local charities we love
Each year at this time, we like to showcase some of the charities that catching fireflies proudly supports. We’re happy to help these groups raise money by donating $120 gift card books to their fundraising events. 
Meadow Brooke Elementary, Long Meadows Elementary, Rochester High School Senior Party
Babes in Toyland Daycare – going towards raising funds for new playground equipment.
Paint Creek Center for the Arts has been dedicated to promoting the arts and artistic excellence through a full range of cultural programs including exhibitions, studio art classes, outreach programs, community involvement projects, and The National City Art & Apples Festival.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester and Detroit supports 200 CF patients and their families in the 9 surrounding counties of Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Genesee, Steuben, Livingston, Yates, Wyoming and Chemung
Oakland Youth Orchestra is here to provide a quality orchestral experience for students who had no such opportunity in their home schools; to provide an advanced performance medium for high school orchestra students in addition to that which they received in their home schools; and to do everything possible to strengthen the public and private school orchestra programs in existence.
Oak Arbor School is a Christian elementary school with a strong sense of purpose and vision – providing daily opportunities for teachers, students, parents and volunteers to make a positive and life-long impact on each other.
Suite Dreams mission is to bring comfort and joy to children affected by serious medical conditions by creating healing environments in their homes, in hospitals, and in our communities that improve their quality of life and speed recovery.
Holy Family Regional School, a school of God, educates children in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade at two campuses; Kindergarten (full and half-day) through grade three at the North Campus, located in Rochester, and grades four through eight at the South Campus, located in Rochester Hills.
South Oakland Shelter is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness. As a small agency, located in the heart of Royal Oak Michigan, we realize we cannot do this alone. To tackle this audacious task we partner with over sixty faith based organizations and dedicated individual volunteers.
The mission of the Berkley Athletic Boosters is to assist the student-athletes of Berkley High School by making sure they have all the things they need in order to be successful on the athletic field of play.
Congregation Beth Shalom’s Greatest Baby Shower on Earth fundraiser for the Diaper Pantry which provides diapers for low income families.
Camp Casey allows children with cancer to experience the joy of horses. We are proud to keep Casey’s legacy alive and enable children, like Casey, to apply the strength gained from our program to their fight against cancer.
Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. We seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from Oakland County, Michigan, and the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. We work in partnership with God and people of all faiths and races to develop communities for people in need by building and renovating houses, creating homeownership opportunities and, in collaboration with others, transforming lives and neighborhoods.
Temple Emanu-El’s fundraiser for their Caring Community outreach program that touches many families during times when they are overwhelmed by their circumstances, such as illness, grief or even the birth of a new baby.
Blood for Ellie fundraiser for a young girl who has leukemia in Oakland County.
Pink Fling is a party held annually to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. All proceeds help support the efforts and good work of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. 
The Troy Community Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all who live or work in Troy, by promoting a lifestyle free from the abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Queen for a Day is a national charity whose mission is to raise the self-esteem and self-confidence of young ladies, ages 3-21 with cancer. We do this through personal visits and Tea Parties where we give makeovers, manicures and lots of love.
If you’re having a fundraising event, we welcome you to bring by your information to either store. Both locations have designated amounts of our "dozen days gift card book" valued at $120 and will be happy to consider donating to your cause.
Unfortunately we can’t give to every charity, so thanks ahead of time for your understanding. We’d also like to thank all the volunteers that take the time to plan these special fundraising events. It’s people like you who make the world a better place to live, play and work in.
art & apples festival
My mom has made it a tradition to come visit me the first weekend of September and we spend the day together in Rochester at the Art & Apples Festival.
Here are few pics of the day…
Aren’t these designer pumpkins fantastic? Apparently Bob from Backyard Bouquet Farm created this snazzy variety by mixing pumpkins & winter squash. They’re also known for their gorgeous sunflowers.
My mom & I both bought these spider stands… perfect for a designer pumpkin!
Sticking with the spooky theme, my mom also bought this whimsical witch. Isn’t it funny how feathers add so much personality? I thought that turkey (in the background on the right) was equally amusing. No surprise, the artist’s company name was Giggles.
Another find of the day was this lovely butter dish handmade by Becky Rotter of Sodus, Michigan.
And I discovered the work of Gregg Laatsch… so fun & playful.
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Platinum Magazine- September 2008
Refresh your wardrobe for fall with these easy, modernizing picks
(excerpt)
These bags easily transform from daywear appropriate to nightlife accessory, making them a sound (and easy-on-the wallet) investment. Denim Blue leather-like satchel ($48.50) and silver-ringed bronze leather-like bag ($44.50),
both at Catching Fireflies
birthdays at catching fireflies
People often ask me how I juggle our stores, design studio & web and I always say, "I have great managers that do an amazing job." It’s true – they’re the ones that make catching fireflies tick. And this is another reason why I love our team…
Here’s our back door at the Berkley store before Cheryl (the birthday girl) made her way into work.
