weekend recap: zac brown band!

Friday night we hopped into the car and headed to CT for the Zac Brown Band Concert on Saturday night. We spent the weekend with Natalie family, which felt like some type of hotel resort for the weekend.

 

how gorgeous is her dads garden!

The Zac Brown Band concert was THE BEST EVER. I know I say that after every concert, which is natural since I am SO obsessed with live music but this really was amazing. It was at the Xfinity Center in CT for their Jekyll and Hyde Tour. Most of the concerts I have been to in college and since have been at this venue which I LOVE!!

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They opened with “home grown” which got the crowd going.  Then they did SIX covers of OUTSTANDING classics.

He ended the night with Chicken Fried, the song that made me fall in love with them in the first place! It was hands down the BEST concert.

What is your favorite concert ever?

-F

The Birth of a Tradition

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Its hard to believe a month has passed since our trip to Mexico and I have been so excited to write this post. For those that don’t know I spent a week in Cancun with my boyfriend (yay).  We had been discussing how we wanted to start a tradition for when we travel, something to collect as a memory from each destination.
I wanted it to be something different. Something I may actually display, (sorry trinket lovers) those shot glasses and magnets just aren’t my thing.

On the flight down we decided an underwater picture (good idea right?) would be how we document each trip. Fast forward to mid vacation when we met a lovely couple from just outside Atlanta in the “preferred” pool area. Herb made “insta-friends” with the high school sweethearts who had been married for twenty years! After a few hours (and several margaritas) the four of us ventured to the sports bar to place bets on the Belmont Stakes Race in hopes of a triple crown. We got to talking about Boston and how much the wife loved NewEngland sports, so much in fact her sons middle name is Brady!

Herb being the guy he is, offered his Boston branded hat off of his head to the couple… The husband took his hat from Costa Rica (yes I’m taking this as a sign I need to go) off and said only if we trade -it will mean even more that he give up the 4 year old hat for a Boston. Just like that our tradition is born. Trading hats with ppl we meet on our trips. Not only is it a cool souvenir to wear but it comes with a story!
xx
-F

Time: the best of times, the worst of times

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My last post I wrote about the concept of time and how it seems to control so much of our life, not enough time… or let time pass and it will heal you. Both of which seem to be the case for my situation right now, not enough time to make this work and hopefully with time Ill feel better about it….

It is with the saddest of hearts Bona Clara announced their close on Jan 31st. Bona Clara was far from perfect but I didnt think we were that close to the end.

A heartbroken and shaking Jasmina told us one by one on Thursday morning, despite the previous days efforts to “do what it takes” we would not be able to continue Bona Clara and we would not be looking for outside funding. It took me a while, actually its still hard for me to swallow this being the right decision. Their was just not enough time to do this properly and Jasmina “wouldn’t be able to sleep at night, knowing she is asking us to sacrifice but can’t promise something like this wouldn’t happen again. Maybe its selfish, but I saw this being big for me, I saw my entire career here in front of me… I saw myself being Jasmina’s partner in this, she would be the face + I would be the voice, or maybe I would be the face…. no she would be the face, she would be the brain behind the amazing products, and I would be the funny voice that told reps they can do it!!!! I saw these reps, these founding leaders being in my wedding some day, or even introducing me to the wonderful Mr. Francesca… This is the one thing, I didn’t see coming…

We were told last Tuesday there was a problem, we instinctually said we would fight this, do whatever it takes, now its Wed night and I will only have 2 more wakeup’s to the best job so far, the job that took me from I cant do anything to I can do EVERYTHING, maybe I still haven’t started dating again or made a million bucks, but it made me happy, it filled my cup + I was able to be a little part of filling someone elses. I will post more on this later as I am really trying to just soak it all in, I have no idea what is next but I do know I am beyond grateful for the past 16 months.

For anyone interested in the “smarter beauty products” they will be on sale at 50% off through friday! Just go to the Bona Clara site for orders!

BostInno 50 on Fire

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Bona Clara’s CEO was nominated for BostInno 50 on Fire for Bostons inventors, disruptors, luminaries and newsmakers across all industries.

Jasmina was one of the finalists so we got to celebrate with her and  Boston’s brightest at the Moakley Courthouse which by the way was the most beautifully built building I have seen in Boston.

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Jasmina didn’t win this year but we had a blast!!

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Thanksgiving – Served Family Style

We spent Thanksgiving as we usually do but this year seemed a bit better. We went to my mothers side first and stayed a bit longer than usual. Garrett was having a debate about who knows what, I was catching up, my mom seemed wide awake + there was an over all warm feeling 🙂

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I am willing to bet some of that warmness came from the 2 babies Julette and George – which has brought so much joy to my Aunt Sue (my great aunt) as she has been spending tons of time with her first grandchildren.

