Colors - Bright, Beautiful Colors for Weddings

Back at work! I have to say I love my job. Working with women who are transitioning to a new life’s journey is fun. My clients keep me current on new technology and social trends.

One aspect of my business that is fun, is observing how color
transcends in the wedding party. Weddings are not just ‘bridal white’ anymore. More and more color is displayed in wedding parties. Brides and the bridal parties are wearing bold, fun colors. Some brides have bright sashes or colorful beads on their gowns while others wear brightly colored shoes.

Recent wedding parties are colorful and bright! The trend is in colors of green, orange, lime, yellow, and raspberry – fruit colors! These colors represent freshness, lightness, and refreshment. My clients often ask for my opinion on colors. What about purple and green? My answer is, “what a wonderful combination”. Purple and green represent nature. Purple is known for tranquility, while green is soothing and calm.

Of course, there are still the classical weddings of black and white attire, and regal weddings using the colors of purple, brown, and burgundy. These elegant wedding themes are always in style.

The BoilerMaker

On July 12th I was in Utica, NY for yet another 5K run. Again, the conditions for running could not be better - cool and sunny. This run is the famous “Boilermaker”. Runners – 10,000 runners – as far away as Africa and Europe participate in this run. If you run or know someone that does, you have got to get yourself to the Boilermaker. It is a 15K run. However, the race is also setup to accommodate 5K trainees – that would be me! I have my sights on the 15K for July 2011.

This event is incredible. There are so many spectators that you feel like you are a famous runner. The crowd is full of positive energy. You can feel it! At the intersections and in the parks there are rock bands playing live, a 12 piece bag pipe ensemble, cheers from spectators, people in costumes, people handing out water, people having fun everywhere. It’s a great way to get your endorphins charged. I met a runner at the post party and he was 75 years young! I guess I have a lot more years of running ahead of me. It is a place where everyone is excited for everyone. It is a little bit of Utopia in all our lives.

After the run there is a huge party with Nik and the Nice Guys playing. There is FREE BEER and sandwiches. Imagine a crowd of 20,000 people partying and drinking at 10:00am. It is all in fun and in the spirit of camaraderie. It’s great to see so many diverse people – age, size, race, and gender – all in one group. The race also has a wheelchair category. How inspirational to see all types of people competing.

Can you believe it? And, all this action is happening in little Utica, NY.

Okay, now back to reality. Monday morning July 13th I now prepare for the work world. I am thinking about all the finish lines I’ve crossed in the past week, and now I have to cross the most difficult one; the end of vacation. As I think back, I realize we all cross finish lines in some fashion or form. We all have to compete on some level, whether at work, home, friendships, or relationships. The best we can all do is to cross the finish line knowing that we did our best, with integrity and respect.

As I walk into my studio I feel a sense of joy to be back. I am here to help women look their best for their special day. It really is a Yin and Yang world. I loved time off and enjoying trips around the state. I also love to hear all about someone else’s joy. It gives one a boost. It is energy in a different form. I have learned that energy creates energy. Go out there and find yours!

Upstate NY

Tuesday July 7th, my family and I went to Lily Dale, a spiritualist community in Chautauqua County, New York. It is a charming town. It is a community where spiritualists, psychics, mediums, and healers commune. Everyone should experience the energy and spiritual gifts that Lily Dale has to offer. The day we visited Lily Dale the weather was perfect – cool, breezy, sunny. By the end of the day a huge black cloud surrounded by brilliant blue sky hovered over us. It was stunning to see. As dark as the cloud was, there were only a few raindrops.

The country side of upstate NY is breathtaking. I feel it is a hidden gem. If you talk to non-upstaters’, they think NY is New York City – skyscrapers and cement! There is such beautiful country between Buffalo and Utica, in addition to Adirondack State Park

Mid week- I checked out my studio and the dresses were all patiently waiting my return.

Thurs. July 9th we are in Utica, NY in these cute little cabins on West Canada Creek. The weather is 5K running weather. Not too hot, not too muggy. We do a short warm up run on Fri. to prepare ourselves for The Boilermaker on Sunday.

