Following Your Dreams

In this week's webisode I had asked Max to meet me in Little Italy here in NYC. I thought doing so would not only inspire me to come up with ideas for Bethenny's 40th birthday, but it would also allow Max to see my creative process. In our last meeting I had thrown quite a bit at him, and I wanted him to know that I wasn't setting him up for failure. Planning parties is something new to him so having him walk Little Italy would allow him to see another side of how I work and how planners/designers get inspiration.

In my line of work I've encountered so many bizarre scenarios, and through it all I try to stay as professional as possible. However, I've had a few clients (and Michael) tell me I need to loosen up and not be so serious. Perhaps they're right. Maybe I am too serious. . .but to my defense there are boundaries and I never want to come off crossing those boundaries. My clients hire me because I am professional and I use good decorum. I am not the one to use foul language or do lewd things. To me, those are qualities that aren't professional. And, in turn, I expect others associated with my company to hold the same standards. It's not to say however, that I don't like to have a good time. For instance Meagan, Michael, and I go out for a drink every few weeks. We put work aside, we laugh, and have a great time -- but we know there are still boundaries. We know when to play, and we know when to work. We know what the boundaries are. When I get embarrassed or flustered, I stammer and blush. And if you really know me I'm almost never short of words. In fact most of the time you have to tell me to stop talking so you can get a word in edgewise. I'm not going to lie, while walking around with Max there a few instances that caught me off guard so much so I was short of words. The first was when he asked me if I was "hooking." The second instance was when he asked if "I liked Italian men," knowing that I am happily married eight years to Michael. The third instance I may have provoked by saying "slap it on my ass" when I tasted the carrot cake. . .truthfully my comment wasn't professional. And the final instance was when Max wanted to be "de-virginized" trying his first cannoli. I don't really know Max, but from what interaction I have had with him he seems like a really nice guy who is carefree and aims to please. Regardless of that, there are boundaries and these comments crossed them. Period.

Watching tonight's episode with Bethenny and Jason going to Montreal brought back so many memories for Michael and I. We were just there over the summer, and if you've never been I say run, don't walk. It is one of the nicest, cleanest cities I've been to. And it feels like Europe steeped in some amazing history.

While watching I couldn't help but get slightly emotional. Bethenny had an idea and she turned it into a reality. It's not just a beverage in a bottle. . .she's turned it into something that is now a part of our culture in the 21st century. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to it, you don't take "no" for an answer, and you follow your dream, anything is possible. For that I greatly admire her, and for that I am never going to stop following my dream.