Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Print Number Two! :)
Super excited to share my second print magazine feature! Party Style magazine will be sold in major stores including Barnes & Noble. The big premier issue will launch in August and my Mother's Day Event will be in that one. In the mean time the creator of the magazine, Gemma, printed several copies of the last month edition and was kind enough to send me one. This May issue includes both my grandfathers vintage boxing party as well the yellow polka dot bikini set up! Its pretty rewarding to see your work on that many pages :) Stay tuned for the other print issues...its proving to be a very busy, exciting year!!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Taking A Stand
It all started when I posted one simple picture of my family. Actually it started before that. When I woke up yesterday morning I did my usual check up on my business and personal pages before beginning my day with my family. One of my friends posted a link about the controversy surrounding a recent Cheerio commercial that depicted a bi racial family. Actually she didn't say what the controversay was when she posted so I made sure to watch the video closely. I watched it 3 times to be exact. I couldn't figure out the problem so I went back and read the article. The issue was with the family itself. A family that had a black father, a white mother, and an adorable little life formed out of that love. Very much like my own family. Apparently youtube had to take the comment section of the video link down because it was bombarded with endless racists comments in a matter of minutes.
It's 2013...racism doesn't exist right? We have a black president. We see tons of multi racial couples in everyday life, even glamorized on tv so people don't really think this way anymore right? WRONG. Very very wrong. I wish it were a thing of the past. I wish we were more far removed from it and we are definitely getting there but we have a long way to go. There are really so many things to say in this post that I dont know where to start. I'm not worried about the grammatical formalities or paragraph structures because at the end of the day this blog is for my beloved children and I know they will understand the points I'm trying to stress and where my heart is.
My initial reaction after reading the article was to move right along with my day. You have to understand that I'm a very strong woman in who I am. I in no means say that in a boastful fashion but I'm extremely secure in almost every facet of the person I know myself to be..from outside in and back again. Very little that people do phase me in regards to my personal life because I'm very grounded. This confidence stems from the fact that I understand people. I "get it' even at an early age. I have zero hate because I know that when the "ugly" comes out in people they are usually unhappy and are hurting and lacking in something they need. I dont like people, I love them. I hate their cookie cutter ways, over zealous strive towards normality and the need to feel validated by others that are no better than them but I love them bc I understand its part of a greater picture of needing acceptance. A quick eye roll and sincere pity for the level of ignorance would normally suffice for the ridiculous comments referenced but then I thought of something. I typically take a stand on MOST social issues when they involve the rights of others. I was very out spoken in defending the struggle that gay Americans endure....bulling in school systems etc. I realized something else..*I* may be secure in my choices and not intimidated by what some may think but I realize that OTHERS maybe hurting and afraid to take a stand or at a different place in their lives. I owe it to them sense we share the same struggle.
So it was at that point that I decided to take a stand on an issue that is extremely personal. I posted an image of my family on my business page yesterday morning. Ironically the same photo was posted during the holidays. Ten minutes after I had posted a shot of my family last December I lost 25 fans. I made a brief statement about it at the time because I was shocked. I received many personal messages from other top names in the party industry thinking it was just a FB glitch and its not reflecting the numbers correctly. These amazing successful women were not defending the actions..they were just too bright and far removed from hatred to fathom it. I can understand. I moved on...like always.
Fast forward to yesterday morning and I made the choice to repost it with the following caption
"I never voice strong opinions about current events, politics, social issues etc on my business page bc its just not appropriate and people come here to see fun parties. This is one issue I can't let pass by without speaking on. The Cheerio commercial and all the uproar its causing because of interracial family being depicted is so unfortunate. I couldn't believe it at first because I'm so far removed from that mind set but then I remembered back to a time just this past Christmas when I posted a picture of my family like others were doing on their page wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I lost 25 fans in less then 10 mins. I had many reach out to me and say it was prob FB. I knew better. It hasn't happened before or sense that. I'm posting that same picture again. To say that I love my family and they are my inspiration and the reason for what I do! If you dont like the picture, us, or the "idea" of us than you probably shouldn't be here."
