15 goodies to surprise your kid at college
Want to send a little love to your college bound kid? Ship a few of these finds in a box to their new nest and you’re guaranteed a happy phone call… or least a text ;-)
1. This handy bookmark will keep track of exactly where you stopped studying $6.95
2. Dive into this new way of life fully prepared with The Dorm Survival Guide $12.95
3. Studying stinks… so why not make it smell better with yummy smelling hi-liters? $5.95
4. Let your teen know you’re keeping an eye on them with these silly push pins $5.95
5. Everyone needs a little thinking putty to get those brain cells in shape $11.95
6. This helpful kit is a must-have for minor dorm disasters $25.95
7. Stay alert for that early morning class with some help from this silly heat sensitive mug $13.95
8. This unicorn by far is the most magical way to sharpen your pencils $6.95
9. Don’t get too overwhelmed with your studies… like this gentleman holding up your library of books $17.95
10. Keep track of important deadlines & dates to visit home on this inspiring and artful mini Curly Girl calendar $7.99
11. String up this decorative magnet cable to showcase some of your favorite pics. $9.95
12. Keep embarrassing bathroom smells concealed with some powerful poo-pourri $9.95
13. A little shower aromatherapy is always a good way to get re-charged and ready for the day $4.25
14. This tiny whistle can make a giant sound. A great security item to have on your key chain. $3.00
15. Living with roommates takes lots of communication… just sayin’ $4.00
Do you like finding goodies that show that you care? We’re happy to share some of our clever gift ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you’ll be in the loop & get our latest scoop.
custom map frame giveaway
At the beginning of the season we asked “Where is Summer Taking You?” We hope someplace wonderful… whether it was a road trip to some place new, a flight to see some friends & family or even enjoying your own backyard oasis. Wherever it may be, we would like to celebrate one of your favorite places by giving away custom map photo frames to three lucky firefly fans.
Just enter below & we’ll select the lucky firefly fan’s name on Tuesday August 27, 2013 and the winner will be listed on this post.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have fun, good luck and thanks for playing!
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our favorite vacation spots
As another summer comes to an end so does skipping out of town for a week of sunny fun. We hope you discovered new and interesting places or had a chance to visit your go-to town this vacation season. If you’re seeking new spots to see next year, check out some of our firefly team’s favorite destinations…
My family always went north for summer vacations when I was growing up. My mother and I have taken trips to Mackinac Island a few times since I moved out of the house, and some friends and I did a Girls Weekend on the Island a few years back. It was a blast! Every summer, I think about going back. Or maybe for Halloween!
I use to travel to Gladwin as a young child almost every weekend in the summer to visit my aunt. After she passed away, she left her cabin to my dad and uncle and is now considered our family’s cabin. I have fond memories of traveling “Up North” to fish on the Tittabawassee River, head over to Sugar Springs for some swimming, and visiting West Branch for some shopping. I now can share these memories with my family and create new ones. Recently, I have found out that two friends of ours also have cabins on the river and we can see some familiar faces as we travel down the river on the pontoon. It is a beautiful place in the summer and the colors in the fall are spectacular. My most favorite place to travel.
Naples favorite relaxation spot for vacation. I love coming here and reading a book while soaking up the sun. This is total paradise for me!
This cosmopolitan city is a special place to me as it is where I got married. My husband and I are considered opposites – described as cashmere vs flannel, yet the city appeals to both of us and our individual interests. From the diverse culture, incredible variety of street vendors, restaurants, and shopping; to theater, museums, and parks, the city has it all. It is clean, safe,and friendly. See a sporting event at the dome, have dinner at the top of the CN Tower, shop on Queen Street, take in a theater production, visit China Town,,,You get the idea. Too many great things to do, to list.
I’ve been vacationing at a friends’ cottage at Basswood Lake in Thessalon Ontario for over 25 years. It offers beauty, water sports, relaxation and no technology. A place to unwind and simply appreciate nature and friendships.
