Hello loves!
As many of you may know, I live in Redlands, CA, which was in the news recently as home to the shooters responsible for the massacre at the Inland Regional Center in nearby San Bernardino. It’s difficult to write this because the loss and devastation that occurred weighs so heavy on my heart. To think that any person could carry out the taking the lives of others to prove anything, period, makes me not only disgusted, but angry. I don’t want to live in a world where people (or my future kids) are afraid to go to a work party, to church, or to just express themselves and what they believe in, whatever that may be.
I’ve lived in Redlands for almost half of my life and it was definitely love at first sight. The vibe, the central location, the diversity of people and restaurants, the sense of community, everything fits for me and it truly feels like home. I’m not one of those people who says “Redlands is amazing, things like this just don’t happen here” because I’m not naïve. I know that this could have happened anywhere, in any city or town. But we are a strong city and will come together in times of crisis and adversity.
This Saturday, the 19th, many of the businesses in Redlands will be participating in an event to help raise money for the victims and families of the shooting. You can visit this Facebook event page to see the full list of businesses joining together for Bonded Strong – A Community for Peace. Some, including a la minute and Parliament Chocolate, will be donating all of their proceeds, as well as several restaurants and retail shops that will be donating a percentage from overall sales. I will be spending most of my day shopping, eating, and walking around to the different vendors, and I encourage all of you whom are in the area to stop by at least one of them to aid in this cause.

Blouse / Old Navy (similar) // Jeans / Mavi Jeans from StitchFix // Necklace / eBay (similar) // Bag / Philip Lim for Target (similar) // Ankle-strap flats / Sole Society // Sunnies / Layered by Cake
Photography by Holli Zenko.