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Be Inspired PR & Inspired By This are now on FACEBOOK!

Leila — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:34:43 +0000

Have you LIKED us yet?! Be Inspired PR (the masterminds behind this lovely blog!) just launched our first ever Facebook fanpage and we would be so delighted if you supported us with a little thumbs up! As if feeds of wedding inspiration, wedding news and updates of what we’re up to aren’t good enough, we’ll also be giving away a-mazing prizes for a few of our lucky fans just because we’re SO EXCITED about our new page! So head on over, give us a little like and you may win an iPod touch when we get to 800 fans! And who knows what we may give away next week, the only way to find out is to, you know… LIKE us!

Inspired by These Back to School Weddings

Leila — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:07:10 +0000

“Students please take out your books and turn to page 115″.Its that time again, kids all over the nation are going back to school. Shopping for school supplies before going back to school was a favorite activity of mine all the way up to my Senior year of college. Who knew a new folder or ream of paper could be so thrilling? Walking around Target and seeing all the colorful bins of school supplies got my mind wandering…what if you allowed school supplies to be a muse for your nuptials? Seems like a grade A idea to me. Below are some ideas of how you can create a smart looking wedding and a feature from Martha Stewart of a couple who certainly makes the grade. All photos from Martha Stewart weddings.

An apple for the teacher

Class please take out your pencils

Save the date pencils

Typed out Guest book

Minhee and Truman’s Wedding in Fullerton, California

Inspired by These Wedding Tulips

Leila — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:25:59 +0000

I LOVE tulips! They can successfully work their way into several settings and look completely natural. They pop up at elegant dinners, playful parties, in a garden, and on your kitchen table. I like to think I have the same adaptive abilities :- )

My favorite tulip is the parrot and no surprise to my devoted readers, green is my favorite. I love their modified mullet appeal-business on the bottom and party on top. I love that even when you cut them they continue to grow! They seem to have a resolve all their own. What a nice reminder for us in business and in life. Go on… be resilient, be beautiful, be you. Have a great weekend!

By Rae Florae

The Below Images were designed by JL Designs, Photographed by Stephanie Williams and Featured in Utterly Engaged

Photographed by Jose Villa

Love this by Elizabeth Messina

Beautiful image from Martha Stewart.com

Inspired by This Wedding Pre-Party

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:00:28 +0000

Peanut Butter and Jelly, Eggs and Bacon, Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf…somethings just seem better when paired together. The newest launch from OneWed is no exception. Think wedding planning with the fun of facebook fused together into one terrific site. That is just what the OneWed smarty pants ladies did! Wedding Pre-party is a place for brides an grooms to utilize the OneWed database, which is chock full of great vendors, and to also invoke the help of their friends to get the party started by introducing their guests long before the wedding day. What a FABULOUS idea! There are no worries of unsolicited weirdos crashing this virtual party since you have to be invited by the bride and groom to contribute to their page. Check out the screen shots below and if you are engaged, get on line and get your party started! Wedding planners, photographers, stationers, and designers galore.. take a look too. What a great resource to share with your clients! Take a look at OneWed’s blog “The Savvy Scoop” and follow them on twitter too!

PR Tips 101: Follow Your Gut

Leila — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:17:08 +0000

Recently I discussed how important it is to be you and this week I am taking it a step further. Once you have discovered and embraced who you are in the wedding industry and what it is you stand for, then comes the real test: Trusting in it all. Trusting ourselves really causes such conflict it seems. We want to do what we are “supposed to do” or what the best move from an outsider’s perspective would be, but somehow it doesn’t feel right. We have all heard the saying that intuition is the sixth sense. I would whole heatedly agree. More often then not your gut is like a crystal ball, foreseeing the future and letting you know which way to go. Often it comes down to knowing what you should probably do, what you don’t want to do, and then the tugging feeling inside you guiding you in the right direction can lead you to the outcome that is best. Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink supports this theory: that often times we make our best decisions in a matter of moments. Our gut has an instinct about situations long before we factor in our educated analysis of people and opportunities.

