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

It’s been a while since I highlighted some of my favorites in the shop! We have so many new goodies this summer and so I’m highlighting what I love!

 

Island Girl Pomegranate Sweatshirt: This is the perfect sweatshirt to remind you of summer days on Mackinac! It’s comfortable and cozy and a classic fit!

Little Luxuries’ Diner Mug: I truly believe that life is made in the little moments and the little things. Something that brings me joy is drinking my tea out of this Little Luxuries’ Diner Mug. It’s a classic styled mug that is timeless!

Little Luxuries’ Burlap Tote: New this summer, this tote is the perfect bag for a day at the beach, pool or for running errands. It’s sturdy and great for groceries, car trips and more! When you purchase the tote, you’ll get 10% OFF future purchases when you bring it into the shop!

Island Girl Reusable Bag: I love to leave this bag in the car for groceries or if I’m on the island, I love using it to grab my groceries from Doud’s! It’s sturdy and great for groceries or an afternoon spent at the park! 

 

Mackinac Tervis Water Bottle: Say hello to the NEW Mackinac Island Island Girl Water Bottle! You're going to want to have this with you all summer long! It is designed to keep your drink cold for up to 48 hours, plus it has a leak proof lid, which makes it the perfect water bottle to throw into a tote!

 

Mackinac Tray: Made exclusively for us, this tray is the perfect keepsake from your trip to Mackinac Island. Use it to serve your morning beverage, display jewelry or just as decor in your home. 

Nat & Noor Hair Clips: I love the classic look of these barrettes from Nat + Noor! They pair perfectly with any outfit and the colors are fun for summer! 

Inspirational Wire Journal: New this year, these wire journals are the perfect inspirational notebook for all your thoughts, lists and sentiments. Designed by Katie Doucette, this journal makes the perfect gift for a friend or to keep for yourself! 

Little Fish Boateak Pearl Earrings: Boateak is new this summer and I love the classic look of their jewelry! Made on Hilton Head Island and shipped to Mackinac Island, this jewelry line fits in perfectly with the Island lifestyle. These earrings are classic and pair well with any outfit. 

Wavertree & London Australian Soaps: These soaps are amazing! They are great for sensitive skin and help to seal in moisture.

 

I hope you'll stop in and shop my favorites or check them out in the online shop! 

Xo, 

Nicole 

 

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Sharing my favorite online finds over the past few weeks! I’ve been so busy in the shops, I haven’t really been doing a lot of online browsing, but here’s what I  found that I’m currently loving!

Nature's Truth Peppermint Refreshing On the Go Hydrating Mist: I love having this for room spray! 

Nutella: The boy’s LOVE these Nutella packs for when we are on the go! Just grab some crackers and one of these packs and you have the perfect snack!

Dr. Teal’s Foaming Bath Epsom Salts: I love using these Epsom salts for when I want to take a bath, or for the boys! The lavender scent is so soothing, relaxing and refreshing!

Casual Dress: I wanted a new dress for summer. Something that is comfortable and practical. I found this cute option - best thing is - it has pockets! 

Patio Conversation Set: I am SO excited for this four person seating group! It’s going to go outside on our back deck and will be great for nights around a fire!

 

Patio Umbrella: I also grabbed a patio umbrella to put over the new patio furniture!

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Here are some things that I’ve been loving lately!

With life getting so busy, it seems like I never have time to shop! So I love just popping on Amazon when I know we are out of something at the house - this makes it so much easier when we run out of soap, laundry detergent, etc.! Here are some of my favorite online purchases this past month!

20"x32" Striped Fringe Bath Rug Black/White - Threshold™

20"x32" Striped Fringe Bath Rug Black/White - Threshold™: I love this classic black + white rug for the bathroom! It’s fun with the fringe, but I know it won’t go out of style!

Recycled Square Tapered Planter - Smith & Hawken: A few weeks ago I asked you all on Instagram what I should use for planters for my front porch. I decided to give these a try! Hopefully they work! They are simple, but I think it will bring a lot to the entryway!

Decorative Cube Basket with Leather Pull 13" x 11" Natural - Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee: I am ALL about the baskets! This one is the perfect size and deep enough that you don’t have to see the piles of items inside! I love it for around the house, or storing papers in the office.

 

Curtain Holdbacks: With it being lighter later, I really wanted some curtain holdbacks for the windows. I found these to install over the weekend!

Everyone Hand Soap: We almost ran out of soap - so thankful for two day deliveries during the busy times! I love the smell of this soap and it’s made with pure essential oils!

