THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!! {Confessions of a Rebrand}

It's Friday and in just one short week the all new Cassandra Dattoli Events will be launching. Wait; did I just say that? Hooray!! Friday September 19, 2014, the all new Cassandra Dattoli Events launches and to celebrate I'm having a little celebration party at our home with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This is really happening! I'm so excited about revealing everything to you all - including a much updated and very pink new website and blog.

I recently stumbled across the word Serendipity. The effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something truly wonderful, while looking for something entirely unrelated. Serendipity - you have been in the back of my mind and on my heart since I first came across you. When I started the journey to rebrand; I was asked to write my story; and rewrite my story - and write it again and again. The whole point is to condense - and pull out the significant moments - the moments that truly show the path that has led me to where I am now. Well, I found it. The handful of moments that lit the fires that make up my core. The reason I'm here writing in this white space to all of you. The reason I started my business - the reason I rebranded.

 I chose to rebrand, because I was outgrowing the old look. Because the old look and logo got the job done - the website got the job done; but what if this space also made you feel like you knew me, before you actually knew me?  That was my goal when I reached out to Becky at RP Design & Branding. A brand - not just a pretty logo, or fancy collateral pieces - but a brand that people can come to and trust and know what to expect from. When you come into contact with my brand I want you to expect pink happiness bursting with confetti, a dash of glitter and above all else a happy place where love and marriage is celebrated. This rebrand has been so good for me - in a crazy, frustrating, exhausting and hair brained way. But it has also been so incredibly fulfilling & rewarding. I have a core purpose, and I know in my heart of heart's what that is - and what that even means!  I have a mission. I have a business plan. I have a workflow. well kinda ... but I have a brand.  I have a brand that is every piece of my heart and soul and represents who I truly am and what I want my business to represent. There is so much goodness still to share, but here is about half of my branding board that Becky created for me 

In condensing my story to fulfill the needs of representing my core I came up with this:

I grew up in Decatur, Illinois, dreaming of the day I would be a State Prosecutor in St. Louis. I'd have a downtown loft with an incredible view of the Arch and send my assistant to pick up my dry cleaning and coffee. We'd sit and discuss the legal issues plaguing our nation and have grown up conversations on capitol punishment and abortion. But as they say, sometimes, on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one. For me, getting lost; was my saving grace. During undergrad I met a blue-eyed Sicilian boy who stole my heart quicker than I could say "objection". Rather than head straight to St. Louis, I followed him and stayed closer to home. Six years later, ten moves, two graduate schools across three states and six months apart while he was at the State Police Academy; on October 20, 2012, we finally made it official in a traditional Greek Ceremony surrounded by close friends and family.

 Months after he proposed - it became clear that my heart changed. For as long as I could remember - I  read about, wrote about, studied criminal law and all the "bad stuff" in our humanity - and this wedding planning "stuff" was just the opposite. It lit a fire in me that I don't even know how to describe. It had hit me .. I want to be a part of people's happy moments - whatever this is, I want this. The memories of my mother and I planning get togethers, asking family to bring all white or red or green food containers; picking the napkins, plates, centerpieces and silverware for Thanksgiving and birthdays - it all just made sense.

Sometimes I wonder if God had a big chuckle with me - by putting me in the midst of the awful crimes people commit against each other to this complete opposite world - where love is the center and focus of everything. Love. Love is at my core. Love is my reason.

I'm having giveaways starting tomorrow to win some pretty awesome items from Pearls & Pastries, Woodenhive Vintage Silverware, Instax, Pease's Candy & Nuts, Starbucks, Target, Project Life and Meandmybigideas just to name a few; to celebrate this rebrand and to welcome you all to this happy little place of mine. 

ps. If you read this far down and leave a comment .. you'll be entered into all the giveaways!! 

xoxo

GRAND SCHEMES & BIG DREAMS {September Goals}

September Goals

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.

A LITTLE INSTALOVE FRIDAY

Hi there sweet friends! Whew! It's been a while since I blogged an Instalove huh? Well! Boy do I have a good one for you today!! Pink, Glitter and Gold Oh my!I  .

Today I'm sharing my new love obsession - my Kikki.K lilac & gold Diary/Time Planner

I know what you're thinking "Cass, you're a Day Designer gal! What happened?" No worries my Day Designer friends - my lovely gold DD still holds my personal & business Calendar.  I just needed more.. a place to truly hold my client's & friendors addresses for surprise mailings, a place for blog notes, to track stats, hashtags, posts & expenses by month and just some other oddball items that I like to keep in one spot. My lovely lilac has become my on-the-go business tool. Toting it from the Court during Court days & home has been so beneficial & helpful in maintaining my blog and seeing the week laid out ahead of me.

This little sidekick of mine is so lovely - in every detail. I do love it so & carry it with me nearly everywhere I go. Head on over to the Kikki.K site and show them some love - today they are having a big sale on some super pretty items that I just adore.

