Hi!
I'm Nicole. I am a wife, mother, shop owner on Mackinac Island, and lover of handmade. The little things and little moments inspire me. Follow me on my blog as I write about shop news, my travels, island life and motherhood.
Nicole
xo.

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little luxuries

True North Handbag | Sea Bags: Featuring an intricate compass rose printed on recycled sailcloth, this Handbag is the perfect gift for the one who has kept you sailing in the right direction or to keep as a reminder to stay true to yourself. The close-up view creates a unique, decorative pattern that continues on the back. Zip-top option features a recycled white sailcloth gusset with a white zipper. A matching Wristlet is the perfect companion for easy organization. Printed on recycled sails. Handcrafted from recycled sails on the working waterfront in Portland, Maine, USA.

Greetings from Mackinac Island Candles: These soy candles are made in the USA and are perfect for sending a Greeting from Mackinac to someone you love - or take one home for yourself!

Mackinac Island Tea Towel: Cat Studio original design is printed using the labor intensive hand-swipe silk-screen process with 12 colors (that's 12 screens used for each towel!). The design is framed with a hand-embroidered border on a 100% hand-loomed cotton towel generously sized at 20x29 inches. Three cheery woven stripes run down both sides and hand-dyed rick-rack at the top and bottom add a charming vintage touch. All this delightfully presented in a fab organdy re-usable pouch ready for gifting!

Island Girl Crew Neck Sweatshirt: Enjoy this new Island Girl crewneck sweatshirt with a new Island Girl logo: Lilac!

Mackinac Island is My Happy Place: This waterproof pouch, designed in Michigan is the latest original piece from Tandem for Two. We love this pouch and know you will too!

Elizabeth W Hand Spray: It’s like perfume for the hands! Three incredible scents to help your hands stay refreshed throughout the day.

100 Things to do on Mackinac Island Before You Die: To the Anishinaabe-Ojibwa people it was a gathering place, a sacred burial ground, and the home of the Great Spirit Gitchie Manitou. Throughout the 1600s French voyageurs, explorers, missionaries, and fur traders arrived at Mackinac Island. Its strategic location in the straits between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas made it a military outpost the British and Americans found worth fighting for through the War of 1812. By the late 1800s Mackinac was a destination for city dwellers seeking fresh air, scenic beauty, recreation, and amusements. Today, passenger ferries transport visitors to the car-free island, where getting around is by foot, horse-drawn carriage, or bicycle, the air is still clean, and the scenery spectacular. Most of Mackinac is a state park, fringed with grand Victorian cottages and the whitewashed fort overlooking the compact village of pastel-colored hotels and shops (including the famous fudge makers). 100 Things to Do on Mackinac Island Before You Die helps you make the best of a day trip and reveals dozens of reasons to spend a night—or longer—at this captivating spot.

Beth Mueller Otto Bowl: Beth and Nicole, owner of Little Luxuries, have worked together since 2009. Beth has created a beautiful collection of specially made pottery for Little Luxuries. Handmade in Vermont. Bowl is 3 inches in diameter x 1 inch deep. handmade and hand painted.

Jenna Kator Collection - Boyne City Handbag: Behind The Design: Boyne City is a small town attracting visitors all four seasons out of the year that enjoy boating, camping, skiing and street festivals. It is nestled along the shores of Lake Charlevoix and the readers of USA Today named it one of the Best Lakes in America. Boyne City is known as the State of Michigan’s “Premier Main Street” as it hosts several festivals throughout the year. The Boyne City Handbag is your daily go-to showpiece as its design fits every occasion.

Root Candles: The art of fine dining requires the careful selection and display of eye-catching dinner candles. The understated elegance of Root Dinner Candles will grace any table setting with unique character.

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Mackinac Island Lilacs

Mackinac Island Lilacs

This year, we are really missing having all of you here for Lilac Festival! Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau is doing a great job to bring you virtual events over on their social media pages, so be sure to tune in on their Instagram & Facebook!

The Barn Social Lilac

We wanted to highlight some of our favorite memories from last year’s lilac festival! Last year we had so many fun artists at Artists Market that you were able to interact with. The Barn Social was there doing a live painting, Mary Lou Peters was also there meeting you while live painting. Red Cabin Studio popped in for you to meet, along with so many other artists that we love!
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival
One of our favorite events every year is the parade! The boys love this part of the week and I admit, I do too! It’s always so fun to see how creative the different businesses can be! The boys also love heading down to Windemere Point for all the children’s activities. In past years, there was a lilac planting class at St. Anne’s that was always really neat to see, especially since you got to take home your own lilac plant! 
There are so many lilac goodies in the shop, but I just wanted to take a minute to highlight a few! 
Lilac Pin
Lilac Enamel Pin: Show off your love for Lilacs with this lilac enamel pin! Perfect for a denim jacket, backpack or tote bag!
Beth Mueller Pottery
Beth Mueller Lilac Pottery: Beth Mueller pottery is a favorite around the shop, especially when it has lilacs on it! The online shop is stocked with lilac pottery just for you! While you're there, check out the new Otto Bowl by Beth Mueller that makes the perfect sized jewelry holder.
Lilac Tray
Lilac Trays: These lilac trays are made exclusively for Little Luxuries! They are perfect for afternoon tea or an evening cocktail with your favorite snack! Head to the website to shop!
We really wish that you were hear to smell and see the lilacs! We’re trying to share all our favorite products of lilacs on our social media pages, along with current pictures of the lilacs to help bring a little joy to your day.
 
