Ignorablog

Here's what I've been up to:

1) Jim and I went to Colorado to see a few clients and we stayed two extra days and hung out in Snowmass and Aspen. I now want to sell everything and move to Colorado. But I won't.

2) I spent an amzing weekend with 3 fabulous friends from college in a picturesque cottage on a picturesque lake. I love these people...they are the ones that "fill up my cup".

3) Working.

Here's what I've been thinking:

1) Now that we live in Florida full time, the seasons mean nothing any more. Every day is summer and when they mention fall, halloween, or hearty autumn casseroles on tv or in the paper, I can't really get my head around it. But I would not say no to the occasional casserole.

2) I have an awesome life.

3) We have some awesome things coming our way and I can't wait to share!

As a matter of fact, I'm not Kim Kardashian!

But I did have a beautiful wedding a few years ago. There were beautiful seasonal flowers, our dearest friends, incredible families, a cake that left a lot to be desired (another post) and a dress I loved. I didn't change into three different dresses like I heard Kim did, but I'm sure that's the only difference between our weddings.

My dress has been hanging in the guest room closet for almost eight years now and really...what do you do with it? Pass it on to another ancient bride? Sell it on consignment (or worse...having it rejected by the consignment shop)? And since I am only one of two women in history that was fatter at my wedding than I am now (Diana was the other one), it seemed unlikely that I would wear it again---even dyed some snappy color.

Then I heard about an event called "Love That Dress", a fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls in Fort Myers, Florida. Donated dresses are sold to raise money for their programs to keep at-risk girls in school. I donated the dress (and the matching shoes of course) to the event and I feel great knowing that someone will be wearing the dress that meant so much to me. I hope the love I felt on that day "rubbed off" a little (but it's ok, I had it dry-cleaned!) on the next women who wears it. And Kim? Well, I hope she knows the joy of having an amazing husband who makes her feel beautiful every day--- whether in jeans or a fancy lace dress.

Penguins In Vegas...

...Another reason the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas is so darn fun!

A Study in Contrasts

Well, I'm back from yet another trade show...seems like that's all I blog about these days, but it is the "season" for trade shows. We wind up this round in Atlanta next month and then not another show until next January. (there will be business travel just not the show kind,---just the visit fun clients kind) We were in Las Vegas last week for Licensing Expo 2011. And if ever there are contrasts within a city, this is the one. Balancing on the beautiful (the Bellagio Botanical gardens) vs the tacky (the constant barrage of noise, information and smoke), the noise of the casinos vs the surprisingly quiet hotel room and the beautiful people vs the...not so much.

We had a great show, always fun to see "the people" after hiding out in the studio for the weeks between this trip and Surtex in May. I think we'll see some great stuff happen as a result of those efforts and of course the enthusiasm and pluck (I love that word) of my fabulous branding agents Lisa and Mickey Marks. They are the founders of Lisa Marks Associates, a branding agency with clients like Peeps (you know you love 'em!), Martin Guitars and other biggies---and me of course! They have resumes a mile long and apparently know everyone. Really... everyone! And they are super fun too.

The biggest contrast was after racing around getting ready for the show, living in the weird world of Las Vegas for a week and being "on" for 3 straight days (and nights) at the show, Jim and I took a drive for a day and hung out at Red Rock Canyon---I highly recommend this side trip if you ever find your way off the strip. Simply beautiful, awesome and blessedly quiet too. A nice transition, I must say!
Ronnie

What day is it?

Oh, well... let me just check my handy new My Friend Ronnie wall calendar! I can only check 2012 dates, but you get the idea! This is one of those products that I have always dreamed of having my artwork on and here it is! How cool...

Heaven Help Me!

I designed this cute little angel line with a company called Blossom Bucket---they do some of the cutest heartfelt products out there and I am proud to be a part of it. And they're really nice to work with too! See the line here. To paraphrase my fave Ina Garten...how cute is that?

Great Insights...

Did you listen to the Ask Paul Brent call last night? I did, and what a great way to spend an hour--while I worked on new collections of course! Tara Reed, an art licensing coach and artist hosts "ask" calls with prominent contributors to the art licensing market. For the past 3 years, she has had a Surtex wrap-up call with Paul. To those of us in this industry, Paul Brent is the gold standard of someone who's success is only overshadowed by his generosity and good humor. (loved his giggle when asked if the economy has affected art licensing!) He had lots to say about trends both in the market (a trend away from vector art, more florals) and within the show itself (more artists, shorter visits by fewer people---but quality attendees, baby, quality!).

With the changing economy and retail trends (such as they are) he really emphasized the importance of continually showing up with new work, new ideas and concepts. The man is a machine apparently, as he mentioned that he put out 40 new collections in the past year. Yeah...40, people!

I decided a while back that I had to step up my game as well....if you want to have longevity in this business, you can't wait around for inspiration to strike, you've gotta go get it, wrassle it to the ground and show up!

So, guess what I'm doing this weekend? Besides making potato salad and drinking a beer (or two) on the dock? You guessed it, I'm drawing pictueres!