Behind the Design:
Take a moment to explore Mackinac Island State Park by foot, horse or bicycle and discover the many visual treasures of high limestone bluffs, breathtaking water views, enchanted forests and geological formations such as the famous Arch Rock. The park covers more than 80 percent of the island's 3.75 square miles, encompassing most of the island's historic and natural sights.

The Mackinac “Island” Backpack is the perfect tagalong companion for your daytrip adventures.

Take a relaxing carriage ride down Huron Road, the home to Mackinac Island’s charming cottages such as the Baby Grand, on the East Bluff while looking over the rooftops of the downtown and harbor below.

The East Bluff Handbag is charming yet statement-making.

Behind the Design: 

Be sure to pack your camera and get ready to climb up 200 steps on the east side of Mackinac Island to discover Arch Rock; a true natural gem like no other. The limestone geological arch formation stands 146 feet (around 15 stories) above the Lake Huron shoreline, the breathtaking view at the top makes it worth the hike!

The Arch Rock Handbag’s step above design that will captivate you.

 

Connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, the deep blue waters of the Straits of Mackinac showcase spectacular views of the Mackinac Bridge. Nestled in the middle of the straits is Mackinac Island, one of Michigan's most popular summertime resort destinations; just a 16-minute ferry ride away.

The Straits of Mackinac Handbag will keep you connected all summer long as your go-to showpiece that lets you unplug with friends while embracing the feeling of joy.

M-185 Sling Bag

Behind the Design:

Let the breeze blow through your hair while taking in the many scenic views including the Mighty Mackinac Bridge as you bike around Mackinac Island’s eight-mile route that runs alongside the picturesque shoreline. You will hear bike bells and the relaxing clip-clop sounds of horses rather than car horns beeping because it is the only state highway in the nation where motor vehicles are not allowed; traffic on it is only by foot, horse or bicycle.

The M-185 Sling Bag is for the active girl-on-the-go who also enjoys life’s simple things.

We are so excited Jenna focused this collection on Mackinac Island, the gem of the Great Lakes and for many, our happy place. The different styles are all very unique where I hope you can find one that fits your style and needs. 

Hope you can make it into the shop in person this spring and summer to see them first hand! 

Nicole

xo.

In the fall, as our season was winding down, I thought how can I bring more joy to others through my shop? As we all experienced a tough year, it seemed appropriate to create a line of goods that spread kindness + happiness. 

Right away I got busy planning. I chose local artist, Kate Dupre, owner of Kate Creates + Watercolor Cafe on Mackinac Island to design four uplifting sayings. Kate was delighted to help and I was excited to work with her on this fun project. 

Today, four different t-shirt designs are NOW AVAILABLE on the website! Best part, the t-shirts are printed in Michigan, they are designed locally and sold on beautiful Mackinac Island. 

We will be adding more fun products to The Happy Collection over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoy the start of this fun, new collection!

Nicole
xo

I have been blown away by your support of the shop and our island this fall. It has been wonderful to see you in the shop showing up for small businesses like mine online and in person. Every sale matters, so thank you for supporting Little Luxuries and Mackinac Island tourism, especially this year.

Every fall, we welcome a group of women to the island for Women’s Wellness Weekend. Jenna Kator brings tour busses of women from all over Michigan (and more states, too!) and so many of you drive yourselves and come up for the festivities too! Past years, we have had workshops on wellness, a silent auction and plenty of time for shopping! 

During the weekend, we hosted the women in the shop for a Jenna Kator Handbag Trunk Show. Since this year’s festivities have been canceled, we have decided to take them ONLINE! 

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 16th, October 17th and October 18th, ALL Jenna Kator Handbags will be 25% OFF! Then, 15% of the sales will be donated to the Mackinac Island Cancer Fund! 

We can’t wait to celebrate the weekend (virtually) with you! Be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram, because there will be some fun giveaways that you don’t want to miss out on!

Each year, I am amazed at the amount of money we are able to donate to the Mackinac Island Cancer Fund. You and your friends always show up in BIG ways for this cause and I appreciate it so much!

We can’t wait to celebrate this Jenna Kator Trunk Show virtually with you - so grab your girlfriends and mark your calendars for next weekend, October 16th, October 17th and October 18th! 

A few weeks ago on social media, I did a fun Q + A! These were questions submitted by Instagram followers and I wanted to share my answers here for those who do not have Instagram! 

