Inspiration Archives - An Appealing Plan

June 27, 2014

Passion to Print Day 15: PSA! Protect Your Berries

A few days ago I brought together friends and their families for a summer gathering on the river complete with crabs, corn, craft beer and a selection of summer berries. The beer, I expected to go quickly but the berries went even faster.

First of all, can I say how amazing the setting was for this celebration?! Thanks to my friend Dr. Dae Sheridan and her fantastic husband for creating a space for the magic to happen. They are regular entertainers and I am always hearing about their impromptu late night gatherings. Dae is a fan of “always having the house ready for people to stop over”, jute roping on her accessories and having a signature drink ready to go. There is no wonder we are friends!

Although my adult friends hail from the Northeast – New Jersey to be specific – their kids are Florida born and raised so they had never shucked corn! Yes it is true…. Luckily they were quick learners and seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did growing up.

There is nothing like the fresh smell and feeling of shucking Jersey corn! If you have never done it… grab a beer, a dozen ears and try it out.

Back to the berries… My intention was to have a gorgeous drink station, complete with sunflowers, berries in pretty blue pint boxes, lavender honey in my favorite weck container, with themed cocktail napkins {super fan of the cocktail napkin thanks to my Grandmom}, but my plans were “modified” by a certain berry thief!

That’s right folks. 3 pints of berries {well almost 4 once the refills came in} where quickly devoured by this cute little lady in the Zinna print sun dress!

My take away from this day…. the best laid plans are frequently altered in the name of enjoying the moment.

So please, as much as I love a good plan, THE most important part of life is the celebration of it. Do NOT get so stuck on how you think it “should go” that you miss out on the amazing experiences that are happening all the time, everyday and right now around you.

To wrap up, I would like to thank you all of you who have supported this Kickstarter project in any way. It is incredibly humbling to see the daily posts being shared, backers emails coming in and overall love being put towards this book.

Only 14 days to go…. let’s make this happen!! Remember, this project ONLY gets funded if it is FULLY funded at the end of the campaign.

What ever you can do is appreciate: Pledge To Fund An Appealing Plan the Book or Socially Share It. Gratitude and Virtual Hugs go out to you!!

March 16, 2014March 24, 2014

The Power Of Positive

Who you spend time with can make a huge difference in your mindset.

Today, take a moment to appreciate those that lift you up and begin to separate from those who are pulling you down.

It’s not always easy to see this but you know it in your heart. When everyone around you is cheering you on, sky is the limit.

Who is your biggest cheerleader? Let me know in the comments and then let them know just how much you appreciate them.

March 4, 2014April 12, 2022

You Amaze Me

Most kids, when they are little, are told they are amazing. We clap when babies do pretty much anything, smile, laugh, point, etc.. We praise toddlers for putting a square block inside a square hole. These activities show progress and are important markers of development but really, are just the exact same activities that most humans go through as they develop. {* side note: I know this is not always true, and I appreciate the struggles all the parents for whom this is not the case must deal with.}

So why is it somewhere along the way we stop this. We stop praising each other for the little things. We take for granted that everyone should do X. That of course you can do Y. Everyone can, what makes you so special.

But imagine a different world, where as we grew up those around us still clapped when we came home from a long day at the office, or when we made dinner people oooo’d and ahhhh’d. Smiling, telling us how amazing and inspiring we are.

It’s true most of us do not have our own fan clubs {although some of you lucky ones may…} but today, I am here to clap for you. I am here to tell you that YOU amaze me. By just showing up and being here you amaze me. Add your special skills on top of that and “forgeta abou’ it”

That’s right. I said it, and it is true. All of your stories, your day-to-day journey’s, every comment on this blog, every post on the Facebook page, every repost on Instagram . YOU inspire me to be here. To take pictures, to write posts, to share.

So don’t listen to the haters. Listen to those voices from long ago “ooooo”, “ahhhh”, “you are the best”, “you are so smart, and funny”, “you look so cute!”, “I can’t believe you can ______ {fill in the blank with your special skill}.” And stay on your path or take on that new challenge because I KNOW you can do. I KNOW you will rock it no matter what and make a difference in your life and those around you.

