Costa Rican Sunsets

Just got back from Costa Rica, working for my friend Aimee from Tropical Occasions. It was such a great experience and I learned so much from her. I love having such amazing women in my life to share and learn from and just laugh. Loved everything about Costa Rica and for sure will be back. Thanks Aimee for such an incredible experience!

A Rainbow Every Morning?

A couple of mornings in St John we were treated to a little tropical rain. At first, you would worry, oh no, it is going to rain today? But we soon learned it was something to look forward to as the rain would come in and as fast as you had time to grab a cup of coffee and smell the rain, the rain would disappear. As I said towards the end of our trip when we were in Anguilla when a server was sort of saying, sorry about the rain this morning,

"Not to worry, RAIN BRINGS RAINBOWS!!!!"

What a way to start the day. Every day should be started with a rainbow. Not that it will happen in Chicago in the winter but the feeling of AWE that a rainbow brings you can bring into your daily morning. So I am going to start every morning with that feeling of AWE and Amazement that a rainbow can bring.

Gorgeous

Pretty sure this is heaven on earth! Can't wait to share the pictures with everyone! Been 40 for a week and so far it is the best decade of my life!

Oh these are nice

Oh these babies are nice and will look so cute on my feet for my Birthday. Will reward myself with them IF (or should I say WHEN) I
close a wedding deal.

Or you know, if you are looking for something to get me for my Birthday.............HA HA HA!

Hello 2011

Farewell 2010, you were awesome. Welcome 2011! I can't wait to see the accomplishments, friends and memories created this first year of the new decade! Thanks to all of you who made it so special.

Back

I am back. This is less for any readers and more for me. I love sharing my wedding life on the Engaging Events by Ali blog but there is a person behind that suit and the white binder on the wedding day. I have not blogged here for three years and how funny that I looked up what my past "labels" or "tags" were on my blogs and it was Family, Friends, Pretty Things and Vacation. Isn't that so interesting. It struck me as interesting because that is what I am behind all the wedding planner talk. I am my Family, my friends, I love my vacations and MAN do I love pretty things. My work is awesome but there is so much more to me. While our careers help define who we are it is does not make us who we are. Does that make sense? Oh well, it makes sense to me.

Anyway. I am here I am back. If no one reads me that is okay but I am still going to write.

Oh and I six weeks from today I am going to be Forty. Yes, what has been called The Big 40. And I would be lying if I did not say that I did not love that. But then part of me is like, quit your "bitching" and embrace. My 40's is going to be awesome. It is. And after the gravy, the stuffing and the awesome food this Holiday weekend I am getting in SHAPE again. YUP you heard it.

Oh and if you forgot what I look like see the picture. It was taken by my dear friend Sarah Alair Bible. It was not retouched. I am naturally that gorgeous!

HA! Merry Christmas! I am going to put on a dress, some lipstick and some heels and have a lovely dinner with my awesome, kick-ass husband!

Some Fun Things About Ali

Here are some fun things about Me!

4 of my favorite things-to-do:
1. Travel
2. Take walks with our dog Grohe
3. Spend time with family and friends
4. Spend time on our boat

4 things you probably don’t know about me:
1. I used to dance ballet and was pretty dang good
2. I did Chicago's Triathalon
3. I am obsessed with watching ice skating
4. I am a dang good cook

4 of my favorite foods:
1. Pasta (ANY kind)
2. Yummy salads with blue cheese
3. French fries
4. Red wine, okay, it is not a food but I love it

4 of my favorite songs of all time:
1. “Crash" Dave Matthews
2. “How Sweet It Is" James Taylor
3. “Catacoms" Poi Dog Pondering
4. “Silent Night"

4 of my guiltiest pleasures:
1. Reality TV
2. Watching wedding shows (I tivo everything)
3. Spending time reading wedding and style blogs
4. Eating McDonalds (not that often but LOVE it

4 of my favorite places I’ve traveled to:
1. South Africa
2. London
3. Tahiti
4. Jamaica (Yeah Mon)

4 places I want to travel to and have not been:
1. China
2. New Zealand
3. Scotland
4. Tibet

I LOVE FALL

Okay, I know it gets dark now around 4:30pm! It is cold. You have to get out your big sweaters and also lug out your boots, but I LOVE FALL! How can you not love a tree as beautiful as the one right by our house!

Chicago Botanic Garden

On June 9th I had a wedding at Chicago Botanic Garden. What a gorgeous location! I had to stop and take some pictures of some pretty things on my way to "work"!