In business we are taught to make educated, rational, and well thought out decisions and I would strongly encourage us all to do just that- most of the time. However, often times I feel my soul telling me something and I start to lean towards the alternative outcome. There is a huge lesson to be learned in listening to yourself. I recently avoided following my instincts and learned a very important, costly, and time wasted lesson, but never the less, one that I am grateful I experienced. I was hesitant to take on a client because I wasn’t sure I could meet their list of expectations and needs. I had a feeling which way to go and I ignored it. Was I surprised by the outcome? No not really. I kind of set myself up for it. We’ve all been there at some point: booked a client we thought, “oh what the heck I’ll make a few extra dollars” or “yeah sure they may be high maintenance, but I can handle it”. In my case it was more of the “sure they may not be the best fit, but I’ll just give it a whirl and I’m up for the challenge!” I share this candid experience with you because it has taught me so much about my business and even more insight to the wedding industry vendors we work with. There is a time and a place for being all business and then there is that overwhelming feeling inside that says YES or NO. If you aren’t sure whether to hire that assistant, lower your rates for that bride, or refer that vendor for your client’s wedding…. simply Listen to yourself. You truly know what is best for you. Oh, and I should of course add that sometimes you can be wrong and so can your gut, but more often then not our physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well being will thank you anyways.

You are smarter than you give yourself credit for and you know what is best for you and your business, so give yourself a little respect and trust that you are leading or possibly following yourself in the right direction.

*image credit: Palomas Nest

Inspired by These French Inspired Wedding Elements

admin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:24 +0000

Bonjour mon amies! It’s Be Inspired Brittany writing you from abroad again. While striding around Paris and being surrounded by so many beautiful and delicious things as well as having one foot still planted in the wedding world, I can’t help but wonder why more people do not incorporate french details into their wedding day. After all it is such a wildly romantic city! Here are just a few of the things I would add to a french inspired wedding:

Chantilly Lace and a French Bustle

Chantilly Lace dress found on Oncewed.com

French Bustle dress found on Heritagegown.com

Fabulous shoes from a French Designer

Christian Louboutin Shoes found on Amelia Lyon’s blog

French Macaroons as favors

The macaroons they make in Paris are little bits of heaven! Super light and fluffy yet with a little crunch and the creamiest filling. In a cute little package they would be a wonderful and memorable take away for your guests. Laduree makes the most delicious ones, but if you want to try to make your own you can find a recipe for Martha Stewart’s Parisian Macaroons here!

Macaroons from Laduree

Macaroons packaged and ready for your guests by L.A. Burdick

Yummy Crepes for your guests

If you are located in either southern California or the New Orleans area you can contract The Crepe Lady to add some Parisian flair and a sweet treat!

Lots of Champagne and Champagne cocktails

Bubbly is only really champagne if the grapes come from the Champagne region in France

Found on Wedding Chicks

Some Marie Antoinette Decadence: “more is more”

I love this amazing Marie inspired inspiration board I found on Wedsmack.com! C R E D I T S: Top to Bottom, L to R: Feather fan, Wisconsin History Museum; Fringed damask from ClothConnection; Crystal wedges by Christian Lacroix. Feather-flower shoe clips, Frou-Frou Collection; Kirstin Dunst still from Marie Antoinette; Antiqued “Grace” earrings, Teleecouture at Etsy.

If you are ready to dive in to a Parisian themed wedding head first, check out the blog: Parisian party! There are so many small touches you can add to bring a little French flavor to any event.

Au Voir!!

Inspired by Paris

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:52:02 +0000

We are doing something different today. Fridays are usually “Inspired By This” days written by yours truly, Leila. However, today my assistant Brittany is guest blogging all the way from Paris, France. Some of you may have be emailing us for coaching or blog submissions and receiving the out of office auto response that Brittany is away living the good life abroad. Well today she is going to give us a taste of what it has been like for her to be “Inspired by: Paris”. You can also follow her live on Twitter. Enjoy!

Last night I took a tour around the city on the back of a motor bike. After 24 long years of life, I have for the first time, fallen in love at first sight.I am ga ga over monsieur Paris. He has wooed me with his handsome nature, his gentle temperament and shown me such a lovely time so far…

I never expected to love a city so much and especially after only mere days, but I am simply and utterly captivated. I am enamored with the little details, the language that sounds like every sentence is a romantic line, the people; who are extremely warm, welcoming and accommodating and I love the architecture. I have taken so many photos already. The light is different here, it flutters through the trees the way Rembrandt painted it and since there is no shortage of trees, there is dancing light every where you look; Truly enchanting!

