The Party

As the song goes, "Oh what a night!" The elan woman birthday bash is officially over and this editor is slowly regaining consciousness. The countless details that we fretted about going into the night were completely wrapped around providing an exquisite evening of entertainment for our guests. From the unbelievable food provided by the Painted Pony restaurant (people could not get enough of the variety of options and rich flavors) to the mouth watering V Chocolates - add the sounds of the St. George Musical Theater, all encircled in the spectacular "Bramasole" Parade Home provided by Split Rock Fine Homes and it was truly a night to behold. Some 300+ attendees basked in the elegance of a wonderfully diverse crowd which included business professionals, artists, media, politicians, regional celebrities, subscribers, our advertisers and contributors.
Highlights of the evening including our guests casting votes to officially name the elan woman awards. Our annual event will honor a "Professional of the Year" and a "Volunteer of the Year" - hence forth to be known as the "e-xceptional awards." Making history were our first two honorees. Mary Ronnow, CEO of The Skin Institute was recognized as "Professional of the Year", while the beautiful Julie Hullinger was named elan's "Volunteer of the Year." Both received elan's unique token of recognition, a large, crystal diamond ring paper weight with the elan logo engraved on the face of the diamond - unique and classy, just like our honorees.
So, after all the hoopla of the week, I've taken a number of occasions to soak up the moment. What love and support was present within the walls of "Bramasole." Debra and I have honestly been so fortunate to have connected with extraordinary individuals who believe in elan woman. As our new issue expresses in my letter from the editor, gratitude abounds for the success we share with all those who have become a part of the elan woman family.
What's next? After I finish eating what little was left of the "gia-normous" birthday cake I will begin to take advantage of the amazing southwest weather (70 degrees today baby!). The fresh air and sunshine elevates my soul like no other...and "fresh" is absolutely a part of the creative element necessary for elan woman. I'll squeeze into the jogging pants and hit the park tonight with the girls, Maci and Hannah, my toy poodles. While strolling, I'll offer up my highest degree of humility for this past week and all of the love this life has provided. Then I'll come back and start a load of laundry.

Our New Blog

Welcome to our new blog site. I have always been fairly savvy with the email thing, but overall I would categorize myself as technically challenged. Blogging's simplicity allows this editor to have a space to share what's going on behind the scenes at our offices located in glorious southern Utah. Our location puts us smack center to all the action between the Payson/Dixie Line (south of Provo, Utah) to viva Las Vegas and any adventurous points along the way (ever played on the river in Laughlin?) Our journey to produce each issue of elan woman is full of surprises, laughs, heartbreak, triumphs and chocolate. I look forward to inviting you inside our world and seeing the playful side of our creative environment. It's a mix between The Devil Wears Prada and Legally Blonde (thank you Chris Waddell for thinking of me).

This week we will finalize the many details to our one year birthday bash coming up next week. We will thank our supporters, pay tribute to our advertisers, and announce our very first elan woman professional of the year and volunteer of the year. Oh, I do love a party! The Split Rock group is our host for this unbelievable evening in their Estates at Northbridge Parade Home, "Bramasole" (I love to say that word). That leads me to the real question that must be answered, "What's a girl to wear???" Now the guys will make that simple, grabbing what ever is within arms reach. Their big question is, "What's to eat???" Painted Pony is our choice to cater the celebration - let the taste buds rejoice! As for me, I will head to Bella Donna in search of an LBD (little black dress) and while there grab some of those hilarious new sticky notes with the sassy remarks that June Pace may have coined herself!

So much to do...I need a diet coke with ice so I receive the proper amount of hydration. With the March/April birthday issue off to print, we can take a breath and visualize what's next to unveil that defines elan woman as more than just a magazine. We will allow some of that colorful vision to unfold through this blog. Each day is a gift that is just so fun to unwrap. I love presents...