~help for Oso~ {& a Starbucks winner}

The following is from my friend and neighbor Patricia:

As a small business owner, because I don't answer to anyone but myself, I can make a choice to do a lot of things that larger businesses can't. I've been so very fortunate in life - it hasn't always been easy, but God has always provided for me and my family. As a little girl, I remember going door to door for the Jerry Lewis Telethon for MD. I would show up at our local TV station, walk across the set and dump my bucket of money into the pail. It made me feel so good. As an adult, I've been on the receiving end of help from the Red Cross. On 9/11/01, my cousin was one of the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center. The Red Cross contacted me to see if I needed assistance in traveling to NYC for his funeral. While I declined, I was in awe that this foundation reached out to our family. I've had the opportunity to raise money for the Red Cross in other ways - hurricane/tornado assistance, blood drives, etc. I've always tried to help when someone approaches me for a donation for an auction or to help out an orphanage in Africa. I LOVE to help people. It's in my nature. I don't do it for the accolades, I do it because it feels good and it's the right thing for me to do.

Last Saturday, 30 miles away from my home, there was a horrific landslide - the recovery of many bodies is still ongoing. As I have listened to the stories of the victims, I am again reminded of 9/11. The amazing people who are gone too soon. How can I help??? The only thing I know that I can do is ask you to help me help them. I haven't figured out what I'm going to do yet, but this FRIDAY, March 28, I will be donating a portion of my sales to be donated to the Red Cross for assistance to those people of this small town, Oso, WA as they try to put their lives back together again. I don't want you to think that I'm trying to bolster my sales - as a friend said, God knows what's in my heart.

Will you help me shed a bit of sunshine on this little town?

Here's what I'm doing . . . 

OSO FUNDRAISER . . . Let's start this today, through the weekend. 30% OF ALL MY SALES will be donated to the Red Cross for the people of Oso, WA. The need is urgent. Read on . . . 

I spent part of the day yesterday listening to stories coming out of the area. They are in desperate need of so many things - right now the focus is on recovery and the firefighters, the National Guard, and the relatives and friends of those lost are in need of simple supplies. I know that whatever we raise will be put to good use, however it is allocated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait to see how love grows here. 

http://tippystockton.com/category/all.htm

It's tough to see any natural disaster, but when it hits this close to home it tears you apart even more.

Thank you Patricia for offering to help.

This truly is a tragedy. 

On a lighter note, I would like to announce the winner of the $50.00 Starbucks gift card:

The writer of the blog, 

Living Life In The Low Country.

Congratulations, watch for an email coming your way.

xoxo

~Starbucks evenings & a giveaway~

I mentioned last week that I would be having a fun girls night at Starbucks.

I was surprised to see that many of you didn't know that Starbucks was open evenings for wine and small plates at  some of their locations.

Well lucky me, because there is one right downtown, about 15 minutes from my house!

Last Thursday night I met my friends there for 3 hours of fun.

Starbucks really made me feel special, I mean, c'mon, look at this sign!

My friend took my picture with it about 20 times, and this is the photo I chose to share~one without my face :)

The even had fresh flower bouquets that they let me take home.

We had so much fun and had some of the BEST food and wine ever!

My favorite was the bacon wrapped dates:

The Starbucks team was so incredibly sweet.

They even served espresso for my friends who weren't drinking that evening.

Here is Holly, the store manager, filling us in on Starbucks Evenings.

And here are some shots of my friends doing what we do best~eating, drinking,

 and gossiping talking.

It was so nice to get out of the house, away from dirty dishes and laundry and just sit back and relax with some of my favorite people. 

I need to remember to do this more often.

What are your favorite daily escapes? 

What is something you do just for you, whether it be everyday, or once a month.

Leave me your answer in the comment section and you will be entered to win a $50 Starbucks card so you too can enjoy a little girl time!

I will pick a winner and announce back here on Friday!

xoxo

~Starbucks and wine? OK!~

I'm sure that most of you die hard Starbucks fans, like me, have seen some of the coffee shops offering

Starbucks Evenings where they are serving wine and delicious appetizers and desserts!

I myself am a Starbucks aholic.

I've been known to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. 

It's so easy when you are on the go, especially with all the drive-thrus.

Recently one of our local Starbucks began offering the evenings menu.

Starting at 4 pm you can have a variety of tasty foods, and of course, wine, and beer!

Regular menu items are also available during this time.

Later this week I am heading there with 15 friends for a little girls night out. 

It doesn't get more relaxing than that.

Check out some of their great foods that can be paired with their wine selection:

Blue Brie Cheese Plate:

Truffle Macaroni And Cheese:

Artichoke and Goat Cheese Flatbread:

And of course, dessert!

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Brownie:

To find out if there is a Starbucks Evenings by you, click here.

I will be sharing pictures with you shortly of our girls evening out, as well as a little surprise!

xoxo