A day in the life at Little Luxuries

Ive been on the Island for a week now and have worked everyday that Ive been here. But today is my day off and I am enjoying the freedom that it brings :) Since work is my life on the Island, I thought I should probably share a little bit about it. I have been scheduled to work the 3-10 shift almost everyday this season. This is good because I have my mornings and early afternoons free to do whatever errands I have to run and to have a relaxing morning. I wish I had more evenings free because there are a lot of activities around the Island planned around seven but Im sure Ill have more off later in the season.

Here is the store-Little Luxuries. This year, we have expanded and now are twice the size we were last year. With the new expansion comes an increase in employees and never ending deliveries of new merchandise that needs to be counted, priced, and then displayed. I love opening up all of the new boxes and discovering what new item has come in-it feels like Christmas!

Here are some shots from the store and some of our lilac products(it's lilac festival time!) As you can see, the store it very full and even though we expanded, we are pressed for space. I think we were a little over ambitious when ordering our products this year :) Because of this, we are getting very creative as to where we can put things and different interesting ways to display them.
As far as my job goes: There is always the little things to do around the shop like straightening and restocking the shelves. I also help at the cash register and package people's goodies. On top of that, we all help with the new inventory that we get in everyday. We also have cleaning chores and organizing tasks to do everyday-all things that are necessary in order to have a successful business. Needless to say, we are kept busy while we are at work!
Here is one of my coworkers. Her name is Mallori and she is also one of my room-mates. Besides me, she is  another one of the newer workers but she has still been here longer than I :)

ICE CREAM UPDATE(this is for you Taylor)

• Twist and Sprouts: This is a frozen yogurt place. I was really excited to try this because it was self serve and you could put any toppings you wanted on your yogurt. But I wasnt impressed :( I guess my expectations were too high. I tried the cheesecake flavor and it was just ok. Probably wouldnt go back there any time soon.
• Sadies Ice Cream Parlor: This ice cream place is at the Grand Hotel and is very "cutesy" inside. It is all decorated in red and black checkers with white accents. For appearance: this place gets a gold star. They also have Huddsonville ice cream here which generally, Im a fan of. I tried the Turtle Caramel Cheescake and it was pretty good. My only complaint is the price, but what else can you expect when you are at the Grand Hotel, lol.
• When all else fails and you are desperatelike at 10:30 and the ice cream shops are closed and you have a crazy craving), Ben and Jerry's Mint Condition Ice cream straight from the grocery store is pretty stellar!

INTERESTING SITES HERE ON MACKINAC

Some of the things that I have seen walking around have just baffled me and some literally make me laugh out loud. Here are some of them:

• There are a number of elderly couples that push baby strollers around. At first I was kinda confused and then maybe thought they had their grandchildren with them but nope that wasnt it. These 80 year old couples have baby strollers for the dogs and tote them everywhere :) Not sure why but apparently that is the thing to for tourists on the Island
• Went on a hike last Sunday and I saw a couple hiking with a bottle of wine and wine glasses. I understand a picnic with wine and sitting down to enjoy the view, but a hard-core hike with wine in tow...this made me smile.
• The other day at work, I saw(for the first time ever) a women with a hard core mustache. It was neatly trimmed and the rest of her face was well shaven but then she had a VERY full mustache! And she was rather proud of it mind you(while talking with me, she was casually stroking it) Hahah I dont know what this got me but I had to share.

Well that's all for now friends. 

Love,

Brittany

O! If you would like to follow the shop more closely, they do have a facebook page that is updated very regularly. Just search Little Luxuries of Mackinac

What's that?!?! Another HILL!

My first few days here on the Island have consisted on working and exploring. I've been working the 3-10 shift so I have a lot of time during the day to explore this new place that I'm living in and I'm loving it! There are so many trails to take, sites to see, historic boards to read, and every place has a story that goes along with it. Needless to say, I have not yet had a time where I have been bored but I'm sure that time is coming :)

I discovered very quickly that everywhere(and I mean everywhere) you go, there is a hill....usually in both directions! The first day, I thought these hills were going to kill me but even already, they are starting to get easier.

 Today, I went exploring with a new friend that I met. Her name is Taylor and we had a really good time. What was supposed to be a quick trip ended up being an 8 mile hike throughout the Island because we got lost. Some of the places we found I dont think I could ever find again if I tried :) We hiked in lots of circles and even saw the same people more than once. Because I was not prepared for such a long trip, I now have quarter sized blisters on both feet....but hey, I think it was worth it!

