Pozie by Natalie — Florist Natalie Ransom Uses Creativity to Build Her Dream

Pozie by Natalie
Pozie by Natalie's owner Natalie Ransom hard at work making a one-of-a-kind floral crown. Photo credit: Katheryn Moran Photography.

Bellingham-based florist Natalie Ransom of Pozie by Natalie has been putting her own bold spin on Pacific Northwest weddings, events, and photo shoots for the past 15 years. Her hard work, confidence, and creative, unique style — as well as her efforts to mentor fellow business owners and support local charities — have inspired a loyal following that is helping her achieve her dream, taking her business to the next level.

When you first meet Natalie, you would never guess that she grew up as a farm girl in Houghton, Michigan in the rural Upper Peninsula. Her polished, modern look, simple blond locks, and beautiful smile perfectly fit her sassy personality. “I don’t own more than one pair of pants. In my work, I have to dress up for every event, so maxi dresses are my uniform,” explains Natalie, who still considers herself a die-hard Yooper.

Pozie by Natalie
Spunky bride Monica loved her Pozie by Natalie bouquet when she married Jon at Twin Willow Gardens in July, 2016. Photo credit: Katheryn Moran Photography.

“I’ve loved flowers for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, one of my earliest memories is that when I was sad or upset, I would crawl into the baby’s breath bushes around the farm,” recalls Natalie. “My father, Chip, later taught me how to forage around the farm and use what was around to create beautiful things to sell at farmers markets and craft fairs. Flowers have always been a part of me,” adds Natalie. “From him, I learned to love nature and the joy of sharing that beauty with others.”

Natalie first moved to Bellingham in 2001. “I always knew I wanted to live on the West Coast and first considered Montana. Someone I knew had moved here, so I searched on the internet and found Turner Photographics. I thought, ‘Wow, I want to live in that beautiful place,’” explains Natalie. “So I moved here and what’s funny is that now Mark Turner and I are friends!” Natalie also frequently works with another local photographer, Katheryn Moran Photography, on weddings, events, and stylized photo shoots. The breathtaking Pacific Northwest and Bellingham have become the place that Natalie calls home.

Using what’s in season from local growers as much as she can, Natalie pours her imagination and inspiration into both her wedding and event work and the unique pieces she donates in support of local charities and businesses. Augmenting with succulents and exotics, adding fiber, metal, glass, fruit, vegetables, and other elements, Natalie creates arrangements like none other. “I know most of the farmers in Whatcom County because I am active in Sustainable Connections Food and Farming Program and also volunteered at the Farmers Market for two or three years at the information booth,” notes Natalie. “A lot of people don’t realize that there are a number of organic and sustainably-grown flower farms right here.” Natalie currently does the bulk of her work from her flower studio, a remodeled part of her residence in the Columbia Neighborhood.

Natalie’s also well-connected in the community and adored by her devoted social media followers. She donates her time reaching out to fellow business owners as a Chamber Ambassador for Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is on the board of Whatcom Women in Business (WWIB). She donates her creations at gala and awards events in support of small and female-owned business organizations including the Chamber, the Women’s Professional Network, and WWIB.

Pozie by Natalie
Natalie designed this boutonniere with allium flower (onion family), un-ripe blackberries, statice, and lavender for a French lavender-styled shoot at Woodinville Lavender. Photo credit: Jeff & Rebecca Photography.

“There are so many incredible things that we can all learn from each other,” shares Natalie. “My parents always instilled in me that I can do almost anything, but I know that not everyone grew up with that or has that confidence, so it’s important to me to send that message that you can do anything. If you work hard, anything is possible.”

Natalie also shares some of her more lasting creative work in one of her favorite local shops, The Bureau of Historical Investigation. “I sell succulent and Japanese marimo ball terrariums and occasionally succulent jewelry there,” notes Natalie. “The jewelry can be worn for weeks and then potted as a house plant.” Natalie also recently donated a succulent terrarium as a prize for Sustainable Connections’ Think Local First Independents Month.

Another creative way that Natalie supports local business is through her social media-based Treasure Hunts. “I’ll make a floral display or unique terrarium and then post a picture of it inside a local business on Instagram and Facebook. The first follower that can identify the business and pick it up gets to keep it, free of charge,” explains Natalie. “It’s a fun way for everyone to benefit, and I have some really dedicated, happy followers.”

