“I am so glad to see you are carrying The Optimist Company!” a customer said to us last week as she walked into the shop.
She had recognized the product in our window display and came in to tell us how much she loves this line. The customer explained she had been introduced to the owner at a meet & greet last year and has been hooked ever since. (…and yes, since you are probably wondering, this is 100% a true story; we’re not making this scenario up!)
We have received several comments like this since receiving this line a few weeks ago, so today we want to share what it means to be an Optimist!
So, what exactly is The Optimist Co.? And why do people love it?
Essentially, it is a “clean” take on cleaning supplies. The Optimist Co. uses safe ingredients we can recognize and pronounce. Unlike other cleaning products that hide their chemical ridden ingredients in tiny print, somewhere on the back of the label, Optimist doesn’t hide anything. In fact, they put their ingredients front and center on their products!
Take for example, the Bright Side Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner. It has three ingredients: distilled water, vinegar and essential oils. THREE INGREDIENTS! That we can read! And pronounce! Needless to say, we here at Rainy Day are already optimistic about using these cleaning products.
In addition to recognizable ingredients, all of their products are biodegradable, free of parabens and phthalates, and use only natural essential oils to create their refreshing scents. No chemicals. No junk. No filler. What’s not to like about that?
And if you are worried about the packaging, don’t fret! They use amber bottles, which are recyclable and protect the essential oils.
Oh, and did we forget the best part?
The Optimist Co. is made locally on Cape Cod. Created by Devin Donaldson, a mom who realized there was a need for green, natural and affordable cleaning solutions in the marketplace. Since founding the company three years ago, she has continued to expand her “clean” cleaning products, and we are proud to be the first location on the Island carrying The Optimist Co.!
So whether you are starting your spring-cleaning and need some motivation, or looking for a new addition to your cleaning products— The Optimist Co. is the perfect helper!
Available in-store. We are currently carrying Bright Side Window and Glass Cleaner (Tea Tree & Eucalyptus), Time to Shine All Purpose Cleaner (Rosemary & Mint), Time to Shine All Purpose Cleaner (Lemon & Tea Tree), Organic Castile Soap, and Essential Oils available in Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemon & Eucalyptus scents.
Want to try Optimist? Call us at 508-693-1830.
Congratulations on reading this blog in its entirety! Mention this post and receive 25% off your first Optimist item. Offer ends 5/31/16.
When Olivia and Heather were at the Atlanta gift show, they discovered the delicious chocolates ofMarieBelle. Don't worry-- we will always carry our infamous must-have caramels at the front counter, but they just had to bring these in to our shop and here's why:
What makes MarieBelle stand out? Well, for starters, their product is on Oprah's Favorite Things list!! If that wasn't enough, aside from their stunning packaging and presentation, all of their chocolate products are handmade from single origin cocao resulting in rich complex flavors not commonly found in chocolate. They choose only the finest selection of Criollo cacao beans from all over the world. What exactly is Criollo? (Don't worry, we didn't know either...) What the fine Arabica bean is to coffee, the even finer and rarer Criollo bean is to chocolate. Criollo cacao makes up less than 10% of worldwide chocolate production, and as such is highly sought after by connoisseurs. Chocolate made from Criollo beans has a distinctly reddish colour, and an equally distinctive complex taste which can include flavors of caramel, nuts, vanilla and tobacco. They are made in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY. We just love that they are locally made in the USA.
The company was founded by Maribel Lieberman and started as a chocolate shop in Soho, New York. Maribel's passion for discovering and sharing new flavors isn't something new; it started at an early age when as an eight-year-old child, she would make sugar candies and sell them to neighborhood children in her native Honduras.
We fell in love with so many of MarieBelle’s products, as evident when you step in to the shop. From Mint Chip Malt Balls (layered with the highest quality dark chocolate with a crunchy mint cook malt in the center) to Milk Chocolate Pearls (crunchy milk chocolate pearls pack a lot of chocolate flavor for their delicate size). We also love that by bringing this company in, we are supporting a company that is made in the USA
We have brought them in right before Easter because they make the perfect addition to any basket! Especially the Milk Chocolate Easter Bunnies! Ready to jump right into your Easter basket, this pair of Milk Chocolate Easter Bunnies are filled with milk caramel marshmallow and beautifully packaged in the signature Mariebelle lunch box. Stop in and have a taste of these adorable and affordable chocolates, we are sure you can find a new sweet obsession … just like we did.
This week we were able to talk personally with the fabulously talented Jennifer of Southern Yankee. You will recognize her unique, one of a kind design from window displays, our infant section, and throughout our store. No two Southern Yankee designs are alike, and they are all small batch, US made!
Jennifer has been sewing for as long as she can remember. Texas born, with a degree in fashion design, She moved to NYC to work in the industry. After seeing a beautiful baby's blanket made entirely from vintage handkerchieves, Jennifer knew her future.
Jennifer sources her materials from flea markets, vintage stores, and ebay. Friends and family send her boxes of vintage fabric that they have no use for, but cannot bear to throw away.
