One Sparkling Moment

Dear Blog,

Talk about a whirlwind! I know I will look back at this time of my life as the most insanely busy, but also some the most exciting years.

Yesterday:

1. The business cards were officially in my hand. THANK YOU Ryder Graphics - you guys are my favorite people right now! They did such a great job, and Kyle Hawkins has just been awesome to work with.

2. The website went live and looks fantastic! There are still a few updates to make, but I imagine it will evolve and morph a lot over the next year. THANK YOU Greg for doing an incredible job on the programming, and THANK YOU Russ for designing this gorgeous site, and THANK YOU Benjamin, Paula, and Jen for the freaking awesome photography. You guys are the cream of the crop. www.studioabsolute. com - check it out!!

3. The last two months of working with Let's Make a Space on their marketing and creative culminated with an "absolutely" incredible VIP Party. We had about 160 special guests in their new retail location. The blue drinks were flowing, the music was pounding, and the gorgeous fem-bots put on a runway style furniture fashion show that was out of this world! Guests left saying they'd expect to attend a party like this in San Fransisco - not Bend, Oregon. Pictures and video forthcoming!!

After everyone left, we spent a few hours just hanging out with the Let's Make a Space team and making sure that no open bottles of champagne went to waste. There was uncontrollable laughter, blue-drink-induced-dancing, and even an unexpected wrestling match that ended with one broken champagne flute and a fat lip. Not mine, as much as I probably deserved it! Sorry Joey - I love you.

{Sigh...}

So tomorrow morning was supposed to be the much anticipated grand opening, but alas, the city inspector couldn't come to sign off on the new facility for reasons unknown. Today was a lesson in reverse publicity - how quickly can we get the word out that: NO, the store will NOT be open tomorrow. But at the same time - we've got to carry the existing momentum and excitement over to next Saturday. Our success depends on how that message is delivered - even the tone of the announcement must remain consistent with the Let's Make a Space brand. It has to breathe excitement, drama, entertainment, and surprise! And you know what, Blog? It was simple because their brand speaks for itself. Their business model is built around suspense, surprise, and radical change, so the drama behind the grand opening is actually to our benefit. We're going to take this extra week before next Saturday, and leverage the drama to create even more buzz and curiosity. It'll be perfect. I'm excited. :)







Check out the fashion show!



CLICK HERE to view Slideshow

Insomnia V

Dear Blog,

This is just a quick note to let you know that I hadn't forgotten about you, and insomnia will undoubtedly keep me a loyal pen pal. However, I'm pretty excited about the amazing team that's on board with Studio Absolute, and I think it buys me a free pass to one good night's sleep. The fact that my "night" starts at 2:00 AM is not the point.

Good night, my friend. See you on the next late shift.

Cheryl

www.studioabsolute.com

Insomnia III

Dear Blog,

Still not any closer to coming up with a viable solution for insomnia - but not for lack of hours thinking about it. Even during those sparse moments when I'm enjoying what some people affectionately refer to as "dream land", I'm subconsciously wondering how long it will last and what I need to do as soon as I can escape from it.

Tonight is the first school night after the time change. So technically, I've got an extra hour to sleep in. At least, that's what everyone's Facebook status updates are saying. Sleeping in isn't something I've experienced since I was a rebellious, lazy teenager, so I just group these people in with the rich and famous elitists that I simply can't relate to.

Maybe it's not such a bad thing though, this insomnia business. I usually get more accomplished between the hours of 1:00-4:00am than I do during the day when there are so many shiny things to distract me. All the articles you read on insomnia will tell you that opening up your computer is a fatal, overstimulating mistake, but what if you embrace this as an extension of your work day? What if being a part of the secret vampire society of the undead makes you vastly more productive? Hell yes! That's what I'm talking about! It's a GIFT, this so-called problem with insomnia. Who says we need to work from 8-5, have dinner, then slip into blissful unconsciousness until 6am the next morning when we wash and repeat?

{Sigh} Alright. I'm going to give it another shot. Crawl under the covers, curl up in the fetal position, and try to postpone my thoughts about the week ahead until the alarm goes off.

Good night, dear sweet blog. Happy dreams.

Cheryl