Where are your boys starting school? The boys go to school at St. Francis in Petoskey! 

What’s October like on Mackinac? How late does stuff (hotels, the fort, stay “open”?  Weekends in October are normally very busy. This fall, we are not sure what it will be like. Most of the hotels and Fort Mackinac are closing October 25th. Personally, I think Fall is a great time to visit!

What area of the island do you live in? And do you live there year round?  We live close to town and we do not live here year round anymore. We spend half the year in Petoskey. We lived on the island for ten years and my husband is from the island. We love Mackinac and Petoskey.

Do the island crowds seem to be normal sized this year? The crowds seem very similar to past years. Some days are slower and some are busier. We are very thankful for the business this summer and for everyone who still decided to visit Mackinac Island.

What’s your favorite product in the shop? There’s a lot that I love! But to narrow it down to one item or product line, it would be the Mackinac Bath and Body line. I love the hand cream and room / body spray. 

What led you to opening a shop on the island? Such a dream! The opportunity came back in 2009. I was looking for a “career” on the island. The storefront was for lease so I jumped on it and took the risk. It was the best decision. It’s been a fun, adventurous ride. 

Summer is coming to an end and college students are getting ready to go back to school. Which means they’re packing their bags and getting together everything that they’re going to need for the school year. It got me thinking about what I would need to head back to school - so I went around the shops and found 5 items from each shop for a total of 15 Essentials for College Students!

 

Little Luxuries

1. Inspirational Soft Cover Journal: Every student needs something to write down their notes in, so why not get an inspirational journal that’s adorable and uplifting!

 

2. Island Girl Lilac Collection Hand Sanitizer: Not only is it easy to take on the go because it comes in two different sizes, but it also smells amazing! Who doesn’t want to smell good while also being able to keep their hands clean?

 

3. Mackinac Bath and Body Room & Body Mist: Everyone loves products that have multiple uses. Room & Body Mists come in four different scents and can be used on your body as well as in your room, making them perfect for a student living in the dorm!

 

4. Island Girl Tote: Let’s be honest, college students are always on the go and sometimes run late. The Island Girl Tote is perfect for those with a busy lifestyle because it’s easy to grab things, slip them into the tote and go! It’s also a great size so you can fit all of your books and other college essentials inside.

 

5. Rifle Paper Weekly Desk Pad: In college it’s important to be organized and keep track of when homework is due and when exams are, that’s why this Weekly Desk Pad is perfect! Just place it on your desk, write down any important tasks for the week and there you go, you’re organized and prepared to take on the semester!

 

The Artists Market

1. Mulberry Pines Essential Oil: We all know that college can be stressful and there’s nothing more relaxing than diffusing some essential oils. Plus, essential is literally in the name!

 

2. Mackinac Mittens: If you go to school somewhere where winters are anything like they are on the island, you’ll definitely be needing a pair of these mittens to keep your hands warm!

 

3. Lipstick Holder: Attach it to your keys or your backpack and you’ll never lose your lip gloss again!

 

4. Red Cabin Studio Stickers: These stickers are the perfect addition to any laptop or water bottle!

 

5. Masks: Considering they’re required, masks are the most essential thing there is right now so why not make sure you have one to go with every outfit? These Karen Allen masks are two-sided, have adjustable ear straps and a strap that goes around your neck so that you’ll never lose it!

 

Canvas and Paddle

1. Rolltop Backpack PLUS: This backpack has enough storage to hold everything you need for classes!

 

2. Keweenaw Coffee: Caffeine is always a must when it comes to college. It’s perfect for those early morning or late nights spent studying!

 

3. Canoe Canvas Pouch: Throw all of your pens and pencils into this pencil pouch and you’ll be all set to take notes in class!

 

4. Canvas and Paddle Water Bottle: Do you want to be able to take your favorite drink to class and have it stay the same temperature the whole time? This water bottle is amazing because it has a copper plated inner wall that helps retain the internal temperature longer!

 

5. Jumbo Notepad Meal Planner: If you’re someone who has a busy schedule and doesn’t have time to plan what to eat every day, this meal planner is meant for you. It makes it easy to plan your meals ahead of time and you’ll never have to worry about what to eat!

 

College can be stressful, but I hope that these essentials will make things a little easier and a little more relaxing!