Can You Guess?

Next Thursday is the Duel of the Design. Presented by The Style Laboratory, Minnesota Meetings and Events, and Twin Cities Metro, this event is about 2 designers, 2 florists and 2 chefs creating an event in 2 hours. No pressure, just throw a little something together in front of hundreds of people! It is sure to be a great night and I know I am glad I will be one of the watchers and not the watched.

Although I am not dueling, I am contributing to the event with some sweets and a cake. A humorous interpretation of the night's theme, I only told a couple of people what I was doing. Can you guess what it is? It will be emerging over the next few days, but the unveiling won't happen til next week. Go ahead, guess.

Class Dismissed

Today was supposed to be Day 1, Week 1 of my second half of Winter Quarter classes. Unexpectedly, the city of Minneapolis is doing something with the water system and all classes have been cancelled at the Art Institutes International of Minnesota. So now I am catching up on some household chores and squeezing 3 days of class into 2. I have had to do it before, so it takes less time and planning than before. Also, the beginning of class is always easier to condense than the end.

To no complaints, just a few quick rewrites, a couple loads of laundry, and a few more hours to read a good book.

Happy Monday, see you in class tomorrow.

In the Pink

Today was all about pink. Pink as in Breast Cancer Awareness. Pink as in Love Is a Cure, Twin City Bridal Association's Brunch and Auction held this morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This auction is a yearly event benefitting Open Arms of Minnesota, a company which provides meals to women and their families dealing with breast cancer. Open Arms provides 100% organic, freshly prepared meals that have been designed to nurture and nourish.

Wedding vendors donate products and services for both silent and live auction, brides and their families recieve a tax deduction on all money spent, and Open Arms receives all of the proceeds. Everybody wins. This is my fourth year participating, and frankly, my favorite TCBA event.

The event is all in shades of pink, from the volunteers helping to set up the pink draped tables to the beautiful tulip centerpieces provided by Bastian*Skoog. Lovely harbingers of spring and hope. What a beautiful way to open our arms and offer a hlping hand.

Shame On Me

So much is going on and I haven't written one word about it. Shame on me. No excuses, just didn't sit down to write. The first half of my winter quarter is over, photo shoots are looming, Love is a Cure is this Sunday and Duel of the Design is just days away. Not to forget the two events I attended this week.

Tuesday evening was the Association of Bridal Consultants which met at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul on Kellogg. Our meeting was held in Windows on Minnesota(formerly the Carousel). I met some new people there and ran into them again on Wednesday when Epic Event Center held it's open house.
Both events were informative and it's always nice to spend time with friends both new and old. Jason Thon of Staja Studios and Natalie and Brian Durk of Dick and Jane Letterpress were some new friends made.
Old friends included the ladies from Chowgirls as well as Jean from Violets, Summer from Summer Harsh Botanical Artistry and Alice-Lynne from The Late Bloomer. I chatted a bit with The Wedding Guys and Geri from The Style Laboratory.

I haven't even mentioned the food! Never shy, I made two rounds for savories and another round just for desserts last night.
Yum is all I can say. I tried everything.

2009 Brides Choice Award

Fun news greeted me when I checked my emails yesterday! I have been awarded the 2009 Bride's Choice Award from Wedding Wire.
I have been on Wedding Wire for quite some time now. It is a wedding resource site which allows brides to see vendor reviews from past clients and make educated choices about who they might use for their own event. Vendors can also follow up on leads from brides requesting information about pricing, availability and services offered.
The award is based completely on reviews and opinions from brides I have worked with, so I say a heartfelt thank you to all who helped me achieve this award.