Today I am thrilled to feature the images of one of my favorite people in this industry.  Donna Von Bruening shoots clean, classic images that truly can be admired for lifetimes.  We love her… period.

When planning began for Engage!11 I was honored to contribute opinions on color concept.  Of course big ideas got me into big trouble…The good kind of trouble though, the kind we thrive on.  So the thought was to evolve color over three days and along with it the stationery palette as well.  So began the adventure of creating color appropriate pieces for a three day conference for over 260 highy creative and savvy attendees.  No small task.

Heather and Susan from Gifts for the Good Life created a catchy graphic pattern that the entire event’s look was based upon.  Details of waves, coral,  sand-dollars, turtle and nautilus shells repeated… Towels and room keys to coasters and water bottles were branded with expert flair.

Day one was all about sandy tones of gold, ivory, tan and cream.  Touches of green and purple appeared to tell of what was to come…  Each guests received a custom namecard featuring our contrast painted pattern of sand-dollars and nautilus shells.

Day two was green galore!  Moments of tan, white and purple accented throughout.  Custom namecards featured a painstakingly painted coral pattern in white shimmer inks against Envelopments’ Wicked shimmer stock.

Day three turned up the volume on color and drama.  Vibrant purples were front and center with accents of tan and gold.  Jute textures made an appearance on each namecard with a washy watercolor painted collection of sketched starfish.  We loved how each tone of purple faded into the next… The lovely Jo-Anne Brown of Celebrations posing amidst her stage design!

A huge thanks to Envelopments, Two Paper Dolls and the Momental Girls for making all this magic happen!

I couldn’t possibly end and Engage post without, you guessed it, SKETCHES!!  The media panel consisted of Rebecca Crumley of The Knot, Shira Savada of Martha Stewart Weddings, Harmony Walton of the new Jete Fete, Jill Meister and Angela Desveaux of WedLuxe… Fun, fun!!!

Just back from a magical 5 days in Grand Cayman, I sit here, laptop armed, twitter feed spinning and sketchbook by my side.  I am instantly moved as I am every morning to see what is going on…catch up, ensure I don’t miss a beat.  The last few days however made me second guess the quiet morning I was depriving myself.

My dear friend Donna Von Bruening opened up recently and shared a very personal story that I can’t seem to shake.  She told of a personal struggle with working too much and not living nearly enough.  Yet somehow she marched from the turmoil to the other side to find grace, humility, her dear couples…her life.  She learned to love again.

I am grateful for the friends I have made who keep me balanced and remind me to live this glorious life.  I adore my couples who in short, push me to be better and keep the artistic fire in my belly alive.  I am blessed to know the Engage family and interact with individuals who keep it real everyday.

So today first I share with you a peek at my travels last week…

From left, Randy Fenoli reminding us to Paint the Picture for ourselves and our brides, Contrast Painted shells on gold shimmer name cards for Engage!11 attendees, my sweet traveling companion Mom, Art vs. Artistry notes from Sean Low and finally a restful moment at the Caribbean Club beach.

Next, I will tell my dear Kelley and Jessica what a fabulous job they did taking care of our brides while I was away. Love you XO

I will put the suitcases in the attic, if only for a few weeks.

I will make my hubby his favorite soup and look forward to…the possibilities.

With inspiring paper from Envelopments we created the main session stationery including these oversized placecards.  Jasmine Star grabbed this gorgeous shot complete with the clean morning sunlight trickling in.   I was completely overwhelmed as word got around that these lovelies were in fact individually hand painted.  Thank you everyone for your kind words and sincere appreciation for the hard work that went into crafting these pieces.

Coordinating agendas and stunning folders by my friends at Envelopments.  Folder shot by Donna!

Feeling a bit start struck in the room you can imagine my shock when Sylvia Weinstock headed over to chat and compliment the stationery.  This gal just about fell over, but not before I asked good friend Donna Von Bruening to capture the moment!  I was thrilled to have the chance to thank Sylvia for my treasured Renewal cake in person!

During hour 1 at Engage a little sketch of Envelopments Brocade pattern turned into a collage of ideas….

I think in images, color and often find my written notes evolving into sketches.  Since my first Engage experience I felt compelled to sketch and this time around my hand could not seem to keep up with my ideas.  The Engage Symposiums are all about people.  I felt this time, the room was taking a collective, much needed breath.  Conversation was electric, the energy was palpable and sincerity and kindness seemed to be the thread that brought us all together.  Egos were checked at the door and we got right down to living and learning in this live, raw and real moment that became for me the single-most energizing experience of my career to date.

After a few days to simmer and turn notes into actions these words stay at the top of my mind:

Value, Move, Define, Share, Listen, Curate

Check back tomorrow for more …sketches of Colin Cowie, Marcy Blum and more!

From top right, Lindsey from Fresh Lime Events, Ciara from Firefly Ocassions, Sara from Bella Notte Events,  Donna from DVB Photo,  Presont Bailey
and Karen from Karen Tran Florals.

We had a blast creating these Sculpted Bloom seating cards and Table Tents for the Dine Around Events held throughout Caymans.  A huge thank you to so many of you who shared such wonderful compliments.

I’ll close with this fun shot I took quickly while packing to return home…Engage10 here I come!

I arrived in Cayman last Friday 2 days ahead of the much anticipated start to Engage09: Something Blue.  Last October Engage08:The Encore was an exciting taste of all the luxury wedding industry has to offer and needless to say I was hooked!   Amazingly smart individuals, big ideas and savvy networking are all reasons I just had to return for Engaging Concepts 3rd smash event.

My time in Cayman began with a day and a half to enjoy the silky white sand and crystal blue waters.   The cool touch of the ocean water let me know instantly I was in for the time of my life.  The staff at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman made every moment delicious.  My time during the first two days was not all play however as I was prepping for the Something Blue television interview on Sunday.  Poolside work however is much more palatable I must say…

After my interview on Sunday (which I had a blast with, more to come on that) I had drinks by the pool with about 12 ladies.  Excitement filled the air as countless boxes of orchids, trays of food and wine passed by on the way to the beach.  We could hardly wait!

The official launch of the three day event with a spectacular beachside celebration designed by Michelle Rago.  A Manzanita tree dripping with white orchids was the centerpiece to a stylish evening.  I just loved the lanterns scattered in the sand as well as the live Ragaae band playing from a boat bouncing in the ocean.

Thanks to The Bride’s Guide for the bottom right photos of tables.

The mood was spirited, textured and warm.  Dark wood tables and woven seats were sprinkled across the sand for effortless chats and the enjoyment of good food and drink.  Linen covered cushions and scattered pattern pillows mimicked the silky white sands and crystal blue waters.  I loved how the lights of the evening spilled over the sand to create a rich orchestra of shadows and textures.

I had the chance to chat with so many interesting individuals.  It was exciting to finally meet Karen from Karen Tran Florals and chat about our wedding stationery collaboration last month.   Danielle from Octupus Events had great insight regarding the warm Cayman climate and the beautiful events she orchestrates.   Hearing insights from planners across the nation was great fun for me and the ladies pictured below were never short of inspiration.

From left, Sara from Bella Note,  Renee from It’s Eventful,  Daniela from Bella Signature Design,  me,  Vicky from Event Accomplished LLC

So much more to come!