February is the month of love and brings us one of my favorite holidays…Valentine’s Day! I’m a romantic at heart and I love when my fiancée recognizes that one special day reserved for lovers with a card or flowers…and especially with jewelry!  I am not a cynic who believes it’s just a “Hallmark” occasion. Yes, couples need to keep love alive all year round – but having that one day set aside to celebrate “us” warms my heart and gets to me every time!

 

Jewelry is part of so many Valentine’s Day celebrations and is a lasting and memorable declaration of love! In fact, fine jewelry with gems or diamonds and gold is a Valentine’s Day gift which will be appreciated for a lifetime and is a gift often chosen to say “I love you” in a big way.  Read my blog in this issue for some amazing fine jewelry gift ideas for your sweetheart this February 14th.

 

And…Valentine’s Day is also a time for many engagements and wedding proposals!  How romantic is that? Declaring your love and asking your partner to marry you on Valentine’s Day puts a spotlight on how meaningful and memorable you want your engagement to be. There is a long-standing tradition of exchanging rings for a betrothal, and my blog is this issue highlights the fascinating history and symbolism.

 

Count me in on helping you find the perfect engagement ring or fine diamond or gemstone jewelry piece to commemorate your love. My passion and commitment shine bright when I’m helping clients choose the perfect gift and make it an extraordinary and memorable experience. Reach out to me to set up a discovery call so I can make it happen!

Allison & Patrick's Engagement! What a gorgeous joyful couple and check out that diamond ring!

 

Interestingly, yoga has been a lifesaver for many a yogi…those who practice yoga. It incorporates building the body’s strength, balance, and flexibility through beautiful and rhythmic stretching, physical and breathing movements. It is every bit a spiritual practice as well as a physical practice. It heightens your senses, can evoke emotional release, and activate mind & body self-healing. How can this practice, which almost anyone can do, give us so much in that small bit of time? 

 

Personally, I have been a yogi for only about 5 years.  I’m a personal trainer and therefore focused on strength building with weights and bands. My daily running and walking built up my cardio endurance. But…something was missing. It was when I discovered yoga that my workout regimen became more balanced and my overall wellness in all areas improved. I am more powerful mentally, spiritually, and physically, and my performance and recovery in my other fitness modalities has heightened. 

 

I came across this article which shared the powerful transformations of 16 people who believe yoga healed them, and in some cases, saved their lives. Read on…maybe it’s time for you to get inspired to take your practice to a new level…or begin to practice if you’ve been hesitant.
 

We’re off to Costa Rica this month for a vacation and adventure.  We’ve fallen in love with this magical and gorgeous place in Central America nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. We plan this to be our winter home later this year, and the beautiful thing with all the technology available, I can still be in touch with family – and with you – my special friends and clients.  So, stay tuned for updates on this next chapter in our lives.

 

I’ve already booked my trip for my first trade show events – the Antique & Vintage Fine Jewelry Show & the International Jewelry Showcase – both in Las Vegas – for late spring.  I’ll be attending with my Marketing & Creative Director Tina, and we’ll be on the hunt for unique jewelry designers to partner with for this upcoming year.  I’m looking for jewelry creations you don’t see in every store.  I want to be more exclusive in my offerings. I’m also looking for vendors who want to make a splash with their designs in the Milwaukee area to host more of our Private VIP Jewelry Trunk Show events.  They were wildly successful last year and many of the attendees asked for more events this year. 

 

Many of my clients have asked for more online jewelry and accessories buying opportunities so I’m keeping an open mind and sending out good vibes to the universe to put me in the pathway of great companies to partner with. I've already has a few great conversations!   More to come….

 

Is there something special as far as jewelry, accessories, or services you’d like to see me offer in my business?  Let me know if you have any requests or ideas!  I’m always open!

 

I’m also elevating my game in my social media marketing.  I have a great monthly newsletter, publish 2 blogs a month – plus make fun and informational posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn - but I am trying to be more strategic in my approach – and will even dive into the Google Ads arena.  I’ve got a part-time social media assistant ready to begin onboarding, so we’ll launch the new plan soon!

I know very well who my Tribe is. They are tried, tested and true! They are my inner circle of loved ones, family, friends, and clients whom I can always rely on through the ups and downs of living life!

 

My Tribe has my back…and I have theirs. They are the ones who love you, support you, cheer you on, lend a hand, lend an ear, advise you, challenge you, laugh and cry with you, and without hesitation – defend you even when you’re not present in the room! They know you, believe in you, fight for you, and would never allow someone to disparage your name or reputation in their presence. Loyalty runs through their veins!  Betrayal is not in their vocabulary! They also know I, in turn, return this right back to them for I am part of their Tribes!

 

Cultivating close and personal connections is critically important to me. I am a creator of amazing relationships and have spent a lifetime building bridges…not burning them. My network is tight knit. These are the types of relationships which transcend time and distance…for it doesn’t matter how much time has gone by…we can pick up our relationship in a heartbeat right where we left off. I have a long memory and our history is indelibly marked in my heart and mind. We have survived the test of time.

 

God has truly blessed and surrounded me with some pretty incredible people. So, to my Tribe, I say thank you for being such an integral part of my life. You are loved, adored, and cherished. Thank you for being there for me…I will always be there for you! You can count on it!