Wait. There's More.

Wait. There's More.

I kept seeing that there would be another 30 day blogging challenge and I just smiled.  Inside my head I thought “been there, done that” and I moved onto the next topic (because as we all know, there is so much to think about :)

And then as the day went on I started thinking about blogging topics and what I would write about.  You see, we did the first 30 challenge successfully and the younger Bloom did the majority of that one.  Now, its my turn and what I’ve decided to share is about how we are constantly needing to push ourselves forward. 

Before becoming an entrepreneur,  I was an international aid worker in Panama, Fiji, Russia and even living in Hawaii for 4 years.  During those years, I was grateful to have been educated as a school teacher because I used every single skill I had learned in the classroom.

From there, I evolved into different positions including being a chaplain at the local university (and yes I could write a book on that chapter of my life).  Many more different adventures and sometimes I got stuck. In fact, for the last few months I’ve been feeling a bit lost, not sure I was following my destiny.  And yes, I work at my business 24/7 but I am one of those people that is happiest when juggling several jobs.  So just last week I decided that I am NOT too old, too old fashioned or even obsolete.  There was still life to be lived and I could indeed reinvent myself once again. 

And so when a local charity (Baskets of Love – Down Syndrome) that we’ve supported in the past announced that they needed baby blankets and baby hats I wrote back immediately and said “I’ll donate blankets and hats”.

Problem is, I’ve never made either of those things.  But I was willing to try.  Years ago I had bought an old, vintage bedspread meant to be passed down to generations.  This morning I cut it into baby blankets and got my 50+ year old sewing machine out and painstakingly sewed up the quilt. 

Then I cut some cotton tea towel fabric I had bought and cut out tiny baby hats and even practiced my new screen printing on each hat.  By the end of today I had made one hat and one blanket – I was hysterically happy.  I’ll never meet these parents or see their precious bundles, but I was doing something to help and suddenly that was all that mattered.

Age really is a number but more importantly its an attitude, so read that title again and say it out loud to yourself “Wait, there’s more…for me to do”.

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Caron is one of the blooms of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is the dreamer, production manager and the social media wannabe. Caron is married to the word adventure and she will never stop dreaming.

Do you need a cupful of joy?

Do you need a cupful of joy?

Today is a guest post by Victoria Guzzo.

In Canada the flowers have faded, and are preparing for their winter’s nap.  Their colors have been replaced by deep colored autumn leaves.   Big orange pumpkins and other colorful squash are shining in the grocery stores.   Cooler weather brings out the woolies and a warm throw over the sofa.  Nesting in with a bowl of popcorn while watching a move and relaxing at the end of the day,  is something we all look forward to in the Fall. 

This is so not your life, I can hear you say.

How do you find joy when you can’t find it?  Or do you even know what brings you joy any more?  So many needs around you and so little time.  And so many demands on that time.

Do you remember the last time you just burst over with joy?   When you finished the 10K run?   When you endured to the end of a spin class? When you reached the top of that mountain climb?   Is joy really that elusive?

What can you be grateful for today?  Who can you rejoice with?  Can you phone an old friend because you want to hear their voice and tell them you miss them?  It’s as simple as thanking a person for a favor, sending off a quick e-mail, or acknowledging someone that supported you in a work project.

Thanksgiving is this week end.  A time to pause and think about what we are grateful for.  I am sure what you are not grateful for comes to mind first.  But as a small boy said when asked what he was grateful for.  “I am grateful for just being me.”  I think he said it best .   Are you grateful for being you?  There is no one else like you.  

Yes, this blog is about joy, as being grateful leads to joy. 

Life is full of joy, find that cupful today and pass it on.  

If you like this post stay up to date with our blog.

Joyfully,

Victoria

Victoria Guzzo is world traveller and lover of people.  Two Blooms products are her favourite.

Smoke & Mirrors

Smoke & Mirrors

Today is a guest post by Caron (the other bloom of Two Blooms Design Studio.

You have to admit, those photos with inspirational quotes can just be the best.  Growing up I had a giant poster of a ballerina in leg warmers filled with holes, her toe shoes were taped up and I don’t even remember the quote – something about working hard to make your dreams come true.

And when people say “oh, you’ll have to work hard if you have your own business’ you imagine working night and day filling orders non-stop.  You have to hire busloads of staff and you buy city blocks of factory space.  Yes you’re working hard, but the money is falling from heaven.

