“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” (Lucille Ball, Actress & Comedienne, 1911-1989)

What is it about birthdays that cause one to reflect in such an intense manner? Is it the days that have passed and the experiences that they’ve brought with them…the good and the not-so-good…the anticipated as well as the unexpected…the celebrated and the “wish it would’ve gone better”? Or is it the thoughts of what was desired but never quite came to fruition?

Regardless…more about that later…

In addition to birthday celebrations, the last few months have been filled with just good ol’ fashion busy, as evidenced by the time which has passed since the last post. But busy is good. While it keeps a girl away from the keyboard, it also keeps her out of trouble…for the most part anyway.  

More specifically, the month of May brought with it a multitude of activities from one end of the spectrum to the next. Again, so many that there was hardly a minute to spare…or to rest…or even to breathe.  

Highlights included numerous corporate events. There were those that were on the more casual side. Think blue jeans and boot scootin’. And there were a few that were a bit more formal. Imagine, if you will, stilettos and sequins.

There was also a nonprofit fundraiser or two. One successfully celebrated “champions of hope” and their dedication to children within the community.  Another allowed guests to “sip, shop, and savor” in order to contribute to various organizations within the local area. And as a volunteer, what better way to work for a good cause than to help pour (and, of course, taste) wine?

There were a few sporting events. This meant fourth row floor seats to an NBA playoff game. Thanks again, Ms. Katie! Sometimes it really is just about being in the right place at the right time, huh? Also included were VIP passes to the Valero Texas Open. Who knew being such a “very important person” meant traipsing through the mud and ruining a brand new pair of fabulous flip flops?

In addition, there was a celebration to mark the last day of school as well as the Memorial Day holiday. These included river trips, sunscreen, barbecue, and more than a few adult beverages. 

And sprinkled in between all of this…there were weddings, committee meetings, site visits, business dinners and cocktail receptions. There were also a few GNOs or “girls’ night outs”. What better way to celebrate friends and enjoy just being…well, a girl? 

Now…back to the musings about birthdays.

In addition to everything else that May has going for it, it also includes numerous birthdays. Perhaps not the very most important, but still extremely signficant, is the birthday of Bleuprint itself. 

And with that, comes reflections of all that has passed throughout these last few years. There have been celebrations and victories…some great and some small. There have also been a few setbacks, but none that have been tragic enough to shake the core of what the business is built upon. And as for the contemplations of what is still to come? They bring with them hope and optimism and a great deal of determination. Also a gift is the newly acquired, and much desired, ability to just be still and be present. You know…in the moment?

So, all in all and above everything else…the future sure looks bright!

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” (Celia Thaxter, Writer & Poet, 1835 - 1894)

With Labor Day fast approaching, we are reminded that the “unofficial” end of summer is also upon us.  Instead of weekend picnics and celebratory parades, family barbecues and sinfully delicious beach reads, we will be bombarded with reminders of the changing seasons.  And, even though temperatures here in Texas will remain well into the 90’s (or even the 100’s) for a few more weeks, we’ll be exposed to article after article regarding:  recipes for feel-good, “cold-weather” comfort foods; activities such as Friday night football and tailgating parties; the best method for extending that summer glow; the proper way to pack away the cotton shorts and linen shirts and/or to air out the knitted sweaters and wool coats; and, of course, crafts and decorating ideas for the impending holiday season.

Before we move on and say “farewell” to yet another joyous summer, however, Bleu would like to take a few moments to appreciate all of the glory and greatness of the traditions that have littered these last few months, as well as the summers past and those still yet to come.

For us, summer is simply…

Flip Flops…Acceptable Almost Anywhere and Anytime

Fireflies

Family Get Togethers

Fresh Fruit…Especially with a Bowl of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Margaritas…On the Patio and with Live Music Filling the Air

Bikinis

Playing in the Sprinkler

Popsicles

Pedicures…Topped Off with Only the Brightest, Boldest, and Most Outrageous of Colors

“Kiss My Face” SPF 30 Sunscreen

Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers

Dining Outdoors

Sleeping Late

Sunglasses…the Expensive, Classic Styles or the Cheap, Trendy Ones…Just so They’re Cool and Hip

Greatest Hit Albums…The Eagles, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, and Elton John to be Exact

Wherever we go, and whatever we do, this perfect storm of summer essentials instantly puts our minds and bodies at ease.  So, here’s to you, summer…thanks for the memories…until we meet again!

“The young are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because youth is sweet and they are growing.”  (Aristotle, Philosopher, 384BC - 322BC)

Our “little miss sunshine” is turning four.  And, what better way to celebrate this brilliant ray of light than with a bright and glorious gathering of family and friends.

The festivities, while splendid, were simple and sweet.   Nothing fussy or overdone…just a perfect illustration of what it means to focus on the things that matter most.

There were butterflies dressed in purple polka dots and patten leather mary janes, lady bugs adorned with hair bows and charming smiles, and great big sunflowers in bright hues of yellow and orange.  Overall, it was a day filled with sunshine, laughter, and an abundance of love.

To help set the tone for the event, the amazing team at Moon Mippy (http://www.moonmippyonline.com/) assisted in designing delightful custom invitations.  With patience and fabulous insight, they helped select, plan, and print the cards….and all within less than 48 hours!  Thanks, Linda, et al.  Your services are invaluable…as well as perfect for the planner who swears she isn’t going to do formal invitations…and then, at the very last minute, changes her mind. 

Also remarkable in the way of resources is the team at Cupcake Couture (http://www.cupcakecouturesa.com/).  With just a hint of direction regarding color and theme, they designed the most delectable treats…gorgeous in form and fabulous in flavor.  In addition to the white and strawberry selected for our celebration, they also offer 14 other scrumptious options…lemon and orange, chocolate and coconut, buttercream and carrot…YUMMY!   Bought over the counter at one of their two locations, or custom ordered with a specific occasion in mind, the result will be a magnificently delicious experience.  Thanks, Nichole.  You’re right…cupcakes really do = smiles!

