At least that’s how everyone I know in the industry is thinking of it. Have you guessed yet?

Yep, you’re right. Anyone who is anyone in the internet wedding world has come across [at one point or another] the fabulousness that IS the Southern Weddings Blog. The blog is packed full of eye candy. Daily they feature weddings from around the country [around the globe, really], inspirations, great ideas, and did I mention gorgeous eye candy?? It’s a planner, designer, bride, client, friend of a friend who may get married one day’s dream! If you haven’t added them to your Google Reader yet, then you’re in for a floodgate of treats.

But this is not the point. The point is that the empire that the ladies of said blog have built up has now cometh to fruition! Yes, the print magazine is OUT… TODAY! Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s looking at it. Everyone’s excited about it. I just had to let you all in on it, too!!

You can visit the blog for locations of where the already-infamous mag will be released [Target and Barnes and Noble, to name some], but more importantly- you can order a copy ONLINE right through their site! So, stay up to date!! I’ll bet you’ll find that a lot of the vendors I sing praises of on a somewhat weekly [or monthly, or bi-monthly] basis will be plastered all over the pages! And more than that… who doesn’t want a little southern comfort in their big day??

Bottom line: if you get, you will not regret!

xoxo,

A-town!

NOT about me [well, they ARE and we’ll get to that later], but…

So excited for my babe! Not only is one of his most stellar songs being played on the prime time CW show One Tree Hill, but it’s already being talked about!

If you’re interested in hearing my dude’s voice singing the hopeless love stories of various twentysomethings for television, tune in to One Tree Hill NEXT Monday, January 12th at 9pm California time! You know we’ll Tivo it. We’ve heard they’re using practically the entire song during a makeout scene. Score!!

Oh yah, and if you’d like to hear the song “Dear You” before it comes up on TV, go head over to Josh’s Myspace and give it a listen. It’s a great song. I know. It’s about me. Holla!

Yay, yay, YAY! Seriously!

I’ve been holding off on posting this for a while now, as it’s been a few weeks since the big event, but I wanted to officially announce on the blog a HUGE CONGRATS to our lovely assistant, Shannon! Shanny got engaged over the holidays on her family trip to Hawaii [’member how I said something about her being so bummed on missing our holiday party?? Well, she definitely wasn’t!]! We are SO thrilled to help her plan her wedding at her grandparent’s ranch for this coming June!

Shannon’s ultra-fab and unique style is sure to shine on her big day! She’s already got a whole passel full of ideas and they are going to be so great when put together!! Leave Shannykins some love and congrats, and xoxo to everyone else who got engaged in the final days on 2008 as well!! And of course, big kisses to my favorite loyal readers- as always! It’s your love that fuels me on each day!!

Another delay of gratification for me! The ultra-fab Krissy Davis just put up oodles of fun eye candy on her blog from N&N. Now, most of you will know that I’ve had these images for a while and I will, from time to time, pour over them with pride and giggles. They’re truly gorgeous! I cannot stop bragging about this wedding- not only was it packed with gorgeous, but they hired a wonderful pro so that they got a true representation about the day. If you’re looking for even more from me on them and their wedding- I just blogged about them at my week over on Elizabeth Anne Designs, so take a visit!

I cannot say enough how much of a worthy splurge a phenomenal photographer is.

If you are still looking for a photographer, definitely give a visit over to her site [especially if you’re already working with me! Yes, this is a shameless plug to work with her and Ben again and she knows it!!] And you know what the best part is about Krissy??? She’s a steal of a deal, in my opinion! Totally reasonable rates for someone who has more talent in their shutter finger than most! Don’t worry, she didn’t put me up to this, guys. They never do. I’m just a huge fan of people with passion and skill [maybe even mad skillz]! xoxo to you all!

I’ve kinda been racking my brain the past few days on what I could possibly post to summarize how I feel about this past year, my clients, my job, my marriage, my life… there are truly no words. So instead of doing so, I’ve decided that focusing myself on the future and all that I hope, pray, and know that it may have in store is where my heart is!

Thus, in honor of, a random rundown of my personal goals for 2009!

1. Join a networking group, like ABC. I’ve wanted to join ABC for some time now, as my mentor is very invested and involved and I think it’s a terrific thing to keep coordinators and other wedding pros “in the know” and interacting together outside of their typical work environment. But, my timing never seems to be right for joining. So, no putting it off any longer!!

