“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.
Tiz the Season, will happen in Tisbury, the weekend of December 12th and 13th. Yes, that is the same weekend as Christmas in Edgartown, but this will offer Islanders and visitors even more to do. Also, the bulk of fun happens on Sunday so you won’t have to miss the Christmas Parade. This is pretty much the biggest holiday weekend of the season, and the more the merrier.
Tiz the Season is an event for the whole family, with so much more that just shopping, though that is one of the funnest things. I love shopping for Christmas gifts.
Perhaps you want to rest your feet or enjoy a Christmas classic with the family or friends. On Saturday, you can watch the Polar Express at the Cappawock Theater at 2 p.m. for free. This is a great opportunity to see this beloved holiday film with Tom Hanks on the big screen, especially if you plan to do the “real polar express” train ride, like I am with my kiddos later in the month.
On Sunday, December 13th, there will be horse-drawn hay rides by Fred Fischer, through town from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rides will begin across the street from Bunch of Grapes and you can also be picked up at Fella’s on Union Street. If you’re not around for a beloved hay ride, not to worry. You can join in the fun, same time same place on Sunday, December 20th. Check out this vintage pic from the Mansion House.
I used to love these rides when they were offered a few years back. There’s something about riding through town with your packages from your favorite stores, the kiddos, and a hot cocoa. These are memories that last a lifetime.
Adding to the fun on Sunday, the 13th, you’ll find live music from by the linden tree, alpacas from Island Alpaca, and don’t forget about the businesses on State Road is Tisbury.
Morrice the Florist will be offering ornament making with flowers all day and at 1:00 p.m. there will be a puppet show put on by the Plum Hill School at Morrice the Florist.
To sweeten the experience, refreshments and more can be found at the 37 businesses participating in Tiz the Season all weekend long. Stores will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You’ll find the really cute logo on participating store’s window or door.
Also, be on the lookout for wonderful artwork from the Tisbury School. The kids are making holiday inspired art for the windows of shops that have closed for the season. This is a creative and fun way to make Main Street even more festive.
Speaking of windows, the MVRHS Art Department and the high school students are going to judge which business window has the best, most festive, most eye catching decorations and displays. With so many great stores, this is going to be a tough one a bet.
What does the winning business get? Street cred and bragging rights. A little added fun for the business owners. The winner will be picked on Friday, December 11th.
With all the festive happenings, this is going to be a great weekend to go shopping with the family and really enjoy Tisbury.
In addition to the fun activities, Tiz the Season is hoping to help people get in the spirit of the holiday and experience the joy of giving back, sharing with Islanders in need. Not only is Tiz the Season full of fun, it has a purpose, 10% of participating business’s sales on Sunday, December 13th, will go to the Vineyard Committee on Hunger. Thirty seven business making a difference with your help.
The Vineyard Committee on Hunger supports other non-profits who help serve those in our community who do not have enough food, and it is an Island-wide organization. From the groups website, I found out that 1 in 10 Vineyard families need help to survive the Winter. That adds up to a lot of families who need help from the generosity of people who care, and shopping local is an easy and fun way to give back.
Also, each business from Brickyard to Rainy Day, to The Beach House to Morrice the Florist, to Bananas to Little House Cafe and everyone else, will be putting together a fabulous gift basket to raffle off. The store chooses the goodies, the themes, and every raffle ticket sold equals more money for the Vineyard Committee on Hunger because that money is going to Islanders in need too.
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! 
I used to love these rides when they were offered a few years back. There’s something about riding through town with your packages from your favorite stores, the kiddos, and a hot cocoa. These are memories that last a lifetime.