Well, that last story is definitely about us, in case you were wondering.  While I type this, I can hear the hum of the factory next door – thousands of bars of soap are being poured and the post truck comes by 3 times a day for pick ups.  It’s a glorious life and maybe I’ll post an inspirational photo for you all to attain to. (KIDDING).

Are you still with me?  Here’s the thing.  So much of what we see out there is ‘smoke and mirrors’.  Yes, we were interviewed 3 times in 2 weeks by a national tv station and a local one, yes when you look at our page you can see our media coverage and as someone said to us the other day “you’re just killing it”.  And yes, after THIRTEEN YEARS we are indeed thriving.  But there are still days when you lose accounts or don’t get chosen for the ‘it’ store.  Suddenly you feel like the kid who didn’t get chosen for the baseball team.  Everyone got scooped up quickly and you were left, the very last person.

Being self employed is like that some days.  It seems like EVERYONE ELSE is killing it and you’re in your studio pouring over new recipes and ideas.  Their Facebook feeds are filled with the 87,000 new accounts they just picked up, how everyone loves their stuff and how amazing they are – and you’re plugging away.

The dream will take time.  There will be fabulous days.  And there will be many more days when you feel like you’re not doing it right and its soul crushing.

 It doesn’t matter.  You stay in the game.  And when you’re called, you get up and you play the best you can.  Maybe you don’t hit a home run, but you show up.  And every day you show up and put one foot in front of the other and you keep going.  And along the way dreams may happen and sometimes you spend your days helping other people find their dreams.  Just keep going because its true, the dream really does take a lot of time, relax, we’re in this together.

Like this post? Want to see more? Then stay up to date with our blog.

Caron is one of the blooms of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is the dreamer, production manager and the social media wannabe. Caron is married to the word adventure and she will never stop dreaming.

Are you paralyzed by the words I can't in your life?

Are you paralyzed by the words I can't in your life?

 

Just. Go.

There are a dozen reasons why you can’t.  In fact, there were 6 reasons why I couldn’t write this blog today.  If I told you the reasons you’d roll your eyes and probably utter an ‘oh brother’.  They weren’t life threatening moments but I couldn’t get started.

This reminds of some friends.  Wildly talented women that could take the world by storm.  But they can’t.  They have their reasons and we are the lesser without their contributions.

Let me share something with you – the words “what would you like to do” paralyze me.  I’d rather be told what to do then have the whole world of options open. 

What is my potential now and am I reaching it?  Am I reaching for the stars every day?  Am I standing on tiptoe to dream the impossible dream?  Probably not.  I tend to look at the lack of instead of what there is.  Like counting out your change and realizing you don’t have enough.  But what about what I do have?  Why don’t I feel like that’s enough?  Why must I compare and come up lacking?  I met with some friends the other day and they were so complimentary about our website/products and I kept shushing them down.  But I came home and rewound what they said and I thought “I need to start listening and believing and dreaming more”.  Because seriously, we can do the impossible.  And today is the day to stop listening to the inner critic.  Together.  We need to do this.  No more“I can’t” and more “well, let’s do this, even if I do it slowly”.

Are you with me?  Are you willing for the next 48 hours to say more yeses to yourself?  Ready.  Set.  Go.

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Caron is one of the blooms of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is the dreamer, production manager and the social media wannabe. Caron is married to the word adventure and she will never stop dreaming.

Are you living the dream?

So in my haste yesterday I forgot to include the  link to the rest of the post from the flax seed crackers. I've added the rest of the steps and you can find the full recipe here.

Are you living the dream?

   

“There’s always tomorrow for dreams to come true” just came swimming into my head.  Thought for sure it was a Disney movie with a lovely princess but actually its from “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Christmas anyone??

Been pondering dreams a lot lately, not the sleepy time kind, but dreams we hold in our heart.  Things we’ve held on to for a long time (hello size 6 jeans hanging in my closet) and things we’ve haven’t let go of yet.

My sister and I have been toiling for the past 13 years on our dream.  To be fair, it was off the side of our desk for the first 9 years, we attended weekly farmers markets and kept our full time jobs.  It was fun, it was exciting but it wasn’t our full time job.

 

 

Four years ago, we decided to sink or swim, jump right in and make it happen.  We left our lovely jobs and started working full time on Two Blooms.  We didn’t really have a plan, we knew we had a good product but we didn’t have a business background.

