Progress over Perfection

In one week since Making Things Happen I have been on fire, but what's more is that I can't begin to even count how many moments of pure, unadulterated discouragement I have encountered -- from myself!

Real talk.

The truth is, I fail on a daily basis.  I fail myself. I fail my friends. I fail my God.  BUT, it's what I do in those moments that make me who I am. There is a choice to be made when we fail, do we let our failures define and discourage us or do we let them build us back up, teach us and encourage us to do better next time.

I have to get better at choosing the latter.

I used to get this feeling when I would go on retreats or missions with my youth group in high school. I would get this extended time of being reinvigorated in the Lord, and then I would return to "real life."  For a few days, I would do great, reading scripture every day, choosing my words and actions carefully, being consistent in prayer, and then something would throw me off.  Somehow, I never got fully back on the train, I held on as best as I could, but at some point I'd just fall off and never give it another thought until the next retreat.

I'm done with that.

Making Things Happen changed me.  Scratch that.  I changed at Making Things Happen.  I saw my big dreams. I saw what it would be like to live them. I gave myself to them fully, and I committed to stop letting fear stand in my way.  What I didn't realize until this week was that I needed to commit to stop letting moments of discouragement after small failures stand in my way.  I need to make peace with the fact that I am not perfect, I will fail, I will never stop failing, but it is a standard of progress, not perfection that I must aim for.

Graphic by Emily Ley

Emily shared this beautiful graphic with the world a while back.  She holds herself to the "Standard of Grace, not Perfection."  I love it.  My progress is not my own.  ("For it is by Grace I have been saved, through faith. It is a gift from God, not from works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10) Therefore I must also remember that if I let my failures deter me from progress, I am turning my back on His Grace -- and HIS power is made perfect in my weakness. (I love this saying I saw on Pinterest: "When the world knocks you to your knees, you are in the perfect position to pray.")

So here it is... I'd like to acknowlege my moments of progress (and His grace given to me) in the past week...

• I shared 18 graduation announcements on the Sarah Anne Watson Design facebook page, and I am sharing them on The Blog as the graduations pass.  (Congratulations Graduates! Major accomplishments deserve major kudos...)
• I reached the 25 paid jobs mark!  (PTL)
• I painted and "gilded" my very own desk, and tonight my sister helped me move it into my room to establish a quiet and comfortable workspace that is NOT in front of the TV.
• I started two phenomenal daily devotionals: Promises for Your Everyday Life and The Confident Woman, both by Joyce Meyer.  And, I'm using the YouVersion Holy Bible app for the iPhone... (Take up your Sword.)
• I have been on time to work EVERY day this week! WAHOOO.
• I crossed a handful of things off my 101 in 1,001 list (though they weren't all accomplished this week, I crossed them off and posted them this week!)
• I have stayed in communication with the MTH ATL crew, cut back on the time I've spent on social media, watching TV and otherwise wasting my precious time.
• I started reading The Happiness Project

What have you accomplished this week? Where do you see yourself needing to acknowledge Grace over discouragement, Progress over perfection? What fires you up and keeps you going?

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

TIMESTAMP: May 4, 9:03 p.m.

Well... I had all these great plans to blog while waiting at the airport to fly home about my amazing experience at Making Things Happen.  But, I got here, and lo-and-behold the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport does not have free wi-fi.  In an effort to adhere to a standard of financial responsibility, I just could not bring myself to pay $9.95 for one hour of internet access.  I do not need to be connected THAT badly.  I mean, gracious, I spent 10 full hours on Thursday with my cell phone OFF and it was like 1993 with the lack of internet in my life. 

So here it is.  Type now, post later. Go time.

Without a doubt in my mind, yesterday was one of the greatest days of my life.  I gained clarity, I discovered hope, I harnessed strength, I witnessed enlightenment, I felt the all-encompassing power of my faith, and most importantly I pictured and believed in the beauty of my dreams.

I was surrounded by a remarkable group of women (not that MTH is girls-only, but our group didn’t happen to have any male attendees.) Women who were open in a way that was absolutely inspiring. I don’t have words to describe the candid way in which these women spoke. I have never experienced such raw emotion and genuine honesty -- and that’s not to say that I don’t surround myself with people who conduct themselves honestly, but when can anyone really say they have been in a room with 22 other people who had completely let down their guard, and without holding anything back, acknowledged the hard truths of their life and embraced them, as well as vocalized their big dreams and taken the first few steps to accomplishing them?  Until yesterday, I certainly couldn’t. But today, I metaphorically stand before you to say that I have seen it, I have experienced it, and it is BEAUTIFUL.

