Letting Go - Forming new habits

Out with the old and in with the new, with the new year among us it's time to set new goals. Reflect on what we accomplished last year. Time to form all fresh and new habits! I want to let go of the habit of not writing my new ideas down! 

I get a idea and sometimes I will not write it down. As a wedding and event planner I'm always brainstorming. Constantly, thinking of new things to implement. 

My new habit I will form for this year is writing my ideas down ( writing them down all the time, as soon as I think of them!)!!!

Holding on to old habits will slow you down. I don't want to start the new year off with habits from 2014. 

What I plan to do is, as soon as an idea pops into my head. I'm going to grab a notebook, or journal and write the idea down. I will also use tabs to organize the ideas. I plan to have all my ideas all arranged where I can easily access them. 

I think that will help a lot, especially on days when I have down time. I also, plan to sit aside a time to look over my ideas. Most of the ideas that come to me are social, networking, and bridal/wedding events ideas. 

Developing great habits will help me prosper in my business. Therefore, I can be even more productive. I will be able also to take these ideas and build on them! I cannot wait to get started with forming my new habit for 2015! 

 

 

 

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

 

 

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Photography Credit: Pinterest 

Written by: Clarissa

Distractions - and setting boundaries

  

Distractions are always around us, especially with smart phones, tablets, iPads, ect... Balancing so much in your day to day life. It's so easy to be distracted and thrown off task.

 I know that social media, email, and apps all installed on my smart phone it's very easy for me to get distracted. I have lots of notifications going off all the time. 

I certainly get distracted by my phone, and I have already started to make changes. I'm taking small steps, in efforts to cut down on the distractions coming from my phone!

Here are some steps I'm putting into place to create bounderies! 

#1) Have set times "daily" that I check and respond to emails. Only between those hours I will read, and reply. I will make exceptions, if needed. 

#2) I also, have a set time that I will check my phone App notifications. 

#3) I will look at my Apps on my smart phone device and decide what notifications I can consider turning off. 

#4) I want to put into place certain times when I "un-plug" and put the phone in a silence mode or Do Not Disturb ( or just turn the phone completely off). 

#5) I want to create a special place in my home where I can leave the phone and be "un-plugged" during special times, especially during family time. 

Applying discipline and those steps above;  will propel me in the right direction. Distractions can take you away from the most important elements in your life. You can waste valuable time ( time you can't get back)! 

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Photography credit:Pinterest

Written by: Clarissa

A Tool for becoming more Productive - Meditation

I have decided to use "Meditation" as a tool to become more productive, I have always been curious about it. I had confirmation (I truly believe when you hear the same consistent thing by different sources it's a sign) by a professional vendor (she was telling me about it last year). Also, this particular vendor  makes amazing bath & body products. Furthermore,  recently I had a family member recommend meditation to me.

I was even invited to attend a local meditation class (I thought it was such a awesome idea). I just never followed up on the invite. But, I'm glad that I am finally going to go ( I'm actually REALLY looking forward to it)! 

I'm still in the early learning stages, checking out books and materials about meditation. I want to be educated about it, and learn as much as I can. I'm looking forward to the benefits of it. I know it will improve my personal, and business life. That's surely what I'm looking forward to! 

I want to create a quiet, neat, and beautiful space where I can actually meditate. A spot in my home where I can just get very comfortable, relax, and close my eyes. I think it's very important that I'm in a space where I can feel calm, and at ease, and can focus on the meditation. 

 

Life gets very busy, and we take so much in. I feel that meditation would be a great way to clear my mind.  Also, as a business owner meditation would help with managing stress, decluttering my mind, sharpening my critical thinking skills, and more.  

I will have to keep you all posted on my journey of Mediation! Also, I'm going to download the Head space App. I cannot wait to see all the beautiful benefits that I will gain over my life! This "tool" is going to be a life changing experience! 

My last three blog posts have been very inspirational, thanks to this awesome 15-Day Blogging Challenge by Natalie Sisson

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.
 

 

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa

Written by: Clarissa

Photography Credit: Pinterest

My Most Important Action - "Health"

M.I.A. - stands for "most important action"

The next 15 days I will focus on one "most important action"; this particular action will be one of my many goals for 2015. 

My "MIA" is my HEALTH...

I recently joined a 60 day weightloss challenge, it began January 1, 2015 (ends March 1, 2015). There are several people participating and who ever loses the MOST weight wins money!

