Happy Thanksgiving Week Friends!

I’m so grateful that the weather has finally caught up with the season and its feeling a bit more like fall!

Over the years I have made it a practice that as things kick into hyper speed crazy this time of year I intentionally slow down, like a mama bear preparing for winter and a long winters nap. I too start to gather those closest to my heart and focus on what matters most in my life. This year is no exception, and with a big milestone birthday coming up for me in January, this fall, my cup of gratitude and thankfulness is overflowing.

So as the world anxiously prepares for the official kickoff of the MOST commercialized season of the year loaded with Black Friday sales and overnight sleepovers in parking lots for the best deals in town, instead of adding more to my to do list I will pull out the comfy sweats, reach for the books I will read this season and hunker down for classic movie nights with my loved ones.

I hope this week you join me in slowing down and finding ways to be present in all that is good in our lives. My wish for you is that you get the time to gather with friends, family or to finally get the time to do something you absolutely love!

Thank you for being part of our Blossom Blue Family,

Miranda

Aprreciation for Our Earth

Think GREEN in a whole new way this year:

Keep wrappings, packaging and waste to a minimum and keep more of your green in your pocket. Spend less and use less this season.

Re purposing paper (I LOVE using the brown paper in UPS boxes for gift warping, my kids over the years have made many masterpieces on it, and ribbon with a few handwritten words always give it a personal touch.

Save more green and don’t overdo the spending, after all how many can honestly say they remember what they gave or received last year?! Skip the guilt and instead gift with meaning and intent not excess or obligation.

Support companies that care about our environment, one of my favorites is Paper Culture, a sustainable holiday card company that plants a tree with every order. www.paperculture.com

Grateful for Community

If you must shop…Shop Local! Shop Small Business! I can personally tell you, running a small business is sometimes hard (who I’m I kidding) it’s really hard. My family depends on how well we do month to month to pay for housing, food and other life needs. Local merchants REALLY appreciate your support. In the last year we have lost many of the small family owned business in Belmont Shore and with the opening of 2nd & PCH that may jeopardize even more. When you shop local it not only helps our community... it helps support our community's families.

My family sincerely thanks you!

This Saturday, November 30th is small business Saturday. You can take advantage of our Gift One Get One promotion in honor of giving and friendship.

Speaking of friends...

Thankful for Friends

Give the best gift of all...time. Time for loved ones and time for you. Take a moment to really spend time with friends and family. So often we rely on text or social media to stay connected. I encourage you to use that phone to really talk to them or schedule a face to face meet up (imagine that?!). Instead of time shopping for a gift, take the time to find out how you can really support and care for them. It may surprise you that all they really want is time with YOU.

This month I spent heart to heart time with a dear friend of mine and she shared with me the latest joys and transitions in her life. It was so nice to just spend time with her. If you haven’t had your family portraits taken, help me support this dear colleague and friend and book a session with Cielo Roth Photography.

Kindness Grows

Last year I posted on Facebook this incredible story that reminded me that it doesn’t take much to profoundly change the life of another for good. Ben Taylor was contacted on Facebook by Joel from Monrovia, Liberia. Joel said that he needed financial assistance and that he was struggling to provide for his family. I don't want to spoil how it turns out so watch the video. Be forewarned that after all this time it still moves me to tears.
Facebook Message that Sparked Hope

Were you as touched as we were? There is a book featuring never-before-seen photos of Ben & Joel's incredible journey! Proceeds help the By d Grace of God foundation with their mission to rebuild Liberia.

Want to help with this amazing project?
Find out How You Can Donate to By d Grace of God

Film Stories

This year, if you are gathering with family, let us document your traditions , laughter, pass times and joys with a Film Story. This documentary film will tell your family story in a way like no other for generations to come. AND for every family that books a film story with us this year, we will donate $50 to the By D’ Grace of God project.

Book Now