I have been going to Gettysburg for a few years now and it didn’t take long for it to become my favorite vacation spot. Being a bit of a history buff, I love learning more about everything that occurred there and being able to experience a little bit of history for myself. It is a really pretty place and with so much to do, it’s very easy to relax and just get lost walking around
My grandparent’s grew up in a small town outside of Marquette and my family and I love going to the U.P. to visit our family and friends that still live up there. It is absolutely gorgeous and relaxing to spend time up there.
Punta Cana is my favorite vacation spot because it’s like being in paradise. Relaxation, drinks and the ocean is the perfect combination.
While it is rather difficult to choose just one favorite vacation spot, I would say that Ontario’s Sauble Beach ranks among the highest on my list. My family took several trips to this picturesque Lake Huron beach when I was growing up. We would rent out a few cottages right on the lake, located in a remote, non-touristy area. One of the best parts was just how rustic the cottages were. It was truly an experience to stay in these tiny and charming houses. Some of the bedrooms were so small that the mattress would be bowed in the middle, because it was pressing into the walls on each side!
One of my most memorable vacations included a stop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Talking with the very friendly, sociable locals it was interesting to take in a different slice of life. The best thing by far was seeing the night sky with more stars than you ever new existed.
I’m a gal who always likes to discover and explore new places so there is something to be said that I’ve spent a portion of my summer vacation in South Haven the past two summers. It’s just 3 hours west of Detroit and is the perfect down-to-earth beach town. The town has a great mix of shops, restaurants, bakeries, coffee & ice cream shops, plus an old school movie theater. There are two great beaches and one is a short walk from downtown. There are always plenty places to rent in the cute neighborhood just blocks from all the action. And did I mention they have the most marvelous farmers market on Saturdays all summer long? A great place to live the relaxing lake life for a week.
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soaking in south of san francisco
So I really didn’t intend for our California trip to take up 3 whole blog posts… but I guess I took more photos than I realized. There are just so many cool places to see! I guess it’s no surprise that we managed to put on a mere 1,100 miles on the rental car during our stay. So now we head south of San Fran…
So before you think all I do is peruse cool shops & restaurants (which is mostly true), I laced up my tennies for some light hiking action in Big Sur.
The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway is absolutely STUNNING! The top photo is from a easy-peasy hike right off the road on the McWay Waterfall Trail just south of the official Big Sur State Park.
For some serious Redwood action, we headed to the state park and hiked the slightly more challenging Pfeiffer Falls Trail.
And how about this spectacular view for a lovely lunch?! Nepenthe is another spot in Big Sur that I need to thank my friend, Leigh for recommending. There really is no place like it. Plus did I mention they have an amazing shop there too? I know… I know ~ back to food and shopping. I can’t help it :-)
Next we headed to the cute town of Carmel. I can’t say I found any shops I loved here, but the city scape is quite enchanting. Lots of gingerbread-esque shops with gorgeous gardens and courtyards everywhere… and art galleries TONS of art galleries.
I am so happy that gluten and carbohydrates are still my friends because this European styled restaurant/bakery was oh such a wonderful dining experience. La Bicyclette of Carmel was oozing with charm and not a detail was missed.
On another day we headed to Santa Cruz… a hip city with a lotta soul. The shop Stripe definitely stood out for super stylish goods and oh-so-slick presentation. I also enjoyed the throwback displays scattered through out Old School Shoes. Just a couple more stores to add to my dream main street.
One of the shop owners suggested we get a cool treat at The Penny Ice Creamery and it did not disappoint. Love how they write the day’s flavors on an old window. I should have taken a photo of our ice cream but we enjoyed it too quickly.
After the city tour, we checked out the beach scene. The boardwalk was definitely a festive environment, but I’m still partial to the ones on Jersey Shore we visited last year.
It was a sunny day in Santa Cruz but still a little cool for bathing suit weather. One fun surprise we found while walking on the pier were boisterous sea lions catching some rays. They actually have cut outs of the middle of the pier where you can watch them do what they do.