Danielle, our Berkley manager decked out the back room and checkout area to celebrate Cheryl’s big day.
Cheryl was tickled pink! 
Dena and the crew at Rochester have a thing for handbags so whenever there is a birthday there, they all pitch in and buy a bag for the birthday girl.
And at the studio, Sara takes on the role of Betty Crocker. She always whips up the favorite treat of the birthday gal or guy. Typically it’s cookies or cupcakes, but she even made homemade wheat bread & peanut butter sandwiches for our health-nut shipping guy, Hugh.
Knowing that our leaders have such wonderful hearts filled with kindness makes me proud. They’re one of the main reasons why catching fireflies is so much more than just a gift shop.
saugatuck dreamin’
Steve and I escaped to sweet little Saugatuck over Labor Day weekend and took the historic chain ferry over to beautiful Oval Beach
.
After basking in the sun for a while, we headed back into town and visited a few of my favorite shops including…
Then we drove by this gem of a cottage that was for sale just a couple blocks from downtown.
Now doesn’t that have catching fireflies written all over it?
So here’s our dream… buy a charming place in artsy Saugatuck (3 hours West of Detroit), decorate-it-up catching fireflies style, rent it out to firefly fans like you and maybe eventually also have a seasonal c.f. store in town someday.
After all… What is life without a dream?
Detroit Free Press 8.31.08
Sandwich made with love – Georgea Kovanis
Because everything tastes better when it’s made with love — awwwww — how clever is this heart-shaped sandwich cutter?
Instead of making a plain old peanut butter and jelly or a grilled cheese, you’ll be cutting your sandwich into two hearts and serving up something special.
Perfect for back-to-school lunches, don’t you think?
The sandwich cutter also is available in a dinosaur shape.
$3.95 at Catching Fireflies
an uplifting tune to set the mood
This song has been getting a lot of plays in my ipod… I love the upbeat tempo, positive message and the 1980’s Michael Jackson flair.
How ’bout these lyrics to recharge your attitude about the day…
Let it go……
Can’t let this thing called love get away from you
Feel free right now, going do what you want to do
Can’t let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I’m winning
It’s been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right
So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
No stress through the night, at a time in my life
Ain’t worried about if you feel it
Got my head on straight, I got my mind right
I aint gonna let you kill it
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
Feels so good, when you’re doing all the things that you want to do
Get the best out of life, treat yourself to something new
Keep your head up high
In yourself, believe in you, believe in me
Having a really good time, I’m not complaining
And I’m a still wear a smile if it raining
I got to enjoy myself regardless
I appreciate life, I’m so glad I got mine
So I like what I see when I’m looking at me
When I’m walking past the mirror
Aint worried about you and what you gonna do
I’m a lady so I must stay classy
Got to keep it hot, keep it together
If I want to get better
You see I wouldn’t change my life, my life’s just…..
Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, ooooh
I aint gon’ let nothing get in my way
(I ain’t gone let nobody bring me down, no, no, no)
No matter what nobody has to say
(No way, no way, no way)
I ain’t gon’ let nothing get in my way
No matter what nobody has to say
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meeting mo rocca
One of our evenings during the New York Gift Show we made our way to a Pinkberry (a delicious plain frozen yogurt I can’t get enough of) in the West Village. And during our dining experience, funny-man Mo Rocca made his way into the building.
Being fans of NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me Quiz Show and CBS Sunday Morning, Steve & I recognized him right away. Nobody else in our group knew who he was, but I couldn’t help to hide my excitement.
I didn’t want to be cheesy and take a photo, but upon leaving I went over and said, "I just wanted to say I love your work."
He was totally appreciative, nodding his head and saying "Oh, thank you – thank you"
Just another reason why I love strolling the streets in NYC – who knows Mo Rocca today… maybe John Mayer in January!
rare bird finds feature
The gals over at Rare Bird Finds think our magnet alternative clip is quite clever.
"If you have a stainless steel refrigerator then you might be interested in these handy little clips. A magnet alternative, they stick to slick surfaces and can be reused. $6.50 at Catching Fireflies"
(These also come in black & white swirl and pretty posy patterns.)
Thank you birdies for featuring our pretty product – just in time for gold-star school papers!
making fun new friends in the city
One very fun thing about doing wholesale shows is meeting new friends. My friend, Michelle introduced me to the lovely Texan duo of Cutting Up. They create inspiring colorful intricate collages and offer them on all sorts of things like tees, belt buckles, hats and necklaces. Here are a few of my favs…
We (Michelle & Katie, Amy Peters and Jo Dee & Colleen) all went out for Thai in Hell’s Kitchen and had many, many laughs… those Southern gals know how to have a good time!
We finished the evening with some Yolato (a plain flavored frozen yogurt that I can’t wait to hit the mid-west!) It’s sooooo delicious!
Off to another day of buying & selling lots of great goodies!
hmmmm… would it be wrong to have frozen yogurt for breakfast?
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