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.

A LITTLE INSTALOVE FRIDAY {Introducing my beloved Callie!!}

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. 

- Dr. Maya Angelou

For as long as I can remember, butterflies have played a special part of my life. I turned 19, and knew immediately my first tattoo - was going to remind me everyday to keep seeking, to keep hoping and dreaming all my big dreams. Thirteen hours later, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, with a pink and tribal tattoo that nearly wrapped around my waist. I was young and naïve, but so proud to be branded for life with a pink butterfly that I called Callie; who represented everything about being a rebellious teen who also had big dreams of law school and saving the world. 

Along the way, I found love. A deeper love than I ever thought imaginable. I fell for those blue eyes the instant they landed on me and it was if this shy little Sicilian boy could see right through me. I changed my course, and instead of heading to the big top-ten undergrad college I had been accepted to; I followed my heart and went with him, to the small state school, just an hour away.  I never thought my heart would change and the law would no longer be in my heart - but it did happen. So much change and growth. It only seems natural that change, growth and savoring the sweetness of life represent this boutique business I have built from the ground up. Looking for inspiration and representation of my new brand and logo; I had to look no further than the mirror. Callie - who has had my back, guiding me and keeping my hopes alive - she has been with me all these years. Nothing represents change and transformation more than the beauty and elegance of a butterfly.

Callie, is a custom creation from the amazing and exceptionally talented Becky, owner of RP Design and Branding. Callie is going to be playing a major role in my all new Cassandra Dattoli brand. You'll be seeing lots more of my gorgeous Callista around these parts oh so very soon.

"Callista" the most beautiful nymph in the ancient Greek world and loved by Zeus. Callista means most beautiful - and in so many ways she is. Even all these years later - more than 10 - she still plays a major role in my life. (I was tattooed by one of the greatest tattoo artists in Illinois, back in the summer of 2001 - my second tattoo a hummingbird was free-hand drawn and inked on my back shoulder in the spring of 2007 following my parent's divorce.)

Without further ado, here is Callie; my beloved butterfly, who represents me and my boutique business: a girl that has had my back (literally!!) for over 10 years. Won't you all give her a warm welcome?

Beautiful, and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life and everyone deserves a little sunshine.  - Jeffrey Glassburg

 

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. 

- Dr. Maya Angelou

For as long as I can remember, butterflies have been a special part of my life. I turned 19, and knew immediately my first tattoo - was going to remind me everyday to keep seeking, to keep hoping and dreaming all my big dreams. Thirteen hours later, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, with a pink and tribal tattoo that nearly wrapped around my waist. I was young and naïve, but so proud to be branded for life with a pink butterfly that I called Callie; who represented everything about being a rebellious teen who also had big dreams of law school and saving the world. 

Along the way, I found love. A deeper love than I ever thought imaginable. I fell for those blue eyes the instant they landed on me and it was if this shy little Sicilian boy could see right through me. I changed my course, and instead of heading to the big top-ten undergrad college I had been accepted to; I followed my heart and went with him, to the small state school, just an hour away.  I never thought my heart would change and the law would no longer be in my heart - but it did happen. So much change and growth. It only seems natural that change, growth and savoring the sweetness of life represent this boutique business I have built from the ground up. Looking for inspiration and representation of my new brand and logo; I had to look no further than the mirror. Callie - who has been on my side, guiding me and keeping my hopes alive - she has been with me all these years. Nothing represents change and transformation more than the beauty and elegance of a butterfly.

Callie, is a custom creation from the amazing and exceptionally talented Becky, owner of RP Design and Branding. Callie is going to be playing a major role in my all new Cassandra Dattoli brand. You'll be seeing lots more of my gorgeous Callista around these parts oh so very soon.

"Callista" the most beautiful nymph in the ancient Greek world and loved by Zeus. Callisto means most beautiful - and in so many ways she is. Even all these years later - more than 10 - she still plays a major role in my life. (I was tattooed by one of the greatest tattoo artists in Illinois, back in the summer of 2001 - my second tattoo a hummingbird was free-hand drawn and inked on my back shoulder in the spring of 2007 following my parent's divorce.)

Without further ado, here is Callie; my beloved butterfly, who represents me and my boutique business: a girl that has had my back (literally!!) for over 10 years. Won't you all give her a warm welcome?

Twine, Burlap & Mustache Party! {Father's Day 2014}

Happy Fathers Day!

I'm so excited to share with you all the details and images from a little (non-fancy) and Pops inspired surprise burlap and mustache soiree JD and I hosted for my dad - in honor of Fathers Day. I can't tell you how special the photo above to me is - and how great it was to see my dad so happy and excited that all this was for him. All of my brothers couldn't make it - one is a father himself and the other travels like crazy - but in it's smallness - our little soirée was so much fun.  

So without further ado - lets see the staches'!

I've seen a lot (I mean a lot) of mustache parties over the last year or so - and I wanted that fun, manly element - but I also wanted to keep it toned down and not over do it. I wanted the red and mustaches to be pops and fun elements; rather than be the dominating factor. Plus, with all the mustache accessories you can find these days it's so easy to over do it. I love texture - so I used burlap and kraft paper and accessories to give the details a unique look. The burlap wrapped box holds straws for the sodas, and pens and notecards that were cut for sweet messages to slip in Pops' Mailbox 'O' Love.

Isn't this mailbox just adorable? We each filled out the cards I made and filled his love box up with sweet messages. Pops really loved the idea and was ear to ear grins when he learned he got to take the paper mache' mailbox home, filled with his Fathers day cards.

I wrapped & tied twine around the old milk jars and secured them with chalkboard wine glass charms that I got from My Blessed Farmhouse Etsy shop; you can find them here.

I made the little envelope and tags below, and had each of us write things that we love and appreciate about him.

Don't you just love those goody bags? I sent everyone home with mini checkerboards, chalkboards, Chubby pens, more chalkboard wine tags, and lots of candy goodness.

I hope you all had a wonderful Fathers Day and thanked the person in your life that plays that special role for you.

xoxo, Cass

Florals, Tablescape and Design by Cassandra Dattoli.