Northern California businesses Archives - Northern California Style

I know some of you are already doing your holiday shopping! I’m not there yet, but I have made a start and ordered my cards from the San Francisco company, Minted, which I’ve done for several years now. Minted is dedicated to featuring independent artists and helping them gain exposure and has some of the most creative and freshest looking cards designs, so I always find something different.

This year they are addressing envelopes for free if your place an order. That was an offer I couldn’t pass up, so last night spent an hour with the husband making an actual spreadsheet of all our address book/contact list together. It only took us 20 years of marriage to do it, but now we have it!! I sent that off and am looking forward to getting my cards out a bit earlier this year. I won’t have to sit long hours addressing them and can take time to write notes in those for far off relatives and friends.

We were in San Francisco for Cirque du Soleil last week and had some time to kill near China Basin and the ballpark. My sons skateboarded around a bit and I cajoled them into posing for a quick photo. They aren’t matching, or even wearing their nicest clothes, but they look like authentic teenage guys. I love these impromptu photos more than any staged photo sessions and this card design was modern which I think goes well with the casual feel of our cards.

Minted always uses unexpected colors in their designs as well. I like that you can often choose the color of the writing on the card fonts as some photos clearly stand out more with cool or warm tones. I’m crazy like that, but it makes a photo sometimes.

My card was by local artist, Denise Malacrea and I received a thank you from her for ordering her design. Nice.

Another nice feature is the ability to add another photo on the back of the whole family with a little note we wrote ourselves. Max and I always dig the Peace, Love and Happiness message as so many of our friends celebrate other holidays this season and we send cards to everyone. My husband’s sis Amara took this pic of us at Natural Bridges. We went on a family trek to see the Monarch Butterfly on their migration on Black Friday instead of shopping and did the #optoutside thing. Love the movement behind that.

Today, Cyber Monday, there is 20% off everything at Minted (use code CM2016 ), including their cute calendars which I have made for my husband many times as Christmas gifts. I use our best snaps from the past year and we really do enjoy seeing them the next year, month by month. I even cut them up after and use the pictures in frames.

For holiday gifts I like their hand drawn maps and prints featuring independent artists. Some of the San Francisco ones here..

They also make custom prints tailored to your location, city or state. Any of these would make a memorable gift and are also on the sale today.

Minted opened a San Francisco store this year and I had a chance to pop in on my last trip up to Union Square. It’s full of lovely pillows, cute home textiles, stationery, and art. They also have people to help create a dream gallery wall, as well as customized cards and invites and more.

So do you do cards still? A few years ago I wrote this post What a Christmas Card Means about the history of them and my own memories of receiving them. I really enjoy the tradition. Though it takes some time and effort, it’s so worth it as it’s a little gift saying thank you for being in our lives. Love that!

Kim

Writing a blog you get offers to do collaborations all the time. Mostly I decline because anything here I have to truly believe in and it has to be the right fit. Once in a while though, something really ticks all the boxes for myself and for the blog. California Blooms is one of those companies. Not only am I glad to share about them, but I’m excited too!

California Blooms is a grower of boutique roses on the Central Coast of California. The roses are grown in an eco-friendly environment using hydroponics and methods passed down a family for seven generations. By growing in small amounts, this family has developed some of the finest roses available and also the longest lasting.

Most roses in the market today come from South America. I love that California Blooms are grown in California and by green growing methods; two things that I like to promote on this blog. They offered to send me roses to see for myself how long they last and their quality.

Roses ordered are hand cut, watered overnight, and actually delivered within 24 hours to your door!

Monday morning last week I found these on my doorstep..

Love when that happens!

I put them in tall vases with water then cut both into shorter bouquets.

The peach roses have the most delicate shade and smell like honeysuckle to me. These look very much like an heirloom rose with their shape and romantic vibe. They are full and lush.

However, unlike many heirloom roses, these pretties haven’t lost a petal in one week!

These are gorgeous roses, still like new after 7 days.

I also received a bouquet of my favorite white roses. I’m in love with these!

Just walking by, there’s a soft whiff of rose.

I also added a few sprigs of ivy from my yard in the bouquet.

Today, a week later, they look even more beautiful. They opened up, are tall with no drooping at all or murky water. In fact I haven’t even changed the water! I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed roses so long. Some customers have said their bouquets last 3 weeks.

White roses are a favorite of many women and California Blooms is making a donation for every bouquet they sell of 18 white roses to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, a cause dear to their family as well as mine.

California Blooms has so many lovely varieties of roses starting with 12 stem ($49.00), 18 stem ($59.00) or 24 stem ($69.00) bouquets. For an additional $9.00, a classic vase will be added.

If you are planning on sending a special bouquet for Valentines or just because, I hope you consider using California Blooms. The company is Burlingame based, the roses are grown in California and the methods using hydroponics make for exquisite and enduring roses you won’t find anywhere else. They are a California family running a small business and I love supporting that as well! I’ve gotten to know them and they are lovely people with a great customer service record along with a terrific product.

Right now, just for readers of Northern California Style, they will give a 15% discount if you use code NCS-15 at checkout. I think you’ll be impressed by the California Bloom’s selection. Not only do they have some unique and modern colors like lavender, green and orange, but also the classics and pretty mixed bouquets as well.

Even those last minute people can order by Friday, February 13 by 1:00 p.m. PST for delivery anywhere in the United States for Valentine’s Day!