So we relied on our brilliant sense of humour (“oh, you wanted a receipt?  Oh, sorry I’ll email it to you when I get back”.)  And we continued with our amazing customer service.  We bent over backwards for everyone making customer scents and products for customers, rushing orders to get them on time (or early) and never really charged enough money. 

Now we’re smarter (I hope), we’ve found some good people to align ourselves with and most importantly, we’ve started believing our dreams.  Its not just hard work because we both work non-stop, one of us is on social media all day, sprucing up photos and text, plus photographs and on it goes.  Its more like a marathon to get to your dream.  You will hit walls and you will cry and want to give up, but the next day you’ll fall in love all over again and decide to make a new product or dream a new dream.

So if I could amend Burl Ive’s song I would. Its not just tomorrow for dreams to come true, its getting a solid group of people to walk through your dreams with you.  Who will love you enough to tell you when to either stop or find another way.  So yes, there are always tomorrows for dreams to come true, but its more like there are always tomorrows for more 24/7 work weeks.  Dreams don’t always come true, but you just never know when its going to happen and chances are, it may be better than what you could have ever dreamed.

P.S. We are checking our comments. We noticed some comments from posts back and tried to respond to all of them.

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Living and Loving the West Coast

One of our beautiful beaches here on Vancouver Island Photo Credit:  Michelle Somers

We are bringing you a sneak peak behind the scenes of the personalities of Two Blooms Design Studio featuring sisters Caron & Michelle.

What do you love about working with Michelle?

I love working with my sister, she is one of the funniest people I know – seriously.  And Michelle pushes the envelope all the time and I need that.  I tend to play things safe, make the same soap, same colors same scent.  She’s the one who will decide at the last minute, just as the soap comes to trace that we’re going to do the ‘Panamanian two legged, jaguar swirl J, so as I am pouring soap she’s mixing up colors and of course the soap comes out brilliantly.

What drives your crazy about Michelle?

She’s a night owl.  She starts working around 2-4pm and can easily go until midnight.  I am a an early morning kind of girl.  Plus she’s a perfectionist, (don’t I get to give you two crazy things :)

Still, one of my favorite people to hang out with. And a brilliant artisan that I am so glad I am related to

What is quirky about Michelle?

She has her own special language and this is just a short snapshot of some of her sayings.

• Bird Land Plan Quacitty Quack (she sings a song) = when she is eating healthy and clean
• Hollow Like a Tree = She is really hungry
• Miss Wanda = a pointed pink spatula
• Squatville = Nothing is going on
• Crickets = Silence
• What’s in the joint? = She has a craving and can’t seem to fill it.
• Clickety Click Barba Trick = What’s going on around here?
• Fribbled = Out of sorts
• Staring at her nails or standing like a stork = She feels awkward and out of place

What do you love about working with Caron?

She can get things done really quickly. I’m more of a process detail person and tend to be slower. So when we are in a crunch for time Caron can come in and really get me moving to the point where I’m saying:  “Slow down I need  time to make my essential oil blends or I need to organize my containers and clear my space.

She is amazing at social media. She has such a bubbly personality and is so engaging with people she hasn’t even met. I admire that about her and wish I had more of that in my own life.

What drives you crazy about Caron?

She is not a perfectionist like me. I’m loathe to let her label anything because she isn’t as fussy about it being OCD straight and perfect. Don’t get me wrong she gets it done, but it may be a hair out of place and believe me folks. it’s something that I notice like a neon light.

When I am really out of time though I’ll call her in to help me label because it has to get done.

What is quirky about Caron?

She loves to be eccentric in a fun kind of way. She does the opposite of everyone else. Her clothes are uniquely her because she likes to be comfortable. If everyone is on trend with  clothes she likes wear the opposite.  I admire her artistic flair as she is wildly creative. It seems like she can do everything and loves to be with artists.

The secret ingredient to our fabulous products …

We love hiking, sitting by the ocean, going out for coffee and having staff meetings. Our love of the west coast is reflected in each product through colour, scent and design.  We never stop dreaming and are always passionate and excited about each creation.

A little well known fact is we pump the dance music up high and get moving when working.

See our official blog home.

About Michelle
Michelle is one of the blooms and founder of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is in charge of production, designing all of our labels in house, photography, customer service, alchemist behind all of our scent blends, designer, creator and pretty much whatever else needs to be done.

