An Open Letter to Ms. Marlene Vaughan

Dear Marlene,

I hope all is well.  I wanted to put this in a note card, but I think this is something I want everyone to know.

You.  Are.  Amazing.

As a designer, as a photographer, as a blogger, and as a friend - you are above and beyond amazing.

A little known fact is, many, many many, many years ago I ran a fashion showcase.  And you were a participant.  You set up a whole shop for me - while some vendors only threw up a few vendor boards.  Click the link to see this 2008 blog entitled Marly's! showcase blog. 

In any event.  You was super amazing then, and because of that, I've stayed a fan of you and your blog CoffeeSmoke (side note:  AMAZING).  The power of genuine kindness is truly phenomenal.   

When I came across the Concerned Bloggers Association, I knew I wanted to be a part of this venture that would address a different topic each month from the point of view of several bloggers.  It was a brilliant concept - and the goal was touching and so reflective of the kind of people I think the CBA is made up of.   

And then my dad and his sickness consumed my life.

And I fell behind on blogging and on logging in in general.  I was honestly a ghost.

And you?  Well.  You were never upset that I wasn't pulling my weight.  In fact, you offered support and kindness and told me not to worry about it.  You made it a point to inquire about my dad and about MY well being.

You leave positive feedback on every blog post I make - and you're so supportive.

So, I wanted to say THANK YOU.  For the awesomeness that is you, for the opportunities you have offered me, and for the kindness you have extended.  You.  Are.  AMAZING.  


 

XOXO,
B

Preview..

In love with this picture.  So here's a sneak preview of an upcoming blog post.

Happy Monday.  :)



XOXO,
B

'Tis the Season

For those who don't know me....I seriously LOVE this time of year. 

So, as soon as I packed away the Thanksgiving decorations...the tree was UP!

While so many people are in such unfortunate situations right now (Sandy, economy, etc.), I'm extremely thankful for the people in my life and the blessings I have been given. 

Before things get super hectic, I just want to take the opportunity to thank you - for reading my blog, for being a part of this amazing experience with me, and for sticking with me even when I vanish for days and weeks on end.  There would be no Gypsy Woman or Black Sheep Fashion Diaries without you.  In the end, there would probably not even be a Blissie Boucher.

:)  The view from here?  It's amazing - filled with love and light and all of the good and kind things I could ever want or need in this life.  And for that, I am grateful. 



XOXO,
B

Happy Thanksgiving and a Joyous Black Friday!

Let me start with..HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone had a safe, healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving.  :)

This year (as with every other), I am incredibly thankful for the amazing family and friends I am blessed to have in my life.  I am grateful for everyone (the good and the bad) that have touched me and helped to make me who I am.  I am also very appreciative of the love and support I've been given by my on-line friends since my dad has been sick.  I can't thank you all enough.    

I hope you're all smart and fit enough not to get trampled on Black Friday as well.  Over the last few years, I've become a huge fan of Cyber Monday.  Anything that reduces the amount of people that try to touch me, breathe my air and race me to those amazing black boots is heaven-sent in my book.  :)

And for anyone that saw Mark Sanchez run into the ass of his own teammate yesterday..this is for we (sad) Jets fans:

Lots of love and light to you all.  :) 



XOXO,
B

Kisses For the Troops

Here's a neat idea for Veteran's Day - Kisses for Troops.  Cosmo and Maybelline have gotten together to sponsor these great cards - they even did some in Times Square today!

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/cosmo-kisses-postcard-2012

Add your picture and a personalized message and brighten the day of a troop far away from home.

Thank them for their bravery and wish them a safe return.

XOXO,
Bliss

Come to the Blood-Donating Side..We have Cookies..

This month, the Concerned Bloggers Association  has taken on the topic of donating blood.

One of the topics is "Why Donate Blood?".

Well.  That's the simplest question of all to answer:

You donate blood to save a life.

Less than an hour of your time...can save someone's life.  It could be the life of someone you know, or the life of a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother, a husband, a wife or a best friend that you will never meet. 

Ultimately, everyone donates for their own personal reason - but I can tell you from experience - donating blood saves lives.

As someone who has spent the last three years in and out of hospitals with their dad, I can honestly tell you that blood donations save lives.

My dad has had multiple transfusions - and between the chemo and the cancer and the heart disease and the diabetes and the strokes and the brain injury...he would have died without those transfusions.

So...why donate blood?  Well.  It doesn't cost you anything.  It doesn't hurt.  You get a cookie.  Oh, and you also save lives.

The real question here is..

Why not donate blood?

While a lot of people are currently donating to the Red Cross to aid Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, donating blood shouldn't be reserved for just disasters and tragedies.  Blood banks and reserves depend on your kindness and generosity year-round.   

Consider this a request from me to you.  Please donate blood today - because it will save someone's life tomorrow.  And if you have already donated blood?  It probably already HAS saved someone's life.

For more information, please visit the Red Cross (http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood).

And if saving a life isn't enough motivation............there ARE cookies.  I'm just saying.

Thank you.


XOXO,
Bliss

This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the Concerned Bloggers Association. If you would like to become involved, please contact Marleen Vaughan for more information.

Picture Love

Just sharing some picture love for an upcoming fashion blog.  :)

Happy Sunday.



XOXO,
Bliss

Home Sweet Home

Post-Sandy things have been....insane.

I've been working from home since I can't commute out to get into Manhattan - so I've been able to SL a lot.  CRAZY what it takes to bring me back.

Here's some NYC sim pics for your viewing pleasure.

We had no damage or flooding and our power held tight.  10 minutes away from me, they weren't so lucky.  An entire community devastated and destroyed by the surge. 

Hope everyone on the East Coast is safe and sound and made it through Sandy with little to no damage.  If possible, please donate to the Red Cross - so many people have lost everything..and the rebuilding hasn't even begun yet.


XOXO,
Bliss