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!

Costa Rican Wedding

I am off today to a Costa Rican wedding to work with my good friend, Aimee from Tropical Occasions. I met Aimee years ago at an Association of Bridal Consultants meeting. I instantly connected with her and we have been friends since. I can not wait to learn from her more about how she best handles her destination business and see her amazing design she came up with for the client.

It's Easy Being Me

More and more I learn about myself. I need to just embrace who I am. Not worrying about what others think and taking the plunge of being ME! Courage to be who I am and at the end of the day live by my own values.

Plunging into my 40's was the thoughts that came to mind on my 40th Birthday!

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!

Silver Lining

It has been a tough week. I can't yet write how I feel but what I do know is that three weeks from right now I will be celebrating with some of my best friends in St John for my 40th. I am excited, like a kid waiting for Christmas. What would life be without having to look forward to things?

I will be here, with a cocktail (or two). Well, let's be honest way more than 2 cocktails. And I will be happy, relaxed and with some of the best people in the world.

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!

Five Years of Love, Laughter and Happiness

What amazing trip we had to South Africa from April 8th-April 30th. Here is a picture of me, Jon and Dad on the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.