A LITTLE INSTALOVE FRIDAY {Introducing my beloved Callie!!}

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. 

- Dr. Maya Angelou

For as long as I can remember, butterflies have played a special part of my life. I turned 19, and knew immediately my first tattoo - was going to remind me everyday to keep seeking, to keep hoping and dreaming all my big dreams. Thirteen hours later, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, with a pink and tribal tattoo that nearly wrapped around my waist. I was young and naïve, but so proud to be branded for life with a pink butterfly that I called Callie; who represented everything about being a rebellious teen who also had big dreams of law school and saving the world. 

Along the way, I found love. A deeper love than I ever thought imaginable. I fell for those blue eyes the instant they landed on me and it was if this shy little Sicilian boy could see right through me. I changed my course, and instead of heading to the big top-ten undergrad college I had been accepted to; I followed my heart and went with him, to the small state school, just an hour away.  I never thought my heart would change and the law would no longer be in my heart - but it did happen. So much change and growth. It only seems natural that change, growth and savoring the sweetness of life represent this boutique business I have built from the ground up. Looking for inspiration and representation of my new brand and logo; I had to look no further than the mirror. Callie - who has had my back, guiding me and keeping my hopes alive - she has been with me all these years. Nothing represents change and transformation more than the beauty and elegance of a butterfly.

Callie, is a custom creation from the amazing and exceptionally talented Becky, owner of RP Design and Branding. Callie is going to be playing a major role in my all new Cassandra Dattoli brand. You'll be seeing lots more of my gorgeous Callista around these parts oh so very soon.

"Callista" the most beautiful nymph in the ancient Greek world and loved by Zeus. Callista means most beautiful - and in so many ways she is. Even all these years later - more than 10 - she still plays a major role in my life. (I was tattooed by one of the greatest tattoo artists in Illinois, back in the summer of 2001 - my second tattoo a hummingbird was free-hand drawn and inked on my back shoulder in the spring of 2007 following my parent's divorce.)

Without further ado, here is Callie; my beloved butterfly, who represents me and my boutique business: a girl that has had my back (literally!!) for over 10 years. Won't you all give her a warm welcome?

Beautiful, and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable, butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life and everyone deserves a little sunshine.  - Jeffrey Glassburg

 

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. 

- Dr. Maya Angelou

For as long as I can remember, butterflies have been a special part of my life. I turned 19, and knew immediately my first tattoo - was going to remind me everyday to keep seeking, to keep hoping and dreaming all my big dreams. Thirteen hours later, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, with a pink and tribal tattoo that nearly wrapped around my waist. I was young and naïve, but so proud to be branded for life with a pink butterfly that I called Callie; who represented everything about being a rebellious teen who also had big dreams of law school and saving the world. 

Along the way, I found love. A deeper love than I ever thought imaginable. I fell for those blue eyes the instant they landed on me and it was if this shy little Sicilian boy could see right through me. I changed my course, and instead of heading to the big top-ten undergrad college I had been accepted to; I followed my heart and went with him, to the small state school, just an hour away.  I never thought my heart would change and the law would no longer be in my heart - but it did happen. So much change and growth. It only seems natural that change, growth and savoring the sweetness of life represent this boutique business I have built from the ground up. Looking for inspiration and representation of my new brand and logo; I had to look no further than the mirror. Callie - who has been on my side, guiding me and keeping my hopes alive - she has been with me all these years. Nothing represents change and transformation more than the beauty and elegance of a butterfly.

Callie, is a custom creation from the amazing and exceptionally talented Becky, owner of RP Design and Branding. Callie is going to be playing a major role in my all new Cassandra Dattoli brand. You'll be seeing lots more of my gorgeous Callista around these parts oh so very soon.

"Callista" the most beautiful nymph in the ancient Greek world and loved by Zeus. Callisto means most beautiful - and in so many ways she is. Even all these years later - more than 10 - she still plays a major role in my life. (I was tattooed by one of the greatest tattoo artists in Illinois, back in the summer of 2001 - my second tattoo a hummingbird was free-hand drawn and inked on my back shoulder in the spring of 2007 following my parent's divorce.)

Without further ado, here is Callie; my beloved butterfly, who represents me and my boutique business: a girl that has had my back (literally!!) for over 10 years. Won't you all give her a warm welcome?

A LITTLE INSTALOVE FRIDAY

Happy Friday!

If you lovelies are anything like me you love a good dose of confetti, pretty, and sparkle.  Add a dose pretty and happy snail mail and I'm as giddy as a school girl. Today's Instalove is a little peek into my new brand and a little Cassandra love that is going out to all my wonderful 2014 clients, as "happy-to-have you" gifts. I just cannot wait for my couples to get these and hopefully love them as much as I do. Those forks!! I am just smitten with these. I have looked for a long time for forks that I love and these, these hit the nail right on the head! Kerrie at Woodenhive does such an incredible job with these – and having them personalized for couples, in my little opinion makes them so very special.

I don't know about you, but my pretty packaging makes me super happy. That striped ribbon and all that happy confetti – gah! I think putting these together might be one of my favorite things to do. I am planning a little marketing outreach to vendors here in the area as well as you loves afar that I adore. To send some Cassandra Love your way, to connect with you and hopefully give you lots of info about me and my little boutique business. These little boxes of pretty have completely inspired me. I love these so much, I want to send a box to myself and you betcha, I'll be placing an order of forks for JD and I; like ASAP.

Be sure to visit Kerrie on Instagram and check out their amazing silverware line here. Kerrie is offering a 15% discount off her beautiful goodies, until March 21, 2014, with coupon code BlogOffer 15. Happy silverware shopping sweets!

Wishing you all a happy, happy Friday!

xoxo, Cas

 This post was not sponsored in any way by Woodenhive.

HEAD FIRST

I've decided to dive in - head first and as the running world says "just do it". I'm diving head first into something that has felt so right, for so long. I did it - I bought the rights to the domain name where all my rants, reads, favorites and a little bit a crazy will sit out here in cyber space - for all to see. I bought the rights to dattolievents.com where my blog will sit and the rights to cassandradattolievents.com where my webpage will sit. I also signed onto a professional blogger platform and have started a national planner certification process! YAY!! So I have started my journey into the wedding planning industry. I don't want to say I'm destined - but I am sure dam determined to be an inspiration - no scratch that - to be the hardest working - funnest - most dependable - most supportive - most out-of-the-box thinking planner and coordinator any about-to-be-hitched couple would want to work with! Yes - I think that's it! I have some big ideas up my sleeve and some huge dreams that I have kept buried inside me for far far too long. I've met several potential clients and lots of vendors that are super excited about me officially having an open sign.

I told my best friend last week that I was officially doing it - tax papers - trademarking - the whole works - and her first reaction was "omg, you were born to be a planner." When someone that has known you for so long - drops that on you - you know your doing the right thing. It feels so right, it feels so good. And although I'm not exactly where I want to be right now - I truly believe that someday I will be. It just feels so right - for it not to be.

I leave you with this little photo of us on our wedding night - representing everything I want my new little business to become. A little glam, lots of happiness and so much unconditional love - the kind you close your eyes lean back and just know the person your holding onto has you and won't let you go.

With Love -

- Cas