Remember me?

so i'm sure most of you are going- um, what the -- where have you BEEN? let's be honest here... because it's an honest space, right? i've been learning... lots. i've been immersing myself in webinars, blogs, articles- anything that puts words on a page and can enlighten me just a tiny bit more.

i'm also designing and scheduling and meeting and talking and concepting and thinking ( a lotta thinking) and chatting and delivering and administrating and wrangling and...

you get it. i got stuff goin' on over here. a lotta stuff.

BUT, i haven't forgotten about you... i've really tried hard to get over here into this space and check in, but visual proof that i've done anything just isn't there- well it is, but i'm not going to spoil the fun of revealing anything until the client reveals :-) i will say that is has a very "elegant" touch that gets to the very "essence" of the company. (how's THAT for a teaser? i know, you're still lost and i love it.)

so who am I to say that i've been soaking in all this knowledge and not pass some of it along? if you follow my tweets, you may have already read a link or two i'm posting here- good for you... that makes me happy to know the 2-3 tweets a week i put up make it out into the world (i really do need to get better at that- i know... put that on the ol' improvement list.)

• go here for amazing words of wisdom. This link was passed along from a client and every post is making a light bulb ding above my head.

• now, this is a post geared toward photographers (and we all know my love for a great photo-- i have photo envy of all the GREAT photographers in my immediate circle of trust... and the ones i've never met... but, i digress), BUT in my mind it can be adapted to any business in any industry.

• my borderline obsession with kelly cutrone and the way she runs her business is in full swing... and kell on earth has only fed my addiction more. i'm just hoping that her no BS style is in full effect in this book (and thanks to a few hints and reminders, a copy landed in my hands just a few short hours ago).

• oh and i'm learning so so much from this. go search around for people you know and for people you don't know- ask them anything and see if they answer you (this site is so addicting if you find people that really tell it all). it's been nice to finally ask those mentors and, well, people that have MADE IT just how they got there, what mistakes they made, a few trade secrets and how many sugars they take in their coffee. amazing. word vomit at it's finest.

there are plenty more, but i can't give away ALL my secrets, now, can i?

oh, and i hear just about everyone is up to their knees in snow... even fat boy, here.

Better late than never... I guess

So, I've tried to write this post at least 4 times and each time I've been lead away by the sing-song sound of "come on mommy" and been lead away by the index finger. I just can't seem to get back to finishing this up. So, let's start this again... 5th time's a charm maybe?

It only seems fitting that I should post my personal goals for this year- in yet again such a cryptic and vague manner. got to leave a little mystery, right?

[Focus]
- child
- house
- relationships

[Strategy-child]
- interaction
- creativity
- teach

[Strategy-house]
- comfortable
- inviting
- open-door

[Strategy-relationships]
- build
- maintain
- strengthen

[Method]
- patience
- patience
- patience

Where 'My Goin?

Dear 2010. I have big plans for you... don't go screwing it up.

... so let's be honest. I know what I need to do this year- it's just the moment of paralyzing panic and feeling overwhelmed that's keeping me from hitting the ground running right now. My moves need to be focused. They need to be strategic. And they need to be methodical. They need to be exactly what my mind doesn't do very well.

[Focus]
- collections
- collaborations
- materials

[Strategy]
- build
- grow
- expand

[Method]
- marketing
- connections
- network

So, sure they aren't specific goals, but this somewhat vagueness is what works best for me. I'm also making a conscious effort to blog more so if you haven't heard from me in awhile, send me a reminder, will ya?


Now check this: Merry Christmas to me! Mama knows her daughter well...

Sweet Sixteen

makes you wonder what you could have accomplished by now if you figured out your true path at 16... and you were this good.

16 years old. Seriously.
Gorgeous.

I already forget where I found the link for Lauren's site, but this girl's eye is amazing.


click the photo to be taken to her site

2009 Recap

These "looking back on the year" posts are all the rage about this time of year... and after the year I've had, I'm more than happy to give my run down of 2009 and get all mushy with you guys.

This year, Five Dot truly became a "family business" in the sense that its success caused many "come to order" meetings and discussions on next steps and future investments. The hubs usually flies under the radar when it comes to the business, but believe you me, he's there every step. I'm so lucky that the hubs has truly embraced the idea of my own business- throwing my name around his office, talking me up to friends and family and networking on my behalf when I'm not available. No business can truly grow and thrive without total support, encouragement and at times- involvement- of the family. He's been my paper cutter, bow tie-er, folder, PR rep, sounding board and best of all- biggest fan. He's endured nites at home by himself when I've been out mingling and meeting and constant talk about wedding this and wedding that, paper, envelopes (blah blah blah)... all in total support and understanding. He's always been on board with me, but even more this year- we worked hard toward the same goal and we will continue to work even harder next year to surpass the goal WE, yes we, set for Five Dot.

I've worked with amazing clients this year and with each new client I'm inspired all over again. I've had a great mix of families, brides and professionals this year and I thank all of you for encouraging me to continue this journey. Thank you for seeing and trusting my creative vision. You are the reason I do this and for that I am forever grateful that you chose me to represent you to all your friends, family and clients.

This town is filled to the brim with amazing talent and I've met so many of those faces in the past few months. I hope to continue to see you more and more and possibly get to work with you in the near future. I wish you, my clients and colleagues, enormous success.

My extended family and friends have been fantastic supporters of my endeavors as well- so a big thank you goes out to them! Word of mouth is a small business' BEST form of advertisement- and usually, the only way they have to get their name out into the world. Having a secondary circle outside of your home-dwelling family that recognizes what you do, what you're capable of and shows faith in your talents and abilities has proven to be invaluable to the growth of Five Dot. So to all my friends that have not only asked me to do work for them, but have passed my name around their circle of friends and family- thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're fantastic.

I'm extremely lucky to have a handful of great friends that have proven to be fantastic sounding boards, idea generators and game planners. It's one thing when your family supports you, but it's a whole new ball game when your friends get behind you and really push you to succeed... and most, if not all, do it out of the kindness of their heart- never asking for a thing in return. I appreciate you lending your advice, talents and knowledge to me and hope that you continue to do so. I know they want me to succeed. They want me to break the mold. They continue to encourage and offer up ideas to make me and my business go further. That, in itself, is humbling and I thank you- one day I'll find a way to return that favor.

2009 has opened many many doors to 2010, so to that I pop my cork to the new year and wish all of you continued success on your journey- professional and personal. I hope that our paths continue to cross in the new year and I look forward to more collaborations with other artists/designers that lend compliment to what I do here at Five Dot. I'm going full force into the new year and not stopping to look back- I just hope those people that were with me this year continue to be with me in 2010... and make a little room for new people along the way.

Happy 2009 and here's to 2010!

Happy Holidays!

The Goods

As promised.