No two Southern Yankee pieces are alike, and the fabric is ever changing. Jennifer uses a US made cotton body suit as the base, and her imagination does the rest!
"The vintage handkerchiefs really speak to you, it is fun to hear people's reasons for why they pick the dress they do... maybe it's the color, or the pattern on the hankie, but there is something that speaks up." Says Jennifer about her designs.
If you are looking for a one of a kind, US made, really special new baby gift, check out what we have in stock from Southern Yankee! Find the piece that speaks to you.
All photos by Andrea Topalian of Moments by Andrea
Have you ever had a day where a thoughtful card or a chocolate bar might just make everything a little bit better? We've had those days. Even when you are feeling on top of the world, there's nothing that feels quite so much like a nice pat on the back.
Maybe that's why we love Curly Girl Designs.
Curly Girl is cute. Curly Girl is endearing. Curly Girl says the things we can't figure out how to say, with a light, off the cuff eloquence.
Whether you are congratulating or sending condolences, we're happy that we can offer Curly Girl's cards and chocolate bars. Designed somewhat locally (Boston!) by a lovely lady named Leigh, who not only creates all the beautiful artwork and witty writing featured throughout her products, but owns her own little shop AND manages to find time to write a blog. Oh, and she's raising twins.
Leigh may be a superhero; we're still investigating.
We hope next time you visit you find yourself inspired to walk away with a little piece of Curly Girl. It can never hurt to stock up on whimsy, now can it? Make someone's day a little bit better.
When you hear the words "New England gift shop" it's easy for your brain to jump to a very particular image - stuffed lobsters, taffy, fudge, piles of sweatshirts and swag emblazoned with the name of the city you're visiting. Gift shops feel tacky, a "made in China" paradise.
That's not what Rainy Day is about.
Anyone who's visited our shop knows that it's an eclectic explosion of colors and options. Our items only scream Martha's Vineyard when it makes sense, when they are really supposed to. We believe a gift shop should be exactly that - a place where you can find the perfect gift for a loved one... or yourself. We hold value in the idea that our wares are precious enough to be put on display, rather than tucked away as a forgotten memento.
We also think a lot about where our products come from. Every year we get in more Fair Trade, US Made, and Island Crafted products. It makes us feel good. It should make you feel good too. Here's why:
Fair Trade, Hand Made, or Give Backs
What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade Goods are exactly what they claim to be - fair. Fair Trade products are certified by Fair Trade USA, an organization that ensures the farmers and laborers abroad who create Fair Trade products are compensated justly. Fair Trade USA also helps farmers and communities navigate the free market and utilize the tools they need to face the competitive global economy.
"
With Fair Trade USA, the money you spend on day-to-day goods can improve an entire community’s day-to-day lives." Says Fair Trade USA.
We also invest a lot of time in sourcing products that are handmade or give back a percentage of their products to global help organizations. These products, while not living under the Fair Trade title, give back to the artists, communities, and individuals working so hard to live a decent life!
Ask one of our wonderful employees about which of these products we have in stock when you stop by!
Made in USA
Why should you buy American made products? Every time you purchase something made in America, you are putting that money back into our national economy. A process where dollars continue to recycle from hand to American hand begins. American producers are also often faced with strict regulations and inspections. Most important? It's fun to support America.
Check out some of our American Made products next time you're in the shop!
Vineyard Made
This category, we are particularly proud of. We love knowing the actual artisans and crafters who make our products. Whether it be locally foraged teas, salts, rock slabs, soaps... the list goes on, we know where that money is going. And living on an island means that, like any small town, we get to learn about the intricate lives and backstories of our Vineyard producers.
When you walk into Rainy Day, you're not just walking into a gift shop. You're walking into an experience, a way of life, a perspective of the world that values small companies whose sources you can trust.
In fact, that's why we started this blog. To highlight new products and sales, of course, but also to introduce our wonderful customers to the people and companies behind the products they're purchasing.
What makes MarieBelle stand out? Well, for starters, their product is on Oprah's Favorite Things list!! If that wasn't enough, aside from their stunning packaging and presentation, all of their chocolate products are handmade from single origin cocao resulting in rich complex flavors not commonly found in chocolate. They choose only the finest selection of Criollo cacao beans from all over the world. What exactly is Criollo? (Don't worry, we didn't know either...) What the fine Arabica bean is to coffee, the even finer and rarer Criollo bean is to chocolate. Criollo cacao makes up less than 10% of worldwide chocolate production, and as such is highly sought after by connoisseurs. Chocolate made from Criollo beans has a distinctly reddish colour, and an equally distinctive complex taste which can include flavors of caramel, nuts, vanilla and tobacco. They are made in 
The company was founded by Maribel Lieberman and started as a chocolate shop in Soho, New York. Maribel's passion for discovering and sharing new flavors isn't something new; it started at an early age when as an eight-year-old child, she would make sugar candies and sell them to neighborhood children in her native Honduras. 
We fell in love with so many of MarieBelle’s products, as evident when you step in to the shop. From Mint Chip Malt Balls (
We have brought them in right before Easter because they make the perfect addition to any basket! Especially the Milk Chocolate Easter Bunnies! 