 Also, this year I have decided to incorporate Meditation and recently checked out some audio books from the library ( Beginner's Meditation).  I decided to participate in a few upcoming 5K road races, and adding more healthy food and more water into my diet. 

I would love to try a new fitness facility that's in my neighborhood. They offer some awesome workout classes, boot camps, ect.. I wouldn't mind taking classes I never tried before.... I have always wanted to try YOGA! 

I want to add more green smoothies into my diet. I use to drink alot of the green goodness before in the past (aka green smoothies). Green smoothies are filled with fresh fruits, veggies, and lots of nutrients. Don't worry you will get use to the taste (don't let the color scare you)! 

Adding more lemons into my diet, especially my water. Lemons have so many awesome benefits. Lemons are a alkaline fruit! Adding lemons to the water makes it alkaline water! Warm water with lemon is a great liver detox! 

On a daily basis I have decided to recently start incorporating JUMP ROPE into my daily routine! It instantly reminds of when I was a child (I Adored jumping rope growing up). The benefits are phenomenal and it's excellent for your heart! 

I have serveral other MIAs however, I know that your health, diet, and wellness is very important, and key to your overall well being. Taking care of yourself, getting plenty of sleep/rest, taking vitamins, scheduling annual doctor appointments all tie into health.

I hope you enjoyed learning about my MIA! I would love to hear about yours! 

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Written by: Clarissa

Photography Credit: Pinterest

My Daily Success Plan

Success -

n.noun

1. The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted.
2. The gaining of fame or prosperity. 

I will discuss the many elements that make-up my daily success plan. I hope you enjoy and perhaps they may inspire you! Maybe, you already included some of these in your daily success plan.

Prayer - I feel this is one of the most important parts and the root of success, starts with prayer. There is POWER in prayer. I love to include this, and it's a great way to start and end the day. 

Reflection - I reflect when I wake up in the morning. I think about what I have accomplished the previous day. I also give thanks for what goals I have completed. This is refreshing, and gives you a excellent feeling. 

Meditation - I am new to meditation, I was inspired to incorporate this into my daily routine by a family member. It's very relaxing, and helps me think, and feel great. 

Keeping my Space free of clutter - I like to keep the space I work in neat, and clean. I can focus better on what I'm doing. Overall, I feel more comfortable and happy within a nice space. 

Organization - writing down my ideas, thoughts, goals, and brainstorms; all in one place. Also, I have a journal, I like to write in. Being organized is very important for staying on task. Developing the habit of writing things down is a healthy key to success!  

Un- plugged - I started this in 2015, learning to not check my notifications until after a certain hour in the mornings. The cell phone can be a big distraction, I am learning to put a plan into place for my smart phone, tablet, ect... 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my daily plan for success.  I would love to hear what you do to achieve daily success. 

 

Note: This blog post was inspired by Natalie Sission 15-Day blog challenge.

Have a Sweet day,
Clarissa

 

Photography Credit:  Pinterest

Written by: Clarissa 

30 Something ...Facts about me!

I decided for one of my first 2015 posts will be all about me! I threw in a few fun facts as well!  A lot of times, current and prospective clients ask me questions like how did I get started, ... what's my favorite part of planning, ect... so here are 30 something facts! Enjoy! 

#1 I have been planning weddings and events for over a decade. I began planning weddings in my home town/state of Kansas City, Missouri.

#2 I was inspired to start planning by my mother. Growing up, my mother always planned such Awesome parties for me (Social events, Birthday Parties, Slumber Parties, ect,...) 

#3 -The first wedding I planned, was a Valentine's Day weekend wedding in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a intimate church wedding with a off site reception. 

#4 - My favorite food is Pizza! 

#5 I love making diaper cakes and homemade decorations for baby showers, along with event styling (yes, I plan Baby Showers, Bridal Showers, ect...). 

#6 I was born in raised in the Midwest of Kansas City, Missouri (raised by two amazing parents) and now reside in Georgia. I'm the youngest of three children! 

#7 As a child I played several instruments, piano, violin, french horn, and clarinet. I played in a band/orchestra in high school and participated in band competitions. 

#8 I have an amazing husband, and 2 beautiful children (boy & girl), and 2 doggies (a Shih Tzu, and Cocker Spaniel). 