I’m sure I speak for all of us who were there when I say that the time we invested in ourselves (and, by proxy, in our families and our businesses) was among the greatest gifts we could have given ourselves.  Truly, in the society we live in, it is rare that we take a break from the nuances of our everyday life to be still, to reflect, to think, to make decisions, to make discoveries and to examine our lives for what they are, and determine whether we are on the path to the life we deserve.

What was even more phenomenal was the presence of God in that room. Now, by no means is MTH only intended for Christians (here I go again with the disclaimers) but it was by complete ordination that the room was filled with a group of strong believers.  I consistently heard the words: Lord’s Will, God’s Plan, God’s Glory, Sharing God’s Light, Following God’s Path, Answering His Call....  I mean y’all, the Holy Spirit was stirring something some kind of powerful in that room.  When they say God moves, they mean he really MOVES.  Now, personally, I can’t separate my idea of my life, and picture my dreams without seeing where God fits into every aspect of every detail.  It is my dream to live out God’s plan for my life, and to make manifest His glory that is within me.  That said, I felt God speak to me through those women, and what’s even more amazing is I felt him speak through me to help them!  Y’all that’s some powerful stuff! At the end of the day, Lara said to me, “I’m so glad you were here. You really inspired people today.”  My heart burst in that moment.  I feel called to so many things in my life, but truly I feel I am called to encourage and build others up through the Lord, but to hear someone who is so inspiring to me say that I inspired others, was just more than I could even contain in my joy tank. Talk about a full heart. My only answer to this is please, PLEASE, know that none of this comes from me.  My "wisdom" is God-sent, do not mistake it for my own.  (Really, most of the time, I don’t even know what I have just said in the sentence before, so obviously I didn’t think it up myself.)

Alright, so enough mushy-gushy, lovey-dovey talk, let’s get down to business. It’s time for real talk.

In the effort to remain somewhat private, and protect the privacy of my fellow MTH Alumnae, I will not share with you the exact decisions that I made or anyone else made yesterday. However, I will tell you a few of the things that we all agreed upon to be universal truths.

• YOU are worth it.  (All of it. Love. Joy. Hope. Success. Passion. ALL OF IT.)
• You are far too smart to be the only thing holding you back. 
• We must STOP making excuses -- Fight with yourself. Combat your excuses. Prove yourself wrong.
• LIfe is too short to not live a life you love, and a life full of big things and accomplishments you’re proud of.
• Fear is a LIAR. Feel the fear and do it anyway!

I want to challenge you today. My first challenge is to take Lara’s Challenge.  (Click on the link to go to the post.) Make a list of your big dreams and start taking the baby steps toward them.  Visualize the life you dream of, own it, talk about it the present tense, feel what it would be like to really live it and then allow NOTHING to deter you from getting there.

All my love. Go live your dreams.

xoxo. S.

Much to be excited about!

Hello sweet friends... 

I've been gone quite a while.  I've made some comebacks, and I've made some promises to keep posting, and you know what, I just couldn't keep them.  Maybe graduation season is going to have to be a less-blogging-more-designing kind of season for me.  Thanks for bearing with me.

An update on my grandfather brings wonderful news... He's doing great. PRAISE THE LORD.  Every time I speak to him on the phone he sounds better and better.  He's coping well with the dialysis, and we are ever so grateful for the continued love and support of our extended family and friends.  THANK YOU.

Tonight I did something very exciting... I launched the new logo for Sarah Anne Watson Design.  Tomorrow I pick up my new business cards with my BEAUTIFUL (if I do say so myself) new logo on them... I can barely contain my excitement.  Sooo... without further ado, here she is:

 

The whole idea to rebrand has been in the back of my head for quite a while.  My old logo and design scheme was just a continuation of a project I did while in school.  And, while it was great for it's original purpose, it was not the look and feel that I wanted to represent my brand.  I am so in love with the new look, I can't even contain it.

