FRESH new Fair Trade arrivals at The Bridge in downtown Holland on 8th Street! Get out and enjoy that sunshine today!

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From freezer, to oven, to table! This fine metalware at Santo Stefano del Lago in downtown Grand Haven would be a great Mother's Day gift for the Mom who loves to cook. It is all handmade using the same ancient method of casting used by Greeks and Romans to create masterpieces. Molten alloy is poured into individual sand molds, then hand polished to a deep lustrous finish. Truly one-of-a-kind!

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Local artist Ingrid Lindfors has supplied Wet Mitten Surf Shop with a great assortment of surf-inspired block prints and cards in a variety of colors. Thanks INGRID LINDFORS PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN - we love your work!

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Looking for a local retailer for Vera Bradley? Check out all the fun new prints for Spring/Summer at Bayberrie Tree in downtown Grand Haven. Everything from clutch purses to travel bags!

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NEW at Rheba's Paper Place: Room It Up! This brand has really fun prints for girls for school accessories, look at all that color! What a great way to add some fun to finishing up school this year!

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The colors, patterns, and craftmanship are stunning in these pieces... But the most beautiful part is that they are crafted from telephone wire by the Zulu people of South Africa! Step into The Bridge and you will be transformed to a world outside Holland, Michigan. The Bridge is Holland's only Fair Trade store, featuring handmade baskets, jewelry, art, and accessories of all kinds from all over the world. You can be assured that what you find there is unique and a treasure in every way.

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Mother's Day is May 8th this year... only 10 days away! But don't worry, we've spotted the perfect gift for every mom at Bayberrie Tree in downtown Grand Haven. These freshwater pearls are woven into a cocoon creating a peapod necklace. The number of pearls can represent children, grandchildren, friends, or other family members (even pets!) - a great gift for every kind of mom!

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Don't forget! 10% off at Muriel's Intimate Apparel on 8th Street in downtown Holland just for mentioning Lakeshore Shoppers! Stop in and have Muriel fit you for the CORRECT support for you.

Some days, I feel like I could spend hours in Moynihan Gallery & Framing in downtown Holland. It has everything from home decor (like this playful butterfly plate), to jewelry, clothing, and hand painted works of art by Kate Moynihan. Stop in for yourself to see all the new spring arrivals, you may even catch Kate at work with her paintbrush!

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The sun managed to shine a little bit today in downtown Holland despite this weird April weather! We're almost there!

We've explored many floral prints already this season for warm weather occasions, but I also wanted to show a more conservative and muted floral print for those of you who are not quite convinced. This vibrant dress from Faye's at Mira in downtown Holland looks like a work of art. If you have a special event coming up and are still in need of that perfect dress, stop in and see the lovely ladies at Faye's at Mira and let them help you find the perfect dress or outfit.

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Being able to support local Michigan artists and businesses is a great feeling, and Shaker Messenger in downtown Holland prides themselves in providing those resources. My favorite candies at Shaker Messenger are the sour cherry patches produced by Cherry Republic of Glen Arbor, MI. And much like the other foods available, you can taste test before you purchase so stop on in this weekend to try some of the different varieties offered!

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Faye's at Mira in downtown Holland has gotten some new arrivals this week! They are great for not only casual attire, but cocktail and formal attire, too! Stop in to try this look to lift your spirits from these rainy days... and check in tomorrow for one of Faye's favorite dresses for summer!

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Been looking for a local shop that carries Ray Bans? I've got THE spot. Wet Mitten Surf Shop on Chinook Pier in Grand Haven has a whole new shipment of shades in all different styles for men and women from the wayfarer to the aviator. They have lots of different colors and patterns that I guarantee you haven't seen before - pick up a pair that no one else will have!

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The season of fresh, outdoor cooking is on it's way, and this recipe book will make grilling, marinating, and baking feel a little closer to home. Available at The Seasoned Home in downtown Holland, "Between the Lakes" is a collection of Michigan recipes that will be fun to experiment with this summer... especially with some of the store's well-known spices and seasonings!

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If you need something to brighten up your day today, head down to Faye's at Mira in downtown Holland. The store is filled all year with bright beautiful colors and prints, and this dress is no exception! Have you figured out your Easter Sunday outfit yet?

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There's still time! Stop into Rheba's Paper Place in downtown Grand Haven to get your Easter cards, baskets, and gifts! They are open tomorrow 9:30am-6pm
Check out the great pop-up cards near the front door!

