birthday wishes
Since we are celebrating our 13th birthday this Saturday we asked our team to pick out something they would like for their birthday…
Our house is filled with family photos and this personalized print would make a great edition to my home decor. And, I love the variety of colors you can choose from. I believe I will add this to my “I want” list! $38.95
I would love to have this soap because it smells like clean, fresh flowers and is made from all natural ingredients and wrapped in entirely recyclable packaging. Also, made in Michigan, can’t get any better. $5.95
Whenever I see people looking at these bracelets, I can tell they are choosing with great care. This is not just a pretty bauble for your wrist, it means something. Clean water for people without, and an empowerment for yourself every time you look at your hand. “Dance” is particularly popular, as well as “faith” and “hope.”
I personally chose “shine” to remind myself to always be my best and let myself shine. Every time I wear my bracelet, I receive compliments. They are always delighted when I tell them Mudlove’s mission. This is possibly the only bracelet I’ve ever worn that anyone, let alone dozens of people have noticed and commented on. I think that’s a testament to the love behind it. It shines through. ;)
I just wanted to share my own little story of how beautiful these bracelets really are. There are so many different choices of words and color combinations to choose from in the stores. Yes, they look simple, even primitive, but sometimes, simple is best, and proof that it really doesn’t take much to make a difference. Can you think of a more wonderful gift with such a powerful message?
Being a dog lover, I would absolutely love to get this book as a birthday gift. Super cute pictures with hilarious apologies from our four legged friends that can sometimes be little rascals. Good thing they’re cute, right? $9.99
I bought the set of lily pad lids for myself when we first started carrying them and absolutely love them. This banana leaf cover would be the perfect addition to my collection and for anyone else that loves to cook! $18.95
My favorite Birthday Item is the Q&A A Day Journal. I think it is a great way for anyone to reflect on their responses over the years to see what they have accomplished, how they have changed, or if they are still in the same frame of mind. Great idea for self-reflection. $16.99
I am absolutely in love with this handcrafted picture frame. I can’t wait to add some pictures from my recent vacation so that I have a reminder of my little piece of paradise. $33.50
This journal is definitely a good thing for wine-o’s like myself who want to become more informed. It’s the perfect way to keep track of any wines you try, so you can remember what you like or don’t like. It would be super fun to take on a visit to a vineyard! Also good for keeping track of any good food pairings you come across. $12.99
I would love to get the Michigan chat pack as a birthday gift. With most of my family growing up in Michigan as well as myself, I think this would be a lot of fun to have at all of the family parties coming up in the next few months! $10.95
I think this wine glass is adorable whether I am drinking wine with my girlfriends or after a long day, this glass brings joy my way! It would look cute on display as well! $26.95
This is a great necklace for anyone…. I got it for my birthday and love that I can dress it up or down. It looks great layered with the other necklaces from this company! $13.95
I’m always cold in the winter months so finding a mug that specializes in keeping hands warm was made for me. I wouldn’t mind getting a pair of these for a birthday gift. $21.95
I would love the Florapus Soap Spitter for my birthday because I enjoy adding a little fun and whimsy to my decorating. This little, pink octopus would fit in my bathroom just perfectly, top hat and all. $26.95
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celebrating katie & welcoming kerstin
It was just under a year ago when we first met our Ann Arbor manager, Katie. We knew she was going to be a great fit for our latest location and an asset to our team. We also knew she was only going to be with us for a short time since her fiance was finishing his doctorate in physics at U of M… but sadly that time came a little sooner than expected.
Katie spent her first month with us diving into the crazy Christmas season at our Berkley location. She soon found out that being a facebook model was part of the gig and happily agreed with a smile.
When January rolled around her job title turned into a full time painter. Steve & I put in a few days of painting, but the majority of that store was colored by Katie’s handiwork (even the 80+ window panes!)… and she did an AWESOME job all with a can do attitude.
Next came the joy of inventorying and creating price labels for thousands of new products for 2 weeks straight. Our mac-man, Elliot teamed up with her as they entered the land of using our new UPC & label printing program. A good reason to celebrate at the Best of Detroit Party for sure!
With additional help from our original firefly team, she was ready to invite new Ann Arbor firefly fans into our whimsical world of goodies!