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Jules was a little cranky after her nap but still just as friggen cute as can be!!! I do love her so much, everything about her is so damn cute!

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After my moms side, we headed over to my Dad’s sisters. My Aunt who grew up as one of two, married my uncle who was one of eight, and this was the year of the McDevitts. All of his siblings joined + we had a big dinner of 50!!! I was so happy by how the entire evening went, I think naturally we were a little nervous for there to be that many people but it was perfect, just goes to show when its family, it doesn’t matter how many… the more the merrier holds true. It doesn’t hurt that they have one of the largest and most beautiful homes in all of town.

IMG_5585It is amazing how fast time is flying …. how we are already in Dec (almost) and how this marks the 2 year mark since I have been diagnosed with Lupus. How far I have come since then and how many ups and downs there have been. I am a stronger woman for it… How was your Thanksgiving?

543 Tour: Dallas

One of the cities on the 534 Tour was Dallas, one that we have yet to experience any growth in but know this will be a gem once we do. We lucked out with a hotel in Plano where Ericka’s friend lived, he suggested NYLO, a modern, boutique hotel in downtown Plano.

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I loved the way the rooms were set up, it was all super modern + the beds were TO DIE for!!

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A weekend fit for a queen

While this weekend was for V’s birthday – I think I would call it top 10 weekends for meee! Friday night we met a few of my friends after work then headed to Southie where we dinned at Paramount South Boston, one of the amazing restaurants I used to work for. Chef Gabe was there and brought out countless dishes for us to try.

IMG_0960 (800x600) 111urlWe rang in the big 25 across the street with Irish Car Bombs. YUM.

Saturday evening we headed back to Southie to new-ish restaurant called Local 149. With the edgy hipster feel the food and drinks were outstanding.

url1 url ur2We headed to a few other places and ended Sat night at Whiskey Priest with all of our friends from home!  There is just something about being in the comfort of the people you grew up with that feels so good.

Sunday was supposed to be the real birthday party – it was a day brunch at Gem Night Club. We did something similar to this in NYC at Lavo and its one of those that will go in my “once in a lifetime” buckets. Gem wasnt bad though, it was actually pretty fun. Great DJs, the best friends, drinks flowing…. made for quite the Sunday funday… I have to say… work on Monday isnt so hot.

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photo weekend

-Frankie

Birthday Extravaganza Weekend

TGIF – I never say that – usually because I work on the weekend at some point and lately they just haven’t been all that exciting. I am truly looking forward to this weekend. I am kicking it off  with a hair appointment at the ultra professional Jeffery Lyle Salon on after work JL-newsite-1

(courtesy of Jefferylylesalon.com)

then out to celebrate with a few friends from work + then to my fav part of boston … Southie 🙂
Saturday (i am working so lets skip that) marks the 25th bday of my BFFL! WOOOO

Yes we still celebrate like we are 21 accept we are 25 and can handle our booze (and go drink for drink) as well as the next guy. My BFFL turns 25 this Sunday and we are heading to GEM nightclub for a little partay brunch on Sunday! I am SOOO looking forward to it!!

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Its crazy to think we have been friends for 10 years but I wouldn’t change a single thing. What do you guys have planned for the weekend?

xo

-Frankie

 

Design Salon: You’re always selling

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I attended the design salon at twelve chairs this week with my friend molly in an attempt to get molly the kick in the butt she needs to apply to designs school and selfishly to finally meet the gorg Erin Gates of Elements of Style (while also trying to invite people to the Bona Clara launch party).

Erin and her amazing hubby Andrew discussed the sales side of business. He touched on a few key points:

  • you don’t have to sell to everyone
  • let the customer lead the convo – everyone loves talking about themselves
  • be confident in your product (even if thats you)
  • read marketing books not sales ones

Over all be genuine and caring. Develop a relationship with your potential customer and figure out how you can help them. It was a great discussion but I cant help but mention their chemistry. They are just perfect! Balance each other out perfectly, Erin is a self proclaimed, insecure, pessimistic, worrywart and Andrew its an optimistic, confident, sales man.

I left Monday evening with an extra pep in my step. Knowing I really can do anything I want and I will blog till I get there (and after)… not that I even know what I want really… I cant wait for the next design salon!!

Bona Clara Launch Party

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Last night was the official launch party of Bona Clara!!! We had the perfect space – a private room at Eastern Standard,

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delicious cocktails,

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beautiful displays

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a few of boston’s most fab bloggers, the ladies from What Gents Don’t Get

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and the amazing woman behind Rue Le Chat not to mention several others –

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and amazing friends and friends of friends. It was a perfect night all around + left me with butterflies of excitement as Jasmina announced this is just the beginning of something truly amazing.

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(our team doing the “kiki” arms wide or the “frankie” cool dude hands move)

I have to say I belong here and it feels so good…

xo