Natalie also donates her work in support of several Whatcom County charities including providing floral styling for events, galas, and auctions for non-profits like Lydia Place, Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, and the Alzheimer’s Society of Washington. “My mother, Cindy, was a nurse and philanthropy was always a part of our life. My mom still volunteers at a hospice house in her retirement. My parents and I did Meals on Wheels together in Michigan,” explains Natalie. “It delights me to be able to be charitable through my floral work. I feel like if we were all generous with each other it would be pretty wonderful.”

Pozie by Natalie
Natalie’s current pet project using friends as models and sourcing 100% of the flowers and greens locally. Photo courtesy: Katheryn Moran Photography.

Natalie’s floral art is fresh and extraordinary, whether it’s living jewelry, a bouquet, a centerpiece, arbor, or crown. She is thankful that her work is also her joy. Her efforts are helping her get closer to her own dream of one day owning her own farm right here in Whatcom County. Not unlike her childhood home, Natalie would like to grow her own flowers and food, but also do so much more. “I want a place where I can also work and continue my ‘floralanthropy,’ teach classes, and develop a community space that’s also my home where I can invite groups to come out and learn about how things grow, how they are made, and just visit,” explains Natalie. “I want to help people realize that they can do things too, they can find their own creativity.”

For more information about Natalie’s floral art, visit Pozie by Natalie online or contact Natalie directly by giving her a call at 360-927-1286 or by email at PozieByNatalie@gmail.com.

 

 

Cherish the Moment with Family and Senior Portraits at Turner Photographics

senior portraits
Senior photos are more than just pictures with Turner Photographics. © 2013 Mark Turner.

It wasn’t long ago that senior portraits were taken very uniformly. Young women appeared in high school yearbooks with a black drape around their shoulders while young men wore suits and ties. With the exception of that familiar face or brightly captured smile, there wasn’t a lot to differentiate individuals. Fast forward a few decades and times have changed. Now senior portraits can be created in a way that really represents the individual. For Mark Turner, owner of Turner Photographics, “Today that portrait is an opportunity to express your personality.”

Mark knows that photographing seniors is all about capturing that final moment before they go off into the world on their own. The photos provide a way to cherish the 18 years you have spent together with your senior, from the time they fit into your arms to the time they leave the familial nest. The senior portrait is a way to remember who your child is and who they have grown up to become.

senior portraits
Jeff Kuhn senior portrait. Bellingham, WA. © 2015 Mark Turner.

Having a portrait to honor that significant point in the timeline of your lives is more than just important – it’s a need. “It’s a need to remember what their loved one looked like at a point in time,” Mark points out. “The need that I’m satisfying is the need for that image to stand the test of time. It’s going to be there to look back on 20 years from now, 30 years from now.”

More than a photo

Part of what makes Mark’s photographs truly special is his attention to his clients. His consultation session is designed to get acquainted and find out what each individual is looking for. “It starts with sitting down with them to find out what their interests are — what excites them,” Mark shares. It’s during this time that the planning for the photo session takes shape. Figuring out the location and context for the images is the first step in showcasing each client’s unique personality.

“We want to get a nice portrait, but we also want to do some things that really show what they are doing,” Mark explains. “One of the most fun sessions I did last year was with a boy who is a fencer. This was a studio session for him, and he came in with full fencing garb. We did a whole series with him going through all the classic moves in fencing and ended up with a beautiful composite piece — multiple images of him as a fencer.”

Each individual takes a photo session in a different direction. For one senior it could involve going out to the sports field, football in hand. For another, it could be capturing dance poses and movements. Mark’s talent is in highlighting the way each personality uniquely shines. “Another young man was very much into running around in Birch Bay on the family’s jet ski, so we went out on the water at high tide,” Mark shares. “He’s also a musician so right at sunset I had him playing his trumpet on the beach with the sunset behind.”

senior portraits
Use your senior photos as a chance to remember your favorite sport or hobby. © 2015 Mark Turner.

Primp, prep and plan

In a world familiar with cell phone photos and selfies — pictures often taken on a whim — Mark offers a contrasting approach. These are the timeless photos people want to come back to and look upon again and again. They’re the photos that were taken with care and precision. Seniors go out and pamper themselves in preparation— hair freshly styled and make-up applied professionally. Pair this attention to detail on the seniors’ part with Mark’s invaluable photography and lighting skills, and you have images that will withstand the test of time, serving as keepsakes for the senior, their family, and future generations alike.

