Dreams, Hopes and Aspirations...

SO I'm going to just preface this post (and all following posts) by saying - I'm going to try to keep it real with you guys. You really want to know what it's like in LoveMich land? Well, I want to share my story so there will be a whole lot of honesty up in here from now on. 

This post was inspired by Casey @ The Wiegands! She has such a beautiful blog and a way of writing that is so special and makes you feel like you know her in “real life.” I read this post and it was almost like she was reading my mind and talking directly to ME. Take a second and go read it!

I've been feeling…well…I don’t know even know what the right words are to describe it…but off lately. Analogies work for me so let me try explaining this way… you know when you are, let’s say going for a run (not often over here but good for analogy purpose) and you are half way through and it is getting HARD like you think you might not make it another step, half of you says just throw in the towel, you made it pretty far already and its time to just let it go, plenty of people quit. And then the other half of you says, look, I know it’s hard, it’s supposed to be, and that’s why the payoff is so rewarding. You can do this, keep you head down and just keep going.

 {photo source} {purchase this print HERE}

Well that is kind of what my mind is like lately. This is for a variety of reasons. It wasn't just one event but more of an accumulation of things and the upcoming 5 year anniversary of the creation of LoveMich.  I knew it would be challenging and I knew that it would be a long road to achieve the dreams I have for this business and myself. Sometimes I am that runner mid-way through the race that just doesn't know if she can take one more step, sew one more stitch, or take one more sting to her “tough skin.”  Oops looks like I went a little off the runner analogy there. Get the idea?

Then I read Casey’s post. Finally, someone else that thought like me and said it out loud! And THEN I found a chocolate in my lunch bag and it was one of those delicious Dove Milk Chocolate ones and the message inside said “Make a list of your dreams.” Like girlfriend needed a more obvious sign than that??

 {photo source} {purchase these prints HERE} 

Sometimes we have to be reminded that dreams are real and they are possible. If no one ever chased their dreams, would we even have actors/actresses, singers, famous designers or even the technology that we have? Someone pursued those careers or created those inventions because they believed in themselves and so did their support system. They knew that if they just kept going a little longer, it would happen.

 {photo source} {purchase this HERE}

Sometimes I have to be reminded of that. And here I am to remind YOU too. Your dream doesn't have to be quitting your job and owning your own business. Not all dreams mean something to do with a career. A lot of times they mean being happy, having a place to call home and a family. Whatever your dream is, believe in it and pursue it, because you deserve it. 

P.S. All of the prints I sourced are shops on Etsy and the copyrights belong to them. Please be nice and don't steal the images, go purchase yourself the print and support another artist's dream!

THE dress.

{This is the first part in a series of posts about our wedding!}

{We were married on Friday, September 21st, 2012}

There is a story about my wedding dress.
This dress was not the one I had originally bought.
The dress I originally bought was at a sample sale about a year before the wedding. It is beautiful and the price was so right but as the months grew closer to the wedding I couldn't help but think maybe it wasn't “me” enough.

{All photographs by Michelle Girard Photography} 

The thoughts were so nagging and I would see other people’s recent wedding photos and think, “Ohhhh but her dress is so “her.”’ Finally, my sister and I decided we had to at least go look at other dresses. She made an appointment for us at a boutique bridal shop in our hometown of Agawam, Bancroft Bridals.

{Michelle Girard Photography}

To say the experience was a world of difference from David’s Bridal (which we had also tried before) is an understatement. David’s Bridal felt like a cattle call, the dressing rooms were like small coffins and the dresses were, well, the exact same that everyone else had. If you know me, you know, I want something different, that no one else would walk out in.

{Michelle Girard Photography}

I explained what I was looking for at Bancroft Bridal and I was assisted by the owner, Tara. She was so incredibly nice and helpful. She made us feel so special (thanks Tara!). We picked out a bunch of dresses to try and there was one last one that was in another dressing room that she brought in last minute and both my sister and I immediately said “Ohhhh!”

{Michelle Girard Photography}

The dress was a dream. It was romantic, pretty, modern, full of whimsical ruffles, princess-like and figure flattering. It was THE dress.

{Michelle Girard Photography}

I put it on and our eyes lit up. Finally, I had found the dress that was meant for me. And truly, everyone kept telling me how “me” it was. Jackpot!

{Michelle Girard Photography}

It was such a fun dress to wear, it moved so beautifully when I walked and when I spun around the ruffles floated along with me like a cloud. It was so fluffy and romantic. If I could wear the dress everyday forever, I would.

And aren't the shoes just amazing?? All GLITTER! I loved them and still love them. I need a place to wear them again!

{Michelle Girard Photography}

The dress was obviously just one part of our wonderful wedding day. Stay tuned for more posts about getting ready, the ceremony, the reception and all the beautiful pictures and memories!

- A New Year -

Isn’t there something so wonderful about starting fresh with a new year?

A new you.

A new outlook.

A new appreciation.

{the photo is my own. taken on our vermont honeymoon!}

This year I am going in prepared. I have already started my list of goals for 2013 and how I intend to achieve them. I’ve also set a focus word for each month next year and mocked up a general schedule of productions, events, and new designs for 2013.