All of our mini adventures could have been full vacations, but we had fun discovering someplace new everyday. It would be hard to choose just one place to stay. I guess that’s one of the reasons why a trip to the bay area is so great. I’d definitely recommend putting it on your vacation list.
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exploring north of the golden gate bridge
Now that you saw what we did in san fran… here’s where we spent some time north of the city.
Per my well traveled friend Leigh’s advice, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge for a stop in Mill Valley.
Joe’s Taco Lounge was the real deal. Amazing food, kitschy flair and an authentic vibe. If Steve and I were from south of the border or knew anything that went into running a restaurant, this would be it. Can’t you picture this place in the vacant spot between catching fireflies & yellow door in Berkley? A girl can dream…
We continued north to a town I stumbled upon while doing some research about Sonoma County at the hotel the evening before. This little gem of a town was well worth the stop in my book thanks to the talented artist team of Patrick Amiot and Bridgitte Laurent. You will see signs of their creative genius sprinkled all throughout Sebastopol. Renga Arts features their fantastic sculpture garden.
Or take a stroll down Florence street and see numerous sculptures in Patrick & Brigitte’s neighbor’s front yards. I took loads more photos of these recycled whimsical finds that will be in another blog post soon. Art museums are fine and dandy, but I love a good dose of unexpected art that makes me smile. This stop was definitely one of our favorite surprises during our journey. Oh… and there are also a lot of antique & junk shops on the drive to this town! (just another reason to make time to visit :-)
We wouldn’t call ourselves Alfred Hitchcock fans, however we quickly learned that the little town of Bodega is home to his popular film, The Birds. So when one has a chance to pose by Al… we thought ~ why not? Lots of these charming little coastal towns are peppered along Highway 1 plus some killer views to boot!
On another day north of the bridge we headed to Napa. I wish I could say Steve & I loved wine, however it is not the case. We do love hip towns and this one did not disappoint. Per another recommendation we grabbed burgers at Gott’s for lunch then explored the beautiful Oxbow Public Market. This place is a foodie’s dream… not that I’m a foodie ~ however I could have eaten numerous other meals at this market.
I also liked the sidewalk cha cha cha lesson and cupcake liner garland in Sweetie Pies window.
My surprise discovery in this city was definitely Betty’s Girl Boutique. Here’s another brilliant shop concept I’d love to see in Michigan. They sell classic vintage with a modern edge as well as redesigned clothing made from recycled product. Plus they offer complimentary alterations on most of their items. Loads of fun cocktail dresses and funky formals fill the racks here. Andie from Pretty in Pink would be proud!
Sonoma was next on our list. This city has a lovely park smack dab in the middle of the city and the surrounding side streets are filled with sweet shops and restaurants. One shop that got the blue ribbon in my book was Tiddle E. Winks. It’s a very well curated step back in time… impeccably displayed findings will tempt you at every turn in this cozy shop.
We’re headed south of San Fran next ~stay tuned…
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3 days in san francisco
Steve and I escaped to the California coast for a little get-away recently and realized why a number of our friends say it’s one of their favorite places to vacation. We probably could have spent the whole week discovering San Francisco, but because of our exploring nature we decided to stay just outside of the city and planned day trips to the surrounding towns north and south of the area.
We’ll start off sharing a bit of San Francisco though…
Because I’m a retailer, I cannot help to seek out independent shopping areas. I get inspired by store layouts, product displays and the mix of offerings that make up the shopping-scape. Hayes Valley was one of my favorite areas in the city. It’s filled with well curated boutiques including California Made Mercantile. It’s filled with goods created by the locals which drew me right in. Steve (my cycling nut) scored this great San Francycle tee and I couldn’t leave with out this marvelous memento.
Another gem in this district is Smitten Ice Cream. Have you heard of ice cream made with liquid nitrogen? It’s made just for you with uber fresh ingredients and tastes AMAZING!
And of course this clever ice cream shop is housed a re-purposed shipping container… because it’s not cool enough already.
Pacific Heights is another area not to be missed. This wealthy area has some amazing views, architecture, more cute shops and restaurants of course. You know the street is steep when sidewalks have stairs!