Just as time goes by so quickly raising a child and watching them grow, the senior year goes just as fast. With yearbook photo submissions coming up quicker than you realize (they’re due in October), it’s important to get that photo session in early. Mark recommends scheduling even before the senior year has arrived. Truthfully, scheduling that session in early is going to get you the best weather conditions as well — a gift that truly comes in handy, considering teens often want those outdoor photo shoots.

Get the whole family involved

Senior portraits are a special milestone in any teen’s life. These photos mark the start of a senior’s last year in high school, serving as a visual reminder of who they were and what they cared about in that moment in time. But as your senior grows and changes, your entire family unit does, too. Take advantage of your child’s senior photo shoot as an opportunity to capture some special memories with the whole family.

senior portraits
After your senior soaks up the limelight, use the opportunity to squeeze in a family portrait . Photo credit: Mark Turner/Turner Photographics.

With any senior portrait session, Mark also offers a free family session. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to capture a special moment of everyone together before their oldest child leaves the flock.

To schedule and reserve a custom senior portrait session — with a free family session — contact Mark Turner at Turner Photographics by visiting Turner Photographics online or by contacting Mark directly at 360-671-6851.

Turner Photographics
4682 Wynn Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
360-671-6851
www.turnerphotographics.com

Sponsored

‘What to Expect When You’re Electing’ Comes to Mount Baker Theatre

What to Expect When You're Electing
The Capitol Steps comedy troupe leads you on an insider tour of Washington D.C. Photo credit: Mike Reyna.

Submitted by Mount Baker Theatre

There was a time when events in big, public halls were where people got their information about national candidates and engaged in face-to-face political discourse — and then private correspondence was where they shared jokes and other stories. Social media seems to have reshaped the second part of that. During the 2012 elections, over one-third of 18 to 24 year olds said their vote was influenced by social media. According to the Pew Research Center, 44% of adults today are saying that everything they learn about the presidential candidates is through social media.

I suppose that makes sense, since we’re talking online about everything else, but we all battle the blur between “correct” and merely “catchy” daily. It can be confusing to tell where entertainment stops and information starts. Sensational news broadcasts don’t sound much different than comedy political interview shows or the messaging written by regular folks that is posted, shared, and retweeted all over social media. The intent gets blurred — are we learning or laughing?

Since folks think the issues are being laid out in tweets, we at Mount Baker Theatre are happy to handle the in-person, big hall event with a new intent that is very clear: laughter. There is still a place where the intent is purely to entertain and the bipartisan spirit is firmly alive: with veteran political comedy troupe the Capitol Steps.

On September 16, “The Capitol Steps: What to Expect When You’re Electing” will be performing live at the Mount Baker Theatre. The Capitol Steps, a bipartisan troupe of ex-staffers from Washington, DC, are setting out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. You can get ready for side-splitting roasts of the presidential candidates, hilarious parodies, and an escape from the viciousness of the political news cycle.

If you can’t beat ‘em, and you can’t join ‘em, you might as well laugh with them all equally! And if you happen to strike up an interesting conversation in the lobby with a new friend at intermission instead of checking for status updates, all the better. Join us at the Mount Baker Theatre on September 16 for “What to Expect When You’re Electing” — tickets are on sale now!

 

Tickets on Sale Now for Industrial Credit Union’s 4th Annual Food Truck Round Up

Food Truck Round Up
Get your tickets for the 4th annual Industrial Credit Union Food Truck Round Up. Photo courtesy: Food Truck Roun Up.

Submitted by Food Truck Round Up

Tickets are now on sale for Industrial Credit Union’s 4th Annual Food Truck Round Up! The event takes place Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

The Food Truck Round Up — a benefit for Whatcom County Food Banks — is presented by Ben Kinney & Keller Williams Realty. It features over 20 local food trucks, a beer garden serving Kulshan Brewing Co. beer, a family area hosted by Nature’s Path Foods and live music by SpaceBand on the Haggen Food and Pharmacy stage. This family-friendly event provides a fun opportunity to try food from local mobile eateries and support a great cause.

Tickets are on sale now at all 8 Industrial Credit Union locations throughout Whatcom County. They are $7 and include a custom pint glass (while supplies last). Event proceeds — including all tickets sold — will be matched by Ben Kinney and Keller Williams Realty for the third year in a row.