Instead of the trendy custom candy bar, there was a much more traditional (although slightly cliche!) pinata.   In the form of a butterfly and filled with way too much candy, it was enjoyed by both the young and the “young at heart”.

In addition to the sugary treats, the children left with bags full of blinged out butterfly favors and the adults with custom CDs created with a playlist of happy, “sunshine-y” selections.  (Think Beach Boys and Sheryl Crow!)

And, even in spite of the sweltering 100+ degree weather, it was a backyard bash filled with joy…all in all, an amazing day…”intoxicating” and, again, reflective of the things that matter most. 

Oh, how sweet it is!

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”  (John Dewey, American Philosopher, 1859-1952)

Over the past few weeks, Bleu has had the opportunity to join in some of the most important celebrations of the year.  While the honorees and audiences have been varying and quite diverse, there has been a common thread that’s run through all of them…education.

With the youngest, which included completion of the very first semester of preschool and a Kindergarten graduation, there was ice cream, pizza, and a musical performance of rather catchy adolescent tunes.  Way to go, Ryleigh Rayne and Avery K.  You both ROCK!

There was also a graduation from high school and one from college.   While the former will soon be packing his bags to leave home on one of his biggest adventures to date, the other, with a need and desire to gain additional “real life” experience before beginning graduate school, has just loaded up his boxes to head back this way.   Congratulations, Kyle and Jake.  Regardless of your direction on I-35, you are both AMAZING!

While Kyle and Jake certainly have College Station and Aggie Pride in common, they both also have years of hard work and experience that vary from one another yet still far exceed those of the aforementioned three- and six-year-olds.  Nonetheless, included with each and every one of the four are huge accomplishments and aspirations for life’s next step.

Typically, people in this part of the country dare not mention an Aggie and a Longhorn in the same breath.  Still, this document on education would be incomplete without a “shout out” to our very own Jackie B and recognition of her recent accomplishments.  Even though she’s already earned her degree and is currently in graduate school, her walk across the UT stage just under six months ago still qualifies her as a “graduating senior”.  That, combined with her years of dedicated service to the alumni association while on campus, earned her the reward of a European trip from the Texas Exes.  She leaves this week for a month-long, whirlwind tour through nine countries across the continent.  We’re so PROUD of you, Jackie!  Just goes to show…it really does pay to be a good student.

Last but not least, we must mention the oldest and “wisest” of the bunch.  With more than a decade having passed since her completion of high school, and a lifetime of worldwide travels and experience behind her, she’s decided to re-embark on her quest for a college degree.  Whether the catalyst of her inspiration was the lack of privilege witnessed in countries she’s visited or the recent accomplishments of her very own Kindergarten graduate, her feat is no small one.  Congratulations, Belinda.  You are an INSPIRATION!

So, regardless of where each of these individuals currently resides within their educational journey, one thing remains certain…the most important thing is the pursuit…and, of course, the pizza.

“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our own lives.”  (Mary Ann Brussat, Author)

Many times throughout this past year, Bleu has celebrated the “new”…new life, new love, new friendship.  We’ve honored new brides and new babies.  We’ve toasted new clients and new acquaintances.  We’ve welcomed new jobs and new homes.  We’ve given thanks and gratitude for each new day and the opportunities (and challenges!) they’ve brought with them.  We’ve shouted “hooray” for each new milestone and toasted those which still lie ahead.

And, we’re not alone.  “New”, after all, is what it’s all about these days.  It’s celebrated for its beauty and for its ability to bring with it both happiness and, perhaps even more importantly, hope.    

Who doesn’t love the smell of a new car or the feel of a new set of sheets when sliding into bed?  Who doesn’t like to show off a new haircut or a shiny new pair of shoes?  People stand in line for hours, even days, to watch a film that has been newly released or buy a book that has been newly published.  At the turn of each new season, we purchase all things new…new suits for swimming, new lunchboxes for school,  new coats for cold weather, and new color for the garden. 

Currently, there is even a national spirit of renewal…a movement towards new leadership and the change that is due to come with it.  Here again, “new” symbolizes growth and movement forward.       

Sometimes, however, the greatest and most treasured things are those which have stood the test of time…the things that are steadfast and true…the things that can be counted on, time and again, to weather the storm and withstand the frenzy of this thing we call life.

And today, Bleu is celebrating one of the greatest examples of just such a thing…a lifetime of love shared by two people.  And by “lifetime”, we mean 70 years. 

It was 1939.  Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United States.  The Spanish Civil War ended and World War II began.  That same year, John Steinbeck’s, The Grapes of Wrath, was first published.  Lou Gehrig played his 2,130 consecutive game and then, two months later, retired from the New York Yankees due to ALS.  The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind premiered at movie theaters.  And, Roger and Leila were married.

If you asked them today, they still remember clearly all of the little details…those things that make their love, and their journey together, special.  Roger remembers their first meeting and what it was that attracted him to Leila.  Leila remembers their first date and what it was that made Roger stand out from all the others.  Their life together has not always been easy; but, they will tell you, it has been blessed.  They have three children, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren…and one on the way.

They can’t share with you the “secret” to a happy marriage.  They can tell you, however, what matters the most…love, loyalty, faith, and hard work.  (They’ll also tell you who really wears the pants in the family…depending on who you ask, however, the answer may differ just slightly.)  And at the end of the day, they’ll say, it really comes down to one thing…standing behind the commitments that you make. 

So, as much as we appreciate the things that are new, here’s to the celebration of those things that we also know to be true and good and real…and here’s to 70 years!