Xo,
Nicole 
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What day is it?? This seems to be the common question over the last two months. We have moved back to Mackinac full-time again, and, a little earlier since the boys are doing school from home. Normally, the island would be coming alive right now for the 2020 season. Unfortunately, this season is going to be very different. I am on my second week being back in the store getting it ready to reopen (hopefully soon!) and it feels so good to be back in the store! We ARE OPEN for curbside pick up for local residents and WE ARE shipping with a special $5 shipping rate and free shipping over $49!!
Mackinac IslandLittle Luxuries FREE Shipping
When we are on Mackinac Island our little family loves taking walks after dinner, either through town, along the board walk or to Grand Hotel and the West Bluff. This spring, our walks have been extremely quiet and, honestly, it's VERY weird to me. Not seeing the lights on at Grand Hotel or the flags flying, only seeing 2-3 people on our entire walk, and seeing CLOSED signs on almost every business along Main Street - it's so scary.  It has definitely been challenging trying to stay positive once we moved back to the island. We are so used to experiencing a normal, busy Mackinac Island season to now a lonely, quiet island. This time has made me realize how important small businesses are. Of course I know how important they are to our economy, but through all of this small businesses are the heart of small towns. The past 12 years running my shops, never did I ever think we would be experiencing something like this. However, it has had it's positives. Such as, making me think out of the box, ordering more carefully, and digging deeper to make my businesses work. I do believe that small businesses are going to get more support than ever right now and after this pandemic. We will get through this! Our world is realizing how important independent businesses are to our economy.
Mackinac Island, along with other tourist towns will have a later start than normal, and I really hope many of you can still make a trip to our beautiful island this season. If you cannot, follow my Instagram stories so you can feel like you are on Mackinac. I am trying my best to show each of you your favorite place(s) and what's behind our store doors.
Mackinac Island WalksMackinac Island Walks
Fun New Things: 
Our Island Girl Collection items are arriving the end of this month!! I can't wait to show you what's new!! 
Who would have thought we would be styling ourselves with handmade masks?! Families are purchasing patterned masks and supporting local makers. We are carrying 4 different makers' masks in the shops. Check them out online! They are selling quickly!
Little Luxuries Face Masks
Family Time On Mackinac During Stay-at-Home Time: 
You are probably thinking what are we doing to keep busy on Mackinac Island with only the grocery store open and the Mustang for take-out. With three little boys it is a little challenging, especially with the weather not being in our advantage right now.  We are spending time in our backyard, enjoying walks, venturing out to Wawashkamo Golf Course, finding rocks along the shore, family face-timing, board game nights, science projects, eating more, and just holding each other tighter more.
Doud Boys 
I know this isn't easy for anyone. This will pass and IT WILL get better eventually. Be patient, stay positive and don't be so hard on yourself. Staying in your pjs all day and binge watching Netflix IS okay :) 
Be well, 
Nicole
xo
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Mother's Day Ideas Little Luxuries
Over the next few weeks, we are going to share fun ideas for Mom!
This week, we have a round up of 8 goodies from the shop that we think she will love! 
  • Mackinac Island Bath & Body: A perfect gift from beautiful Mackinac Island. This line is moisturizing and refreshing, inspired by Mackinac Island, made in Michigan. Be sure to check out the latest scent: Cherry Almond! 
  • One Hot Mama Card: Check out this sassy and fun card from The Social Type!
  • Island Girl Hoodie Dress: It’s still a little chilly in Michigan, so get Mom this cute Island Girl dress for when she wants to be cozy, but feel primped and ready for the day! This cute dress comes in Magenta or Gray.
  • Mackinac Island Lilac Tray: This tray is unique to Little Luxuries. Decorated with purple lilacs, this tray is beautiful and ready for to be an accent for your summer decor. 
  • World’s Best Mom: Snag this cute card for Mom to let her know how much you love and appreciate her! The inside is blank, so you have plenty of room to write a heart felt message. 
  • Cheese Boards: New to the shop this spring is a beautiful collection of cheese boards in various styles. Surprise Mom with a by presenting her with a  beautiful charcuterie board for Mother’s Day brunch.
  • Best Mom Ever Mug: Mom has probably been drinking her coffee or tea at home a lot more recently! Gift her with a new mug so she knows just how much you love her! 
  • Lollia Dream: Mom will LOVE this! It is one of Little Luxuries’ Best Sellers all year long! Lollia is luxurious, dreamy and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 
These are just a few ideas for Mom, but we have so many more fun ideas in our shop! Also, check out our Mother’s Day from Little Luxuries board on Pinterest here for some other great ideas!
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Please enjoy these free printable coloring page of Doud's Market, Little Luxuries and Mackinac Island designed by Katie Doucette, a Michigan designer. 
To download the coloring sheets, click here.

Doud's Market Coloring Sheet

Little Luxuries Coloring Sheet

Mackinac Island Coloring Sheet

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