Those who get ahead, forge their own paths

I've always wondered how people who are successful are just that and I realized that they make their own path. They don't wait for someone else to make it for them. They don't wait to have it served on a nice platter with their name on it. They go out there and they get it with or without anyone's approval.

I have reached the point of my life where I know what I want, I know exactly how to do it and I am being really picky about who and what I want in it. I'm 28 years old and up till last October, I had a job to sustain a reasonable income. But I was never satisfied with making money that was from the man.

As it stands I am "the man" and I've realized that it takes a lot of hard work to make money from scratch, but at the same time all that hard work is making me enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I really feel in a few short months and even weeks, that I will be where I want to be career wise. I will have my empire soon and I am making sure I have the right stones in place for a solid platform to stand on.

When the hubby is away the wives will play

My husband is out of town for the weekend helping out with the Hunger Walk 2009 in Tucson. When I found out he was going out of town I had made a long to do list of project that I needed to finish. I always think I am going to have fun without him. And although, I have the whole house to myself, I still end up missing him. Just when I thought that I needed some time to myself, I find myself just wanting to be with him.

Isn't that a funny thing, for weeks at a time wanting time alone for yourself, but then when the moment comes wanting to be with the one you love. I guess there is truth to that saying "distance makes the heart grow fonder." And I know myself, I know that I need him here with me to be able to sleep. There is just something about an empty bed when he is away that makes me restless and sleepless. You would think that I would get a lot of work done, which tonight I did (finished a destination wedding gown an hour ago), but usually I watch T.V.

I think it's just amazing how independent I think I am when I am with him and when he is gone I can't bear to be without him. It's a weird thing, this marriage stuff. I've been at it for almost 6 years and I'm still learning characteristics I never knew I had and still learning things about my husbands past and present experiences.

A science to ribbons

Do you ever wonder how traditions get passed down. I was thinking about it today when I was thinking of my mom and my wedding day. On my wedding day she had told me to take a long strand of ribbon and tie it in several knots. She told me that the more knots you put in the ribbon the longer your marriage will last. I must have tied at least a hundred knots and then I put it in my bouquet.

I always wondered how she got hold of this tradition and I've been subscribing to one of those book clubs where they ship you you portions of the inserts until you complete the whole program and there was an insert on "ribbon magic."

So, now I totally understand and I will share with you what I learned. : )

Back in the old days men, women, and children around a pole (Maypole) held colored ribbons and danced together around it weaving them together to make sure they had good harvests.

Tying colored ribbons near springs or lakes represents a wish for the healing spirits to cure whatever you are being ailed with.

Tying Knots: A knot secures something and by tying something in knots secures your intent or focus.

Binding: Binding is a way of protection, an example is like when you tie your hair back with ribbon, your binding your hair to keep it away from your face or safe from damage from the wind and other elements. Binding negative influences prevent those negative influences from affecting you.

Timing: Like having a secure knot, make sure you have allowed enough time to pass before untying your knot. Make sure your ribbon is tied long enough for your intent to happen and not to untie your knot before it's time.

I had a good idea about where this tradition came from, but having a detailed explanation of it's roots makes my trivial set mind at ease. : )

When Google makes you feel better

(Photo by Charles Grabean, me and my favorite new stylist friend Nelson Hawks, this is how I feel sometimes, over loaded with clothes- hehehe)

Yes, I admit, I googled myself today. In any other day and age that would have been considered cussing, but today it's a way it made me feel better (ok that also sounds funny, but I will explain).

Lately, I've been a lot about branding my company and that I really need to take my company to the next level. Sometimes when you think about how fast your moving and how much more time growing your business will take it's quite scary. I was able to do some work today, but I just couldn't help to be on the computer doing some updating my side project Arizona Bridal Week.

Through it all, I started comparing myself to other designers who have bigger names and better bridal lines. Which is the worst thing an artist can do right. I googled all the big names today, looked at some great bridal designs and wished I was them.

Trust me, I was throwing the biggest pity party for myself ever, so I googled myself and woo hoo, I actually came up a thousand times and found that more people blogged about me like on the Branded Designers Blog. I was still sulking, but I then I realized that I have a lot more to learn until I get to the point where Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera and Roberto Cavalli are and how cool was it that someone thinks I am one of 10 designers effectively using my blog to market myself (My shout out to the Branded Designer Blog : ).

And I realized if I am already saying how much time I don't have to spend with my husband, family and friends, how am I ever going to have time for myself. Or perhaps, it's just time for me to finally get help!

If anyone is looking for an awesome opportunity to work with an up and coming designer let me know. I can teach them how to make patters, cut, sew, and even teach them a lot about starting your own fashion line and running your own business : ).

The blogs about those who have blogged about me : )

(I Figure I add a visual and let you know that this drawing was all done in the Paint program that everyone has on their computer)

And this is also what I look like when someone blogs about me, I get all giddy - hehehehe.

We will start with the most recent one from Majestic Bridal, http://majesticbridalblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/one-of-kind-wedding-dresses.html

I checked out the website and they have really cute favors on a jewelry. I think it's absolutely amazing how social media stuff is informing us about all of the options we have for a lot of things, especially the bridal industry. Makes me want to get married again so I can buy those favors / jewelry for my guests and bridesmaid. But maybe in another 5 years when I hit the 10 year mark I can have a vow renewal.

In this blog, Kattia writes about getting inspired and getting ideas, I thought this was one of those blogs that you can most definitely share with girlfriends. Who doesn't want to get a couple good ideas. I always say you can never know enough about what is out there. You never know when you will need a couple good ideas : )

http://aleximanievents.blogspot.com/2009/03/spotlight-on-jennyvi-dizon-couture.html

This blog is from a new photographer I met at a Wedding and Event Network (WEN) meeting and you can totally tell she is a genuine and sweet person. She even made it out to one of my shows and you view the pictures she took from my show on her blog

http://www.angelinarosephotography.com/blog/?p=60

And as always, I have to include Kym's blogs. She is such a happy person, it's always great to be around her. You can never catch her without a smile or a great new hair do or outfit. And to top it off she is an amazing photographer. :)

http://blog.ventolaphotography.com/2009/03/08/melrose-street-fair--jennyvi-gowns.aspx

http://blog.ventolaphotography.com/2009/03/04/sanctuary-bridal-fashion-show.aspx

This is what I signed up for.......

There are a couple things I've learned in business and for some reason, I don't want to do any work until I get this off of my mind.

1.) Why am I complaining: As much as I complain about how busy I am, I really can't complain at all. This is what I wanted to do since I was four or five and now that my business is taking off, I have to realize this is what I signed up for and what I wanted to happen. Now that I am to the point of where I want to be, I have new goals to hope and attain.

2. Picking your battles: I've learned that not every fight or dispute is worth the effort. If I fought every fight for the sake of fighting, I would never move forward, I wouldn't grow as a person, I would not be able to do anything productive, it's almost like once you can let go of that anger you can do so much more with your time.

I know we have all been there, something or someone is bugging us and all we can do about it is call up all our closest friends and family and talk about it until a week has gone by and you realize that you are way behind on orders, school work and life in general. I know some issues are easier said than done, but I know next time something is bothering me I'll make the effort of saying "it's not a big deal."

3. Making decision: Like picking our fights, we can mull over decisions in the same way. Some decisions are more important than others and take a little more research, but I've realized that actions get you moving faster in the right direction than not moving at all.

4. Don't play the blame game: Whatever decisions you have made in the past or present and the outcome wasn't what you hoped, do not play the blame game! Whatever the outcome good or bad, it was all a learning experience and it's okay to feel disappointed. It's okay to point out the things that need improvement, but don't blame yourself or anyone if things didn't go perfect. Talk things through, accept the things you cannot change, remember the things that did go right and improve the things that need improving.

5. Surround yourself with positive thinkers: This is a lesson, I just learned recently. I have a wonderful network of girlfriends who own their own business and it's great to be around them, because we bounce ideas off of each other. For me, sometimes it is easier to come with good ideas if it is for other people. Sometimes when it is my own business, I can't see past my busy schedule or don't have time to think about improving my business when I'm fulfilling orders. Having a great business support system like Kym with Ventola Photography, Holli with Kensington Make Up Artists, Jenny and Meghan at Lillian Lottie Couture, Sheila with four white walls photography, Cherelynn Baker with Make Up University, Allison Gee, Tiesha Harrison, Allyssa and Lisa with Arizona Weddings, Angela Johnson, Kristin Dinnis, even new people I've met like Angela with Angelina Rose Photography, the girls at Thee Wedding Warehouse and much, much, much more makes a big difference in how you view your business and how people view yours.

6. Knowing it all: Hahaha, never going to happen for me. I've noticed I'm still learning everyday and I don't pretend to know everything about everybody and everything. What I do know is what my skill set is and what I can do for my clients and what I have done for my clients. Sometimes I feel that prospective clients are more receptive to someone who is genuine. I always take references from my personal experience and give them a genuine answer. Trying to have a real conversation, instead of just sounding like a salesman with all the facts.

No Sleep, No Wonder

These are some pictures of what I looked like at the show, talk about crash and burn. After staying up for about 3 or 4 days, I don't even remember any more. I was hyped up on some energy drinks and I would suck up being tired on stage, but before and after I would feel it for sure : ).

But I am relieved that I finally got some sleep over the last two days. I hope to get on a my regular schedule now. : )

Some pics from the Melrose Street Fair

After staying up for about 3 days straight before the show on March 7th, I finally got some well needed rest. From Friday to Saturday morning at exactly 6am, I was able to work hard and finish 4 gowns. One gown the (gold polka dot) I made the pattern, cut the fabric, sewed a zipper and the chiffon to it in a matter of 4 hours.

It was almost like a Project Runway challenge to the extreme, but I think I pulled it off well. : )

The first set of pictures are from one of my favorite wedding photographers Kym Ventola of Ventola Photography
Make-up by Holli Christensen with Kensington Make Up Artists

The second set is from another reliable photographer Iva Kozeli with Iva Kozeli Photography Some of the hair and make-up were by Cherelynn Baker with Make Up University

3 tv Video Footage of my gowns

http://www.azfamily.com/video/newscasts-index.html?nvid=338584&shu=1

timed at 27:48 : )

Models:
Tiesha Harrison
Amparo Elizabeth
Perla Peralta
Smita Das
Tiffany Sauer

Hope you can make it out to at least one of my shows at the Melrose Street Fair this Saturday, on 7th ave between Indian School and Campbell. They are closing down a mile of the street for the fair and my fashion shows are on the community stage at 12, 2, 4

Pictures of my newest gown courtesy of Kym Ventola

I love Kym, she is the cutest person I've ever met and better yet she is a photographer who loves what she does! I love my friends : ) - hehehehe

She has more fantastic work at www.ventolaphotography.com

Sneak Peak of my Collection

Here is a sneak peak of my collection to debut at the Melrose Street Fair on Saturday March 7th. I will also be on 3tv on March 5th at 6:15am / 6:45am and more gowns will be seen, but if you can't wait here are two of the gowns to debut. : )