Katie’s awesome attitude, cheerful personality and positive spirit will always be a part of 419 Detroit Street. We will miss her and wish her all the best in her new adventures out west!
Finding a manager that fits well in our firefly team and gets what we are all about is an key component of our success. Kerstin is that gal and we are thrilled she was ready to make a change to her retail landscape this fall. She has spent the last 6 years working in a locally owned Ann Arbor clothing boutique and is excited to be transitioning into our whimsical world of gifts.
We’re looking forward to Kerstin continuing to help us shine our light in Kerrytown!
brooklyn bound
I promise this is the last entry about my August adventures (since I’m only posting this about a month late). I’ve been to New York many times for gift trade shows but never made the time to explore across the bridge in Brooklyn. Since Steve and I had a free Saturday on this trip we took the gray line to Bedford Ave for the afternoon. Williamsburg is a hub for hipster’s so it’s no surprise that vintage & diy market, Artists and Fleas is located there.
I remember hearing that Ferndale’s own, Rust Belt Market was inspired by these guys and it definitely had that feel… but I have to give props to Rust Belt owners, Chris & Tiffany for taking this concept to another level. Ferndale has a true authentic gem because of their passion, dedication, creativity, collabration and lots of hard work.
Just a block down from Artists & Fleas is Smorgasburg. This foodie’s paradise happens every Saturday from 11am – 6pm. The creativity, variety of foods & view of the Manhattan skyline makes this a must-top on my list.
If anyone is looking to transition into being an entrepreneur and can make a good pie… I think this idea is brilliant. I saw a similar concept when visiting a street fair in Seattle a few years ago and am surprised that it hasn’t made its way to Michigan yet. Pizza Moto is basically a mobile wood fired brick oven. In this age of food trucks, festivals & universal love of pizza… I hope to see one of these joining a food truck rally near Detroit soon!
Lots of great logos, clever company names and food combinations… craft cocktails and dessert bar anyone?
This Arnold Palmer slush was oh-so-tasty. I knew there was a long line at Kelvin for a reason!
We toured through the boutique district and ended up dining at the the festive Rosarito Fish Shack before heading back to Manhattan.
The main reason we visited New York was to attend the Retail Excellence Award Gala at the Chelsea Piers. We were one of three finalists for store design of our newest Ann Arbor location. Here’s our pretty feature in Gifts and Dec magazine.
We didn’t win, however I really want to visit the store that did! Talk about having vision… they transformed a 12,000 sq ft Firestone garage into a lifestyle store where I would like to go live. If you’re ever near Sioux Falls, you might want to swing by the wonderful world of Zing.
We ended the evening with a lovely late night walk on the highline and enjoyed all the sights and sounds of the city on a sleepy Sunday.
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4 numbers that could change your life
One reason why I like hosting exchange students is because these kids gotta lot of moxie. They are not the kids who are just floating along with the current of life. I for sure didn’t have the guts to go live abroad for the year while in high school, but being young and a little adventurous does has its benefits. There wouldn’t be a catching fireflies today if I only made safe choices. But the thing is… the older I get, it’s easier to fall into making choices that are comfortable, predictable, safe… choosing to float instead of swim. And while floating is relaxing, often it’s not very rewarding. It’s choosing to swim in a direction that you are passionate about that usually leads to a rich and full life.
I like to think of these books as swimming lessons. They are full of inspiration, stories, activities and ideas that will challenge you to hop off the raft and really start living life. Each book has a different focus but all of them encourage you to evaluate what you want your life to look like.
ONE The purpose of your life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.
Each of us comes into this world with certain gifts designed to make life a better place for ourselves and others. We all have special gifts that we’ve never opened. This book invites you to open and discover some of yours… to honor and celebrate those special gifts… and, above all, to share them with a world that truly needs you.
One of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself or anyone else is inspiration. Inspiration to get in touch with your dreams. Inspiration to seek out your deepest passions. Inspiration to make a difference in the world, a difference that only you can make.
You are not here by mistake. Life expects something from you, something unique that only you can give. Discover it and you’ll find a path to meaning that will bring joy, adventure and purpose to the deepest parts of you.