Shake It Up

Photo Credit: theperfectpalette.com

Remember when you were a kid and you built forts, skateboarded, made mud pies etc. Then your mom would or dad would say let’s go for ice cream and you’d drop everything and just go.

When you're an adult it’s more difficult to just do something spontaneous because there is always something to be done and especially if your in business for yourself you always have a to do list a mile high and things just seem to get in your way. You stop and think about all the steps involved in spontaneity like you have to finish what you are in the middle of, check to make sure everything in your house is unplugged, make sure you are properly dressed and not in your PJ’s.

 McFlurry Photo Credit:  Caron Somers

So yesterday I was in the middle of designing a soap label and my sister was reading. This past week was a hectic one for us.  Victoria is experiencing very hot weather and we had just finished a day selling at our local market and were wilting in the heat.  So at the spur of the moment we decided to run out for ice cream but the rule was we had to wear what we had on and not change into something else.  My hair was a mess, I had an old dress on that was nice and cool.  So the instinct was I gotta  change, finish up my label design, get dressed etc.  Instead I saved my document and closed it, did a quick check that nothing was plugged in and we headed to McDonald’s for an ice cream sundae with nuts and giggled at our messy style.  I wasn’t really in the mood for ice cream but when we got to the drive through we saw they had the McFlurry and our eyes light up with glee (yup simple things amuse us).  It’s a Canadian thing and it’s like an ice cream shake with crushed up Oreo’s or Smarties or Skor bits. I got the Oreo Cookie and Caron the other bloom got the Smartie (a Canadian M&M) one.  We parked and hoped no one noticed us in our unfancy unkempt garb. The stress of the day, the rude customers, and the blazing heat melted away and for that moment nothing else mattered.  We enjoyed our ice cream and I felt like I was a kid again.

What fun things are you doing in this summer heat?

Why don’t you shake up your world and do something out of your comfort zone.  It just might provide some clarity.  #IBN30

See our latest posts right when we publish them.

About Michelle
Michelle is one of the blooms and founder of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is in charge of production, designing all of our labels in house, photography, customer service, alchemist behind all of our scent blends, designer, creator and pretty much whatever else needs to be done.

You Big Ole Beautiful Soul

Vintage Books Photo Credit:  blog.jennibick.com

Looking for yesterday's post? I forgot to post it so you can find it here. 

This is the second version as I write through tears because I lost that moment of the first draft when my browser decided to quit and I lost everything I had written.  It was a moment I can’t get back but through tears I choose to write it again in the hopes that this version will be even better because of it.

I saw him (at least 4 generations older then I) and thoughts took me back to two months prior the first time I laid eyes on him. This time I was grocery shopping and exiting the store and whispered to my sister “I think that’s him”.

Rewind two months ago and I was shopping at this same grocery store with my mom. We decided to have coffee and relax after we finished shopping.  There was a man nearby sipping his diet coke and eating a candy bar. While I continued in conversation I was riveted by this man. Did he fight in the war? Was he married or alone? Did he have anyone living who cared about him? What kind of job did he have and I wondered about the pages of his life he left behind. I fixed my gaze on him and I wanted him to know that he and his story mattered.  I wanted him to know for that moment that he wasn’t invisible and that his story was just as important. 

For that one moment in time I wanted to shout it to the rooftops that he and every other person mattered and were special no matter how they felt. Tweet This

Today this older generation is often forgotten and ignored. Media is all about the trends the young, the famous, those who have accomplished so much but is anyone more important than this man sitting in front of me?

I wanted to say hello to this man and ask him about his story and his life but I didn’t know where to begin and didn’t want to disturb him. He got up after finishing his snacks and stumbled away. He couldn’t walk very well but he was managing. I really wanted to know where he was going and was he okay?

Window Frame Photo Credit:  comeinjus.tumblr.com

After coming home I tried to go on with my day but I couldn’t stop thinking about him. So as I tried to fall asleep I cried over this man who I didn’t even know and through tears I prayed for him.  I worried he was discouraged or sad or had no one and I wanted him to feel loved and special because he deserved that.

For that one moment in time I wanted to shout it to the rooftops that he and every other person mattered and were special no matter how they felt. Tweet This

 

Today as I was exiting the store there was a narrow pathway and he wasn’t looking in my direction. He had a walker and bike helmet this time and seemed to be on a mission heading towards customer service. I told my sister I thought it was him and looked back but only saw the back of his head.  In seeing him again today I knew I had to write this post and not save it for another day.

