Biscuits for Breakfast

I'm always looking for innovative ways to serve food - especially at the events that we create.  I came across this photo over at 100 Layer Cake and thought to myself...what a fun idea.  Showers, picnics, birthday parties, corporate events...the possibilities are endless.

Image via: 100 Layer Cake

I DO!

I've been married for 15 years and after watching this wedding video of Oh, Hello Friend - it makes me want to get married all over again.  Hmmm - I wonder if the Mister will go for it?

Anyhoo - the details are BEYOND any imagination.

I'm in LOVE with the vintage feel.  Everything and everyone looked so unbelievably relaxed.  What really stood out was movement.  That might sound strange - but when you go to receptions people tend to stay in their own group.  Maybe they did here - but it definitely didn't look like it.

The mix of picnic blankets and tables is just brilliant.  They didn't set up a typical buffet - oh no...they set up a PICNIC basket buffet.  L O V E!!!


Nick & Danni from Chaz Curry on Vimeo.

I love the fact they didn't get the video until they had been married for a year.  They were able to relive every joyful moment all over again.

Enjoy!

Caryl

{party} Donuts!!

Who doesn't love a donut? I stumbled on the cutest donut inspired shower over at A Beautiful Mess Blog.

Check out the most adorable menu back drop:



Below is more donut inspiration:

How about using donuts as a garnish?

photo via



photo via

Forget a cake - how about a donut cake?

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How about a little glittery sophistication?

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I know - you're probably hungry for a tasty treat now so head on over to the donut shop - the glazed are probably freshly out of the oven...

Tootles~

Caryl

welcome...

We have a new look and feel?  What do you think?

It's been really busy at work lately and I'm in desperate need of my creative outlet.

Get ready to get a daily dose of inspiration...from interior design and fashion to the latest trends (at least how I see it! :)) and amazing places to yummy recipes and of course parties!

Right now I'm obsessing over this skirt paired with cowboy boots.  No clue where I would ever wear something like this...but it's fabulous!

image via

Check out my other fashionista pins on Pinterest...I'm sure you will see a pattern.

Tootles until tomorrow...

Caryl

In LOVE with Tassel Garlands

Add something festive to an already festive occasion!

I think I'm gonna have to make this!!

{Life Lessons} Part 2: live, love, do

Our dear friend Jerry was going to be 75 on the 4^th of July.  What an amazing day for a birthday…just imagine the celebrating he did each year.  If you knew him, you would say…It’s so fitting he was born on this day.

He LOVED life

He LOVED what he did for a living {he would never say it was a job}

He LOVED to travel

He LOVED his family

HE LOVED to play and have fun

He didn’t get caught up in the day to day mumbo jumbo…he LIVED!

LESSON TWO: LIVE like you’ve never lived before

How do you live your life?  Constantly scheduled and not taking time out with your family and friends…always saying…I’m too busy…I don’t have enough time?

Do you like what you do?  Are you so busy making excuses why you can’t do this or that…but DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU DO?  That is the big question.

If you spend the majority of your time working – you better like what you do…don’t you think?

So there were two instances this weekend where this came up for me…the FIRST time, I was reading a blog post by Emily Ley of Emily Ley Creative.  She said something in her video that really hit home for me.

{If you’re not excited about what you’re doing ~ nobody will be}

{If you’re not producing from the heart ~ it will be obvious}

Then she asked a couple of questions…

{What fires you up?}

{What makes you get out of bed each morning excited?}

Interesting statements and questions that really made me think…

The SECOND time was listening to Jerry’s family and friends talk about Jerry and how he LIVED and LOVED…

So the question for me…do I love what I do?

Yes – I absolutely LOVE events.  I love to dream about them and create them.  Am I using my creativity to it’s fullest potential…YES for the events that I’m doing…but I want more…I want to do more and utilize my creativity to it’s fullest capacity.  I'm growing and evolving and that means my creative expression is too.

If I’m going to be honest ~ I would say…I need to have more fun…be more spontaneous…do things…remember to stop and smell the flowers…listen to the birds chirp in the morning.  Just sit and be.

So what fires me up?  FAMILY, FRIENDS, EVENTS, DESIGN

I bought a plaque this weekend that is sitting on our mantle and the saying sums it up…

Happiness Is Not A Destination

It Is A Way Of Life

My promise to myself…LIVE like I’ve never lived before, LOVE like I’ve never loved before and DO like I’ve never done before.

What’s your promise?

xoxo,

Caryl

Easy Affordable Flower Arrangements - Under $100

ROAR events group (my full-time job) just managed an event for one of our favorite clients.  The theme was western and we wanted something simple on for the tables.  We didn't want to work with a florist because quite frankly - they would have charged an arm and a leg.  We decided to do it ourselves.

