This Friday kicks off what has become one of Maine’s most festive events — the Northern Lights Celebration at L.L.Bean. A forest of twinkling lights at the Freeport campus provides the perfect backdrop for photos, and if that weren’t enough, Santa and his reindeer make a cheery red barn their home on the weekends. When it gets too frosty outdoors, …
Maine Made Stocking Stuffers for All Ages
For our family, one of the highlights of the season is shopping local fairs and festivals. We get to chat with vendors, learn about the beautiful things they make and find wonderful presents to give to loved ones. Following are some of the sweetest small gifts we discovered while shopping this month. Best of all, they’re just the right size …
Easter Gifts from Maineland Design Co.
With Easter only two weeks away, MP has gift-giving on her mind. Enter our newest sponsor, Maineland Design Co., an online shop created by South Portland artist Andy Rosen, his childhood friend Luke Myers and curator Kim Myers. Their playful gift collection is a perfect balance of classic and modern design that suits all ages. Following are a few favorites:
Good Natured Brand
MP has a philosophy about house cleaning —it’s best in small spurts and even better when the products she’s using are environmentally-friendly and smell good. Enter our newest blog sponsor, Good Natured Brand, a home and body care company that began with Maine-based mother of three, Kate Perrin. MP first discovered Kate’s products in 2013 when she came across them at …
Last Minute Mother’s Day Finds
How is it that Sunday Mother’s Day already? If you’re anything like MP, you’re shopping for a thoughtful gift just a few days before. Here are a few local favorites: Signature Westport Leather Clutch This clutch has a few good things going for it. First, MP loves this bag for its simple, classic style. The interior is deep, making it …
CrateFull of Maine: Baby Edition
Our family is expecting a baby nephew (and cousin) any day now, so you can imagine our delight when we discovered Baby Crates from CrateFull of Maine – a new gift business started by Chris Avantaggio, Nathan O’Leary and John Turner. The three entrepreneurs, who run their own successful companies, namely LiveME, Mainely SEO and Traps Eyewear, began selling gift boxes filled …
Meet the Maker: A Q+A with Mad Gab’s Founder Gabrielle Melchionda
Welcome our newest sponsor, Gabrielle (Gab) Melchionda of Mad Gab’s natural and organic bodycare, to the blog! In the early nineties, Gab started making lip balm in her mother’s kitchen just for fun. Family and friends encouraged her to sell her homemade balms at farmers’ markets and local stores, and in a few short years, her company received national attention. …
Our Favorite Maine Made Gifts
Holy cow. This is a busy time of year! MP is trying her best to slow down and enjoy the season, but it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday hubbub. There’s our daily routine to maintain coupled with holiday parties, cards to order, trees to light, cookies to make and gifts to buy — all good things for …
Craft Fair Season
One of MP’s favorite things about this time of year is the abundance of craft shows and holiday fairs throughout the state. Fortunately, CP#1 is always game to shop. She and MP will spend a Saturday morning visiting a few beloved fairs, as well as shows that are new to us. And before you think, there is no way I’m …
Moran’s Terrariums
MP has always had a thing for terrariums — glass containers that hold a miniature garden. Much like a fairy house, there is something magical about a terrarium. So you can imagine her delight when she came across this D.I.Y. Terrarium Kit from landscaper Kyle Moran. Each kit comes with marble chips, organic soil, dehydrated moss, wood pieces and a …