2012 Started and my sweet mom came to help us move into our temporary home. Let me tell y’all I had no idea we had so much stuff. Wow! It opened my eyes to the need for simpliflying and knowing exactly what I have and appreciate it. It has felt to good to donate items, organize, and get rid of any clutter. This would be my number one suggestion to you for this year. Organize. You don’t need a bunch of magazines laying around, or even 20 similar t-shirts. It has been great to organize. Do it, you won’t regret it. Here’s a picture of my mom organizing our socks. Yes folks, that’s a lot of socks. Get rid of the ones you don’t need. I couldn’t believe how many random socks we had.

We moved and 2 days later Jared and I took a plane ride to Roatan, Honduras. It is a beautiful island full of gorgeous scenery, friendly people, and dolphins! My favorite part was the dolphins. It was so nice to start the beginning of the year focused and in nature. No distractions, literally. I mean no cell phone and no Internet or T.V. in the rooms. It was WONDERFUL. If you can’t go away for a few days, take a couple days to re-charge. Turn off your T.V. Don’t check your e-mail. It is so refreshing to ground one self and focus on God’s word and your family. We went to Roatan to do health seminars and talk to people about relative issues pertaining to our world today. It was such a blessing to witness to others and feel like we made a difference in the short time we were there.

Upon returning it was back to unpacking and getting ready for the new collection launch on Valentines! I am SO grateful to all who have been so supportive and excited about this collection. A big thank you to Southern Weddings for featuring the collection on their blog as well as Utterly Engaged who did a 20 page editorial spread on the collection. So many exciting things on the horizon folks. This was a long time coming for me! Unexpected delays and different things made it difficult, but after many hours of work it’s done and you can see all the gorgeous items right here on the website. There will continue to be edits to the website and blog so stay tuned.

I must say though that in those moments when we are trying to do what is right and follow God’s leading that is when things seem to go the most wrong. It has been a trying few months as well. I have leaned heavily on the following verses amidst many others and truly tried to pray more and submit my life to God.

” And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient fgor you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore mostly gladly will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christs sake. For when I am wear, then I am strong ” 2 corinthians 12:9-10.

There is still much change ahead for me and for Chaviano Couture. I do want to encourage you though if you are for any reason feeling down. God is good friends. Even in dark times He is good. Lean on to Him and take hold of His promises. Don’t let go of them, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel coming through. I am SO eternally grateful for that. Let’s make the rest of February memorable!!

So I leave you with some pictures of the kids ( aka my cats Rambo & Havana). They make me laugh every day. I’m so excited for my friend Sandy who is expecting ( she was my college roommate and former Chaviano Couture  bride) In that picture I’m holding my other friend Marla’s little boy Vaughn who is growing way too fast already. I occasionally get to take pictures with babies for a baby company and that’s the picture of me at the top. Isn’t she precious?! The lace with baby blue fabric? Oh, you’ll have to wait to see what that is…it’s for a shoot coming up next week. I’m off to California for a brides fitting and fun with friends.

Happy Monday!

Annette

Hey Everybody! The New collection will be released on Valentines! I cannot wait to share all the beauty with you! It’s been a long time coming for sure:) So grateful to everyone for your support, and I cannot wait for the many exciting things coming up this year. For a peek at the new collection be sure to check out the Southern Weddings Blog on Monday. You can see items there that won’t be seen anywhere until Tuesday. So click on the link below on Monday.

Southern Weddings Blog

I am also super excited for a big editorial spread that will be released on Valentines day! I will share the big news of where you can see that on Monday. For now, take a look below at a video I did this week with updates, my cat, and even a peek at the collection. There is also an image of me and my gorgeous model friends on the set wearing items from the new collection ” How fair is Your Love”

Untitled from Chaviano Couture on Vimeo.

amazing friends involved in the above image:
image: Jeremy Harwell
Gown: Chaviano Couture
Styling: Carlee Seizemore
Florals: Amy Osaba
Calligraphy: MM ink
Hair: Shornell Mcneal
Makeup: Mara Zal
Model: Alex Lahey

I’m so excited to announce something new I will be doing for this blog starting next week! I’ve been thinking about doing a series of video blogs for brides on different things related to wedding gowns. Such as describing fabrics and items that are used to make a dress, my design process, sketching, inspiration boards, gowns for certain body types, etc. So stay tuned for these video’s to show up on this blog! I’ll keep you posted. Leave me a comment below if you’d wish for me to do a video blog on anything specific related to design and the design process. I will gladly cover that topic in one of my video blogs:)

First video blog coming up next week!

image by the talented Melissa Schollaert

I’m starting this new year on a clean slate. New home, new office, new dreams, new hopes. While clearing through my items getting ready to move I found my Making Things Happen notebook. Reading through it brought all sorts of emotions to me as this new year begins. Back in July 2011 I wrote down those things which I want to say Yes more to, and those which I want to say No to more. I can’t say I’ve kept many of them since July. However, with this new year ahead I am really applying them to my life. I’m going to have them printed and kept nearby so I can look at them often and be encouraged to dream bigger and face my fears. I am SUPER excited about 2012. I hope you are too. I encourage you to take 20 minutes and write down those things you want to say YES to in the coming year. Do the same for those things which you want to say NO to. You’ll be happy you did. Once written down, take action. Take steps towards changing the way you do things and live so you can do more of those YES items. Take a look at my list below. It’s scary for me to write them down for all to see, but by doing so I’m asking you to hold me accountable. I’ll do the same for you. I pray 2012 is a BIG year for change and making things happen. I’m letting go and letting God lead 100%. Who is with me?

