“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.
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
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!
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.
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!
