A Castle in Heaven

Sweet friends, as you know, we are headed to Italy soon with my MIL & FIL, SIL & BIL, Opa (Grandpa), and 4 cousins who currently live in the Italian Alps.  I am BEYOND excited.  Like, I am practically so giddy that I've increased my consumption of vino in preparation.  It's my favorite place (hello PASTA, PIZZA and WINE) ever.  It's magical and glorious and beautiful.   

For the past month, we have been in full planning mode for this trip.  As you can imagine, getting 7 people over to Italy from America and then meeting up with 4 Italians was quite a challenge.  (Heck, now I know why travel agents still exist!)  But, once the flights were booked, we quickly turned our attention to a bigger question:

"Where the heck are all 11 of us going to stay?" 

After going 'round and 'round (get me off this carousel) searching for a villa that could accommodate all of us, my FIL just booked this beauty!  Yes, a Castle in Heaven!

Holy goodness--this castle/mansion/hopefully my future residence is a FAR cry from the dumps hostels I stayed at my first time in Italy.  I mean, really, look at this place!



I imagine as soon as I get there, I'll sprint to the top of those stairs (catch my breath) and start singing "The hills are alive, with the sound of music" as I hold out my arms (palms up to the sky) sweeping the landscape....

Oh wait, that song is referring to Austria.  What.ever.

Situated in the Chianti region, this villa has some breathtaking real estate (and some mind boggling wine).  I'm positive I'll get to explore most of the land on my daily runs (gotta try to keep those carbs & wine from going straight to my thighs).  There is also a tennis court, and I imagine we'll have one or two "friendly games" of tennis.  (We are all pretty good at tennis and anytime we get together, we do play.)  Most of the time, us "kids" get beat by my MIL & FIL.  Somehow, they manage to win even though my FIL is smoking a cigar...the whole time.  I gotta hand it to the old man---that's talent.  (Opps, forgot he might read this....let the "friendly" trash-talking begin.)    

Anyway, we have this bad boy for 7 days, which will give us just enough time to NOT WANT TO LEAVE.  It's centrally located so that we can take day trips and always return back to "home base".  I'll leave you now with a few more pictures of the beautiful villa........ 

Gotta Store my Cool Kicks

Friends, do you remember when I told you about my addiction to shoes and my storage solution back in this post?  Well, the Husband has yet to help me solve my problem (he's been busy, I forgive him).  As I was browsing around the furniture on Ballard Design's website, I discovered this beauty. 

Source: ballarddesigns.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I looked at the specs, and I'm 99.9% positive that it would fit perfectly on the wall next to my closet.  Then I saw the price-- $599 + s/h & tax.  I am also 99.9% positive that He will say "Oh Hell-to-the No" if I ask for it.  So, I've found a solution. 

Honey, will you please build me something that looks justlikethis for my shoes?  I'm sure you can do it!  Okay, compromise.  If you build it, I'll paint it.  (We already have the perfect paint color from when we redid the Hutch.)  Totally. Fair!

Logos- A definite GO!

Friends, I am soooooooooooo excited to tell you that Event Consignment has an official LOGO...well 3 logos actually! 

It was a really really hard decision because my graphic artist designed the same logos but in another color, and well, it was just really hard to decide which one I liked best.  So, I polled a few people and then slept on it, and now, I've committed.  EC's logos are here to stay.......

I imagine I'll use them for packaging and stickers and I can't wait to have them printed on thank you cards!

*****I'd like your help with something!  Which one do you think will be best for Event Consignment's Facebook page????  The 1st one or the 2nd one????  ******

Also, this is the last logo!  This is more for my letterhead! 

You like? 