I wrote it, signed off and thought nothing else of it. I knew Id probably get a couple of likes, hopefully a few kind words, and maybe even a few unlikes like before. I certainly NEVER expected it to go what I would consider viral for my page. I was blown away. Over 1,000 new fans and still counting. Same with comments nearly a 1,000 of those and over 5,000 likes on the status. Out of those 1,000 comments there were a total of 3 that were negative. This is certainly proof that we are progressing as a society. I also received so many people who have thanked me for taking a stand. That meant the most to me. I hope that my post enabled others to live life beautifully, boldly and with zero apologies for who they are and who they love. I also recived countless inbox messages from others who are currently struggling. From an Asian lady who was forced to leave her job bc of racist language that a ceo refused to address to a mother of a gay son who recently passed. She shared with me one of his favorites quotes ..."judge only with the heart" Just beautiful words. I even received a message from the producer of the studio where the commercial was shot. That was beyond awesome!! I understand what people are going thru is very real. I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this on my blog but my own father has never seen my children. Not once. All because of their skin color. If you are a person with any degree of intellect I'm aware at how ludicrous that sounds. Its also sad. He will forever miss out on a unique family by his own choice. There are many more with stories just like mine and I'm still sorting thru all of them.
The last thing I want to touch on for my children is this....There are people who are just outwardly racist. They make themselves known and their is zero guessing. Then you have people who think they mean well that say the following types of statements that honestly irk me more bc they perpetuate the problem MORE to the middle of society. Children do NOT suffer bc they are more than one race. Its not "harder on the kids." Its an enriching experience for them. My children will be exposed to many different cultures. They will be taught self esteem, self worth and compassion for others. They will be like their mother and father. They will find their own path in life. They will not be people pleasers who live their life for others. They will take less traveled roads and perhaps not the easiest. They will obtain immeasurable growth because of this. They will be leaders not followers. They will find happiness in life without hurting others to get to it because thats who they are being raised to be and more. So please, no worries for my little guys.
Lastly, there is truly only on race and it is the human race. Over used phrase but true. Don't limit a rewarding human experience by only allowing people that fit into a specific mold that a current society has deemed acceptable. You are only cutting yourself short. Have a progressive mind, courage, and an even bigger heart and you will go far in life. Never give up, never conform, and ALWAYS be yourself. <3 nbsp="" span="">
It's 2013...racism doesn't exist right? We have a black president. We see tons of multi racial couples in everyday life, even glamorized on tv so people don't really think this way anymore right? WRONG. Very very wrong. I wish it were a thing of the past. I wish we were more far removed from it and we are definitely getting there but we have a long way to go. There are really so many things to say in this post that I dont know where to start. I'm not worried about the grammatical formalities or paragraph structures because at the end of the day this blog is for my beloved children and I know they will understand the points I'm trying to stress and where my heart is.
My initial reaction after reading the article was to move right along with my day. You have to understand that I'm a very strong woman in who I am. I in no means say that in a boastful fashion but I'm extremely secure in almost every facet of the person I know myself to be..from outside in and back again. Very little that people do phase me in regards to my personal life because I'm very grounded. This confidence stems from the fact that I understand people. I "get it' even at an early age. I have zero hate because I know that when the "ugly" comes out in people they are usually unhappy and are hurting and lacking in something they need. I dont like people, I love them. I hate their cookie cutter ways, over zealous strive towards normality and the need to feel validated by others that are no better than them but I love them bc I understand its part of a greater picture of needing acceptance. A quick eye roll and sincere pity for the level of ignorance would normally suffice for the ridiculous comments referenced but then I thought of something. I typically take a stand on MOST social issues when they involve the rights of others. I was very out spoken in defending the struggle that gay Americans endure....bulling in school systems etc. I realized something else..*I* may be secure in my choices and not intimidated by what some may think but I realize that OTHERS maybe hurting and afraid to take a stand or at a different place in their lives. I owe it to them sense we share the same struggle.