FIVE This is your life, your one-and-only-life. You determine what’s possible. Make choices, ask questions, take steps – today is the day.
Each year of life offers itself to us in an endless number of ways. Each moment comes to us with both hands filled with gifts, marvels, opportunities and adventures – but we seldom see or accept more than a tiny fraction of the exciting possibilities around us. The truth is, most of us are so busy doing what we think we have to do that we never get around to doing what we really want to do.
This book celebrates the “want to’s” the “choose to’s” and the “I can’t wait to’s” in your life. Whether you’re just finishing school, starting a new venture, celebrating a milestone or envisioning your retirement, you are the hero of this story. There are no rules here. This is not a work book, it’s a play book. This is not a “here’s how” book, it’s a “why not?” book. So be daring, be bold and be true to yourself.
Over the next five years, what do you really want to do? What do you really want to be? What do you really want to have? Where do you really want to go? The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on or blame. The gift of life is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it.
SEVEN How we spend our days is, of course how we spend our lives.
One of our greatest illusions is that someday we will have more time to savor and enjoy the things we really love. But one thing leads to another, and some day never comes. In the rush to pursue our daily routines, life speeds by and we forget to live.
But we are happier when we realize that life is not an obligation, it’s an adventure. Let the 7 book be your wake-up call, your guide to inspiration. Let it remind you that this is your life and that there is no such thing as an insignificant day.
This book brings you gifts and possibilities. Here you’ll find wonderful ways to refresh your spirit and creativity. To seize and savor the joy in every day. To reconnect with your dreams, goals and passions. To renew your sense of daring and adventure. To rediscover that each day of your life really can become one of the best and most meaningful days of your life.
TEN The adventure starts here. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
What’s on your top ten list? A new quest? A hidden passion? Future adventures? At any moment, you have the freedom to make a list of important choices – choices that create a bright new direction for your life. Many people never get around to making those choices, and that’s why the lifelists in these pages are so magical. Watch what happens when creativity flows and you finally feel inspired to write down your real lists – the ones you’ve been delaying or ignoring while life slips by.
It’s true. Lifelists are a gift to yourself that start the ball rolling and changes everything. Written lists have a way of transforming your hopes and dreams into plans and your plans into a reality.
It’s fun too. The lifelists you’ll complete are gratifying, satisfying and uniquely yours. Once completed, your lists will guide and inspire you on your own journey. They’ll ensure that you don’t get too comfortable and fall asleep and miss some of the best parts of your life.
Did you find a swimming lesson that speaks to you? We hope this snapshot of inspiration will spark new experiences that will enrich your life in ways you never knew existed! You can purchase all of these titles HERE.
help us pick our birthday charity
We’re looking to celebrate 13 years of making days brighter at our Berkley store this fall. Because of our birthday, we’ll be offering 20% off EVERYTHING at all our locations and online Saturday, September 21 + donating 7% of all our sales that day to a Detroit charity. There are so many fantastic non-profits making a difference in our city, it’s hard to choose just one.
So we need your help! Our Berkley manager, Danielle selected 3 charities and would love for you to vote for your pick.
Yatooma’s Foundation For The Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing guidance, stability, and financial assistance to families with children who have suddenly lost one or both parents. This all-too-common tragedy transcends the lines of race, religion, and status and often forces children to prematurely assume the burden of adult responsibility.
In addition to immediate financial resources for living expenses, Yatooma’s Foundation For The Kids attempts to provide at least some semblance of the parent’s mentoring hand, now reduced to memories and photographs.
For over 25 years, South Oakland Shelter (SOS) has worked with its 67 partner congregations to provide temporary lodging and supportive services that help homeless individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness, and live independently. With an emphasis on homeless prevention, sustainable housing solutions, and career development, SOS implements strategies and programs that provide realistic options for homeless and at-risk individuals and families seeking stabilization and self-sufficiency.
CATCH is an acronym for Caring Athletes Team for Children’s & Henry Ford Hospitals, but is more commonly known as Sparky Anderson’s Charity for Children. Through a series of special fund-raising events and annual donations, CATCH funds items and services that help improve the quality of life for sick, injured and needy pediatric patients who receive care from Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and Henry Ford Health System.