#9 I love planning full service, and "day of coordination" weddings but I also love planning "marriage proposals" I'm a sucker for romance! 

#10 One of my favorite things about wedding planning is meeting the clients. The Bridal Consultations are one of best times; I get to hear all about their wedding. Mostly, I love to sit back and listen to their love story! 

#11 - I got started planning weddings for my friends! A lot of my close friends were engaged and pregnant (Bridal showers, Baby Showers, Bachelorette Parties, and more).  Also, I had a book club, and I always planned all the social events for the club. The book club members asked me to plan their personal events and weddings.  

#12 I am a co-host for a wedding talk show podcast called, "Bridal Style Blog Podcast" catch the show every other Wednesday at 8:00pm EST/7 CST. 

#13 When I was coming up with a name for my business The Sweetest Thing Events. I was inspired by the name of my favorite movie (one of my favorites!) The Sweetest Thing! But, my absolute favorite movie of all times is Love Jones ( I have watched it probably over a thousand times)! 

#14 My hobbies - spending time with my husband and kids, listening to music, NPR is one of my favorite radio stations (the classical music and news are the best), reading (I love the library) I can spend hours and hours in there, blogging, participating in 5K walk/run, planning parties, events and weddings (of course)! Love to travel, blog, and chit chat with people I love ( text/talk/email). 

#15 - Marriage proposals - not only am I a wedding planner, but a marriage proposal planner ( aka a LOVE-O-Logist). I planned an amazing "proposal" Valentine's Day weekend, and later ended up planning the couples beautiful wedding (it seem that a lot of magic happens around Valentine's Day; from my 1st wedding I planned to this). 

#16 - I have been blogging for over 5 years, and I absolutely love it! 

#17 - My favorite color is purple! I streaked my hair purple once (true statement)! It was fun! 

#18 - My husband and I love to go to the mountains in Blue Ridge, Georgia along with Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN (we have been going at least 2-3 times a year for the past 10 years). 

#19 -  My very first pet, was a all white cat named, "Sugar". 

#20 - I love tons of romance, and after decorating a Bride & Groom Suite for the night of their wedding... the concierge  told the couple out of his 12 years as a employee at the Ritz Carlton. He went on to say that he's never seen a room set-up so beautiful (that brought a instant smile to my face).

#21 - My first destination wedding was 250 miles away in Savannah, Georgia. This wedding was on the most popular date of the year 10.10.10! It was a beautiful outdoor wedding in a historic courtyard. The cocktail hour took place poolside; and lastly the reception was in a stunning ballroom. Fact: over 13,000 couples got married that day! 

 

#22 - I became the co-host of Bridal Style Blog Podcast in Spring of 2014 during the 2nd season. Also, I met up with the host of the show this year, and we attended New York Bridal Market and Bridal Fashion week together!

#23 - I got married in Georgia, in a intimate wedding with 50+ guests surrounded by close friends and family. We had our honeymoon in Chattanooga, TN ( we also drove up to Gatlingburg & Pigeon Forge, TN). As you can tell we really love the mountains! 

#24 - I renewed my wedding vows recently 10.14.2014 in New York! It was a intimate vow renewal with just my husband and I. It was amazing, fun, and very romantic! 

#25 - I have to mention that I have a heart for giving back, volunteering, and have participated with feeding the homeless, and serving and baking for a homeless shelter. I also volunteer at the church I attend. I love GOD! 

#26 - I have one tattoo (I've had it since 1998)!  

#27 - One of the first baby showers I planned was in Kansas City, Missouri. It was co-ed with 50 + guests! I drove over 800 miles away, and planned the entire event from Georgia.

#28 - My hair is natural and has been since 2010.  

#29 - I am a certified Cake Decorator, and I love to bake and decorate cakes! I'm certified through Wilton's ( however, I am not a Cake Designer by trade).  

#30 - My very first job was at a place in a mall food court called "Amigos". I was 15 years old. 

#31 - I love vintage-rustic themes, I'm a lover for old, vintage pieces, dresses, veils, and decor! 

#32 - I like participating in Twitter Chats, Twitter Parties, hosting Instagram bridal giveaways, my favorite social media platform is Instagram. 

Bonus Fact:  I love Glitter #thatsAll

I hope you enjoyed learning some facts about me! This was a fun blog post to write! Happy New Year everyone! 

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa