Bravery

Via

The Disney version of bravery includes fighting off bears, and fearlessly wielding a bow and arrow, but does bravery really require looking danger straight in the face while maintaining a steady, calm heartbeat? Does bravery require taking risky moves, or could simply taking baby steps outside your comfort zone be considered bravery?

We've touched on the power of fear previously my valid concerns or fears of failure, and - what I yearn to accomplish in my life. This year, after taking small steps over time to establish my own business, I've learned that with experience, things that seemed impossible once become second nature and can yield significant results, and I've been learning that if you want something bad enough, the small steps you take to break out of your comfort zone expand your horizons.

Perhaps through experience we become somewhat immune to the fear, however, I know I must remind myself to not let new experiences cripple me with fear and anxiety, but rather re-focus them as opportunities to succeed.

Via

I must remind myself that perfection does not necessarily yield success. Sometimes things go awry, and we learn from these trying moments. And under the bigger umbrella, these trying lessons only help us to grow and learn, and should not impact your memories of an otherwise positive experience. Likewise, de-valuing my work for whatever reason will only demonstrate to others that my work is not of value. Therefore, assigning fair value is the most important part of business. If my efforts are not valued, then why bother in the first place? After all, no one likes being taken advantage of. AmIright?

Delightfully yours,
Rochelle

A touchy subject

Budgets: we all have them. They are a much talked about subject not only in the wedding industry, but in life, and at times can be a bit difficult to make ends meet. More often than not, budgets aren't ideally where we would want them to be in life and for weddings. It is therefore so important when planning an event for both the clients and vendors to find the right fit. 

I wish I could make every bride-to-be's Pinterest dream wedding come true but most of the inspiration images I get are far out of reach of the average wedding budget. These are weddings that are featured on blogs as the best of the best and their floral budgets alone may be half of what some couples' entire wedding costs are. I have had a significant struggle with wishing I could accommodate all the dreams and wishes of each and every client, and honestly, I've had a bad habit of sacrificing my own sanity and paycheck to make dreams come true. 

Finding a happy ground where budget meets inspiration is an ongoing challenge, but devaluing my work and passion is not going to cut it any longer.

Today I read a great blog post discussing realistic budgets vs. inspiration images and expectations written by Nancy Liu Chin. She does an excellent job of breaking down where and how all of the money is spent on floral design and decor. I encourage every bride-to-be or fellow wedding vendor to read it in it's entirety. 

You can click here for the post. And while I'm at it here is a little pie chart from Every Last Detail that is great visual aid.

delightfully yours,

Rochelle Leigh Wall

I have a secret...

...well, for many of you maybe it's not such a big secret... but I feel like I breathe a word of it, the potential of this dream I've been holding on to so tightly will vanish into the air it's spoken.

I have a great passion for floral design. And event (wedding) design and planning. This is no secret. But alas, financial responsibilities and fear have prevented me from being able to pursue my great passion, leaving me brokenhearted more often than not.

I sacrifice my sanity so we can have a lovely home. It's a balancing act, which tilts in the direction of stability and what has been "safe". And for a long time now I have been willing to do what I feel I must by maintaining a good paying and steady employment at a desk job that frankly does not suit me or my creative nature.

My imagination is a constant kaliedescope of blooms and ribbon as my fingers fly across the 10-keys. At times I feel numb... numb to this job that sometimes seems to drain me of my passion and inspiration. And so my whirring brain has been hatching a plan for some time now. A plan to escape what will perhaps inevitably will kill my soul. The mundane.

I've toyed with blogging more. But I lack the freedom and structure (yes, both) to be able to commit. I've taken on more brides this year than ever before, and my soul is soaring! But again my fear, and lack of professional training renders me doubtful in my skills. I need more exposure, but how?

Internship.

This is my big secret. This is the next step. I am certain of it. Now, I just need to commit and take that giant leap of which I am so fearful. Today marks a day that I have made a first big step towards my own freedom, by expressing my interest in an internship with an incredibly talented wedding floral designer.

And now I can barely breathe.

Do me a gigantic favor my dear friends and please cross your fingers and toes, and maybe even your eyes, for me.

delightfully yours,
Chelle xx