And you may have noticed that Praise at the City Gate has gotten a makeover as well... It's well on it's way, but the current look is merely temporary.  The plan is for this blog to eventually become a section of my website, but it will certainly still be devoted to the same topics. 

With that said, I have some even more magnificent news to share.  I will be attending the Making Things Happen conference in Atlanta in May!  I have followed the work of Ms. Lara Casey and Mrs. Emily Ley for a couple years now, and I've participated in their Making Brands Happen Webinar, but I can't wait to spend some solid time working on a plan to not only make my dreams come true, but to help others do the same thing, too!  (MTH/ATL2012 I love you already!)  I absolutely, positively, without a doubt, have never been more fired up about ANYTHING in my whole entire 23 years and 5 months of existense. NEVER, I tell you. Not even when I saw *NSYNC in concert 3 times. In the rain.  Not even then was I this excited.  Nope. Not even JT beatboxing while wearing a bedazzled bandana over white boy cornrows got me this worked up.

Y'all my dreams are coming true.... It's happening.  

So I leave you with this...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

Do me a favor friends... Do one thing today that gets you one step closer to living the life of your dreams.  Make a to-do list.  Make a bucket list.  Or maybe today is the first day you don't make a to-do list and instead you fly by the seat of your pants. (May the force be with you.) Go on, get after it. Getcha some. Live your dreams.

Wedding Wednesday: Heavenly Hairstyles

I believe no outfit can look its best if your hair is a mess.  Furthermore, I believe your hair has the power to make or break your day.  Imagine the fuss a stray hair hanging in your face can cause, or worse, a fallen updo. Or devastating, fallen curls that look like dead snakes.  Yes, I said it, dead snakes.  Not the look you were going for in your bridal portraits? Didn't think so. 

Here are my steps to choosing the perfect hairstyle for your wedding day (or any other day for that matter):

1. Know your hair.

Don't try to force it to do something it just can't do. Furthermore, know your style, and don't do something with your hair that deviates so far from your everyday style that you just don't look like yourself.  For example: I'm all about the volume, so why on my wedding day would I slick my hair back flat against my head? Well, I wouldn't.

2. Frame your face, don't distract from it.

I have the same rule for my hair as I do for my -- ahem -- décolletage. If it is going to keep someone from looking me in the eye when they speak to me, it needs to be reigned in.  Get it?  I thought so. Moving on.

3. Work with your veil, not against it.

Not wearing a veil? Skip this.  If you don't want your veil to be up on top of your head, you're going to have to choose a lower updo, or choose to attach your veil below your hair.  If you want to wear your hair all down, how are you going to attach your veil (it can be done!) and will it stay?  If you want to wear a blusher down the aisle, and you have sideswept bangs, are you just going to end up with a mess of tulle and hair in your eyes?  These are the things you have to think about.  And, furthermore, the things you have to play around with at your hairstyle consultation.  (Which PS. is required, and should NOT be skipped.) Bring your veil.  Your hair and your veil can work together to achieve amazing things... they can also revolt against you.

4. Consider the weather.

Do you have a thick head of frizz prone hair? Are you going to be dealing with high humidity or wind? Does your hair only hold curl when you're inside air conditioning?  If it's hot will you die with your hair down?  If it's cold, will you freeze if your hair is up?  All of these things will help guide you in choosing the best possible hairstyle for your wedding.

5. Maybe you should have a quick change?

Devoted to the idea of angelic half-up-half-down curls for your ceremony, but worried you won't be able to dance the night away at your reception without looking like a raggamuffin?  Maybe you get a talented friend or family member, or hey, your hairstylist, to toss your hair into a quick updo between your ceremony and reception -- you could end up with the best of both worlds.

All of these things considered, here are some of my current favorite hairstyles for both weddings, special events and daily wear. (Again I say, I believe hair can make or break the ensemble, so why not have a beautiful coiffure every day?)

Braided updo, with volume (via Pinterest)

Loose curls (via Pinterest)

Chic, clean chignon (via Pinterest)

Half-up Curls (via Pinterest)

Woven and Knotted (via Pinterest)

High bun, with veil (via Pinterest)

Half-up with veil (via Pinterest)

How do you wear your hair for special occasions? Anybody else dealing with an impossibly thick head of hair that hates humidity? How do you plan on getting your hair, veil and/or other accesories to work harmoniously?

xoxo.

