Monday, September 21, 2009

A day of beyonds

cathy at workshop

The word that keeps coming to mind as the workshop is behind us and I’m writing this blog is beyond:

  • Beyond expectations. The energy and feedback from the 470 guests who came to learn were incredible. We were trying out a brand new format, combining our workshop with a tradeshow, and I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but everyone loved it. During breaks, attendees had a chance to stretch their legs and meet people they wanted to meet with, and our sponsors got to meet face to face with people who had been checking them out online. So that was a huge highlight.
  • Beyond grateful for the words from people who came up to me and said they had their Aha! moment. The perfect quote was from Susan, who said, ‘Cathy, I had the Aha! moment. Without even going home, I can see my living room and now I know what’s wrong and how to fix it.’ Susan and the others had no idea how much that meant to me, how their words made all that work worthwhile.

logowear

  • Beyond cute: For the first time ever, we had our RSVPstyle logowear. Mel and Mel looked beyond cute in the hoodie and T-shirt that will soon be up on our online store!

winner joyce

  • Beyond fabulous—did you see the $10,000 Grand Prize diamond necklace? When I drew her name, Joyce Cranmer literally jumped out of her seat! She was shaking so hard that jeweler Dale Cripps needed several minutes to get that clasp fastened around her neck. She turned to me and said, ‘I’ve never won anything except a tape measure from a hardware store!’

At the end of the day, when everybody had packed up and we left the ballroom, Lissa, Kara, Marie and I headed over to Roy’s to have a cocktail and some pupus. We were beyond exhausted! But just extremely satisfied at how the day went.

IMG_0285


And now we’re all beyond tired and ready to go to bed for a very long time! We’ve got lots of highlights and photos coming up on our website, so stay tuned!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Ooh la la--$10,000 worth of fabulous!

No, no, no, I have not forgotten about you—I have just been so overwhelmed with preparations for our workshop on Saturday. I’m taking a break to post this quick blog because we just saw jeweler Dale Cripps yesterday. He’s donating the most amazing prize: Can you believe someone will walk away with a $10,000, five-carat white and natural yellow diamond necklace?

The girls in the office all threatened to quit when they found out they’re not eligible to enter the drawing for this prize. As a matter of fact, I thought about quitting myself!

It’s a modern-style piece that would look fabulous with jeans, or dressy and elegant with a black cocktail dress. Just imagine a woman telling her husband she’s going to this workshop, and then coming home with these diamonds draped around her neck! Well, that’s going to happen to someone, male or female, and it could be you if you already got your ticket to the workshop, because we’re sold out!

Lots more details to plan and we’re setting up the Kalakaua Ballroom at the Hawaii Convention Center tomorrow. Just had to share this fabulousness with you!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Last Mediterranean photos: Shipboard fun!

Ever since my first cruise to the Caribbean on our honeymoon almost 15 years ago, I've been in love with this way of traveling, and my favorite cruise line is Crystal Cruise. For this Mediterranean food and wine tour, we were lucky enough to be aboard the Crystal Serenity. With Crystal, at-sea days are possibly even more fun than days touring on shore!

p1000882Uncle Joseph does a magic trick for the kids on a formal night at sea

p1000715Mom and Carolyn on the slots. Can you believe it? My mom hit a $1500 jackpot that night! (Won't tell you how much she gave back!)

p1000708Dads and daughters dancing. How cute is that?!

p1000846Breakfast with mom and dad. The ocean breeze makes you hungry!

dsc_0528Lobster, anyone? The Grand Buffet certainly lived up to its name!

dsc_0531There's so much food... where do I begin?!

p1000892Nicki and classmate Preston celebrate their birthdays together

p1000912'The Boys' bonding in the Connoisseurs Lounge over cigars and scotch. (It's a guy thing!)

p1000722Mayumi learns a few dance moves from one of the Ambassador Hosts, while Carolyn and Joseph dance in the background

p1000902Nicki and new gal pal Alexia make dancing plans of their own

p1000840Ahhh! Now this is living! Lounging on the balcony as we sail into a new port

cdnYes, this was a wonderful family vacation, and Nicki is already asking when our next cruise will be!

dsc_0751It's time to go home. I interviewed Gary Hunter, the Cruise Director, on our last night about the Crystal Cruise experience. (I'll post the video shortly.) Until next time, Crystal Cruise... yes, it is a wonderful world!