Look Who Just Popped Up!

Did I literally blink and 4 months have passed since I abandoned my sane way of life to start my own business? The truth is, it has been an absolute whirlwind since February, specifically this last month and a half. That is because I have been diligently prepping to open my own little year-long Pop Up Shop back in mid-May!

"What is a Pop Up Shop?", you may ask! A Pop Up Shop is a small, concentrated venue of a company's top or newest products to be displayed and sold for a specific amount of time. Some of the hippest brick & mortar establishments started off as Pop Up Shops, and some of the trendiest corporations (Apple, etc.) host frequent Pop Up Shops to showcase their upcoming must-haves.
I decided to combine the best of all worlds, and host a brick & mortar Pop Up Shop that will last for a full year, which features not only my own home decor & style designs, but over twelve Etsy-makers, many of whom are based locally in Lancaster, Pa!  (If you were planning a drinking game around how many times I referenced "Pop Up Shop", it's about to be downhill for ya!)

Among the local Etsy-glory featured, we have sensational rustic, hand-painted signs by local favorite Honeysuckle Shop, gorgeous hand-stamped farmhouse pillows by mother-to-one-of-my-favorite-humans Laura Firestine, ambrosial hand-poured candles by Reading-based Henny Faire Co. in savory yet floral combinations like Mushroom Tuberose, stunning framed silhouettes hand-cut by grandmother-of-8 Sue Bowers, and vegan lip balm by Friendly Body Products that will leave your lips feeling silky and rejuvenated, just to name a few. If you are browsing for exclusive Designs by Serendipity Mom items, we are offering our most popular totes, pillows, mugs, prints, handmade boho decor and now...all-natural bath bombs! Not in the market for home decor this season? We hear ya...you can also find eco-friendly and affordable handmade jewelry by some of the most popular Etsy-sellers, fun & funky accessory bags and hair swag, and we even have a Joey Corner where you can peruse kid-approved gifts for your little ones.

My first craft market back in March

The concept of the Pop Up Shop came to me one day while I was dejectedly packing up all of my products after yet another unsuccessful Saturday craft market. My heart commiserated with the other talented local crafters as they sloughed their beautiful work to the cars, with little to no return from their day-long investment that began at a dismally dark 6 am. Starting out this spring season in the "Craft Market World" as an unknown newbie, I quickly absorbed the frustration of many seasoned vendors watching the same few people sell and sell their amateur products, while everyone else was sorely bypassed because it wasn't their ideal target market or they were out of town and unknown to the area. I myself left every afternoon feeling defeated and out of my element, despite the positive feedback I got from the market's browsers and fellow vendors. I knew that I needed a more permanent and specific forum to display my lovingly and originally designed wares, and vowed to include other local crafters so that their businesses could be legitimized and recognized in an actual store as well.

I didn't want it to be just another "Lancaster County Handmade" shop--I wanted it to be an experience for our guests. A calm place where they could feel safe to bring their kids while finding inspiration for their homes with one-of-a-kind pieces for a fraction of the price of the online markets, and an eco-friendly haven that supports the local economy. Being a frazzled mom myself who pines over Pinterest and bemoans the inflated Etsy shipping costs, I have constructed this enterprise with the busy mama in mind so that we wouldn't feel limited to the Target dollar bins in the front of their store (shh, Target, your dollar bins are still my happy place). We even offer healthy snack fuel for both parents and their littles to buy a few extra shopping minutes in peace.

This summer, I am excited to launch our Summer Social Series, which will include twice-a-month eco-friendly kid's craft sessions for only $5.00 (parents/caregivers craft for free), Mom's Brunch Social every Second Saturday (mimosas, pastries and kid-free shopping while mingling and networking with fellow local moms) and our big Grand Opening celebration on Saturday June 3rd from 9 to 5! Come enjoy the sweetest cupcakes and even sweeter discounts as we officially kick off my lifelong dream-come-true. And please stay tuned for upcoming posts with more details about the Summer Social Series AND our Tribe22 subscription boxes!

Thank you for your constant encouragement and support as Designs by Serendipity Mom has started it's growth spurt. I hope you all will make it out the the Pop Up Shop at some point, and please note that we are constantly updating our inventory with the upcoming season's sweetest products!