The Food Truck Round Up is possible each year because of the generosity of many local businesses. Industrial CU receives support from Ben Kinney and Keller Williams Realty, Haggen Food and Pharmacy, Lithtex NW Printing Solutions, Kulshan Brewing Co., Nature’s Path Foods, Ideation Design Group, Star Rentals, Rice Insurance and many others.

If you are interested in supporting this year’s event, contact Amanda Ager, Food Truck Round Up Coordinator, at aager@industrialcu.org. Event updates and details will be announced on the Community Food Drive Facebook page.

 

100-Year-Old Lovebirds — Pickford Shows One-Time Screening of South Korean Documentary

pickford film center
Pickford Film Center has been bringing the best of independent cinema to Bellingham since 1998.

Submitted by Pickford Film Center

On August 18, the Pickford Film Center will have a one-time showing of an intimate documentary about love, death, and family. “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” follows the “100-year-old lovebirds” — 98-year-old Byeong-man Jo and 89-year-old Gye-Yeol Kang — throughout their daily lives in a mountain village in South Korea. We meet the adorable couple as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives, after 75 years of inseparable kinship.

Come prepared with a pack of Kleenex in tow as “My Love, Don’t Cross That River”  will leave you both laughing and crying. The initial scenes filter through the seasons, showing the playful couple tossing snow and leaves at each other and next a springtime water fight. Though the film is not always so lighthearted. These scenes give a quick glance of just how in love the characters are.

Directed by Jin Mo-Young, who is a veteran to documentary filmmaking, “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” made its debut in South Korea in 2014 and was praised as South Korea’s most successful independent film ever. It also saw success at multiple international film festivals, receiving awards for best independent film and documentary award and nominations for best film and best director.

Join us at the Pickford Film Center on Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. for a one-time showing of this heart-tugging film. Stop by earlier at 6:00 p.m. for pre-screening reception including light snacks and traditional Korean tea! This beautifully filmed documentary approaches love, the inevitability of death and family in a way that is so intimate and sentimental you’ll leave feeling heart-warmed and heart-wrenched.

 

Fairhaven Village Inn Named Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel

Top-Rated Family Hotel
The Fairhaven Village Inn was recently recognized as the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel by ABC News. Photo credit: Libby Liming.

Tucked into a corner of Fairhaven, across from the Village Green and within walking distance to the Alaska State Ferry docks, sits the picturesque Fairhaven Village Inn. A privately-owned hidden gem, this 22-room hotel is identified by a tiny green sign hanging from the second story and a gold-leaf “1200” painted on the transom window above the front doors. But don’t let its humble nature fool you. This local inn was recently named the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel by ABC News.

ABC News worked with Family Vacation Critic to name the top-rated hotels in each of the 10 top vacation spots in the US, compiling opinions from Family Vacation Critic’s members and requiring an employee of Family Vacation Critic to visit the location.

Top-Rated Family Hotel
The Fairhaven Village Inn entrance is a welcoming scene, complete with hanging baskets overflowing with fragrant flowers. Photo credit: Libby Liming.

Out of the 600 properties that were reviewed and considered, Fairhaven Village Inn was named as the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel.

How the Shannons came to Bellingham

When Connie Shannon and her husband Gene purchased the inn in 2004, they never dreamed that their little hotel would be featured on a major news network. Connie was a children’s librarian and worked for a book publisher for years and Gene owned commercial properties in the Midwest. They decided they were ready for a change and followed their daughter across the country as she attended grad school at Western Washington University.

Connie and Gene didn’t originally move to Bellingham to run the inn. The adventurous couple took a look at several properties in the area but the “happiness meter” always dialed into the Fairhaven Village Inn.

“When we bought the inn,” Connie says, “Village Books wasn’t there; those condos and shops weren’t there.” Fairhaven has continued to grow around them over the last 12 years, becoming a very family-friendly place.

How the ABC coverage has impacted the Inn

“It’s humbling, and also kind of intimidating,” Connie laughs, regarding their national recognition. “We always pay careful attention [to our guests],and now we feel like everyone is watching!”

Top-Rated Family Hotel
The bed in one of Fairhaven Village Inn’s 22 guest rooms. Photo credit: Libby Liming.