So it was at that point that I decided to take a stand on an issue that is extremely personal. I posted an image of my family on my business page yesterday morning. Ironically the same photo was posted during the holidays. Ten minutes after I had posted a shot of my family last December I lost 25 fans. I made a brief statement about it at the time because I was shocked. I received many personal messages from other top names in the party industry thinking it was just a FB glitch and its not reflecting the numbers correctly. These amazing successful women were not defending the actions..they were just too bright and far removed from hatred to fathom it. I can understand. I moved on...like always.
Fast forward to yesterday morning and I made the choice to repost it with the following caption
"I never voice strong opinions about current events, politics, social issues etc on my business page bc its just not appropriate and people come here to see fun parties. This is one issue I can't let pass by without speaking on. The Cheerio commercial and all the uproar its causing because of interracial family being depicted is so unfortunate. I couldn't believe it at first because I'm so far removed from that mind set but then I remembered back to a time just this past Christmas when I posted a picture of my family like others were doing on their page wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from my family to yours. I lost 25 fans in less then 10 mins. I had many reach out to me and say it was prob FB. I knew better. It hasn't happened before or sense that. I'm posting that same picture again. To say that I love my family and they are my inspiration and the reason for what I do! If you dont like the picture, us, or the "idea" of us than you probably shouldn't be here."
I wrote it, signed off and thought nothing else of it. I knew Id probably get a couple of likes, hopefully a few kind words, and maybe even a few unlikes like before. I certainly NEVER expected it to go what I would consider viral for my page. I was blown away. Over 1,000 new fans and still counting. Same with comments nearly a 1,000 of those and over 5,000 likes on the status. Out of those 1,000 comments there were a total of 3 that were negative. This is certainly proof that we are progressing as a society. I also received so many people who have thanked me for taking a stand. That meant the most to me. I hope that my post enabled others to live life beautifully, boldly and with zero apologies for who they are and who they love. I also recived countless inbox messages from others who are currently struggling. From an Asian lady who was forced to leave her job bc of racist language that a ceo refused to address to a mother of a gay son who recently passed. She shared with me one of his favorites quotes ..."judge only with the heart" Just beautiful words. I even received a message from the producer of the studio where the commercial was shot. That was beyond awesome!! I understand what people are going thru is very real. I'm not sure I've ever mentioned this on my blog but my own father has never seen my children. Not once. All because of their skin color. If you are a person with any degree of intellect I'm aware at how ludicrous that sounds. Its also sad. He will forever miss out on a unique family by his own choice. There are many more with stories just like mine and I'm still sorting thru all of them.
The last thing I want to touch on for my children is this....There are people who are just outwardly racist. They make themselves known and their is zero guessing. Then you have people who think they mean well that say the following types of statements that honestly irk me more bc they perpetuate the problem MORE to the middle of society. Children do NOT suffer bc they are more than one race. Its not "harder on the kids." Its an enriching experience for them. My children will be exposed to many different cultures. They will be taught self esteem, self worth and compassion for others. They will be like their mother and father. They will find their own path in life. They will not be people pleasers who live their life for others. They will take less traveled roads and perhaps not the easiest. They will obtain immeasurable growth because of this. They will be leaders not followers. They will find happiness in life without hurting others to get to it because thats who they are being raised to be and more. So please, no worries for my little guys.
Lastly, there is truly only on race and it is the human race. Over used phrase but true. Don't limit a rewarding human experience by only allowing people that fit into a specific mold that a current society has deemed acceptable. You are only cutting yourself short. Have a progressive mind, courage, and an even bigger heart and you will go far in life. Never give up, never conform, and ALWAYS be yourself. <3 nbsp="" span="">
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Keeping Up With Kal-El- June
Because its been awhile and this little gets more hilarious and charming by the day! I pulled these directly off facebook bc I certainly dont want to forget and if it werent for those updates I would of forgotten everything on slow blogging months. Enjoy the recap :D
- Kal-El on anatomy...
"I have a skeleton but it has no bones"
Me: Yes you do have bones, thats what comprise your skeleton..
K: Nope, your wrong. I'm made up of little pieces of chicken bc you dont let me get bones when I get chicken bc they are choke hazards.
Me : Oh well in that case no worries about osteoporosis!
K: Or wolf-ES (wolves)!
