Ground Floor Opportunities

Life is a whirlwind of opportunities. We enter into these "events" oftentimes not exactly knowing how we got to that point, or where it will lead us. As we look back to the original circumstances which led us to a specific place in our lives whether that is a relationship, marriage, college, a career or a friendship we can only be thankful for those unknown opportunities. A society that has become so fast-paced, even email appears slow to some of us, we no longer are able to value the virtue of patience and long, hard-working struggles. We are only take an idea, develop it, plan and expect it to become a success over-night, but in reality this is farther from the truth and I myself have unfortunately also become drawn into this backwards way of thinking at times. While brainstorming the other day about a few of our business ventures, I began to think about my floral design company and how only after 5 years have I been able to venture out to more clientele, my company's name is finally making a brand for itself and I feel I have hit a point of success. The funny thing about this company is that I never dreamed it would "take-off" overnight, I always had a realistic view that it was hard to break into any industry when you have no connections or backing, but I did it and have enjoyed the hard-work.

It is interesting however, that I am unable to take this philosophy or way of thinking into my other business ventures or aspects of life. I strive for personal success, but at times I don't feel it is moving fast enough. It is then that I must take a step back and re-examine myself and my motives. Am I becoming like the rest of society, or the rest of my generation, not wanting to wait? Truly, I am an impatient person which pretty much everyone can see from my choleric, A-Type personality, but that is no excuse for my constant drive to never let myself rest or to never accept the current position I am in. This past year has definitely been eye-opening for me as I have learned several of these lessons and work everyday to foster a bit more patience in my soul! As hard as that may be, I also don't expect this virtue to appear overnight or at an unrealistic rapid pace. This is just like everything else, it takes hard-work and time to develop, but believe me, it took me a long time to discover this within myself. The most important thing is that I have had to learn to be easier on myself. When I am too hard on myself and don't believe I am living up to my expectations or the expectations of those around me, I then become unsatisfied. This truly a fault of my own.

So, the lesson to be learned is to live life with a hard-working purpose, but to start with the ground floor opportunities. Because even though we never know their worth or the outcome of such circumstances, they are more beneficial in our lives than all the goals we set for ourselves but never accomplish. Or we become frustrated because they are not accomplished in the way we imagined. The funny thing is that when these goals are cultivated, in the way of divine providence, rather than to our own plan, it is actually more successful than we could have ever imagined. On the contrary, when we push something too hard and it is not the right timing, the sky falls, we feel like failures and we are forced to wait a bit longer for another ground floor opportunity.



Here are a few of the ground floor opportunities in our lives whether individual or as business partners:

The release of our first book, Provocative Manners: The Sauce of Life, in April 2013.

The start-up of DMH Custom Floral Designs in January 2008.

The development of Aircut.

The start-up of our company, Lady Lux Events, in 2012.

Our Week in Short: What are your Plans for the Weekend?

For Katrina and myself, this week has been a combination of planning, events, meetings and new beginnings. We may not be able to give all the details right now, but this week we have officially begun a new business venture: EXCITING! It's finally the merging a few beautifully creative worlds into a business plan.  This weekend may be busy with floral designs, Fall Festivals, family breakfasts and a charity dinner, but the most important thing is that we will both get to spend some quality time with friends and our families. Life is Good!  Enjoy your weekend.

Designing beautiful autumn flowers.

It's time for a girls breakfast at The Pancake House!

Enjoying a drink with friends, or two!

A Wacky Weekend of Beautiful Weddings!

Well, Katrina and I are having quite a busy weekend and we have been off to the races since Wednesday.  Yes, I said that right, our weekend started on Wednesday.  Why is the weekend so crazy?  Well, I was booked to design flowers for four weddings and Katrina is the event planner for one of them.  I don't know what I would do without her help.  

So, unfortunately today's post consists with nothing very exciting.  We just wanted to wish you all a wonderful weekend.  

 DMH Custom Floral Designs

DMH Custom Floral Designs

It's time to celebrate!

Best wishes to all the couples getting married this weekend!

DIY Christmas Teacher Gift!

We thought it was appropriate to post a cute, yet easy, do it yourself gift for your child's teacher!  This doesn't take much time or much money, but it's fun and so adorable!  These "Santa Inspired" wine bottles are a great way to make anyone's day with a little bit of magic and a few flowers!

What You Will Need:

Empty Wine Bottles

Red Paper

Strips of Black Paper for a Santa Belt

Gold Paper cut into rectangles for the Belt Buckle

Don't forget a few peppermints to munch on during this craft.

Cover each bottle with red paper.

Attach a Black Belt and Gold Belt Buckle with Glue.

Don't forget to add the flowers for a cheery, Christmas inspired gift.

Perfect for teachers, neighbors, friends and family!

Oh, How Pinteresting!

Credit: Club Monaco via Pinterest

Credit: A Good Thing Happened via Pinterest

Credit: Disney via Pinterest

Credit: Boden Spring 2013 via Pinterest

Credit: DMH Custom Floral Designs via Pinterest

It's a Fun Floral Rainy Day!

~ It's rainy, and cloudy with thunder and lightening today,

so here are a few cheerful photos of flowers ~

Photo Credit: Andrew Schliesman Photography

Floral Designs by DMH Custom Floral Designs

www.dmhcustomfloraldesigns.com

Pretty in Pink with Crystals

~ What's better than pink roses and fuchsia alstromeria accented with crystals?  It can only get better if they are received from a loved one! Surprise your lover and bring them flowers today! ~

Drinky Drinky Drunk...Bride?

