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Deary me! This year is two weeks in (almost) and I feel like work has already been a roller coaster of craziness catching up. I'm JUST now getting to the bottom of my email inbox, and simultaneously working on improving my planning processes so I can serve my current clients better.

January and February tend to be focused on booking new business, since it's mid-engagement season and brides start their wedding planning in the winter when work might be slower or at least some time has presented itself after all the holiday madness is over. As much as I tried to be strategic with planning for business operations in December, taking close to two weeks primarily off from work to see family and be a normal human made that impossible to "complete." So now I'm entertaining prospective clients, catching up on wedding plans for 2015 weddings, working on my behind-the-scenes processes to do a better job for EVERYONE, and it's a little overwhelming.

But isn't that normal? January and February tend to be my most anxiety-ridden months, year after year. I am working hard to BREATHE and set myself up for success (not overscheduling my weeks, trying to observe my office hours, finding nice ways to destress that don't involve a bottle of Prosecco, drinking less espresso). I want to be the BEST PLANNER EVER for my brides. And to attract the BEST-FIT BRIDES in these initial consultation months. That requires amped-up streamlined processes, organization out the wazoo, and a lot of hard work. No coasting allowed.

In the meantime, in all my leisure hours/not thinking about work, my brain is checked out and 100% living in Charleston. I'm serious - when I'm pumping gas or making dinner or driving on the weekends, my brain is out of reality and just hanging out on King Street or looking out over Shem Creek or walking the streets downtown. It's kind of nice, mentally feeling the cold sand on my bare feet (which in reality are wearing thick socks since it's EFFING COLD HERE) and taking walks on the beach. Sometimes in-my-head-Kelly is pushing a stroller (that I don't have) holding my daughter (who is still in utero) around the Pineapple fountain and the pier with its wooden swings and occasionally enjoying pistachio gelato from the Belgian gelato store. Sometimes I'm driving across the bridge to Mt. Pleasant, or getting a cocktail at SOL, or even just browsing the aisles at the gorgeous brick Target on the way to Isle of Palms. Pretty much any memory I have of Charleston I'm recalling and fantasizing about. Even when Drew and I were out on a date on Saturday night, I was thinking about where we'd be if we lived in Charleston and were on a date night there.

Maybe it's my coping mechanism for surviving the cold. And surviving tax season when Drew's not around much. Is it healthy? Meh. Is it good? Meh. Who can say? All I know is that I miss that favorite place, and can't wait to get back there. I'm content to travel there until we can legitimately move. I'm content living here, in this beautiful house, near our wonderful family and friends. But these winter months of solitude and stress... I'm holding fast to my happy memories.

Perhaps it's time to work on an inspiration board for my future Charleston styled shoot? We'll see.

inspiring me lately: fireplace + entertaining deck family session + velveteen rabbit tablescape + RH twin nursery

For now, here is a list of goals I have for winter 2015:



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about 11 months ago