Speaking of steep streets… we had to check out the famous Lombard Street. Yeah~yeah~yeah… it’s one of the most crooked streets in the city, however I think the stunning gardens make it worth the stop. The famous trolley route rolls right by that area too.
We did take the standard double deck bus tour around the city and learned a lot more about the history of the neighborhoods. Chinatown really looked like a little slice of another country (fish hanging to dry in 3rd story windows and all!) And their vintage streetcars are easily the most stylish public transportation I’ve seen.
One place you must stop is the Ferry Building. It’s a foodie’s paradise. And for even more action, stop by on a Saturday when the farmer’s market is in full swing.
Steve & nibbled on treats from lots of different vendors in the building but the Biscuit Bender wins the award for most adorable display (and tasty biscuits I might add!)
There is also lots of great art all throughout the city.
Oh and by the way… if you ever visit in the summer, pack jeans and sweatshirts. Because of a bunch of weather information I don’t completely understand, it’s often cloudy, windy and cool during the summer months. Seriously, some days I felt as if I was living in a cloud.
We’ll end this city tour with a few more classic stops… Full House intro anyone? I love the contrast of these gorgeous Victorian homes (aka painted ladies) with the backdrop of the bustling city. Haight & Asbury ~ still a hippie’s heaven… plenty of resale and tattoo shops. And touring Alcatraz always makes for an interesting afternoon. Here’s a tip: if you do plan on visiting SF, be sure to get your Alcatraz tickets a month or two before you leave as they sell out fast!
So we packed this little city adventure into three days. Stay tuned to see what other towns we explored next.
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30 ways to beat summer boredom blues
There’s still a few weeks before the school bells start ringing… But if you’re kiddos are already crying the summer blues, here are a few fun finds to keep them entertained in August.
Outdoor Play
1. Eyeball war is on with this silly monster popper. It shoots up to 20 feet! $11.95
2. Add a little extra style to your bike with these sweet spoke sliders $9.95
3. The classic boomerang has met its match with this new modern marvel $13.95
4. Shoot a paper target or surprise an unexpecting friend with a surprising shot of air with this clever invention $11.95
5. Kick it old school with some good old fashioned sidewalk games $8.95
6. Another classic find that spells summer fun ~ snappers $.75
Creative Imaginations
1. Transform any hand into an instant puppet with these funny animal tattoos $6.95
2. Color these beautiful butterfly masks with your friends & perform a fantastical play $11.99
3. Fill your fingers with a few of these terrifying finger monsters for a mini scary movie $3.80 set of 4
4. You and 19 of your friends can rule the world with cool color-in robot masks $11.95
5. Go under cover and solve a few neighborhood crimes by wearing a marvelous mustache disguise $3.95
6. Googly eyes have the power to turn almost anything into a cool creature $1.95
Art Lovers
1. Make lunch time more interesting with these clever dinner- do plates $22.95 set of 3 (boy version available too)
2. Turn your doodles into jewelry with this cool shrinking craft kit $8.95
3. Show your gratitude with these delightful color-in thank you cards $9.99
4. Get ready to welcome your friends back to school with some handmade friendship bracelets $24.95
5. Get inspiration for new doodles with this snazzy drawing book $12.95
6. Create a super smelling picture using these scented glitter pens $9.95
Really Great Reads
1. Q & A a day is a great way to create memories with your kid throughout the whole year $16.95
2. Get ready for science class with these daring experiments $12.95
3. Need new ideas for these last few weeks of summer? This is the book for you! $25
4. Talk about some sweet science projects! $14.99
5. Create your very own robot army with junk you find around your house $26.95
6. Learn simple ways to live green with this resourceful read $12.99
Fashionista Fun
1. Add a little color and sparkle to your locks with some glitter paste $6.95 (also comes in blue)
2. Design your very own fabulous fall fashion line $9.95
3. Lips look lovely when wearing raspberry fizz lip balm $4.95
4. Help illustrate a one of a kind magical and fashionable story $6.99
5. Turn your fingernails into a marvelous mini zoo $5.95
6. Remember fashion plates?! This mini version lets you mix and match to heart’s desire $9.95
Do you like finding goodies that spark creative play? We’re happy to share some of our clever gift ideas. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you’ll be in the loop & get our latest scoop.
simple signs make us smile
One item we sell a lot of are these great black & white signs. Whether you are hunting for a sweet, funny or inspiring sentiment we’ve got ya covered. Here are a few of our favs…
These primitive signs add a nice rustic feel to any room. I love this one! Our dogs LIVE for kissing visitors’ faces. You can’t walk into our home without receiving a nice sloppy kiss! Beware! $8.95
I have been eying this sign for a while now. Its my sister’s favorite saying and with her birthday right around the corner this would make for a perfect gift! $8.95
Being a 500 Days of Summer fan, I can’t resist this sweet sentiment. I also love that it can refer to relationships of any kind… whether it be a couple, friends, family or furry companion. $8.95
When a young friend went off to college for the first time, she had a really hard time adjusting so I sent her a post card that said “I’m Kind of Really Awesome” for her to post by her desk and remind her how strong she was and that she could handle this new life experience. Ever since we’ve had a running joke about how awesome I am, and anything that says “awesome” on it, she points out to me. I think she and I *both* need this sign. $12.95
Our sweet store kitty Piper does this everyday! $8.95
Coffee is a necessary part of my morning routine. This sign is my version of a warning label. Mess with my coffee and you get a very grumpy Kim. $14.95
This sign is so cute!!! It is the perfect sentiment for any new mom, and would be a great nursery decoration. $14.95
I’ve had a dog most of my adult life and have found so much love and laughter with all my precious pups. I can’t imagine not having a furry, loving friend by my side. Words to live by for all us dog lovers; “All you need is love…and a dog“! $8.95
Just a little reminder on a simple sign to get that point across you’ve been trying to for years (; $8.95
Procrastination could be my middle name and that’s why I love this. It would be a fun gift to give a student going away to school. Most people can relate and it would be a laugh for others as well! $17.95
This sign says it all between good friends. If you need a gift to make your friend smile, this plaque is perfect. The sentiment is sure to make you laugh! $17.95
Do you like seeing what team catching fireflies is loving? We’re happy to share some of our favorite finds. Simply sign up to receive these blog posts in your email and you’ll be in the loop & get our latest scoop.
put a light on
I had some time to cruise through Spotify radio on my public transportation commute while at the Atlanta gift show last week and found this poppy tune by the Generationals.
Since I’ll be spending some time on road trips in the upcoming months I was on the hunt for fresh sounds for a summer playlist and this fit the bill.
A review reads, “Generationals have established themselves as the go-to band for sunny pop songs that display all the catchiness of a Top 40 single without sacrificing a sense of technical playfulness. Their latest album, Heza, marks the New Orleans band’s first with Polyvinyl Records. The band’s penchant for earworm-y hooks remains strong, as evidenced by the music video for the Heza track “Put a Light On.” – Mark Rozeman
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a 2 hour summer getaway
So… I hardly every blog about movies but the small summer release, The Way Way Back was too delightful not to chat up a bit.
Steve & I saw it on a whim after deciding we didn’t want to spend a 90 degrees evening at home without power and it really brightened our night. I must disclose dramadies are my favorite genre and it’s a delicate balance to do it right, but I feel this film gets it. It takes place in present day but has a big retro spirit with lots of nods to the 70’s and 80’s.
Even the title refers to the third seat that faces out the back window of those beloved station wagons from the past. A review reads, “Much of Nat Faxon and Jim Rash’s summer-breeze comedy “The Way, Way Back” feels familiar, but in a good way, like a comfortably rumpled beach house you’re happy to return to year after year. The film, set in a vacation town on the Massachusetts shore, features just such a house, but not everyone in it is happy.” – Moira MacDonald
So if you’re looking for a break from the heat or want to scoot out of work early to catch a matinee… I highly recommend this under the radar flick.
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