She says it’s great for them to be included in this list alongside hotels like Legoland in Florida and the Four Seasons in Chicago. “At the end of the day,” Connie states, “traveling families are looking for something simple and something that will appeal to everyone.” adding that the Fairhaven Village Inn’s library and collection of board and card games — along with their adorable breakfast nook with its black and white tiled floor — are a definite draw for families.

Connie shared an endearing story about a dad who showed up with his two young boys late one night to the hotel. The boys were becoming a bit rowdy in the lobby, so dad tried to contain them by shooing them into the library as he checked in at the front desk. As the boys explored the library, Connie (who was passing through the lobby) could hear them shouting “Oh hey! Candyland!” Grandparents have played Twister with their grandchildren in that library, or a guest unearths a favorite poem or a travel writer’s secret tip. Sometimes simple is golden.

If you prefer to play your games outside or you’re visiting the Fairhaven Village Inn during one of our gorgeous Pacific Northwest summers, there are four city parks within a decent walking distance of the hotel, as well as some great walking trails and hiking. The waterfront is nearby, as is the Community Boating Center. Fairhaven Bike is around the corner for convenient bike rentals, and Rocket Donuts serves ACME Ice Cream. It is a short hike up Harris Avenue for that after-dinner treat.

Top-Rated Family Hotel
The lobby of the Fairhaven Village Inn, as seen from the front doors. The library is visible at the far end, beyond the desk. Photo credit: Libby Liming.

On summer Saturdays, you can even open up your window and watch the movies on the Village Green from the park-side hotel rooms. Don’t have a park-side room? Grab a blanket and head for the gorgeous deck that juts out over the inn’s driveway. Pick up some popcorn and snacks from the Haggen store up the road and you’ve got the best seats in the house.

With a plethora of family-friendly activities in the surrounding area and a marvelous place to lay your head after participating in all said activities, Fairhaven Village Inn is getting some much-deserved press coverage for their delightful accommodations and top notch service.

Fairhaven Village Inn
1200 10th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-733-1311
www.fairhavenvillageinn.com

 

Sponsored

WhatcomTalk Uses Insights and Analytics to Guide Customers’ Marketing Decisions

insights and analytics
Through the use of insights and analytics, WhatcomTalk is able to guide its customers in smart marketing decisions. ©WhatcomTalk.

Businesses have lots of options when it comes to reaching their audiences, including sponsoring events and airing commercials on the radio. In the digital age, one of the most common ways businesses do this is by placing ads online. From banner ads to pop-ups, the options that exist for advertising within the Internet are vast and ever-changing.  

As a media company serving Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and surrounding Whatcom County, WhatcomTalk has a unique lens into this hyperlocal market. Once a piece of content is published to WhatcomTalk’s website, our team collects data based on gender, age, location and other insights so that we can identify which stories matter most to certain demographics.

Insights and analytics
If a customer wants their logo to reach families in Whatcom County, we’ll place their logo on a piece of content that will appeal to parents with children. ©WhatcomTalk.

While this information helps WhatcomTalk craft its content to better serve our readers, it also helps us tailor individualized advertising plans for our customers.

For instance, if a customer wants their logo to reach families living in Lynden, we can place their logo on articles about family-friendly venues such as local parks and playgrounds or events taking place in the area.

Knowing who our readers are allows WhatcomTalk to better guide its customers’ marketing decisions by providing personalized advertising options so that they can reach a specific audience.

Using insights in this way is good for both our customers and our readers. Our customers gain value in the benefits of targeted marketing, while our readers enjoy perusing content without the distraction of oddly placed ads.

This unique form of marketing is a direct result of the close relationship that exists between WhatcomTalk’s sales and publishing teams. While most media companies’ sales and publishing teams work independently of one another, WhatcomTalk’s staffers work closely together, ensuring that customer logo placements are matched with the pieces of content that best reach their target audiences.

Village Books, Robert Gruen
Content marketing is another way WhatcomTalk helps tell a customer’s story. Photo courtesy: Amy Blackwood.

You can learn more about WhatcomTalk’s many advertising options, including traditional banner and block ads, personalized logo placements, and unique content marketing opportunities, by contacting a member of our sales team here.

Let WhatcomTalk help you grow your business through personalized marketing options that work for you.

WhatcomTalk is a digital media company sharing positive stories about people, places and businesses in Whatcom County. WhatcomTalk offers content marketing and online options to advertise across our community social network in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and beyond. Advertise with WhatcomTalk to reach your target market, grow your brand, and measure results.

 

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