spring soiree

In this busy world filled with text messages, facebook status updates and now, tweets – sometimes good old-fashioned conversations get lost in the mix.  And as much as l enjoy the convenience of communicating via a keyboard, Steve & I decided to swing it old school by hosting a little neighborhood get-together this spring.

  

We make it simple by having odd house numbers bring an appetizer and even house numbers bring a dessert, then we provide the hospitality and beverages.  It's a perfect way to catch up with old neighbors and meet new ones… in real life.

After all, it has to be easier than this:)

associated content article 5.14.09

Catching Fireflies in Berkley, Michigan: A Wonderfully Unique Shopping Experience

– Lisa Marie

 "Catching Fireflies ~ Whimsical goodies that'll brighten your day, " as the website suggests is so very true. I visited Catching Fireflies Berkley, Michigan location in December 2008 for the first time after seeing some of their goods featured on the Fox 2 weekend morning show in Detroit. The presentation of the variety of items offered at Catching Fireflies on the morning show was what spurred me to visit the store for some last minute Christmas shopping.

Catching Fireflies has a second location in Rochester, Michigan. The Rochester location is housed in an old train depot, which only adds to the charm and uniqueness of the store.

Both locations as well as the website, www.catchingfireflies.com , offer a wide variety of items for sale for you and everyone else in your life. Childrens banks, eating utensils, books, and lunchboxes are among the stores offerings. Items for the men in your life, such as a magnetic propane tank gauge and a mini screwdriver set. Cookbooks and other kitchen accessories are offered for the cook in your life. Besides the aforementioned items, jewelry, handbags, as well as baby items are also for sale. The stores also offer quite a nice selection of greeting cards for birthdays and other special occasions.

Among the unusual offerings at Catching Fireflies are flying wish and prayer papers. The idea behind these papers is to write your wish or prayer on the paper, roll it into a tube shape, place it on the platform provided in the kit, and then light the top of the paper. As the wish burns down the paper flies off the platform and disappears into the air.

Catching Fireflies also offers candy that will take you back to your childhood. Atomic Fireballs, Candy Buttons, Candy Necklaces, and Whistle Pops are among the nostalgic candy they carry at both store locations as well as the website.

So, if you are a Michigan resident looking for a whimsical or unusual gift or just an item for yourself stop by either Catching Fireflies Berkley location at 3117 W. 12 Mile or the Rochester store at 203 East University. Even if you are not a Michiganresident you can shop their website at www.catchingfireflies.com. I'm sure you will find something special to buy for at least one person in your life – maybe even yourself!

miss alyssa blog feature

 

Cuteness in the Kitchen

little bit of feel good

 

As the song says… "Little bit of feel good – goes a long way"  and boy-oh-boy this catchy beat does the same job.

(not quite sure about how the unicorn lady ends up?!)

A review reads, "On his third solo album, Jamie Lidell brings a blissful blast of classic R&B and soul with a fresh, modern sensibility that avoids sounding purely retro. Known for his electronic experimentation and fervent live shows, the British singer dabbled in soul on 2005's critically acclaimed "Multiply," which led to kudos from Elton John and collaborations with Feist and Beck. 

Old is made new again in the best possible way on what could surely be the perfect soundtrack for a sultry, soulful summer." [Sarah Tomlinson]

Like discovering fabulous tunes to tap your toe to?  Simply subscribe to this blog and we'll email you our latest and greatest music finds.

 

the ‘born to be wild’ basset waddle

We adopted our Basset Hound, Gus last June from the Ohio Basset Rescue and he truly has been a fantastic addition to our family.  He comes to the office with us everyday and always gets our staff to grin. We were excited to support the oh-so-popular annual  Michigan Basset Rescue waddle fundraiser this past Sunday in downtown Birmingham… and what an entertaining day it was.

 

It was so funny to see 400+ Bassets in one area – and it's true "All they need is love".

 

Gus got quite comfortable in the lush grass while we're waiting for the parade to start.

 

One of the funniest parts of the day was admiring the wild outfits of the 'court'.  Apparently each year they nominate the royal crew and they get to ride in a fancy horse drawn carriage leading the way in the parade.  The theme this year was 'Born to be Wild'.

 

And we're off!

 

It was fun strutting (or waddling) our stuff down Old Woodward.  We can't wait for next year!

Like seeing some of our weekend adventures?  Then sign up to receive these 'about town' blog posts in your email inbox HERE!

got a little picasso?

Preserve those cherished art pieces and turn them into items that you, your friends and family will use and enjoy every day with this hip site – Print Art Kids.

 

I think the note pads would make great teacher gifts and the postcards – thoughtful 'thank you cards' from your kids and the notebooks are just fun.  What a great way to celebrate creativity!

Like discovering wonderful gems on the world wide web?  Simply subscribe to this blog and we'll email you our latest and greatest finds.

nerd approved feature

 

If you are forced into using a pencil to do any kind of accounting, you had better find something to make it interesting. Catching a glimpse of the large red matchstick head on the end of the pencil now and then is enough to make you chuckle. You just have to be sure to sharpen the right end, otherwise you might be starting an accidental fire.

Thanks Jeff for showcasing our silly pencils.

drunk on sunshine

Working at my home office this morning… I can't help but to grin at my furry companions as they soak up the sun.

 

 

  

hmmmm… I wouldn't mind having their schedule – just for a couple days;)

bitter heart by zee avi

 

Sunny little song – even brighter story… Zee Avi is just 23 but she's an old soul. A huge talent in a petite frame bringing a universal message from the unlikely birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia which remains an untouched, natural paradise, an apt description of her songs. How Avi came to record her debut album in L.A., the first joint release from Ian Montone's Monotone Label and Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, is a true 21st century tale of the way the Internet has transformed the music business and shrunk the globe in the process.

At 17, Zee started locking herself in a room for hours on end to learn to play guitar. She began recording her songs on a webcam and posting them on YouTube for a friend to hear. "I remember getting so excited when there was one new comment from some random person I didn't know… One was written by Kris Rowley, a U.K. singer-songwriter with a YouTube following under the name Zzzzzzzzap. He began posting her videos on his site, which began a viral snowball effect. The day before her 22nd birthday, Zee posted what she intended to be "my last video," a holiday song, "No Christmas for Me." By the time she checked her e-mail Avi had almost 3,000 messages including a slew of label offers. 

Before she knew it Zee was on a plane to L.A. to record her debut with producer Robert Carranza at Brushfire's Solar Powered Plastic Plant. With an eclectic pool of influences that range from such eccentrics as Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Jolie Holland, Daniel Johnston and Chris Garneau, to jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, to classics like Velvet Underground and Led Zeppelin, this self-described "rock lover at heart" captures the dark, bittersweet qualities of romance with a crack left open for hope and optimism.

From Malaysia to Los Angeles, Zee Avi is enjoying the ride and ready to take on passengers. "I'm still pinching myself" she gushes. "My parents always told me it's important to keep yourself grounded. I'm thankful, but at the same time, I just want to jump through the roof. It's been a pretty amazing journey, getting to work with some really wonderful people, a blessing, really."

Like discovering fabulous tunes to listen to?  Simply subscribe to this blog and we'll email you our latest and greatest music finds.

teamsugar feature

   

Your purse is a gigantic germ carrier, especially when you set it on the ground in restaurants. Hook this little gizmo on the edge of the table and hang your purse. Presto! Your purse won't get kicked around and is free from floor grime.

Thank you bunches Bijou Beauty for chatting up our purse hanger.