(s)TORY time

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Tory Burch.  Who doesn't?!  Since she arrived on the fashion scene, I think she's won over several of us girls!  Well, just as I was sitting here really focusing on work, I noticed a new email pop into my Inbox.  So, I clicked it open and this is what I found:

Wow!  How did Tory Burch know that I WAS LOOKING FOR THESE?  Well, not these exactly, but I've been on the hunt for a good pair of flats for my upcoming trip to Italy.  Thanks to this glorious email, I will look NO FURTHER.  But now I have a dilemma--actually 2 dilemmas....

Which pair, and how will I explain to my sweet, supportive, darling of a husband that I ABSOLUTELY need these???  I'm taking suggestions! 



Event Consignment, LLC

Sweet Friends, I've been keeping a little something from you.  It's near and very dear to my heart and I was afraid to share it with you until I had all my ducks in a row, but I simply cannot keep it hidden any longer. 

I recently started my own company, Event Consignment, LLC, which is an online consignment shop for event decor!  I started the company because I saw a huge void in the market after I got married.  I'd bought all of this great decor stuff (candles, votives, backdrop fabric) that was used for 5 hours and then went under my bed at my mom's house.  I passed the votives around to several friends for their weddings, and then realized I needed to GET RID OF THEM.  But how?  There really was no great way, so I thought "why not create an online shop where other girls can buy my gently used votives for below retail costs?" 

As my idea evolved, I realized there were several girls like me---needing to get rid of their event decor.  With a current trend of hand-made weddings, several girls I knew had tons of vintage milk glass and china and TONS of mason jars that they wanted to get out of their new homes.  (Plus, making some money on that decor isn't so bad either for these newlyweds!)  I also found that it is very hard to collect mason jars and milk glass in mass quantities, and so many girls were looking for an online shop like mine---where they could get something in mass quantities with ease. 

Source: None via Amelia on Pinterest

I named the company Event Consignment because I didn't want to limit the decor to just "weddings".  People throw baby showers and bridal showers and luncheons every day and need these decor items.  I want to be a shop that offers a buying and selling solution to all. 

So, I took a leap and with my husband and family's support, started the company.  For the past month, I have been working with a graphic designer to get my logo just right, and we are almost there!  I've also been working with a social media and website design firm to get my ecommerce site up and running.  We've still got a lot of work to do, but I hope to have my facebook page up within the month!  I'm a little slow on the get-up because I am still working full time as well.  I hope that within a few years, the company will bring in enough income for me to stay home and have a baby.  (Fingers crossed I can grow my business!)

So, in the coming weeks and months, I'll be talking more and more about my new venture, Event Consignment.  I'm excited to share my "baby" with you.

**If you are interested in consigning your event decor, please let me know.  I am in the process of building up inventory so I can have a good catalog of product once the website goes live!  If you live in Dallas, I am happy to come check out your stuff personally!  **

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as this process evolves--and don't be afraid to tell your friends about my company as well! 

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad, Happy Birthday!  I hope you have a great day!  Thanks for all that you do for me.  Thanks for our weekly dinners at MiCocina, thanks for being "Dr. Phil", but most of all, thanks for your love and support! 

I'll never forget what you told me when I was telling you about how I was starting my company.  You said "Do you need some investors?" and I said, "No, I think I can handle the costs.  Why, do you want to invest in my company?"  Then you said, "Well yes.  I think any idea you have will be successful."

 

Restoration, I love Thee

It's no secret that I LOVE Restoration Hardware.  I mean, I walk into RH and get this feeling of euphoria.  I painted my bedroom RH's Slate color and then I painted the guest bathroom with their Stone color.
(I get lots of compliments on both of these colors.)

Then, I found the perfect chairs for our French table.  My MIL & FIL graciously bought them for us.  (Because, let's be honest, I may LOVE RH, but I'm not quite in their target income range.)

So, today, as I was sitting here working away, I get this email about a "Fall Lighting Event--take up to 25% off" from them.  Obviously, I tear myself away from work to look at the lighting.  Indulge me for just a minute, as I've picked out what I WOULD buy if I COULD. 



Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Source: restorationhardware.com via Amelia on Pinterest