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Are you the bride?  Is it your wedding day? 

 http://davidtuteraformoncheri.com/

Is everything exactly as you dreamed it would be?  You have the perfect dress, the over-the-top exotic floral arrangements and the most amazing future husband in the whole world!  With all that planning, time and money, who doesn't want to remember every second of every hour of that amazing day?

Here's a word to the wise:  Watch What You Drink!  A drunk bride is completely classless.  You will ruin the night not only for yourself, your husband and your close family but it will leave a nasty effect on anyone who comes in contact with you after that 5th shot of whiskey!

Present yourself with an air of dignity and leave the drinking for your honeymoon.  You are obliged to act as a hostess, after all, you did invite all those people and are paying for their meals! 

So, give your guests a night to remember with excellent food and great entertainment, but keep your drinks at a minimum.  You don't want to embarrass your family (who may have paid for the majority of your wedding) and most of all you don't want to create a scene and embarrass yourself and your husband!  Don't forget: you will have to see these people again...

Sauce of Life Tip for the Bride:  Not sure what to drink on your wedding day?  Sip on a glass of champagne or wine.  If you prefer beer, then always have it put in a pilsner glass.  Never drink your beer out of bottle or can as the bride, stick with a glass, it's much classier!

Sauce of Life Tip for the Groom:  Men, it is just as bad for a guest to witness a drunk bride as it is a drunk groom.  You don't want to be the entertainment, do you?

Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss within the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.
~Ben Jonson To Celia.

Flowers By DMH Custom Floral Designs www.dmhcustomfloraldesigns.com

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Schliesman Photography
www.aj-photography.net

 

Honor Your Mother: There is a Reason to Her Rhythm!

Written By: Va Va Voom (Katrina)

With our culture the way it is today, mothers are under attack.  So much is expected of them and yet very few are able to live up to it.  In our opinion, it is lack of respect.  Where is the respect for our mamas?

How often do we see a teenager on their cell while shopping with mom, or a son pulling away from his mother when she tries to fix his uncombed hair that will cause him to squirm when looking back at pictures.  Or when a mom is struggling at the grocery store with her toddler and onlookers seem annoyed rather then lending a kind word.

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child." ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

 

www.dmhcustomfloraldesigns.com

In short, do you love your mother?  Show her with words, affection, or sweet gifts.  Mothers are the heart of the home, the living beat of the family.  Remember the old saying, "if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy, if papa ain't happy ain't nobody care!"  So make mama happy!

We can all remember the days when our mothers were the most embarrassing thing in the world!  Now as adults, we realize how great their advice was, and it wasn't just to hear themselves talk!  There was a reason for all the comments and constructive criticism even though it seemed insane at the time.   There was reason to their rhythm!

"Mothers are all slightly insane." ~J.D. Salinger

Lastly mothers are the only ones who will forgive us immediately.  They have that continual and unconditional love! So if you love your mom, call her, write her, or send her your love today!  Order flowers!  Not for a specific date, but just because you love her and appreciate her!

http://www.bethenny.com/products

~Show your love!  Purchase your mom a bottle of Skinnygirl!  Not only will she love the taste but you can spend some much needed quality time together over a great drink!~

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~Honoré de Balzac

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Be a Bridesmaid and Get Over Yourself! You're Not the Bride!

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

Every bride has those friends they regret asking to stand up in the wedding.  Why must there always be a bridesmaid who finds issue with the dress style or color or length or fit?  Usually there is always one bridesmaid in a bunch who complains about the cost of everything.  And last, but not least, we have those bridesmaids who don't want to help in anyway but to make their appearance the day of the wedding!  Here's some simple advice for those of you out there who may fall into one of these categories...GET OVER YOURSELF!

Stop making it difficult for the bride, it's her special day and let her enjoy the planning of her wedding.  It's stressful enough without your complaints.

If you don't love the bridesmaid dress or you are being overly self-conscious, STOP, and keep your criticisms to yourself.  Let's be real, will you ever really wear that dress again?  And how often do you plan on looking at those pictures?  It's highly unlikely they will be hanging them next to your own wedding pictures.

Remember, that when you agree to stand up in a wedding, you need to have some money saved for dresses, shoes, jewelry, hair, engagement party costs, bridal shower costs, bachelorette party costs, gifts and any other random items the bride wishes for you to purchase.  Let's be realistic, you need about $500.  If you can't afford it, just decline the honor.  The bride won't be upset, she's planning a wedding is well aware of costs.  She would rather know the truth and not have you stand up than listen to your monetary complaints for a year.

Bridesmaids are not only asked to stand up as sign of favoritism and love but also to help with the numerous preparations.  If you can't help the maid of honor plan the engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party and assist the bride with preparations and clean up the day of the wedding, then maybe you should rethink being a bridesmaid.  This isn't your day to just show-up and enjoy, it's the bride and groom's day to relax.  So, GET OVER YOURSELF!





Here's a tip:  If the bride is stressed, then the groom is stressed, so you better pick up the pieces, fast!

Remember you will eventually have your own special day, you're not the bride this time!  Be a good friend and try not to think of your needs but those of the bride and groom and it will make the planning process and wedding day much more enjoyable for all!

Courtesy of Andrew Schliesman Photography