As you know, fall is one of my favorite seasons, yet it goes by so quickly! The weather in northern Michigan has recently seemed to turn colder and rainy. We are hoping for a few sunny, beautiful fall days to enjoy this month. 

Each year, October seems to be a whirlwind month. Our fall sale keeps our staff busy, tourists flood the streets on weekends, our fall shopping event takes place, and we close out the season celebrating Halloween October 25-27. With restaurants and shops closing up the end of the month, our family tries to go out to dinner a little more. With kids, we love the Yankee Rebel, Gate House (where Andrew and I first met), Millies and Mary's Bistro. They all have great options for kids and mom and dad too!

Now, the most important event of the month and season really, is the Women's Wellness Weekend. Seven years ago a group of like-minded business owners got together to create a refreshing, women's weekend focused on health, friendships and a little bit of wine! My close friend and vendor, Jenna Kator has a huge love for Mackinac Island. When she learned about the event, she thought, "I want to bring a group of women to this great weekend getaway." We carry Jenna's beautiful handbags in Little Luxuries. To tie her handbags into this event, Little Luxuries' hosts a private trunk show for her group of women. This year's group is her largest - 120 women! Since we can't fit all 120 women inside of Little Luxuries at one time, the trunk show shopping event will also take place inside The Artists Market and Canvas and Paddle. We are very excited to host this special event and have so many women in our stores at one time! Best of all, the Women's Wellness Weekend supports the Mackinac Island Community Cancer Fund. In these short seven years, we have raised over 170,000! Last week, there was an end of the season women's dinner at Grand Hotel supporting the Cancer Fund. Over 100 women attended and it was such a great time! What a special way to close out the 2019 season. 

As I mentioned before, fall is my favorite season and now you can see why! There are too many great events taking place this time of year before the island hibernates. 

If you have never visited Mackinac Island in the fall, add it to your bucket list! 

Nicole

xo.

Lake Art is the company that started making 3D wooden lake maps, in the early 2000s. All of the orders are made in the United States by a small family owned and operated company and most of the process is done by hand! 

The number of layers on the art depends on the shape of the lake, so each one is creative and unique to the actual lake design. Lake Art has a pop of color included, with blue stain added to the natural coloring of the stain, as well. 

Next time you are in the shop, look at our collection of Lake Art! If you don’t see the lake you want on their list of offerings, they will work to make a custom map for you! 

It’s Mother’s Day Weekend on Mackinac Island! It’s a lot chillier than I’d like it to be, but there are still plenty of ways to have fun and treat Mom to a special day, if you happen to be visiting for the weekend. Last year, my boys took me on a picnic and then to the Butterfly House for.a day of family fun! 

A favorite Mother’s Day tradition for many is brunch at the Grand Hotel. Take your Mom to the Grand Buffet Luncheon in the Main Dining Room. It’s a great way to celebrate Mom in a special way to let her know that you love her! 

Many of the shops on Main Street will be open, if you still haven’t found the perfect gift for Mom and need to do some last minute shopping.  Little Luxuries will be open on Sunday starting at 10 AM and we hope to see you then!

Nicole

xo

Today’s Monday Maker is a local favorite, Kate Dupre! Kate’s work has been featured in Little Luxuries, Doud’s Market and now is available at the Artists Market on Mackinac Island. She has created custom prints available at Doud’s that highlights the best picnic spots on Mackinac Island. One of her trademark designs in creating maps of Mackinac Island and now other cities throughout Michigan. Her designs are also featured on Michigan pins, available at Little Luxuries! Some of her other prints in the Artists Market include Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island Fudge, I’d Rather Be on Mackinac and more Mackinac related designs!

Kate’s newest business venture is the Watercolor Cafe, next to the marina where the old JL Beanery used to be. We are really excited to have her as part of Mackinac Island’s downtown businesses! This year, Kate will be hosting Paint & Pour at Watercolor Cafe, plus other fun art workshops for you to experience. Watercolor Cafe will open Memorial Day Weekend, stay tuned for updates via her Instagram here! 

Next time you are on Mackinac Island, be sure to pop into the Artists Market and Watercolor Cafe to see a wide array of Kate’s work.