 Sugar Loaf

 Arch Rock

 Arch Rock again

So this is a video from below the fort. These guys are singing Battle Hymn of the Republic. Kinda random and I found it comical so I though I would share

 Trip around the Island

 This morning I was able to go to Mackinaw Island Bible church which is held at the Mission Point Theater. It was very small but the service was very good. It felt amazing to be able to go back to something that was familiar and to be able to feel truly comfortable in a place where everyone had the same purpose-worshiping God! It amazes me how important and vital Christian fellowship is and I am very thankful that I have found this church and am able to do that here. So thanks to all of those who told me about this church in advance. I think it is going to be a major life line this summer :) Hopefully my work schedule will continue to allow me to go on Sunday mornings and then throughout the week to other activities that they have planned.

 Beach

 British Landing with Mackinaw Bridge in the distance

 If you look closely, the Grand Hotel is peaking through the trees

 View from Arch Rock

I made it!

Well after two exams Thursday morning, I left St. Johns with my two brothers and started to head north to Mackinaw Island. They were sweet enough to offer to drop me off :) We arrived at 4:30 just in time to catch the 4:30 ferry ride. I was met at the doc by my boss who helped me carry my suitcase and other belongings the rest of the way to my apartment. I will be living with 2 other girls this summer named Lauren and Mallory. Im excited to get to know them better...they seem very fun and really sweet!

 This is the one spot that I have for my clothes......let's just say a lot of them are still in my suitcase :)

 This is our room! Haha I told you it was squished. My bed is the bottom bunk

Water was a little choppy heading over. And it's pretty chilly up here.

Tomorrow I have to report to work at 6pm to start training in the shop which means that......I have a whole day to explore and get to know the Island and hopefully meet some people :) I still havent figured out where to put all of my belongings because, well there isnt much room in one small bedroom for 3 girls to put all of their stuff for a whole summer :) Also, I am still working on figuring out what to do with the food situation. To my surprise, the grocery store here has a lot of food that I can eat!!!!!! (which is huge) BUT.....i have no where to really store the food, lol so that is where my struggle is but that I will figure out with time. Lots more to come :)
with love,
Brittany

Pre-trip Update

Hello Everyone :)
As many of you know, I am working on Mackinac Island this summer from early June through the end of September. Many of you have asked me to keep you updated as to how the summer is going and to share of any fun/crazy adventures that I have had. Soooooo, here goes my shot at a blog. I am promising to do my best!
This is a pre-trip update. I haven't moved up to the Island for good yet but that time is quickly approaching. Over memorial day weekend, and friend from high school and I made a quick 2 day trip up north to the Island. During this quick trip, we moved most of my belongings into the apartment that I will be staying in; set up a PO box(let me know if you would like my address :)); registered my bike with the Mackinac Island police department; and many other little things. I was also able to meet my employer and visit the shop for a good look around. Little Luxuries is beautiful! Nicole has very creatively created a little shop that has everything "homey" and "artsy" and just simply fun. So if you need anything along that description, I know where to hook you up :). Nicole(my employer) and I were able to chat for a little while and get to know a few things about each other. She also introduced me to my two roommates who are also my other two coworkers for the summer. These girls seem very sweet and I'm excited to get to know them better as the summer goes on.

Well, that's all for now folks! I officially move to the Island on Thursday,June 6th after my OB and Nursing Strategies Exams. I'm in for a really busy last few days home but am ready for the challenge. Below is a list of prayer requests for the summer. Thanks for your prayers and I will do my best to keep everyone updated as well as I can!
With Love,
Brittany

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray that I would make a solid group of friends up on the island- friends who are supportive, loving, and caring-friends who have the same morals as I.  

2. Pray that I would adjust well to "island life", find a church, and get involved there as much as my work schedule will allow.

3. Pray that I wouldn't get too homesick. I will be missing a lot this summer with graduations, open houses, bridal showers, other wedding things, and family adventures. Please pray that I wold be able to celebrate with these people from a distance.

4. Safety! Pray that my trip up there will go smoothly and for protection throughout the duration of the summer. Moving up as a single girl to an island full of strangers is a little intimidating.

5. And last but not least: Pray that God would use me this summer for His glory. I am praying that God will use every opportunity to further his kingdom; whether that be with the people I serve at Little Luxuries or with my roommates and my friends that I will have. I am ready and available to be His servant.

The Mighty Mac-This is an old picture but I though I would post it anyway. The day we were on the Island, the weather was beautiful!

Just some some in one of the shops around Mackinaw City

Never have I been to this restaurant when it was sooooo empty. Usually you have to wait at least an hour for a table! Perks of going before the busy season starts.

View from our hotel room porch. See I told you we had beautiful weather :)