You can do this. Plan a party, take a new class, dig that garden, start a new business, start that bathroom remodel… what ever it is big or small… You have got it! Make it happen.

Okay – so now its your turn! Tell me in the comments below one person you will call this week and tell them they amaze you. OOOO and Ahhh over their accomplishment and see their confidence grow. OR share your latest accomplishment so we can all clap for you.

~ Krayl

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February 10, 2014February 13, 2017

What if you could Love Everyday?

love. love. love. That is what February is all about right? But what should we love… someone, something, someday?? Or is it possible to LOVE everyday? If we love the everyday then don’t we by default begin to love everything and everyone around us?

And imagine really loving everything everyday. Doing away with the complaints. Instead replacing them with love for that very thing. It’s not going to be easy but I can promise it will be worth it.

Try it for this week with me. One week of waking up loving today. Wake up, look around, breathe it all in and love it ALL. Set an alarm on your phone or write in your calendar: 2PM “LOVE EVERYTHING”

Love your work {even if you secretly aren’t crazy about it, try it}. Put love into your daily tasks. Love walking the dog at 5:30AM by sharing a picture of the sunrise to look at later. Love the person who is sitting just a little too close on the subway by telling them to have a great day when its your stop. Love your office more by adding your favorite flowers. Love making dinner at the end of a long day by trying a new recipe you printed out months ago.

Share your love with everyone and everything you come into contact with.

This week I commit to asking everyone and everything {just in my head of course… except my husband} Will you be mine? But not just asking. Embracing that phrase. Embracing that feeling. And just maybe a little bit of that love will spread.

So….. will you come along with me on this Everyday Love Fest? Will you help me spread the love? Starting right this minute pick two things one big and one small to loving more that you have in the past. Think or look at that thing and ask them….Will You Be Mine?

Share with me what 2 items you have picked and share them in the comments. That makes it real. ~ Krayl

And if you are feeling really daring send me a message on twitter telling me about your #CelebrateEveryday journey this week.

April 10, 2013February 8, 2015

Margaret Thatcher and My Three Year Painted Picture.

Time is a funny thing. When you are young you want it to go faster, each milestone seems to take for ever to arrive. You can’t wait till you are a teenager; your 21st birthday seems as though it will never arrive; 30 is forever away and old; why do 40 year old women even bother wearing short skirts? You get the point. So why when I am tasked by my business mastermind group to paint a picture of what I want my life to be in 3 years is it so hard? When you are honestly putting down in writing where you want to be, is 3 years long or short? On one hand, it feels incredibly long and far off, I should be able to achieve most things right? But on the other hand, it will be here before I know it and what if my goals aren’t reachable in that time frame? Not only does this seemingly simple task bring up concerns for the future, it also requires you to think about where you are and where you have come from. Are you where you thought you would be three years ago? What about further back when I thought I would have it all figured out by age 27. Yep. Believe it or not, that’s what I thought.

Having the task on my mind for the past week in conjunction of hearing the news of Margaret Thatcher’s passing, created a strange place for me. Unexpectedly I was incredibly saddened by the news. . Unstoppable. “The Milk Snatcher”. She may have been those things but she also apparently meant something more to me than that.

Growing up I lived with my family in London for a few years, a relatively short time that has strangely affected my personality in ways which are not always visible to me but become obvious once they are pointed out by family or friends. Margaret Thatcher’s impact on me is one that took me by surprise. I realized that during my short time in the London schools, I was learning the basics of business and government. And who was “in charge” in England at that time? Queen Elizabeth AND Margaret Thatcher. Two women. Two strong, powerful women making major decisions, not just for a company but actually running the country! I only makes sense that as a young girl I would believe that if they can do it, why shouldn’t I grow up to do the same? OK, perhaps not the country part, but a company? Absolutely!

And so we circle back to my task: Paint the picture, in detail, of where you want to be in 3 years. In honor of The Iron Lady {and with the support of all my friends, family and clients who believe in me}, I will dream big. Dream like that young school girl in London would. Dream like 3 years is far away and that anything is possible. And I challenge you to do the same.

