Full Steam Ahead!!!!

So...I have finally created a logo that I can say that I am thoroughly happy with and will not change for quite some time. I've also been working on finally building my website - I got tired of waiting for someone to do it for me and it pained me to pay someone $1500 to create a cheapo website I can build myself. I have also been working on finalising my designs and printing my stationery samples and I am insanely happy about this.

That said, I know I have been building Lily Notes for quite some time - perfection is not instant - but I have been making an active effort in making Lily Notes Studio a successful business and have been taking on more freelance clients as of late. One of my clients, a current co-worker of mine at my other job, Judy Paulen Designs - yes I have two jobs besides my work with Lily Notes - is a jewelry designer. She has been looking for someone to design her logo and business cards for quite sometime and have not been able to find the right look. Realising the potential opportunity, I jumped at the chance to create something for her and she absolutely loved it - not exaggerating. Now, I'm helping her design the rest of her business identity including her Etsy page, website and other necessary stationery. I'm not quite done with her project, but I will post samples of what I'm working later this week - just need her permission first.

I must say, I'm really happy now, with all old distractions behind me. I've been able to fully focus on me and only me. To really explore all my possibilities and finally build something for myself without having to worry about pleasing someone else. I am most certainly looking forward to how everything turns out and all the pleasures I get to enjoy!

Dream Job!!!!!!

Just before Thanksgiving, I came across a very obscure posting for a sales and marketing job. It was so vague that the only thing that caught my attention was the word 'stationery' in the one line description. So naturally I applied - got call number one! Went in for my interview, was asked to write a proposal - which I nailed with my 'impeccable' writing skills, they said that by the way ;)
Anyway, after three meetings, I got the final call yesterday and I was officially told that the position was mine!

So what exactly is the dream job?!

I am the sales and marketing director of a brand new, high end stationery company, whose wedding invitations showcase their expert craftsmanship in laser cut designs. My role is to give all my input about designs, product development and marketing and selling wedding invitations. A full time position that doesn't even require me to leave my own desk! I go to their studio a couple times each week for a few hours, but most of my work is managed from home, making calls, browsing wedding blogs and magazines, meeting with event planners, going to stationery and bridal shows, etc....

That's my job, or rather, my first career! This career opportunity will allow me to do what I love for as long as I want. It also allows me the time to develop my own projects - Lily Notes Studio and My Big Small Wedding,  without the stress of a annoying 9 to 5, doing something I care nothing for and being exhausted and miserable because there aren't enough hours in the week!

I am really stinkin' happy and excited about this new position, so much so, that I've gotten to work at it immediately! It will open so many doors for me, as the opportunity is endless and I cannot wait to see what happens in the year ahead.

Yay, ME!!!

A Side Project to the Side Project

aka ME!

I have been stuck. Very little inspiration to writing about stationery. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it and love everything about it, but I'm going through a bit of a block. I also need to re-design this blog because it is most certainly uninspiring. Nevertheless, I'm not so stuck with my new blog that I created to end this constant conflict I've been having with this blog. I have a lot of random ideas and thoughts that run through my head and sometimes, it can be difficult to keep them all organized. I'll pop on here wanting to write about stationery, but all I can think about is event planning to-dos. So, I created a blog called My Big Small Wedding in an attempt to fix my scattered-brain of a problem. I have to admit, so far so good. Hopefully, it gives birth to inspiration and encouragement to get back to my first love, Lily Notes Studio.
Stick around...

Late Night Ramblings of An Insomniac

No where near capable of falling asleep yet and I've been awake since 6am! Nevertheless, I continue to work as much as I can growing Lily Notes, BC NYC and even, FWSB. I spend countless hours in front of my computer - it's official, I definitely need new prescription for my glasses - and I can never get to sleep before 4am.

I spent the last five days networking on Wedding Wire, Craigslist and Facebook and thus far, it's beginning to pay off. I courted a new stationery client - small budget, but worth adding something to my portfolio. I've also found two possible participants for the bridal show this October - click photo for details. On top of that, we almost brokered a deal for our own space, that we smartly decided to walk away from - we could certainly do better and find a more remarkable space to call home.

All in all, managing your own business is no easy feat. It takes so much effort, energy and emotion to be successful. As much as I complain, I find my self welcoming the sleepless nights because it provides me with the opportunity to manipulate more hours in the day. I often used these late nights to work on more designs and client proposals, as to not interrupt my day. Oh and I start a new job on Monday where I work from 3pm to 11pm Thursday thru Monday. Someone once called me abusive, which I've never believed {this was simply an accusation which often reflects what that person thinks of themselves}. But I now believe that I am abusive to no one but myself and this is simply so because I have to be. And I won't stop until I achieve what I want out of life.
Anyway, here are just a few of the samples I've been working on, as I get back to work!PS: It's official...I'm sick of yellow!

What I've Been Up To - A Quick Update!

So...the past three or four months have been a bit of a whirlwind. From cutting myself off from the world, to rejoining it with a subtle bang, I've been doing pretty alright for myself. Working with Renita and Fabulous Weddings Shoestring Budgets have proven itself quite fruitful for me. I've been having fun learning about event planning, I've been designing more invitations and I'm now part owner of our fun, brainchild - Bridal Cafe NYC! I've really been flexing those graphic design and creativity muscles on this one. I'm really happy about how things have been maturing and I am uber excited about the many gratifying opportunities that are yet to come. I also cannot wait to showcase all my invitations at our bridal showcase on June 3rd! I'll be extremely proud to have my work acknowledged by a lot of prospective clients. I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that all continues to go well and I can finally have that bang up New Years Eve party I've always dreamed of. Hopefully, the rest of the year continues to give me many reasons to celebrate and be thankful for!In the meantime, checkout the new website and keep following, as we update it with loads of fun and interesting things to come - www.bridalcafenyc.com
Love, Kiki!