PS. You can view my hair board on Pinterest here. And my wedding board here.

Style inspired by: Acqua Panna

As you get to know me, you learn that I find design and style inspiration in some of the strangest places.  My latest: a water bottle. 

It was in the soft drinks aisle of Publix that my heart stopped. There, I spotted it, the most beautiful water bottle I'd ever seen: Acqua Panna.  It was tastefully in orange and blue, with a lion's head fountain and a fleur du lis.  I mean... I die.  Bottled in Firenze, Acqua Panna is nothing more than a glass bottle of (the most wonderful tasting) still water.  But it's BEAUTIFUL.

I believe all things deserve to be beautiful.

Even mundane things. Like water bottles.

Be still my heart.  A croissant and Acqua Panna al fresco...

Which is when I got the idea:  What if I decorated a room or chose an outfit with Acqua Panna as my inspiration... Go time.

Images gathered from Pinterest

Image via Pinterest (MSGM)

Image via Pinterest

Image via Asos

It doesn't hurt that the colors of my alma mater are Orange and Blue.  (Go Gators.) But, I do think this is a delightful color combination for Spring.  What do you think? What are some iconic brands whose labels inspire your style? Do you love Acqua Panna?

xoxo.

Five Things Friday: Gratitude Changes Everything

A few weeks ago, Lara Casey wrote a post about Gratitude.  A few days later, I wrote a post about being thankful my grandfather.  In the past few weeks I have truly learned how gratitude can change everything.

My best friend just called me out for not writing in a few days.  Thanks Sarah.  I haven't posted in eight straight days.  Before that, I was sputtering in with posts at random intervals. The thing is, my world's being rocked and I had to take a moment to catch my breath.  My family is in the thick of an all-out-battle with my grandfather's health.  I have found a new arch nemesis in his daily Creatinine levels.  Needless to say, it's no bueno.  But through all of this I have found what I am truly grateful for... which brings us to today's Five Things Friday.  Here are the five things I am blessed to have in my life.

1. Family
My family has been through some serious trials. We've cried, we've questioned, we've worrried, we've wondered, and we've been absolutely stumped over the past four weeks. But, as always, we've done it together.  We are a team, and we are the way we are because it has never been acceptable to be any different.  Loyalty is ingrained in us. That said, my mother is absolutely phenomenal.  Because she's local, the lion's share of the responsibility of caring for my grandparents over the past few years has fallen to her, and in the past few weeks she's spent an insurmountable number of hours at my Papa's bedside.  I don't know what my family would do without her.  Mom - you rock my socks off. I love you.

2. Friends
My sweet friends are the best in the world.  I would fight to the death in a comparison of friends, mine WILL win.  I like to think of them as my own little army of prayer warriors.  I have never known a group of people to be more supportive and encouraging in a way that consistently brings glory to God.  (As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17) This group of women makes me a better woman of God, and at the same time they are the group of people who can make me laugh till I snort soda up my nose, pee my pants or start crying... or do all three.  I don't know who I would be had I not been surrounded by these girls in college  -- they truly make me a better version of myself.  

3. Jobs
Say what you will about having to go to work every day -- some days are better than others, and it's not always a dream to go to work instead of spend our time as we wish, but in the recent weeks I have found a new kind of gratitude for my work.  The group of people I work with both in my full-time job and teaching at the studio are a phenomenal group of some of the most talented professionals I have ever met -- not only that, but they are supportive and kind and understanding.  I spend more time with them than I do anyone else, and I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.  If work is but a distraction for the mess of unknowns and inexplicables going on in my life right now, it's certainly more than welcome.   

4.  Creativity
Getting lost in my creativity is one of my best coping skills. It is my happy place.  My eye, my brain, my appreciation for all things beautiful will always be an escape from whatever is going on in life.  Whether it is through dance or design, my creativity is what drives me, it's what fuels me and restores me, it's what gives me a chance to find clarity and composure.

5. Laughter
This past week was especially challenging.  My grandfather started emergency dialysis and my great aunt passed away unexpectedly all in the span of 36 hours.  In a time where it would have been easy to throw our hands up and give in to overwhelming grief, my family laughed as my grandfather's somewhat drug-influenced reaction to my Aunt Sally's death caught us all off guard: "Well she was old," he said.  His sense of humor is unwavering.  Completely inappropriate, but unwavering no less.  I read something on Pinterest that said, "The greatest sound is the laughter of the ones you love."  I couldn't agree more.