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Sometimes you come across some Hanky Panky underwear in boutiques here and there... but never like this! Muriel's Intimate Apparel in downtown Holland has every color and style you could possibly want! And just for Lakeshore Shoppers, Muriel is offering 10% OFF just for mentioning us! Happy Shopping!

Easter baskets shouldn't be just for kids - make one for a friend or loved one this year! Rather than filling it completely with candy, add some nice, small gifts like these scented soaps handmade in England - Triple-milled and enriched with Shea butter! They are available in downtown Grand Haven at Calico Cat, Ltd - Grand Haven in a variety of fresh scents: Lavender Rosemary, Olive Grove, Damask Rose, Beach, Bergamot Tea, and more!

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HAPPY EARTH DAY! Celebrate the holiday by baking some delicious treats with cookie cutters in the shape of the state of Michigan... Yoopers, too! They are available at Shaker Messenger in downtown Holland on River Ave. The store proudly supports Michigan made products, art, and food - free samples in the back pantry :)

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In the spirit of Easter, I visited Grand Haven Garden House to get some fresh flowers for the table centerpiece for Sunday dinner. While I was there I spotted moss orbs in a basket on the floor. Websites sell these things for a fortune online and here they are in Grand Haven for only $4.99 each! Pile them together in a bowl or tall vase, or add them to a beautiful floral arrangement for a more rustic feel. And a little tip from a follower of Lakeshore Shoppers and local designer, Meghan Mayville: always use odd numbers!

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TONS of new Spring arrivals at Down To Earth in downtown Grand Haven! This is always my go-to store for fun dresses at great prices all year 'round... Especially with wedding season approaching! If you haven't visited the store yet, stop in the next time you need a gift or just need to treat yourself - They have some beautiful home decor, jewelry, and accessories as well!

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Uniquely Stranded in downtown Grand Haven, only about a year old, is a new favorite of Lakeshore Shoppers. A friend of mine was wearing a pair of their amazing boots and I'll be honest, I wanted them for myself. Once she told me she had gotten them at Uniquely Stranded I was pleasantly surprised! The store is widely known for the amazing handmade jewelry made right there in the store, but SHOES, TOO!? Each and every pair, like the ones shown, are unique and beautiful pieces of art. When I was in the store yesterday, a regular customer kept commenting on how every pair of shoes in there are so comfortable. Beauty and comfy feet? SOLD!

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The perfect solution to help your spring cleaning! If you're planning on tackling the "junk drawer" this spring with all your favorite restaurant take-out menus, you need this. Santo Stefano del Lago in downtown Grand Haven carries these menu folders with dividers to house everything from Italian to Thai.

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ALOHA, Lakeshore Shoppers! Despite the cold and dreary April weather, I wanted to remind everyone that summer is on the way! I put a little jump-start to that by ordering one of these surfboards designed by Heather Ross for Walden Performance Surfboards. Finally a girly board for lady riders! With the help of the guys at Wet Mitten Surf Shop on Chinook Pier in Grand Haven, they hooked me up with a board that is perfect for me. Although they have a shop FULL of all styles of boards, take a look at the online site, they can order anything for you and have it shipped right to the store. Hang loose!

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Vintage Favorite

A follower of Lakeshore Shoppers lead us to Continuity, a store in downtown Muskegon with vintage, antique and repurposed treasures. The store is filled with amazing finds from furniture to jewelry. We're in LOVE!

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Girls, if you haven't stopped into Wet Mitten Surf Shop down on Chinook Pier in Grand Haven yet because you think it's all boards... think again :) They can also hook you up with some bright beach cover-ups and some stunning jewelry to match!
At the very least, you'll probably end up walking out of there with the Wet Mitten hoodie with neon pink logo like I did!

We all know Calico Cat in downtown Grand Haven as place to go for beautiful home decor, but they also have a huge assortment of purses, scarves, and jewelry. Here are some of the canvas bags and wallets with owls, birds, and peace prints. This boho look is perfect for your day-to-day necessities. Bring one of the bigger bags to the Farmer's Market this spring to save on plastic!

Spring Cleaning Time!

Cleaning out your closet this spring can be a big project. Here are some words of wisdom from Lakeshore Shoppers to help ease the process:

1. Take everything out of your closet... and we mean EVERYTHING! Wipe down shelves, drawers, and racks.

2. All that stuff you just piled onto your bed... try it all on. If it doesn't fit or you haven't worn it in over a year, it's time to let it go.