LOL typical daily convo in this house
- Wow Lauren jr mini control freak is now trying to ban me from ice cream flavors that he likes...like he owns rights to cotton candy. Hes screaming at me to oder nilla or chocolate only. This lady thinks we are nuts. Wouldnt be the first time lol!
-Kal-El : Quit telling me what to do it makes me nervous and I dont like you being in charge here.
- I don't know if I've ever been more proud of Kal-El. He is sharp witted,charming, and loving in general but when he shows compassion and a willingness to care for others it touches my heart like nothing else. Tonight he asked me to help him write a letter to the new little boy or girl that may move in our house after we move. He wants to tell them about the location of the fire ant beds and to please be careful bc they are dangerous.
- Kal-El knows me too well....I found him watching the news (following the tragic OK city tornadoes) and he looked up at me and said "Are you going to make my donate my rescue bots?" Sweet. Innocent. Clever. Children.
- Kal-El is SO my child. He's walking around whining "Well now that I have an upper respiratory fection nooooone willllll playyy with meee, I'll have to find a new family..you were supposed to take caaaare of meee now Im so sick" D.R.A.M.A..he barely has a sniffle.
-Kal-El has a beetle named Baloney... he "NEEDS" him to go in the restaurant with us....this is going to be a LONG day lol.
- I've been sneaking some of Kal-El's pretty oversized seashells for my nautical themed shoot with Pottery Barn. Today he caught me. He said....bahaha ..."The party is over, now we have a problem!"
- Free J.Cole concert in Wal Wart tonight..aka Kal-El singing power trip to the top of his lungs..♪♫ "Would you believe me if I said I'm in looooove" followed by "Happy Mothers Day Mommmmyyy ♪♫ "
- I'm sure there was a way for Kal-El to be more embarrassing at lunch today...although Im not sure what could top this...we just HAD to pick the Fiesta Restaurant in MS with a dang stage. We all had the "pleasure" of watching Super dance and crawl across the stage in an attempt to woo a little girl that was trying to have lunch with her family. It was seriously a cross between Jennifer Lopez's remake of Flash Dance and Magic Mike
- Me: You need to share your toys with your brother!
Kal-El : Ok, I splain (explain) to him....
K to Logan: I need to share with you but I really cant and I'm sorry...you need to stay away bc all my toys are choke hazards..got it?!
I said share NOT manipulate lol and last time I checked Logan couldnt get a book or 6 inch dinosaur down his throat! LOL
- Kal-El has is asking if he can take 2 girls with him to see Superman when it comes out. This can NOT be starting already. He's SO serious.
- I'm SO tired....after quite literally having the fight of the century with Kal-El when I told him it was time to leave the park this afternoon. I'm talking hair pulling, bite dodging, blow for blow action. Meanwhile Chris is trying to load Logan AND our mastiff horse of a dog in car. The last words everyone at the park heard while we drove off into the sunset was "THIS is the worst day of MY life..I'll never get to play again" Pretty sure we look like a circus half the time we are out! ;)
-I'm DONE drawing Kal-El....you can't please a narcissistic 4 yr old that wants a daily self portrait and literally thinks he's Superman lol..." My eyes are prettier than that, this looks crazy, you forgot my cape"
- Chris had to spank Kal-El for being to rough with Logan..his response " what now..see Im not crying " Super has heart LOL
- Kal-El on anatomy...
"I have a skeleton but it has no bones"
Me: Yes you do have bones, thats what comprise your skeleton..
K: Nope, your wrong. I'm made up of little pieces of chicken bc you dont let me get bones when I get chicken bc they are choke hazards.
Me : Oh well in that case no worries about osteoporosis!
K: Or wolf-ES (wolves)!
LOL typical daily convo in this house
- Wow Lauren jr mini control freak is now trying to ban me from ice cream flavors that he likes...like he owns rights to cotton candy. Hes screaming at me to oder nilla or chocolate only. This lady thinks we are nuts. Wouldnt be the first time lol!
-Kal-El : Quit telling me what to do it makes me nervous and I dont like you being in charge here.