What are you grateful for? Make a list, post it somewhere and remain humbled by your blessings. 

Life a life of gratitude. It changes everything.

Style Files: Rainy days in Red

We've had a beautiful few days of spring here in Florida, but it seems we're due for some thunderstorms.  Shield yourself from the sprinkle in style.  And throw in a pop of color to make even a dreary day delightful -- my color of choice: RED.  R is for Red. R is for Rain.  It's perfect!

Ralph Lauren Grace Oxford Shirt

Burberry London Trench Coat

Abercrombie & Fitch Super Skinny Jeans

Joules Rain Boots, no longer available, Similar

Lands End Tote Bag

Michele Deco Diamond Watch

Essie Fifth Avenue Nail Polish

Wedding Wednesday: The Documentation Photos

Welcome back to Wedding Wednesday!  I took a break at the beginning of the week to catch my breath.  I'll write more about what I was doing tomorrow... but for now, lets talk Wedding photography!

One of the (hopefully many) discussions you have with your wedding photographer will be a conversation about the specific photos you want to make sure you get from your wedding -- the look on groom's face when the bride walks down the aisle, the moment when you're zipped into your dress, that sort of thing.  But some of my favorite photos from weddings are the documentation shots.  They give you a chance to revisit (really any event, not just a wedding) your special night and see it from all of the different perspectives.  And, so often, I hear couples say "Oh, our wedding was such a blur, I don't even remember that."  Documentation photos help solve the mystery!  Here are some of my favorites.

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest, by Misha Media

via Pinterest, from Southern Weddings

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest, from Belle Magazine

Green for Any Occasion

I sure hope you've got your green on today... but in the off chance you need a bit of help to brainstorm a way to get some emerald or lime into your wardrobe, here are some of my favorites from my Pinterest Closet Envy page. 

1. Clover Earrings: Furnish, no longer available.

2.  Mali Sabatasso Green Turquoise Bracelet, $350

3. Haute Hippie Blouse, net-a-porter.com, SALE $164.50

4. Green Converse Low-top Chuck Taylor

5. One shoulder ruffle dress, Mod Cloth, $49.50

6. Kendra Scott Danielle Earrings, Nordstrom, $58

7. Alice + Olivia High Waist Pant, Shopbop.com, $198

8. Green Shirt Dress, unknown, via Pinterest

9. Madison Shorts, $88, Anthropologie

10. Ruffled one-shoulder bathing suit, unknown, via Pinterest

11. Kate Spade High Falls Melinda bag, $278

12. Oscar De La Renta gown, net-a-porter.com, $4,690

13. Charles James Ball Gown, Metropolitan Museum, c. 1954

14. Green Seersucker Bow tie,  Starboard Clothing Co., $45

15. Emerald Ring, Tiffany & Co., $7,650

Five Things Friday: Fashion I die for

Have you ever heard the expression "Things come in Threes"?  Maybe it's an I-was-raised-Catholic thing.  Either way, I've heard it my whole life.  When babies are born, when people die, when good things are happening, when bad things are happening, when run-of-the-mill-not-at-all-related things are happening... "Things come in threes."

Well I think things should come in fives.  

Three is too manageable. It doesn't push the envelope.  I like fives.  The halfway point leaves you with quite a bit accomplished, but still a good bit ahead of you.  Think of your five favorite people -- now cut it to three.  It sucks right?

What about your five favorite songs?  When cut down to three, it's lacking something.  Maybe a whole genre, or a whole artist, or a whole time period is missing.  It just won't do.

Now think of five goals you have for your life.  It's lofty, right?  But they're your goals! Why shouldn't they be lofty.  And, hey, with the trend of this post, I'll give you five years to accomplish them.

Alrighty then, enough mucking around.  I'm starting a new tradition.  It's called Five-things Friday.  In each post I'll tell you about FIVE things... predictable, I know.  Maybe five trends I'm loving.  Five songs I can't get out of my head.  Five new pieces of clothing I'd like to add to my closet.   The possibilities are ENDLESS... except when it comes to reaching #6.

