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.  The year I turned 20; following a very difficult decision to leave behind a scholarship and my years as a Tri Delt at my beloved UIUC - I decided I needed something to keep my dreams alive - and knew immediately my first tattoo - was going to remind me everyday to keep seeking, to keep hoping and dreaming all my big dreams. I gifted myself my first tattoo - walked into the shop ready to put the custom design on my back. Thirteen hours later, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, with a vivid pink and tribal tattoo nearly wrapping around my hips. I was young and naïve, but so proud to be branded for life with a pink butterfly that was so dear to me - and I called her Callie. At that time she represented everything about surviving sexual assault; owning my worth; sharing my story and gaining confidence as a woman and a survivor who also had big dreams of law school and making sure those who spoke their truth - saw their assailants behind bars.  

Somewhere along the way, I found love. A deeper love than I ever thought imaginable. I fell for a pair of 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 fleeting 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, and feature shortly after on the cover of Tattoo magazine - back in the summer of 2001 - my second tattoo a hummingbird was free-hand drawn and inked on my shoulder in the spring of 2007 following my parent's volatile and difficult 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