- I don't know if I've ever been more proud of Kal-El. He is sharp witted,charming, and loving in general but when he shows compassion and a willingness to care for others it touches my heart like nothing else. Tonight he asked me to help him write a letter to the new little boy or girl that may move in our house after we move. He wants to tell them about the location of the fire ant beds and to please be careful bc they are dangerous.
- Kal-El knows me too well....I found him watching the news (following the tragic OK city tornadoes) and he looked up at me and said "Are you going to make my donate my rescue bots?" Sweet. Innocent. Clever. Children.
- Kal-El is SO my child. He's walking around whining "Well now that I have an upper respiratory fection nooooone willllll playyy with meee, I'll have to find a new family..you were supposed to take caaaare of meee now Im so sick" D.R.A.M.A..he barely has a sniffle.
-Kal-El has a beetle named Baloney... he "NEEDS" him to go in the restaurant with us....this is going to be a LONG day lol.
- I've been sneaking some of Kal-El's pretty oversized seashells for my nautical themed shoot with Pottery Barn. Today he caught me. He said....bahaha ..."The party is over, now we have a problem!"
- Free J.Cole concert in Wal Wart tonight..aka Kal-El singing power trip to the top of his lungs..♪♫ "Would you believe me if I said I'm in looooove" followed by "Happy Mothers Day Mommmmyyy ♪♫ "
- I'm sure there was a way for Kal-El to be more embarrassing at lunch today...although Im not sure what could top this...we just HAD to pick the Fiesta Restaurant in MS with a dang stage. We all had the "pleasure" of watching Super dance and crawl across the stage in an attempt to woo a little girl that was trying to have lunch with her family. It was seriously a cross between Jennifer Lopez's remake of Flash Dance and Magic Mike
- Me: You need to share your toys with your brother!
Kal-El : Ok, I splain (explain) to him....
K to Logan: I need to share with you but I really cant and I'm sorry...you need to stay away bc all my toys are choke hazards..got it?!
I said share NOT manipulate lol and last time I checked Logan couldnt get a book or 6 inch dinosaur down his throat! LOL
- Kal-El has is asking if he can take 2 girls with him to see Superman when it comes out. This can NOT be starting already. He's SO serious.
- I'm SO tired....after quite literally having the fight of the century with Kal-El when I told him it was time to leave the park this afternoon. I'm talking hair pulling, bite dodging, blow for blow action. Meanwhile Chris is trying to load Logan AND our mastiff horse of a dog in car. The last words everyone at the park heard while we drove off into the sunset was "THIS is the worst day of MY life..I'll never get to play again" Pretty sure we look like a circus half the time we are out! ;)
-I'm DONE drawing Kal-El....you can't please a narcissistic 4 yr old that wants a daily self portrait and literally thinks he's Superman lol..." My eyes are prettier than that, this looks crazy, you forgot my cape"
- Chris had to spank Kal-El for being to rough with Logan..his response " what now..see Im not crying " Super has heart LOL
Playing Catch Up!
I thought I'd better post something sense my sweet family is having Kal-El and Logan picture withdrawal lol! I never intend to get behind on blog posts but it does happen with all that we have going on right now. We are still in the process of moving so everything in our home is either in a box or waiting to go in one. We are super excited and close the 14th of June. The editorial calender is also pretty crazy with my business until after June so thats still keeping some of my very active blogging at bay. I'll have a nice rest period after Logan's party and I'll dedicate more picture time after that for sure! In the mean time heres a super informal post of our Memorial Day lunch at Nannie's and our lunch today...you know just to prove we haven't fallen off planet Earth ;) We are trying to get lots of Nannie and Poppa time in bc I know we wont see them everyday after we move to Florence. More detailed moving posts coming soon...but its a start!
The older boys on the grill while Logan and I relaxed :)
Kal-El hiding hush puppies from Nannie today ;)
My baybeeeeeee <3 p="">
Lying with a straight face about the hush puppies lol!
Gross!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Pottery Barn Mystery Box Challenge
I've been so eager to reveal what I've been working on for the Pottery Barn Mystery Box challenge.It's been such an awesome opportunity! I knew that I wanted some resemblance of a theme for my styled set up. I took my inspiration from a single piece that was sent to me. A little whale bottle opener lead the way. I decided almost immediately that I wanted to go in a nautical/coastal direction.
