The days are getting shorter, although the weather is still nice and warm. It is the perfect time of year to sit on the porch, light candles as the sun sets, and reflect on the beautiful summer you had.
We're happy we carry Vance Kitira candles just for this time of year.
Founded in 1993 by a forester, Vance Kitira, these candles reflect both aesthetics drawn from Kitira's native Thailand and his fascination with the simplicity of nature.
The Vance line comes in all shapes, sizes, and inspires whimsy with it's pear and seashell themes. Many of the candles are almost too cute to light! (We're thinking of the palm sized pears here!)
Where there is a candle, there is also a candle holder, and we have created countless ways to display the Vance Kitira pieces. Stop by the shop, check out these hand poured, cotton and wax candles.
See if you can find the Vance candles hidden throughout the shop - we challenge you to spot them all!
Islander's know the tradition well. The third week of August picturesque Campground in Oak Bluffs is lit with lanterns and lifted with the sound of island voices singing together. However, not everyone knows the history.
Around 1835, Methodists began having yearly meetings in the midst of summer. They would bring tents and camp beside the sea, in an oak grove high on the bluffs of the Northern end of Edgartown. Over the years those tents were slowly replaced by little wooden cottages, built side by side. The Tabernacle was built in the 1870s, in the center of The Campground.
Now we have the wonderful tradition of Illumination Night! In its time the celebration marked the visit of the Governor of Massachusetts. The night means many things, but one could say that Illumination Night is in part a remembrance of the first seasonal visitors to the Island. The proceeds of the Grand Illumination go towards the upkeep and restoration of the historic Tabernacle. You can find more info about the event here!
One of our favorite parts of the Illumination Night is the variety of eclectic lights, candles, and visually spectacular lanterns. Whether you are on the Island and can join in the fun, or want to put up lights and participate from afar, we have plenty of beautiful options to choose from!
Lanterns
We're incredibly proud of our lantern collection. Our Allsop Home and Garden is the awesome solar powered lantern company we carry in the store, perfect for the sustainable, aesthetically driven islander! Artecnica of CA make our ever popular handmade paper stars. We also work with Cultural Intrigue, a Vermont based company, that specializes in rice paper shades and Zen Zen, a fair trade group that focuses on beautiful cloth shades.
Candles
You can't walk into the shop without stumbling upon a candle or two. From our artisanal Skeem, to Vance Kitira, to Shore Soap Candles... we could list them all day, but you'll find they aren't hard to miss!
And More!
We stock plenty of vessels to carry candles, swanky matches, strings of light, and other essentials to brighten up your evening. The best bet? Stop by the store! We can't wait you see you at Illumination Night!
Solstice has just passed and the 4th of July is coming fast. Sorting out sparklers and planning the perfect spot to watch this year's fireworks is a no brainer when planning for the 4th. What you might not be considering is - this might be the first time you've had guests since summer began.
Have you had a chance to put up the house yet, and shake out your summer linens? We haven't either. Don't panic. Everyone wants to have a stunning home to show off. Rainy Day is here to help with a list of last minute and must haves for your summer home.
Soap - This sounds silly. Why would we start our list with soap? Because soap is classy. The sound when you're tearing off the brown paper wrapper from a company like Shore Soap Co., to be quickly swept away by the scents of lavender and lemon peel is almost magical. (P.S., Don't forget to stock up. There's little more becoming of a sink than perfectly wrapped, untouched bars of soap.
Drawers - Would you prefer the drawers in your house to smell of rice flower or vanilla pear? Either way, you are setting yourself up for a relaxing summer by surrounding yourself with good smells. Gianna Rose Atelier makes limited numbers of liners that promise beauty and practicality. It is the little touches that make the room, after all.
Weather - If you are on the island, you know too well how unpredictable the forecast can be. It is, however, nice to feel as though you have an ounce of foresight. That's why we like our glass and brass Conant thermometers. It may be hot and humid, but at least you'll know exactly how hot it is (without looking at your phone.)
Guest Books - Everyone wants to feel popular sometimes. Whether you are renting out your home or staying year round, a guest book is a really lovely way to remember the people who came through your home for a time. Our Compendium Guest Books serve that purpose to a "T".
Lights - Rainy Day loves light. We love lights on the ceilings, on the walls, strung across rooftops like garlands, and stuck in the ground like windy pathways. It's hard for us to choose exactly which lights we enjoy the most, but for preparing the house Allsop has intriguing and inviting patio lights, to make the evening last forever.
Rugs - You can never have too many beautiful rugs. Patios, picnics, playrooms... there's a rug for ever location and every occasion. Dash & Albert make hearty, durable and ever so stylish rugs that scream beachside picnic. Fab Habitat, too, brings a modern feel with it's ombre shades and geometric patterns.
Soap... again - This is a different kind of soap. This is the soap you use at the end of every day, once the kids are asleep and your guests have slowly trickled out. This is the soap that, as you stand over the kitchen sink and reflect on the day, lives to serve. Dishwashing by hand isn't a luxury, but it can be relaxing. The woody olive tree and coriander aromas of Bella Vita Cucina dish soap allow you that moment to breath and dip your hands into the warm water. Even during vacation, we need to give ourselves permission to breath.
We have so many home goods we could probably write a book, but this list should help you get some of those bases covered. Don't forget the finishing touches to any house - oil diffusers (which coincidently can be found at our shop...) and fresh flowers. We're partial to Morrice Florist ourselves.
