High-Low: It Takes A Village & Too Much Everything

HIGH: It Takes A Village

High-Low: It Takes A Village

Well, you may have noticed that I took a little break from BF the past few weeks. Believe me, it was not voluntary. I was in the throes of celebrating our BeautyFrosting 2nd bloggiversary and threw quite a fête here at The Cupcake Palace to celebrate (more on that later).

With the help of my mom, friends, assistants and generous sponsors, I “single-handedly” threw the party that I had dreamed of to celebrate 2 years of BeautyFrosting. See, that’s the joke! Everyone said, “Wow! How did you manage to pull off a party at your home for 70 people when it’s just you working full-time at it?” Well, here’s the thing. I may be a one-man shop but I’ve got a whole host of people who help it run smoothly and make it so much more fun. From friends to part-time assistants to my champions cheering me on, I never feel like I’m alone in making my dreams come true.

I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who believe in the beauty of my dreams and who encourage me to keep doing my best and giving my all every single day. I am beyond thankful for them.

So, my high this week is all of you folks who have supported me the past 2 years, who helped make this dream of a “BF Turns 2″ bloggiversary party a reality and to the people who inspire me every day. There are SO many of you but let’s just start with the party people who made my party a seamless and beautiful affair: Mom, Vanessa York, Chris Richards, Lindsey Vaerst, Joey LiMandri, Lindy Ryan, Heather Adair, Rosy Usagi and Malina Li. Between stuffing giftbags, hanging decorations, shopping at HomeGoods, bringing ice, waiting for people to arrive, offering to help in any way and offering moral support, y’all make it all so much sweeter!

 LOW: Too Much Everything

LOW: You can do anything but you can't do EVERYTHINGI’ll be honest with ya, here. People often ask me how I do it all – “How do you come up with ideas to write about? How do you go to so many events? How do you stay so positive? How do you make time for spin class? How do you make time for makeup? How do you find time to bake with all of that going on?” And when they ask me this, I always feel really flattered. I’m so happy that I make a busy life seem so easy and fun. But let me tell you, y’all, it’s not all rainbows and cupcakes and puppy dogs all the time. The past month has taught me a lot. The main thing is this little life lesson above – “You can do anything but you can’t do everything. Yep. I hear ya. LOUD AND CLEAR.

For a person who really thrives when they’re multi-tasking as much as I do, it’s really hard to know your limits. And it’s even harder for me to say no to a friend or business associate. But, by golly, I am learning  - albeit, verrrry slowly – that I cannot do everything, no matter how hard I try. I can’t do it all. I can’t please ‘em all and  I can’t be it all to everyone. But I sure can try to do my healthy best.

So today I am trying to focus on the things that I can do, the ways I can improve the lives of those around me and am trying to let go of the superfluous so I can have a little bit more me-time every now and then. Because when your business is, well, you, the lines can between work and play can get pretty blurry.

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What was your High-Low this week?

*So what exactly is a High-Low, you ask? High-Low is the BEST & WORST part of your day, week, month, etc. I started this tradition with friends & family after I discovered it through a movie decades ago. Not only is it useful for reflection sake but it is also an excellent way to communicate with your spouse, kids or friends over the dinner table. By introducing this tradition to folks, parents have told me that their kids have opened up more and friends have told me that their spouses have become more communicative. Try it for yourself and let me know what your experience is! 

Quote Book: Friday 12/21/12 – Mister Rogers knows best

Mister Rogers TRULY knows best...

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

(Mister Rogers)

High-Low 13: Lemonade

Dallas. Los Angeles. Little Rock. Los Angeles. Amelia Island, Florida.

Whew. That’s what my travel itinerary has looked like this past month.

I have been on a wedding tour of the south, y’all. And it’s not over yet!

My best friend’s wedding is the last weekend of this month in New Orleans and it’s gonna be fuuuuuun. But first there is work to do. Lots and LOTS of work.

I am so sorry that it’s been almost a month since my last High-Low but I’m here to make that right today. I’m focusing on events of this past week. But never fear! I will have plenty of posts with my favorite moments of the past month’s wedding marathon super soon.

The theme of this past week? Honestly? Lemonade. Baking pink lemonade cupcakes, eating lunch at lemonade, making the proverbial lemonade out of the lemons of life.
And a dash of “lemonade magic”!

Without further ado, here is High-Low 13.

HIGHS

This past weekend, I baked my Pink Lemonade cupcakes for my friend Matty. Actually, for our friend Jake’s birthday but Matty requested them. Ah, the details.

Off-season baking: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Off-season baking: Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

It was a super random, mid-October, non-Autumnal treat. And they were delicious!

I’ve also realized more and more how therapeutic baking is for me.I am such an extrovert that it’s pretty much the only time (besides my bath & sleep) where I’m not talking or writing to someone. I always come up with interesting ideas and insights while I’m busy baking and coming up with new recipes to share with you all.

Baking is my therapy.

Baking is my therapy.

Frosting therapy, my friends.

***

Continuing the “Lemonade” theme of it all, I kept it going after walking in the AIDS Walk Los Angeles yesterday. Lemonade is one of my favorite lunch spots in L.A. and I couldn’t think of anything more refreshing after completing a 10K than a salad sampler and Watermelon Rosemary lemonade.

I especially love the sign you see as you walk out of Lemonade:

Stand on this corner, Close Your Eyes, Make A Wish

Whenever I see a sign like this, I feel like magic is alive in the world and it’s right in front of me. Literally. I guess it’s the kiddo in me but I half expect Jiminy Cricket to jump around the pole and say, “Wish granted!”

Love that.

***

Speaking of the AIDS Walk Los Angeles. I am so proud to have been a part of it!

AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2012

AIDS Walk Los Angeles 2012

Again, there is something lemonade-magical about walking with thousands of people who are each hoping to make a small difference. All with one goal, one vision, one love. Together, we are strong.

It felt good, both spiritually and physically, to walk 6 miles around West Hollywood with a bunch of super positive, proactive people. There were even cheerleaders everywhere!

Not a cheerleader:

With my friend/neigbor, Pjetur:

It’s the small accomplishments in life:

 

I had set a BIIIIG fundraising goal for myself and, unfortunately, I didn’t meet it. But I still raised a good amount of money for AIDS programs throughout Los Angeles. Thanks to all of YOU who donated, AIDS Walk Los Angeles raised over $2, 271,000! Yaya!!!

The finish line!

LOW

Oh, the lows. We’ve gotta have a few of those, don’t we? This week’s low is only a thought. But it’s one that’s been on my mind a lot lately.

It is so hard when you want to help someone who doesn’t want to help himself.

Gosh, it’s hard. And, oh is it frustrating!

You can try everything in the book – and even some things that aren’t in the book – but until someone wants to help himself, there’s not a lot to be done.

Just waiting. Lots of waiting. And praying. Praying mostly for patience, actually.

I hope none of you out there are going through anything like this right now.
But –  if you are – please know that I feel your pain.
And I send you lots of love, lots of patience, lots of hope and lots of luck.

We’ll get through it. Just know that. We. Will. Get. Through. It.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Did you experience any “lemonade magic” this week?