I had Miranda of Whimsically Detailed create some printables for me. She captured my vision and the direction for the shoot perfectly. We were also required to create a cocktail as a part of our set up. I chose Blue Lagoons because the color as well as the name fit so well with all the decor. I decided to do a very light fare. Blueberry salads as well as crab dip served as a prequel to a yummy array of sweets.
Sugared Hearts Bakery was able to match the printables to her beautiful cookies with ease. The mermaid was one of my favorites! I also served lovely blue macarons made by Dolce Designs. I had my local baker, Heather of Gourmet Gals, create a pretty ocean ombre cake. For the topper of the cake I decided to use my inspiration for the shoot. Mama Fresh created a fondant version of the little bottle opener to sit on top of the cake! Cake pops were also added to the sweets mix by Painted & Sprinkled. Lastly, nautical themed cupcake toppers were created by Kima's Konfections.
Everything came together with classical nautical elements such as fish netting, anchors, and even a vintage model sailboat! Danielle McCann shot the set up at an outdoor kitchen. The outdoor element brought the theme to life. I was happy to be able to incorporate all the items that were sent to me. They each played an intricate part to the setup. Thanks to all my vendors and a huge thank you to Pottery Barn for such fun challenge!
I had Miranda of Whimsically Detailed create some printables for me. She captured my vision and the direction for the shoot perfectly. We were also required to create a cocktail as a part of our set up. I chose Blue Lagoons because the color as well as the name fit so well with all the decor. I decided to do a very light fare. Blueberry salads as well as crab dip served as a prequel to a yummy array of sweets.
Sugared Hearts Bakery was able to match the printables to her beautiful cookies with ease. The mermaid was one of my favorites! I also served lovely blue macarons made by Dolce Designs. I had my local baker, Heather of Gourmet Gals, create a pretty ocean ombre cake. For the topper of the cake I decided to use my inspiration for the shoot. Mama Fresh created a fondant version of the little bottle opener to sit on top of the cake! Cake pops were also added to the sweets mix by Painted & Sprinkled. Lastly, nautical themed cupcake toppers were created by Kima's Konfections.
Everything came together with classical nautical elements such as fish netting, anchors, and even a vintage model sailboat! Danielle McCann shot the set up at an outdoor kitchen. The outdoor element brought the theme to life. I was happy to be able to incorporate all the items that were sent to me. They each played an intricate part to the setup. Thanks to all my vendors and a huge thank you to Pottery Barn for such fun challenge!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
When Pottery Barn Calls....
You answer! LOL :) Every year Pottery Barn selects only four stylists to participate in their Mystery Box styling challenge. I'm thrilled that Capes & Crowns will be participating this year! Talk about an amazing opportunity. I am more than a little excited about this. Here's how it works. You are sent several boxes of surprise merchandise from Pottery Barn. You get to KEEP these items afterwards! We can stop right there bc thats an award in and of itself right?! You must style a set up with the items. You are allowed to use any items in your home as well as $50 visa gift card thats provided to you for the purchase of additional items you may need. Having to stick with a minimal budget is always a challenge but sense this is for Pottery Barn it will be more clean lines and less fluff so I definitely think its doable! The other big challenge is the theme. Summer cocktails. UGH. I'm not a drinker so I definitely had to do my research. The participants were also allowed to chose between a couple of items on the merchandise list. The few items chosen allowed me to develop a theme (you know how I adore a theme) and I'm going with a coastal/nautical set up. Danielle will be shooting it day after tomorrow in my moms outdoor kitchen. This is a contest that fans can vote on once Pottery Barn posts them on their webpage. It will go live July 2nd so please stay tuned and I'll provide the voting links!!!
I will go ahead and share one small element of my set up :) I was able to chose which bottle opener I wanted and I chose the adorable little whale. This guy, will call him Barn ;) was where my inspiration took off for my theme. I had Mama Fresh make a cake topper in his likeness! Super cute right!?
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