Fitting a Round Peg into a Square Hole.

As the world turns, I find myself trying to find where I fit. Recently, I left my university job to pursue my own business. I immediately had an anxiety attack, popped a xanax and took another position that I thought would be suitable to enhance my career goals and pay the bills.

Neither has come to fruition. After three months of administrative work (which I have nothing against, but is not my cup of tea), I have decided to hit the road again in pursuit of my personal happiness in career, friendships and love. Many will think I am an absolute mess when they find out. Yes, I am embarrassed and nervous and am a self proclaimed "crazy", but is it really so crazy to seek out what you want in life? So many people sit in an office every day and just live with it. Yes, they pay their bills. Yes, they have a steady and structured life. However, I have never taken the road that anyone else does. As of late, I have feared that I am paralyzed by normalcy. That just won't do. So I am going to (again) pull my self up by my high heels and throw a few more parties.

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So Proud!

After I up and left my nice salary and good title to seek out my life, I decided to do a bit of freelance event planning to pay the bills and continue honing my skills. Weddings have always been fascinating to me. Not in the fact that I want to get married anytime soon (I can't even keep a boyfriend), but more because of the emotions I experience watching two people celebrate the love they have for each other. It makes my heart melt.

So, this leads me to my first real wedding I planned on my own. I have had experience with other planners or have watched planners or have attended weddings a million times, but this wedding was all on my own. Not only was it successful (not a dry eye during the ceremony), but it got posted on a website! So Your EnGayed. I even got a shout out! This was truly a shining moment for me. Since then I have done a few more weddings and I plan to continue on this path, but I will never forget this wedding. It was truly special for me.

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Shoemmelier

On the usual day, I like to write about events I'm planning or inspiration for an event. However, I ATTENDED a fabulous event yesterday at Sak's Fifth Avenue in Raleigh. It gathered women from the Triangle to do two of my favorite things - drink wine and try on gorgeous shoes. While there were no linens, no flowers, no seating places, the luxury of sipping prosecco and finding my size in this sassy pair of Christian Louboutin's was a fabulous event. This fantastic group, Wine, Women & Shoes, was founded by Elaine Honig. She owns a winery in Napa Valley and has raised over $4 million for charities dealing with women and children. Ms. Honig clearly has her priorities straight.

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Happy Spring!

As you can see, spring has sprung in North Carolina! As the saying goes "in like a lion and out like a lamb," March has broke the cold weather and sunny skies with gorgeous flora has come out to play for the season. After waking early for a quick set-up at work, I decided to enjoy the day with a walk, the Farmer's Market and a nice cup of coffee at my favorite Durham restaurant, Piedmont. It was the perfect spring day.

As I was walking in to work this morning (I know work on a Sunday is a tragedy), I could not help but take a few photos of the incredible cherruy blossom trees that line my place of work and really inhabit most of the triangle area of North Carolina. My floral arrangement for the day is to cut a few branches and stick them in an Eiffel tower vase. It is clean and simple, but simple gorgeous. Not to mention, they last for weeks!

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Chelsey in Wonderland

In January of 2009, my good friends Chelsey and Justin got engaged in Charleston, SC. They have both been wonderful friends and I have had the opportunity to currently live about 30 miles away from them. While I don't nearly see them enough, it is always a fun when we get together. Last weekend was one of those opportunities. With only about two more months until their exchanging of vows, the bridesmaids (one of them being me!) of Chelsey Jean cordially invited Chelsey's nearest and dearest women in her life to attend a bridal shower.

Since invitations (one of my favorites things to do) were taken, I was put in charge of decor and favors. Having discussed with Chelsey her desire for a white, gold and silver color palette, I set to work. As seen above, I integrated an "Alice in Wonderland" theme for the favors. I wanted to give the option of favor because not everyone drinks champagne or likes sweets. I decided on mini champagne bottles, scrumptious cookies from Madhatter's Bake Shoppe and small compact
mirrors from Pier 1 Imports.

For decor, I used everything with her new initials. Chinese lanterns hung from the ceiling with gold initials hanging with them adorned with silver cut out butterflies. Her favorite flowers, hydrangeas and roses, were arranged in tea cups. Her chair had her new initials on it as well.

Everything from the food to the company was lovely, but the best part was that Chelsey was glowing. She is so incredibly excited to be married to the man of her dreams. And that, is what it is all about.

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Sweet Memories + Birthdays

Photography by Scott Faber Photography

In February, I got the fantastic opportunity to work with Donna Ford from Sweet Memories Bakery. I was initially introduced to Sweet Memories by attending a floral class at The Watered Garden (another incredible vendor for another day). Donna had graciously provided cupcakes for the class. And these were no ordinary cupcakes. These were fluffy and light cupcakes that boasted decadent royal icing about three inches high. Absolutely mouth watering.

When the time came to order a birthday cake for a particular basketball coach, my attention focused on Sweet Memories. I was lucky enough to venture over to Apex for a design and cake tasting meeting. It was AMAZING. From red velvet to almond to sweet potato (oddly enough, my favorite), the cakes had a rich, yet airy taste. I could not get enough. The design process was just as exciting. We recreated our invitation as the cake design and Donna cleverly embellished the four tier cake to make it the centerpiece of the event. More people took photos of the cake than anything else and I was more than pleased to see it appear on twitter pages and websites!

Executing events takes planning, organization and energy. However, I have learned that the most important aspect is utilizing great vendors. They can step up a good event to make it absolutely exceptional. Sweet Memories did just that!

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Secret Admirer

On redstamp.com, you can send an adorable card to a crush or a fabulous friend or the love of your life without them knowing who their secret admirer is. I would love to receive a mystery note from a special someone.

See below and send away. I am always looking for mail...

Secret Admirer Mailing Service

Have something to say, but want someone else to say it for you? Bring back the flutter of schoolyard crushes + let us mail your card for you!

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