A Tri in the Buff

On my 3rd day of vacation – July 5th at 7:00am – I was standing in line to compete in the “A tri in the Buff”. The “A tri in the Buff” is a triathlon consisting of a one mile swim, a fifteen mile bike ride, and a 3.1 mile run. The teams can be 2 or 3 people. I entered the competition with my sister. We appropriately named our team, “The Seesters”. My sister did the swim and bike portion of the relay, I did the run. We came in FIRST PLACE! We beat the “Pasta 911” team – a much younger team. I need to boast about this because I am a late comer to this athletic world. It was thrilling to receive our award and have our name announced to a sold out crowd. My sister and I were high on life realizing what we had accomplished. AND, I accomplished this after running in a 5K the day before in Brighton, and celebrating with the family – plenty of food and several glasses of wine. Not to mention that I didn’t have much sleep prior to the “A tri in the Buff”.

I started running for my health. I realized that I needed to take care of myself and to set healthy personal goals. Winning awards is an additional morale booster and unexpected fun! I have to recognize and thank my personal trainer, Elizabeth. She has been an inspiration to me. (Elizabeth thinks she has created a monster). Anyway, let me tell you about Elizabeth. She won 2nd place in the Brighton Firecracker Run and 3rd place in the “A tri in the Buff” Olympic competition. Elizabeth was her own relay team; she did all three events herself. She is training for the Boston Marathon, Spring 2010. We are going to Washington, DC in October 2009 so she can run in the Marine Corps Marathon to qualify for Boston. In October, I will be her trainer and coach.

Thank heavens for massage therapists. After running in two back-to-back 5K’s, I desperately needed a massage to soothe my achy muscles. I recommend massages. They are very therapeutic and aide in releasing toxins from the body. Check them out sometime: Massage on University

My Vacation - Part 1!

In the beginning of July, I took a week off from work. It was great to take life at a slower pace. I didn’t feel rushed or feel the need to be constantly busy. And, I cannot understand why everyone is complaining about the weather. This is great weather for running – something I love to do! I ran in three 5K races during my ten days of vacation. Two of the 5K’s were back-to-back.


I spent my entire vacation in beautiful upstate New York. I was born in New York State and love it. I think more people should take the time to travel the Finger Lakes Region .
It is wonderful to explore this region – so much to offer.

My vacation started with the Brighton Firecracker 5K on July 4th in Brighton, NY. I am proud to say that I ran with a time just under 11 min. per mile – my all time best thus far. After the race, I went to a family party. It was a great party on a fabulous sunny day, free of mugginess. As all family parties go, there was plenty of food and more importantly great community with family, friends, and loved ones. Although it was sunny, the temperature was a little chilly. I didn’t go in the pool, but the young ones didn’t seem to be bothered by it - they had a ball.

The following day family and friends gathered in Irving, NY to celebrate my mom’s 85th birthday, which is July 4th. No one ever forgets her birthday! Mom was busy cooking and baking for all of us – my sibling, grandkids, spouses, and even the dogs! Well, she didn’t bake for the dogs but they were there when a little something accidentally fell on the floor.

Spending time with family and friends helps me to realize how blessed I am. What a wonderful life; full of love and gratitude!

Independence

Happy 4th of July! Also, known as Independence Day. This weekend friends and families will get together for picnics, family reunions, parades, all the fun summer things we enjoy. I want to take the time now to remind myself and everyone to think about the word Independence. Independence is very special to me. It is a positive word. Really think about it, do you appreciate your independence? Do we really think about it on a daily basis? I don’t think I do, although I practice it on a daily basis and in my life.

It is great to live where I want, with whom I want, and do the activities and social things I enjoy. I can have my own business or I can work for someone else. I can earn any amount of money I want or I can do volunteer work and give my time and money to whatever cause interests me. I can buy anything I want from anywhere around the world. I can eat what I want anywhere at any time, and have a selection of food and drink that is endless. I can choose what time I want to sleep, play, and work. I can wear what I want and pray what and when I want. I can choose a mate, or remain single. I can disagree with figureheads, and leaders. I can protest war and I can protest for peace.

As I stated; think about your independence. It is something we tend to take for granted, but we use it every day, all the time, whenever we do anything. I am taking the time now to appreciate my independence. I really do like knowing that here in America I have choices. I can do what I want, when I want. How great is that? For some, choices can be over whelming, but we have the independence to make choices. Happy Birthday America! I am hugging our country and my independence this weekend. Would you care to join me?