Happy Friday!

xoxo, Cass

This post is my own personal opinion and views and was not sponsored in any way by Kikki.K.

CONFESSIONS OF A REBRAND {Introducing the CDE Logo}

In making some final decisions these last couple days on my collateral pieces, I had a bit of an epiphany. The kind where the clouds roll back and the sun shines through and you finally let go of your fears and do it anyways. Along this journey, I found my courage and most importantly; what truly makes my heart skip a beat.

These are just a sampling of some of my brand elements that we have been working like crazy people to get all pulled together and out the door. Oh some more you say? Why sure!

 I started the rebrand journey with every intention of rebranding under just my name - and losing the Events. I felt good about it and was excited. But I wasn't dropping events for me. I have been so insecure and afraid of my business name because of some critical comments I received in my early stages about Cassandra Dattoli Events not being "creative" and "anyone can just use their name for their business."  I'm so over it. It's me. It's who I am. It's my love story and it's the reason I got into this industry. When my clients come to me and shell out cash to have me execute a fabulous day for them, they know what they are getting & who they are working with. I want to be transparent, I want my boutique to be every bit of lively, positive and bold that I am. It's personal, because I am.  I've been wanting to show this beautiful new logo off to the world, well world - wait no more. Sweet, sweet friends: say hello to Callie and the all new Cassandra Dattoli Events logo.

P.S. On perfection: being a perfectionist has it's drawbacks. Like giving your new brand designer a headache with hundreds of emails, questions and revisions; only to come full circle and choose the very first designs she sent you over a month ago. Yupp - that was me. Becky over at RPDesign is simply the best. Seriously - go over and leave her some love, she sure as hell deserves it for putting up with my shenanigans these last months

Thank you for reading this, for being here through this journey - for standing by as I drop little snippits - for your support - thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Becky over at RP, you are simply the best. I love you all so much. There is so so much more to share and soon very soon you all will get a the biggest dose of pretty pink and happy all rolled into a lovely greek Cassandra Dattoli Events milkshake. Stay tuned!

xoxo - Cass

Today will be Awesome! + A Sneak Peek {Striving for Perfection}

Today will be awesome.

Wait. Let's say it again.

Today will be awesome. Yes. It will be awesome. I will get my to do's done, I will check those boxes, I will write a blog post, I will -bring-myself-out-of-whatever-funk-this-is-I-have right. this. second. Just typing that and sharing it (embarrassingly) with you all - is completely freeing. Yes. I have been overwhelmed lately. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I launched this blog, my business, and now my new brand that we have been working so tirelessly on. My goal has never been to get bigger and busier - I just want to get better. I truly want to be an artist. Handling my August 16 contracted wedding has taught me so much about my business and about myself. It was a total-made-from-scratch-design-and artist-and completely awesome and original wedding. I loved handling everything. I loved having the family and couple completely trust me with their ideas, vision and let me go to town. Before I go to far and get off track - let's get back to burnout. I ate, slept, and breathed this wedding. I went out of my way to ensure no stone was left unturned - and I went too long without asking for help.

You see, in my quest for perfection for this amazing couple - I lost sight of myself. I let days go without showering, without taking my hair out of whatever bun contraption kept it secured that day, without sleeping, and without proper nutrition. I needed help, and I was afraid the moment I asked for it - people would think I couldn't handle it. I was afraid someone would screw something up. I was terrified the couple wouldn't like it because it wasn't me tying ribbons or placing the stems in the vases.  

I've been afraid for my business - and I still am. I want to be a boutique. I pride myself on being small. I want my clients to know that when they hire me for planning and/or florals they know it is me that is putting it together - that the ideas we talk about and my suggestions are what is actually going into their dream day. I kept this notion in my head that if anyone did it but me, it would be wrong or not good enough. What I learned is this: it's not special having great ideas. Guess what? Everyone has great ideas. What makes one idea more special than another is the person behind the idea and their ability to make it happen. What made me a great planner on August 16th, was that we had to flip the Ceremony space into the Reception space within 45 minutes. My amazing team did it and guess what? I showed them what to do and just like magic they made it happen. I walked down the table rows and made minor adjustments. I remember turning in circles, thinking "what still needs done? What needs fixed?" It was done. It was right and it was absolutely breathtaking. I let go of perfection - and when I did - I saw amazing beauty. Not just in the florals and arrangements and tablescapes; but in the team I hired, working together, dancing and having fun while working their butts off to see my vision come alive.  That's perfection.

As promised; a little sneak peek from the wedding. The custom backdrop made just for my couple. Isn't it just lovely?

Today will be awesome, because I am letting go of perfection and embracing imperfection in all it's glory. How about you? Any of you struggle with this as much as I do?

A very special thank you to the team who pulled off Saturday's event.

Christopher Hammon, Rebecca Riva, Ashley and Joe Yokley and last but not least; my amazing and ever so handsome husband.

I love you all.