goals Archive

Yay for May! It is finally here.

I love May. May just might be my most favorite month of the entire year, guys. For a multitude of reasons. Not only do I celebrate my birthday each year on the 19th but May in the Midwest is truly the changing of seasons. For example, this morning I woke up and boom. The loveliest of natural light was streaming through our windows and the birds were chirping outside in the tress. I think I may have even heard a lawnmower from down the street. And this was all around 7:00 am! Talk about motivation to get out of your bed and start your day! For as nasty as our winters can get and unpredictable as the climate may be here we really do have the loveliest of springs and summers. I could hug a stranger or two today because it’s May and I’m not just saying that because I’m typing this from a patio overlooking the water with a delicious and fruity martini by my side :) Shall we move on to this month’s goals now? Yes please.

Healthier Living This was one of the goals I made back in January (like most of the world I am sure) and I actually did really well with making healthy choices in my life up until I returned home from our vacation to Jamaica last month. I’d like to get back on track with my work outs, eating balanced meals (again, someone please convince me Starbucks isn’t a balanced meal) and just getting up and out there especially now that the weather is nice. Zoe loves going on walks so I’d like to take her on more and I enjoy working on some landscaping so I’m game for kicking it up a notch this month.

Smarter Living With the possibility of signing for this studio space soon, I need to continue to keep on track of my finances and where my money goes. Last month I made it a goal (thanks to the sweet Nancy Ray here) not to spend any money on things I do not need, and with the exception of some Starbucks at meetings, I succeeded. I purchased items from Home Goods for a client without walking through the remainder of the store, I walked by the decorative accent section at Target and left only with some cotton balls and Q-tips, and while it was painful not to buy myself or our home nice new things it was refreshing to stick to my guns. Less stuff equals more money in the bank. For rent. Right?

Happier living I’ve been feeling really good lately just about with everything in my life. Things aren’t perfect but wonderful. I made it a general goal for 2013 to just be purposeful in all I do whether it be with my marriage, my business or my personal life and I finally feel like four months into this year, things are where they should be. I’ve been trying to really live in the present and be content with things as they are and I feel like those efforts are paying off. So in May I’d like to continue feeling that way and continue to build off of this wonderful momentum. Feeling happy and content.

So let’s hear it! Who has some May goals they’d love to share? P.S. Go here and snag yourself a copy xoxo

Happy April 1st, friends!

I love April. Not as much as I love May (we’ll get to that next month) but it’s a nice change of pace from January, February and March here in the Midwest. The birds have been out in the morning, the sky’s been a bit bluer than normal, we’ve started to put the snow shovels away and my favorite of all, wedding season is closer than ever. I always feel like the months leading up to my first wedding of the year seem to drag on but we all know 2013 is just flying by. I feel like I have just so much to be grateful for. So here we go. A few goals I’m focusing on for the next five weeks.

Clutter-Free Living. Andrew and I have been doing some serious spring cleaning around here before we leave for a much-needed vacation tomorrow. And we generally pride ourselves on being minimalists but man we have a lot of crap. Like a lot of clothes we don’t wear, towels and sheets we don’t use, furniture in the basement we can’t put anywhere. I always think if I hold on to something it will come in handy one day but then that day never comes and the crap piles up. I’d like to donate the things we no longer need and use so when we get back from vacation, I’m making it a point to go through our basement and closets and get everything together to get rid of. Just typing this out feels freeing!

Stuff-Free Living. Going off of the above, and inspired by the lovely Nancy Ray, I want to try a month long challenge of not buying any ‘stuff’. This is going to be way hard for me, guys. I’m one of those people that buys things for instant gratification and comfort. Sort of like how some people eat food to fill voids. Booked a new client? Buy a new pair of shoes. Not happy with something in my life? Buy a new home decor piece. This way of thinking and living has got to end or change because it’s not conducive to purposeful living; at least for me personally. Or for my bank account. If you need more motivation or inspiration on taking this wonderful challenge read this blog post here that started it all.

