Nana’s Bandanas Pet Boutique

11/11/2024

Our Christmas items are now available on the website. This year due to other obligations, I have only produced three prints. I hope you like them. 🎄

11/11/2024

Nana’s Bandanas favorite Trio!

11/07/2024

Hello everyone! I’m excited to share that Christmas items will be added to the website by next week. Although my progress has been slow due to other pressing commitments, my focus remains on supporting those in need, particularly in Western North Carolina, after the hurricane and flooding. Delivering essential items and volunteering has become my top priority, and I’ll continue to provide aid as long as I can. You’ll find me out there every other Saturday, making a difference, and yes, Nana’s Bandanas is still thriving - it’s just taking a temporary backseat to serving others. Thank you for understanding. 💚

11/05/2024

Why does it feel like I should be in bed ? 🥱

11/03/2024

10/30/2024

Blaze looks so cute in her autumn football bandana 🍁🐾🏈

10/28/2024

Weekend recap: This weekend was another reminder to be thankful. I returned to the mountains with a truck full of donations for those needing basic essentials after Hurricane Helene.

Emotionally, I was more prepared this time. The first trip had left me so devastated that I spent most of the week in tears, unable to comprehend the destruction of my homeland.

The extensive destruction and palpable helplessness were overwhelming. However, this weekend was different; I had a clear purpose and knew where my help was needed.

Upon reaching the foothills, I stopped in Marion, my mother's birthplace, and visited our family church. I took photos to remind myself and my sons of our roots. The church, now rebuilt, proudly displays my great grandfather's name on a plaque.

My next stop was Old Fort, my grandfather's birthplace. After taking some photos, I stopped at the local Hardee's, where several women were organizing donations. They were incredibly sweet. I encountered people like Michelle and Michael, who brought donations from Marion and shared laughter with me. I also met a nurse who was collecting supplies for Swannanoa, accompanied by her cadaver dog to aid in recovery efforts.

Then, I drove to Black Mountain, where life buzzed as usual. Main Street was lively with shops, brunch-goers, coffee sippers, costumed kids, and strolling pedestrians. It was a heartwarming sight; I adore this town.

But just 4 miles down the road, the devastation wrought by Helene was stark. In Swannanoa, believed to be the storm's epicenter, there was a haunting stillness. Businesses lay in ruins, homes were scattered, and heaps of dirt and mud transformed the area into a ghost town.

As I leisurely drove through the town, I made my way to Asheville. It was time for a reset before the next round. I visited my favorite spots downtown: Tops for Shoes, which had a somber air, Mast General Store (the best store ever), Woolworth Walk art gallery, and then Manicomio Pizza for a slice and a local beer. 🍺

Walking up Biltmore Avenue, the sky turned grey, and I became concerned. Rain! Although this region doesn't need more rain, it does need it to clear away the dust. My thoughts went to the homeless, the makeshift donation spots, and the lost pets. Within minutes, it began to rain. It was refreshing, yet I wished for it to stop. 🥹

Then, back to aiding others. I arrived at BeLoved Asheville, feeling joyful. I managed to donate every single item I had left. The beautiful hand-knitted or crocheted hats and scarves from Marge Anchor Moreton were greatly appreciated. The food, toiletries, sleeping bags, new children's clothes—all gone! 💗🥰 I was overjoyed that these items could help them. The organization of their donation center and the abundance of volunteers made the process incredibly efficient. It's a non-profit dream. I encountered kind-hearted individuals, from volunteers to those in need. Two young men had driven 8 hours from Indiana with a truck full of new items: socks, underwear, women's toiletries, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and more. It moved me to tears. They were so kind. One shared that his father had driven to Louisiana after Katrina, and now he was doing the same for Helene. How remarkable!

And with that, I conclude. This is my longest post ever. If you've read it, wonderful; if not, that's okay too. I wish everyone a fantastic day and week ahead!

XO
Trina

10/27/2024

This is another example of why I admire BeLoved Asheville. The humanity is evident.

"To the doorstep of where I'm now sleeping after losing everything… I still can’t believe it,” she told us as we handed her the supplies she’d requested. 💔 We stood there, knowing that what we delivered wasn’t just food, heaters, or other supplies; it was a message.

In every bag and every item, what we truly carry is our commitment to show up for each other. 🌎 Distance, challenges, rough roads—none of these will stop us from reaching the hearts that need us most. That’s the purpose we share, the bond we hold as a community.

✨ Hope is what we bring. Solidarity is what we carry. Love for one another fills our hearts.

10/27/2024

Today was outstanding. The sunshine was matched by my rewarding experience with , a standout nonprofit in Asheville. Receiving generous donations to benefit the needy was truly moving. I was overcome with emotion. I encourage others to learn about their mission. Under Director Gustavo “Ponkho”Bermejo’s leadership, this organization exemplifies dedication. I look forward to devoting an entire day to their cause.

Side note Asheville and the surrounding areas got some rain today! Hopefully it was enough to wash away some of the dust and dirt from the roads.

10/24/2024

As we walked the streets yesterday, our eyes landed on a simple sign, written with trembling hands: “Fragile, handle with care!”. It was placed next to one of one of our BeLoved Street Pantries, A plea whispered to the world, a cry for tenderness.

We saw faces filled with relief as we handed out essentials, gratitude flowing from those we encountered. But that sign—it stopped us in our tracks. In that moment, it wasn’t just about the woman who wrote it; it was about all of us.

Fragile. Handle with care. We all carry invisible scars, don’t we? Life’s weight pressing heavy on our souls, especially over these last 4 weeks. Crisis, loss, pain—they’ve touched so many. We are all more fragile than we seem, needing the same care and kindness we would give to this woman.

Today, let’s remind ourselves to walk with compassion. We never know the battles others are fighting. Let your heart be soft, your hands gentle, and your words kind. We all deserve to be handled with care.

🌿🫶

10/24/2024

With Meteorologist James Scott WCCB – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

10/22/2024

The depth of humanity displayed towards those impacted by Hurricane Helene is profound. 💗

"Food that Heals our Souls" I told the children… I told them as they offered me a plate of Flautas Tacos Dorados with rice, their eyes bright with pride. “My mama and her friends cooked all morning, tears in their eyes, to bring lunch to all the volunteers and everyone affected by the hurricane,” they said softly.

I thanked them, humbled by the gesture, and with that first bite, something shifted. My heart, heavy from these past days, felt a little lighter. My soul, bruised from the storm, found a moment of peace. The flavors carried me back to my mama’s kitchen, to the way she always knew—always found a way—to make everything just a little better.

In times of hardship, food has a power beyond its taste. It carries love, memories, and healing. Today, I was reminded that even amidst the storm, there is comfort in community, in shared meals, in the simple but profound act of giving.

🌮❤️🍚

10/22/2024

Urgent request! We need a nebulizer machine for babies, especially for a 5-month-old in need right now. If you can help, please reach out immediately. Let’s save a life together! ❤️
32 old Charlotte Hwy Asheville
🍼

10/21/2024

This is so true with us 🤣🤣

10/20/2024

10/19/2024

Today marked my first pop-up attendance since spring, offering relief from the heartache I feel caused by the hurricane. The venue was well-organized, and encountering cheerful faces and delightful dogs was Uplifting. As I head back to the mountains this week, I anticipate receiving further aid for those struggling and sincerely appreciate the support received thus far; it's deeply moving.