Professional Etiquette for Aspiring Innkeepers: My Secret Recipe for Success

Are you an aspiring Innkeeper or just starting out in the business? Here are some of my own personal tips that will set you apart from your competition:

1. As highlighted in my recent post, a small Welcome Basket can go a long way in showing hospitality to your guests! Many guests are paying up to $400 for a night at your Inn, I’m sure it would be nothing to spend a few dollars and a little time to show your appreciation of their patronage.

2. Have a little cove where you can display local pamphlets, maps and coupon books for your guests to rifle through. Make sure that they are categorized by activity, presented professionally and contain current information.

3. Include a well-designed binder/folder full of the quirks/rules of the Inn, local delivery options, TV channel guide, WiFi password, and room service/package options.

4. Designate a preferred window of time for check-ins. Many Inns promise to be on-site between 3 pm and 6 pm, but I find that 3 pm to 8 pm is a more realistic window, especially for Friday evening. Keep an eye out for their arrival so they aren’t standing at the front door wondering if they are at the wrong house. Greet them warmly, shake their hands, call them by their names and congratulate them on their special occasion (this means finding out the reason for their stay when they book their reservation).

5. Provide them with dining out options and offer to make a reservation for them (especially since they will be exhausted from their travels). If they are celebrating a special occasion, jazz up a bottle of Champagne or box of truffles and place them on the bureau in their room. This will show that you are attentive and accommodating.

6. Ask about dietary restrictions/allergies at the time of booking. Many people who are restricted in diet are wary about staying at a B&B due to a reputation for decadent cuisine. Become proficient in gluten-free baking and diabetic needs and advertise this knowledge in your marketing. As far as your non-restricted food? Take the time to bake as much as you can from scratch and decorate it beautifully. People do not spend hundreds of dollars per night to be served muffins from a boxed mix and frozen quiches.

7. Find out their desired breakfast time when you check them in. This way, they won’t have to wait long for a hot breakfast, and you won’t get slammed by the breakfast rush all at once. I've seen people serve breakfasts in courses, but in my professional opinioin, anything more than a "Fruit" course and a "Main" course is anxiety provoking for the guests. Don't make them feel like they have to rush through their courses or sit through a longer breakfast than they anticipated. Plus, less courses, less dishes you have to wash.

8. Offer to put together an itinerary based on the nature of their trip. This way, they won’t be wandering aimlessly around a town, completely unaware of the amazing excursions that exist around them. This is an instance of going above and beyond the call of duty.

9. Leave your attitude at the door! I get it, we all have bad days, especially in the hospitality industry where you are pretty much married to your work. Time and time again, I read reviews about grumpy Innkeepers and it breaks my heart. Hospitality means making people feel comfortable, and you can’t do that with a sour-puss look on your face. If your heart isn’t in the business anymore and all you care about are dollar signs, please sell the business to someone who has the passion needed.

10. Cross-train your employees. I always see Innkeepers bending over backwards to clean 6 or 7 rooms a day, cook breakfast, do check-ins and handle the finances and that will burn you out quickly. Don’t be a control freak. If you hire an assistant Innkeeper or housekeeper, train them in ALL fields of your business instead of limiting them to scrubbing toilets and then complaining that you do too much. Teach them to prepare and plate the breakfasts, interact with guests, handle check-ins, run the gift shop, and reservation bookings. If something happens to you, God forbid, now you know that there is someone trust-worthy that can handle your pride and joy. This does not mean hiring an interim Innkeeper and making them an indentured servant. A good employee doesn’t quit the business, they quit the boss. Be a nurturing and compassionate employer who wants their employees to learn and grow, but also to run their business with professionalism and courtesy.

11. Maximize your Social Media presence. Join Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, everything! Link your blog to all of these and write at minimum one entry a week, which should not only highlight your Inn, but upcoming local attractions, food reviews and decor/style tips.

12. Respond to ALL reviews, not just the bad ones. If you do receive a bad one, DO NOT GET DEFENSIVE. Be apologetic and professional, and always offer a solution or alternative to their complaints to encourage them to give your business a second chance. When you receive a positive review, be gracious and enthusiastic for the guests' return.