And without further ado... the five fashion trends I'm totally LOVING right now.

1. Colorful Denim. 

I mean, if anyone's shocked by this one, they haven't read my previous blogs, or looked at my pinterest, or read anyone else's blog or looked at their pinterest... Everyone loves the colored denim that has become all the rage this season.  It's really not even that novel of an idea anymore -- but I'm okay with it.  The world is better if for no other reason that people's pants are making the world prettier with all their colors! Their available at every price point and in every fit, so there's a way for everyone to rock this fashionable favorite.

Image from The NY Times / J Brand Denim

2. Hippie-Chic

Chic is the operative word here.  Please bathe. Please wear deodorant. Please look fabulous in your favorite florals, denim, fringe, jumpers, feathers in your hair, sunglasses, big jewelry and anything else you can find indie inspired, because I freaking love it all!  My personal version of hippie-chic has an added side of Navajo. I like a good native-american-vibe when I can find it.  Of course the two styles are different and individual, but when combined, I think they have quite the impact. 

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

Gahhh, I love this look so much.  via Pinterest

3. Pink & Orange: New Best Friends

Who knew these colors went together until someone GENIUS put them together!??! I mean, hello world of fabulousness.  I die for you pink and orange.  I absolutely die. Mostly because you're a color palette my hair color just won't allow, but anywho I do love to stare at you.  Brunettes, blondes, please, I beg of you, embrace this trend.  Do it for those of us who look like pale, ghastly creatures in the shades of tangerine and Texas.  (Warning, the three looks below are very similar.  I tend to over-endorse spectacular execution of good-old-fashioned STYLE... please excuse.  Also, please buy a handbag in a bold color and wear it with your orange and pink ensemble.)

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

4.  Bold statements, with equally bold tan lines.

As someone who worries more about sunburning that sunbathing, I often find myself perplexed when I hear the comment, "Ugh it would leave such awful tan lines."  Tan lines, you say? What are those?  I love a good ruffle, some fringe, perhaps an oddly placed strap (or a hundred?), I've even been known to covet a giant bow.  See also, the one-strap, the endless ruffles, and the straps here-straps there styles I'm also coveting.  Naysayers be damned, I've got on SPF 70.

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

I love a good one-piece. via Pinterest.

Image via Pinterest

5. Tutu-precious

I am a dancer. Every dancer loves a good tutu.  Ok, some hated them.  But I'm sensing a ballet-inspired trend coming on and I must say, I LIKE IT.  Soft subtle elegance ranges to daringly bold playfulness. I like it all.  And hey, you have to be bold to rock a tutu.  

Image via Jack Rogers

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

Image via Pinterest

So tell me, what five fashion trends are you loving right now?  What look are you dying to try? What do you think looks great on others but maybe isn't for you? (We've all got them, mine is orange and pink!) 

HAVE A FABULOUS FRIDAY, y'all.  Tomorrow I'll be breaking my cardinal rule of blogging and posting on Saturday. It's St. Patrick's Day. I must. It's required.

xoxo.

Making it Happen

So today (it's still Wednesday as I write this post for Thursday) was part one of the Making Brands Happen Business and Branding Webinar.  It focused on your brand, what your visual representation says about you and how to better hone your brand to reflect your authentic self -- really that only scratches the surface of what we discussed, but you'd have to attend one of these webinars for yourself to really wrap your head around the whole process. 

Anywho -- Lara Casey and Emily Ley (the creators of Making Brands Happen and other stellar companies to boot) have been two of my pseudo-life-mentors for a while now.  I say pseudo because we don't actually know each other (details) and they're not just talking to me when they blog about all of their wonderful thoughts, ideas and day-to-day genius. But, alas they've made it their life goals to inspire others, to spur them on toward greatness, and encourage everyone to Make Big Things Happen in their lives.

Image via Pinterest

Listening to them talk today got me thinking about what my dreams really are.  I struggled to find a way to articulate them in simple, concrete ways.  I want to be happy. Well what will make you happy? I want to be successful. At what would you like to succeed? I want to be creative. What exactly would you like to create? And then I had it...

I want to play an active and consistent role in creating and maintaining happiness and fulfillment for myself and encouraging others by way of living life to its maximum potential, finding joy in all circumstances, creating both beautiful and timeless tactile goods, experiences and surroundings, and at all times doing the things that put a smile on my face and the faces of others. 

