The Creation of Blogging To Bliss (Stacy's Version)

Moving ahead, I'm sure that many will ask "How on Earth was this brilliant idea born?"  Well readers, I'm about to share with you exactly how this concept came into being. 


About a year ago I was approached by a woman that I had networked with from the South Shore Women's Business Network (SSWBN), who said that her new daughter-in-law, Emily, was considering a career within the Event Planning industry, and would I give her some tips. 


Over the next several months, Emily and I would see each other at networking events, always chatting for a few minutes, and she'd ask if we could meet for coffee so she could "pick my brain."  While I urged her to email me, she was busy with her full time job.  In February I got engaged.  In the midst of being over the moon and feeling like my feet were suspended just above the ground, I knew that this was the right time for us to meet- as I now needed to pick her brain as much as she wanted to pick mine. 


We met over coffee and talked about life, our significant others, families, work, and growing up.  We had an instant connection.  We talked more about what she ultimately wanted and how she could break ground with her idea while still working her full time job and balancing her life.  My advice upon leaving her was "Stop being afraid of yourself, and start taking notes.  Write everything down, and keep track of it." 


Fast forward a few weeks and I had an excellent opportunity to attend the Blog Better Boston Conference, held at the Google offices.  I thought this would be a nice way to figure out how to better utilize the blog I was already working on for my business, Errands, Etcetera.  The room was filled with fashionistas, a few foodies, and me, a professional Time Management Specialist (how to be a sore thumb).  Through this conference I learned that I wasn't capitalizing on my efforts.  I was spending hours thinking about what information I could share, researching, and typing away at my laptop.  This conference really hit home: my clients are VERY BUSY, stressed out women. They don't have time to read about ways to clean the fridge, or recipe ideas; instead, they hire me to do it for them. 


As I said, I'm recently engaged, so some of my blog posts have been about how much my life has changed (in a positive way) in the last month. Pre-engagement, I was following a handful of blogs: www.thebrokeassbride.com and http://bigdayfor10k.com/ are two of my favorites. What I was reading was great content, but I wanted more. I love The Knot and Wedding Wire, but I wanted something more local, and centralized, less overwhelming, and more of a guide. 


So here I am sitting in this conference, realizing that my original blog wasn't making me any money,  or getting me clients;  it was instead allowing me to be a resource and providing me with a creative outlet (which is great, if you're a non-profit, or blogging as a hobby).  It was literally as if someone walked into the room and turned on the lights.  I had such an "AHA" moment.  I could hardly contain myself.  While sitting and listening to the Social Media Platform (thank you so much, @KristinApp, @WorldLillie, @LaceyBean, and @laurensleeper) I was busy plugging in and reserving the FaceBook, Twitter, Blogger, Yahoo and Pinterest handle for this new idea. 


I literally couldn't wait to leave the conference and get started, so much that I missed the after party and went right home to get to work.  I first reached out to Emily, letting her know that we needed to chat ASAP.  While I might have written the first few blogs on my own, Emily and I will be working together on content and production from this point forward to provide our readers with the ultimate resource guide for all things wedding in Massachusetts! 


Thank you so much #BBBos for helping me to think outside of the box!

B to B's Version of Engagement Chicken

We've all heard the old wives tale of "Engagement Chicken," you spend hours of the day in the kitchen slaving over a hot oven, creating a recipe that will somehow turn into a proposal for a lifelong commitment.  Well, while I can neither confirm nor deny that my cooking was why My Guy decided to pop the question, I am going to share with you my version of the ever famous "Engagement Chicken." 

Here's my recipe:

Preheat oven to 450*.

1-2lb chicken- clean out the insides, and rinsed as well.  Pat dry with paper towels.

Rub with glove of fresh garlic.

Season with salt and pepper- all over (even under the skin).  I also used a "garlic and seasoning" mix for the grill. 

Stuff the cavities with carrots, onions, celery and garlic... and add veggies around the bird in the pan.

Take 4 pads of "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" and sprinkle over the bird. 

Pour 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice over the bird.

Bake chicken for about an hour and a half- DO NOT open the oven door.  As tempting as it may be, it messes up the temperature, and screws up the cooking time!