13. Hairdryers, ironing boards/irons, and robes go a long way in terms of convenience for your guests. This will also warrant higher ratings from hospitality organizations reviewing your business. Also, consider featuring a gift shop area where guests can buy souvenirs, local products and extra amenities. Designate an actual section of your inn to display instead of strewing your product around the entire inn as "Decorations with Pricetags." Tacky.

14. Consider hosting weddings and events when your business starts to run smoothly. Special events can bring in wonderful revenue, provide stunning professional pictures for your website, and set you in a league apart from the rest. Form business relationships early on with local reputable caterers, cake designers, and party planners and attend workshops centered around event coordinating.

15. Identify your Inn's niche. If you want to market yourselves as culinary gurus, creative decorators, professional soap artisans, dog lovers, whatever you feel passionate about--set yourselves apart from the other run-of-the-mill inns in your area. Keep it simple and master your featured talent. Also, stay up to date with fluctuations and innovations in interior design. Replace sheets and comforters often, freshen up color schemes and revamp furniture when needed.

Be Our Guest: Part One of an Innkeeper's How-To Tutorial for Summer Houseguests

The number one question I get asked when I tell people about my experience as an Innkeeper is, “How can we make our home look/feel like a bed & breakfast?” This prompted me to start a how-to guide (with multiple installments of course). The guide will feature ways to make your bed look luxurious, how to make houseguests feel welcome, mouthwatering breakfast and dinner ideas (especially for multiple guests), picnic packing, plate garnishing, gardening tips, décor, and flower arranging 101. 

Today’s post will feature Welcome Basket varieties. My next edition will include diagrams on how to fold a fitted sheet like a pro (because it took me 30 years around the sun to even grasp the concept that a fitted sheet could be folded and not just balled up and thrown in the linen closet), and how to make the bed look like it belongs in a boutique hotel.

Part Un—Welcome Baskets

Making your home as memorable and inviting as possible requires attention to detail when it comes to those little touches. I have found that guests at an inn go bonkers for handmade items/amenities (fresh cookies, little soaps), feeling taken care of (itineraries available, maps, brochures, area guides) and out-of-the-blue gifts or tokens of appreciation. My number one recommendation is to present a welcome basket, either upon arrival or on their bed. The welcome basket can contain a variety of necessities or novelty items, but it shows your guests that you took the time to think of them and ensure that their needs were met from the very beginning.

In the hospitality industry, we understand that you may host many different types of guests (some outdoorsy, some higher maintenance, some foodie, some simple). Their personalities and their weekend itinerary should be reflected in the content of the welcome baskets.

It’s a nice touch to add some local flavor from the area that they are visiting. I live in Lancaster, which is a huge farming community with Amish roots, so I like to throw in seasonal fruits, Amish-made baked goods or jam, and Hershey chocolates (given our proximity to Hershey headquarters). If you live near the beach, it may be more acceptable to include salt water taffy, seashells, boardwalk kettle corn and a few postcards. If your guests are coming for a mountain visit, include local beef jerky or roasted nuts. This will entice your guests to explore the area and give them something delicious to snack on. 

Toiletries are an obvious. If you have people staying with you, it’s usually expected that you will provide at least the first night of toiletries. This can include mini shampoos/conditioners (any dollar bin at Target, Walmart or K-mart), soap (I recommend spending the extra few dollars on a bar of handmade, local soap—maybe a neutral scent like Goats Milk & Honey), a washcloth/tea-towel, and toothpaste are the basics. You can also include a toothbrush, shower cap, loofah, razors, pack of tissues, makeup remover packet, nail file/kit, lotion, eye drops, sewing kit, get creative! Really think outside the box and consider anything and everything small that could potentially make someone’s life a little less stressful if they forgot to pack something.

So you have your basic content: the local treats, the soaps, the necessities. Now it’s time to get creative with the fillers. I tend to lean toward adding two water bottles (maybe Perrier or Figi), or a mini bottle of champagne if they are celebrating a special occasion. Some people add cheeses and half a baguette wrapped in artisan paper, others lean toward candles, fresh flowers or a small potted plant. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with artistically packaged snacks or light reading material/crossword puzzles. Fillers should also include things like the WiFi password written on a nice handwritten card, the local to-do pamphlets mentioned above, any coupons for activities they mentioned doing, and a contact card with your information in case they get lost or run into car troubles. I like providing a description of my favorite restaurants because oftentimes guests want the encouragement to go off on their own for a night.