Domesticated Living. I used to put in a ton of effort when it came to cooking dinners and desserts for Andrew and I. I think this is actually how I won him over in college when I was a sophomore living in my first apartment across the hall from Andrew’s :) That guy was lucky and got fancy dinners 24/7! Then I got lazy, life got busy and I figured I didn’t need to try any more in the kitchen since Andrew loves to cook. So I didn’t. And it’s not fair to Andrew. This past weekend I actually set out to try and be more of a help in the kitchen. I tied on my apron and whipped out a carrot cake, a pasta dish and a Frito frittata. The fritatta was a success. The other two dishes, not so much. But A for effort right? I already feel like I’m doing good and even contributing to my marriage so I’d love to do more cooking and baking in April too.

What are you all shooting for this month? Spill your goals below :) xoxo

Oh and the photo above is one I took of my office space. One of my goals was to pick up my camera more! Score.

Hello March! You look pretty.

You know the drill. Every time I put up a new goals post I can’t seem to wrap my head around how quickly the year is flying by. It feels like January just started. Then I realize February is over. And here we are on the fourth day of March already. Holy smokes slow down 2013! I do have to say I’m way too excited that spring is right around the corner though. I’m sick of winter jackets, boots and snow and totally excited for sunglasses and some color out in the yard. Bring me some sunshine and warm weather, people! So without further ado, onward we go with this month’s goals!

Inward Living. Guys, these social media free weekends have been doing huge things for my soul and my mind and my overall sense of being. I owe so much to Lara for giving me the guts and inspiration to even give these weekends a chance. For me, taking time away from being continually connected to the world has helped me to feel like my life is good on the inside and not just the outside. So from now on I plan on staying off social media not only on the weekends but at night after a specifically set time (I need to think about this time a bit further though). I’ve seen the benefits of social media free weekends and I want more. Which leads me to share this video here with you. Ha. Hilarious!

Extracurricular Living. In other words, I need to bring some fun back into my life. I’m really fabulous at brainstorming clever ways to infuse more social activities and fun into my life but terrible at taking action on them. A few fabulous ideas I’ve had for a while now? A monthly recipe club with local friends and colleagues, enrolling in a beginners dance class (anyone in Grand Rapids have any suggestions?) and my personal favorite, learning to do one thing I’m clueless about, like cooking meat properly, baking bread from scratch, changing a flat tire or mowing the lawn. Please no laughing at how silly those sound. At least I know how to replenish my windshield wiper fluid, right? Cool.

Small Business Living. Last month’s logo theft incident left me motivated to get better. Not bigger but better. I’ve done so much thinking and brainstorming and I’m excited to start putting myself out there a bit more. Especially within my local community/industry where it’s important for me to continuing building a name for myself and my work. I have some exciting news to share with you next month and a huge announcement to share in May, but I need to really continue focusing my efforts in this area. I wish I was from the South, bloggettes. Cause I’d tell ‘y’all’ I’m excited :)

What are your goals for March? Get on them! Four days are gone already! xoxo

Photo from Jen Kroll Photography of the bride and groom’s placesettings at an HGE August wedding last summer.

There’s a certain something I love about social media free weekends (some of you know what I mean here). Namely the extra time on my hands to brainstorm, think and just dream without any influences from anyone else and their doings around me. Since 2013 kicked off I’ve only had one weekend that involved any involvement with my social media accounts and I have to say I noticed a difference in how I felt come Monday morning, versus how I feel when I take a break for 48 hours. This past weekend was no exception as I spent a ton of time doing more necessary soul searching.

With that being said, I’m working on shifting my focus a little bit for the 2014 season. And here’s a big part of why. Last fall, in the midst of my big rebrand, I got a call from a sweet bride to be who needed wedding planning help. She was (and still is very closely with me) planning a summer 2013 wedding in Michigan from Chicago and although she had booked a venue already she was clueless as to what should come next. A few phone calls, many emails and a signed contract later, I found myself reviewing her client questionnaire only to be staring at my screen in disbelief. Next to the part that on the questionnaire where I ask clients what their designs inspirations are read the following list:

‘Shabby chic, fantastical, unicorn, rainbow, fairytale, hard contrast, soft transition.’ Uhm?

