"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners.."

How is it already March? I am so excited to have just finished my first event of the season, and two more to go this month! April + May are completely booked and then Summer brings a few more boat days + husband time. I hope to recap my time at SEE Sessions on the blog this week and give y'all a little "behind the scenes" look at some recent projects!

After much consideration, I am looking forward to reworking my services + team so 2016 dates are reserved only for full-service clients! This means, VAD will be your designer, through-and-through. You can add florals and/or stationery to this package or I can point you to someone fit for the job! I am only taking on one client per month at the most and a few creative projects that I curate, style and execute. After only two years of business, I've learned so much about myself. I invest SO much time, energy, money and emotion into each of my clients and projects. I am an open book, totally transparent and wouldn't change that for the world. However, that leaves plenty of room to go above and beyond without getting the credit or appreciation one deserves.  I know others with similar personality traits, in any industry, who go through the same thing. Here's to saying "no" more!

So thankful for Ashely Upchurch Photography for capturing some shots of me working on a recent collaboration for Cottage Hill Magazine.

Victoria Austin Designs Ashley Upchurch Photography Wedding Styling Fairhope AL

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” -Ira Glass

Victoria Austin Designs Wedding Stationer Stylist Florist South Alabama, Gulfcoast
Victoria Austin Designs Wedding Stationer, Florist, Stylist South Alabama Fairhope Gulf Coast

That amazing quote was shared at SEE Sessions last month in Nashville and really spoke to me. I am sure other vendors can relate to getting "stuck", especially while trying too hard to create, make a living and stay busy. It's a tricky slope but we've got to stick with it!

xo,

T

June Review

How is it already June 27th, 2014? Another month coming to a close and I am happy to say that it has been a great month for V.A.D.! You should know, I kept my office immaculate the whole month! :) Before checking in on my month, check out my girl, Shanna's latest blog posts! She is full of tangible tips to get your butt moving.

Jennifer Pharr Photography | Victoria Austin Designs

CONS
Hmmm, it is hard to come up with any cons for the month! I learned a little bit about copyright, honesty and friendship. Some may say I need tougher skin in this industry, however I don't agree with that. I would much rather be considered oversensitive, a people-pleaser or too nice than to be on the other end of those feelings; mean, unoriginal, competitive in the worst way, and well, uneducated in ethically running a business and sustaining lasting friendships. So although treating others how you want to be treated may not always seem to "work" in your favor, I strongly believe that it will always feel right in the end. 

PROS
What a great month of making things happen! Mary and I planned and styled a spread in Mobile Bay Bride Magazine! I am proud to say it turned out beautiful, unique and fun! We brought in tons of our favorite local vendors and cannot wait to see the handful of pages dedicated to our work! I wish I could spill all the details, but MBB will not get published until closer to the new year! But you know I'll burst at the seams when it's ready to be revealed.
I spent almost five days celebrating the upcoming nuptials of one of my bests in Miami. We all had a blast taking that city by storm and catching up. (I ordered the bride, Jenna, a floral crown from Bella Lilly Studio, and I so recommend anyone in the area to reach out to Elizabeth for all your floral needs! She is fabulous at what she does and fun to work with!) This special bride's invites are currently being assembled and will be in guests' mailboxes any day. I am so lucky to have so many supportive friends!
Mary and I booked two weddings for the upcoming year, one being in Nashville with the most stylish bride, and we are thrilled to be doing florals for two beautiful Alabama AND Mississippi weddings this August. Not too shabby for "beginners", huh?
V.A.D. has had less outgoing expenses and more incoming this month than last month. In July, I plan to continue with a better work/life balance, enjoy the little things, and spend less time stressing over things that won't matter in 10 years. :) I will be traveling home and look forward to seeing people I love as well as see a few friends tie the knot this summer! More time outside and less time with my computer. I think July and August are looking phenomenal!
The last thing I will leave with you is… GET EXCITED! We are giddy with excitement to share what's been on our hearts and minds 24/7. Until then, keep your fingers crossed and say a lil' prayer for us as we break out of our comfort zone and embark on our most favorite project yet and all the legalities that come with it! While you wait on the edge of your seat (jokes), we are in search of a creative logo designer, as well as, quality, authentic and experienced wedding professionals in surrounding cities such as, Pensacola, Baldwin County, Mobile, Birmingham, Jackson, Gulf Port area, etc. I can't divulge too much but if this is you and you are interested in learning more, email victoriaaustindesigns@gmail.com for more info. 

JenniferPharrPhotography

Cheers to July! And an extra special cheers to bride-to-be, Annie, and groom-to-be, Garrett, on their upcoming wedding. I have so enjoyed providing some paper pretties for them and CANNOT wait to see how lovely their big day is! 

"You will always be too much of something for someone: too big, too loud, too soft, too edgy. If you round out your edges, you lose your edge." Danielle Laporte

Tori

| Photos of recent work, by Jennifer Pharr Photography |

 

*Update* Check out Shanna Skidmore's post on Monthly Review Strategies