I happened to stumble upon Lottie Mae this summer when our team was out doing research for another editorial. As we walked past the window of the cutest little shop tucked off of Auburn road, we knew we had to go in. Not only did we find the perfect place to shop for treasures, but we also had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Gallegos, a woman who welcomed us into her space with open arms, and made us feel like we were stepping into her home.
Jennifer started Lottie Mae in 2018 after 20 years of working in the pharmacy field. Lottie Mae started out as a small, artisan candle company that grew into a lifestyle retail shop in Rochester Hills, Michigan. While they no longer pour candles in their workshop, they still curate little, everyday luxuries in the shop, and have become a destination for curated decor & gifts.
Over the past few months we've had the pleasure of getting to know Jennifer more, and we have been touched by her kindness, her generous spirit, her deep ties to her community and her dedication to creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and cared for. When we got to thinking about the season of gathering, Jennifer was the first person to come to mind.
Creating memories for our loved ones is the main reason we choose to gather around dinner tables and living rooms with one another. There is no rule book for "how" a table should be set, or "what" is needed to create beautiful memories, but if you're like Jennifer, you show your love and your care for your people by taking the extra step to make things beautiful for them.
We asked Jennifer if she would be willing to lend us some of her favorite things for a table setting we were looking to create and she didn't hesitate for a moment. We spent the afternoon in the gorgeous courtyard of the Chapman House, designing our dream dinner table with all of our finds from Lottie Mae. Needless to say, we could hardly stand that the table was set only for photos, and not for a dinner of our own.
This December, wherever you live, however you celebrate and whoever you choose to spend your time with - take a second to find gratitude in the gathering, whatever that looks like for you.
Remember...the little things, really are the big things.
Lottie Mae pays homage to Jennifer's grandmother, Noreen Lottie and her mother, Cynthia Mae who were both highly creative women with an entrepreneurial spirit, both of whom she misses dearly.
Lottie Mae is located at 1524 E. Auburn Road, Suite 10, Rochester Hills, Michigan, 48307.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, + Friday 11-6pm | Saturday 10-5pm | Closed: Sunday, Monday, + Tuesday. Be sure to follow @lottiemaeco on social media, as Jennifer is always hosting something special like book clubs, workshops and curated collaborations with other local small businesses.
(A special thank you to Geoff of the Chapman House for letting us play with your dishes and make magic in your lovely space.)
A lifestyle retail shop focused on curated decor, gifts and little luxuries for every day.