People often ask where we get our ideas and inspiration — how do we find out about so many unusual, special, and meaningful products?

Some of the discovery happens during work hours, right here in our Grommet home.

More of it happens out in the real world, in our travels, like when Jules explored the Detroit Maker Faire.

But most of what we discover comes from others … the “citizens” of Citizen Commerce.

Just this summer, one of my most inspiring friends, Lisa B., took me on a tour of her favorite South End neighborhood spots. We started with a cheese plate and “beverages” at The Gaslight Brasserie (right where the South End Open Market is held … an excellent choice for spotting Grommets!).

While we sipped and munched, she told me about her beautiful Me&Ro necklaces (hidden under her scarf, above, so I snapped a close up below). On top, she wears the “Fearlessness” pendant; below is the Sanskrit symbol for “wisdom and knowledge” (both so fitting for Lisa, just back from hosting a “F- Cancer weekend!” in NYC). Of course, I had to pass these along to the Discovery team … a someday Grommet?

Next we strolled through a hidden walkway …

admiring the architecture of Boston…

and city gardens.

And finally, as night fell, we made our way to the shops …

… where, of course, we stumbled on a few Grommets (the Living Proof sample set, it turns out, didn’t do just what she wanted for her curls, but the Imju mascara was the perfect complement for her brand-new lashes).

Thanks for the inspiration and sharing your Boston with us Lisa!