You got through the hard part of figuring out what to stuff in there—now you have to decide what to put it in! Remember, the key to making a welcome basket look professional is the contrast in sizing. You want to put your taller items in the back to give it some height, shorter items in the front and then a mix of short and tall in the middle. If you need to give the contents more height, boost them with fake straw, moss or even colored tissue paper. A basket should look full but not overstuffed, and if you are lacking in content, then go with a smaller container (maybe a strawberry carton).

 
Necessities:

· Local goodies, fresh fruit, baked goods

· Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste)

· Washcloth, hand towel, tea towel

Filler Items:

· Misc. toiletries (toothbrush, shower cap, loofah, razors, tissues, makeup remover, nail kit, lotion, eye drops, sewing kit)

· Beverage bottles (Fiji, Perrier, Champagne, wine, soda, cute plastic drinking cup with lid, mug)

· Gourmet snacks

· Candle

· Plant, flowers, herbs for scent

· Magazines, books, crosswords, newspaper

· Local brochures

· Contact card

Basket Ideas:

· Milk basket

· Small crate

· Wicker basket

· Strawberry carton

· Bushel and a peck

· Large tin

· Painted flower pot

· Large jar or canister

· Colorful box

Sultry Summer Recipe for Turning a Day at the Farmer's Market into a Sizzling Date Night

Social Experiment:

Walk into a crowded room- be it a break room at work, an OBGYN’s office, a salty biker bar, whatever you please…and discreetly utter the words…”Farmer’s Market.” I guarantee about 95% of the occupants of that room will squeal and say, “Oh I just LOOOOVE farmer’s markets!!!” This is because farmer’s markets are a veritable Mecca of local delights, farm fresh produce and an exquisitely opportune time for people watching. And almost every town across the US of A boasts some sort of farmers bazaar. 

Lancaster County is home to the country’s oldest functioning farmer’s market, appropriately named Central Market. As soon as you push open the magnificent side doors, your senses are awoken by the convolution of heavenly aromas: gooey sticky buns dripping with molten cinnamon butter; flowery cardamom dusted delectables from the Middle East stand, the musky perfume of freshly smoked meats and cheeses, the fragrant potpourri of hundreds of colorful flowers transported in pretty papered bouquets up and down every aisle. Wafting in and out of your eardrums are muddled Pennsylvania Dutch exclamations and the sublime sound of the choir singing from the rafters. 

My dream date night would be embarking on a “Market Mystery Basket Challenge.” Once you’ve entered Market, split up and one person visits a spice stand, a produce stand and a cheese stand, and the other selects the meat and additional accompaniments. Remember, you will not be basing any of your purchases off of a pre-planned recipe! Together at home, you can create culinary ingenuity using the random ingredients that you picked up from Market. It would be a brilliant way to fuse teamwork with imagination while supporting local flavor. 

Not feeling inventive? Here's an easy example anyone can do at home!

Protein:
Orange roughy
Vegetable:
Purple Cauliflower
Accompaniments:
Apricot Marmalade
Dijon Mustard
Tarragon
Lemons
Almonds

Apricot and Dijon Glazed Orange Roughy with Roasted Purple Cauliflower Almondine

In a hot pan, melt 2 tbs butter, 2 tsps Dijon mustard and ¼ jar of apricot marmalade. Add in 3 tbs freshly chopped tarragon. Pour over baked orange roughy filets (or marinate them before you cook them). Salt and pepper to taste.

Cut cauliflower into bite sized florets. Toss in a bowl of paprika (or Old Bay), salt and pepper, then squeeze lemon over florets. Place in oven heated at 375 degrees until florets turn golden brown. While cauliflower is roasting, melt 2 tbs of butter in a pan, then add a clove of minced garlic. Sautee slivered almonds in the pan and remaining lemon juice. Pour mixture over roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with fingerling potatoes tossed in olive oil, fresh chunks of garlic and rosemary.

End your evening with a light vanilla panna cotta with mango mousse and a crisp glass of Chenon Blanc under the stars and that, my friends, is a recipe for bliss.