So here is what we did -
1) Purchased 2 cases (24) 1/2 pint mason jars
2) Large batches of spring mix flowers (we made sure there were daisy's in the bunches) and 1 smaller batch of flowers
3) Raffia to tie around the jar

Total cost: $93

We had 22 tables and we really wanted something small because we had a lantern, a small bucket of Bandana mints and the flowers.

These little arrangements were so simple, but made such a huge impact on the entire setting of the event. It was just that extra little special touch that it needed.

You can read the entire post and check out all of the decor here on the ROAR events group blog.

I feel GREAT!

Today was the day that I've been actually looking forward to for a week now!

I successfully completed the 28 Days to Health Cleanse.  YAY!!  I'm doing the happy dance.

I'm not gonna lie, there have been some challenging days (especially when I had to drink 3 shakes a day for 4 days).  After day 2 of the pure liquid diet - I was done.

The last day was really tough.  Your mind plays tricks on you, but I had to have the will power to stick it through to the end.

Let me give you the low-down for my last day on the cleanse.

I was at the Santa Clara Marriott all day for a meeting that I was planning for one of my favorite clients.  The event was themed Western so of course - we had to have BBQ (which people that know me in person know that I LOVE BBQ).  A simple dessert - cookies (which I LOVE sweets) and to finish off the day - a beer and WINE bar (which I LOVE wine but no drinking on the cleanse).  Then in the evening post event, I went to celebrate my dear cousin Jaimie's 30th birthday at an Italian Restaurant (which I LOVE italian food) in San Mateo.

Needless to say - there was a boat load of opportunity to just forget the last day and enjoy.

Here is what I did:
On Monday afternoon before heading to the Marriott, I packed up my 2 shakes for Tuesday in a 2 ziploc baggies, brought my now famous "Starbucks Plastic Venti Cup" and a couple of extra cups for my shakes.  Also packed these individual Almond Milk cartons which I found at Whole Foods.

Tuesday morning, I talked to our Catering Services Manager, Juliet and told her that I was on this cleanse and today was the last day and I had to get my breakfast shake blended up.  She was amazing - she wrote down my blending instructions (because after doing this for 28 days - there is definitely a science behind making the perfect shake) and brought it back to me all blended up.  It wasn't quite the way that mine look - but who am I to complain - I was so appreciative.

The lunch came and she came back over to me and said - are you ready for lunch?  Oh my goodness - yes I said I'm starving and that food for the attendees smells so good.  She brought back my chocolate shake back to me and said - this time I had a professional blend it...I had the bartender do it.  I have to say - he was a professional because it was really good (I think it might have had something to do with the fact that I was starving :)).  I stuck with water as my beverage of choice all day too!

Dinner - was at an Italian Restaurant that had the most amazing menu.  Pasta was screaming my name - but I opted for the Sole and Brussel Sprouts.  It was good - the pasta probably would have been better.  I celebrated with Jaimie toasting her 30th with water vs. wine.

I feel really good that I didn't give in and I completed this cleanse.   I feel amazingly great that I was actually able to inspire a couple of people to jump on board and do a cleanse themselves.

Special thanks to Julie at the Dailey Method for being a week ahead of all of us on the cleanse so you could tell us what to expect.  Thanks 28 Days to Health for your support as well.  I will definitely do the cleanse again...sometime. :) And thank you to my friends for all of your love and support!

xoxo,
Caryl

Martha & The Magic Bullet = Complete Awesomeness

What a whirlwind week it's been.  I was in the Big Apple this week for Martha Stewart's Dreamers into Doers Conference.  I met so many fabulous ladies and the seeds of long friendships have definitely been planted.  It was truly amazing.  Just being in the Martha Stewart Corporate Offices was so inspirational - it gets your creative juices flowing.  But it gets even better.  We actually got to be part of the audience of the Martha Stewart Living Show.

Yup, that was me.  Pretty cool - huh?  I can't wait to show you more pictures...but I need to find my other camera connector. LOL

So, I bet you are wondering...how the heck did Caryl do on her 28 Days to Health Cleanse?  Well - let me tell you.  I did really well.  I was nervous about going to restaurants and to my surprise I was able to have some really amazing food.  I knew I was set on the shake front because of this....

yes...the Magic Bullet.  I had everything labeled with a sharpie so I really didn't have to think.  I found the whole foods when I arrived and bought my Almond Milk, fruit and so much water.  I was set.

I'm already two days into Week 2 which consists of 2 shakes and 1 meal.  To be perfectly honest - yesterday I was hungry.  I think because I didn't eat enough for lunch.

Last night I went to Fresh&Co and had them make me a salad for the flight today.  I knew I wasn't going to be able to make a shake on the airplane.  I was definitely thinking ahead.  Today has been great!

~Caryl