Solar Powered Ceramic LED Lantern Black: I got this for the back deck! I love that it’s solar powered, so I don’t have to remember to get batteries! It will be perfect for when the boys want to stay outside a little bit later when the sun’s already gone down!

Wall Hooks: I’m still trying to perfect the entryway into our home and make it just a little more streamlined. I ordered these to hopefully help do the trick! 

Laundry Baskets: I was tired of looking at our plastic laundry baskets everyday, so I decided to order some cuter ones! They always seem to end up stored in our room, so why not make them look like they belong?

BarKeepers Friend: Have you ever tried this cleaner? It will freshen up your surfaces and give you space a clean and fresh look!

I hope you enjoyed looking through my purchases that I’m currently loving! 

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February 19, 2021

Health & Wellness

Posted in: Health, Nicole's Favorites, Vitamins, Wellness
I am no health expert, but I would like to share with you what I take on a daily basis to keep my immunity up. The last four years I have really been trying to figure my own health issues out naturally instead of taking antibiotics whenever I get a bad cold or over the counter meds. I grew up with asthma and allergies as a kid and into an adult. Smoke, pets, different trees and grasses, and mold all irritate my sinuses. It seems like when the seasons change, my body would change. I played sports all through school and I relied on my Albuterol inhaler, as well as the purple disc inhaler called Advair, allergy shots and prednisone. Looking back, I can't believe I took all of those so regularly just to be able to breathe well. I was diagnosed with mono when I was a sophomore in high school.  I was devastated as it was during my basketball season AND right before the homecoming dance! I was out for two weeks. Since getting mono I seemed to always get sick in the fall and it was hard to get rid of my colds because they led to my chest and sinuses. Finally, I had enough. I decided to see a doctor who studied Integrative Medicine. She had me get my blood drawn and after reviewing my test results she asked if I ever had mono. She said the virus is still with me and that is why I keep getting colds so easily. 
First step, was cutting out dairy. Not that I used dairy too much in my diet, but by cutting it out and paying attention more to what I was eating  really helped my sinuses. I only drink almond milk now, stay away from ice cream, white sauces, too much cheese, etc. What we eat really affects our bodies. 
I started taking a probiotic, Vitamin D-3, B-12, B-6, Vitamin C, elderberry on occasion and quercetin. I just started taking quercetin last March. This has helped me immensely! If you have sinus issues - quercetin could be very helpful for you! 
 
This is the definition of quercetin: Quercetin is used for treating conditions of the heart and blood vessels including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, heart disease, and circulation problems. It is also used for diabetes, cataracts, hay fever, peptic ulcer, schizophrenia, inflammation, asthma, gout, viral infections, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), preventing cancer, and for treating chronic infections of the prostate. Quercetin is also used to increase endurance and improve athletic performance.
I also began getting acupuncture and going to the chiropractor on a regular basis. Acupuncture has been amazing for me. It helps with sore muscles, immunity, energy, and more. Seeing my chiropractor weekly not only aligns my body correctly, it also aids in prevention from getting colds. 
I have learned that you need to take the right brand of vitamins as well and the correct dosage. Vitamin D-3 is SO important for our bodies, especially during the pandemic we are living in. Did you know those who have died or became very ill from covid-19 were deficient from vitamin D? What an easy way to boost your immune system is by taking 5,000 IU vitamin D daily at least. 
We cannot just think our bodies will be okay if we do not take care of them. What are you doing to boost your immunity? Eating potato chips and sugar is not the answer. Investing time and good things for our bodies is important. 
Below are the vitamins I take daily. Again, I am not a health expert, this is only what I have learned the last few years and I am only sharing what I take. Consult an expert or do your research. 
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Here's a round up of what I'm loving for February! 
Necklace Hanger

This necklace hanger is so convenient for me. I stuck it on our wall in our closet and now my necklaces are seen much easier and do not tangle! Easy to install and functional!

This cozy cardigan can be dressed up or down. LOVE it! Love this color too!


I’ve been buying these bath bombs for the boys for a few years now. They are great and a good price! Makes bath time exciting and a fun treat once in awhile!

These jogger pants are so comfy and I love the fit! These will be great for all seasons.

I got this mini projector for the boys for Valentine’s Day. They love it! It’s a fun addition to our house!

I’m all about all natural and that goes for room sprays too. This mint essential oil spray is SO nice and refreshing to spray in bedrooms and bathrooms.
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