I love the “cafe culture”. There are cafes on ever corner, with the chairs facing the street so you can people watch. Espresso is consumed all day long and everything I have eaten has been delicious and I am quite sure full of butter. People seem to enjoy life here. They take time for a lunch with friends, a picnic by the seine on a week night and laugh often.

With another week to explore and be inspired I am giddy inside to think of all I will get to see and experience. I don’t feel like my words are doing my experience justice. Today I encourage you to sip an espresso slowly, enjoy a leisurely walk and definitely take time to immerse yourself in all of the little details around you, find your Joie de vivre.

Here are a few things I have found inspiring so far. Pouvez vous être inspirés

And some Parisian Weddings

Image by Roderick Lyons

From Polyvore.com

Fabulous Paris Wedding Inspiration boards I found

Found on Polyvore.com

From SWS magazine

From SWS Magazine

Inspired by Crispery-Delicious Custom Rice Crispy Treats!

Leila — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:50:45 +0000

I don’t remember when or how I first came across the Crispery’s web site, but when I did, I was in love immediately! I have been an avid fan of the rice crispy treat since I was a child and in my adult years have considered them a throw back delicacy reminding me of a more simple time. After getting in contact with Vicki Mate, the founder of the Crispery, I was overjoyed when a little package arrived at the door….with samples!!!! They were beyond delicious! My absolutely favorite was the original with m&ms on top. Each one was so cute as well as delicious!

Then it hit me, Eureka! What a great treat to customize for a wedding favor, or to include on a sweets table or in a welcome bag!!! Everyone has been doing the cupcake, I think the rice crispy cake should be the next hot thing: sweet, light, crunchy and gooey all at once…who wouldn’t want one? Not only do I love the treats but I love the story behind them! Growing up Vicki was a marshmallow enthusiast who loved to make rice crispy treats, this stuck with her all through college. Fresh out of college she decided she would turn her marshmallow love into a money making endeavor. I love all stories about ambitious woman doing what they love! Especially when the result is one of my favorite treats. You can order off their website and have them shipped all over the US! To subscribe to Inspired By This and receive our posts click here!

Here are a few images of their treat packages

Inspired by This Real Wedding-Brittany and Beau

Leila — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:54:38 +0000

Fabulous Florida photographers Ashley and Sam Brockinton provided us with yet another gem. The wedding of Brittany and Beau in Weston, FL. I love the modern, but still cozy feel of this wedding. I’m totally into the guys’ suits. I love how the color is not too light but has a nice textured look to it and the bride’s hair accessory- gorgeous. The beautiful venue is TPC at Eagle Trace and the fabulous flowers by ME Productions. The wedding is simple, soft, and exudes a quiet and wonderful love-exact elements I crave when having the privilege to partake in viewing someone’s wedding. Don’t you just love Beau and Brittany? I do! You can follow the photographers behind this fabulous wedding on Twitter to stay up to date with their happenings and to get our daily blog updates in your email subscribe here. Enjoy!

Inspired by These Custom Wedding Cake Bases

Leila — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 23:19:59 +0000

“The cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone, high ho the dairy-o the cheese stands alone” I have no idea why but that is seriously the song that popped into my head when looking over the below images of some of the custom cake bases that have been apart of weddings and photo shoots designed by JL DESIGNS. I know it isn’t because any of them look cheesy or lonely and sad, I think it must be, that in going that extra step the cake really becomes a much stronger design element that can truly stand its own ground in the midst of the centerpieces, personal flowers and other details.

I love that the bases enhance the style of the cake and ties the theme in completely. When a custom cake base is incorporated it adds so much personality to the wedding and ties in all the gorgeous details and elements of that fabulous day.

Here are some of my favorites by JL DESIGNS, Sweet and Saucy Shop and Vanilla Bake Shop!

By Sweet and Saucy Shop. This fabulous spread was featured in the last Utterly Engaged!

By JL DESIGNS

By Vanilla Bake Shop

By JL DESIGNS

By Sweet and Saucy Shop

By Vanilla Bake Shop

By Sweet and Saucy Shop

By JL DESIGNS

photographer credit in order: Stephanie Williams, Ryan Phillips, Kim Fox, Nicole Caldwell, Harvard Photo, Jasmine Star, Ryan Phillips, Jasmine Star, Ryan Phillips