share a smile on us!
Last year, our fabulous firefly fans helped us gain Channel 4’s Second Best Gift Shop Title. We were blown away with your support and can’t wait to see what this year’s results bring!
Reading all your wonderful comments make us smile ear to ear, so we thought it was only appropriate to return the favor. As a thank you for voting for us, we’d like to give you a free Mina Lee card with any purchase. ($3.50 value * cannot be combined with other offers * one per person * coupon must be present at time of purchase * expires 9.15.08)
Simply click HERE to vote and print off the free card coupon. You’ll need to type your in e-mail address so they can identify you as a unique voter, then they’ll send you a secure "one-click" ballot link. Your e-mail address will not be shared with any third party. Coupon is valid at our Rochester & Berkley locations.
Here are some of my favorite cards by Mina…
Thank you so much for voting for us!
Feel free to foward this news to your friends and family… and maybe you’ll find a funny Mina Lee card in your mailbox!
wind down with radiohead
Loving this radiohead song – House of Cards from the album In Rainbows
(don’t mind the first 15 seconds)
A review reads, "House of Cards seems benign at first, with its ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ guitar sliding and Selway’s rim taps. But the echo on Yorke’s vocals gets stronger, and the words start to run together, and some synthesized string lines come in and when Yorke sings ‘Forget about your house of cards,’ it is suddenly a line bogged down with emotion, an emotion achieved without Yorke’s top-of-his-lungs wailing or Greenwood snapping his wrist on his pickguard." – Matthew Fiander
a weekend breakfast treat
My friend Michelle turned me on to making crepes and now they’re my favorite weekend treat.
Just whisk:
1 cup Bisquick
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
Heat up a non-stick frying pan and keep the burner at medium. Pour a 4-5 inch circle of batter and then tilt the pan back and forth to spread out the batter creating a 8-9 inch crepe.
The crepe cooks fairly fast and only needs to be flipped once because it’s so thin. This recipe makes approx. 10 crepes. They refrigerate very well so you can enjoy them for Saturday & Sunday breakfast.
I fill mine with a dollop of yogurt, fresh strawberries and bananas, but the possibilities are truly up to you. You can even make them for lunch… some shaved turkey, sauteed mushrooms & swiss cheese – ummmm!
I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful holiday weekend… eating breakfast on the porch or deck, taking naps in the hammock and watching fireflies at night.
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34, but still a kid at heart
So many sweet surprises came my way for my birthday, I couldn’t resist sharing some of my goodies with you.
Look at this box! I squealed with delight when the postman delivered this gem. Leave to my friend Aly (owner of the lovely boutique, Bloom) to transform a shoe box into a magical home for a fantastic collection of birthday goods.
After all, what birthday is complete without a crown, lei and pink hippo bubbles?
Thank you Aly! Your are such a sweetheart.
Web gal extraordinaire, Sara worked her photoshop skills on this super-duper close-up of Gus. I asked her if she accentuated his nose because it looked so long. Nope, that schnoz is all his.
Thanks so much Sara!
My dear friend Kim (aka domestic diva) introduced me to the wonderful world of Anya’s Spice Lab. I can’t wait to whip up one of these dessert cheese balls …ummm.
Thanks a bunch Miss Martha!
And Miss Dena (aka gift basket guru) put together an array of delights! Lucky Gus even got some treats and toys.
Included in the goodies was this very clever necklace that you can switch out designs as you please. (They stay in place via a magnet!) I’ve already contacted the artist to see if we can start carrying them at the store. Thank you Dena! You always find such unique wares!
A little trivia about my sweetie, Steve – he can wrap a mean lookin’ present. But you won’t see him behind the counter at Christmas because he’s a bit of a perfectionist (corner creases and all) therefore not the speediest wrapper… but boy, doesn’t it look nice?
Inside was a snazzy device that allows me to play the ipod in my car.
I ended my big day with a walk down to Coldstone Creamery with Steve & Gus. Did you know if you register your birthday on their site, they’ll send you a free LOVE IT Signature Creation coupon? Cheesecake Fantasy for me!
Here’s to another year of great friends, good times and sweet surprises.
shadow charms
Meet Cherie Haney of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She pierces through metal with a plasma cutter nearly as fast as she can draw on paper when she creates her playful Shadow Charms.
