Dressing the Part

As I continue to gain confidence in my skills, business, health and overall life, I decided to start dressing the part of a "fashion designer." There is no one who will promote your business and yourself more than you, so why not promote your designs yourself.

I went out in my design (see above picture) yesterday and I got two compliments at the post office, both on the dress and my talent. Of all places, the post office. I walked up to the teller and instantly she commented how pretty the dress was and I told her I made it and someone in line behind me commented "you made that, it's a really cute print." When I left, I thanked them both and was beaming.

I suppose the next step is to let people know I can make them one to try to get orders, but I don't want to be intrusive. I figure if they were really interested they would ask. But for now I couldn't be happier with my decision to start doing some shameless self-promotion by wearing my designs out. Hopefully, no one steals the clothes right off my back, hehehe.

Waste Not Bridal Industry

(Picture of me and my hubby on our wedding day October 4th, 2003)

I read this wonderful Waste Not article that quoted my husband (who works for the Association of Arizona Food Banks) and it reminded me of our own wedding. It's funny how you do things because if you didn't do otherwise it would be "a waste."

My husband and I did just that for our own wedding. Our wedding was definitely a hand-made wedding and we saved a lot of money in the process. As I remember we wanted to pay for everything and we paid roughly $3,000, including our attire. I should have remembered that my Filipino mom who loves to cook would have provided more than enough for our wedding, but we also wanted a catered meal for our guests who wasn't familiar with Filipino dishes.

We ended up having so much food at the end that we couldn't possibly force it all upon our guests, even though my mother insisted. Even then, we were left with about 2 trays of un-served spaghetti with the choice of Alfredo and tomato sauce, loads of salad and two different types of dressing, garlic bread sticks and about 2 trays of sheet cakes with a variety of chocolate and vanilla (the cakes were a present from my dear friend Bernice who is an excellent chef). Yes, I know this is probably making you all very hungry and since that is the case for many families, we decided to donate all the left overs.

It's funny that until I saw the Waste Not article that I never realized how something we did on our first day of marriage would be significant on our marriage now. Since my husband started working for AAFB over a year ago, we have become very passionate about hunger and how it is greatly tied to many industries.

And since I work in the bridal / fashion industry, I thought this was a great article to share. Many bridal professionals would agree that we go to many events and it's customary to provide food. Sometimes an event goes really well and there is hardly anything left over and sometimes it doesn't and there is an abundance. So, I hope you take the chance to read the article and reach out to the resources provided in it.

Waste Not Article - http://az.meetingsmags.com/article/web-exclusive-meeting-green-waste-not

Waste Not // 480.941.1841 / www.wastenotaz.org

Association of Arizona Food Banks // 602.528.3434 / www.azfoodbanks.org