Where do you want to be in 3 years? In the comments below, share 3 things you would like to be true in 3 years.

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February 19, 2013February 28, 2014

Nothing great has been & Nothing great can be accomplished without passion. ~ G.W.F. Hegel

What is your PASSION? Let us know below.

February 15, 2013

A little TGIF reminder to my business ladies.

Never get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life.

Be sure to enjoy this weekend and appreciate the life you are creating. ~ krayl

January 2, 2013April 12, 2022

Pantone Color of the Year for 2013: Emerald

Radiant, jewel-toned Emerald promotes balance and harmony

Pantone LLC announced PANTONE® 17-5641 Emerald, a lively, radiant, lush green, as the Color of the Year for 2013.

“The 2012 Color of the Year, PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a spirited, reddish orange, provided the energy boost we needed to recharge and move forward. Emerald, a vivid, verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight, as well as promoting balance and harmony.

Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity – no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.”

As I am so inspired by nature and the natural world we HAD to begin our look at this color by starting in the garden. Leaves, garden stools and garden tools inspire and are inspired by the color green.

{Garden Stool from About.com}

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Moving from the garden through the entranceway and into your home, Emerald Green bring a luxury to your Doorway and Front entranceway.

{Planters from Fireside Antiques }

{Image courtesy of Franki Durbin }

“Emerald for Interiors Enhance your sense of well-being at home by rejuvenating the interior with Emerald paint, accents and accessories. This jewel-like hue will create a luxurious feel in an entryway, powder room, dining room or study, and bring life to a living room as an accent wall. Add a splash of color to the kitchen and dining room areas with Emerald dinnerware, stemware and appliances.”

I love the image below because it utilizes mirror images to showcase the Emerald Green outside, on the velvet couch and also in the glass mirror on the wall.

Moving on to the kitchen and dining room we see the color come to life in cake stands, glassware, and centerpieces.

{cake stand image courtesy of news-press.com}

{glassware image courtesy of Williams-Sonoma}

{Bells of Ireland Centerpiece Inspiration}

2013 is going to be a year filled with good fortune and prosperity and we look forward to searching for and providing you with everything you need to create your own appealing plan. {See more of this fantastic color by following us on our Emerald Pinterest Board}

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2013: PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald via read the release in its entirety on their website Press Release …more…

November 7, 2012February 2, 2014

In the News: A Naturally Thankful Season {article published in Impart Magazine}

A NATURALLY THANKFUL SEASON

No matter what part of the country you live in, for most Americans, Fall is a time filled with images of harvest, abundance, cool weather, and gathering with family and close ones. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the 2012 Fall Season officially begins on September 22^nd and ends on the Winter Solstice December 21^st but no one day most embodies the season more than Thanksgiving Day, or weekend if you are luck, filled with family, friends, laughter, sharing memories, and of course plentiful food. Preparing your home for that one day, however, can be overwhelming if you attempt to menu plan, shop, decorate, set the table and cook all in a matter of the three days prior to the big feast… Read the Full Article Here {written by Krayl Funch}

Topics covered in the full article include:

“Start At The beginning” : Creating a Seasonal Entranceway

“Bring it Inside”: Bring the outside in to celebrate nature

“Before the Big Feast”: Reduce stress by preparing in advance

Read the Full Article Here

Or view recent posts on related topics:

Make a Grand Entrance This Season / Fall Entertaining & Tablescapes

{Please contact us if you are interested in working with someone to help plan & coordinate your holiday gathering. In-person & Virtual Services available Info@AnAppealingPlan.com}

November 2, 2012April 12, 2022

New Timeline Image: What do you think??

Our new Facebook Timeline picture. What do you think??

September 19, 2012September 19, 2012

Food for Thought: enjoy the everyday

Each day we have a list of items we need to complete, a project that needs to get done, planning for the next big thing… Your real life is here and now. Be sure your surrounds and environment allow you to appreciate your everyday lifestyle while you are chasing the dream.
~ enjoy the day ~ K