Paper!

I love paper - colored paper, textured, hand made, and anything with great weight - so many options! I am completely on board with minimizing our carbon footprint and doing simple things like using less paper. My son and I recently went on a catalog canceling rampage, requesting cancellations of scores of catalogs for our neighbors. I lo-ooove getting electronic statements and invoices rather than paper. But sometimes, paper is just better.

Electronic event invitations are becoming more popular and amazing designers are a large part. But I must say, I love a hand-written note and even more so when it’s a thank you. Actually writing takes a bit of time. Our legible penmanship (in contrast to the notes we scribble for ourselves and post on our desks) takes a bit of effort. Hitting send is much more efficient than addressing and stamping and envelope - but it’s completely appropriate to take a bit of time and effort when we process and voice our gratitude. In fact, it’s lovely.

For my most recent milestone birthday I was flooded with wonderful cards and gifts - I am blessed to have the best, most thoughtful people in my life! I designed and printed custom thank you cards for what I call “gratitude season” - the time following a major life event when I thank everyone for being a part of it or for taking time to acknowledge, commemorate, or celebrate it with me. My cards featured a koi fish which symbolizes personal development and abundance swimming through a kaleidoscopic pond, for the amazing perspectives, diverse identities, and beauty I am gifted through all my loved ones.

Sometimes it tips the budget ever so slightly to create or order stationery. But for a sincere “thank you” it’s worth the effort - you can grab your favorite paper or even a mix of pretty note cards. But for major events, do send a hand written thank you!

In with the old! In with the new!

We love new ideas! We love creativity and innovation! But there’s no need to go “out with the old” when it comes to inspiration, comfort, and beauty.

In addition to new products, art, and other inspirational items, I often look back to the beautiful items I fell in love with years ago and the mainstays that always make me happy for inspiration.

In 2002 I fell for Christian Louboutin’s petal sandal. It is delicate and luscious and, to me, was like strapping everything carefree about spring to your feet.  This year, I’m in love with Fendi! Their colorful sandals are everything youth juxtaposed with everything sophistication. They take the jelly shoes I ran around in as a girl and turn them into a refined, architectural, power heel. 

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Together, they say: translucent colors, strong lines, and carefree sophistication.

And that’s a great jumping off point for a spring event!

Every path leads in the right direction.

There are many factors to consider when planning an event. Goals, budgets, guest lists, and more. But what you don’t want to lose in all the planning and what you hope to deliver to your guests is inspiration.

To me, inspiration is everything felt that becomes salient. It is the underlying sensation that we transform into a finish.

We may not be able to put our finger on it or we may have a strong vision. Either way, having something that inspires you is a pretty big deal. But if you struggle with inspiration there are a few surefire ways to get started.

When struggling with an abundance of vision, it’s great to create an idea board. Whether you use Pinterest because it’s a great tool, or go with a cork board because you’re tactile – it’s great to start visualizing the things that stir you together in the same optical space. If you're getting inspired between work projects, keep a running set of images in PowerPoint or Word. Once the images are together, themes will appear and you can remove items that don't fit.

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When struggling with lack of vision, don't be afraid to forget the visual. There are plenty of ways to get going without images.

Play with word association. The guest of honor is...effervescent, strong-willed, and athletic. It may not sound like much at first but effervescent can mean sparklers at an evening event or a champagne fountain at a picnic or a dance floor front and center of the venue. Gladiolus flowers and snapdragons both symbolize strength and can bring height to arrangements.

Make simple lists – "likes and dislikes" or "to avoid and must have".  The easiest non-visual way for me to get inspired is purpose: are we celebrating, reveling, honoring, remembering? Are we dining and dancing or meeting and greeting? Any great vendor can make suggestions from their products or services with an inspiration driven by purpose.

There are many ways to start and they all get us to the right place – a successful event.

And if you want to know what inspires me: Looking at the sunny sky through flowering dogwood branches, the smile of a woman who feels pretty, children holding hands, mythological tales, and everything that feels luscious!

And that’s just a start!