“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.
Preparing your home for the change in seasons, winter solstice, and the upcoming holidays doesn't stop at decorations. We believe there is something special in filling your space with scents that evoke nostalgia and comfort.
Thymes has been an absolute favorite when it comes to heartfelt holiday scents. They offer two wonderful scents - Frasier Fir and Gingerbread!
Frasier Fir is a customer and staff favorite, so we always stock right up!!! Their candles, soaps, mists, and reed diffusers fill your home with the smells of crisp Siberian fir needles, cedarwood, and sandalwood. Whether you are complimenting your own decorative fir tree, or enjoying the sensation on it's own, there is no denying that the gentle presence of Frasier Fir will get everyone in your home ready to say goodbye to summer and greet fall and winter with open arms! You can purchase many of the Frasier Fir products right here on our website!
But, we don't think you should stop there! Thymes's Gingerbread candles are PERFECT for your kitchen and dining room. They fill the air with the scents of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. The only warning we give: you may find yourself suddenly inspired to bake a fresh batch of gingerbread! We've included a recipe for inspiration.
Rainy Day Gingerbread Crisps
These delicious play on traditional gingerbread bake into delicious crisps! A wonderful project to involve little ones in - it can be extra fun to ice them after they have cooled.
Ingredients
1/2 pound butter at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons cinnamon
3 teaspoons ginger
3 teaspoons cloves
3 to 3½ cups flour, divided
Whisk together 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the soda and the spices. Set aside.
Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer or vigorously by hand. Add molasses. Mix until incorporated. Add egg and mix until wet ingredients are combined.
Add the flour mix in 1/2 cup increments until all dry ingredients are incorporated.
By hand, form into two thin disks. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled and the dough is manageable.
Preheat your oven to 325° F. Remove one disk from the refrigerator. Cut it into quarters. Roll each quarter out to 1/8 – 1/4" thickness. Use flour liberally as you roll out your dough to hinder sticking. Cut with favorite cookie cutters. Transfer shapes to cookie sheets and bake 8-10 minutes.
Repeat with the remaining three quartered sections of dough. When dough becomes sticky and too warm to work with, return it to the refrigerator for another 20-30 minutes. Prepare the second disk immediately after the first, or save it for up to one week for future cookie baking!
We love supporting Island Made Products, and Flat Point Farm has stocked our shelves for several years. This small farm in West Tisbury keeps a heard of goats that both feed their family in milk and cheese, as well as creating their beautiful, artisanal soaps.
Each soap is handmade with consistency and care. Every new scent is an exciting arrival to the shop, and customers rave at both the beauty and quality in each bar.
Currently we're carrying the largest variety we've ever had of their product, and these are always available for personalization: weddings, showers, birthdays, or any gift giving occasion. With advance notice we are able to offer a variety of sizes to please and hostess.
Bring home a piece of the Vineyard and support our local farmers and artisans!
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.