After an hour, take chicken out, baste it with juices, and add diced potatoes (I used the Trader Joe blend).  Cook for about another 30-40 minutes, basting every ten minutes. 

Let the chicken sit for 10-15 minutes before carving. 

I didn't make any sides with this dish, as the veggies and chicken were MORE than enough for us! 

 

Ring Re Sizing Review!

So we got engaged, made the appropriate phone calls, texted out our tech savvy friends, and made it Face Book official.  Next step; get the ring re-sized.  Because my ring was not bought locally, I couldn't just have it re sized at the jeweler it came from.  I asked around, got a few referrals, and started making calls.  I went to three places and called two; all of them saying that it would take 2-3 days to complete, as most of the places either shipped it out to have it done, or were backed up with other Valentine's Day orders.  Having just received this gorgeous gem, I certainly wasn't ready to part with it. 
My sister recommended Nasr Jewelers in Plymouth (http://www.nasrdiamonds.com/).  While that seems like kind of a hike for something that could be done more locally, I hopped in the car and took an adventure. 
The store was spacious, very well lit, and had a such a variety of products, colors, and types of jewelry available.  Upon walking in, the staff was busy working with other customers, but I was noted with a polite wave.  When available the sales team wasn't pushy or have that sales-y attitude.  I was told to ask for Eddie Nasr and to let him know who I was.  Eddie couldn't have been nicer.  He was an absolute delight to work with, and understood my hesitation in parting with my ring. 
After leaving my ring in Eddie's hands, he told me to return in an hour.  AN HOUR?! Other places had quoted me at least 48 hours, and this guy was going to do it in a mere fraction of that?!  I was hooked.  Upon returning, my ring not only fit, but somehow seemed even shinier than when I had dropped it off!  After talking a bit with Mr. Nasr, I learned that his company also offers custom design jewelry.  This was great news, as my ring is quite unique and a traditional band would not work.  I will absolutely be returning to Nasr Jewelers when it's time to think about bands. 

Nasr Jewelers is located at:
61 Commerce Way
Plymouth, MA 02360
508.746.1006

Introducing The Bride and My Guy

It's happened... after what seems like an endless amount of first dates, awkward conversations, a brief encounter with online dating, kissing frogs that never turned into  my Prince Charming, and I have finally met the one I am meant for.  The one person that can make a Friday night spent eating take-out and watching syndicated television seem like the most precious hours of my over scheduled week, and who makes a trip to the grocery store or to get coffee the highlight of the weekend.  My Guy is the most supportive, loving, kind, and hilarious person.  He is an avid sports fan and is an absolute movie buff.
We are a perfect balance to each other; while I'm motivated and anxious, he forces me to relax when I am feeling too stressed and allows me to run around and act like I'm saving the world when I'm truly focused.  While he may be engrossed in his movies or his newest obsession, the iPad, I can be found pouring over thick issues of Wedding Magazines, or nose deep reading a colorful variety of books.
I am passionate about cooking, and creating original meals; which works perfectly as My Guy loves to eat, and is not shy about trying new things.  He is a master on the grill, and has made some of the best meat marinades I have ever tried.  I am more of an indoors cook, and rarely follow a recipe.  I have an obsession with arts and crafts, and am always working on something (currently it's wreaths and aprons).  My Guy is passionate about his work (he's a buyer for an electrical supply company);  and an excellent negotiator (I'm trying to learn from him where I can).
My Guy and I met about 8 years ago, while we were both seeing other people.  We would pass each other every so often in social settings, and exchange 'Hello, and How are you-s?,' but that was the extent of it.  Fast forward a few years, into the wonderful world of social media, having so many friends in common, we connected.  Late one night, my then acquaintance, and I were chatting back and forth via Face Book, when he made the first move asking me to a Red Sox game for the following week.  There was no way to know on that hot July night that our lives were about to change. Forever.  If you ask him, he will tell you that he knew after that first date that I was "The One" for him; and I was truly smitten.  Here we are, almost three years later, living together with our over-energized dog and recently engaged to start our "Happily Ever After." 
I'm excited to share this journey with you, and hopefully offer some great product reviews, advice and some etiquette tips along the way!