Cold and Sweet Editorial Shoot, with F. Guise Photography

springfield illinois winter theme wedding.jpg

I'm incredibly excited to share this shoot with you today.  It was a cold day in January when we were in our mudruckers and hauling items out into the snow and then covering our tracks with rakes and shovels.  A beautiful dusting of snow had hit Central Illinois and my dear Felicia Geise and I had wanted to do an outdoor shoot at her parents home with a cool and soft winter theme.  Inspired by Pantone's color of the year, Ultraviolet and combining it with some cool and refreshing winter hues - I love how this shoot came together.   Anemones, sweet peas and the lisianthus were all specially sourced just for their day in the cold. The barely-there purple hues in the bouquet are just the sweetest.   

springfield illinois winter wedding bridal bouquet.jpg

The soft touch of lace and those barley pink roses take the cake along with the anemones. 

springfield illinois wedding winter theme.jpg
springfield illinois winter wedding theme.jpg
springfield illinois winter wedding theme2.jpg
springfield illinois winter theme wedding.jpg
springfield illinois florist wedding.jpg

Isn't that floral hoop just the most adorable ? The astilbe poking up on the left side as an asymmetrical touch is my signature look.  I love everything to be balanced and cohesive, but everything asymmetrical just makes me all giddy.  I feel like this whole scene just feels like winter - and trust me shooting that day felt like winter.  Big hugs to Amanda my second in command for helping out on this as well as Licia's sister Cecelia for helping out and holding our bouquet for us.  You guys are simply the best.  

xoxo, Cass

DESIGN & PLANNING, CASSANDRA DATTOLI | PHOTOGRAPHY, F. GUISE PHOTOGRAPHY | CAKES, SPECIALTY CAKES | FLORALS, CASSANDRA DATTOLI | STATIONARY, THE PAPER BOUTIQUE

Happy Holidays 2017

CD Holiday Bouquet.jpg

It's the Holidays. This year is different around here. Our exchange student is home with his family and after a full and whirlwind Fall Wedding Season - I'm more exhausted than usual.  Reflecting back over the past year and all the amazing couples I worked with this year has me completely in awe and ever so grateful for a business that lights up my heart and for couples that I still adore. I can't wait to share what we've been cooking up over here.  The news I'm sure we'll be breaking in late to early February. I'm so glad you're all here and following along - if you need a loving place to enjoy a warm dinner and have lots of laughs this Christmas; you are invited to our Family Christmas in Decatur. There is always too much lamb, turkey and my brothers famous Ham that will surely have you bent over because it is THAT good. Over here at CD we'll be closed until January 15, at which point we'll be accepting new bookings for 2018 & 2019 shortly after and then showcasing at the January 28th Bridal Expo. Happiest Christmas to you all.

Much love to you all, C

Florals by Cassandra  | Photo taken by my dear friend Aimee Novy Photography.

SWEET PINK LOVE THEMED TABLE {Cassandra + Springfield P.C.}

While I can't quite go into details, just yet; a local business and I have teamed up and they asked me to set and design tablescapes for their showroom - and how could a girl say no ? I had so much fun designing and creating silk flora for the sweet family behind this Central IL rental company. I'm absolutely honored to do this for them and show case their lovely rentals. I had fun dreaming up a tables cape for February and incorporating just a hint of Valentine's Day. Enjoy the IPhone pics I snapped. 

This table makes me want to sit down and have dinner, how about you ? Happy Friday sweets!

xoxo Cass

GRAND SCHEMES & BIG DREAMS {September Goals}

September Goals

September Quote. September. Helen Hunt Jackson. Dahlia. Pretty. Pink flower. Pretty flower.

Where does the time go? I wonder if everyone starts their first monthly post this exact same way? Well instead of telling you how this year is evaporating, I'm just going to get right down to brass tax as they say and tell you that September is one of my favorite months - almost as favorite as October and May!

I truly believe in accountability. I believe that sharing here is the best way to hold myself accountable for my plans. Writing it just for myself? Well If I decide to take a breather; only I will know what I didn't accomplish - So my hope for these monthly goal posts is to have you - my lovely readers - keep me accountable - so here goes!

Healthy Living. It seems I've gotten a bit off track with my health goals lately and I want to get back into routine workouts and eating healthy so  I can be my best self for JD, my family and my wonderful clients.

Organization. I want to focus and make a real effort into cataloging my inventory and organizing all my shop items, and all the business 'stuff" that I have. My tornado-like-tendencies cause the studio and extra bedrooms to turn into "Danger Zones." So this month I'd like to get all that picked up and organized so I can find everything without spending hours looking for it.

Studio Help. I need to spend some time doing some training with those that help me with my events. I want them to be a true reflection of my brand and be able to work without supervision. I want them to "have the vision" with me and for my clients to trust them, so we can function as a better team together.