We’re looking forward to blessing one of these amazing groups this September. And don’t you agree… it’s soooo hard to choose! Help us decide with your vote below. Thank YOU for helping us make days brighter for those in our community.
Voting ends September 17, 2013
5 fabulous stops up north
I was having too much fun living my life this past August to find time blog to about it so bear with me as I share a few more summer themed posts. After all, it is going to be 90 degrees this week so just pretend this happened last weekend :-) I’ve chatted up many lovely things I like about up north over the past years here and here and here … but I couldn’t resist sharing some more shots from my girls weekend away this year.
This new sweet stop in downtown Traverse City lured us in with its sherbert colored Dr. Seuss vibe. We treated ourselves to some tart key lime frozen yogurt that was capital D-elicious!
Off to M22 and the lovely town of Leland. I suggest wandering a block or two from the fishtown area to this delightful park. In the center stands a handsome old tree surrounded by handmade tiles. This definitely is one of the more artful ways to fund raise for a most beautiful public place everyone can enjoy. And on a side note… swing by Two Fish Gallery for a sweet shopping experience.
I never tire of Glen Arbor and all its charm. Cherry Republic never disappoints and I always walk out with a bag of clothes from Cottonseed. This year I discovered Malia style Jag Jeans there. They are my new go-to jeans because they make me look & feel so slim PLUS being stretch denim they are so comfortable and never get saggy!
Of course no shop or town can compete with the stunning sunsets and gigantic dunes that grace this one of a kind place.
On the way home we detoured to Frankfort to see if Monumental Finds was still creating giant playhouses from discarded doors, windows and other finds. These Alice-in-Wonderland flavored structures always make me smile. Another thing that brings me a grin is finding an ice cream stand that serves Dole-Whip! I haven’t been to Disney World since I was in 4th grade, but one thing I do remember is LOVING pineapple Dole Whip. I’m still on the hunt to find that flavor in Michigan, but until I do… tangerine will have to do.
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terribly cute 3 tiered displays
It only took me two years, but I finally got around to creating my own version of these diy displays I fell in love with at I like You in Minneapolis. Finding the glasses, bowls and plates was the easy part… what took so long was finding cute critters and fun figurines to house inside the glasses. Luckily I found a nice variety when I visited a flea market outside of Boston this summer.
Here’s what I bought to make four displays. Four each of… wine glasses, tumbler sized glasses, dinner sized plates, dessert sized plates and bowls and eight small figurines or toys that fit inside the glasses. I found my dishes at Salvation Army, dollar store and in the Target clearance section . There was a mixture of ceramic and melamine styles.
Then I arranged them to see what looked best together and decided what figurines fit in what glasses.
Next I glued the figurines, glasses, plates and bowls together. You don’t need too much of E6000 since it tends to spread out a bit as it settles and cures. Also don’t make the mistake of moving your displays too early. I recommend a full day. I learned the hard way & had to repair one of them that was still a little gooey even though I thought it had dried overnight.
And ta-da! Four clever kitschy displays headed to our catching fireflies shops! Our hedgehogs, puppies and elephants will keep a close eye on the bracelets, bobby pins and other treasures destined for these re-purposed creations.
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fantastic scupltures in sebastopol
With every new area I explore, I always hope to stumble on a surprise that makes me smile. These incredibly clever sculptures created from junk that was destined for the scrap yard make a stop in Sebastopol, California worth it.
The talented duo behind these wild and whimsical creations are Patrick Amiot and Brigette Laurent. A snippet from his website reads, “The whole purpose of my work is to glorify these objects, because they have their own spirit,” Amiot enthuses. “When a hubcap has traveled on a truck for millions of miles, and has seen the prairies in the winter and the hot summer asphalt, when it’s done traveling with that truck and finds itself in the scrap yard and I find it, I kind of like to use that. This hubcap, or whatever piece of metal, from the day it was manufactured until now, has an important history. And I like to think the spirit of all these things lived incredible lives. If they could talk to you, they could tell amazing stories. That’s something I don’t want to hide.”
The first place we saw his work was at the lovely shop, Renga Arts. They have a fabulous sculpture garden that highlights some of their work.