2. Hone in on other areas of professional skills for the industry. Learn to decorate a baked layer cake- well. Look into letterpressing, and take a class or seminar on it. Continue arranging flowers for personal enjoyment and for growth in knowledge. Take a photography workshop or seminar taught by a pro. Don’t worry- I will NOT be leaving my role as a planner/coordinator for anything! I just want to work with what I’ve got.

3. Try to attend a seminar like Engage! 09. It’s for wedding pros. It’s pricey and I’ll bet 120% worth it. Work on growing my business into the dream I know it can be. Keep learning and growing and committing to it in 2009 the way I have in the past- with the fervor of a newbie.

4. Get Published! And since I’m pretty sure that’s almost happening as we speak, get published again, for something I can whole-heartedly and proudly take credit for.

5. Organize a successful wedding services giveaway for someone in need. Find the right people to involve beyond myself [if possible] but more than that, find out a way to open it up widely to a large number of people, beyond those who have seen my website or blog.

6. Book a destination wedding!!! Anywhere, I don’t care. Arkansas, here I come [if you’ll let me!].

7. Involve my assistants more. Let the team stand truly as a team. I want them writing posts, showing their personalities, and making an impression on the world wide web! Ensure that they are shadowing me at meetings, rehearsals, walk throughs, and spending time with me weekly or monthly so that I can truly impart knowledge into them and they can exude the confidence of a well-seasoned planner! Oh yah, and keep them around forever and ever so that I don’t have a lot of company “turn over”. I heart my girls and I want nothing more than a solid, dependable team!

8. Commit to putting more videos on my blog, and making my blog a source of personal and professional inspiration and reality. Continue featuring real brides and vendors, as well as taking it a step beyond with new features, articles, wedvice, and more!

9. Build up the resumee of my team members experience by booking them out on their own [to work in teams] on other events. This way I can send them out to wedding in confidence of them, and clients can be confident [as I already am] with their experience and knowledge as well. I have a “magic number” of weddings I’d like to book for myself and for my team. It’s good to have it, but really, it’s not about numbers. I know in my heart which clients are for us, and which aren’t. I’m lucky because I’m in the business of having those clients pick US, and not having to pick them! We heart each and every couple we work with… so big time!

10. Tabletop settings for each month! Include different inspirations but keep myself constantly designing and planning to create a fabulous environment on my blog for each visitor!

Really, I’ll be elated and thrilled if 2009 is nothing more than exactly similar to 2008. I love my job! I love my life, and I know that I am so, so blessed to be in the spot that I am. I hope that you all can set goals that will help you rise to the occasion and reach your true potential in 2009, too! Find something you love, and do it every day! xoxo!

Finding out that one of your couples reads your blog by getting a slew of piping hot, hand-mama-made chicken tamales to take home “just because” [or maybe for Christmas, but either way].

And, moreover, happiness is eating said tamales with eager anticipation for the hearty perfection that they are.

[yes, I typically cut my food into bite size squares prior to eating JUST like I already have kids… don’t hate!]

Cesy and Krissy…. you two are the BEST. I always love when we get to meet up. Can’t wait for the big day!! xoxo! By the way, Cesar, I may officially be addicted to your mom’s tamales. Can she bring some to the wedding for me [wink wink!]. I’m kidding! Sorta.:)

Really, REALLY blogged!! I actually just posted some of P&C’s fab photos in a feature over at the Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog, but that was still technically before they had been blogged.

Mike and Emi at Evoke Photography put up a passel full of pictures [like, over 30] and they are ALL incredible, breath taking, heart stopping, gorgeousness. I’m so thrilled! It’s like a tiny little Christmas present even though I’d gotten a hint of what I knew it was already. Some of my faves that I hadn’t seen before:

SO many more, over at Evoke’s Place!!! xoxo!

As I’m sure you’re all dying to know who won the contest and which member of the team decorated each fabulous [ultra fab, if I may] cookie, I’ll get right down to it!!

BIG congrats to Stephanie, for being the randomly selected winner [and commenting just in the nick of time! Please note the timing on my blog is off- you got it, Steph!!]

And now, for the final count of cookie votes [discounting all of the votes Josh attempted to give himself]:

And the ITN winner IS…. drumroll please….

ME!!! I never, ever, ever, ever, EVER thought in a gazillion years that my tree-on-drugs would win a darn thing! I honestly thought that E.T. would take it purely on the nostalgia factor! At least the team can’t say that you guys play favorites! I don’t think you’d have any idea that the tree was mine [especially since it started out as a bouquet… ouch]!! Have a WONDERFUL weekend and get some shopping done!! xoxo!