Without going into too much detail because I’d love to share that in a future post with photos from this fete, I can tell you this much. This bride and groom have done more for my love and appreciation of what I do then I could have ever imagined. I’ve fallen in love with my job all over again. Within 48 hours after reading that questionnaire, my complete shock for an out of the box design inspiration turned to absolute delight as I began to plan a wedding that will no doubt be an incredibly unique and one of a kind celebration. My clients have trusted me, welcomed my ideas and given me creative freedom to infuse their big day with the most remarkable details that represent all of the above design inspirations. My heart is on fire. And I’m just itching to bring fifteen pages of quirky, crazy ideas to life for two deserving people (check out #shabbychicglitterunicornrainbowwedding on Instagram for previews before June 2nd!)

I started my business in 2010 to do a few things. The first was to help brides and grooms plan remarkable weddings, the second was to help brides and grooms have gorgeous weddings, and the third above all else was to give brides and grooms an unforgettable client experience. It’s always been about giving an experience for me. It’s not so much about giving a tangible product but instead handing over something that has to be felt. And how can I do that? In telling my client’s stories from start to finish with killer details, organized and streamlined planning strategies, awesome and like minded vendors on board and colors, textures, florals and decor that are stupid good. Like so stupid good you could oh my GOD out loud. With a whole slew of amazing 2013 and 2014 weddings ahead of me, I’m setting out to do just that.

While nothing much is changing here and I’ll still be offering full service planning (and highly recommending this to any future clients interested in HGE’s design, decor or floral services) I want to start marketing myself as more of an event designer. Planning an event for my sweet Taiwanese and Southern bride and groom I described above has been like planning and designing a massive inspiration shoot; that’s the real deal with vows, and guests, and heart and soul. Bring me more events just like this please. Where couples have stories, and interests, and visions and a passion for something a little out of the box. I’m going to continue to create, and build, and do the unexpected. Come along would you?

Visit here to inquire about HGE’s 2014 creative event design, floral and full service planning offerings. I’m excited!

Photo by the amazing Kelly Braman Photography from this editorial seen here xoxo

Hello February! It’s so nice to see your face. Can you guys believe we’re already a full month into 2013? January was simply an incredible month and a great start to a new year full of wonderful changes. Between consistent work outs, less spending on frivolous things, more time for friends, Andrew, our pets and even an effort to be more connected to my faith, I feel really good and hopeful heading into another new month. Just like I did last month on January 1st I wanted to list out three types of ‘Living’ that I want to focus on moving forward. I think being specific with my goals has been a huge help in attaining them and putting them out here holds me somewhat accountable. Let’s do it!

Selfless Living. I’m trying to find that perfect balance between time for myself and my family,  and time for friends and colleagues. Sometimes I feel like I owe all of my time to others because time for myself isn’t top priority or my family will understand if I take an evening to call a friend instead of face time with them. Wrong. So totally wrong. I need to be a little bit better with my free time and where I spent it. I think this relates back to being selfless and just giving more of my heart to those who would absolutely stand in the way of an oncoming freight train to protect me! This also involves sending more handwritten notes, making more phone calls just because, keeping track of gifts I receive so I can make sure I send a Thank You card, and the list goes on. Selfless living has got to be the most rewarding kind.

Faithful Living. Kelly Braman gifted me with The Devotional Collection’s Daily Wisdom for Women and it couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Religion has always been a funny thing for me, like filling a tub of water for a bath only to find you can’t get it the right temperature. It’s too hot or it’s too cold. It’s just not right. And never has been for me. But the beauty of religion, and faith and whatever yours happens to be is that it will never be perfect. At least that’s what I’ve learned so far :) I love the time Kelly and I take each day to share our thoughts and questions with one another in a safe environment. I hope to dive even further into things this month and just feel good with my efforts.

Organized Living. I’m a really organized person. I was actually diagnosed in college with OCD. Ha! I wish I was kidding. However, remarkably I have tornado type tendencies and when one thing gets out of place everything else follows suit. I need to really focus this month on staying organized a little bit better. That counts with keeping my car clean, not leaving junk on the stairs in our home (biggest pet peeve ever, sorry Mom, I now know how you felt when we did this growing up), and putting my make up back in its case before I leave the washroom. Easy peasy right? Let’s hope so.

xoxo

Photo above by Cyn Kain Photography in Decemeber at an editorial. Miss you, girl!