Love. I want to spend more time loving on my husband this month. I want to spend more face time with friends and family. I want to see my dad more.

Brand & Launch Details. Yes this!!

CDE Friendors.  I want to reach out to the amazing vendors here in Central IL and get acquainted with the talent in this area.

Shoot Details. This - in all it's sparkly, pinkness.

Bridal Expo. Do some major research on this and maybe even get signed up for my first Bridal Show. Woot! Woot!

October SS. There is a top secret-service plan that involves a certain State Trooper unfolding and I hope to share it with all of you very soon, but this is here to keep me accountable!

September is really going to be spectacular. Let's call it Spectacular September; yeah  I kinda like that. I have so much goodness to share - I'm nearly ready to explode with excitement, confetti and just lots and lots of joy.

I'd love to hear your goals! Share below in the comments and let's all keep each other accountable and make it happen!

xoxo - Cass

Amazing photo above by the talented Georgianna Lane & design by yours truly.

 

 

 

GRAND SCHEMES & BIG DREAMS {March Goals}

Happy March!

peonies_01.jpg

I just had to post these gorge peonies. What a tease! The winter here has been brutal. These remind me of the bounties a harsh winter like this is sure to bring.

I’ve been under the weather these last couple days & my stomach has been all sorts of weird. As much as we want a little baby D, and wish it was so; no sweet friends; sadly that is not the case. I've had some time away from my PC and have been thinking a lot lately about my dreams and the goals that I need to set and keep in order to reach those dreams and goals. So, I want to start sharing my goals every month, and do a big post on my year goals – (this weekend!) to keep me accountable and hopefully to connect with other goal & OCD list oriented peoples.

Birthday Cards & Orders. In case you aren’t aware – I hand make nearly all the birthday cards, I give to friends and family. (yes, I sell them too!) I love it – it’s a hobby that I picked up back in 2009 that truly brings me relaxation and allows me to be creative and have lots of fun. I have 2 family birthdays this month & I want to get them made and ready to mail out. I also have an order that I need to fill for a girl’s first birthday card, with custom envelope & gift bag that I need to design & create. I also need JD to take some photos of all the cards & gifts; so I can post them in my soon to be shop.

Sweet Surprises!!  Sooo.. one of my goals this year is to send more snail mail - as opposite as this is, from one of my other goals: to recycle more and be more Eco-friendly. I want to get my snail-mail surprises all ready to go for my pen-pals, craft swappers and sweet gals. If you are interested, please contact me! I’m looking for some crafty-gal pen-pal craft-swappers to start a little craft group that swaps each month!

Put Together my MTH 2014 Goals. I have been not-withit this year and haven’t really wrote down my 2014 goals. How can I focus this year, without my lists & goals actually written down. I need to carve time this month, to focus; write down my goals and share them with you all. So you can keep me accountable.

Blogging. I want to blog at least 15 times this month. I want good quality content, that will help you plan a party, but hopefully also inspire you. I have lots of good stuff planned out to post up here, and I think all you sweet `peeps are just gonna love. I want my little blog to be a place I would want to stop by on a daily basis and read; I mean if I didn’t want to read it, why the hell would anyone else want to?

Schedule & Editorial Calendar. Things are picking up around my neck of the woods – and I really need to watch my calendar and scheduling. I need to keep my schedule with me – and consult it before I make commitments. So far this month I have done a good job at this. I also need to spend some time and create an updated blog editorial calendar & stick to it.

Connections. I want to connect with more good people; more talented, creative and inspiring industry professionals. Just the other day, I met a fabulous lady that is talented, creative and so much fun to chat with. We have plans to connect soon and hopefully start a really great collaboration and have fun together.  I want more of that - no wait scratch that - I want ALOT more of that this month!

Clearing the Clutter and Packing the Good Stuff!  Yupp- just that; lots of packing and clearing the junk for the new house. It’s been a lot easier packing this time. I just ask myself “Cassie Mae; do you really want to bring that into your brand new house? And that usually seals the deal. Donate & Trash has been filling up quite quickly.

Home Building Timeline & How I’ve Organized all the Projects. Lots of gals have contacted me on how I’ve kept the projects at the new house organized and what I am using to make decisions. I want to get that up on here and share that.

Branding & Launch Party. I have lots of homework to do still on my new brand as well as figuring out when to launch it. I’d like to combine my launch party with our house-warming party. I’d hate for people to make 2 trips or attend 2 parties for us … I think I’m over-thinking this. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this?

Moving!! My most important goal and most looked-forward to goal!! YAY!! We are moving at the end of the month!! {Happy Dance!!}

I think that pretty much sums it up. I’d really like to know what you lovelies would like to see here on my blog. I’m thinking about doing some revamping on my content – and I’d love to hear what you my sweet readers would like to see on here?

I'd love to hear your goals too, sharing is accountability.

xoxo, Cas

Photography above by the amazing Kate Murphy Photography