How to Pitch

I don't know how to pitch a curve ball, but I know how to pitch ideas to reporters, magazines, and bloggers.

The best ways I can ever pitch to reporters and media in general is to get to the point and use exciting verbiage. They say for every business owner that you should be able to describe your business or what you do in one sentence and that is always helpful when you are introducing yourself to a reporter or blogger and then you can go into details once you have intrigued them.

Another factor when responding is to give them other story angles, but make sure it pertains to what they usually write about. For example, I wouldn't want to pitch another story about finance, if they were looking for the latest and greatest bridal gown idea.

Below is a sample response from me to lets say a fashion editor:

Dear Miss Fashion,

I am a fashion designer who has been an avid fan of your magazine for several years and I'm writing to you to tell you about my newest collection. It has not debuted any where and you were the first magazine I thought of to get the first look at them. If you are interested in seeing pictures, please let me know and I would be happy to send them.

In this new collection, I know you will fall in love with the vibrant colors, the luminous sheen and the amazing texture of the fabrics we choose. Every gown is detailed with hand beading (not machine) and the attention to every detail is immaculate, especially since each gown was made by an individual here in the United States was not sewn in a factory. Everything was made in my studio by either me or trained colleagues with years of experience.

I hope you find this message well and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 602-284-2073 or email me at jen@jennyvi.com.

Sometimes Not Feeling Well is Good

I wasn't feeling well this morning. It may have been a combination of working too much and maybe trying to do really well on my diet, but being the eternal optimist I took the down time while I was in bed to re-evaluate my goals and change some things.

I think it's always good to re-visit your goals and resolutions and change things that doesn't work for you anymore. The things that have worked in the past may have worked because you were younger or in a different mind set and I realized that my diet goals are much more long term than when I was 20 and trying to fit into my skinny jeans. Back then I was wanting to starve myself for a couple weeks and keep off the weight for a month and then gain them all back again.

Now, I am making healthy choice and trying to avoid the health issues I have seen in my older friends and even in my parents. And I know it may be silly, but I think I may have not been feeling well because I harbor a lot of guilt for not being able to do my normal "Lent Give-up" (no beef, pork or poultry and cheese). But I simply can't drive myself insane and worry about stuff when I am technically giving up weight for Lent.

As my husband puts it, it took me years to put on the weight and I can't expect to lose all of it in a few weeks.

I think being unwell in this case was great and it was nice to take the time to think today. I even set some fashion goals that I will be working on soon and I will post pictures as I get more sewn. : )

Out on a rainy night and loving it!

(Photo: Me all done up for a rainy night out and my dog Dodger)

There are not too many nights here in Arizona that you can prowl while it's raining and so my husband and I did. We went to Maizie's and how perfect was it that it was $3.00 burger night and for a dollar more you can upgrade your fries to the sweet potato kind. All I can say is nummy!

I was already taking a break for my mental health and it was a perfect evening to be by the light rail, enjoy happy hour, good food and even meet new people. It feels almost like real big city living in Uptown Phoenix.

So, now I am home and feel like working even though I told myself I was going to take a breather today, but when you feel motivated why not? It's nights like this that make working fun and who knows maybe I will get a gown done tonight. That and I did my hair and why waste a perfectly good hair day going to sleep (hehehehe).

My fashion tips on iVillage.com

(photo: forever21.com)

Myth: Wearing gathers will gather you a whole lot of negative attention.
Reality: "Big girls can wear gathers, if they are in the right places," assures Jennyvi Dizon, a fashion designer of custom bridal and eveningwear. One caveat: "The gathers should never stop under the belly, or it will make that plus-sized girl look like she has a baby bump. This is crucial especially in long dresses."

Tip: Gathers in the bust area are flattering, as they draw the eyes upward, says Dizon.

Pictured: Faith 21 Colorful Garden Party Dress ($24.80 at Forever21.com)



(photo: torrid.com)
Myth: Prints and patterns will make you look heavier.
Reality: Say no to plain colored ensembles, says Dizon. "I think with the right pattern, a plus-sized woman can bring a little fun back into her wardrobe." You just have to pick the right size and color combinations. Her rule of thumb: Try small or medium patterns (like tiny polka dots), and stick to three colors or less.

Tip: Do avoid large floral or blotted patterns, as they aren't flattering to full figures.

Pictured: Black and White Dot Cropped Cardigan ($38 at Torrid.com)




http://beauty.ivillage.com/slideshow/beauty-style/10-plussize-fashion-myths-debunked/myth_prints_and_patterns_will.html

http://beauty.ivillage.com/slideshow/beauty-style/10-plussize-fashion-myths-debunked/myth_wearing_gathers_will_gath.html

Lazy Sunday with Norman Greenbaum

(picture: our listening station)


Today I slept in and it felt great to. Surprisingly, my husband woke up 2 hours before I did and since music is very much a part of our lives for those two hours I was slipping in and out of my dream state to music of Fleet Foxes and Steve Malkmus and the Jicks. Then when I was eating breakfast trying to wake up we decided to listen to Norman Greenbaum and listening to "Spirit in the Sky," really wakes you up, but not in an abrupt kind of way.

I have come to enjoy Sundays, for a long time now I really try not to do go out or schedule appointments on Sundays and I feel refreshed and better for that decision. It also makes Mondays a lot more bearable. : )

So, I wish everyone a happy Sunday whatever you end up doing. For me, I will be enjoying this wonderful rainy weather and dreaming of my move to Seattle whenever that may be. Hopefully sooner than later, but for sure not for several more years.

The mind works in mysterious ways

(Picture of how my work area is sometimes organized chaos, but sometimes highly productive)

Sometimes it's so odd for me to realize that most of my ideas and my current work schedule are at it's peak between midnight and 3am. Perhaps this may be a reason why I decided to work for myself and myself only.

I have never been comfortable with routine, when I find myself sticking to the same work schedule I find myself restless. Maybe most creative minds work this way and I'm more normal than I think. I am however trying to regularly get in about 8 hours of work a day, but even that doesn't really work for me. I find myself always planning and mapping things out during dinner, when I am suppose to be relaxing, watching TV, in the shower, in the car and pretty much wherever I am. It's enough to make me go wild sometimes, I call my thought process "Organized Chaos."

Sometimes when I clean my room I tend to forget where I put things away and when my room is in shambles I know where everything is. I even keep all my fabric scraps in bags by prints or color in hopes that I will have enough time to create some spectacular gown with bits and pieces of fabrics I have used to make other gowns. I may have enough scraps for a whole line (I am now listing possible line names).

I am just surprised how the mind works sometimes, brains are unique things to have and it's funny to think we are not even using 100% of them.

Living, Breathing, and Feeling Fashion

Isn't it amazing how some years seem endless and others seem like it has passed you by. This year it seems like it's moving amazingly fast for me. I think it maybe that I have finally found my fashion groove, keeping busy on a daily basis and just completely surrounding myself in anything fashion.

It seems like I have been divulging in my own fashion fantasy of making very avant garde pieces and looking forward to creating more from my dreams. I have been dreaming up more designs lately and ideas seem to be flowing much more easily these last few months.

It's a great thing to be inspired and sometimes good for my soul to escape into my dreams. Sometimes when I wake up from day dreaming, I feel so refreshed and it helps me work so much better than when I don't.

I feel like my dream world started once it hit 2010. I feel much more happier and much more carefree for some reason. Maybe it's because I released 30 pounds and physically I feel lighter or maybe since I am turning 30 in September, this is my way of holding on to my youth. Whatever it is, I love it! I have never wanted anything so much in my life and this year I am doing everything I can to work 10 times harder.

Perhaps that's why I just found out that Alexander McQueen died and feel horrible that I didn't say my prayers for him earlier. Prayers to his mother, to him and most of all prayers for his loved ones.

A new way to "shred"

I can't shred on a guitar, but boy can I shred fabric and have fun creating something other than wedding gowns. : ) My photographer friend Nikolai, wanted some "raw" pieces for a shoot and this is what we came up with : ).

It was totally fun, but more time consuming and more ear piercing than I originally thought. Some of the nylon / polyester fabric is quite noisy.

Happy Valentines Day!

(this was my Valentine's Dress I made in 2007) (Picture taken at The One Voice Gala, Oct. 24th, 2009 Jewelry by Beth Church)

I suppose since I am in the bridal industry, I should honor this day with a Valentine's Day post. I know most couples engaged today and even try to get married on this day, which only makes me happier when they consider a gown hand made by me. : )

Today, I am spending a relaxing day with my husband of over 6 years and we are celebrating our 9th Valentine's Day together. I remember our first Valentines together, we had just moved to Colorado Springs 2 months earlier and it was the first time we were constantly in snow. On that particular day, it was -7 and easily the coldest Valentine's Day we had ever had.

At least we had time to experience much warmer romantic days like today. I love to cook and a day at home will win over long restaurant lines. I know I should relax, but it seems that I am fine sewing today, something I also love : ).

Posture or some weird form of torture?

(posture exercises, the dog is apparently not amused)

As I get booked with more bridal orders and projects, I find myself sewing a lot more than I am use to. Unfortunately, it takes a toll on my back and my overall posture. So, I decided to do what they use to do back in the old days to improve posture by placing a bar behind my back and holding it in place for about 20 minutes a day.

After I do it I really am conscious of how I am sitting and you can really tell if you are slouching. I only wish I had done these exercises before I got married, sometimes I look at the pictures and think maybe I would have looked better in them. I heard somewhere that good posture makes you look thinner and I can definitely see how it may improve someones overall look.

The great thing about this exercise is that you definitely feel that you have to stand up or move around. I tried sitting and doing the exercise and I got really impatient. I end up putting some high energy music and doing some aerobic exercise, it's almost like killing two birds with one stone.

The Great Ring Debate

(the sketch of my redesign and my wedding and engagement ring)

To redesign or not?

I have been trying to decide if it is worth getting my engagement ring and wedding ring redesigned into one ring. I love them both and I wear them both, but as you can see my engagement has 2 bands. I guess the whole idea behind my engagement ring was to mold the separate gold band to the one that has the diamond when you got married, but because like many other girls I wanted a different wedding ring.

So, technically I wear 3 rings that remind me of my hubby. Should I redesign? Some of my concerns are if it's worth it or if the cost of the redesign can buy me another ring altogether and there is another issue. The other issue is that whenever I look at my engagement ring it reminds me of the day I got it.

Since my proposal wasn't romantic at all, the moment I got the engagement ring was. When I got engaged, we were living in Colorado Springs and two weeks before I accidentally proposed to my husband. I am not much of a drinker, but the job I had at the time made me and being in higher elevation didn't help either.

We were out with a good friend of mine and also met up with more friends in the downtown area. After 9 shots (I didn't drink beer at the time) I was practically crawling on the floor. I remember getting into his truck and just randomly started talking about marriage, probing if we were ready to get married or if we were even interested. Long story short, he said yes.

The next morning he had asked me if I remembered what I said to him and initially, I was so scared to hear his answer that I said a long nonchalant "Nooooo, why" and responded with "well, if you remember the answer is yes" and then I said a long "yeeeesssss." So, that's how we were engaged and we weren't really prepared to be engaged and I told him that I can use one of my rings from my jewelry collection as my engagement ring.

Two weeks go by and I honestly kept forgetting to wear my so called engagement ring and I was having a harder time at work. My now fiance picks me up from work and we go to our favorite restaurant the Pikes Peak Brewery. I found it weird that my hubby would let me hold his hand or let me hug as close as I was use to while sitting next to each other.

The waiter leaves and my hubby takes a ring box from his pocket and presents me with my engagement ring. A couple next to us tells our waiter that we just got engaged and the waiter asked if we did. We said yes, because he offered us free cheesecake and who are we to say no to free cheesecake.

Well, after all that I think I have my answer. : )

USA Today Feature

Read the full article by Sandra Block at http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2010-02-08-creditcards08_CV_N.htm

Thanks to my super model Rachel Niu, I was able to snag a couple real copies of the USA Today article I was interviewed for. I wasn't aware that it would come out a day after the Super Bowl and I thought it was perfect timing! (I think many football fans like myself would have picked a copy)

I couldn't ask for a more perfect Monday to start the work week, so many acquaintances and even family members in other states have wished me well after seeing it, but I had the chance to read the whole article and it is definitely worth the read.

It really puts a lot of perspective on credit cards and how some people view them as a credit trap. It's harder to buy a car if you don't have credit and how do you initially get credit? You apply for credit cards, but once you use them and think that you can pay off the balance and don't you accumulate debt, debt that gets many people in trouble.

That's why I completely stopped using them altogether and it is the most rewarding decision that I ever made. Now it's time to aggressively pay off those balances, much like some of the people in the article. The article completely inspired me to start rethinking about the things I have already bought. A married couple decided to sell off everything to travel and not use their cards and I started thinking about trading in my my vintage jewelry / purse collection to have money to travel more without putting it on a credit card.

So, I set up my Etsy account and I just have to get it going and sew more dresses to sell too : ).