3. Separate your clothes into 4 piles: Keep, Giveaway, Toss, Sell/Swap. For your brand name or designer items that you are willing to part with, bring them to Second Impressions in downtown Grand Haven (310 Fulton St.) to get some $ back through consignment. Other items like old college t-shirts can go on over to Goodwill. If you know some of your girlfriends are going through the same Spring Closet Cleaning process as well, plan a girls get-together to swap clothes with each other!

4. If you're now looking at your closet realizing it needs a face lift, consider a new closet design! Van Wieren Hardware in Holland carries the well-known Easy Track Closet Organization Systems.

5. Now, for your Keep pile... put everything back in your closet organized by category (tops, pants, skirts, dresses, etc.) and then sort by color. Store out-of-season shoes, boots, accessories, and purses out of sight in the back, and bring out the sandals, clutches, and spring scarves to the front of the mix.

This might take a full Sunday's worth of work, but trust us, it's worth it!

Nautical Knots

I've been spotting these adorable doorstops in magazines & on blogs all season and stumbled upon them locally! Stopped into Bayberrie Tree in downtown Grand Haven to see all the fun new Spring arrivals and found so many things I would love to have in my house this summer... This being one of them :)

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Spring Birthdays

One of the most important parts of giving a gift is presentation. Stop in to The Paper Place in downtown Grand Haven for a wide range of beautiful wrapping paper. You can buy them by the sheet so that you aren't left with a huge roll of unused paper. We keep and re-use these beautiful sheets of paper in my home because they are made of thick, quality materials. To really show off, add some ribbon or personal tag available in a variety of colors. Don't hesitate to ask Rheba for style guidance... she's a pro!

Chocolate-Covered Peeps!

Either you love 'em, or can't stand them... but Peeps are a tradition in Easter candy. Rather than heading to the grocery store to snag them this year, head over to Santo Stefano del Lago in downtown Grand Haven to get something truly unique this year: chocolate-covered Peeps! Be sure to check out their entire candy bar while you are there!

Finally... a REAL Surf Shop!

Welcome, Wet Mitten Surf Shop! Friends of Lakeshore Shoppers and brothers, John and Ben McNeil, have officially opened their shop on Chinook Pier! The boys have filled the shop with every style board imaginable: surfboards, standup paddle boards, skimboards, boogie boards, skateboards, longboards, kiteboards, and more... There will also be rentals available for all of these items. We're most excited to cruise the boardwalk on their rental beach cruiser bikes! If you're interested in getting into any of these addicting sports this summer, visit the guys and they will set you up with a lesson with some of the premier local Wet Mitten riders. Check them out on Facebook and stay tuned here for updates on sales and events!

Good News for Lakeshore Shoppers!

Lemongrass will be REOPENING May 3, 2011!

The store that started the inspiration for Lakeshore Shoppers is back :) Some changes you might notice: a little bit less furniture, more small home decor and the addition of women's accessories, jewelry, handbags, scarves, gift ideas, soaps, lotions, primitive and coastal decor. May 3rd can't come soon enough!

Cupcakes for All!

This is, hands down, our favorite find of the week.
Santo Stefano del Lago has an entire display dedicated to CUPCAKES! Have a special event coming up? They have adorable cupcake wrappers in traditional and modern prints for birthdays and weddings, as well as ones designed for baby showers! A great way to coordinate your treats to your party theme.

The NEW Easter Basket

A new take on the traditional Easter basket! This is just one of the many styles of Easter bags and baskets that have arrived at The Paper Place in downtown Grand Haven. Stop in before the bunny arrives to check out all the different styles, but this one is a Lakeshore Shoppers favorite... Why? because you can fit in more candy, of course :) And don't forget to pick up all your Easter cards while you're there!

Let Your Garden Grow

If you haven't been into Calico Cat in downtown Grand Haven lately, they've totally re-done their upstairs! I was greeted with this inspiring display of fun gardening accessories at the top of the stairs and instantly decided: I will become a gardener this year! So before YOU hit the dirt this spring to make your garden bloom, stop into Calico Cat first and make sure you look the part!

Soft Savings

Haven't seen these yet? Stop into Aberdeen's in downtown Grand Haven to see the adorable collection of soft and cuddly "piggy" banks... and I use that term loosely here. What a great and motivational way to get kids saving and seeing their progress grow!