We carry a few of her pieces at our Rochester and Berkley locations, but you can also find her full selection of goods at local art fairs and on her website.
I had the chance to ask Cherie about her artwork…
What inspired you to start creating your art and how did it turn into a business?
My path to becoming an artist began in a high school band class when I started playing the French horn only to realize that I wasn’t musically talented at all. What I came to realize was that I was attracted to the shiny metal and rolling curves of the instrument and wondered how it was made. I quickly dropped band and enrolled in metal arts where I found my true passion. After high school, I studied art at EMU and CCS in Detroit, and spent six years apprenticing under renowned Ann Arbor potter JT Abernathy. Three years after I obtained my BFA I was accepted into my first art fair and began selling my work. Shadowcharms has since grown from an idea in my mind into a full-fledged art studio producing original pieces as well as small production batches.
What is the one thing that makes your items unique?
I have a passion for what I do and I think that it shows in my work. I enjoy creating unique products that are eclectic as well as functional for the home and garden.
What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
Creating the originals, especially if it’s something that probably won’t sell or appeal to the average person. Right now, I can’t afford to do that very often, but when I allow myself to escape the "will it sell?" Mindset, then I can truly enjoy and be challenged by what I am doing. Out of this meditation of deep artwork usually spawns several more commercial ideas. 
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skip to my lou
If you’re looking for a little inspiration in the kitchen or enjoy being crafty with your kids… this sweet little blog will be right up your alley. 
Just reading this summer lunch post made me salivate.
What well behaved Indiana Jones fan wouldn’t want to tote around his very own bull whip made out of duct tape and a wooden dowel?
And what a great way to surprise a neighbor with a bouquet of posies from your garden?
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best of detroit party 2008
To celebrate catching fireflies winning Best Gift Shop, the gals and I (and Steve) kicked up our heels at the oh-so-glamorous Best of Detroit Party which took place in the new MGM Grand Casino.
Here’s the team that makes our little store shine! From left to right you have… Steve & me, Dena – Rochester location, Cheryl & Danielle – Berkley location and Sara – website sales.
The evening began with many tasty morsels from the best restaurants around the city, plus some yummy pomegranate martinis.
Steve went back for seconds at the Slows Bar BQ table. Ribs and mac & cheese… ummmmm!
Danielle insisted on posing with the oh-so-pretty Miss Better Made.
We all caught a little boogie fever when Boogie Dynomite hit the stage.
Another part of the festivities included models showing off local Detroit designer wares.
The Killer Flamingos kept the party rolling while hip models strutted on the stage wearing Made in Detroit goods.
By the end of the night we graduated to bottled water and bare feet…. definitely a sign of good times.
Cheers to another year of great gift giving!
a sweet-sweet summer drink
I went to a delightful little party over the weekend and was introduced to my new favorite summer drink.
Sweet Summer Champagne
Combine the following:
1 can (12 fluid ounce) frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 can (12 fluid ounce) frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 can (12 fluid ounce) frozen limeade concentrate
1 bottle (750 mL) white wine, chilled
1 liter carbonated water, chilled
2 bottles (750 mL) pink champagne, chilled
Add ice to keep chilled, along with frozen raspberries, sliced limes, and fresh mint leaves for garnish.
Your guests will be asking for seconds and thirds of this pretty punch! Thanks Sarah for serving up and sharing this sweet concoction.
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the FURminator is fantastic!
Now that summer has officially arrived, so has the amount of pet hair in my home. Per the recommendation of a fellow animal lover, I invested in the best pet brush EVER!
Even our cat Tuesday was amazed to see her long-lost cousin It appear after her grooming session.
These miracle brushes work on cats and dogs. They may seem expensive, ($39 for the medium size) but they’ll easily pay for themselves in lint rollers alone! They’re available at most large pet supply stores.
Happy Furminating!
Daily Tribune – 2008 Best of the Best
The Daily Tribune readers voted catching fireflies best gift shop and most unique shop.
Thank you firefly fans! We’re honored to be able to serve you by helping you find thoughtful and clever gifts for your friends and family. Cheers to another great year of gift giving!
