Count down to 2011!

Why do we love New Years so? It's not just the champagne toasts, confetti, and fireworks - there are so many ways to bring in the "New Year" and say far well to the old. So many ways to let go of the past and start all over again. Perhaps that's what we love, it's the chance to reset the clock and welcome all the new possibilities of a few a brand new year.

I like to start the year off by writing a few lists. Tonight I'm writing 3 lists:
1.) What I'm most thankful for in my life right now.
2.) What I'd like to accomplish by one year from today
3.) What I'm going to do to improve, enhance and treasure my relationships with my family and friends.
So, what about you? Don't forget to mail it off to yourself tomorrow. When you receive it put it up someplace safe and don't open it for at least 6 months to see what how your doing.

I want to take this moment to thank you for making 2010 such an amazing year for us - I hope we've brought some inspiration, beauty, and laughter to you over this past year. We wish you all the joy and promise of the happiest of New Years! Here's to a fantastic 2011!

T'was the day before celebrating..

For all you hosting parties tomorrow this is for you. I was feeling inspired by a little Dr. Seuss... enjoy!!

T'was the day before Christmas and soon many of you will,
finish shopping and decorating and feel the party hosting thrill.
Are you looking for a little inspiration when you holiday entertain?
Here's a few ideas to help make your home celebration a little more sane.

If you're hosting a dinner party, try a double duty decoration treat.
Use cookies iced with guest's names - a placecards you can eat!
So busy that a "sit-down dinner" is just too much for your plate?
Try a causal cocktail party - guests will think light hors' devours are just great!
Using a single theme like cranberries is something your guests will simply adore.
Oranges in served in the food, as decorations and in cocktails?... who could ask for more.
Serve a Coffee Bar decorated with candles nestbled in fresh coffee bean,
the scent of coffee as the candle melts creates an oh so cool scene.

Have a friend or loved one who's stationed far, far away?
Have guests sign a fun poster with something sweet to say.
Now if you feel overwhelm don't be afraid to ask for a favor,
Consider co-hosting a dinner party with a friend or a neighbor.
I hope you find these tips helpful for your holiday night,
and we wish you a Christmas filled with love, laughter and light.

Quick Highlights... The Chamberlin Holiday Open Houe

What a fantastic afternoon at the historic Chamerlin in Hampton, Virginia yesterday. We were honored to be in the company of dozens of fine vendors offering entertainment, gifts, and more at The Chamerlin's first Holiday Open House. A spectacular scene showcasing this exquisite venue and treating guests to live Holiday Carols, a Gingerbread Workshop, Horse & Pony Rides, Face painting, Hot Cocoa & Cider, Cookies and so much more. I can honestly the experience was one of a kind and I was delighted the Vivid Expressions could be a part of the festivities. Here are just a few highlights from the celebration... enjoy!

Thank ok now some of these pics were taking with my cell phone but I'd like to say thank you to Image One Photography, on site photographer for the event and provider of some of the more artful images... bet you can guess which ones they are. Happy Holidays to all!!

Caricatures at The Chamberlin

We are so looking forward to performing (and selling) On-the-spot Caricatures at the simply enchanting Holiday Open House event at the historic and exquisite Chamberlin tomorrow from 12pm - 4pm. We, along with many others, will be offering unique gift items such as our fun and distinctive Caricatures to guests at this breathtaking venue... hope to see you there!!

Work Ethic... when events become work.

What is your Personal Work Ethic Philosophy? I recent saw truly inspiring Oprah Winfrey on a Barbara Walters special discussing some of her own (no pun intended) philosophy on work, charity, legacy and being of service to others to a divine or philanthropic purpose. She quoted a song which lyrics said, "just keep on using me until you use me up."

If you ever wonder what my philosophy is when it comes to my approach towards the work I and my team do (Any work - Regardless of how big or small, how fun or difficult) it is actually two fold. The first is to remember everything I (or those I work with) do will benefit the "Greater Good" (or the "Bigger Picture"). In my case the "Greater Good" is usually the event, the Client, the experience of the guests and so on.

The second is to strive to do every job (again regardless of task's size or status) with great care, pride, dedication, to the best of my ability and usually extending myself to rise above and beyond what is called for. I often think of these words which sum up my philosophy beautifully...

"If it falls to our luck to be street-sweepers, sweep the streets, like Raphael painted pictures, like Michelangelo carved marble, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, and like Beethoven composed music. Sweep the streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth would have to pause and say ... ...Here lived a great street sweeper"

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., June 20, 1965

A moment of gratitude

It was about this time last year, well every year, that I take a moment to sit down, reflect and plan for the year to come. Most people are familiar with a "Goal" or "To do" list for the New Year. Some write down the resolutions (changes in behavior) and goals - mapping our a plan to achieve what that want accomplish in the year to come. I did something similar to this last year accept I added on large twist. Before I even considered "what I wanted to do" in 2010 I wrote a two and a half page list of what I was "Thankful for having right now" in 2009. I didn't expect this letter to be so long but once you really sit down and take account of what you have, what you are truly thankful and blessed. What were some of my items? My beautiful, healthy daughter, a warm and safe home, my marketable talents and skills, being able to spend time with my Mother who is alive and well, and so on.

So, why is a Gratitude list so important when setting goals for the New Year? It's, in part, because of the "Law of Attraction". The Law of Attraction is a theory that our thoughts, believes and even feels play a critical role in the life we currently have and in the manifestation of what we create in our lives - a positive state of minds and vision attracting positive results and likewise with negative mindset.

In order to be in the proper state of mind to attract and achieve success you must not only focus on some kind of future success. That puts us in a constant state of anticipation and may even leave us with a feeling of un-fulfillment. Instead envision today's success, place yourself in a state of accomplishment and gratitude right now! This mindset and feelings will fuel you to meet your goals.

I recently opened and read the envelope that held my "Gratitude & Goals" letters which I wrote and mailed to myself a day before New Years Eve last year. I found myself stunned by how much I've achieve over the past 12 months and was also reminded of what I am grateful for in my life. It's the most empowering way to end the old year and begin the new. B e grateful and goal oriented 2011... try it!!

Holiday Open House Highlights

On November 30th & December 1st I was deligthed to share our Event Design Studio-gallery with some of our awesome Friends, Colleagues, Clients, etc. during our 1st annual Holiday Open House events. Guests experienced our studio-gallery beautifully decorated for the occasion (well, many occasions actually including weddings), delightful refreshments including Pomagranate Champagne Cocktails, S'more & Italian Cream Cupcakes from Just Cupcakes, fabulous cuisine from Chef by Design, unique tablescapes displayed side-by-side with their concept illustrations and exquisite Artwork including custom designed Copper Art. Here are a few highlights.

Big thank you to ONON Digitography for the stunning images... thanks Bill!!