It is ambitious but it is supposed to be.

My main business goal is growth. {Doesn’t every business want that??} But I also have many personal goals for 2013. The first of that is being present mentally and physically. Often times we get so wrapped up in working and tackling our to-do lists that we forget life is still moving along and we’re missing it.

In 2013 I will be more present. I will be in the moment and engaged when I am with my husband, family, and friends. I will create memories intentionally.

I’m not sure how exactly I’ll do this yet but it will certainly involve taking time “off” of Love-Mich. To do that, I’ll need more help and I am perfectly fine with that! What is the point of working so hard if you don’t take time to reflect and enjoy the fruits of your labor?

What are you goals for 2013? Business and/or personal?

If I didn't work in an office....

...Top 5 Things I’d do if I didn’t work in a professional office environment...

1. Get my nose pierced. (Nothing crazy, just a little stud!)Looks cute on Miley!

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2. Dye the ends of my hair pink. Or purple. Or blue. Because this looks AWESOME!

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3. Get more tattoos. These are all so pretty!!

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4. Wear JEANS every.single.day. with paint splattered all over them. I am so loving Miley's outfit in this picture! It's cool and laid back but totally stylish! Ahhhh LOVE!!

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5. Bring my dog to work. This is not my pup but OMG is he not so cute!! Hmmm...I think I was just inspired for a photo shoot with Chance! :)

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So does your day job constrict your personal style at all? What would you do differently? How far do you think I can push the envelope and which of these do you think I can get away with!?!

I've got a new last name! ;)

Here I am! Phew, we had a gap there didn't we! Sorry about that...

So the reason I am trying to blog more is because I really enjoy reading other people's blogs. Particularly, I love to read about the people behind handmade businesses! For me, it makes me feel like I have a connection to them and I just love to know how other people move throughout their days and what their lives are like! So I will try to open up a bit more about myself and hopefully we can get to know each other!

First story: WEDDING! (09/21/12) Things were CRAZY around here before the wedding. But like everyone says, everything somehow came together and it was wonderful!!

Here's a picture of us in the limo!

Then we skipped off for a romantic HONEYMOON in Vermont! The resort we stayed at was awesome! It is called the Sterling Ridge Resort in Jeffersonville, VT. We were able to bring the pup, Chance, and he had SO much fun. Shout out to my moms for sending us there! :)

When we came home we did something really fun! We went to ABC40/WGGB Studios and shot a segment for SimplyLiving! It was so incredibly cool! And let me tell you...I could get used to doing that everyday! ;) The picture is of me and Host, Maggie Pereiras! She's so very nice and we totally clicked!

The next morning I whipped up a custom cozy and keychain set and skipped off to the post office! I then thought...hmm I must bring back these sets for the holidays! Noted!

We also went to the BIG E this past weekend. It is my favorite place EVER. If you have never been, I am telling you that you must make a trip out to Western Massachusetts for the Fair next year. You can eat delicious food, shop unique and awesome local items, walk through the state buildings and learn all about New England! I've gone every year since I was a baby, so I might be a little bias but it is my favorite time of year! And even better - our wedding anniversary will fall during Big E season every year! Bonus!

Is there anything you want to know about me? Any blog topics you'd like to see me cover?? Email me! or comment below!

Life in Pictures

Sharing some photos!

My beautiful bridesmaids and maid of honor! They along with my moms and my future mother-in-law threw me the best shower! It was so pretty and the food was delicious. It was so nice to spend the day with everyone and the gifts were so generous and amazing!

A few months ago I participated in a Bridal Show! Here is an awesome collage that my photographer sister, Jennifer Pike, put together! I just love it!

And lastly - here is a picture of the new Foldover Clutch! I just love this bag! It is so stylish and roomy! I hope to have many of them available in the shop soon!

XOXO,

Michelle

Exciting Things!

Exciting things are happening over here at The Love Mich Collection!

I am so incredibly honored to have been announced as one of the Top 25 Women to Watch by Western Mass Women's Magazine! How cool is that?!

And even cooler? I have no idea who nominated me! You can find the magazine's website here!

Tomorrow I get to meet the other 24 women and I'm so excited! :)

A Post of Pictures!

SO - let's all be honest here...you're not coming to my blog to read! You want pictures! And so do I when I read a blog! So here they are - I tried to capture as much variety as I could, enjoy!! :)

These are my month old birthday balloons - still inflated! I love them.


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This is my commute to my day job...nothing special...and someday I will laugh at the fact that I worked full-time and ran my business full-time - all at the same time. Kinda crazy.




I have a million DVDs - TV seasons, movies, workout videos - this is how I spend endless hours sewing away, watching lots and lots of dvds. Right now Dawson's Creek Season 3 is in the player!




This guy right here is all mine! ;) Isn't he so handsome? And guess what, he's sweet as pie too! In 3 short months we will be Mr. & Mrs.!! :)




This was my "yay for surviving surgery!" gift to myself - a Mani/Pedi! And pink of course - duh.





So that's a little about me - feel free to comment below! I just love comments!!

xoxo - Mich