Annette

YES
1.) Believing in myself
2.) Not fearing fearing failure
3.) Letting God lead
4.) Being 100% authentic
5.) Not being afraid of change
6.) Spending more time in God’s word
7.) Living somewhere different
8.) Knowing I can make a difference
9.) Living with no regrets
10.) Taking care of myself
11.) Loving limitlessly
12.) Enjoying life
13.) To confidence
14.) To blogging
15.) To being vulnerable
16.) To encouraging Jared
17.) Learning from my mistakes
18.) Turning off the phone
19.) Receiving my blessings
20.) To the talents God has given me.

NO
1.) Negativity
2.) Fear of the unknown
3.) Feeling guilty
4.) Fearing Change
5.) working late
6.) Not taking care of myself
7.) Giving my time without being valued
8.) Being too comfortable
9.) Judging others
10.) Comparing myself to others
11.) Obligations
12.) Doing something I don’t love
13.) Playing it safe
14.) The ordinary
15.) Holding back
16.) Worldly things that take up my time
17.) Gossip

As I sit back and reflect upon 2011 all I can think of is how grateful I am to God for his blessings this year. This was a year of growth for me both personally and spiritually. It was a year of learning to say no and make time for family and friends. The biggest lesson I learned in running a business is to be authentic and genuine to myself and to my clients. I am so excited about 2012. I am approaching each new month with arms open to opportunity and possibly very big change. After our home being for sale for 3 years we have finally sold it! Where to now? Not sure. That’s part of my trusting and believing in God’s guidance in our lives for 2012. Take a trip down memory lane with me as I go through some of my highlights of 2011 both for Chaviano Couture and myself.

January ( Click on month for full review!) began with one of the biggest snow falls Atlanta has seen! Everything was shut down. For those of you who don’t know I am a nurse and still work at the hospital a couple days a week. January began with having to spend the night at the hospital due to all the crazy weather. It was definitely a memorable experience! Picture below is of me outside the hospital just as the snow had began to fall. January also included  a trip to Baltimore for Chaviano Couture, Photo shoot for 944 Magazine, Photo shoot for Ruffled blog, and more.

February ( CLICK for review) brought a feature in Atlanta Weddings Magazine, & Valentines Day. As well as lots of time with the cats and Jared:)

March ( Click for review) brought a Trunkshow for my 2011 collection at Studiowed, and a trip to visit my parents in Kansas City. We had a wonderful time together.

April & May were a bit low key for me. I went through somewhat of  a transition phase with my business. Some of the things I had anticipated to happen were not happening and I was beginning to get upset and discouraged. I then realized that I truly have to let God lead in my life. I don’t want to do what others are doing or follow the crowd. I am unique and different in my own way and so is my business. I took a trip to NYC in May to plan out the 2012 collection. It was great to walk around and get inspired by the fashion district and meet with amazing people. It was a gorgeous time of year to visit NYC with all the trees blooming. You can see more pictures from that trip on the Facebook Fan Page. CLICK HERE.

June (Click on Month to read review) June’s recap goes a bit more into detail of the months of April and May. I also spent some time in June finalizing details for accessories I had been working on for the couple months prior. These accessories will launch here shortly in January so stay tuned!! You won’t want to miss it!!

July (Click for review) was an awesome month for me! I got to spend time with some of my closest girlfriends and take an amazing girls trip to Montana. Let me tell you, nothing clears the mind better and makes you feel alive than breathing the fresh Montana air!! Such gorgeous scenery! I got to see a grizzly bear which was amazing! Such a memorable month for me.

August went by quickly working on custom gowns for brides and making pretty gowns. That led to September which is one of my favorite months of the year due to my birthday and our anniversary.

September ( Click for review) September brought about a trip to Asheville to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. I could not be more grateful to God for my amazing husband and his love. The past 5 years have flown by and I cannot wait to see what God’s plan is for the next years to come:) Sep 20 marked my 28th birthday, which was another day to be grateful and reflect on God’s blessings. I am so grateful to just be healthy. In the years I have worked in a hospital I have seen much sickness and sorrow. Don’t take your good health for granted.

October ( click for review) October was spent with LOTS of bridal gown fittings. 2 of the gowns were some of my favorite gowns I have every worked on. Since I loved them so much they will be featured in my new 2012 collection. Take a look at the link to see more info on the events of the month.

November- I loved this month because it included Thanksgiving which is one of my favorite holidays. Jared and I took the long drive up to West Virginia to spend time with my family and close family friends. Such fun! Take a look at the two pics below. The first, of one of the longest bridges in the western hemisphere, and the second my vegan Thanksgiving dinner which was pretty delicious if you ask me:)

December I have yet to write a review for. ( that will come next week) I can say some of the highlights included a shoot for the 2012 collection, Jared’s 30th birthday, and of course Christmas. This year has been a true blessing and learning experience for me. I cannot wait until next year. Let’s make 2012 our best year yet!!!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have supported me and encouraged me this year. You have been the joy in my day. Thank you is not enough.

Warmest, Annette

With love, Annette