Hmm... scratches head... well, how did you land on that one? 

I did a goal-setting exercise today that asked me this:  "What quote do you live by?"

After a few bible verses popped into my head, I realized they were my "should-be" answers.  (It's true, the gospel should be the quote that I live by.  But I was being brutally honest, and the alternative is not contradictory to the Gospel, but rather, I think, complementary.)  Instead I landed on these two quotations:

“Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.” - Wilfred Peterson

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. ... We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Nelson Mandela

Image via Pinterest from Making Things Happen

I picked up on a few very important trends in these quotes: 1. Find what fires you up, 2. Let your light shine, 3. Encourage others to shine, and 4.  Surround yourself with people who encourage you.

These four things are encouraging me in a rather overwhelming soul-searching adventure I'm on.  Once I reach the end of it, I might share what all the fuss has been about. But for now, I leave you with this:

Image via Pinterest

Go. Go now. Get out there. Start today what will make your dreams come true tomorrow.

Chase your dreams.

xoxo.

Wedding Wednesday: A Breath of Fresh Air

I started a whole new pin board today to begin the process of planning my best friend's wedding.  Now, she's not yet engaged, but I've already been informed that I'm "planning the whole thing."  Challenge accepted.  She wants an outdoor (read: on a farm), fall wedding with rustic and "Farm-tastic" details. 

Enter: Baby's Breath.

I've always loved Baby's Breath.  Something about those tiny little white flowers is just so ethereal.  If I could get close to the clouds, I feel like they might just be made of baby's breath and we just can't tell all the way down here on the ground.  (Ok, so I've been on a plane, and I know the clouds are really just condensation, but come on, go with me on this one.)

Baby's breath (Scientific name: gypsophila) is among the least expensive flowers you can buy, which is great news for brides, as it's becoming one of the most popular trends in weddings. 

With an outdoor wedding, there's nothing but space to contend with.  And while large floral arrangements are gorgeous, they're also expensive and can pretty much blow a hole the size of Texas in your budget.  Using Baby's Breath introduces a light, airy feeling while still dressing up an area that, on most days, is just a green pasture.

I love these bouquets of Baby's Breath secured to the ends of the aisles.

Image via Pinterest/Southern Weddings

 

These wreaths of Baby's Breath are absolutely to die for.  Great for doors leading to the indoor "facilities" to help guests know they're allowed to go inside.

Image via Pinterest/La Fleur Weddings

I've already mentioned my love of long banquet tables at the reception, but nothing is more annoying than centerpieces that keep you from having conversations with the people across from you. These tall vases of Baby's Breath are not only beautiful, but they don't block your vision! 

(And I absolutely adore the abundance of votive candles.)

Image via Pinterest/Style Me Pretty

Then there's the bridesmaids' bouquets.  A definite opportunity for a big statement, but also an opportunity for a big distraction.  Think about it. Their bouquets are right at eye level of the loved ones gathered to witness the exchange of vows, not the exchange of flowers... Why not do something simple and gorgeous like Baby's Breath?

Image via Style Me Pretty

 

It's hard to tell, but I think this is an arch made of twigs with Baby's Breath woven in.  If I'm right, I don't even have to see the photo clearly to tell you it's to die for.  And, in a wedding that's outdoors, but still very religious, it's a challenge to create something of an altar for the ceremony.  This would be a fantastic option. 

(I also love the vintage wooden buckets of flowers to complement the ceremony location.)

Image via Style Me Pretty

These garlands just put the whole Baby's Breath thing right over the top for me. I mean, who wouldn't want garlands of flowers decorating their ceremony and reception site.  Especially on a farm.  There's plenty of uses for a garland, not only decor, but roping off areas that are restricted or less-than-desirable (read: risk of stepping in cow poo?) I wouldn't dare cross a garland line -- rope, on the other hand, I'd totally ignore.

Image via Style Me Pretty

What are some of your favorite uses of baby's breath? Seen anything cool lately? Anything I should file away for the (long-off) fall farm wedding?  Send the ideas my way.

On an unrelated note, thanks for bearing with me yesterday as I used the blog for a more personal post.  My grandfather is doing well, but truly, every day is a blessing.

Xoxo.