say hey gerl from me, and try his Vokda Sawce recipe. It’s to die for!
Be a Cheeky Monkey!
Another friend to In Yo Mouth, April Wachtel has been killing it in the cocktail game forever! She along with her team have created the most delicious, shelf-stable, cocktail mixers that are the perfect addition to any home bar. Because of the pandemic they, like most businesses, had to pivot and launched a home-cocktail-sized version of the syrups and juices along with a Cheeky affiliate program, to provide opportunity for some of their talented friends in the hospitality profession affected by the pandemic.
Currently Cheeky is a small but growing team of hospitality professionals and content creators, partnering with spirits companies, shipping nationally direct-to-consumer, and powering happy hours, cocktail classes, and little moments of connection across the country.
I can’t think of a better gift for the mixologist in your life or your drunk Aunt Sally!
Who Me?!?!
12. In Yo Mouth Merch!
Finally! It’s here! Creating merchandise for the podcast has been on my mind for a long time. What was holding me back was the fact that I wanted to create something fun and wearable that people would actually want. Well, thanks to my good Judy, Justin, who without him none of this would’ve been possible, I now have a small line of items that I am proud of.
I rarely self-promote or even ask for anything for all the free content that I put out and felt now was the right time to toot my own horn for once. So go check it out. Ask me questions. Send me love and wear it with pride! I actually can’t wait to get my own.
Well, there you have it folks. My new foray back into blogging starting with a list of things I am proud to promote here on this site. If none of this was up your alley, which I don’t even know how that would be possible, remember you can always buy restaurant gift cards to make sure your favorite local place stays open. It’ll also be nice to have in your back packet when we all can go out and dine again.
Some honorable mentions are listed below. These places are incredible and are also Muñoz tried and true. This post would’ve gone on forever if I listed every last favorite thing of mine. I did want to shout them out, though.
Edy’s Grocer - New Gorgeous Lebanese Grocer
Butter & Scotch - Local Brooklyn Bakery doing the most!
Great Jones - The Best Cookware company that’s owned by kick-ass women.
Eat Seemore - Sausages Galore!
I wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday now matter how you celebrate. Take care of each other and if you happen to be alone this year please take care of yourself. Draw a bath, go for a run, buy yourself this entire list. Remember self-love is the best kind of love.
Peace, Joy & Delicious Things,
Muñoz