After we soaked in all that Renga Arts had to offer, we headed off to Florence Street which is just a few blocks from downtown Sebastopol. I have to say that I’ve never walked through such an artful and happy neighborhood. My guess is Patrick & Brigette created many of these front yard sculptures in themes the home owners requested… from sports teams to professions to pastimes ~ you see it all!
It’s hard to see all the details in these smaller photos, but rest assured… they did not miss a beat. I love batman’s tool belt ~ complete with a toaster!
I took photos of almost all the sculptures we saw but if you’re hungry for more, see additional pictures of their work HERE. Or better yet ~ if you ever find yourself in Northern California, make sure to spend an afternoon in Sebastopol.
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marmalade and curly girl tour
Since I snapped well over 100 photos of my 3 day girl getaway in Boston, I had to dedicate an entire post just to the work spaces of Leigh Standley. We sell a number of Leigh’s lovely goodies at catching fireflies so it was fun to see the behind scenes of her warehouse/office space.
Let me just say this place is cute enough to be a tv set! I’ll let the photos do all the talking…
Here is where all her retail web orders get fulfilled & shipped.
And her office… no words ~ just drool.
Thank you Mati Rose for capturing all us gals in this happy place!
Next, off to her retail shop in downtown Belmont. Once again, I’ll let the photos be your tour guide…
Thank you Leigh for sharing a slice of your life with us. This little trip filled my tank with inspiration for a long while.
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a whirlwind of wonderful
I have been a very lucky girl this summer. You know that saying, Work Hard, Play Hard? That has defined my August. One of my long weekend escapes earlier in the month was to Boston for a girl’s weekend hosted by the lovely Leigh Standley of Curly Girl Design. Our three delightful days consisted of a sunset cruise, flea marketing, shop perusing and celebrating Leigh’s soon-to-arrive twins…
and eating… lots of eating :-) Our first stop for lunch was Tatte Bakery & Cafe. This is one of Leigh’s favorite spots and after eating a most amazing tasting sandwich, I can see why. But the real star of the show here are the gorgeous pastries, cookies and other scrumptious baked goods.
After lunch we shopped at Marmalade, Leigh’s retail shop in downtown Belmont. I took plenty of pictures of this happy shopping space … so many that they will be in their very own blog post.
Afterwards we headed back to Leigh’s pad to make picnic fixins for our sunset cruise around Boston Harbor. This is where I began to feel like I was living in a magazine shoot. I also believe that all sandwiches taste even better when wrapped in parchment paper and bakers twine.
In between getting helping with kitchen prep, I explored her gorgeous home…. like I said ~ magazine shoot :-)
Next…we were off to the harbor!
It was a most perfect evening for this memorable event. All the gals were instagraming many of the moments, so I used a few of their pics for this collage. Thank you Close2MyArt, LizzyFlanagan and LacyLike.
After a late night of sharing stories, we awoke to this gorgeous scene for breakfast… complete with a vintage handkerchief runner. Ahhh ~ the subtle and sweet details.
Then the beautiful baby shower organized by the oh-so-thoughtful & crafty Alyssa. After the festivities, we had a relaxing afternoon. I forget how good it is for the soul to spend time with inspiring women… hearing their stories, learning about their passions and visions for what’s next. Thank you (from left to right) Mati Rose, Lacy Young, Leigh, Margo Tantau, Michelle Allen and Alyssa Barr Klatte for an unforgettable weekend.
Later that evening we feasted on fish tacos, grilled Mexican corn, homemade guacamole, salsa and grapefruit sangria… all under the starlit sky on the back patio. So stunning and yummy!
The next morning we grabbed a most delicious donut for some flea market fuel. Leigh’s dog, Lucy led the way and sniffed out some spectacular finds for us.
Here’s a bit of my bounty. Muffin tins and glass jars are great for jewelry displays. I plan on using these critters & toy figurines in some 3 tiered displays inspired by the ones I saw at the store, I Like You a couple years ago.
Next we headed to a very hip area of Boston and scouted out some more second hand finds, food trucks and also hit a fantastic art market where I scored some hip handmade clothes from cinderloop and mountain ash design.
It was definitely a whirlwind of wonderful. A big thank you to Leigh who organized this great gathering. I think we might all have to return to celebrate your babes’ first birthdays next year!
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