The title of this post is “You Big Ole Beautiful Soul” and I don't mean the man was big in size but big in accomplishments and he had a rich soul that I’m sure could fill museums.

I’m still not sure why he tugged at my heart that day and maybe it was because he was a kindred spirit in disguise or maybe it was to show me the beauty and richness of this man’s life. Or maybe someone reading this needed to hear it.

What has moved you lately? I’d love to hear it in the comments below if you feel comfortable sharing.


See our blog posts right when we publish them.

About Michelle
Michelle is one of the blooms and founder of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is in charge of production, designing all of our labels in house, photography, customer service, alchemist behind all of our scent blends, designer, creator and pretty much whatever else needs to be done.

How Do You Handle Defeat?

Photo Credit: Pinterest

I’ll admit it I’ve been trying to plan out my blog posts for the week. Monday is a recipe, Tuesday is about travelling, etc. Then when inspiration strikes I try to write while the moment is fresh but I did that earlier this week and lost the whole thing. I haven’t really recovered after that moment. Yes I rewrote it but it just doesn’t feel the same as it did in the first draft so I’ve shelved it for now and it may appear another day.
We recently faced some crushing blows and we rant and rave about it at the time like the world is coming to an end (it’s not really by the way). We stew, we furrow, we brainstorm, stew some more.   There is that moment of  "I can’t take it anymore" and "I’m tired" but the fight that burning passion is what keeps us going.

No matter what, no one can take that passion or that desire away from you. Tweet This

Then we usually sit and have a nice cup of tea and a wee treat and somehow it’s all a bit more bearable.  There is the constant reinvention though and the ever evolving stream of ideas that never ceases. Good thing we are creative artisans after all.
So when faced with defeat do you want to throw in the towel? How do you push forward and see the light at the end of what seems like a never ending tunnel?

Photo Credit: Pinterest

For us it’s a matter of perspective and sometimes just the sinking your heels in and moving forward and doing your best to move past it and through it is the best you can do.  Looking at the pros and cons and trying not to question the why’s and realizing that maybe it wasn’t meant to be after all.

I'm reminded of this verse:  "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," Philippians 3:13 NIV

See our posts right when they get published on our new blog.

About Michelle

Michelle is one of the blooms and founder of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is in charge of production, designing all of our labels in house, photography, customer service, alchemist behind all of our scent blends, designer, creator and pretty much whatever else needs to be done.

"Let it Run"

Kona, Hawaii Photo Credit:  Caron Somers

This is a guest post by the other bloom and marks day 12 of our 30 Day Blog Challenge.

Year (and years) ago, the family unit decided that we all loved to row.  We knew about the lake nearby and we’d seen boats on it, so we phoned up to enquire about lessons and joyfully signed up.  

No doubt it was after seeing an Olympic event, but alas I am getting ahead of myself.  We show up the first night and get a tour of the boat house, learn the proper names and see all the awards lining the walls.  It didn’t dawn on me that the cigarette slim boats lining the walls were the actual vessels we would be getting into.  If you’re not familiar with these things, let’s just say its like slipping into a French fry, they are about that wide.  Then you’re expected to strap your feet in snugly and SIT BACKWARDS on the boat.  That’s right, the whole time you’re rowing in your teeny tiny boat you’re craning your neck back to make sure you don’t slam into the boggy part (we’ll get to that later) or into an Olympian practicing (yeah, that was close).

Thankfully they put the three of us into a quad (4 person boat), but just getting into the thing is perilous because it wobbles terribly and you can only grip onto the dock for so long before you lunge yourself into the itsy bitsy piece of molded plastic that is supposed to fit your bum (who designs these things?).  Oars are fitted into their slots and some demon actually pushes your boat away from the dock and forces you to do something.  If you dare breathe too hard the boat rocks perilously and you’ve got 3 other people to think about.

But then somehow you lift your eyes above the water and start to see the beauty.  You begin stroking the oars through the water and it glides you effortlessly through the lake.  The three others in your boat all get in tune and the wind is breezing through your hair.  Slowly your confidence builds and you sit tall and think “I can do this”.  That is until its time to head back to the dock and you have to figure a way to get out of the boat.

Check out our blog posts as soon as they are published.

About Caron
Caron is one of the blooms of Two Blooms Design Studio Est. 2002. She is the dreamer, production manager and the social media wannabe. Caron is married to the word adventure and she will never stop dreaming.