“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.
It's that time of year in New England. The weather vacillates between unbearably hot and torrentially pouring. While there is always a chance to hit the beach when our notoriously fickle weather gods decide to grant us a little bearable sunshine, we've hit the "duck and cover" end of summer.
It's a fine coincidence that a gift shop is almost always the idea place to pop out of the rain or heat and get a little something for someone you hold dear. We'd like to introduce you to two of our favorite collections of jewelry that are quite perfect when you are weathering the... well... weather.
Lucky Feather
Lucky Feather is fun and funky, totally perfect for kids and adults. Not only are the designs to die for, but they might just bring a little luck - exactly what you need going into a new school year or entering a new job.
We have lots of their products - necklaces, charms, earrings - the whole nine yards. They are easy to pack and a great surprise for your best friend, child recently gone to school, or a close loved one.
Dune Jewelry
We love Dune for a totally different reason. Sure, they're still wonderfully cute and simple fashion statements. However, each Dune piece is filled with sand collected here, on the island. When you look at a particular necklace or earring you will notice that the beach where the sand was found is clearly labeled.
Maybe a friend or relative couldn't come with you, but has loved the island ever since they were young. Perhaps you know a former islander gone to school or moved away who would appreciate taking a piece with them. Or maybe you just want to have a little keepsake for yourself!
We hope you stop by the shop during the dog days of summer. This is just a dip in our extensive, unique collection of jewelry!
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!
Whether it's raining or the sun is in full force, whether you find yourself on Martha's Vineyard or off island, there is really nothing better than ending your day with a refreshing drink. We love carrying the unique Evergreen Crystal line, which offers a variety of glasses - from martini to pints - customized for us with an outline of the island. Alongside the Rolf Glass "School of Fish" collection, we've got you covered.
Now you know where to get your crystal, we're happy to throw in a little recipe. Who doesn't enjoy a little cocktail inspiration from time to time? Simple and easy to make, this fizzy libation can be served directly over ice, or lightly stirred in a shaker and strained into a glass.
Rain on the Vineyard
Ingredients
1.5 ounces of St. Germain's Elderflower Liqueur
2 ounces of and effervescent White Wine or Champagne
Club soda, chilled
Handful of blueberries
Muddle a few blueberries with St. Germain in the bottom of a rocks glass or shaker. If you are using the shaker, add ice, and champagne, otherwise simply add liquid and ice to your glass. Stir gently. Pour contents of shaker into a martini glass. Top with chilled club soda and a few intact blueberries for a fresh garnish. Enjoy!
If you're looking for more recipes, don't leave the shop without one of our handy drinks books. Homemade Liqueurs, Infused Spirits by Andrew Schloss and Sangria: Fun and Festive Recipes by Mittie Hellmich are two of our favorites.
We also hope you check out Little Bites by Christine Chitnis & Sarah Waldman. This cookbook is far from cocktail recipes, but chock full of awesome, family friendly snacks and nibbles. We are particularly proud as Sarah Waldman is a year round islander, whose recipes and adventures you can follow at SarahWaldman.com!
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! 
